Another Good Read

Here is a link to "Secret Lives of Bees" - I'm enjoying reading this...

Great Book!

If anyone is looking for a great book to read, I highly recommend "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith. It takes place in Botswana, Africa and it is funny, clever, poignant, and a wonderful slice of life from the viewpoint of a very independent woman who decides to start her own detective agency. It is a very quick read, and I am already on the 5th book of the series. I find myself checking a book out of the library and finishing it in 1 or 2 days. It is very simple, yet fascinating and entertaining reading. I'm sure that not everyone will like it as much as I do, but it is definitely worth giving it a try. It is unlike anything you have read, I think. Or at least it isn't like anything I have read before. Let me know if you read it and what you think of it. And because February is coming, and is my least favorite month of the year, I am always looking for something to help the month pass, so if you know of any other books to recommend, I would love know about them.

Bush Bingo

Well, something must be wrong with George Bush. We played our traditional game of Bush Bingo during the State of Union address, which really helps to make the speech endurable, and none of us got bingo! Not once did he say WMD, Hussein, cut and run, dictator, illegal aliens, or any of the big winners in previous bingo games. What does it mean?

Can I post a picture? MAYBE?

thanks you guys!

I sat down for an entire 90 minutes, and watched the slide show froom beginning to end. Those sunrises and sets are absolutely amazing. Wow. I sorta feel that I was there in some small way, which is nice, considering it's six degrees outside right now. I am so happy for you all that you did it, (go on such an adventure) and that you really did it right. Thanks for sharing with us landlubbers. It brings back memories of El Salvador: the white sand, blue skies, and the smells and sounds of Central America.

I did something that is uncharacteristically out of my comfort zone. Just signing up is out of my comfort zone! Well, I have joined the Wauwatosa Pres. Mission Trip to Biloxi, Mississippi(love to type Mississippi!) from April 8th to 14th, to provide Hurricane repair/relief. We will live in these temporary villages, which seem pretty nice, and are air conditioned(weather wimp that I am).
I just have felt compelled to push myself lately, to try something on my own, to get out of my comfortable surroundings, and to experience something that will be of help to others. Thanks to Don and Julia for encouraging me, and assuring me that they will survive without my being home over Spring Break. I am scared, of course, and regretful at times, but I am going through with it, come hell or high water!(ooh, what a metaphor!) I am really looking forward to it, and also apprehensive in a good way. The people I'm going with are some that I will be comfortable with, which for me is half the battle. I'm sure there will be more to come. Probably the scariest thing for me will be the airplane trip! AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! The rest will be a breeze(another metaphor). Just by mentioning it in this blog, it makes it seem real, like the first time you tell someone that you are pregnant, or introduce your partner as your husband. There you have it, folks. Konkols, and Lindsay, you have inspired me in your own way also, so thank you for helping me to expand my world, and opening me to new possibilities!

Love, Joannie

MY Favorite Story:

OK Lindsay, here it is:

On the very last night, after a day of snorkeling and boating and islands and fun, we went back to "our" beach in the evening. It was a perfect night and there was this wonderful Reggae/Ska (very young) Mexican band playing on the beach. It was so nice to sit and listen and watch them while enjoying the perfect weather and lovely night. When they took their break, we hit the water and were having SO much fun luxuriating in the water/sunset/perfect breeze/ etc. that we just couldn't make ourselves get out of the water even though it was almost completely dark. Finally the band started up again playing a wonderful Ska piece that just made you want to jump up and dance and before I knew it, RON jumps up and starts SKANKING (ska dancing) out of the water! So then of course we ALL Skanked our way out of the water and onto the beach! (This truly was the only way I was getting out of that sky blue water).

So then we continued dancing on the sand (in our swimming suits - try not to picture it) and loving the whole music scene, when we heard a keyboards solo. I turned to everyone and said, "I just can't help it, whenever I hear keys, it's just Aaron to me". So we kept dancing and Ron says, "Well actually, it IS Aaron" Aaron had gone over and struck up a conversation with the band, and the keyboardist wanted to play the harmonica, so he offered the keys to Aaron! I tell you, dancing with my Ronnie and Carolyn and Dan - to Aaron on keys - while also on the most beautiful beach ever, on the most perfect night ever - will always be one of my happiest memories.

I only wish you could have ALL been there!

Love,
Deboe

P.S. And we DO have a small movie of all this!

fotos

Konkols-

Your pictures from Mexico are gorgeous! Wow! Thanks for sharing them. You all seemed to be having a great time, relaxing, beaching, hiking, drinking, having fun together. How exciting. I'm excited to talk to you about it some time. Maybe you could blog just one good story? It's overwhelming to feel like you have to do the trip justice and write about everything but I'd love to hear just a little slice.

Traveling is fun. And hearing about other people's trips is not as fun, but still fascinating. I really appreciated the Halversons' blog about the Wild West, and Konkols' pictures and stuff... Awesome. I showed the pictures to Ben and we both got excited about our upcoming trip to London in March. We're going for a week, staying with my friend Isabel from college. I can't wait.

Can we ban posts that say, "How come no one has posted?" If no one has posted, then post something. Even two sentences about something you saw on your way to work or something. Otherwise this blog is gonna go down the tubes. Plus, I wonder what y'all are up to. Love you.

One word only, please...

OK, so it seems that people don't have time to post or comment on a regular basis, so let's try this. I'll give you a topic, and you comment using only one word.
"How do you feel about finally getting some snow?"

I'll go first...

Sick of Reregistering for New Blog

This is the third time I've had to reregister. I can't even "comment" now. Annoying.
Any suggestions?
Love, DBJ

Blogging blues w/ Google?

Is it possible that the reason no one is blogging is because of the google switchover? I couldn't post at first, but then I created a google account and now it is fine. Anybody else have this problem?

We're Baaaaaack!

Hi All Bodies,

We spent yesterday sleeping and unpacking and sleeping and unpacking and sleeping and sleeping and sleeping. . . . .

Today we are headed to Stevens Point for the Konkol Christmas. AFTER THAT we will call, post and email to tell you all about our amazing vacation. Oh yes, and there are REASONS for not posting etc. from Mexico. . . it's mainly called . . MANANA. . .

Ask Joannie.

Love ya all,
Deebs

I wish those Konkols were Blogging

Wouldn't it be fun to hear about what fun adventures they are having!!