What Do Cars Eat?

I picked up Will at daycare this afternoon, and told him that we had to stop at the gas station on the way home. My car was running on fumes! Lately his favorite question is "What Happened??" He asked as soon as we pulled up to the pump and I told him that the car was hungry.

His response? "Car hungry?? I know! A burger and milk!"

Mmmm........I'm sure my car would love a cheeseburger and a big glass of ice-cold milk. I know I would!

Quick Random Thoughts for a Saturday

--I suppose I should spend some time outside today since it's beautiful out. Instead, I decided to cook a bunch of stuff, including putting together an egg and potato strata for tomorrow's breakfast. And printing out a recipe for sweet potato mini-muffins. Am I crazy? Yes!

--Seeing pictures of Baby Nolan makes me so happy......and make me yearn for another little bundle of joy in our lives. Maybe now that all of the medical mystery saga appears to be over, we can move on to that! :)

--Wow, is the kitchen a mess!

--I wonder how much time it will take to get blueberry applesauce out of the light blue carpet. Nevermind, I don't want to think about that!

--Brian and Kim's wedding is less than a month away! Tonight is Brian's bachelor party. Hope all goes well. (and nothing too crazy transpires!)

"The Wednesday Letters" and Deja Vu

I brought home a nice little bag of books from the library the other day, among them is a book called "The Wednesday Letters" by Jason F. Wright. I'm almost finished with it, and it's a really capturing story. Jack and Laurel have been married for many years and own a bed-and-breakfast., Jack is dying of brain cancer, but it is Laurel who surprisingly dies first. Jack succumbs to his cancer the same night, and the two are found the next day, in each other's arms. As their children are planning the funeral arrangements, they discover that their father, for the past fifty-plus years, has written their mother a letter every Wednesday. Upon poring over the letters, some surprises spring up and nothing is as it seems. I hope to finish this tonight, it's really, really good!

Here's the deja vu part: I was perusing the local paper this morning. I've started reading the paper because I like to know what's going on in the City, especially in the neighborhood where I work. And, since I am my mother's daughter, I read the obituaries. (Mom taught me the importance of this!) This morning's were particularly sad, as there was a husband and wife listed with the same funeral information. I did a double-take at first, but after carefully reading them it is definitely husband and wife. I couldn't help but think that Worcester County may have their own Jack and Laurel story, and feel bad for their children, who are mourning both their parents at the same time. My heart goes out to them.

I'm Not Above Bribery...

Will's taken to throwing a fit when it's time to head out the door in the morning so Mommy can drop him off at "Auntie's." (i.e. daycare) He loves it there once he's playing with Thomas the Tank Engine and having a snack, and most nights he doesn't want me to take him home and throws another fit. This morning, however, was a bona fide meltdown!! It was already 9am, the time that I'm supposed to be at my desk, and instead I'm fighting with a toddler who refuses to stand up and put on his jacket. I'm also in a skirt and heels....not exactly wrestling attire.

So what did it take? A promise of "m-nums" (M&M's) if he got in the car. It was like turning a switch: the crying stopped, a smile appeared and he willingly stood up and let me put on his jacket. As much as I was happy that I didn't have to get down on the floor and carry him, kicking and screaming to the car, I hope I haven't started a trend!! I'll have the "m-num monster" on my hands!

Save The Libraries!

There are some things that you think will always be there.....and you take them for granted. That is, until they're threatened to no longer exist....

I found out recently that due to the economy and current budget plan for Fiscal Year 2010, my town's public library is going to cut it's services drastically. The library will only be open 30 hours per week, pare down on staffing, and eliminate computer programs, summer reading groups, story hours and activities. Also, due to the budget cuts, the library will lose it's state and national accreditations, and residents of our town will no longer be able to participate in the inter-libary loan program. The literature on the library's website said that "these changes will set the library back decades. It will become the library of the 1900's." And it's not just our town's library....other surrounding towns are severely cutting back their services and hours, merging with other towns or simply closing its doors.

I am so saddened by this news! I have always loved going to the library, ever since I got my first library card at six years old. I love books and the library allows me to read many more than I could possibly afford every year. The library has been a big part ofmy life, and I've worked to make both reading and the library a big part of my family's life as well. If I didn't work full-time, I would take Will to more activities at the local libraries in the area. They are a great place for free information, instruction, and of course, books! And not just books.....these days libraries carry movies, CD's, artwork.....my library even has Wii games. It's a shame to see this resource dwindling.

After reading all about the proposed budget cuts, I did the only thing I could think of that I could possibly help out: I wrote a check to the library. Just a little something to help this wonderful place keep going. I just can't believe that it's come to this. I hope that I could make a little bit of a difference.

Wordless Wednesday: Lookin' Sharp

Give Peas a Chance

Today is Patriot's Day in Massachusetts, also known as "Marathon Monday" for the Boston Marathon. I'm a lucky duck that gets the day off. I haven't been to the marathon, since I was a girl, when my dad would round us up in the car and go to Framingham to hand out water and orange slices to the runners.

Instead of taking Will (by myself, since Daddy is working today) to the Marathon, we went to an Earth Day-themed playdate at my friend Ro's house. We played on her swingset, made a caterpillar out of an egg carton and even saw a HUGE earthworm! (I'd be lying if I said I wish he'd been more interested in it. The days of being interested in creepy-crawlies are around the corner, I'm sure.) We also planted little plastic pots of sugar peas. It's my hope that if he's involved in taking care of the peas and helping them grow, that he might be interested in eating them. I'm not holding my breath, though!