ALWAYS A PROM QUEEN

60 YEARS OLD TODAY. . .

NEW GADGET I GOTTA HAVE. . .

. . .Magisso Cake Server.  Don't know how much this little baby will cost me, but I'm sure I can use it whenever I serve dessert for my friends. . .and frenemies.  See it in action.

 

MARIA'S EULOGY TO HER MOTHER. . .

Maria's Eulogy

Although I don't attend too many funerals, thank GOD, I always wish I had known the person better after listening to their eulogy.  Last month at the funeral for David Freitag I learned that he was a life-long runner, who still holds a record at the high school he attended.  He was an orphan, and David and his wife Lucy adopted two children, plus had two of their own.  He was a very positive, loving human being, that was admired by all for his generous spirit.  Unfortunately, I only knew of him through others, and attended his funeral with my father, paying respect to his family.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a remarkable woman, someone that I wish I had personally known.  Reading Maria's eulogy for her mother made me realize what a dedicated, accomplished, strong woman she had been, and how her memory will live on through her work for Special Olympics. 

When Andrea was in high school, she participated in Special Olympic events.  I still remember when she came home after being a referee at one of the games, and how she enthusiastically described working with the kids.  They were loving, and oh so thankful for her presence in their lives, even though their hockey sticks had swirled around her head in a dangerous fashion.

Special Olympics is one of the charities I contribute to, and now more than ever, I plan to send another generous gift in the name of its founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.  Join me in honoring an amazing woman.

 

TO BE ADMIRED. . .

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics, helped demonstrate that the mentally disabled can triumph on the field of competition and lead rich and productive lives outside the walls of institutions, died Tuesday at age 88.

Shriver was the fifth of nine children born to Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Kennedy. She was also the sister of President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy; the wife of 1972 vice presidential candidate R. Sargent Shriver; the mother of former NBC newswoman Maria Shriver; and the mother-in-law of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Shriver had suffered a series of strokes in recent years and died at a hospital on Cape Cod in the company of her husband, her five children and her 19 grandchildren, her family said.

 

HELLO. . .FROM WASHINGTON, DC. . .

IF FASHION IS YOUR THING. . .CHECK OUT THIS MOVIE. . .

The Last Emperor, a film about the legendary fashion designer Valentino, is a rare opportunity to see the world of haute couture.  The film follows Valentino from 2005 to 2007, just before he retires after 45 years.   

What a life: a glimpse into his world-his five pugs, his private planes and his yachts; the celebrity friends/fans like Gwyneth Paltrow; the models, press and whirling cameras backstage at his shows-all make for compelling viewing. But the true heart of the movie is Valentino's relationship with Giancarlo Giammetti, his business partner and companion for 50 years. Deeply tender and hilarious, this love story-even more than the fashion-is what steals the spotlight.

 

 

FROM ANN LANDERS. . .

. . .from a column years ago, a poem I shared with many of my love-struck students.  Cleaning out my classroom, I found it once again and thought it might be worth sharing.

                                         After a While

                                         by Veronica A. Shoffstall

                   After a while, you learn the subtle difference
                   Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
                   And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
                   And company doesn't mean security,
                   And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
                   And presents aren't promises,
                   And you begin to accept your defeats
                   With your head up and your eyes open,
                   With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child
                   And learn to build all your roads on today
                   Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans,
                   And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
                   And after a while, you learn
                   That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
                   So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
                   Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
                   And you learn that you really can endure. . .
                   That you really are strong
                   And you really do have worth
                   And you learn and learn. . .
                   With every goodbye, you learn.

HE CAME. . .HE WENT. . .AND I ALREADY MISS HIM. . .

. . .Brandon came home last week for business, and pleasure.  The real reason he came home was work related, an important meeting with 5 professor from the University of San Diego, but that only lasted for one day.  He spent this past week with the Wilson brothers (Will, Steven, and Kevin), camping in Yosemite.  The highlight of their camping trip was a visit by a 400-pound bear, within 10 feet of the guys.

Besides eating out and enjoying each others company, we went car shopping.  Yes, I'm going to buy a new car, but I'm still deciding what brand of SUV.  Originally I just wanted another newer model Lexus (used), but then I started thinking about owning a BMW, my always-dreamed-about-owning car.  Brandon loves the Audi, but lately I've noticed the Porsche Cayenne, and yesterday we looked at a 2004 that made my heart go pitter-patter. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would ever become an owner of a Porsche, but the car is really sharp, so who knows.  Looking at cars, making a large financial decision, test driving a car, and bargaining with a car dealer, sounds like a daunting task. Guess I'll put off the search until next month, and who knows what I will end up with.  

SO KAREN, WHAT HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SUMMER?????

With the help of my niece Lindsay, and my sister Dorothy, who got me started, I have been working on a 750-piece puzzle for the past few weeks.  Not an easy task, since the full picture was very small, and I had to use my handy-dandy gigantic magnifying glass to see each section.  Little by little, I finally finished the puzzle last night. . .and I must say, I am very proud of myself.

Working with small pieces, and many of them, is a skill.  Some people can look at a piece and see the shape with great ease, while others, like me, have a difficult time locating the exact spot where the piece fits into the grand scheme of things.  People that can figure out puzzles have a special talent, and usually score well on IQ tests.  Being able to see shapes and where they fit, in a short period of time, is one way to evaluate how bright a person is.  I guess it's like thinking OUTSIDE of the box.

I definitely DON'T have this kind of skill, but I enjoy taking on a challenge, and eventually completing a task.

At the end of the school year some of my students worked on puzzles in my classroom, and loved working together to complete them in record-breaking time.  Walking through the Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago, I spotted a puzzle of New York that I couldn't resist.  After bringing it home, I even had difficulties finding the outer edge of the puzzle, having to go through the pieces numerous times.  Frustration set in rapidly, and I even sent a text message to one of my graduates begging for help.

When Lindsay was visiting me, she saw the puzzle, and for the next 4 hours, too fixated to even stop for dinner, worked on the center section.  Slowly, Dorothy and I moved to her side, and by 10 pm that evening we were on a roll.  By the time they left, I was sure that I could continue on until they returned a few days later. 

Needless to say, they didn't return, and the puzzle started call my name.  Each day I completed another section, and with each piece in place, I became more confident.  Last night, after the final piece was placed in it's spot, I lifted my arms in a sign of victory, and felt like I had accomplished a task that I wasn't sure I could, or would ever finish.

I've been told that working on puzzles keeps the mind fresh, and young.  So with that thought, I will continue to find other puzzles, and work on my daily Sodoku, with the hope that I won't lose my mind one day. 

I'm off to e-Bay to check out what's available for my next challenge!

 

IN MANY WAYS, IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR. . .

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!