Debbie Does Vegas

At the exact moment that my workshop was concluding at 5:00, the grand opening of the doors for the Exhibit Hall was at -- you guessed it: 5:00!!! I located a helper bee to assist my getting from point A to point B in a nano-second and with two shakes of a tail feather here are a few of the smiles that were waiting for me at the Zaner-Bloser booth -- eager to pose for a picture to help document their own adventure and to make my existence more concrete for the children in their room once school begins. This is an international selection of pictures. Above we have enthusiasm from across the States. Also pictured are representatives from one of Canada's first nation Indian reservations, Lani from Hawaii and a dedicated teacher who works with children on the Autism spectrum.

There was a stampede of eager educators Opening night is always fun in an exhibit hall Having orange fruit-cicles made it just that much more memorable.

Fond Farewell

Do people realize that when they invite me to "come & play" that they are literally changing my life? Over the years I have indeed had participants of one event or another come up and tell me that something I have said, or done, or shared -- has changed their life. I always well up inside when that happens..... but do instigators of fun realize that it changes me to come to their site?

The first picture above is the hard working committee who made all of this happpppppiness unfold. The grant writing. The securing of places. The gathering of volunteers. The involving of other agencies. The buying of cookies & punch and NAPKINS. These brilliant folks are responsible for bringing fun into the lives of all our participants: parents, college students, high school students, children -- the whole entire gamut of the community joined together for fun & education.

For all the pictures that were taken, that first one is the only one that has Lisa Robson with me. Those of you who don't know her, she's the one peeking out from behind me, with one eye showing. That's so typical of Lisa, being behind me 100% of the way, doing all the work and receiving none of the spotlight. I can't believe that I didn't think to pose the two of us together. I guess that means I need to be invited back again! I'm willing!!

The Emmy Goes To......

Brilliant Shawn.
Shawn-the-Talented
Capable Shawn.
Shawn-the-Amazing.
Patient Shawn.
Shawn-the-Creative.
Visionary Shawn.

Here he is!!!
I told you I'd get a picture of the two of us together.

Shopping, Time for Shopping

The morning's over. Let the shopping & hugging begin! Thanks Phyllis & Pat for all of your planning & for providing such a great opportunity for me to be with our local early childhood community.

Kweezletown to the Rescue

Today was a perfect day for bike riding. I was out enjoying the gorgous weather and riding up behind the fire station around the park. All of a sudden there was a bicycle crash behind the hockey rink. (Yes the same hockey rink featured in the closing scene of "Feed the Fish" that we saw a week or two back at the cinema.) I looked up to see three sweet girls, with one in tears.

Once we determined that there was no permanent damage, I decided to introduce myself and offer some happy 'distraction.' Dad took injured Lauren on home to grandpa's and I led Anna, cousin Mikala and mom all still on our bikes, over to our place. I told them I was kinda-sorta famous and I would be happy to donate my DVD to Lauren's recooperation. Well one thing led to the next and then I'd promised to put our picture up here on my blog...... but then we decided we needed our five year old star in the picture too. So they led the way biking over to grandpa's. Here we are all smiling. The newest branch of my fanclub, the start of my WI fans.

Kweezle E-Feedback

Look at the email that arrived in my inbox:

"I was at your class in Newark, Ohio today. Just wanted to let you know it was the best class I took. I really enjoyed it. I bought your dvd for my daughter. My daughter has NEVER sat down to watch t.v, and she sat and watched it for 20 mins, that is huge for her. My daughter was a miracle baby, she was 3 months early and 1 pound at birth, so the book/song "you're wonderful" is very special to her and me. Thankyou for all you do. I hope to see you again in another workshop."

******It just makes me want to reach right thru my screen and into my in-box and give this incredible mommy a great big hug. I need to be sure and tell my "Kweezletown" crew of this particular response. It's amazing to have these opportunities. Even more amazing to get feedback. BTW: You're welcome. You're VERY welcome.

Kweezle-King

I wanted you to meet my avid supporter, Skyler.............. I think that he has every song on my DVD completely memorized -- including the sign language. On his recent trip here to Ohio, he was eager to make a visit to "Kweezletown" and meet all of the regulars: Calamity Sam and Kudos. Imagine his shock at learning that K'town, is a place in my imagination!

Pictured above are the two of us holding the original quilt that I created to use as the backdrop in the filming. With the use of green screen technology I could walk about the town's highways and bi-ways and sing beneath the tree. It was fun to hear all of Skyler's ideas for what he wants to happen among the Kweezles. Keep your fingers crossed.

WONDERFUL Friends

Here we are in glad smiles, warm hugs and celebration after the evening family fun at the Lexington Branch Library concert. Pictured from left are children's librarian, Janet Madden, happy me, exactly-one-year-old Isaac-who-looks-incredibly-like-his-daddy, and beaming mommy Kate (Janet's daughter and grandson.)

I owe an absolutely ENORMOUS debt of gratitude to Janet for her support through the years, ingenius ideas and for connecting me to her extremely talented family. It was years ago that Janet started putting the ducks-in-a-row to introduce me to her son-in-law, the talented Shawn Likely. It turns out that Shawn directed my DVD, "Kweezletown" following Janet's introduction. Kweezletown is my first national award-winning project -- having received the Dove Foundation award for family viewing. Shawn is husband to Kate and daddy to Isaac and was busy at work at his TV station this evening.

It's incredible to have people that believe in you. It's amazing to have a cheering section. It's astounding to have people recognize your potential and direct you to making a quantem leap forward, beyond your own imagining. These people in my life include Janet, Kate and Shawn.
Thank you friends.