Recently I decided that it would be a seriously good time to read through the Presidents--mostly because deep down I am a total nerd... maybe it isn't all that deep down.  But I digress.

Here are the guidelines for this little project.  

1. I am reading a biography or autobiography for every U.S. President, in order.
2. I am only reading books written by respected historians--no Kitty Kelley allowed.
3. I probably want you to read with me.

For those of you who want to go on this little adventure with me, the first book is His Excellency by Joseph Ellis. 

The first thing I noticed about this book was that it takes the image we all have of the saintly George Washington and smashes it against the wall.  Of course, I come away from that liking Washington that much more... I have a bit of a weakness for jerks.  There is much to be said for someone who was handed a crown and flatly refused to take it, nevertheless, George Washington was no saint. 

Recently my wonderful mother flew to St. Louis to help Randi and I completely redo all the cushions for my sailboat.  A friend of mine and his wife gave my wife and I a sailboat this year.  It is a 1971 Catalina 22 footer.  The boat needs a little work and also some new cushions.  My mother, being the kraftykat she is, flew in from PA to help us with the cushions.  Help being the biggest understatement of all times.  She did most of the work and Randi and I helped. You can see a picture below of the final product.

As sent to me by my Aunt Donna who is a self-proclaimed forty-plus...

If you are 30 or older you will think this is hilarious!!!! When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears With their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; they had to walk Twenty-five miles to school every morning ... Uphill... BOTH ways Yadda, yadda, yadda