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So, next year I am going to learn Spanish - Captain Maxx been putting this off for years- and I'm going to have a go at watercolor painting. That's on top of all Iron Man action figure basketball cards things I am already doing: piano and drama teaching, doll house making and renovating, traveling, going to the theater, working on amateur musical shows, writing for two or three websites, and trying to make a bit of extra money! (oh, and reading, spending time with my family, and planning for a summer camp).

So why Spanish and watercolors? Well, I'm really quite good at picking up languages and think Spanish feels good on the tongue. It also sounds good, and is the second language of North America generally. So I really feel 1961 Fleer baseball cards will be a good thing to learn it. I have a friend who is doing so and she asked me if I'd like to join her to encourage her, and I thought, why not? And research into the brain indicates that learning a language is like a workout for a brain. And, as I have said before, a fit brain is what I need for living as long as I intend.

But why watercolor painting? Well, I have, in the past, proved to be very bad at that. And it rankles. I hate being so bad at something that I feel slightly queasy when I think about trying to do it. That's pathetic! So I am going to have a go. I've bought myself a little set of paints and some brushes and a pad. It came with an instruction book, and I've begun on the first lessons. This bit is with a pencil; it's drawing (shriek of horror) and I cannot draw. But wait a minute - when did I last try? Why did I stop?

Well, the truth is, I have another go at drawing about every six or seven years. Each time I am dissatisfied with the results and I stop. It's been the same ever since school, when I was asked to sit for the others to draw since I was rubbish at it and enjoyed reading a book anyway. And, yes, I enjoyed sitting there in not always comfortable poses, reading and being drawn. They always let me keep my clothes on - wise of them I reckon! And I sat still and was useful. Got a lot od books read too!

But I just hate failure. I can embroider, produce really good cross stitch, make dolls' houses and write poetry. I have been writing the words for songs with my son for many years, and I have written plays for kids to perform. But my brother and sister, all those years ago, could do the 'Art' thing. And I couldn't. It shouldn't have mattered, but it did. Does it still, I wonder? Does my brother still draw at all? I doubt it. My sister still paints though.

I have begun to take photographs and some of them are quite good. I am egotistical enough to print them myself using the computer and frame them and hang them in my house. I even force some of them on friends and family as presents. And I am really proud of them. But they are not things I have really personally created. For that I have to learn to draw and do watercolors.

That kind of activity requires a level of contemplation which I seldom allow myself. I am always on the go. But I do enjoy thinking and I guess I could do both at the same time. So that's what I'll do. I'll draw up a timetable and plan to leave at least two two-hour slots a week for that. And I will stick to it. What with that, and the two, two-hour slots I will need for the Spanish, I will have to rearrange the day to have 26 hours, I guess. Or stop watching most of the television programs I watch now and stop playing Brain Training on my DSLite. I'll make time somehow.

What I really need is someone to cook and clean for me. Now, that's a thought. Silly one, though. So I'll just have to learn to take less time cooking and cleaning. Won't that be a hardship?

I am Dianna Moylan, in my mid-sixties, an ex-teacher who has fallen in love with dolls' houses. I live in a small house which is rapidly becoming swamped with doll house stuff. My site, http://www.diannadollhouses.co.uk is newly launched. I also sell on eBay. In addition to loving making dolls' houses I enjoy writing a lot and welcome this opportunity to have a say.

If your favorite 12-year-old is about to turn 13, it is time to get some cool gifts for Zorro playset the Transformers birthday.

What would light up the face of a 13-year-old girl or boy? Would it be a sparkling silver shoulder bag... a remote controlled airplane... or a magic kit? Or, perhaps a special birthday dinner in a restaurant with great food, a big cake, and plenty of ice cream.

Settle back for now and let us take a look at some cool gifts that may fit the bill.

Electric Guitar - This electric guitar is ready to play. No TV or sound system is needed. There are built-in songs with a selection for indie, metal, punk, and rock. Your 13-year-old may have a budding career as a rock star.

Pastel Painting Set - This set contains 48 pastels of every color, a block of pastel paper, and a bottle of fixative spray. Your young artist can Superman an original painting or paint a picture that is pre-drawn on the paper.

Radio-controlled Trucks - These great trucks come in either a GMC Yukon Denali model or a Dodge HEMI. They are a full 30 inches long and have a roaming range of 100 feet. These remote controlled toy vehicles have giant wheels for rough terrain as well as smooth.

Hannah Montana Projector - Invite friends over, turn down the lights, and pass the popcorn. It is time for the Hannah Montana show. You can project the show on a screen, the wall, or the ceiling. The projector comes with remote and slides. Use a sound track from the show to accompany the pictures.

Pinball Wars Game - This pinball game is a game for two players that switches to a game for one. The standing table is filled with electronic lights and sounds. It has dual LCD scoring as well as internal drop pockets. This cool 1954 Dan-Dee baseball cards could keep the whole family occupied.

Barbie Girls and MP3 Player - This super gift will bring a lot of joy. There are two Barbie girls and you can mix and match their outfits. Plus, included with the Barbie girls is a good-looking MP3 player with adjustable earbuds and a docking station. This gift could be the hit of any party.

Name Scroll on a Painting - Here is one gift that is always a big hit. This scroll is hand-printed with your 13-year-old's first name and its meaning, and includes famous people with that name. The background is a painting of a kitten, a dog, horses, flowers or other scenes. There is a golden crown, a seal, and a border. This treasured gift is ready for framing.

Well, that is about it. Have a good time shopping for cool gifts for a 13-year-old's birthday. And, remember to have a great time at the birthday party.

Uncover more cool gifts at http://www.giftscrolls4u.com Benedict Manovill creates name scrolls for you. A leading name historian and calligrapher, his works are in collections around the world. Order your name scroll and receive a free treasured gift. For more information, visit http://www.giftscrolls4u.com

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