Upside Down Cats

It's been a while since any of my daycare children said anything that cracked me up, but our funny-drought ended this morning, so my Too Cute! feature returneth...

A little girl who will turn three years old next month was singing The Farmer in the Dell and this is what I heard...

"The farmer takes a life...!"

We've got to stop watching Law and Order at quiet time...!!!

The daycare kids and I are dancing away our post-holiday stress at our Friday Afternoon Dance Party.

Yippee!

(The word "Yippee" in response to the words "Dance Party" is a Jack's Big Music Show reference, in case you are interested...)

But even if you're not, you may like to join us as we get down and get funky...

Continue reading "Shall We Dance?" »

I actually had an inspirational dream a couple nights ago.

My mom and I were moving furniture into a newly discovered room in my house...

I don't know which aspect of the dream was more surreal...that there is a room in my house I didn't know about, or that my 88 year old mother was moving beds and televisions around...

(Not that she wouldn't if she could!)

Continue reading "I Had A Dream..." »

We went to Scott's brother's house for a Hanukkah party on Saturday. After a delicious dinner and the rousing gift exchange, we adults and some of the kids played the game Taboo. It was a fun bonding experience for all! After the game, we dissolved into adult conversation... The thing that really struck me was that three of the "kids" didn't leave the table! As I sat there I realized these "kids" weren't anymore! They are fourteen, nearly thirteen and twelve and a half! They can hold their own in an adult conversation, and the nicest part is that they wanted to!

It warms my heart to know that spending time with the adults in their lives was a priority for these young folks, who could have been off being moody and solitary, acting too cool for this lame family stuff, as oft people of this age do... Or, they could have been listening to their iPods, or playing Wii! They seemed genuinely interested in stories about Grandpa, and other family stories that were being re-retold. It actually appeared that these young people are proud of their family, and enjoy being a part of it!

Congratulations are due to Scott's brothers and their wives for raising such amazing young people. They are a joy to know and be related to!

Maybe there is hope for the future yet...!

Continue reading "When Did This Happen...?!" »

Today has been my Hanukkah baking/cooking day...

The daycare children were collectively in a particularly foul mood. This cooking was accomplished amidst breaking up fights and saving nearly the entire daycare book collection from being destroyed page by page by preschoolers! Oh, then there was the chili painting on the wall...don't ask!

Frankly, it was a miracle any cooking got done at all - and a bigger miracle that I'm still alive to write about it!

But, as you can see in the photo to the right, my mission was accomplished, despite my little Holiday Grinches!

I am happy to have been charged with providing desserts and all things sweet for the family party tomorrow. I baked Blonde Chocolate Chip Walnut Brownies and Krispy Coconut Cookies. I also made Pecan Toffee. My own tradition is to bake every household a challah, a braided egg bread.

I am proud of my results...thought you'd like to see...

Ta-Da!

I am sad to be the bearer of this grim news, but the awful truth must be told...

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is dead.

Continue reading "Requiem For A Reindeer?" »

Twenty-one days of NaBloPoMo...I am curious to find out if I will fulfill my promise to write about things for which I'm thankful every day throughout November.

I guess there's only one way to find out...

Continue reading "Curious Gina" »

I'm writing about things for which I am thankful throughout November, also known as National Blog Posting Month. Today on day nineteen of NaBloPoMo, I am in a reflective mood. Looking through family photos earlier today brought back a flood of evocative memories. Many of the photos reminded me of my dad, who passed away ten years ago.

The photos have brought to the forefront of my mind that I am thankful for my dad.

Continue reading "Daddy's Little Girl" »

I nearly couldn't get to my computer today, day eighteen of NaBloPoMo, to post my daily installment of things for which I am thankful. I was being held captive by a thirteen pound lump of fur named Desi, sitting on my lap. Now that I'm finally free of her persistent purring presence, I can write about how much I am thankful for kitty companionship.

Continue reading "The Cat In The Lap" »

Today is Veteran's Day, and I find myself reflecting on those who have served to preserve our freedom. No matter how those of us here at home feel about the justness or implementation of any war, those who put their well-being at risk for all of us are heroes, and should be honored for their selflessness and bravery.

The only veteran I know personally is my brother, Jim, who served in Vietnam. Jim is a very private person about everything, so his time in the service is not something about which he is forthcoming. All I can speak to is the effect that having a soldier in the family had on our family itself. It's relevant to mention that he is the only son in our family of seven children. It would be my honor to share my memories of having a brother in the army. I'm the youngest and was only between 7 and 10 years old when he served, so bear in mind that these are the memories of a child...

Continue reading "In Honor Of Those Who Have Served" »