Monday, June 29, 2009...
For as long as I can remember, I knew of people that had designated books they wanted to read over the summer. Many of my friends and family keep the books in a beach bag and only read them when they reached their destination (pool or beach).
As a kid, I lived down the street from the beach. I would grab the latest romance novel (I remember stealing my mom's Scruples paperback - which was considered a scandalous book) with my beach towels and baby oil (yeah, you read right, B-A-B-Y O-I-L) before heading out. My list was created by how cheesy the cover of mom's books were.
As an adult, I never created a list of Summer must reads. Instead, I've purchased many of the latest NY Times Bestsellers, or books my friends have raved about. As the world's slowest reader (no, I don't move my lips when I read, but close) I get sucked into a book and lose all sense of time. I know when I read a book, I need to set aside some serious time because I've never been one of those individuals that can read 10 minutes/night or just one chapter.
However, this year I'm doing it. Creating my Must-Have-Reading List for the next 10 weeks and finally making the time to finally read some of my books I've wanted to read for awhile.
Some are new, some old, a couple self help/introspective books and even a classic.
Without further adieu my first ever Summer reading list:
The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher - this was recommended to me because of my love of cooking. I'm anxious to read it.
Thin is the New Happy by Valerie Frankel - Valerie's memoir about dealing with her demons about weight and dieting. Coming to grips with her mother's impact on her that she had to be thin. I'm in the middle of reading it and her story strikes a definite cord with me. My mother's obsession with food, dieting and being thin was a bit much for me.
Dune Road by Jane Green - I have really enjoyed her past works and after hearing her perform a reading from the book, I can't wait to jump in.
The Year of Yes by Maria Dahvana Headley - These are one of the books that I heard so much about, bought it and put on the bookshelf about a year ago. She goes on a date with anyone that asks for one year and meets her husband. I can relate to the fact that sometimes when you're not looking or thinking of your preconceived notion of the perfect guy, you'll find him. That's what happened to me.
After Long Silence by Helen Fremont - This was a national bestseller and when I purchased this book I was dying to read it. I became distracted and it was filed away with my other books till this past weekend. Helen was raised Roman Catholic, but discovered when she was an adult that her parents were Jewish and Holocaust survivors living invented lives.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold - Go ahead. Say it. A little slow to the party. I heard about this book several years ago from a friend that highly recommended it.
Women in Love - D.H. Lawrence - Sometimes it is just important to go back to the classics.
Losing It by Valerie Bertinelli - Yeah, it may not be a classic, but I know it'll be a fun and interesting read.
Living with Less by Mark Tabb - I bought this several years ago and think now is the perfect time to finally read it.
A Life in Balance by Kathleen Hall - I started this a few years ago after reading an article she'd written in Body, Mind & Soul. Her concept of SELF (Serenity, Exercise, Love & Food) and how she derived at this concept to obtain a well balanced life is very interesting. I have the time and want to read it again.
This is my list, but after mentioning Scruples, I definitely am going to add it to the list.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The Recession
Saturday June 27, 2009....
Last night, I went to bed, hoping and dreaming that the Fridge Fairy would make an appearance at my house. She did. But, I was so disappointed to only find a note which read as follows:
Dear LMB, due to the Recession, the Fairy union had to downsize and cut our division. It is with my sincerest apology that I let you know that you will be cleaning your own fridge.
Although charitable by nature, I saw your fridge and thought this was beyond my giving capabilities.
Yours on the Unemployment Line - FF
Damn.
This is what I get for waiting so long before doing a thorough cleaning of the world's smallest fridge. I guess I deserved the note.
Here's what I observed about my fridge, my bizarre buying habits and outstanding skill to procrastinate at cleaning.
1. I have TWO bottles of Fish Sauce. I'm not Asian and cook a recipe which requires Fish Sauce once in a blue moon. It should be noted the only Asian spice in my house growing up was Soy Sauce (heck, this is big considering I thought garlic was a powder till college and had to cook for self).
2. I have an obscene amount of yogurt. Guess I know what I'll be having for breakfast for the next Y-E-A-R.
3. It's amazing how hungry you can become cleaning out a fridge. I had to stop the process and make a sandwich for self. Hell, it's lunch time and I managed to finish up the milk.
4. I also have an obscene amount of soy sauce. This probably goes back to childhood and the only exotic flavor component my mom would add to almost everything (well, it was a toss up - soy sauce or wheat germ).
5. Best way to clean out the fridge is to drink some of the cold beer that has been in there for awhile [I have a wine cooler with add'l beer in it - didn't realize I had a backup stash (I'm resourceful like that)].
6. Cleaning a fridge can literally take hours if you drink several beers which I'm enjoying.
Moral of the Story: The Recession needs to end soon. Never mind that I need a job, but the Fridge Fairy needs to be reinstated so I don't have to do this again.
Last night, I went to bed, hoping and dreaming that the Fridge Fairy would make an appearance at my house. She did. But, I was so disappointed to only find a note which read as follows:
Dear LMB, due to the Recession, the Fairy union had to downsize and cut our division. It is with my sincerest apology that I let you know that you will be cleaning your own fridge.
Although charitable by nature, I saw your fridge and thought this was beyond my giving capabilities.
Yours on the Unemployment Line - FF
Damn.
This is what I get for waiting so long before doing a thorough cleaning of the world's smallest fridge. I guess I deserved the note.
Here's what I observed about my fridge, my bizarre buying habits and outstanding skill to procrastinate at cleaning.
1. I have TWO bottles of Fish Sauce. I'm not Asian and cook a recipe which requires Fish Sauce once in a blue moon. It should be noted the only Asian spice in my house growing up was Soy Sauce (heck, this is big considering I thought garlic was a powder till college and had to cook for self).
2. I have an obscene amount of yogurt. Guess I know what I'll be having for breakfast for the next Y-E-A-R.
3. It's amazing how hungry you can become cleaning out a fridge. I had to stop the process and make a sandwich for self. Hell, it's lunch time and I managed to finish up the milk.
4. I also have an obscene amount of soy sauce. This probably goes back to childhood and the only exotic flavor component my mom would add to almost everything (well, it was a toss up - soy sauce or wheat germ).
5. Best way to clean out the fridge is to drink some of the cold beer that has been in there for awhile [I have a wine cooler with add'l beer in it - didn't realize I had a backup stash (I'm resourceful like that)].
6. Cleaning a fridge can literally take hours if you drink several beers which I'm enjoying.
Moral of the Story: The Recession needs to end soon. Never mind that I need a job, but the Fridge Fairy needs to be reinstated so I don't have to do this again.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Midnight Magic
Friday, June 26, 2009....
Looking back, I remember some of the greatest things happened in childhood while I was sleeping.
Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy all visited me while I was fast asleep. It was disappointing when I discovered all three were my parents, but I never caught them in act.
The other day, I was remembering just how great it was to wake up and find something magical had happened during the nighttime hours. Although, I may not wish for a quarter under my pillow (let me reconsider being unemployed), I'd still love to wake up and have that same childhood feeling.
After quick consideration, I wish the following fairies would visit me during the night:
Fridge Fairy: I don't have a standard size fridge because I live in a small 1949 Cape. One trip to the grocery store for 2 is all my fridge can handle. If I don't clear it out each week, which I never do, I am continually cramming items in. My fridge becomes a clown car and the forgotten items in the back of the fridge become my own personal science project.
Laundry Fairy: There actually is a Laundry Fairy, but she/he doesn't do what I want. Instead he/she increases the amount of laundry I need to do in the morning. Basically, the Laundry Fairy Sucks.
Sock Fairy: For some reason, the Sock Fairy has an arch nemisis that steals one sock from almost every pair I own. I know I may not notice everything, but seriously where the hell do they all go? The Sock Fairy would save me the time and energy hunting down the strays.
Other fairies I wish would visit me while sleeping that need no explanation:
The I Never Ache Fairy from working out.
The Calorie Eraser Fairy
The No Hangover Fairy for the champagne I have the night before. Champagne always gives me a slight headache (assume it's the sugar) and I don't plan on giving it up.
There are so many others, but these are the ones I'd love to have visit me.
Looking back, I remember some of the greatest things happened in childhood while I was sleeping.
Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy all visited me while I was fast asleep. It was disappointing when I discovered all three were my parents, but I never caught them in act.
The other day, I was remembering just how great it was to wake up and find something magical had happened during the nighttime hours. Although, I may not wish for a quarter under my pillow (let me reconsider being unemployed), I'd still love to wake up and have that same childhood feeling.
After quick consideration, I wish the following fairies would visit me during the night:
Fridge Fairy: I don't have a standard size fridge because I live in a small 1949 Cape. One trip to the grocery store for 2 is all my fridge can handle. If I don't clear it out each week, which I never do, I am continually cramming items in. My fridge becomes a clown car and the forgotten items in the back of the fridge become my own personal science project.
Laundry Fairy: There actually is a Laundry Fairy, but she/he doesn't do what I want. Instead he/she increases the amount of laundry I need to do in the morning. Basically, the Laundry Fairy Sucks.
Sock Fairy: For some reason, the Sock Fairy has an arch nemisis that steals one sock from almost every pair I own. I know I may not notice everything, but seriously where the hell do they all go? The Sock Fairy would save me the time and energy hunting down the strays.
Other fairies I wish would visit me while sleeping that need no explanation:
The I Never Ache Fairy from working out.
The Calorie Eraser Fairy
The No Hangover Fairy for the champagne I have the night before. Champagne always gives me a slight headache (assume it's the sugar) and I don't plan on giving it up.
There are so many others, but these are the ones I'd love to have visit me.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Rant and Rave Wednesday
Wednesday, June 24, 2009.....
Any readers following me on a regular basis know if it's Wednesday, it's time to Rant and Rave about the past week. Without further adieu, here are my Rants and Raves from the past week:
Rave: I'd like to thank Miss Nobody for the One Lovely Blog Award and SunshineMeg for the Friend Award. Under a separate entry I will properly live up to the rules of accepting these awards. However, I just want to say how touched I am that people read my ramblings and actually like it. Thanks again!
Rant: The rain. I know so many people love the rain and I love falling asleep to the sound of rain. But, when all it does is rain and rain and rain, I just want to see some hint of the sun for more than a nano second.
Rave: Hubby is all better. He's up and about, his fever broke and I didn't catch it.
Rant: Suffering from some funky new injury making it impossible to train with trainer. Squeaking walks in when it is not raining (which is hard if you read my rant above).
So, how was your week? Any Rants and Raves you want to share? I would love to hear them or if you're doing your own Rant & Rave Wednesday, put your link in the comments section so others can read.
Any readers following me on a regular basis know if it's Wednesday, it's time to Rant and Rave about the past week. Without further adieu, here are my Rants and Raves from the past week:
Rave: I'd like to thank Miss Nobody for the One Lovely Blog Award and SunshineMeg for the Friend Award. Under a separate entry I will properly live up to the rules of accepting these awards. However, I just want to say how touched I am that people read my ramblings and actually like it. Thanks again!
Rant: The rain. I know so many people love the rain and I love falling asleep to the sound of rain. But, when all it does is rain and rain and rain, I just want to see some hint of the sun for more than a nano second.
Rave: Hubby is all better. He's up and about, his fever broke and I didn't catch it.
Rant: Suffering from some funky new injury making it impossible to train with trainer. Squeaking walks in when it is not raining (which is hard if you read my rant above).
So, how was your week? Any Rants and Raves you want to share? I would love to hear them or if you're doing your own Rant & Rave Wednesday, put your link in the comments section so others can read.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Before the Brain Fog Set In....
Tuesday, June 23, 2009....
Jess Riley tagged me for a meme. I knew when the fog cleared, this is something I'd want to do it because it has a twist.
"Sometimes you can learn more about a person by what they don’t tell you. Sometimes you can learn a lot from the things they just make up. If you are tagged with this Meme, lie to me. Then tag 7 other folks (one for each deadly sin) and hope they can lie."
Pride:
What is your biggest contribution to the world?
Duct tape. Yup. Creator of Duct Tape....okay, maybe not creator, but use it and know others that do.
Envy
What do your coworkers have that you wish was yours?
Their jobs.
Gluttony
What did you eat last night?
I made my way through every Hersey's chocolate product known to mankind. After polishing off 30 lbs of chocolate, I searched high and low for chocolate truffles from a local chocolate shop.
Lust
What really lights your fire?
God, so many things turn me on. I guess I'll just list the traits that make want to jump any man's bones in no particular order. They are: bad odor, poor personal hygiene by choice, a man who never uses a toothbrush, someone who only talks about how wonderful they are, a guy with no manners, cheap and one that spits.
I know I missed many great attributes, but I was getting hot just thinking about a man with these traits...
Anger
What is the last thing that really pissed you off?
Meeting a considerate, well-mannered stranger. What's up with that? Random kindness just sucks.
Greed
Name something you hoard and keep from others:
My neighbor's trash. It appears that every Wednesday night, the neighbors get a jump on Thursday trash day by putting out their bags/cans out on the curb. The trash seems to always be accessible for small animals to carry their late night treasures to my yard.
The trash adds a certain something I'd never want taken away from me.
Sloth
What’s the laziest thing you ever did?
Walked a marathon while keeping my senses when crossing the streets in Dublin.
I'm tagging LiLu,SillyStud, Lacochran,Yo Mama's Blog,kk and Muffy
Jess Riley tagged me for a meme. I knew when the fog cleared, this is something I'd want to do it because it has a twist.
"Sometimes you can learn more about a person by what they don’t tell you. Sometimes you can learn a lot from the things they just make up. If you are tagged with this Meme, lie to me. Then tag 7 other folks (one for each deadly sin) and hope they can lie."
Pride:
What is your biggest contribution to the world?
Duct tape. Yup. Creator of Duct Tape....okay, maybe not creator, but use it and know others that do.
Envy
What do your coworkers have that you wish was yours?
Their jobs.
Gluttony
What did you eat last night?
I made my way through every Hersey's chocolate product known to mankind. After polishing off 30 lbs of chocolate, I searched high and low for chocolate truffles from a local chocolate shop.
Lust
What really lights your fire?
God, so many things turn me on. I guess I'll just list the traits that make want to jump any man's bones in no particular order. They are: bad odor, poor personal hygiene by choice, a man who never uses a toothbrush, someone who only talks about how wonderful they are, a guy with no manners, cheap and one that spits.
I know I missed many great attributes, but I was getting hot just thinking about a man with these traits...
Anger
What is the last thing that really pissed you off?
Meeting a considerate, well-mannered stranger. What's up with that? Random kindness just sucks.
Greed
Name something you hoard and keep from others:
My neighbor's trash. It appears that every Wednesday night, the neighbors get a jump on Thursday trash day by putting out their bags/cans out on the curb. The trash seems to always be accessible for small animals to carry their late night treasures to my yard.
The trash adds a certain something I'd never want taken away from me.
Sloth
What’s the laziest thing you ever did?
Walked a marathon while keeping my senses when crossing the streets in Dublin.
I'm tagging LiLu,SillyStud, Lacochran,Yo Mama's Blog,kk and Muffy
Monday, June 22, 2009
Suffering in Silence....
Monday, June 22, 2009....
For the past week, I've been suffering in silence with a condition known as "Brain Fog".
Initially, it started as a Brain Cramp which only lasts for a split second. [A Brain Crampis recognizable by most people because you've forgotten how to spell simple words, such as 'the'].
It's painless and painful at the same time because you become truly frustrated for a minute. But, after a minute of frustration, you quickly remember stupid stuff and move on.
Unfortunately, my minute became 10, 080 minutes (one week). My Brain Cramp suddenly turned into a full blown case of Brain Fog.
Unlike the Brain Cramp, the Brain Fog, has no defined time period. Your brain takes a vacation and when the vacation is over you're left wondering what happened to you while your brain was in the fog. Basically, you're left scratching your head thinking WTF....
Maybe I was empathetic because hubby was suffering from the flu, maybe I was replaying the horrible interview I had the week prior, or maybe it was the Percocet I had taken for the pinched nerve.
Whatever it was, I'm glad it's over. I enjoy blogging (my definition: writing and reading other blogs). I've readjusted my attitude towards potential employers (translation: I won't doubt them when they claim the position is real and will lie convincingly when asked if this is my dream job) and will begin tackling one of the many household projects I've procrastinated doing (translation: rain is no excuse to watch trashy t.v. or get sucked into the game Bejeweled Blitz on FB).
I hope that no one ever suffers Brain Fog, but if you do, my advice is to find a mindless game or book and let it run its course. It eventually goes away.
For the past week, I've been suffering in silence with a condition known as "Brain Fog".
Initially, it started as a Brain Cramp which only lasts for a split second. [A Brain Crampis recognizable by most people because you've forgotten how to spell simple words, such as 'the'].
It's painless and painful at the same time because you become truly frustrated for a minute. But, after a minute of frustration, you quickly remember stupid stuff and move on.
Unfortunately, my minute became 10, 080 minutes (one week). My Brain Cramp suddenly turned into a full blown case of Brain Fog.
Unlike the Brain Cramp, the Brain Fog, has no defined time period. Your brain takes a vacation and when the vacation is over you're left wondering what happened to you while your brain was in the fog. Basically, you're left scratching your head thinking WTF....
Maybe I was empathetic because hubby was suffering from the flu, maybe I was replaying the horrible interview I had the week prior, or maybe it was the Percocet I had taken for the pinched nerve.
Whatever it was, I'm glad it's over. I enjoy blogging (my definition: writing and reading other blogs). I've readjusted my attitude towards potential employers (translation: I won't doubt them when they claim the position is real and will lie convincingly when asked if this is my dream job) and will begin tackling one of the many household projects I've procrastinated doing (translation: rain is no excuse to watch trashy t.v. or get sucked into the game Bejeweled Blitz on FB).
I hope that no one ever suffers Brain Fog, but if you do, my advice is to find a mindless game or book and let it run its course. It eventually goes away.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Rant and Rave Wednesday
Wednesday, June 17, 2009.....
Any readers following me on a regular basis know if it's Wednesday, it's time to Rant and Rave about the past week. Without further adieu, here are my Rants and Raves from the past week:
Rave: Last night, I went with my gf to Jane Green's book signing/reading of her latest book Dune Road. From what I've already read and her reading, I am looking forward to kicking off my summer reading list with it.
Rant: Last week I gloated because I had no pain working out with trainer after several days off. Well, I was WRONG. This past weekend, I was nursing a pinched nerve in my back with some percocet. Needless to say, very little sleep occurred.
Rave: Hubby starting to feel much better after being very sick with the flu since last Thursday. I'd also 'Rave' about not getting it, but always seem to jinx self when gloating about something (e.g., see above Rant).
Rant: I never thought I'd be writing about this, but what's up with elevator etiquette? I know there are many that don't hold the door for others, but this is not what I have to rant about. Have you encountered people insisting on finishing their conversation in the doorway you need to go through? I did. Best part, these people were both getting off and didn't think to move the conversation to the floor. Hello? Earth to rude people. Need to be somewhere. Now. This went on for SEVERAL minutes until I said excuse me. Both gave me the 'put-out' look. Oh, please.....
It was a slow week. Between the pinched nerve that kept me awake and nursing the sick husband who gave me a temperature update every 20 minutes, I'm looking forward to this weekend.
So, how was your week? Any Rants and Raves you want to share? I would love to hear them or if you're doing your own Rant & Rave Wednesday, put your link in the comments section so others can read.
Any readers following me on a regular basis know if it's Wednesday, it's time to Rant and Rave about the past week. Without further adieu, here are my Rants and Raves from the past week:
Rave: Last night, I went with my gf to Jane Green's book signing/reading of her latest book Dune Road. From what I've already read and her reading, I am looking forward to kicking off my summer reading list with it.
Rant: Last week I gloated because I had no pain working out with trainer after several days off. Well, I was WRONG. This past weekend, I was nursing a pinched nerve in my back with some percocet. Needless to say, very little sleep occurred.
Rave: Hubby starting to feel much better after being very sick with the flu since last Thursday. I'd also 'Rave' about not getting it, but always seem to jinx self when gloating about something (e.g., see above Rant).
Rant: I never thought I'd be writing about this, but what's up with elevator etiquette? I know there are many that don't hold the door for others, but this is not what I have to rant about. Have you encountered people insisting on finishing their conversation in the doorway you need to go through? I did. Best part, these people were both getting off and didn't think to move the conversation to the floor. Hello? Earth to rude people. Need to be somewhere. Now. This went on for SEVERAL minutes until I said excuse me. Both gave me the 'put-out' look. Oh, please.....
It was a slow week. Between the pinched nerve that kept me awake and nursing the sick husband who gave me a temperature update every 20 minutes, I'm looking forward to this weekend.
So, how was your week? Any Rants and Raves you want to share? I would love to hear them or if you're doing your own Rant & Rave Wednesday, put your link in the comments section so others can read.
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