April 25, 2007

where did all the girls go?

I went to Quizno's to get a sandwich for dad. I walk in and the only other three people in the place are the guy behind the counter and two good-looking guys at a table. Then, I walk across the parking lot to Qudoba to get my dinner. I walk in and there are three good-looking guys are sitting at a table and another good-looking guy behind the counter. I was starting to wonder what weird universe I had stumbled into when finally another female walked in.

But I didn't mind seeing that many good-looking boys in such a short time, and all within walking distance of home!

paint fume memories...

So it is 1:30 in the morning and I am so wide awake it is not even funny. I blame it on Amy who called at 9:30 yesterday morning (while I was still sleeping) and canceled the babysitting job I had planned for her. I ended up crawling back into bed for "a few more minutes" and slept until just after 11. Oops.

Anyway, I got the first coat of paint on the family room tonight, ceiling included. I hate painting ceilings. Paint gets in my hair and on my face, it's a nightmare to clean up. But these ceilings aren't as bad as dad's in WY so I can't complain too much. The house now reeks of paint and I'm enduring the freezing air from outside in an effort to breath. Life is full of choices... breath and freeze or die warm.

I remembered something else I wanted to put in my post about forgetting (how apropos). I wish I could remember that we have a sump pump (two, actually, if you want the whole truth). One is located outside a few feet from my window. It only makes noise when it rains (or snows) enough for the hole to fill up with water and set the pump off (or on, whatever). Then it makes this obnoxious sound like a jet engine. I think the fairies purposely make it only go off just as I'm falling asleep so it can scare the heebe jeebes out of me. Works every time until I figure out what it is.

Okay, that's enough for now. I think I'll write some on my novel now. Have to put these hours to good use.

April 23, 2007

go fly a kite...

Sometimes, you need to return to your childhood, even if just for a moment. Today, I got to do that with the help of a kite. Will bought a kite at the dollar store and I got to help him fly it his backyard. It brought back great memories of my dad making Vicky and I kites out of red garbage bags when we were little.

I used to love flying kites, fighting against the wind. Seeing a kite flying, dancing in the air, is such a simple yet amazing thing. It's like blowing bubbles, it remind me of peace and that childlike quality that we all search for.

So, on the next windy day, head to the nearest dollar store (where Will bought his kite for just one little dollar) and pick up a kite and then go to a park and have a blast.

April 20, 2007

things I wish I could remember...

I used to have a great memory. Over the years I have memorized many lines and poems and song lyrics. I can still remember the preamble to the Constitution and much of the Gettysburg Address. So I am baffled as to why I cannot remember simple, regular things.

For example, I go to Panera often (several times a week) and many times, I will order my favorite meal (that, at least, I remember). A chicken salad sandwich or the sandwich and a bowl of baked potato soup. What I NEVER remember is that they put onions on the sandwich and I don't like they way they taste. I NEVER remember to ask them to hold the onions. So I end up picking the onions off (which isn't that hard) and then have a pile of onions on my plate.

Another thing I can't seem to remember is that the garbage goes out on Fridays. This morning, I didn't remember until I heard the truck coming up the street. Thankfully, I moved fast and got both cans out as they pulled up. I don't feel as bad on this one since Nathan also forgets, but honestly, forget too many times in a row and your house may be taken over.

Thankfully, I remember the important stuff, like showing up for work and where I put the car keys, how to drive and so on. But there is a serious element of frustration to not remembering commonplace things.

So, what do you wish you could remember, or what have you recently forgotten?

April 17, 2007

my reward...

Since Sarah did a gloating post, I figured I should do one as well. On Saturday, I finished my novel. Really finished it, not just a got bored and tied it up but actually felt that it was done, finished.

To reward myself, I decided to get an aquatic frog. And then, since it cost about the same, I got a 5 gallon aquarium instead of a big bowl. I used some of my birthday money. And now, I have a frog, an algae eater and three guppies (all male, so no baby guppies for me). I am SO excited to have pets again. And these ones won't leave hair all over the house (yea!!).

And I started my next novel today and I'm really excited about it. If you want to help, then leave a comment and let me know the answer to this question: If you could have a superpower, which would you have and why.

Thanks!

April 16, 2007

the list, part one...

Okay, here it is. My new year's resolution is to read 75 books this year and I'm 1/3 of the way there. So, here is the list of the first 25 books that I have read this year.

1. The Bright Forever, by Lee Martin
This one was about a community where a little girl is kidnapped.
2. The Annunciation of Francesca Dunn, by Janis Hallowell.
A story about a girl who thinks she is the mother of Christ, set in modern day.
3. Spoon River Anthology, by Edgar Lee Masters
I read a few of these in high school, but never the whole collection. Very good.
4. Hinds Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hunard
This is one I've read before, but it is always a great read. Allegorical about the Christian walk.
5. On Fortune's Wheel, by Cynthia Voigt
Another re-read, one of my favorites. About a girl who runs away from home to find herself.
6. Son of a Witch, by Greggory Maguire.
Sequel to Wicked, this one continues the story of the son of the Wicked Witch of the West. Not as good as the first one, but good just the same.
7. The Silver Chair, by C.S. Lewis
One of the Narnia books, one of my favorites. The story of Eustuce and Jill where they free the son of Caspin from a wicked queen. I love this one!
8. The Last Song of Dusk, by Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi
A new book on my shelf, I enjoyed this one about an East Indian couple. If you have never read a book about Indian marriage, don't start here, but I did like it.
9. A Northern Light, by Jennifer Donnelly
A story about a maid and the things she learns about a woman who is killed at the hotel where she works. A young adult book but very good.
10. A Great & Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray
Another YA novel and a new read. I enjoyed it. If you don't like the idea of traveling between realms, don't bother.
11. The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien
This was my second time reading this one and I loved it even more this time.
12. The Tenth Circle, by Jodi Picolut
This one makes the third book by Picolut I've read. I liked this one the most of her books so far. It's about a girl may have been date raped and how her community responds. Very good!
13. And Only to Deceive, by Tasha Alexander
A lovely book about a woman who falls in love with her husband by reading his journals. And while she is at it, she figures out a mystery about an art ring. I enjoyed it greatly.
14. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, by Hannah Green
This is another re-read for me, I've read it many times before. A great story of a teenage girl who struggles with mental stability and the seductive world of madness.
15. The Memory Keeper's Daughter, by Kim Edwards
This is one I'm "group" reading with Dara. It's about a doctor who sends his newborn baby girl to a group home because she has Downs. But the nurse he sends decides to keep the baby and raise her as her own. And then there is the twin brother that the doctor keeps. Wonderful.
16. The Alchemist's Daughter, by Katherine McMahon
I had a daughter theme going on. Another new read for me, about a young girl who grows up knowing science but no the way of the world. A story of her journey, very interesting.
17. The Camel Bookmobile, by Mash Hamilton
I got this one from FirstLook. It is about a woman who goes to Kenya to run a bookmobile for the nomadic tribes. Very good.
18. The Dark Tower & Other Stories, by C.S. Lewis
This is a Lewis one I had not read, didn't even know about it. It's several short stories and an incomplete manuscript. Very good, as always. I expect the best from Lewis.
19. Showdown, by Ted Dekker
This is the fourth book by Dekker that I have read. He takes a while to show you the story, but it is always worth it. A great story about a little town in Colorado and a great little experiment that pits good vs. evil and the terrible strength of freewill.
20. Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L'Engle
A re-read. I've read this one at least ten times before and it never gets old. A great book about space travel and time travel and more good vs. evil. Never gets old.
21. Wind in the Door, by Madeline L'Engle
The next in the Time Quartet. More good vs. evil and the Murry children. I love it.
22. A Swiftly Tilting Planet, by Madeline L'Engle
The third book of the Quartet. Another great story about the Murry kids and righting wrongs, making choices, etc.
23. The Thrall's Tale, by Judith Lindbergh
For a book that took ten years to write, it wasn't worth the time it took to read it. More good vs. evil wrapped up in the Norse culture. A bit over the top.
24. An Acceptable Time, by Madeline L'Engle
I had never read this one by L'Engle. I didn't enjoy it as much as the Quartet, but it was a good read none the less. More time travel and a visit to the People of the Wind from previous books.
25. Mercy, by Jodi Picoult
A great read. Picoult has a great gift for characters that you really like, even if you don't want to. And this book dealt with mercy killing and forgiveness. Loved it!

So, there you have it. 25 books. I'm right on track to have 75 by the end of the year. Leave a comment and let me know what books you recommend!

April 12, 2007

greatness and pretty toes...

It's been a great week, and I always like great weeks. First, on Monday, I got to go to a reading/signing by Jodi Picoult. In case you haven't heard of Jodi, she is an AMAZING author. She has 14 books now, I've read three of them. Not only can the girl write, but she reads well, too. I went with Miss Pottenger, her mom and her aunt. We got to Denver hours early and were first in line. That means we got fron row seats and were first for book signing.

Here's a lovely photo of Jodi as she started to read. And one of her signing Sarah's book.








The week went on and I got to see Jake's first ball game of the year. It was stinkin' cold but we had fun watching the boys play. And now, today, is my birthday. My 29th birthday, to be exact. Shelly told me to be ready at 11 for something, so I was ready. I knew something was up when she said we hade to stop somewhere first and that I had to wear WHATEVER she said for the WHOLE time. But I've dressed up lots of times and I don't embarass easy, so I didn't care. She bought me a red feather boa, a purple sparkle hat and two balloons, a two and a nine. Then we went to Chick-Fil-A where the rest of the Myers' were waiting with the Tuggles and Clevelands. So we had a lunch party and the Chick-Fil-A staff gave me a stuffed cow and said I looked good for 92 (the balloons wouldn't stay in the right order).

After lunch, Shelly and I went on for pedicures. So now I have lovely toes to go with the lovely balloons, boa and hat.

So it's been a fun day. I'm thinking I might order a pizza. I don't need to but I want to and it's my birthday so I may do it just because.

So, leave me a comment and say happy birthday to me. Thanks for stopping by.