Upside Down Cats

"You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take." - Wayne Gretzky

Who would ever think I would quote a hockey player...or even know without looking it up that Wayne Gretzky is/was a hockey player!

Anyway...I didn't have anything profound to say about this being my 100th post on Upside Down Cats, but I thought I'd mark the occasion subtly with an inspirational quote which includes "100."

Mr G. is right...if I don't try, I can't score! So here's to taking chances with the hope of racking up some points!

He's pretty wise for a hockey player...

Run a marathon...bike 150 miles...you might as well tell me to cure the common cold! To my mind, it is in the same realm of impossibility!

Yet that's just what my next Bitchin' Broad, Carole Wagner-Grauer has done! She's participated in many amazing feats of athletic prowess!

How did I discover this amazing woman?...well, I usually call her Aunt Carole ...

Aunt Carole was not particularly into fitness until 15 years ago when she won a gym membership as a prize for achieving high production at her company. Prior to that, she says she never enjoyed exercising. She began on her path to physical greatness by taking a few aerobics classes.

In time, Carole started participating in events to benefit charities. These included a two day, 150 mile bike ride to benefit Multiple Sclerosis and a three day, 60 mile walk to benefit Breast Cancer. Carole says the fact that she was raising money to help these causes provided inspiration for her throughout the course of her training and participation in the events.

Personally, I can't help but wonder what kind of person would heap these enormous challenges on herself. Most days are difficult enough for me "as is," without choosing to pile on more...There has got to be a logical reason why an intelligent, busy and highly successful businesswoman as Carole would voluntarily subject herself to such daunting challenges. I am curious to discover what makes her tick. I want to know what could possibly inspire a person not only to dream it, but to actually do it...to accomplish such inconceivable triumphs. So I asked Carole, and here is her inspiring answer...

Continue reading "Bitchin' Broads - Carole Wagner-Grauer" »

In another installment of Too Cute, we find a 4 1/2-year-old girl using - or rather, misusing - a common expression to great comic result...(Well, at least it made me chuckle!)

I believe she had heard the expression, "Ready as I'll ever be."

When she repeated it, it came out, "Ready as a lever bee."

I tried to correct her (in between my fits of laughter) but she would not be convinced that she was wrong...silly me, what do I know about familiar phrases anyway?!

So what's a lever bee?

I got an early jump on the meal planning for the upcoming week, so I'll share these selections from our menu...

 

Chicken Fried Steak Skillet: Hash Brown Potatoes Topped with Chicken Fried Steak Omlette, Covered with Country Gravy

Breaded Orange Roughy, Rice Pilaf with Almonds, Garlic Creamed Spinach

Pasta with Crabmeat in Lemon Butter Sauce, Mixed Greens Salad

Pizza Burgers, Onion Rings, Assorted Vegetable Platter with Italian Ranch Dip

Tacos, Spanish Rice

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches, Hash Browns

 

Now that I've finished my meal planning, I can get on to other priorities, like the bike ride I finally have time for! It's a perfect Autumn day!

I was digging through old photos today and I found treasure!

I am the youngest child in my family of 7 children by many years. I am 21 years younger than my oldest sister and 12 years younger than my youngest sister. Consequently, I became an aunt before I'd turned 4 years old.

Here's a picture of Aunt Gina and my niece, Patty, sitting in my Grandma Bessie's emerald green rocking chair. It was situated front and center before our TV (so she could watch her 'Stories' during the day and her Westerns in the evening!) In case you are wondering what Patty is chewing on, it is a turquoise plastic iron, which was filled with very nice smelling bubble bath...and I complain that kids toys today are weird!

Continue reading "Grandma's Rocking Chair" »

The preschoolers in my daycare occasionally have difficulty keeping focused on a task. A 4 1/2-year-old girl in particular constantly asks what we are going to do next. I can get the table loaded with markers, crayons, scissors and pencils, only to have her ask - before she makes a mark on her paper - what we're going to do after art time...

Before she takes a bite of lunch, she's asking what's for afternoon snack...

Half way through a book, she's asking me what I'm going to read next...

Continue reading "What Next?" »

In the interest of keeping the world apprised of the most depressing songs ever performed, I have added a couple more to my list:

6. Life's Been Good (Despite its title, not one of my Life Is Good Songs)

7. Dust in the Wind

Since I do want to get the day off to a good start, however, I'm also sharing a clip of one of the funky, fabulous songs from my opposite list, Life Is Good Songs.

Enjoy this example of feel-good music...Pick Up the Pieces, by Average White Band.

Today I've been grocery shopping and menu planning for the week ahead. Here is some of what I'll be cooking this week at our house...

 

Gyros & Eggs in Pita Pockets, Hash Brown Potatoes

Beef Quesadillas, Mixed Greens Salad

Homemade Creamy Chicken & Leek Soup, BLT Sandwiches

Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, Cauliflower & Carrot Medley

Italian Chicken Sausages, Garlic French Fries, Mixed Greens Salad

Chicken Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread

Seafood Eggs Benedict, Hash Brown Potatoes

 

Hopefully our weather will get cooler and stay cooler so I can get busy cooking some of my cold weather favorites. Maybe next week...

Recently I was reminded about a situation with one of my daycare children I cared for several years ago. I think there's a message to be gleaned from it that I needed to remember...

A little girl in my daycare was a very challenging two-year-old. Not that all two-year-olds are not challenging, but this little one was a heavyweight champion of challenging!!! I never felt that we "clicked," from the time we met when she was 6 months old. Of course I try to bond with every child who comes through my door as best I can. After all these years, I have a fairly extensive arsenal of strategies for creating a good rapport with a child. This girl was a tough nut to crack, though. Sadly, beligerant is the first word that comes to mind, were I playing word association with her name. Surly is another. With the other children she was bossy, rude and ill-tempered. She would lash out like an animal when she didn't get her way, scratching and screaming.

Oh, and she cussed like a sailor!

Continue reading "I Didn't Know You Cared!" »

I have a confession to make...

I haven't watched news - any news - since May.

I found myself suffering from a case of information overload. The news junkies of the world may consider this the act of a complete philistine...so be it. I am willing to endure your criticism because what I have gained is worth bearing your wrath...a tolerable level of blissful ignorance.

Continue reading "No News Is Good News" »