Tuesday

I had a really good, relaxing weekend but it went by too fast. We skipped swim lessons on Sunday because frankly I needed a nap! Sunday evening the kids were racing down the hill to our house on their bikes. I had visions of an emergency room visit and stitches. But when the inevitable accident happened it was not that bad. B had to have tender loving care and bandages but she is alright. Of course, she screamed so loud from the street that I heard her in the house. I had just went in to check on the spaghetti on the stove. But I am glad I didn't witness the wreck. The aftermath was enough, thank you. Even though I knew it was coming, I didn't stop them riding. All children have to experience these things, right? Of course they had on their helmets, but perhaps next time I'll insist on not riding in shorts. On the bright side her brother was a great help. He walked her bike back to the house and gave her some of his chocolate milk.

Saturday

Today we had a family reunion. This one is held at my great-uncles farm about 35 minutes away. He has a beautiful back yard with tall oak trees for shade. It was a pleasant afternoon. There was a lot of good food. I enjoyed seeing relatives again. It was a little sad because this reunion last year was one of the last times I saw my Papa alive. His presence was greatly missed.

My cousin Janet and her family were there also. They too, live in Huntsville. Janet and I met each other for the first time at my first football game as part of the Auburn band. (We're actually distant cousins. My great-grandfather and her grandfather were brothers.) We both play trumpet and we happened to sit together in the stands at that first game. We were talking about where we were from and realized we were related. Her grandfather at that time ran a small country store in the town where I grew up. After the game her parents came over and we were introduced. It was a little strange but we became great friends. We roomed together the next year. Even though we live in the same town, we don't see each other often. We both work and have two children. I am hopefully going to the alumni band game in November and we will sit together in the stands again.

We returned home sated and tired from sitting in the warm afternoon. Everyone rested or napped. I still had to finish the laundry and refill the hot tub. (I had drained and cleaned it in the morning.) Tonight we tried out a new Mexican Restaurant out in the county a bit. The food was good and the service quick. The cheese dip was excellent. We will definitely be visiting it again.

We've been watching Sopranos on DVD from the beginning. I definitely do not like the language but the story line has captivated me. As hubby says, "They keep pulling me back in."

Friday

I had lunch plans today but they fell through. Because I did not receive the email canceling the plans I did not make any other arrangements. So at 9am this morning I found myself off work without a lunch date. A little disappointing. I went to LifeSouth and donated blood. I do this occasionally (though not regularly) mostly for the free T-shirt and movie coupons. I did a little grocery shopping and by the time I returned home I was feeling a little faint and nauseous. I skipped lunch and took a nap. When I picked the kids up from school we made a Sonic run for slushies and root beer floats. I spent several hours in the kitchen. I made fruit salad and pound cake for a family reunion on Saturday. I mixed up some homeade butter pecan ice cream to be made on Saturday and made Baked Potato Soup for supper.

September

I'm so glad that it is September. It's hard to believe now how hot it was just a month ago (and how much I was complaining about it.) Before you know it it will be October, my absolute favorite month of the year. Before you know it the weather will be cool enough for sweaters. I know I've done a favorite things about fall before so I really didn't want to bore you with it again. But what else can I blog about?

13 Things I love about Fall

1. Fall color. The maples and oaks and redbuds turning their gorgeous colors of gold, brown & orange before falling to the ground and creating piles of leaves for the children to play in.

2. Boiled Peanuts bought from a roadside stand. I wish I knew where I could get some. I may have to settle for my own. If you're unfamiliar with this delicacy check out my mom's post on the subject.

3. Candy Corn. It may be mostly corn syrup but I love it! It is good that it is only available in the fall (or the good kind, anyway) because I definitely eat too much. The absolute best, of course is Brach's.

4. Cool morning & evening breezes. My morning walks are so much more pleasant now. And in the evenings you can sit outside while the children play and just soak it in.

5. My hot tub. Oh, yes. After months of disuse because it was just too darn hot, I'm looking forward to evenings soaking in bubbled bliss.

6. Fall Fashion. Oh how I love my sweaters and sweatshirts and jackets and boots and jeans.

7. College Football. I love to go to games although in I've only been to 4 in the last 12 years. The atmosphere and excitement is hard to explain to the uninitiated. Playing in the band at Auburn was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life and I miss it. I even love watching the games on T.V. And I love Auburn even if they are not having the best season so far.

8. Halloween. Not just the night of when all the kids come to your door begging for trips. But the whole Halloween experience. School carnivals and carved pumpkins, yard displays of mums and scarecrows,. I love to decorate the house with pumpkins and fall decorations and candles. I have these really cute pumpkin baskets and Halloween beanie babies.

9. Fall Break. This is only the fourth year of fall break for us. I wish we had this when I was younger. It is nice to have that week to look forward to.

10. October at the Beach. Fewer crowds on the beach and in the restaurants. The water is still warm but the sun is not scorching. The kids spend long hours playing in the sand and I spend long hours lounging and reading. (Hubby spends long hours inside the condo on the computer). We race go karts, play miniature golf, and play games at night (since we can't take our Tivo with us.)

11. Christmas shopping. Although I start this process in August I try to be finished by October (except for the unexpected). I like to have my presents wrapped before others start thinking about who's on their list. Of course, I miss the bargains, but I also miss the crowds and the last minute stress.

12. Harvest Festivals, Street Fairs, Pumpkin Patches. We have a wonderful pumpkin patch here complete with hay rides and activities for the children. In October we have the Madison Street Festival complete with a parade. Our school is having a harvest festival in late October.

13. Chili. Now, I confess that I have eaten this during the warm months but usually refrain from cooking it. I like my chili full of beans (unlike the Texas versions) served over corn chips and topped with cheddar cheese. It is a great meal to eat while watching a football game (or even a F1 race).

Blogiversery

Tomorrow is my 1 year blog anniversary. One year ago, after months of reading other people's blogs, I took the plunge and began writing my own. I remember it well (because I blogged about it.) It was a beautiful fall day and I felt like engerized about the prospects. Of course, those first few months my readership was limited to my mom and husband and iMike. Now, I'm proud to report my readership has at least doubled. So in the tradition of others celebrating this milestone, I'm giving you the last two sentenences (because one sentence just didn't seem enough) of the last blog for each month of the year.


But I never say, "What race?" Of course, in his defense, he doesn't jump up and down and yell at the referees during the formula one races. Please do not put off planning for your eternal future. Please do not fail to plan for those loved ones you leave behind. We ate lunch together and he fussed over my children. I hugged him goodbye before we parted in what would be the last time. I am going to try and catch up on all my blog reading now and if I find anything else to say I'll be back. We've almost destroyed it and Him in the process. I like to think He tried it again and maybe got it right. So I don't need to have the dream interpreted to understand why I dream. I would be interested to know if anyone else has had an incurring dream for a long time. 12. Tomorrow I am going to clean off my porch, wash my car, and buy a sofa.13. I am off the next three days! There are only 5 in a box, though, so you pay a bit more. But I think they are worth it. Thursday is only 1/2 day of school. Friday they both start summer care, though. On the bright side (always, always look for the bright side), tonite I'm having Rosie's and watching qualifying for the French Grand Prix. So if I can entertain myself for the next 9 hours then I'll be home free and happy. But today I am taking the kids attitude and concentrating on doing nothing. We will see how it goes. We've had a couple days with rain and the highs are just crossing 90 with overnight lows in the 70's. Looks like Fall is on the way!!!

Actually, it sounds pretty mundane put altogether like that.

Book Update

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and commented and prayed for me. I'll get to a regular post soon.

I just finished reading Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M Auel. Wow, how did I miss this book? It reminded me so much of the Outlander series and also a little like Mists of Avalon. Maybe that is because it is historical fiction that goes into great detail about the lives of its characters. It is well researched and well written. It fit my criteria of a really great novel by immersing me completely in the story. I wasn't too dissapointed with its ending because I knew there was a sequel.

I haven't blogged a book update in almost a month and I'm trying to remember what all I've been reading. I did read Club Sandwich by Lisa Samson because I read about it on someone's blog. (Again, I didn't write it down, so thank you and I'm sorry if it was yours and you're not getting credit.) It was a pretty good read but a little eratic. I also read A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park (I remember I read about this on J's blog. Actually, this might be where I get a lot of my book ideas. Thanks Jules.) A Single Shard is more of a children's tale but quite enjoyable.

In my quest to read more of that silly top 100 list that circulated a while back I also read A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. The book seems a little silly to me but I can understand its appeal when first published in 1932. The overall concept is still fresh, though.

I also read The Cat Who Could Read Backwards. This was the first of the Cat Who books by Lillian Jackson Braun. I had never read any of these but my new book club had chosen this author for September. What better place to start then the beginning, right? This was a short, light book and would be perfect to follow any of the more deeper titles I tend to read.

Book Update II

Oh and let me tell you about Ordinary Heroes by Scott Turow. Turow has written a lot of legal thrillers which I enjoy but this book was quite diffrent. It is a wonderful story of romance and intrigue set in WWII as told by both the veteran and his son as he discovers secrets that were kept for 50 years. I shamelessly stole this quote form Amazon's review but it tells it so much better than I could:

This hard truth stands at the center of Ordinary Heroes, Scott Turow's seventh novel. The story opens in 2003, when Stewart Dubinsky, a 55-year-old crime reporter, happens upon a bundle of letters that allude to his recently deceased father's court-martial during the last days of World War II. Stewart is knocked flat by the thought that his "tirelessly proper" father should have such a scandalous past. An insurance company lawyer and devoted family man, David had always claimed that his wartime service as an assistant judge advocate in Europe was unexceptional. Stewart decides to investigate whether he is "the son of a convict who'd betrayed his country and slipped away on some technicality, or, perhaps, the child of a man who'd endured a primitive injustice which he'd left entombed in the past."

A very good read. I highly recommend it, especially if you enjoy fiction surrounding WWII.

I'm halfway through another book I got from mother and am enjoying it a lot. I'll tell you all about it soon. I'm really enjoying using Bookins and appreciate the commenter who suggested it. I am looking forward to a couple of brand new titles that I'm saving for my October vacation: Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (Diana Gabaldon) and The Wheel of Darkness (Preston/Child). Also, John Grisham has a new book out soon. I like to have really good books to read on vacation and then read almost constantly (while relaxing at the beach or beside the pool).

Friday

Hello, everyone. Thanks for stopping by here and checking on me. I had a great two days off with my Mom. We shopped a little, went to lunch and saw The Nanny Diaries. We had our homemakers club's annual International Dinner Last night. So I've had a good week despite my blue mood on Tuesday. My SIL is coming for a vist today! With any luck Hubby and I will be able to go out to eat alone! I'm struggling with a couple of issues. If you are a Believer, I would appreciate your prayers. Tomorrow, I'll try to do a book update.

Raining

It's raining. A long slow steady rain adding to (or subtracting from?) my mood. But oh, how we needed it. Thank you blessed Lord for the rain.

Tuesday

I want to tell you about the weekend but I just can not right now. There are some things going on around me which are bringing me down and I am just not up to blogging right now. I'll keep reading, though, and hopefully will be up to a full post by Friday.

Weekend

Mother and I are here in Nashville enjoying our girls weekend. The conference was wonderful in some ways and very frustrating in others. I don't think I will attend another event of this size with general admission. Waiting to enter with 5-6 thousand other ladies was most unpleasant. This morning we ended up sitting in the upper most level of the arena. Tonite we are just relaxing. We had some Italian food delivered and we're watching the Auburn game.

Deeper Still

Friday, Mother and I (along with 20, 000 of our closest friends, Hah!) are going to a Women's Conference in Nashville called Deeper Still. The key speakers for this event are Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, and Priscilla Shirer. This event has been sold out for many months. (We bought our tickets in November.) They've even opened up a secondary "satellite site". The coference will be held at the former Gaylord Entertainment Center. It is a two day event. This will be the fourth time I've seen Beth Moore live. (I first saw her at a conference in 1998 when I didn't even know who she was!) Two years ago Mother and I attended a similiar 3 day event in Chattanooga. We've both done many of Beth's bible studies and are very excited.

Friday morning we are driving up to Nashville intending on spending the day together before gettting ready for the conference. Our hotel is within walking distance. We are also staying over Saturday night to further enjoy our time away. I'm taking my laptop so that I can listen to Auburn's football game Saturday night. So I might blog about the conference on Saturday.

Several other ladies from my Sunday School Class are attending as well and we are all going out to lunch together on Saturday. It is going to be an exciting weekend.

Editorial Clarification

Just in case there are people out there reading my blog who are not from The South and who also might have heard about or even watched the controversial NBC show yesterday morning in which a well-known comedian spoke out about a controversial issue, I would like to issue the following clarifications:

1) Virginia is not considered the "Deep South". For the most part, we consider the Deep South to include Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, & South Carolina. In fact, even though Virginia was indeed part of The Confederacy it is not considered by Southerners to still be part of The South anymore than Florida is. I am not talking about geography folks.

2) D*g F*ght*ng is not condoned in The South. It is found (according to Wikipedia) in other parts of this country and the world. It is not practiced out in the open nor is it legal in the South. I can't find any evidence that it was commonly practiced in the community where the accused grew up.

3)D*g F*ght*ng is not part of our "culture". It is not "culturally acceptable." It is no more indicative of the Southern culture than being shot in the back while eating at an Italian restaurant is part of the New York culture.

Now, I understand that she did not mean to condone the behavior only give a reason or excuse for it. However, we do not excuse people's criminal behavior based on their background. We are not really angry about her having or having not condoned the criminal act. Her comments suggesting that this was commonly "culturally acceptable" in the Deep South were without merit. I don't think she meant to offend an entire region of the country either. However, in later comments to the press, I did not find her apologizing for doing just that.

Tired

But why am I so tired? I know that I have gotten up early for so many days in a row I've lost count. But exercise is supposed to give you more energy, right? It's not that I haven't gotten enough sleep, either. I actually had a good nap yesterday afternoon. (I'm so thankful that my children are of an age where this is possible.) My mother is coming today for a 10 day visit and I am very excited. I'm just worn out. This weekend we are going to a women's conference and will not be resting. However, hopefully, I will find it refreshing and invigorating. I really need that. Next week, I have two days off and we intend to spend them together doing Mother-Daughter stuff (shopping and dining).

Wednesday

Yesterday I had a very busy day. First a few hours helping out at my old job and then sped across town to the library for my book club. I was home long enough to grab some lunch before time to pick up the kids. Last night we had our first PTA meeting.

I am really excited about PTA and the new school and my place in it. I never really felt like I belonged at the old school (despite how well my children seemed to like it). Most of the mothers were of the SAHM variety and had been together since Kindergarten. They were not unfriendly but not really warm, either. I did okay in preschool with B. But my son's class seemed to already be formed into mom-clicks and I never found one where I belonged. I grew discouraged and gave up. I'm not trying to say it was all their fault. I know I should have made a bigger effort to assimilate.

So this year I am not going to sit back and feel left out. I am going to volunteer and get involved. I am going to meet parents and (hopefully) go on some field trips. I'm going to find a place where I fit.

Monday

Even though today is a holiday I am working. That happens sometimes to those who do not have normal M-F, 8-5 jobs. My husband and kids are at home enjoying their day off. I wonder if they'll notice I am not there.

Yesterday morning I went out and walked before church and again this morning before work. I'm not becoming obsessed. I'm just trying to stave off the guilt of not exercising. Plus tomorrow I may not get the chance. I'm off tomorrow but going in for a few hours at the other job to help them out. The day after Labor Day is a busy day for pharmacies.

I'm going to the second meeting of my book club tomorrow. Our book this month was any title by Lillian Jackson Braun. I read the Cat Who Read Backwards.

Yesterday evening the kids and I did a little bicycling in the neighborhood. We're trying to build up our stamina for longer rides when the weather cools off.

Sunday

I'm not going to blog about the ballgame. I'm not going to mention how poorly Auburn's offense played or how the defense could not seem to cover the receivers or running backs. I'm not going to talk about the new freshman place-kicker and his 3 field goals. I'm not going to mention the score or how inaccurately it reflects the game that was played. No, I'm not going to blog about any of it. I hope after next week's game there will be something that is actually blogworthy to say.

September

As if the very changing of a page on the calendar is enough, this morning dawned with a cool breeze. I enjoyed my walk. It was 75 degrees and a gentle breeze blew around me. The neighborhood was quiet and peaceful. Only the birds were awake. Oh, I know that there will still be warm days to come. But just seeing the first day of September gives me hope that fall is not too far away. Football season has started. Because it has been so dry, the leaves are already turning and starting to fall. Before long we will be thinking of pumpkins, candy corn, and boiled peanuts. We will put out our yard displays and plant our bulbs. I hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day Weekend.

Friday

Today is the last day of August. And after all of my griping about how much I dislike this month, I'm a little surprised it's over already. Where did the month go? Tomorrow is the first day of September and I couldn't be happier about it.

Tomorrow is Auburn's first football game of the year and it will be televised (not a lot of big games on the first weekend.) Auburn is only #18 in the AP preseason poll (behind 4 other SEC schools). But I'm good with that. It is very tough starting the season ranked high. It's much better to prove yourself as you go along. Of course everyone will be looking at Florida. Auburn has to play them this year in The Swamp on September 29 but let's not look too far ahead.

The weather even seems to be cooperating with the end of August. We've had a couple days with rain and the highs are just crossing 90 with overnight lows in the 70's. Looks like Fall is on the way!!!

Thursday

I've had a busy last two days. (Which is good, because when I am off work I tend to be lazy and unproductive.) Wednesday morning I worked in the first aid clinic at school for the first time. I have to work for 10 hours with another volunteer before they set me loose on my own. It was an interesting morning and I think it will be a good volunteer position for me.

Wednesday night I went out to eat with my friend Kim. Kim and I have been talking on the phone (while at work, no less) for years and have never gotten together. We both needed a night out without the kids. We met at Logan's and had a good time. I recommend their Mesquite Chicken, it was very good.

Thursday I worked 1/2 day at Sam's Club Pharmacy for Kim. They are a little busy then I am at this pharmacy but not by much. It was a slow morning but I probably would not have gotten anything done at home. I walked before I went in to work, though so by the time I picked up the kids at 2:45 I was feeling run down. I took a nap. That put my whole day in perspective. I exercised, I worked 5 hours, I napped and even cooked supper for my family.

Monday

Yesterday I worked at that other job. It was one of those days in which I remember why it was that I quit working there full-time a year ago. First of all, I went out and walked in the morning which guaranteed I would be tired by the end of the day. I didn't go in to work until 10am so I had an hour in the morning to relax. Later, I was really glad I took that time. One of the computer terminals was out at work. This both slowed down production and interrupted the normal flow of work. Also, someone knew was in to start training. Monday is not the best day to train someone. We were entirely too busy to take the time. I'm not the best person to train someone as I have little patience for it. (Get trained already and get to work!) After I ate some lunch the laser printer quit working. (It had been giving us maintenance warnings all day but we had unwisely ignored them). There is a back-up printer (of the dot matrix variety) but it prints about a page per minute. After that small things began to go wrong. There were a couple of times I thought I was going to lose it but I kept it under control. (There really wasn't time for a panic attack.) After an hour or so a second printer was located and installed and we were back at full-speed. I left at 9pm having worked steadily on my feet for 11 hours (except for my 20 minutes of lunch). I had to buy groceries. I managed to arrive home by 10pm but naturally I forgot some things in my haste to get out of the store. This morning I am here at the regular job and I am going to sit down for most of the day and recover.

On the positive side it was a good day diet-wise. I was too tired to eat supper last night and instead ate a banana and went to bed. I didn't have a snack. I'm sure I'll make up for it today.

Interview Meme

Autumn's Mom was kind enough to send me these interview questions. If you would like to be interviewed, see the instructions below. If you do this meme, you can pretend like there are people out there who really care about the answers.



1. If you could pick any profession to be in, what would it be? Besides the one I have, I assume, and without the corresponding training and education required. Secretly, I think I would like to be a nurse. I think I enjoy the patient interaction part of my job most of all and I seem to do so little of it.

2. What is your favorite part of being a parent? My favorite part of being a parent is having this little companion to always share things with and have around for company and who is constantly looking to you for an example. And your least favorite part? Having this little companion you always have to share things with and who is always around and who sees your every mistake.

3. If you had the chance to speak to a relative or friend who's passed on, who would it be and what would you say? Gosh, I miss my Maw-Maw. She's been gone 2 years now. She was sick for a long time before that. She was like a second mother to me. I would tell her how much I loved her and how many lives she touched here on Earth and how much she is missed. But that we are all happy she is singing with the angels and without suffering or pain.

4. You read a lot of books, give us your top 3 favorites. Top 3? That is a hard question. I'm not sure I can narrow it down to 3, but I'll give it a go. I loved the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon (of course there were 6 of them.) I love Jane Eyre and White Fang and books by Elizabeth Berg, John Grisham, Lincoln Child & Douglas Preston and the Harry Potter books. Sorry, I said I didn't think I could do it. If I had to pick 3 from this year's list I would say, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Time Traveler's Wife and East of Eden (and Mists of Avalon).

5. Sweet or Salty? Why must I chose? Can't I have them together? My two favorite candies in the world are M&M's (plain or dark chocolate) and Reese's Cup Minatures. I love that combo of salt & sweet. I love chocolate covered cashews, almonds and macadamias. But if I had to choose I would say my favorite is the chocolate and therefore - sweet.



Here are the rules:

1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Friday

I had a pretty productive day today. It was good to do something and not feel so lazy. I washed sheets and blankets, painted the mailbox, picked up some groceries and worked on some projects. This afternoon I made homemade strawberry ice cream. Tonight I'm cooking hamburgers on my indoor grill. I'm feeling so proud of myself I thought I would brag to you a little.

Still no rain and still hot! (You thought I had quit harping on the weather, didn't you?) I have a Dogwood tree that looks like it is dying. Next week we are supposed to have a high down in the 80's. It will be like a cold front!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday Thirteen

Rather than talk about the weather (again!). I thought I would fantasize about vacationing.

Thirteen Places I would like to visit (US edition)

1. New York City - Broadway, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building

2. Charleston, SC - old South

3. San Francisco, Ca - I've been there on a one day visit but would like to see more

4. Grand Canyon

5. Yellowstone National Park

6. Seattle, WA

7. Philadelphia, PA

8. Alaska

9. Hawaii

10. Boston, Ma

11. Kansas City

12. San Diego, CA

13. Key West

Wednesday

Yesterday I went for my Red Cross first aid training. I am certified in first aid now. If you have a minor accident while I am nearby I know how to call 911. Just kidding. It was a pretty comprehensive course and luckily covered a lot of the legal aspects of what you can and can not do. I hope to volunteer in our school's clinic. It did not include CPR and I might go back for that. It has been many years since I took CPR and the procedures have changed.

I'm feeling a little blue today. I didn't exercise yesterday and then I blew my diet in a big way. (Because once you realize you've blown it you might as well blow it big, right?) I'm working today and tomorrow and then I have a 3 day weekend without a lot of plans. Maybe I can pull myself out of this slump and stop being so lazy.

Our area Water Department has put us on water restrictions. This is as good an exuse as any to stop watering & fertlizing the flowers. They seem to be holding their own. I'm still wishing for a little tropical storm to blow some rain & cooler weather our way.

Monday

Nothing for you to see (read) here. An uneventful Sunday. I have no witty stories or frustrating tales to tell you. Church, swim lessons, supper - that was our day. I'm at work today hoping everyone else's blog will give me some food for blog posts.

Saturday

It rained last night. A large thunderstorm rolled through. I'm very thankful for that. We are still in a deficit of course but it was a blessing nonetheless. My walk this morning was cooler (although still quite humid).

Book Update

I wanted to tell you about a couple of books I've read recently. The first is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I heard about this book from some one's blog. It's a shame I don't write these things down so I can thank them later. I have found the most delightful book recommendations lately from reading blogs. This book is the story of Jacob, who after his parents die leaving him penniless runs away to the circus. It is set in 1931 but told through the eyes of Jacob when he is 90 (or 93 he's not sure which). It is not a very long story but I enjoyed it immensely and found it very easy to read. Read the review on Amazon and decide for yourself but I recommend it.

I also read The Dante Club by Mathew Pearl. This one was a little more difficult to read and it took me 6 days because I couldn't get into it at first. But it turned out to be a pretty good read. It is set in 1865 Boston and features historical characters involved in a murder mystery. If you enjoyed Dante's Divine Comedy then this will be enjoyable fiction for you. I had never read Dante so I had to read up on the story through Wikipedia. (I also took the time to read up on the characters in the book.) The dialogue and language is unfamiliar and I struggled sometimes to keep focused. But I am glad I read it because I found it educational.

Another book that I read rather quickly was The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. First published in 1985 and made into a movie in 1991 it is on that notorious list of must read books that is circulating around. It reminded me a lot of the book The Road which I just read a few weeks ago. It is set in the Republic of Gilead (formerly the United States of America) which is under a kind of strict marshall law. Women are valued only as breeders and servants and are forbidden to read. The story follows Offred, a handmaid, given to a high "Commander" with the hopes of producing a child for him and his wife. The book is a bit frightening but an enjoyable read.

I also read recently H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton. I'm working my way through these alphabet murders. I find them a refreshing change from more complicated fiction as the above novel. They are good murder mysteries and very quick and easy to read.

As you can see on my blog I read quite a lot of books and am always looking for a recommendation. Feel free to make a suggestion.

Friday

I've been feeling a little down lately. I'm not sure why. Maybe it is a consequence of the kids going back to school. I thought I would be ecstatic about that. Indeed, I do enjoy the freedom. But maybe too much. I don't seem to know what to do with myself and have been kind of lazy. Although I have been walking in the morning little else has been accomplished. I was off the last two days and I'm thankful to be back at work today at least getting paid, if not exactly being busy. (I'm not going to say that the depression is due to the intense heat because I am going to try and not talk about the heat today.)

August is half over now and I can start looking forward to fall. Mother and I are going to the Deeper Still Conference in Nashville in early September. Auburn's first football game is September 1. I hope to be going to the beach in October. So I have a lot to look forward to, I just find myself in a bit of a funk lately. Maybe what I need is a good uplifting book to read. What I've reading lately has not fit that bill. My phone friend (with who I talk to at work because she isn't busy, either) has gone to Disney World. Mother is in Maryland visiting my brother and his family. Maybe I'm just a bit lonely today. If you're lurking there, leave me a comment. I promise I'll be over this pity party tomorrow.

Thursday Thirteen

I'm sorry if you've come to my blog hoping to read about something other than the weather. It's just all there is right now. We have a 30% chance of rain this weekend and so the humidity will be between 60 & 100%. By Monday the highs are supposed to drop back into the mid-90's. And it is not that I am wishing for the destructive forces of a hurricane. But a non-destructive tropical storm to bring a good rain would be good. I don't even remember when it last rained. My apologies to Texas who apparently will be getting rain from the Tropical Storms hanging out in the Gulf. They don't seem to need anymore. Can't you send us some?

Back in the summer of 1991 I was living in a four bedroom apartment with one other girl. In order to afford the utilities (the other two girls had gone home for the summer) we had to leave the thermostat on 80. I knew then that I was going to college so that someday I would not have live without air conditioning.

So instead of a regular Thursday Thirteen I am doing a Thankful Thursday.

13. I'm thankful for Air-Conditioning.
12. I'm thankful to Benjamin Franklin for discovering electricity
11. I'm thankful to Willis Haviland Carrier who (according to Wikipedia) first discovered and used electric air-conditioning in 1902
10. I'm thankful for all the advances in air-conditioning technology between 1902 and the present and for Bryant for making my particular unit.
9. I'm thankful for the trees behind my house for helping keep my house cool.
8. I'm thankful for the men & women who have given their lives for the freedom I take for granted sitting in my air-conditioned house.
7. I'm thankful for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) who keeps our utility bills some of the lowest in the country and Huntsville Utilities for providing my electricity (although certainly not for free!)
6. I'm thankful to my high school chemistry teacher who first suggested pharmacy as a career
5. I'm thankful for my parents who taught me to work hard for what I wanted and for helping finance my education.
4. I'm thankful to Auburn University for my degree in Pharmacy (and for my wonderful years there.)
3. I'm thankful for my two employers for paying me so well so that I can afford air-conditioning (and keeping the building cool while I am working.)
2. I'm thankful to my hubby and children for putting up with my crazy hours.
1. I'm thankful to God, for all the blessings in my life, including air-conditioning.

Blog Fodder

I love the stat counter reports I get. Four people last week found their way to my blog searching for the plant I wrote about a few days ago. I hope they found my entry and pictures helpful.



Other searches:



Barbecue Cookout Difference - I'm glad to educate more people on these terms and their regional meanings.



The Road Cormac McCarthy Hot Tub - I didn't actually read this book while relaxing in my hot tub. It's actually to warm for that right now.



I had a new visitor to my blog because of my entry about cross-stitching. It's always nice to have new people stop by and comment.

Tuesday

Of course I know that I am beating a dead horse but there isn't much else going on around here to blog about. Today will be the 7th day in a row we've had 100+ degree days (with heat indexes reaching 110'). My Father-in-Law said this was the worst heat wave since 1980 when we had 17 days in a row of 100+. In 1980 I was too young to care much about the weather so I don't remember it as a particularly hot summer.

Last evening while at my other job we had a power outage. It doesn't take long without air condtioning for buildings to begin to heat up in late afternoon sun. After two hours they determined the power would remain out for several more hours and I should go on home. We couldn't work without power and so customers were no longer allowed in the store. It was a nice treat to be home last night with my family.

I am at work today but then I have two days off. I've got errands to run but no real agenda. It's too hot to do much that requires getting in and out of the car. The Lego Star Wars games finally turned up. They were inside the Tinker Toy Cannister. I didn't check there.

Weekend

We had a really good lazy weekend.

A friend of Rick's brought us a meal yesterday, Curry Chicken, A rice dish, & salad. The circumstances were a bit unusual but the food was very good. Hubby cooked fried okra to go with it.

Yesterday my daughter went to her first swim leson. We got a late start on this. My son took swim lessons when he was 4 & 5 at their daycare. By the time my daughter was old enough to start they stopped offering. With our busy lives we had not made time for swim lessons. I was fortunate to discover Sunday lessons being offered at the University Fitness Center. At 6 years old she is very confident in the shallow end but lacks the skill to swim in deep water.

This morning there was a nice breeze on my morning walk. Now I'm sitting here doing nothing instead of going on in to work.

Purple Secretia

I get a lot of search hits on my blog from Purple Secretia because of this blog entry. Because it seems a lot of people are searching for this plant I thought for fun I would write a little more about it. There is no entry on Wikipedia about it so perhaps people just want to know what it is.

Purple Secretia is a purple perennial plant that thrives in our area (zone 7). It blooms in the summertime with purple flowers. It is found everywhere in landscaping in our area because it looks so good with contrasting colors. (It looks excellent with orange lilies or various yellow flowering plants.) It spreads rapidly, and returns every year. I discovered this plant a few years ago and have enjoyed having it in my garden ever since. It is very difficult to kill. It's roots spread & run deep and unless you manage to get every last one of them it will return to you the following spring. After it emerges from the soil you can transplant it to other areas of your garden or give some to a friend. More will grow in it's place. It seems to thrive in our semi-drought conditions and grows equally well in sun or shade.

I am not pretending to be an expert on this plant, I am just telling of my experience. I have found it difficult to locate in major garden centers. The employees will generally not know it by this name. Small nurseries usually have a few plants as I believe its largest use is to landscapers. In late October or early November when I generally plant bulbs in my garden and pansies I will sometimes pull the remaining plant out of the garden (not actually by the root, just the portion above the ground) to allow room for these winter & spring choices. Don't worry, it doesn't seem to mind this and will return in late April.

Not the best pictures but it gives you an idea.

Friday - Diet Update

Well, my hard work this week paid off. I was hoping for 2 pounds to jump start my weight loss. I wanted to lose those 6 pounds I had gained back since April. So I've been sticking to my program this week, I walked 4 days and I tried to drink water. And this morning when I weighed in I had lost 4 pounds. Wow! That is more than I have ever seen in a week. Which leads me to believe that the numbers were unnaturally inflated last week. Probably from water gain. At any rate I am glad to see the number on the scale. I am motivated to keep it up for another week, anyway. A big loss one week usually means a plateau or gain the next week, though.

Today is a me day. The kids are at school, I've done my exercising and have the whole day to myself. I think I am going to work on projects for my Homemaker's Clubs' upcoming Cultural Arts Competition. And then a special lunch treat. And then a nap.

Tardiness

Do you have a child who is difficult to get ready in the morning? Who drags himself around? Are you always running late? Well I have the opposite child.

We are early people in general. For the most part people can be catorgized as early, late, on-time or inconsistent. It has been my experience that you can not change late people into early people. You can lie to them to get them their on time but you can not change them. (I could do an entire post on this and maybe I will later.) Late people, after they have kids, usually become very late people. So as early people we tend to be places before everyone else and spend a lot of time waiting on the late people in our lives. Our children are early people, too, and this is good.

This morning we were running a little behind getting out the door because Thursday is the day we get the house ready for our housecleaning service (hate me later). The kids and I were running around finishing various chores. At the last minute my daughter came back in the house to use the bathroom. So we left the house at 7:32. What this means is we had to sit through the redlight between us and the school (1/2 mile away) 4 times. I assured my son that he would not be late. You are not tardy until 7:50. He had a panic attack in the backseat waiting each time for the light to change and each time seeing that we would have to wait another time to get through. (Our side of the light is uphill and any large vehicles usually take more than there share of the time to get through.) I dropped the kids off at 7:44am.

My son can not stand to be late to school. He does not have to be conjoled into getting ready in the morning. In fact, he generally gets up before I do and as he doesn't need to shower is ready long before me. He is usually eager to get in the car and go and has to wait on me and his sister.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I do not like about August

1. It is hot.

2. When you get up in the morning it is hot.

3. When you go to bed at night it is hot.

4. Your car gets hot enough sitting in the sun to cook food.

5. If you have to do any shopping it is hot.

6. If you exercise later than 5am it is hot.

7. It is humid, so you can need a bath just from walking out to your car.

8. There are no holidays in August.

9. It is hot.

10. August has 31 hot days.

11. Fall fashions are out but who wants to buy them in 90' weather.

12. It is too hot to use my hot tub.

13. It's too hot.

Cross Stitch

I've been cross-stitching since I was a little girl. I find it a very relaxing hobby. I have all sorts of projects that have never been framed as well as quite a few on the walls. I usually chose projects that look interesting to me, and will be beautiful when finished. I usually cross-stitch in the evenings while watching television. I recently finished a wreath which I am going to enter into my County Homemaker's Cultural Arts competition. It is really the only fiber art (or creative art at all really) that I am good at. I do not sew or quilt or scrapbook.

My mother recently decided to try her hand at cross-stitching. All my life my mother has been good at various fiber arts which I never much cared for. She sews, embroideries, crochets and quilts. She thought cross-stitching would be a more portable craft to take on her various trips. I think she also thought it would be relaxing for her, too. You can see her blog for her latest project.

Not surprisingly, my daughter has wanted to learn cross-stitch, too. A year back we found a "Learn to Cross-Stitch" kit at Michael's. We have tried various attempts to work on this with much frustration. At first, I thought, she was still too young. But she is nearly 7 now. So last night I decided it was the plastic canvas and yarn in the kit that was giving us problems. I found a small pre-finished cross-stitch doily in some of my stuff and an apple pattern that did not look too difficult. I found a large blunt needle. I started her out on her first row and she set to work. So far she is doing well and I am very excited that we will be able to sit together working on our projects.

She thinks that when her grandmother visits next month she will have it completed.

Tuesday

I had such a productive day today. After I dropped the kids off at school I did my morning walk around our neighborhood (about 2 miles). It was already in the 80's at 7:30 AM and I actually didn't mind the various sprinklers I had to pass. I showered and was in my car by 8:30. I bought groceries and returned home and put them away and it was not even 11am yet.

I then went to a book club meeting. I've been trying to find a book club for a while now but was concerned about others not sharing my tastes. I read for pleasure and don't want to read what I don't like. This club is through our public library and they were reading the book The Tenth Circle by Jodi Piccoult which I mentioned here. Since I had already read the book I decided to give it a try. The group had only 4 attendees today. I picked up lunch at a local deli on my way. The group actually met at the branch on South Parkway which is on the other side of town from me but I did not mind. I enjoyed the discussion although the others did not like the book as much as I did. The discussion stayed on point for the most part. Next month we are reading any of Lillian Jackson Braun's books The Cat Who.... I haven't read any of these and am looking forward to it. While at the library I checked out two paperbacks that looked interesting.

Yesterday evening our young friend 'lil David came over for a few hours while his mother went to a meeting. (We call him 'lil David to distinguish him from the other dozen or so Davids in our lives.) After supper we went outside for a little while. At 7:30 it was still too hot to be outside even with the sun behind the trees. I started sweating from just being there, not really moving around much. Back into my 70' house I went. Have I mentioned how much I don't like August?

In the afternoon with only about an hour before I needed to head to the school I thought I would sneak in a little time on Lego Star Wars (the original trilogy). However, my daughter had taken it upon herself to hide the game. She didn't want her brother and his playmate playing it on Saturday without her. The problem is she has no idea where it is now. We looked and we looked and we looked some more. This girl certainly knows how to hide something. I haven't completely given up, things do usually eventually turn up, but I am very frustrated.

How Hot Is It?

Today's high is predicted at 93' with a humidity averaging about 50% this means it will feel like 99'. The weather people are not predicting a break from this heat during the week. What few scattered showers arrive will only serve to increase the humidity and general mugginess. It's best to stay indoors. I know the temperatures out West rise above 100' but I'm not sure if that dry heat compares to the oppressiveness of a humid Southern summer. This is the tradeoff we have for our mild winters. What kind of trade-off is that really? I want to live in one of those climates where it is 75' year round with tropical breezes browing in from the ocean. Oh, August, you are my least favortie month. August has no holidays. It has 31 days. It is (here in Alabama) the hottest month of the year. The days are long and the temperature doesn't become bearable until after sunset. The entire month of August I am just wishing for September.

Book Update

I've read two books I would like to tell you about. The first is The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. The book is a memoir recalling the circumstances in which the author grew up. It's told in first person. Jeanette's father was a drifter who could not keep a job. He moved his family from town to town where they lived hand to mouth. The scavenged for food while their father drank what little money he earned, until he lost a job and they had to leave. Jeanette survived her childhood because despite the circumstances her parents loved her. They did a poor job taking care of her, making decisions and choices that were not in her best interests. But throughout the narrative the love her parents had for their children shines through. Jeanette and her siblings became successful adults despite their upbringing. I don't know how Walls wrote the memoir without traces of bitterness showing. It is an excellent read.



I also read Cormac McCarthy's The Road. (Please see J's excellent review here.) The Road is the story of an unnamed man and his son trying to survive in a "post-apoclyptic hell" from some undescribed event. Their are few survivors. The man and his son are among the few "good guys" hiding from roaming bands of murdering thiefs as they make their way south. The catastrophic event is years in the past and little is left of the burned out land upon which to survive. I read the novel in only a few hours. It is written in a slightly unusual narrative syle. It is depressing but captivating. It has been called a masterpiece and honored with several awards. It is indeed a good piece of literature and worth your time to read.

Saturday

My dieting got away from me this summer. I was very fortunate for the first month or so to be maintaining a comfortable weight. Then my eating got a little out of control. Because the kids were home I found it difficult to exercise. And slowly the pounds crept back on and the scale numbers were registering higher. I told myself it was time to get serious and last week made a half-hearted attempt to get back on the wagon. Thursday morning I was baking cookies and what started out as a nibble became a full-day of binging that left me unsatisfied and disappointed with myself. Friday morning the scale registered I had gained weight. So now I am motivated. School has started, so no more excuses about exercising. This morning before work I went out at 6:45 and walked the neighborhood (and I'm not a morning person!). I'm trying to drink more water and give up on the late night junk food. I'm blogging about it to have some accountability. I lost 15 pounds over a 6 month period and I was really proud of myself. So proud, in fact, that I deceived myself into eating anything I wanted. And then into eating everything I wanted. So I've gained 6 pounds of it back. Gasp! My goal this time is to lose beyond the previous loss. I'm hoping for 10 pounds.

Friday

Yesterday I had an entire day to myself and I could hardly remember what I used to do with them. I took a walk and I took a nap. I did a little shopping. I took a long leisurely lunch. It was so hot yesterday. The thermometer registered 96' but getting in and out of the car in hot pavement it felt a lot warmer.

Both children seemed to enjoy their first day of school at the new school. They were both still excited when I picked them up. My son announced that he had four fun things spaced throughout the day: snack, lunch, PE and recess. Both of them made new friends and liked their teachers. Luckily, there was no homework on the first day.

My son had shown some concern about changing from his previous private school to the public school because of things various children and adults had said. However, we have heard many good things about the public elementary school. I think once he realizes that like his private school the teachers care about their students he will not notice much difference (other than the size difference).

Our decision to put the children in private school in the beginning was because my daughter was too young to attend public school, but in the private school she could start preschool early. Because my husband and I both work we needed the children to attend the same school. We put off the transfer to the public school until my daughter had completed Kindergarten. This decision was based on a number of factors and considered prayerfully.

Thursday Thirteen

School Starts today and I so want that to mean that it is Fall. School starting used to mean the beginning of football season, the change of leaves, and the first cool breezes of Autumn. In reality the first football game is still a month away (September 1 if you're an Auburn fan), cool breezes will probably not be felt for 6 weeks, and the first leaves change here after October 1. Fall is my favorite time of year and I look forward to it (longingly) all summer.



Thirteen Things I'm Looking Forward to this Fall

1. Football

2. A relief from this heat

3. Shorter days

4. Candy Corn

5. Boiled Peanuts

6. Beach trip during Fall Break

7. Yard displays

8. Halloween

9. Fall fashions - wearing jeans, long-sleeve shirts, and boots

10. Family reunion

11. Leaves changing color

12. My daughter's birthday (October 10)

13. Deeper Still

School

We had orientation at our new school last night. The school is quite a bit larger then we are used to (both as parents and students) with over 600 students. I was amazed at the size of the cafeteria and library. The previous year this elementary school had enrolled over 1200 students and had become quite overcrowded With the opening of a new elementary school in our area we are glad of the change for our first year. The portable classrooms have been removed. The classes still seem to be small (20-22 students) and the teachers seemed friendly. So far our experience has been pleasant. There is a lot to learn and get used, though. We have to figure out the day care & car line procedures. They have a system for paying online for meals. Our first grader is excited about having homework this year. Our fourth grader seemed disappointed to learn that he would have to read every night this year, too. I have lots of paperwork to fill out. I'm a little worried about my daughter finding her classroom on the first day but she is determined to walk in herself. (She doesn't want to risk crying if I walk her in myself.) I think this is a good change for us. I am eager to go to my first PTA meeting and learn about opportunities for volunteering. They have a first-aid room staffed by volunteers and I think that will be a good fit for me. We are looking forward to a great year!

Tuesday

Today is the kids last day at home before school starts. My son talked me into staying at home and doing nothing. Apparently, staying home and playing all day is his idea of summer vacation and he has been sadly missing out. (And me with all those summer activities planned!) When I'm off work I don't generally like to stay home all day. I usually do something in the morning and then return home for the afternoon. My son has outgrown the age where he enjoys going just to go. He is a real homebody. So although I will miss the time we have spent together this summer, I am looking forward to having some days to myself again. When I stay home I usually feel I need to be doing something constructive like cleaning out closets or organizing the pantry. But today I am taking the kids attitude and concentrating on doing nothing. We will see how it goes.

Manners

How have you done a good job teaching your children manners? I think I have failed at this (at least with one of my children). I was not insistent on teaching these skills when my son was younger and at 9 he seems reluctant to learn. My parents raised me using ma'am and sir to answer when called or just to be courteous and it has stuck with me. Saying thank you, please and excuse me are important, too. I know there is a trend toward lack of manners. I see it every day in the young people I come into contact with. I really want my children to have good manners, though. My daughter (age 6) seems to have caught on mostly because of an eagerness to please. She has started answering with yes ma'am. I suggested a competition in which we reward them for being caught using good manners. Have you any other suggestions? His table manners aren't that great either but I don't want to get started on that. He doesn't talk on the phone yet, so no worry about phone manners. Overall, he is a well-behaved child and his transgressions mostly deal with sibling stuff. He goes to bed without problem and cooperates in getting out the door in the mornings. He is starting to do some chores around the house. I assume he behaves better out of sight like most children. So it is just the manners I think we need to work on.

Way Back Machine

Yesterday I took the kids to Chuck E Cheese for an hour (they managed to redeem 50 tokens a piece in that time) after lunch. I ran in to someone from high school. This girl was not someone I was good friends with but probably one of the more popular girls. I didn't recognize her and it even took a few seconds after she said her name for me to make the connection. The years and pounds had changed her quite a lot. Her husband (also a classmate) looked more familiar but I'm not sure I could have placed him, either, without help. I live about 70 miles from my old high school and have had very few opportunites in the last 18 years to run into anyone. They still lived in the area and had a son who played ball. So she spent a few minutes telling me of various classmates who still resided in the area and what everyone was up to. It wasn't a large class (about 90 graduates) but most of her friends were not my friends and although the names were familiar they were people I hadn't given much thought to in a long time. It was kind of fun to talk for a few minutes and we talked about the possibilities for a reunion in another two years. I didn't hear about my 10 year reunion until after the fact and I think I would like to attend the 20 year if only to see some old friends. I am told by some friends of mine that at the 20 year reunion everyone is pretty much over themselves and the old bitterness and rivalries are long forgotten in the commonalities of growing old and having children. Now I am ready to dig out my senior year book and take a stroll down memory lane.

Harry

I finished The Deathly Hallows last night. I'm not going to attempt to review it. Other people will do a much better job then me. I do want to give some thoughts on it, though, without any spoilers.

The book is missing the enchantment I found in the first 4 (or 6) books about life at Hogswarts. I remember when I read those books I would imagine it like it really exists. The book is also missing the innocence of the particular srapes and adventures the young characters experienced in those first few years. But Harry, Hermione and Ron have grown up now. Rowlings is no longer writing children's books.

I was not dissapointed in the book. I was not shocked at a death like in book 6. I think Rowlings wrote an excellent coming of age book, wizard style. I am sad that this is the final installment. I hope that Rowlings writes for us some other great adventures. However, I realize nothing will ever quite compare to the world she created with Harry Potter.

Tuesday

When we arrived home from Atlanta shortly before noon on Sunday hubby headed off for a nap. He had driven the entire trip home. The kids had been couped up in the car for 4 hours and so went off to renew their "animal" game. (It is an elaborate game involving a lot of stuffed animals, and various props, and often takes place in multiple rooms.) The kids had gotten very silly and loud during the last 1 & 1/2 hours of our journey. The DVD players no longer seeming to entertain them. I was appreciative of the fact that they were off amusing themselves but feeling a little sad about being left with the post-trip work. After starting the laundry (I had to do 6 loads), unpacking and eating some lunch I decided I deserved a nap, too.

About 2:30 or so my son (age 9) realized that he hadn't had any lunch. (What was that mom of his thinking, anyway.) So he fixed himself and his sister some Easy-Mac and made himself a corndog. I think they augmented the lunch with applesauce. I'm proud of him for fixing his own lunch but mostly proud that he was considerate to his sister. Now I just need to work on getting him to fold his own laundry.

Monday

I'm picking up my copy of the new Harry Potter book this morning so everyone else has a two day head start on me. I may not read any blogs until I've finished. So I'll be back in a few days.

Update: Worked 10 hours, read 150 pages.

Book Update

I just read two good books that I want to tell you about. The first one was Keeping Faith by Jodi Piccoult. I've read several of Piccoult's books so far (Mercy, Tenth Circle, My Sister's Keeper) and this is by far my favorite. The story centers around 7 year old Faith who starts seeing visions of God after her parents divorce. Her mother takes her to a psychiatrist and word gets out. Soon news people, cults and people just wanting help are camped outside her door. Naturally, Faith's father rethinks his decision to grant full custody of Faith to her mother and a bitter custody battle begins. I grew concerned about the direction the book was taking halfway through but was not dissapointed in the way the novel turned out. I think this was a good book, regardless of your beliefs or feelings about God.

The second book I read was The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. This book is narrated by Christopher, a 15 year-old autistic boy. Christopher discovers his neighbor's dog murdered and sets out to solve the mystery. He writes his story in a book for us to read. It is a short book but I found it delightful and refreshing. I first read about this on a blog somewhere and am glad that I found it.

I recently joined Bookins at the suggestion of one of my readers and it is really going well. I am sending my books (which I normally just donate to the library) off to other readers and receiving books in the mail (for only 3.99 shipping for each book I receive). Check it out if you are intersted.

Weekend

We had a pretty good weekend. On Friday morning we drove over to Marietta, Georgia to go to Whitewater. We met my SIL at the Steak N Shake to eat lunch before heading on to the park. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating and we had to change our plans. We headed South to the town of Newnan and checked in at our hotel (Country Inns & Suites). SIL and I took the kids swimming while hubby napped and then we went to see Nancy Drew. We ate dinner at a local Mexican place in Newnan.

Saturday morning (after a lovely breakfast at our hotel) we went into Atlanta to visit the Georgia Aquarium. When we first arrived the aquarium was not yet overcrowded and the first part of our visit was pleasant. However, after about an hour the aquarium became too crowded to enjoy. We proceeded to try and see the remaining exhibits despite the crowds but everyone was starting to get cranky and hungry. The crowds around Centennial Park and the Coca-Cola Museum were also ridiculous and so we headed back out of town. I know that the Georgia Aquarium is described as the largest in the U.S. but I did not enjoy it as much as the one Chattanooga or Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Even without the crowds the viewing areas of the aquarium were small and the actual number of exhibits seemed smaller.

We headed North to Gwinnett County and spent a few hours at Dave and Buster's enjoying their various games. That night we sampled the local favorite, Sprayberry's Barbecue. We enjoyed spending time with SIL and seeing her "office" and apartment. Sunday morning we headed home.

The kids were disappointed about missing Whitewater (can't say the same for myself) but overall it was a good trip.

Edit: To see pictures visit my SIL's post.

Friday

I have big plans this weekend. I'll tell you all about later. For now, enjoy the fun meme below.

Moaning Meme

5 people who will be annoyed you tagged them.

* Terry
* Mom
* Mike
* Gina
* Autumn's Mom

4 things that should go into room 101 and be removed from the face of the earth.
* shorts with words written on the buttocks
* child abuse
* long lines at the check-out
* Timmy Turner

3 things people do that make you want to shake them violently.
* allow their children to ride in a car unrestrained
* allow their (small) children to trail behind them several yards in stores
* allow their young girls to wear such provocative clothing

2 things you find yourself moaning about.
* the lengths television will go to boost their ratings
* the lack of any good candidates for upcoming elections

1 thing the above answers tell you about yourself.
*Some things I just should keep to myself.

RULES
• Link to the original meme at freelancecynic.com so people know what it's all about!• Be as honest as possible. This is about letting people get to know the real you!• Try not to insult anyone - unless they really deserve it or are very, very ugly!• Post these rules at the end of every meme!

Thirteen Things to Do in Huntsville and surrounding Area

1. Visit the US Space and Rocket Center complete with a full-size Saturn V replica and Harry Potter on IMAX.

2. Visit Early Works Children's History Museum with among other things, a talking tree.

3. Visit the Huntsville Botanical Gardens - there is always something going on there.

4. Visit Sci-Quest Hands on Science Museum. I haven't visited this one, but the kids seem to enjoy it.

5. Harmony Animal Reserve. I haven't seen this one either but there are supposed to be many exotic animals. The closest Huntsville comes to having an actual zoo.

6. Take in a Huntsville Stars (minor league) baseball game.

7. Ice skating

8. Point Mallard Water Park

9. Cathedral Caverns

10. Burritt on the Mountain - a living, history museum

11. Southern Adventures - family amusement park

12. Enjoy one of our many parks and kids play areas such as Kids Space & Kids Kingdom

13. Enjoy a bike ride on one of our many greenways.

I only chose kid friendly activities. This would make an interesting meme. I challenge anyone reading this to list activities in your city (or the surrounding area).

Harry Potter

Have you been to see the new movie yet? Our children aren't quite big enough for this one (although they enjoyed the first two on DVD) so we will have to wait for the opportunity to go alone. The big news to Potter fans of course is the upcoming release of the new book. Are you going out to purchase it at midnight? A number of bookstores in our area (and across the nation, I imagine) are having Harry parties leading up to the release at midnight. When the two previous books were released I had to work at Wal-Mart on that Saturday morning and so purchased them when I arrived at work. I read through the last one in only a couple of days. Because, although it is quite a long book page-wise it was really a quick read. I am considering not purchasing the new book until I get to work Monday morning. I don't think I have to be among the first to read the already best seller (based on presales) but I do not like hearing people discuss the book (or indeed, a movie I haven't seen) before I've had the chance to read it. This morning the radio dj's were discussing the upcoming book with call-in listeners and there is a lot of speculation.

Do I think the Harry Potter craze is a little crazy? Well, yeah. But they are good books. The fantasy world Rowlings has created is fascinating and the books easy to read. I am looking forward to reading the new one (and will mourn the end (if it is the end) of the series) but may have to stay away from blogland until I'm finished.

Scavenger Hunt

Yesterday the kids and I went on a scavenger hunt for school supplies. Have you had to do this? (Mike, just wait.) School starts here in only 2 weeks (Aug 2). We are starting at a new school this year and having to purchase (directly)more school supplies then before. The school posts a list of supplies on their website complete with the brand they want (not prefer, mind you, but the brand they expect you to bring in). This list includes Elmer Glue Sticks and Crayola Crayons & Mead brand binders. We were able to get most of these supplies at Wal-Mart (and at very good prices). But we needed two different types of construction paper not carried at Wal-Mart and a special type of writing tablet. Why would a school post such a specific list and not specify where these items might be found? A call to the school suggests Off Campus Books so off we went. The Off Campus store had the construction paper but not the writing tablets (Grade 3, horizontal and vertical) so we had to venture further away to Burkett School Supply. The owner there was most helpful, calling the school to inform them that indeed the Grade 3 tablets had been discontinued and inquiring what size tablet was required. It seems this is the same list year after year and no one has updated the fact that there is only Grade 1 & 2 in this particular brand. We still have to pick up some loose leaf paper (WM was out of wide ruled) paper towels (8 rolls total) and new backpacks. The new school requires the clear plastic backpacks.

We also went to the library to check out some DVD's and out to eat at Olive Garden yesterday. So quite a productive day we had. I'm going to miss (a little) these fun adventures with the kids in tow once school starts.

Kid Nation

Just when I thought that reality television had finally scraped the bottom with Age of Love(NBC), CBS reveals that there might be something even lower then the bottom with the new series Kid Nation. The premise is to take 40 children (ages from 8 to 15) put them in a deserted town out west and see how well they can govern and take care of themselves. Now while I'll admit this sounds like an interesting show if it were drama (ie, Lord of the Flies) I am appalled at the idea as a reality show. First off, what self-respecting parent would send their children off to do this show? Oh, I'm sure there are lots of waivers of liability signed. And we must not forget all the crew (producers, cameraman, etc) that will be hidden from the television viewers. Second, the reward for the children who prove themselves? $20,000. What? Why not the million promised to the first Survivor contestants or even $100,000? I can see a parent in a desperate situation pimping (and lets not lose sight of the truth here) their children out for larger sums but $20,000 will not even pay for a college education much less the therapy the children might require following the show. Am I being a bit to dramatic? Perhaps. We do not know what goes on when the cameras are not showing us and I'm sure the children are all safe. But the desperateness of television sinking to this level is disgusting to me.

And no, I've never been a big fan of reality television. I did watch RealWorld in the early years (before it became so much staged drama) and I do enjoy the Apprentice. But I never understood how you could create an artificial reality such as Survivor with all the people that would be required to produce such a show just on the other side of the island (taking baths and eating real food.) I understand the attraction of these early reality shows to the viewer and the contestants but I think they have finally gone too far. This is from a network that cancelled Jericho after all, though, so I really shouldn't be all that surprised.

For another blogger's thoughts on this show see Gray Matter Matters.

Harry Potter

What Harry Potter Character are You? Hermione Granger You are a smart and intelligent person. You use your smarts to help out friends. You can be emotional at times but you always seem to be in the mood to help someone out. Click Here to Take This Quiz

Quizzes and Personality Tests I'm pleased with this result as I've always admired Hermione. She's muggle-born but doesn't let that get in her way. She is a great friend and keeps her head in a crisis.

Saturday

Hubby has taken the turnip truck to a car show today. I think perhaps he is becoming rather fond of it, which might make it difficult for him to part with it.

I've killed the ants with a lovely ant spray (odorless) from Lowe's. No more have come in since I sprayed so word must have gotten out.

Yesterday, I made a lovely chocolate chip mint ice cream in my ice cream attachment for my mixer.

Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups 2% milk (I used skim)
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used 1/2 tsp)
1 teaspoon peppermint extract (I used 3/4 tsp)
3 drops green food coloring
(optional)
1 cup miniature semisweet (I used shavings from 1&1/2 Hershey bar)
chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS:
1.
In a large bowl, stir together the milk, cream, sugar, salt, vanilla extract and peppermint extract until the sugar has dissolved. Color to your liking with the green food coloring.
2.
Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. After about 10 minutes into the freezing, add the chocolate chips. After the ice cream has thickened, about 30 minutes later, spoon into a container, and freeze for 2 hours.

Mists of Avalon

I just (finally) finished reading Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. (This was another book on that infamous list of 100 Books everyone should read or whatever that circulated in blogland a few months back. I don't know what the source is but the list leaves something to be desired. Nonetheless, my goal-oriented personality has compelled me to become well-read and tackle more of the books on the list.) This book certainly qualifies as an epic tale with over 800 pages. (And not the large type or mostly dialogue either like the Harry Potter books. This book was a chunkster!) It took me over a week to read it as I was unable to even read 100 pages per day. I don't think I can recommend it to anyone so you might not want to read any further. But here I go anyway.



Mists is a different take on the tales of King Arthur and Camelot. The central character is a female, Morgaine, priestess of Avalon. The love triangle (or square really) between the characters is a bit scandolous. The storyline tramples somewhat on my Christian sensibilities, too. But overall it was a good book. I became totally immersed in the story as I sometims do with stories set in another time period. I believe the same story could have been told (and told well) in about 3 or 4oo fewer pages, though. But at least I have crossed another book off that darn list!

Friday 13th

I just realized today was Friday the 13th, not that I am in the least bit superstitious (was that a black cat running by?). It's still raining here so I guess the drought is finally over. We're going out to run errands and to an ice skating birthday party later. Mother left this morning, our visit having been shortened by my having to work yesterday. She is visiting her sisters in Boaz and driving back to Memphis tomorrow. I hope it doesn't rain on her way home. She really doesn't like to drive in the rain.

Happy Friday the 13th!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I miss in the summer
(or Thirteen things I love about winter)

1. Big comfy Sweatshirts
2. Hot drinks on cold afternoons
3. Relaxing in my hot tub
4. Chili (although I have been known to eat it year round)
5. Boots
6. Snuggling under multiple quilts
7. Short days (ie the sun coming up at a decent hour and having the decency to "set already"
8. Blue jeans
9. Pecan Pie
10. Cute sweaters
11. Snow (yeah, like it ever snows here. But it could.)
12. New episodes of favorite shows
13. Woodburning fireplaces or heaters

Edit: Friday afternoon I was able to experience a little winter at the skating rink, complete with a gas fireplace. If only I had a warm drink.

The Ants Go Marching

I'm at work today. I was supposed to be off and go to a luncheon. I had even booked a baby-sitter for the few hours I would need to be away. But as plans sometimes do, things went amiss. My partner's little girl is sick and we swapped today and Friday. This means my son can go to an ice-skating birthday party on Friday, though. But my second day to spend with my mom is lost. She is leaving in the morning. I'm busy squashing ants right now, but later I'll try to do a Thursday Thirteen.

Edit: Although the ants are still coming in and marching across the floor, word must have gotten out about the massacre. They are staying away from me and my computer now.

Tuesday

It's raining now and it looks like a good steady rain that might last a while. We really need a good rain.

My mother is visiting and tomorrow we are going to have an entire day to ourselves. We will shop and eat lunch out and have a good time. Today she is spending with my kids while I am at work. They are going out to lunch and perhaps, bowling.

I am so tired today after working 13 hours yesterday almost entirely on my feet. After work (at 9pm) I bought groceries. I know it is foolish to do this when I can barely walk to my car but I have started hating going back to WM except on the days that I work there. It took me 25 minutes to check out and it was after 10:30pm when I arrived home. I would have like to sleep in today but I kwow that I have the next two days off now. Today I am happy to sit here at my regular job and catch up on my blog friends.

Weekend

We had a really good weekend. Friday hubby and I drove up to Nashville. We checked in to the Country Inns & Suites and had a nap. That evening we drove over to the Opryland Hotel. (We stayed there during our honeymoon and I have since decided it is better to stay elsewhere and visit. The rooms are overpriced and small and not altogether fitting a hotel of that level. You pay for the elegance and ambiance of the grand hotel which you can experience by visiting.) We walked around in the gardens inside the atrium and then had dinner at the Cascades restaurant. It was like dining outside only with air conditioning. The waterfalls made excellent background buffering and we also enjoyed some instrumental music. We had an excellent dinner. (The highlight for me was the Crab Soup.) After dinner we strolled the gardens some more and took a flatboat ride on the "Delta River" inside the hotel. We drove over to the Opry Mills Mall and I was very disappointed. The mall was warm and very crowded and filled mostly with the upscale stores of which I rarely visit. But now I've been to the well-known shopping destination and know that I'm not missing anything.

Saturday we visited the Lane Motor Museum. It is a large collection of mostly foreign cars including an impressive amount of micro-cars. We returned home Saturday in time for a nap before the kids arrived home.

Thursday

We had a somewhat relaxing holiday. It felt so much like a Saturday tucked in the middle of the week. We went to a friend of Hubby's for a cook-out and swimming. The kids swam for hours and were disappointed when time to leave. The food was excellent - pork ribs, barbecue chicken and smoked pork with all the fixings. Sitting out in the sun all day is somewhat exhausting, though.

We have an unexpected treat this weekend. My MIL called and asked for the kids for TWO nights. They are leaving tonight and will not be back until Saturday evening. I'm trying to remember what we did before kids. I'm sure it will come back to me. So we have two chances to dine out alone and whatever mischief we can get ourselves up to. I suggested hubby take Fri afternoon off and he ended up taking Thurs and Fri off. I admit I am jealous because I couldn't work that out for myself. So I'm stuck at work today but my weekend begins at 6:30pm.

I probably won't post this weekend. So I hope everyone has a good one. Remember Saturday is 07/07/07 and supposed to be a lucky day.

Vacation

Oh, I need a vacation. I need a week at the beach with absolutely nothing to do. I want to sit on the beach with my book and feel the cool breezes blowing and hear the gentle surf. I want this vacation to be at an uncrowded beach with good restaraunts. I'll have to wait until Fall Break in October, I know. School starts Aug 2 and the kids are too old to pull out of school for a week now. We used to take our beach vacation after Labor Day and that was about perfect. October is almost too cool to swim in the ocean and the usually unheated pools. What I need is a good Holodeck program. If you are off in bloggy land enjoying a nice, relaxing vacation (not one of those do everything or die ones) then wish me there with you. Fall Break is still 3 months away.