It Is What It Is

The Shame that Is My Life....plus

I kinda had a crappy, stressful week. I have A LOT going on with my job.  Not that I'm complaining, because Lord knows, I'm grateful for having a job in the pharmaceutical industry right now, as so many companies have downsized.  So, because of that, the attitude that pretty permeates all things is "Bend over and take it..." if you know what I mean.  This week was the official kick-off of the bending over part and will cumulate in a 5 day frenzy of bending over in a few weeks.  (i.e. National Sales Meeting.)

That all being said, I needed to cut loose last night.  Have some fun- and guess what I did?  I drove to two different theaters with Youngest to try to get tickets to see "New Moon."  Yes- I was one of those moms- in line with all the other moms (very few dads- I must say...)  and teenagers galore!  I will also say- there were lots of other women in my age category out with their friends minus the kids part....

Now, I don't go to many opening night premieres of movies so this was a treat to have so much audience participation.  When the trailers ended and the opening of the film was starting- the entire audience gasped and applauded.  Throughout different parts in the movie- (primarily when one of the lead male characters was on screen- especially without a shirt..) the audience would erupt in cheer, followed by "shush" because no one wanted to miss a word of the dialog. 

My opinion of the film?  I thought they did a fine job of telling the story of New Moon- but as a reader- I feel you can never the do the book the justice it truly deserves.  That being said- I do think the casting of these characters is spot on- and they bring the characters to life.

Youngest and I had a great time and it was just the stress reliever I needed to forget about my crappy week....can't ask for more than that.

Oh- and the winners of the Jewels by Jules contest-

Beth and Terese!  Congrats and thanks for your comments. 

p.s.  Management reserves the right to not photograph the official contest winner being chosen- because if you waited for that to happen you would have to wait until next Christmas to wear the winning items...(see above for explanation.) Thank you.

I've Been Twilighted...and there is no cure

I did it- I broke and and read Twilight.  I wasn't going to and then I was- and then I didn't just because. I've had the book for way over a year.  Then- I found it on CD...and checked it out and I was immediately hooked.  I've whipped through New Moon and am about to embark on Eclipse...I'm as giddy as a teenager about to go on her first date thinking about the movie being released this weekend.  What is wrong with me?! 

I"m pleading temporary insanity.  If you don't hear from me for the next week or so- you'll know why.  Send out the search party...

"To all the Blogs I've Loved Before.."

First, I want to set the mood for your reading pleasure.  Close your eyes, and think of the Willie Nelson song, "To all the girls I've loved before.."  Can you hear it?  That's the kind of mood I'm in folks.  I'm trying not to be a hater.  Hater of myself and the procrastinating that has invaded my life.  But first before I write about that, I must go watch" Curb Your Enthusiasm"....I'll be right back, I promise.

I'm back...seriously, I have the worse case of procrastination EVER!  I've been able to accomplish only those things that need taken care in the most immediate of ways.  For instance, today was a beautiful day.  I didn't have any place to be- so I could in theory get caught up.  I did take care of a few things that I needed to-BUT the things that have been hanging over my head for way too long- didn't get touched.  So because of that, I'm going to tell you about all the blogs I wish I would have written in the last few weeks in hopes of actually getting them written-

1.  Desk Redo Bloggy Style- UPDATE - In this post, I show all the progress I've made on my desk- actually showing the finished product.

2.  Volleyball- A Love Story to replace A Love Story- Football

3.  A Season of Cheer- In this post I tell all about my adventures in cheerleading coaching 19 ten year old girls- (I can almost hear you laughing as you read this...)

4.  DIPS- Revisited- This is my cooking mini-tutorial where I photograph and make the dips submitted by  two of my faithful commenter's.

5.  DIPS- for Book clubs- this had to be postponed because the dip party was postponed- so I guess I'm not procrastinating on this one...

6.  Decorating for fall- Because I actually did so little it wasn't worth the effort.

7.  How to Parent an 18 Year Old- If anyone has any advice on this- I could use your help.

8.  My new favorite author- Jen Lancaster!

9.  "Twilight"- I'm behind the curve...

10.  My New fall Favorite TV Must Watches...

11.  I have a New Boss- Oh mY!

Hopefully, I've peaked your interest.  I know I've peaked mine.  Lets hope I can kick this procrastinating cloud that has been hanging over my head and get to writing!  Are you procrastinating anything?  Tell me what it is so I can feel better about myself!  Thanks for sharing!

Book Love

I love when I forget about a new release coming out and then I remember just about as it is to be released.  One of my guilty reading pleasures, J.D. Robb has a new release coming out in her "In Death" series. 

This Tuesday, November 3, 2009.  It's like Christmas in, well, November...Yeah, Me!

If you haven't had the chance to fall in love with Eve Dallas and Roarke, check them out, you'll be glad you did. 

 

Book Clubs Are For Dips

 

My Book Club is having a Dip Party.  Instead of our regularly scheduled book chat we are each bringing our favorite dip and recipe to share.  Since we are really into Dip season- (starting with tailgating Saturdays) and fast approaching High Dip Holidays with the Trifecta of Dipping Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years and Bowl Games...well there really aren't enough days for all the dips out there.  Time to refresh the regular repertoire...my dilemma is which dip should I make and take?  Something tried and true or a new found try me dip?  How many ways can you use cream cheese?

Do you have any suggestions? What's your favorite Dip?   Recipes you'd like to share?  Send them on over....I'll be sure to share the fun and recipes with all of you after the last chip is dipped...(or cracker or pita  or bread-stick or crudites....it's endless....)

Hey Now, I've Had My Reasons

Hey ya'll in Blogland.  I've been a little preoccupied with some things going on in my life and this week I've been trying to play catch up.  I didn't mean to ignore my little site, but truthfully, I haven't felt inspired.  Now, I know many of you will think how is that any different than anything else you write?  Most posts don't seem all that inspiring...well truth be told I have to feel a little moved on a personal level in order for me to get these keystrokes published.  And sometimes, you just have to do it in order to get the creative juices flowing again- so here goes. 

I just finished up with a fundraiser that I've done in some form or fashion for the last three years.  I always enjoy the process and the time spent in preparation.  I do however always seem to have the "blues" once the event is complete.  Admittedly, I've felt a little postpartum this week.  I was feeling emotional about the event ending but also about some changes that are occurring in my job.  So, for a good portion of the week, I was a little weepy.  (internally- most of the time.)  It didn't help that I was listening to an emotional saga that I feel compelled to share with you.

I preface this review with the notation that I have never had a personal experience with a family member suffering with Alzheimer's Disease.  I thought I had a good understanding of the disease and the havoc it causes the one afflicted and their family members.  However, after finishing this book, I can tell you that I didn't really have a clue. 

The book I'm referring to is- "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova. 

This is a first novel for the author.  "Still Alice" is the story of Alice Howland, an acclaimed professor of Psychology and Linguistics at Harvard University.  She is a 50 year old woman, mother and  wife who is diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease. 

This story is told from Alice's perspective.  We literally take this journey with Alice from the fast paced life of this accomplished academian to the ravages of how her mind ceases to perform. 

I have to say, it's been a very long time since I have had such an emotional response to a book.  I know part of it might have been my own "blues" and this was an organic way of dealing with my own feelings.  However, I truly felt the frustration, pain and hurt of what this disease was stealing from not only Alice but her friends, colleagues and most importantly, her family.

I highly recommend "Still Alice.''  It's an emotional and gut wrenching ride, but well worth it.  The author beautifully portrays what happens when someone suffers from this disease.  She explores the challenges of how someone deals with the progression of Alzheimer's, knowing the end results and still trying to live their life to the fullest and maintain their dignity. 

Share with me what you've been reading or any stories you may have regarding Alzheimer's.  I'd love to hear them.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

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.

Graces - 21 of 52

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.

 

I'm Going On a Journey

Won't you come too?  I'm about to embark on my longest, largest book on CD-

 

Ken Follet's, World Without End.  Now, I will admit I'm a bit intimidated.  It's 36 discs- 45+ hours of listening pleasure.  It's quite an undertaking.  If I hadn't already read/listened to his other epic- Pillars of the Earth, I probably would have ran and hid from this CD. 

Have you read either one?  Pillars was fabulous.  Who knew the building of a cathedral could be so fascinating?  I truly loved this book.  I truly loved listening to this book.  The narrator made the characters come alive for me and I can still hear his voice in my head saying the character's names. 

World Without End begins 200 years later in the same town.  It should be interesting.  I'll keep you posted...Bon Voyage!

Easy on the Eyes- A Winner!

Once again- using my super scientific random generator, a winner was chosen based on comments submitted-

 

First, we verified that all entrants were legal citizens and then we had an  accounting firm  (don't ask which one, but I'll tell you, they also verify all submissions for the Academy Awards.)  You're not dealing with some slipshod blog here, I tell ya'!  Then we had all of the submissions mixed up real good and put them back in the contest receptacle so a winner could then be chosen. 

 

This is one of Eldest's good friends, D.  He was hanging around so I made him participate.  (Only after I verified his legality and had him fingerprinted by the proper authorities.)

 

A winner was chosen....who could it be...the tension is mounting.....

But before I announce it, I have to ask, why is that guys get the best eyelashes?   These photos of D don't really do his eyes justice, but let me tell you, he has the most gorgeous eyes and eyelashes.  It's not fair...

 

So- there you go, LAF!  I know you said you don't read for pleasure, but perhaps this book will get you started.  After all, you deserve it!  I will get Easy on the Eyes out to you, once it's released.  (Which is this week!  July 22!)  Thanks to everyone else for playing along and if you ask real nice, I bet LAF might share.....