I have always been fascianted with where writer’s retreat to write, or where artists go to create.  I could look at photo’s of other creative types spaces for hours.  It fascinates me.  So I thought I’d share with you my creative space, which many of you know my husband affectionately named, Myspace.calm.  I also think it is so important for each of us to have somewhere we can go to “just be.”  I’d love to see your space for quiet, contemplation, creating, etc.!  Hope you enjoy a peek inside MySpace.calm.

This is a doll I made in a class I took with my mom.  Friends named her Eartha Azure.  My doll had to have long hair because that has always been my dream.  Unfortunately I have thin hair, so this is the long hair I dream of.

A watercolor I had to have.  Reminds me of my bike and how I love to ride it with Frankie sitting in her basket.

My cozy corner.  As you can see, Frankie agrees.

A wall collage of favorite photo’s and cards that make me smile and inspire me.

A greeting card I found and swear they modeled after Frankie and my bike!

A lovely dresser a client of my husband’s said I could have, but if I didn’t want it they were going to throw it in the dumpster!  EEKS!  It was perfect for MySpace.calm!  I was thrilled!

I love vintage things!  This lamp I just had to have when I spotted it in a local shop one day.  And the shutters came from a remodeling job my husband was doing for a client.  I love to be creative with the shutters and is so “cottage!”

MySpace.calm is still a work in progress as the trim on the windows still needs to be done.  But I’m just thrilled to have my own sanctuary to retreat to.  It always renews my soul.  I’d love to see your spaces!!

Frankie and I rolled into Ripon looking for some "Ripon Good Cookies", but instead made a left hand turn into Barlow Elementary School to visit with some very enthusiastic kindergartners.  These little ones were sweeter than any cookies could be, so I'm glad we made the choice we did.

If you click on the blue links as I share my thoughts about our visit, it will take you to photographs taken by the FonduLac Reporter. As the children made their way into the room for the presentation they were buzzing the words,  "Frankie's a movie star!"  After about the 10th childthat said this I said, "Why are you calling Frankie a movie star?"  One, not so shy little blond girl piped up and said, "We watched her movie!"  "Her Frankie's video on my website that morning before we arrived.  I thought it was so cute that they thought it was a movie. I thought quietly to myself,  "Now a REAL movie of Frankie wouldd be grand, now wouldn't it?"

I smiled all the way home thinking about the two hours spent with some fantastic kindergartners.  The little blond girl who was not shy said to me right before we started, "Frankie makes my heart feel good."  Aww, that made MY heart feel good!

After the presentation I left time for questions and I am continually amazed at the questions kids ask.  This freckled face boy asked, "How did Frankie feel when she came home from the hospital?"  I held my hand to my heart and said, "What a great question.  I'm so proud of you for asking that."  It is important to me for children to learn Frankie was the same dog even though she was seriously hurt, so I shared with them that she was happy and still the same dog and she didn't feel sorry for herself.

Another little girl asked this, "Does Frankie still have friends?"  Another poignant lesson to be learned here and this question said it all.  I told her, "Frankie has more friends now than she had before she hurt herself."  How important for kids to learn that even though we have differences it does not mean we shouldn't have friends… and what a lesson of compassion.

I am still in awe today thinking these were 5 year old children asking such powerful questions.  As I drove home it brought such joy to my heart to know Frankie is teaching these lessons to children.  And I hope in those lessons we can make each of their little lives a little easier as they continue to grow.  As I looked at all the photo's the photographer took I saw in these sweet cherub faces what cannot always be said in words.  Priceless.

Be sure and check out Frankie's blog where she answers more questions from kids.  Now that Frankie has typed her little paws off answering kids great questions, she is napping in front of the gas stove.  Good dog.