In a fog in Hermann, MO

This was the third time Julie & I spent the Thursday after Christmas in a B&B in Hermann. In 2005 I decided we needed a little vacation within a vacation to decompress after my Mom's annual visit, so I surprised Julie with an evening at Hermann Hill Inn. We made the same trip in 2006 & 2007, but I think we'll stay closer to home next year - maybe a romantic getaway in Lafayette Square or Soulard for a change. I'll worry about that next fall. (Anyone have any suggestions?)

Anyway, Julie, who puts up with my love of walking around in the dark taking pictures, indulged me with a stroll through Hermann Thursday night.


This really is dollhouse scale.


This really is human scale.


She just needs to stay behind bars, no matter how big she is.

disclosure

Did I mention I'm temporarily on a medication that's making my eyes bug out and my brain lose focus? The worst of it is over and I'm much healthier now, but I'm really rather ready to be back to my normal.



Have a happy little cactus. Tomorrow I'll tell you about Hermann.

Friday Night @ Tropicana Lanes - in the dark

After the kids went away and we were the only ones on our side of the building, we got to play in the dark. My score improved dramatically.

Friday Night @Tropicana Lanes

Cath owns bowling shoes. Julie & I don't.


I liked our emo kid neighbors. I mean, I kind of glared at them once in a while just to keep everyone in character, but I liked them.


Julie gets her spare at any cost.

Another Brunch at MoKaBe's

Julie's new camera is stalking me.


Delicious

Happy Birthday Cath!

(Yes, it's another pic from Julie's birthday party, but we haven't had Cath's party, yet. )

At Julie's Birthday Party, part 3

Food & Drink

At Julie's Birthday Party, part 2

Entertainment

At Julie's Birthday Party, part 1

I think this should be a three part set. Julie turned 30 this week, so we celebrated Saturday night with 3 types of chili, in 30 degree weather, under 3 inches of snow. Okay, maybe there were 4 inches of snow, but that doesn't really fit my pattern, does it?

Here's Julie getting Piwi the Kiwi, who traveled all the way from New Zealand to be here. Cath looks pleased with her ability to almost keep him secret for 7 months.


Everyone else in the room actually could remember '77.


She can now communicate her need for cheese in new ways.

preshow fun in the loop

Whoops, I thought I'd already posted these.
I know how you hate to see my life out of order and all...

To my left, Rob & Tina:


To my right, a long hallway:


In front of me, Julie:


It was a good dinner.

Jonathan Coulton at Blueberry Hill

Jonathan Coulton and Paul and Storm



in the Duck Room



with a Zendrum



{pants!}

Third Thanksgiving

I'm thankful I will have no more Thanksgivings this year. We've got two VIP birthdays, and at least a double Christmas lined up, but I think we're done with Thanksgiving Dinners for a few months.

Walking by the Jefferson Arms

So what's the deal with this place? Wasn't Pyramid doing some grand rehab? All it's got right now is very tidy boarded up doors and a few old signs.

Friday night @ the Independent Art Market

You still have time to get to this- it runs Saturday (noon-10:00pm) and Sunday (noon-6:00pm) at 10th & Locust.

It's 2:30am. Do you know where your Lainey is?

Wrong. She's at work. She's at work watching PBS in high def while a housekeeping crew shampoos carpets and buffs floors. It's a long story. It's a long day. I put in 10 hours today before going home in stupid "it might be icy" traffic, eating dinner, changing clothes and coming back for a 10:30-5:00 stint. Well, at least I did get some work done without the phone ringing.

Julie came with me. She's laying on floor, asleep.

Maybe I'll get some cool ice pictures on the way home.

Mostly I'm ready for a nap.

Shopping up close

The Callbox Grill in PrinHi

I had dinner with the girls Saturday night. The Callbox has some of the best pulled pork I've ever had at a restaurant.






ps- Happy Birthday Christina Rossetti, you freak!

Second Thanksgiving

Sooooooo delicious, with sides of silly and creepy.

Our Welcome Home

It's been a while since we had a cat pic day, right?


Pammy inspected everything we touched. Maybe she thinks that's her Elliot Erwitt book.


Rudy was a bit more interpersonal.


Paws lives with our friends. We visited almost as soon as we got home. She eventually woke up long enough to say "hey."

More from the drive home

South Pittsburg, TN