Saturday, March 31, 2012

Dream Card

This card is made with Stampin' up designer papers. The patterned paper on the front is just one piece, strategically cut, and the top turned over.
The flower/bow was made with a 2-1/2" piece of ribbon, gathered, with a pearl in the center. The middle piece with the scalloped border opens up. Now can you see how one piece of patterned paper was used?

It looks much better in person.

Friday, March 30, 2012

the Friday 56/ONE FOR THE MONEY/book review


It's time for Freda's 56
So hop over and see Freda here

p. 56 "Since Morelli wasn't around, I didn't have to be brave, so I bitched and complained and limped all the way to my apartment. "

Someone in my book club recommended this series with Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich. It's an old book, the series is up to book 18 now. Miss Stephanie Plum needs a job and gets hired by uncle Vinnie to pick up a few people who are out of jail on bond but don't appear in court. She's a bounty hunter who is after the man whom she had reason to detest during grade school. The book is funny and also had me on the edge of my chair at times. The characters in this story and very entertaining. It was an easy read and I enjoyed it. I am now 1/2 way through the next book in the series. I don't think I've ever read anything by this author before.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Stranger Things Have Happened

......but it has been a while. My house needs a good picking up so I should have stayed home today, but I didn't. I wanted to cash a check and mail a card to my youngest granddaughter (who broke her wrist on Sunday.) Of course I had to stop at the small thrift store, where I found these nearly new, very comfortable Adidas sandals that are a little too big so they will go to my sister. I also picked up a top for work and a new Taste of Home magazine, all for......drum roll......a little over $3.



While I was there a woman (a little older than me) brought her father in, he has the start of Alzheimer's and recently moved into assisted living (where he is not happy). Ambrose was one of the founders of our local St Vincent de Paul store. His daughter thought it might do him good to see some old friends. I only know him from seeing him at the store and just saying "HI", etc. I saw his sister at the grocery store the other day and we had a nice visit and she told me about the situation. They are quite a bit older but just some nice, friendly people whom I use to see often. Anyway I knew the story and heard some of the conversation......... While Ambrose was visiting I walked over to his daughter and said I am afraid we will be facing something similar with my mother one day. I asked if she had siblings to help and such. She was very open with me and made a couple of tears fall down my cheek. She was valiantly trying to hold back tears too. Before I left her I gave her a hug and it was well received. I have NEVER hugged a stranger like that before. I think I am more aware of Alzheimer's since I read Still Alice.
When I got outside I saw a limo in the parking lot! That's not something one sees often. I think someone had it for their personal use because it had a handicap license plate. That reminds me that our senior center is taking a thrifting bus trip and I need to check into it and pencil it in on my calender.
Yesterday I used my gift certificates to get my first pedicure......nice...... I like the turquoise nail polish. When I got home I found a bag on my door with info about New Orleans (for my upcoming trip this fall). On the table I found a box from Deb @ garagesalegal full of lots of goodies: notepad & pen; the cutest purse size butterfly tissues; a bag of stamps, buttons & doodads for cards; some candy :-); a pretty little Avon bottle; beautiful tulip hankie; Mary Engelbreit book of spring crafts; some really pretty clothes pins that would be perfect for holding notes. Thanks Deb! It was fun to check out all my new treasures.
Well...........I guess I really have to do the dishes, fold some laundry, and a whole lot of other household chores. Thanks for visiting me!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Dieting

Last week I caught the tail end of a radio report stating that average 45-year-old woman has been on 61 diets since the age of 16. This is according to a new survey in the UK. I was flabbergasted by it and decided to find out if that was really the story, it was. Read about it here if you are interested. Don't you think that this mentality of never being thin enough comes overwhelmingly from magazines and TV programs idealizing that only skinny is beautiful? It worries me so much because I have granddaughters. I am considerably older than 45 and have NOT tried nearly that many diets, maybe because I was always thin, and at one time I even TRIED to gain weight. Well, that time of my life is long gone............It ended when I married for a 2nd time, quit my full time factory job, and was about 35. I had been a picky eater- no more! I think I've only seriously dieted once, about 7 years ago before I went to visit a much thinner school friend in LA. I really watched my carbohydrates and allowed myself one 'chocolate' bar after dinner (if I didn't have any other taste of dessert). I did loose weight and was pretty happy with it, but would have liked to loose 5 more pounds. I slowly allowed my bad eating habits to return because I was maintaining. At that time I was taking care of my toddler age grandson and he kept me busy playing with him and going for walks. Then I got complacent and returned to eating what and as much as I wanted. Now I am back up the highest weight I have ever been...nothing to brag about. Oh sure, I still try to stay with whole wheat bread and pasta, and eat more veggies and fruit, but I know I eat too much and more sweets that I should. I won't go on a 'diet', but, for health reasons, I NEED to change my eating habits.
So what do you think about diets? Do you 'go on a diet?' What kind of diet? Have you tried any fad diets? Did you gain the weight back?

Monday, March 26, 2012

Competitiveness

Do you consider yourself a competitive person? Do you have to win?I do not/never have played sports, so that doesn't apply. Hubby and his twin are extremely competitive. Do you have to have something better than the other person? I don't care about that at all. I use to say that I didn't have a competitive bone in my body but after thinking this morning I'd say that I do have one, small competitive bone. Yes, I do like to win, but it's not that important. It's not in the game playing field or in the area of belongings, it's more in the area of relationships that I feel I might have to compete.....stemming from the loss of my dad as a toddler??? ...and my mothers ensuing breakdown??? I remember once, in my first marriage, when I felt like I had to compete for my husband's attention versus the attention he was paying to a male cousin of his. I did not actually do anything, I just remember thinking that I am his wife and if I just be my loving self he will 'come back' to me....and he did. That was a long, long time ago but the feeling and memory has stayed with me. I still feel that if I am myself that person who cared for me at one time will come back to me and realize my value. If that doesn't happen I guess it wasn't meant to be, it was only an intermittent relationship....but can a family relationship be that??? How long do friendships last???
At almost 7, grandson J is beginning to say that there's nothing to do here, he wants to play with someone: we don't have any video games; hubby doesn't spend more than 1/2 hour of his time with J when he's here; I'm a woman and as a boy J wants to do 'boy things'; we aren't 'fun' people, etc. I sometimes feel that I have to compete against his other grandparents, who have teens at home, have lots of friends over, have bonfires, etc. It's starting to hurt because for the first 5 years of his life he was here a LOT and he cried when he had to be at his other grandparents (not that I want that) and I really love that kid. Maybe, once again, I feel like I am being abandoned? Maybe that's why I feel so strongly about being able to take care of oneself.............who else will?

decorating cookies with food color markers.
playing a new Angry Birds game on my Nook
Yes, life is pretty boring here in wintertime............summer will be much better!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

I Never Thought.....

You know how life throws you a curve every now and then, to some more often than to others?....'IT' has a way of doing that you know.... I'm not exactly sure what I had in mind for my future when I graduated from high school, but I am pretty darn sure it isn't the life I have now. One has to roll with the punches, take the good with the bad, etc.
I never thought:
* that on the 2nd day of spring I'd be walking around outside barefoot in WI
* that on that same day I'd be sitting on my deck in jeans and a t-shirt reading and looking at (almost) green grass while birds provide the background music
* that be at the mall to eat and not even step one foot into a single store
* that I'd say I think I've been going out to eat too much
* that my small hometown in central WI would experience an earthquake and make the national news

It doesn't matter what my plans are for my days off, it usually never happens, I am finally adjusting to that. The past month has been busy with social engagements with friends (and I still need to make a coffee date with one gal). Don't get me wrong....I LOVE lunching with friends! ....it's just surprising to me. Hubby doesn't like to go out and if he does it's the same ol' place so with my friends I get to eat Chinese, Mexican, seafood, etc. And he doesn't talk either so I get to eat good food and enjoy good conversation :-) Yesterday I had brunch with friends, dropped of some things at a consignment shop and picked up some cash, and then stopped at a couple of thrift stores. After I got home I cleaned out some kids games to take to another consignment shop and then I went through my earrings (b/c I couldn't find the pair I wanted) and found a bunch that went into my donation bag. That's not exactly what I had planned for the day but I feel like I got something done. I'm the type of person that feels like I have to accomplish something every day...is that bad? I'm a 'piler' so am forever putting stuff away....why can't I do it right away??? What should I do today? Scrubbing the kitchen floor (as planned) is out b/c it is rainy. There's plenty.........I'll find something.
Have a great weekend!!!

Friday, March 23, 2012

the Friday 56/the Alibi Man

It's time for Freda's Friday 56 here
Choose a book, any book, post one or 2 sentences from page 56 and link up to Freda's blog.


p. 56 "The confusion, the shock, the denial, the crushing weight of the emotion that came with the realization of the terrible truth."

I just finished reading THE ALIBI MAN by Tami Hoag for book club. I have not read any of her previous books and I will probably read more. As usual we met at a restaurant and had good company, lots of conversation, and even mentioned the book. A couple of gals thought it was a little too gory in parts, I just skim over any parts that don't trip my trigger. Who killed the young, beautiful, ambitious, social climbing young woman? It's not whom you might think. The rich horse ranch owners and players all have alibis. I love mysteries, can you tell?

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Clintonville - My Home Town


My home town clintonville-wisconsin has made national news...........and it doesn't appear to be a good thing. You may have heard about the mysterious booming noise heard mostly at night. No one seems to know what is causing it. There are various theories and some people are even leaving. My mother lives there but hasn't heard any noises, she slept through it. My sister and son live nearby but have not been affected. The past 2 nights have been quieter so maybe it's moving? almost over? weird, very weird.
Clintonville use to be famous for the FWD firetrucks and the Truckers high school football team...now they have a new claim to fame...... The consensus is that the cause may never be known.
Just thought I'd pass this on, if I find out the cause I will let you know.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Just a Couple of Things

There really isn't anything big or exciting to post about today so I am going to ramble on.....I am pretty darn good at that. I've been seeing lots of different colors of nail polish on various bloggers and have tried a few that I like (lavender, for one) and some that I don't (I passed those on to my 11 year old granddaughter). On my fingernails I usually stick to a pinkish or sheer color. I like to experiment on my toes though. The other day I was in the dollar store and found this gunmetal gray and I thought 'for $1 I can try it'. I do like it, it is darker on my toes than shown here because I tried it over a pink that I was wearing. I prefer the darker.

It's Monday and I have my usual errands to run. I dropped a few things off at the consignment store and picked up a little over $1 (sad, I know). Fortunately, for the store owner, I found a scarf that I liked. The green is lime and brighter than it looks here. I like purple and lime or olive together.
Random thoughts:
***I keep my computer passwords written down in an address book. They are easy to find when written alphabetically. I don't have the same password for everything, change passwords sometimes, and can not remember them all (especially ones I don't use very often). The address book I use was free from work.
***I have an old 9" X 4" address book that I use for my to do lists.....(if I don't write it down I am likely to forget something). It's lined and has spaces for NAME, ADDRESS, & TELEPHONE.....kinda out of date but perfect for lists.
***I also keep an old, purse size, weekly calender in the backseat of the car for my grand kids to write on....one never knows when they will want to scribble down a note or play tic tac toe. Another free item from the workplace.
Does anyone have any other suggestions? I hate to waste/throw things away.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Happy St Patrick's Day

"For each petal on the shamrock this brings a wish your way- good health, good luck and happiness for today and every day."


No, I am not Irish,

but I will be for one day,



when I put on some green and go out to have a Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner with friends. Hubby does not eat such food.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Breakfast, Bumming, & the Boot

I started my day off on the run. My bff and I had plans to get together and discuss how we are teaching Sunday school this Sunday later this afternoon. But she called me a few minutes after 8 and wanted to go out for breakfast.....so I hopped in the shower and got dressed....w/o enjoying my hour of computer time. We ate at the small restaurant a couple of blocks from here. I had the stuffed French toast......YUMMY! It was stuffed with strawberries and cream cheese and topped with strawberry syrup and a dollop of whipped cream. I WILL order that again.
Next we stopped at the Senior Center and paid our down payments for the trip to New Orleans. Woo hoo! I've always wanted to go there, in fact before hurricane Katrina I wanted hubby to take me there....but he didn't want to go. So this is my opportunity.
Our cupboards are nearly bare so I went to the grocery store where I had a nice visit with a good friend, that was the best part of my shopping trip. I do not like grocery shopping, do you?
The grocery store I was at is about 2 blocks from the beach so I decided to drive by. On the spur of the moment I parked the car and went for a short walk to look for some smooth stones (for an art project I have in mind). This is the first, and most likely, the ONLY time I will be able to walk on the beach in March while wearing a sweatshirt and actually being warm. I live in WI and it is still winter here....but yesterday the record high was broken about 50 miles inland of here. The sand was clean, the water clear, and I crunched washed up shells as I walked near the water's edge. It was fantastic! If I had had my chair and book along I would have sat down and read for awhile, it was that nice. While I was waking I found this piece of driftwood and noticed it looks just like a boot...right? I'll find a place for it in one of my (small) flower gardens.

I Confess

Confession is good for the soul, right? March 15th is True Confessions Day. I'm not really sure where this comes from or who started it, but I'm gonna run with it. Please feel free to post any of your confessions in the comments area too!
I confess that:
I don't measure the laundry detergent.
I eat chocolate chips out of the bag that I have hidden in the freezer.
43 years ago I married on Mar 15 (beware the ides of March, it didn't last).
I want everyone to like me and all my friends to be friends with each other.
I was a bad parent when I was single.
I am delighted when hubby says he doesn't want dinner.
if I find money in the washer or dryer I keep it!
I like to be in charge, on the other hand if you are someone with authority over me I will do exactly what I am suppose to do.
I don't like it when you change your child's diaper on my living room floor.
I don't make my bed every day.
I have been know to eat food with expired dates or that was on the cupboard overnight (and lived to tell about it).
I reuse birthday candles.
I am 2nd best, always have been....don't like it...but that is the way it is.
I never stay in my pjs all day, nor do I clean in them. I don't feel ready to start the day until I am dressed and 99.9% of the time I put make up on. I'm not sure why, I just do.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Here, central WI we have had an exceptionally mild winter this year and not many of us are complaining.
It is only the middle of March, our normal high temperature for this time of year is 38...that is suppose to be the low tonight. We could get a big snow storm yet, then what will happen to my flowers that are peeking out and as anxious for the sun as I am?

Today it was in the low 60's and tomorrow will be even warmer inland. Lake Michigan will keep us a bit cooler.

Monday, March 12, 2012

What's On My Mind On Monday

I just finished watching a couple of YouTube videos on one of the blogs I follow and it literally made me cry because I have several granddaughters. Please head over to Debbie @ She Accessorizes Well http://sheaccessorizeswell.blogspot.com/2012/03/some-eye-opening-videos-and-last-day.html and watch these 2 (kinda long) but VERY worthwhile videos regarding what our girls are being taught and how women are being depicted. Here is the site for the woman behind these videos http://jeankilbourne.com/. That is the uppermost thing on my mind today.
This weekend we turned our clocks ahead for Daylight Savings Time. It shouldn't have been a problem but....my boss called me at 8AM on Saturday and woke me up (I had a tough time sleeping or would have already been up). That night at about 12:15AM we got a call and, of course, we assume it's an emergency...but....when I answered all I heard were bar noises. I think I know what happened, it was a redial from our son in law who had called earlier (and he runs a bar). A minute later the phone rings again and I answer....same thing, just bar noises and noone is on the other end. Then the phone rings for a 3rd time. %$gt;<_(*&% I know it was not purposeful but geez.... I called back and left a voice mail telling SIL what has happened. The bad part was that I was awake for over 2 hours, I just could not fall back to sleep. I kind of expected a face book or email or something saying 'whoops, sorry about that'. It's not a big deal, I just thought it would be common courtesy to do so.
Grandson J was here overnight on Saturday and he has discovered Monopoly (a game I detest).

It is now his favorite game and grandpa was at work so we played it Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday. Woe is me! He plays games a lot better than previously when he'd quit at the slightest thing that was not in his favor. I played (somewhat) happily because: 1) it helps him with math (counting the die and money), 2) he reads the cards, 3) he is learning strategy, 4) board games teach sportsman ship, 5) he had no one else to play with and was better than plugging him into TV all weekend.

Friday, March 9, 2012

the Friday 56/Taken

It's time for Freda's Fridayt 56 http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/2012/03/friday-56_08.html
Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url.

It's that simple.

p. 56 "And as the garage door clunks down behind me, the man in the ski mask yanks open my door."
Yes, she's scared and has every right to be. Her 11 year old son is missing, the sheriff (a friend) has been found murdered and in the freezer in her basement, and she's transferred her life savings to an overseas bank. Why does this seemingly heartless man who seems to know everything want her son?
I've just finished TAKEN by Chris Jordan and would recommend it.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

This Week's Steals n' Deals

No, I didn't steal anything this week, nor do I plan to. Some the bargains I brought home seemed like a steal though. Yes, I do hit the thrift shops too often, but I don't always buy something and I am getting better at not buying things for other people. Although I have to keep my eyes open for little gifts for the grands: whether it is for the upcoming Easter egg hunt, a little something to pop in the mail, a prize for a treasure hunt or my 'prize box', etc. Every now and then I have a bag of goodies to drop off for a donation. I am happy because I have been able to sell a few baby items we didn't need anymore, I made a few $ and those things are not taking up space in my house anymore.
I try to read the Walgreen's ad for bargains and this week they had toothpaste for $3 with a $3 off coupon on your next visit.....so it's really free??? As I was wandering around and perusing the clearance shelves I found.....the hair color I use. Of course I had to buy all they had, all 3 boxes. That's good news and bad....I got a great deal, but that also means they are not carrying that color or it is being discontinued. I really have a difficult time finding the right color, this is the second time I will be experimenting with color. The next day I stopped at Walgreen's in the city where I work and purchased some more toothpaste, clearance gum (for the egg hunt), and 3 more boxes of hair color
At the thrift store I was looking for some boys water shoes.....Viola! I found a pair in size 4, but wait....one shoe is a 5 and one a 4. Hmmmm????? Aha! on the opposite side of the rack I find the matching pair....Oh no! Both of those are size 5. What do do? The 5's are too big so I just move on. On a different rack I find some brand new water shoes, and both are the same size. :-) I got those, a small scissors, and one other thing for $1.68. I'm on a roll so stop at the other thrift store in town and find: an Easter basket, new package of 6 erasers (for the Easter egg hunt), and 2 unmounted stamps or also about $1.00. I can't complain about that!

More good news! I took my computer in on Tuesday and Josh found a boot sector virus. He cleaned it up, removed Ad-Aware (not as good as it once was), and added a new, better, free anti-virus program. My laptop is up and running!!! Yay for me!

Monday, March 5, 2012

I've Wasted the Day So Far....

....so I might as well continue and blog away with some nonsense. The weekend started out OK. Saturday was pretty normal, fooled around on the computer, did some laundry, spent time with my grandson and a friend,etc. But, for some strange reason, my laptop introduced me to the blue screen of death. Thank goodness I have a desktop on which to 'google' stuff.
On Sunday afternoon, after grandson J went home and after a lot of fiddling around, I got it up and running again. Earlier I had been asked if I could babysit and I am so proud that I was able to say 'no'. I had plans and contrary to what some people think, I DO have a life. Sunday night I watched DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, one of my vices. I don't want it to end........that is really the only program I love.
This morning I decided to run Ad-Aware on the laptop and get it cleaned up. I have used that program previously and was reminded to use it again (as I was searching for a fix for the BSOD). I let it run while I ran errands: picked up a few small items at the thrift store and I finally remembered to stop at the jewelry store. While I was waiting (it sure was busy for a Monday morning) I found these original earrings by Viva Beads. http://www.vivabeads.com/viva/




They are handmade clay beads. The green is more of a lime green, which I wear often. They'll go with a lot of things...........and were 30% off. yay!!!! I had 3 reasons to stop at the jewelry store: the main reason being I needed to have a gold band (mom's wedding ring) cut off.....

It was about time, don't ya think? No, it did not hurt....the cutting off or the tight fit. I also needed batteries put into a watch and to have my wedding ring cleaned and checked. The store were I use to go and where it was purchased has closed, so I am happy to have found a reputable place in town.
When I got back home my computer was still scanning....and when it finished I rebooted like it said to do............but...............now I can not get online. I 'googled' the error message and tried the fixes but I am sick and tired of fooling around so, hopefully, tomorrow I can take it in and have someone look at it. Right now all I can do it play solitaire on it................that's kinda an expensive (and big) deck of cards I'd say. The only plus of it not working is that I am not online as much because my desktop is in the basement and my laptop sits on my kitchen table and I check it a million (almost) times a day. Alright, that decision has been made.....on to bigger and better things.....Geez....I forgot to stop at the library and grocery store....so off I go after lunch. I picked up my book for book club, picked up my sparkly, clean wedding ring, and bought some groceries. And that is where I am right now. I think I'll make hubby a semi-decent supper and fold laundry. sounds like fun, eh?


And that was MY wasted Monday..............hope yours was better!

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Thankful for Snow

I am so thankful that I woke up to this (our first snowstorm of the winter on March 3) rather than the devastation from tornadoes that flattened towns in Indiana to Kentucky.

Heavy, wet, snow stuck to the sides of the deck railings.



Tiny File Folders

I found a box of these tiny file folders at our new thrift store and knew they'd be good for something............. For starters...

.....from 'plain Jane' to 'all gussied up' and ready to be made into a book.

I used some stencils and sprayed on inks in a random way. After I used the stencil I flipped it over and laid it on a different side of the paper (not wasting any ink that way-I can not take credit for that- I saw it on YouTube).

Here are 2 of the soon to be pages; the one on top is some unusual paper from some sort of packaging (that I also sprayed), the lower paper is for some sort of stitching craft (so I MIGHT just do a little stitching or not). Two other pages I am making from a brown paper bag (the kind you get when you purchase a card).
And that is as far as I got this week, I hope to post a couple of finished pages and the front. I am not sure how I am binding it. Wish me luck! and creativity too!!!

Friday, March 2, 2012

the Descendants/book review & some other things

I am not a big movie goer so I didn't even know that this was a movie, much less that it was nominated for an Oscar, when I someone else mentioned reading it. Maybe I will see it....I've read the book and that is the order in which I like to proceed. I borrowed the book from Overdrive (since I am too frugal to purchase books for my ereader). I have a lot of free books downloaded.
The story starts with the husband and his 10 year old daughter in the hospital room where the wife is in a coma. She's a young and very energetic woman who was hurt in a boat racing accident. The father learns to deal with his 2 daughters (one of whom he has not been close to) and the young man friend of the older daughter after they took her off of life support systems. He also finds out that his wife was having an affair and he tries to figure out how to handle that situation. They are Hawaiian and at this time he's trying to determine whom to sell some land to. It's a lot for him to think about. I like it and am glad I read it.

re: STILL ALICE
After our book club meeting I saw a facebook post about a book dealing with Alzheimer's that anyone interested in that disease might want to read:
Alzheimer's Disease: What If There Was a Cure? by Mary T Newport

Though Dr. Mary T. Newport has provided professional care to newborns since 1983, she's led a double life since 2000 when she became a caregiver at home. That's when her beloved husband, Steve, first showed signs of Alzheimer's disease. After his deterioration accelerated in 2004, Dr. Newport began avidly researching ways to keep him functional for as long as possible. Since she understands medical terminology and scientific methods, she was thrilled to find new research showing that medium- chain fatty acids, which act like an alternative fuel in the insulin-deficient Alzheimer's brain, can sometimes reverse or at least stabilize the disease. When she gave Steve about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil (a source of these fats) at breakfast before a memory test that he had previously failed, Steve miraculously passed the test. Since then, Steve continues to maintain improvement while taking daily doses of coconut oil and MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil with meals.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Happy Birthday Dr Seuss!!!

Dr. Seuss was born in 1904 in Mass. I didn't realize his birthday was such a big 'holiday', that is with the younger elementary and preschool children. I did some research online and found out that there is a memorial garden in is honor, looks like a great place to visit if you are in that area.
http://www.catinthehat.org/memorial.htm

The Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden is now open at the Springfield Museums in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where Theodor Seuss Geisel was born and which appears to have inspired much of his work.

Sculptor Lark Grey Dimond-Cates, who is also Geisel's step-daughter, created the endearing bronze sculptures of Dr. Seuss and his most beloved characters for the Springfield Library & Museums Association, located in the heart of this city which is on the Connecticut River in Western Massachusetts.

I have a few Dr Seuss books in my collection for the grands. I first started buying them (at garage sales and thrift stores) for my autistic niece. But now I will keep them for the grand kids. Now that I am older and (I hope) wiser I realize the value in the silly, rhyming, books that do have a deeper meaning. I can't say that I have a favorite, but do you?


Wednesday was Grandparents day at the school 2 of my grandsons attend. I was lucky enough to be able to get the day off so I could attend. I haven't been able to get to very many of those special days.
Grandson S (2nd grade) reads GREEN EGGS AND HAM while his brother (1st grade) listens intently. Today I figured out why there was a plethora of Dr Seuss books on the table in his classroom.
He made sure to show us the pictures. The teachers certainly do a great job with them.
Me and 'my boys' in the cafeteria. After we had lunch they both got a book and one small item from the book fair. I had forgotten about it but you know how we grandparents like to spoil them.
I enjoyed our time together and hope I keep getting invitations. They talked me into going outside with them for recess (WINDY day). Grandson J said he likes to jump rope so I helped twirl while the kids jumped. Grandson S ran off to play football for a while then he joined us at the jump rope. After recess Grandson J's teacher told her students it was time to go so I said my good byes and went to Grandson S's room to retrieve my purse. His teacher told me he was crying b/c he thought I left. He is VERY sensitive. That made me start to cry. I stayed in his room for about 20 minutes and we each read a book. It was a great day! I wonder if they have Grandparents day the same time every year to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday?
How will you celebrate?