Shout Out to Delaney Surdy

Defensive Player of the Year AND the Hustle Award.  I can't think of any more deserving person.  This sort of leadership will carry her far.  She's been a terrific positive influence on the Taylor delinquents and we are all very pleased to hear this great news.   Congrats!  Finish strong and finish mighty.  Good luck at MSU next year!   

Chalupa Does the Iowa House of Reps

Chalupa has a very unique situation.  Her teacher is also a Representative in the Iowa House of Congress.  As a result, the class got a first class tour of the State Capital and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to open today's session.   Here they are on the Speaker's podium prior to the beginning of the session. 

Happy Birthday Laynie

Before:  Laynie's never done this before... and may never do this again.  She celebrated her 12th birthday with a sleep over of screaming mimi's.

Here technique was quite unique.  She actually dropped the egg on the head, then re-crushed it as you see below.
And finally, we all laughed before the mess was easily wiped up. 

In like a lamb...out like a lion.

This was yesterday.

This was this morning.   With only two days to go, I'd say March is out like a lion. 

Throw Back

Pagliais Pizza is an IC favorite that has been around since Buzz was a kid.

And just out side of the pizza joint is this... an empty phone booth, that's only good as an empty beer bottle repository. 

Today is a 'W' for the Taylors

You are looking at one of the newest members of the West High Tennis Team.  Yes!  Beaner was selected from more than 60 young ladies who tried out for the team.  Congratulations Beaner.  

Sidetrack has started a marketing consulting company, Aleami.  And today she landed her first official client for a reasonably decent job.  It's humble, but a start.  Aleami is a very telling acronym and may be an important growing interest for our family.

Buzz learned today that his contract with the city of CR has been renewed for another 3 months.  Whew!  It's not a pure fit for skills and abilities, but the people are terrific and the work is interesting.  Eventually, a more fitting opportunity will appear, just as eventually the house in Monkeydoo will sell. 

Too much or too little

Technology it tearing me in many different ways.  Facebook and Twitter each have different audiences and each serve different purposes (at least in my mind).  So here is where we post news, updates, pictures and silliness about friends and family.

Facebook is more the rambling commentary about life and a place for me to ping friends and family.  Good place to keep people honest and stay in touch. 

Twitter is the more serious running commentary.  More business and political.  

In all instances, I welcome feedback, comments and yes... any crap you want to toss my way.  BRING IT!  

 

About 15 miles

Nice day for a run, about 65 degrees with a slight SSE wind.  Hey bovine head!  What are you lookin' at?

There is a Half Moon aid station in the Leadville 100 mile run.  Thankfully Half Moon and Rohret is a bit closer to home. 
I always wonder where they come up with the names for the local creeks that run through our country side.   In this case, she probably wasn't old... just tired from running several mile to get here.
And last but not least... the road not taken, but I thought about it.  Wouldn't you?

10,000 visits!

I just notices this page has been opened more than 10,000 times.  WOW!

Wait a second. Don't you people have anything better to do?    Thanks for stopping by.  More news to come.  

Three eggs, over... easy!

Three Birthdays.  First Luciano turned 6.  Happy Birthday Luciano!  Ciao!
Then, not since Wade Heckenhead have I been so duped.  Marpy, and a slew of confederates (including her mom) convinced me that she was eleven turning twelve.  After the egg was broken (below) a teenaged confession was forthcoming.  The age limits for egg breaking are clearly 5 until 12 (no toddlers... no teenagers).  I've been had.   All in good fun.  Happy Birthday Marpy... too bad your shot glanced off the top of my head.  The six-year-old above, and the five-year-old below were better shots.  Too bad, so sad! 
Below is the work of a young CT.  The five-year-old actually got a lame shot but this obviously made up for it.  

Tootsie renews and old friendship

Kari Crazysaker has a nice visit with The Toots.   Despite her robust eating habits, she still can't match Tootsie's girth.  Keep working Kari... 50 hotdogs in 12 minute should get you there... someday! 

Iowa Finishes With a Scrappy Victory

Below is the tip-off to the second overtime.  Iowa finally pulled away and beat Penn St.  75 - 67 for the final game of the regular season.  Now it's off to the Big Ten Tournament and this year's prospects are grim.

Below (from left) Kari, Peanut, Crazy Pete, and Faker.  

Not too much high-jinx this time around.

First Trail Run of the Year

"No Hunting, Trapping, Camping or Firearms..."   Nothing about no running!

Below are the last vestiges of Winter snow.  We're still good for one good Spring snow, but the stuff that's been on the grounds since November... has all but thawed away.

Chalupa Interviews the Mayor

Mayor Kay Halloran (left) of Cedar Rapids, spends some time with Chalupa explaining the extraordinary circumstances facing the city after the horrendous flood of 2008.  It's tale of two cities: on one hand, Cedar Rapids is a wonderful community with an operating city budget of about $371 million dollars; on the other hand, it's a community with devastating flood damage and a $2.6 billion dollar recovery need.  

Strange Sight

Here's something you don't see too often in Iowa.  This is what I saw this morning when I stopped for coffee on my commute to Cedar Rapids.  (Look at the license plate)

Continued Saga

Bottom line: our house is still on the market in Mankato;  Sidetrack's job we moved to Iowa for, has been eliminated;  with her job loss, health insurance is COBRA.   Buzz Dad's job is contractual and may (or may not) renew in April.  We are prepared to raid our retirement fund (what's left of it) in June or July if necessary.  

Like the stock market, we're trying to find the bottom.  In the past week Laura had two promising interviews.  The first Exec she was to meet with had an unforeseen accident, in less than 14 days... life support was removed.  During her interview with the second executive, he called and set her up for an immediate interview with the hiring executive for the following day for a job they've been trying to fill for more than two months.  The exec called Sidetrack later in the evening to tell her an offer was extended and accepted earlier in the day, and so no further interviews are necessary.   Ugh!

Despite all of this, life is GRAND and we consider ourselves very, VERY fortunate with wonderful kids and healthy, safe lives.