So, in early April I hosted my own little mini-book giveaway. It was picked up by the Giveaway Project. While I scooted over to the Giveaway Project to learn more about it, I saw that they had posted a giveaway on another blog called Hostess with the Mostess. I immediately became addicted to all the great ideas and giveaways on the Hostess blog. One day, Hostess posted a giveaway at the Partea Planner. That is how I was introduced to Risa's blog. Risa's blog lead to me the Sweet Goodness Swap page. And that is how I started feeling the itch to get crafty again.
I love working on artsy crafty projects. But I tend to let myself get easily defeated. I don't think of myself as a particularly creative person. I used to scrapbook quite a lot. And I did some handmade cards and beaded jewelry. But then my friend Sara started making this fantastic jewelry that made mine look like child's play. And my friend Gary does super-creative cards and mini-scrapbooks. I started knitting but I'm not that good at it and my friend Vieve is a lot better. My friend Greg has the market cornered on punny cartoons and derivative paintings. And don't even get my started on my old friend Ellen. Creative is her middle name. I guess I tend to compare myself too much to other and their talents. And I fall into a defeatist attitude.
But this amazing blog path that I have taken recently has lead me to really crave a good art project. I need to get out in the garage and start scrapbooking again. Or some other creative outlet. I'm feeling inspired! Could a trip to Michael's be far behind? (I hear they have a new Martha Stewart Crafts line)
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
LBC Freebie of the Day
Get a free sample of Knorr's Sides Plus Veggies.
"Knorr® introduces rich and nourishing sides made with two servings of vegetables. Your favorite rice and noodle side dishes are infused with tasty carrots, slender green beans, tender peas and golden corn.Each package of Knorr® Sides Plus™ Veggies is made with two full servings of vegetables. U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend five servings per day (1 serving = 1/2 cup)."
Knorrs Sample
"Knorr® introduces rich and nourishing sides made with two servings of vegetables. Your favorite rice and noodle side dishes are infused with tasty carrots, slender green beans, tender peas and golden corn.Each package of Knorr® Sides Plus™ Veggies is made with two full servings of vegetables. U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend five servings per day (1 serving = 1/2 cup)."
Knorrs Sample
Friday, April 27, 2007
BookSwap Package #2
I just got the greatest package from my no longer Secret Bookswap pal! (cat not included)
First, I got a copy of one of her favorite books, A SUITABLE BOY by Vikram Seth which I can't wait to read! Then, I got a handknitted cloth in the most wonderful pattern and colors, an Endangered Species chocolate bar with Peanut Butter, a Five Star chocolate bar with peanuts AND peanut butter, and a sweet rose-scented soap. And as a bonus book, she gave me L IS FOR LONE STAR which I'm sure will make me very homesick. And she EVEN gave me a Frida Kahlo card that has one of my favorite Frida paintings on it. In fact, I'm not sure my pal even knew that a painting has been done of me that mimics that exact Kahlo painting. I'll post it on my blog this weekend.
Thank you Purl!!!! I have made a new friend through this process!
Interview by the Princess
I have been interviewed by Princess Genevieve. (or as I like to call her...Vieve) Here are the questions and responses.
1. How did your husband propose?
Gary and I were in a long distance relationship for a year and a half. About one year after we met, I flew to Southern California to go to Disneyland for my 30th birthday. Gary was anxious to show me around and introduce me to his friends. After lunch, he took me on a tour of the area. I actually wanted to go to the hotel and take a nap but I patiently took in the scenery. We drove to Dana Point where we walked to the top of hill/cliff overlooking the ocean. He was telling me all about his life and how much has changed when he suddenly dropped to one knee. It was great! I got engaged and then I got to go to Disneyland!!!
2. How do you like living in California?
California is so beautiful. I don't think I would like it in SoCal but living in wine country is wonderful. I love the small town that I live in but there are still challenges. I feel like I have to drive a zillion miles to go shopping or go to the doctor. Everything is so spread out!!! And it is really expensive to live here. And I miss the snow. But other than that, it's a great place to live. Lots of liberals!
3. What do you want for your birthday?
Well, I get to go to Disneyland again this year so I am excited about that. I guess the things I most enjoy are gift certificates for food and Starbucks. I can always put those to good use!
4. If money were no concern, what would you most like to spend your time doing?
I would travel. Without a doubt. I love to travel so much. And there are so many places I still need to go!
5. What is your favorite movie of 2007 so far?
Oh, that is really tough. Hmmmm..... It is hard for me to remember what I saw this year as opposed to last year. Okay, this movie isn't from 2007 but I saw it recently and it is now a favorite: "The Weather Man." I can't stop thinking about it. I don't know why I like it so much but I do.
Okay, if you want to be interviewed by me, drop me a comment and your e-mail if I don't have it.
1. How did your husband propose?
Gary and I were in a long distance relationship for a year and a half. About one year after we met, I flew to Southern California to go to Disneyland for my 30th birthday. Gary was anxious to show me around and introduce me to his friends. After lunch, he took me on a tour of the area. I actually wanted to go to the hotel and take a nap but I patiently took in the scenery. We drove to Dana Point where we walked to the top of hill/cliff overlooking the ocean. He was telling me all about his life and how much has changed when he suddenly dropped to one knee. It was great! I got engaged and then I got to go to Disneyland!!!
2. How do you like living in California?
California is so beautiful. I don't think I would like it in SoCal but living in wine country is wonderful. I love the small town that I live in but there are still challenges. I feel like I have to drive a zillion miles to go shopping or go to the doctor. Everything is so spread out!!! And it is really expensive to live here. And I miss the snow. But other than that, it's a great place to live. Lots of liberals!
3. What do you want for your birthday?
Well, I get to go to Disneyland again this year so I am excited about that. I guess the things I most enjoy are gift certificates for food and Starbucks. I can always put those to good use!
4. If money were no concern, what would you most like to spend your time doing?
I would travel. Without a doubt. I love to travel so much. And there are so many places I still need to go!
5. What is your favorite movie of 2007 so far?
Oh, that is really tough. Hmmmm..... It is hard for me to remember what I saw this year as opposed to last year. Okay, this movie isn't from 2007 but I saw it recently and it is now a favorite: "The Weather Man." I can't stop thinking about it. I don't know why I like it so much but I do.
Okay, if you want to be interviewed by me, drop me a comment and your e-mail if I don't have it.
GROTESQUE by Natsuo Kirino
I had heard so many good things about this book that I was really excited to read it. I thought it was going to be more of murder/suspense type of book. However, it really ended up being more of a social commentary on Japan.
GROTESQUE focuses on the lives of several women from their high school days until their late thirties. Two of the women are dead as the story begins. It appears they have been murdered by a Chinese immigrant. The story is mostly narrated by the older sister of one of the victims. Her character reminded me a lot of the narrator of WHAT WAS SHE THINKING? by Zoe Heller. (the book that "Notes on a Scandal" was based on) Very cold. Very calculated. As the story continues, the journals and statements of other characters help to continue the narrative. Instead of focusing on the murder trial and its outcome, the book moves into a study of the effects of Japanese society on women and immigrants. The pressure of success and recognition warp and damage these women to the point that sex becomes their only defining characteristic.
The book is fascinating but fails to deliver at the end. I felt that there was a buildup that did not amount to anything. There were so many more things I wanted to know and so many more questions that needed to be answered. But the characters were intriguing and the writing was excellent.
GROTESQUE focuses on the lives of several women from their high school days until their late thirties. Two of the women are dead as the story begins. It appears they have been murdered by a Chinese immigrant. The story is mostly narrated by the older sister of one of the victims. Her character reminded me a lot of the narrator of WHAT WAS SHE THINKING? by Zoe Heller. (the book that "Notes on a Scandal" was based on) Very cold. Very calculated. As the story continues, the journals and statements of other characters help to continue the narrative. Instead of focusing on the murder trial and its outcome, the book moves into a study of the effects of Japanese society on women and immigrants. The pressure of success and recognition warp and damage these women to the point that sex becomes their only defining characteristic.
The book is fascinating but fails to deliver at the end. I felt that there was a buildup that did not amount to anything. There were so many more things I wanted to know and so many more questions that needed to be answered. But the characters were intriguing and the writing was excellent.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Can't Talk So I Will Blog
Good morning fellow blog readers.
Thank you for the positive response to my little experiment yesterday morning. I was talking to my husband about it and he told me how several people had paid his toll going across the bridge before when it used to be $3. I thought that was a pretty cool idea too. I think any ways that we can find to be nice to one another makes the whole world better. And I'm going to continue to try and think of ways to do that. If anyone has any ideas/suggestions, please let me know.
I spent some time at the orthodontist yesterday and got an expander put in. The idea behind it is to re-open that bone suture in the roof of my mouth. Hopefully, it will just take about two weeks. (fingers crossed that it will work AT ALL) It isn't particularly painful but it makes it very hard to talk. And it's even hard to eat and drink. Maybe this could be the solution to my diet problem. Except of the fact that all I seem to want right now is a chocolate milkshake. I wonder where the nearest McDonald's is.....
Thank you for the positive response to my little experiment yesterday morning. I was talking to my husband about it and he told me how several people had paid his toll going across the bridge before when it used to be $3. I thought that was a pretty cool idea too. I think any ways that we can find to be nice to one another makes the whole world better. And I'm going to continue to try and think of ways to do that. If anyone has any ideas/suggestions, please let me know.
I spent some time at the orthodontist yesterday and got an expander put in. The idea behind it is to re-open that bone suture in the roof of my mouth. Hopefully, it will just take about two weeks. (fingers crossed that it will work AT ALL) It isn't particularly painful but it makes it very hard to talk. And it's even hard to eat and drink. Maybe this could be the solution to my diet problem. Except of the fact that all I seem to want right now is a chocolate milkshake. I wonder where the nearest McDonald's is.....
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Paid Forward
I did it! I did my first random act of kindness today. I was sitting in the drive-thru at Starbucks and decided to go for it and pay for the woman behind me. The Starbucks guy looked really confused. He asked me if I knew the woman. I said, "No. Just tell her to have a nice day and pay it forward." I hope it was a nice surprise for her. In this day and age, I think people are sometimes suspicious of acts like that. I hope it didn't freak her out. And I hope she will go out and do something nice for someone else.
Intimidating Swap?
I saw this swap and really wanted to do it but it was too late. It's a crafty, thrifty swap in the color scheme of pink and green. And there had to be an item in the package that represented each letter of the word SPRING. Are you with me so far?
Anyway, I just recently found Risa's blog and this is what she did for her swap buddy.
Now, I'm REALLY glad I didn't join this swap. How could I ever do something THAT creative?
Handmade gifts are the best. I wish I could do stuff like that.
Anyway, I just recently found Risa's blog and this is what she did for her swap buddy.
Now, I'm REALLY glad I didn't join this swap. How could I ever do something THAT creative?
Handmade gifts are the best. I wish I could do stuff like that.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Help My Unbelief
I don't have much to write about today. Just your standard debate on the existence of God. (just kidding, I'm saving that for the OTHER blog)
I cleaned out my freebie drawer last night and brought in a bag full of free samples to work and dumped it on the break room table. It will be a free-for-all. (no pun intended) Whatever is left over, I will donate to the local shelter. It's surprising how many I had. I guess I get lots of freebies.
In other news, Gary and I are hard at work on Through the Wardrobe. We are slowly making our way through MERE CHRISTIANITY but we keep getting sidetracked because religion brings up so many ideas and issues. Anyway, if you have an interest in this stuff, please stop by our blog. We like hearing what other people think.
I cleaned out my freebie drawer last night and brought in a bag full of free samples to work and dumped it on the break room table. It will be a free-for-all. (no pun intended) Whatever is left over, I will donate to the local shelter. It's surprising how many I had. I guess I get lots of freebies.
In other news, Gary and I are hard at work on Through the Wardrobe. We are slowly making our way through MERE CHRISTIANITY but we keep getting sidetracked because religion brings up so many ideas and issues. Anyway, if you have an interest in this stuff, please stop by our blog. We like hearing what other people think.
LBC Freebie of the Day
I think this one will just have to be for the Texans. (or those in BlueBell's distribution area)
I'm so jealous because I LOVE BlueBell ice cream. Register with BlueBell and get a free 1/2 gallon on your birthday.
Link
I'm so jealous because I LOVE BlueBell ice cream. Register with BlueBell and get a free 1/2 gallon on your birthday.
Link
Monday, April 23, 2007
Responsible and Cute
Okay, I hope everyone had a lovely Earth Day yesterday. (and I hope Ellen had a great birthday!) The weather wasn't particularly great here so I didn't get to do anything outdoors for Earth Day. But I did get to try a delicious Portuguese restaurant. It's hard to be a foodie AND a Weight Watchers dieter.
Anyway, I just found out about this new website from the ever-fabulous Hostess with the Mostess and I thought I'd share it with you. It's called Delight.com and every day at noon they offer a new item that is only available for 24 hours. There is usually a small discount involved as well. This appeals to the shopper and bargain hunter in me. The site also provides a 30-day store with lots of cute things. I was immediately attracted to the totes above. The five totes by Envirosax come in their own pouch and are meant to be used in place of plastic grocery bags. What a great idea! I ordered some immediately. Now, I can be fashionable AND environmentally-friendly.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
LBC Freebie of the Day
Take a fun "Italian" quiz from Dazante wine and get some free wine charms. (I hope they actually come! I had fun taking the quiz. I miss Italy!)
Dazante wine charm quiz and offer
Dazante wine charm quiz and offer
Friday, April 20, 2007
Won't You Please Be Nice?
*UPDATED*
I blogged awhile back about the book THE POWER OF NICE. While the book doesn't offer anything particularly groundbreaking or new, it does serve as a good reminder of something we forget all too often. Just being nice. It is something so simple yet so effective.
The other day, I found a website all about being nice. It is called the Gift of Kindess. Anyway, the idea behind the site is that you should go out and do something nice for a complete stranger. Then, you hand them one of these free kindness cards you can order that encourage people to "pay it forward." The cards are generic and say something to the effect of "Someone has just done something nice for you...pay it forward." One example that they gave is to pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru and then ask the cashier to give the person the little card when they drive up.
I really like this idea. I want to try it the next time I go through the Starbucks drive-thru. Something as simple as surprising a stranger by buying a $2 cup of coffee could really make their day. For me, it's often something as simple as someone holding a door for me. Or complimenting me on how I look that day. I think a lot of people poo-poo the social niceties but it's little things like that that can change your entire interaction with a person.
For example...
I walked into a Sprint store last weekend to buy a charger for my phone. I was the first customer of the day and the guy was beyond grumpy. I decided then and there that it would my mission to make that guy smile before I left. I could have taken offense at his gruff and grumpy demeanor. After all, I hadn't done anything to deserve that treatment. But, instead I started joking with him. I poked fun at myself for being up at the crack of dawn to go shopping at the mall in pouring down rain. I thanked him for being so helpful. (even though he wasn't at first) By the end of our short interchange, the guy was not only laughing but he had also offered to open the packaging of the charger for me so I could use it right away. We both left with a smile on our faces. It was great.
I think the hardest thing for people to realize is that when you encounter a rude/grumpy salesperson or customer, it probably has nothing to do with you. And maybe just smiling and saying "please" and "thank you" can change that person's whole day.
I'm going to try to exercise the power of nice more often and practice random acts of kindness. We'll see what happens....
I blogged awhile back about the book THE POWER OF NICE. While the book doesn't offer anything particularly groundbreaking or new, it does serve as a good reminder of something we forget all too often. Just being nice. It is something so simple yet so effective.
The other day, I found a website all about being nice. It is called the Gift of Kindess. Anyway, the idea behind the site is that you should go out and do something nice for a complete stranger. Then, you hand them one of these free kindness cards you can order that encourage people to "pay it forward." The cards are generic and say something to the effect of "Someone has just done something nice for you...pay it forward." One example that they gave is to pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru and then ask the cashier to give the person the little card when they drive up.
I really like this idea. I want to try it the next time I go through the Starbucks drive-thru. Something as simple as surprising a stranger by buying a $2 cup of coffee could really make their day. For me, it's often something as simple as someone holding a door for me. Or complimenting me on how I look that day. I think a lot of people poo-poo the social niceties but it's little things like that that can change your entire interaction with a person.
For example...
I walked into a Sprint store last weekend to buy a charger for my phone. I was the first customer of the day and the guy was beyond grumpy. I decided then and there that it would my mission to make that guy smile before I left. I could have taken offense at his gruff and grumpy demeanor. After all, I hadn't done anything to deserve that treatment. But, instead I started joking with him. I poked fun at myself for being up at the crack of dawn to go shopping at the mall in pouring down rain. I thanked him for being so helpful. (even though he wasn't at first) By the end of our short interchange, the guy was not only laughing but he had also offered to open the packaging of the charger for me so I could use it right away. We both left with a smile on our faces. It was great.
I think the hardest thing for people to realize is that when you encounter a rude/grumpy salesperson or customer, it probably has nothing to do with you. And maybe just smiling and saying "please" and "thank you" can change that person's whole day.
I'm going to try to exercise the power of nice more often and practice random acts of kindness. We'll see what happens....
Thursday, April 19, 2007
LBC Freebie of the Day
Get a free sample of Olay's new Regenerist Eye Derma-pod.
I'm excited because I have really been wanting to try this!!!
Link
I'm excited because I have really been wanting to try this!!!
Link
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Guns Don't Kill People...
Okay, I can't help it. My ears are glued to the VT tragedy coverage on NPR. And I'm getting more and more angry. If I hear one more person say, "Guns don't kill people. People kill people," I'm gonna.....shoot somebody!!!
I'm being a bit flippant but really!
If that disturbed young man had not been able to purchase the firearms that he did, then how many people would have died at VT?
If people kill people, then we need to limit their access to deadly weapons. I am a firm believer in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights but I don't believe our Founding Fathers had our current situation in mind when they supported the right to bear arms. At the time the second amendment was drafted, the colonials were not allowed to keep firearms in their home for fear they would turn on the British. Now, people collect guns to either kill animals or for a false sense of security. And the fact that our President took the time to say that he fully supports the right to bear arms on the DAY of the attacks enrages me!!! What an inappropriate time to play politics!!! The sheer insensitivity and unmitigated gall!!!
(can you see I'm riled up?)
Okay, I'll be quiet now.
(How I wish I could hear Mollie Ivins right now)
I'm being a bit flippant but really!
If that disturbed young man had not been able to purchase the firearms that he did, then how many people would have died at VT?
If people kill people, then we need to limit their access to deadly weapons. I am a firm believer in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights but I don't believe our Founding Fathers had our current situation in mind when they supported the right to bear arms. At the time the second amendment was drafted, the colonials were not allowed to keep firearms in their home for fear they would turn on the British. Now, people collect guns to either kill animals or for a false sense of security. And the fact that our President took the time to say that he fully supports the right to bear arms on the DAY of the attacks enrages me!!! What an inappropriate time to play politics!!! The sheer insensitivity and unmitigated gall!!!
(can you see I'm riled up?)
Okay, I'll be quiet now.
(How I wish I could hear Mollie Ivins right now)
LAST EMPRESS by Anchee Min
A few years ago, I read Min's EMPRESS ORCHID and knew that I would be anxiously awaiting the sequel. EMPRESS ORCHID chronicled the rise of Empress Tsu Hsi (Lady Yehonala) from poor peasant to imperial concubine to Empress. It was thoroughly engrossing in the way that only good historical fiction can be.
I had to wait several years for the sequel but it was worth it.
THE LAST EMPRESS follows the further adventures of the Empress after the death of her husband. Historically, this Empress has been called the "Dragon Lady," but Min seeks to offer a more sympathetic portrayal of this powerful female ruler. The politics in the book are intricate and fascinating. And Min does manage to make Lady Yehonala a sympathetic character. Although the book is fiction, it makes one realize how history is written by the victors and may not always reflect the whole truth.
My only complaint with the book is that it tended to drag in spots. This was also true of EMPRESS ORCHID. Overall, however, it offers a compelling portrait of a great (and controversial) female ruler. Recommended for historical fiction buffs.
I had to wait several years for the sequel but it was worth it.
THE LAST EMPRESS follows the further adventures of the Empress after the death of her husband. Historically, this Empress has been called the "Dragon Lady," but Min seeks to offer a more sympathetic portrayal of this powerful female ruler. The politics in the book are intricate and fascinating. And Min does manage to make Lady Yehonala a sympathetic character. Although the book is fiction, it makes one realize how history is written by the victors and may not always reflect the whole truth.
My only complaint with the book is that it tended to drag in spots. This was also true of EMPRESS ORCHID. Overall, however, it offers a compelling portrait of a great (and controversial) female ruler. Recommended for historical fiction buffs.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Virginia Tech
I know there are plenty of people blogging about this tragedy right now so I will only say a few things.
I stayed plugged in to NPR all day yesterday. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. Today, I spent some time looking at profiles of some of the victims. It just makes me so unbelievably sad. So many young people. And so many professors.
I think that is what really moves me the most. I work at a junior college and I have often wondered I would do if something happened. The most likely emergency would be an earthquake. But we have had our share of disgruntled students and transients. I want to believe that I am the type of person who would help protect students and get people out of the building. The newspaper coverage of yesterday's tragedy said that at least one of the professors died guarding the door to his classroom so that his students could flee. Would I have that kind of courage? Something tells me that I wouldn't. I would probably end up cowering under my desk or trying to break a window to get out. But I guess you never know until you are in that situation. In the meantime, we are left with nothing but questions.
My prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the victims.
I stayed plugged in to NPR all day yesterday. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. Today, I spent some time looking at profiles of some of the victims. It just makes me so unbelievably sad. So many young people. And so many professors.
I think that is what really moves me the most. I work at a junior college and I have often wondered I would do if something happened. The most likely emergency would be an earthquake. But we have had our share of disgruntled students and transients. I want to believe that I am the type of person who would help protect students and get people out of the building. The newspaper coverage of yesterday's tragedy said that at least one of the professors died guarding the door to his classroom so that his students could flee. Would I have that kind of courage? Something tells me that I wouldn't. I would probably end up cowering under my desk or trying to break a window to get out. But I guess you never know until you are in that situation. In the meantime, we are left with nothing but questions.
My prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the victims.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Blah
I am having one of those dreaded blogging moments when you just don't feel like blogging. You have no inspiration and you feel like even if you did, no one would want to read it anyway. This is unusual for me because I can typically think of lots of things to write about.
I'll just leave you with two tidbits for now:
1) We assembled our new patio furniture this weekend. (an early birthday gift from Mom) I love it and can't wait to use it! See it here. (our set is a coffee table, two chairs and a loveseat)
2) I am getting my braces (for the third time!) tomorrow. I have a feeling I'll be grumpy for the rest of the week.
I'll just leave you with two tidbits for now:
1) We assembled our new patio furniture this weekend. (an early birthday gift from Mom) I love it and can't wait to use it! See it here. (our set is a coffee table, two chairs and a loveseat)
2) I am getting my braces (for the third time!) tomorrow. I have a feeling I'll be grumpy for the rest of the week.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Nostalgia and Something New
So, yesterday's post brought up the memory of the "Great Space Coaster" which I had totally forgotten. In fact, before yesterday, I would have sworn up and down that I had never even HEARD of the "Great Space Coaster" much less seen it. But then, I went to YouTube and watched a video of the opening credits and found myself unconsciously singing along. I KNEW THE WORDS!!! So, I guess I AM familiar with it. I had just forgotten about it. How I miss those wonderful "Sesame Street," "Electric Company," "3-2-1 Contact," Sid and Marty Kroft days!!! I think the creator of "Family Guy" must be my age because we have all of the same cultural references. In fact, he even had a reference to the "Great Space Coaster." So, there you go.
In other news...
I am excited to announce that my friend Gary and I are launching a new blog together. We have been having great discussions lately about faith and spirituality and decided to make our "conversations" public. The format of the blog involves me writing Gary a "letter" and him responding. We'll be reading books together and discussing a variety of topics. Our first book will be MERE CHRISTIANITY by C.S. Lewis. I hope you will all stop by if you are so inclined.
The blog is called THROUGH THE WARDROBE. (but the link uses the spelling of "thru")
In other news...
I am excited to announce that my friend Gary and I are launching a new blog together. We have been having great discussions lately about faith and spirituality and decided to make our "conversations" public. The format of the blog involves me writing Gary a "letter" and him responding. We'll be reading books together and discussing a variety of topics. Our first book will be MERE CHRISTIANITY by C.S. Lewis. I hope you will all stop by if you are so inclined.
The blog is called THROUGH THE WARDROBE. (but the link uses the spelling of "thru")
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
LBC Freebie of the Day
Get a sample of John Frieda's Frizz Ease Shampoo and Conditioner. Choose one of two varieties.
John Frieda Sample
John Frieda Sample
No Gnews is Good Gnews (Gnus?)
The junior college where I work is on Spring Break this week so there are reduced hours in the library. I love being in the library in the middle of the day when it is closed. I love wandering up and down the stacks and noting the nice orderly rows of books. Nothing is out of place. No trash or other bits of detritus left over from the students on the desks or floors. Quiet.
Someone once told me that people who feel an intense need for order in their surroundings usually have chaotic inner lives. I don't know if that's true. But when it comes to my books, my DVDs and my CDs, I am fanatical about organizing them. They must be organized by genre and then alphabetized within genre. I get the same feeling of comfort looking at my organized collections at home that I do wandering through the empty library at work.
It's raining today and I'm a bit of grouchy ladybug. Maybe I'll go wander through the stacks in a little while. I read a poem a long long time ago that had the line "I romp with joy in the bookish dark."
Think of me romping through the empty stacks today.
(I found out that the line is from a poem by Mark Strand. Find it here.)
Someone once told me that people who feel an intense need for order in their surroundings usually have chaotic inner lives. I don't know if that's true. But when it comes to my books, my DVDs and my CDs, I am fanatical about organizing them. They must be organized by genre and then alphabetized within genre. I get the same feeling of comfort looking at my organized collections at home that I do wandering through the empty library at work.
It's raining today and I'm a bit of grouchy ladybug. Maybe I'll go wander through the stacks in a little while. I read a poem a long long time ago that had the line "I romp with joy in the bookish dark."
Think of me romping through the empty stacks today.
(I found out that the line is from a poem by Mark Strand. Find it here.)
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Suburban Dystopia
Hi everybody. I hope you all had a lovely Easter. I know back home in Texas and in Denver it was pretty cold!!!!
Over the weekend, I read a book called ARLINGTON PARK by Rachel Cusk. It was short but quite good. She has a way of putting things that are just wonderful. The book is basically a snapshot of the lives of several women on one rainy day in a suburb of London. All the women are leading lives of quiet desperation. Kind of like a British "Desperate Housewives." But a lot darker. The book kind of made me depressed.
I think one of the problems for women today is that we have the opportunity to do so many things and we are getting married later in life. I think men fall in love with a woman at a certain stage in her life and when that state of being changes, it can cause problems for both of them. For example, what if a man falls for a women who is a high-powered lawyer. A very independent person who does her own thing. They get married in their thirties. Then, they have kids and the woman decides to be a stay-at-home mom. She thinks she wants the Martha Stewart version of life. But then, she starts to feel stifle and un-fulfilled. She starts blaming her husband and her kids. On the other side, her husband looks at this woman who drives the kids around town in her mini-van and scrubs the floor and thinks "where did the high-powered lawyer I married go?" They are no longer the same people they were when they were married. Can divorce be far behind?
I guess this is kind of what made me reluctant to get married. I worried that I would lose my independence and my sense of self. And, in some ways, I have given some of that up. I lived alone for almost ten years before I got married. When a tire needed changing, I did it. When something broke on my house, I fixed it. Now, I find I rely on my husband a lot. There's something nice about being cared for and caring for someone else. But it's hard for me to step back and give up some of that control. And then I worry what it means if I do. I blogged recently about how I'm feeling more domestic these days. And I don't think that is a bad thing. I guess I just worry about losing the person that my husband fell in love with.
Over the weekend, I read a book called ARLINGTON PARK by Rachel Cusk. It was short but quite good. She has a way of putting things that are just wonderful. The book is basically a snapshot of the lives of several women on one rainy day in a suburb of London. All the women are leading lives of quiet desperation. Kind of like a British "Desperate Housewives." But a lot darker. The book kind of made me depressed.
I think one of the problems for women today is that we have the opportunity to do so many things and we are getting married later in life. I think men fall in love with a woman at a certain stage in her life and when that state of being changes, it can cause problems for both of them. For example, what if a man falls for a women who is a high-powered lawyer. A very independent person who does her own thing. They get married in their thirties. Then, they have kids and the woman decides to be a stay-at-home mom. She thinks she wants the Martha Stewart version of life. But then, she starts to feel stifle and un-fulfilled. She starts blaming her husband and her kids. On the other side, her husband looks at this woman who drives the kids around town in her mini-van and scrubs the floor and thinks "where did the high-powered lawyer I married go?" They are no longer the same people they were when they were married. Can divorce be far behind?
I guess this is kind of what made me reluctant to get married. I worried that I would lose my independence and my sense of self. And, in some ways, I have given some of that up. I lived alone for almost ten years before I got married. When a tire needed changing, I did it. When something broke on my house, I fixed it. Now, I find I rely on my husband a lot. There's something nice about being cared for and caring for someone else. But it's hard for me to step back and give up some of that control. And then I worry what it means if I do. I blogged recently about how I'm feeling more domestic these days. And I don't think that is a bad thing. I guess I just worry about losing the person that my husband fell in love with.
Monday, April 09, 2007
LBC Freebie of the Day
Get a free sample of Caress' new Exotic Oil. Click on the free samples button at the bottom of the page.
Caress sample
Caress sample
Friday, April 06, 2007
Happy Easter!
I recently made a vow to be more open about my faith so I am going to move outside of my comfort zone with this post.
Easter is THE big holiday for Christians. And I just love it. I won't be able to go to church this year on Easter but I will celebrate it in my heart.
When I visited some of the catacombs in Rome on my honeymoon last year, the guide showed us all of the early Christian iconography drawn on the walls of the tombs. The guide said that every single picture pointed to the fact that "death does not have the final say." These Christians died with hearts filled with hope and the knowledge that death wasn't the end.
Easter is the biggest reminder of that fact.
Whether or not you are a Christian, I wish you all peace and love on this holy holiday.
Christ is risen.
Alleluia.
Peace be with you.
Humility Lesson
I worked in a public library for five years as a circulation clerk. It made me a very grouchy ladybug, indeed. I started out as this super-positive cheerleader and ended up as a disgruntled DMV-type worker.
Now, I do cataloging and receiving (and some acquisitions) behind the scenes and I really like it. I get to work in a library without being a librarian. Pretty cool. And I get to work in a brand new building (just opened last summer) full of green features. Because our library is something of showplace, the Dean and some of the librarians oftens lead tours through it. We are getting used to large groups of people coming through our work area to examine its layout, ergonomic features, etc.
Well, my position is brand-new and it has become increasingly clear to me that several of my
co-workers have no idea what I do. On tours through our work area, the librarians usually say something like:
"And here is J. She is our cataloguer. And here is D. She is our Acquisitions person. And here is [Malady]. She....well....she processes books."
Sometimes they will say cataloging. Sometimes they will just say "and here is [Malady]." But my favorite happened just the other day.
"And here is [Malady.] She does the mail."
I was drinking water and almost blew it out my nose. Now, there is nothing wrong with doing the mail. But do these people really think I work a 40-hour work week with a master's degree just doing the mail?!!!
Wow. I'm really under-employed.
Now, I do cataloging and receiving (and some acquisitions) behind the scenes and I really like it. I get to work in a library without being a librarian. Pretty cool. And I get to work in a brand new building (just opened last summer) full of green features. Because our library is something of showplace, the Dean and some of the librarians oftens lead tours through it. We are getting used to large groups of people coming through our work area to examine its layout, ergonomic features, etc.
Well, my position is brand-new and it has become increasingly clear to me that several of my
co-workers have no idea what I do. On tours through our work area, the librarians usually say something like:
"And here is J. She is our cataloguer. And here is D. She is our Acquisitions person. And here is [Malady]. She....well....she processes books."
Sometimes they will say cataloging. Sometimes they will just say "and here is [Malady]." But my favorite happened just the other day.
"And here is [Malady.] She does the mail."
I was drinking water and almost blew it out my nose. Now, there is nothing wrong with doing the mail. But do these people really think I work a 40-hour work week with a master's degree just doing the mail?!!!
Wow. I'm really under-employed.
LBC Freebie of the Day
Get a free sample of new Purex Ultra Concentrate Detergent. (I love these samples because they are great to put in your suitcase. A good way to try a new detergent.)
Purex sample
Purex sample
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Celebrity Status?
Some of you may know that I work in a library. Well, for National Read Week, we thought it would be fun to make our own READ posters. I'm holding my favorite biography of Frida Kahlo.
I feel like such a celebrity. How big of a nerd am I?
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
5 Blogs That Make Me Think
I just figured out that I am not eligible to nominate blogs for the Thinking Blogger Awards since I haven't been tagged. So this will have to be unofficial. But if I could, I would nominate the following....
Now, the obvious thing would be to put down blogs like those by Literary Feline, Bookfool and Katrina. But I think they have already been tagged. So, I'm going to put a few blogs that I enjoy and that get me thinking about new and different things.
1. Reign of Ellen for her honesty and her ability to fearlessly share her life with others (and her creative and whimsical spirit)
2. Knit and Tonic for showing me how cool knitting can be and for sharing her life with the crazy internet world
3. What Was I Thinking? for forthrightly sharing her politics and social musings
4. Homesick Texan for sharing such wonderful recipes and making ME homesick
So, I'm just going to pretend that I was tagged so that I can bring these great blogs some well-deserved attention.
Do I Need a Bigger Yard?
So, some of you have seen me blog about my frustration at making new friends at the ripe old age of 31. It can be hard to get established in a new place. I have been here a year and I'm slowly making progress.
Back in Colorado, I had a core group of friends. It was small but it was quality. It was hard to leave my little group.
Well, this past weekend, we started talking about having a little event at our home for my birthday in May. We sat down and started making a list and I easily came up with 40 people and there were more names that I could add. It really surprised me. Do I really know that many local people? Will they all fit in my backyard?
I think part of it is that many of them are my husband's friends. Also, it seems easier to meet people as a married couple. I don't know why that is but it seems to be true. But I have also been working really hard to join groups and get active in the community. Slowly but surely I am getting to know people better. And even though my dear friend Jen just moved away to Atlanta, I still have a possibility of 40 people at my birthday party. Not too shabby.
Back in Colorado, I had a core group of friends. It was small but it was quality. It was hard to leave my little group.
Well, this past weekend, we started talking about having a little event at our home for my birthday in May. We sat down and started making a list and I easily came up with 40 people and there were more names that I could add. It really surprised me. Do I really know that many local people? Will they all fit in my backyard?
I think part of it is that many of them are my husband's friends. Also, it seems easier to meet people as a married couple. I don't know why that is but it seems to be true. But I have also been working really hard to join groups and get active in the community. Slowly but surely I am getting to know people better. And even though my dear friend Jen just moved away to Atlanta, I still have a possibility of 40 people at my birthday party. Not too shabby.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
LBC Freebie of the Day
Here are two for you!
Get a free sample of IceBreakers Sour Gum.
Icebreakers Sample
Get a free sample of South Beach Sweet Nut Creations Bar (this one took awhile to load)
South Beach sample
Get a free sample of IceBreakers Sour Gum.
Icebreakers Sample
Get a free sample of South Beach Sweet Nut Creations Bar (this one took awhile to load)
South Beach sample
Where Have You Been All My Life?!
I was in Anthropologie not too long ago and saw this blouse in the window that I instantly fell in love with. It is by a designer called Vera that the store just started carrying. But, being Anthropologie, the blouse costs $128. So I did what any self-respecting fashionista would do and I headed over to eBay. Well, I didn't find my blouse but I found out so much much more! It turns out that Vera (as in Vera Neumann or Vera Ladybug) was a big designer of clothes and linens in the 50's and her prints have been bought up and are being re-released in a new line. I am such a fan of bold prints and colors and now I think I am obsessed with collecting vintage Vera pieces. It melds my love of prints/colors with my love of vintage things. Vera---where have you been all my life?! A designer after my own heart!
Monday, April 02, 2007
Power of Nice Giveaway Winner
And the winner is....
Lauri!
Thanks to everyone for entering and I hope you keep checking in.
Lauri--
Contact me at bibanon1@gmail.com
Lauri!
Thanks to everyone for entering and I hope you keep checking in.
Lauri--
Contact me at bibanon1@gmail.com
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