Stapled Thumb

O.K. So the Monday following the infamous February 2, 2011 at Schnell School in Placerville, one of the most wonderful students in my class picked up a stapler that another student had dropped on the floor. This is the result. It was one of those PaperPro staplers with extra "spring-loaded" action. He said it did not hurt; it felt like "pressure". I thanked him for trying to distract us all from recent events, and he looked at me and said, "I didn't do it on purpose!" His mother came and took him home. She pulled it out with needle-nose pliers. He wanted to come back to school, but there was only a half hour left in the day, so she convinced him to stay home. He was very brave; his teacher recovered nicely after some rest. The best part was the reaction of the people from the district office who were substituting for our office staff. They don't usually get to see what the staff in an elementary school office deals with every day. Now they know why the paperwork doesn't always get finished and sent to the D.O. on time...

Rain Update from Doris

Had 1" of rain on Wednesday, .45 on Thursday and .4 on Saturday.  Total this season now 15.5"

Sam LaCara was a genuinely good man. Sincere, positive and always very interested. He was a good role model at a delicate time when I needed to know what a positive attitude could do, and how a grown man should act. You never got off without at least a conversation. But his words were always motivating, not punishing.

What an immense loss for the city of Placerville and the many whom he mentored and cheered over his years as an educator.

"Cardboard Dreams" Web Page

When you get to the web page, click on "Trailer" in the top right corner. http://www.cardboarddreamsmovie.com

"Cardboard Dreams" Movie Day - Part II

I wouldn’t miss this for the world.

Probably 30 college students and freshly graduated moving through our home, carrying equipment and boxes, snacks, a coffee pot, a twin bed, make-up, costumes, lighting...and everything they need for making our house look like their script, to feed the cast and crew all day, and they have two trucks and all their cars out front. One of the trucks is the generator, so they don't use our electricity. They got “no parking 8:00am-10:00pm” signs from the city. Very impressive.

Just talked to a first year female student who wants to be a director when she “grows up.” They are all so cute and working so hard on so many things that it takes to shoot a 30-minute film! Crazy. I love this stuff. The young actor said they were shooting until 12:30 last night (this morning). He is in 7th grade and chose not to homeschool. He said Algebra is very hard — that’s cute; proud that he was in algebra this year, yet humble enough to admit he thinks it is hard.

OK, back to my GVCS tasks -- I am working today from my little corner office. Concentrate. Concentrate. The house is full and buzzing with activity. AND I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING — except Sam who is loving it, now that he got his barks out and sniffed everyone. He is relaxed on his “blanket” by my desk. He is on his leash and will remain attached to my wrist — too many open doors and gates. But the real reason is... He wants to steal the scene! Ha!

Christmas Eve Family Breakfast 2011

Mark your calendars for the morning of December 24, 2011. You are invited to breakfast at our home for the traditional Peterson Christmas Eve Family Breakfast. We will look forward to hosting. This will be a fun and tasty alternative to breakfast out at a local restaurant. This will be our Christmas gift to the family. So plan your holiday commitments accordingly, and help us to remember this hospitable idea and early invitation in 11 months. Perhaps the menu may include pancakes, egg casserole, a gooey baked French toast, bacon, sausage, juice, and coffee, but we'll leave those details for another day.

Universal Truth & Encouragement

Loving friendships take the sting out of times of painful reality.

New Year's Eve Dog Rescue @ LAX

Glen rescued an escaped fancy dog in the parking garage/LAX Terminal 6 on New Year's Eve. This poodle, Benji, was wearing a fancy outfit and leash. She was nuts and running crazy--probably frightened, loose with no owner in sight. Glen opened our car door, and she jumped in. Glen was able to grab her leash. He took charge and calmed the dog down - whisperer style. While we were waiting for the airport police to arrive to help determine what to do next, the owners returned to their car nearby. They were upset when they noticed the dog was gone, and we heard them scream its name. We reunited the dog with the owner chick. Attention dog owners: a chip is of no value when a normal person finds your dog and wants to call you to find out how to get it back to you. If you are going to chip your pet, get a tag with your phone number, too! And one more thing...don't leave the window down and your dog inside the car.

Not Christmas Eve, but Christmastime Photos

No Christmas Eve photos from the north, just ones taken this morning before Andrew headed back up the mountain.

How bout some Christmas eve pictures?

Family Celebrity

Brianna Curtin is quite the performer! We are all proud of her! Here she is with Beth and Steve when she recently performed as a "Christmas Munchkin for the Wizard of Oz." Rumor has it Gramma Pete will be in the adoring audience for "The Nutcracker" later this week. [Photo Credit: Shawntea Curtin]

Most of the Group...

Many gathered in Doris Peterson's home to sing "Happy Birthday!" and celebrate at least 50 or so--give or take a decade or two...or three--years of life, love, and family. Ribs, tri-tip, corn on the cob, three cakes, and great company rounded out a fine evening.