The Great Debate

Sweet or unsweet tea?

Sweet. (duh)

Coke or Pepsi?

Coke

Thin, hand-tossed, or deep-dish?

Hand-tossed

Ribeye or Filet?

Ribeye

 

I could keep this going forever, but I’d like to know your thoughts, suggestions, and preference on e-readers.

I don’t know much about them, except for the few things I’ve read online and a few brief conversations with friends who have (and love) them. I’m still nervous about this idea because I really love to sensitize with my books…..i.e. touch and feel the pages, write notes in the margins, insert my favorite bookmark, etc.

 

WHAT IS THE BEST E-READER?

 

Option #1: Kindle by Amazon

Option #2: Nook by Barnes & Nobles

Option #3: Sony Reader

 

Please leave a comment with your vote and explain WHY you prefer a particular brand and/or model…..or suggest another option. I’ve got my listening ears on!

 

I’m looking for an e-reader that will allow me to read whatever book I wish without a lot of bells and whistles. I’ve ruled out the Ipad because I don’t think I’m smart (or cool) enough to own one and, honestly, I don’t want to make a big purchase. With a simpler e-reader, I’ll be able to use our Internet service at home to download the books I want to read. Besides, I need my laptop computer for my blog and Adobe Creative Suite. I use InDesign for my church’s monthly newsletter and I’m desperately trying to learn PhotoShop for photo editing.

Note to self: splurge on that $80.00 Photoshop class via Groupon ~ consider it your birthday present!

After reading this, I’m really leaning towards the Nook Simple Touch.

Forget what I’m leaning towards……what do YOU suggest?

 

While you’re considering which e-reader is best, be sure to visit my Celebration Giveaway post and enter to win a myriad of great and awesome prizes.

 Love,

Me

My Current Reading List

My initial plans of reading more books this summer has proven to be a more difficult task that I originally thought. One reason: I’ve been really busy. Secondly, I’ve been working my cutie-patootie off in the garden and corn patch in Kentucky, and now I’m packing again for a mission trip to Haiti.

Looking back to the month of June, I was a lazy bum holding the couch down. The month of July has disappeared into thin air and August is literally around the corner. Where did the summer go? What happened to the lazy days of summer reading a book?

Did you have any spectacular plans or intentions for the summer that you didn’t accomplish?

While I was visiting my family in Kentucky, I had the pleasure of attending my Aunt Georgia’s book club meeting. She’s one of the original, founding members of this book club. They have been meeting for 15 years and it’s something I admire, respect, and honestly, envy just a wee bit.

OK, I envy it a lot.

I would love to have a book club like this! This group has structured its monthly gatherings so one person hosts the get-together at their home once a year and provides dinner and drinks. Following dinner, the group discusses the monthly title. Members read 11 books a year and the 12th month (December) is used as a planning session for the next year ~ everybody brings 2-3 titles they “pitch” to the group and after everybody has suggested their recommendations, the group votes on 11. There might be a substitution made in the middle of the year, but for the most part, club members know well in advance the reading schedule and can purchase the titles they’ll be reading. It’s an ingenious concept that’s obviously stood the test of time. Sure, they’ve had people participate and leave to pursue other interests, but there are a dozen steadfast members that meet monthly. It’s not just for women either, there are two men in this book club as well. All in all, this group has built lasting friendships by reading and discussing a book. 

I’m glad to announce that Aunt Georgia’s book club has given me the distinction of Honorary E-Member……..which means if I read the book they are discussing, I can send my notes/thoughts to Aunt Georgia and she’ll share at their discussion! I’m really excited about this invitation. Plus, I’m grateful for their generosity and hospitality. 

I’ve participated in e-book clubs before and I’m doing another in the month of August. I know, like I have nothing going on, right?! Real Simple magazine hosts an online book club, No-Obligation Book Club. In April, I read Room by Emma Donaghue and loved the experience. You can see my discussion posts here, here, and here.

This month (August), I’ll read The Paris Wife by Paula McLain with Real Simple’s No-Obligation Book Club and South of Broad by Pat Conroy. with Aunt Georgia’s club. I have heard lots of good things about both titles, so I’m excited to read them. Plus, I’ll catch up on some of my summertime reading.

So, here’s the million dollar question: (there’s no money involved here, I don’t even have a million Monopoly dollars to give you)

Is it possible for me to create a book club where people read a book and meet to discuss? Would you be interested in joining me?

I can’t do this alone though. I need other book-lovers to commit to meeting once a month AND actually read the selected book title. If it sweetens the deal any, I’m willing to host the first meeting at my house! Are you interested?!

 

Related articles

• Book clubs in America: Why do we love them so much? (slate.com)

 

 

 

Blessings abound

When I started this online journal six months ago, I never dreamt it would be this fun, interactive, or rewarding. I also never imagined how much I would enjoy sharing life’s struggles and celebrations with my blog readers.

To every visitor: I’m grateful. To every visitor: I appreciate your time. To every visitor who’s left a comment: I appreciate your kind words.

To all of you, whether a first-time visitor or a long-time friend (or my parents – hi Mom and Dad!), I’m glad you’re here. Thanks for visiting and I hope you’ll come back again. Share the link with your friends, invite them to my little place in Blog-land.

I created this blog without a distinct purpose or theme. I had a similar blog going at Blogger, but to be honest, I was bored. Someone once asked me which blogging platform I preferred (Blogger or WordPress) and I responded with WordPress for one reason: its streamlined simplicity. I have nothing against Blogger (still have an account there), but I felt disconnected with other bloggers and longed for a sense of community. I feel connected within the WordPress family. I especially love browsing through Freshly Pressed and participating in blog groups, such as the weekly photo challenge. I’d love to be “freshly pressed” someday….hint hint, WordPress people!!!

Feeling that sense of community and connectedness with fellow bloggers is just one of the many reasons I love sharing my rants and raves in a public forum. My friend, Lisa, introduced me to WordPress through her personal blog, but she also has a fashion blog at Blogger, which I love and follow religiously. Funny thing about Lisa and I: we’ve never met face-to-face. We used to work for the same transportation consulting firm. Lisa was in the Norfolk, VA office and I was in Dallas/Fort Worth. We both worked in marketing and business development. I can’t tell you the number of times I’d call her in a panic for a project code or photo or project manager’s bio hours before a deadline. She’d laugh, provide the information, and then we’d talk for 30 minutes as if deadlines were nonexistent. I miss the phone ringing and seeing her name on the caller ID. I always knew a treat awaited on the other end of the line. Nowadays, she’s still doing her thing in marketing (but with a different, more friendly company) and I’m spending my days with cranky teenagers as a middle school teacher. Not much as changed in my world….except three things every teacher loves: June, July, and August.

Anyway, I’m really proud of Lisa and consider it a privilege to call her my friend. She is constantly sharing tidbits of her life, whether it’s a to-do list gone wrong or tips on how to effectively (and fashionably) pack for a vacation. You’d be surprised how much she can fold inside a carry-on luggage piece! Her blog expectations continue to exceed her imagination and I’m so glad to share in her journey. Most recently, she received a pair of Costa Islamorada sunglasses to review. Not only is that a wonderful opportunity, but it’s a compliment that speaks volumes to Lisa and her blog.

Lisa - thanks for the digital camera suggestions and discount links…..YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

Another blog “connection” I’ve made in the virtual world is with Jan, over at The Diamond E. If you’re a regular visitor here, you might recognize her name because she was the winner of my giveaway last week. Jan and I met through a WordPress group. I read her post about working in a hay meadow and pulling a truck and trailer through the pasture. Since I’m permanently banned from operating any automobile or piece of equipment with an attached trailer, I instantly considered Jan a hero. Our blog-ship (blogging relationship) blossomed even more when we realized that we lived within 30 minutes of each other. What are the chances?!

I bet Stefanie Gordon never imagined her transformation from just another passenger on a Delta flight bound for Florida to an instantly famous snapshot-taker of the Space Shuttle Endeavor as it launched from Cape Canaveral, FL headed to the International Space Center early Monday morning.

Space Shuttle Endeavor from Delta Flight 2285 ~ Photo courtesy of Stefanie Gordon

I saw this photo on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and knew I had to share it with my students as we were discussing the beginnings of NASA and the construction of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. I even assigned a current event article summary based on the current Endeavor mission. I never imagined I would “connect” with the actual photographer via WordPress when I saw Stefanie had been “freshly pressed.”. Again, this blog thing is crazy.

Congratulations, Stefanie, on being Freshly Pressed and taking such a memorable photograph during your flight!!!!

I’m constantly impressed with the opportunities that present themselves through unconventional channels. A few years ago, my Aunt Georgia gave me a book that she had read with her book club and wanted me to have it for my own collection. That moment changed my life forever. The book was The Organic God by Margaret Feinberg. Fast forward to today and I have Sacred Echo, Scouting the Divine, Twentysomething and Margaret’s most recent publication, Hungry for God.

"Hungry for God" ~ Photo courtesy of Margaret Feinberg

I’m always excited when I receive a piece of mail from Colorado, as I know it’s from Margaret or her assistant, Jade. Those ladies know how to make me smile….send me a book and my soul is happy. Send me an autographed copy of Hungry For God (released THIS WEEK) and I scream, shout, and dance around the dining room table.

Next Tuesday (May 24), I will get an opportunity that I’ve been looking forward to since the moment I opened Organic God: I will meet Margaret Feinberg. She is taping a segment on LIVE Today and Margaret has invited me to be in the live audience at the studio located in Euless (a suburb of Fort Worth). Excited doesn’t even come close to my emotions right now.

To celebrate two milestones here at my blog,  27 & Counting, Margaret has graciously offered to host a giveaway and I’m including some surprise gifts of my own too. Please check for updates on this exciting event, I’ll be celebrating my 100th post soon and more than 5,000 site visitors.

I couldn’t do any of this without YOU, my visitors, so thank you. Again. From the bottom of my heart.

In the meantime, visit Margaret Feinberg or her Facebook Fan Page and Twitter @mafeinberg.

Check it out:
http://mar.cta.gs/00y

Celebrating our wedded bliss

Nicole & Kevin - March 31, 2007

This week, Thursday to be exact, Kevin and I will celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary. We’ve been together eight years, but it seems much longer. We met in a Yahoo! Chat room, long before online matchmaking became popular. Most were skeptical and said we were crazy, but I credit our strong Christian beliefs, similar core values, and honest communication to the success of our relationship. Kevin and I based our long-distance relationship on honesty, trustworthiness, and hope in the future – our future. We were committed to one another from the beginning; we endured the hardships of being apart while being patient with God’s plan in our lives.

Courtesy of The Journal-Enterprise (May 15, 2002)

When we met in June 2003, I was in Kentucky preparing for collegiate golf at Bellarmine University in Louisville. Kevin was an IT supervisor in Dallas, Texas. In 2004, I earned an athletic scholarship to Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. God was making a way for this relationship. A year later, in 2005, I was accepted at Texas A&M University in Commerce, located 30 minutes from Kevin and his family. It was divine intervention.

Courtesy of Chris Owens Photography - Fort Worth, Texas (March 2007)

Today, Kevin and I are living a blessed life near Fort Worth, Texas. He is still in IT and I’m a middle school social studies teacher. Kevin enjoys team roping and I am active at church and enjoy reading, cooking, and blogging. If the weather’s nice, you’ll find us on the front porch with a pitcher of sweet tea or in the pasture with our golf clubs. Occasionally, we’ll challenge each other in a game of “the closest one to the water trough wins.” I usually win.

Kevin makes me laugh every single day; he is my best friend and partner for life. I am forever grateful that KyGolfGirl met TxTeamRoper and married March 31, 2007. God is so good.

What should I read next?

I made a goal in 2010 to read 100 books in a year. While I fell short of that goal, I never became discouraged. Instead, I kept reading every chance I could. Since January, I’ve read some AWESOME books, including Room, A Million Little Pieces, The Help, and This I Believe. For my next title selection, I’m enlisting the help (and feedback) of my blog readers – whomever they are! Please (pretty please!) cast your vote and tell me what I should read.

This poll will close Thursday, March 31, which happens to be my fourth wedding anniversary.

ROOM – Living (Chapter 5)

ROOM - by Emma Donoghue

as posted on Real Simple’s No-Obligation Book Club website, found here

Living – Chapter Five – left me anxious, but hopeful that things would work out for Ma and Jack. I immediately questioned Grandma’s ability to take care of Jack, even on a temporary basis, because of her restlessness and, in my opinion, her lack of empathy. She seemed to be a fish out of water. It was like she had no idea what to do, or when to do it – simply, Grandma did not know how to handle the situation she suddenly found herself in. Obviously, losing her daughter to a sick-insane-creep (Old Nick) had robbed her of the opportunity to be a mother. I don’t think Grandma knew how to be a grandmother either. That opportunity was taken away from her when Ma was kidnapped. (Some of these questions were answered when I realized Ma was adopted – pp. 298.)

Kathleen, I agree that Jack became a junior philosopher in this chapter. I also believe he continues to be a moral compass for Grandma, who doesn’t seem to accept the truth – or reality – very well. She lied to the Doctor about playing Checkers with Jack, when he was really watching TV. Jack obviously picked up on the lie and he was confused why Grandma would be dishonest. I got frustrated by Grandma trying to portray a better situation than what she was actually experiencing…why? What was she trying to hide? Her daughter and grandson are celebrities now!

I also questioned Grandma’s ability to care for a young child when she and Jack went to the playground and she failed to protect Jack’s sensitive skin with sunscreen. He ultimately burned, yet Grandma argued with the Doctor’s assumption of her providing only “acceptable” care (pp. 275).

I think Jack is getting accustomed to Outside fairly well, even though it seemed, at times, that he was overwhelmed by the vastness of everything. Specificially, I think Jack hit the nail on the head when he said, “In Room, we knowed what everything was called but in the world there’s so much, persons don’t even know the names.” (pp. 267) His tiny little mind – while great with Ma’s teachings inside Room – is trying so hard to grasp things so big and wondurous in Outside! Jack continues to teach us, especially me, that the world is so vast and so big – there are tiny treasures to discover every single day! (What will I discover today?)

Jack continues with his great teachings when he pronounces his love for Walker at the playground and extends his love with a hug. While Grandma is warning Jack against such action, I think Jack is teaching us that love is greater than all things and should be extended to all, without reservation and prejudice. Imagine the world if this happened on a daily basis. Another great a-ha moment for me, courtesy of Jack, was the checklist of things accomplished since entering Outside and a “bucket list” that he and Ma want to do. I think it is a wonderful reminder to all of us to pause for a moment and remember our blessings, to acknowledge that for which we are grateful.

I agree with Bella, too, because I think Ma and Jack are going to be fine in Outside. I was so nervous when they returned to Room. My stomach was in knots thinking that Weirdo-Creep (aka Old Nick) had escaped from jail and would try to capture them again. Hat’s off to Ma and Jack though, I cannot imagine setting foot inside that small space again. I think I stopped breathing when they were inside and saying goodbye to their former possessions. I can understand Ma’s overwhelming emotion and reaction to the moment, I would have gotten sick too!

Thank you, Kathleen, for sharing this wonderful book with me and leading this discussion. This has been one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! I look forward to future book discussions and I’m so grateful to Real Simple for creating this online, no-obligation book club (genius idea!).

Ms. Donoghue: Great job! Wonderful book! Amazing storyline! What was your inspiration? How did you develop the characters? Why did you decide to use Jack’s perspective? Will there be a sequeal? What happened in the court room when Ma faced Old Nick? Was justice served? How does one receive justice when seven years of your life are taken away?

Question for whomever: I try to be as nice neighbor as possible and stay out of other’s business ( I live out in the country and neighbors are few and far between…..BUT ), I can’t help but wonder if (how?) neighbors around Old Nick’s house could NOT have noticed large shrubs hiding an A/C unit and a tech-savvy “storage” building in the backyard. Isn’t that suspicious? Did anyone notice? Did anyone care? Would you have said something? Would you have been curious to know what Old Nick was doing? Would you have reported suspicious behavior to authorities?

ROOM – Chapters 3 and 4 (Dying and After)

ROOM - by Emma Donoghue

Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever read a chapter as quickly as I did Chapter 3 (Dying) – that was an emotional rollercoaster! It literally took my breath away; I was anticipating every positive and negative outcome possible when Ma and Jack were planning (and ultimately implementing) their “Great Escape.” I wondered: would the plan work? Would Old Nick catch Jack faking his illness/death? Would authorities catch Old Nick? Amid these questions, I also wondered why Old Nick was willing to take Jack out of Room – because he had witnessed the stillborn’s death and seemed to have no remorse. What was different about Jack?

Dying, for me, was the fastest 55-pages-read ever! I was engrossed. I could not – would not! – stop reading until I knew, with certainty, that Jack had made it to Outside, safe and sound. Their plan (“Sick, Truck, Hospital, Police, Save Ma”) was genius, it was truly The Great Escape!

Chapter 4 (After) left me nervous and very anxious. I admittedly wanted Room (its control, structure, and routine) back – I know, I’m crazy, right?! Jack’s planned escape was successful, but I think we finally see Ma’s human-ness, rather than her mother-ness. She’s quick to lose patience; quick to lose her temper; and, quick to succumb to the conveniences (and inconveniences) of reality in Outside.
Personally, I caught reflections of my own self during After and realized I lose my patience when things – mostly people – don’t do as I would like, when I would like them too.) Ridicule aside, aren’t we all guilty of Ma’s physical and mental breakdown? Do we not also lose our temper when the weight of the world is too much in a particular moment? I thought it was poignant when Jack said, “I’ve seen the world and I’m tired now.” Outside was too overwhelming for the little guy, and I can’t say I disagree with him – it can be too much to handle at times!

Interesting to me was Ma’s quick diversion to worldly priorities and possessions once she arrived Outside. Even Jack caught notice very quickly when he said, “{Ma would} rather read the paper than sleep with me.” Of course, I also think Jack jumped on the more-more-more wave when Ma asked him to choose five toys and Jack chose six. When is enough enough? We live in a world, in a society, with great abundance, yet humans are rarely content.

Why did Ma tell Jack the story of the isolated monkeys? Is this a foreshadowing trick? Why did Ma (and the medical staff) allow Jack to leave the center for the dinosaur trip? It seemed way too early to me.

The very end of After leaves me curious…and furious. Ma, it seems, has over-dosed on painkillers. Why would she attempt suicide now that she and Jack are in Outside? She’s been so strong, for so long, and she wants to let it all go now? I don’t understand.

Of course I read the last chapter, but I promise not to spoil it for anyone. There was not enough strength to keep me from turning those pages – I was selfish and had to keep reading!!!

This I Believe – Part One

I began reading This I Believe during yesterday’s plane ride to Kentucky and I’ve been overwhelmed by the stories, testimonies, and life philosophies that create a personal credo by answering one simple question.

What do you believe?

This concept was first aired on a 1950s radio program, hosted by journalist Edward Murrow. At the time, Americans gathered around their radios to listen to personal doctrines from acclaimed celebrities such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson, and Helen Keller, as well as not-so-famous individuals like cab drivers, secretaries, and scientists — anyone willing to share their life-guiding principles.

Essays shared in the 1950s brought words of comfort to listeners worried about issues such as the Cold War and racial divisions. Today, This I Believe, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, engages people of all ages and from all walks of life to share their values and beliefs in writing, sharing, and discussing brief essays. Visit their website, www.thisibelieve.org, to learn more, or submit your own essay!

In the coming weeks, I will share essay excerpts from This I Believe to my blog readers. In reading this book, I’ve noticed that the stories from the 1950s are just as — if not more — poignant today than they were 60 years ago. I hope you enjoy these life-guiding lessons and, I welcome your response to the simple question: What do you believe?

THE MOUNTAIN DISAPPEARS

By: Leonard Bernstein, as featured in the 1950s series

I believe in people. I feel, love, need, and respect people above all else, including the arts, natural scenery, organized piety, or nationalistic superstructures. One human figure on the slope of a mountain can make the whole mountain disappear for me.

I believe that man’s noblest endowment is his capacity to change. Armed with reason, he can see two sides and choose: He can be divinely wrong. I believe in man’s right to be wrong. Out of this right he has built, laboriously and lovingly, something we reverently call democracy. He has done it the hard way and continues to do it the hard way – by reason, by choosing, by error and rectification, by the difficult, slow method in which the dignity of A is acknowledged by B, without impairing the dignity of C. Man cannot have dignity without loving the dignity of his fellow.

I believe in the potential of people. I cannot rest passively with those who give up in the name of “human nature.” Human nature is only animal nature if it is obliged to remain static. Without growth, without metamorphosis, there is no godhead. If we believe that man can never achieve a society without wars, then we are condemned to wars forever. This is the easy way. But the laborious, loving way, the way of dignity and divinity, presupposes a belief in people and in their capacity to change, grow, communicate, and love.

I believe in man’s unconscious mind, the deep spring from which comes his power to communicate and to love.

I believe that my country is the place where all these things I have been speaking of are happening in the most manifest way. America is at the beginning of her greatest period in history — a period of leadership in science, art, and human progress toward the democratic ideal. I believe that she is at a critical point in this moment and that she needs to believe more strongly than ever before in her and in one another, in our ability to grow and change, in our mutual dignity, in our democratic method. We must encourage thought, free and creative. We must respect privacy. We must observe taste by not exploiting our sorrows, successes, or passions. We must learn to know ourselves better through art. We must rely more on the unconscious, inspirational side of man. We must not enslave ourselves to dogma. We must believe in the attainability of good. We must believe, without fear, in people.

- – - – -

Composer, conductor, pianist, and educator, Leonard Bernstein was longtime music director of the New York Philharmonic, where he led the highly successful Young People’s Concerts series. Bernstein forged a new relationship between classical and popular music with his compositions West Side Story, On the Town, Candide, and others.

ROOM, Chapters 1 and 2 (Presents and Unlying)

ROOM - by Emma Donoghue

I am participating in Real Simple magazine’s No-Obligation Book Club; this is the monthly book selection. Comments are moderated by Kathleen Harris, the managing editor of RealSimple.com. Click here to join the discussion.

I was not expecting to be as drawn to ROOM book as I am, but I’m very intrigued about Jack and his mother’s situation. I, as are others, was hesitant to read a novel written from a five-year-old’s viewpoint, but the Author does a tremendous job of verbalizing Jack’s thoughts, emotions, and juvenile reactions. Like so many other readers, I wanted to know (immediate gratification, thank you Society Norms) why Jack and his Ma were in this confined, 11-by-11-foot, Room. Again, the Author does a great job of keeping readers on their toes and the pages turning. I didn’t realize how fast I was reading this book until I got to the third chapter and remembered we were to stop reading for discussion. (But I want to keep going!)

Speaking of societal norms, does anyone think it is awkward, absurd, silly, normal, or gross that Ma continues to breastfeed Jack? I was immediately taken aback by this. But after thinking about it, I don’t know how I feel. This is incredible ~ but I don’t know if good or bad. A part of me wants to scream, “EWW!” Another says, “Wow, the maternal bond between mother and child is so strong. Her selfless act of nourishing her child is commendable. “ Yet, another part of me feels like Jack is falling into the it’s-all-about-me trap when he worries if Old Nick is getting some too. There have been times when Jack is not pleased with the amount he receives (when is enough enough?) or feels guilty for wanting to nurse, but does not want to disturb Ma. Does Jack sense it’s time to stop? Will he continue to satisfy his cravings because it’s easily accessible and Ma wants to please her child?

I have no children but I am impressed with Ma’s commitment to keep Jack’s TV-consumption at minimum. Her ability to structure their lives is pretty amazing. I’m going to play Devil’s Advocate and say that it’s probably out of boredom Ma and Jack have created this system of organization for themselves. I’ll play D.A. again and say it keeps them sane in this insane situation! (My gosh, I love my alone time and being able to just rest and relax, but there is no way I could survive in a small space 24-7 for seven years. No. Way. Jose.) A daily routine is nice – especially with children – but Jack and Ma are forced to follow this schedule, it’s not their own. Obviously.

I sense Ma’s frustration with Jack’s inquisitive, and curious imagination. As I was reading I kept thinking to myself, “what is she going to do if they are still in Room in 2 years? 5 years? 10 years? Or longer?” Jack seems like every other 5-year-old, they ask lots of questions! But, how does one (Ma) answer a child’s (Jack) curious question of reality vs. imagination when the child (Jack) has known no other? How do you describe a rainbow to a blind person? Jack is an intelligent boy (kudos to Ma), but when does a parent have to begin incorporating reality into a child’s imaginative mind? I think this might be a reason Ma is beginning to shed light into Jack’s perspective of their true reality. Aside from make-believe in the TV and books, their world is not lush green fields or pretty flowers. Rather, they rely on Old Nick (who, by the way, gives me the creeps – just throwing that out there!) to provide their needs and wants.

Happy reading everybody, and enjoy Room.

Solace in Struggle

I don’t remember the last time a few days felt like an eternity. So much as happened in six days, or 144 hours, or 8,640 minutes, or 518,400 seconds.

Sunday: I resigned as youth director at First UMC in Joshua. Immediately, I felt physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually lifted.

Monday: another day spent at school with students that, to me, lack self-respect and personal conviction to even give a damn about their future, much less their education. I don’t understand the mentality where excuses and “I don’t wanna” are acceptable. What happened to the days of disciplining your child for poor choices, misconduct, and disrespect? Why do young people plagiarise? Why has cheating become so easy, accessible, and require so little effort? I realize Google and Bing make it so easy for them, but am I the only person that reads students’ work and notice the red flags waving when students are submitting eloquently written work when in reality they cannot write a grammatically correct sentence? Heck, a student told me it was too much work to write his name on a paper. Excuse the hell out of me. I’m sorry to bother you for your time. What has happened / is happening to this generation? Truly, I don’t understand. (please, don’t send me hateful comments saying I don’t understand because I don’t have children of my own…I’m telling you now I don’t understand this terrible epidemic sweeping through our country’s future leaders, but I know something needs to be done and I would like to help the situation, not make it worse. Of course, my first recommendation would be an ass-whoopin’ from the ol’ homestead, but that’s just me. I’d love to introduce some of these young people to an individual I call my Dad.) This week, I introduced my students to a little website I like to call GOTCHA! ~ www.duplichecker.com ~ and I intend to use it whenever I deem it necessary. I might have been born in the dark, but it wasn’t last night. Little Fockers. And I don’t mean the movie.

Tuesday: the most boring day of my entire life. Two words, no three: TAKS Writing Test. Oh. My. Gosh. I posted about this earlier but let me repeat: MOST BORING DAY OF MY LIFE!!!!! Let me tell you, my feet, back, head, eyes, and brain hurt. My eyelashes and hair on my head even hurt! The day got worse after lunch, which we had to eat in the classroom, and most students finished shortly after. Boredom immediately ensued. Duh. They’re seventh graders! I’m 27 and was bored out of my ever-loving mind.

Wednesday: I don’t remember much here. Oh, I spent the evening in Rev. L’s office half-listening to her Confirmation class and half-working on stock certificates for a youth fundraising. Yes, I worked on a youth activity AFTER my resignation. I’m not really going anywhere, except I’m losing the title, paycheck, and responsibilities of youth director.

Thursday: If you were to look in the dictionary under lazy, you would have seen my face. Seriously. Before Kevin left for the roping pen, I was on the couch. He returned three hours later and found me on the couch, in the same spot, had not moved, nor did I want to be moved. I finally went to bed. Dirty dishes were in the sink, clothes in the dryer…the list goes on.

Friday: It finally arrived! I posted at 7:01 am on Facebook, “I could break out the I’m-Happy-It’s-Friday dance.” Shake what your Mama gave you, honey. Shake it good. It was a pretty uneventful day at school, except grades are due next week and I’ve been in a sprint race trying to collect missing work from students. I’m so nice to these kids. Probably too nice. Another creature (a.k.a. student) expressed diarrhea of the mouth when he said he could not, and would not, complete his review sheet OR study for the benchmark exam because he had plans this weekend. Really? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize the world revolved around you. Another students says he doesn’t like me, which is why he is disinterested in class and fails to turn in assignments. How nice.

I would like to announce it to everybody, everywhere just how awesome and wonderful and kind and gracious and amazing and just plain sweet my husband really is: he’s all of this and a gazillion things more. Today was an off Friday for him (lucky beast!) but he spent the day getting rid of ranch implements, cleaned the barn, and worked on the electric fence. As a prize for surviving this week of torture, he took me to dinner. Nothing special or spectacular, just Outback, but it was nice. I didn’t have to cook. I didn’t have to clean (which reminds me, the dishwasher is clean and needs to be unloaded and loaded again ~ sigh) and I didn’t have to get dressed up. In fact, it was jeans and t-shirt for him and comfy pants and a hoodie for me. Thank you, Husband, for buying me dinner. I love you.

Prayer request: My Nana is wonder woman. For her 80th birthday in January, I created a list of “80 Things I Love Above Nana.” It was pretty spectacular. Nana agreed because she had it framed. In case you couldn’t tell, I’m a bit spoiled. Actually, I’m a whole lot spoiled…but the GOOD kind! For the record: I am the ONLY granddaughter on BOTH sides of the family. Yes, I count my blessings twice. Everyday. Anyway, back to Nana: I have #81 ready for next year: she withstood the pain and awkwardness of a shot in her eyeball. Yes, you read that correctly: Nana got a needle poked in her eyeball. Can you say OUCH!?!?! I would have passed out long before they ever got a needle that close to my eye, but she took it in stride, in hopes of it relieving the strain and pain of her macular degeneration that leaves her legally blind. Bless her heart.

On a MUCH lighter note, and with celebration-flair of confetti, balloons, streamers, and whatever else you need at a party, I reached not only one but TWO blogging milestones yesterday: 27 & Counting has had more than 1,500 visitors and logged more than 100 daily views for the first time ever. I will always remember Friday, March 4, 2011 as being a very successful and memorable day in my blogging history. 

I really appreciate everyone who visits and leaves a comment. It’s great to hear from you. I’m enjoying the weekly photo challenge and reading other blogs of various genres, tags, and themes. I have so much to learn and I hope the veteran bloggers will share their knowledge with a Newbie like me.

Now I can reset my countdown clock and look forward to the days, hours, minutes, and seconds leading up to Spring Break, which is next week. I leave for Kentucky a week from TODAY – - that’s spectacular news to my ears. I’m beyond ready for a break from school and the busyness I call life. It’s weighing me down and I’m tired.

Blessings to all and to all a goodnight! Here’s to a weekend filled with warmth (cold front’s coming sometime), rest, and lots of love. And perhaps the Cleaning Fairy will find her way to my house this weekend. Or at least bring her Teacher Fairy along and finish my grades. Wishful thinking…