Tonight...

I will take Kyle to the final midnight showing of a Harry Potter movie.
Which we have been doing since he was little,
Which he is not anymore.

It is a bit bittersweet.

How do you measure a life?

When I was in high school I loved the musical "Rent"
It had this song called "Seasons of Love" (Cheesy title I know)
It was all about how you "measure" your life
And when I got into college
I learned that this was just a ripoff variation on a T.S. Elliot poem
about measuring your life (only he used coffee spoons instead of minutes)

And over the years the idea has stuck with me
and I often catch myself thinking about how I measured today,
or this week,
or this month,
or even this year.

And I think it says a lot (good or bad)
about who I am
and what my priorities are.

This week I measured in

things sold at the farmers market. (14)
Books that I have read (3)
Wonderful days that Kyle has been with us (10)
Nights left to attend grad school (23)
Months left to work two jobs and go to school (6)

AHHHHHHHHH!

Today I am so frustrated by kids I did the only thing I could think of

and broke out the chocolate covered pretzels.

My job, in a Nutshell

I have long had this on my classroom wall.
Because it expalins a lot about human nature,
and everything you need to konw about my job.

Today,

we bought a lawnmower.

 

It was the act of gown-ups. 

Which I guess we are now.

This is going to take some getting used to.

10,367 pages and a few thoughts

So I have finished 32 books this year.


Which amounts to roughly 10,367 pages if

                A- Amazon's page counter is correct,

                B- I did the math right

               C- You count the pages of audio books (which I do)

And here is my reflection so far.

Setting a reading goal forces me to finish books I might usually have quit. I kind of like this part of reading 100 books a year. But if I hate a book I also feel obligated to finish it or else I feel like I “wasted” the part of it I did read. I actually stopped reading a book on body language this year because I just could not get into it. It was hard for me to do.

The reading goal also gets me reading a wider variety of books. I start to get tired of traditional fiction and so I started reading some non fiction. I was looking for a few quick reads and poetry fit the bill. I even began reading a few how-to books cover to cover instead of just glossing though the pictures. I even let Todd talk me into a few comic books.  And this brodened the way that I read.  I liked that.

Last year a read a few books that were absolute crap just to get to 100. Not many but a few. This year I wanted to focus on quality and not just quantity. I did a few things different this time. I started asking for more recommendations and I also challenged myself to read all the books off the Newbery awards list just to make sure I hit a few good ones. I also started stalking following authors that I really enjoyed like Malcolm Gladwell or Bill Bryson. Again this opened doors I would not have thought of before.

Getting to 100 takes as much planning as it takes reading sometimes. I have learned a few tricks. First, I always, always, always have a book with me. I have an audio book in my car nearly all the time. I use this to tackle big books like The Autobiography of Mark Twain Vol 1 (several hundred pages) and histories like my current book The Path Between the Seas. I have a book in my purse (right now its Walden). I have a book by my bed (currently The Imperfectiontionist). I have a book on my desk at work (currently I Read it but I Don’t Get It). I have an audio book that I listen to while sewing (currently Certain Girls). Finally I have a book on the back of my toilet tank (Currently The 12 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and yes I now think it would be creepy to lead out, no it is not a library book).
I used to buy a lot of books but after several moves, including one with over 35 book boxes, Todd and I have seriously cut back. I have become an avid user of the library. I particularly like placing items on hold and using the waiting lists to access popular books. Their recommendations are also great and I Love, Love, Love that they e-mail me when things come in or need to be returned.   It's a lot like shopping on line.  I rearly walk through the shelves, I just rquest online then zip in and pick things up.

One big downside to counting all the reading and trying to hit 100, sometimes I avoid reading a book that I want to read because it is too “big.” Or I find myself needing to read several smaller books to “save up time” to read a bigger book. This happened with The Girl Who Played with Fire. I have to catch myself at times and remember that all this reading is something that I enjoy and not another chore and I don’t like needing to do that. So there are pros and cons, like with anything I suppose. Overall, it’s a habit I want to keep but we'll see.

Guilty Pleasures

So as I was channel surfing one night I came across Bitchin’ Kitchen on the cooking channel.

I was dumbfounded.
Couldn’t decide if I loved it or hated it.
Yes it is Campy.
Yes it is over the top and the host losses her “accent” as often as not.

But like a train wreck I could not help but continue watching.
An noticing the like details like chainmail “towel” on the stove, or the silver baby doll head vases full of roses.
I love that there is always a camera shot of the Nadia’s stilettos,
And that she says things like “It’s not rocket surgery.”

And then on Sunday night we made the peanut butter banana fritters.

And now I’m completely hooked.

To Todd

Who (rumor has it) sometimes reads this blog.

You wife would really love this print.

She finds it peaceful and AMAZING
size large, unmatted.

You can buy it for her here.

If we brought a brand new house,

instead of an old house that is new to us…..
I would not have
several yards of dusty pink wallpaper
to remove,
or a toilet
that sounds like a cappuccino machine,
and one that sings.

If we brought a brand new house,
instead of an old house that is new to us…..
you could not come over
and play a lively round
of find the fuse box,
(I’ll give you a hint,
we have seven).

If I brought a brand new house,
instead of an old house that is new to us…..
You could not
build sand castles
in my crawl space
or have a popcorn ceiling
rain down on you
to celebrate Todd’s 30th birthday.

If I brought a brand new house,
instead of an old house that is new to us…..
my yard would be a bare patch of mud,
waiting for sod

And I would not have stood under
full grown trees
while my neighbor Rosemary
(in her bare feet)
taught me
how to prune
my rosebushes.

Which grow down the side of my driveway,
just like the house we lived in
when I was very small.

Popcorn and Three Decades

So Todd turned 30 last Sunday.

 And I'm not sure why exactly but we spent it pulling down a popcorn ceiling in the spare bedroom.

One down, Four more to go!

I like it better...

when it has our stuff in it.
I don't know why it seems to make such a difference but I like our house
so much better with our stuff in it.

"Boy Stuff"

So I keep getting asked at the farmers market for "Boy Stuff"
And so here is my best effort

Tabbed

Hey look what I stole from someone cooler than me found!
Cool tabs to add to your blog and categorize some of your posts.
Check out my new blog feature by clicking on the tabs between my header and my posts.

This excites me.
I know, I'm a geek that way.

The best book I've read this year.

So I'm at it again,
trying to read 100 books this year
that is
and 22 books in
all I have to say is
"The Adoration of Jenna Fox"
by far
the best book I've read this year.

Meet Malcom Gladwell,

He is my new favorite author. My only complaint with Malcom is that I have already read all the books that he has writen and I am now out. If your looking for a good read, I would recomend any of them.

It's like shopping, only free!

So I am a reader, one of my better traits if I must say so myself.
and I read a wide variety of stuff.

Uaually I by books, quite of few.
At one point Todd and I had over 45 boxes of books.

And one of our friends pointed out that was a little nuts. 
(He was the one moving the boxes, resonable complaint.)
Needless to say we downsized a lot!

And the books went to the used bookstore, where we got new books!

Well last year Todd went back to school and we got on a budget.
which ment I bought fewer books.

I also started to use the library, I always felt that the library was kind of hard to find things in unless you know exactlly what you were looking for.

But when you use their online features, and place books on hold it is amazing.

So here is how I do it, I find books that I want to read on amazon, or at a "real" bookstore and jot down the names.  I actually have a list in my phone for this.  Then I pull up the library website and type or cut and paste them in.  Next I put the books I find on hold (I usually go for the audio books first if I can.)  Then I wait for the library to e-mail me (also on my phone) that my books have arrived and I just need to pick them up.  It is just like shopping on amazon only free!

It's Vintage, Our house that is.

So I finally got it together enough to post.
Here is our cute little house.

I took it in the evening so it is a bit dark.
It is in need of some love.

So lets get on with the tour, shall we?
Here are two upstairs bedrooms.

Note the closet upgrades.   Yep, they put that addition right in front of the window.  Next they added blinds instead of doors.  Are you impressed?  I know that I was, and the custom T.V. well, that came free with the house as did that nifty bed frame you see in the corner.

 

In that second bedroom we have ton's of free shelving.  Look for this room in future blogs as this is the room we will be gutting first!

Next stop on our tour will be our kitchen.  

And here it is in all it's seventies glory.

It has lovely features like wall to wall florescent lighting, diversity in appliance appearance, and a new trash compactor ( I can not figure out why). 

Here is what will be our library, that lovely pink couch was a left from the previous owners and I see a craft project in it's future!  I also see a lot of wallpaper to strip and roomer has it that there are hardwood floors under the carpet and since that carpet does not look like much of a loss.

 

Here is our upstairs bathroom, oddly enough that floor looks much better in the picture than it does in real life. Are you getting the sense that these are all going to be before pictures?  We have not even gotten to the basement yet. 

This is a random room that might be an office, or a bedroom, or a dinning room, or get remodeled completely, it's future is a little ambiguous.

Here is Todd's office.

 Here is the family room.  Now I here you asking why there is a huge closet in the middle of this room?  I then you added why there is a kitchen sink in the closet in the middle of the living room?  Isn't there a sink in the kitchen?  Why yes, yes there is.  Why you ask?  I have know idea.  But I will rip it out with my bare teeth if I have to.

And with a quick look at the second bathroom we will round up the upstairs tour.

Are you ready to hit the downstairs?  Now they are a little steep and it's a little scary down there so brace yourself.

 

Here is the laundry room, I love the sink on the side, super handy.  They even left the deep freezer for us! But a coat of paint wouldn't hurt.

And here is my little crafty nook!  Which I'm excited to spruce up but the previous owner used it as a sewing room and so the lighting in here is GREAT!

This bedroom is another mystery.  Guest bedroom with a bigger window?  Kids play room?  Who knows.

This bedroom has no window, so really is is just going to be storage, which is ok because I'm a little overwhelmed by the amount of work improving this room would take.

 

Well that concludes the general tour.  I'm hoping to do in depth with a few cool quarks so stay tuned.

Update

So my blog is looking a little empty.
Lacking visuals,
and sad.

We moved and everything is in boxes
but it is ok because we go the the house.

I get you visually updated soon.

Our New House!

So here are some pics of our new house.

What, did you just say they are blank?
Crap, how did that happen?
I mean we qualifed for the loan and did all the paperwork.
We signed a contract and put down earnest money.
We packed up boxes and made plans to move.
I know I remodeled the whole thing in my mind at least twice.
Oh, now I remember the bank forgot to approve the short sale second mortgage. 

Wait how does that happen you say?
I asked the same thing, and after much garbage from our agent the short answer is...
because they can.

So now we wait.

Year in Review

So I did this last year, and I really liked it. I think it is good for self reflection, and an interesting way to document part of my life, which is the point of a Blog after all.

What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Looked for a house, Started Grad School, Sold things that I have made, Participated in a Farmers Market (Ogden), Participated in a boutique show, Read 100 books, said yes to way way too much.

Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I think I am a nicer person which was a goal from last year.  I decided that I’m always going to be too busy, too stressed, too crazy, but I don’t have to act like it.  Making people feel good is important.  I’m not perfect but I have improved significantly.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, weird

Did anyone close to you die?
Nope, it was a blessed year.

What countries did you visit?
Nope, it was a downsizing year.  Big plans for 2012 I hope!

What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A house, were so close but I hate to jinx it.  An administrative position!

What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory?

Nothing stands out here.  Maybe the feeling of selling my work, that was a pretty cool high.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being busy!  I work two jobs, attend grad school, started selling stuff that I make, and did a lot of little extras. 

What was your biggest failure?
Probably taking on too much, I need to learn how to say NO! Or, probably “No thanks.”

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope, lucky again.

What was the best thing you bought?
The snuggy Todd gave me that came with a book light.  New boots maybe.  Or didn’t buy would be a ton of books because I rediscovered the library WHOOOOO! 

Whose behavior merited celebration?

Emily puts up with a lot living with me.  Her husband Aaron, who I respect more every day I live with them.  Todd, always, makes be better being married to him.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I get frustrated when Todd struggles in school be he rallied this last semester and impressed me.  There is always work drama.  Teaching me to leave work drama at work.

Where did most of your money go?
Todd’s school, My school, More Craft Supplies, Gas, Eating out.  We saved up for a house though!

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
We are so close to getting a house!  We have been this close before though so I’m trying not to get too excited.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? The same
b) thinner or fatter? The same, perhaps just a little thinner.
c) richer or poorer? Richer, Todd took a new job that has be looking up and worried about school
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Nothing, I wish I had done less, I was crazy busy this year.  Once again Im looking for balance and trying to simplify!

What do you wish you'd done less of?
TV probably, doing too much.

What was your favorite TV program?
Still Project Runway, but contenders include Dexter, Modern Family, Cougar Town, Weeds, The Big C.  I have cut down a bit.

What was the best book you read?
Where to start, see previous post I guess.

What did you want and get?
To sell my stuff at a craft fair, a few actually. 

What did you want and not get?

Last years list : A house, A masters degree, a baby.

Were close on the house, I’m half way through the master’s Degree, and the baby won’t happen this year unless we are taken by surprise.  I would like to add a job as a principal.

What was your favorite film of this year?
Didn’t see a ton.  Maybe Zombieland.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Turned 30 OUCH!  Went out with Todd, low key kind of thing.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Todd getting through school, still, always.  Finishing my masters, buying a house, getting a promotion.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? I bought a knit dress or two and some legginings.  Still wishing I were more put together here.

What kept you sane?
Creating things, sewing, sleeping late, reading

New nick names?
Todd as a library of thousands, I get a new nick name about every week.  Nugget of Love however made the banned list.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
That I need to learn to say no.  That balance is an ongoing process not a destination.

Yes, I Finished

So a few people have asked and yes I finished the 100 books.
So that I can clear out the side bar for 2011 here is the complete list, though I swear I'm miss a few.

Luthor, Man of Steel * Ignition City * Pinocchio, vampire slayer * Eating the Dinosaur * Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking * What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self * Elmer * It's Kind Of A Funny Story * PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God * The Help * Pirates! * Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid * The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists: A Novel * Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 2 * A Lifetime of Secrets: A PostSecret Book * The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants * Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince * 501 Easy Look and Fell Good Tips * Neruda, The Book of Questions * Supermarket * I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts On Being a Woman * The Boy in the Striped Pajamas * The Nest Home Design Handbook: Simple ways to decorate, organize, and personalize your place * Firegirl * Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea * Under the Tuscan Sun * My Secret: A PostSecret Book * Filthy Rich * Farewell to Manzanar: A True Story of Japanese American Experience During and After the World War II Internment * Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes * The Secret Lives of Men and Women, Complied by Frank Warren * Paint Me Like I Am: Teen Poems from WritersCorps * What Every BODY is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People * I'm a Stranger Here Myself, Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away * Mockingjay * Step by Step Begining Gardening * Post Secret * The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod 8th grade * A long Way Gone * Nutureshock * 700 Sundays * A Girl Named Zippy * Vanishing America * Hucks Raft: a History of the Amrican Childhood * Freedom Writers Diary *Black Dagger Brotherhood book 1 * Born on a Blue Day * Kitchen Gardens: how to create a beautiful and functional culinary garden * 50 High Impact, low care garden plant * Fast Plants: choosing and growing plants in a hurry * Catching Fire * The Hunger Games * Twilight at Monticello * Talking Back to Presidents * Escape * 13 Reasons Why * Burning Bright * The Minds of Boys * A Great and Terrible Beauty * I Can't Keep My Own Secrets; Six-word Memoirs by Teens Famous and Obscure * The Book of Questions * The Trouble with Poetry * Eat that Frog! * Deep South * The Memory Keepers Daughter * Snitch * Indigo * The Circus in Winter * Alice I have Been * Metro Girl * You the Owners Manual * In Cold Blood * Twisted * The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo * Crank * Why do Men Have Nipples? * The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian * Bad Mother * Balance is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak * The Gunniepig Diaries * The Mole People * Stuff * Julia Child's My Life in France * The Joy Luck Club * Street Pharm * Touching Spirit Bear * Things I have Learned From Women Who Have Dumped Me * American Horticultural Society Practical Guides: Hanging Baskets * Isaac Mizrahi's how to have style * A single Shard * Spark * Nobody's fool * Al Capone Does My Shirts * The Lost Continent; Travels in Small Town America * All the Pretty Horses * Motor Mouth * Story of a Girl * Green Angel * Dead Until Dark *The Man Who Ate Everything


Wow!

Update: I went back through and color coded the best, it case you are looking for a recommendation