I love to read. I love it. Anything. Everything. Yes, I was the kid who always read the back of the cereal box and each and every sign on the road. Aloud. (And my mother let me live, so that was kind and giving of her). I read new books as fast as I can get my hands on them and even have to have DSD hide them from me if it is a time I should be reading school books or studying for a test. I usually have a book in my purse, in my car, and in my backpack, with stacks as yet unread at my house.
When I was younger (read: more poor) I borrowed books from the library and I bought at used book stores. Then, of course, I returned those books to the used book store for credit for MORE used books. There were a few that I owned and carried through each successive move, but less than 5 probably. I did check out books (occasionally) that I had already read, but I thought everyone did.
Somewhere, however, I realized that I was no longer living paycheck to paycheck, that there were a few dollars left at the end of each month and (brilliant idea!) why couldn’t I actually buy a book or 2? (or 200?) This happened to coincide with my mother’s foray into
!Book Clubs! Buy 1, Get 10 Free! *You must then buy 1 book a month at OUTRAGEOUS PRICES for the rest of your natural life*
Ok, it wasn’t quite that bad, but she started buying and I started buying, hard covered books, some in Large Print and then we would get together and trade books.
And there were a lot of books.
One Sunday, several years ago, I decided to catalog all of my books. Sort them. Put them back on the shelves in alphabetic order after placing them in an Excel spreadsheet. What a fun way to spend an afternoon. DSD was not home at the time, but when he returned he almost had a stroke, because there were books strewn across the entire living room.
We have a pretty large living room by normal people standards (as opposed to billionaires or Royalty). Our living room has allowed persons under 5 feet tall to perform a series of acrobatic moves, like cart wheel, back flip, split. But I digress.
At the end of the day all of the books had been categorized and returned to the shelves in alphabetic order and I had an Excel spreadsheet of over 300 books.
So I got rid of a couple (maybe 4 or 5) paperbacks that I wasn’t going to read again and I continued to buy books.
I don’t keep all of them. Some I receive from my mom and I pass on to others or donate them to the Senior Center and Goodwill or I give them to her and she passed them onto various relatives.
But the numbers grew. And grew. And grew.
Until finally poor DSD had a choice to make. Should he call that show “Hoarders?”
Or should he just break down, cough up the money, and buy me a Kindle? For my birthday in April. It was incredibly unexpected and I was speechless for over 30 seconds. And then I cried. And he was very proud of himself. My husband rocks.
So now I own a Kindle. And I don’t have to have books on every surface anymore**. I have them all in my purse. The technology is simple. The reading is easy. The purchasing is easy… too easy, I can spend $30 in less than 3 minutes without ever getting up from the computer.
But there are many, many authors whose work I would never have tried had their books not been Free for download. I have read many books, then purchased the author's next book because the first one was so good. I have downloaded over 100 since the end of April. I have not read even close to that many, but I am loving the freedom that having all (ok, some)*** of my books on the eReader brings.
And DSD is loving the fact that he no longer fears huge stacks of books will fall on his head.
**Ok, they are all hidden behind the loveseat, which is not pushed up against the wall. But I am out of books shelves (and space for bookshelves) and I will eventually read and pass on all of those paperbacks.
***My plan is to eventually replace many of my hard backs with downloaded books, but I will never give up all of them.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
A Small Celebration is in Order
The first step in the demise of California’s illegal, immoral, and just plain WRONG Proposition 8 has been taken. It is only the first step on a very long journey through the courts of this nation and up to the Supreme Court where (hopefully) good sense, law & fact (NPR this morning said FACTS are the answers and that this decision was based on fact) will prevail and we can all get on with our lives on equal footing. I am not going to get into the specifics of this decision and how and why it is a good or how and why the entire thing could go wrong, I am just going to raise my glass in a toast to a job that is (so far) well done!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Electronically Tethered
BabyBoy, as befitting his status as the only child that I gave birth to, has always been a little spoiled when it comes to new and exciting electronics. For his 19th birthday, I gave him my latest upgrade to get him a very expensive cell phone and I took the freebie. He broke his fancy phone on more than one occasion, including last summer, when it could not be fixed and the insurance had replaced it the maximum number of times. Well, Mom was eligible for an upgrade at that time, so he used it. Thanks, kid.
Flash forward several months and I realized that I wanted a new phone. I DESERVED something nice! The Blackberry Curve was available, giving me a full key board for texting and a little track ball. I hate track balls. What about the Blackberry Storm? All touch screen. Was this Verizon’s answer to the iPhone? Because most people I know hated it. I debated. I pondered. I touched everyone’s phones. I promised myself I would buy until after Finals in December, because Hi! Finals.
Then I saw it. One night while watching TV with DSD
And I had my answer.
I did wait until after Finals to get one. Merry Christmas to me!
I didn’t pay full price for it, but I did pay more than it costs now.
I also had to start coughing up the money for a data plan.
But I love this thing.
New apps every.single.day.
Music and videos and Facebook and, NOW! Blogger also. (Although I did have to add that picture of my reunion from the computer; it didn’t work from the Droid.)
I know many who scoff at being tied to electronic devices. I know many who think we should step away from the keyboards and be social.
But I have the world at my fingertips, all the answers that Google can provide, trivia games on history, U.S. Presidents and college football, plus a light saber (Really) and a Schott Gun to use on unsuspecting motorists. (Pump action. It must be loaded and it has a kick. I don’t hurt anyone and I relieve stress).
So don’t sneer at my Droid.
And I won’t sneer at your little free phone.
Flash forward several months and I realized that I wanted a new phone. I DESERVED something nice! The Blackberry Curve was available, giving me a full key board for texting and a little track ball. I hate track balls. What about the Blackberry Storm? All touch screen. Was this Verizon’s answer to the iPhone? Because most people I know hated it. I debated. I pondered. I touched everyone’s phones. I promised myself I would buy until after Finals in December, because Hi! Finals.
Then I saw it. One night while watching TV with DSD
And I had my answer.
I did wait until after Finals to get one. Merry Christmas to me!
I didn’t pay full price for it, but I did pay more than it costs now.
I also had to start coughing up the money for a data plan.
But I love this thing.
New apps every.single.day.
Music and videos and Facebook and, NOW! Blogger also. (Although I did have to add that picture of my reunion from the computer; it didn’t work from the Droid.)
I know many who scoff at being tied to electronic devices. I know many who think we should step away from the keyboards and be social.
But I have the world at my fingertips, all the answers that Google can provide, trivia games on history, U.S. Presidents and college football, plus a light saber (Really) and a Schott Gun to use on unsuspecting motorists. (Pump action. It must be loaded and it has a kick. I don’t hurt anyone and I relieve stress).
So don’t sneer at my Droid.
And I won’t sneer at your little free phone.
What Have I Been Doing?
You may ask! Or, if you aren't going to ask, I am going to tell you anyway.
Over the 9 months starting August 2009 and ending May 2010, I managed to accrue 25 more college credit hours. And I did not go insane. That was a lovely bonus. I don't have any idea what my GPA is, but it is above a 3.0 and I can live with that. I did take the summer off from school, but it starts again in less than a week. I am not taking 13 credit hours over the next 18 weeks though. I do want to get my degree, but I do not want everything else in my life to suffer for it. I am taking 9 credit hours. 3 during Term I (August 9 - October). 3 during Term II (October - mid December) and 3 at Gulf Coast Community College over their traditional semester. If that is too much to be able to enjoy my life (at least a little), I will drop the number back to 6 in the Spring. I don't want to do that. I would like to graduate one day. But it may be necessary. OH. And I am adding History as either a 2nd Major or a Minor. My advisor was out last week when I went to register, so I haven't spoken with her about it.
I finally started walking the walk I have been talking.
Composting - Check.
Recycling more than just cans - Check.
Enough reuseable shopping bags to never have to use plastic again - Check.
Growing my own vegetables in the dirt - Check. Weeeell. I am trying. I hope that practice will help. I do have vegetables growing, but they aren't producing much. Except the basil. WOW. Do you need some basil?
Cooking more from scratch - Check.
Buying products that are more natural with less preservatives - Check.
Buying local, organic, grass fed meats - Have you seen the prices of those? I am working up to this one.
All in all, I do feel like I have made some progress toward being more responsible to myself, my family (even when they fight me) and the world. I still have a long way to go, but every journey starts with the first step.
I will try to do an entire post about my gardening, what I have accomplished so far (which just includes spending money, sweating and getting dirty, but not much actual food production) and where I hope to go next year (out of the containers and into the actual ground!).
DSD is still out of work. He looks for a while, then he gets discouraged. But I like the fact that the I don't have to touch the vacuum or clean the bathroom. He does a lot of the cooking (although little of the planning) and most of the cleaning. He does 95% of all errands; quick shopping trips, dry cleaners, oil changes, bank runs, etc. And Lola has her Daddy at home to play most days. Financially we are doing okay and we are very thankful for it. So many are losing everything and we are in no danger of that.
Lola is great. Almost 100 pounds (she is getting fat), but on a diet.
The kids (my 1, his 3) are doing well. BabyBoy moved out, but he is back at home. Working now. We will see about school for the fall. He is without medical insurance. The health care reform does not force Tricare to cover children who are 21, but not in school full time. Nice, huh?
I have suffered from what I believe was an incorrect diagnosis of Lupus and 4-6 pills a day to an actual diagnosis of Plantar Faciitis that is 95% better with physical therapy. I am now drug free, except for the occasional alcoholic beverage and/or Tylenol. And I am dealing with the early stages of Menopause. Yes, I am only 43, but it is common in my family.
There is so much more. I hope that I am energized enough to continue to post. About DSD's daugher's upcoming wedding and why I am dreading it. About my parents' and the fact that they are loving retired life. About the oil spill and how its effects have been felt locally and how the media has taken a horrifying situation and made it so much worse.
Enjoy your Wednesday and keep checking back. I hope to be here.
Over the 9 months starting August 2009 and ending May 2010, I managed to accrue 25 more college credit hours. And I did not go insane. That was a lovely bonus. I don't have any idea what my GPA is, but it is above a 3.0 and I can live with that. I did take the summer off from school, but it starts again in less than a week. I am not taking 13 credit hours over the next 18 weeks though. I do want to get my degree, but I do not want everything else in my life to suffer for it. I am taking 9 credit hours. 3 during Term I (August 9 - October). 3 during Term II (October - mid December) and 3 at Gulf Coast Community College over their traditional semester. If that is too much to be able to enjoy my life (at least a little), I will drop the number back to 6 in the Spring. I don't want to do that. I would like to graduate one day. But it may be necessary. OH. And I am adding History as either a 2nd Major or a Minor. My advisor was out last week when I went to register, so I haven't spoken with her about it.
I finally started walking the walk I have been talking.
Composting - Check.
Recycling more than just cans - Check.
Enough reuseable shopping bags to never have to use plastic again - Check.
Growing my own vegetables in the dirt - Check. Weeeell. I am trying. I hope that practice will help. I do have vegetables growing, but they aren't producing much. Except the basil. WOW. Do you need some basil?
Cooking more from scratch - Check.
Buying products that are more natural with less preservatives - Check.
Buying local, organic, grass fed meats - Have you seen the prices of those? I am working up to this one.
All in all, I do feel like I have made some progress toward being more responsible to myself, my family (even when they fight me) and the world. I still have a long way to go, but every journey starts with the first step.
I will try to do an entire post about my gardening, what I have accomplished so far (which just includes spending money, sweating and getting dirty, but not much actual food production) and where I hope to go next year (out of the containers and into the actual ground!).
DSD is still out of work. He looks for a while, then he gets discouraged. But I like the fact that the I don't have to touch the vacuum or clean the bathroom. He does a lot of the cooking (although little of the planning) and most of the cleaning. He does 95% of all errands; quick shopping trips, dry cleaners, oil changes, bank runs, etc. And Lola has her Daddy at home to play most days. Financially we are doing okay and we are very thankful for it. So many are losing everything and we are in no danger of that.
Lola is great. Almost 100 pounds (she is getting fat), but on a diet.
The kids (my 1, his 3) are doing well. BabyBoy moved out, but he is back at home. Working now. We will see about school for the fall. He is without medical insurance. The health care reform does not force Tricare to cover children who are 21, but not in school full time. Nice, huh?
I have suffered from what I believe was an incorrect diagnosis of Lupus and 4-6 pills a day to an actual diagnosis of Plantar Faciitis that is 95% better with physical therapy. I am now drug free, except for the occasional alcoholic beverage and/or Tylenol. And I am dealing with the early stages of Menopause. Yes, I am only 43, but it is common in my family.
There is so much more. I hope that I am energized enough to continue to post. About DSD's daugher's upcoming wedding and why I am dreading it. About my parents' and the fact that they are loving retired life. About the oil spill and how its effects have been felt locally and how the media has taken a horrifying situation and made it so much worse.
Enjoy your Wednesday and keep checking back. I hope to be here.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Is This Possible?
This is a test to see if I can actually publish from my 'Droid. If so, I may be able to post more often, although not very in depth.
The picture was taken last month in Destin, FL @ my 25th high school reunion.
Monday, August 2, 2010
News of My Demise Has Been Greatly Exaggerated
I am alive. I am kicking.
Somedays I am screaming.
Work is work.
Sometimes fun is work.
I miss you all more than I can say. More than I probably should.
I will check in with your 'blogs briefly over the next few days.. but then school starts again.
School..
and college football!!!
Somedays I am screaming.
Work is work.
Sometimes fun is work.
I miss you all more than I can say. More than I probably should.
I will check in with your 'blogs briefly over the next few days.. but then school starts again.
School..
and college football!!!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Calling for Actual Reform
I have not had the time, the energy, or the inclination to read every single draft of the health care bill that has come out of both houses. Who has that much time? I have been lucky to read 1/4 of the news articles on the subject. But, even with the little bit I have read and understood, I am pretty sure this is not what I signed on for.
I wanted health care to be reformed. I wanted every single person living in the United States to have access to health care, from birth to death, and I didn't want them to have to give up their retirement for it... or sell their souls.
As I said, I have not had a lot of time, so if I am wrong, please let me know, but my understanding is that the reform that is coming through Washington is going to allow the insurance companies to get richer and will not change how the poor accesses care.
If this is true, this is not Change I can believe in.
I wanted health care to be reformed. I wanted every single person living in the United States to have access to health care, from birth to death, and I didn't want them to have to give up their retirement for it... or sell their souls.
As I said, I have not had a lot of time, so if I am wrong, please let me know, but my understanding is that the reform that is coming through Washington is going to allow the insurance companies to get richer and will not change how the poor accesses care.
If this is true, this is not Change I can believe in.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Happy Holidays
From our House to Yours! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Hanukkah! Or just Please Enjoy Your Time Off!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The News Is Overwhelming
It makes me sad that I have spent the last 4 months with my head stuck in books attempting to get a degree in Political Science and I have had almost 0 opportunity to figure out what is going on in this country politically.
One of the classes I took Term 2 (Oct - Dec) was State and Local Politics. It was a tough class, but I really enjoyed the way the instructor taught it. It has to be difficult to try to actually teach an online class, I think. So, we had weekly quizzes which guaranteed that we read the chapters. I learned quite a bit about the actual processes used in different states, about different state constitutions and that I need to start paying closer attention to what is happening locally, because there is probably more I can do there. One of the requirements of the class was to attend, and write a report on, a local meeting. I chose the Bay County Commission Meeting of 3 Nov. It was interesting. It was also held in the brand new Bay County Government Center, with almost no one there. Where did this money come from, I wonder? This room would have held several hundred people and it was NICE. Maybe I should run for county commissioner if I ever graduate? It is a part time job and pays more than I am making now.
The brand new library was right next door. I knew this was being built, because the old one had leaking walls and the books were being ruined. I didn't know it was going to as big as it is or as nice. It is a library. Why does it need huge glass windows? In hurricane country? I looked for a picture or link online, but couldn't find one. Shouldn't they be proud of this monstrosity?
My tax dollars are wasted every single place they are touched, not just on a federal level. Isn't that just great?
One of the classes I took Term 2 (Oct - Dec) was State and Local Politics. It was a tough class, but I really enjoyed the way the instructor taught it. It has to be difficult to try to actually teach an online class, I think. So, we had weekly quizzes which guaranteed that we read the chapters. I learned quite a bit about the actual processes used in different states, about different state constitutions and that I need to start paying closer attention to what is happening locally, because there is probably more I can do there. One of the requirements of the class was to attend, and write a report on, a local meeting. I chose the Bay County Commission Meeting of 3 Nov. It was interesting. It was also held in the brand new Bay County Government Center, with almost no one there. Where did this money come from, I wonder? This room would have held several hundred people and it was NICE. Maybe I should run for county commissioner if I ever graduate? It is a part time job and pays more than I am making now.
The brand new library was right next door. I knew this was being built, because the old one had leaking walls and the books were being ruined. I didn't know it was going to as big as it is or as nice. It is a library. Why does it need huge glass windows? In hurricane country? I looked for a picture or link online, but couldn't find one. Shouldn't they be proud of this monstrosity?
My tax dollars are wasted every single place they are touched, not just on a federal level. Isn't that just great?
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Free At Last!
Well for a few weeks anyway. I have been so busy and so stressed out and so tired, is anyone actually still out there? I haven't posted anything in almost 2 months! I have apparently started many posts since August, but have never had time to finish them, CRAZY!!
I turned in my final last Thursday night. Grades were due in yesterday, so they should be posted on the Troy website. I do not even have the guts to look. I did have A's in both of my classes, but I am not sure that I did very well on either final exam, so I am scared to look. Maybe after Christmas.
DSD is still out of work. He is looking, but no one is hiring. He has an interview this afternoon. Another one. Apparently he is #1 on everyone's list, but no one has any money.
His daughter did bring a little happiness to our lives by making us grandparents at the end of September. Grandparents! Crazy. I have pictures, but they are at home and I am at work. She has brought us an entire new family, because her... well, we'll call him husband, is a widower with 2 daughters ages 10 & 13. The baby is precious (we saw them in Nashville in November) but he is, you know, kind of a blob. The girls have well-developed personalities! They know how to behave in social situations! They can speak (and write) English! Correctly! Spelling words! Correctly!
I know it is crazy to be so excited about the fact that my 13 year old grand daughter can spell but my 15 year old step son can not. And many, many, many of the people I am taking classes with are having a little difficulty. I don't many accidently putting in "to" for "too" I mean putting in "pitchers" for "pictures" and writing the way they would speak, instead of correctly. It makes me insane! Hmmm, so maybe I will still get A's because I can write using correct grammar?
How is everyone in BlogLand (I did see squeeze in time to take BabyBoy to see "ZombieLand" Incredibly stupid! I loved it)? I hope your lives are not as crazy and stressed out as mine is. So much happened since the start of Term 1 that I couldn't possibly get it all into one post. So I wanted to say Hi and I'm back temporarily and then maybe throw in some more posts between now and the time school starts back in January.
I really do have pictures: Lola, grandchildren, Nashville, Opryland, Florida Gators, Me, new & improved with short hair.
Soon, I promise!
I turned in my final last Thursday night. Grades were due in yesterday, so they should be posted on the Troy website. I do not even have the guts to look. I did have A's in both of my classes, but I am not sure that I did very well on either final exam, so I am scared to look. Maybe after Christmas.
DSD is still out of work. He is looking, but no one is hiring. He has an interview this afternoon. Another one. Apparently he is #1 on everyone's list, but no one has any money.
His daughter did bring a little happiness to our lives by making us grandparents at the end of September. Grandparents! Crazy. I have pictures, but they are at home and I am at work. She has brought us an entire new family, because her... well, we'll call him husband, is a widower with 2 daughters ages 10 & 13. The baby is precious (we saw them in Nashville in November) but he is, you know, kind of a blob. The girls have well-developed personalities! They know how to behave in social situations! They can speak (and write) English! Correctly! Spelling words! Correctly!
I know it is crazy to be so excited about the fact that my 13 year old grand daughter can spell but my 15 year old step son can not. And many, many, many of the people I am taking classes with are having a little difficulty. I don't many accidently putting in "to" for "too" I mean putting in "pitchers" for "pictures" and writing the way they would speak, instead of correctly. It makes me insane! Hmmm, so maybe I will still get A's because I can write using correct grammar?
How is everyone in BlogLand (I did see squeeze in time to take BabyBoy to see "ZombieLand" Incredibly stupid! I loved it)? I hope your lives are not as crazy and stressed out as mine is. So much happened since the start of Term 1 that I couldn't possibly get it all into one post. So I wanted to say Hi and I'm back temporarily and then maybe throw in some more posts between now and the time school starts back in January.
I really do have pictures: Lola, grandchildren, Nashville, Opryland, Florida Gators, Me, new & improved with short hair.
Soon, I promise!
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