A trip to our local library resulted in a new Alexander McCall Smith book for my Thanksgiving weekend reading. Although he's more well-known for his #1 Ladies Detective Agency novels, I love his Isabel Dalhousie books. Set in Scotland, the main character is a philosopher who dabbles in solving minor mysteries. Frankly, I don't pay much attention to the plots because they're a bit thin but the writing? Oh, the writing is lyrical and thought-provoking and I love it.
As I was reading, I marked a few passages because I was trying to figure out how to explain why I love this character and these novels. This first one describes my job - getting magazines off to press:
"But then it's the sort of job that never seems to finish. You get one issue off to press and then there's the next one to think about - and the one after htat. It's a bit like Sisyphus and his rock - pushing it up to the top of the hill and then having to do the whole thing all over again once it's rolled down."
This one comes as Isabel is contemplating the blessings in her life. "But none of us deserves good fortune, perhaps - it comes our way, dispensed at random, irrespective of what prayer flags we string across our mountain passes, what chants and imprecations we devise; it simply comes."
And my favorite line from the entire novel: "Books are not mute... they have things to whisper."
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Well THAT Is Embarrassing
I completely forgot that I had a giveaway going on over at Mama In Pajamas Reviews. I am SO sorry! What an idiot.
Anywho, since I'm not operating on all cylinders, all four of you win a copy of the book! So Laura, Erin, Lisa and Amy, email me (mamainjammies@yahoo.com) with your address and I'll get the books out this week!
Anywho, since I'm not operating on all cylinders, all four of you win a copy of the book! So Laura, Erin, Lisa and Amy, email me (mamainjammies@yahoo.com) with your address and I'll get the books out this week!
Friday, November 27, 2009
No Casualties on Black Friday
I'm happy to report that there was no pushing or shoving, very little screaming of obscenities, and only a couple of mutterings while waiting in crazy long lines. And none of it was me! As always, I was up at the way-before-dawn for Black Friday and - also as always - I was in a great mood. Although I think the checkout lines at Old Navy were completely out of control, I'm happy to say I got everything on my list at every store I went to today.
Planning people. The key is planning.
The key is also knowing before you get out of bed that other people are going to be grouchy and rude and there's nothing you can do about it.
I was home with a car loaded with goodies before noon, just in time for a bowl of chili and a short nap before my Huskers kicked off. A victory over Colorado completed a fairly perfect Black Friday.
Tomorrow... tomorrow is decorating day. The tree will go up and the outdoor lights will be strung. Hear that, husband??? The lights will be going up tomorrow.
The wife has spoken.
Planning people. The key is planning.
The key is also knowing before you get out of bed that other people are going to be grouchy and rude and there's nothing you can do about it.
I was home with a car loaded with goodies before noon, just in time for a bowl of chili and a short nap before my Huskers kicked off. A victory over Colorado completed a fairly perfect Black Friday.
Tomorrow... tomorrow is decorating day. The tree will go up and the outdoor lights will be strung. Hear that, husband??? The lights will be going up tomorrow.
The wife has spoken.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Getting In The Spirit
Around here, Christmas starts bright and early on the day after Thanksgiving. There is holiday music and funky Santa Claus socks and much, much shopping. The tree is up before the end of the weekend and, if the weather is nice and the husband is feeling cooperative, the lights are shining brightly outside. And even though I'm firmly in the 'no Christmas before Thanksgiving' camp, I had to giggle when Miss P brought me this book to read tonight. It's my very favorite kids Christmas story.
Following the cadence of The Night Before Christmas, in this version everything goes wrong when one family tries to get ready for the big day, including pets that destroys the decorations and a mom with the flu, but everyone is wisely reminded in the end that, "Christmas is about love. And we have quite enough."
Yes, we do.
Following the cadence of The Night Before Christmas, in this version everything goes wrong when one family tries to get ready for the big day, including pets that destroys the decorations and a mom with the flu, but everyone is wisely reminded in the end that, "Christmas is about love. And we have quite enough."
Yes, we do.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Two Years Ago
Two years ago this week, I arrived home with our new daughter. I was going back through my old blog posts and thought I'd share a few snippets from those posts. Wow - memories!
We met the other Dillon families downstairs and, as one of them said, went to play Frogger. The traffic is just wild and you have to steel your nerves to take that first step into the sea of scooters and vehicles. We've gotten into the habit of waiting for a Vietnamese person to step up next to us on the curb.... then when he/she goes, we go. So far, no casualties :)
There is so much to take in and you're definitely on sensory overload. The scooters beep their horns, the language is different, the sights are amazing... all while your body is physically exhausted and your nerves are on red alert waiting for this thing called 'baby'.
P was sleeping in a crib right inside the door and she looked so tiny. She woke up with all of the commotion and didn't fuss at all when I picked her up. She does this thing with her eyebrows where she scrunches them all together when she's worried, and she was doing it big time when I first started to hold her.
We have also encountered our first delay. Since there are so many families here trying to get in under the 'old' I600 rules, we won't have our CIS interview until Friday morning. There is a chance we'll receive our approval that afternoon, but it probably won't be until Monday. So we won't leave for Hanoi until Monday, putting us just one day behind on the schedule. We may encounter more delays in Hanoi, but so far we're all just trucking along and doing whatever the Dillon staff says. Thomas says we should relax and enjoy this 'vacation' with our children.
One of the things I love about Vietnam is how everyone is willing to help. When it was time for us to head back to the hotel, the staff at the restaurant called us a cab. Since there are usually 6-8 of us, we can't jump into a regular taxi - we always need the larger sized vehicle. And everywhere we've been, we've asked the security staff (who are everywhere in both HCMC and Hanoi) and they've gone out of their way to find us a ride 'home'. Sometimes we don't even ask... we just look confused and mill about until someone takes pity on us. :)
Man, it seems like forever ago that my mom and I were in Vietnam. I look at pictures of our little peanut then and now, and am amazed at the changes in her. We love you P!
We met the other Dillon families downstairs and, as one of them said, went to play Frogger. The traffic is just wild and you have to steel your nerves to take that first step into the sea of scooters and vehicles. We've gotten into the habit of waiting for a Vietnamese person to step up next to us on the curb.... then when he/she goes, we go. So far, no casualties :)
There is so much to take in and you're definitely on sensory overload. The scooters beep their horns, the language is different, the sights are amazing... all while your body is physically exhausted and your nerves are on red alert waiting for this thing called 'baby'.
P was sleeping in a crib right inside the door and she looked so tiny. She woke up with all of the commotion and didn't fuss at all when I picked her up. She does this thing with her eyebrows where she scrunches them all together when she's worried, and she was doing it big time when I first started to hold her.
We have also encountered our first delay. Since there are so many families here trying to get in under the 'old' I600 rules, we won't have our CIS interview until Friday morning. There is a chance we'll receive our approval that afternoon, but it probably won't be until Monday. So we won't leave for Hanoi until Monday, putting us just one day behind on the schedule. We may encounter more delays in Hanoi, but so far we're all just trucking along and doing whatever the Dillon staff says. Thomas says we should relax and enjoy this 'vacation' with our children.
One of the things I love about Vietnam is how everyone is willing to help. When it was time for us to head back to the hotel, the staff at the restaurant called us a cab. Since there are usually 6-8 of us, we can't jump into a regular taxi - we always need the larger sized vehicle. And everywhere we've been, we've asked the security staff (who are everywhere in both HCMC and Hanoi) and they've gone out of their way to find us a ride 'home'. Sometimes we don't even ask... we just look confused and mill about until someone takes pity on us. :)
Man, it seems like forever ago that my mom and I were in Vietnam. I look at pictures of our little peanut then and now, and am amazed at the changes in her. We love you P!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Crossing My Fingers For A Win
Obviously, I always want my Huskers to win their football games. But this weekend? And next weekend? I REALLY want them to win. Because it's really hard to bleed red when you're living in a blue and purple state.
Go Big Red!
Go Big Red!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Weather Rollercoaster
I can't decide if I've missed winter altogether, if it came early in October and we've turned the corner to spring, or if I'm in deeeeeep denial about how rotten it's going to be around here come December and January. On Saturday, it was 76 degrees. 76!!! Yesterday, I went for a run with a friend on a local trail and it was gorgeous - the leaves were beautiful, the sun was shining, and it was absolutely perfect.
Today... not so much. Today, the temperature dropped, the wind came up, and it's been raining for a couple of hours. Blech.
On the bright side, it's been a while since I've been able to take advantage of my bunny slippers and jammies and this weather is the perfect excuse. So tonight, my agenda includes a hot bath, a glass of wine, and a cozy pair of pajamas. Kind of like hibernating... only better.
Today... not so much. Today, the temperature dropped, the wind came up, and it's been raining for a couple of hours. Blech.
On the bright side, it's been a while since I've been able to take advantage of my bunny slippers and jammies and this weather is the perfect excuse. So tonight, my agenda includes a hot bath, a glass of wine, and a cozy pair of pajamas. Kind of like hibernating... only better.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Back From Indy Town
There's nothing like a two day whirlwind conference to both energize and exhaust a body. Add in a lot of martinis, a darling new boyfriend, and a little shopping and you pretty much have the perfect event.
Yep. I said boyfriend. I am smitten with a younger man. A WAY younger man. He's two. And I think he likes me too!
The amazing Julie, her husband Chris, and Little B came to visit me. It was so much fun to watch this little guy. Last year, while at this same conference, Julie and Chris were going crazy, waiting for him to come home. Now, he's a car-playing, snack-eating ladies man who is obviously the apple of his mama's eye. Our time together was way too short!
The conference kicked off with a reception, launched into a jam-packed day of sessions, snuck in yet another reception, and added one more morning of sessions. Post-reception evenings were filled with good meals and late nights, while we renewed acquantainces at a local martini bar. I didn't get much sleep and I'm quite sure I'm too old to do that very often, but I had a heck of a good time :) I also have ideas rattling around in my head for several magazine articles and I made terrific contacts who will help me write those articles, so I'm feeling very pleased with myself!
We had a harrowing flight home, but I arrived in time for a good night's sleep and awoke ready to spend Halloween with the wicked witch, Dorothy, and Minnie Mouse.
Now it's back to the real world, with a magazine going to layout today. Well, it will be if I edit a few things and write an article... so I'd better get to work!
Yep. I said boyfriend. I am smitten with a younger man. A WAY younger man. He's two. And I think he likes me too!
The amazing Julie, her husband Chris, and Little B came to visit me. It was so much fun to watch this little guy. Last year, while at this same conference, Julie and Chris were going crazy, waiting for him to come home. Now, he's a car-playing, snack-eating ladies man who is obviously the apple of his mama's eye. Our time together was way too short!
The conference kicked off with a reception, launched into a jam-packed day of sessions, snuck in yet another reception, and added one more morning of sessions. Post-reception evenings were filled with good meals and late nights, while we renewed acquantainces at a local martini bar. I didn't get much sleep and I'm quite sure I'm too old to do that very often, but I had a heck of a good time :) I also have ideas rattling around in my head for several magazine articles and I made terrific contacts who will help me write those articles, so I'm feeling very pleased with myself!
We had a harrowing flight home, but I arrived in time for a good night's sleep and awoke ready to spend Halloween with the wicked witch, Dorothy, and Minnie Mouse.
Now it's back to the real world, with a magazine going to layout today. Well, it will be if I edit a few things and write an article... so I'd better get to work!
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