Silver Dollar F-U-N

Good Evening,

The Monday Morning News managing editor and chief Miss Mity has left me two stern reminders about making the Monday deadline...so...please enjoy this video Shan and I took of our weekend getaway to Silver Dollar City! (a popular theme park in the Ozarks).

Happy Monday,

Amanda

Silver Dollar City F-U-N from Amanda Vallo on Vimeo.

Toilet Training

There are a few ways to feel loved and I have discovered one of them.

Recently in a phone conversation with my brother I was reminded of my certainty that I would NEVER find someone who could handle the peculiarities of my injury. I have not looked up the numbers but I know for a fact that following a SCI comes an inordinate amount of extra time spent in the bathroom…

Many a plan, date, evening has been ruined as I’ve struggled to explain or regulate my body according to some doctor’s plan or consultation with a SCI “poop specialist” nurse.

Then came Shannon…there are givers. Shan has redefined and owns the concept. Without notice without a hitch she has embraced my challenges and made them her world. My bathroom experiences these days are catered for a queen. I imagine these efforts will abate but I can do nothing but appreciate and laugh from atop my throne.

Every evening I seem to be greeted by a new amenity. To highlight, it began with reading material. While I will often take care of business with the day’s sports section, I now have a whole host of offerings…First, Hair & Style magazines. Shan is considering a new cut and I’ve offered that I would like to be the good girlfriend and help her pick one out. After I quickly learned this is a bit like looking at paint samples (and doing my best to figure which cut she had left the earmark in the page for…), new materials began to appear. I now also have bird identification cards and a matching tree identification set. So…starting with the sea birds I can now share interesting and important facts about the pelican, the sand piper, the gull, I am working my way through the lakeside waterfowl…the Canadian goose, the mallard duck,..

What else says love in the restroom? I have the traditional standards three back copies of Reader’s Digest favorites: To make me smile? The 50 jokes and comedy issue. To inspire? The miracles issue. To explain any untoward effects of the meal exiting my body? The truth about where your food comes from edition.

If all of this isn’t enough, there is a topper I’m not quite sure what to make of yet…Shan rigged up a television…with cable…in the restroom. There is talk and excitement of adding a second screen and perhaps piping in surround sound? What’s next? I can only imagine…tonight is chili night. Fireworks await?

10 things I've learned or done so far in Kansas

Good Morning,

I've found there is only one way to get the writing mind back on track and that is to make a list...so, to give you a taste of life here so far, I've come up with...

10 Things I've Learned or Done so far in Kansas!

I've prayed for a man who’s been injured by a cow.

I've shopped for hummus in a Hen House (grocery store).

I've discovered the campus of KU in beautiful and hilly.

As a passenger, received a warning from a county sheriff who from what we could tell was trying to smooth out his bunched panties (we had passed him going 73mph in a 70mph zone-geesh).

I've watched the 11 o’clock news at 10pm (It was and will ALWAYS be the ELEVEN o'clock news!)

I've learned Kansans are incredibly polite in opening doors.

I've learned straight-line winds (aka "thundergusts," or "hurricane on the prairie!") are a horizontal tornado-like phenomena that can rip the roof right off of a hotel! (see photo)

I've discovered 24/7 can be the name of a gym or what is required of the air conditioning unit.

I’ve had opportunities but not yet gone to the Corn Festival, the History of the Power Tool Museum, and the World’s Largest Ball or Twine exhibit.

I’ve had opportunities but not yet gone to the Corn Festival and the World’s Largest Ball or Twine exhibit.

I've enjoyed the nostalgia and the artistry and craftsmanship of the Black and Decker power drill...

and taken the artisan's oath...

“I love tools made for mechanics…They are so simple and plain and straight to their meaning. There is no “Art” about them. They have not been made beautiful, They are beautiful…Things are not done beautifully. The beauty is an integral part of their being done.” --Robert Henri

okay, : )

Happy Monday from the sunflower state,

Amanda

p.s. mitty's a little reluctant to give up her time in the MM spotlight so we've attached a photo of her doing "kitty work" (e.g., bathing).

Mitty Makes it to Kansas

Good "Morning,"

We've made it to Kansas. I still do not have my writing sensibilities about me, so "Mittoto" would like to share her latest work. Please enjoy. She would have done a little more editting but she really loves the song in this video.

Peace and much love,

Amanda

p.s. 4 days and only 1 tornado...so far.

Miss Mitty Makes it to Kansas from Amanda Vallo on Vimeo.

mitty we're not in C-bus anymore...

Good Morning,

Well, I'm happy to say the weekend festivities were a success here at Boom Central!

The skys were clear and with a gentle breeze blowing in from the south and west mitty and i were able to smell fireworks smoke for a good hour.

This morning I sit and await something just as exciting and possibly overwhelming--after 10 years of living the settled life here in Columbus...I'm headin to Kansas!!! (wohoo get crazy jump around-Auntie Em!)

The natural question here is why so I will give my reasons in descending order of importance (least to most).

1. smaller city life
2. job opportunity
3. love

The Monday Morning e-mails will continue. Many more adventures await after i get settled. In the mean time, thanks for letting me continue to share my musings with you.

Amanda

p.s. please think positive thoughts for Mitty. 11hr. car ride : (