Jenny on the Blog - The Bridge

 

You can vote online at www.cbs.com to pick the song that Bon Jovi will play at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night.  Your choices are:

1. "Always"

2. "It's My Life"

3. "Livin' On A Prayer"

 

Wow!  I saw this story and had to share it with you.

 

CONCORD, N.H. – It was Harriet Richardson Ames' dream to earn her bachelor's degree in education. She finally reached that milestone, nearly three weeks after achieving another: her 100th birthday.

On Saturday, the day after receiving her diploma at her bedside, the retired schoolteacher died, pleased that she had accomplished her goal, her daughter said. Ames had been in hospice care.

"She had what I call a 'bucket list,' and that was the last thing on it," Marjorie Carpenter said Tuesday.

Ames, who turned 100 on Jan. 2, had earned a two-year teaching certificate in 1931 at Keene Normal School, now Keene State College. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse in South Newbury, and later spent 20 years as a teaching principal at Memorial School in Pittsfield, where she taught first-graders.

Through the years, she had taken classes at the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth Teachers College and Keene State to earn credits for her degree. With her eyesight failing, she stopped after retiring in 1971 and was never sure if she had enough credits.

Her wish for a degree became known when a Keene State film professor interviewed her a couple of years ago for a piece on the college's own centennial, which the school celebrated last year.

The school decided to research her coursework and see if it could award Ames her long-sought diploma. The offices of the provost, registrar and other departments worked quickly in the last month to determine, that indeed, it could.

"She wanted to be the best that she could be," said Norma Walker, coordinator of the Keene State College Golden Circle Society, an alumni group for classes that graduated 50 or more years ago.

Walker said when she mentioned to Ames during a recent visit that the college was working on the degree, Ames started to cry and said, "'If I die tomorrow, I'll know I'll die happy, because my degree's in the works.'"

College officials, including Walker, drove the document to Ames' bedside on Friday.

Walker, who first met Ames in 1997 at an alumni gathering, said she enjoyed listening to her talk about her students and how she encouraged them to read.

"She's the kind of person that every parent would want their first-graders to have as a teacher," very loving and caring, Walker said. She will read Ames' diploma at a memorial service this Saturday, "if I can do it without crying."

Paula Finnegan Dickinson of Gilford, who was Ames' student back in 1956 and became an educator herself, regarded her as a mentor and dear friend.

"Mrs. Ames, along with Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot and Puff, became our friend," Dickinson said, recalling the "Dick and Jane" series that was used in class reading groups. "With her enthusiasm, these characters came to life. ... Mrs. Ames showed us how reading opened the doors to other experiences we in Pittsfield might never have known."

 

Prince is showing his Purple and Gold pride!  He's been seen at the Metradome for Vikings home games and was inspired after last weeks victory over the Cowboys to write a song.  Here's the article:

 

MINNEAPOLIS – Prince has recorded a purple-tinted tribute to the Minnesota Vikings.

The "Purple Rain" superstar told Fox affiliate KMSP-TV that he penned "Purple and Gold" after he saw the Vikings beat Dallas at the Metrodome last weekend. Prince told the station he hadn't seen the team play in years until this season.

The Vikings play the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday in the NFC championship game.

The hymn-like Vikings song from the Minnesota rocker includes the lyrics, "Raise every voice and let it b' known/in the name of the purple and gold."

Wide receiver Bernard Berrian thanked Prince for the song on his Twitter page, saying "He is definitely one of my favorites."

 

I'm a big animal fan...love my doggies and wild animals too like bunnies but I'm not sure how I'd feel with a deer living in my house!  I had to share this video about Dillie the deer.

Ahh yes, the audition portion of American Idol is always a jaw dropping experience as you feel the pain of those unfortunate people who really think they have a shot at stardom.  On last night's show, Atlanta brought a star:  General Larry Platt.  See for yourself:

 

 

 

 

 

Ahhhhh, my heart is broken.  Michael is engaged.  HA!  I'm happy for him and his beautiful wife to be!  Her name is Luisana and she is an actress and stars in an Agentine soap opera. 

A good friend of mine sent this to me.  It's a little long but there are some Laugh Out Loud moments and some Oh My God moments!  It makes for a nice break during the work day!

Corinne Bailey Ray is back!  I loved her first album and can't wait to hear her 2nd: The Sea is due out in stores on January 26th. 

 

 

If you have these books in your bookcase you might want to change your mind.  They have errors in techinical diagrams and wireing instructions that could lead to shocks or fire hazards!!!

 

Here are the nine different book titles being recalled:

• "AmeriSpec Home Repair Handbook"
• "Lowe's Complete Home Improvement and Repair"
• "Lowe's Complete Home Wiring"
• "Sunset Basic Home Repairs"
• "Sunset Complete Home Wiring"
• "Sunset Complete Patio Book"
• "Sunset Home Repair Handbook"
• "Sunset Water Gardens"
• "Sunset You Can Build — Wiring"

Readers might have bought some of the books more than three decades ago. Bookstores and home improvement stores nationwide sold the recalled books from January 1975 through December 2009.

Consumers can call 866-696-7602 for more details.

I don't think you could pay me enough to do this!  Last time I was in Vegas my brother rode the roller coaster at the top of the Stratosphere and I thought he was nuts!  Although...I've always wanted to sky dive so I'm not sure what is holding me back from doing this?  Deep thoughts!

Check out this article:

The Stratosphere hotel and casino in Las Vegas

said visitors will soon be able to enjoy a SkyJump in which they will drop 855 feet from the hotel's tower.

American Casino & Entertainment Properties LLC chief executive Frank Riolo, whose company owns the Stratosphere, said the new SkyJump attraction is expected to open in April and will cost $100 a jump, the Las Vegas Sun said Saturday.

"This will not only be North America's only skyjump, but, also the highest skyjump in the world," Riolo said.

Individuals seeking to take part in the SkyJump attraction will don custom jump suits and after undergoing a safety lesson, will be tethered to a metal cable and be allowed to jump.

Wires will allow participants to remain on course amid their 108-story fall and their decent will eventually be slowed by a machine to allow for a safe controlled landing, the Sun reported.

The SkyJump attraction will join the Stratosphere's existing rides of the Big Shot, X-Scream and Insanity, the Ride.

Wow!  What a difference good hair makes!  Kate Gosselin endured a 20 hour session with celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson to add hundreds of extensions to her hair.  Now I will admit I was one of those who thought her hair cut with the spikes in the back of her head was less than flattering...I even found the wig you could buy for Halloween!  I give the girl some credit now as she looks amazing!  Well done!