Citrus Circus

Yesterday afternoon husband John experienced firsthand the circus that occurs in my office around 4 pm nearly every day. I had him drive me to work this morning since the parking lots atop the campus hill were closed for snow removal. (Technically it is just snow MOVING - since we're probably stuck with the stuff until JULY!) He came to my office and sat contentedly in a chair with his Christmas gifted Nook. (Ridiculous man thought he was going to be sitting in a serene location reading for an hour while I finished up!)

Then the college kids appeared...Casey, Amanda, CeCe, Dillian, Trayna, and Frank. My office is about 10' by 10'. It contains my nice size desk, my desk chair, a two-butt bench, two office 'guest chairs', a very small desk for an additional computer (for students to use) with another wheeled office chair, two file cabinets, and ME. Now add six boisterous we-just-got-out-of-class college kids. They were jostling for seats, sitting on laps, watching you tube, and laughing so hysterically that I think I heard the crystal bowl of candy on my desk actually start to vibrate.

Luckily John got there first so he had a chair. He also had a ring side seat to 'the circus'. Needless to say he got no Nook reading done. I on the other hand managed to tune them out and complete a task. Except for the occasional outbursts of "Nancy! Nancy! You HAVE to watch this!" (On YouTube.) There were, as there are most days, several different conversations going on. I guess when you live in a 10' by 15' dorm room with another person - cramming seven people into an office isn't such a big deal. Sometimes I wonder what my boss thinks of my afternoons as we share an office wall but he doesn't have visual access to my college 'playground'. To add to the confusion I have a basket of toys on my desk that they play with and toss around to each other.

While they are in my office there is this sweet companionship and friendship that I love to watch. At one point as they were hooting over something on YouTube, CeCe (who is a very tiny long distance runner and pre-med major) said "Amanda" and stood up from the chair she was sitting on. Without any further actual conversation - Amanda (biology major) sat in the chair and CeCe sat in her lap and they continued to giggle and snort at the YouTube video. It was silent choreography based on deep relationships and thorough understanding. Amanda who had been leaning against my desk knew exactly what CeCe meant when she stood up....Just like magic - there was seating (a lap) for one more person. BTW Amanda does not provide a chunky lap - she is probably a US size 10 to CeCe's US size 0.

This is the usual scene at 4 pm. There is a second wave of characters that arrive in full voice and chorus once the choir kids arrive.

Speaking of my boss's office...he had water in it. A toilet on second floor was clogged...no...not with what you would maybe expect. It was plugged with an ORANGE!!!! Yes...an orange. Word from the 'kids' is that there is one toilet in particular that flushes with a vengeance - the Tsunami Toilet - the guys (yes this happened on the men's side of the dorm...) take great pleasure in seeing what they can and can't get to flush down the "Tsunami". Well, an orange from the cafeteria managed to clog the pipes enough to cause water from the second floor dorm to end up in my bosses ground floor office. There is only one word for an event like this...FRESHMEN! Need further clarification? Here's TWO words. MALE freshmen.

Best part of the day...I got to spend time in the Bubble! Here is how I spent my time.

Sweets
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Kraft paper
~Layer of BasicGrey Sugared
~Digital image Torico's Digital Gallery (freebie) printed a large, medium and two small hearts, paper cut the smallest hearts, colored with Copics, and fine point Sharpies, dotted with Stickles: Diamond, Cotton Candy, Black Diamond, Fruit Punch, Diamonds, printed buttons highlighted with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects; dots of Smooch - Sassy Pink and Gold Lame
~Layer of variegated wired edged ribbon
~Two red metal brads
~Two pink metal brads
~Two pink metal heart brads - one iridescent white - one flocked red
Challenges
Digital Tuesday (95) - sketch
Moxie Tuesday Trigger - photo inspiration
Fab n' Funky (57) - Delight in Your Digi
A Spoon Full of Sugar (136) - Valentine
Bunny Zoe's Crafts (8)  - Love is in the Air
Woodware USA (11) - Anything goes

I'm off for a new day of work and circus antics sans the toilet fruit I hope! That is after my early morning doctor's appointment to check my pacemaker...gotta make sure it's in good working order - I've got grand kids to hug, college kids to corral, weekly chores to do for my mother, and cards to make!

All good wishes,
Nancy in Iowa

P.S. You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.