Is there a Guess in the house?

My friend, Clare, has a friend, whose last name is Guess.  He was used to all the teasing but he did admit it was the worst when he joined the army.  Can you imagine the conversation when the drill sergeant called upon him to state his name and his answer was Guess, Sir!!!!!  It didn't go well until both parties came to an understanding.

What is in a name?

When we go to a local sandwich shop we always have to give a name for them to call out and I love giving Kaitlin's name because she rolls her eyes at me. Now we have a contest to see who can say a name first when the guy asks for a name.  Alas, she usually wins and gives out our last night, but soon, don't tell her, I'm going to say "Elvis" or "Prince" or "Madonna" and we'll see what she does?!?!

Here's an article you will enjoy along these lines


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904106704576582834147448392.html

So do you always give out your real name??

I survived my visit to the library

I went to the library today.  I just put my big girl panties on, faced my fears, and walked in to pay for the book I lost.  I went up to the desk when a friendly looking librarian was manning the circulation desk.   She checked in all my books and then I confessed that I was ready to pay for the book I lost and get it off my conscious.  She was very sympathetic.  She told me that I needed to wait for the library to send me a bill but then she said " Let me check with the head librarian."  Oh no, you guessed it, Miss Looked Stern Over Her Glasses at Me came to the computer where Miss Friendly was.  She is the head librarian!  Yikes!!  After she nailed me with another stern look, she asked Miss Friendly if someone had checked the shelf.  Miss Friendly checked the computer and then said that no one had.  She told me to cross my fingers and went to check the shelf....... and ...... she ..... Found the book!

I think she would have done a little happy dance with me if Miss Stern wasn't standing there.  She was as happy as I was.  She thanked me for wanting to set my record straight, for wanting to get right with the library.

As I thanked her profusely, she was quick to point out that the idea to check the shelf belonged to Miss Stern (not what she called her).

So I am glad Miss Stern was at the library today.  I think she even cracked a very small smile as I said "Thank You!"

I will sleep well tonight, my library record has been cleared.

October Resolution

I keep a notebook by my computer, well actually, I keep several but in one I write all the books that are mentioned online or in newspapers that I want to read.  I usually then see if my library has them and if they do, I request them.   If not, I toy with buying them.

Well, for the month of October, I plan to just write down the books that sound good but... drum roll...I don't plan to request any from the library or buy them....Has she lost her mind...maybe...I plan to read books that I already have...what a shocking statement!  I know, I know, can you believe I plan to do this.

Some of it has to do with feeling bad about the books that I have here that I haven't read and some of it-most of it- has to do with the way the librarian looked over her glasses at me the last time I went to the circulation desk.  I asked a question and she had to pull up my account.  She then paused and took a long look at me before she said that I have two 14 day books out past due.  I almost pulled a chair up and sat myself in the corner.  Wow, if looks can make you bring books back, this librarian has them.

I have also...lost a book. There I said it.  It wasn't even a good book so when I pay for it, if I find it, I'll gladly give it back to the library and they will have two copies.

I don't plan to go pay for my book when 'miss stern looking librarian' is behind the desk.  I may go to a different branch to pay for it.  I'll let you know.

To get fired up for this I am perusing my shelves and setting books aside.  I'll get that list to you soon.

More Books Books Books!

The Last Letter from your Lover by Jojo Moyers.  I had a trouble getting over the morals in this one.  It was a well written book.  A woman is in a car wreck and has amnesia.  She has forgotten where she was going when the accident happened.  The book tells in flashback form the story.  I do plan to check to see if this author has more books.


Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua.  This book is getting lots of ink, I had to find out why.  I am still not sure what I think about it.

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashers.  Kaitlin and Marisa enjoyed the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movies, which means I have seem them several times.  When I saw that this book was coming out I was intrigued.  This book could be the concluding story for all the girls.  It was somewhat light.  I enjoyed it.  You know what directions all the girls are headed in.


Tolstoy and the Purple Chair by Nina Sankovitch.  This book is on my Christmas list!  Hint hint- if any husband or children are reading this.  Nina reads a book a day to help her grieve the loss of her sister.  This book is about that year, her books and her insights.  What amazing insights.  One of my favorites is her thoughts on when someone recommends a book to you.  She points out that when they do this, they are baring a little of their soul to you and you need to be careful.  All book weren't meant for all people so treat their feelings gently if you don't like the book.  Nina is not a Christian so she didn't have the power of God to help her through her grief or give her eternal security and that did make me sad but I still highly recommend this one!

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner.  Lots of stories that intersected.  I have loved this author in the past and I will try her again but this wasn't my favorite.  But who knows, you may love it!

Untold Story by Monica Ali.  What if Princess Diana had had plastic surgery and was living in the US right now under an assumed name?  Interesting premiss but the book left me sad.


No Time on My Hands by Grace Snyder.  My friend Laura recommended this one and I am glad she did. This book is about homesteading in Nebraska.  The story is told by the author about her life.  It was a fun read.  It told about the hardships of her life but it wasn't depressing.  One of my favorite stories was how she would take the cows out to pasture and have to stay with them all day.  She would grow tired and want to take a nap.  She would climb up on the back of her favorite cow and sleep- I guess if you are tired enough, you can sleep anywhere.


How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quidlen.  This is an essay written by the author.  It is encouraging plus she gives several great book lists.


The Girl in the Blue Beret by Bobbie Ann Mason.  This book is set in WWII and today.  A pilot who was shot down during the war goes back to Europe to find those who helped him.  Interesting.


The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel.  Another one for my Christmas list- hint hint!  One of Hitler's many goals was to have a city in Germany that the art world would come to and treasure more than Florence, Italy.  He stole so much art for this purpose.  This book is about the men and women who set out to find the art and return it to it's proper owners.  At the beginning of the book you meet the  men and at the end of the book you find out what happened to them all.  I want to sit down with this book and look up all the art that is mentioned in it.

Thanks for all the books you share with me!

Books Books Books!

It is past time for a book post and I am sorry.  I am getting over a bout with pink eye- how at 53 do you get pink eye?  Believe you me, I have the cleanest hands on the face of the earth and will continue to do so.  Reading helped distract me from the terrible itching.  I am better today but may still wear my dark shades when I am out so I don't creep you out!  On to books...


The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser.  I love this author and this book did not disappoint me.  It is set in Atlanta around the Great Depression. I was hooked from the beginning.  There is romance, mystery, friendship and loyalty.  It is a great one!

In a Heartbeat:Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving by Leigh Anne Tuohy.  This book was written by the mother of the family that took in Michael Oher of Blindside fame.  It is a happy book.  It is a quick read and you will be encouraged.  My favorite part was the retelling of Michael's 21 birthday party.  He wanted to ride some roller coasters so they flew to Ohio to a park that has 17 different coasters.  He brought some friends.  They had never flown on a small plane before and Leigh Anne had her hands full getting them onto the plane.  I don't want to spoil it for you what happened next, so get it and read it.

Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand.  This book got rave reviews in USAToday so I checked it out of the library.  The main character's husband is arrested for stealing millions through a ponzi scheme.  She is also under investigation.  It was well written.  It was set in Nantucket and I could feel the salty air on my face as the author described it.  I plan to read more by this author.

Man in Rockefeller Suit by Mark Seal.  This in non-fiction.  The man is in prison today for pretending to be a Rockefeller.  Is he guilty?  I read about this book in the Wall Street Journal and was intrigued.  It somewhat creeped me out.  You may love it, I didn't.

The Remarkable Rough Riding Life of Theodore Roosevelt by Cheryl Harness.  This is a juvenile book and it is a great one.  It is a quick read and my favorite is at the bottom of every page is the horizontal history that was going on around the world during TR lifetime.  I am toying with adding this one to my Christmas list.  TR is my favorite president.


The Trailblazing Life of Daniel Boone by Cheryl Harness.  Written like the book above with the horizontal history at the bottom of each page.  I learned a lot while reading this book- Did you know that Jane Austin wrote Pride and Prejudice during Daniel's life time?

Gone with a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West.  Kaitlin picked this book up at the library for me based on the cover.  I enjoyed it.  Mystery, romance and the end is set up for a sequel that I'll be looking for.

Request these from the library and I'll be back tomorrow with a few more!  

Too Much CSI?

Carl had some trouble with his car so we played 'Musical Vehicles' on Thursday.  He drove the van I usually drive so he left through the garage instead of the back door.  I stopped on my way home from Bible Study and got a few groceries. With the groceries, I decided to park in the garage to unload them.  As I opened up the garage there was a stool in the middle.  I couldn't get in without moving it.  Why was it there?  Maybe Carl put it there to remind me not to park there?!?  Sure, that had to be it!

I parked outside and just brought some of the groceries in the house.  I talked to Carl latter in the day and I  asked him about the stool.  He had no idea why the stool was there.  The hair stood up on the back of my neck, no idea?!?  I didn't either.  Now I am afraid to go out to the garage.  Maybe the stool is a sign for something, maybe it is to show that my van is not at home, maybe if I move it ...

I creeped myself out.  I didn't move the stool but I sure kept a look out for any unusual activity.  I would see them if they came back. -How did they get in in the first place?  they were good!  no doors left unlocked or open-

Kaitlin came home at 4.  She asked why I didn't park in the garage?  I told her, quietly, just in case.  She calmly walked out to the garage and moved the stool, nothing fell on her head- there was nothing above her but the ceiling but on the tv stuff falls from overhead a lot, no bullets rang out, no nothing!

Then she calmly reminded me that she set the stool up that morning to wait for a few minutes until I was ready and she was enjoying the beautiful weather.  She apologized for not moving it.

I was relieved that the next mass murderer had not set up camp near us and the mystery was solved.

This is my favorite drink and we found out last year that it is seasonal!   We bought 4 packs on Friday when Kaitlin saw it at Kroger.

I am thankful

1- 10 years ago John, Kaitlin and I were on our way to an exercise class where Kaitlin and John helped babysit while I exercised. As the phones started ringing letting all of us know what was happening in NYC and at the Pentagon, the song that we were exercising to was 'God is in control'. How fitting that was! I am thankful that He is in control!

2-10 years ago, Carl was at work getting ready to leave that afternoon for a trip. I called him with the news of the attack. He came home to us that night. I am thankful he was in town when it happened.

3-10 years ago our church had a prayer meeting that Tuesday night. We sat in a circle and held hands as we prayed. Folks from my church knew folks that were pilots or lived in NYC and worked in the Twin Towers or in some way could have been impacted by the events of the day. I am thankful for the beauty and the comfort of that prayer meeting.

4-10 years ago one of Carl's brothers, Larry, was in Washington DC getting ready to go to a briefing with a Senator. Needless to say it was cancelled. He had already checked out of his motel because he was scheduled to fly out that afternoon. His story of his trip back to Alabama is very interesting. He said that it was lesson in team building. He met several strangers all headed south. They( not sure how many) rented a car and crammed into it and drove south, they checked airports and rental car places in cities they passed to get another car. They finally found a second car. The folks then figured out a path for both cars to get everyone home. Larry was going the furthest south so he drove one, dropping folks off at their towns or near their towns where someone could pick them up. I am thankful Larry made it home safely.

5-10 years ago Andrew was a sophomore at AUBURN. When I talked to him that day, I could hear the panic in his voice or maybe it was just that I wanted all my babies with me! I told Carl that we needed to go see Andrew. We left that Thursday and headed to AUBURN. I didn't tell Andrew our plans in case something came up at work for Carl. I talked to Andrew on Thursday and asked where he wanted to eat supper on Thursday night. I forget what restaurant he picked out. After we talked a little longer I said "Walk out of your dorm and into our van and let's go eat supper!" He was overjoyed as was I. Andrew slept in our motel room that night with us because I needed us all to be together. I am thankful that my family was able to all be together that week.

6- we live in a city with an Air Force base. We often have service men and women attending church with us. They are prayed for by name every Sunday, even more so, when they are deployed. I am thankful for them and the service they do for me and my family.

7- July 2002, we flew into Boston's Logan airport. On our flight we met a flight attendant that should have been on one of those flights. Her mother called the morning of 9/11 and needed to go to the doctor. Our attendant got a replacement and took her mother to the doctor. She couldn't go back to work for several months because she felt guilt and then fear. She went back because she loves her job and didn't want bin laden to take that away from her. Very sobering for us. I am thankful for all those who had the courage to get back to doing their jobs.

8- I am thankful for our flag and what it means.

9- I am thankful for the courageous men and women on those flights that knew what was about to happen.

10- I am thankful for the USA and that I was blest to be born and live here.

11- I am thankful for Jesus Christ and His life given for me that I may have eternal life with Him. I am so blest!

If I had a hammer?

This is what the living room and dining room looked like after Robert and John brought out from storage all the pictures that were taken down before the painting happened.
Then Carl, aka my picture hanger, went to work. This is in the foyer. Photo by Ross.

The corner in the living. Photos of Kaitlin and Marisa by SaraE.

The gray wall in the dining room with pictures and graphic design work by Kaitlin.
Pine cone by Marisa. I have several more of her works to frame and then Carl will hang them on 'her' wall.
This picture was taken in, by my best guess, 1968? Do you think you see Kaitlin? It is me. We have lots of fun with this picture.
I don't often keep flowers on the floor but I had to move them to take pictures. The picture on the blue wall is by Ross.
I love and am blest by all my art!

AUBURN Football

Read about an ESPN special on AUBURN Football ! We hope to watch it.