Day 77 - March 26: Town Election

Recently, my sister-in-law, Rachel worked tirelessly on a campaign to fund a badly needed new middle school in their city.  Thousands of people voted and her side won by just six votes.  Before that, my parents campaigned for a new library in their town and again, their side won, but by something even less than six.  Today our town held elections for a number of posts.  With only one contested race, it would have been easy enough to blow off.  Their stories, though, reminded me that every vote really does count.

Day 76 - March 25: Magnolia Tree

My grandmother had a gorgeous Magnolia tree in the front yard of her exquisitely preserved antique home in Janesville, Wisconsin.  Each spring, she would send us a snapshot of her standing in front of the tree in full bloom.  Now, whenever I see a Magnolia in bloom, I see my grandmother smiling - and know that spring has officially sprung.

Day 75 - March 24: Manicures

Today I took Lane and two friends for manicures.  I resist vanity but must admit that the end result of a professional manicure is pure pleasure.  No matter how the rest of me looks or feels, with my neatly trimmed claws, I feel put together and under control.  And that's even without the pink, green, or blue with white flowers.   

Day 74 - March 23: False Advertising

Blame it on my upbringing.  My mother taught English and Latin and I was schooled in proper grammar from an early age.  So today, while following this truck, I cringed.  I get it - "Dun Rite" is cute, I guess.  But "Craftsmanship at it's Best"?  "It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has".  Insert "it is" into this sentence - does it still make sense?  I don't think so.  Listen, I don't claim to be an expert but this is an easy one.  And before I go painting the back of my truck, I'll review it with my mom first.    

Day 73 - March 22: Stuart's Haircut

The last time Stuart's neck was visible he was a first grader.  Since then it's been a mop of curls, which I always found rather adorable.  Recently, though, he's been expressing interest in shorter hair (much to my dismay) and today he finally took the plunge.  He's quite pleased with the result and I must admit I find it equally adorable. 

Day 72 - March 21: The Dentist

A dental appointment is one of the few things in life that you prefer to be boring and uneventful.  Today's visit was just that - except that I got everyone giggling when I pulled out my camera. 

Day 71 - March 20: Phase One Complete

I distinctly remember the day I got my braces off and the feeling of my teeth - almost jelly-like in their smoothness.  Today was Lane's joyous day and, because I got to steal her away for both the appoinment and a celebratory lunch before returning her to school, a joyous day for me as well.