AHHH!

I must really be enjoying the holidays. I've gained six pounds!

Dewey's Books Challenge

Recently the author of The Hidden Side of a Leaf passed away. In the book blogisphere all roads lead to Dewey, so fittingly a book challenge has been created in her honor.

I'm going with option #2 and my list of titles for this challenge includes the following:

1. Three Incestuous Sisters by Audrey Niffenegger
2. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
3. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
4. A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005 by Annie Lieboviitz
5. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Alternates
1. The Splendor of Silence by Indra Sandaresan
2. Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson

20 in 2009 Book Challenge Progress Page

Yes, I'm signing up for book challenges again. I have only successfully completed one, but trying is the "funniest" part. I will post my progress on the 20 Books in 2009 challenge on this post.

1. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
2. For Everyone from Beginner to Pro: Bobbie Brown Makeup Manual by Bobbie Brown
3. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
4. Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson

2009 Audiobook Challenge

I will post the audiobooks I listen to for this challenge here.

Hooray!

© FreeFoto.com


Hooray! Christmas break is finally here! My plans:

hiking
reading
journaling
cleaning
sleeping
sleeping
and lest I forget...sleeping!

Friday 56

I came across the game below at Discussion Forum - Book Blogs

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Okay, I know it seems like I made this up, but I really was standing by my Bible when I read came across this game. It was the closest book.

Here's the line from page 56, 5th sentence:

"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors."

I value all of my accomplishments, but it seems the ones I make as I grow older bring me the greatest pleasure because I have a clearer understanding of just how precious opportunities are and am able to take more pleasure in the preparation and hard work needed to seize one.

As promised here's the link to the person who started this game:

http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/2008/12/fruday-56-121208.html

Your turn!

Should Have Seen This Coming

(Picture by Steve Cole/Getty Images)

What happens when a teacher begins to experience burnout and no one intervenes. Each proceeding year is worse than the one before it. Far too often, we wait until he or she becomes "one of those teachers". Who is really at fault then?

2009: The Year of Possiblilities

This is the year that I take the next step and let down some of the fences (okay, okay...walls) that I live behind.

I am watching The Lake House. It reminds me of The Time Traveler's Wife. In each case, the couple could safely work through the rough parts of relationship without any risk of heartbreak. Real life is fraught with risks, but the good parts (smiles , laughter, love, etc...) are worth it.

Perhaps this should have been an email to a specific person, but I think it has a message everyone needs to hear from time to time.

Too Funny

It occurred to me today that I have not had a massage, facial, get away, or done much of anything since school started, so I decided to stop by the spa and schedule an appointment. As a parked, I noticed one of those knock-off 99cent stores. I went in before going to the day spa next door. There was a clerk with a heavy African accent helping a customer at the register. I browsed for a moment and then took the merchandise I wanted to the counter only to discover myself completely alone in the store, locked in, and looking at the back of a sign that said, "We'll return in ten minutes."

I called my mother (DON'T SAY A WORD!). She made me call the police. (She was afraid the lady would panic and shoot me (?) when she returned. I figured she would just search my purse for stolen merchandise.) The whole thing ended with the clerk returning, laughing, covering her mouth, and unlocking the door as she apologized profusely.

I know we all have strange things that happen to us from time to time, but I doubt that anyone I know can top this one.

What a life!

I have been laughing all evening and yes, the police called ten minutes after I got out. They wanted to check on the situation before they dispatched a car!