My brother, Eric Rosen, took his kids sledding at Central Park yesterday and sent me these pics. Gorgeous snow! Thanks, Eric! And by the way, there has been more snowfall this winter in NYC than since a year in the late 1800s!

Lilly Badilly spent an evening with an extra special group of children with cancer at Gilda’s Club last night in Fort Lauderdale. The children’s program is called “Noogieland,” in honor of Staurday Night Live’s comedian, Gilda Radner, who died from ovarian cancer in 1989. The kids learned all about writing, reading and Costa Rica. Then we did a craft project – a decorated paper bird to hang. Thanks to one of our Corporate Partners (who wishes to remain anonymous) we were able to donate a book to each of the children who participated. Thank you, thank you, thank you TB!

I cannot say enough about what a wonderful place Gilda’s Club is to be and how dedicated the volunteers and staff members are there. If you are not familiar with this organization, Gilda’s Club is a completely free cancer support center – not only for those who are ill – but for all member of their families. Networking groups, lectures, workshops, specialized children’s and teen programs, and social events are all part of their programs. The South Florida location is housed in a gorgeous old mansion in the historic section of Fort Lauderdale along the Tarpon River. They rely upon donations to keep their indispensable services going. I cannot think of a better cause to support! I am sure that Gilda herself would be so proud of what the organization using her name has accomplished and how many lives it has touched. If you or anyone you know needs cancer support, check out the website to find locations near you.

I hope to be invited back soon to do more craft projects. Special thanks to Elisa Jones, Noogieland Manager, for inviting me.

Gilda’s Club of S Florida is housed in a most inviting historic house

I was greeted by a gorgeous peacock upon my arrival at Gilda’s Club

Sharing my character voices with the children

The children loved making paper birds

An adorable 5th grade girl shows me her blue bird.

This week’s comic strip inspired by my good friend, Ronna Mandel from LA Parent Magazine . . .

© 2010 by Debbie Glade, Smart Poodle Publishing. All rights reserved.

Click here to read last week’s comic.

1. Do some simple eavesdropping everywhere you go.
2. Check out really weird news stories.
3. Get a lead from something hilarious, stupid, annoying, nice, weird) your spouse said/did.
4. Watch your pet play.
5. Be inspired by bad service you had at a store.
6. Think of several unusual people you know who do not go together well and invite them over at the same time.
7. Visit your local courthouse and observe a trial. (Just don’t use real stories/names!)
8. Volunteer at an elementary school.
9. Walk down the alleys in your neighborhood.
10. People watch at the airport.

http://school.discoveryeducation.com

Determiner – Small words that come before and modify nouns. Example: All children, many children, those children etc.

Interjections – Words (or phrases) that exclaim, command or challenge. Example: Go right now! I don’t believe you!

Conjunction – A word that joins other words together – Example: And but, or, nor, so.

Adjectives - Words tat modify nouns. Example: Pretty woman, hairy rat, sad movie.

Adverbs – Words that modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. Example: He moved swiftly down the street. She played a very good game.

Check out the illustrations in this children’s book! Click here to read my review on LA Parent.

• 2 C Flour
• 3 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• Pinch Grated Nutmeg
• 1 C Sugar
• 1 tsp. Orange Extract
• 1 Large Egg
• 5 Tbsp. Melted Butter
• 1/2 C Milk
• 1/2 C Sour Cream
• 1/2 C Orange juice
• 1/2 C choc chips

Beat butter and sugar. Add egg, orange extract. In separate bowl mix dry ingredients. Mix together milk/OJ/sour cream. Add dry ingredients alternating with milk/OJ/sour cream mixture. Mix in choc chips. Pour into greased and floured 8 inch square Pirex pan. Bake at 350 (convection bake if you have that) until done. 25-35 min depending on your oven. Do not overbake.

Mix 1/2 C powder sugar, 25 melted choc chips, 1/2 tsp. orange extract with enough orange juice to make right consistency and drizzle over top of cake when done. 9 servings. Serve with your favorite ice cream.

http://www.free-clip-art.com/

News – Forbes ranks Miami the Sixth Worst City to Live in the USA.

Rebuttal – I sit outside working on my sunny patio all winter long, (unlike clinically depressed family members who live up north and complain about the bitter temps and grey skies!) grow unbelievable organic tomatoes in my yard, eat the freshest citrus fruits in the world, leave my windows open for fresh air, run and walk daily outside, never wear a coat, go to the beach often and take advantage of all the cultural events in Miami year round and much more. I’m not suffering.

News – Tiger Woods apologizes for affairs and demands that the press leave his wife and kids alone.

Rebuttal – I’m all for apologies, and he did do that quite thoroughly and methodically. As far as being disgusted by the press hounding his family, he can blame ONLY himself (and what he refers to as his “behavior” as if that were his sidekick rather than his actions) for that.

News – Stowaway who climbs into the wheel of a cargo plane falls to his death after after plane takes off.

Rebuttal – This man should be the Grand Prize Winner of the Darwin Awards, and hopefully he did not reproduce before doing this. The apple doesn’t usually fall far from the tree, pun intended.

News – Accused killer, Alabama Professor Ann Bishop’s defense lawyer states he is sorry he called his client a “wacko.”

Rebuttal – No he’s not. Because she is.

News – After losing the gold to US skater Evan Lysacek, angry Silver medalist Plushenko comments that his sport is supposed to be “men’s figure skating, not ice dancing.”

Rebuttal – This is an arrogant sore loser talking, without grace and humility. His words are what make him a loser, not his performance on the ice.

© 2010 by Debbie Glade, Smart Poodle Publishing. All rights reserved.

Click here to read last week’s comic.