Question

I am collecting childrens books to donate to a program this fall. My question is what books are popular for kids ages 5-10 or so? I don't have any nieces or nephews of that age to ask. I have bought many baby type story books at the dollat tree. But they don't carry many older kid's books. Any ideas of places that would carry books at a discount. Not trying to be cheap. but I would like to be able to donate many books. They have to be brand new.
I think I am getting some energy back after my mom's passing away. Starting to get interested in doing things again. This last two years has taken a lot out of me. lNot that I would ever regret the last two years of taking care of mom (with help from my siblings). But it was draining. I still think of things to tell her, or I take a picture and think, I have to show mom. Not possible. Guess this is normal and it has only been almost two months.
It is gorgeous outside today! 60's. It smells like spring out there. The plants are starting to emerge. It is so nice to go out each day and see the changes!
Well I had better think about getting ready for work. Thank you in advance for any information on the books. Hugs Teresa

 SOON!  But we are seeing some green now!

Death

Sometimes death can be good. My mom passed away on saturday. After a 25 month fight with cancer. She lasted far longer then they said she would, even without the chemo that she couldn't tolerate. She had one session of it. Mom had to be the strongest person I know. Even with us siblings going home and crying she stayed strong. In all those months I had never seen her cry. It was all God.s will on how long she lived and how bad the cancer affected her. It was only in the last couple of weeks that she asked us to pray that God takes her soon. Even earlier in the week she mentioned watchiing a movie this weekend. Then friday came and she crashed. She got fluid in her lungs. We were told not to expect her to last the weekend. She was gone by the next morning. I had told her the night before that she doesn't have to be strong anymore. She can go now and see dad again. I am sure that my words wasn't the reason that she passed away that night, but I am sure that they didn't hurt. We do have to thank all of her caregivers (hospice and others) because without them I don't know what we would have done. Peace of mind was so great. Knowing that they were there to watch for things that we didn't know about. Being there to act as a go between with the drs and others. As a family we were there every day. Each taking our turn.
I hope that you and dad are catching up and that you are happy in your new and healthy body mom. I bet you were happy to leave the diseased one behind. Love you mom.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Much to be thankful for. We are having about 20 people here. We do chicken instead of turkey. I know we are weird.
Yesterday was my birthday. I can't believe that I am 60! Don't feel any different then when I was 59! LOL!

This buck is at a Wetland Refuge we walk at. The deer are so friendly here. Especially the young ones.
Have a wonderful day everyone. Hugs, Teresa

Birds at my sister's house. ( a couple anyway)

An oriole eating grape jelly at my sister's house.

 I don't get to see these birds too often! Or if I do see one they don't stick around long enough to get a picture.

I love hummingbirds! We have been seeing one in our yard the last couple of days. But this one sat so pretty at my sisters. She lives in the country so she does have many more different birds then we do. Hugs, Teresa

Mitchele Park Conservatory (The Domes-Milwaukee)

Would you believe that this little guy is only this colorful in breeding season! The birds fly around free in the tropical dome.

These orchids are so pretty.

This garden is just packed with plants!

Seed head or fruit, all I know that it is huge! This is from the age of Jurrastic. (sp?) There were a lot of plants there with strange looking fruit.

The ponds were beautiful with the plants reflected in them. This one also had large Koi swimming around in it.

The tubes hanging off the plant has fluid in it that traps insects that the plant eats.

The Domes are VERY TALL! I don't know what will happen to the trees when they out grow their space.

Some of the trees and fruit are just bizarre!

More orchids.

Planted wall. Everywhere you turned there were more surprises.

Another odd tree trunk. I love to take pictures of oddities.

Such a vivid red!

This has to be one of the most striking hybiscus I have ever seen! The picture doesn't do it justice!

I wish that I were good at growing orchids!

I am not really a pink person, but this one is pretty!

Look at all the colors on this plant! That one would really brighten an area!

Cactus have such pretty flowers!

The structure of this one just facinates me. Such a great combination of colors.

Another structurally interesting plant.

These guys are HUGE!

Such a clear yellow flower!

The 3rd dome is a show dome. It is changed out about 3-4 times a year. At this time it is The Streets Of London 1800's. The backdrop for this one is a chalk drawing.

A picture of the pond and plantings in the show dome. It was so colorful!

Another plant reaching the limits on height.

This makes me think of old London (not that I have ever been there of course. LOL). Cute scene.

We had a great time there. There are 3 domes. Tropical, Desert and Show Domes. We ran into rain about 3/4 of the way home. It rained so hard that we couldn't see the road at times! I haven't been in that kind of rain in a long time! I had 5 days off and we went to two great places. Horicon Marsh and The Domes. Today we had to stay homes as our roof got reshingled. That should (hopefully) be the last time.
I hope everyones has a great day. Hugs, Teresa

More May pretties

After a slow start our tree peonies did well. I love the purple of this one!

This is one of our newest ones. The red center really plays off the yellow. There is another yellow one out there that is in the $$$ range and I think this one is just as pretty.

Now these should all be red and white, but we do get some all red ones.

The only name I know for this one is bottle brush plant. It is so nice to have a different shaped flower.

Avens   It took me awhile to get the name for this one. I love to have different kinds of flower shapes in the beds. Just a little more interesting.

Solomon's seal.  Very early flowering plant. But I will have to keep an eye on it as it seems to be spreading a bit too much.

Our Giant Jack In The Pulpet really took off now. Not all over the bed, just came up in a nice big clump. I will have to get a better picture where you can actually see Jack in his pulpet. The colors are very pretty. I must have a picture on my phone. I haven't downloaded those yet. So this is just a tease.

There is a funny story about these guys. I love going to a marsh near here. These geese/goslings were standing near the road. I didn't want to scare them so I drove on the other side of the road. Just creeping along. All of a sudden one of the geese flew up over my hood and banked in front of my windshield. All I could see was goose belly and legs! I stopped and 3 more goslings ran across the road in front of my car. Once they were across and safely in the grass I drove forward again. At a crawl. All of a sudden here comes the goose again. Same thing. Never thought I would have a close-up of a goose bottom and legs. That really makes your heart pound!!! I guess he just had to make sure I knew that he was serious!  I have seen some people fly up that road. I am surprise that I haven't seen any dead birds yet. This goose probably was P.O'd at those drivers and finally found someone he could "attack".  I was there one day and someone in a huge truck was following right behind a goose walking (more like running) down the side of the road. Right on his tail. Of course he thought he was really funny. I won't mention the name I had for him! %$^&#* 
I also won't mention the stressful week I had at work. Let's just say that some people can away with more then others. To me my job is more then just a paycheck. I guess I am just too serious.  Oh well the week is almost over with.
Hugs, Teresa

Well the material is bought! Now...

 Let's start by saying that in October we will be blessed by a new little boy in our family. My niece Helen just found out that it will be a boy. Of course we have know about her being pregnant for awhile, but just found out the sex. Time is going so fast that October will be here before we know it. YIKES!  I bought the material for a baby quilt today. I haven't made many quilts (4 small ones) so I need to get started. O.K. you guys who quilt...I am not the fastest quilter. This will not be fancy. But it will be made with love. I did stay away from making it completely boyish as you never know. Sometimes (as good as ultra-sounds are) there could be a surprise. Not likely...but. Now to get the courage to cut into the material. Nail biting going on. That is the hardest part for me. O.K. here is the material I picked out:

I think it is so cute. I saw another one that I liked also, but it was very boyish. No way to make it unisex. This one is going to be so much brighter though. From what I heard it is good for babies. Don't know if that is true or not.

I am so glad that I got out into nature on Saturday as it rained a lot on Sunday and off and on today. I am so mixed up on the day of the week now after having a 3 day weekend.
I know how lucky I am though as so much of our country is having tornados and flooding. Please say a prayer for all the people who are going through the awful weather. I can't imagine it!!! Have a great week everyone. Hugs, Teresa