Handy Andy

Look what WE did! 

 As I've said before, WE means Andy!  I just stand around and take pictures. 

We have a small guest room that used to be our daughter's/grandchildren's room.  It was in dire need of a makeover.  Andy decided to tackle the job.  This isn't the first time he's done this to a room but this is the one I'll show you today since WE just finished! 

The yellow walls make this room bright and cheery.  In fact, my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter thought the light was on in the room as she walked past. 

Now, this is where all of you come in.  The room is in need of decorating but I'm not sure what to do.  It's small but even a small room needs things on the wall and an accent color.  So...give me some ideas.  Please!

What should I do for a window treatment?  What color should I put with the yellow wall and white bead board?  Why am I such a flunkee when it comes to decor?  If you help me I'll be able to say, "Look what WE did!

One more Handy Andy project.  

A bling holder!  This is much better than having my necklaces in small bags hiding in a basket!

It's always fun to see what WE can do!  I think I'll keep Andy around for a long time.

Grandparents Day at Kindergarten

The Corbanator sent me an invitation to come to his kindergarten class for Grandparents Day.  I was to be there for all 3 hours!  I couldn't imagine what the grandparents would be doing for all that time.  Since Corban is very active, inquisitive and verbal, I also wondered if it was only HIS grandparents who were invited! 

His other grandma, Grandma Nina, who was my friend before she became my son's MIL, attended too.  We had a great time!  It was fun to see how the teacher taught.   The hours flew by (kinda) and we were involved with the children doing art projects, writing, counting, reading and watching a program put on by the students. 

The one thing I was waiting for that never happened was snack.  When did they do away with that?  I remember taking naps in kindergarten but that was 100 years ago.  Things change.  These kids are so busy learning, they don't have time to eat or take naps!

Corban, thanks for the fun morning!

Who Has the Right of Way?

Many of you know that I went to China last June for 2 weeks.  It was a marvelous experience, filled with the culture, smells, sounds, ands sights of China. With over 22 million people in Beijing, the traffic was astounding.  I was grateful that we had our own personal driver and I didn't need to drive, however, being a pedestrian was an adventure on its own.  Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way.

This short video was taken in one of the large intersections in Beijing.  We were half way across, standing under an over-pass when I started recording.  We had the green light.

I'm reminded of a line from the movie, "Elf" when Buddy said, "Watch out, the yellow ones don't stop!"

March Is Busy!

The month of March is busy for me and my family.  Not only are we watching NCAA Championship games, but we have lots of anniversaries and birthdays to celebrate.

I've already posted about 2 anniversaries.

Indulge me just a bit as I give you the line-up of our birthdays!

Baby Aly turned 1 this month!

Mr. Cy is now 6.

My sweet mom is (shhh, don't tell her that I told you) 88!

Photo taken off my brother's facebook page. My brother also has a birthday this month.

The Corbanator turned 6 and his Dad, Big Dave, (my son) turned 31 the day after Corb. 

I'm not the only one who's been busy.  Mother Nature is trying really hard to make us think she's working on Spring!

I hope she keeps working!

38 Years of Wedded Bliss

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for stopping by on our 38th wedding anniversary.

Just grab a piece of cake, I'm sure there's plenty!

Embrace the Ides of March. We did!

A Bowl of Peanut M&Ms

The principal at our school has 2 bowls on his desk.  One has peanut M&Ms, the other, raw almonds.  Both are fair game for all the employees at school.  The bowl of M&Ms needs to be replenished every day.  The bowl of almonds seems to never change. 
When I walk past his office in the mornings and see the bowl filled to the brim with the colorful morsels of deliciousness, I feel happy.

One day, while visiting with the principal; with the plan to satisfy my peanut M&M craving, I noticed the bowl was almost empty. Not letting that deter me, I said out loud  that I wanted an orange one.  He looked at me as I reached in to the bowl to retrieve the desired goody and said, "I knew you wanted that orange one, that's why I told everyone who came in to put it back!" 


It still tasted good! 

Anniversary wishes

March 10, 1950

Sixty-one years! 

And still going strong!

This picture was taken last year at their 60th anniversary.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

We love you!

Laughter. It Keeps Us Young!

My three 3-year-olds came to me and asked for gum.  I told them I thought I had some and got my monstrous purse.  I searched for the gum, while the three were waiting in anticipation.  During my search, which required a head lamp, I happened upon my camera that was hiding in the cavernous bag.  I turned on the camera and told the girls that I thought I found the gum!  I pulled it out and started taking pictures.  The girls, caught by surprise, laughed loud and hard.

Kels

K8E

C8  

(She gets carried away with the candy she eats)

We've been told that laughter keeps us young.  Victor Hugo said this about laughter:

"I like the laughter that opens the lips and the heart,
shows at the same time the pearls and the soul"

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter
from the human face"

I hope we all have a good laugh today!

Tour de Donut

During speech time in preschool, I was teaching a group lesson on dentists.  During the lesson, talkative, four-year-old Nick made a comment about every picture, every dentist tool, brushing his teeth, etc.   I told the students that the dentist has different flavors of toothpaste;  grape, cherry,  mint...Nick excitedly turned to his neighbor and blurted, "What if there was DONUT toothpaste!"  He rubbed his stomach and licked his chapped lips. I was distracted for a moment as I pondered that thought!  
Even better than donut flavored toothpaste is an actual donut!  "But what about the calories?", you ask!  I have the solution!


The Tour de Donut gives you the opportunity to eat donuts and work off the calories while you ride your bike with a group of fun people!  

This is what it says on their website:
"Race 21 miles and see who is the king donut! In circuit style, ride 7 miles, then eat as many donuts as you would like. No limit. Then, ride 7 more miles, eat more donuts, then ride the last 7 mile lap.
Take 3 minutes off your time for each donut you keep down. Glory and adulation (and great prizes!) are waiting for you at the Finish Line."


My family participated in the event last year.  

We had a blast!  The course was flat yet had just enough of a challenge to work up a good sweat. It was well organized and there were great prizes.  You don't even have to win to get some of those prizes! (I won eyebrow waxing!) If you register now, you get $10.00 off the registration fee!  
Come and join us!  I'd love to ride along side of you...that is, until you pass me and leave me in the dust!  When you register, tell them Connie sent you.  They'll know what you mean!
I'll let you know when I find donut flavored toothpaste!