Just do it!!

I know I am a little behind the times--during summer, I don't read the paper, watch the news or do anything to keep up--I'm on vacation!! But I just read the article about Dave Freeman, the co-author of "100 Things to do before you die". He fell at his home and hit his head--he died at the age of 47. And sadly, he had only done about half of the things in his book! Life is indeed short--shorter for some than for others. The problem is, we don't know!

That said--I am developing a Carpe Deim attitude toward life. There was a time when my son Mark was a big proponent of Carpe Deim--he even got me to read Tony Campolo's book--which I highly recommend if you haven't read it!! He, that is Mark, lived life to the fullest--and still does!! Well, it's time mom did too!! So here goes. . . . . .

First, I am taking a line dancing class and a Tai Chi class. I am also taking a quilting class with my sister so we can make some cool stuff. This week I started a barbershop quartet style choral class and a classical choral class. Finally, I am signing up for an Italian for travelers class in preparation for my trip to Italy next summer. I'm especially excited about the choral classes--I've been in mourning for the past 6 or 8 years since my church choir disappeared. I'm not a soloist type singer--but am definitely a choir type singer--or to quote Mama Mia, a back up singer!! (I wish!!) If you happened to read one of my past blogs about not ever seeming to get anything done, I figure it couldn't get much worse if I add a few things to my life!! Especially things I love!!

Today, I begin living life to the fullest!! Anyone care to join me?

Mama Mia!!

I'm so hooked!! I just saw Mama Mia (the movie) for the 4th time!! It is without doubt the most upbeat, light-hearted, fun-loving, and entertaining movie I have seen in a long time!! And of course part of it might also be it is so about my generation and those wonderful 60's!! Not that I did anything like that at all--but the music--loved it!! And I was somewhat of a "dancing queen" if I do say so myself!! Also, Meryl Streep is my new role model--she is just amazing--and my age as well!! Something to strive for--I know she was carefully made up and touched up--I'm not totally unrealistic!! But loved her!! And Pierce Bronson--can't really sing--but who cares!! I also bought the sound track on the way home--however after 4 times I know most of the songs by heart!! It was just what I needed--again!

Keep it Simple!

As I have become more interested in blogging and especially reading other people's blogs, I have begun to evaluate my particular writing style. I have come to the conclusion that it is definitely first grade. What I mean by that is, first grade level. Comes from teaching Kindergarteners, First Graders and Second Graders the writing process for the past 11 years. We even use color coding to help students get the idea (not so much for Kindergarten, but definitely for 1st and 2nd). For example we use Green for the topic sentence. Then Yellow for the details, and finally Red for the conclusion. It is quite effective for the students and apparently for me too!! Now that I have First Grade writing mastered, I will use this blog to practice moving upward in my writing level--maybe even to Second or beyond!!