Wednesday Wars

Me and my Bro circa 1966

Air raid drills, vietnam, Martin Luther King, flower people, cream puffs, Bobby Kennedy, and Shakespeare all rolled in to a great story.  The Wednesday Wars is a children's novel that took me by surprise.  I loved this book that takes place in the 60's.  It is for children ages 8-12 but I say ages 8-101.  It is the story of Holling Hoodhood and his seventh grade year in Jr. high with a teacher who"hates his guts".  She tortures him with pounding erasers and Shakespeare and just like Shakespeare at times the book is a laugh out loud comedy and at other times a tragedy.  If you were in grade school in the 60's you will relate to the air raid drills and climbing under the school desks with your hands over your head waiting for the bell to ring.  If you didn't grow up during that time then you will get a feel for what it was like.  This book has some great laughs, great characters and inspiring moments.  

National Clean Off Your Desk Day

 How does your desk look.  Mine is not the worst ever but it is a mess.  Ok here it is.

The thing is I went to the gym and did a spin class. The first time in a long time.  I thought I was going to throw up, then I thought I was going to pass out.  I actually made it to the end of class without either happening.  My face was as red as you could possibly imagine.  My head has hurt the rest of the day.  How red well about THIS RED.


I made a million phone calls trying to find a place to put our company logo on a couple of Jerseys.  How many phone calls A GAZILLION.  Then I finally googled the perfect search words and found a local company that is going to do exactly what we wanted.  Relief!!!  My head still hurt.

Now  I find out it's National clean off your desk day.  It's 7:08 p.m.. my desk is a mess....or is it a mess?  I have  important things very strategically placed and filed. See what I mean

I think it's perfect.

Well almost!  Now this is PERFECT!


How does your desk look?  

The Happy Book Collector

Once again Kohl's is offering  a great deal on children's picture books.  This time around it is an all time favorite Eric Carle.

The Hungry Caterpillar

The Grouchy Ladybug

The Mix-up Chameleon

The Foolish Tortise

At $5.00 a pop they are a steal.  The plush toys are an added bonus at $5.00.  All the money goes to a good cause which gives one more reason to make the purchase.

I don't work for Kohl's or get free books from them, or payment for promoting their cause.  I just think it's a dang good deal.

FOR MY KIDS

Time

This year in Primary we gave the children a 3 minute hour glass to remind them to read their scriptures each day for just 3 short minutes.  Yesterday in my travels to return the last few things from Christmas I noticed hour glasses in the home decorations department of one of the stores.  They were spiffy with special little stands to put them on.  They were also expensive but that's another story.  I've been thinking about time a lot lately.

How to use my time wisely.
What to do with my time.
Why has time gone so fast?
How much time is left?
What is most important to do with my time?
If certain things are worth my time.
Do I give enough time to important things?
Wishing I could go back in time and do some things differently.

Anyways you get the drift.  I recently visited a website on Happiness.  The writer states "The days are long, but the years are short".  So true.  How did all the years go so quickly and how did I get this old?  So with the new year I am hoping to figure out how to best use my time.  It may be a process.  It WILL be a process.  I know that I want to spend more time connecting with family and friends.  I want more time spent improving myself spiritually & physically.   I have an educational goal that I want to complete.  I also want to take time to appreciate what I have and enjoy the moment that I am in.

What are you going to do with your time?  Are you going to try something new or rededicate yourself to something you have already started?  What would you do if someone gave you an extra hour every day?
Let me know what you think.  It really won't take much time .....

HOUSEKEEPING:  I was told by my kids that they like when I keep my blog up and going.  I was going to scrap it.  So here you go kids.  This of course is probably only read by you so you must make comments.  Show me the love!

WHAT'S THAT:  If by chance someone stumbles upon this and is confused.  Primary is essentially what most churches would refer to as Sunday School for the Children.

Happy New Year

“You cannot put the same shoe on every foot.”

                                                                                                                           Publilius

Happy Holidays

Home Sweet Home.

I'm back.

This was my fist trip ever to Europe.  (oh, and Africa)

I have had major jet lag.

I feel sorry for Ken, every time I sit down I start to fall asleep.

I missed Ken terribly.

I saw amazing places.

I was with wonderful friends.

I will post pictures of my trip in random order.

Because I feel like it!

I took all my photos from my teeny tiny Canon point and shoot.

I have no regrets about leaving the big Mother Camera at home.


This is Genoa,  Italy.


One of the first wonders of Italy we discovered was their hot chocolate.  Best way to describe it is hot pudding.  The flavor was delizioso.  This was breakfast along with a panini.  Those Italians have got the breakfast thing right.

St Lawrence Cathedral in Genoa.  This Cathedral was so interesting to me because of the black and white stone that was used to construct it.  The color was so striking.  Check it out.  

Beauty in the details....

This is the main plaza.  The three large buildings are essentially their post office, wall street, and the bank.

Oh look,  me in the main Plaza.  The buildings are fantastic.  

These are the gates to the city.  They are right next to the little, teeny tiny house Christopher columbus grew up in.

The home that Christopher Columbus grew up in.  Very,very small!  Three levels, each level the size of a average american bathroom.  Four Euros to see.  Hey,  we want our money back!

My friends Florence and Angie in CC's back yard.  Small house - Big yard - made the kid dream big and go out and discover a new world.

Some additional sights from Genoa.   Ahhhh!

Random memories.....

"You want how much for the taxi?"
"Stay close together, its late and this isn't a good area!"
"Italy is always a good idea in the Fall."
"I need to get some Euros., NOW"
"Where can we get a bus ticket."
"We will just take our luggage and ride the train to Savona.  No big deal it will be easy!"
"Janet, what's he saying?"