Winter? Spring? Summer?

Welcome back after the holidays! I hope they were fun and kind to you. Is it time to start following through on your resolutions? Got a few pounds to drop or maybe you need a new relationship? You're not alone.

Find something new to carry you through the winter doldrums: get involved, paint your bedroom, get to know a friend or relative better, read a book, find a hobby thet tickles your fancy.

Go have a beer

Take a bite out of life

Until next time...I know you have dreams; do something about them.

Guilty

Here it is: a long grey cool day in Tennessee. Nothing like the terrible ice and snow storms occurring in the upper Midwest and Northeast. Should I feel guilty that I've seen neither ice, snow, nor frigid temperatures? Maybe not, but I can't help some pangs, owing to having friends and relatives dealing with these conditions. If I just don't brag about it, we'll all feel better.

I'm continuing to gather interesting stories and information relating to kids and human foibles to make us grin, guffaw or gesture. For instance, here is a fun game for kids and grownups alike http://www.elfmovie.com/swf/snowball_fight/index.html If you're really good, you can earn a certificate of distinction to hang on your wall.

I'm beginning a fun new contest for the best caption for a picture I will post twice a month. You can win great gifts from my back hall closet. I will judge the best caption submitted and award the prize. Here is the first picture, so put on your thinking caps!

That's it for this Saturday...have a great week!

Please Yourself Day

Almost winter, almost Christmas, but today is a grey, not-much-of-anything day. I resolve to do no work today to celebrate it. I will read, nap, watch a DVD, eat if I feel like it and browse interesting blogs, but NO WORK. Everyone shold have such a day, and I propose that Hallmark should make it popular and profitable.

Actually, even with the greyness, Tennessee is pretty in it's own way. The trees are almost completely devoid of foliage, which is piled up all over the ground and blowing about in gusts. I pulled a few small branches with red gold leaves still attached and have them placed in containers around the house for color and connection to the waning autumn outside.

Tomorrow, I will join the throngs of 'people-getting-ready-for-the-holidays' and I wish you a great day and a really great weekend.

How to cook a turkey

How To Cook A Turkey?Advice from Kindergarten and 1st graders from Fentress County, TN

I'm going to take its feathers and wings off and take its bones out. I will cook it in my mom's microwave for twenty minutes. Then put it in plates for everyone and eat it Isaac C.

I'm going to put pepper and salt on it and crackers. I will cook it with the stove for five minutes, then eat it.Wesley B

I would cut the skin off and wash the turkey off. I would wrap it up and cook it in the stove for eight hours. Then put it in my car and take it to Thanksgiving. Isaiah S.

Go hunting for a turkey. I put sticks on the side of the fire I built and roast it. I put it in a bag to take home for everyone to eat. trey

To cook a turkey, I will get the turkey from the store and then go home and wash it I will stick the little needle thing in it to clear the inside. I will pick the feathers off the turkey and put it on the stove at 55 degrees. then I will take it off the stove and take it to grandma's house for Thanksgiving. Sara C.

I will buy the turkey from the store. Then I will cook it with the stove being really hot. I will take it out of the stove and eat it with a fork and ketchup. Hunter F

I will get a turkey from the store. I will buy it with money and take it home and play with it. Austin M

I would go to the store to get some turkey. Then I would go get some juice. Tehn I would go get some milk. We would go get some potato chips. I would put the turkey in the oven for five minutes then I would get some pork chops. We got carrots and peas, potatoes and green beans. I would invite Kylie to my Thanksgiving and Ashleigh. I would invite Kirston and Paige. My grandma and grandpa would come. I would invite Ms. Neta and Mrs. Tammy to my Thanksgiving. My moma and my daddy would be there. Hailley G

Good Sunday morning

It's a sunny but chilly morning...makes me want to either crawl back into bed and read, or jump up and do all sorts of creative things...guess what wins?

I fund a great article in our local paper yesterday abut giving allowances to kids - how, why, when. I think I will put it into this page, a section at a time. My children are grown and gone, but I think many parents will find it interesting and thought-provoking. Watch for it and for bits from my store newsletter as well.

Kids on Love:

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

Found: great new site

I've been searching for places to get new and interesting clothes and items for my children's store lately. I stumbled across this site full of people selling quality handmade items of all sorts. The site was named one of the 50 best of 2007 and I joined it before I even knew that. It is definitely worth a look. http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1633488_1633458_1633474,00.html
If anyone has other bright ideas, I'd love to hear about it.

New Beginnings

It may sound strange to call this a time of new beginnings, but think about it. Though autumn is the end of summer, growing things and picnics in shorts, it also is the introduction to the holiday season, a winter wonderland and a warm feeling of family traditions. For me this year, it is an opportunity to spread my wings and create a place for new friends and acquaintances to learn, grow, have fun and rejoice in being who we are.

My wish for this year is to experience fully the joy, the life affirming experience of getting to know everyone who comes to this safe place.
My hope is that we will learn from each other and grow a bit.

See you soon!

BTW have you heard?
Butt Dust What, you ask, is "Butt Dust"? Read on and you'll discover the joy in a child's sincere originality. No adult is this creative!!

The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon..."Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we are but dust..." He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, "Mom, what is butt dust?"