Andy's Random Thoughts

Homemade Bierocks

2011-10-16T18:25:00.003-05:00

Homemade Bierocks

Living in northwest Kansas in the Volga-German community of Hays, there are plenty of occasions to eat bierocks throughout the year. My favorites though, are the ones we make in our own kitchen.

Here's the recipe:

Dough:

Any homemade bread dough recipe or frozen bread rolls (we use either Kroger or Rhodes frozen dinner roll dough). This recipe makes about 15-17 bierocks, using two "rolls" of dough for each one, so you want to thaw and rise 30-34 frozen rolls.

Filling:

3 lbs of hamburger

1 medium onion, chopped.

1 medium head of cabbage, chopped.

salt/pepper to taste (I use lots of black pepper in mine)

Velveeta slices (if you like yours with cheese).

Brown hamburger and onions. Salt and pepper the meat/onion mixture liberally. Drain the fat from the meat. Add chopped cabbage and cook until cabbage is wilted and cooked through. Remove from heat.

Grab two rolls worth of bread dough and roll out on a floured surface until it is about 1/4 inch thick. If using cheese, place 1/2 slice of cheese in the middle of the dough. Place a couple of spoonfuls of meat/cabbage mixture in middle of dough. Gather edges up and pinch together. Place seam/pinch side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (how in the world do people bake without parchment paper? I think it is one of science's greatest gifts to cooking).

Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes until browned.

This recipe will get you about 15-17 bierocks. The freeze fantastic!

Ponderings on my 41st year

2011-06-08T21:02:00.003-05:00

Well, there's one more day in my 41st year on the planet. I guess it's time to sit and think "out loud" about the past year. We've had good times and not-so-good times in our family these past 364 days. Here's the Readers Digest version....

New Job
Just 10 days before my 41st birthday, I started full time at my current job, which I completely LOVE. It was a very good decision to leave teaching and go back into the advertising/marketing industry full time. I'm glad I taught - it was something I always wanted to do (and I still enjoy facilitating workshops and other trainings), but I really missed the day-to-day "chaos" of putting together marketing/advertising/public relations campaigns and being involved in the community.

New Friendships
I've gotten involved in various committees around town since taking the new job and have made some great friends in the meantime. So glad to have met these people and I look forward to working with them to help our community grow.

Loss of Family
In August of last year, we lost Dana's mom. She had been having some "rough" spots in her health, but her death was completely unexpected and pretty much turned our family upside down. I miss her dearly but I can see on a daily basis how her loving influence on my wife will live forever. Carol's death really shook up Jackson and we had a rough few months in school and at home (and we're still working on things with him), but again, I see how Carol's love for her grandchildren created such lasting memories for all of them.

In late December, Dana's uncle suddenly died. Here we were, back at a family funeral in Dana's hometown just four short months after we buried her mom. Again, I grieved with this family I've known for only 13 years. But we also celebrated the life of Bill and his lasting legacy in his siblings, children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren.

On my 42nd birthday, I will attend the funeral of a cousin who grew up just a couple blocks from me in our hometown. She was nine years my senior, so we weren't playmates growing up, but as adults had enjoyed many conversations at family gatherings. Our entire family and our small hometown will mourn her death for years to come, but we must also look at the lives she touched with her humor and compassion and make sure it lives on. Crystal, you will be missed!

A New Home
This spring, Dana and I decided it was time that we "spread out" a bit and find a larger home. We had been cramped into a small house for more than five years and had one more child in the house than when we bought it in 2005. We found a perfect home for us where each child has their own room and we can live for many years to come. We moved in over Easter weekend and are really enjoying our new neighborhood.

Expanding Horizons
This spring I've been fortunate enough to be a part of the 2011 Leadership Hays class and I've learned quite a bit about myself, my community, my company and how we all can work together to make our community stronger. I also got to take part in a three-day workshop conducted by the Kansas Leadership Center on building stronger communities. It was a great experience and I'm looking forward to expanding this knowledge in the future.

Dana and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary less than a month ago. I can't believe it's been 12 years since we married. We've helped one another through many obstacles and had many victories. And who would have ever thought 12 years ago that I would find the love of my life, she would give me a beautiful son and then convince me (twice) that yes, it was possible for us to bring home a beautiful child from the other side of the world?

These life experiences have shaped me to who I am, now almost 42 years old. I'm thankful for each and every one of those and I'm looking forward to what comes next.

I just wonder if at 42 I have twice the wisdom of a 21 year old???????

Resurrecting the blog

2011-06-05T17:23:00.002-05:00

It's been over a year since my last post on here. Yes, I've been busy, and really shouldn't have neglected the blog, but lots of other things always seem to get in the way.

In the past year, I've quit one job and took another job, we've moved into a much bigger home, and there's been lots of things going on with our family.

As I approach my 42nd birthday this week, I'm looking forward to another trip around the sun and hope to be more diligent in writing and sharing ideas!

The Case Against Blogging | Owners Only | BNET

2010-04-15T08:58:00.000-05:00

This is a pretty good story about corporate blogging. If you want to have a blog for your business, put it in with your Social Media plan - not just something to do because "everyone else is doing it" - put some thought into it!

The Case Against Blogging | Owners Only | BNET

Gracie and Jack - 4 years ago.....

2010-04-01T08:55:00.001-05:00

Trip to China

2010-03-20T13:50:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been five years since we were in China to pick up our little angel, Gracie!!! Here's the link to our travel journal.

Trip to China

Trying out http://posterous.com

2010-03-19T20:31:00.001-05:00

I'm checking out http://posterous.com tonight to see just how it works. Looks pretty simple!!!

Andy Stanton
andystanton69@gmail.com

Posted via email from andystanton's posterous

Wiffiti Example

2009-12-01T11:11:00.001-06:00

Thanks.

2009-11-25T19:23:00.000-06:00

As we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, many of us try to list the things we are thankful for.

Here’s my attempt (in no particular order).

Friends (both old and new).
My job.
Dana.
Jackson.
Grace.
Gabe.
My dad.
My mom.
My sister and her family.
My brother and his family.
Technology.
Electricity.
Lithium batteries.
Insulin.
Insulin pumps.
Lithium batteries.
Glucometers.
Health insurance.
Apple Inc.
The Food Network.
Medical professionals.
Eyesight.
Eye surgeons.
The people who make artificial lenses for cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery.
Mrs. Coddington, Mrs. States, Mrs. Pfleiger, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Berg, Mr. Hamel, Mrs. Atkinson, Mr. Altman, Mr. Hofaker, Mr. Horning, Miss Dobbins, Mrs. Simoneau, Mr. Simoneau, Mrs. Archer, Miss Siefers, Mr. Hanson, Mr. Skinner, Mr. Coddington, Mrs. Bushnell and any other teacher I had at USD 326.
Proper spelling.
My nephew (who is defending my freedom as a U.S. citizen).
Wireless internet connections.
Pharmaceutical companies.
Wound vacs.
My mother-in-law.
Digital cameras.
Knowing how to type.
Knowing how to read.
The farmers who grow the food I eat.
Cookbooks.
Silicone cooking tools.
The Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs.
Children’s Mercy Hospital.

The list goes on and on. These are just some of the things I’m most thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Wiffiti.com is so cool!!!!

2009-11-13T10:11:00.000-06:00

2009-11-13T08:56:00.001-06:00

Just found Ping.fm - wow!!! The Web 2.0 EASY BUTTON!!! http://ping.fm

NFL to Captain Morgan - Hell NO!!!!

2009-11-12T15:20:00.001-06:00

"Gotta little Captain in ya?" - the Philadelphia Eagles did for a short while, but now the NFL says no. Pretty sneaky ad campaign. What's next - the winning quarterback from the Super Bowl can't say he's going to Disney World???

League shipwrecks Captain Morgan campaign - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Dad Update: Houston - We Have an Answer!!!!

2009-10-27T15:27:00.002-05:00

After the doctors found blood in dad's stool last week, they discharged him from the hospital on Thursday and scheduled an upper and lower GI scope for today. After doing the upper GI this morning, his doctor came out and told mom that they had found the problem: a bleeding ulcer.

This explains where his blood has been going and his overall tiredness. He hasn't complained of any heartburn or discomfort in his stomach, but we've always known he is a tough old bastard!

He is currently in the Phillips County Hospital and will be there for a few days until his blood levels come back to a normal range and they get his ulcer medications figured out. We are very relieved to know it is something that is so easily treatable.

Thank God!!!

Dad Update - Thursday

2009-10-22T17:59:00.002-05:00

After quite a few tests, the doctors have an idea of what is wrong with dad - he has blood in his stool. They think he will probably get to go home on Friday and then he has an appointment for an upper and lower GI scope on Tuesday to "see what they can see."

He is feeling good and had a blood tranfusion on Wednesday so we're hoping his blood levels stay up until they figure out what is causing the blood in his stool.

Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers.

Dad Back In The Hospital

2009-10-21T18:24:00.002-05:00

My dad was admitted to the Phillips County hospital this afternoon with a low hemoglobin (blood) count. A normal range for a man his age should be above 13 and his is currently 8.4. He had two pints of blood on Friday night/Saturday morning and was back up to almost 10, but it is back down - and they don't know why.

His doctor said they wanted him in the hospital to do a series of tests (Dad said they drew a ton of blood!) and for a transfusion. So keep him in your prayers.

On the flip side, he had a follow-up appt. with his cardiologist and cardiac surgeon on Tuesday and his heart is doing great!

Now, if we can just figure out what is causing this low blood level. It is anemia? Is he bleeding internally? Is he having kidney issues? It is something worse? I'll be glad when they get test results tomorrow.

Prayers please!!!

Monarch

2009-09-20T09:31:00.001-05:00

Monarch3
Originally uploaded by andystanton

A photo taken by my wife, Dana at my parents house on 9/19/09. They have a HUGE butterfly bush that was filled with a wide variety of butterflys and moths.

Garden Spider

2009-09-20T09:30:00.001-05:00

Garden Spider
Originally uploaded by andystanton

A cool photo of a cool spider at my parent's house in Logan,Kansas.

Jackson's Year in Pictures

2009-09-17T10:59:00.003-05:00

This is the video I put together for Jackson's 9th birthday. Enjoy. We posted it on YouTube

Flock for blogging

2009-09-01T10:59:00.001-05:00

I'm showing students just how easy it is to blog with Flock. Check out flock at http://www.flock.com

Blogged with the Flock Browser

The fossil diggers

2009-08-31T11:54:00.001-05:00

P6120565
Originally uploaded by andystanton

This is a photo taken in May at Monument Rocks (the Keystone Gallery) where Dana and Jackson joined Michelle and Thane for a day of fossil digging.

White House 2.0

2009-05-03T18:27:00.002-05:00

Here's a blog post from the White House that gives you some great links to various social networking sites that the White House is using to communicate with the American public. Nice to see!!!

I especially like the Flickr photostream.

The White House - Blog Post - WhiteHouse 2.0

Just lost some respect for Discovery Channel Networks

2009-05-01T13:52:00.003-05:00

Discovery Communications is going to re-do its cable channel for kids - DiscoveryKids - into a commercial for Hasbro toys. What was once a good company and great cable channel (plus all of the other Discovery channels), is selling out to advertisers.

Not good for children's television offerings.

Here's the article from Advertising Age:

Funny Facebook Video

2009-04-21T16:14:00.002-05:00

Ok, here's your Tuesday afternoon chuckle!!!

Testing How Easy it is to Blog!!!!

2009-04-08T15:29:00.001-05:00

I'm showing a few folks on just how easy it is to blog.

Online Portfolios

2009-04-07T10:47:00.001-05:00

There are many thoughts as to how you should "show off your skills" when in the job market. Our college students today should be touting their skills in a Web 2.0 world - they live on Facebook - now they can show these skills to potential employers!

Resumes in a Web 2.0 world | Education IT | ZDNet.com

One of the coolest things I've seen in awhile....

2009-04-06T09:24:00.001-05:00

March Madness in Ad Spending

2009-03-31T08:42:00.000-05:00

A new report out today comparing the NCAA championship tournament to other "big-time" sporting events shows that the NCAA championship game is the second most expensive sporting event to advertise on. The number one? The Super Bowl.

The average price that CBS is getting during this year's NCAA Championship Game for a 30 second ad???

$1.2 Million!!!!!!!!

Here's the link to the article.

The beginning of the end????

2009-03-30T17:48:00.002-05:00

Here's a 1981 news story about how newspapers were beginning their presence on the "web" - just 28 years later and the same San Francisco papers are having a hard time staying in business.....

RSS in Plain English

2009-03-30T11:44:00.003-05:00

I love the "In Plain English" videos on YouTube. They do a great job. Here are a couple of my favorites that I use in many of my classes and presentations.

We Kan Powerpoint

2009-03-30T10:53:00.001-05:00

Here is the slideshow regarding PowerPoint and presentation tips I gave at the We Kan! conference on March 24, 2009.

We Kan Powerpoint

View more presentations from Andy Stanton.

We Kan! Web 2.0 presentation

2009-03-30T10:52:00.001-05:00

Here is the slideshow presentation I gave to the We Kan! conference on March 24, 2009 regarding web 2.0 and tourism.

We Kan! Web 2.0 presentation

View more presentations from Andy Stanton.

Another use of technology!!!!TwitterCOP

2009-03-13T12:00:00.001-05:00

Glad to see that public safety officials are using Twitter - another great way to communicate quickly with a target public.

Police departments keeping public informed on Twitter - CNN.com

Advertising Evolution

2009-03-12T08:32:00.002-05:00

Wrigley's has it figured out with showing an evolutionary chain of events in their Extra Spearmint gum commercial. I wonder what the "Intelligent Design" folks think about this one??????

Gabe corn

2009-03-11T15:52:00.001-05:00

Gabe corn
Originally uploaded by andystanton

Just showing how easy it is to blog with Flickr.

The White House addition

2009-03-05T12:58:00.001-06:00

I LOVE it that the Obamas are making the White House kid-friendly for their family. It is refreshing to have a young family in the White House. Hopefully they will better understand what it is like to raise a family!!!

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time - Blogs from CNN.com

Are you on LinkedIn? It continues to grow

2009-03-03T10:35:00.001-06:00

Many people are out of work and know the value of social networking. LinkedIn is a great site that allows you to post your resume and make connections with current and past clients, co-workers and business contacts. LinkedIn now has 36 million members - quite small compared to Facebook, but knowing that it is there for business and professional networking - that has expanded the value of the "networking" at a cocktail party!

LinkedIn Skyrockets as Job Losses Mount - Advertising Age - Digital

Playing around with Google Maps

2009-02-26T09:59:00.003-06:00

Just playing around with Google Maps on my blog. Seeing what works and what doesn't work.

This is a map pointing to the metropolis of Longford, Kansas - home of Longford Water. Read more about it at my friend Marci Penner's blog - http://kansassampler.blogspot.com

View Larger Map

SuperBowl Tweets - technology is invading (and it is a good thing)

2009-02-18T08:29:00.001-06:00

COOL interactive map of twitter activity during the SuperBowl. I LOVE technology! What a way to see who and where people were watching and talking about during the SuperBowl!

Map of Popular Super Bowl Words Used on Twitter - Interactive Graphic - NYTimes.com

Be Prepared - your popcorn might make you sick????

2009-02-09T10:16:00.002-06:00

Will the salmonella-laced peanut scare ever end? The latest barrage of peanut-laced product recall includes caramel corn that the Boy Scouts sold.
Popcorn Sold By Georgia Boy Scouts Recalled - News Story - WSB Atlanta

At least the BSA is warning folks with a link at the top of their website to the FDA recall

Some SuperBowl ad statistics

2009-02-09T08:20:00.001-06:00

Here are some interesting stats regarding last weekend's Super Bowl ads. From reading this article, kudos goes to the folks at Denny's......

MediaPost Publications Fini: Superbowl Wrap 02/09/2009

Pot isn't the "Breakfast of Champions"

2009-02-06T07:17:00.001-06:00

Michael Phelps loses endorsement deal from Kelloggs.

Kellogg to Drop Olympian Michael Phelps After Bong Photo - Advertising Age - News

Have you shared your 25 things?

2009-02-05T10:45:00.001-06:00

People are sharing more and more about themselves on Facebook and the latest "viral note" regarding 25 things about themselves is making headlines. I've had my underclass communication studies students do an assignment like this since I began teaching full time in 2005, although my students have to generate 101 things. It really helps them figure out who they are.....

Facebook friends share '25 Things' with the world - USATODAY.com

There's still time to buy a SuperBowl pregame ad

2009-01-26T10:51:00.001-06:00

Anybody got an extra million laying around that you want to spend on the 4-hour pregame show? Slots are still available!

Super Bowl pregame ads a tougher sell - USATODAY.com

PopeTube - the Vatican's channel on YouTube

2009-01-26T08:28:00.002-06:00

Even the Pope has a channel on YouTube. I wonder how many "viral videos" he'll be sending out?
YouTube - vatican's Channel

We watched Obama online!

2009-01-21T09:49:00.001-06:00

A record number of people (including me) watched the inauguration ceremonies from ONLINE sources yesterday. CNN.com and CNN Live streaming video had record hits. Check out this article from Advertising Age.

A Wordle of Obama's Words

2009-01-20T15:27:00.001-06:00

Wordle is a great tool to help people "see" what has been said in a speech. Here is a word cloud or a tag cloud of President Obama's inauguration speech from today, January 20, 2009.

MixBook

2009-01-20T14:26:00.001-06:00

| View Sample Photo Books | Create your own Photo Book

Facebook in the mainstream news

2009-01-18T11:58:00.001-06:00

Facebook continues to grow and with more than 150 million active users (up 10 million from last month) we're seeing more and more atypical Facebookers joining the social networking site to get back in touch with friends and relatives. Heck, my almost 71-year-old parents now have a facebook page to keep in touch with their grandkids (one of whom is a soldier in Iraq).

Does Facebook Replace Face Time, or Enhance It? - Yahoo! News

Journalism jobs waaayyyyyyy down

2009-01-16T16:26:00.001-06:00

Not good news for those working in journalism.......

WhatTheyThink Economics & Research Center - Printing Industry Economics, Trends and Research

Deceptive Advertising - a NO NO - what do you think about Vitaminwater???

2009-01-16T08:26:00.001-06:00

Coca-cola is being slammed for having "deceptive advertising" for vitaminwater - one of their products you can find in most convenience stores among the myriad of bottled waters and sports drinks. Just because it has extra "vitamins" does that mean it is healthy???

MediaPost Publications - Coca-Cola Slammed For Deceptive Vitaminwater Marketing - 01/16/2009

Animoto - cool 30 second movies

2009-01-12T14:48:00.001-06:00

I'm trying out different web 2.0 technologies for my Multimedia Production class. Here's a cool website called Animoto that will put together a quick (30 second) video with your photos and your music and then have it available to download, post to YouTube or just about anywhere else!

Clorox Bees? Just doesn't have the same ring

2009-01-12T01:28:00.001-06:00

Here's a great article about branding. Really brings home the idea that once an established brand name like Burt's Bees has created its brand, you don't want to change it - even if they sell out to Clorox for $900+ million!

Did You Know???

2009-01-09T09:43:00.002-06:00

A few years ago someone forwarded a video to me regarding how information is changing our world so quickly. It was a video called - Did You Know?

I was at a conference in October and saw an updated version of the video - quite interesting!

Here's the latest video:

Cool video!

2009-01-08T21:05:00.001-06:00

Kind of a cool video showing the global flight patterns in a 24 hour period.

Welcome to the country of Facebook - no passport required

2009-01-08T20:16:00.001-06:00

If Facebook users composed their own country, it would be the eighth largest in the world.

Facebook just continues to grow and grow and grow! Information released Wednesday reports that Facebook has more than 150 million active users - up 10 million from last month! Even more interesting from the article is that more than 70% of those users are OUTSIDE the United States.

MediaPost Publications - Facebook Surpasses 150 Million Users - 01/08/2009

Porn industry Needs Stimulation

2009-01-08T20:07:00.001-06:00

It seems as if the big three automakers aren't the only ones wanting money from the federal government......

Porn industry seeks own stimulus ... package - CNBC TV- msnbc.com

Full Frontal????

2009-01-06T08:39:00.001-06:00

More info on yesterday's post regarding the New York Times new venture into front-page advertising.
MediaPost Publications - Full-Frontal: 'New York Times' Sells Ads Below Fold - 01/06/2009

Lost in Translation.....

2009-01-05T16:03:00.001-06:00

Something I've always talked about in my advertising classes - making sure you understand your audience and your audience understands you!

While in China, we saw many photos of crazy translations. I'll have to dig through my files to find some......

Here's the article from Advertising Age:
Typos, Translations and Other Global Gaffes in Marketing - The Big Tent - Advertising Age

Great blog about blogging and web 2.0

2009-01-05T11:26:00.002-06:00

I just stumbled upon this blog this morning (from another friend on twitter) and there are TONS of stuff there regarding how to become a better blogger and social marketer.

http://www.chrisbrogan.com

Drastic Changes in Journalism and Advertising

2009-01-05T09:34:00.002-06:00

On today's New York Times page a display ad shines its face - for CBS. What has always been considered a "no zone" for advertising, the front page on one of America's most respected newspapers has fallen to print journalism's fight to stay alive.

Newspapers are struggling to survive in this era of electronic news reading. More people now get their news and information from the web than from print sources.

What else will happen in print journalism during 2009???

Here's the Reuters story about the ad.

Proctor and Gamble still #1

2009-01-04T16:48:00.002-06:00

According to an article from Advertising Age, Proctor and Gamble continued to be the world's biggest buyer of advertising in 2007 (the latest figures available).

In 2007, they spent more than $9.3 billion worldwide on advertising. That's more than $25 million per day and just a little bit more than $1 million per hour.

How many of the items in your household are made by Proctor and Gamble? Look here to see just what they make.

Does Social Media Marketing work for you?

2008-12-31T12:42:00.001-06:00

Here's an article I found today regarding how companies are using social media to help them market their product. Hope you find it interesting.

Promoting Tourism via Web 2.0

2008-12-31T12:10:00.002-06:00

Here's the presentation I gave to the Northwest Kansas Travel Council. We had a great time!

Promoting Tourism via Web 2.0

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: tourism web2.0)

MixBooks

2008-11-10T16:02:00.002-06:00

This is a cool way to share online photos or even your work for an online portfolio.

YouTube and Flickr TIAK presentation

2008-11-02T18:23:00.003-06:00

Tiak Flickr&You Tube2

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: web2.0 tourism)

Using SlideShare for presentations

2008-11-02T18:14:00.003-06:00

Andy Portfolio

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

2008-11-02T18:04:00.001-06:00

Google Docs for Online Portfolios

2008-10-30T16:36:00.001-05:00

Issuu

2008-10-20T15:16:00.001-05:00

Get your own - Open publication

Putting a link on your blog

2008-10-16T11:11:00.002-05:00

Here's an easy way to put a link in my blog post.

Find a web url: http://gabemakes5.wordpress.com

Then go to the "link" button, highlight the text, and put in the link.

It is as easy as that!

Lots of blogs, lots of thoughts

2007-11-27T09:28:00.000-06:00

Not many posts here. I've discovered wordpress.com and really enjoy the ease of blogging there. You can check out my blog at http://andystanton.wordpress.com

You can also check out the latest on Gabe's adoption here:
http://gabemakes5.wordpress.com

I'm keeping this blog open in case I can't post on wordpress while in China. You never know what kind of internet access you will have in the various regions of China.

November Friends

2006-11-24T20:41:00.000-06:00

There must be something about the first few weeks of November and my karma. I've had both good and bad experiences in the weeks before Thanksgiving, but most of them leave a bitter taste in my mouth.

Bad Karma
November 18, 1988 - Grandma Fox dies.
I was the youngest of 11 grandchildren and spoiled rotten. Grandma suffered a stroke one week before her death during my freshman year at FHSU and my life changed forever. We talked on the phone quite a bit and she was quite a lady.

November 13, 2005 - Dee Friesen dies.
Dee was a true friend. We met in college and had a great friendship. She kept me going during grad school and was a great person to spend an evening with. As the stars would have it, my future wife-to-be worked with her aunt in Dodge City.

November 18, 2006 - Chris Orr critically injured in Lawrence, Kansas
Chris is an old friend. Now, he (and I) aren't old, we've just known each other for quite a long time - since the late 80's-early 90's when we met each other in the student publication labs at Fort Hays State University. Chris was a wild man then and still knows how to have a good time. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time when the Cat Tracker bus went under an overpass in Lawrence. Chris and another rider struck the overpass. Chris has life-threatening head injuries and we hope pray that he survives.

Good Karma
November 20, 1968 - Dana is born
My wife Dana was born in November, so it can't be that bad of a month. She is the love of my life and comforted me during my crying jag on Saturday when I got the news about Chris. She was also there last year when my friend Dee died. She's been by my side since our first date in December of 1997 - nine years ago and I know she'll be there to comfort me when other bad things in life happen.

Getting Older

2006-05-19T22:37:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow we drive to my sister's house in Burr Oak, Kansas to watch the high school graduation of her oldest son, Jake. As I'm preparing one of his graduation gifts, I'm amazed at just how old I am. I remember the day I found out that Jacob Stanton Hesting was brewing in my sister's uterus. It was just a few days after I had graduated from high school (Senior 1987) and was moving my belongings to Boulder, Colorado to figure out what in the hell I was going to do with my life.

Jake made his appearance on December 18, 1987 and I remember him at our apartment in Boulder just one week later at our family's Christmas celebration. Now, I'm the youngest of the Stanton kids, so I had really never been around babies before. I was amazed at this little being and have been amazed at him ever since. This is a young man who is comfortable in his skin. He knows how to meet new people and keep the familiar people in his life. He has spent two weeks in Russia. He's a pretty good athlete and an all-around good young man. I see him play with my two kids and know that he doesn't have to pay any attention to them, but he does. He takes the time to explain what he is doing to my son, Jack and gives countless backrides to my daughter, Gracie.

I'm proud of him and I'm even prouder that he is coming to my alma mater (and current employer), Fort Hays State University. I know he will do well in college and I'm glad that I'll get to see him more often! Congratulations Jake!

Stay-at-home parents

2006-05-18T11:31:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been home for the summer break for a total of 3 1/2 days as of noon today and I'm really wondering how stay-at-home parents (both moms and dads) do it without going crazy.

When we first moved to Hays, Dana stayed home with the kids and I couldn't believe that she didn't have the house spotless and a five-course meal fixed each evening when I got home. I have the answer (which, of course, my beautiful wife told me last fall). There is no way possible that you can keep a house clean, prepare meals, do the laundry and everything else wrapped up in a household with a five year old and a two year old running around the house, destroying everything you have put back in place in just a few minutes.

I'm also not sure how people who work from home get things accomplished in their "home office" if there are kids around. I've been working on a freelance project this week and just trying to get some work done between breaking up the fights and changing dirty diapers is quite the challenge.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying spending time with my kids, but I'm learning that I also enjoy the quietness of my little office on the second floor of Malloy Hall on the FHSU campus.

So here's to all of the people who stay at home with kids and try to keep their sanity - you've got one on me!

Influential Women in my life

2006-05-14T12:09:00.000-05:00

On this Mother's Day, I am thinking of the women in my life who have been most influential. Of course, my mom, Carol Stanton, ranks up there pretty high. She was the one who gave birth to me, fed me and has watched out for me for these past 36 (almost 37) years. But to quote Hillary Clinton, it really does take a village to raise a child. Here are a few of the women who have made me who I am today. (in no particular order)

Carol Stanton
The aforementioned mother, has always been there for me. Without Mom, I wouldn't have learned to cook as well as I do. I wouldn't know how to do just about everything I do.

Dot Stanton
Della Jane "Dot" Stanton, affectionately known as Grandma Stanton was a big-breasted, loving, but stubborn woman who was the "mother hen" of seven kids, a multitude of grandkids, and cooked meals for hundreds of kids at Logan Public Schools for a good portion of her life. My favorite memories about Grandma Stanton are flavored with food. Chocolate whipped cream, fried chicken, gravy, green onion dip on baked potatoes, root beer barrel candy, and many other goodies that Grandma had around her kitchen. I still have the red/blue flannel quilt she made for each of her grandsons. Although it is about ready to fall apart, it is one of Jack's favorite quilts to snuggle up in during the cold months.

Bernice Fox
Grandma Fox was an (almost) daily staple in my life from the time we moved to Logan in 1970 till the day I moved to Boulder, Colorado after high school graduation. I was lucky enough to live just two blocks away from Grandma Stanton and four blocks away from Grandma Fox during my days in Logan and spent a good majority at Grandma/Grandpa Fox's house. Grandma was my babysitter, my friend, my mentor and one of the sweetest women that I've ever met. The thought of her raisin cookies still makes me want a fresh batch (although I'm not a big raisin fan, her cookies were awesome!). I'd love some of her fried chicken, fried catfish or some of her calico beans in the brown casserole dish (I'm not sure why, but she always fixed them in the same brown corning ware covered casserole). I remember when I was about four years old, rocking with her so hard that we tipped the rocking chair over. We ate lots of wheat thins and apple juice and she had the most beautiful flowers in her yard. I know that she is reincarnated in our back yard here in Hays. A wild pink rose bush that is exactly like hers graces the east side of our house and every time I smell those roses, I think of her.

Frieda States
My first grade teacher.

Joan Simoneau
My high school music teacher - made me work hard and helped me be the musician I am today.

Dr. Sharol Little
My boss at Dodge City Public Schools. Taught me how to be the PR person I am.

Ruth Dobbins
High school Home Economics teacher who was one of my "surrogates" my senior year in High School.

Carol (Gokey) Long
My mother-in-law. I thank Carol every time I wake up in the morning and go to bed at night for giving so much love to my wife. She also makes some of the best rice krispie treats this side of the Mississippi!

Leah (Stanton) Hesting
My big sister. Why is it that we have to be adults before we can appreciate our siblings? She is the one who makes me laugh, gives me advice and reminds me to grow my spirit and creative side.

Dana Stanton
My wife. My best friend. My lover. Without her, I wouldn't be where I am today. She is my sounding board, my confidant, my accountant, my dream-sharer, and my partner in life. Tomorrow is our seventh wedding anniversary and I really can't remember much before I met her. My heart is alive because of her!

Linn Ann Huntington
College Professor. Friend. Colleague. My writing skills are much improved because of the dedication of this fine Okie.

Nancy (Demuth) Richards
I still remember the day that Nancy crossed her parent's back yard and into my grandma' Fox's back yard to ask me if I would sing in her production of "Logan Salutes America". It was 1975 and she had a red bandanna around her hair. Nancy showed me how to perform and sing and enjoy it!

Sue (Eckhart) (Krouse) Jackson
Sue taught me how to swim, then was my third grade teacher. Every time I'm in the pool with Jackson and Grace, I remember the days in the pool with Sue.

Grace Jo Yingzhen Stanton
My daughter. Wow, what would I do without this little woman in my life? She has opened new doors for me throughout the world! Getting Gracie was a life-changing experience for me and I am so glad we went to China to get her.