Bringing along the next generation

Last week one of my co-workers brought in her out of state grandchildren for a visit. during the day her granddaughter, who's 12, was in, she was put to work helping verify catalog information and book location. This involves working in pairs with one person reading the call number while the other person checks the shelf.

It was a flashback hearing a young voice reading the call numbers. When I was in school, several holidays for which mom didn't want to leave me at home alone, I went along for a day at the office. If I helped with whatever project was on the list. My pay would be lunch out with the library director and my mom. I helped shift periodicals collections, filed back issues of magazines and reports, and did my share of shelf reading.

I actually don't hate shelf reading. I find making certain items are back where they belong a soothing task. During grad school, I worked as a temp and spent many days at a time with collection moves and inventories. With the exception of Children's fiction/literature and the cooking section, I can read stacks quickly. Leave me in cooking section and I'm liable to start looking for a new recipe or a twist on an old favorite. Children's literature is slow reading because I start reading. I will move along and then find an old favorite, read the book jacket or flip through a few pages. After an hour, usually only a partial shelf or perhaps a whole shelf have actually been checked.

As a third generation librarian, it makes me smile to see any kid/young adult interested enough in books to help out even for a day.

Slogging through

I haven't dropped off the earth, gone into a nunnery, or been abducted by aliens. For the past six weeks or so, I've just been slogging through life.

Just getting through the day and other things in life was the extent of much happening here. To keep from going completly off, I have kept projects moving forward. Tomorrow I'll have pics of a couple of things on and one off my needles.

Tonight though a new phase of our lives start and if even the smallest of our ideas take flight - this will be a year of changes. DH has a new position which is taking hime to Maryland for the work week. It's not his first choice in jobs, but it could give us opprotunities for some other options.

For me currently I keep with work because medical insurance is a good thing, but it's become a continuing wheel of frustration and b*&%s*&%! The office hasn't been good for the past year, and the past 6 months are just sliding straight and steady into the pits. The next couple of weeks could really change alot in our lives.

I'll keep you posted, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Dashed out

Today was the 14th annual Donor Dash for the Gift of Life. MM, LB, and I treked down to the Art Museum and join nearly 5,000 other walkers and runners. This year Gift of Life celebrates its 35th Anniversary.

It was a great day for a walk along the Schuylkill River and to see the boats and birds. This year was great, I didn't have to chase either of the kids back onto the road or sidewalk. The kids did through the full 3k walk and finished without any major needs to stop or piggyback ride.

We met the Donor Heart and Fox29's Bus Stop Buddy.

The kids also had fun with face painting, the Hatman, and seeing all the other people.

This year for the first time MM really saw the reason and meaning for organ donation. She met a couple of girls who were walking with their family. Their family donated his organs. This made quite the impression.

We didn't meet our fundraising goal, but there is always next year to walk.

Flowers for Easter

This year I finished both a jumper for MM and a new outfit for Mom. Below MM and LB pose with the posies at church after Sonrise service.

DH and Mom missed connecting for a picture. Her outfit was part wonderful and part frustrating. I had a piece of apricot crepe which I made a skirt and outer jacket. It is just wonderful to cut and sew. Mom picked up a piece for the shell and jacket lining which is beautiful but a "$%%&$#$" to stitch.

After getting up at 5:30, LB was just worn out by the end of breakfast.

Search for the afikomen

We had a wonderful Passover dinner tonight with the Shores. As usual the company and food were enjoyed at varing levels by all - but I do miss not using even the brief Haggadah.

Previous years when we have gathered with portions of DH's family, I appreicate the devotion they all show to their faith. Whether using a full family haggadah or even using the children's version. These family gatherings like those we share with my family for Christmas and Easter are days which I treasure.

Night out

for just the girls...

Beth & I met up at Loop for the Stitch Party with Franklin. It was alot of fun and we got to catch up on the relam of those who escaped. Bridget planned to meet us, but she thought an all staff meeting at the penitentary was more important.

Mom joined us since she is the latest statistic in the family. Now I have my mom and DH both working on the "what I want to be when I grow up" plan.

Mom got to enjoy a second serving of Franklin on Saturday with his lace knitting class. This was her third event with Franklin - guess he's becoming a habit for her.

Mom's been knitting for over 50 years, lace is a challenge she is determined to conquer. Great to see that even those who've been engaged with needles for decades, there is even more to learn. The rows she came home with were pretty. I'll have to keep working on my scarf projects so I can try the pattern out later on.

The magic

...of Leggos.

LB got leggos for Christmas/Hanukkah and his birthday. Some of the packages were sets while others were just collections of blocks. From the first opening, he started building what is most important to him - Mario and friends. With each round, Mario, Lugi, and the others have gotten more detailed.

For LB, these characters are not only for building, but then for reenacting game stratgies and moves.


Sometimes Leggo Mario gets to watch him play Mario games on the computer.