So, two films from the True False Film festival my husband and I attended last week that you MUST see are No Impact Man and Food Inc.
The first is about a guy and his family who go "No-Impact" on the environment for a whole year in New York City. It was great. I actually sat across the isle from the guy himself and got to watch his reactions to the film-- hillarious. He has a blog he keeps updated that you can go to by clicking on the flim above. I also added his blog to my blog roll.
The second, Food Inc., is about our food industry and how we get our food. A couple of facts: Did you know that 1 in 3 of all people born after the year 2000 will develop Type II Diabetes? Did you know that the average distance our food travels to get to us is about 1500 miles? The biggest thing I took away from the film is just how bad our meat industry is... I am trying (and have done so quite successfully, even while on vacation!) to only eat locally-grown and/or responsibly raised meat from now on. Its atrocious what we do to the animals we eat in this country, not to mention the workers in the factories of the meat companies.
So, now that I am all primed to go-green(er) I want to share info about a farm that does organic farming really close to Springfield-- Millsap Farms. I emailed them today to see when/if I can pick up some meat--they butcher chickens, turkeys, pigs, etc. :-) Also, I plan to frequent the Greater Springfield Farmer's Market once the season begins next month. Sigh.
Did I mention I went to DC last week? More on that later...
Showing posts with label Springfield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Springfield. Show all posts
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Home Alone
So I've been all by my lonesome these past two nights. Jeff is out of town in Iowa, and my sister has been visiting old friends in Charlotte, NC with her bf. So I thought I would be super bored and lonely all weekend, but such is not the case. I've had a great time chillin' with friends and with my doggies...
Wanna hear about it?
Yesterday when my dog Sammie came in from being outside in the morning his forehead was covered in bird-poo. That was a nice wake up... so he promptly got a bath. Then, I ate at the wonderful Tea Bar and Bites with some friends, cleaned the house, worked out, did laundry, and went over to my friend's house- Kesha- to bake some delicious cupcakes Martha Stewart Style (click the link for the recipe). We delivered some to various friends last night, but I ended up with all the leftovers.
I have about 15 at my house right now and I'm lucky I've only gobbled down two.
Today I woke up late and took my doggies on a four-mile walk down the Ozarks Greenways Trail. It was cold out, but very nice and sunny. Now I am drinking a chai latte and procrastinating writing an essay for a midterm due Tuesday.
Anyway, its been a good weekend. Next weekend though-- oh man-- its VACATION TIME! I cannot wait people! True false Film Fest and then off to Washington DC to see some great historical stuff AND visit the Swinks. I may not be able to make it through the week!
Wanna hear about it?
Yesterday when my dog Sammie came in from being outside in the morning his forehead was covered in bird-poo. That was a nice wake up... so he promptly got a bath. Then, I ate at the wonderful Tea Bar and Bites with some friends, cleaned the house, worked out, did laundry, and went over to my friend's house- Kesha- to bake some delicious cupcakes Martha Stewart Style (click the link for the recipe). We delivered some to various friends last night, but I ended up with all the leftovers.
I have about 15 at my house right now and I'm lucky I've only gobbled down two. Today I woke up late and took my doggies on a four-mile walk down the Ozarks Greenways Trail. It was cold out, but very nice and sunny. Now I am drinking a chai latte and procrastinating writing an essay for a midterm due Tuesday.
Anyway, its been a good weekend. Next weekend though-- oh man-- its VACATION TIME! I cannot wait people! True false Film Fest and then off to Washington DC to see some great historical stuff AND visit the Swinks. I may not be able to make it through the week!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
On a walk...
Today the temperature was bearable so the Mr. and I took our doggies ("D-O-Gies", as I pronounce it) on a walk. We did little else this afternoon other than eat our breakfasts--The Michelle and The Mystery Jeff-- at Gaileys. Jeff wanted to bring the camera to take this pic for the Mystery Hour cuz its funny (spoiler alert!)...
...and I decided to take pics of some of my favorite houses on our walk. We are so blessed to live close to Phelps Grove area and we get to walk by some gorgeous homes that I can only dream of owning when I "grow up". So enjoy!
I like the deck on this one
Its pink!
very unique
SO cute!
...and I decided to take pics of some of my favorite houses on our walk. We are so blessed to live close to Phelps Grove area and we get to walk by some gorgeous homes that I can only dream of owning when I "grow up". So enjoy!
I like the deck on this one
Its pink!
very unique
SO cute!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The year in review
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE HOUGHTONS
Springfield, MO --The Houghtons have had an interesting year to say the least. It was the year that saw significant money “donated” to the local health care system. It was a year that felt like a lot happened, and yet also felt like not very much happened at all. It was the year of our first Christmas letter.
The Better Half
Michelle went to full time with her pursuit of a Masters Degree in school counseling at Evangel University. She shifted to part time at work at Burrell Behavioral Health, running the program she started four years ago called KLASS, which is a great program teaching kids in a group setting about, well, social skills. Jeff is too old to enroll as a student. On the Masters Degree front, Michelle slowed down to a more reasonable pace after half of the year spent learning about mental health while injuring her own.
The Other Half
Jeff still works at the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks as a field representative. In that role he sets up blood drives with schools, churches, businesses, community organizations and anyone with blood in their veins that is willing. He then works with volunteers to make the blood drive a success. He has a territory so he is on the road a lot each day getting caught up on many podcasts that he enthusiastically recaps to Michelle each night.
Jeff still performs just about every Friday and Saturday night doing improv with The Skinny Improv at the theater downtown. He performs a lot of traveling shows on top of that too. In addition, his project, The Mystery Hour is still going really well in its second and now third season. It’s a late night talk show. Some people even say it’s the best monthly non-televised local talk show that happens to be downtown in all of Springfield. Even one of the Houghton dogs, Sammy, appeared on the show last month. In addition, Jeff writes an article for 417 Magazine spotlighting one of the guests who will appear on his talk show. He has shot a few embarrassing local commercials, one of which finds Jeff in a housecoat. Oh yeah, and he calls Bingo at a local coffee shop as a grizzled old man named Burt Machowski.
Why Michelle is Not Allowed Around Lawn Mowers in 2009
Michelle and Jeff had a great 4th of July weekend in St. Louis watching the Cubs beat up on the lowly Cardinals (Go Cubs Go!) and having fun at Six Flags. The next day Michelle was at her parents transporting their lawn mower because Jeff had broken theirs with his ‘run mowing.’ It was lifting the lawn mower into the car that proved to be the mistake. Unbeknownst to her at the time, she herniated a disc in her back. After literally laying down for 8 weeks she finally had surgery in late August. She tried her best to keep herself occupied while she and the bedroom ceiling became well acquainted. She had a lot of visitors, books read, websites checked, and pain… oh the pain! Almost immediately after surgery she felt better. Jeff drove back from family vacation in Colorado to be there with her. Noble indeed, but what was he doing out their enjoying himself while she was laid up anyway? Since then she has been easing back into exercise. She and a guy who looks strikingly similar to Jeff now take a Pilates class weekly.
“We do”
In February, Jeff and Michelle’s good friends Jeff Jenkins and Leah Hamilton got married. In fact, they met at Jeff and Michelle’s wedding. Jeff was a good, artificially tanned, best man. In April, one of Michelle’s best friends, Kesha Quigg got married and became Kesha Alexander. Michelle was a more appropriately tanned maid of honor. Then in May, Jeff’s sister, Cari married Bob and became Cari Everhart. It was a fun weekend in beautiful Lawrence, Kansas. Everyone was tan. Well, as tan as Houghton’s get naturally.
Jeff Becomes a Man
Jeff celebrated his 30th this year. Yep, seriously. They celebrated with a barbecue and wiffleball game, just like a 30 year old should.
Jeff Becomes a Man (again)
Onto a subject that should have been highlighted in a Christmas letter in the early nineties… About eleven months was spent with Jeff holding ceramic, rubber bands, metal, and previous meals in his mouth with his adult braces. He talked through them and about them all the time. Then, on the fateful day on November 10th, 2008, a day that will live in famy, Jeff got his braces off! All told he wore them for 2 years. They had become a centerpiece of the Mystery Hour. He is currently searching for new jokes, and sugar, lots and lots of sugar. Feel free to ask him to smile. He will gladly oblige.
Highlights
Michelle’s twin sister, Jenn, moved back into town and they hang out a lot, along with their other close friends. Yes, they look alike.
The Houghtons can often be seen around town traveling by bike. Michelle got a new basket and a bell for hers but ended up not being able to use it for most of the summer. There’s always next year.
Jeff got poison ivy while Scott was in town in July, which joined forces with the chiggers he got while camping with Bob and Cari, to form an itchiness that proved to be stronger than modern medicine for a good three months. Or as Jeff says, “like a whole year!”
The Houghtons took in a stray dog for what was anticipated to be a short time. He stayed long enough for his named to be changed from “New Guy” to Morris. He was as cute as he was not at all house trained.
The Houghtons started their first garden this year!
Currently, Jeff is facing impeachment after attempting to sell Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat.
By the Numbers
5… Number of months the Houghtons cared for New Guy/Morris
43… Number of doo-doos and poop-poops cleaned up after Morris
0… Number of times Morris offered to help
21… Number of times Jeff got knocked over while filming a bit for The Mystery Hour with theSpringfield Roller Girls roller derby team
4125… Times Michelle has said “Good D-O-Gies” to Sammy and Lucy
4… Number of pops Jeff drank in two years while wearing braces
18… Number of pops drank since November 10th
2009…
Next year Michelle will be graduating from grad school and looking for a job. The Houghtons look forward to visiting their friends the Swinks in Washington D.C in March. That trip will come after their annual trip to the True/False documentary film festival that they looooove going to each year in Columbia, MO. Jeff will be wearing a retainer the rest of the year.
Hopefully, we’ll be able to spend more time with people like you who mean so much to us and are such a big part of our lives!
Sincerely,
The Houghtons
Springfield, MO --The Houghtons have had an interesting year to say the least. It was the year that saw significant money “donated” to the local health care system. It was a year that felt like a lot happened, and yet also felt like not very much happened at all. It was the year of our first Christmas letter.
The Better Half
Michelle went to full time with her pursuit of a Masters Degree in school counseling at Evangel University. She shifted to part time at work at Burrell Behavioral Health, running the program she started four years ago called KLASS, which is a great program teaching kids in a group setting about, well, social skills. Jeff is too old to enroll as a student. On the Masters Degree front, Michelle slowed down to a more reasonable pace after half of the year spent learning about mental health while injuring her own.
The Other Half
Jeff still works at the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks as a field representative. In that role he sets up blood drives with schools, churches, businesses, community organizations and anyone with blood in their veins that is willing. He then works with volunteers to make the blood drive a success. He has a territory so he is on the road a lot each day getting caught up on many podcasts that he enthusiastically recaps to Michelle each night.
Jeff still performs just about every Friday and Saturday night doing improv with The Skinny Improv at the theater downtown. He performs a lot of traveling shows on top of that too. In addition, his project, The Mystery Hour is still going really well in its second and now third season. It’s a late night talk show. Some people even say it’s the best monthly non-televised local talk show that happens to be downtown in all of Springfield. Even one of the Houghton dogs, Sammy, appeared on the show last month. In addition, Jeff writes an article for 417 Magazine spotlighting one of the guests who will appear on his talk show. He has shot a few embarrassing local commercials, one of which finds Jeff in a housecoat. Oh yeah, and he calls Bingo at a local coffee shop as a grizzled old man named Burt Machowski.
Why Michelle is Not Allowed Around Lawn Mowers in 2009
Michelle and Jeff had a great 4th of July weekend in St. Louis watching the Cubs beat up on the lowly Cardinals (Go Cubs Go!) and having fun at Six Flags. The next day Michelle was at her parents transporting their lawn mower because Jeff had broken theirs with his ‘run mowing.’ It was lifting the lawn mower into the car that proved to be the mistake. Unbeknownst to her at the time, she herniated a disc in her back. After literally laying down for 8 weeks she finally had surgery in late August. She tried her best to keep herself occupied while she and the bedroom ceiling became well acquainted. She had a lot of visitors, books read, websites checked, and pain… oh the pain! Almost immediately after surgery she felt better. Jeff drove back from family vacation in Colorado to be there with her. Noble indeed, but what was he doing out their enjoying himself while she was laid up anyway? Since then she has been easing back into exercise. She and a guy who looks strikingly similar to Jeff now take a Pilates class weekly.
“We do”
In February, Jeff and Michelle’s good friends Jeff Jenkins and Leah Hamilton got married. In fact, they met at Jeff and Michelle’s wedding. Jeff was a good, artificially tanned, best man. In April, one of Michelle’s best friends, Kesha Quigg got married and became Kesha Alexander. Michelle was a more appropriately tanned maid of honor. Then in May, Jeff’s sister, Cari married Bob and became Cari Everhart. It was a fun weekend in beautiful Lawrence, Kansas. Everyone was tan. Well, as tan as Houghton’s get naturally.
Jeff Becomes a Man
Jeff celebrated his 30th this year. Yep, seriously. They celebrated with a barbecue and wiffleball game, just like a 30 year old should.
Jeff Becomes a Man (again)
Onto a subject that should have been highlighted in a Christmas letter in the early nineties… About eleven months was spent with Jeff holding ceramic, rubber bands, metal, and previous meals in his mouth with his adult braces. He talked through them and about them all the time. Then, on the fateful day on November 10th, 2008, a day that will live in famy, Jeff got his braces off! All told he wore them for 2 years. They had become a centerpiece of the Mystery Hour. He is currently searching for new jokes, and sugar, lots and lots of sugar. Feel free to ask him to smile. He will gladly oblige.
Highlights
Michelle’s twin sister, Jenn, moved back into town and they hang out a lot, along with their other close friends. Yes, they look alike.
The Houghtons can often be seen around town traveling by bike. Michelle got a new basket and a bell for hers but ended up not being able to use it for most of the summer. There’s always next year.
Jeff got poison ivy while Scott was in town in July, which joined forces with the chiggers he got while camping with Bob and Cari, to form an itchiness that proved to be stronger than modern medicine for a good three months. Or as Jeff says, “like a whole year!”
The Houghtons took in a stray dog for what was anticipated to be a short time. He stayed long enough for his named to be changed from “New Guy” to Morris. He was as cute as he was not at all house trained.
The Houghtons started their first garden this year!
Currently, Jeff is facing impeachment after attempting to sell Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat.
By the Numbers
5… Number of months the Houghtons cared for New Guy/Morris
43… Number of doo-doos and poop-poops cleaned up after Morris
0… Number of times Morris offered to help
21… Number of times Jeff got knocked over while filming a bit for The Mystery Hour with theSpringfield Roller Girls roller derby team
4125… Times Michelle has said “Good D-O-Gies” to Sammy and Lucy
4… Number of pops Jeff drank in two years while wearing braces
18… Number of pops drank since November 10th
2009…
Next year Michelle will be graduating from grad school and looking for a job. The Houghtons look forward to visiting their friends the Swinks in Washington D.C in March. That trip will come after their annual trip to the True/False documentary film festival that they looooove going to each year in Columbia, MO. Jeff will be wearing a retainer the rest of the year.
Hopefully, we’ll be able to spend more time with people like you who mean so much to us and are such a big part of our lives!
Sincerely,
The Houghtons
Friday, November 7, 2008
Several things
I had a bad week and I'm so glad its over. I finally went to see the "Sensi" (Jeff and I see a guy that does alternative therapy-- healing-- accupressure that we call the "sensi") yesterday and he helped my leg a lot. He gave me some Dit Da Jao to take away inflammation. It smells horrible but is helping.
In other news:
I am at Cafe Rendezvous and just finished working on a big assignment for my Internship class. Glad thats done with. Its cozy in here. I tend to prefer Coffee Ethic for coffee, but they have good food here.
The new downtown movie theater opened today which I walked into-- it seems cool. I might go see Changeling there tomorrow night.
Its getting colder out which I like at the moment.
There is a Mystery Hour tonight.
I've been thinking about what I want for Christmas.
I'm glad the elections are over.
I watched my dad's dog Lilly play with Kesha's new pup Bosco forever last night and that was fun.
I slept in today and spent most of my afternoon in bed.
I am listening to a really good song by Iron and Wine.
That's about it.
In other news:
I am at Cafe Rendezvous and just finished working on a big assignment for my Internship class. Glad thats done with. Its cozy in here. I tend to prefer Coffee Ethic for coffee, but they have good food here.
The new downtown movie theater opened today which I walked into-- it seems cool. I might go see Changeling there tomorrow night.
Its getting colder out which I like at the moment.
There is a Mystery Hour tonight.
I've been thinking about what I want for Christmas.
I'm glad the elections are over.
I watched my dad's dog Lilly play with Kesha's new pup Bosco forever last night and that was fun.
I slept in today and spent most of my afternoon in bed.
I am listening to a really good song by Iron and Wine.
That's about it.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
I was 20 feet away from (hopefully) the next president!
I am SO glad that Jeff and I have gotten involved in the local Obama effort this week. First we went canvassing on Wednesday, then for 1/2 of today, and it really paid off-- we got to get into the Obama rally tonight in Springfield ahead of most everyone else and be freakin' 20 feet from the stage! It was AMAZING watching the whole Obama family interact, and then hear Obama talk for quite a while about the issues.
He started off by talking about how Dick Cheney endorsed Mcain today by taking to the campaign trail-- sorta bashing that whole deal to bring home the point that there will be "four more years of the same..." blah blah blah-- I sort of care (because i don't think the republican's view of trickling down money works), but most of all I care about having a strong leader in the white house who talks a lot about bringing people together. He got to that point at the very end, after he gave the same speech I heard on NPR the other morning (its a really good one) going over the issues and what he plans to do. (He throws in a good line about cutting taxes for 99.9% of all plumbers, btw.) But then he got to the good stuff-- talking about how good Americans are, and how its time for us to ban together to be good to each other, serve one another, get involved in community service, be good parents, etc. etc. That is one thing I respect about the Republican base-- their sense of values and how important it is to emphasize that families take responsibilty to do good because the government cannot do it alone.-- and I am so happy to support a candidate that believes in putting responsibility and accountability in the white house as well as in the family home.
Anyway, enough preaching, it was awesome. It feels historical. Three days before the election I got to see him. Close.
Friday, October 10, 2008
smile like you mean it
I love the coffee ethic. I really really really love it. I can come downtown to hang out by myself on a Friday night to do homework and still feel cool while I am here. The title of this post is only because it is the song I am listening to at the moment while I am sitting here (procrastinating doing more homework).
So, there really hasn't been much to report lately. I started back to work this week and have been BUSY again. I now remember why I was so miserable before I hurt my back-- I live a busy life! Geeze.
OKay now they are playing my favorite Radiohead song-- can it get any better?!?
While I have been here I got to run into two people I only sort of know that I wish I knew better-- Trevor and Abby. They use to live next to a friend of mine and then moved away. Now they have a new little baby and I'm sure don't have time to hang out, but they seem like people Jeff and I should be friends with and Jeff and I need friends. At some point tonight Jeff looked at me and said "Oh Mitchy, what are we going to do about getting friends?" All of his have moved away (except Mr. Jenkins who is infinitely busy). Know of anyone we can be friends with?
I am sitting next to my bestest friend Miss Winnie, btw. I love her. She is dating someone now. Super excited.
What else?
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Flowers
Oh how I love gardening. Each fall and spring I add about 50-100$ worth of additions to the flower beds and the landscaping process. I'm slightly obsessed. Today on a stress-relief run (huge paper due thursday, two new classes starting monday) I looked admiringly at all the pretty landscaping jobs at the houses around us.
These pics are of flowers bought at the springfield farmer's market on battlefield. I planted them yesterday in our bed in front of the house and am really hoping i can do as good of a job keeping them up as the farmers did. We'll see, i'm not amazing at it-that's for sure. And its a freakin' lotta work. But I love, love, love flowers...
Enjoy!
I've started on my new obsession this year too-- vegetable gardening. pictures of the process to come!
These pics are of flowers bought at the springfield farmer's market on battlefield. I planted them yesterday in our bed in front of the house and am really hoping i can do as good of a job keeping them up as the farmers did. We'll see, i'm not amazing at it-that's for sure. And its a freakin' lotta work. But I love, love, love flowers...
Enjoy!
I've started on my new obsession this year too-- vegetable gardening. pictures of the process to come!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Art Walk coming up
Fabulous news! Tessa's friend (I can't remember his name or else I'd do a shout-out) made us a poster for the show this coming weekend "A Little Summer Bazar" which myself, Tessa, and Samantha Kramer of Homegrown Skinny are going to show off and sell our excellent crafts. Unfortunately my computer is being dumb so I can't upload it. (SORRY TO THE FANS). But its gonna be all over downtown come manana!
Info: August 3rd from 7-10pm in front of Gaileys Breakfast Cafe (Walnut St.)
I'll be downtown in the afternoon b/c Pastiche owner Carla Stine is hiring me to do a custom job of pillow covers for a client of hers. score! Eventually I am going to do stockings for the Christmas season for her amazingly adorable store as well... check out the pics and head to her site (which I would make a link to but for some reason my computer doesn't like that either): www.pastichedecor.com
In other news, Jeff starts back with the Mystery Hour this weekend! I can't wait the show is SO GOOD. (And I don't just say that b/c he's by hubby). Here is the info from the "event" page on facebook:
Season Two of the Mystery Hour begins Saturday, August 4th at 10:15! We've got big shoes to fill from Season One when we were voted 'Only Late Night Talk Show in Springfield!" Needless to say we were honored.
Here is the lineup for the next show:
GUESTS:
J. FOTSCH AND DAWN MCCLAIN, from 96.5's 'Fotsch and McClain' Morning Show
SARAH WILSON-DEWALD, Producer, CMT's 'Trick My Truck'
EDDIE GUMUCIO, Musical Guest
Plus: We'll find out, Is the Skinny Improv Theater Haunted? Things I've Noticed, and Hilarious Comedy Bits.
Cost: $1.00. Seriously, that's all it costs
Well, I'm out of things to talk about for the moment. I need to price some items for the show.
Info: August 3rd from 7-10pm in front of Gaileys Breakfast Cafe (Walnut St.)
I'll be downtown in the afternoon b/c Pastiche owner Carla Stine is hiring me to do a custom job of pillow covers for a client of hers. score! Eventually I am going to do stockings for the Christmas season for her amazingly adorable store as well... check out the pics and head to her site (which I would make a link to but for some reason my computer doesn't like that either): www.pastichedecor.com
In other news, Jeff starts back with the Mystery Hour this weekend! I can't wait the show is SO GOOD. (And I don't just say that b/c he's by hubby). Here is the info from the "event" page on facebook:
Season Two of the Mystery Hour begins Saturday, August 4th at 10:15! We've got big shoes to fill from Season One when we were voted 'Only Late Night Talk Show in Springfield!" Needless to say we were honored.Here is the lineup for the next show:
GUESTS:
J. FOTSCH AND DAWN MCCLAIN, from 96.5's 'Fotsch and McClain' Morning Show
SARAH WILSON-DEWALD, Producer, CMT's 'Trick My Truck'
EDDIE GUMUCIO, Musical Guest
Plus: We'll find out, Is the Skinny Improv Theater Haunted? Things I've Noticed, and Hilarious Comedy Bits.
Cost: $1.00. Seriously, that's all it costs
Well, I'm out of things to talk about for the moment. I need to price some items for the show.
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