Cache of the Day - Prom

Taylor went to her prom this past Saturday - her second prom at Mitchell High School. Once again her date was Davie.

This is a full-day event. Of course we had the day, several weeks ago, when we went shopping for a prom dress - and shoes, and earrings, and a necklace, and of course, hair jewelry.

On Saturday we went to the hair salon, did up the hair and added glitter.

Then the makeup, which I had the pleasure of applying.

Then pictures at the boyfriend's house.

Picture at the friends house, including the requisite "shoe shot".

Then off to dinner (they went to Salem, Indiana, to a place called Christie's).

Then back to the high school for the Grand March.

After that, I was shut out. I don't get it. Why can't I go to the actual dance?

I'll work on that. Maybe next year I'll go to her senior prom.

Cache of the Day - Smart Kid

Taylor is a smart kid - second in her class and involved in lots of activities. Her GPA granted her a visit to a private college here in Indiana - the University of Evansville.

Taylor and I and Joe spent the day in the southeastern part of the state and learned a lot about the advantages of going this college. Here is a shot of her in the front yard of the University, learning from a tour guide that she took the day off of classes on Friday and laid out in the sun all day on this lawn!

To the left is a shot of a dorm room - just right for two.....two MICE, that is!!!!


This is a shot of the lobby of the business school, here on the right.






And the shot here on the right is one of the new classrooms in the business school. Taylor is considering Accounting as a major, so this may be a place she inhabits in the future.

And then we topped the day off buying Taylor a new car! Here she is in her 2005 Scion XA with 30,000 miles. She drove the card back from Evansville, a good two-hour drive. Look how happy she is (and the sales guy looks pretty happy too!).

Cache of the Day - Murder

Turns out the lawyer did it. Figures.

Here are some pictures from our Murder Mystery dinner party this past weekend. We had eight "suspects" - that all came in costume - so that we could figure out who killed Pierre DuPre during Mardis Gras in New Orleans.

I was Michelle DuPre, the deposed's wife. But I loved him dearly. Of COURSE I didn't do it.

We had great fun and shared some Louisiana grub - jambalaya, french bread, creme brulee....and lots of hurricane punch. We had a version of Zydeco music and, mostly, we had lots of fun. Took us a few hours to figure it out, but several players did guess that the J. Stephen Peek - the lawyer (also known as Stacy) - did it in the billiard room with the Mardis Gras beads.

We had a great time and really appreciated everyone's participation!

Cache of the Day - Being in the Pit

Here's my view from the orchestra pit at Bedford North Lawrence High School where, for the last two weekends (and many rehearsal days before that) I've been buried in the pit for the production of "Fiddler On the Roof". I am playing flute and piccolo of a challenging score, but so much fun to play! In this shot you can see a glimpse of my music and that's our conductor, Brian Samarzea.

Brian and I met about 10 years ago when he just started the local musical theatre group, Bloomington Music Works, and he cast me in several productions, included several Gilbert & Sullivan's, "A Little Night Music" (our favorite), "Gypsy", "Once Upon a Mattress", and "Into the Woods". And although I was on the stage then, I continue to participate in musical theatre productions and I don't mind being in the pit. I LOVE putting on a show!

Brian asked to me to help out "Fiddler" and I love it!

Cache of the Day - Mardis Gras fun

My friend Jackie and I got a chance for a brief Mardis Gras celebration on Tuesday - I had one hous between work and symphony rehearsal - but we made it fun in even the limited time.

We met a few people at Crazy Horse. Jackie brought her beads and masks that her son Zach had acquired recently in New Orleans. I brought my headdress from my fiftieth birthday party.

Fortunately for everyone, I chose not to dress in the entire outfit (seen below).

Cache of the Day - Exotic Felines

Check out the beautiful felines that are being protected and cared for, right here in Indiana (and as you can see, even in the dead of winter). Learn more about them at http://www.exoticfelinerescuecenter.org/home.html.

They provide permanent homes for exotic felines that have been abused, abandoned or for some reason have nowhere to live out their lives, and they also educate the public about these beautiful cats.

My friend Kyle and I made a day of it. She's been there several times before, and I'm glad she took me a long this time. What a wonderful experience!

When we first arrived, we were witness to a trio of male lions in a fight - obviously agitated when a new male was introduced recently to the center.

We spent quite a bit of time, getting personal and as up close as we dared. We saw the animals being fed (poor horses - all that was left were their hooves), and we saw them interact. They stalked us, tried to pee on us (marking territory), and several were very happy to see us.

What a great time seeing lions and tigers and cougars and panthers and bobcats. Oh my!

Cache of the Day - Award Recipient

SCIHRA Board Members of the Year
– Linda Dausend
– Amanda Abrell

SCIHRA Chapter Volunteers of the Year
- Sandy Garrett
- Kara Zemlyak

Student Chapter Member of the Year
- Wendy Wlodychak, President of IUHRA

Bloomington Employers of Choice 2008
– City of Bloomington
– Employment Plus



SCIHRA Chapter Volunteer of the Year
This category honors a person who must be a member of the SCIHRA Chapter. The award is presented to someone who is an example of a dedicated leader, contributor and caretaker of the spirit of the Human Resources profession while serving as a volunteer in the SCIHRA community. The conduct of the recipient must be such that they are considered above reproach with regard to ethics, quality, service and by projecting a positive chapter image.

Student Chapter Member of the Year
This is awarded to the Student Chapter Member who holds a leadership position and has demonstrated exemplary leadership skills. The recipient exhibits the ability to successfully work with the organization, leads the organization with innovative ideas, delegates responsibilities, and provides direction to members.

SCIHRA Board Member of the Year
The Board Member must be a member in good standing with the SCIHRA chapter. The Board Member must have demonstrated continuing interest in and support of SCIHRA through contribution of time, talent or resources to the purpose and objectives of the association. The Board Member must have a record of good attendance at all scheduled board meetings. The Board Member must have a record of attending various Chapter-related activities. The Board Member must have a record of serving or personally contributing to committees established by the SCIHRA board.


Bloomington Employer of Choice
The Employer of Choice goes beyond the traditional view of high salaries and great benefits. The Employer of Choice makes an organization’s employees their most competitive advantage. Employers of Choice are companies that place a high value on human assets and set the benchmark for everyone else in how they recruit, protect, develop, lead and retain their employees.