You know, I was just thinking it's been a while...

...since we've had any press!

http://cjonline.com/life/religion/2011-03-25/lifetime-lessons-learned-mayberry

This article was in the Capital Journal yesterday in the religion section. The backs of our heads have never been more famous!

Happy Birthday Grandma Pat!

Oh to be lucky like the obviously Irish.

Since the weather was supposed to be pretty nice for the St. Patrick's Day parade, Lydia and I decided to meet Rusty at his office and watch. Topeka really represented, I must say. There were hundreds, if not at least a couple thousand people out.
When Cade asked later that day if we had gone to the parade I said yes and then I asked if one of his classmates was absent. He did notice that she was gone, so I told him that her family (who is Irish) had a float in the parade and that she, her mom and sisters were all on the float as well. I could see the look of 'aw, man! That's so not fair!' look in his eyes and wasn't a bit surprised when he asked, "But, Mom? Don't I have Irish in me, too?" Sensing (and hoping) that he was kidding (and not really upset about not being pulled out of school to be on a float), I said, "Yeah, kid. But no one would believe you."

No one pinched this little quasi-Irish cutie.

This was our view from Rusty's office. It was great, except that we didn't get any candy or beads.

Just a corner of the Topekans out to celebrate. Kinda sappy, but I really enjoyed seeing all the green (or others interpretation of green) out in full force.

All the entrants lined up six wide and who knows how deep.

Now this is a good idea.
You don't need a flatbed for a float. Just pull your drunk Irish arses
behind a truck in your pontoon. Brilliant.

This one is for my sister, T.
PINK PIG!!

This was a clever float. It's for CD Tradepost. Bowser and Luigi from Super Mario Brothers walking along the pirate ship.
Loved it.

Heeeeeyyy!!!!! It's the Jayhawk and the Topeka Jayhawk Club Pep band.
What more could a parade need?

How 'bout an enormous RV full of Jayhawk fans?
That's not a parade! Now it's a PARTY!!!

See those itty-bitties bringing up the rear?
That was me twenty, *ahem*, I mean, thirty *sob* years ago.
You think I'm kidding, but I'm not.

This gal is something else.


She's living the dream, folks, living the dream.

Green one!

You know what this is and I know what this is.
Try explaining to a three year old what it is.
Betcha can't do it without them wanting to know where the balloon is
and whether or not it will catch on fire.

Could somebody explain to me what this animal is?
It looks like a bear. With a rhino horn coming out of its nose.
And I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with whatever is being advertised in the van.
BTW, don't you just love how all laws regarding moving vehicles are completely tossed out the window during a parade?

This band was pretty good.
Until the van made a sudden stop and the lead singer ate the microphone.
True story.

Here's the float that Cade's classmate and family was on.
Lucky.

Go Knights!
The band from Cade's school was there.
I told Cade that was the only way he'd get to be in the parade.
That or a costumed participant.

That poor pony.

Ick.
That's a real boa (probably. you gonna call me out on it?) walking down Kansas Avenue.

I have to say I've never been more relieved and happy to see a fanny pack.
I hear they're back in style, too.

Rock Chalk!

"But, Dawn," you say, "what does this picture have to do with basketball?"
Good question, friends.

This is what happened the last time I tried to watch a KU basketball game with Lydia. The kid lost interest and passed out on muh legs. Let's hope tonight's game proves to be a little more exciting for her, albeit with the same end result: a big ol' fat W for the Hawks in the results column.
It'll be just me and her tonight watching the game as Cade and Rusty will be at baseball practice. {Suckas!}
BTW, how could any Jayhawk fan (a KU grad, no less) schedule practice
during your team's first game in the Big Dance?
To quote the train-wreck du jour:
' Duh! Winning!'
And:
'It's about winning. Sorry.'

Shall We Dance?*

It's the most wonderful time of the year!
With the brackets a-filling
And everyone telling you
Their team is in
It's the most wonderful time of the year!

It's the hap-happiest season of all!
With those Jayhawks from Kansas
and Wildcats from Kansas
and NO CU in at ALL.
It's the hap-happiest season of all!

There'll be tickets for punching
And bubbles for bursting,
'At-Large' selections to make
Oh, Cinderella stories
And tales of the glories
Of Championships long ago.

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much fans a-roaring
And hearts will be soaring
When their team gets near
It's the most wonderful time of the year!

There'll be upsets for watching,
Some overtime playing
And seeds that survive and advance.
The road to the final
Send chills that are spinal
When your team is in the Big Dance.

It's the most wonderful time of year!
There'll be many tears flowing
And hearts will be glowing
To hear Rock Chalk cheer!
It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonDERful time
It's the most wonDERful time of the YYEEEEEEAAAAARRRR!

*again, my apologies to Andy Williams.