John Grogan, the author of "Marley & Me," was at our local independent bookstore yesterday. I had to stop by. I listened to this book while I drive to my friend Maya's baby shower. It made me alternately laugh and cry out loud. It's truly a book for anyone who has ever loved a pet.
He was a great speaker and lots of people brought in their dogs to meet him. I really enjoyed it.
A few years ago, I started collecting first editions/signed editions of books on a small scale. I won't get the book unless it's something I'll read. Overall, I have about a thousand books but only a hand full are these special editions. Still, it's fun to thumb through them. And, who knows, maybe they will be worth something someday. I have added my signed John Grogan to the group.
Woof!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Lot's Wife
Well, it's official. I no longer own a home. I was too busy with dealing with the movers while I was there to focus too much on actually leaving my house. But once it was empty and it was time to lock up for the last time, I broke down a little bit.
One of my favorite books as a child was "Goodnight Moon." I thought of that book as I walked through all of the rooms one last time. I said goodbye to the blue bathroom, the fireplace, the red wall, the blue kitchen, the big bathtub...all of the little features of my home. It was a sort of goodbye ceremony.
When I first moved into the house, I lay down on the carpet in the living room and did pretend snow angels. The last thing I did was to sit on that living room floor one more time.
I used to work in the anthropology department of a natural history museum. The powers that be chose to destroy the Hall of Ancient Peoples to make way for a space science exhibit. The people in my department took it very hard. Our new department chair created a ceremony for us to go through that we did one evening. It combined different things such as a Native American smudging ceremony. When we finished, the chair closed the doors to the Hall behind us and said, "This is no longer the Hall of Ancient Peoples. It is just a generic exhibit space." I think the ceremony helped us all to let go.
So, I had my own little ceremony at my house. I said goodbye and locked the door behind me knowing that that was no longer my home. I was tempted to look back as I drove away but I didn't. Couldn't risk turning into a pillar of salt. It's time to look forward.
One of my favorite books as a child was "Goodnight Moon." I thought of that book as I walked through all of the rooms one last time. I said goodbye to the blue bathroom, the fireplace, the red wall, the blue kitchen, the big bathtub...all of the little features of my home. It was a sort of goodbye ceremony.
When I first moved into the house, I lay down on the carpet in the living room and did pretend snow angels. The last thing I did was to sit on that living room floor one more time.
I used to work in the anthropology department of a natural history museum. The powers that be chose to destroy the Hall of Ancient Peoples to make way for a space science exhibit. The people in my department took it very hard. Our new department chair created a ceremony for us to go through that we did one evening. It combined different things such as a Native American smudging ceremony. When we finished, the chair closed the doors to the Hall behind us and said, "This is no longer the Hall of Ancient Peoples. It is just a generic exhibit space." I think the ceremony helped us all to let go.
So, I had my own little ceremony at my house. I said goodbye and locked the door behind me knowing that that was no longer my home. I was tempted to look back as I drove away but I didn't. Couldn't risk turning into a pillar of salt. It's time to look forward.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Happy Easter
Well, Easter has dawned both cold and rainy. Sigh. But I did get a lovely Easter present from Gary. He bought me my very own lemon tree. We planted it in a wine barrel planter and it is sitting on our front porch.
For some reason, we always have a large number of earthworms on our front porch when it gets really rainy. Gary calls it "earthworm suicide." We rescue all we can and put them in planters and higher ground. We picked up four today and put them in my lemon tree planter.
I'm so excited!
I head out of town tomorrow for the dreaded move/closing but I will be back Thursday evening with news on how it all went.
Wish me luck.
For some reason, we always have a large number of earthworms on our front porch when it gets really rainy. Gary calls it "earthworm suicide." We rescue all we can and put them in planters and higher ground. We picked up four today and put them in my lemon tree planter.
I'm so excited!
I head out of town tomorrow for the dreaded move/closing but I will be back Thursday evening with news on how it all went.
Wish me luck.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Building an Ark
Well, yesterday was the first day in weeks that we got to see the sun. I have always liked rain. Especially thunderstorms. But this incessant rain is starting to get to me. I need a little break now and then. I want to be outdoors enjoying spring.
For a few years, my friends and I always had Easter in the park. We brought a picnic and outdoor games. It was such a good time. It looks like it will rain on my Easter this year.
Next Monday I go back to Colorado to close on my house. I am really dreading it. There are so many little things still to take care of. And the movers to deal with. I will just be so relieved when it is all over. By Thursday, I will load up an ark and sail back home to face more rain.
Another negative of rain, it makes me feel lazy. I just want to lay around and watch tv all day. There might be a little sunshine today so I better get out there and enjoy it while I can.
For a few years, my friends and I always had Easter in the park. We brought a picnic and outdoor games. It was such a good time. It looks like it will rain on my Easter this year.
Next Monday I go back to Colorado to close on my house. I am really dreading it. There are so many little things still to take care of. And the movers to deal with. I will just be so relieved when it is all over. By Thursday, I will load up an ark and sail back home to face more rain.
Another negative of rain, it makes me feel lazy. I just want to lay around and watch tv all day. There might be a little sunshine today so I better get out there and enjoy it while I can.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
The Biggest Loser
So, I joined Weight Watchers four weeks ago. My friend had great success with it.
So far, I have lost about three pounds. And it has been a struggle. I love to eat. And I'm also an emotional eater. I will eat when I am not hungry because I find it comforting. I have tried really hard to stick with the program and I have been working out five times a week.
The difficult part is not comparing yourself to others. I know three breast-feeding women on Weight Watchers who have gotten skinny in no time at all. Even without much exercise. My three pounds have been a colossal struggle. It can be really frustrating and demoralizing sometimes.
But I'm going to stick with it. I need to be healthier. My first goal is five pounds. My second goal is 16 pounds. My ultimate goal is to lose about 25 pounds. And, in the meantime, I have also set myself a fitness goal. Right now, I run one mile and walk two miles on an incline. I would like to ultimately be able to run 3.5 miles. That's my first goal.
I'll let you know how it goes. I dread hitting the gym every day so this is going to be tough. But I would like to look better in my wedding dress. I think that's a good incentive.
So far, I have lost about three pounds. And it has been a struggle. I love to eat. And I'm also an emotional eater. I will eat when I am not hungry because I find it comforting. I have tried really hard to stick with the program and I have been working out five times a week.
The difficult part is not comparing yourself to others. I know three breast-feeding women on Weight Watchers who have gotten skinny in no time at all. Even without much exercise. My three pounds have been a colossal struggle. It can be really frustrating and demoralizing sometimes.
But I'm going to stick with it. I need to be healthier. My first goal is five pounds. My second goal is 16 pounds. My ultimate goal is to lose about 25 pounds. And, in the meantime, I have also set myself a fitness goal. Right now, I run one mile and walk two miles on an incline. I would like to ultimately be able to run 3.5 miles. That's my first goal.
I'll let you know how it goes. I dread hitting the gym every day so this is going to be tough. But I would like to look better in my wedding dress. I think that's a good incentive.
Monday, April 10, 2006
I'm Back
I decided that I am not ready to throw in the towel yet. I guess I just have to be more careful what I post. I think two things brought me back:
1. The book "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book really spoke to me. It's about the author who traveled to Italy, India and Indonesia over a year to heal herself and find spiritual enlightenment. It is funny and touching and much of it seems very familiar.
I guess I need to remember sometimes that I am human and I make mistakes. Sometimes, very very big ones. But I have to learn to forgive myself.
2. Easter is coming up. It's just about my favorite holiday. (next to Halloween) A time for new beginnings and renewal. Every year at Easter I watch "Last Temptation of Christ." It's a good reminder for me. If you haven't seen it, I recommend that you do. Don't believe all the stories you heard about it. My uncle had me convinced for years that it was the devil's work and I would go to hell for watching it. My pastor showed it to us in college and it profoundly affected me. It renewed and revitalized my faith. Doesn't sound like the work of the devil, does it?
To answer a comment made earlier, I am very happy in California. Things are even better than I thought they would be. If I could just find a job, things would be just about perfect.
1. The book "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book really spoke to me. It's about the author who traveled to Italy, India and Indonesia over a year to heal herself and find spiritual enlightenment. It is funny and touching and much of it seems very familiar.
I guess I need to remember sometimes that I am human and I make mistakes. Sometimes, very very big ones. But I have to learn to forgive myself.
2. Easter is coming up. It's just about my favorite holiday. (next to Halloween) A time for new beginnings and renewal. Every year at Easter I watch "Last Temptation of Christ." It's a good reminder for me. If you haven't seen it, I recommend that you do. Don't believe all the stories you heard about it. My uncle had me convinced for years that it was the devil's work and I would go to hell for watching it. My pastor showed it to us in college and it profoundly affected me. It renewed and revitalized my faith. Doesn't sound like the work of the devil, does it?
To answer a comment made earlier, I am very happy in California. Things are even better than I thought they would be. If I could just find a job, things would be just about perfect.
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