tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258887532024-03-07T17:54:05.780-05:00THE VIEW FROM TOAD COTTAGEThis is the view from Toad Cottage. It is my house so all stories, opinions, reviews, and contests are mine and the property of Toad Cottage. We hope to celebrate, illuminate, accentuate, and luxuriate. Join us for stories, kidlit book reviews, contests, challenges, interviews, op-ed pieces, and lots of cottage fun!Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-50019458777888546152022-06-11T17:31:00.000-05:002022-06-11T17:31:18.959-05:00<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Spring Meteor Showers</span></p><p><b id="docs-internal-guid-4e2da998-7fff-394a-3435-7756eaff2759" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Through icy velvet darkness,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">past whirling planets and fiery stars,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">whizzing by belts of rocks floating through space</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">soars a meteor.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A piece of a moon jolted loose,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A shattered asteroid eons old.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Or perhaps a slice of Venus or Jupiter.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Pushed and pulled by the gravities it passes,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">It sails through the cosmos like a sailboat bobbing on the sea,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Finally, pulled into a blue planet’s embrace,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The ancient rock ablaze with heat and flames streaks across the darkened sky and</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">falls</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">into</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">a</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">quiet</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">lake.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Soft sizzling sounds sing in the night.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The moment passes and the rock cools at the bottom,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">resting in the squishy mud below a mirrored surface</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">stardust camouflaged by waving weeds.</span></p><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-8216825724752839282021-04-03T20:47:00.001-05:002021-04-10T17:55:08.157-05:00Hi all,<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Though not back in business fully quite yet, there's a lovely contest called Spring Fling that I love to participate in. Here's where you can read more about it: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">https://ciaraoneal.weebly.com/spring-fling-kidlit-contest </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last year, my entry made the winners' list! The idea is to find a gif that I can write a 150 word story about. Needless to say, that is a challenge for a wordy gal like me. 😁So, without further ado, here's my submission for the 2021 Spring Fling.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3f/5e/09/3f5e09c5750d56c89a992176f4d33ff9.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="480" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3f/5e/09/3f5e09c5750d56c89a992176f4d33ff9.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-6e7b9688-7fff-5e20-a5c2-bcaa77ba10a9"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Carlisle and the Butterflies</span></u></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carlisle lived on the edge of a river and loved to lay in the cool mud watching for food. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He is a Spectacled Caiman and like all alligators, Carlisle snap-snap-snapped up any meal that wandered by. There’s a lot to eat in the Amazon, if you’re a Caiman and this Caiman was always hungry. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But when Carlisle hissed and snapped his pointy white teeth at tasty morsels, his eyes swam with tears and his vision blurred. Many times he jumped at a log instead of the silvery fish that had just been there. Carlisle was pretty hungry.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One sunny afternoon a big butterfly and her friends fluttered around Carlisle’s head. When they saw the shiny pools of water around his eyes, the butterflies sip-sip-sipped. Suddenly Carlisle could see clearly, and just then he caught sight of lunch. Fluttery butterflies became Carlisle’s spectacles and thirsty butterflies loved him.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<u>Author’s Note</u>: Butterflies and bees really do drink the tears of Caimans! The vibration of alligators' sinuses when they snap their jaws and hiss causes their eyes to water a lot. Butterflies and bees need salt and minerals to live, and alligator tears are much closer than the ocean that is far far away from the Amazon. If you ever taste your own tears, they will taste a little bit salty. It is called “symbiosis” when creatures help each other naturally.)</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div>Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-11556275546144837822020-06-14T15:31:00.000-05:002020-06-14T16:24:22.432-05:00PLEASE WEAR HARD HATS & PROTECTIVE GEAR - UNDER CONSTRUCTION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDUGcib4WqGVkhyphenhyphena91Qd7f71o7ba-oktGa5Hy1d_P3WSjkVgd3RtOLedLKM2HjSCANrSDyVlxqa6n0aBpJSgjVW_VcvrS_0rz_VyBpKqj8pnL5dE6VMg7Q4BITrY53mmBsysU/s1600/tiny+construction+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDUGcib4WqGVkhyphenhyphena91Qd7f71o7ba-oktGa5Hy1d_P3WSjkVgd3RtOLedLKM2HjSCANrSDyVlxqa6n0aBpJSgjVW_VcvrS_0rz_VyBpKqj8pnL5dE6VMg7Q4BITrY53mmBsysU/s1600/tiny+construction+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Welcome to all you new visitors, and welcome back to all of you that have visited before! The Cottage has been quite lonesome for some time now, but we are breathing new life into it. Life got a bit busy with managing teens, wrangling the usual mob of squirrels, weathering the pandemic and the unemployment that added some strain, but we are home again, thank goodness. The View From Toad Cottage was created when my daughters came home, and began as a sort of journal type blog about my/our journey. Since then I have gotten serious about my career as an author, and The Cottage must reflect that. So, out with the old furniture and in with the new! The color palette at The Cottage has changed and fresh new paint is being applied to all the rooms. Windows have been thrown open and fresh air abounds. Excitement reigns here at Toad Cottage. Can't wait to invite you all in officially!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Toad Cottage as it was initially built:</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaP_PYm9dQ8nsdv5Dm9SIm5fctfcbgz2xOi-SWBVEt5J3i1Mey5BM_GHG9i-W3lXKq4Y2C7QCpoGM9NRRVgNB4BPKvH_gr-nHM_h0HTXHz7NTDlZ5cLc_5HeXN6VuTVa8Rx05/s1600/fairytale+cottage+BEFORE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaP_PYm9dQ8nsdv5Dm9SIm5fctfcbgz2xOi-SWBVEt5J3i1Mey5BM_GHG9i-W3lXKq4Y2C7QCpoGM9NRRVgNB4BPKvH_gr-nHM_h0HTXHz7NTDlZ5cLc_5HeXN6VuTVa8Rx05/s1600/fairytale+cottage+BEFORE.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Serviceable, cozy and picturesque.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Toad Cottage after the renovation:</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgMaWW2OmZh1cM9iR7FUJj2jPqzAdkr3yiMpGRSEIPMwUmEBwk7kcVx-e0W1G1Luj0I0tX4bs9mnMX1kPeaHgZ8OCejVx-BP0bYpxnMG8tAB1IkSjjZzoIpTg464oCjoxf9Ul/s1600/fairytale+cottage+AFTER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgMaWW2OmZh1cM9iR7FUJj2jPqzAdkr3yiMpGRSEIPMwUmEBwk7kcVx-e0W1G1Luj0I0tX4bs9mnMX1kPeaHgZ8OCejVx-BP0bYpxnMG8tAB1IkSjjZzoIpTg464oCjoxf9Ul/s1600/fairytale+cottage+AFTER.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Much more room, still cozy and picturesque, but with lots more possibilities!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Here are some of the improvements we're making to the property...</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #20124d;">The serialized Tales Of Hank The Hedgehog</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #20124d;">Writers' Challenges</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #20124d;">Bimonthly Writers' Soirees</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #20124d;">Kidlit Book Reviews</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #20124d;">Author interviews</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><u style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Posts on topics that I find fascinating...</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><u style="background-color: #eeeeee;">and much more to tickle your fancy whether you are young or not, a writer and/or reader, a lover of children's literature, or just passing the time.</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="background-color: #b4a7d6;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d;">*** I am hoping that the renovations will be complete soon. Since I obviously have been a crow in a former life and am always attracted to the next shiny thing, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d;">there may be more renovations in store for Toad Cottage. Keep watching and visiting for news on when we'll be having a house warming party. 😉 (Sssshhh... don't tell anyone, but we just might even be moving to our very own website!)</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: large;">The Future Toad Cottage?</span></u></b></div>
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<br />Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-58971202808103668652020-04-09T19:30:00.000-05:002020-04-09T19:30:41.289-05:00UNDER RENOVATIONThis Blog is currently under renovation with new and exciting content to come! Join us soon for new contests, writing challenges for all ages, book reviews, interviews and a series of stories for children.<br />
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Meanwhile, please enjoy this rainbow. 😊<br />
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<br />Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-84748376240699166202019-10-31T21:09:00.001-05:002019-10-31T21:09:32.261-05:00Halloweensie Contest 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for photos of halloween moon" border="0" height="200" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" 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Here we are again! Time has completely flown by since last year's Halloweensie and I'm barely making the deadline. The rules are that the entry must be no more than 100 words and include trick, cobweb and potion.</div>
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You can find out all the deets at <a href="https://susannahill.com/category/halloweensie-contest/">https://susannahill.com/category/halloweensie-contest/</a></div>
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So, without further ado........ drumroll please........., here is my 2019 entry!</div>
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Happy Halloween(sie)!</div>
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<b><u>The Magic of Glynnis McDoo</u></b></div>
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<i>A Halloween Story of 93 words</i></h4>
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Gather round, little goblins, and I'll tell you</div>
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about the midnight ride of Glynnis McDoo.</div>
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You'll guess, of course</div>
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that she rode on a horse,</div>
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a theory that I will undo.</div>
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That inky night when the moon was high,</div>
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bats circled above in the velvety sky.</div>
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She rubbed on some lotion,</div>
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It turned out to be potion</div>
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dropped by a witch swooping by.</div>
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Cobwebs covered the lights on the street,</div>
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Glynnis wondered, trick or a treat?</div>
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She hopped on a broom,</div>
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flew right out of the room,</div>
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and her Halloween night was complete!</div>
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<img alt="Image result for pictures of a jack o'lantern" 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" 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Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-21509631347209299682019-07-13T20:04:00.000-05:002019-07-22T11:09:35.511-05:00<img alt="Image result for under construction sign" src="https://www.pimacountyfair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Under-Construction-Sign-e1546880752659.png" /><br />
So, FINALLY after what turns out to be several years - I am redoing the blog! Contain your applause and cheers..... ;)<br />
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The first of September will bring a new and exciting phase for Toad Cottage. I'll be offering stories, interesting snippets about life in these tenuous times, instruction on writing/querying/publishing, parenting and specifically parenting children of color, and other fascinating content. Hope you'll come back then. I'm planning quite a soiree for the kickoff!Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-5949639155696005912018-11-15T22:30:00.002-05:002018-11-16T15:12:23.670-05:00You Are EnoughWell, hello readers and long time no see! Here at Toad Cottage, the view was obstructed for a bit but the windows have been cleaned and the view is once again spectacular.<br />
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Today I’m participating in the writing contest: <i>You Are Enough</i>, hosted by Positive Writer. You can get the 411 here - <a href="http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-enough/" target="_blank">Contest</a><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b> <u>YOU ARE ENOUGH</u></b></span><br />
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<i>Decide who you want to be and be that.</i> I adapted that motto from my favorite quote from one of my favorite movies “Dead Again”. Of course, that’s my motto <b>now</b> and I try to hold on to it even in the face of discouragement and self doubt. Have you ever felt like you’re an impostor? Like you’re not quite good enough? Like you can’t possibly be good enough at what you love to do? Okay, don’t look away and pretend that you don’t ever think those things. I know I do and I'm guessing that every other creative person does too.<br />
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Elizabeth George, best selling author, wrote in her journal after publishing TWELVE BEST SELLERS: “I’m reading John Le Carre’s The Constant Gardener right now. Frankly, it’s making me feel more inadequate than I’ve felt in a long time.” So you see, even the really good ones suffer from self doubt.<br />
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Those of us who write know that we are driven by that inner electric spark of creativity. We love being able to access that universal fountain of expression, and to translate it onto paper is like breathing. But we are all products of our history and every experience - good OR bad - helps to form our art. Every time a parent tells us that we are far too dramatic, each time a teacher told us that we weren't living up to our potential, every time a story or joke we told our friends fell flat... every single moment that something negative happened builds a part of us just as the wonderful sparkling moments do. It's a journey, and we have to embrace those times equally. Sounds easy, right? HAH! Nope, in fact it's really really really challenging to overcome what others try to tell you that you are or should be.<br />
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<b>"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?" - Marianne Williamson</b><br />
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It's true that writing and publishing are two of the most challenging paths, and both are fraught with all kinds of negatives, hurdles, disappointments and downright torture! If we choose these paths, we must speak kindly to ourselves; as kindly as we would to someone else needing our support. If we don't nurture ourselves, our confidence wavers and 90% of creative success is self confidence!<br />
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<b> "Argue for your limitations and, sure enough, they're yours." - Richard Bach</b><br />
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<b> </b>As you can probably see, I firmly believe that the antidote for wavering confidence is reading quotes from those who have gone before us. It's through their words that our spirit is strengthened. So, when that little person inside you that remembers all the times you didn't feel good enough pipes up and asks you why you should be able to finish that manuscript, or publish that book, or earn a great living through your writing - ask it instead 'Why shouldn't you?' And then.....<br />
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<b>*</b> Each morning when you get up, <b><u>tell yourself that yesterday does not define you</u></b>. Every morning is the first day of your new life.<br />
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<b>*</b> <b><u>Learn all you can</u></b> about writing, researching, writing query letters, and even pitching your ideas. Go to conferences, take classes and workshops, chat with other writers. There are many online workshops and webinars that don't cost a thing and are fabulously inspiring/informative so take them. Knowledge is power.<br />
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<b>*</b> Make sure you <u>look often at your successes</u> whether it's a winning story, an award, an article you may have had published, or even just a darned good letter. Concentrate on the sunny side.<br />
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<b>*</b> <u>Practice every day</u>. Some say that a writer has to write every day, but I don't subscribe to that. If you write, you're a writer. So write, whether it's hourly, daily, weekly or biweekly. Write, write, and write some more. If there's a day when you can't get started, write your name. Then write a sentence. Then a paragraph. I tell my writing students that everyone can write. If you can talk, you can tell a story. If you can tell a story, you can write a story. So, just write.<br />
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<b>*</b> <u>Stay connected to a community</u>. I am constantly buoyed by my writing "peeps". When I'm down, they lift me up and when one of them is down, I am blessed to lift them up. Loneliness is a downward spiral, so take comfort in commiserating with your Village. Also share your work with other writers. While this part is pretty hard, it can be quite confidence building. The support and encouragement of other creative minds is very inspiring.<br />
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<b>*</b> <u>Read</u>. Read anything and everything, but read everything you can in the genre and style you want to write. Libraries are magical places.<br />
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<b>*</b> <u>Write something. Start a project and finish it</u>. It doesn't have to be great because nothing is ever perfect, but finishing something is very satisfying.<br />
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And finally, be your own cheerleader. Let no one define you but you. Now, go write. ❤❤❤<br />
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<br />Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-4051355221397109492017-09-03T12:15:00.002-05:002017-09-03T12:15:39.424-05:00You've Got To Be Carefully TaughtIn the turmoil left by the recent murders of people of color in the United States, hate crimes and racially/culturally motivated violence, the lyrics for a song from the movie South Pacific really ring true.<br />
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<strong><em><u>You've Go To Be Carefully Taught</u></em></strong><br />
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You've got to be taught<br />
To hate and fear,<br />
You've got to be taught<br />
From year to year,<br />
It's got to be drummed<br />
In your dear little ear<br />
You've got to be carefully taught.<br />
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You've got to be taught to be afraid<br />
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,<br />
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,<br />
You've got to be carefully taught.<br />
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You've got to be taught before it's too late,<br />
Before you are six or seven or eight,<br />
To hate all the people your relatives hate,<br />
You've got to be carefully taught!Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-32677017003523548142015-10-30T05:18:00.005-05:002015-10-30T05:36:06.833-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Halloween, everybody! The scary thing is that this blog has remained dormant for over a year now! Well, here goes........ to kick off reactivating The View From Toadcottage, here's my "Halloweensie" entry for Susanna Leonard Hill's annual Halloween story contest. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year was only 100 words containing the specific words: dark, costume and haunt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(You can see it here where you can get links to all the other entries too. http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-5th-annual-halloweensie-writing.html)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>The Witch</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a magical land full of cobwebs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">was a pause in the thick foggy gloom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twas a dark spooky night,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with the moon shining bright</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">when a witch hopped up onto her broom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her cape whipped and waved in the tempest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her costume caused deep-seated frights.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When she took off on her steed,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">her nose started to bleed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Turns out the witch couldn't stand heights.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She traded her broom for a skateboard</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and hoped that her fear could be beat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cause if she couldn't haunt,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">what else would she want?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She cackled and yelled "Trick-or-Treat"!</span></div>
Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-8401131339153664662011-11-26T10:55:00.001-05:002011-11-26T10:57:19.278-05:00<strong><u>In Which I Realize I'm Aging</u></strong><br />
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Okay, so I know I said I was going to address the serious subjects I listed previously, but I ask your indulgence while I briefly investigate a completely different subject: Life Crisis. Now, I don't think Crisis is the correct word because I'm not currently in a crisis (defined as: 1. A time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. or 2. A time when a difficult or important decision must be made: "a crisis point of history".), but I am in more of a ........ quandry. <br />
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I awoke this morning feeling much the same as I did yesterday. I arose with a very tiny bounce to my step, actually excited to see the sun glinting off the frosty grass outside, as I slipped on some shoes and plodded down to feed Maxie (* our beloved cat that has gone through a huge emotional knot due to surgery last month). Of course, he decided that the lovely can of food that I fought Black Friday crowds to purchase (since he politely turned his nose up at the 4 other selections I had purchased before Thanksgiving) was not exactly what he had in mind. He touched it lightly with his nose, and delicately pretended to cover it up. Mommy's had enough of that, so it'll stay in his bowl until he decides to eat it. Last time I tried this take-no-prisoners 'tude, he starved himself for a solid week. My cat has obviously been human in a previous life, and a strong minded one at that. But, I digress.<br />
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After dealing with the cat, feeding my darling children, checking the news online, and downing a vitamin C drink for myself, I repaired to the salon (as my great grandmother might have said). With the shower running and my mouth chock full of Aquafresh, I happened to catch my own eye in the bathroom mirror. This is where my pseudo crisis comes in. I. did. not. recognize. the. hag. in. the. mirror. <br />
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In my own mind, I guess I remain about 32 when my hair was still shiny and blonde, my face did not resemble a road map of New York so much as a soft hillside, and my body was a tad more taught. What I saw, in that mirrored moment of stunning clarity, was not the youngish ball of energy I picture myself as, but a (gulp) older, tired, sagging mom. Part of this might be the sad military haircut I was blessed with at a salon last week. (Military cuts, for future reference, are never attractive and do not, repeat <strong><u>do not</u></strong>, resemble in any way the cute pixie cut picture I showed the stylist.) That said, the cut cannot be blamed for the Shar-pei like wrinkle party commencing on my visage. The past 6 years of sleepless stress has taken a toll apparently.<br />
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Lacking smelling salts, I revived myself by with a bottle of hairspray and steeled myself to take another look at the hag. Yes, I have earned all of my winkles, but I've also earned the dark circles under my eyes, the squint line across the top of my nose, the crow's feet marks at my temples, the overgrown eyebrows threatening to descend onto the lids themselves, and the sagging neck. At this point, we won't go into exactly how I've earned all of those special treats, but suffice it to say - continuing to breathe for decades does eventaully exact a price. Had I asked close friends, they may (after promises of sweets or bags of money) have been honest and told me that I had started showing my age a while ago, but it didn't even cross my mind to ask. As I said, in my mind I remained about 32.<br />
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Ok, that was the initial shock, not really the crisis part. Here goes, the crisis part is that I realized that (without going into exactly how many rings this tree really has) I am nearing the halfway point in my life. I remember when my parents reached this age, and it truly doesn't seem so long ago! A bit of back story assuming you have not gone back to reread the past 5 years of blogging:<br />
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I have dedicated my life, for the past six years, to my devinely adorable children. I've enjoyed strengthening our little clan, puring my love into my children like water into an empty glass, introducing them to American life, to school, to winters full of snowy fun (and colds), to summers at the beach, to new family, and to their legions of friends and fans. I've reveled in their joy and actually trembled with the strength of the love I have for them. I've fought for them against bullying, struggled for them to achieve at school, made a lesson out of practically everything, worried myself sick, and celebrated each day with them. At the same time, I've <strong>fought</strong> for them, <strong>struggled</strong> for them, <strong>worried</strong> for them, and <strong>foregone sleep</strong> to sit up with them waiting for the night terrors. (Get it? There are pluses AND minuses here...) I've dealt with loss, with health scares, with the very personal effects of our downward spiraling economy, and worried about where we were going to get the dollars to heat the house and put food on the table. I know, I know, wah wah wah. Everyone has gone through this, is going through it presently, or will go through it. My point is that all of this has created the hag in the mirror. <br />
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A friend has counseled me to embrace this new woman, to cherish all of the life that is now written on her face, to become the book from which others can read about strength in adversity and survival. I might aspire to this, but realistically speaking - I'm human and do have a little vanity. I steadfastly refuse a surgical remedy to her loose skinned and papery look, but I am investigating face creams, vitamins, miracles, and magical age reducers. So far, I think I'm stuck with the hag. I shall have to think of her as an experienced and wise version of me instead of a hag.<br />
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Along with this new-looking me, I've also realized that quite a few years have slipped by without having accomplished the things I have held dear. I am not yet published in book form, I have not yet built a home for Ethiopian families affected by HIV, established college scholarships for 5 girls in the US, begun a writing "club" for children held down by poverty, given 10,000 to St. Jude's (the hospital that literally saved the life of my daughter's best friend), trained to run a mini marathon, grown all of my own fruit and vegetables for an entire summer, made sure my daughters are confident self assured young ladies, traveled to Hong Kong, or let my friends and family know clearly what they have done for me and my life. (These are just a few of the items on my list. The list is quite long, and keeps growing.)<br />
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So, rather than treat this a crisis, I guess I will choose to look at the shock as a catalyst. I'm definately a list person (read as: I have a rhinestone encrusted notebook of Life Lists. Yes, I will admit to being a tad detail-oriented.), and will begin to try to check off items on my Big List each month. The larger items, like those I mentioned above may have to wait until I publish books, win the lottery, or get elected Queen, but I will hold out hope that I can accomplish them. My sparkling book of lists must get longer with steps to achieve the larger items, but I think this can give me focus for the upcoming years. Perhaps I can involve my girls in achieving my goals and in turn instill in them the drive to accomplish whatever they dream. <br />
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And now, an admission. I used to think, before my girls arrived home from Ethiopia, that friends who were stay-at-home moms were neglecting themselves. I felt strongly that they had traded who they were for the initials M.O.M., and were choosing to lose their path willingly. I guess I still feel that way, but now I realize that the choice is one that a mother cannot help but make. I chose to leave the corporate world and regular socializing with adults, but I traded it for the miraculous magic of watching my children grow and learn. I spent my time experiencing each moment with my children instead of achieving status and a more stable bank account. Now I realize that while it may be possible to combine both lives, retain a bit of oneself and still be present for one's family, I have already chosen for the past years. It's <em>left a mark</em>, as Chris Farley used to say, but it's a mark that I'm not sure I would trade. What I have learned should make me stronger. Yes, I may be an older mom and may not compare favorably to the much younger, yoga clothed, made-up, lithe moms at the school, but I can ace them with life knowledge, with wisdom, strength of character, and now I have extensive knowledge of face creams. Later, I can beat them with my cane.Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-33973492599420131602010-11-30T10:47:00.000-05:002010-11-30T10:47:41.758-05:00Long Time No See....Hi Everybody! I know you have probably given up on my rumored renovations, but here I am to reassure you that the new & exciting blog will be up at the end of the week! It's taken a little longer than planned due to a very dear friend stricken with cancer and the care that ensued. She is now on a set path that cannot be changed, unfortunately, and I hope that those of you that pray will for her. Carolyn is quite a woman, a month shy of 50 years old, and a wonderful friend. I am lucky to have had her in my life.<br />
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Upcoming: Holiday special! Cool gifts for your kids as well as some supposed, but not so, cool gifts. Also, specials offered by some pretty nifty companies, fabulous Ethiopian gift giving ideas, non-profits to warm your heart & soul, and a link to my new and exciting Etsy store!<br />
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Back soon!Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-41803409631461211292009-11-05T21:35:00.002-05:002009-11-05T21:43:22.214-05:00Grief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2bMvOQ_PUgNObYQBRHBOFGhyLTpvNB6t0kxGZbbaNV62a05qgdXkG6OxLwfC-H7_69toT1z8yU2LKwaGv_Pa3UyIj83u2ggHG5jO_FyagszsJnD5kR3nN2HMHpv2fVmfaip2/s1600-h/JordynKalyBEST1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2bMvOQ_PUgNObYQBRHBOFGhyLTpvNB6t0kxGZbbaNV62a05qgdXkG6OxLwfC-H7_69toT1z8yU2LKwaGv_Pa3UyIj83u2ggHG5jO_FyagszsJnD5kR3nN2HMHpv2fVmfaip2/s320/JordynKalyBEST1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Lately my days are filled with dilemmas, from what to pack for school lunches to finding patience for bedtime fears. My latest dilemma has changed me forever: my daughter's best friend is dying of leukemia and I don't know how to tell Honeybun. How do you explain why a sweet child had to suffer 8 years of torture? How do you face this and help your child do so too? How do you justify everything when something like this uproots that very same everything?<br />
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What I have learned is this: we have now. No matter what befalls us in the little annoyances, joys, lack of patience, sleeplessness, etc., we have right now. Tomorrow may never be, so gather all the moments of pure joy you can. Sorrow like this cuts my very soul.Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-41836992185707057912009-07-13T08:28:00.004-05:002009-07-13T08:34:32.891-05:00On My Way Back.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRM-Y_fQPJNQwAMAsjPQu5bXYYkjVrkPqmKNuw33ZUHFWxni4CjNRSZiidQhxd3ynOgfYK26hsroXWQl6QqEZkCuQhk1LJYxmn1BfEF7SYCNMNIZc-FP5PY3a2sjR_QBvSWQm/s1600-h/0711+kalyweyninewdressesBEST.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRM-Y_fQPJNQwAMAsjPQu5bXYYkjVrkPqmKNuw33ZUHFWxni4CjNRSZiidQhxd3ynOgfYK26hsroXWQl6QqEZkCuQhk1LJYxmn1BfEF7SYCNMNIZc-FP5PY3a2sjR_QBvSWQm/s200/0711+kalyweyninewdressesBEST.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357937587048069858" /></a><br />Hi there! I know that you have probably forgotten about me by now, but I am on my way back home to Tale of Two Kiddies. After a long hiatus, we will be back on the air at least 3 days a week with all kinds of topics, giveaways, and basic chatter. Please do join me? Posts will begin in earnest on Thursday of this week. In the meantime, those of you with kids, that like kids, that teach kids, or are kids, head on over to <em><strong>The Crafty Crow </strong></em>at http://www.belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/ for fun crafts, great photos and links, and this week a cool giveaway for an apron pattern!<br /><br />See you on Thursday!<br /><br />PS. Went to the Ethiopian Culture Camp this past weekend, and had a fab time! We'll be saving our pennies for the whole weekend next year. Here are the girls in their new Ethiopian finery!Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-9673476180410218832009-01-25T13:50:00.008-05:002009-01-28T19:47:45.803-05:00Congratulations America!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_0jvDXpqvNtmK3WNzuf4gixTU2clgfqSPcxbWgujWIi_PbgVUf9PRu2ZckfTJt0e5a1ICDkOxHtTdPvhwCRhyphenhyphenOYfcGAVqJSIEw72QXFiQFZlWK_h4qvsCN4DH9Fsf1Pjxc70/s1600-h/CRamirez+weyniOompa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_0jvDXpqvNtmK3WNzuf4gixTU2clgfqSPcxbWgujWIi_PbgVUf9PRu2ZckfTJt0e5a1ICDkOxHtTdPvhwCRhyphenhyphenOYfcGAVqJSIEw72QXFiQFZlWK_h4qvsCN4DH9Fsf1Pjxc70/s200/CRamirez+weyniOompa.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295305884283477714" /></a><br /><br />Though I am fighting a horrible virus, I just have to quickly post and say how proud I am of my country. It is so inspiring that WE elected the man we wanted to represent us. The groundswell of excitement for Mr. Obama gave me goosebumps, and just when I was so tired of smug, rich, compromised white men pretending to stand for all of us - in walked a man that resonated with my very soul. I don't know him or his family personally. I was lucky enough to work for his campaign in my state, and to shake his hand with my youngest daughter when he came to New Hampshire in the very beginning. I have withstood questionable comments about my daughters' color, watched years of descrimination, segregation, the insidious undercurrent of racism in my section of the country, and "jokes" made even by my friends involving color, race, religion, or origin. But with this step of electing Mr. Obama, we have stepped beyond all of that. We have stepped out of the smog and into real light and possibility. I hope that that light can shine on the cockroaches that I know still exist among us, and expose them to what can be if we leave behind all of our jealosy and hate.<br /><br />I'm proud of my country, and of our new president. Like I said, I don't know him personally, but I do know what he has given up to serve as our leader. I'm proud that there was a man that comes from a solid family and a foundation of community that wanted to lead us. I stand with you, Mr. Obama, and may all the subversive forces in the world step back in awe of the power of the people.Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-90012342206439887432008-12-29T09:22:00.002-05:002008-12-29T09:25:38.850-05:00HAPPY HOLIDAYS!Hi all,<br /><br />So sorry to have been absent for so long. Life has taken a busier turn, but I think I'm on a more even keel. Looking forward to a new year of regular posts and will include the following topics in the next month or so:<br /><br />Racism/difference in public schools<br />How your child views race<br />Attachment disorder & book reviews<br />Solidifying your family's foundation<br /><br />Sound interesting? I'm looking forward to discussing these topics, so get your typing fingers ready. In the meantime, have a very safe and happy New Year! See you in 2009! :)Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-73140731602211234632008-07-21T19:37:00.002-05:002008-07-21T19:43:50.214-05:00Latest from Toad Cottage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzfbQVPowyt_fln2hWB9ZBFo8fxsphSF1LjELwJJe9bvPsf6Z5JrxEeQDaS7fGNWe6MujePWqFKcbxlK7kGu6BOC69lNiC8FJGuMMjUWU07clY58KQcnTr1Ox9Wp7xnZqdvwp/s1600-h/july17+kalyweynilove.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzfbQVPowyt_fln2hWB9ZBFo8fxsphSF1LjELwJJe9bvPsf6Z5JrxEeQDaS7fGNWe6MujePWqFKcbxlK7kGu6BOC69lNiC8FJGuMMjUWU07clY58KQcnTr1Ox9Wp7xnZqdvwp/s320/july17+kalyweynilove.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225632518819157474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq91gevmP9g_RUTUf6a1cut7XAlAO-4f4DZ7voWeFPbrnWxAEXDWrT_sERHeKbanWV1d1qJqHgLxS7Vw9-q68wkpwZqRoM0-riW3JcfP2o3r7lFSrGYrNglbiTrDPhCpT5wIA4/s1600-h/0318+weyniclose.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq91gevmP9g_RUTUf6a1cut7XAlAO-4f4DZ7voWeFPbrnWxAEXDWrT_sERHeKbanWV1d1qJqHgLxS7Vw9-q68wkpwZqRoM0-riW3JcfP2o3r7lFSrGYrNglbiTrDPhCpT5wIA4/s320/0318+weyniclose.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225632517891697154" /></a><br />Hi all,<br /><br />Life is whistling by with preparations for the parents' 50th anniversary party, so there has not been time to post about the deep subjects I've been hoping to post about. So, as a small commercial break, (please play Jeopardy music in your head while reading...) and for the A Little Bit Pregnant readers that wander over for proof of Sweetpea's existence, here are a couple of pictures.Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-59361443239841439262008-07-04T19:08:00.005-05:002008-07-04T19:29:11.545-05:00Independence Day from Hair HorrorWell, I know it is a definate and rather selfish departure from the discussion of diversity in schools I had planned, but today being Independence Day and all.....<br /><br />A pair of lovely blogs I read (here: http://whoorl.com/ and here: http://mooshinindy.com/ ) are doing a fabulous contest and the randomly chosen winner gets a hair makeover! (I am not a lucky person, but still hold out hope that I will be made over into a long, curly haired person!) So, here is my entry. <br /><br />Though I am loathe to admit it, here is what my hair looked like in my "Ugly Years". Now don't laugh because you know we all have them! Mine just lasted a bit longer than I would have hoped.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoAb5loCVmBspPEkvaPXcnoJjj23rtJbVlSoIsAnK9iT9a7hIu0doGAkEAeCOPNWULDuuDDHLwTMAT-fBwZiBCwZGHSbtxSRH_znbkRHrGZHJAacxlebXBpeCME65TBT1TIf1/s1600-h/Me+early.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoAb5loCVmBspPEkvaPXcnoJjj23rtJbVlSoIsAnK9iT9a7hIu0doGAkEAeCOPNWULDuuDDHLwTMAT-fBwZiBCwZGHSbtxSRH_znbkRHrGZHJAacxlebXBpeCME65TBT1TIf1/s200/Me+early.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219318233656270594" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This one is me relatively recently, though I just had a run-in with a far too overzealous stylist enamored with razorcutting.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI_Rz2-5vUeC1mhQj6tIQw1WwrZA4JkUwAka5qMuWgB2W9NBZGHG3vWSUFrt_bf5bfindtlExUHWiUbcIhqO2jQ85VZuTg4l2rmV5zNIVwXWzDC6ukVjTn_-afN14QqamFCuM/s1600-h/Me+3.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI_Rz2-5vUeC1mhQj6tIQw1WwrZA4JkUwAka5qMuWgB2W9NBZGHG3vWSUFrt_bf5bfindtlExUHWiUbcIhqO2jQ85VZuTg4l2rmV5zNIVwXWzDC6ukVjTn_-afN14QqamFCuM/s200/Me+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219318764242286610" /></a><br /><br />Now, I am aware that making over a short haircut is more than a challenge, but surely I can count on all of you to collectively cross your fingers that I might win this thing. I will offer my head in a no-holds-barred challenge. Honeybun has suggested going for a lively pink shade. Hmmmmm.Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-54763996823280332572008-06-12T19:24:00.003-05:002008-06-12T19:34:15.700-05:00Hello! No, I haven't been stolen by gypsies, joined the Foreign Legion, or disappeared into a crack in the earth. End of school, etc. has been keeping us hopping. So, in the meantime, until next week when life will slow down to less than warp speed, I've tweaked the montages and made them into DVD's . Take a peek here if you like.<br /><br /><div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=1040cd061e9b4141ed184c" quality="high" scale="noscale" width="600" height="526" wmode="window" allowFullScreen="true" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=1040cd061e9b4141ed184c&skin_id=601&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div style="margin:0px;font:12px/13px verdana,arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;padding-bottom:15px;width:600px;text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link?p=1040cd061e9b4141ed184c&skin_id=601&source=emplay" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link_image/1040cd061e9b4141ed184c/601.gif" style="border:0px;" width="600" /></a><br/><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt4" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;">Make an on-line slideshow at <span style="text-decoration:underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div><br /><br />and, of course, here.<br /><br /><div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=c157151018088b41d6bb1" quality="high" scale="noscale" width="600" height="526" wmode="window" allowFullScreen="true" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=c157151018088b41d6bb1&skin_id=601&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div style="margin:0px;font:12px/13px verdana,arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;padding-bottom:15px;width:600px;text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link?p=c157151018088b41d6bb1&skin_id=601&source=emplay" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_player_link_image/c157151018088b41d6bb1/601.gif" style="border:0px;" width="600" /></a><br/><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt3" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;">Make video montages at <span style="text-decoration:underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div><br /><br />Next week I'll be addressing the issue of diversity (or lack of same) in NH public schools, and how we as parents/educators should deal with this. Lots to say on this and will be interested to see what others experienced and have to say. See you then! Meanwhile, my little girl is graduating from kindergarten on Monday! EEEEK! What happened to my teeny baby? Hard to believe that I can love my daughters this much and not explode with the force of 3 million super novas.<br /><br />~BBeth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-49666450256004332002008-04-23T18:50:00.007-05:002008-04-24T19:39:50.472-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi9WGoQ0C8RSP4vQHwwno1XIEkEb8m27UMQru31vna7lVZGw25vcwY3fD1vs8uP1hy8dT7QNMQxhkObx-D3lN_Oz4q7GFgVc8OCjZcgHm3B2jFmxPazVsF51AeG3ikqpZhub5/s1600-h/0414+kalytwists.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192974700834904978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi9WGoQ0C8RSP4vQHwwno1XIEkEb8m27UMQru31vna7lVZGw25vcwY3fD1vs8uP1hy8dT7QNMQxhkObx-D3lN_Oz4q7GFgVc8OCjZcgHm3B2jFmxPazVsF51AeG3ikqpZhub5/s400/0414+kalytwists.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOF6GHpVRI4L5kF0opIv5EQkatZ-O_30JA02XKSmYA0OnqVZNlIgoOwRyXkZIdFEtRymNQjU8lTm-pG3sv8JfV5coC55vATs8YlyG0VFQ1jynQYTjeU_SWtWFH_qwqbDjUFfA/s1600-h/mixedchicks.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192974447431834482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOF6GHpVRI4L5kF0opIv5EQkatZ-O_30JA02XKSmYA0OnqVZNlIgoOwRyXkZIdFEtRymNQjU8lTm-pG3sv8JfV5coC55vATs8YlyG0VFQ1jynQYTjeU_SWtWFH_qwqbDjUFfA/s200/mixedchicks.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"> <strong>Urgent Breaking News:</strong></span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Sgl8cLScMbNzAH8ckrm5j8IMEt49VgIfdv_KF3NbxBamRbRldr0q-pgUlvytAThMm2XOrmohDAuaGBDTh7aWD9vgHW-1Hn_BJVyDxWjVuuaCRDKT7mt39erGHtq67DdkJDJ-/s1600-h/0414+kalytwists.JPG"></a><strong><span style="color:#99ff99;">Cool Hair Discovery!</span></strong> </div><div><br /><br /></div><div>What a week it's been! Ok, a couple of weeks but who's counting? Pardon me while I put a little 'X' for today on the calendar. </div><div></div><div>Well, after much research, Columbo-style investigation, gnashing of teeth, and general hysterics by the younger set here at Toad Cottage (We named our little house when we bought it after the gigantic toad that lives in our trash closet connected to the garage. He kindly lets us rent space in the closet to store our trashbags that await the lovely yellow truck collecting them once a week.), I have found hair products that truly work miraculously on my daughters' hair! (The bath water parted, light shone in a sparkling arc over the tub, and choirs of angels struck up a tune...) I stumbled upon a company called Mixed Chicks over at <a href="http://www.mixedchicks.net/curlyhairproducts.html">http://www.mixedchicks.net/curlyhairproducts.html</a> and they generously sent me some samples. We received their shampoo, deep conditioner, and leave-in conditioner. Fabulous results ensued!!! Both girls love the scent. I'm very sensitive to smells so I was skeptical, but these products really smell darn good! We used the Mixed Chicks style suggestion and did Honeybun's hair in double twists, sat her under our "Beauty Shop dryer" (a pink table top dryer), and then let the twists go. She absolutely loved the ringlet style to her hairdo, and we kept it going for a whole week by putting a silk hairnet on her head at night. Sweetpea is going through another bout of tantrums and could only sit reasonably still for a ponytail. Oh well. I am ordering more of the Mixed Chicks products and recommend them very highly to those of you that have curly hair yourselves or Ethiopian children. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-35485521283402831192008-04-20T07:53:00.001-05:002008-04-20T07:56:17.142-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcsF7h4p8agUEc30vnEOG2dxAv6Aeh8L9YIv7fhJuGksbSdKWcYlco_2yGWkFUb_3o0Mk5X3QKIYy-1zSZ9J526bcutGHOcfN60TUDl-tOcJZVmUaAfphbfCReHkyF4kbpccE/s1600-h/0402+kalyweyninewoutfits.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191310250028005330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcsF7h4p8agUEc30vnEOG2dxAv6Aeh8L9YIv7fhJuGksbSdKWcYlco_2yGWkFUb_3o0Mk5X3QKIYy-1zSZ9J526bcutGHOcfN60TUDl-tOcJZVmUaAfphbfCReHkyF4kbpccE/s320/0402+kalyweyninewoutfits.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIY9URn5-H_SWx5m_vbbCYwxNHBBGpGMlNL6VItH60nCtCO7ZCAYGG2xw19pXUCU9DjyaUoqpfYv0f2WJJXXgVBu8buOAkO7xARaDfdZl8edV8VyfZg_Y6DLmt5DXy7eUDYPj/s1600-h/0414+kalyweyniBEST.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191310254322972642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIY9URn5-H_SWx5m_vbbCYwxNHBBGpGMlNL6VItH60nCtCO7ZCAYGG2xw19pXUCU9DjyaUoqpfYv0f2WJJXXgVBu8buOAkO7xARaDfdZl8edV8VyfZg_Y6DLmt5DXy7eUDYPj/s320/0414+kalyweyniBEST.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_09CDfL5Zoj8dHk3AirctZBOahngZo672rdB4f5L7VMqlOnAAAZC8OA3KWpUuSal2-vGCoxJqRknn40X7olj4APLUKW61HBUBXJZeNa1mzTjIA_-uJe0d6RHP5RYx2QXNnJiA/s1600-h/CHARMweyniclose.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191310262912907250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_09CDfL5Zoj8dHk3AirctZBOahngZo672rdB4f5L7VMqlOnAAAZC8OA3KWpUuSal2-vGCoxJqRknn40X7olj4APLUKW61HBUBXJZeNa1mzTjIA_-uJe0d6RHP5RYx2QXNnJiA/s320/CHARMweyniclose.jpg" border="0" /></a> Posting pictures for a friend, but will post for real later. I have lots to tell you! :)<br /><div></div>Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-64076883477525654422008-03-12T18:40:00.004-05:002008-03-12T18:49:08.597-05:00<strong>A Second Chance to Appreciate Everything</strong><br /><br />Got the call from my really wonderful surgeon today, and it is benign! Yahoooooooooooooooo!!! Thank you all so much for your good wishes, prayers and crossed fingers. Because of you and your sweet caring thoughts I have a second chance to appreciate you, my family and life alot more. Being scared out of one's wits also gives one an opportunity to consider what mark one is leaving on the world; I have considered mine to be a bit lacking and this blog might be a way to make a difference. So, my topic tomorrow (as tonight Hubby and I are celebrating with a fine Pinot Grigio and hors d'ouevres) will be beginning and maintaining a relationship with birth family. We've worked at that for the past 3 years and I'll be speaking about it at this year's ACONE conference April 5th in Westborough MA. Mind if I gather my thoughts with you? I could also use some advice on what about that topic particularly interests you or what you would want to hear more about.<br /><br />Thank you again, my friends for thinking of me. I feel even stronger about supporting breast cancer patients, fund raising, hospices, etc. I'm lucky and I know that I dodged a bullet.Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-12170675776466569602008-03-07T20:26:00.002-05:002008-03-07T20:28:26.951-05:00Sorry kids, cannot concentrate. Breast biopsy is scheduled for monday morning and I just can't seem to focus on anything til' after I get the results. If you're the praying kind, please offer one for me? If not, I could really use your crossed fingers. Thanks, and I'll talk to you on Tuesday.<br /><br />xoxoBeth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-16155195958124223072008-02-22T19:50:00.000-05:002008-02-22T19:51:27.086-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLU3KyNLs52F7YpyFMEOtkEQn3Q-x9jFGBTmYjvSqItPRi3E2Cxj4x8xvmnv4yuhXlzMCn2wbd2r1bgeRgyH15Ya02ARRKi4pMPRwX8WeBDP2yH5J1ot-42iPmURIdxAQDhfS/s1600-h/disneykalywinnieweyni.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169971859115008594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLU3KyNLs52F7YpyFMEOtkEQn3Q-x9jFGBTmYjvSqItPRi3E2Cxj4x8xvmnv4yuhXlzMCn2wbd2r1bgeRgyH15Ya02ARRKi4pMPRwX8WeBDP2yH5J1ot-42iPmURIdxAQDhfS/s320/disneykalywinnieweyni.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-27467192265919267482008-01-21T14:37:00.000-05:002008-01-21T14:44:50.924-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzif6JUrPp1SsWsP334mFKrhcEgxh6eDDN7SNO6RcQJT_GvMrsp1YgqIlg_15DyHe3lmpKonKwkQH4aaL_q00rZWucsMIPyZndg6C_cg8FXhJ9bclnKEopv5LQN4r93cQlY8t/s1600-h/weyniholdskaly.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158016760584641906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzif6JUrPp1SsWsP334mFKrhcEgxh6eDDN7SNO6RcQJT_GvMrsp1YgqIlg_15DyHe3lmpKonKwkQH4aaL_q00rZWucsMIPyZndg6C_cg8FXhJ9bclnKEopv5LQN4r93cQlY8t/s200/weyniholdskaly.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0Gv9HXnw7y4qeBJdwwor5CaVO81Dc76ks02SrxAL4NOqfNUX7JeGIIkKZTojnulI6K1D_Mc3xd9WyemEC_zCzaWPUgXu6CYJJPACaP5LCYQT25YUiIzCt2gQB4BkEojmwpth/s1600-h/weynikaly+BEST.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158016769174576514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0Gv9HXnw7y4qeBJdwwor5CaVO81Dc76ks02SrxAL4NOqfNUX7JeGIIkKZTojnulI6K1D_Mc3xd9WyemEC_zCzaWPUgXu6CYJJPACaP5LCYQT25YUiIzCt2gQB4BkEojmwpth/s200/weynikaly+BEST.jpg" border="0" /></a> Have been out due to several reasons: head injury on my part, exhaustion, kids sick, family stuff... I know, not valid reasons for being absent. I will post later this evening on the topic of Dr. King, racism, teaching this topic at kindergarten (or NOT), etc. Must talk with kindergarten teacher first as the school and admin. is not concerned about the effect of their little show on my daughter. (Yes, I am mad. Look out school folk! :) )Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25888753.post-90872180390920380992007-11-04T16:44:00.000-05:002007-11-04T16:51:47.296-05:00Added some new stuff to the video montages before ordering DVD's for holiday gifts. Creative criticism?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=c157151018088b41d6bb1&skin_id=1605&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=image" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/cover_thumbnail?p=c157151018088b41d6bb1&view=2" border="0" alt="View this montage created at One True Media" title="View this montage created at One True Media"><br/>Our Kalkidan 4/05-4/07</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=1040cd061e9b4141ed184c&skin_id=1605&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=image" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/cover_thumbnail?p=1040cd061e9b4141ed184c&view=2" border="0" alt="View this montage created at One True Media" title="View this montage created at One True Media"><br/>Our Freweyni 8/06-4/07</a>Beth Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699804487443359309noreply@blogger.com8