Prints on sale!

I love the holidays that come at the end of the year, beginning with Thanksgiving and ending with the New Year. And because I love them, I'm offering a holiday sale that begins today, on all of my photography prints. When you buy any two prints, you'll get a third (of equal or lesser value) totally free. And shipping for all of them combined is still only five dollars.

I'm working on getting more photos up to offer and if anyone has a favorite or a suggestion, just let me know and I'll get 'er up there.

I also offer framed prints, and if you buy one of my photographs in a frame, you'll get a free 8x10 or 8x12 of your choice.

To claim your free print, simply send me an e-mail at katydid56@gmail.com letting me know which free print you'd like. Then when I place your order with my pro lab, I'll add your free choice to your order.

I've been busy today. We got up early and headed into Amish country to get my husband some flannel-lined Carhart jeans and me some new light hiker shoes I can kick around in. Then we visited a wine store in Delaware called Total Wine. I think they may have every kind of wine known to man. We chose three bottles, all chardonnays from the Russian River Valley in California. This was my husband's idea and he thought it would be fun to do a taste test this afternoon. Unfortunately, with the meds he's on, I'll be the only one doing the tasting. Hey, wait a minute . . . that doesn't sound so unfortunate! (For me, at least).

After we got home, I spent hours outside working in the cold. I put away all the flower pots and raked up all the clippings from when my husband trimmed the hedges off the breakfast nook patio. He came out to visit me once, but said it was too cold. While I worked, it snowed on and off but just flurries. Last night we had some nice big flakes coming down and it was really beautiful watching it fall. But nothing is sticking to the ground just yet.

I've got Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti casserole baking in the oven, and I've got my Balsam & Fir candles burning in the living room. The skies outside are grey, but it's nice and homey in here. And once we get the fireplace working in this room, it will be heavenly.

Today, I'm tasting a chardonnay from River Road Vineyards in California. This is their 2006 River Road Reserve Collection and I'm liking this little number. I'll spare you my ineffectual review, especially since the last one I did was simply ridiculous. I will tell you that I'm not a fan of too much oak. And I appreciate the fact that this wine is not hitting me in the head with oak planks.

The winemaker notes that this particular wine has inviting citrus, kiwi fruit, and custard aromas with bright floral notes. The flavors of ruby grapefruit, cantaloupe, and toffee, end with a pleasing finish of citrus and spice.

It certainly does have a finish of citrus and a hint of spice, but I'm giving this wine a 6.5 on my own personal scale of 10. It's not as smooth as I prefer, but it's certainly a decent glass of chardonnay. Wine lovers are advised to visit my friend, Cathy, over at Noble Pig for some excellent wine reviews and suggestions.

My favorite bottle stopper, Monkey Boy, is also pictured here. I bought him at Bombay Company several years ago and put him in my Christmas stocking. Nobody ever puts anything in my Christmas stocking, so I have to do it myself. And I used to love opening stocking presents. Unfortunately, I don't anymore because I already know what they are.

On another note, photographers who use Photoshop and specifically those who use Photoshop Actions, need to know that TOTALLY RAD is having a one day sale on Black Friday. Every action pack is $25 off for one day only, the Friday after Thanksgiving. I may just get myself my Christmas present early this year.

So remember, my sale begins TODAY on my etsy site. Framed prints make great Christmas presents and inexpensive frames can be found at any number of places.

And on November 30, I'm doing a Giveaway on this blog site.

Well, until tomorrow, my friends . . .

The perks (and downfalls) of my job

Look at this beautiful creation. This has to be the prettiest cupcake I've ever seen in my life.

And it's extra large. You probably can't tell by the picture, but it's twice the size of a regular cupcake, and was made from scratch.

When it's a child's birthday, their parents often send in something sweet to celebrate it. We are always getting little visitors to the office, offering their cupcakes and telling us today is their birthday.

And please don't tell them this, but although I always accept their offerings, I rarely eat them. It's not just the caloric bounty of the little devils, it's that they don't look (or taste, I'm sure) like THIS!!

My friend, the art teacher, came in to visit at the end of the day and she took one look at this cupcake and pronounded that it could be in the movies. It's a movie star cupcake.

It was the talk among everyone at school this afternoon.

And to think this little girl whose birthday was today is only in the 5th grade. This means we get many more years of awesome deliciousness and layers on our hips.

And yes, in case you're wondering, it tasted even better than it looked, if that was possible.

Oh, mama.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

(if I can still fit into my jeans, that is) . . .

Warning: This could be habit-forming

I found a blog today that I'd like to share with you, with a word of caution.

It's going to be addicting.

This morning, I went on Pioneer Woman's site and it seems like a lot of people are now doing what I started doing ages ago when I left a comment. I leave my blog address. It was a way to get my name out there, and I didn't do it all the time, but when I first began doing it, I apologized for it. You see, I'd written Ree about three separate times asking if I could advertise my blog on her site. I was willing to pay and I had seen other blogs advertised there.

But she never got back to me.

It was ok because I know how terribly busy she is with all those kids, all those cows, all that e-mail and those comments to read, not to mention all those PHOTOS she takes. And so I'd slip my address in there, right under my comment, real sneaky-like. And people started coming to my blog. And I was glad.

I always check out the commenters at Ree's site who do the same thing as I did, and today I found a blog. It's not just any blog, but one that posts a giveaway. Every. Single. Day. What an excellent idea for a blog! It's called A Giveaway A Day.

From cosmetic bags to household cleaning products, and everything in between, every single day a different giveaway is announced. All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment and you'll be notified if you've won.

And on November 30th, I'm being highlighted for the daily giveaway. I'll be giving away an 8x10 or 8x12 print of your choice from my etsy site.

So check it out. Visit Liz and when you're there, tell her I sent you.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Surprise package

When I got to work this morning, there was a package sitting on my desk waiting for me with the words "congrats on winning!" on it.

I couldn't think what I had won, but the writing looked friendly enough, so I figured it wasn't a bomb. The teacher whose duty it is to be at my desk manning the phones stayed to see what it was.

I'd forgotten that I'd entered a contest over on a fellow blogger's site, Making Room for Serendipity, by Tiffany. And lo and behold, I won. If you haven't been there yet, check out her site. She's always giving good tips about contests out there in blogging land.

My good friend, Adrienne, will be very happy to learn that I won some more tea! I've got a nice big mug, some Celestial Seasonings tea, some stuff for my tootsies and a book to read. Thanks, Tiff!!

Since I wrote the tea post, and read your wonderful comments, I've been having a cup every day when I get home. Lately I've been enjoying a white leaf tea flavored with peach. Ding dang diddly, it sure is good. And at the end of the day, driving home, I find myself thinking about that nice warm cup of tea. I'm trying not to think of a nice cold glass of charonnay, can you tell?

I wanted to give you a heads up about a sale I'm having on my etsy site. It will begin this weekend and run through most of December. I'm offering a buy two, get one free sale. Buy any two photos and get one (of equal or lesser value) totally free. And if you buy one framed print, you get a free 8x12 print.

Instructions for claiming your free print will be on the site. They're simple. After you place your order, you send me an e-mail letting me know which free print to send you.

I've had such great feedback from people who have purchased my prints. I'd like to share something with you that my blogging friend, Maria (Gardening with Turtles) wrote me regarding her purchase. She had initially been concerned about the the intricacies of shipping framed prints that contained glass, as she had ordered one of the preying mantis. And when it arrived, she sent me this e-mail that I've reprinted with her permission.

"Dear Kate,

You know how I went on and on about how you should minimize selling your framed prints? I changed my mind on that.

I got your print last night and I am all for framing now. I cannot believe how excellent that packaging was, there was no way it could get damaged, scratched, whatever. Impressive. And the walnut frame looks fabulous with your print.

So, so pretty . . . it makes your photo look so good. I love it. I hope this etsy thing becomes a big success. I love, love, love my praying mantis print. When I finally got all the packaging removed and saw the photo for the first time, (this is true), out loud I said, "OOOOOOOHHHHH!!!!!!" The birds can back me up on that. :-)"

I'm so glad you liked it, Maria! The pro lab I use is fantastic and they do an excellent job framing, packing and shipping. And Russell, your prize is on its way. The lab e-mailed me yesterday to say it had shipped. As many of you know, Russell was the winner in the most recent giveaway.

Well, until tomorrow, my friends . . .

The sweetest thing

The sweetest thing happened to me today.

Let me start by reminding you that my husband is jobless at the moment. He's getting better, both mentally and physically as each day goes by, and keeps busy with things to do around the house.

My laundry is always done for me, the kitchen is tidy, he's trimmed many of the hedges outside, and picked up the numerous branches that fall from the trees and well, the list goes on.

At times, he goes onto to the internet to surf the web and he's been asking me what I want for my birthday, which is around Thanksgiving.

I don't want him spending our savings on things we don't need. And if he's approved for disability (he better be!) the first check won't come in until the end of May, which is insane. (I can see how people in this country go bankrupt when a medical situation arises in the family). But we're okay for now.

What I really want is a 300 mm camera lens, but I refuse to let him spend the money on something so frivilous. What I really I need, I told him, is a jewelry box.

I've become tired of storing my jewelry in the boxes that my pieces have come in. I have a hinged wooden box that I also use, and have made partitions in it to separate my things. But they get all tangled up and it's maddening, especially in the morning when I'm looking for a certain piece to wear or trying to find the mate to an earring.

When I walked in the door today, he told me, "Oh, I went on the internet and looked at jewelry boxes and I can't believe how expensive they are. So I made you a jewelry box for your birthday. It's upstairs where you keep all your stuff."

My first thought was that was a huge sentence for him and I was thrilled that he was talking so much!

My second thought, however, was what it was that awaited me upstairs, and as I climbed the steps, I was thinking how I was going to not hurt his feelings when I saw this gift.

I mean, how could he "make me" a jewelry box?

I entered the master bathroom, where there is a huge walk-in linen room. Imagine my complete surprise when I looked on the jewelry shelf and saw a real jewelry box! It has little pull-out drawers lined with gold paper and shiny little brass drawer pulls. It's very rustic, but I was completely touched at the thought of him working hard, all day long, on this gift just for me.

He told me he had found an old tool box-looking thing downstairs in the recesses of the basement. And my heart sank as I realized that this was one of the many tool boxes that the grandfather of the current owner of this house made. I figured on letting the owner know and I could use the box as long as we live here.

When I went to work the following day, I told the owner's wife what had happened. And I get to keep this jewelry box!

Now, looking at it, I know you're probably thinking that it's just a box made of plywood, but to me it has my husband's heart in it. He found something that was completely covered in dust and some mold and he sanded it and cleaned it and dried it. He then painted it in a dark stain that he found lying around. He polished the brass and then lined each tiny drawer with gold gift wrapping paper.

Can you imagine losing your job and having nothing to do all day long? It would drive me mad! This kept him busy and entertained for an entire day.

And I am truly blessed to have him.

Favorite Things: Earl Grey tea with jasmine

I love Earl Grey tea, especially when I buy it loose with jasmine blossoms in it. And today, I used my very last bit.

I love it even more when it's in my favorite teacup, the one with the dragonflies on it, the one my friend Lynn gave me for Christmas one year.

"I'm going to have to go to the little tea shoppe for more of this Earl Grey", I thought. But wait!! I think I have enough tea in my cupboards.

Drinking hot tea is something I do when the weather turns chilly, and it reminds me of a conversation I had with Adrienne exactly one month ago, while I was in the hospital with my husband and she and several others were setting up our house for us, as we'd just moved that weekend.

She called me on my cell and my husband had just been moved into a private room. I'd been sitting there next to him, reading a book. I took the call out in the hallway, trying to be quiet.

A: Hey, is this a good time? How's he doing?

CG: Yeah, it's fine. He's napping. I think he's going to be ok.

A: That's so good, Kate. I'm just calling to tell you that you have a serious addiction.

CG: Me? I have an addiction? What addiction?

A: Your fricken tea, you moron! Do you have any idea how much fricken tea you have in this kitchen? I must have unpacked an entire box of it!

CG: Well, yeah, I know I have a lot of tea.

A: Why do you have this much tea? And more importantly, when was the last time you ever drank a cup of tea? I've never seen you drink tea!

CG: Um, well, I drink it in the fall and the winter. When it gets cold, you know . . . And I drink it iced in the summer, when it's hot . . . so I drink tea.

A: Oh, my God. You and your fricken rules. You have rules about tea? I've told you, YOU HAVE ISSUES!!!

A: And they involve TEA!!! Among other things.

CG: Um, Adrienne, what is the problem? I mean, people give me tea as gifts at school. They know that I, um, like it, I guess.

A: You have enough tea here to put it all in its own cabinet, do you know that? You could open a shop with all this tea! And I even had to throw some out!! Your sister agrees with me.

CG: Char agrees with you about my tea? What tea did you throw out? Not the Earl Grey with jasmine!!!

A: I don't know about your Earl Grey, but I threw a mess of it out. You have too much. I think this is an addiciton you have to quit, Kate. Do you buy tea when you're at the grocery store?

CG: Um, sometimes.

A: I KNEW IT!! I knew it wasn't all gifts!!!

CG: Adrienne, just don't throw the Earl Grey out. It's in the white cannister.

A: Oh, don't worry about your precious Earl Grey. It's on the counter. But THE REST OF IT is in a cabinet. An entire cabinet.

CG: Why are you so upset?

A: I'm not upset. I'm just messing with you! Hahaha! Hey, I gotta go. Your sister's drinking all the wine. See ya!

I looked at the phone. And I shook my head. I would have rather been at my new house with them, laughing over my addiction to fine teas, among all the other issues Adrienne says I have. But I was here with my husband. And I was so lucky to have family and friends who were moving us into our new home.

And laughing over all of my things!!!

The Earl Grey with jasmine really is my favorite. Oh, I know! Maybe Adrienne will give me a box of it for my birthday!

Not!!!

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Rainy Friday

School was closed Friday, mainly to give the teachers a break because the previous day is traditionally "Conference Day" and we ask the teachers to stay until 8 PM. I don't teach, but I also get the day off.

Click on any of these photos to enlarge.

I took a drive with my husband towards coastal Delaware, along Route 9. We crossed the bridge over the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal and continued south. It was coming on high tide and when that happens, sometimes the roads get a bit flooded. We got out and walked where we could, but it was the first day of bow season and our usual walking places were packed with hunters.

It rained on and off, and eventually settled into a swirling mist while the sky lightened and darkened. I don't know about you, but I love days like this. I don't feel so badly about settling into a comfy chair and reading a book, or working on my photographs on the computer.

My husband bought a paper and told me to feel free to stop at any of my favorite shops along the route home. Huh? He said to go ahead; he'd just sit in the car and read the paper and he and George would be just fine. So I stopped at a little shop in Middletown, DE near the horse farm on which we lived.

The shop was decorated entirely for the holidays and even had Christmas music on (good grief). I bought a candle with a scent I love as well as a little primitive snowman. I collect snowmen and I really needed this one. Really.

Can you imagine how difficult it is for a man to relinquish driving to his wife, and for him to sit calmly by and not tell her exactly how to drive, where to park, where to go, etc. etc.? Can you imagine your husband doing this? It ain't easy, my friends. But today, my husband somehow shut his mouth and just let me drive. And honestly, it was nice. He's doing a bit better as the days go by and the pain has lessened tremendously. And the best part is the word retrieval. I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but I was afraid that we'd never have a real conversation again. At times, it's so difficult for him to find the words he needs to say. But there has been such an amazing improvement and to talk with him now, you'd never know he had brain surgery less than a month ago.

It's raining again today. And it's fine with me.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Vintage textile book giveaway and vintage George

Blogging friend Erin, over at The Good Life in Virginia, is hosting her very first Giveaway and you're all welcome to join in the fun. All that's needed is a valid e-mail address and a comment about one of your funniest holiday memories.

The winner will be awarded a copy of her vintage textile book and a little something extra. And I love vintage textiles!

So head on over. I'll be here when you get back.

Vintage George

Photo taken October, 2007

Tomorrow (Friday) I have the day off from school. Maybe I'll take my husband for a drive somewhere. It's been a couple of weeks since we last did that, and George would love to take a nice little walk somewhere. My husband is getting stronger and is doing allright.

Some have asked me to post more photographs of the inside of the house and I'd like you to know that I'm pretty wary of doing so and I'll tell you why. It's because this house isn't 'ours'. We're living in it and caretaking for it. There are still many things in the home that belong to the owners and it would be wrong to photograph it for public display. Besides, they've asked that I refrain from doing so on my blog. And until they asked, I hadn't even thought of it. I don't mind taking pictures of my own things, and every now and then showing another corner of one of the rooms that we're using, but just so you know where I stand, ok?

Survivor was on tonight and it's always a surprise to me when my husband tells me during dinner that "Survivor is on tonight." It's like a treat. I don't think about TV all day long and to find out that our favorite show is on is like a surprise. I'm an airhead sometimes.

So anyone watch tonight?

Winner Announced in Contest

We have a winner. Out of 56 comments, I've chosen one. Every comment was cut and folded and placed in a basket. And the winner is . . . drum roll here . . .

RUSSELL

Congratulations, Russell! Please e-mail me at katydid56@gmail.com to claim your framed print. I'll need your address to ship it to you.

I want to thank everyone for entering this contest by telling me what makes you happy. And from your comments, I see that they were all such very simple things, like the love of your family, taking walks, knitting or reading, housecleaning (I love a gleaming home), gardening, baking, holding the one you love, having a meal alone at a diner and people-watching . . . and if I've left yours out, I'm sorry. There were just so many things that we do to make us feel happy!

I'm really glad to report that I've sold several items from my new Etsy site. And George wants to be in an advertisement for it. I'm working on that.

With the holidays approaching, I plan on having a couple more giveaways just to get in the festive spirit of the season.

So, until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Photography Meme (and the contest is still on)

I was tagged in a Photography Meme over at Daryl's blog, Out & About in New York City. The object is to go to your 4th photo file, then to your 4th photo inside that file and then post it.

When I went to this file, I was surprised and gladdened to see a picture of my husband there! I had taken it in early April when we lived on the horse farm we'd been living on for ten years until he got let go. Things were fine and life was pretty good. He had just thrown a frisbee to our puppy, George, when I caught him in my long lens with this shot. I remember working on it in Photoshop with some B&W actions I'd just purchased from Kevin Kubota's site.

I could tag people, yes I could. So here's how I'm going to do it, and listen up photographers out there ~ all of you who have blogs, from beginners to experienced: (gosh, I sound like I do on the intercom at school, "listen up, students") ~ If you take pictures and you have photo files, you are all tagged to post this meme, ok? Feel free to link back to me and show me your pictures! And consider yourselves officially "Tagged"!

And now, a word from George:

Hi, this is George.

(he's really not talking, you know that, right?)

I got a present today from mom's friend, Terrie.

(he really did. it came in a basket along with pampering presents for me.)

Terrie works at a neo-natal hospital in Baltimore. Johns Hopkins.

(omg. he is such a smart dog. i only mentioned this once to him.)

Mom told me that Terrie's favorite part of her blog is when she posts about me.

(also true. this dog doesn't lie.)

I want to thank her for the dog yummies.

(he's never had this kind before.)

I also want to give everyone my address:

It's George Young . . .

(no, George, no. bad dog. this is not polite.)

Well, people might want to send me something.

(ok; he's chewing a yummie right now and has totally forgotten this conversation.)

Anyway, thanks Terrie! I really needed that!

The contest to win the framed print is still on (see 2 posts below) and will be on until Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6 PM Eastern Standard Time. Winner to be announced at 9 PM when I post Thursday's post.

Thanks for all your good wishes on my Etsy shop. It means a lot to me.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Sneak Preview of my Etsy site (and the contest is still on)

I've been working my fingers to the bone and if you click on the widget to the right, you'll get an idea of what I'm offering for sale in my new shop.

The framed prints are a little pricey, but they're an excellent quality and they're big. So far, I've only got 8x12 prints offered in frames, but I'm going to be selling smaller ones as well.

My 8x12 archival quality prints are $20 with a small shipping charge. I don't even know if it works to click on and purchase something and I'm still working out the little glitches. But it's fun!

I've been giving away my photographs because well, I like to give things away. But I also think that maybe now is the time to begin to realize my dream of one day selling my work.

Today my co-worker, Rich, told me that it just wasn't right not posting until Wednesday night, JUST because I'm having a contest. He said he needs his morning fix of my Chronicles and it's just not the same going to the Picture A Day site. There aren't any stories there, he stated.

Well, we can't let Rich down now, can we? Besides, he's gleaning all this information from the little vocabulary links I put in my posts. And Rich, I'm not linking gleaning. You should already know what that one means.

The contest is still on (see post below) and the framed print is in my shopping cart just waiting to be won. I am enjoying reading all your answers to the question "What makes you truly happy?" I'm finding that simple pleasures, the love of your family, favorite hobbies, and so many other pasttimes are shared by so many of you.

Well, it's bedtime and I'm tired. And so I'll say:

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Another contest! Win this framed print!

Time's Up! Winner to be announced around 9 PM. Thanks to all who entered!

I am in the mood for a another contest. And this is the prize. It's a 6X9 print of a photo I posted on my PictureADay site called Looking Up. The photograph is printed on archival quality Kodak Professional Supra Endura VC Digital Paper and framed in mpix's bronze ornate with a 1" white matting under clear glass.

To enter this contest, you have to answer one simple question. Are you ready?

The question is: "What is one thing that you do for yourself that makes you truly happy?"

Inquiring minds want to know.

Personally, there a number of things I do for myself to make me happy. Photography is one of them. Walking is another. Cooking? I'd be lying if I said that made me happy, although surprisingly, sometimes it does. I told you it was the pink countertops!!

So, tell me. It's the only requirement to entering this contest.

You have until Wednesday, November 12 at 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. After that, I will draw one number from a hat. It doesn't matter when you respond, but it must be before 6 PM this coming Wednesday.

I'm going to be a little busy early this week. I have some appointments with my husband and I'm also (surprise!) working on an Etsy to sell my prints. I'm also planning on selling some of them pre-framed, as is this particular print. If purchased from my site, it would probably cost you $65 framed.

So think about the question. And remember, that whatever it is that makes you happy ~ I am not judging on what makes YOU, PERSONALLY happy. I'm pulling your name out of a hat. And you are telling ME what it is that makes you really smile.

Have fun with it, ok?

I will post the winner around 9:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday evening, November 12.

Until then, my friends, you can catch me daily at my PictureADay site . . .

A little song, a little dance

First off, the title of this post has absolutely nothing to do with this post. I've just had that song running in my head for a little while and had to get rid of it!

The sunset through the trees this evening was barely caught by me. I'd come home from work at 4:30 this afternoon to find my husband sitting on the porch. I kissed him hello but was sidetracked by the sunset, so I ran to get the camera. It's too early for the sun to be setting!

The picture above and the one of George, below, were both taken the other evening during a walk around the property. This is in the front of the house.

I read so many wonderful blogs and wish I could visit them all every single day. If you're interested in reading, Mental Pause Mama is hosting a book club and the first book is Twilight. Visit her site to find out more. I've just finished it and didn't think I'd like it when I first saw it advertised. Not at all. Bunch of vampires and weirdness is what I thought. But I loved it! It was beautiful.

This weekend, my friends Jeff and Karen are coming out. You've seen Karen (and daughter Adrienne) on my blog before. They've been my friends since I was about 18 and they were just getting together back then. I'm glad they're coming, but my husband is quite sure he isn't up to any company. I think we can be quiet enough to keep him content, and besides ~ it's not only him they're coming out to see. It's been difficult, but I'd rather not complain. So 'nuff said for now.

I saw a fun little meme on Willow's blog. Have you been there yet? It's magical and so well-written. I'm considering myself tagged, as she said. So here goes:

CLOTHES SHOP

I love browsing for clothing and always have. To see beautiful things makes me feel a little better. I usually always shop alone.

FURNITURE SHOP

I have enough furniture and got several pieces from Ethan Allen. The rest is a mish mash that seems to work. I'd really rather accessory shop for decorative items. I love decorating.

SWEETS

I like sweets, there's no doubt about it. When I'm sad or upset, I seem to crave them more. At the hospital recently, I ate lots of M&M peanuts from the vending machines. This was bad.

CITY

The closest big city is either Philadelphia or Baltimore. I'm between both. The city is fun to visit, but I prefer my country home. I have a son who lives in NYC and I LOVE visiting there!

DRINK

Why, yes I do. I love a good glass of wine. Bass Ale is my favorite beer, if I'm so inclined or crabs or pizza are on the menu. But whatever you have is fine.

MUSIC

I love listening to music. Current faves are Jack Johnson and Ray LaMontagne, among others.

TV

I used to watch a lot more TV, before I began blogging. I do watch Survivor every Thursday night with my husband because it's one of his favorite shows. He also likes Dancing with the Stars (don't tell him I told you!!) but he can't remember the name of it, so he calls it The Survivor Dancing Show. He liked that show called America's Greatest Dog but called it The Survivor Dog Show.

FILM

I adore movies. From old to new, I love watching them. I'll always go to the movies with a friend, if they ask. Can't wait to see Twilight later this month. And I'm looking forward to the Secret Life of Bees.

COFFEE

Can't live without it. The aroma is a panacea for my soul. That link there is for Rich.

Feel free to consider yourselves tagged as you read this post. I'd like to see your answers, too.

Well, until tomorrow, my friends . . .

A little funny

A Michigan couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the Email.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's' funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack. The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: My Loving Wife

Subject: I've Arrived

Date: February 24, 2008

I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. Sure is freaking hot down here.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Photo courtesy www.privateislandsonline.com

There's a front moving in

Quiet day here in Maryland with gray skies and a little rain. As I write this post, a front is blowing in, a Bruce Springsteen concert is on TV, my husband is napping on the couch and the little black cat is curled up on a pillow next to me. Where's Georgie? Oh yeah, there he is. He's over by the front door lying down in one of his favorite spots.

So you can see it's excitement galore here. But secretly, let me tell you honestly that I LOVE this. It feels normal, you know? I can hear the wind outside and we're safe and warm in here. We have a home to live in and we're blessed with that.

Now let's get to the winners of the Pay It Forward contest from yesterday. They are:

Jessica at MomShots

Tiffany at Making Room for Serendipity

Kelly at America as Seen by Kelly

They'll each be getting something from me in the mail very soon and then they'll host a pay it forward contest on their blogs, so be sure to visit and be one of the first three commenters.

Thanks to all for your opinions on the Mary Poppins issue, the hot topic from yesterday. Honestly, I can't believe how vacuous my posts are sometimes. There's another word for you, Rich. The Mary Poppins issue came up when my friend, who I told you would remain nameless, told someone they reminded him of Mary Poppins. Told her, to her chagrin, mind you, which puzzled him. You see, he thought this would be a grand compliment because the Poppins rocks his world. Now some of you agreed with him that yes, she is quite the hottie. Check out that link, Rich. It's the Urban Dictionary.

However, if a man told me that I reminded him of Mary Poppins, I'd have to hit him with my big umbrella (the one with the parrot head on the handle). Don't get me wrong. I loved watching Mary Poppins and even today, I'd enjoy it. But you aren't giving me a compliment telling me I remind you of the magical British nanny.

So that's where that came from. And so, without further ado,

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Pay It Forward

The other day, my friend Daryl ran a pay it forward contest and I was one of three lucky winners. I received this in the mail today:

It's a ceramic tile, a fun vintage map of New York City. I also got a really cool New York keychain with my name on it. WOW! Thanks, Daryl.

And now it's my turn to pay it forward. The first THREE people to leave a comment on this post will receive something from me. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I have a pretty good idea what it might be.

And now I have a question for you. It's silly, but I'm in a silly mood tonight.

I have a friend who seems to have a funny fetish for a certain nanny with secret powers and a magic umbrella. Ok, maybe it's not a fetish per se; we were just talking today about librarians and cute glasses and OH, NEVER MIND!! I promised I would not reveal who this person is. I'm sure he would be extremely embarassed. It's NOT my husband, though.

Anyway, this person thinks that (dare I say this) that Mary Poppins is a hottie. Especially when she's singing "Just a Spoon Full of Sugar" or she's floating around on that magic umbrella of hers, or being especially emphatic with Mr. Banks. Let's just say my friend is a fervent admirer of the Poppins. (I've added these links directly to the dictionary just in case he's reading this post and needs a little help from Mr. Webster).

So I'm asking you . . . is it just me who thinks this is funny? Or is Mary P really a *gasp* hottie?

Inquiring minds need to know.

Back to work

Hickory at Twilight

I returned to work today, leaving around lunchtime. I can't tell you how good it felt to be with my 'other family' today. And I wouldn't be as calm as I am if I didn't have the support of our Head of School and our faculty.

After the morning began, I quickly slipped out to grab a little cup of coffee from the break room at the end of the hall. I heard the children in the 4th grade classroom next door and went in to see the teacher because it's been so long since we've spoken.

I nearly cried after walking into her classroom and seeing those children stand up and clap for me. Had they noticed I was gone? If I could bottle this feeling: the laughter of children, the kindness of those I work with; there would be no need for anti-depressants.

Okay, enough of this mushy stuff. I'd like to tell you something that I've decided is a really good idea and one that was started by fellow blogger, Chuck Westbrook. I first heard of him while visiting Dlyn's blog last week, and I like the idea he's got going right now.

Here's the idea: There are millions of blogs out there. And some of those blogs are so excellent yet they receive very little traffic in the form of comments. Chuck has devised a plan to aid these bloggers in getting their word out to a bigger audience. Every two weeks, he'll highlight a different blog and along with a number of others, I've elected to go and visit that blog every day for two weeks. After the two weeks, if it's a blog that I'm finding that I really enjoy, I'll continue to visit it. But if not, I'll just move on. The blogger's traffic will increase and the end result should be positive.

The blog that he's chosen for the next two weeks is one that's written by Zoe Westhof, a young American writer currently living in Thailand. Her blog is called Essential Prose. Her writing is superb. She's funny, and goofy sometimes, and I think I'm going to enjoy visiting her every day.

And because I can't let this stop here, I'd like to tell you about a blog that I, personally, am finding really interesting. She's left several comments here, and many of you may already be familiar with her name. Her blog is Woman In A Window, and it's written by Erin from Northern Ontario. She's a wife and a mother of two young children. Her writing is what keeps me going back. She writes from her heart and although sometimes it's dark, it's always real. Give her a read if you have a moment or an hour or two.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .