« July 2009 | Main | September 2009 »
Within the last two days I finished my long, emotional journey with the fine citizens of Kingsbridge, England in World Without End by Ken Follett. If you remember, I began my journey near the end of July. Thirty-six discs and 45 hours later, I finished listening to this phenomenal story.
Oh, my word. What can be said? If you've read Pillars of the Earth and are trying to decide if you'd like to embark on another 1,000 plus page story, I say you must. I say this because if you finished Pillars, then surely you fell in love with the story of the building of the Kingsbridge Cathedral. I didn't think I would love the follow up to that wonderful story. But I did, and I do. Actually, I think I loved it more. Now, this might be because the story is still so fresh in my head and I read Pillars about a year ago. But friends, this book is everything you could want in a novel and more. There is intrigue, mystery, politics, religion, history, a plague and finally a love story for the ages all wrapped between the cover of this book.
Now while listening to World, I started reading-
The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar.
This book intrigued me because the central characters of this fictional book are from my area and then move to India after a tragedy. Lately, I have been extremely interested in Indian authors and books. Although the subject matter is weighty, (the death of a child and the journey the couple goes through in trying to heal, knowing that one can never heal completely) this book grabbed from the beginning and didn't let go. It had a dark under being, but there were such beautiful descriptives, that at least for me, it made it possible to go along with these characters and survive the darkness.
I will forewarn you and tell you that this is one of those books that ends without tying up all the loose ends, which for me is always problematic and perhaps why I'm still thinking about this book.
Upon finishing this book and completing World, I quickly picked up this-
Everyone Is Beautiful by Katherine Center.
Another, page turner, I quickly connected with this main character too. This is a funny look at what happens when a couple becomes parents and have to find out how to be a couple again while still parenting. There are some laugh out loud moments, especially at the descriptions of those early baby/toddler years when, as mom you think you'll never get to shower again or wear anything but baby food stained t-shirts and sweatpants. This was an easy read and a nice night cap to the more serious Umrigar novel.
But now, everything is done. I feel like I've just passed through a passion filled romance and emotional roller coaster break up and I don't know what to do with myself. No other books are appealing to me. I keep reliving these stories in my mind. Just like a broken relationship that you weren't quite ready to end, I don't want to say goodbye to these characters. There hasn't been enough time passed to move on to new characters. What if these characters call and want a re-read? I need time to heal before I invest in a new relationship. Maybe I could read an old fall back novel. Someone I've been involved with before, and now there's no emotional baggage. We could have a one night read for old time's sake, right?
No, that doesn't feel right either. That would feel like cheating. But it can't be cheating if it's over, right? Maybe we could still be friends? I know what you think, that never works out, someone always gets hurt. But, these authors have other books that I haven't read. So, maybe we could start fresh, new beginnings and all that...we could try and see how that works, at least for a little while...I'm willing to, if the novels are...I'll keep you posted.
Sorry for the delay and lack of fresh posts. It's been a hectic week or so of back to school activities coupled with end of summer vacation activities.
A week or so ago, my good buddy B and family hauled it in from the great state of Massachusetts for a family wedding. We were lucky enough to spend a few hours together.
I know I kid,but really, can you possibly pick a better spokes couple for Crest Whitening Strips or for orthodontia? I mean these people have freakishly straight and white teeth. It's all apart of their appeal. They joined us with their darling daughter, K at Youngest's "Back to School Splash" pool party.
We gathered up a large group of soon to be (but are currently now) 5th Grade girls to have one last bash before the school bell rang. It was a glorious summer day. Plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures.
And true to the party's theme- SPLASH- they DID!
This week has been getting used to getting up early again, packing lunches, getting uniforms together and trying to work out new sports schedules. My annual back to school photo with all three kids was a total bust.
My camera was broken (or so I thought) and I had to use my phone and then the emailing of the photo turned out to be the size of a postage stamp and Middle One would not, could not be bothered to stand still and pose and Eldest drove off to college. I got a pic of her backing out of the driveway. At some point- I'll work it out but until then, I got nothing to share.
Hope your back to school happenings are going well. As I like to say- "It is What it Is, my friends."
This past weekend, Beloved and I went away by ourselves for our anniversary. No kids. For the first time, we left Eldest in charge and didn't have any other adults come and stay with them. (We did have family and close friend, J checking in periodically.) We didn't go far, a couple hours south of our town, to the big city of Columbus, Ohio. Beloved and I started our lives together in this town. We lived there for thirteen years before moving northwest. We have a history there and lots of friends that we can still visit. (Disclaimer- it's virtually impossible to see all of the people we would have liked to visit with- so please do not be offended if we did not get in touch with you while we were there. We promise- you were in our thoughts and if only we had an extra day or two...)
Anyways, we were there to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary. 20 Years....wow I think that's quite the milestone. I'm proud that we can say we've been married that long. So in honor of this occasion, I present to you a photo montage of the Beloved and I...
This was one of our early dates. I believe it was our 2nd. Our first date consisted of going to a play on campus and then out for drinks and dancing at the "Nick." (It was the 80's, man!) After this date he asked me to his fraternity Date Party. This was in February. I borrowed this dress from one of my sorority sisters. I was a sophomore and he was a junior. Shortly after this date party, we stopped dating, for two years.
This was the spring of 1986, my Senior year. Beloved had graduated by then and we were engaged to be married. He came back to campus for my Spring Date party. (Aren't you loving my purple eyeshadow. I really wish I could find that Cover-girl 4 pack palette again...)
Another late 80's photo. We were engaged, again at this time. (Did I ever tell you the story of our three engagements before actually getting married?) I was visiting him in Columbus at this time, while I lived in Cleveland.
August 11, 1989. This was at our wedding rehearsal dinner. Can you believe all that hair?!
Outside the church, immediately following the ceremony. We released black and white balloons.
Black and white wedding party- before black and white was cool. I thought at the time that my bridesmaids, clearly could wear these dresses again. They did not look like a typical bridesmaid dress. Looking back now, yeah, not so much...
August 12, 1989. Our first dance as husband and wife.
P.S. I LOOOOVED that headpiece. Just thinking about it makes me want to go up into my attic and take it out of the preserved box and put it on and dance around my house.
This past weekend celebrating at the same restaurant where we celebrated our first anniversary.
With these friends from college, where it all began.
D and L and
E and H.
That about says it all- Happy Anniversary, Beloved. I love you.
P.S.S. I wanted to share my favorite gift of all, from D and L. They are so sweet and generous. This was included in a card from them.
At first I didn't quite understand why we were given a map. Then D reminded me that China was the traditional gift for the 20 year anniversary. Absolutely, perfect.
Happy, Happy 46th Birthday to my Beloved!!
You get better with age. It's really not fair that men age more gracefully than women.
A slight graying at the temples is distinguished on men. Those crinkles at the eyes are charming and sexy.
He doesn't really like to get his photo taken, but too bad. You must have the obligatory birthday photo with your birthday cake. In this case, it's a birthday cheesecake. It's his favorite.
Hope you enjoy this side of 40 more than the first half. The best is yet to come!
Love, Me
Book Clubs.
I've said it before and I'll say again, I love all things books. I love reading books, I love looking for books, I love talking about books. I love discussing books I've read with others who have read the same book. Thus, my Book Club group. We are an eclectic little group. All avid readers. We have a fairly informal meeting style. We are extremely diplomatic when it comes to choosing books for the group to read. We take turns hosting the Book Club at our homes. This past month's meeting was extremely fun and interactive, because we actually had the author of the book join us in our discussion.
How fun is that?! It was a lot of fun I tell you- because we were able to actually ask the questions that linger in your mind after reading a book and get an answer to them.
The book in discussion?
by the author Jill Smolinski
The Next Thing on My List is the story of a gal who is involved in a tragic car accident. The other passenger in the car is killed and leaves behind a list of "20 things to do before turning 25." The gal who survives takes it upon herself to complete the list for the girl and her family and ends up changing her life because of it.
This book is a great little read and lends itself to all kinds of self awareness questioning. I would recommend it and give my official "thumbs-up."
We had a great time discussing the book with Jill.
This is Jill on speakerphone.
This is part of our group, preparing to talk to Jill. L put out a fabulous array of goodies.
Look at his beautiful tray of kicked up bruschetta.
This gorgeous key lime tart with blueberries. (I think it was key lime- I'm off sugar these days and didn't get to sample, but the reviews were wonderful.)
A refreshing sangria that I believe was made with champagne.
Intently listening to the author, Jill Smolinski.
A good time was had by all....another fun-filled, informative Book Club. If you don't have one, invite a few friends to join you and create your own. It's a book thing...and one of my graces.
