Time Flies...

Literally.

Having serious problems believing that it has already been a year since THIS POST.

Trevor is alive and well (whew!)...

For those who have asked about Trevor's mission trip to Peru:

A picture of the building site
(taken during the 2009 mission trip)

From: Trevor
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 10:08 PM
To: Deals
Subject: Peru

Hola!

I was thinking of you and wanted to let you know everything is going well here. Here is a quick breakdown of the week so far:

Sunday - We arrived in Lima at 5am and caught a flight to Ariquipa and arrived around 11am. We are staying in a Hostel that is run by a member of the local Anglican Church (it costs $12 dollars a night!). Anyway, we went to the Church that is being built on the outskirts of town to see the Church service. I wasn't prepared to see the level of poverty in this region and I understand now why the people on this trip want to be a part of it. When we arrived at the Church some of the walls are about half way up with re barb sticking out of the top. I was amazed to learn and see for myself that 75% of the congregation were neighborhood children. Most came to service by themselves, some bringing their brothers and sisters, while some brought their parents. After the service father Juan Carlos and Maria (The couple you met at St. Mathews when we saw the Mission Trip presentation) handed out bread with thinly sliced meat in between to the kids. I later learned that for most of teh kids this was the only meal they would have that day.

Monday- We started the day working on the Church, mostly we shoveled sand and rocks, adding it to the foundation of the Church. The second part of the day we took the picture frame material (minus the paint, we used the colored popsicle sticks) to the orphanage for the younger kids (3 thru 10 years old). They absolutely loved making the frames and adding the stickers. They photo maker worked great and they were very excited to see the pictures come out.

Tuesday - We started out the day again by working on the church, more shoveling among other fun things, but the Church does have running water now. In the afternoon we visited the orphanage for the older kids. We brought the rest of the materials for the picture frames as well as the paint this time. Another great success. We even made a picture frame for the dog they have adopted, his name is Bolt. He kinda looks like Haskell but has light brown hair instead of black.

Everything is going great and I only wish you were here to experience it with me. Miss You!

Love-

Trevor


P.S - Feel free to forward to GP (and anyone else). She wanted to hear how things were going when I wrote to you.

Score 1 for Team Cheerio!

Yesterday, my mother in law called and asked me if I wanted to have dinner with her this week. I was all, "My mother in law is the sweetest person on the planet," until she ruined it by telling me that Trevor had asked her to call me periodically and make sure I'm eating something other than Cheerios and air popped popcorn while he is in Peru.

Then she quizzed me on my diet since Trevor left, and I was so happy that I had had lunch with Melissa on Sunday because I got to say, “I had lunch with Melissa on Sunday!” and she didn’t press me for further information about the other two meals I ate that day. Because, while I was perfectly content eating Cheerios twice on Sunday, I am sure others might be quick to judge.

I also glossed over THIS INCIDENT.

Luckily, I had dinner plans with Mandy last night, so my mother in law is now convinced Trevor was exaggerating about my tendency to eat nothing but Cheerios and air popped popcorn in his absence.

I win.

Missing Mr. Winkel...

Trevor left today for a mission trip to Peru. He will be helping to build a church and visiting children in orphanages down there. I wanted to go, but this time of the year is the busiest for the museum. It just wasn't feasible for me to take the last week of April off and leave the country. Maybe next year.

So, here I am. Without my husband for the longest stretch of time since we tied the knot back in September. Just me and the dogs. And what did I do tonight? Ate popcorn for dinner and watched five episodes of PARENTHOOD in a row. In my defense, Peter Krause (thanks to RR) reminds me of Trevor.

I mean, they aren't identical, but you can see the resemblance, right?


Anyway, I am now out of PARENTHOOD episodes on my DVR, so I am sure true Trevor withdrawal will set in tomorrow.

Sigh...

Gotta love it...

From: Fair Park
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 3:49 PM
To: Fair Park Campus Members
Subject: SWAT TRAINING

The Dallas Police Department SWAT team will be conducting training in the Cotton Bowl Stadium on Thursday and Friday from 9am to 3pm. as part of Homeland Security efforts. Please inform your staff of this so that they can ready to answer questions from patrons regarding gunfire coming from the Cotton Bowl.

The last time something like this took place, we had a board meeting that included boxed lunches from Jason’s Deli. The deliveryman arrived in the middle of the sniper practice, called a staff member to open the employee door, and then ran as fast as his legs would carry him from his car. He ducked briefly after each gunshot was fired, and ran in a zigzag pattern as if trying to avoid being shot. The staff member attempted to explain to the deliverman that he had nothing to fear – it was just a training operation going on in the Cotten Bowl. The deliveryman wasn’t convinced, however, and mumbled something about a story on the news he had seen about “this part of town”.

Similarly, earlier this spring, we had an evening lecture at the museum. Unbeknownst to us, the Dallas Police Department also had drill scheduled for that evening…on our front steps. Even though an announcement was made to lecture attendees, some people didn’t hear it, and left the building to discover – among other things – police wielding guns and screaming at a handcuffed man lying face down on the front steps.

Working at Fair Park is nothing short of exciting.

Three Dog Night...

During the winter months, we moved our two big Tempur-Pedic Orvis dog beds into the study. It was cold outside, and our canine pack of three seemed to enjoy snuggling together on their oversized bolster beds.

Early on Trevor and I noticed that Gypsy Kitty - although perfectly content to snooze in the study with her siblings while Trevor and I were watching TV in the den - always relocated herself to the rug at the foot of our bed at night. So, I went and pulled her old PetSmart dog bed out of storage in the garage and set it up next to my side of the bed. This was an instant hit with Gypsy, and she has slept there every night since.

As the winter months came to an end, Alley Cat started to alternate between sleeping in the study with Haskell and sharing the PetSmart bed in the master bedroom with Gypsy. She’d start out in one and end up in the other by morning. I took the following picture on Saturday night of Gypsy and Alley snuggling together before bed:

Aren't they cute?!

And this is what I woke up to this morning:

Ridiculousness...

Why, with so many dog beds in the house, are all three of our 50+ pound dogs shoved into a bed meant for one?

Feeling a little light headed...

It was long overdue.

Normally, I try to donate my hair every two years or so. The last time I did was just before Labor Day in 2006. I was ready to cut it all off again the fall of 2008, but it was right after the engagement and Trevor had a vision of a bride with long hair. So I waited. I thought about doing it after the honeymoon was over, but decided to postpone until this spring so I could reap the benefits of having short hair over the long, hot Texas summer.

Don't get me wrong. I love having long hair. But after months (and years) of it clogging up the hairbrush, shower drain and vacuum, it was time for a change. And after THIS INCIDENT I was more than ready.

There was a benefit to waiting, however. I was able to donate 17 inches, and my hair is still shoulder length. Last time, I cut off 15 inches and my hair was around my chin (shorter than I would have liked). Imagine if I hadn't cut off 5 inches right before the wedding! I easily could have contributed 20 inches, and still left the salon with hair more than long enough to fill a ponytail! Maybe I should always wait 3 1/2 years!

Many thanks to Avia for helping to document the process by taking the following pictures, and to my mom and Trevor for going along for emotional support:

Before:





During:





After:

For Locks of Love...

The sign of a good Friday night...

...three doggies resting comfortably at my feet:

Happy Weekend!

Alley watching the Dog Whisperer...

How Haskell got stuck...

Or how Haskell got stuck getting a drink of water:
(A reenactment)

May a plastic watering can never fall between the kitchen table and a couple of paint cans...trapping you (temporarily) in a corner of the kitchen.

But - if one does - rest assured. Haskell can relate.

The end.

Bluebonnets...

Here's your sign...

Any doubts I had about cutting my hair this weekend were wiped out last night. At 4 AM, Trevor rolled over and reached for a pillow - grabbing a hunk of my hair in the process. I woke up screaming (it hurt!). One minute I was dreaming peacefully, and the next I was literally seeing stars as my hair was yanked forcefully from behind.

Trevor, shocked awake by my sudden screeching, immediately yelled, "What?! I didn't do anything! I didn't do anything!"

Two minutes later, we were fast asleep again.

Half price dinner and game night at Dave 'n' Busters is awesome...

(Says Susie)

Dang it, dang it, dang it!

I just superglued my shoes back together. At the office. For the second time this year.

My coworker thinks it is time for me to invest in a new pair of shoes. Me, though? I am just upset I got superglue on my gray slacks in the process. I Googled “superglue stains”, and was directed to a website whose "quick fix" for superglue stains on fabric involved lighter fluid. Now, there’s something that doesn’t sound too promising…

A crime wave strikes the Park Cities...

The following appeared in the Park Cities Police Log in The Park Cities News on Thursday, April 8th, 2010:

Wednesday, March 31
In the 3200 block of Stanford a resident reported that during the night someone entered an unlocked 2004 Volvo and took a $2 package of gum.

Friday, April 2
In the 3100 block of Milton a resident reported that during the night someone entered an unlocked 2002 Mercedes Benz and took a case of Gatorade, two pairs of sunglasses and $15 in coins.

Really? And you called the cops? Next time, if you want your gum and Gatorade, LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS!

Idiots.

The Ultimate Pooch Party...

How much do Gypsy Kitty, Haskell and Alley Cat LOVE the Dog Bowl?

Just look at their happy smiles!

Happy Woo...

We kept losing Haskell. He found a booth that gave him a dog biscuit, and decided never to leave. Once we found him, we tried to coax him back to all the fun, but to no avail. We finally had to resort to picking Haskell up, carrying him to the middle of the field and spinning him in circles in a baby pool to disorient him. He spent the rest of his time at the Dog Bowl trying to find his way back. Poor Haskell...

Trying to pose three very excited pooches in front of the Dog Bowl sign is close to impossible.

Thank you, Friends of Fair Park, for putting on such a fun filled event for local doggies and their owners! We are BIG fans of the Dog Bowl! We will definitely be back in June!

Bye, bye Texas Stadium...

At 7 AM, both Trevor and I awoke to the sound of thunder. Or so our ripped-untimely-from-peaceful-slumber brains originally thought. Turns out it was Texas Stadium being imploded.

Please note that we live approximately 15 miles from Texas Stadium. Our friends Anni and Tyler, who live less than two miles from there, though, didn't hear a thing. At all. Tyler is deaf, so he has an excuse. Anni, however, not so much.

I think this is awesome.

The perfect present for my sister...

Too bad it was $40 or I totally would have bought it for her...

Some reasons to love Waxahachie...

The Weather Weirdo and nicknames...

The difference between trees and bushes...

Me: "You know, Amy, Trevor's don't grow on trees..."

Amy: "Yes, but I found my Adam on a bush!"

Shaping up...or down

Amy: "So, Mom...how does your butt feel in those shoes?"

I actually laughed out loud...

And somedays it is like this...

Overheard at the museum this morning:

• Upon entering the building:
  
  Teacher: "Attention, students! Absolutely NO flashing of gang signs while in the museum."



• While on tour:
  
  Me: "Who can name the six flags that have flown over Texas?"
  
  Students: "..."
  
  Texas History Teacher: "San Antonio?"

And in one corner of our yard, an Asian theme emerges...

Over the weekend, I took Trevor with me to pick out some herbs for our new window box planter off the kitchen. I enjoy gardening, and I have been trying (somewhat desperately) to engage Trevor in one of my favorite springtime activities.

Plus, we had a $40 gift card to Redenta's Garden that needed spending.

Anyway, I show Trevor the herb section of the garden store, but my husband shows little to no interest. So, we walk around the store looking for something to catch his fancy. Nothing does except a $200 Japanese Maple Tree.

Forty dollar gift card, Trev. Forty dollars.

In an effort to encourage him, however, I suggest that he pick out something whimsical. A birdbath, pot or gnomelike statue perhaps. With that, Trevor grins ear to ear and disappears to the back. Two minutes later, he reappears with a statue of a Buddha in hand. A Buddha, might I add, that cost $12 more than our gift card and is now sitting underneath our existing Japanese Maple in the backyard.

My window box planter, meanwhile, remains both empty and herbless.

The Ross Sisters...

This is really amazing. The song is catchy, but nothing special. The crazy stuff comes afterwards, and the stunt in the hay loft with the apple is going to give me nightmares. Because, really? Who sits at home and night and thinks doing something like THAT is a good idea? Where were their parents?!

(And, no, it is not porn. The image You Tube froze the video on suggests it might be something...lurid. But it isn't. Honest.)

HAPPY EASTER!

And, just out of curiosity, do you think the little flowers below look a bit like tootsie roll wrappers?

Because I do.

The most bizarre Easter Party EVER...

Today's Easter Extravaganza was full of food, festivities and fun.

Fifty some odd kiddos were in attendance, and the egg hunt (as always) was a big hit. As was the prize table filled with free giveaways for everyone in attendance under the age of 18.

Oh, and did I mention the entire event was moved indoors because of weather? Because it was. And the only place available at the last minute for free was here:


Awesome.

And because 80% of the kids were under the age of six, I found this sign on the front door particularly amusing:


Plus, how many egg hunts end with an eight year old handcuffed to a stack of chairs next to the front door of a bingo hall?

Yep. Just plain awesome.