For the past few days I have taken a break from writing to revamp my website.

Concurrently, we in New Jersey are experiencing an Artic Blast. Baxter insists on getting up in my lap while I am working, because it's nice and warm next to me.  

Progress on the website has slowed down a little.  Oh, well.  Dogs happen.

This is only a tiny fraction of what was in my son's bedroom.  And in the basement bookcase.  And in the attic.

In the old days, my boys built Legos constantly.  They even saved a few of their proudest spaceships ...

The Star Destroyer ...

The Death Star ...

But now my children are older and I wanted to get rid of the bins of Legos that remained.  I knew I couldn't just throw them away!  First of all, they probably don't decompose.  Second, how could I deprive some other kid of all that fun?

Magically, I found Brickrecycler.  Actually, it wasn't that magical.  I just googled it.

Anyway, you can box up your Legos (no need to sort or include instructions) and send them to Brickrecycler.  They will contribute them to needy schools, orphanages or other programs throughout the world.

Just imagine all that Lego clutter in your house being enjoyed by boys and girls in a tiny African town, or in a refugee village in the Middle East, or in a teen program in the U.S.A.  Not to mention how tidy your kids' rooms will be.  Marie Kondo will be so proud!

Go on their website to learn more:  www.brickrecycler.com/

Ahhh ... the memories.

xo

It was a distinct pleasure to talk to Dr. James Sutton, child and adolescent psychologist, of The Changing Behavior Network about my book, Why Can't We Just Play?

You can listen to it here - we lament how raising children has become too hectic and we reminisce about childhood and its graceful, winding summer days.  Enjoy!

www.thechangingbehaviornetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PLobleyMX.mp3

Here I am reading a funny story from Chapter Four in Why Can’t We Just Play?

Terry clearly had an AWESOME Fourth of July, as is evidenced by her partying with a moose/chef/candy purveyor.  Plus, she was at the (lake) shore with family and friends.  High status!

Well done, Terry.  I will PM you your audio code for "Why Can't We Just Play?"

Thank you to all you entered.

xox

If you've read my book, Why Can't We Just Play?, you know about the different status levels I feel that various Fourth of July activities carry.

So ... how was your Fourth? 

Comment here and let me know what the status your Fourth of July celebration was and why.  You could WIN a code for a free download of the audio version of Why Can't We Just Play?

If you haven't read the book yet, or your forgot, here is the excerpt from Chapter Four which details the rankings.

When you’re sitting around talking about what you did on the Fourth of July, there are various status rankings for your activities:
 
High status:  You were at the shore.  That means you got out of town, and can imply that someone in your family owns a beach house to which you have regular access. You watched the fireworks from a blanket on the sand, embers falling dramatically into the pounding surf.
 
Acceptable status:  You hosted/attended a fun barbecue.  This shows that you and your family are well-adjusted socially and have plenty of well-adjusted social friends.  It shows you planned ahead, and enjoy doing things as a family. You watched the fireworks at the local park, surrounded by other families, secure in the love of good friends and our country.
 
Low status: You just had a quiet time with family at the pool or a ball game and then ate hamburgers in the backyard.  This would show that you, while perhaps not super-social, are at least patriotic enough to observe the holiday in the traditional family-oriented, grilled-meat fashion. You watched the fireworks from the front lawn with a few trees blocking the view.
 
Failure:  You stayed home and each pursued your own cleaning, napping, mowing, and secret agent agenda, without speaking to each other for hours, and then huddled around the air-conditioner with your pizza.  At least one of you never even showered that day, but I’m not saying who. You didn’t watch the fireworks—not even on TV—because the kids preferred to play a video game.  You heard the fireworks in the distance though, and the dog went nuts barking at them, until the noise got so bad you just wished the stupid Fourth was over already.

I will post the winner later this week.  And divulge my own status. Hint:  not high.

My sister gave me this sign last year.  It might have been for my birthday, or some other holiday ... I can't remember.  Whatever the reason, I LOVE the sign, for obvious reasons.

I had lots of great ideas about spring cleaning this year.  I still do.  It'll just be summer cleaning.  Nothing wrong with that.

In the meantime, these piles are telling my that my kids are happy.

I mean, holy cow, I have some REALLY happy children.

All I can say is, I feel very lucky.  Not everyone can have kids as happy as mine.

Wishing you happiness ... xo

I had so much fun visiting _Eshaverbooks in Savannah.

I met wonderful people and enjoyed signing books.

I also took time to tour the city ...

It is a beautiful place filled with history and ghost stories.  I took a fantastic tour with _Savannah Trolley Tours.  And we went to get the world famous "Leopold's" Ice Cream.

Our tour guide -- "Big E" -- was really charming and informative and FUNNY.  That's because he is also a standup  _comedian. 

Also, I ate this.  That is a deep-fried soft boiled egg on a spaghetti squash salad.  Thank you, Southern Chefs!  This was at _The Grey.

Definitely eat the The Grey.  Actually, eat everywhere in Savannah.  I can't wait to go back!

In my quest to find the last remaining Goody Stay Tight Mock Tortoise 3-inch Barrettes, I did find another option.  And it works!

I have LOTS of hair, and this holds it.  It looks good, too, I think.  It is called a Goody Ouchless Flex  Barrette.  I got it at Shoprite.   Here's what the package looks like.

It is, in fact, ouchless.  HOORAY!

Dear PAM,

Thank you for choosing Goody. Our goal is to provide our customers with the highest quality and service. Unfortunately this item is discontinued and we no longer have samples in our warehouse.
 
We have noted your interest in this item as we are always re-evaluating our product lines. We may have similar items for purchase please visit our website at www.goody.com to view our current collections.

We value you as a Goody customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
If I can be of further assistance, please reply to this email directly so that we can see all previous replies.

Thank you,
Paula
Goody Consumer Care

I don't like that too much.

I'd like to point out that though they have discontinued the barrettes, they still feature them prominently on the barrette page of their website.  As if, in fact, they still make them.  You can even click on them to find out "where to buy" them. 

But now we know that answer is ... nowhere.  You can't buy them at all.

Seriously??

If you want to contact Goody yourself ... www.goodyconsumercare@newellco.com.  And thank you Julie, for suggesting that link on ebay that has a rare package of them.  I might just go for it!