36 days

until Opening Day!!!!!!!

The Cubs are 4 - 0 in spring training so far. I just hope they don't use it all up now and forget that the regular season is still coming....

Go Cubs Go!

Yes, spring training is in full swing! The first pre-season game is tomorrow. So, Cubs fans (ok, baseball fans...) here we go!

The Tourists - Part 1

First of all, I would like to make a disclaimer/correction regarding my previous post.... I am NOT encouraging you to play "tourist" during weather which may cause you to lose a limb/appendage to frostbite or to have a heat stroke. Pick a nice day! :)

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DD turned 5 yesterday - I can't believe it's been 5 years! Quiet birthday but her "bash" is Sunday....wish us luck!
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Last Sunday (and yes, it was a little chilly!), we visited Lincoln's home in Springfield Illinois. (This is us in his "backyard" - by the way, if you visit, check out the outhouse - the Lincolns had the "deluxe" model) The home has recently been refurbished and cleaned up. It was a very nice tour and we enjoyed seeing his "neighborhood" too. We learned after we were there that many sites are closed on Sunday - thank you FORMER Gov.... Many of the employees at the sites that were open, openly expressed their opinions on that situation. They seem rather upset that things aren't open on Sundays and the tourism is down considerably because of that. Think about it.... Anyway, we did visit the Lincoln Museum gift shop (there are penny smashers there). This photo of DS was taken there - it is his "audition" to be on the penny next... hope he does something great so they'll consider him. I was afraid he & I might get kicked out of the gift shop because he got me laughing about the "writing instruments" that they sell there (it was a pack of pencils). DH just walked away & I have no doubt he wouldn't have claimed to know us if we had gotten kicked out.
Thank you to the wonderful lady in our tour group who took this photo of all of us!
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On a non-touristy note.....our HS boys' basketball team was recognized on tonight's ABC World News Tonight's "People of the Week" - along with the team they played 2 weeks ago. DS said the high school has been a media circus this week but I'm glad to see it for something good!
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6926639
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Snow is on its way this weekend - hope you all have a great weekend!
HUGS!

Come on...

be a tourist!

Grab your camera and take a walk or a drive - even in your own town. It's fun!

Stay tuned for the adventures of "The Tourists" :)

Happy Birthday!

Happy 200th birthday, Mr. Lincoln!

Ahem....

Soap box time....

The Grammys

Can I ask when the Grammys became a 3 1/2 hour concert with a few awards stuck in there? And on top of that - a CRAPPY concert! There 3 performances all night that I enjoyed - out of the I don't even know how many... SERIOUSLY!!!!!

I enjoyed Paul McCartney, the Four Tops tribute (kudos to you 4 gentlemen!) and of course, Kenny Chesney. Other than that, I could have done without any of the rest.

While we're on that subject - WHO thought it was a good idea to pair the Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder? Are you kidding? Those jokes of "rock stars" with a legend. The Brothers KILLED what could have been a fantastic rendition of "Supersitition". Hey guys, here's a tip - if you don't know the words - DON'T SING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The outfits....

M.I.A. - I commend you for showing up and performing on your due date but do you have ANY idea how awful that outfit is if you're not pregnant?

Jennifer Hudson forgot to untuck her dinner napkin...yikes!

Katy Perry - ummmm....you forgot your Carmen Miranda fruit hat to go with your dress!

Sorry if I have offended anyone with my comments - but they're my comments.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming!

Churches!

Churches!
Originally uploaded by scrapperjen1

A mosaic for a flickr search of church exterior. Kudos to these photographers - they are gorgeous!

Come on spring...

You can do it!
It was GORGEOUS today! We took DD out for a walk/bike ride about 11 and it was sunny and 55. I can see the grass. :D It was really hard to go to work this afternoon with it being so nice outside.
The flu is passing through our house. KNOCK ON WOOD - there is only one of us who hasn't had it this week... Everyone seems to be on the mend. Thank goodness!
Tennis starts in a few weeks for DS - so hopefully the weather will get warmer real soon!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

More reviews

Yes, more... :)

Friday Night Knitting Club

by Kate Jacobs

I really enjoyed this book. There was wonderful story lines and very believable characters. So what happens when a group of very different women from very different backgrounds get together to share a common hobby?

You'll have to pick it up to find out.

Lucky Man

by Michael J Fox

His autobiography (2002) about his career, diagnosis of Parkinson's and how he & his family have dealt with it. This is an amazing read and I encourage you to read it! It helped put some "problems" in my life in persepective. He's so positive and encouraging.

Fearless - Taylor Swift

I enjoyed her debut CD and this one did not disappoint either. She is a very talented songwriter and singer.

Happy reading & listening!

Happy February!

May your last 6 weeks of winter be mild and quick!

My book reviews will be posted this week!