Twas The Month After Christmas

I found this poem someplace and since the month after Christmas is almost over, I thought I'd use it today. Also, I have to make a decision soon since my own diet starts the day after the Super Bowl. I just can't make up my mind. I need to be able to stick to it, whatever it is. Any suggestions? (No spam, please).

Twas the month after Christmas,

And all through the house,

Nothing would fit me,

Not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,

The chocolate I'd taste

At the holiday parties

Had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales

There arose such a number!

When I walked to the store

(less a walk than a lumber),

I'd remember the marvellous meals I'd prepared;

The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese

And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt

And prepared once again to do battle with dirt...

I said to myself, as I only can,

"You can't spend a Summer, disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.

Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished

Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.

I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.

I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...

But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.

Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

Friday Funnies

Free Computer Games and Online Conversions

I had previously posted a link to software for online software conversion, but when I needed it yesterday, I found the link was dead. In my search for a replacement, I came across these good online converters.

This one converts MP3's to ring tones for your phone.
TRY MP3 To Ring tone HERE

I also recently starting using the Video2mp3 to convert You Tube videos to MP3's. I love both utilities!

Visit Video2mp3 HERE

For the last 3 days, my Grandchildren have been playing games that I downloaded for them from a totally free site. I even got Mario Brothers. The games all seem to be virus and spyware free and work very well. However, when you finish a game and "quit", it automatically opens your browser and takes you back to their website. I'm surprised the virus scanner doesn't pick it up as a trojan. I have them on 2 different computers with 2 different virus programs. It's very annoying, but what can you say? The games are totally FREE. Get Free Games HERE

Friday Funnies

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson go on a camping trip.  After a good dinner and a bottle of wine, they retire for the night, and go to sleep.

Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend. “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”

“I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes” replies Watson.

“And what do you deduce from that?”

Watson ponders for a minute.  “Well, 

	Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.
	Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo.
	Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three.
	Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
	Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe.

But what does it tell you, Holmes?”

Holmes is silent for a moment.  

“Watson, you idiot!” he says.  “Someone has stolen our tent!”

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Yo Mama... so ugly yo father takes her to work with him so he doesn't have to kiss her goodbye....

 * * * * * * * * * * 

* * * * * * * * * *

Accident At the Pearly Gates (PG)

Three men were standing in line to get into heaven...

It had been a pretty busy day, though, so St Peter had to tell the first one: "Heaven's getting pretty close to full today, and I've been asked to admit only people who have had particularly horrible deaths. So what's your story?" 

The first man replies: "Well, for a while I've suspected my wife has been cheating on me, so today I came home early to try to catch her red-handed. As I came into my 25th floor apartment, I could tell something was wrong, but all my searching around didn't reveal where this other guy could have been hiding. Finally, I went out to the balcony and, sure enough, there was this man hanging off the railing, 25 floors above ground! By now I was really mad, so I started punching and kicking him, but wouldn't you know it, he wouldn't fall off. So finally I went back into my apartment and got a hammer and starting hammering his fingers. Of course, he couldn't stand that for long, so he let go and fell - but even after 25 stories, he fell into the bushes, stunned but okay! I couldn't stand it anymore, so I ran into the kitchen, grabbed the fridge, and threw it over the edge where it landed on him, killing him instantly. But all the stress and anger got to me, and I had a heart attack and died there on the balcony."

"That sounds like a pretty bad day to me," said Peter, and let the man in.

The second man comes up and Peter explains to him about heaven being full, and again asks for his story.

"It's been a very strange day. You see, I live on the 26th floor of my apartment building, and every morning I do my exercises out on my balcony. Well, this morning I must have slipped or something, because I fell over the edge. But I got lucky and caught the railing of the balcony on the floor below me. I knew I couldn't hang on for very long, when suddenly this man burst out onto the balcony. I thought for sure I was saved, when he started punching and kicking me. I held on the best I could until he ran into the apartment and grabbed a hammer and started pounding on my hands. Finally I just let go, but again I got lucky and fell into the bushes below, stunned but all right. Just when I was thinking I was going to be okay, this refrigerator comes falling out of the sky and crushes me instantly, and now I'm here." 

Once again, Peter had to concede that that sounded like a pretty horrible death.

The third man came to the front of the line, and again the whole process was repeated. Peter explained that heaven was full and asked for his story. 

"Picture this," says the third man, "I'm hiding naked inside a refrigerator..."

Nostalgic Gum

I keep seeing this posted on different memorabilia emails and nostalgia pages, but did you know this gum can still be purchased?

I bought Teaberry at Dollar Tree and I saw the Blackjack, Clove and Teaberry, all three, at Rite-Aid.

My Grandmother used to chew Clove gum, but she also chewed Juicy Fruit, Dentyne and Chicklets, and you don't hear them referred to as Nostalgia.

Regardless it doesn't have to be just a memory,  get some and introduce your kids to it. Hopefully, the same emails will still be going around in another 30 years and your kids will say they remember that gum because their parents chewed it.

Friday Funnies

A really stupid joke - I found this on Yahoo Answers I think:


The funniest joke I ever told was this:
"I've got a cousin in the Ku Klux Klan. He's got a son who wet's the bed. You can tell them at the Klan Rally's. Cause they got LIKE a YELLOW stain on their sheets!!!!!!!"

*****

This is Clocky

Product Features:

    * Persistent, mobile alarm clock; droid-like clock hops off nightstand, runs amok, and beeps to get the user out of bed
    * Travels on 2 wheels; digital display with backlight for night viewing
    * 1-time snooze function with 0 to 9 minute duration; wheels on/off button
    * Requires separate purchase of 4 AAA batteries; 3-foot maximum jump height
    * Measures 5-1/4 inches wide by 3-1/2 inches deep by 3-1/2 inches high; limited 90-day warranty

Can you imagine and alarm clock that runs away and hides, so you have to go find it to turn it off... funny but a little scary too.

CLOCKY at Amazon

I heard on the news this evening that sun signs were being changed and I came across this while I was looking it up. Being a southerner myself, I thought it was funny.

HOROSCOPES FOR SOUTHERNERS

OKRA
Dec 22 - Jan 20

Although you appear crude, you are actually very slick on the inside. Okra have tremendous influence. An older Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere. Stay away from Moon Pies!

CHITLIN
Jan 21 - Feb 19

Chitlins often come from humble backgrounds. Many times they're uncomfortable talking about just where they came from. A chitlin, however, can make something of himself if he's motivated and has plenty of seasoning. When it comes to dealing with Chitlins, be very careful. Chitlins can burn and then erupt like Vesuvius, and this can make for a really terrible mess. Chitlins are best with Catfish and Okra. Remember that when marriage time rolls around.

BOLL WEEVIL
Feb 20- Mar 20

You have an overwhelming curiosity. You're unsatisfied with the surface of things, and you feel the need to bore deep into the interior of everything. Needless to say, you are very intense and driven as if you had some inner hunger. Nobody in their right mind is going to marry you, so don't worry about it.

MOON PIE
Mar 21- April 20

You're the type that spends a lot of time on the front porch. It's a cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies. Big and round are the key words here. You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea. It's not going to be easy. This might be the year to think about aerobics. Maybe not.

POSSUM
APR 21 - May 21

When confronted with life's difficulties, possums have a marked tendency to withdraw and develop a don't-bother-me-about-it attitude. Sometimes you become so withdrawn, people actually think you're dead. This strategy is probably not psychologically healthy, but seems to work for you. One day, however, it won't work and you may find your problems actually running you over.

CRAWFISH
May 22 - June 21

Crawfish is a water sign. If you work in an office, you're always hanging around the water cooler. Crawfish prefer the beach to the mountains, the pool to the golf course, the bathtub to the living room. You tend to be not particularly attractive physically, but you have very, very good heads.

COLLARDS
June 22- July 23

Collards have a genius for communication. They love to get in the "melting pot" of life and share their essence with the essence of those around them. Collards make good social workers, psychologists, and baseball managers. As far as your personal life goes, if you are Collards, stay away from Moon Pies. It just won't work. Save yourself a lot of heartache.

CATFISH
July 24 - Aug 23

Catfish are traditionalists in matters of the heart, although one: Whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. Your catfish are never easy people to understand. You prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Moon Pies.

GRITS
Aug 24 - Sept 23

Your highest aim is to be with others like yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits. You love to travel, thought so maybe you should think about joining a club. Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese or gravy or bacon or butter or eggs. If you can go somewhere where they have all these things, that serves you well.

BOILED PEANUTS
Sept 24 - Oct 23

You have a passionate desire to help your fellow man. Unfortunately, those who know you best -- your friends and loved ones-may find that your personality is much too salty, and their criticism will probably affect you deeply because you are really much softer than you appear. You should go right ahead and marry anybody you want to because in a certain way, yours is a charmed life. On the road of life, you can be sure that people will always pull over and stop for you.

BUTTER BEAN
October 24 - Nov 22

Always invite a Butter Bean because Butter Beans get along well with everybody. You, as a Butter Bean, should be proud. You've grown on the vine of life and you feel at home no matter what the setting. You can sit next to anybody. However, you too, shouldn't have anything to do with Moon Pies.

ARMADILLO
Nov 23 - Dec 21

You have a tendency to develop a tough exterior, but you are actually quite gentle. A good evening for you? Old friends, a fire, some roots, fruit, worms and insects. You are a throwback. You're not concerned with today's fashions and trends. You're not concerned with anything about today. You're really almost prehistoric in your interests and behavior patterns. You probably want to marry another Armadillo, but Possum is another somewhat kinky, mating possibility.
 

Dieting For Weight Loss and Better Health

At my age, I know that diet and weight maintenance and good health is important. Commitment to dieting is difficult for many reasons (other than just will power). Food and supplements with most diet plans are pretty expensive. Even if you choose a diet that requires strictly fresh vegetables, etc., the money adds up. Plus, you usually have to prepare something different for the rest of your family and that adds more expense, not to mention the time involved in doing separate meals. . . and the temptations when preparing theirs.

Nevertheless, I have to make a decision. Doing nothing gets nothing done. I've have narrowed it down to a couple.

Scarsdale Diet Plan - Below is the basic Scarsdale Diet Plan.

How the Scarsdale program works:

Dieters follow the Scarsdale Medical Diet (SMD) strictly for two weeks, and during which, fast weight loss is promised (7 - 15 pounds).

After the two weeks, you switch to Keep Trim Eating for two weeks, where you plan your own menus for two weeks, with a list of additional foods permitted, and higher calories.

After two weeks on Keep-Trim, you are back on the Scarsdale Medical Diet for another two weeks of strict low calorie eating, followed with another two weeks of Keep Trim. This cycle is repeated until your goal is reached. Here are some helpful links.

Scarsdale Diet Marinades
Budget Scarsdale Diet
Vegetarian Scarsdale Diet
Scarsdale Diet Shopping List

More scarsdale info - about the doctor who created the diet at SCARSDALE DIET

My second choice is the HCG diet. I actually have already tried this one to some degree. Before Thanksgiving, I ordered some cheap drops from DNA Labs. I was not at all impressed. I did the 15 day diet and stuck to it until the last 2 days (I had a cupcake). Even so, for a diet that you supposedly lose 1/2 to 2 lbs per day on, I should have lost more than 5 pounds up to that point.

Choosing this diet is controversial; however, you cannot deny the weight loss results on this diet for some people. Whether it's the drops or the 500 calorie diet, or both; people do lose weight on this diet. I have read that you have to do both the drops and the 500 calorie diet in order to lose weight and I have read claims that you can use the drops and eat normally and still lose weight. I tried that too. It didn't work. Again, I was using the remainder of the DNA drops for another 15 days. I didn't gain any weight but I certainly didn't lose any and I ate as I normally would. I made no special dieting effort.

I have talked to a few HCG sellers and they all pretty much tell me the same thing. That is that all the drops are basically the same. That is disappointing. If it's true, I hesitate to buy anymore or try the diet again. However, I know 4 people who bought drops from different sources and swear the drops work.

These two sources are the ones I'm most comfortable with so far.

This one is XTREME SAFE FAT LOSS  because I know these people and will probably get my drops from them if I choose this diet. They both have lost weight on this diet. One of these women was previously on the Quick Weight Loss Center Program and lost a good bit of weight but she couldn't get the last 10 - 15 lbs off that she wanted to lose. She said when she did this diet, they just fell off. I have seen her at different intervals of time and seen the difference. So is it the drops or not? Knowing that it worked for them, I prefer getting some of their drops next time. They also provide you with support and their own experience with the diet offers a realistic understanding of the help and encouragement you need.


My second choice is KMO HEALTH  These people have been extremely helpful to me and I'm not even a customer. Their product is reasonably priced and they also provide support by phone, fax and email. They seem genuinely concerned with the success of their customers. They also offer you an incentive. After you try their product for yourself and know that it works for you, they will give you a free bottle for every 3 people you refer to them.

The significant differences in these two suppliers are price and maybe product. It gets a little confusing for me. The first one says that the appetite suppressant and energy booster are included, which is a propriety blend of plant extracts including hoodia (read the FAQ section). The ingredients read a little differently from the latter, which includes B12 and amino acids. You have to email them to request the ingredients. Both offer the drops without alcohol. It seems to me that the first one has everything included in the bottle of drops itself and is a bit pricier, while the second one offers supplemental products that have to be purchased separately increasing your total as you go. Yet, they both provide you with a 2 ounce bottle. I guess you have to decide for yourself which one you trust and which one offers you the best bang for your buck.

There is a ton of HCG information available on the net. You can download Dr. Simeons Manuscript "Pounds and Inches", the protocol, tracking charts and recipes from any number of sources for free, while some sites will charge you for the information or will only provide you with it if you buy their drops. Here are links you might find useful.

The Complete HCG Diet Weight Loss Protocol Packet.
It includes the protocol, tracking charts, manuscript, instructions, etc. (Not everyone does the cleanse phase of this diet).
COMPLETE PACKET

HCG Diet Recipes
 MY HCG RECIPES

HCG Diet and Weight Loss Information:
HCG DIET INFO


There is also the raw food diet that so many people swear by, not just for weight but for general good health, energy, reverse aging and overcoming disease. I believe all good things come from God and ultimately he is the healer, whether it be by miracle, medicine or herb.

Click here to visit HealthCures101.com.

Different things work for different people but there sure are a lot of authors on this subject.  Markus Rothkranz seems to be a very popular one and he also seems very confident in his practices and applications. I love raw vegetables sometimes, but I, personally, am not the type to live on raw vegetables. Of course, I would if I had to and he supposedly does teach what you can and cannot eat in the wild just in case you do have to... and apparently, it's good for you!


 Commentary
We live in a day and time when our flesh and money are at the center of our lives. Diet, exercise, new age practices such as crystals and doctrines of being one with the universe, etc. have replaced our God given common sense. Our vanity puts us in gyms and replaces our family dinner table with prepackaged diet plan meals. All of this adding up to many $$$dollars spent by the consumer and many $$$made by the seller. My mom once said to me, "Just think of the money we'd have if we didn't have to buy food". It's true, but also look at the money we spend on diets and diet supplements and those prepackaged meals. Also, these days, we have to have these so called "experts" give us advice on diet, dress, raising our children, etc. We don't seem to know what to do anymore. We have to be told by someone on television or somewhere else what we should do and how we should do it (and then, oftentimes, pay them for it).

We know what we are supposed to do. The bible teaches us that gluttony is a sin whether it be overeating or drinking to drunkenness. Gluttony is abound in many forms today. Our appetites seem to be insatiable.


Where did we get so far off track that we can't eat healthy and maintain our weight with our own common sense? Of course, today's standards are such that anything other than skinny is unacceptable. Can you imagine a world where we were all the same size and the same color and sex? (clones) We were created as individuals. We were not intended to be the same in the flesh.


I remember when I was growing up, there were "hefty" women, not obese women. Marilyn Monroe was NOT skinny. Sometimes, however, we need a little help to undo damage we've done to ourselves once we realize we've done it. Then there are those, through no fault of their own, are naturally "heftier". There's nothing wrong with being "hefty". Just be healthy and no heftier than you have be.


I think that the most important thing to remember is to be grateful and to ask the Lord to bless whatever it is that we are about to eat. It's not safe to eat food these days that the Lord hasn't blessed! Which reminds me of the scripture 1 Timothy, Chapter 4 (KJV).


"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer......


verse: 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying worthy of all acceptation."


Let's strive for balance of the physical, the spiritual and the monetary, being "real" in everything. Don't forget that this life won't go on forever and someday we will have a new body.

Snow Cream!

It's funny how weather is. We've gone years with no snow and now for the last 3 winters, we've gotten it. I'm glad; especially for the kids. Every kid should get the chance to see and play in snow. One of the reasons I love living here, in this part of the south, is because I get to experience all the seasons. The snow started to fall last night and the sleet and freezing rain followed - So we played in it in the dark night and in the daytime!

Midnight Sledding and Snow Angels

Daytime Sledding - You Can Actually See Before You Wipe Out!

One of my favorite things to do is make snow cream, especially if there are kids around. Today, we made snow cream and played in the snow and made hot chocolate.

The thing about making the snow cream was that there was about a quarter sheet of ice on top of the soft snow, which was under there just waiting to be turned into snow cream. I had to break through that icy layer and remove it to get to the good stuff. It looked like this.

I got the snow from my car. I took a very large metal spoon and whacked the top. Where it cracked, I lifted it up and the icy layer came right off. In the end, it was worth it. I was able to get enough soft snow to do the job.

THE RECIPE

About a gallon (or large bowl) of snow, 3 tablespoons of pure vanilla extract, approx a cup of milk and a cup of sugar (or add a little of each as you go and prepare to your own taste).

Get creative by treating it just like ice cream and add peanut butter, chocolate or white chocolate chips... or add some chocolate, butterscotch, strawberry or caramel syrup. M&M's, Reeces pieces and other candies work well. You can use peppermint or rum extract. I like just the plain old vanilla snow cream.

Wikipedia has, what I think, is strange information about snow cream HERE

Work hard, but when you get a snow day, play hard! Don't stay indoors and miss it! Live life and enjoy the blessing.

Basic Winter Warming Soup, bouillabaisse! From the Freezer to the Microwave

As we are basically hunkered down awaiting a predicted ice storm after 5 inches of snow, I'm so looking forward to a crock pot filled with warm, mouth watering, tummy filling soup (before any power outage). Talk about comfort food!

Here's a bouillabaisse recipe you can do now and freeze for later! 

Basic Bouillabaisse

Easy Yeast Rolls (A Paula Deen Recipe)

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water (98 to 105 degrees F)
• 2 1/2 cups plus 1/2 to 1 cup prepared biscuit mix
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Dissolve the yeast in the water. Put the 2 1/2 cups of biscuit mix in a large bowl; stir in the sugar. Add the yeast mixture, stirring vigorously. Sprinkle the work surface generously with the remaining 1/2 to 1 cup biscuit mix.

Turn the dough out onto the surface and knead well, 15 to 20 times. Shape the dough as desired. (I shape heaping tablespoons of dough into balls). Place on a lightly greased baking sheet, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

Just before putting into oven, brush rolls with melted butter. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush the rolls again with melted butter while they're hot.

Friday Funnies

Mickey Mouse Comics from 1959 (Click twice to enlarge)

Paid Surveys and Paid Emails for Extra Income Updated 1/21/11

Since it's a new year, I, like many others, am looking for a way to reduce expenses and increase household income. Since I am sure many of you are too, I'd like to share this information with you.

For about 4 or 5 months, I signed up with Inbox dollars and Fusion Cash and Snap Dollars. Out of these 3, Inbox had the greatest income potential. However, you can only cash out after you earn $30. The paid email pays on the average of 2 cents per email and if you don't take the surveys and sign up for the trials (like Columbia House, book clubs and insurance quotes), they won't pay your earnings. The reason: They are trying to sell you something. If you join the CD, DVD or book clubs, you will end up spending way more than you earn, so that is certainly not a good deal.

Not only are these things very time consuming but most of the surveys will lead you into answering many personal questions, including income and your phone number (so that they can start calling you to personally try to sell you something) and then will often stop in the middle of the survey and say that you don't qualify. By then, of course, they have what they really wanted anyway. I even received a warning email about not giving out my correct phone number or a valid number where I could be reached because I used 000-000-0000 and sometimes the rejection hotline, if the zeros were not accepted and a phone number was required to continue.


Bottom line: Unless you are willing to receive telemarketing calls and sign up for memberships and trials that obligate you to purchase the minimum over a period of time, this is not a viable income source. There are those who swear it's a good way to earn supplemental income. For them it may be, but not for me.


I haven't seen anywhere that someone actually tells you what is truly involved in this kind of program, so I am.

UPDATE 1/21/11:  Upon my attempt to cancel with Inbox Dollars, I received this message:
InboxDollars is 100% FREE — there are no fees associated with being a member of this site.
Completing the Offers advertised on our site is entirely optional.
Many of our Offers, even the ones that require a credit card, are FREE Trials. If you’re not interested in Offers that require a credit card, then we happily recommend our 100% FREE Offers and our Survey Offers.
Furthermore, please note that you absolutely do not need to complete Offers to make money from us. You’re paid for every E-mail you read regardless of whether or not you complete the Offer that is advertised.

I think I'll continue this one for a while. I'll find out when I try to cash out if this is true. I'll update again at that time.

The After Christmas, January Blues

Things to do to try to overcome the Blahs....

Try going on a diet, a healthy body is a healthy mind. If you look good on the outside...you feel good on the inside and it will give your mind a new direction of focus and new enthusiasm.

Pack up the christmas decorations and give your house a full cleaning from top to bottom. More space and a fresher look will make you feel better. Start by doing one room at a time.

Look at the doodads you have and redecorate with a theme. I'm working on an animal theme. I have a Noah's Ark and a couple of Tiger and Jaguar decanters that look great over the fireplace mantle.

Start decorating and planning for Valentine's day. Plan something special for your family. They are the loves of your life. Challenge yourself to work toward sweet surprises that are healthy instead of the usual valentine candy.

My personal secret: Color - I collect coloring books among many other things. I got out some of my collection to show my Granddaughter and she is learning to recognize people's names mostly by the first letter.

I have had a rule over the years that when you color in one of my books, you have to put your name and the date on your picture. She saw her own mother's scribbling when she was 2. It was so exciting to her! She saw her cousins colored pictures from 1996 and her Grandfather's colored pictures from 1985. She was thrilled at how old they were in years.

So we sat and colored and wrote our names and the dates. She said when she grows up, she wants to look at them all again as we get more and color more and she wants her little girl to see them too!

Sometimes, when you are down and out, it's the best time to start a new tradition.

Some of my coloring books are yellowed from age, but I wouldn't take anything for them or for the excitement on her face and joy in her eyes.

It's really interesting to see the differences in the things you had back then, to compare them with the quality of things you get now. The coloring books were detailed and textured 15 to 20 years ago. Most of them told a story you could read at the bottom. Now they are just an outlined picture to color. I wonder what they will look like in 15 to 20 more years?

Coloring is good therapy. Master the art! Wake up your imagination! Grab a crayon and express yourself!