GPP Crusade #15...

...at the last possible moment. As usual. Hey, I work better under pressure, ya know?

So, this month's crusade was a simple one. Tell where you are from.


For me, it's good 'ol Southern Illinois. Smack dab in the middle of Nowhereville. At first glance, anyway.

I'm only a couple of hours from St. Louis. Yes, I have seen the Arch. Lots of times. It really is fantastic. I remember getting so excited as a child coming ver the bridge & seeing the grand silver work of art coming in over the skyline.


The other way, it is just a couple of hours to the Ohio River. Beauty. Sheer beauty.


And while I take the local scenery for granted, they say it is some of the most beautfiful in the country. I could maybe believe that...sometimes. Like when we take a daytrip down south to the Bald Knob Cross. Nothing like it. Seriously.


And who can talk about Southern Illinois without mentioning the World's Largest Ketchup Bottle??? When traveling to visit family, this always meant we were "almost there."


So, while my little hometown doesn't have much to offer, there is much more to this part of the world than first meets the eye.

Happy New Year!!!

God Bless Us Every One...

This past week, I had the honor of visiting the fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis along with my daughter, Madison's 6th grade class. We saw Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol."



Not only was the production quite magical, so was the atmosphere. The Fox Theatre has been beautifully preserved in all it's ornate splendor!!

I had never had the opportunity to go see a show there before, but you can bet I will make an effort to attend again soon!

We all felt like princesses at a ball in the stately dressing area that adjoins the powder room at the bottom of a winding guilded staircase in the wings of the lobby. Wow!



Let me just tell you - If you ever get a chance to see this musical, take it! You won't be sorry!!!