New Beer's Eve

Let's talk about beer.

If/when I drink, I'm going to enjoy what I consume. None of this drinking cheap, awful beer for the buzz for me.

It wasn't until I moved to Hays that I learned how to drink. Especially beer. All of that positive German influence. ;) I actually have to thank my photo buddies Jamie and Fred for introducing me to Blue Moon. It was a great starter beer.

During my time there, a brewery in town opened up. It is probably one of Erik's favorite places to go. In fact, I was never sure if he came to Hays while we were dating to see me or to fill up his growlers to go home. ;)

Often when I'm through Hays, I'll fill a growler for him, but often miss the seasonal beers by a week or so.

In September, we decided we were going to go. And so we hit the road!


So excited!


These little guys are awesome! They're 1/2 the size of the "regular" growlers, but with their lid, hold the carbonation better. It's too bad we can't trade in a few of our growlers for some of these smaller guys.


Enough said, really.

I also want to add that I Tweeted that we'd be there, which resulted in a spontaneous meeting with a former co-worker of mine. It was not really planned too far in advance, and a great treat! :)

Splish splash

Mid-June, we went to Hays so Erik could get some golf in.


While Erik golfed the last 9 holes, I took my goddaughter to the pool. :)

The sun was BRIGHT, so getting a photo of us wasn't really working. Oh well!

Allison's Baby Shower :)

A few months ago, I trekked out to Hays for Allison's baby shower. Allison and I were co-teachers for CCD class for 3 years, and I was so excited. :)

Jackie threw a book-themed shower, which was appropriate because Allison is a book worm. Isn't the invite cute?

We all were to bring our favorite book/etc. to the party. Allison LOVED checking them all out.


Of course, I had to get books from the best author on the planet, Bill Peet. :)

Also, since she's such a fan of scrapbooking, the party was about making a fun baby scrapbook for Allison.


Check out some of the pages:


Allison the pro checking out our work:


I think she approves:


Of course, it wouldn't be a baby shower without cupcakes!!!


This post is SO LONG overdue ... the shower was .... I can't even remember when it was, but their little guy is almost ... is he really about 4 months old? Woah, I'm a bad llama.

I saw Allison a few weeks before she popped ... and I have to say she was the most ADORABLE pregnant lady I've EVER seen. Allison, you just GLOWED! I can't wait to meet the little fella. :)

I heart Pete!

One of the long-standing figures of Hays is Pete Felten. He is well known for his limestone sculpting. If you've been in the Kansas state capitol, you've seen Pete's statues.

He's a kindrid spirit (a Harry Potter fan!). I also think he lives a secret life as the Pied Piper .... he has a herd of cats that follow him around like he is playing a magic flute!

I stopped by to tell him it was my last day .... and got a big hug.

He offered to show me a recently completed bathroom in the Stone Gallery.




Check out the tiling ... isn't it awesome????




The floor is made from stone-like potholders. Clever! :-)


And last, here's the toilet lid. I'm not sure where the heck you'd get one of these, but think it *might* be a candidate for our master bath makeover. ;-)

Last day at HDN

The last day at the office, the girls took me out to lunch at China Garden. Yummie! (Front: Juno, me, Kaley, Middle: Diane, Kim Back: Gayle)

Afterwards, Kaley took some photos of me and Bob .... lemme tell you about Bob.

Bob is the mascot of the Hays Daily News. He came to the HDN about 2 years ago. I pestered the publisher until I got the job of being Bob. It was nice to have kids go crazy-wild over you. Besides, now I know what it'd be like to work in Disney!

Here's me with the Bob head on (the tats are JUST a shirt!)


Then me in my Bob getup.




And Bob's booty. Plenty of kids have pulled that tail.


And my goodbye to Bob ....

What if ...

... was the starting point for the Doodle 4 Google.


Check it out HERE.

A local girl in Hays was the finalist for grade 10-12, region 6. Vote for her!!! :-)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, some of the other entries appeal to me more, too, but let's support Kansas!