Friday, March 6, 2009

The Fridge Project: Day Three

A teacher I know opens this fridge every day. There may be a beer in there and in Tulsa you can go to a drive-through liquor store and the dirt is red.
This is one neat and tidy kitchen and the minimalist approach to refrigerator adornment.
The fridge in Kansas where someone (namely: Christina) just got accepted into the Masters Program at The University of Kansas and they love their Pugs.
The story is this: I'm beginning a project (like Post Secret) - just with fridge doors.
I appreciate everyone who has sent me theirs so far, and would encourage you to do the same and encourage everyone you know to do it too.

Always carry a camera. Thanks.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Fridge Door Blog. Oh yea.

This fridge lives in North Carolina, the Tri-City area. The owners may have Kansas ties - as they have the Wicked Witch on there. I see international travel, siblings (perhaps), Wooly Willy (who personally saved my life in the waiting room at the doctor's office when I was 6), Girl Scouts, babies and a fairly conservative approach to Fridge Art.

This fridge has real estate in a totally cool apartment in downtown Elmhurst (Chicago-ish) and is that killer shade of Avocado. I love when the family is all over the front.
This one is in Lawrence, Kansas and most resembles what happens in my homes to our fridges. Danger and his family know how to do it up. Word.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Reality Fridge 1.0

Everybody has one.
What does yours look like?
Think "Post Secret" in the kitchen.
There are those who do
And those who don't.
Is there anything on your fridge?
I'm thinking you should share with the class.
What's on your fridge?
Please forward to ....momoemasters@gmail.com or reeniemoe@hotmail.com or kinishiwah@yahoo.com. However you like it. Thanks!!! XOXO

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Felix Oliver Mueller

This is my grandson, Felix Oliver Mueller. He was born almost one year ago (March 2nd, 2008) and he lives in Kansas (which is a pretty long ways away from me right now).
I built a pretty cool little video, BUT I failed to contact They Might Be Giants to make sure it was okay to use one of their songs for background music AND therefore it got yanked from facebook for copyright violations.
So, in lieu of that, to celebrate his one year on the planet, I'm blogging him with pictures.
He cut his two top teeth today and he says mom and dad. Soon he will say "Momo" and want to watch Pinky and The Brain (maybe some old Tick reruns).
The world is a much finer place by virtue of this little man and his parents and I'm hoping he knows that I'm in his pocket on his birthday - whether I'm there in person or not.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Top Ten Reasons I Love Chelsea Maureen Mueller Bartel


26 years and a handful of hours ago Chelsea was born in Kansas. Today is her birthday and she has been on my mind in a big way the last few days.
What follows are the Top Ten Reasons I'm Glad Chelsea Was Born:

10. She is tenacious and pretty much unstoppable. When she makes up her mind on something, that tend
s to be the way it plays out.
9. Her perspective is so sunny. It seems that she very rarely sees things in negative ways. She is my Optimism Poster Child.

8. Chelsea is my favorite reason to consider living a
Purpose Filled Life. She is well-rounded and grabbing as much as she can while using her powers for good (never evil).
7. She doesn't seem to be scared by anything. I've heard myself tell her for years that she was brave (and funny and strong and smart and ...) But, it's a whole different deal actually watching her live such a brave life.

6. Chelsea has turned me onto some of my
most favorite music in the world. I guess it doesn't defy explanation that her musical taste, while not a carbon copy, is so much like mine.
5. She is a 5-Star, Low Maintenance world traveler. Girl's got some mileage
now - and some great pictures and stories.
4. She can keep her self together when a world is falling apart in a way that makes me proud. She's very strong this w
ay and I love that.
3. Her attention to detail is apparent in everything she touches. Her mix CDs are absolutely amazing, her home is well-appointed and just about perfect ... and she has an eye for media layouts that I have valued for the last ten years or so.
2. This may seem silly, but she has
some uber-hearing. Since she was a kid, if there were lyrics we couldn't figure out on a song, we'd go to Chelsea and ask her. She has provided us with this service since she was 8 or 9 years old.
1. And, the Number ONE reason I love Chelsea as much as I do is because she loves back so fiercely. She is loyal, empathetic and kind...she just about always provides calm...To know her is to love her.

So, since today's her birthday: Go tell
her happy birthday. She is one of many reasons that the world really is a better place.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

From The Road: Union Station

I'm sitting in a bar in Union Station. Downtown Chicago. Freakin' winter. Still. It may always be. Had to walk 2 blocks from the Metra Station, but met some nice people along the way, so it was a good time - even though it's 20 below with the wind chill and I forgot to bring gloves.

I've wanted to take a whole bunch of pictures, but I'm packed like a llama in Peru and I have to conserve energy and motion. The pictures would have just illustrated what it's like to be in the third largest city in America, and how very much unlike a Cowtown in KS it is. But, I have seen a lot of Amish people downtown today, so that's a little familiar. I'm headed to see my son, his wife and (The Child of Perfection) my grandson in Lawrence, KS. Felix (the afore mentioned child) is about to turn a year old and I've been aching to tell him some stuff and hold him. I also think his parents need a night out - till sunrise. All parents need this and maybe some adult beverages. I've got two hours till I board the Southwest Chief to head down south. I love to travel on trains. A lot. I'm planning on taking some pictures there AND seeing if I've got wifi. So far, I can and have found free wifi almost everywhere in America, so I'm hopeful but not optimistic about the train. It's supposed to be 68 degrees on Saturday where I'm headed. It's WICKED cold in ChiTown. I remain unconvinced that winter is all that cool, and I probably won't actually pray for snow again for many years to come. Let this serve as a dual warning: Be careful what you wish for AND I'm going to be there soon - hide the breakables. I'll see you in another time zone. Call.write.drop in.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Cities and States

Welcome to Chicago!
This is a part of downtown Chicago, a place I arguably don't go much. But, by virtue of living in one of the thousands of villages that
band together to call themselves "Chicago Land" I do get to welcome you here and tell you that should you find yourself here don't panic. The buildings are tall and the sun is blocked out. The traffic is seriously insane, but if you're not in a rush you can get anywhere - ask almost anybody.
In spite of their "In Person" kindness: Do NOT jack somebody up on a big road (I don't know what else to call them. In Wichita I had "The Tall Road" and "The Big Road." One was a north-south and one was a east-west).
What this means is that you must go at least 7 miles over the posted speed limit and you must know exactly where you are going at all times. The Road is not a place to figure it out.
People here scream, honk and flip you off on these big roads. I've sworn off 'em as I only seem to cause angst. And, shoul
d you choose to bravely navigate one of these roads: Look out for the really short ethnic man. He is usually driving a Mercedes or Beemer, maybe the occasional Audi. But, the RSEM will, with absolutely NO regard for you, decide he wants the lane you're in. It does not matter if you are completely in that lane - if he wants it he will take it. Screaming at him and using hand gestures will be of no consequence, as the RSEM will never give you the satisfaction of turning his head and looking at you. It is very much as if you were invisible. This phenomenon happens ALL the time. Just be alert, pay attention.
Another great Chicago thing: FOOD. Portillos Hot Dogs. I'm just sayin' - if you haven't had one, you haven't had a dog. I've heard that the beef sandwiches are beside themselves, too. But, at this posting, have had no need to fix what isn't
broke.
Gyro King or Dengeos. OMG. I am a Certified Gyro Consultant, and these are among the best. ever. anywhere. Oh yea, and they each weigh about 3 pounds.
Bob Chinns Crabhouse in Wheeling is well worth what ever you have to successfully navigate to get there. Last I heard, they flew in 2 or 3 loads of fresh seafood every day, and the taste and food qualit
y bear testiment to that. I can personally back the Alaskan King Crab, fresh oysters, all the shrimp and scallops and their Lobster Bisque and Clam Chowder will make you do the Happy Dance if you've never had fresh Sea Soup.
Last bit of unsolicited Chicago world tonight: These people party like Rock Stars and take their sports seriously. On the Great Prairie we really enjoyed high school football and summer softball, but Wow. I think everybody should spend some time in a city that has big time sports enthusiasts and learn to stay up till sunrise.