Betty White - Off Their Rockers

     I love this woman! Love her.  This show is sweet and funny and only made me love her more!

Whole Pack of Pine Brothers

     The bag of cherry lozenges says "as needed".  Well, I needed the whole bag.  :/

Bueller with the Kids

     Kids grow fast.  We can be injured by each passing day or embrace the fleeting moments.  We can look forward to the new adventures in simple and complex ways.  This one was easy.  After spending  a day not feeling well, a movie seemed like the way to go.  But a new one for the kids made it even more fun.  The adventures of Ferris had us all laughing again.  I am glad that enough time has passed that I can see these movies with a fresh eye.  I love that my kids get to experience them as brand new!
And who doesn't love a good movie?  Anyone, anyone....anyone?

Cabin Fever Ice Festival

     Yes, we all know I'm a dork so when a tour is offered at the Ice festival I take it.  I make sure we all sit down and watch the video about early 1900's ice harvesting.  And you know what?  It was so intriguing.  You forget or you don't even know what went into keeping life the way it was back then.  We've always had a refrigerator to open up with chilled air and food that was safe.  We don't know the days of ice deliveries.  They showed a picture of an icebox with a chunk of ice and a chicken and some fruit.  So they had to work hard to get the stuff to put into the fridge and then there wasn't much in it.  Hmmmm, and we wonder why the world is obese.  Anyway, the lake region in the Poconos was full of life as the harvesting season would come each year.  Men worked hard hours and horrible conditions for almost no money to get ice from a lake to a series of machines and then to either an ice house or a train.  This ice traveled to major cities around this area and was a lucrative business for the men who owned the facilities.  In the tour we watched the how of it all and saw the tools of the whole process.  But eventually, ice was no longer needed and the communities suffered the same fate as the little towns once known for railroads, logging and coal mining. 

The next room was the glory of the ice itself.  The theme this year was the dinosaur.  Huge pieces of clear crystal filled the room.  There were slides and a bar and several places to pose for pictures.  It was wondrous and magical...and cold.  It made me appreciate winter a bit more than I did before I got there as well as reminded me to be grateful for the things we take for granted. 

Patisserie

     You know those magical houses you see in movies with little nooks for a cushion and a window to read in?  Hardwood floors and a beautiful fireplace.  The smell of freshly brewed coffee and tender croissants in the air.  A big porch awaiting the warmth of spring.  Did you ever need to feel like you are far away in some pretty little town in France?  Well I did...and this little gem in Milford took me there even if only for an hour. 

Octopus

     My Greek work buddy, John, grilled up some octopus for lunch.  He offered me a bite.  I have to say I'm not a fan but I tried to chew it and take in the flavor,  instead of the preconceived notion of what it would be like.  I was on my way out of work though so I tucked it into my cheek under strict directions to NOT SPIT IT OUT!  As I pulled my car out of the parking lot I tried one more chew.  Nope.  So the window went down and the octopus went flying.  I hope that squirrel, raccoon, or skunk enjoyed the delicacy of octopus more than I did. 

Cardiac Tour

     My daughter is in a program at school that pushes her to do a bit extra.  Last year she had to do a "Passion Project" and this year the theme was a project of service.  She still has to tie it all into something she loves or feels something for.  Art and the heart are some strange combos but she's my kid so strange was to be expected.  She named her project Hearts for Hearts and worked tightly with some very important people to bring it all to life.  She made announcements at school, she worked with the art teacher for styles to be tied into the Valentine's and she did the research and work as well.  Every grade made a Valentine in a different art style and dropped them in a decorated box in the school lobby.  On Wednesday, Feb 13, we met with a team in the hospital lobby.  We were given a tour of the cardiac wing which included staff offices, back hallways, treatment rooms, trauma centers and other various test rooms.  We met with doctors, nurses and the head of cardio thoracic surgery team.  She handed out Valentine's to all of them in between questions about when they knew they wanted to do this and what was the best part of their jobs.  The box of remaining Valentine's were to be given out to the patients and volunteers in the wing.  There were photos taken and notes of gratitude delivered.  When we left the hospital she was buzzing.  She was the most happy at how good it all made her feel.  She just might have her heart set on what she'll be doing...pun intended.