2.28.2013

march madness




So, I love a challenge. I think I will take part in this March Blog Challenge. Care to join?

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.
They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.
This week my thursday bug is:


This stormy weather--either wallop us or stop snowing!

2.27.2013

w.w.w. wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? My honors students are reading Crime & Punishment in their English class so I said I would read along with them--I'm almost finished!! And I started the March book group selection: The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer.

• What did you recently finish reading? Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. It started slow but finished with a bang!

• What do you think you’ll read next? I'm going to listen to Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson and I also started, just barely so I'm not counting it as a current read, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan.

2.26.2013

ten things tuesday

Ten things that begin with S:

1) Santa. I am a Santa fan. I love the idea of Christmas and how Santa manifests the spirit of and magic of giving.

2) Sleep. If sleep counted as a hobby, I would be a champion sleeper.

3) Spain. One of my favorite trips was to Barcelona... we spent time in some small coastal towns and I also went to Madrid. But the majority of time was spent in Barcelona.

4) School. I am a life-long learner and I love the atmosphere of learning, especially at school. Oftentimes the magic happens and it's the best feeling.

5) Style. I like to think I have a good sense of style. That my wardrobe is extensive and flattering. I put a lot of effort and care into my clothing and accessories. I take particular pride because of my size.

6) Singing. I actually love singing but I hate performing. It's a shame, really.

7) Sisters. My sisters are my best friends.

8) Success. Nothing like the feeling of pride that comes with accomplishment.

9) Seasons. The four seasons in Northern Maine are truly something to behold. I just wish winter didn't last so long.

10) Sentimentality. The older I get the more I am nostalgic and sentimental.

2.25.2013

vacation's over


First day back from vacation is always killer. I have to figure out what my lesson plans mean and get used to spending all my time surrounded by people. Plus, I have to talk all day. Worn out. Actually, fucking tired.

oscars

The Oscars were about what I expected with Seth MacFarlane as host. Some juvenile humor, some musical numbers, and some quirky charm with smugger-than-thou delivery.

musing mondays

Click here to play along.
Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying about it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

I realized last week that it really bugs me when I don't stop reading at a chapter break. Or a section break. I was drowsy and I stopped in the middle of a page, when I started reading again I was annoyed with myself for where I stopped. I think it's especially so since I got my Nook. I don't remember being bothered before.

2.24.2013

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

finished reading



The second in the Caster Series had a slow start but once it got going it was a quick read. Lena and Ethan are still the main characters, although they are separated through most of the book, but the secondary characters add a lot to the storyline. I like that Ethan narrates the story but he was kind of whiny in this book.






sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Sunday Stealing: The (20) First (Questions) Meme

First Job: babysitter

First Real Job: nanny

First Volunteer Job: shelving books at the public library

First Car: ford Taurus

First Record: The Sesame Street Book & Record from 1970

First Sport Played: kickball

First Concert: Billy Joel's Innocent Man tour

First Country Visited: Canada

First Kiss: with my next door neighbor, Mike

First Speech: I played Gretel in The Sound Of Music when I was five

First Girlfriend/Boyfriend: I think it was fifth grade, a different Mike than the first kiss

First Encounter with a Famous Person: Tom Neilson, he was on the Guiding Light in the 80s.

First Brush With Death: I had pulmonary emboli in June 2006

First House/Flat Owned: it was 20 St. Finbarr Lane in Cork, Ireland

First Film Seen at a Cinema: something live action from Disney

First Media Appearance (Radio, Newspaper, TV): my picture was in promotional material for The Lions Club production of The Sound Of Music

First Hospital Stay: June 2006

First Book You Remember Reading: I don't remember

First Pet: a wiener dog named Figaro J. Junior Maxwell Hyde DeFranco Ladner

First Election You Voted In: an off-year election and the big issue was whether to allow the moose hunt or not

2.23.2013

the boot...


I saw the Boot today! It finally came to Northern Maine.

saturday 9





Call Me Maybe

1) Do you owe anyone a phone call? I don't think so

2) Do you still have a landline phone? yes

3) When was the last time you looked up a number in the phone book? within the past two weeks

4) Do you receive more calls or texts? well, I don't really text so I guess calls

5) Carly Rae made the Final 3 on Canadian Idol. Can you name another cultural import from Canada? I can name lots, but will go with Neil Young

6) Sam grew sick of this song by hearing it too often on the radio. Where do you listen to the radio most often? Car? Work? Somewhere else? my alarm clock is set for radio

7) Mother Winters can work wonders with an iron and a can of spray starch. Every blouse and shirt she presses looks good as new. Is there a domestic chore you excel at? my neighbor and I were just laughing about me making one trip upstairs with my groceries... I was loaded down like a pack mule but did it in one trip!

8) Do you consider yourself competitive? highly

9) Tell us your superhero name -- as determined by the color of your shirt and an item to your right. For example, Crazy Sam now fights crime as The Light Blue Coffee Mug! The Purple Messenger Bag!

2.22.2013

knittery


Knit this for one of my students. Started at knit night. I love the pattern, I'll make this again. The yarn doesn't look it, but it's a pastel baby blue.

creative pay-it-forward #2

Here's the second.

friday fill-ins

Join the fun here!

1. Paisley is my favorite pattern.

2. I'm knitting a hat for one of my students, it's a slouchy "spring" beret, I think she'll love it.

3. Where is time flying to.

4. Why must vacation end?

5. Sometimes, less is just less.

6. It's been awhile since I had Grey Poupon.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to ordering a pizza, tomorrow my plans include a manicure and Sunday, I want to get ready to go back to school!


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2.21.2013

dear vacation

Dear Vacation,

Why the rush? Please, stay awhile longer. Settle in, make yourself comfortable.

Love,
Me

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.
They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.
This week my thursday bug is:


Downton Abbey's season 3 finale. Why must we wait for season 4??

2.20.2013

w.w.w. wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? My honors students are reading Crime & Punishment in their English class so I said I would read along with them. And I started Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

• What did you recently finish reading? I haven't finished anything this week!

• What do you think you’ll read next? I'm going to listen to Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson and I also started, just barely so I'm not counting it as a current read, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan.

2.19.2013

downton...



again?

Winter Storm Warning In Effect From Midnight Tonight to 4 pm EST Wednesday.
The National Weather Service in caribou has issued a Winter Storm Warning for snow, which is in effect from Midnight Tonight to 4 pm EST Wednesday. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.
  • Locations: northern Maine.
  • Precipitation type: snow.
  • Accumulations: 6 to 12 inches of snow with the highest amounts across far northern and northwestern areas.
  • Timing: late tonight through Wednesday afternoon.
  • Temperatures: in the mid 20s.
  • Winds: East 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.
  • Impacts: moderate impact. Locally heavy snowfall will result in difficult driving conditions late tonight through Wednesday afternoon.

ten things tuesday

I'm obsessed with television.  And I think I always have been.  Here are ten shows I have seen every episode:

1)  Friends.  I wish I could hang out in Central Perk and observe the goings on.

2)  M*A*S*H.  I still watch this when I catch it.  Some episodes left indelible prints on me.  I loved their laughter and compassion while the world was crashing down around them.

3)  Seinfeld.  It made me realize my life full of nothing is really full of something.

4)  The Waltons.  I wanted to go there.  I wanted to spend time with the family who loved each other regardless of what hardships they faced.

5)  Little House On The Prairie.  I loved reading the books and sharing the adventure.  I always knew I would never last as a pioneer.

6)  The Brady Bunch.  Oh, how I wanted a housekeeper like Alice.  She was the glue that held the bunch together, I always thought.

7)  Boston Legal.  The bromance between James Spader and William Shatner was believable and they had amazing chemistry.

8)  The Practice.  The best cast.

9)  Cheers.  I always fancied myself a Norm-like character but I suspect I'm more Cliff Claven. 

10)  The Monkees.  I remember watching this on Saturday mornings, after cartoons.  Talk about shenanigans!  Hijinx! 

2.18.2013

following the following

This show is so awesomely intense!  I love it.  And Kevin Bacon.

creative pay-it-forward

Back in January there was a Facebook post going around:

2013 Creative Pay-it-forward: the first five people to comment on this status will receive a gift made by me, sometime during 2013. It will be a surprise - there will be no warning and will happen when the mood strikes me (and I find the time!). The catch? Those five people must make the same offer in their Facebook status. Message me your address if I don't already have it... totally enjoy sharing!

So, I'm finally starting my gifties. This is the first.

musing mondays

Click here to play along.
Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying about it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

My biggest reading habit is that I like reading in bed. I think it's one of the reasons I enjoy my Nook as much as I do. Instead of holding big books I can hold my sleek Nook.

2.17.2013

weekend projects



And I'm working on a cowl but am too tired to finish it now...

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Sunday Stealing: The Basically Obscure Meme Part 2

38: How did you spend Valentines day? at knitting group

39: Do you eat enough vegetables? not nearly enough

40: Do you like horror movies? How about thrillers? no and yes

41: Do you like scotch? it's not my first choice

42: Who is someone you would never swear in front of? my classes

43: Coolest thing you've ever seen on Halloween? a haunted house

44: If you could change your natural hair color, would you? To what? no

45: What subject would you take if you were forced to take a free class? something education-related or a history class

46: Do you use a reusable grocery bags? yes

47: City or nature person? I live in a rural area so I guess that makes me a nature person

48: Have you ever used something other than "makeup" as makeup? (Like paint? Markers?) uh, no

49: Do heights bother you? can look look out the window on the top floor of a skyscraper? they thrill me

50: Post 5 awesome things about your blog. BRAG AWAY! I can rhapsodize about my love of George Clooney, puppies, knitting, food, and do memes.

postsecret



PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week. This week two spoke to me.

2.16.2013

the results...

Here's the table of hats at Planet Head Day. There are a couple of mine on top. 8 of my 10 were chosen. The other two will go in CANCER care bags.

uhm...

Sat, Feb 16, 2013, 4:08 AM EST

... BLIZZARD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT...

A BLIZZARD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT.

* LOCATIONS... NORTHEAST... EAST CENTRAL AND DOWNEAST MAINE.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE... SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS... 4 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW.

* TIMING... SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MOST OF SUNDAY NIGHT.

* WINDS... NORTHWEST 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH.

* VISIBILITIES... ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.

* IMPACTS... SNOW COMBINED WITH THE STRONG WINDS WILL LEAD TO BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WHICH COULD CREATE VERY HAZARDOUS TRAVELING CONDITIONS. FREQUENT WHITEOUT CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITH VISIBILITY NEAR ZERO.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FALLING AND/OR BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITIES. THIS CAN LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AND MAKE TRAVEL VERY DANGEROUS.

saturday 9





Pour Some Sugar On Me

1) Do you have a favorite "hair metal band?" Spın̈al Tap

2) Def Leppard got their start in South Yorkshire, England. Have you ever been to the UK? I have been! And I'd love to go again

3) Who would you rather chat with, one-on-one: Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince William or Prince Harry? Harry

4) Do you use real sugar, or a sugar substitute? usually real sugar

5) Valentine's Day is big for candy sales. Did you indulge in any Valentine-themed, sugary treats this week? I actually bought some Easter candy

6) Do you regularly balance your checkbook? I haven't balanced my checkbook since the 1990s

7) What was your last impulse purchase? I bought a Nook HD

8) When Sam was a girl, she had nightmares about snakes under her bed. When did you last have a bad dream? I had a bad dream one night last week but I don't remember which night

9) We're ordering pizza. Do you want deep dish or thin crust? depends on the toppings but usually thin crust

2.15.2013

friday fill-ins

Join the fun here!

1. Warmth is something my classroom lacked today.

2. Watching the ocean is soothing to my soul.

3. Wandering is so much fun.

4. I AM ON vacation.

5. What in the world is happening.

6. I am so sick of snow.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging around and catching up on some dvr stuff, tomorrow my plans include lunch with my bestie and Sunday, I want to sleeeeeeep!



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countdown...

My study hall students are chattering like monkeys in the wild. The count down to vacation is ticking down and their energy is rising.

PLEASE shush!

Ok, I just took care of the volume.

It's book group after school. I can't wait to discuss the book because I enjoyed it so much! I took the Unlikely Pilgrimage, too.

2.14.2013

meh is an acceptable answer...


So my students asked me what Valentine's Day means to me and I just kind of cocked my head and shrugged. Maybe it's because I'm not celebrating a relationship that I don't really have strong feelings about it. But even last year when I was dating, it wasn't a significant holiday, but it was in the last gasp, maybe that's why it wasn't a big deal... Anyhoodle... What does Valentine's Day mean to me? Well, it's an artificial day. That is a drawback. It is, also, however, a day to celebrate love. And who doesn't need a little love? I had about five minutes left over in first period class so I asked them to doodle a Valentine offering love to the world. I said, "Let's send some loving vibes into the world." They did. With much discussion and some hilarity.

After my health scare in 2006, I've made it a priority to let significant people know they are significant. Actually, I try to let everyone know that they mean something to me. I look service people (cashiers, wait staff, etc) fully in the face when I interact with them and give my full attention. One of my school friends even noticed that I give my full attention to my students, that I don't clump them together, they are individuals. Last year, one of my challenging students said I was his favorite teacher because I accept him for who he is. That is one of the biggest compliments I've ever been given.

That's what Valentine's Day means to me. It's an extra reminder to take a moment to send love out. To the world, to my peeps, to my students. And to myself. Even if I have a meh love life.

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.
They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.
This week my thursday bug is:


The high drama that accompanies Valentine's Day at high school.

2.13.2013

#10

I did it! I knit my 10th hat for Planet Head Day! I didn't think I would be able to do it but I had to try and it turns out I did it after all! I'm so proud of myself.

alllllll better

This day started out kinda shitty. But then I found my beloved Reese's eggs.

blerg



I don't often feel this way but I slept through my alarm this morning (by forty-five minutes) and upon waking realized it is not Friday. On the commute, I was trapped behind a driver who was varying speeds from 45 mph to 60 mph--going neither consistently.

I'm off my game. I want to take a nap. I've been doing so much good teaching and having so much fun lately that this seems very out of the ordinary for me. I hope I'm not coming down with anything. Other than vacationitis, since we have next week off.

w.w.w. wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? My honors students are reading Crime & Punishment in their English class so I said I would read along with them. And I started Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

• What did you recently finish reading? I read the book group selection for February: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. I loved it!

• What do you think you’ll read next? I'm going to listen to Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson and I also started, just barely so I'm not counting it as a current read, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan.

2.12.2013

ten things tuesday

Today is my Virginia sister's birthday! Here are ten things about her:

1) Today, she is 49 years old. I just can't believe we're old.

2) She is amazingly talented--a singer and actress.

3) We've always been close. The only time we had any friction was when she graduated from high school and did not head off to college in the fall semester so she was hanging around my friends a lot. I don't know why it drove me so crazy but it did.

4) My sister and I shared a bedroom until we were both in high school.

5) Unlike me, she has never had a wide circle of friends. Not that she's a loner, she just has a few really close friends whereas I have a broad circle of acquaintances and friends.

6) She works as the parish Liturgy Director for her local diocese.

7) She makes fantastic whoopie pies! Other things, too, but her whoopie pies are the best!

8) We would like to travel to Italy together in a few years--my first time and she will be the tour guide. She adored living in Italy and took advantage of opportunities to visit the whole country.

9) When we were younger, if she and my eldest sister were trying to torture me they would reveal the end of the book I was reading to me and spoil it. As a major mystery fan, it was super annoying.

10) She never got the hang of babysitting. A lot of times I would have to go with her when she babysat because she would get flustered if the baby or child cried. I was amazed she had children of her own. Of all of us girls, she was the least likely to be a mom. But she is amazing as a mom and wife.


finished reading...

I was skeptical about this book at first. It seemed as if I was taking each step with Harold Fry on his unlikely pilgrimage. Then Harold and I hit our stride and I was enchanted by the story. It's reminiscent of Forrest Gump, in that while on his journey, unlikely people join in and the flavor of the journey is changed. One weird thing I noticed while reading is my hunger--because Harold often forgot to eat I found myself hungry to make up for it. It's unusual because I don't like to eat while reading (I don't want to mess up the book/Nook). My unresolved thread of the book is the relationship with neighbor, Rex. I wondered how or if he fit into the ending.

At its heart, it's a love story.

2.11.2013

#9

#9 for Planet Head Day. One more to go for my personal goal. I hope I can get it finished for Thursday!

musing mondays

Click here to play along.
Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying about it.

I bought the book: The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln for my sister, her birthday is tomorrow (Lincoln's birthday) and she loved the movie Lincoln. I thought it was fitting. And I loved the book. We have similar tastes in books, so I think she'll love it, too.

2.10.2013

knittery

Planet Head Day hat #8. I need to take a photo of it from above, with someone wearing it so the detail will show. It's realllllllly stretchy!


edited: Here's the top of the hat being modeled by one of my students

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Sunday Stealing: The Basically Obscure Meme Part 2

21: Would you swear in front of your parents? of course

22: Which continents have you been on? North, Central, and South America, Europe and Africa (just barely Africa, though)

23: Do you get motion sickness? Any horror stories? not really

24: Why did you name your blog whatever you named your blog? it's one of my favorite lines in all of moviedom

25: Would you wear a rainbow jacket? A neon yellow sweater? Checkered pants? no, no, and depends on how big the checkers are

26: What was your favorite cartoon growing up? Post a picture if you can. The Rabbit of Seville from Bugs Bunny



27: In a past life I must have been a... peddler

28: If you had to look at one city skyline for the rest of your life, which would it be? that one

29: Longest plane ride you've ever been on? flights to Europe are lengthy

30: The longest you've ever slept? oh, I don't know but sleep is the best remedy--so, when I'm sick I sleep a lot

31: Would you buy a sweater covered in kitten pictures? Would you wear it if someone gave it you for free? no, I could not be paid enough to

32: Do you pluck your eyebrows? wax

33: Favorite kind of bean? Kidney? Black? Pinto? garbanzo

34: How far can you throw a baseball? not very

35: If you had to move to another country, where would you move? either Canada or Ireland

36: Have you ever eaten Ethiopian food? Vietnamese? Korean? Nepalese? How was it? I have eaten Korean food and enjoyed it a lot

37: How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? plenty

postsecret


PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

2.09.2013

saturday 9





The Way We Were

1) In honor of Valentine's Day next week, what's the most romantic movie you can think of? What came to mind first is City of Angels

2) The Way We Were was a tearjerker. Do you think that most real-life love stories end in heartbreak? Or do you believe in happily ever after? I believe in happily ever after.

3) What's your favorite love song? Change the World by Eric Clapton

4) In 1993, Barbra Streisand married actor James Brolin, who first became famous as Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, MD. Who is your favorite TV doctor? Dr. Doug Ross

5) In 2012, Streisand renewed her contract with Columbia, where's she's been recording since 1963. So she's been with the same label for fifty years! Where have you worked the longest, and how long was that? I've been at my current job for fifteen years... that's the longest

6) Sam Winters once worked as a hostess in a chic bistro in Worcester, PA. That's why she frequently gets frustrated by bad service in restaurants -- she's certain she could make it run more smoothly. Where do you find yourself getting annoyed most often? I've been getting some very aggressive fundraiser calls lately

7) Have you ever taken a polygraph test? no

8) Crunchy, smooth or organic peanut butter? natural smooth

9) Describe your favorite sweater. it is a green Irish wool empire waist Aran knit sweater with three-quarter sleeves

2.08.2013

knittery

Hat #7 for Planet Head Day! Hopefully I can knit up another one or two this weekend... I really want to hit 10 by Thursday.

friday fill-ins

Join the fun here!

1. In New England winter is brutal.

2. Coastal Maine is getting LOTS of snow but Northern Maine is not.

3. Ahhhh, my students are happily working on a tough assignment, they are accepting the challenge.

4. Knitting is my favorite thing to do nowadays.

5. Last night, I had a dream about school.

6. Organizing which is the perfect way to get ready for next week--it's the countdown to vacation so everyone will be wound up.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing a bunch of nothing, tomorrow my plans include a fresh manicure and Sunday, I want to get my laundry done!




(design by "thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/)"