Spellathon at Allen Avenue

Today we celebrated the conclusion of this year's Spellathon at Allen Avenue Elementary School with big assemblies for everyone. Students received blue, red, or white ribbons for scoring 80% or above, and everyone got treats, trinkets, coupons and specially designed certificates to mark their participation in the event. Those scoring 100% got to choose a special gift and those raising the most money got gift certificates donated by supportive stores in the communities around the school. Each student gets pledges for financial support from family & friends. One upper grade and one primary classroom each received special packets of coupons for having the highest percentage of participation in getting pledges. The funds raised go to support technology in both the classrooms & the school as a whole. The retired staff members volunteer their time to do all of the behind the scenes work to make the Spellathon happen, but the teachers and the students do the hard work of learning all of the words, giving & taking tests over the words, and getting and then collecting on pledges from family & friends. It's fun, it's educational, & everyone benefits from the end result. The students, their families, the teachers, the principal, the office staff, and the retired staff members all deserve a huge thank you for their commitment to do this for the school. Kudos to all!

Signs of Spring

Just wanted to share pictures of a tulip tree in our yard & a flowering plum in Eric's & Maria's yard. They are beautiful signs of spring.

The Hurrier I Go, the Behinder I Get

Sometimes things have a way of jamming up all on one day or at the end of the week. THAT perfectly describes today. Did I have fun? Ironically, yes. Luke was/is a doll and it was fun to play with him. Thomas got the 1st of 3 online b'day cards to celebrate his big b'day #4 on Sunday. Butch was a big help with adjusting his schedule to accommodate mine. (We do that well for each other.) The CLASP Tutors' Workshop went well. What a fun group of dedicated, caring folks! June finished all of the Spellathon ribbons. What a woman! Super, informed, involved seniors had an insightful discussion with the Superintendent. Butch told Maria as he delivered Zac & Luke to her classroom after school that he really appreciated moms. I did NOT act on my super strong urge at the end of the day to treat myself to a nonfat peanut butter yogurt. The shoes in the Nordstrom catalog provided some moments of humor. Charlotte posted after a two day break & Linda after 3. Missed them! So glad they're back! Friends are fantastic! Life is good!

Mixbowl & Yogurtland - a Perfect End of the Weekend Treat

On Sunday evenings we usually get together for dinner with our daughter Maria & husband Eric and their 3 children. Usually we gather at our home for a relaxed evening with lots of kid play & good conversation - if possible with the kids - for the grownups. Today, we decided to meet at Mixbowl on Indian Hill just past San Bernardino Street in Pomona. It's has the atmosphere of a traditional "fast food" restaurant, but it does offer an extensive menu of Thai food. We topped that off with a visit to Yogurtland in downtown Claremont. I love the opportunity to fill my mid-sized bowl (I resist the large bowl) with my frozen yogurt choice of one or however many I wish concoctions. The non-fat Peanut Butter Yogurt is absolutely heavenly! I'm convinced it's "good for the soul." At least it's good for my soul & my "magarosity," as my grandmother used to say. It was a word she often used whenever we sat down to visit. She would smile & look you in the eye, and ask, "How's your magarosity." We all knew what she meant & we proceeded to tell her how we were doing in general. Good times! Good memories!

A Baby's Sheer Enjoyment of "Ah-ha's"

There is nothing like the absolute joy on the face of a baby when he discovers something new or funny or delightful. Such is life with Luke. The spontaneous giggle and the huge smile make the moment memorable in a way that makes the day brighter and all of life's quirks & hassles seem to smooth out in an instant. Thanks, Luke, for the gifts of joy & love. 

March Madness

Yes, I have to admit that I love both football and basketball. Heck, I don't "have" to admit it. I LOVE watching both sports. Attending a football game when my team is winning is a marvelous experience - being outside on a beautiful day with family & friends and the score in your favor. Can't beat that. Then, there's the basketball season that culminates in "March Madness." A basketball game in Allen Field House at KU is a treat not to be missed. You smile the whole time because the spirit is palpable and contagious. Today we began watching the games this morning. All these gifted athletes have only one shot IF their team doesn't win and their season is over. The many close scores today seem to be a validation of the work by those who set up the brackets. Did they ultimately design the placements to provide a fair shot for all of those participating? That remains to be seen. So, I encourage you to watch a game. Catch the spirit. AND, most of all, I encourage you to root for THE team: The Kansas Jayhawks.

What Brings Comfort & Happiness to Your Life?

Dr. Bruce Rabin, medical director of UPMC's Healthy Lifestyle Program, explains that when the brain is stressed, it scans its database for good memories on conditioned reflex. "The brain tends to function like a Pavlovian response," he says. "We look for things that have been pleasant in the past." I found this recently as I was trying to analyze why I do what I do for comfort when I feel unhappy or overwhelmed or short on cope or anxious. What do I do? I eat. Usually I'm able to find things I LOVE to eat and this is soothing and satisfying. Does it help my attempts at weight loss? Not one bit! But I feel oh-so-much better for the moment. But, I'm tired of carrying all of this extra "Rosemary" around. I'm tired of being overweight or le surpoids. (It almost sounds better in French.) So, how do I find substitutes that will be just as satisfying BUT much less fattening? That's what I'm exploring right now. Family? Friends? Relaxing in front of TV? Reading? Handwork of some sort. (I'm learning to knit, but my talented friends just smile benevolently at my efforts and murmur encouraging words.) Cooking? (*see the above mentioned "problem") The internet/email/facebook? Writing? More volunteering? Spending more kickback not "working" time with friends? What do you suggest?