• Here is a list of idea's for presents for Benjamin's second birthday and Christmas.
• Melissa and Doug ABC puzzle
• Melissa and Doug patterns puzzles
• Timberdoodle
• puppets
• rubber stamps
• Train mat(s)
• Train tracks/accessories
• Planes, trains and automobiles
• musical instruments
• Books-shapes, colors, abc's, counting
• Car's floor puzzle?
• Lacing toys
• Flannel board and felt pieces
• Dress up hats-cowboy, fireman, conductor, etc
• Play Doh!
• Barn, tractor and farm animals
• magnetic alphabet-greek and hebrew too

I used to use this song to remember the 50 states and over the years I slowly forgot it. Now I have it on a list!

Lyrics to Fifty Nifty United States : Fifty nifty United States from thirteen original colonies; Fifty nifty stars in the flag that billows so beautif'ly in the breeze. Each individual state contributes a quality that is great. Each individual state deserves a bow, we salute them now. Fifty nifty United States from thirteen original colonies, Shout 'em, scout 'em, Tell all about 'em, One by one till we've given a day to ev'ry state in the U.S.A. Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut; Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana; Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan; Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada; New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Car...

Like many people I like to stay in shape, but don't like to "exercise". Here are few ways I get the old heart pumping without feeling like I'm doing any work.

• skijoring/canicross/rollerjoring
  • belt
  • new headlamp
  • flashing lights-safety first!
  • tennis shoes
  • roller blades
• rock climbing
  • shoes
  • harness
  • lines
  • carabeaners
• yoga
• dancing
• swimming
• horseback riding

• seared sesame tuna (eno vino)
• mac 'n cheese (beth doby)
• pie.
• anything joe makes
• cake from the rolling pin
• gail ambrosius chocolates
• salted caramel hot chocolate from starbucks
• stuffed flounder(betty bush)
• christmas cookies
• dill havarti
• cheese platters(old fashioned, l'etoile)
• cucumber salad with yogurt dressing(kabul)
• baba ghanoui and stuffed grape leaves(lulus)
• lamb korma and mango lassi's(maharaja)
• s'mores with reese peanut butter cups

things that i don't always buy myself that i like to get as presents

• purses
• dinner
• gift cards
• dog training books and paraphenalia
• books
• anything on my amazon wishlist
• perfume(only perfume, i don't like smelly lotions)
• pashminas
• puffy vests(allison)
• doctor who dvds
• scrubs

Everyone has things they would like to improve about themselves. Here is a list of my short comings.

• defense-belongs in sports, not in relationships
• being on time-you cannot bend time to your will
• listening-be quiet!
• procrastination-just because it's on the list doesn't mean it magically gets done.
• confidence-your name is not Thomas, stop doubting.
• selfishness-it's not always about you
• jealousy-get over it

Many people I know don't like country music, but it's one of my favorite genres of music. Here is a list of reasons why I think country music is great.

• jesus take the wheel
• everybody wanna go to heaven, but nobody wanna go now
• joe's song-itty bitty
• margaritaville
• rascal flatts 'nuff said
• wide open spaces
• cowboys and farm dogs
• you're gonna miss this, you're gonna want this back. you're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast. these are the good times so take a good look around. you may not know it now, but you're gonna miss this.
• don't blink

This is a pretty comprehensive list of the things I need/want to buy for the poochies

• bed for rooke
• skijoring/canicross(rooke)
  • harness
  • towlines
  • quick release
  • booties
  • blinking lights
• camping
  • pads
  • blankets
  • jackets
  • life preserver(rooke)
  • long lines
• corgimo collars
• seatbelt(rooke)
• waist leash

here are the ten questions (compiled by bernard pivot) that james lipton asks every guest on inside the actors studio. i have listed my responses should i ever be a guest!

• what is your favorite word? fabulous
• what is your least favorite word? cruddy
• what turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally? helping others
• what turns you off? selfishness
• what is your favorite curse word? hell
• what sound or noise do you love? Joe's voice
• what sound or noise do you hate? rooke screaming
• what profession other than your own would you like to attempt? working at church
• what profession would you not like to do? lawyer
• if heaven exists, what would you like to hear god say when you arrive at the pearl...

We temporarily live in Waukegan, Il and truth be told it's definitely not my top choice of places to live. I am trying to make the most of it. Here is a list of places I would like to go to before we leave the area

• Shedd Aquarium
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Milwaukee County Zoo
• Ikea run w/lunch
• Chicago cubs game
• Chicago children's museum
• Brewer's game
• Michigan Lake beach
• Betty brinn children's museum
• Bristol renaissance faire
• Medieval times
• Train ride into Chicago
• jelly belly factory tour
• fancy dinner in chicago
• Michigan Ave trip

My favorite work is dog training. I am a good dog trainer, but one day I want to be a great dog trainer. Here is a list of my goals to get there.

• Become a CGC evaluator
• Become a CPDT
• Start and continue the dog book club with Julie
• Watch videos
• Go to CE seminars
• Get a Master's Degree in animal behavior
• Train my own dogs!

I have 2 small gardens at home that are works in progress. I have done a little bit of work on them each year, but would like to do a lot this year.

• make a plan of plants/changes with Kas
• supplies
  • composted manure
  • soil
  • mulch
  • rose food
  • new decorative rocks
• plants I know I want to get
  • chives
  • lettuce
  • daffodils

things that i need to get, but for some reason or other haven't bothered to buy yet

• winter boots
• winter hat
• winter gloves and mittens
• rain coat
• belt
• camping shirts
• fleeces
• puffy vests
• khakis
• dressy pants
• shoes
  • fancy
  • running
  • walking
  • light hiking
  • trendy sneakers
  • crocs