Sweet Bello

Reverse Tye Dye : Mamma's Newest Art Project

This started as an effort to make some of my black shirts more exciting (as I always wear black pants to work). But I realized early on that using bleach for reverse tye dye was fairly easy with a large stencil and had no chance of fading (like regular tye dye). So I really got into it!

Brian's Birthday Day

 Even though we already had Brian's surprise birthday a few days ago with a large celebration at Sierra Nevada, we still wanted to do something special on daddy's special day so we took him out to churrasco Brazilian steakhouse. And he got a chainsaw from me. :-D

Trump 47: The Disaster Begins

Why the image? When you know, you know.

 Today began the presidency the only presidency that put us all in a panic. Trump signed almost a 100 executive orders and just his first couple of weeks including really crazy stuff like changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and wanting to buy Greenland and rename it red white and blue land. He cut thousands of government jobs, tried to make ivf free for everyone, and Cozied up to Putin. 

Bill O'Reilly, who keeps me grounded right now, has 2 really good points

 1. you can't have a successful party that only rallies around hatred of an individual and 2 Trump is political theater not governance.

Still, the left fears the end of democracy.

I really feel like protesting in the streets will not be enough this time. So I have taken to both calling and writing my Congress members and senators every week. Here was my first email:

I'm Noelle Thompson. I live in Horse Shoe, NC in the Western part of the state. I am a registered independent & consider myself "moderate." 

I have a few positives. I'm fine with the following: Roe VS. Wade being overturned, deporting undocumented immigrants who are convicted felons, the SAFE Act, banning all automatic & semiautomatic weapons, cutting inefficient government jobs, the gold card, the Sovereign Wealth Fund, English being our official language & expanding a border wall.

BUT I am afraid the current administration is making me fear the end of our democracy. Here are my concerns:

–TRUMP'S LIES DISGUST ME. FACT CHECK & CONDEMN! Do NOT stand with Trump when his words are not fact checked or when he shows disrespect around the world.

– Although I am pro-Israel, I AM VEHEMENTLY AGAINST the ETHNIC CLEANSING of the Palestinians from Gaza

– As a radical pro life voter, I DON'T WANT IVF FREE FOR EVERYONE OR MY TAX DOLLARS PAYING FOR IT!

—I CONDEMN ALL MASS DEPORTATIONS.

– I CONDEMN THE USE OF CONCENTRATION CAMPS FOR ALL PRISONERS & DEPORTEES.

– I STAND WITH UKRAINE & not Russia. DO NOT CUT FUNDING TO UKRAINE'S DEFENSE!

--I stand for green energy policies. GET US BACK INTO THE PARIS AGREEMENT.

–I AM AGAINST “AMERICA FIRST”

– I AM AGAINST CUTTING SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE & MEDICAID IN ANY WAY.

– I AM AGAINST ENDING ASYLUM SEEKING

 – I AM AGAINST CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM

– I AM AGAINST THE UNELECTED ELON MUSK.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE SURE OUR CHECKS AND BALANCES REMAIN IN PLACE in order to check the power of the executive branch! Be VERY aware of Trump not respecting any judicial decision. And if Trump does defy the courts I DEMAND THAT YOU SPEAK UP ABOUT THAT INJUSTICE. 

I can no longer be silent. My vote is not enough. Thank you very much for listening to my concerns. 

Nora Names Her Daughter after Me !?!

 This goes down in history as the only time I received personal news that made me exclaim out loud with the name of the Lord! Nora is a former student of mine that I taught in my first year of teaching, and after that time we became good friends. I visited her in Germany and have kept in touch with her ever since. This is her fourth daughter, Noelle!  I am absolutely shocked that a former student would give me this kind of legacy. I am so touched and humbled!! What follows are the emails showing that I was expecting her birth, but had no idea of the name. You can see Nora telling me and then my response. The copied text is below.

Dear Noelle,

so happy to share our news which I am sure will make you feel happy -and special 😊- in many ways.

On January 3rd, 2025, at 6.42 am our little Lore Lenja Noelle was born ❤️

With her third name, she is named after my favorite teacher at Sparten High who was very important for me during an important year in my youth 😉 and after the season in which we were expecting her to arrive any day 😊

She was 51 cm long and weighed 3,5kg. We were able to return home from hospital right after birth and have since enjoyed two weeks getting to know each other.. in the busy everyday chaos of a family of six ☀️

So you see, even though you haven't heard from me a lot these past years, you are as well always on my heart ❤️ 

Warmest wishes,

Nora  

My dear, dear Nora! You should have seen my face when I finally read your email! I exclaimed, "Oh my WORD!" ... and then I started to cry! What a blessing and an honor! You filled my heart with joy! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY YOU HAVE! I miss you!

When can you all come visit!?! We have room for all of you! ... So if you ever would like to come and see these beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains again, we are waiting for you! ❤

Yesterday, I saw the protest against fascism in Berlin, and I wondered if you were there with the girls. I was grateful for the protest. I am protesting, too. It brings tears to my eyes how this horrible, lying man is ruining this country. I have NEVER voted for him,  despite my pro-life views. NOT MY PRESIDENT. Please let your country know that I am part of the entire HALF of the USA that does NOT support this disgusting oligarchy this country has turned into. The poor are suffering so greatly, and my heart is torn out.

But in happier news, I am proud of you in so many ways! What an honorable woman you have become! A true blessing to your country and the WORLD!

ENJOY THIS TIME WITH THE GIRLS! ... Before I knew it, mine were 18 & 22. And I am treasuring this last year with my Annie still at home! We will be in touch soon. Sending you lots of hugs! 

Love always, 

Noelle

Brian's 50th Birthday Celebration Gift

 Here is the gift that everyone took time to work on. After all of the well wishes and memories Came in, I included all of them on this art piece. It is a precious memory that now hangs right near our basement stairs where we can see it every time we walk in. The memories are all heartfelt. I included the text below:

Kyle

Brian, We've known each other for so long - Scouts, marching band, Chemistry at Furman. And while we haven't been the best at keeping in touch, we have the kind of friendship where no matter how long it's been we just pick up where we let off and carry on like no time has passed. I think it's the hallmark of true concord. Happy 50th and many more!

Oma

Brian is a good man and a loving husband and father.

Joe

Brian is a quiet man; it's a sign of his humility. 

Leia

I remember a long time ago I would see you playing games in the basement and one day I asked if you could play the game with "the guy with the green hat" for me. That was the start of a life-long love of video games and especially Legend of Zelda that we both share. Thank you for showing me that and putting up with annie and I always asking you to replay the hardest Donkey Kong level.

Me

Thirty years ago, when I was sad that they didn't play our song (“Hold On My Heart”) at Homecoming, you drove your Toyota Supra under the street lights near Furman, opened up the car doors, turned the speakers up full-blast & took me in your arms as we danced to our song under the stars. So romantic! I thank you for that & for almost 30 years of beautiful marriage. I'm looking forward to many more magical memories. Happy 50th Birthday, Lovie!

Mo

Brian, wishing you a fantastic 50th birthday filled with love, laughter and the memories of a lifetime!!! Cheers to 50 wonderful years and welcome to the 50 years old club!!! Thank you for being a great friend for decades and several decades to come!!! Your dedication, patience and contributions to Exela team is invaluable and hope to work alongside until we retire!!!

Sylas

I love nerding out with Brian and hearing him wax eloquent on all things Star Wars, Marvel, movie sound tracks, and just about anything else! He makes long hours working in the clean room pass quickly.

Alan

I was truly blessed to have a big brother who did not make my life harder. You treated me fairly and did not get in my way. I always had a good role model to follow. Your success always made me work harder to achieve my best potential and got me to where I am today. I thank you for this. Have a happy 50th birthday and many more to come!

Cameron

My favorite Brian moment is him going to Taco Bell at 1 AM and buying us both Double Decker Tacos one night when we ran late on a production  batch. That was a long night at work but the taco made it all worth it!

Jenna & Mark

We remember how much Brian loves boating on the lake (even when unfortunate brotherly mishaps occur).

Annie

I remember the days you used to tell me bed time stories about Mario and Peach. Now I love talking to you on our lunch break about cds, video games, movies, and so much more. You have no idea how much I appreciate the work you do for us. I love you and wish we had more time to spend together ♡♡♡

Benjamin Myers

I will always enjoy hearing Brian rave about the newest and most popular topics on social media and how Cameron and I keep him up to date on the trending generational pop culture. I also want to brag on how blessed to have a boss who relates with the team and works along side us.

Brian's 50th Birthday Celebration

Today was Daddy's big surprise birthday party at Sierra Nevada Brewery to celebrate Brian's fiftieth birthday! It all started with a suggestion from grandma. Then we all made it happen! All of Brian's family & friends were invited! And we all succeeded in making it a true surprise!

 Possibly the most special surprise for Brian was the attendance of his best and oldest childhood friend Kyle Martin.

 Taken from the video of the occasion, here is the moment of surprise. "Oh my gosh! I cannot believe this!"

[left to right] Mark Vedder, Kyle & his wife, Brian, Alan, D (Grandpa), Carol (grandma), Annie, Joe & Claire (Oma)

(2 tables due to the size of our party)

[Left to right] Brian, Mo & Elbin & Musu, Silas & wife, Benjamin & wife, Cameron & wife & daughter

I asked them to do a crazy picture. I guess this is how crazy scientists get. :-D

 And instead of gifts, I asked everyone to write a memory and a well wish for Brian so that I could include it on this art piece That everyone signed during the party. The next post will be some more detail on the gift.

Annie's First Art Show

Welcome to Annie's first Art Show at the Transylvania Arts Council! You can see a few of her pieces here on the right, like the blue pot with the lid & "drippy honey pot."

 Before any other photos, let me explain how this went down. I was at home relaxing and Annie came running in asking frantically if she could borrow all the Christmas presents that she had given us. I told her of course, and asked her why. She said that she was in an art show this evening and the opening was happening as we speak, and she needed to bring the items immediately to the arts council. Here is my response:

"ARE YOU SAYING THIS IS YOUR FIRST ART SHOW AND THE OPENING IS ... TONIGHT!?!"

"yes"

"CAN I GO!?!"

"I guess. If you really want to."

 Annie ran out with her art, and I immediately got dressed and drove there.  And I couldn't believe the number of cars in the parking lot! There were no spaces! I had to park on the grass! From what I understand, there is a community art show periodically and this is the first one that would have Annie's work displayed. 

Here is Annie with her pottery mentor, Alia.  It is a neat story how we met her. When Annie had first expressed an interest in maybe learning pottery,  I mentioned it might be a good idea to just drive by the Transylvania arts council and see what was going on there. When we finally got around to doing that, the building was closed, but there was a young lady walking out to her car in the parking lot. That young lady was Alia ... who was looking for help at the studio! Thus an amazing mentorship & friendship began! 

Look at all the people! ... and at this happy Mamma!

Annie also showed me the actual studio. Here she is at one of the wheels.

And the shelf where she puts things she's working on.

Mamma Shows Bello the Snow

Annie in the Snow & on Instagram

 I love this picture because it is a perfect representation of the kind of photo that Annie likes of herself. She took this photo on her private winter walk. And I feel honored that she shared it with me!

More Sledding with Annie

Thompson Winter Walk

Sledding with Annie

 It was the perfect kind of icy snow for a radio flyer sled! This is the sled that Santa brought for Brian and Leia before Annie was even born, you can see the elf made stamp!

Bello Prefers Snow from Afar (Cold Beans)

Winter Walk & Snowy Day Nostalgia

Such special nostalgia to read Winter Walk and Snowy Day! I thank you, Annie, for indulging me in the reading AND the pictures. 

Then Annie wanted to TAKE a Winter Walk while it was still snowing. I asked, "Do you want company?" The answer: "No." :-D

But later I heard, Mamma, come sit with me! ... And Annie watched the snow while I treasured the moment, knowing this may be one of the last snows with her home. And my eyes immediately teared up.