Columbus of old

Last week we went shopping, and I found this map. I have no idea when it was published - only that is is before highways, and evidently before much of what we know of the city became part of Columbus. In fact, my old neighborhood isn't even on the map.

The adventures of...

Meadville recently saw the return of Public Enemy Numbers 5392 and 5393, otherwise known as Smiley and Slim. Recalling such days as Bonnie and Clyde, these two found this small city the ideal place to find their loot. While surrounded by unsuspecting adults, the youngsters were able to make off with new headgear and a shiny gold tin, as seen in this stock photo:
Who knows what else they may have been able to lift? Smiley and Slim have been reportedly seen in the Cleveland area, possibly training another youngster in their sinister arts. If you happen to cross paths with them, please be advised that they are armed with excess energy and may be able to fast-talk you into unknowingly helping them on their sprees. Please contact their authorites at once!

I wish...

If I had the money I might spend it on this dress. (However, I'd ditch the makeup, shoes and hat.) Oh, but it's a couture dress, costing more that you probably imagine, so it will not be in my closet anytime soon. Or ever.
by Galliano for Dior See more of this wonderful couture show at Style.com.

An eight-year-old's update

Sometimes it pays to clean up. Earlier we allowed Dot to have the Playmobil Grand Mansion (we found it at a consignment shop), with the promise to "get rid" of her Barbies. (We are keeping the house Mike made. Can't get rid of that!!!) After a morning of sorting through her stuff, we took the decent items to Once Upon a Child, where Dot made a total of $25! With that money she has purchased a Our Generation doll from Target - an American Girl knock-off with a much lower price. Dot now dreams of all the outfits she will be sewing for her doll.
When not playing Playmobil or with her new doll, or doing school, Dot gets limited time on the computer. Lately all that time has been spent playing "Battle for Wesnoth." If allowed, she will spend all afternoon sucked into this game. If not allowed, she will then go read, with Calvin and Hobbes being one of her favorite ways to pass the time. Another favorite, Pick Me Up, a new library book that covers a bunch of different topics. It is an interesting read. (Watch out for evolutionary and cultural ideas, however.) In school we are reading Rolf and the Viking Bow. It is an Icelandic adventure set in the chivalric past. The book is more of an adventure (a "boy book"), but it is good for her to read.
Gym class has been introduicng her to the basic sports - football and basketball so far. Dot has not been enjoying that so much, but it is good for her to learn the basics. She hopes that next year we will opt for doing our own gym class of geo-caching. Hiking would be a good "sport" for her...
New things are on the horizon... preliminary plans include summer camp!

A three-year-old's morning

This three-year-old spend a good portion of this morning trying headstands (with help to get those feet up). Then he "read" a favorite library book, played hide-and-seek in our closet, and then hopped throughout the house. All this in less than one hour. Jamie lives life in fast-forward.

art class

Walmart has small plaster figures for 44 cents. Dot couldn't pass up the puppy and bird. Jamie decided the frog was irresistable. Since we already own paint and paintbrushes, I gave in and let them have "art class" this morning. Wearing old t-shirts they got to work, and now they are extremely proud of their efforts, especially Jamie. I am sure that it will have a place of honor in his room.

New Years Diet?

The amazing stewardess diet - be slim and glamorous, eat all you want. All meals must be taken aboard a domestic airline.
The new high-fiber bread wrapper diet - minimizes the absorption of calories from food. Easy to follow! Eat one bread wrapper at every meal. Based on little-noted nutritional fact that the body cannot digest plastic.
Oral bypass - the new non-invasive, non-surgical, cure for obesity that involves no change in daily meal patterns. Instead of putting food in their mouths, patients are directed to toss food over their left shoulders.
The amazing carcinophobic diet - rules out all foods suspected of being hazardous to your health. Weight loss guaranteed.
Control overeating - replace your ordinary refrigerator with Frigivault; locks automatically, opens 10 minutes, three times daily.
Fat city - condominium and country club, a planned community development. Here, you will not be considered fat. You or your spouse must weigh over 200 pounds to meet residency requirements. Planned recreation program, including bake-offs, taffy pulls and wine tastings. On-site shopping center with Fannie Farmer, Lane Bryant and Dunkin Donuts. Offering by prospectus only.

I found this in a notebook of recipe and food related clippings that Grandma Grimes had collected over the years. It is from "Slim Gourmet" by Barbara Gibbons.

Football

"There is no joy in Mudville..." as Jim put it so well in his daily email. After such a joyous, winning season last night promised to be exciting. The first play of the game seemed to indicate another good buckeye game. Ah, well. Things don't always work out the way they should. And I can't tell you much more about the game, as I went to bed before halftime.

Another game is getting coverage here in Baltimore. The Ravens will be playing the Colts! "Boo, hiss!" cry all the Baltimore fans. They are referring to the sale and secret middle-of-the-night departure of the Colts in 1984. To us, being from Ohio, this seems to make little sense, as the Ravens are simply "the team formerly known as the Browns."

Cousins on the stairs

Remember those old photos at Grandma Rupert's house? It must be time to start the tradition for the next generation...