A DEEEElicious cup of coffee... and so much more at Victoria Station!

Yum.

Yum!

YUM!!!!

There are some great everyday deals on good coffee out and about these days (nothing personal, but I am not a Dunkin Donuts fan... for a lot of reasons).

Cumberland Farms has a great cup of joe for only a buck - every day! Such a deal!

Xtra Mart offers a FREE cup of liquid deliciousness on the first day of every month! (I always feel to guilty to take advantage of this, but the offer exists).

However, another option is available when you are looking for a cup of coffee, or any of those other coffee type drink offerings, great tasty pastries & such, in a cozy & welcoming environment where you can visit with a friend or even spend some quality time with yourself, you must go to Victoria Station in downtown Putnam.

For the record, I could never work there, because all the items are too tempting. I'd eat all day, and then I'd still owe them money at the end of the day! It is that good.

I love to visit Victoria Station with out of town or out of state friends and family. It is an impressive place to walk into,  and then smell and taste the delights. Such charm and exceptional everything in little old Putnam. Who knew? We all know!!!

Monday afternoon I have a scheduled visit there with my pal, Chief Ranger Bill of The Last Green Valley.... what should I have????? Maybe the "Snow White" coffee.... Oh the decisions!!!

Check out Victoria Station when you are in downtown Putnam. Call me - I'll meet you there!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves everything at Victoria Station!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Shower tune competition is on! Sign up now!!!

Tonight the shower tune throw down competition began in the best house in Putnamania....

The birth of this new entertainment/competition originated in a most peculiar fashion.

My hubby was feeling a bit down after a few rotten and challenging days of work, then he came home to more repetitive paperwork to fill out regarding his father's passing last year.

Unbeknownst to me, I was able to cheer him up immediately... by singing the best song ever, my favorite and yours ~ Copacabana, by Barry Manilow, while I was in the shower!

From wearing a frown and grumbling, he turned into a giggling guy on the other side of the shower curtain, telling me to "belt it out"!!!
From there I challenged him to "bring it on" the next time he is in the shower. You know he won't be able to resist!

Making fun out of nothing at all! (I think there is also a great song about that notion, too)!

Good times!

And now, I challenge you to partake in the Shower Tune Competition! Let me know how you make out!

Check out this marvelous version of Copa that Barry did on Dancing With the Stars.

I am a Putnamaniac that will WIN the shower tune competition in our house!

Sp-aaaaaaaaa-ring is in the air!

Yes sir!

We still have quite a bit of snow everywhere in NECT...
and the temps are slated to be under freezing all week...

But....

BUT... (and this is a BIG BUT)....

... the snow is melting....

... the birds are chirping a new song in the early morning...

... the sun is staying out longer every evening...

... we feel like it is heavenly warmth when we have 2 days in a row with temps over 35...

...  daylight savings time starts in less than 2 weeks!...

... people are starting to have a lot of pep in their steps...

... vegetable gardens are being planned...

... bicycle tires are being filled with air...

... kite flying adventures are being planned...

... cars are being washed...

... so, spring is indeed in the air!!!

 Some hydrangeas from an early spring years ago...

What signs have you been seeing, hearing or feeling?

I am a Putnamaniac that is loving all the signs of spring in the air!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Laminating an 8 year old!

Yesterday we laminated an 8 year old at Chase Graphics!

What??

Well, let me rephrase that...

We laminated the school project about Walt Disney, done by an 8 year old student.

It.... was.... AWESOME!!!

Done on an approximately 2' x 2' poster board, this young gentleman had arranged all sorts of information about Walt Disney's life and creations.

This kid did an awesome job on his project. In fact, his body of work seemed to be well on its way to equaling that of  a youthful Walt D himself.

 Note: This is not the project that was laminated, but a kindly view of Walt and Mickey

As it was my first lesson on the laminator, the words "you only get one shot at doing it right" loomed large... luckily my skilled coworker, instructor and mentor masterfully operated the machine and enhanced this sure to be A+ project even more!

The lesson here is that Chase Graphics, a great local business, does most anything and everything you can think of when it comes to graphics, printing, copying, and even laminating!

Think of Chase and other local businesses first. They take pride and ownership of what they do, and they are great at what they do.

You can even "like" Chase Graphics on facebook here.

I am a Putnamaniac that was pretty impressed by the project that was laminated by Chase Graphics for an 8 year old creator!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Things learned from a dripping ceiling!

After just purchasing a new home last September, we are still getting to know her.

There are so many wonderful things about this home, just as we imagined, especially after we fixed her all up, treated her with respect, and handled her with some tendering loving care.

However, as you may know from experience, there are some other things in any building that may lurk... not always pleasant things.

Thankfully the only glitch we've found to date is this little leak in the sun room ceiling:

This discovery/dilemma is driving my husband crazy... We knew the roof would cause some problems and that we'd tackle it in the spring, solving it completely. This winter, though, has been quite a bear, with lots of snow, ice, and freezing temps. Enter ~ unwanted leak.

Growing up in a house that seemed to always have some "glitch" going on; flooded basements, no heat, holes in the bathroom wall (so while taking a shower you could high five someone going down the basement stairs that were on the other side of the wall, next to the tub), I never felt in control.

Once I "grew up", I vowed to be in control of my living space. It was wonderful to learn that when you spot a little "glitch", you could certainly fix it, or hire someone more skilled to fix it for you!

What a breath of fresh air! Control! Responsibility!

So although this little leak is a bit inconvenient, and unsightly at the moment, I am happy to know that it will soon be fixed on the outside by my hands on and fabulously talented hubby, and I will fix up the inside.

Problem - solved.

Easy as that!

Take responsibility and control of your life. Sounds simple, but it is not always done. Be proud of what you have and who you are!!!

I am a Putnamaniac that learns some great things from a dripping ceiling!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Somehow, forcing yourself outside in spite of the weather is always beneficial! Honest!

One must entertain oneself as best they can, no matter the circumstances.

My mother taught me this as a child. When we did anything, even a rotten task like cleaning out our closet, we made it fun.

Former bosses, known as "The Chief" and "The Hen" taught it to me as we also had fun no matter what was asked of us. These bosses also joined in the dirty tasks, so if they could do it, then of course I was happy to do it, too.

So... as much as winter is not my favorite time of year... I am thanking my lucky stars that I once again have an opportunity to work with a fabulous, fun, hard working and supportive team.

Better yet... this place is just 1 mile away from my home!!!

I vowed that I would walk to and from work every day, no matter what, with the exception of rain. (That is because I am so sweet, I just might melt in the rain)!

But seriously, I have been walking to work in the snow...lots of snow... and you know what? It is great! Somehow it makes you realize it is all not that bad. It is beautiful. It is invigorating.

So, I will get out ~ I will force myself out every day ~ and enjoy the benefits of winter, and I will try not to begrudge the season.

I am a Putnamaniac that forces myself out in the winter and enjoys the benefits!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

My green lights are now a-glowing - Turn the winter white blahs into some green silly fun!

Here is my front door - as of tonight - and it will stay this way for a month.

I did "cartoonize" the photo, and hopefully the icicles will be gone in a month, but otherwise, my front door will be framed by a couple of shades and shapes of green lights!

Why, oh why???

Simply because Northeast CT folks like to create their own fun when it might otherwise be in short supply. Perhaps during late winter... when the only colors around are usually drab or white.

In order to create a little fun and excitement, The Last Green Valley developed The Green Lights Campaign!

Individuals like myself, as well as businesses of all sorts join in and celebrate with green light displays, green dining specials, green shopping specials.

To find out what local businesses are participating and what sort of specials are offered, you can check The Last Green Valley's website, you can "like" The Last Green Valley on facebook, and be sure to "like" the newest addition to facebook in regards to this great community fun, The Last Green Valley Green Lights page here.

Along the way, you can enjoy lots of great stuff, and you can also learn just how much The Last Green Valley has to offer us who live here, and to those of you who visit often. If you have not yet visited, you will find a plethora of tantalizing info on the website, too! We will see you soon!

I am a Putnamaniac that has my green lights on and is loving them!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar