Does anyone have a straight jacket?

If you haven't guessed by now, I'm going through me old pictures. I want to do a project of some sort with them, but haven't quite figured out what that will be. Most of my early days were comprised of wierd faces and ugly hair.
Alas, someone took these pictures - not sure
who.

I don't know what I'm doing here. Perhaps I was impersonating my favorite character. Maybe I was playing Gestures. Or I coud've just been trying to pose for this picture!

At any rate, I take up alot of space. Forget the fact that I'm animated; these CP muscels won't stay still for anything! The only difference between this "me" and now is that I've gained a few (or alot) extra pounds, adopted a better hair style, and have better glasses.

I still take up space............thats one of the reasons I do not enjoy flying. Those seats aren't exactly spacious. I tend to hit my nieghbor one in a while - thankfully, most of them aren't too annoyed. (I wonder: Would people rather sit by me, or a crying 1 yr old - at least I don't cry!) The worst part is that when I do drift off to dreamland, my body instictively knows, as if to say to my muscels, "You've been still for five minutes; you better do something!" It's amazing. Like clockwork. I love it!

Oh well, I get to go to BC to spend some time with my sis and cousin! Maybe the plane will be empty..........

Can't Sleep

We are total opposites. Her house is spotless; my apartment is...not spotless. I'm funny; she's not. The list goes on.

Much to her dismay, we've been friends. for over 20 yesrs. Her name is Danica. She was 19 when she saw me for the first time, in her words, "riding a scooter in PE, playing hocky." I don't remember our first meeting, but I'm sure it was charming.

Danica was a new intern at my school, fresh out of occupational therapy school. She still recalls how boring Rock Valley was -- so boring, she hung out with twerp like me.

She's moved on.......she's docter's wife and mom of two boys. We've seen each other about once a year, and this ole' Iowa girl has seen many parts of the US because of the places she's lived. Ask Danica about camping at Lake Tahoe!

And whille I'll never be a neat freak, and she'll never be funny, we'll always be friends.

Oh, Danica, thanks for the memories, chica!! Love you!

More of my DC trip

Tuesday, we had a meeting with the Alliance to End Hunger.   We met with  Cody Fischer, the manager of membership services. FRB is partnering with the organization in an effort to build relationships in DC and around the world.

The Bread for the World headquarters was in the same building. I thought that was neat, so I took a picture.

 

 

Wednesday, we attended Senator Harkin’s breakfast. I, of course, had no idea how these breakfasts go. Much to our surprise, Harkin and his staff knew we were coming. When Harkin made his way around the room, he spent some time talking with Ron and I about FRB. It was pretty memorable!

After the breakfast, one of Harkin’s staffers give us a capitol tour. That was pretty amazing…….We were able to witness both the House of Reps and Senate in session. You’d think – or at least I did – that both bodies are similar. They’re not. The House was loud and bustling with activity. The Senate was quite and proper. We g0t scolded for talking in the Senate chambers! As our guide described it – The Senate is like a formal affair, while the House is like a college frat party! If I ever pursue a career in politics, I’ll be a representative!

 

As we were rounding a corner on our tour, Senator Grassley was coming down from the Senate chambers!! Grassley talked with us for  a bit. That was a memorable moment, as well!

Literally, seconds after Grassley came down, Senator Thune appeared! Needless to say, we were all ecstatic!

 

                           

These are just a few pictures we took of the tour. The second picture is of Ron and I beside the statue of Ronald Reagan. The third picture is of Harvey & Judy beside the Minnesota statue. Every state has a statue in the capitol. Iowa’s is a statue of Helen Keller.

Providence

*I can safely say my dad will not read this – he knows nothing about computers. The guy’s emotional enough, he doesn’t need to see this :) *

I think this was taken at Christmas. My dad looks on as I open my gift. Probably a coloring book – I enjoyed coloring, even though the kitchen table got more colorful than the pages – sorry mom!

Dads always enjoy watching their kids find joy. My dad loves to see his kids joyful.

 

 

 

That did not mean, though, that dad spared us from the experiences – unpleasant as they may have been-  of life.  If my dad didn’t push me, I'd still be sitting on the sides of swimming pools, afraid to go in. I recall begging him to to let go of me. He’d say, “Relax, I’m right here.” In reality, all my squirming just hindered my ability to swim.

Or the times he’d say in frustration, at his wits end, “Why do you have to be so stubborn?

To which I’d reply, “Why do you not get it?”

Of course, his famous last words were, “ Oh, I get it!”

When I think of dad,

I think of Jesus.

I find it ironic that dad’s shirt says ‘providence.” Today, Good Friday, providence meant that Jesus would be killed, by the very ones he came to save.

On Sunday, the third day, providence for me means I will one day be with the Lord. Whole.