I heart bassets

Apparently there ARE people who love basset hounds more than Bryant and I do...

And yes I took this picture while driving!

I am the PHOTOG MASTER!

El Vanmino

El Vanmino, El - El Vanmino...

WOWZERS

Why not just go ahead and round that puppy up?!

Sip and Siple

I learn something new everyday. My lesson today was a result of driving to Montpelier, Ohio for a performance.

Please notice that Montpelier's water award is not national, but the WORLD! That's huge!

And I always wondered about ole' Paul Siple...

Paul Allman Siple (December 18, 1908 - November 25, 1968) was an American Antarctic explorer and geographer who took part in six Antarctic expeditions, including the two Byrd expeditions of 1928-1930 and 1933-1935, having first gone representing the Boy Scouts of America as an Eagle Scout. Siple was also a Sea Scout. Siple and Charles F. Passel developed the wind-chill factor, and Siple first coined the term "wind chill." From 1963–66 he served as the first U.S. science attache to Australia and New Zealand. Antarctic features Siple Coast and Siple Island were named in his honor.

Well where's Miss Ida?

For those of you who are missing a little "Ida" now and then...

We got this picture from Dallas recently and I decided to share. Ida and Dad go on roughly 12 walks a day (3-4), and Dad promises me that he is not feeding her any Cheetos! We miss you pup.

photo courtesy of Lori Whitlow

Maiden name shout-out!

25 years of "Langbein" really opened the door to endless nickname possibilities.

So Long, Farewell...

Jan left this morning for Washington DC! It is a bitter sweet day for all FOJ's (friends of Jan). We are so proud of you Mom!

I see London, I see France

I have got to give the culprits some major props for this one. Well done oh Lords of Mischief!! (please note, this is not my car... I happened upon it in a high school parking lot)

You may not know it...

but I am kind of a big deal.

Click here to see Sarah Lee in The New Adventures of Alice in Operaland. I am the sleepy dormouse (from Alice in Wonderland) dressed as Cinderella and singing an aria from the opera La Cenerentola (Cinderella). And we're on in 5, 4, 3, (2), (1)...

Yogging!

Since we are performing our show at 65 elementary schools throughout the Ohio/Michigan area, I have already seen my fair share of "inspirational school posters." I have re-memorized The Golden Rule, the Food Pyramid, and 'failing to prepare is preparing to fail.' I got to witness the ever-cool huge rope that hangs from the gym ceiling that only the short, skinny guys could climb. And let's not forget the star charts--- I still feel for those who only have 1 or 2 stars when the bulk of the class has 15. I have washed my hands in 2 1/2 feet tall sinks (and used the smelly pink soap that reminds you of school for the rest of the day). And let's not forget the toilet paper holders that are all from Ft. Howard, Green Bay, Wisconsin.

I HAVE had a few issues with some of the schools--- like the school who's mascot was the dolphin, so the gym was decorated with a dolphin playing football along with Flounder and Sebastian from 'The Little Mermaid'--- yet there was no Ariel. What the heck!!! I also take offense to the jump ropes that have the plastic separated coverings around them... if you miss one jump, you will have a welt for the rest of the day! And I also have no idea how every school ceiling has water stains all over them... often accompanied by bulging ceiling tiles that look pregnant and might fall at any moment.

I found this poster in one of the gyms. There were many other 'athletes' to make up this set of inspirational P.E. posters... i must note that all were PC with many nationalities represented. So, examine the poster below:

lucky red and yellow shoes: check

wristbands: check

walkman: check

water bottle with an accordion straw: check

very thick earphone chords: check

wind pants that cinch at the ankles: check

HE IS READY TO DO SOME JOGGING (although I think it is pronounced with a soft "J" - Yogging.

O Why O Why O...

...Would you ever leave Ohio. It has everything you could ever need:

Bryant Visits Toledo

Bryant braved the metropolis of Toledo this weekend and we had a mighty good time. On Friday he came out to Sherwood, Ohio to see the "New Adventures of Alice in Operaland"... he was quite impressed with the mezzo-soprano's performance. The rest of our weekend included Wii Sports, Guitar Hero, ping pong, bowling, movies, a few dates. It was so nice to have a friend for the weekend... lucky for me he is so darn good looking. And I must be honest, the Lee family has got some serious bowling skills.

If this was a "Far Side"

Darlin', could you come move your car?... you're blocking me in.

Langbein Life and P.A.D.O.V.A.W.

The Langbein family has been unusually crazy recently, so to keep everyone up to date:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! Today is my cute Dad's birthday! I think there is an Edgar/Langbein dinner of fried chicken planned--- and perhaps a lemon cake for dessert! Wish we were there with you guys for the celebration.

Amy got a new car last night. A Toyota Prius--- a black "green" car. I am now referring to her as Knight Rider because it has lots of buttons and gadgets: GPS, blue tooth, IPOD dock, radio and A/C voice command. You even have a button to start the car. Very cool Ames! Congrats on your big purchase!

The biggest news of all is about Mama Jan, or should I say the new POLICY ADVISOR TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. What? Well, Jan Langbein has just been appointed by the President of the United States to be the POLICY ADVISOR TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. That's right, Mama Jan is moving to Washington DC (Dad is staying in Dallas to hold down the fort) in 2 short weeks. She already has a great apartment in Alexandria, VA (a lot closer to NYC than Dallas). We are all so proud of her for this amazing honor--- and new fun adventure! Way to go MOM--- "my young padovaw." (Bryant, that Star Wars reference was for you) For more praises of MJ, please refer to my girl cousin Leigh's blog (Friday April, 11 entry)

Weekend Adventures

My two weekends in Toledo have been anything but boring. Last weekend (my first weekend here), Sara Zimmer Cordell and her cute husband Brian came in town for Sara's cousin wedding. They took me to lunch and we spent the afternoon catching up. I also got to see her family again after 3 years! While they were at the wedding I played with their new puppy, Wesley, and their parents' dog Jack. We had a time!This past weekend I made my way to West Bloomfield, Michigan to visit the Meeder girls. Patti Meeder was a Chi-O at SMU when my mom was rush advisor. Amy and I were about 4 and 7--- and Patti was/is the coolest babysitter, cheerleader, friend-over ever. We have kept up with Patti over the years but this weekend I was introduced to her 3 BEAUTIFUL daughters--- Victoria, Graceanne, and Julia. We had a total blast: tennis lessons, birthday party planning, banana muffins, floam, walks in the woods, sleepovers, Nim's Island, webkinz, webkinz, and more webkinz. I must also note that I had the pleasure of being Julia's "friend" for her "bring a friend to dance class day." I rocked the hip-hop with Julia and her other 7 year old buddies. The Meeder House is definitely the place to be. Nobody wanted the weekend to end, and the girls put forth a huge effort to keep me under house arrest! Thank you guys for letting me be a part of your girls weekend.

Drillbit Barry

With the upcoming arrival of their summer residents (Bryant and me), the Lee's have been working to get things in order on Burkhart Circle. The major item of business is the upstairs bathroom remodeling. Barry began this project in January and has been sending picture updates. With Bryant moving in in a little over a month, it is crunch time!! I cannot wait to see the finished product... new floors, new shower tiling, raised granite counters, wallpaper, lighting etc. Keep up the hard work Barry--- we can't wait for our 5-star summer accommodations!
(picture courtesy of Kathy Lee)

"Touch your peacock, you are a peacock"

This is in honor of all the "30 Rock" fanatics out there!
While I am not the biggest fan of Mariah--- this video at least pauses her downfall created by her "Glitter" days.

"Kenneth, you are a STAR!!!" -Jan Langbein