Kids - never fail to make me smile! Do you agree?

I get a kick out of and true joy from kids.

I mean, take a look at a beaming, drooling smile of an infant or toddler, and you understand.

A few smiling faces just warmed my heart on facebook. These are the faces of my friends kids. Precious is not even close to describing their value to me. Imagine what they mean to their parents.

Earlier this week I sadly attended calling hours for a family's grandmother. While we were there, a shining, smart, beautiful four year old girl distracted everyone from the reason for having to being there. Using her Mom's cell phone we called a few folks, such as Donald Duck and Santa. Giggles were enjoyed when we asked Santa to make sure the elves were busy making hoola hoops, bikes, and UNDERWEAR! What silly fun.

So, what happens to us as we grow up and older?

Let us all try remembering those little smiles when we are having a tough moment. They are sure to lift us up.

Don't let life get to you for too long. Remember your inner child. Smile, and even drool a little if it makes you feel good!

I am a Putnamaniac that gets so much joy from children!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Art surprises are everywhere!

Don'tcha just love to see art in everything, and everywhere?

I sure do!

This simple piece is one of many on the wall of a Putnam building, the old railroad station in fact.

Come visit and you will find many art surprises and other nice surprises, too!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves the art surprises I see everywhere!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

I'd like to deposit 1 pint, please, to the Blood Bank, of course!

One of the greatest things about getting out walking or jogging is that you get to see stuff!

Recently I spotted this sign in front of St. Mary's Church, 218 Providence St, Putnam, while out on a walk with some friendly Putnamaniacs :

The nice thing about this event, is that it is on a Saturday. I will be in Putnam, so I will stop in, roll up my sleeve, and separate myself from some type A+.

It is pretty easy, and most times when you give blood, you get a snack. I am all about the snacks! Plus hopefully you help out someone who needs your blood type. 

If you live in Northeast CT, stop in and make a deposit to the Blood Drive, Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 8am-12:45pm at St. Mary's Church, 218 Providence St, Putnam.

I am a Putnamanaic who loves to make blood bank deposits!

Putnamania Activity Calendar

Empty bowls are soon to be filled up!

Where: Congregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06289

When: Saturday, March 2 , 2013, and due to the incredible response from the community last year we will have two different seating times: 4:30 – 5:30pm, 6:00 – 7:00pm.

What: Sawmill Pottery and the Congregational Church of Putnam (Mission Outreach) will once again host the Empty Bowl Project on behalf of our community’s Interfaith Human Services of Putnam’s (IHSP) Daily Bread Food Pantry.
Tickets and/or reservations will be sold or taken for those specific times.
100% of all proceeds will benefit Daily Bread Food Pantry.

For tickets call:
Putnam Congregational Church 860-928-4405
Sawmill Pottery: 860-963-7807

You can "like" Sawmill Pottery and IHSP/Daily Bread on Facebook.

I am a Putnamaniac that wants all the empty bowls filled up!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

True and Strait words - I ain't here for a long time, but I'm here for a good time!

After seeing George Strait in concert at the XL Center in Hartford last night, I decided these song lyrics make some good sense:

i ain't here for a long time  

i'm here for a good time 

 so bring on the sunshine

  to hell with the red wine

  pour me some moon shine

  when i am gone put it in stone he left nothing behind

  i'm not here for a long time 

 i'm here for a good time

I have never seen so many cowboys and cowgirls and cowboy hats in one place ~ especially in Hartford, CT! But they were having a good time. 

So, upon reflection, I decided to not only endorse this policy, I will try hard to adopt it permanently ~ and live it 24/7.

Check out George Strait and the song here on youtube. 

I am a Putnamaniac that is not here for a long time, but certainly for a good time!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

La familia.... ala Putnamania!

La familia... in other words... We Are Family...

This is how we roll in Northeast CT (NECT). We ARE family!

My positivity today comes from the love I find where I live.

There are good people here, I see them, I know them, and I love them. They are my family.

We are in it together in Northeast CT! Through thick and thin.

If you do not feel connected to where you live, for better or for worse, I can connect you to something real. Contact me, ASAP.

I am a Putnamaniac because we are family in NECT!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Rays of sunshine ~ before sunrise and after sunset! Only in Putnamania!

Putnamania was created and continues for me - my goal will always be to find something positive every single day.

We all know it can be a tough world and even when we are having a great day, we know someone who may be dealing with something tragic, sad, maddening.

Yesterday was one of those days ~ when I knew of a family having a very bad day ~ an event changed them forever.

As my day unfolded, I kept wondering where I would find my positive focus. And I even felt guilty trying to find something positive when I knew others were suffering.

It turns out I was fortunate enough to find two rays of sunshine, without even trying.

• The first beams at me before the sun arises, when I get to Midtown Fitness at 5:30am. Miss Emma greets all comers with a bright and sincere smile. My good friend, Kat, is also there to sweat on those evil treadmills with me. Although I see them both almost every day, I would be a fool to take seeing them for granted.
• The second beamed at me after the sun had set, when I traipsed into Price Chopper after work for some veggies. As I turned the corner into the soda aisle, since I heard the ever tempting Diet Dew calling my name, I bumped smack into a great guy that I had not seen in probably 9 months, and it was his birthday! Hugs and chit chats were exchanged. I wish there were enough time to see everyone, all the time!

So, Putnamania will continue, to keep me focused on the positive, and help me to remember that sometimes the greatest things are right in front of you. Keep your eyes open.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves every ray of sunshine I get!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar