What I found today--was what I really found out last night. I went to my great-niece's first dance recital. It was the Pointe dance school and was held at Memorial Hall. It was so sad to see what kind of shape the building is in without anyone caring about it. The restrooms left a lot to be desired, and even though they knew several hundred people were going to be there for the recital there was little or no toliet paper or paper towels! The restroom doors, faucets, and everything else needs repaired. I don't understand how the Downtown Association and the city have let this happen. I know the upkeep is a lot on it, but come on, it brings lots of people downtown. I overheard people talking about trying out some of the new restaurants downtown, but I hope they didn't because if the whole downtown isn't willing to do something about this fine old building it will go the way of the Bisonte! You would think they would love every opportunity to have people come downtown. Haven't they ever heard of fund raisers or government grants?? I know times are difficult right now, but surely there is some way to save this building. But on a lighter note, if you ever get a chance to go to a children's dance recital, go! It is so adorable that by the end of the night your cheeks hurt from grinning, and the other ones hurt from sitting so long! The older girls were really talented also, but watching the little ones was just so darn cute.

Donating Old books

I found today that de-cluttering is hard to do when it comes to books. I have always been an avid reader and have 4 full bookcases to prove it. I share books with family and friends when I find something worth passing on. Now I find I need to de-clutter and even though I have done this before I still have more books than I will ever re-read. I do have favorites, usually a series, like "Harry Potter" by J.K. Rowling, or James Patterson's "Maximum Ride" series that I will read over and over when the mood strikes. Other favorites include Stephenie Plum's series which I think the latest is "Plum Spooky" with her female bounty hunter--very funny stuff. Or if you are into quilting the Elm Creek Quilts series by Jennifer Chiaverini is a great books about women and how they handle life's ups and downs. I take my books that we have all read and I don't want to keep to the Friends of the Library at Hutch Public Library. They sell them and I know the money goes to help the library. I just hate to take in too many at once so they won't think I am some freak who does nothing but read! But then again I am trying to de-clutter so the back of my vehicle is full of books yet again. I have tried to quit buying new books and only get my books at the library, but every now and then there is one I just have to have. Or so I think. And isn't that how clutter starts. We are constantly bombarded by advertising for so many things and they know the human psyche well enough to know how to make us want whatever they are hawking. Very few of these items enrich our lives, but they certainly do clutter it up. I have a friend who thought they Sham Wow looked like such a good deal they ordered 3 sets! They were then surprised when they didn't live up to the hype. So start your de-cluttering before you even start. When I have an impulse to buy something now I put it in my cart and walk around with it for awhile. I let it percolate in my brain and ask myself how it will enrich my life. Usually by the time I have walked around a bit, thereby getting more exercise, I know that it is an impulse and I take it back to where I got it. This has saved me from many an impulse buy. Don't let the advertising industry dictate what you do or do not need. You decide and take your time to do it. George Foreman's grill always look like a good deal, but how often will you need it. I had one years ago and seldom used it, so I took it to Goodwill with some other things. But when his next newest greatest one came out I had to fight the urge to go get it. That is what advertising does. Don't add to your clutter, take time now to clean out at least a small area that is cluttered and trash, donate, sell, or whatever you have to do to simplify your life. You'll be able to breath a big sigh of relief when it's gone!

What Cheri Found Today

Today I completed the last of a 10 week course through the Hutchinson Public Library.  While I always thought I knew a lot about the internet and computers I discovered I had barely scratched the surface.  This blog is the last assignment in the 10 week course.  This is something I probably would never have thought of doing on my own.  The last 10 weeks have really opened my eyes to all the possibilities that exist out there in cyberspace.  What an experience this has been.  I hope everyone reading this will get a chance to take the classes at the computer lab at HPL.  I am guessing there are still a lot of Hutch residents that aren't aware of all our library has to offer.  I have always loved to read, so that is a given at the library.  But they also have movies, books on CD, and even books you can download to your computer or MP3 player.  I urge anyone who hasn't visited this wonderful place lately to go check it out.  I am so glad I made a binder of all 10 weeks activities so I can re-visit them over and over.  I even found a site through the Kansas Library Website -- http://www.kslib.info/ where I was able to print out actual copies of the 1920 census that showed my grandmother's first name--which I couldn't remember before now.  She died when my father was a toddler so he never really knew her and her grave is in Cresco, Iowa where he was born.  Now I know where to look to find her gravestone information even.  This has been a lot of fun and hope that HPL gets another grant so they can offer this to even more people.  I have to go now as I have to get my last progress report filled out online and sent in before midnight.  I loved this experience.