Fly Me to the Moon!

Today is the 40th Anniversary of the U.S. landing on the Moon!

See this link for some more pictures.

So why was it SO important to get to the Moon? Because, duh, we (the U.S.) had to be THE best and beat the Russians there. When the space race began years ago, there was the idea to not only go to space, but one day be living there. Who knows, maybe some day we will vacation to the Moon and even Mars?

Recently, I finished reading the book October Sky. While this has been my FAVORITE movie for years, I had never read the book (originally published as Rocket Boys). After accomplishing this long-coming goal, I sat on my hammock and thought about the book, space, and my place in this universe. (how deep, I know!) I guess sometimes you don't know why you are drawn to certain things, like space or the Moon, but somehow, when I look up at the sky at night, I know-like Homer Hickam, that there is something bigger out there that I am supposed to do. Just what it is, I don't know yet. But, maybe I will one day soon.

I think a cool job would be to be involved in what I would like to call "space tourism." My idea is that a pilot (ahem...like myself : ) would fly individuals on a trip around the world-up to orbit, around, and then back down on some type of airplane/shuttle/device. While this may sound a bit like a Jetsons Cartoon, I think it's a nice dream. Who knows...maybe one day it will come true. I just think it would be amazing to go up and experience zero-gravity, along with a "vessel" full of tourists:

"This is Captain Robin. Your trip today will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience where you will travel beyond the Earth's atmosphere. You will experience being weightless and the beauty only discovered by the depths of space."

Who knows, maybe we could even have a "real" Space Camp! : )

Until then, I'll keep dreaming and looking up at the stars, trying to find my place there among them.

Apollo 11

To celebrate the the 40th anniversary (July 20, 1969) of Apollo 11 landing on the moon, NASA has released some restored video of the event. I think it looks pretty cool.

Here is a story about the video and the wise planing of our government. It turns out the NASA taped over the the original tape because of budget cuts in the 1980's

Here is the site of the newly restored, from copies, film.

Looks pretty good to me.

P.S. Neil Armstrong is a Phi Delt too.

Blissful Morning?

Today I survived another run : ) Yes...survived....

I am training for the Kansas City Marathon on Saturday, October 17, 2009. Running a marathon has been a goal of mine since high school. So-this is the year! With much encouragement from many of my running buddies (and wonderful husband-who often helps me "plot out" my long runs), training is going well.

I must admit...after today's run...I am a bit sore-my knees are achy and those 3 flights of stairs up to our apartment seemed ENDLESS. Today's mileage was a whoppin 16! This is by far the furthest I have EVER run...which is pretty exciting.

I don't know if I will be an avid marathoner after my first one...but after today's run I was thinking:
Thank the good Lord! I survived!

Yet in the back of my mind...I was thinking: If today were the race, I'd have 10.2 more miles to go! eik!

So...I continue to take one day at a time, one step at a time, and one mile at a time.

4th of July (belated post)

This is a picture of some flowers my Godparents brought over to my mom for the 4th.

How Festive!

Time is going SO quickly! It was just over a week ago now...yet the 4th feels like just yesterday.

Chris and I went to Wichita for the4th of July. While it MAY sound a bit early, we worked on the Christmas presents for my parents. As many parents can tell you, they usually have what they want by the time they are "parents of college kids." SO what do you give them for Christmas? (besides of course, the usual--coffee beans for dad and tea for mom?)

So....as I have been an avid reader of Better Homes and Gardens...I thought....what if we re-did their bathrooms for their Christmas present? I was stoked to get to do this....and mom and dad seemed pretty excited too.

So, the process began...what do they like...what do they NOT like...
I soon learned that while they are soul mates, their tastes can differ...so I found some compromises and in the end, I think the project turned out well. : ) Here are a few pictures from the extravaganza:

This is Chris being my handy man...yes...he even helped quite a bit with the project : )

This is before any painting had been done.

And this is After:
Ta-Da!

I must say, I am quite proud of the result. While I am still looking for a shower curtain (I have the color picked out, but still need to locate it or some fabric...hmm...for another day I suppose), the rest of the work is completed. I also love the new artwork in the "girls" bathroom upstairs. A friend of mine made this *COOL* collage-decoupage thingy from magazine cut outs...so of course...I have been looking for a good excuse to try my hand at the same idea for some interesting artwork to hang up. Here is an "up close" image of the artwork. Mom and I had a fun time looking for pictures (well, mom was actually reading-I was just flipping the pages in the magazines).



We also did the same scheme to my brothers' bathroom downstairs.
While this was our Christmas present to my parents...dad did lend a hand in assisting putting up the shelves in Carl's Bathroom (Thanks Dad!).

I think it looks GREAT!

(Hey Paul-if you are reading this-I bet you will LOVE the new improvements : )

In addition to this bathroom project, I even got to finish a "clothspin apron" for Karen. Here is a pic of mom showing it off:

The point of this apron is to put your clothes pins in it as you go out to hang up the laundry to dry. Karen just installed a clothes line so she was all jazzed when she talked me into making this for her. : )

Oh, and of course, back to the 4th of July festivities! We had some friends over on Friday, as well as Saturday. We enjoyed hanging out with friends and family over the extended weekend. One of my favorite treats from being home was getting to eat some yummy lemon cake made by my Godparents : ) Doesn't it look delicious? YUM! It was....I think I ate my fare share : )


And a quick snapshot of some friends that were over:

On the left is our friend, Jeremy, my Godfather Jim, and Grandpa Benny : )

We all had a great time and enjoyed the good company. Where my parent's house is located is not far from a local country club where they have a "big" firework display-you know the ones that shoot up in the air? After watching that display, Carl had a great firework show for us as well. Jeremy and our friend Heath, Chris and Carl all lit up fireworks and looked like they were having a good time. I did my usual, sparklers and "ground blooms" that just spin around on the ground. Mom, Dad, and the neighbors watched as the boys lit up the display Carl had accumulated.

Thanks everyone for a fun, safe, and enjoyable 4th.