Blame Someone Else Day

I was reading a post on MaryJane's FarnGirl Sisterhood forum this afternoon. One of the girls was discussing that she heard announced on the radio that it was "Blame Someone Else" Day. She was appalled and suggested that instead she was going to "Praise someone else" today. I felt myself agreeing but thinking in the back of my head "Lighten up" to the outraged sister.

Then I stopped myself. Lighten up? I recalled my week, as a substitute teacher, in the classroom of 8th graders and 1st graders. This whole week has been "blame someone else". Rarely when I had to address any type of disciplinary situation had any student actually taken responsibility for their actions.

Lighten up? Flashback to the last 17 years that I spent, mostly as Vice Principal, 1 year as Principal of the same Elementary School. Let's face it - Vice Principal should just be synonymous with "Warden". How many kids actually took responsibility for their actions? How many parents actually allowed them to take responsibility and face the consequences? Precious few. (And I could go on forever about that and probably will at a later date).

So kudos to the outraged farm girl. And kudos to her speaking out against it. Kudos to taking a self centered narcissistic day and turning it into a day to praise other people.

I can only hope that there are many more people who are involved in the lives of children who feel this same way and don't say, "Lighten up".

Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark. When I see her name embossed across the front of a glossy paperback I can feel myself start to salivate. Actually salivate. I can devour a Mary Higgins Clark mystery as fast as I can devour a piece of chocolate cake.

But why would I want to do that? It is so deliciously wonderful to read her books that I try, really try, not to read it so quickly.

I know, I know she has a "formula" for her books. But you know what? I am hooked. I love the way she describes the setting , I love the way her characters are strong but also flawed. I love the last minute switcheroo that she does. Love..love...love.

So I bought her latest out in paperback "The Shadow of Your Smile" at Costco on sale. I tried to read it slowly....but it is finished...and it was delicious.

Now where is that chocolate cake?

Excited about new camera

OK - I used some of my puppet money and finally went to Target and bought myself a new digital camera. I took my daughter, Sara Jane, with me because, well because, (whisper) she knows more about this than I do.

We finally picked out a camera, on sale, about $30.00 that I can plug directly into my computer and download pictures. So now there is some hope that I will be able to post more pictures here.

Beautiful Day!

I have that U2 song "Beautiful Day" rolling around in my head. Yesterday was, in fact, a beautiful day. It had to be 56, wicked sunny with just a soft breeze. To make the day even more perfect was the fact that I got to spend the whole day outside. I helped my friend, John, who co owns and operates The Paper Moon Puppet Theatre, with a bank opening in Clifton.

We "walked" the marionettes around, he and Jody performed two puppet shows, and John and I worked on finger puppet crafts with the kids. It was fun! True, it was a long day with an hour ride up and an hour ride back- and when I got home I was bone tired - but it was fun!

To make it an even more perfect day - when I got home my hubby said "Let's go to the Diner". Music to my ears! Because, as we all know, food tastes even better when some one else cooks it and places it in front of you!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with a Chocolatey Kick

I remember making plain regular oatmeal raisin cookies when I was younger. I remember the mid 70's and winning the local girl scout cookie bake off with this recipe. I remember the thrill of going to the Sear's store in the next town and having to bake the cookies all by myself for the bake off. It was thrilling!

Flash forward to 2000. Needing my chewy oatmeal raisin cookie fix. Needing some chocolate. Chocolate? Raisins? (Listen for the aha music - light bulb sound clicking on) Let's put some Raisinets in these puppies.

Flash forward to...today! Standing in the candy aisle at Harmon's trying to rationalize a purchase of you guessed it - Raisinets. Wait-- do I see DARK chocolate Raisinets? Isn't dark chocolate good for our hearts? (Slight pause) Isn't oatmeal good for our hearts? Yes, yes it is.

I took the proactive heart healthy step, purchased the Raisinets ,ran home (exercise ) and baked up a batch of these delicious cookies. I will feel so healthy when I eat them tonight with a big glass of skim milk! (LOL)

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar,1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 cups all- purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3 cups Oats, 1cup (1bag -let's face it whatever makes it into the bowl) of Raisinets.

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack.

Enjoy! (I know I will).

Paper Moon Puppet Theatre

My dear friend John and his partner Jimmy own and operate Paper Moon Puppet Theatre. They are two of the most creative people I know. The shows there are absolutely incredible!

Jimmy makes all of the marionettes and stages and performs all of the shows. John has been going out on the road with the traveling puppet show. I offered to help with the craft portion of the puppet show this weekend. John and I have been cutting out little shapes for finger puppets and tomorrow I am going to glue them together so that they can just be decorated on Saturday.

I am going to take pictures of the performance to post (fingers crossed) but in the meantime if any one is interested please check out my link at the bottom to the theatre!

My Little Grey Cat

I have the cutest little grey cat. Her name is Jasmine. (Lovingly named after the Disney princess by my daughter) She is only about 5 pounds. We have been together for about 14 years.

I remember searching shelters and going to adoption fairs for kittens. My daughter, who was young at the time, couldn't understand why we just didn't pick any old cat. I remember telling her that we were waiting to find the perfect cat for us.

One winter afternoon we went into PetSmart and there was an adoption fair going on and there she was.... small, grey, with beautiful green eyes. When I looked at her I knew she was THE one.

We have been together for many years, She has been such a comfort tome in so many ways. If I wasn't feeling well or feeling down she would curl up in my lap or just lay down next to me and offer whatever comfort she could. When she wasn't well I would pick her up and carry her like a baby.

Jasmine has the biggest meow going. If you just heard her meow and didn't see her you would think she was a 20 pound cat. When she jumps down from the couch and runs across the floor she sounds like a herd of elephants. Nope, just a teeny tiny cat.

A teeny tiny cat with a great big heart.