I’m not sure what it’s been lately, but I’ve felt a bit out of balance… like something was missing. My life in general right now is about as rich, fulfilling and as busy as it’s ever been, but after really taking a few weekends to look at things, I’ve realized something is missing. I’m not painting.

It’s been about two years since I’ve sat at my art station with a clear piece of plexiglass, vibrant tubes of paint and my creative spirit singing. At first, I didn’t miss it. In fact, the absence didn’t seem to matter to me at all until about a month ago. And then it came crashing in.

So this weekend, I will paint again.

And I can already tell it’s going to be glorious!

Did you love the Topeka version of the Google logo that graced Google’s website on April Fool’s Day? With just a few clicks, you can enjoy Google’s Topeka logo everyday! Simply follow these steps if you’ve using a FireFox or Google Chrome as your browser:

For FireFox:
1.       Download Firefox (if you don’t already use if for serious browsing sessions): http://www.firefox.com
2.       Install Greasemonkey for Firefox here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/748
3.       Install Google Doodle GM script from within Firefox on this page: http://code.google.com/p/gmsearchscripts/
4.       Select Topeka as your favorite Google Doodle here: http://www.google.com/logos

For Google Chrome:
1.       Download Google Chrome (if you don’t already use it for casual browsing)… http://www.google.com/chrome
2.       Install the Favorite Doodle Extension here: https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/nedjejdfkkjgebciefdfofjhmeogiaga
3.       Select Topeka as your favorite Google Doodle here: http://www.google.com/logos

Thanks Brendan Jensen for figuring this out and sharing it!

Google has changed their home page logo to Topeka for April Fool’s Day! I assume this was inspired by our (Topeka, Kansas’s) temporary re-naming last month to Google, Kansas and Think Big Topeka‘s #1G4Topeka effort.

If you’ve been following the whole Google, Kansas thing, then you probably know that Topeka is pretty serious about bringing the Fiber Experiment to our community. Sure, we re-named the city for a month, but that was just one of many grassroots initiatives to show Google how much Topeka wants Fiber! Our efforts include more than 16,500 Facebook Group members, almost 900 photos, a whole slew of TV appearances/Radio interviews/blogs/articles and 31 videos, like this one by Gizmo Pictures:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZahqLe5AYU

We also had the first Google-related Flash MOB, a Google St. Patrick’s Day parade and a final rally at the Google RoadRunners game where the community spelled out GOOGLE on the ice after the game.

I’ve always been a fan of Google’s April Fool’s Day pranks, but this is one I’ll never forget!

Thanks Google, you guys really do Think Big!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0G9wjGlMgM

It’s been a rough week.

On Tuesday morning Leo woke up sounding like he was starting to get a cold. No runny nose or sneezing, just congested breathing and a rough cough. At 3 a.m. on Wednesday morning we ended up in the emergency room concerned with his breathing and the barking that he was doing. The doctor gave him a steroids shot and then sent us on our way.

On Friday afternoon, Leo’s conditions returned, he was breathing faster than normal and really having to work hard to breathe in. I picked him up early from the babysitter’s house and took him straight to the quick-care clinic near our house. The doctor on call recommended that we get him to the ER and then admit him in to the hospital overnight. So we headed over to the ER again where they started an IV, did some blood work, gave him several rounds of steroids and breathing treatments and took X-rays of his throat and chest. With the tests they were able to determine that Leo’s epiglottis was swollen, causing his breathing to be strained even more than just the croup conditions.

Leo was admitted into the hospital to stay Friday night so the nurses could continue to monitor him and administer treatments. Luckily Leo really responded well to the breathing treatment and additional steroids that they gave him in his room, and he was dismissed Saturday at noon.

Here’s some photos of Leo’s ER and hospital visit:

We’re 36 hours removed our first visit to the ER, and Leo seems to be on the mend. You can tell he’s still not feeling well, because he’s not really interested in the active playtime activities that he usually enjoys, and he still doesn’t have an appetite. We’ve taken advantage of the downtime by reading more books, spending more time on the floor playing with his stacking cups and shapes bucket. It’s been fun watching him discover how things can fit together and come back apart.

Here’s a 2-minute video of Leo getting his first shapes through the bucket lid, with a little help from Brandon.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBolNyI1SK8

Leo had been shuffling between the couch and recliner for a few days, but one evening he pulled up in the middle of the room and started walking. Luckily enough, I had the camera! You can hear my excitement and Brandon cheering for KU (and Leo) in the background.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eaVi3QgSFM

Ten years ago I was celebrating New Year’s Eve at the Love residence in Lebo, Kansas. Of course, by celebrate, I mean stay up until midnight with several of my classmates ringing in our New Year (without any alcohol, of course, since we had 6 a.m. basketball practice the next day). This was our year, the one that would see us each graduate from Lebo High School and strike out into the world on our own.

It’s amazing to believe that it’s only been 10 short years. So much has taken place since then, so many things that have played a big part in my life. Since today is the last day of the decade, it feels appropriate to acknowledge the top 10 moments that have taken place (in chronological order):

May 1999 – Graduated from Lebo High School as salutatorian of my class.

August 1999 – Played a year of collegiate volleyball at Cowley County in Arkansas City, Kansas.

December 2000 – Met Brandon Sheley, a friend of one of my best friends, Jason Carpenter.

September 2001 – Moved to Topeka, Kansas.

October 2002 – Married Brandon Sheley on a beach in St. Lucia.

August 2004 – Had my first solo art show at New City Cafe, and experienced my first sale.

December 2004 – Graduated from Washburn University with a B.A. in Studio Art and a Minor in Women’s Studies.

August 2005 – Started working at jones huyett Partners.

September 2008 – Moved into our house on Tutbury Town.

March 2009 – Had my son, Leo Mason, at The Birth & Women’s Center.

Topeka artist Justin Marable will showcase his interpretations of the Capital City at “Why ReThink,” a new exhibit 3-5 p.m. Saturday Dec. 19 at Lola’s Café.

Last September, Marable sent out a call for art to the city and the region for the event, “ReThink Topeka,” which will occur April 17, 2010 in downtown Topeka. In the meantime, he has found fresh ways to perceive Topeka and continues to “ReThink” the city on a daily basis. The show “Why ReThink” is an effort to energize local and regional artists and will serve as a reminder to participate in the coming “ReThink Topeka” event April 2010.

“I’m hoping that people will use the show as inspiration to make their own ReThink Topeka art, or to begin expressing pride in this place we call home,”said Marable.

The art exhibit will be on display beginning Dec. 1, featuring screenprints of Marable’s work that deals with places in Topeka and written explanations of why he decided to “ReThink” that location.

A formal opening will be held 3-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19. The opening will feature Topeka-centered poetry readings by Matt Porubsky and Leah Sewell, the live music of local band Interior Sea and discussions about Topeka as inspiration for local artists, musicians, writers and performers. Visitors will also be able to find out more about the coming April 2010 “ReThink Topeka” event, and merchandise such as stickers, pins and t-shirts will be available. Marable welcomes anyone to the show who is supportive of battling negative perceptions about Topeka and helping to create a more positive representation.

Check out the Facebook event for additional photos, or to invite your friends.