Mud Pie

Looking for a new hangout? A place with a cool vibe where you can kick back and relax with a nice cuppa joe and a sweet treat? Might I suggest Mud Pie? My husband and I *love* this place. Co-owners Ashley and Michael Valverde and Sharon Hughes opened Mud Pie Vegan Bakery & Coffeehouse earlier this year. They specialize in the most decadent treats you can imagine—and they are completely compassionate (score!).

Mud Pie is located in Kansas City, Missouri, on historic 39th Street West in a cute yellow house that was converted into a coffeehouse years ago. Mud Pie has a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. The colorful rooms offer ample seating (and free wifi) and the walls are adorned with local artwork that is available for purchase. Contributing to the atmosphere is the friendly environment—everybody is so kind. Mud Pie offers a generous selection of treats, as well has a wide variety of gourmet coffees, teas and hot cocoas. While we haven’t yet tried any of their drinks (although we’ve heard nothing but praise for them), we have enjoyed a number of their other creations. Here’s a small sample: Every Saturday morning they bake fresh cinnamon rolls that are crazy good, perfectly soft and chewy.

Mud Pie’s muffins, including the blueberry, mini pumpkin and mini strawberry ones shown below, are light and moist.

Ha Has, a cruelty-free take on the Hostess Ho Hos, are so much better than the original. There’s no comparison to the freshness and flavor of this indulgent treat.

This Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treat is the best we’ve ever had.

If savory is more your thing, you’re in luck. Among other things, they have amazing scones that are perfectly bready and herby. Shown below are the Tomato Artichoke and the Cheddar and Jalapeño Scones.

Hungry yet? Stop by Mud Pie! They are open seven days a week, and they are working hard to increase their selection for people that have certain dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free goods on Wednesdays and low-glycemic fare that is diabetic-friendly on Sundays. In the next few weeks they will also be adding a small lunch menu, featuring things like sandwiches and soups, so stay tuned. B. Crew

Tomorrow's your LAST chance to win an IPOD!

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Make it a summer to remember and win a new 32G iPod Touch! 2nd generation!
Winning is much like living at our property ... SIMPLE!



Just write a blog and e-mail it to me at asstmanager@thepreserveop.com. I will post all of your entries right here on our community blog.



Tomorrow's the last day to enter so submit your enteries. Every resident who wrote a blog will be entered to win the iPod Touch.

Never written a blog?
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Your favorite reality TV show?
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You can write about ANYTHING! As you can see, my blogs are very RANDOM. One winner will be chosen from all blog entries submitted at each of our KC communities.

Best of luck to you,
Melody

My Dearest Kitty ... (Part Six)

Dear Cat:

• Your design skills in the bathroom are still in question. Please Note: The bathroom is not a Putt-Putt Mini Golf Course. Flying objects are called birds and airplanes… not anything off the counter or shelves.

• OKAY FINE! I get it… I let it get a little warm in the place. The fainting spells from your ‘lack of napping’ are getting old! I turned the A/C back on for now. (yet you normally sleep under a blanket, hmmm)

• Oh? Big Cat Diaries is your favorite show… I know! You stare at the TV in a creepy way especially when the Cheetah makes a kill. Umm, do not get any ideas! Oh and the expression on your furry face when the Cheetah was in the middle of 40 baboons… PRICELESS! Your favorite puddytat ran as fast as she could to escape!

• Also… half of your toys have been ‘repossessed ‘ until you learn to stop leaving ‘presents’ on the carpet for at least 2 weeks. Hint: If you can open a 100 year old dresser drawer you can have them back.

• I would like to remind you that the bug on the ‘other side of the window’ is not attacking you. I am running low on Windex from paw and nose prints.

• Again… I appreciate you finally learning your names… Here! KITTY KITTY KITTY. Saves me some time in remembering what I actually named you.

Your fearless leader,
Christopher

My Dearest Kitty ... (Part Five)

Dear Cat:


I will preface with the following… please realize you only exist in my world for my personal entertainment! (I write about and the happy purrs at night… because I know you cannot open the canned cat food without my assistance) So please note the following:

·     For Safety Reasons fellow cat owners: Pulling a cats tail making the sound of Ringdingydingydingy like a pull start lawn mower has a 90% percent chance of looking for a band-aid. Be sure you run to CVS and get some Scooby-Doo Band-Aids before attempting.

·     Also… I did not realize your palate was the level of a Master Chef. Half and Half does taste the same as non-dairy creamer in those little plastic cups. So stop giving me ‘the paw’ in protest.

·    Oh and just because you see chicken or pork on the TV screen from the Food Network Channel… please stop editing my shopping list! It is recorded TV and the paw prints on the TV screen are getting old.

·    Ummm… I give you refrigerated tap water in your bowls daily. I am still curious of why I have to wait in line to use my own bathroom as you drink out of the toilet bowl. You lick your own butt and cannot drink out of your own toilet in your own bathroom?

·    Again… STOP GIVING ME ATTITUDE if I accidentally step on you in the dark because you decided to sleep in the middle of the floor. Generally your naps are on the bed, couch or your own double bed ‘IN THE OTHER ROOM’. I do not need 24x7 meow contact/updates.

·    Tonight I will reward you with snackems and canned food since you made it finally to the kitchen tile for your ‘present’… 2 squirts of Windex and a paper towel.

·    OK… I know my tennis shoes might stink! However, stop sticking your head inside and then looking at me with that funny face. You already knew what you getting into from the start.

So Cat… it is going to get cold soon! I hope the cat burglar does not steal your blankeys… hehe

·    You seem to groom your hair more often than I do myself. Do you really need to lick 24x7 (during your waking hours)…? I shower and apply product to my hair and I am good to go for at least a day! You have not moved in 23 hours… you did not get dirty.

·    Note to self: Do not pull cats tail as the emergency evacuation plan is needed due to green fog. They can bring tears to your eyes.

·    Oh… my Chicken in a Biscuit Crackers is HUMAN FOOD! Just because it smells like chicken and has a faint chicken taste, they are mine.

·    Umm… I did not create ‘thunder’ so your need to make me find a Scooby-Doo Band-Aid? No snackem’s tonight!!!

·    Also… I appreciate the 3AM present you personally made for me. However, you were in range of the tile floor vs. the carpet by only 2 feet. Please try harder to ‘gift’ your furballs on tile… Windex is cheaper!

·    OKAY this is your final warning… the Blackberry is MINE! Please stop sleeping on it, stealing it or shoving it under the bed. I’m just saying!

Until next time,

Christopher

My Dearest Kitty ... (Part Four)

Dear Cat the litter box timeshare holder,

• Clorox is not an ‘air freshener’ as it is more of a cleaning ingredient. I know you love the smell… but back off when I pour it in the ‘water dish/toilet’! Unless you want your fur all white. I am CLEANING!

• Please explain to me… How is it you can lay next to me while I am sitting upright watching television but, if I lay down next to you… POOF kitty disappears. I am starting to take this personal!

• Also… I do not need to see your ‘stink star’ on a daily/hourly basis. Please reserve that visual for litter box. I know you are proud of that thing under your tail but, I am just not really interested. –Thanks.

• Why is it sleeping on top of my DVR is your favorite napping spot? Yet I try and cover you with a blanket you get all cranky.

• Again… I am allowed to pet you, hold you and pinch your toes while you sleep. Tugging on your tail is only for special occasions when you have been well behaved. (all cats love their tail pulled slightly)
• Kittens… please stop opening the wine cabinet. Yes I put a stuffed cat on the other side of the glass doors to torment you… but please stop trying to let him out!

• Monkey (the youngest brat/cat)… I would appreciate if you would refrain from opening and slamming kitchen cabinet doors looking for food. Please see kibble dish! It is SO NOT FUNNY!

• Oh… and there is nothing hiding behind the sliding closet doors except for my clothes. It is not a napping spot!!!

Please NOTE: Changing your litter box is a 10 minute ordeal and I do not need supervision! Sitting in the spot where it was upon the temp removal to empty out your crap does not mean you are first in line among the other brats. I actually have to carry your crap down to the dumpster and then refill.

• Umm, we have met upon many occasions… you announcing your presence when jumping up next to me is not necessary. Remember I named you and my name is not meow.

• Oh… and the roll of white stuff next to the toilet is for my personal use! It is not a play toy for you to grab onto and hall down the hallway. It is $3.59 for a 4 pack!!!

• I know you get mad… but I find it funny to hide cat snackems in odd places that you cannot reach without a lot of effort. Consider it a form of exercise. Hehe

• Again… closing the shower door while you are in there and turning on the water? IS SO FUNNY! STOP HISSING AT ME!

• Speaking of hissing… you need a Tic-Tac!

That's all for now,
Christopher

God Bless Joplin

Over the Labor Day holiday, I went to see my family in Southern Missouri. My uncle was getting married and it gave me a good excuse to spend some long overdue time with my Grandma. On the way back home we decided to take a slight detour and went a few more miles up I-44 to go to Joplin, Missouri.

I wanted to see for myself what a tornado was capable of.  As you might already know, I moved here from Tampa, Florida.  I have always maintained that a hurricane was the lessor of two evils because at least you have sufficient warning to evacuate.  With a tornado, even if the sirens go off you may only have a few seconds to react.  That thought scares me to death.

I have seen  the pictures on the news and it has been the topic of most conversations for a while. I just thought I wanted to see the area for myself. It had been more than 3 months since the tornado and it was still very apparent where the damage was. I don't know what I thought I was going to see but I was not at all prepared for what I saw. There are simply NO WORDS.  There is just one wide strip of land that is just gone.  As I was driving down the street in disbelief, I saw a house that was missing pieces of the side of it but was just on the outer skirts of escaping total destruction and it had been spray painted with the words "God Bless Joplin."  I can't describe in words how moving that was. My heart breaks for the people of Joplin.  I can't imagine what they must be going through, even today, almost 4 months later.

My niece who is only 3 years old rode home with me on this trip.  Her parents went on a float trip and I figured she would have more fun with me anyway. :) I didn't even for a minute, think about how seeing all of this would affect her.  While we were driving through the affected area which seemed to go on FOREVER, she kept saying "broken houses" ... "Look at all the broken houses!"  My brother called me today and said that she is still telling Mommy and Daddy about all the broken houses she saw last weekend.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition is getting involved in the rebuilding of Joplin beginning October 19th and running through October 26th.  It has been reported that 14 local builders have already signed up to help. They anticipate a need for 4,500 skilled volunteers and approximately 5,000 general able bodies.  I think that it would be an amazing opportunity to give back.  They are going to build 7 homes in 7 days.  What a huge undertaking!  If you are able to help to donate time, money or materials, you can visit http://www.joinextreme.com/Joplin. I plan to be there with my family and hope to see you there as well.

Be a Hero ... Lend a Hand,
Melody

Getting back in touch with an old friend ...

As most of you probably know by now, Borders book stores are going out of business. Last night we stopped by one of the Borders stores to see if there were any books that I couldn’t live without. They have some amazing deals (40% off magazines!) and some really good new and old book selections, but all in all, we walked out with only a couple of books. Why? Because as a young adult trying to save for my future, I simply can’t afford to buy all of the books I would like to read.

As a child, I used to go to the library a lot. I grew up in Wichita, KS and once a week my mom would drive me and my siblings down to the Central branch of the Wichita Public Library so I could check out a few books for the coming week. I was admittedly (even then) a book worm. So many stories and worlds to visit, and so little time. Even after I moved away to college there was always the college library available to me, both as a quiet place to study (or meet up with friends for a coffee break) or as a place to access printers and fax machines. But when I transitioned into young adulthood and moved to the Overland Park area, I lost touch with this amazing resource. I wandered through Half Price Books occasionally and perused Borders or Barnes and Nobel when I saw their signs and needed a reprieve from my fast-paced computer-oriented work. Libraries? I hadn’t really seen them around yet, and just didn’t take the time to look them up.

Fast forward to this weekend. I walked out of Borders slightly disappointed that I couldn’t buy more books… things that would keep me interested on those days when it was just too hot to get outside. So my fiancé suggested that we check out the Public Library. She already had a card for the Johnson County Libraries, so we went to the Central Branch on 87th street. It was easy to find, and parking was easily available, despite the number of cars already there. Walking in the front set of doors, I was immediately greeted with an easy to understand layout. The circulation desk was right in front of me, and they have signs detailing which direction to head for the books you are looking for. Fiction is close to the front, making it easy for me to find a few novels I had been hoping to read over the past several weeks, but had put off looking for at the book stores. They had several displays of book suggestions, and a few covers caught my eye. I browsed through the “new book” section, just wondering if there was anything I should read for current events. I remember smiling several times as I looked up to see other people just browsing like I was, looking for the next set of words to catch their attention. More than an hour later (with several books in my hands) I was headed out the door again.

The checkout process was incredibly simple since they have self-checkout stations that take only moments of your time, and provide you with either a printed or digital receipt of your books and due dates. The Library also has a website that completely simplifies which books are available (and where) and even renewal options. They also have the capability of creating “shelves” like wish lists to remember which titles interested you, or you have already read. They are reciprocal with the Olathe public library system as well, which allowed me to get a book that the Johnson County library system didn’t have on their shelves. And if there is any book I find online that I want to put on hold, it will be waiting behind the front circulation counter when I get there. For a library that is so conveniently close to where I live and work, I don’t think it could get much better!

Overall, it was a lot like getting to know an old friend again. There are those awkward moments of asking questions you feel like you should already know the answers to, or moments of a silly smile only you can understand, because that memory was between you and a book. But like an old friend, seeing those books was comforting and enjoyable. If you’re looking for somewhere quiet to duck inside, to get out of life for a moment; somewhere between the cell phones, the work calls and the fitness centers; somewhere out of the blazing sun, consider checking out the public libraries around you. I just might run into you there!

Jacque E.

My Dearest Kitty ... (Part Three)

Dear Cat:

It is called a "shared" living space… and since you think what is yours is NOT mine ... I find it necessary to go into details …

· First off - I am not a sleeping device and you have the ability to sleep in your own room. Under my armpit or between my legs are off limits.

· Secondly - Meowing in the hallway to hear your own voice echo… is rather annoying.

· Again… the dog on the other side of the door is not going to eat you so stop hissing. You are just making another smell from the front end this time.

· Oh… and the cat you see in the window? Is not your boy/girl friend… they are just napping.

· Also Dear Cat… I would appreciate instead of missing the tile floor by 3 feet for your ‘furball present’ just RUN FASTER, the carpet will be calico soon! HAHA

· Just so you know? The litter box is only 3 inches deep and we are not the mob! I appreciate you hiding the ‘sand cookies’ but it does not take 20 minutes to bury your new gift to the dumpster.

· Regarding blankets again… if I am cold I have the right to steal yours during the night and stop smacking me in the face with your tail afterwards. You have a fur coat… you can be a pelt for Cruella De Vil.

Until next time,
Christopher

Click here to read part 4...

My Dearest Kitty ... (Part Two)

Dear Cat,

I know you think you are special and the supreme species on the planet but…

· You staring at one part of the ceiling and getting me to look at nothing… SO not funny!

· Oh… and by the way? Spiders are not your friends nor are they play toys! I BEAT the last one of your ‘toys’ to death with a Kleenex box last week… Sorry for your loss. :(

· Let’s recap on the ‘my property’ VS. ‘your property’. The laces on my shoes are mine and the stuffed mousey looking thing lying in the middle of the hallway? It is yours… (laces are not extra long mouse tails)

· Also… That hissing in the mirror at "the other cat"?  ... Self explanatory.

· It would be nice if you could refrain from pouncing the warm blankets you sleep on within 5 seconds after being washed/dried… ummm I am trying to fold them for your furry butt.

· My DVR remote does belong to me and it is not your personal chew toy... please chew on the thing right behind you… the favorite part of your body, known as your tail.

· I understand that my shower is totally fascinating as you spend half your waking moments in there meowing. However, I need to remind you that chasing your tail in there could be a tad dangerous. The random cat movements (RCM's) are getting a little weird... going from point A to point B does not need to be at TOP SPEED! -Thanks.

· Just because I walk near the kitchen... it is not dinner time. Please Note: The bowl is usually full and if you happen to see a small shiny spot at the bottom because you mowed the kibble down... but still have food in the bowl is not a critical emergency. I will refill it before your next hunger feast. Thanks.

· Also... lay off the NIP, I am running out of band-aids.

· Pawing my arm over and over in the morning to wake me up for a belly rub is still not funny. Also, you and your 26lbs standing on my chest and meowing in my face because I ignored the prior attempt of waking me up, still not funny.


Please Note: I was sleeping, hence your needs can wait until I decide to get out of bed... I am not room service and the menu is Dry Kibble and Water.

· Snackems are considered a treat for good behavior... not a diet supplement. I understand my apple slices bag in the fridge do sound like your snackems bag when opened... the stuff in the fridge is really… umm mine. I appreciate your personal interest... but unless it is 6" below your snout and in a bowl, it is considered... MINE!

That's it for now ..
Christopher

Click here to read part 3

My Dearest Kitty ... (Part One)

Dear Cat…

I know you have a sense of humor… otherwise you would have escaped and found a new pooper scooper, food and toilet to drink out of for your daily needs.  However, perhaps we need to go over a few things listed BELOW…?

I own you and I pay the rent so therefore the following is a ceast and desist order!

· You washing your paws in the toilet and touching my face to wake me up… not funny.

· Adding stains to the carpet… I have to ‘resolve’ haha

· When laying in bed… your tail touching me just to irritate me, just needs to stop! I know you are there because I hear you snoring.

· How is it that toys I have not seen in 4 years just suddenly appear… do you have a mystical toy bag?

· Oh… if you make a smell next to me? Do NOT look at me and try to place blame. We know who created the fog in the room, puddytat!

· When I come home from the store… I am not always shopping for you and your needs! I need to eat once in a while to provide for your furry butt. Just because you have a craving? I would appreciate it that you not gut the fresh bag of cat food next to your dish just because you cannot wait until morning.

· Please note: I have my toys and you have your toys. I do not share! So please stop stealing my stuffed animals for your entertainment purposes.

· Also… Dear Kitten, not everything I eat is ‘cat food’! I am getting really tired of sharing my dinner. This is NOT Big Cat Diaries on Cable where you get to eat fresh kills daily… please see the kibble dish!

Thanks,

Christopher

Submitted by Joanne B. 

Click here to read part 2

Lifestyle after Retirement

Here are some personal thoughts I decided to share with all of you ... After working for many years in several different fields including a huge corporation and enjoying my own business as a genealogical investigator I went into early retirement. My choice … not necessarily … but that is too long a story and boring even to me, after several years of enjoying my lifestyle now.


It has come down to two big choices for me…..

One (1)
I decided to downsize my space by moving from a large home to my cozy apartment which also meant getting rid of “stuff” that I thought I had to keep. I actually had an auction company come and get the boxes that had been moved to 4 different residents without ever opening them in between the moves and sell whatever they found. It was liberating and profitable. That action choice went for furniture and all household items. I only brought what I absolutely couldn’t part with and fit in my new space. Lately I have been going through the dozen or so boxes that I didn’t unpack right away and that now is getting recycled or thrown away.

The big social thing that I found new chunks of time to enjoy was advancing my knitting skills and getting projects completed out of the huge stash of yarn that I had kept and wanted to get worked up. No…. I won’t live long enough to work it all up, since I don’t plan on living to be 105 yrs old but I enjoy having the color and textures around me and have found ways to decorate with the fiber in small ways as I start new projects. Well you can only knit so much and hang with your knitting friends so long before you find your repeating the same conversations. Even my little dog “GingerSue” was getting tired of me hanging around all the time and disrupting her nap times and competing for attention with the knitting needles keeping my fingers and mind busy.

Two (2)
An opportunity came to my attention to go after a part time job at Target. I landed the job as a cashier and so enjoy the company, co-workers and the guests that come through my lane. Of course I really enjoy the flexible hours and my employee and Target debit card discounts. It’s an all in one package for me since it’s very close to here and I can do my shopping before I come home.

The biggest benefit has been meeting hundreds of new people that are looking for just a little understanding and patience when they have a little one that is out of control. Maybe that grandmother experience in me seems to stop the screaming and get a smile and a big sigh out of a stressed Mom or Dad. I love the older guests that come in as well and give them just a little attention that they are looking for briefly. Most especially I have new material for my conversations with my knitting friends and there is absolutely not one thing in the store for me to spend my paycheck on to advance my knitting habit. Yippy!!!

In closing – maybe coming out of retirement just to find something that gives a little extra jingle in a pocket to offset the gas & food prices but also doing something new is the key to an ever changing positive retirement lifestyle.

Loving my life after retirement ..
Joanne