Quite the Comedian...

Abby:Hey Dad! What kind of driver doesn't need a license?

Daddy: (looks a little perplexed) I don't know, Abby. What kind of driver doesn't need a license?

Abby: (starts laughing) ...a SCREWDRIVER!!!

(I'm still not sure where she heard that one, but I was pretty impressed! )

************************************
Attempting to get the kids to have some quiet time. Noah was not happy...

Noah: No, Mama! No!!!!

Me: (closing the gate in Noah's doorway) Yes, Buddy. You have to stay in your room.

Noah: (still whining) Noooooooooooo!!!!

Me: Noah, you can have naptime or quiet playtime. Which one?

Noah: GET OUUUUT time!

(Definitely wasn't expecting that! It took everything in me not to crack up. I couldn't help but crack a smile though.)

Funny kids. :)

Would YOU like to be QUEEN for a DAY???

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek****I posted this earlier in the week, but couldn't resist linking it up to PSF as it is the ULTIMATE photo story!****

(Today is my mom's birthday so I thought it would be fun to "rerun" this awesome story to let her know I'm thinking of her today. Love you, Mom! Happy Birthday!)

“Would you like to be QUEEN for a DAY?”

These were the words my grandmother, Evelyn Stuart, heard 50 years ago before being crowned “Queen” out of 25 other women who shared their stories of hardship and hopes for a better tomorrow.

After telling their heartfelt stories, each woman was asked to share one wish she would like to be granted. Evelyn, mother of nine children and nine months pregnant with her tenth, told of the tragic loss of their seven-year old son and the devastating fire that destroyed their home. They moved to California for a “change of luck” and dreamed of winning “Queen for a Day”.

She wished to receive “300 springs” and a drill to use in the construction of “The Bunny Hop”, a new baby swing she had created. Evelyn hoped the success of her “Bunny Hop” would relieve the family of financial burdens. Not only was my grandmother’s wish granted, but their family received several prizes: a washer, a range, a bedroom set, but most of all, a life-changing moment she and her family would cherish forever.

Only 15 days later, Evelyn gave birth to a baby girl, my mother.
Baby Debbie in the Bunny Hop

This baby girl grew up hearing the story of her mom being crowned "Queen" and knew what a special memory that was in her mother’s life.

Over the last several years, my grandmother's health began to deteriorate. In an effort to commemorate this moment in her mother’s life, my mom was determined to find a special souvenir from the show. More than anything, she wanted to find footage from the actual show my grandmother appeared on. After years of searching, she finally came in contact with the president of “Queen for a Day”, Mr. Ray Morgan Jr. in Hollywood. It was he who confirmed the footage did not exist.

As a consolation for my mom’s heartfelt request, Mr. Morgan sent her a rare souvenir photo of a “Queen for a Day” audience. He did not know the date the photo was taken. He only knew it was from the same decade my grandmother had appeared on the show. My mom was elated to receive this photo, however, her state of excitement turned to one of COMPLETE DISBELIEF when she discovered that HER MOTHER was one of the women pictured IN THE AUDIENCE!

My mom was able to share this amazing story (including how she flew across the country to present it to my grandmother just weeks before she passed away) on a national radio program almost a year ago.


The famous photo...



My mom with the radio show host, Dick Gordon, and the producer, Denise.

To hear the broadcast & see more pictures, visit this link. It's about thirty minutes long, but well worth a listen if you have the time.

I have to admit - Nobody tells this story quite like my mom.

Mark Your Calendars!!!

March 10th is the BIG DAY!

A Cup of Comfort for New Mothers featuring my personal essay "Welcome Home" (among several others that I can't wait to read) is set to be released in bookstores!!!

Yes, I'm "tooting my literary horn" as the series editor, Colleen Sell, calls it. I'm just so excited!!!

Maybe one day, if I am lucky enough to have other pieces published (if I can ever get into a regular writing routine), I'll be able to resist the urge to play that horn quite so loudly...

But considering the fact that I want to do a cartwheel when a new David Shannon or Mo Willems book appears on the display wall at Barnes and Noble, or even if there's a new flavor of ice cream at our local ice cream place, it may be hard for me to contain my excitement. :)

**If you aren't familiar with A Cup of Comfort, you can find a whole slew of these bestselling books lined up right next to the Chicken Soup for the Soul books at your local bookstore. The anthology's website has just been revamped too, complete with a new blog authored by Colleen. I especially appreciated her latest post, "A Brand New Day". It's definitely worth checking out!

Like Mother, Like Daughter

A little Groundhog's Day drama for you...

Abby was so excited to watch the weather on February 2nd. Her teacher had been talking about Groundhog's Day at school the day before, they made a paper bag puppet, etc... so I told her that we'd be able to see the groundhog on TV the next day.
Well, I missed the morning news...

"Mama, when can we see if the groundhog sees his shadow?" was repeated about 15 times during the course of three hours.

"I'm sorry, babe. We'll have to wait until lunchtime. The weather will be on again at noon."

After MUCH anticipation, noon finally arrives!

Abby's eyes are glued to the TV as Punxsutawney Phil makes his annual squirming, flash-blinding appearance.(Poor groundhog.)

We hear the announcer say the groundhog has seen his shadow. Then the voice booms, "SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Abby wails. She's sobbing!

A little stunned by her extreme reaction, I'm trying not to laugh, although I feel like crying too. I am so not a winter person, especially if it's just cold with NO SNOW! (What's the fun in that?)
The kiddos trying to catch one of maybe fifteen snowflakes falling from the sky.


This is seriously about all we get around here.

She runs out of the room, still wailing, "Now there's six more DAYS of winter!"

Now I'm laughing. Six more DAYS??? Don't I wish!!!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek