A long time ago, Curtis (AKA CB) bought a waterbed, never intending that he would be sharing it with a woman. Or with me, for that matter. I love that waterbed. Love it, I say. I love climbing into it on a cold night and hunkering down in that huge bag of 98 degree water.
In fact, I have decided to use the waterbed to keep my pajamas warm during the winter. Yes, each morning upon rising, I put my blue flannel pajamas (those are penguins if you were wondering or going blind trying to look closer) in the bed, make the bed and go off to work. Fourteen hours later, less if I'm lucky, I come home, unmake the bed, put on the now warm and toasty jammies and I'm set for the evening.
That's Buddy keeping a look out.
But, about the waterbed....several months ago, when the weather was cooling down a bit, I said to CB "CB, does the waterbed feel sort of cool to you?" He said he didn't know. Which is usually his answer to my questions.
A couple of nights went by and the bed was really getting cold. CB's solution was to put some blankets between us and the bed. Buying a new waterbed heater is a pain in the ass. Particularly when you have to do it online since there is no longer a waterbed store in Manhattan.
After a month, I decided that I could no longer sleep on a large bag filled with cold water. Water that was growing ever colder. I am, after all, a fragile, delicate flower. CB should know that better than anyone.
We agreed after a period of reasonable discussion (I'm sure CB's version is exactly the same) that a new heater was
required and it was time to get one ordered. I got one ordered that very night. When it came, 10 days later, we had to wait for somewhat warmer weather to install it.
You see, in order to replace the heater, you have to drain the frickin' bed which requires getting the hoses out (and thawing them, in this case), taking the screen off the upstairs window, running water, turning water off, and laws of physics about which I can only speculate. However, we got it all done with a minimal amount of bitching (I'm sure CB's version is exactly the same). It was just a matter of time before we were sleeping on a warm bed again.
This winter, I've been thankful for the warm bag of water I call my bed. I laugh at the freezing temperatures. I thumb my nose at negative wind chill factors. I have heated jammies!
And a warm dog.
I wish we had smell-vision because the aroma of the peppers, onion and garlic simmering along with the chicken was wonderful. (I must admit that I did have to open the door to the deck at one point...there is only so much wonderfulness one woman can stand!)
It's not Valentine's Day at my house, but it looks like it, doesn't it?
Now, the picture that didn't make it: I was in city court this morning and it was snowing like a bastard in Manhattan. Snowing like crazy. A girl walked in to pay a speeding ticket. Nothing unusual about that.
Here are some of the men of Delta Upsilon where I was asked to give a presentation tonight. I've had a number of DU men in my office over the years...
Here they are after I'm done. The standing ovation is because I was great. NOT because I was done.
What is better than having animal crackers for lunch and playing with them before you bite their heads off? Seriously. What. Is. Better? Okay, having some frosting to dip the little bastards in would have been sweet.
Lunch with Jennifer is one of my favorite ways to spend 3 hours! We meet at the On the Border in Topeka where Jennifer orders our special....it's a 3 sauce chicken fajita burrito with only 2 sauces and no veggies. It's wonderful! I don't know why I have her pointing to the 3 sauce burrito in the menu....it just seemed like the thing to do. (It also made everyone waiting in the lobby turn and look.)
This is the chair in my office which has be occupied this week by various students in trouble, needing at any given time an attorney, a mother, or both. Mostly the bodies in this chair don't bring me laughter and great conversation.
Don't let this mean face fool you, he's a marshmallow and quick with a joke. I didn't think there was anyone in the world who loved the great English comedians Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington like I do, but Matt is right up there. We spent time reciting parts of shows we've heard. It really was a bit nerdy, but in a brilliant, British sort of way. Matt studied in Oxford (he's a total brain) which is my favorite part of England. We've had pints in the same bar - but, alas, not at the same time.
Best. Valentine's. Day. Ever.
It was a breath of fresh air to be in the company of other great liberals. Not too many around Wamego and Kansas State. 
Doesn't this window look like it belongs in San Antonio? It's the So Long Saloon in Aggieville. Tomorrow? Tomorrow it's the real thing....San Antonio here we come!
Another funny bathroom sign. Sanitary napkins and tampons I understand. But candy wrappers? Seriously? Flushing candy wrappers is such a problem that a sign needs to be posted?
I gave a presentation tonight at the International Student Center. Seeing the time in London made me miss my dear friends and "family" there. Namaste, dear friends.
I was in Alma at 6:00 for a haircut and saw this sunset. Makes me think of Kansas and the Flint Hills. Could be because I was IN Kansas and the Flint Hills when I took it!
In case you were wondering, since this has to be stirred every 15 minutes, I spent the entire afternoon working on the trivia game for the reunion (did you know "Vegetables" can be a trivia category? It can, and it is.), typing the minutes from the last Tribunal, printing pictures of college mascots (again, trivia category) and watching back to back to back to back episodes of "Glee".
I think this could describe our reunion weekends in San Antonio. Since there is one coming up next weekend, I'll let you know.
But, about the waterbed....several months ago, when the weather was cooling down a bit, I said to CB "CB, does the waterbed feel sort of cool to you?" He said he didn't know. Which is usually his answer to my questions.
Luke drove me to work this morning and treated me to breakfast! That was worth a picture, don't you agree?
Today I went to Salsarita's for lunch with Andrew Wagner, Kyle Reynolds and Paul Mintner. There we were, minding our own business, when the fire alarm started blaring and a kind of spooky automated voice kept saying "A fire emergency has been found in this building. Please vacate immediately. Do not use the elevators. Do not stop and get your coat. You'll freeze your ass off while standing outside only to learn there was not, in fact, a fire emergency in this building."
For the second day in a row, Kansas State University was closed! WA-HOOOO!!!!!! Although there was no snow this morning, we were not disappointed as the day went on. Since it was snowing horizontally, I'm not sure how many inches we got (insert bad sex joke here). It's bitter cold and I'm glad to have spent the day inside.