I got a big surprise this morning when Shari showed up unannounced, as she usually does about once a year. Brad and I were sleeping late, if 9:45 a.m. can be called late, when the doorbell rang. He went to get it, and I paid no attention. Next thing I knew, Shari was diving into the bed for a big hug. How nice to see her! We talked for a little while and made plans to get together again in the evening, at which time I was going to take a picture of the two of us to post here.
Unfortunately, those plans fell through because of cheese buttons, and I was forced to go back and find the oldest picture I have of Shari (see above). That's Shari, Rachel, me, and Byron Velander (long story, maybe some other time) in November 1988.
I need to apologize to Rachel for posting a picture in which she looks so ridiculous. Not that the rest of us look any better, either. I promise to post a better one soon. In fact, I came across some really good old pictures that I hope to post in the near future. It was fun to go back to the old photo albums.
Anyway, Shari didn't miss much tonight - a dull evening of VH1 Classic. They play "alternative" videos on Sunday nights, so I caught videos from The Smiths, Concrete Blonde, Love and Rockets, Echo & the Bunnymen and The Damned. Hopefully she'll be back for a longer visit later this summer.
Recently, there has been a flurry of reunions with the people who mean the most to me and live far away. Toni, Rachel and Shari all in the span of about a month. Cool. I feel special.
Rachel, Darius, Tess and baby Josie were briefly back in Bismarck this afternoon before they caught a flight to Oregon, just long enough to sift through some more boxes of clothes, do a load of laundry, eat chinese take-out and take some pictures. It was so nice to see them, and so nice of them to make a stop in Bismarck. It was a whirlwind visit, but we'll take what we can get since they live overseas.
If a person can have a best friend in the world, Rachel is that for me. I'm so glad we have been able to stay close for so long - I met her 20 years ago! - despite the fact that we've lived in the same town, at the same time, for only a few months, back in the late 1980's. I have so many great memories, but even better are the memories I look forward to making in the future. She's the best kind of person, and I'm honored to be her friend.
I just wish we'd stop having to say goodbye all the time. (sniff)
Rachel, Darius, Tess, and Josie were here and gone already. Their Bismarck stop was short but fun. Everyone was jet-lagged but looked great, especially new baby Josie Greer. I got to dress her this morning and hold her while she slept. I'm sure she'll get lots of lovin' from the rest of her family when she meets them today at the graduation. So far she seems to be an easy-going baby who only cries for legitimate reasons, except for the drive into town from the airport, during which she was so furious about being strapped into the carseat that she cried the whole way. Hope it goes better on the four-hour drive to Redfield!
Tess, Dylan and Connor hit it off right away and had a lot of fun playing. They got along together really well this time. Darius got to see a bit of last night's Rift gig, and Rachel and I spent a few hours sifting through my boxes of baby clothes looking for things they can make use of for Josie. Above, she models an adorable and cuddly outfit that Connor briefly wore. Apparently, it is the very shade of blue that the KLM flight attendants wear. Rachel and Darius were also grateful for the beer and wine we had in the house. Liquor is a scarce commodity in muslim Sudan.
They'll be back through here on Monday because they fly out of Bismarck to Oregon.
Today's the day. Rachel, Darius, Tess and baby Josie arrive this afternoon for a very short visit to Bismarck. We're so excited and honored that they are coming out of their way (sort of) to see us.
Here's the story (Morning Glory): They have been living in Sudan, where they work in the field of international aid. They try to make it back to The States every year. Last year, our family traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska, when they were back. This year, Rachel's nephew, Taylor, graduates from high school in Redfield, South Dakota, so they are flying in to Bismarck and driving down to Redfield. Bismarck is their first stop after about 24 hours of traveling. From here they will go to Oregon, New Mexico, and Nebraska before returning to Africa. However, Darius is changing jobs, so they are going to Ethiopia instead.
Whew! My life is rather mundane and stationary here in Bismarck, so I like to say that I live vicariously through my globe-trotting friend Rachel. She's always been like that, too. I'm sure I'll be writing more about her after their visit. For now, I'm counting down the hours and minutes (2 & 44) until they get here.
Here's what I was doing on Friday night. This was the Just For Kix entry in the Band Night Parade. That's me at the head of the far right file. We combined dancers from the two Bismarck programs and the Mandan program, for a total of 180 kids. It was pretty impressive and quite the undertaking for us to pull off. But we did it! We had a fun little routine choreographed to "Rockin' Robin" (Jackson 5 version), but the younger kids were very distracted. Hey, look at me! I'm in a parade!
Here's a photo of one of my dancers and me after the parade.
This is Dylan (center) and his friends Nick & Ethan. They come to play at our house every Wednesday after school. The kids call it "Dylan Day". A few weeks ago, our old king-size mattress was in the living room, and they used it as a stage for their band. They closed all the blinds and set up stage lighting (note glowing light sabres in the background). Nick played drums, and Dylan played guitar. They lip-synched to the song "Perfect" that they played on Connor's Little Tykes CD player. It was so cute.
When I asked if I could take their picture, Ethan didn't want to be in it because he was running the CD player. He said he was the manager. I said he could pose with the band anyway.
I have memories of a scene similar to this when my friends Lisa Tacket and Joanne Bournival and I used to sing along to my parents' Beach Boys cassette in our living room. We stood on stools and sang at full volume. Help me Rhonda, help, help me Rhonda...
Following Shari's lead, I'm posting one of my favorite Sesame Street sketches. I don't even know what this character's name is, but he reminds me of Animal from the Muppets, all floppy and bouncy.
Connor always walks around singing his own theme song. For about a year it was Darth Vader's theme (Dun, Dun, Dun, Dun-Da-Dun, Dun-Da-Dun). Since I found this video on YouTube last month, it has become his new theme song, and also kind of a catch-all phrase for our family. "What did you say?" "Manah manah!"
There's a ton of stuff that circulates the internet via email. Most of it is goes right into my recycle bin, but this is worth looking at. I was laughing out loud. I've done most of these moves myself at one time or another, so it's ok because I'm laughing at myself, too.
This guy is actually a very good dancer. I especially like the transitions he works in between the different sections.
Here's a new picture of Brad, much better than that previous one I had to post. Rift was sounding great on Friday. I was having fun playing "Name That Tune" with a co-worker who came out to the gig. Finally, someone who could beat me at that game. Thanks, JB.
A funny thing is happening to me. My tastes are changing. I used to be a granola-girl, Birkenstock-wearing type. Now I'm becoming very girly, even teetering on the edge of slutty. Look at these shoes I bought this spring! Five years ago, I never would have considered wearing them. Now I'm getting into big hoop earrings, handbags, scarves, and sexy lingerie. And Brad never complaines about how much I spend at Victoria's Secret.
Of course, all this applies outside of work, where I still have to maintain a professional veneer and where I even look vaguely librarian-esque. A co-worker who is new on campus this year told me that before he met me, he thought I was uptight and stoic. Far from it! In fact, I plan to let my hair down at the Silver Dollar this Friday. I hear there's a good band playing. Maybe I'll score with one of the band members after the show...
I got a big surprise this morning when Shari showed up unannounced, as she usually does about once a year. Brad and I were sleeping late, if 9:45 a.m. can be called late, when the doorbell rang. He went to get it, and I paid no attention. Next thing I knew, Shari was diving into the bed for a big hug. How nice to see her! We talked for a little while and made plans to get together again in the evening, at which time I was going to take a picture of the two of us to post here.
