Which Classic Literary Female Character Are You?

Of course.

(thanks to pdxkatie for the link)

Toad's Birthday

Toad's Third Birthday Celebration began with sharing Tofutti Cuties with his class at school. Friday night we hosted a Toy Story party at home, complete with yummy take-out from "Pizza Planet" and a cake with the three Pizza Planet Aliens. Toad received lots of wonderful gifts, including a super cool big wheel and a little piano. Aunt J also gave him a tree of his own to plant in the back yard. Gma & Gpa A came to spend the weekend, too!

We invited some of Toad's buddies from school to a Batman picnic at the park Saturday. Despite a brief rain shower, the kids had a great time, and paused just long enough for this cute photo.

New Best Friend

Last Saturday, after a very fun birthday party for school chum and wild boy Daniel, we took Toad to the new Space Aliens restaurant -- much like Pizza Planet from Toy Story. We loaded up on tokens and played all sorts of fun games. Hammer Guy tried his luck at The Claw and actually scored the much-desired Batman after only four tries. Toad and Batman have been inseparable ever since.

On Sunday, Mother's Day, I received a very special gift from Toad, who bid a fond farewell to Pull-Ups! It's been a very successful week, at school, at home, and even out in public! Hooray!

Toad's Week

Cookbook Recommendation -- great recipes and fun pictures!

It's been another busy week.

Saturday we took Toad to Menards. We picked out bird feeders for my Mother's Day gift and Sunday morning Toad and Hammer Guy saw yellow finches. I have yet to see a bird alight but judging by the diminishing feed and the items left behind, somebody's visiting!

Sunday after I got home from work, Hammer Guy and his friend Kyle brewed the Saucy Fellow ESB. Toad was thrilled to see Kyle and they had a lot to discuss. The brew session went well.

Monday Toad and I went to the SE side of the Cities to visit dear friend "London" (sometimes Toad mixes up her name), who had back surgery last Friday. Toad helped pick out soup, bread, dessert, and flowers at Byerly's and we brought lunch from Chipotle. We had a great time at her "teeny tiny house" and we wish her a speedy recovery! We also visited Grandma & Grandpa B and had a lot of fun exploring the backyard.

T & W were back to normal, but today we're having a sick day after a very rough night (although to put things in perspective, not nearly as rough as many nights in the past). I will go into work after HG gets home.

It's been a rainy, dreary week and today is very cool. Yesterday I wasted two hours at the doctor only to be told that I need to return to the podiatrist, as my foot is not healing as quickly as hoped.

We're looking forward to Mother's Day weekend, especially because I don't have to work. Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms in my life. Your advice, inspiration, and encouragement are much appreciated.

Sweet Corn Cake Miracle

Toad ate a vegetable. He actually ate a vegetable. Granted, it was just creamed corn in a highly-disguised form, but it worked! This stuff is great -- it's super easy, (somewhat) low-cal, and tasty -- just like what you would get at your favorite Mexican restaurant.

Even though Chi-Chi's restaurants have all but vanished, we still have our memories and our Sweet Corn Cake Mix.

Four Days of Rain

It's been rainy and grey for so many days. It seems like the rain will never end. Sadly, it is quite fitting. Last Friday I learned that a dear friend from work had passed away, and I'm reminded of the Stevie Ray Vaughan song that mourns, "the sky is crying."

Jean was an amazing woman of great energy and compassion. She was nearly 75 years old and still worked full-time. She could run circles around all of us, worked so hard, and was unbelievably nice to our guests, even the rude ones. Our Gifts department will never be the same.

A few memories of our dear Jean: Her nails and make-up were always in place and impeccable. When she had something important to say, she would grab your arm and squeeze for emphasis. I'm always cold, so the warmth of her fingers was welcome. One of my favorite memories of Jean is the day she told a customer to just chill out when he pitched a fit about being asked for his phone number at the register. She could make a mean Snicker Bar Salad and was always so generous when we had any sort of pot lucks or events at the store.

Family was Jean's top priority, no question. She loved her three kids and all her grandchildren so much. She talked about them often and brought in pictures and articles. One of her daughters came to the store with her three kids from time to time; when I met the others today, I felt like I already knew them. They lost their mom so quickly -- I hope they are able to find peace soon.

One thing Jean taught me that I will never forget and I try to put into practice: never walk past someone you know (or maybe you don't know) without greeting them. It drove her nuts when employees would come to work in the morning and walk past her -- or any one of us -- without acknowledging her. She had a kind heart. Her sudden passing has stunned and saddened so many who knew and loved her.

The rain continues. I'm surrounded by the sounds of my very happy boys singing at the dinner table. I think back on my terrific day at the Loft and Minnesota Book Awards Saturday, and I know it's time to really get serious about my writing, my passion. I can't let another day slip away.