Behind The Masks

Tonight many people will be putting on costumes, face paint, and even masks. Here in the United States it is only acceptable on one day of the year, but in many other countries and cultures it is very common. So common in fact, mask carving and dressing rituals have become almost an art...an art that I greatly appreciate and have begun to collect.

Many of you may know I collect tribal handmade masks and that I enjoy the stories behind them. I thought today would be a great day to share my interest with others and show off my odd collection.

This mask was my first. My mom got it for me several years ago while on a cruise to the tropics. She thought they were interesting and got a mask for me and my brother. She bought this one in Barbados. The funny thing is that this mask is the one that started my collection, but the one my brother got was actually the one I thought was the coolest.

This mask is one of my favorites that I own. A special person (Emily) got it for my while on her spring break cruise a couple years ago. She searched for several days to find me the right one. I am very lucky she supports my collection.

I would say this one is my absolute favorite mask because of the colors and detail. It is very special to me because Terry (my mother-in-law) got this for me on her latest trip to India. It is only fitting to get an elephant mask from India.

This mask is interesting because the designs are stimpled on with dots of paint. I received this mask as a gift from Kim and Terry (parents-in-law) from their trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti.

I like this one because it is the first international mask I bought myself. I got it in Jamaica on our Honeymoon. The man I bought it from looked like the mask. I thought it was unique and definitely unlike any of the other ones I had.

This is my newest mask with the least exciting story. I got it last summer on vacation in Emerald Isle. It was at a gift shop and I wanted a new mask for the collection. It is part of my "American Mask Collection"

This is another mask that fits the American category. I also got this in Emerald Isle, but it hold the most meaning to me of all my masks. I got this the summer I proposed to Emily on vacation. It is an everyday reminder of the vacation; the greatest of my life.

These masks are used as decorations, but to me mean so much more. Each one has its own story, and most of the masks were made by hand and are completely unique. I don't wear too many masks these days for Halloween, but I have a few if I ever want to.

It's hit the Whaley's...H1N1

On Friday at school, I developed a cough but didn't think much of it since I seem to always get sick during the school year here and there. Nothing ever big...just something that last a couple of days then comes back later. The students seems to ALWAYS have some sickness they are just willing to spread around.

Saturday I woke up feeling a little off, but by after lunch I felt miserable. I was aching, had a fever, couldn't get comfortable, would be sweating one minute then be freezing the next, and my cough got worse. I tried taking multiple baths to make me comfortable, tried taking Advil and NyQuil, but nothing seemed to help. I went to bed that night and only slept about 3 hours of which were on the couch.

Sunday morning I knew there was no way I was going to church and after my shower I told Zach I had to go see a doctor. I felt awful...worse than I ever felt with any other sickness including mono. So Zach being the amazing husband that he is told me he'd drive me to a clinic. We drove around Greenfield but NO place was open until noon. I told him I couldn't wait that long so he went into the CVS in Greenfield and asked if they knew of a place that was open now. The nice ladies told him that there was a Minuteclinic in a CVS in New Palestine so Zach got in the car, turned the heat on full blast (he was miserable because he was so hot), and drove to New Pal.

I have been to urgent care places before and knew it would take a while but since this was called a minute clinic I thought it might be quicker. Boy was I wrong! We arrived and signed in on the sheet around 10:45 am. I was 9th on the list. We didn't get seen until 1:05 pm. Apparently this clinic had just received the H1N1 vaccine and parents were trying to get their kids vaccinated before they ran out. We were also informed that being 16th wasn't being very far down on the list!

I tried to be patient, but after an hour I was tired so Zach said I could go lay in the car while he waited and would text me when I was 2nd on the list. Isn't he the best!?! When I finally got called in the lady asked me a bunch of questions, told me I had the flu, and said that I looked good for a sick person (ha!). I could have had been officially tested for the H1N1 but she told me that she hasn't had anyone test for anything other than that and since the test was $120, Zach and I just took her word for it.

She told me some over the counter stuff I could take, prescribed me some cough medicine, and sent me on my way. Zach was a great trooper but told me he couldn't take care of me this week because he had midterms and didn't want to get it himself. So I decided to call mom and dad to see if they'd let me stay with them. Of course, they are the best and mom agreed!

My only complaint so far is that when I woke up on Monday morning and was laying on the couch, mom thought it'd be funny to take pictures of me then laugh. They are kind of funny so I'll post some of them but don't laugh too hard.

Don't I look healthy?!?

After I was coughing...mom thinks she's so funny!

This is mom's favorite one. She said I wasn't opening my eyes so I did this time.

Well to finish my story, I have the H1N1 virus, can't go to work all week, Zach was the best this weekend, and mom dad have cared for me like I was a little kid again. I am finally feeling better and plan to head back home tomorrow night or Thursday morning.

Christmas in October

For Christmas this year, Zach and I decided we would just get each other a nice big television instead of buying little gifts. I made some extra money this year with coaching volleyball and I thought it'd be a nice purchase which Zach would love (and he does by the way!). So on Saturday after my volleyball tournament, I went and borrowed mom and dad's vehicle since we knew neither one of our vehicles would work and headed off to Costco.

Brandon and Amy (really good friends who live in our same apartment complex) wanted to go look at furniture so we said we'd have plenty of room if they wanted to join us. We knew what we wanted and it would take no time at all. Oh was I wrong...

We walked into Costco and found the television we had looked at and wanted from searching the internet. But we thought we'd look at all the deals just in case something changed our mind. Zach saw and fell in love with a 50 inch LG plasma tv which was about $200 cheaper and also bigger than the tv we looked at before. We got a sales associate to come help us lift it, paid for it, and went to leave. Only one problem, the tv didn't fit into the vehicle with all four of us.

We had to decide what to do because nothing was going to work. So I decided Zach and Brandon would take the tv to our apartment while Amy and I walked around Castleton. And now my adventure begins. What was suppossed to be a quick fun trip turned into a funny afternoon.

Amy and I walked down the road and NONE of the roads had sidewalks. Guess everyone drives around this area. Our first stop was JoAnn fabrics. We walked around to get ideas about Christmas ideas, etc. The following stop was Rooms Express. Apparently they just opened and were having really good sales. Needless to say, we toured the ENTIRE place and tried out many coaches, chairs, beds, etc. Well that took about 30 minutes.

Still about 45 minutes to go...what's next. Well nothing esle besides a rug store was on this side of the road, so we thought we'd adventure to the other side. We waited our turn for the light but it was definitely NOT long enough. We ran across the street to Pier 1 Imports and then went to The Room Place. Now the latter was a little creepy. The sales associate was a little overwhelming and found us WHEREVER we went! Oh the stories we can tell.

This was a pumpkin man trying to get people to come shop at Halloween USA. This is as close as we got.

Finally, Zach and Brandon come back to get us and we head to one more place. Ashley's Furniture in Carmel and then dinner. At dinner we realized we would need a new tv stand since our old one couldn't hold it. Best Buy it was...the main condition...it had to fit in the vehicle! It barely did and we got the one we wanted. What a Saturday! Unforgettable and definitely a time to look back upon. We love the new tv and I guess it was worth all the trouble. Merry Christmas to us!

Not the best picture but this is our new tv with the tv stand...Superbowl party at our place this year!

A Man Named Hedge

It never fails whenever I go to mom's house someone always stops by when she isn't there and usually wants to buy eggs. This time, however, the person wanted honey. And this wasn't just any person...this was Hedge.

This older man, who reminded me A LOT of Grandpa Bud, wanted to buy some honey. I didn't want this man to have to come back so I went inside, found how much it cost after calling mom, and sold him a jar of honey. You think the story should end there, but that is just where it begins.

After I gave him his honey, he meticulously counted out 5 one dollar bills. He then proceeded to ask me how long this house had been there. He remembered when it was an orchard and Albert Myers (sp?) owned a house across the street. That was before I was even thought of...so over 25 years ago.

He went on to tell me all about him. His name was Hedge, he was born around this area in 1939, graduated from Sulphur Springs High School, got married in 1957, and moved away with his wife. His wifed died 7 years ago and since he still had a plot of land on 600 N he thought he'd come back to the area. He told me it just "feels like home".

I definitely agreed with him and I went on to explain that I came back to teach at Shenandoah where I graduated from and grew up. Well believe it or not, Hedge was a teacher and then an administrator at Muncie Southside High School. He also wasn't shy to tell me that schools have changed and students are much worse. So true but he is definitely old school.

I thanked him for buying the honey and he continued to talk about how his doctor told him local honey will help with his allergies. He saw mom and dad's house as he was driving by one day and thought this would be perfect. I agreed and then we said our goodbyes. He asked me for my name, my parents' name, and then said again his name was Hedge and it was good to meet me.

I have never met a man named Hedge before today, but let me tell you he was a very interesting man. I'm glad I went to visit mom today after school or I would have never had this opportunity! I only wish I could have taken a picture of him...but I think that would have been a little awkward.

Time with Auntie Em

When Dana and Karter were here last week I took every opportunity possible to come and spend time with Karterman at Grandma T and Papa's house. He is too cute and has changed SO much since Kamaron and Anique's wedding in August. He can say some words, answers yeah to EVERY question, gives smootches, never slows down, and LOVES his Auntie Em and Uncle Zach (we're his favorite of course!). The following are some pictures that Grandma T took over Karter with his aunt and uncle. Hope you enjoy!

After his afternoon nap on Saturday, his Auntie Em dressed him and of course we had to smile for the camera!

Karter with his favorite aunt and uncle after church on Sunday!

On Wednesday, after work, I came over to see Karter (and Dana) one last time before they leave. We won't get to see them again until Thanksgiving so I was trying to soak up my time with the little guy. He even came to watch me coach the volleyball team that night (even though we lost).

Bye bye Karterman until we see you in Minnesota. Uncle Zach and Auntie Em love you and will miss you (Kristoffer and Dana too)!!

Closest Thing We Have To A Child

As many of you may know, we have a one year old Yorkshire Terrier named Peyton. Grandma Lois House asked us to post some pictures of him, and we can't let her down. Peyton is our family's closest thing to a child for the next few years...he's our trial run. He is only about 5 pounds with a golden head and "blue" body hair. I swear it's really called blue hair even though it is black/gray.

We think he is really cute, but not as cute as a baby. He will do for the time being though. Zach has had several Yorkies growing up, but none as well behaved as Peyton. We really lucked out with him. He is the only Yorkie we have ever met that never barks. He whines when he needs to go out or wants attention, but never truly barks. In case you don't understand the magnitude of this, just visit a house that has a "normal" Yorkie.

Below is a picture of Peyton when he was just a little puppy. He was about 2.5 lbs in this picture. A Yorkie typically weighs around 2-7 lbs depending on the lineage. Peyton is fully grown at 5 lbs.

Around our house Zach takes care of Peyton. He walks him, feeds him, and cleans up after him (just like a dad). Zach does a majority of the work for him, but guess who Peyton likes to spend his time with...Yes, you guessed it, Emily. Most nights you can find Peyton curled up in a ball resting on Emily's legs wrapped in a blanket. For the most part he is a lazy dog, who isn't territorial, and very passive.

The American Kennel Club's description of Yorkshire Terriers is: brave, determined, investigative, and energetic. The Yorkshire Terrier breed is very hostile towards other dogs, growling and barking at them. They are surprisingly brave dogs for their size.

Our description of our Yorkshire Terrier is: passive, lazy, investigative, and loving. He has never found a dog he doesn't like or wants to play with; licking and sniffing them before ever growling. He knows his role in life and lays down when approached by a larger dog. I swear he is 100% Yorkie, but I think he was bred with a cat somewhere down the line. He is more kitten than puppy. We love our dog, especially because he is the best of his breed.

A couple interesting Yorkie facts:

1) Yorkies have hair very similar to that of humans, making them hypoallergenic. They need to be groomed similarly to a human with long hair.

2) Yorkies are an English breed of dog that was bred over many years to gain their particular attributes. They were desired by the lower classes for their small size and investigative behavior. They were commonly used to enter small spaces and flush rats out of holes and walls in the 1800's. In present day society they are sought after by the rich and famous for their cute looks and petite size.

HCPCC Walk for Life

This weekend Zach and I have the privilege to walk in the Henry County Pregnancy Care Center's (HCPCC) Walk for Life. For those of you that don't know about the HCPCC, it is a non-profit organization that helps out women/families in need of pregnancy tests, formula, diapers, clothing, etc. The majority of the women that come to the center are single moms who cannot afford much of anything.

It is a Christian organization that my mom has been a part of since I can remember. Although she has held many positions, her job currently is to counsel women who come in on Mondays and need pregnancy tests or other things. She really enjoys her time there and looks forward to going to volunteer her time. I am sure that mom does an excellent job as she really feels for the children involved with these families. She is a very caring person who is always the first person to lend a helping hand if asked, and I'm sure the women in need that come to the center feel comfort in having my mom as their counselor for the afternoon.

Mom had asked us to walk and although we didn't have any sponsers besides our donation, we were glad mom invited us along to walk for her team. The team consisted of Zach, myself, mom, and Peggy (one of mom's good friends). It was a mile walk around Baker Park in New Castle followed by a small breakfast. The following are some pictures that Zach took of the walk...we didn't get too many as mom took enough for EVERYONE there!

This is my wonderful husband taking a picture of me as we wait for the walk to start!

The small group of people there while we were waiting on mom and Peggy to get there. There ended up being about 200 walkers but this only shows a small portion.

This is what mom did for the majority of the time before that walk started....so Zach thought it only appropriate to photograph mom!

Mom and Peggy talked the whole walk...imagine that!?! Zach and I followed and discussed their gait which I think we will leave undiscussed on the website.

Overall our Saturday morning was a fun filled time of fellowship in support of a great organization and we are already looking forward to next year's walk!