Welcome to the new and improved blog. "Improved" may be a stretch, but there have been some changes. For starters, there is the new background and header. I have gotten out of the habit of blogging and thought my renewed enthusiasm to return deserved a new look.
There won't be any huge changes to the content - a little about books, a little about crafts, a little about faith, and a little about life in general. One addition will be some posts about my journey with diabetes. I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes on July 5th. So far it has been a roller coaster of information, glucose testing, diet changes, carb counting, exercise, weight loss, medications and depression. I think journaling some of my thoughts (believe me, you don't want to hear them all) will help with the depression and anger. Hopefully, sharing my experiences and lessons will help someone else who is dealing with this ridiculous disease.
A second addition, or rather expansion, will be more posts about faith. In the past, I tried to avoid including most things faith-based to keep the blog P.C., but I realized that is effectively denying my faith, so there will be posts about things I've learned and messages received, or possibly questions I hope someone else can answer.
Life just keeps rolling along, like it or not, so I'll also be talking about aging, aging parents, owning a business, and hopefully some humor thrown in.
In the mean time, I am preparing for our Eclipse Party tomorrow. We are in the "path of totality" so will be hosting lunch in our front yard for our construction crew and some friends. I'll post pictures and details afterward. If you are traveling to view, or can see the eclipse from your house, I hope you enjoy.
To my returning friends, thanks for not giving up on my blog. If you are new here, thanks for coming by and I hope you found something you enjoy and that will bring you back. Please leave me a greeting, including your blog address if you have one, so I can pay a return visit.
Showing posts with label BLOGGING. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BLOGGING. Show all posts
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Cleaning House
1. I really can't imagine where my head was when I wrote this. Seriously, this is all that was on the draft:
English - very annoyed, angryObviously, I was pondering the difference in the meaning of words between American English and British English. But why that word? Was I annoyed and/or angry? Don't think I was drunk. So ... I hope that tidbit of information is helpful to you in some way.
urban dictionary - pissed (british) - drunk
2. I had a draft titled "The Best Day in Parenting". This one I at least have a vague idea why I wrote it. It was the day that our daughter, Amanda, admitted that she had no clue why she did most of the stuff she did during jr. high and high school. I remember thinking all the sleepless nights and headaches and screaming matching had finally paid off - I was right all along. Vindication! Not sure how I was going to get an entire post from that.
3. "I Hate That Word" This draft has been hovering around for several years. The idea started when I read the work "bulwark" in a book. Not a word you run into often and it struck me as an ugly word. It's clunky on the tongue and grating to the ear. So, I decided to start a list of words I hate and words I love, adding on as I ran across them, until the list was long enough for a post. After all this time the lists were :
Hate: bulwark and jaguar
Love: lovely and feckless (especially when spoken with a Scottish or British accent)
Then there was the enigmatic line: "quote from 'Secret Lives of Dresses'". I remember the book - loved it. But I didn't write down the quote and I have no idea what it was and I'm not even sure where I got the book - probably the public library - so that I can go back and look it up. So if you happen to be reading that wonderful book and you run across a great quote about words, please let me know.
4. " Frustration: The feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something.
That would be me. Recently, life feels like a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut-butter. I'm driving a sports car and everyone around me is driving an Edsel."
Beyond that sparkling bit of writing, I have no idea what I wanted to accomplish by telling you about my frustrations. So, consider yourself informed that I'm frustrated with the speed at which life is moving lately - too fast in some areas and frustratingly slow in others." My "Life Under Construction" project is one of the s-l-o-o-o-o-w areas - but I'm not giving up. I'll keep you posted.
Well, I feel much better for having cleaned out that blogging closet. Left on the shelf are some serious thoughts on books, feminism, handwriting, faith, what makes a family, spaces that foster creativity, and The Saturday Evening Post. So you have that to look forward to in the new year.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Mid-Event Meme
1. What are you reading right now? "Bellman and Black" by Diana Setterfield2. How many books have you read so far? I haven't completed any books because I jump around a lot. I have read from 3 books, and I have several more lined up for later into the night.
3. What book are you most looking forward to in the second half? The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler
4. Did you have to may any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Since my children are grown and out of the house, I don't usually have to make many arrangements. However, this year it turned out that I got called away for a family crisis and was gone all of last week. I was worried that I wouldn't make it home in time. I arrived at 8:00 last night.
5. Have you had many interruptions and how do you deal with those? Poorly! :) Having been gone for a week, there are lots of household chores that need to be done and I have been trying to work on them in small doses, but they have taken up more time than I anticipated. I have also been interrupted by phone calls, but not much I can do about that.
6. What surprises you most about the readathon so far? How quickly time flies!
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the readathon next time? If Andi and Heather could figure out how to insert more minutes into each hour so I have time to do all the things - that would be great!
8. What would you do differently next year? Hire a maid beforehand and take the phone off the hook.
9. Are you getting tired yet? Nope
10. Do you have any tips for other readers? Don't try to do everything. If you try to do all the challenges, visit all the blogs and chat on Twitter, you won't have time to read. And don't be intimidated by readers who are posting huge numbers of books and/or pages read. They are the exception.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
The More Things Change . . .
I know what you're thinking.... "Can this woman not make up her mind?" There have been many manifestations of the theme and design of this blog over the last four years - sometimes multiple themes in the same week - but all have been working towards one goal: a blog theme that represents my personality and interests.
I have used pre-made themes from The Cutest Blog on the Block and Shabby Blogs. I highly recommend them both. But no packaged theme can capture "me" - so I have been slowly learning how to create my own background, header, etc. I have a long way to go, but I'm getting there. The current set-up is meant to express my love of Christmas, books, all things "retro" or "vintage" and sewing. Don't look too hard for the sewing reference - it's still in the works. Stay tuned for more fine tuning - or possibly total overhauls.
All the changes made me wonder about "branding". I have read about branding and promoting your blog, using the same theme and icons on the blog, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and other social media, so that people can link them all together and follow me wherever I go.
Nah! I'm not into blogging to create a huge following, get a book deal which spins off into may own TV show and makes me a millionaire. Although..... No. I blog to express myself, to make friends, and to have fun. And I've accomplished that. My few but faithful regular readers know it's me no matter how the blog is decked out. So this page will continue to evolve as I do and I hope you'll return many times to see what happens.
And if you are reading this in a blog feed where you never see my actual page.... never mind.
I have used pre-made themes from The Cutest Blog on the Block and Shabby Blogs. I highly recommend them both. But no packaged theme can capture "me" - so I have been slowly learning how to create my own background, header, etc. I have a long way to go, but I'm getting there. The current set-up is meant to express my love of Christmas, books, all things "retro" or "vintage" and sewing. Don't look too hard for the sewing reference - it's still in the works. Stay tuned for more fine tuning - or possibly total overhauls.
All the changes made me wonder about "branding". I have read about branding and promoting your blog, using the same theme and icons on the blog, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and other social media, so that people can link them all together and follow me wherever I go.
Nah! I'm not into blogging to create a huge following, get a book deal which spins off into may own TV show and makes me a millionaire. Although..... No. I blog to express myself, to make friends, and to have fun. And I've accomplished that. My few but faithful regular readers know it's me no matter how the blog is decked out. So this page will continue to evolve as I do and I hope you'll return many times to see what happens.
And if you are reading this in a blog feed where you never see my actual page.... never mind.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll stay a bit and have a look around. Click the "about us" tab at the top of the page to learn about me, my husband, Dave, and our life here on the 2-acre patch we call Green Acres.
Check out the "Labels" on the right to see what we usually chat about. There's books and crafts and family and lots of random stuff. Don't miss the links to Mary Jane's Farm and Girl Gab - another great way to meet new friends, have fun and learn a little something.
If you find things you like, I hope you'll also follow me on Twitter and Pinterest to hear and see more of the same. Most of all, I hope you'll come back to visit again - sit down, have a cup of coffee and let me ask you Just One More Thing . . .
If you're not visiting as part of the Valentine's Party, welcome also, and you might want to stop by A Rural Journal and Two Bears Farm and meet our lovely hostesses - as well as the rest of the partiers.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Monday, January 14, 2013
You Say You Want an Evolution . . .
We are sisters — a sisterhood of farmgirls. We’re country, we’re city, and every texture and stripe in between. It’s not at all about where we live, but how we live.*I recently subscribed to Mary Jane's Farm magazine, and through the magazine, discovered the Farmgirl Sisterhood.
Farmgirls are multi-talented, resourceful, creative, strong, down-to-earth, and generous by nature. We enjoy creating things, whether it is in the kitchen, our studios, or the wood shop. We may not live in the country, but friendship, fun, community, and creativity bloom wherever we happen to be “planted.” In other words, farmgirls can do anything they set their minds to, sorta’ like the Little Red Hen in the famous children’s story. We enjoy the fun of getting together to create, to help others in our communities, or to share ideas. We believe in the power of the Farmgirl Sisterhood to change the world for the better!*Along with the friendships and sharing, sisterhood members can earn merit badges. Mary Janes says "Think Girl Scouts for grown-ups". The badges cover a wide variety of talents and subjects - sewing, crafting, conservation, gardening, geneology . . . The group embodies the "new focus" I keep talking about on here but haven't been able to put into words.
2012 was my Revolution Year. Revolution: a sudden, complete or marked change in something. After a year of focusing on changing my diet and exercise routine, I'm ready to move on. But, the world is getting too fast, too complex, and to negative for me, so 2013 will be my Evolution Year. Evolution: a process of gradual, peaceful, progressive change or development. I want to focus on simplicity, kindness, and creativity - the foundations of the Farmgirl Sisterhood. I want those characteristics to become evident in my life and on my blog. Hang around for 2013 and watch the Evolution - or join me. Members or not - welcome, sisters!
**********
Farmgirls are encouraged to display their earned badges on a jacket or bag. I purchased a tote-bag through the Farmgirl store and - after a few customizations - here's the finished product. The hexagon shown is the membership badge. Future badges will be sewn on the reverse side.
*from http://www.farmgirlsisterhood.org/
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Virtual Advent Blog Tour
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Beating a Dead Horse . . .
But Cynical Me can't get past wondering how well we really know the bloggers we're trusting. Are we always getting an honest opinion? The reason I question is because I know I've done it myself. Forgive me bloggers, for I have sinned! I confess - I have written reviews that may have (slightly) exaggerated the pros and (slightly) underplayed the cons of a book. In the name of good manners, I have glossed over slothful plots and gluttonous verbosity. Brothers and Sisters, I have prostituted my blog out of greed for a measly free book. None of this is news - I've discussed this topic before - repeatedly (*see post title) - most recently when I had a little "Come to Random House meeting" with myself, changed my book review policy (the vague one in my head since I've never actually written one down), cancelled my affiliation with the two blog-tour sponsors I have used, stopped entering contests for giveaways that come with real or implied agreements to write a review, renewed my commitment to finding my reading joy, and vowed to leave it alone.
But here I am, flailing at this poor horse again because of a Twitter conversation and/or experience this morning. I was scrolling through tweets, stopping to click on links to book blogs, book news, book reviews, book magazines . . . When I had finished, I tweeted:
- Is anyone else overwhelmed by the volume of book genres, sub-genres, discussions, analyses, explanations and reviews available?
- I used to just go to the library and pick a book. Now I have to research a Master's Thesis in Literature to decide what to read next.
That observation led to a conversation with a Twitter friend (who shall remain anonymous so she's not accused of sharing any views or sentiments expressed here) about how difficult it can be to sift through all that information, glean what is useful and toss the chaff; to not let the perceived "prestige" of reading what's trendy encourage or discourage me from reading what gives me joy. Let's face it, the person on the train or in the doctor's office reading 1Q84 appears smarter than the person reading Wicked Business, but it doesn't mean they're having more fun.
I'm not pointing fingers or implying that any specific bloggers are deceitful in their reviews, or biased in their reading choices in order to promote their blog, gain prestige or carve out a bigger piece of the blog world for themselves. The point to this rejuvenated attack on a defenseless deceased equine is to remind myself that the friends who visit here trust me to say what I really enjoy reading and my honest opinion of those books; to reiterate my determination to stop letting my reading choices be swayed by hype, media and book tours, and trust the book blogger I know best - me. And now, honestly, I will let dead horses lie.
*That's really a word - I looked it up!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
50 Shades of Controversy
The books started as fan fiction - "stories about characters or settings written by fans of the original work, rather than the original creator...and almost never professionally published"*. Fifty Shades is based on the characters from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series and originally appeared in serialized form on a fan web-site. It went through several re-writes and adaptations and was eventually published in trade-paperback and ebook form. And then began the firestorm.
I've never read the Twilight books - actually I read about half of the first one and realized that they weren't for me. I just couldn't get interested in teenage vampires, or even teenage non-vampires. So, the fact that Fifty Shades is based on those characters would have blown past me if it hadn't been so widely talked about. That seems to be one of the objections - even though the characters in Fifty Shades are older and the setting/premise is different, the basic relationship is not original. However, can Twilight fans claim that Ms. Meyer is the first author to envision characters in a moth/flame relationship? I suspicion that, if Fifty Shades had gone straight to publication without first being on a fan fiction site, few would have recognized it as such.
There's also controversy over the genre. It is pigeonholed as BDSM erotica. In my opinion, the "erotica" classification is questionable. I've read many, many excellent mainstream authors who write scenes just as steamy as these - Linda Howard, Sandra Brown, Karen Robards - but because they didn't involve the masochistic elements, they are classified as romance rather than erotica. Honestly, I started the books with trepidation about the BDSM stuff, but it wasn't as frequent or graphic as I feared. In fact, I loaned my copies to my daughter when she asked what I knew about them. Certainly not worse than what she can see on TV or read in a $5 paperback from Wal-Mart. Still, the "guilty pleasure" stigma fanned the flames and made everyone curious. Readers are disguising the cover when in public and whispering about it at the office.
As far as my review of the books, I'm really not going to write one. I enjoyed the first two, and will eventually read the third. They didn't have me bubbling with recommendations like some books, but neither did they have my struggling to finish them. On the scale of books I've read, they fall above the center line. But the writing style and plot are also not what is being so hotly debated.
The core issue is book snobbery. Based on the Tweets and blog posts I've read, the vehement anti-Shades camp can mostly be subdivided into two groups: the Snooty and the Jealous. (That should probably be developed into a Soap Opera.) The Snooty dislike the books because they aren't "literary" enough. Well, honestly, neither is a Stephanie Plum mystery or anything Nora Roberts ever wrote, but I enjoy them. The Jealous are just annoyed that someone else got published, not to mention a movie deal and big bucks, without struggling through the usual channels. There are those who disliked the books for any/all of the reasons a reader usually dislikes a book, but they aren't the ones raising a ruckus on-line.
The biggest surprise in this debate is the number of ruckus-raisers who haven't actually read the books. You read that right - they are Tweeting their disgust, followed by "that's why I refuse to read them." They are blogging lists of things they hate about the books, none of which involve actually picking up a copy. I'm baffled! Why?
Among nay-sayers who have read one or more of the books, there are those who are compiling lists of nit-picky details to dislike and airing their disdain on Twitter. I'm sure these normally affable bloggers have read other books they didn't like, but still managed to write a review that said so without being derisive or mean-spirited. I have received books for review that were so bad they were laughable, but I politely declined to post a review rather than insult the author or, for that matter, the readers who might disagree. Why doesn't this author or these books get the same courtesy?
There are fifty shades of controversy surrounding the Fifty Shades series, but the biggest question is, why are so many people rushing to hate books?
*from wikipedia
Friday, November 18, 2011
Virtual Advent Tour 2011
This will be our third year as part of the tour. It's a great way to meet new people, learn about Christmas celebrations from different cultures, and get some new ideas for your own holiday season.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
2nd Blogiversary
Can you believe it? We totally forgot our own Blogiversary. October 2nd marked two years since we started tossing our thoughts, ideas and opinions into the cybersphere. While I'm not sure what I expected, I'm sure it wasn't this. Blogging has been therapeutic, frustrating, gratifying, disappointing, and a lot of fun.
Here's to more years of blogging and to our blogging friends!
I love the chance to write, to be creative (or not), to express myself. If nothing else, the blog is my personal journal. I'm disappointed that we have had very little growth in those two years, but at least part of that non-growth is due to my refusal to participate in blog-hops, challenges, etc that would get the blog in front of more people. Not that there's anything wrong with any of those things - I read a lot of blogs that participate in them, and enjoy what I read, but they require commitment, organization, and other skills I'm short on. I've been frustrated when we've gone for days without a single comment, especially when I wrote something I felt especially proud of or excited about. But, I know I get busy or distracted and miss things, even on blogs I usually follow daily, or rush through the list to visit them all without taking time to comment. I have been known to wipe out the entire contents of Google Reader and start again when the back-log was overwhelming, so it's not surprising that others do the same. One of the most unexpected reactions has been how annoying and silly our kids think our blog is. Depending on the day, that's either hilarious or painful.
The thing that keeps me coming back to the keyboard in spite of the annoyances and discouragements is the friends I've made. There is an amazing sense of community among bloggers - especially book bloggers - and it's comforting to "belong". Scanning my reader, I quickly picked out eighteen blogs written by people I now consider friends. People I have come to know beyond just what they post; people who have shared life through comments, tweets and e-mails; people I would make the effort to meet in person should the opportunity present itself. And there are many other "new acquaintance" bloggers whom I look forward to getting to know.
Here's to more years of blogging and to our blogging friends! Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Take a Second Look . . .
It's time for a new look for the blog. The grape/purple theme represented me when I started this blog - I've always been a fan of "fruit" motifs and, of course, purple, and my home and blog decorating reflected that - but I'm moving into a new era in my life and wanted the blog to reflect that change.
This retro kitchen design better represents the atmosphere I want to convey. Come into my home, make yourself comfortable. We'll share a cup of coffee and conversation at the kitchen table. Although it doesn't show well in the background, there are books displayed at the end of the counter, so while you're here we'll discuss our latest reads. Hope you enjoy your stay and come back often.
This retro kitchen design better represents the atmosphere I want to convey. Come into my home, make yourself comfortable. We'll share a cup of coffee and conversation at the kitchen table. Although it doesn't show well in the background, there are books displayed at the end of the counter, so while you're here we'll discuss our latest reads. Hope you enjoy your stay and come back often.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Me vs. Blogger - I lose!
Rather than removing the eroneous spaces, it removed the formatting for the first page of my blog. Not the entire blog, mind you, just the first page. Every attempt to recover the formatting just made matters worse. I'll spare you all the ranting and cussing and fist-pounding - but I eventually had to reconstruct the entire post and delete the original, which means I lost all the comments.
I know that seven of you had taken the time to leave me a thought, and I appreciate it. I had read all the comments before they disappeared, and they were still in my reader, so I was able to re-post them under my own name. It looks a little odd, but at least they're not gone completely. Please don't think that I intentionally deleted you. It's just that sometimes Blogger really sucks, bless it's heart!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
You Can't Teach an Old Dog . . .
You know what they say (whoever "they" are) - You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Perfect! That must mean I'm not old! Along with the fun of making new friends, and the catharsis of writing, having a blog and reading other blogs has served a third, more unexpected, purpose - learning new tricks. Every now and then I read a post and think, "I've never heard of that." Here are a few examples for the past couple weeks:
Zentangles - According to the creators (www.zentangle.com), "Zentangle is an easy to learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns. It is a fascinating new art form that is fun and relaxing. It increases focus and creativity. Zentangle provides artistic satisfaction and an increased sense of personal well being. We believe that life is an art form and that Zentangle is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life." If you remove the zen element, this is remarkably similar to doodling, but with a more deliberate intent. I'm a champion doodler from way back, so I think I'm a perfect candidate for Zentangles. I learned about Zentangles from Cheryl at Grandma Coco's Designs. Visit her blog and check out her gorgeous drawings - zen and otherwise.
Solar Cooking: This also came from Cheryl at Grandma Coco's Designs. She and Mr. Coco built their own solar-powered oven on their deck. I guess if we have to put up with summer temperatures, we might as well use them productively. I really want to give this a try.
Rain Chains: Marie at Daisy's Book Journal is making her own Rain Chain. What is a rain chain, you ask? Me too! A rain chain replaces unsightly downspouts on your house. They can also be used as part of a decorative water feature. They can be as simple as a basic heavy-duty chain, or more intricate like the one in the picture. They can empty into a standard downspout trough, a water collection barrel, a decorative bowl with drain, or even into container gardens. Now that I've seen them, I have to have them. Our house has two downspouts in very unfortunate locations, but no way to move them without rehanging the entire gutter system. Rain chains would be a much more appealing solution. Try a Google image search for dozens of variations.
Zentangles - According to the creators (www.zentangle.com), "Zentangle is an easy to learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns. It is a fascinating new art form that is fun and relaxing. It increases focus and creativity. Zentangle provides artistic satisfaction and an increased sense of personal well being. We believe that life is an art form and that Zentangle is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life." If you remove the zen element, this is remarkably similar to doodling, but with a more deliberate intent. I'm a champion doodler from way back, so I think I'm a perfect candidate for Zentangles. I learned about Zentangles from Cheryl at Grandma Coco's Designs. Visit her blog and check out her gorgeous drawings - zen and otherwise.
Solar Cooking: This also came from Cheryl at Grandma Coco's Designs. She and Mr. Coco built their own solar-powered oven on their deck. I guess if we have to put up with summer temperatures, we might as well use them productively. I really want to give this a try.
No telling what new things will surface in the blogosphere tomorrow. Hang around.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Pay It Forward Award
Debby @ Just Breathe
Joyce @ From This Side of the Pond
Hilary @ Feeling Beachie
Beverly @ The Beverly Buzz
Allyn Marie @ With Faith, Family, and Friends
Cheri @ Cheri's Chatter
Cheri @ Cheri's Chatter
Friday, May 27, 2011
Is Anybody Out There?
What I am discovering with this new influx of info is that, although the number of visitors per day is growing, the vast majority of them are from random - and sometimes hilarious - Google searches. While it's nice to know that the subject variety of our blog is expanding so we are included in more search results, those hits are one-time visitors who either gathered the information they wanted and are never heard from again, or scratched their heads and wondered why in heck Google brought up THAT site.
Since the first post in October of 2009, this blog has morphed from strictly book reviews, book-related events, and a campaign to encourage reading together as a couple, to a stream-of-consciousness about my life, my frustrations, my celebrations and some books - it's my therapy. In spite of that transformation (or because of it?), the number of returning visitors has shown very little growth. Which brings me to my second question...
Do statistics matter? Do you write for yourself or to gain an audience? Do you have dreams of fame and a book deal? Or do you just want to make a few new friends? Ok, I know that was more than one question, but it all boils down to the same point. If a blog publishes but no one is reading, does it still make a sound?
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Award and a Request
The award rules are to share 10 things about myself, and direct you to some other blogs I've discovered recently. So here goes...
1. It took over six years to conceive our first child.
2. One summer I made over 1500 cookies.
3. I can't knit.
4. However, I can tat lace - or at least I "usta-could".
5. Dove chocolate saved my life during our recent move.
6. I plant red geraniums every year because they remind me of my Grandma.
7. I'm going to turn 50 later this month - probably.
8. Favorite thing: When both kids call and are happy - at the same time!
9. I'm addicted to Marie Osmond's rendition of Pia Jesu (Who knew she had that amazing
voice hiding under that "little bit country"?)
10. I've eaten two pounds of Farmer's Cheese since we moved back to Nebraska. I've
never found it anywhere else. (Farmer's Cheese, crackers and grapes is the perfect
meal.)
As for passing the award along, I'm going to cheat just a bit. Instead of listing 15 blogs I recommend, I'm asking you to go to the National Infertility Awareness Week page and read some of the stories there. Even if you've never dealt with infertility, leave a comment on someone's blog just to tell them you care.
Monday, March 28, 2011
I'd Like to Thank the Academy...
Renee and her family have recently set out on an amazing adventure. They sold their house, purchased an RV and accompanying business that they can operate from the road and are living, learning, home-schooling from the road. I admire their pioneer spirit! Please stop by Renee's blog and follow her journey.
One of the criteria for accepting this award is that I tell you seven things to help you get to know me better(I know - I listed 8). Most of you know that I'm a middle-aged, book loving, slightly off-kilter, wife, mom and ex-librarian. Here are some things you may NOT know:
- In the pre-computer, pencil-and-paper days, I scheduled commercials at an NBC affiliate station. Yup, I'm the one who decided what ads you saw during each break if you happened to be watching NBC out of Great Bend, KS.
- I have also been a bank teller, receptionist, bookkeeper and typed/mimeographed (remember those?) tests for the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work at K-State. (Try saying that every time you answer the phone).
- I was a baton twirler in high school - but not a good one.
- I play the piano. Used to play clarinet and saxophone, but haven't touched either in years.
- I love to cook/bake, which accounts for my habit of buying clothes in continually larger sizes.
- I've never seen an ocean.
- I've been to Washington DC twice and love it. I want to return at Christmas time to see the White House decorations, in the spring to see the cherry blossoms and on the 4th of July to watch the fireworks on the mall.
- I've always wanted to write a book but am too chicken to start in case I can't do it.
The second criteria is to pass the award along to five other blogs I think you will enjoy, so here are five my of favorites. Please check them out.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
First Blogiversary
In honor of our first year of reading together we invite you all to stop by our house and select the book of your choice from our overcrowded shelves to help us thin down our library. But seriously folks, we do want to thank you for stopping by on occasion. We love all the friends we've made in the blog world. Even though you don't hear much directly from Dave, believe me, he's skulking in the background keeping up on everything.
We renew our challenge that we made back in January: Find someone special, and read together. Take turns reading aloud, read to someone with a visual impairment, read a school-assigned book with your teen, volunteer to read to nursing home residents. If you aren't comfortable reading aloud, pass the book between you, with each of you individually reading a chapter or chosen number of pages at a time. However it works for you - the idea is to be involved in the story simultaneously. And then discuss what you're reading. For every book you share, stop here and leave us a comment to enter in the prize drawing.
Thanks for making our first year so enjoyable. Ya'll come back now, hear?
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