Guess what I got?

That's right...my very own camera. I am off to take some exciting pictures to please my fans. Any requests?


This was my first picture with the camera. It is our sweet puppy, Petunia smiling for the camera while Pepper (my in-laws' dog) naps nearby.















And a picture of the new camera owner (just checking to see how it did with close-ups).

trial video

And for the record...I just figured out how to embed a video. Please be very impressed. I am not techno-savvy.

Further Evidence...

that I am not one of the cool kids...

So...yesterday I had to go to the Stewart Memorial Library at Coe College to check out a book. I needed the book for my research proposal and the public library did not have it. For those of you who don't know...I graduated from Coe six years ago. As you can imagine, the library could be quite familiar to an alum.

I, like most people returning to their college campus, was struck with many fond memories. I was not prepared for the fact that most of my fond memories involved the library. After I found the book i was looking for, I started to wander around. I first went to the top floor where I went when I actually had to do work and not chat with anyone around me. I also stopped by the computer that I used to write numerous English papers. I always used the same one (is that an OCD tendency?).

Then, I went to my favorite place in the library, the second floor reading room. During my freshman year, I lived off-campus (AKA with my parents). Three days a week I would have an hour gap between classes and I would always go to the reading room and sit on a chair facing the window that overlooks the quad. I would watch people walking to classes, do some reading for class, and oftentimes fall asleep. Ah...the memories...

After that, I was off to the basement. I walked straight to the AV Theater. Most students at Coe probably don't know that it exists, but I was forced to watch 3 hours per week of Indian movies with Bengali subtitles during my first term at Coe. It was part of my Fist Year Seminar class. I will tell you what...the 13 people in that class got close. But do you really have an option when you are subjected to Bengali cinema week after week?

As I walked out of the library, I realized what great memories I have of it. Am I strange that the library holds so many college memories for me? I maybe should have titled my blog "allofthecoolkidsaredoingitandIamnotoneofthem."

I Am Not One of the Cool Kids

So...at about 3:50 Sunday afternoon, I finished the 7th Harry Potter book. I sequestered myself. I started reading it at 10 o'clock Saturday morning, then I took a break to help Lee babysit his (our) nephew. I started up reading at again at 4:30 took a break for dinner and read until until 2am. Sunday I started reading about 1pm and kept going until I was done.

Judge me if you will, but they are great books. Highly engaging and entertaining. Anyone else want to admit to being a fan?

Instructional Technology

So...I am in the midst of completing my last two classes toward my masters degree at Morningside College. I have been working on it since Fall 2004. I can hardly wait to be done.

The title of my penultimate (second to last) class is Instructional Technology. For the class, I am suppose to log 400 points learning various technology related things. As I was getting close to my 400, I read one item that said "create a webpage." I started thinking, "a webpage...like a blog?" I asked my professor if that would work and she graciously said yes.

So...can everyone who reads this blog please leave a nice comment for my professor who will be reading this sometime in the next week? Her name is Tami. Thanks.

Hair Cut

So...last week I got my hair cut. As you all know it was well past, "she has such pretty hair," and on to "Boy, she has really long hair." With my head tipped back, my hair was well into my crack...never a good thing. So, I cut 6-7 inches off. It feels like a bob to me, but to most I know it is still considered "long hair." I have gone to the same hair stylist since I was a junior in high school. I have been faithful to Denis for 12 years and through three different salons. I would like to explain Denis to you all.

Denis is a fifty-five year old man who wears 30x32 pants (I know this because when I worked at the Gap he asked me if we had any more 30x32 black leather pants left). He only wears black, khaki or denim pants and only wears black or white shirts. He also has chin length high-lighted blond hair. Is he gay? you might ask, but alas he is not. He was the drummer for a rock'n roll band (in the second picture he is second from the left) from 1969-1976. He also has a 36 year old daughter, an 18 year old son, and two grandsons. If you could see this man, you would never believe it.

Denis is a man of few words. It almost makes me a little uncomfortable. I am glad my style doesn't need frequent visits or extended periods of time because he doesn't say anything at all. I will stay true to him as long as he has scissors in his hands, but his hands might be getting arthritic before too long.

I will leave you with this classic Denis story. My mom used to go to Denis, but has since moved up to the high end Cost Cutters salon. The following is a true story that happened to Nanny:

Nanny: Thanks for the haircut. Should I make the check out to the salon or to you personally?

Denis: You can make it out to Denis Bunce.

Nanny writing her check...

Denis: Denis is spelled like penis only with a D.

Nanny: oh...thanks...


Anybody want his number?

So Long...Farewell...

So...Katie, Mini and Junie left today to return to the scalding desert while we are opening the windows to enjoy a nice night's sleep in the mid-fifties. It was a sad good-bye, but the last month has been action-packed and fun-filled. We will miss them all.

I feel that my feelngs will best be conveyed through a song sung by the Von Trapp children.

Brother-In-Law

So...Lee's little brother, Lance (he's the one in the red uniform), is a terrific soccer player. When I say terrific you must think, "I'm sure he is good." I am serious though; he has traveled to play soccer in Italy, Holland, England, Scotland, Germany, Austria, Costa Rica, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Canada, and all over the US. He has one year of high school left but he has already received numerous full ride scholarships to colleges across the country. He has verbally committed to play for the Lobos at the University of New Mexico. This summer he has been playing on a Professional Development League team. There is a story in today's Des Moines Register about him. The article mentions that in one soccer game, Lance runs up to 11 miles! I think I will stick to tennis. If anyone wants autographs, just let me know...

Criddle Family Reunion

So...yesterday the Iowa branch of the Criddle family packed up and went to visit the Illinois Criddles (AKA all of the rest except one person). It was a terrific day. Lots of people, lots of catching up, and lots of kids.

Roll call included:

-my 87 year old grandparents

-their four children (my dad being the oldest) and three spouses

-their nine grandchildren (me being the youngest) with six of the spouses (Lee and Scott were missing)

-and their fifteen great-grandchildren (one missing) all nine years old and younger (including 3 four year olds and 4 three year olds).

As you can imagine the day was full of small people running around and adults trying to watch them while also having conversations. Here is a sampling of the craziness:

Papa breaking the rules by playing in a well at a playground/splash pad.

A little volleyball (my team lost).

The girl cousins.

Sitting around after dinner.

These were our two July birthday girls: Elle turns two and Grandma turns 87 this week.