My Neighbor's "Bedtime Story"

Here is my current read, written by fellow North Dallasite & former president, George W. Bush-

Cameron's Support for Kids with Cancer

Cameron is taking his first steps...philanthropically. He will be strolling along (literally in a jogging stroller) in support of kids living with cancer during the St. Jude's 5K Walk. He is walking for children like Clinton, a five-year-old little boy who has battled with medulloblastoma for a year. The disease is the most common form of brain tumor in children. Cameron's goal is $1001.10 because he was born on

10-01-10 and thought it would be a significant goal to meet. He can do it with your support! Please visit Cameron's St. Jude's page to donate as he supports children living with cancer. Your donation of any amount is GREATLY appreciated.

eHow: Old dog, new trick

This is a piece I wrote for eHow.com How to Teach an Elderly Dog to Shake Hands It is often said that, "You can't teach an old dog a new trick." This is not the case when it comes to showing your geriatric dog how to shake hands. He or she has already spent a lifetime learning new things and the learning never stops when they are older. Difficulty: Easy Instructions Things You'll Need: dog biscuits or another type of treat patience a geriatric dog who pays attention 1 Sit your dog in a quiet environment where he or she is not distracted by noises, children or other animals. 2 Make sure your dog biscuits or treats are in an area where your dog cannot see them. A dog who becomes more focused on the treat will not pay attention to the trick! 3 Sit on the floor with your dog and have him/her facing you. Call your pet by name so there is eye contact. If your animal is deaf, you will want to make your gestures a bit more dramatic to convey your message. 4 Once you have your pet's attention, lift her paw off the floor as you say the word "Shake". Place her paw back on the floor. Do this five more times, ONLY using the word "shake". The sixth time, say the word "shake" and offer a piece of the treat to your dog. 5 This time, without lifting your dog's paw for her, simply say the word "shake" offering your hand to "meet" hers. When she lifts her paw off the floor, even the slightest bit, offer another piece of the treat and say "good dog". Be very concise. Only say good dog and immediately tell her to "shake" again. If you spend a lot of time telling your dog how good she is, she may become distracted from what you are trying to teach her. Remember, older dogs have shorter attention spans as puppies do, so focus on the trick. 6 The more you reinforce the shaking, the more your dog will pick her paw off the floor to shake your hand. Once she has shaken your hand a few times, then you can concentrate on telling her how good she is. Reinforce what she has learned a few times a day. After a few days, you will no longer need treats to help train her-just saying the word shake will have her shaking hands in no time.

Mommy sippy cup

One day the baby will graduate to using his own sippy cup- ...and I can start using one too

Autumn Afghan

Autumn is my favorite season! There is nothing like driving through Maryland, D.C. & Virginia, especially through Rock Creek Park, in October as the leaves are changing colors. This time of year also means sitting on a front screened-in porch (hot cocoa in hand) wrapped in an afghan. I have a trunk full of afghans, each with a meaningful design. Here are a few that have already been put into the Fall rotation-

A perfect 10!

The day has finally come...

It's Time!

We are off to have our baby!

What Does Your Hair Say About You?

My sister is always making fun of me because I'm consistently asking her, "left or right?" I am not referring to driving directions, but rather to which side I should part my hair on any given day. She said one day my tombstone should read, "left, right, brunette, auburn, blonde" in reference to the various hairstyles I have had over the years. I had always assumed that right-handed people part their hair on the left and left-handed on the right. Since I am ambidextrous, I have had it on both sides, depending on what mood I am in...or more accurately, which mood my HAIR is in. When it becomes completely temperamental, I don't bother parting it at all and simply brush it straight back. I found a Career Builder article that says one's hair part actually plays a part in one's career!

WHICH SIDE DO YOU PREFER TO PART YOUR HAIR?

Mama Mio, It's Almost Time!

My bag is packed for the hospital and I am ready when the time comes. One of my favorite things in my stash is a gift I received from my sister-in-law & brother. It is the Mama Mio Countdown Kit. It has everything a new mother needs while in labor and post-baby: Massage oil- Tummy Rub & Stretch mark cream- Wonderful balm, which can be used for lips, cuticles and elbows- Calming facial spritz to keep the mother hydrated during delivery- Check out Mama Mio's facebook page or follow them on Twitter.

Did I really need to know that? Seriously!

Honestly, how many of you have grown quite tired of listening to someone else's cell phone conversation? I remember many years ago as my mother & I sat near a pay phone on the wall (remember those) in England, we overheard a woman in a very cool British accent yelling at someone who was probably her boyfriend. We were intrigued because the multiple bad words spewing from her lips in her particular accent were compelling. It was more about how she sounded than what she was actually saying. Aside from that one particular incident, I am usually annoyed by people who insist on imposing their phone conversations on me because they are loud talkers. I know that I cannot be the only one who is tired of another's lack of cell phone etiquette. What do you think?

My favorite PIGGY

This is currently my favorite TV commercial. I really cannot help but to laugh every time I see it, no matter how many times it airs. The first time I saw the little piggy "weeing" himself all the way home, it brought me to tears, I was laughing so hard. I think Maxwell may even be a Kosher pig ;)

Halloween Time!

Join the Spirit Halloween Houston/Austin fan page.

1980s Wake-up Call

I was up very early AGAIN this morning (4 a.m.) and decided to turn on the TV to pass the time. To my pleasant surprise, I stumbled upon a rerun of Miami Vice. Like many my age, I watched this show religiously! I still have my Miami Vice board game in the attic.

It was interesting taking such an early morning stroll in my mind through my favorite decade. I remember when my mother bought my first computer, which was a Texas Instruments TI-99/4A. We connected the computer to our large television screen (the one with the adjustable rabbit ears) and saved the data on a cassette tape. When we wanted to play video games, we turned to our Intellivision system, which was introduced to the family by my brother who wanted a game system a bit more advanced than the already popular Atari. Though nothing could compete with Atari Space Invaders... ...with the exception of Galaga in the arcade. When it came to television, "way back in the day",original MTV programming was top priority. The 1980s was a time when MTV defined music television and they actually featured music videos and not some of the cheesy shows they currently broadcast. Who remembers this Dire Straits favorite?

I thought about my favorite movie from that era, St. Elmo's Fire,

and my favorite band, Genesis. During the 1980s, we traded in our metal strap-on roller skates for a niftier and more sleek blade- What a nice way to kick-off the morning, though I would have preferred to wake up at 8 a.m. instead of four. After all of my reminiscing, I think I will actually set my ihome tomorrow to Wham's "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go."

High Holy Day Hiatus

It is time for a little break from blogging to observe Rosh Hashanah, which begins tonight at sundown. This is our Jewish New Year, where we reflect back on the year while planning ahead through resolutions. The holy days will end on September 18, with the fasting (and breaking the fast) of Yom Kippur, which is the Day of Atonement. Erev Rosh Hashanah (the evening before the first full day of Rosh Hashanah) will be celebrated with our traditional apples & honey to symbolize a sweet year. Our holiday begins with the blowing of the shofar as shown here-

May everyone be inscribed in the Book of Life this year and may you have a wonderful New Year.

It's HERE!

Yay, it's here...no, it is too early for our baby to arrive, but another "baby" is now showing its face. "Take Ivy" is back on the scene after it was first published in Japan 45 years ago and for the first-time ever will be released in the U.S. It is an incredible pictorial of Preppy fashions across Ivy League campuses and a hot commodity to add to one's personal library. The wonderful thing about being a Prep is the timeless, classic attire that will always remain in style.