Mmmmm, Cool Weather and Sunshine!

I just had to take a few minutes today to write a little note. Yesterday as I was walking down the steps to the museum, a squirrel came running up the steps, with a mouth full of acorns. He stopped just about 2 feet in front of me, looked at me for a minute, then went on his way. He was so cute, and just getting ready for the season.

The air this afternoon was crisp and bright with a bit of wind blowing. The comm department had a wiffleball tournament this afternoon. I would have liked to go and watch (it was hilarious last year), but I stayed in the office for an afternoon of docent training. This art thing is really pretty fun! The comm crowd will be going to AJ's for food etc. this afternoon, so I will join them there.

I'm back to fulfilling my regular duties for the museum, and it feels good. Mailing lists, editing copy, contacting people about ads, it's all good.

I Need to Get Some Sleep

It has been a few days and I think I should write a few words (and I think I'll share a picture or two, too). It's late and I still have some writing to do, but I spent some time just messing around. The American Journalism Historians Association national conference is in Wichita the next couple of days and I presented on one of the panels today. I actually went home for a few minutes then went to the reception. Amy needed to go by her house for a few minutes, and we sat and visited for a little while until her husband came home. They went back to play pool or cards with some friends and I thought I would work on some of this giant project that might almost be done!

Instead, I wasted about 3 hours just playing around on the Internet! I think I needed the break, but now it's getting late. I really must sleep for at least a few hours--I have another presentation at 8:30 a.m.!

I wanted to post a couple more pictures from this summer that were just fun. One afternoon I went outside with Kyle (he's 10) and we drew sidewalk chalk pictures. The other picture is just one of my toes, but it felt so good to be barefoot!

Today was a clear, crisp fall day, and I had lunch with a good friend. It was a beautiful walk downtown.

Just Time for a Quick Post

I'm thinking this evening about those "Three Beautiful Things" and am happy to have run across that blog at this busy time in my life. I am glad to have been reminded to stop and see the beauty in each day. So, with deadlines and pressure looming, I feel a true need to recognize three beautiful things about today:
1. A terrific husband who dropped everything to save me from myself, even when it was inconvenient for him.
2. A great friend who was also willing to take a break from her busy life and act as a guest speaker for my class.
3. Sunshine peeking through the clouds, a light breeze and a crisp fall day on which to take a brisk walk across campus for a few short moments.

I'm sure I could list dozens more, because I am surrounded by beauty.

A Pleasant Sunday

This is a picture from master's graduation. There were five of us that walked across campus together, and these ladies were a terrific support in the two years it took to get through the program.

I took a few moments out of my busy schedule yesterday, and ran across a blog (from Blogs of Note) that is called Three Beautiful Things. It was a stark reminder to me that I have much to be grateful for, and that I am surrounded by beautiful things. We have been blessed with gorgeous fall weather here in Kansas over the past few days and I was able to enjoy a few minutes outside today. I had to come to work (and I didn't really want to), but I work in an art museum, and am surrounded by interesting (some beautiful, some not) items, and it is always enjoyable to leave the office and go upstairs to the galleries. I can also look out my window and see a beautiful waterfall wall made of granite.

I think I have been letting myself see the negative lately because I feel overwhelmed. But I know that God watches over us, provides us with people that care about us, and gives us the beauty of the world if we will but see it.

My two pictures I posted yesterday are examples of things I enjoy. Lest anyone think that Kansas is lacking in beauty, check out the incredible sunset. The other picture is my blanket. I think it has a fun design and I am looking forward to the cooler weather that is on it way this week. I look forward to changing leaves, hot chocolate, sweatshirts, and the crisp fall air.

A Couple of Happy Pictures

Starting off

It's been a crazy week, in my life and in the news. With a son in the Army and the possibility that he will have to go to Iraq, the news of the highest number of American soldiers' deaths in some time over this past week is distressing. A school shooter that killed 5 little girls and seriously injured 5 more in a small, one-room Amish schoolhouse is nearly unbelievable. Somehow, a school shooting in an urban area or a large school, while upsetting, is rather more expected than one that happens in such a peaceful community. And Mark Foley, a former U.S. representative, resigned over charges that he had inappropriate communications with pages. Hello, what are politicians thinking that they are immune from the common decency that guides the rest of us? It matters not what side of the aisle they are on, they seem to all feel the same: We can behave in outrageous fashion and get away with it because we are the privileged. Although I must admit that it doesn't look as if Foley is getting away with it.

At work I have been on a special project that is taking over my life, and I hope it truly ends next week. I am glad I have a great husband that helps out a lot. He cooks dinner, makes sure the kids do their homework, does laundry and grocery shopping. I am one lucky woman! Well, I am taking time that should be devoted to getting the monster project done, so that's it for now.