This is my new bag! I am waiting patiently for it to arrive in the mail! I am beyond excited!

Christmas Kitty

This is Phillips. He LOVES the Christmas Tree and all of the presents underneath it. For the last 2 weeks, we have heard much crinkling, meowing, and movement under the tree. He loved the candy cane on one of the presents so much, he tried for the longest time to tear it off with his teeth! It sounded like a pack of wolverines was running around the living room! I don't know who will miss the tree more, me or him...

Snowman Poop

I truly think this picture speaks for itself. I hung it on the tree because it brought such delightful squeals of joy from my 5 year old son! Merry Christmas!

I am just fascinated with train graffiti. I have seen some cars that are just covered with "art" and some that just look messy. My favorite "art" piece was a giant lion's head that covered the entire train car! It was rich in color and detail. Do you think I had a camera with me? What do you think? Art or vandalism?

I didn't take this picture, but it makes me extremely happy. It is a picture of SAY IT WITH ME President Barack Obama hugging my late grandmother. This picture was taken over 2 years ago. What I love, is that she loved him, and his face shows the genuine care he had for strangers. When is the last time you posted pictures or bought T-shirts and bumper stickers in support of your president? Thank you, mom, for having the perfect eye...

I Love The Fall!

There is something sad about that little green stalk trying to fight its way out of the parking lot concrete...Life really does find a way. The tree you see is right in front of my office building. I think it is one of the prettiest ones of the season. Two days after this photo was taken, ALL of the leaves were gone! I had a premonition I needed to take the photo right away. I was loaded with books and papers, bags and camera...I set everything down and snapped this photo. Hope you enjoy both!

Tiffany Window

This window, designed by the Tiffany company in New York City, is in the crypt of the Oliver family in South Bend, IN. For you history buffs, Mr. J.D. Oliver created and patented the Chill Plow. Needless to say, he was very wealthy. I take my classes on field trips to the cemetery and everyone loves this window. It is gorgeous in life.

Lions and Tigers and BEARS! Oh MY!!!!!

These bears are so adorable!! My mom and I saw them being carved one day last week. The guy doing it had a chainsaw and made this look so easy! There are wood chips all over the ground! This definitely made me happy!

Yes, but can he keep time?

Chicago Happiness

ROAD TRIP

Scenes from the road trip...

The first pic is really the name of the hot dog place near Lake Shelbyville (my hometown).

The second pic is of the road we were driving on in the country...Williamsburg Hill...we had blacktop and then....grassy ruts. However, I did find the road again after several miles and a few turns!

The third and fourth pics are the cold spring on the old family homestead that Abraham Lincoln drank from when he walked through Illinois. I drank from it again, as I have many times in my childhood, and it still tastes fresh and yummy.

The last picture is of a garage in Tower Hill, IL. As you can see, it is covered with license plates!

Off to Chicago!

Midnight Blue

I LOVE the color blue! This shade is my favorite. It reminds me of my first new car many years ago.

This was taken at the Shijori Japanese Garden. I loved the boldness of the bridge posts...like soldiers walking up the ramp of the ship...