Tape From Julie

Why is it that I like to check my mailbox everyday? Why do I want to insert my key and open the little door just to find inside a bunch of stuff inside that really is a waste of time and paper? I guess it's like looking at my email everyday too--you never know what good thing might be in there amidst all the junk. Although a big percentage of the box's contents are bills and ads, sometimes it's a card, a note, a wedding invitation, or a package. If I open up my mailbox and see a small padded mailer, I get a huge grin on my face because I know it's a tape from Julie. It's like a tradition. For more than ten years, my friend Julie and I have been mailing padded mailers back and forth to one another, each containing one or two audiocassettes. What's on the cassettes? Us. Stories. Life. We talk to each other this way. Sure, we email each other now and then, and we both have Yahoo IM, but she's not on the computer nearly as much as I am. Phone calls are usually reserved for urgent news or birthdays or random calls when the mood strikes. But usually we just send tapes back and forth.
I don't quite remember how it all started, but I'm pretty sure it it was Julie's idea. Although Julie is good at many things, letter writing is not one of them. When she was away at college, she used a recorder during class to tape lectures, and my guess is that she got the idea one day to record her own self, then mail it in place of what might have been a letter. The idea has not stopped. Over the years email and cell phones have become a common part of all our lives, yet Julie and I still use this "tried and true" format to keep one another semi-current. We each have hand-held recorders and a stash of audiocassettes--someone asked me if I've saved the cassettes over time and the answer is no--we re-use the tapes over and over until the quality goes bad (or they get something spilled on them, or eaten by the dog, etc.) I most often talk to Julie while I'm in my car. Yes, I can drive and talk at the same time! I tell her about where I'm headed, plans for the week, updates of previous activities, frustrations, prayer needs, the latest at work (she used to work where I do, years ago), things I notice as I'm driving (i.e. signs, bad drivers, sunsets) and so on. Or I comment on things she's mentioned in previous tapes. By the time I finish a tape, mail it and she listens, weeks have passed and the news may be a bit out of date, but she feels as I do--we're excited to receive a tape and hear the voice of a friend. It doesn't matter if she's telling me something very ordinary (like about mowing the lawn!), I'm still eager to know. And I sometimes I get the bonus of hearing a few minutes from her young daughters, Sara and Kim. I got a tape from Julie just the other day, and I've already devoured it.
There is no one else I interact with in this manner, but I'm not sure I would want to--it's "our thing". A special thing between two friends. {Thanks Julie--it's been fun!}
Note to self: make sure you don't blab too long on a tape before realizing the pause button has been on the whole time....

Back To School

I used the think that it was the change in the weather--those crisp fall days--that signaled the start of a new school year. I think that's an image that was always portrayed in advertisements or movies as well. Autumn and school go hand in hand. But around here, schools begin classes long before the leaves turn, long before it gets cold, and long before the summer has ended. We're still having warm, sunny days! What I think signals the oncoming school year are the sales in the stores. Clothes, shoes, supplies, furniture are all on special. Many stores have aisles and bins filled with all the things a child or college student could use to make their transition to this year easier or "cooler". Every color, size and shape of pens, pencils, notebooks and backbacks are out there (or so it seems!) Perhaps you as a parent, grandparent or teacher have been shopping recently and know what I mean! Next Sunday, the church I've been attending is having a Blessing of the Backpacks. Any student or teacher is invited to bring along their bookbags and backpacks and supplies, and those people will be prayed for specifically as they each begin the new session, blessing them as they get started back to school.
But what about all the kiddos in this world that aren't able to buy supplies? That don't have access to some basic tools? Perhaps in a small way they can be blessed as well. Early this year, I learned about a program through the organization World Vision. School Tools is a project that collects the very basics of school supplies that can then be shipped to countries in need (think of places like the countries that were affected by the tsunami!). At the website, I learned what was required for my shopping list, and also where to ship the completed packets. A great project for classrooms or youth groups, but also just an individual like me. Inside a plastic gallon zip bag goes two steno books, 8-10 pencils, pink eraser, pencil sharpener, 10-12 pens, ruler, and crayons (24 count). I was able to find this stuff at discount stores and then made packets for less than $7 each! Sure, I'm not financially able to supply an entire classroom with these packets, but I know that even one could make all the difference to the one child that receives it. It's exciting to think of how far these packets might travel and the hands that touch them, and the special child that will use the contents. And maybe they'll even share with a friend, themselves being a blessing to another.

Headstone

We didn't find out until after the fact, but dad's headstone was set this morning. I didn't have my camera with me when I went to the cemetery straight from work, so these shots are from my camera phone. They aren't super clear, but you get the idea. It's a big, prominent stone--and it's beautiful. I especially like the jaggedy mountain-like top. Clearer photos to come....

Perspective

Yesterday you saw the close up--today you get the full view.

Launch

Early this morning at Cape Canaveral (and right on time), a rocket lifted into space the new Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter--an item that will provide the sharpest photos ever taken of the red planet, as well as provide various science objectives . In the months to come, the orbiter will send interesting data back to Earth to be viewed and studied, but it is not the payload that the rocket carried this mission that has my attention--it is the rocket itself. The Lockheed Martin Atlas V provided transport from our planet to outerspace, and the reason that interests me is because of the connection it has to my dad. Dad was an engineer for LM, and helped design part of the Atlas V. This was not the first successful launch of this model of rocket--others have flown before, but this particular one I find special because of a small addition made to the rocket that lifted today. In the photo above, you can see a section of the rocket--do you happen to notice the white square in the center? The other photo shows a close-up of the words printed. It says

"The Employees of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company dedicate the launch of AV-007, carrying the Mars Reconnaissance orbiter, to the memory of Terry Eflin, Joe Littlefield, Bob Mack, Larry Medlock, and Bruce Shoemaker. The Atlas Team will always remember our friends who now have a heavenly view of the launch. May their spirits guide us to success. Lockheed Martin. Go Atlas...Go Centaur..."

I am so pleased and thrilled that this small decal attached to the side of a big ol' rocket bears my dad's name--what an honor! (and his name is listed first! I just think that makes it stand out!) Want to see the launch?
A side story: A few years back, dad invited me to his place of work for a little tour. At the entrance gate, I signed in for my special visitors badge, and then from there, dad showed me his current office, other buildings in which he had worked in the past, the areas that he'd see wildlife while on his walks, and such. One memory I have of that day was when we went to the "clean room". A section of the rocket was being assembled, and apparently needed to be done free from the everyday grit of the outside world. Prior to access to the room, we had to cover our street clothes with clean room garb. This included pants, jacket, booties and a shower cap-type hair net. I remember the inside of the large room was white. Very white and very clean! Sure would have been neat to have a few photos from in there (even if I had a camera with me, I'm sure photos would not be allowed!)--photos of the outfit I was in would have been a fun bonus--LOL! There in the clean room, dad was able to show the physical parts of his design in place, waiting for its own mission. I'm sure I didn't understand half of what he was saying, but it sure was interesting to be in there with him as he described the capabilities and parts and purpose. I'm proud that he had a hand in the making of this product, and an opportunity to fly "with" it this morning.

Rainbow

I don't often get to see this particular beautiful creation, but today as I was driving home from work, I saw a fantastic rainbow. This photo really doesn't even begin to suggest the intense ribbon of color God painted across the sky, but I pulled off the road to take a photo anyway!

Gym Class

One day this summer my nephew Noah invited me to his gym class. Of course I thought it would be fun to go watch him, as he is very active and loves to discover new things. But this class is not just for the kiddos—the adults participate too. And as is typical with Noah, he always wants everyone to be involved! If you aren’t joining in with any sort of activity, he directs you until he’s satisfied that you are a part of it (such a sense of community huh?!)
When we arrived at the gymnasium, we removed our shoes & socks, and tucked them into a cubby near the door. From there it was off to the pit--imagine a large pit filled to the rim with cubes of blue-colored foam. Noah likes to be tossed in, and then he giggles with delight. He thought Aunt Pammie should swing from the rope hanging overhead, then drop in. So I did. Soft landing of course! I soon discovered I was hip high in foam—I had to work to maneuver myself through and over and around this blue stuff just to reach the edge to get out! And was that the end of it? Oh no, not with Noah around. “Again!” he laughs, and so I did.
Once class started, we also walked the balance beams, ran and jumped on the springboard, and had “circle time” with the rest of the children. Part of that time included stretching and singing with actions—look at the scrapbook layout above and you can see what I mean! I know that Noah had a good time, but I had fun too. Thanks, Bonkie, for asking me to come (and getting a workout along the way!)

Tea

I am one that really enjoys learning about local history--there is so much in Colorado alone to discover! I like visiting museums, going on house tours, & attending lectures. Of all the more well known spots in Denver, I have never visited The Brown Palace--never even set foot inside the door (and with the scores of weddings I've been to, you would think one would have been there!). That changed today. My dear friend Kathy invited me to tea as a special birthday treat--and it truly was a treat! I certainly was spoiled this afternoon! We drove up to the front door, handed the keys to the valet, and strolled right in to a classy, lovely setting. At our table for two, we leisurely sipped aromatic hot teas, listened to the harpist as she played, filled our tummies with tasty scones, yummy sandwiches, and then did our best to share each of the desserts (such a variety and we wanted to sample each one!) As I sat and looked at the architecture, I tried to imagine what it would have been like 100 years ago in that very spot. A different way of dress, and certainly a different way of life, yet then as today, tea was welcome and enjoyed.

::Quilt::

My good friend Julie likes to tell me of her latest craft project, and many times it has to do with making a quilt. She makes them for her nephews, for baby showers, for family, and I get to hear about the materials she selected, or the pattern she chose, or even why she wants to a particular quilt a particular way. I enjoy hearing about what phase she's in with a project, especially when I can hear the enthusiasm in her voice about how it's working out, or the anticipation she has of giving it. Now, often times I feel inspired by her to do my own quilting. Inspired, but not necessarily motivated! (Does that make sense? She gives me good thoughts and ideas, but I don't always act on them. That's what I mean.)
Two and a half years ago, I had great intentions of getting started in a new quilt top. I have all the materials, and the pieces are all cut. My sweetie had given me a gift of having my sewing machine completely serviced so it was in perfect working condition. And it's been sitting there ready to go. But it wasn't until a few days ago that I sewed my first stitch. And with multiple stitches, the pieces turned into a quilt block! (Yup, that's it in the photo). I have twelve to do, or maybe thirteen, all a different pattern. Each block is fairly simple as suggested by the one in the photo, but I think once all the blocks are pieced together, it could look quite lovely (and simple is good--I don't want to overchallenge myself on a craft that I do rarely)! So I will try to work diligently on each block in the weeks to come, and one of these days I'll have a quilt. With one block finished, I'm already much further along than I have been for two and a half years...