For some, love is ..........

.....diamonds

.....flowers

.....expensive trips

.....a new car?


For me?

Love is having a partner who not only knows your tastes in shoes but knows your shoe size :D

We went to Target today.  I knew I needed some new sandals because frankly mine were worn out.  I told Jon I wanted to look at the shoes.  While I'm looking, he comes back with a pair from another aisle.  Then while I'm looking some more, he comes back with 3 boxes and tells me "You Need These".

Yes I definitely have a keeper.  I went with the idea of grabbing one or two pair of sandals.  We compromised at 4 pair -- he wanted to keep shopping.

It's definitely a special man who can buy a woman shoes - and who demonstrates he enjoys it :D

I can't take credit for the photo but isn't it a great quote?  Shoes didn't change my life but they remind me just how much I adore my beloved.

Shades of the future, remembrances of the past

The photo above is from NOAA of the April 26 1991 Red Rock (OK) tornado.  Apparently they didn't capture the Cowley County tornado of that day.

Anyway, yesterday at work I hear an eerie sound come over the loud speaker - one I'd not heard in over 10 years.  Everyone just stood around and I asked "whoa are we under a tornado warning?"

Yes I know the heart stopping sound of a tornado siren.  I hear them in my sleep.  I hear them in my nightmares even though I never heard the siren that April day.  Being raised in Kansas and Oklahoma you just know that sound.  You grow up with it.  You live with it every year.  The first few seconds tell you to grab what you're going to and find shelter - NOW.

Next over the loud speaker was that we had a weather warning and for everyone to shut down their machines and go to the nearest shelter in place.  While others were standing about going WTF?, I shut down my laptop, grabbed my purse and headed to where we were supposed to go.

Was it a drill?  probably.  If so they picked a really bad time to do it.  It was dark and a bit stormy outside.  Anyone from tornado alley knows you NEVER test the sirens - which test every Tuesday where I'm from - when it's even the slightest bit stormy.

The general consensus was it was a drill even though that was never announced.  It was probably a drill even though the factory was told to stop the line and shut down the machines - something they don't do even for fire drills.

I don't care if it was a drill or if someone jumped the gun on something.  All I know is the seconds of heart stopping fear....and the memories that flooded back like it was just yesterday.

...not like it was over 20 years ago

photo credit NOAA.  When I get my scanner set up, I will probably post photos of what was left after that fateful day in the beautiful spring of 91 ... and what wasn't left.

Creative Solutions for Small Living

So what does one do when they have glassware and china but doesn't have the dining room space for a conventional china hutch?  Enter the curio cabinet.  This is the one Jon picked.  I was dubious but after putting them together (yes I got 2 - one for each corner) I must say that it's a good move.

As you can see, no wasted space.  In a small apartment, that is a must.  Plus with my glass and chrome dining table it works.

We did the less-is-more with some creative solutions for bookcases.  Enter IKEA on that one.  We were very limited how deep they could be in the living room without blocking the walkway.  We checked every place we could, measured the ikea bookcase we currently have, and ended up ordering 2 more.

Having to think outside the box as it were ... I just wish when it was outside the box, it was already assembled.

I can't take credit for the photo - that is the photo that is used on Amazon where we purchased the curio cabinets.  When I get the dining room finished, I'll post photos.