This morning, towards the end of my run, I stopped at the library. My intention was to get only one book. I walked out with four. I forgot how much fun it is to just roam around a library with no particular book in mind. I made a list for the Reading Challenge, but like everything else in my life, I'm not really sticking to it. My moods change and with that, my preference of reading material. I've been doing a lot of reflection on this whole reading thing. Part of me wants to use the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and explore genres I might otherwise pass by. The other part wants to stick with what I know I like; I don't want this to turn into some kind of torture. I want to enjoy what I read. I was reading another participant's reading list and I loved the way he broke it down. He chose a title to read from a variety of categories, ex: a classic novel, a historical novel, an Oprah's book club choice, etc. It was a great way to make a list in my opinion. With that being said, I have decided to set a few guidelines for myself:
1) I will not require myself to finish a book I really don't like.
2) I will commit to reading at least 100 pages before making the decision to stop reading.
3) I am allowed it read only 50 pages if I really, really don't like it.
4) I will choose my books and form my list one book at a time. After I finish a book, I will pick a category and then a book that fits into it.
5) I will knit at lunch and read at night, except Wednesday nights because Lost is on.
6) I will not always read in the same place in my house. I will pick a new place every so often to kind of mix things up.
In the end I don't know why I am putting so much thought into this whole thing. It's not like I can never read again once this challenge is up. This whole thing reminds me of all the summers I spent reading as a kid and then logging my finished books at the library. Every time you reached a certain amount, you got to choose a reward. Two prizes I remember getting were a ticket to the A's baseball game and a copy of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (which I still have and read every so often).
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Spring Reading Challenge: Day 1
So far I have read 120 pages and I am really enjoying it. I chose this book because I really liked the movie and the main character is into photography. I bought the book at Snowline Hospice about a year ago but I hadn't read it yet. It's an easy read and I figured it would be a great way to start this thing off. Even Oprah added it to her book club. Once I finish it, I'll give my final thought.
Friday, March 20, 2009
A Sock is Born
For my birthday, my sister gave me this great sock yarn and a template to create a pair of socks. At first the task seemed daunting, but as I read through the pattern step-by-step I realized it was doable. It took me awhile to knit it up (due to the fine yarn and small needles) but I finally finished my first "real" sock. It fits great, the only thing is that it is very pointy. I just think of it as my Elf sock. I'm moving up in the knitting world! Once I finish the mate, I'm going to try a cardigan. We'll see how that one goes. So without further ado, I introduce....my sock:
Please realize that my ankle is NOT this fat, it is the angle at which I took the picture. It's not easy to photograph your own foot from the side. Nor do I have cankles in real life, once again it was the angle.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Spring Reading Challenge
Here is my list of books (so far) for the Spring Reading Challenge:
(No specific order)
1. False Memory
2. The Glass Castle
3. Chi Running
4. The Shack
5. And Then There Were None
6. Where the Heart Is
7. The Last Juror
8. Superstitious
9. Summer Sisters
10. Cradle and All
This could change after I go to the Library on Saturday, but this is for starters.
(No specific order)
1. False Memory
2. The Glass Castle
3. Chi Running
4. The Shack
5. And Then There Were None
6. Where the Heart Is
7. The Last Juror
8. Superstitious
9. Summer Sisters
10. Cradle and All
This could change after I go to the Library on Saturday, but this is for starters.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Dollhouse Doo-dads
In between knitting and other things, I was able to make some more things for my dollhouse out of clay. In a previous post, I had made the potter's bench. Now I made some things to put on it. I made everything on it except for the pots.
Next I decided to make some food items. I made fruit, cookie sheets with cookies and cinnamon rolls, and then a wedding cake. I was shocked at how cool the wedding cake came out.
My Octopus
Well I finally finished my octopus stuffed animal for my friend's baby. I think it came out great. It took a lot of time though. From start to finish, it probably took about 100 hours to complete. I'm proud of it though. It's pretty big, about 2 1/2 feet. Much bigger than I had anticipated. Now I am working on a stuffed pig. I think this one is going to be smaller.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
I've Been Tagged
I got tagged, so here are my answers:
1) Are your parents married or divorced?
Married for over 40 years
2) Are you a vegetarian?
No. I tried it for a week, but all the soy food was making me sick.
I wish I was though.
3) Do you believe in Heaven?
Undecided
4) Have you ever come close to dying?
Technically no, but I thought I was twice
5) What jewelery do you wear daily?
A necklace and three rings
7) Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Only if it's raw
8) What is your hair styling agent?
Nothing
9) Ever have any surgery? If so, what?
No
10) Do you color your hair?
Sometimes
11) What do you wear to bed?
Tank top
12) Have you ever done anything illegal?
Yes
13) Can you roll your tongue?
Yes
14) Electric razor or blade?
Blade
15) What kind of shoes usually?
Barefoot around the house, My little black flats for work, and flip flops. running shoes or ughs for going out.
16) Do you condone abortions?
Not when people use it as a form of birth control
17) What is your hair color?
Dark brown right now
18) Future child's name?
James Orlin and Genniveve Mary (I have to find out how to spell it)
19) Do you snore?
Sometimes
20) If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?
Any place Tropical
21) Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
Yes, plus 2 cats
22) If you won the lottery, what would you do first?
Travel!
23) Gold or platinum/white gold?
White Gold
24) Hamburger or hot dog?
I can go both ways
25) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cheese
26) City, beach or country?
Beach, unless it's Manhattan
27) What was the last thing you touched?
My drink
28) Where did you eat last?
El Rincon, our favorite Saturday night Mexican place
29) When's the last time you cried?
About a week ago when we were watching some show on CNN about the way the world is going and what the future has in store. I cried because I'm afraid if something bad happens, then we will be broke and then I will never get to have babies
30) Do you read blogs?
Yes
31) Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex?
Already have, I had to cross dress for a play once.
32) Ever been involved with the police?
A few times
33) What's your favorite shampoo and soap?
Anything that smells really good
34) Do you talk in your sleep?
All the time
35) Ocean or pool?
Both
38) Window seat or aisle?
Aisle
39) Ever met anyone famous?
Yes, Andre Agassi and a bunch of other Tennis Pros
40) Do you feel that you've had a truly successful life?
So far, but I hope to be more successful as time goes on
41) Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?
Twirl
42) Ricki Lake or Oprah Winfrey?
Ricki Lake in King of Queens
43) Basketball or Football?
Football
44) How long do your showers last?
3 minutes
45) Automatic or stick shift?
Stick Shift
46) Cake or ice cream?
Ice cream
47) Are you self-conscious?
Sometimes
48) Have you ever drunk so much you threw up?
No
49) Have you ever given money to a beggar?
Yes
50) Have you been in love?
Yes
51) Where do you wish you were?
On a tropical Beach
52) Do you wear socks with your shoes?
Yes, if it's tennis shoes
53) Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
Yes
54) Can you tango?
No, but I could probably fake it if I had to
55) Last gift you received?
A geranium tree
56) Last sport you played?
Whiffle Ball
57) Things you spend a lot of money on?
Running stuff and Photo stuff
58) Where do you live?
Folsom, ca
59) Where were you born?
Placerville, CA
60) Last wedding attended?
My roomate from college
63) Most hated food(s)?
Sardines, Anchovies,
64) What's your favorite?
Mexican and anything with cheese
65) Can you sing?
Yes
66) Last person you instant messaged?
I don't do that
67) Last place you went on holiday?
New York City
68) Favorite regular drink?
Iced Tea
69) Current Song?
Discipline by Nine Inch Nails
1) Are your parents married or divorced?
Married for over 40 years
2) Are you a vegetarian?
No. I tried it for a week, but all the soy food was making me sick.
I wish I was though.
3) Do you believe in Heaven?
Undecided
4) Have you ever come close to dying?
Technically no, but I thought I was twice
5) What jewelery do you wear daily?
A necklace and three rings
7) Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
Only if it's raw
8) What is your hair styling agent?
Nothing
9) Ever have any surgery? If so, what?
No
10) Do you color your hair?
Sometimes
11) What do you wear to bed?
Tank top
12) Have you ever done anything illegal?
Yes
13) Can you roll your tongue?
Yes
14) Electric razor or blade?
Blade
15) What kind of shoes usually?
Barefoot around the house, My little black flats for work, and flip flops. running shoes or ughs for going out.
16) Do you condone abortions?
Not when people use it as a form of birth control
17) What is your hair color?
Dark brown right now
18) Future child's name?
James Orlin and Genniveve Mary (I have to find out how to spell it)
19) Do you snore?
Sometimes
20) If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?
Any place Tropical
21) Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
Yes, plus 2 cats
22) If you won the lottery, what would you do first?
Travel!
23) Gold or platinum/white gold?
White Gold
24) Hamburger or hot dog?
I can go both ways
25) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cheese
26) City, beach or country?
Beach, unless it's Manhattan
27) What was the last thing you touched?
My drink
28) Where did you eat last?
El Rincon, our favorite Saturday night Mexican place
29) When's the last time you cried?
About a week ago when we were watching some show on CNN about the way the world is going and what the future has in store. I cried because I'm afraid if something bad happens, then we will be broke and then I will never get to have babies
30) Do you read blogs?
Yes
31) Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex?
Already have, I had to cross dress for a play once.
32) Ever been involved with the police?
A few times
33) What's your favorite shampoo and soap?
Anything that smells really good
34) Do you talk in your sleep?
All the time
35) Ocean or pool?
Both
38) Window seat or aisle?
Aisle
39) Ever met anyone famous?
Yes, Andre Agassi and a bunch of other Tennis Pros
40) Do you feel that you've had a truly successful life?
So far, but I hope to be more successful as time goes on
41) Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?
Twirl
42) Ricki Lake or Oprah Winfrey?
Ricki Lake in King of Queens
43) Basketball or Football?
Football
44) How long do your showers last?
3 minutes
45) Automatic or stick shift?
Stick Shift
46) Cake or ice cream?
Ice cream
47) Are you self-conscious?
Sometimes
48) Have you ever drunk so much you threw up?
No
49) Have you ever given money to a beggar?
Yes
50) Have you been in love?
Yes
51) Where do you wish you were?
On a tropical Beach
52) Do you wear socks with your shoes?
Yes, if it's tennis shoes
53) Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
Yes
54) Can you tango?
No, but I could probably fake it if I had to
55) Last gift you received?
A geranium tree
56) Last sport you played?
Whiffle Ball
57) Things you spend a lot of money on?
Running stuff and Photo stuff
58) Where do you live?
Folsom, ca
59) Where were you born?
Placerville, CA
60) Last wedding attended?
My roomate from college
63) Most hated food(s)?
Sardines, Anchovies,
64) What's your favorite?
Mexican and anything with cheese
65) Can you sing?
Yes
66) Last person you instant messaged?
I don't do that
67) Last place you went on holiday?
New York City
68) Favorite regular drink?
Iced Tea
69) Current Song?
Discipline by Nine Inch Nails
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