Fear not buttercup, we survived the tornado… in case anyone was wondering. In fact, there were two in the past week. Well, they were storms, and they were somewhat close to us. They both caused weather TV interruptions, that counts, doesn’t it? And alarming ones at that… at least to an Idahoan.
I feel as though I've gotten a bit lax and lazy on my posts lately so I'm gonna get bettah about that again. However, I’m not sure this is the one to start with – it’s a bit of a potpourri – just some random pictures and occurrences over the past few weeks. Structure? Schmucture. Oh, and my kvetch goes here too – I’ve seen diesel up to $4.69 a gallon. Just keeps getting worse and worse. Come on people, get out there and vote and speak your mind, and get naked - let’s start a revolution!
Have I mentioned lately how much I dig thrift stores? I admit it, I do. Don't get carried away and start thinking I like used underwear, but I do like used books. It's like a mini used bookstore in the far back corners of almost every thrift store I've been in. And I admit that I have only gotten a few bigger things (like a bookcase) there just because we try our damnest to be minimalist wannabes, but I think I would buy more at used stores first, given there was more I (thought I) needed. It's like a life cycle for goods, compared to the opposite theory that everything is disposable.
Anywayyyyyy… back to more substantial topics – stuff we did in the last couple weeks. Ha, substantial to me, at least. Just reiterating once again - this page serves as my memory, and without it, I couldn’t tell you what we did last week. Pathetic. Maybe I should invest in those brain vitamins or something.
Tons of upgrades at the Payne house – all within about a week of the numerous events at the Payne house… ha – maybe there IS something to be said about deadline pressure – it’s all turned out beautifully. Regretfully I didn’t get before/after pictures, I do love those, but just trust me on this one – it all looks great inside and out. 
We’ve been going to the Dog Park here almost daily – it’s a wonderful invention! The first couple times, Charlie was definitely an expert at making us embarrassed dog owners, but now she loves it. No more galloping to the closest person, back biting random dogs that look like Elvis or herding little pups. Well, okay... she still herds little pups. It’s a huge field that is totally fenced, so you can just show up and unleash the beasts. They run and play and sniff – just things dogs do. The good thing about it – socialization. The great thing about it – fatigue. Elvis joined her one day out there, but mostly when these two play, they like to chill at home playing tug-o-war in air conditioned leisure. 
There is a great Cajun restaurant downtown called Jazz that is complete with crawdaddies. Now, I remember growing up when the adults would go scuba diving in a special secret place called BlueHeart in Idaho for these little scrawny crustaceans. I didn’t get it then, and I don’t get it now. While I’m no longer quite as appalled at the inhumanity of it, I still don’t think it’s worth the effort. Like crab. But then again, I don’t like seafood, so I’m probably not one to declare the worthwhileness of a seafood lunch. But come on – sucking the brain cavity Rob and Amber? That’s just gross.
During Daniela’s graduation party, there was a hellacious thunderstorm that only lasted a couple minutes, but then turned the light awesome colors. I totally missed pictures of the party, but I have the buttons we all made before the party, then the literal afterglow.
Uncle Jim and Aunt Barb invited us all over for a family BBQ and we got to meet Miss Hailee.
We aren’t on a league or anything special, but who doesn’t like a good old fashioned game of bowling now and then? Not Wii bowling, but real bowling. And it wasn’t necessarily old fashioned – it had the scorekeeper. Remember the old projector with a pencil and flimsy transparent sheets you slid? Screw math - no need for it anymore! Proof of that was at a Subway last week when the girl couldn’t count back 65 cents. Cash register froze, she had to get a calculator. Aye aye aye, that’s a scary future folks, hehe. And get this - Wendy won. Beat everyone! Picking up spares while talking on the phone. Just throw the damn ball, I guess that’s how it works, I’ll have to try that next time. And that white glare in the corner of the group picture that looks like it could be the corner of the table it was sitting on? Nope, it's a ghost.
Lazy mornings = banana pancakes. You’d think we’d eat them every day then, no? No. But we should. They are good. But there is such a thing as too ripe.
We drove over to Fremont to visit family and see the new skate shop and have lunch. After two strikes, we had a great burger at choice number three. It was a great little trip - got to see Carol and Nikki's houses, the new Shop, and stop at the meat market. This place is incredible - 9 ounce strips for under $3 - and they are good cuts! Nebraska is the place to be if you are a carnivore.
I finally met my Darli! After months of only email communication, I found her to be a real live person that can talk and move as well as type. 
We had a great dinner at a family institution in Omaha – Caniglias. The first time I came to Omaha years (and years) ago, it was a Caniglias restaurant that got me hooked on toasted ravioli and prime rib. Which reminds me that meat of any sort tastes different here. I promise, no cliché, it really does – especially ground beef. And by different, I mean better. Anyway, dinner was good but the evening was great with Pete and Ari. It’s been almost a year since I saw Pete last in Washington, and Ari always makes me laugh via email, so it was divine happenstance to be able to see them in Omaha, Nebraska. 
Not sure why, but it’s become a tradition where Daniela and I stand in the same place in the same building in the same part of the Old Market and Cujo takes our picture. Nothing changes but the lighting. And the hair. And the clothes. And the age. They also have a great Farmer’s Market we went to one Saturday. Pet friendly, lots of flowers and plants, some crafts, some food. Not quite produce season just yet, but the lettuce and asparagus was good. There have been two young girls, I would guess junior high age, a few times that we’ve gone there. They stand on a corner and play a violin, take requests, and ask for money. On the basket it says ‘College Fund’. First thing I thought was – What a great idea! – but then I wondered if it was like child labor. People seemed to enjoy it, and I think the guy on a nearby bench watching them was a dad - I hope. Creepy ewww if not.
BB King played at Harrahs – this guy is 82 years old and he is still touring and traveling – amazing. The show was in an amphitheater of sorts, with grass sloped seating. The lady that took this picture had asked us to take her backstage with us if we won the text game to meet him after the show. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I was just playing for the 2for1 buffet code you got for entering.
While we are here, Maddy turned the big 8 – woohoo! Her party was at the Botanical Gardens in Omaha. These gardens are great – they have specialized floral sections, a temporary kids exhibit, replica of Omaha, two trains, and an in-progress Mt Fuji display.
We got to catch Jim and Brian’s baseball game at the busiest park I’ve seen. While they were playing baseball, we saw and heard commercial aircraft, remote control model aircraft, skeet shooting, and Frisbee golf. Oh, and two trains on the tracks behind the field. I think that’s why the score was 20-0 at the top of the 5th. Or do I say 0-20? Tomatoes, tomatoes… Fun nonetheless.
Daniela’s last dance recital – we have never been in town for a recital until this year, and good thing – it was her last! This place was bedlam, tons of painted faced girls and even more of their families, us included. She did great, and we all enjoyed the show.
Cujo finally got to go on a ride with Uncle Danny. The nice hot sunny days without thunderstorms are somewhat sparse right now, so this was the perfect day for a ride. The guy on the left is Cujo's great grandfather, who was a Omaha motorcycle cop back in the day.
