While rearranging basement storage spaces for Christmas decorations, I decided to finally pull out a stack of magazines that have been on a back corner shelf for many years. I knew that I had saved September issues of Seventeen Magazine ever since Sheri was born. Well that is up until 2000. Short story here: I took all of them to the high school for a memory display during the 2000 OHS Alumni Reunion. Before I got back to reclaim them, someone had thrown them all away! I've been very sad about that ever since. Bygones be bygones.

Here is the link to the neato animated "jib-jab" sorta kinda thing that our awesome committee created for the recent Chamber Banquet.
Ric Snyder did most of the work. Kerry Weeman-Pickett wrote the lyrics. Andy Vernon came up with the Green Acres idea. Everyone contributed ideas and we had a ton of fun. The crowd loved it!
We're holding back on posting it elsewhere due to licensing issues. We did buy the song, but from what I understand it would cost us about $1,000 annual fee to post it for sharing with the public at large.

Anyhow - here it is . Hope you can open and enjoy one more reason to love Orrville.

It has occurred to me that I am Great Aunt to more great-nieces and great-nephews than I have time to count, and a great-great-aunt to several on Paul's side of the family. And I know them all. And they know me. Is that just different because of the day and age - and technology - than it was when I was growing up? I can't think of a single great aunt or great uncle that I ever knew. I could maybe name some of Caroline's siblings - a Hofstetter or two - but that's as far as I can go. Puzzling.

I chose the "at home" topic because that's just how I feel on this day - very much "at home".
Heeding Hallie's early blog warning of not getting too deep at TGB site, I'll only say that I am enjoying this birthday of mine immensely. So much so that I can almost taste Ethel's white cake and that wonderful hot-fudgy chocolate frosting (made with Eagle Brand milk).

I've decided that my approach is to go headlong into turning 60 by announcing at every opportunity today that this is "the first day of my 60th year of life." So rather than suddenly 365 days from now realizing that egads I truly do have six decades behind me, I'm using the big numbers all year long. I'm liking this.

All right I'm finally going to ask this question. My concern is that Hallie will think it's too deep. But it only needs to go as deep or shallow as one so chooses.

You see, I find myself quite amused and puzzled by the most simple thing: Showering. Now before you go and get all fussed up about the fact that naturally means "nakedness", allow me to explain my fascination. It's not really about the showering, it's about attitude.

It seems that as long as I can remember, I basically dread taking yet another shower. Of course I do shower (almost) every morning, so it's a mundane, routine task. Yet somehow my mind never fails to work very hard trying to convince me that a quick splash at the sink would do just fine. Why bother with all that standing there getting wet, scrubbing and getting out (which is always cold)?

Here I am, a virgin blogger. How can I not take advantage of this? Very clever nephew Micah has laid this in my lap like a golden goose, but I hope I don't lay any eggs!
I'll have to get used to this as a handy option for dumping my thoughts. Haven't really done that since the days of diary keeping, and that's been, oh...30 some years ago.
I do enjoying writing, but definitely require having the spirit move me. I'll be back.