what if this is as good as it gets?: September 2015

9.30.2015

if you're bored, you're boring...

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Were you bored today?

I don't get bored very often. Today was not a boring day.

yarn along

Join in every Wednesday to share a single photo of what you are knitting and reading too!

Reading After You by Jojo Moyes and finishing the Sunny Baby Blanket.

9.29.2015

speed demon

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Have you broken the law? How so?

I tend to drive about 5 miles above the posted speed limit. Regularly.

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Things You Wish You Could Learn Instantly.

1) How to use Excel or other spreadsheets. I wouldn't use them often but it would be nice to know how.

2) Photoshop.

3) Continental knitting. I think I would knit faster.

4) Chart knitting. I don't know why I'm so intimidated by it.

5) Folding fitted sheets flat. I'm close but not quite there.

6) HTML. It would be fun to know how to tinker with web things.

7) Video editing. I'd like to make some videos to use in class.

8) How to negotiate for better prices. I ask, but I'm not good at finessing.

9) How to play guitar.

10) How to enjoy cleaning and organizing my house.

9.28.2015

well i never...

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I never _______________.

I never pay my rent on time. I never pump my own gas. I never flip my mattress. I never use coupons when I shop in stores. I never blow dry my hair.

just finished reading

This is such a fun book--lots of text messages, emails, and other forms of communication keeps it fresh.

From the publisher:

Maybe it was those extra five pounds I’d gained. Maybe it was because I was about to turn the same age my mother was when I lost her. Maybe it was because after almost twenty years of marriage my husband and I seemed to be running out of things to say to each other.

But when the anonymous online study called “Marriage in the 21st Century” showed up in my inbox, I had no idea how profoundly it would change my life. It wasn’t long before I was assigned both a pseudonym (Wife 22) and a caseworker (Researcher 101).

And, just like that, I found myself answering questions.

7. Sometimes I tell him he’s snoring when he’s not snoring so he’ll sleep in the guest room and I can have the bed all to myself.
61. Chet Baker on the tape player. He was cutting peppers for the salad. I looked at those hands and thought, I am going to have this man’s children.
67. To not want what you don’t have. What you can’t have. What you shouldn’t have.
32. That if we weren’t careful, it was possible to forget one another.

Before the study, my life was an endless blur of school lunches and doctor’s appointments, family dinners, budgets, and trying to discern the fastest-moving line at the grocery store. I was Alice Buckle: spouse of William and mother to Zoe and Peter, drama teacher and Facebook chatter, downloader of memories and Googler of solutions.

But these days, I’m also Wife 22. And somehow, my anonymous correspondence with Researcher 101 has taken an unexpectedly personal turn. Soon, I’ll have to make a decision—one that will affect my family, my marriage, my whole life. But at the moment, I’m too busy answering questions.

As it turns out, confession can be a very powerful aphrodisiac.

musing mondays

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Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

This week’s random question: What books about books do you own, or have you read & enjoyed?

I love books about books! The Book Thief, The Shadow Of The Wind, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry are some that have stayed with me.

9.27.2015

listening to myself

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Were you a good listener today?

I would have been--but I spent the day alone.

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.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: Really Random Meme

Do you believe that Walt Disney is really frozen? I have never given it any thought--so... I suppose he is

Do you believe its easy to forgive and forget? I don't forget

When you feel like running away from it all who do you call? my bestie

Is there anyone who knows your entire life story? my bestie

Have you had to have stitches at all in the last year? no

Which is coming next: Christmas or your birthday? my 50th birthday

Have you ever been a clown for Halloween? no

What time did you go to bed last night? around 11

When did you get up this morning? around 9

When was the last time it rained? it rained hard last Monday night

Are your finger nails painted at the moment? they are!

Do you ever go hunting/fishing? not on purpose

Did you have an imaginary friend as a child? no

Which parent do you look most like? I look like my paternal grandmother

Do you have any friends who are famous? well, I have an actor friend starring on Broadway in Something Rotten

Do you use eBay to buy or sell? yes, to buy stuff

Is music a daily part of your life? yes

Is your self esteem high or low? high

9.26.2015

today is the best day

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What made today worthwhile?

It's the first day of vacation! That by itself made it worthwhile, however, I had a kickass manicure and then finished listening to a book while knitting a blanket.


OPI Samoan Sand, Russian Navy, and Diner to Die For shades

just finished reading

I couldn't put it down!

From the publisher:

She sees the teenage girl on the train platform, standing in the pouring rain, clutching an infant in her arms. She boards a train and is whisked away. But she can't get the girl out of her head...

Heidi Wood has always been a charitable woman: she works for a nonprofit, takes in stray cats. Still, her husband and daughter are horrified when Heidi returns home one day with a young woman named Willow and her four-month-old baby in tow. Disheveled and apparently homeless, this girl could be a criminal—or worse. But despite her family's objections, Heidi invites Willow and the baby to take refuge in their home.

Heidi spends the next few days helping Willow get back on her feet, but as clues into Willow's past begin to surface, Heidi is forced to decide how far she's willing to go to help a stranger. What starts as an act of kindness quickly spirals into a story far more twisted than anyone could have anticipated.

saturday 9

Take a Letter, Maria

1) In this song, R. B. Greaves gets a shock when he gets home from work. When is the last time you were surprised? Was it a happy or sad surprise? at the start of the school year, the principal gave us a welcome back to school gift and that was quite a nice surprise

2) Mr. Greaves sings that he didn't get home until "about a half past ten." That's a very long workday. No wonder his wife felt neglected! Have you ever had trouble maintaining balance between homelife and career? it would be easy for me to, but I make every effort to keep school at school

3) According to the song, "Maria" is a secretary. Have you ever worked in an office? I have and I loved it: I was the office Girl Friday

4) In today's office, R.B. Greaves wouldn't ask Maria to "take a letter." Instead, he'd keystroke his own email to his wife and cc his lawyer before hitting, "send." Think of another phrase, like "take a letter," that we seldom hear anymore because of technology. getting reprints made from negatives and/or having film developed

5) "Maria" is mentioned in many songs ("Maria" from West Side Story, "Maria, Shut Up and Kiss Me" by Willie Nelson, "How Do Solve a Problem like Maria?" ...) but Crazy Sam discovered few, if any, "Samantha" songs. Does your first name figure prominently in any lyrics? there is an Elvis Costello song with my name, and I saw him perform it live!

6) 1969 was the year that Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon. Do you believe in life on other planets? not in our solar system

7) In 1969, the Beatles performed publicly for the last time as a band, on the roof of Abbey Road studios. When did you last climb up onto your roof? I have never

8) Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries sold at a brisk pace at Christmastime in 1969. Were you a fan of these books? If not, tell us about a book you remember enjoying when you were young. I loved both series--and also Trixie Belden

9) Random question: Do you consider yourself old fashioned? when it comes to courtesy and manners, yes

9.25.2015

who's the boss?

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Were you in control of your day?

I'm going to say sort of. Because it's almost vacation, the kids were squirrelier than usual and I didn't want to fight them to get them to work. So, I say sort of.

'tis the season

I AM ON VACATION!!!!!

9.24.2015

unprepared, unfocused, foolish wastes of time...

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What do you wish you could have skipped today?

Poorly executed student presentations. It's hard when one class blows my mind with their outstanding presentations to follow with unprepared, unfocused, foolish wastes of time. I get frustrated. I could have skipped the second set of presentations.

booking through thursday

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Are “best” and “favorite” the same thing? If someone asked you “What’s the best book you ever read?” would the answer be the same as for “What’s your favorite?” From the archives.

Two recent reads will illustrate my answer to this question: Euphoria by Lily King was a beautifully written novel. It was literary and insightful. But I didn't love it. Dog Crazy by Meg Donohue was not what I consider a literary heavy-hitter but I was thoroughly captivated by it. So, my answer is that "best" and "favorite" are not the same thing. The best books I have read sometimes challenge me to finish, even though I can appreciate the art and the craft of the writing.

9.23.2015

believe

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I believe_______________.

What does it mean that my first thought was Cher?

cougartime

I feel like a lecherous old woman because he's only 31. But my, my, he's a fine specimen of a man.

yarn along

Join in every Wednesday to share a single photo of what you are knitting and reading too!

Reading Melanie Gideon's Wife 22 and knitting the Sunny Baby Blanket.

finished reading...

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I love dogs. I love how San Francisco is described. I could relate to the characters. The delicate issue of mental health was accurately portrayed. My only criticism is that one character uses foul language and since it's the only foul language, it seems out of place. It's a fast read.

From the publisher:

As a pet bereavement counselor, Maggie Brennan uses a combination of empathy, insight, and humor to help patients cope with the anguish of losing their beloved four-legged friends. Though she has a gift for guiding others through difficult situations, Maggie has major troubles of her own that threaten the success of her counseling practice and her volunteer work with a dog rescue organization.

Everything changes when a distraught woman shows up at Maggie’s office and claims that her dog has been stolen. Searching the streets of San Francisco for the missing pooch, Maggie finds herself entangled in a mystery that forces her to finally face her biggest fear-and to open her heart to new love.

Packed with deep emotion and charming surprises, Dog Crazy is a bighearted and entertaining story that skillfully captures the bonds of love, the pain of separation, and the power of our dogs to heal us.

9.22.2015

today stays

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If you could change today would you?

I was frustrated with my senior classes because the students weren't able to present their content--and I didn't have a back up plan. Otherwise, it was a very good day and I wouldn't change it.

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Things You Love To Do With Your Best Friend.

1) Talk. And talk and talk and talk.

2) Share books.

3) Cook. We've had a lot of fun making meals together.

4) Eat. And we love to go out for meals together.

5) Movies. It's fun to watch movies together, especially chick flicks. My bestie doesn't like tense movies.

6) Shop. Our taste is different so we have fun trying to pick clothes out for each other.

7) Road trips. Few and far between but we travel very well together.

8) Learn. Both of us are curious learners, so it's great fun when we find something unusual to study.

9) Teach. We're both teachers, at different levels, but we love talking about teaching.

10) Laugh. And laugh and laugh.

9.21.2015

gifties

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The last gift I received was _______________.

A gift card to Dunkin' Donuts and a small jar of homemade strawberry jam. Both were thoroughly enjoyed!

musing mondays

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Rainy days tend to make me sleepy. I'm more apt to watch movies than read. Snowy days or hot humid days are more like reading days for me.

9.20.2015

under pressure...

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What pressure did you feel today?

Glad to report: none at all! It's been a very laid back day.

finished reading...

I'm not quite sure what to say about this book. It is beautifully written, vivid, and lush. An intriguing story line--teetering on the verge of real life. I can't decide if I enjoyed it.

From the publisher:

English anthropologist Andrew Bankson has been alone in the field for several years, studying the Kiona river tribe in the Territory of New Guinea. Haunted by the memory of his brothers’ deaths and increasingly frustrated and isolated by his research, Bankson is on the verge of suicide when a chance encounter with colleagues, the controversial Nell Stone and her wry and mercurial Australian husband Fen, pulls him back from the brink. Nell and Fen have just fled the bloodthirsty Mumbanyo and, in spite of Nell’s poor health, are hungry for a new discovery. When Bankson finds them a new tribe nearby, the artistic, female-dominated Tam, he ignites an intellectual and romantic firestorm between the three of them that burns out of anyone’s control.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: Gag Me Meme

Do you have a sensitive gag reflex? no
Where are you the most ticklish? my neck
What was the last situation to upset you? I was frustrated with a colleague last week
Have you ever had an online argument? not that I can remember
Do you like to listen to music while filling out surveys (memes)? sure
How long do you spend on the phone each day, on average? I make and receive so few phone calls, it's laughable
Is anything in your hair right now, like gel, hairspray, etc.? nothing
When was the last time you were up before the sun? Do you like wearing sunglasses? Why or why not? I was up before the sun on Thursday and yes I like wearing sunglasses because they help my eyes
Last show you watched? Watch What Happens Live on Bravo
Next vacation you’re going on? I'll have a staycation starting next Saturday
Do you regret doing anything you’ve done this week? not that I can think of
Last night you felt? full--I had been to a birthday party cookout
What are you wearing right now? shorts and a t-shirt
Have you ever kissed underneath the stars? I have
What are you doing now? thinking about playing music
What plans do you have for tonight? I think Big Brother is on
What’s the very first thing you do when you wake up, other than breathe? check the time--organize my day
Do you like reading? I do indeed
Do you ever think about stuff and start crying? not often
Have you ever kicked a vending machine? I did last week but it didn't help
Do people consider you smart? I've been told that I am intimidatingly smart, but I don't think so
Have you ever stayed online for a very long time waiting for someone? no
Do you tend to be aware of what is going on around you? not when I'm home
How much money did you spend yesterday? a little over $100 on groceries, birthday gifts, and gas
Is there anything in your past that you’d like to try again? I can think of a couple of things I would like to do again, nothing earth shaking

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.

9.19.2015

can't believe!

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OMG! _________________

It's dark at 7:30pm! I can't believe the change in daylight hours. I went to a birthday party at my parents' house and it felt like midnight but it was not even 8 o'clock!

saturday 9

Time For Me To Fly

1) How often have you flown so far this year? I haven't flown in years

2) Think back to your last flight. Was it pleasant, stressful, or just uneventful? it was pleasant, it was before 9/11 so it was very lax

3) According to the Airports Council International, the world’s busiest airport is Atlanta's Hartsfield. Have you ever been to Atlanta? I don't believe so

4) This week’s featured band, REO Speedwagon, took their name from a truck. Have you ever driven a truck? I've driven a pickup truck

5) REO Speedwagon got their start in Champaign, Illinois, which is home to the U of I campus and, consequently, many bars. One of the most popular is the Blind Pig on Walnut Street. Give us the name of the bar, club or restaurant where you met up with friends in your younger days. Coppers Lounge

6) Recently, lead singer Kevin Cronin appeared on an infomercial, hawking TimeLife’s two CD set of Ultimate Rock Ballads. Have you ever purchased anything from TV? from QVC

7) This song is from the CD, You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tunafish. Is there a can of tuna in your kitchen right now? I have a pouch of tuna--Lemon pepper

8) You Can Tuna Piano, but You Can’t Tunafish is available on eBay on vinyl, CD, cassette and 8 track. Did you have an 8 track player? I did not have an 8 track but my brother in law had one built in to his truck

9) In 1978, when this song was popular, the first Susan B. Anthony Dollar was minted. How much do you have in coins in your wallet right now? 88 cents

9.18.2015

o.l.d.

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How old do you feel?

Wow--the timing on this prompt is amazing. Tonight I feel ancient. My body aches, my ankles and feet are swollen, and I'm exhausted. These high-humidity 80+ degree days are killing me.

9.17.2015

the perfect day

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What went perfectly about your day?

Today is Constitution Day! And I loved my lesson plan for the day--I split my classes into small groups and gave each group the Preamble to the Constitution then they had to discuss the prompt "How does the Constitution help America become a more perfect union?" After they processed with their groups, they had to write their own answer to the prompt. I had them condense their answers to 140 characters (a la Twitter) which proved a challenging task. But the real fun was when I had them present their Tweet-style summaries with drama and flair. The kids got into it and it was a hoot. They had some awesome insights. I was excited by how well each class handled the process. We did some heavy duty critical skills thinking!

booking through thursday

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How much do you visualize when you read? Do you imagine faces for the characters? Can you see the locations in your mind’s eye? Or do you just plunge ahead with the story, letting the imagery fall to the wayside? From the archives.

I'm a visual reader--I constantly imagine what characters and locations look like. Which partly explains why I have such a difficult time with fantasy and science fiction.

9.16.2015

yarn along

Join in every Wednesday to share a single photo of what you are knitting and reading too!

Reading Lily King's Euphoria and knitting the Sunny Baby Blanket.

partay

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Who threw the last party you went to?

The last party I went to was a high school graduation celebration for my niece organized by my sister but held at my parents' house.

9.15.2015

hello, hello

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What was the last thing you said to another person?

I greeted my neighbor's daughter when I got home this afternoon.

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Foods You Are Looking Forward to Eating Now That Fall Is (almost) Here.

It's time for my favorite comfort foods:
1) Shepherd's Pie.

2) Chicken pot pie.

3) Roasted pumpkin seeds.

4) Pumpkin chip cookies.

5) Apple pie.

6) Apple crisp.

7) Honeycrisp apples. My favorite and only available after the first frost.

8) Carmel apple dip.

9) Apple or pumpkin bread.

10) Hot chocolate with whipped cream (and drizzle).

9.14.2015

stress

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Were you stressed today? Why?

I was not stressed today, although it did feel like a very long day. I feel comfortable with what my classes are working on and my lesson plans.

monday musings

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Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

This week’s random question: Have you ever decorated your house around your love of books? Would you?

I am excited for Jojo Moyes' After You, coming September 29.

9.13.2015

free time

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How did you spend your free time today?

I slept in very late then watched Once Upon A Time on Netflix while knitting until the nap monster hit.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: Mac'n Cheese Meme

Can you ever get enough of mac ‘n’ cheese?  I love it!
Are you allergic to nuts or diary products?  no
Do you think age matters in relationships? not really
Has anyone ever called the cops on you? no
Did you talk to someone until you fell asleep last night? no
What’s the connection between the last person you texted? my niece
Are you in a good mood? yes
Excited for anything?   not so much
Do you have a hard time controlling your emotions? no, I don't think so
Do you like your height? yes
How long have you lived in your current home? 20+ years
Could you go a week without brushing your teeth? NO--absolutely not
Have you ever given any amount of money to the homeless? I have
Own anything from Bath & Body Works? the hand soap in my bathroom
Have you ever had your nails so long that they curved down at the ends?  ewwwww no
Have you ever swallowed a bunch of salt water by accident? yes
Does it take you over an hour to go to sleep sometimes? yes
When you get home from school/work do you change into your pjs right away? I do in the winter
Have you ever stayed up all night and the whole next day without any sleep? it's been awhile
Has anyone ever told you that you have pretty feet? I get a lot of compliments on my tattoo
What is the temperature currently in the town you live in? approaching 70
Do you ever actually drink milk alone? I haven't had milk to drink since I was 13 years old *shudder*

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.

9.12.2015

finished...

Listening to this audiobook is a lot of fun! Amy Poehler is a great story teller. And this series of essays, reflections, and memories is a great listen. She doesn't shy away from difficult times in her life nor does she gloss over her learning curve. I have a lot of respect and admiration for her.

laptop love

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The computer I use the most is___________.

An Acer Aspire laptop. I love it as much today as when I bought it. The second-runner up is my school issued MacBook Air, which I also love.

saturday 9

That's All

1) In the lyrics, Phil Collins sings of a time he was wrong when he thought he was right. Tell us about a recent time when you got it wrong. Oh, I made a calculation error in my checkbook which resulted in a major OUCH

2) The song is addressed to a lover that Phil clearly feels is contrary. When he says, "day," she says, "night." Is there anyone in your life who seems to disagree with you all or most of the time? I teach 15 year old boys who know everything

3) This was Genesis' first Top 10 hit in the US. Can you name another Phil Collins or Genesis song? Invisible Touch

4) Phil Collins is a model train enthusiast. Is there anything special that you collect? books, yarn, dust bunnies

5) Collins was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. At the ceremony, he delivered the commencement address. When did you last give a presentation or deliver a speech? Monday thru Friday from 7:30-3:15

6) One of Phil Collins' early solo albums was called, Hello, I Must Be Going. He took the title from a song in the 1930 Marx Bros. movie, Animal Crackers. What's the last black and white movie or TV show that you watched? Notorious was on recently

7) In 1983, when this song was popular, the Lotus 1-2-3 program made it easier for PC users to build spreadsheets. Are you answering these questions on a PC or a Mac? Laptop or desktop? Tablet or phone? I'm on a laptop

8) 1983 is also the year when McDonald's introduced McNuggets. What's your favorite chicken recipe (assuming it's not McNuggets)? I'm terribly fond of a local deli's chicken salad with pecans and craisins and apple chunks

9) In 1983, President Reagan signed the bill making Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday a holiday. What's your favorite holiday? the holiday season from November-January