Distractions

Do you ever find yourself faced with a task that you really don't want to do?  It happens to me all the time.  At this point, my mind tends to start looking for all the things I would rather be doing.   It can't be anything too big or you would be blatantly procrastinating.  These are the top 10 distractions (in no particular order) that are pretty consistent in delaying what really needs to be done.

• Baking/Eating
• Facebooking/blog hopping
• Pinning on Pinterest
• Planning my next paper crafting project/browse the Stampin Up Catalog
• Playing games on my computer or phone
• Reading
• Sitting down to watch "just 10 minutes" of a PBS mystery or mindless movie
• Call a friend
• Playing with the dogs
• Planning my next vacation - regardless of whether I am going or not

This week so far, I have finished a book and a card for my Mum's B-day (which should have gone in the mail last week,   I think this is evidence that the must do/need to do project is icky!

This book is the first in a series called Cobbled Court Quilts.

It is about a southern Texas Gal that has recently divorced and her attempt to put her life back together.  The book does not provide "new" plot material, but it just felt good to have a book that didn't end up being over dramatic or depressing.  I especially appreciated the absence of foul language and gratuitous sex scenes.  The overall message of the book is friendship, don't be so quick to judge and the support you get from your family & friend circle.  I am excited to read the next one in the series.

The card I created for my Mum was inspired/cased from Elizabeth Bellville from my Positive Inkers Group.  I have seen several similar designs on Pinterest - the hardwood stamp just screams out for flowers, insect accents and cheerful greetings.

Stamps - A Round Array, Polka Dot Pieces, Hardwood
Ink - Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey
Paper - Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, DSP Stack Moonlight, Mossy Meadow
Accessories - Elegant Butterfly Punch, 7/8 scallop punch, Flower Frenzy Bigz die, Fun Flowers Bigz die, Hexagon Hive Thinlit, Wink of Stella Clear

Well distractions aside....
Ta Ta for Now

Lady Bugs

Why Ladybugs?
1.  They are red - my favorite color although they do come in other colors.
2.  There is a cute saying about ladybugs
3.  They make me happy - they are good luck and eat alll the bad bugs.
4.  They are covered in spots and I love polka dots.
5.  I was my Dad's ladybug


One of my favorite chick flicks is Under The Tuscan Sun. The main charachter is frustrated with her life as things don't seem to be going her way. She consults with one of her friends and the clips included in the video below sum up the advice she gives and how things work out.

The scale is up, the bank account is down, a nose that won't stop running, and work stinks.  I think I am ready for some ladybugs in my life...so I guess what I need to do is buck up, stop wallowing and get moving.  I will say that having my Mom here for a visit was a great distraction and a fun time.

My bookgroup met last night at my home.  The book I chose was The agency: A spy in the house.  Of all the books I have ever chosen this was my least favorite.  I was expecting much more of a story.  Without going into great details - a street urchin turns spy after being helped by a girls boarding school/spy agency.  She has a great adventure... I just wish there were more details in how she actually was educated and trained.  I also wish there was more historical information given about the times. ie The Great Stink There were a lot of things that took place that didn't seem to coincide with the Victorian time setting.  Overall - it was a fun read.   The author has written a sequel, it would be interesting to see if she answers some of my questions and fills in some of the holes left in the first novel.

We capped the evening off with food  - as always.  I served Garys good baguette bread with a choice of toppings - hummus, bruschetta, mascarpone cheese, nutella, and raspberries.  It was very tasty and enjoyed by all.

 I love to host a get together.  I am thinking of a formal tea party/stamping activity.  I will keep you posted as to where that is headed.

Ta Ta for now.
 

Book Review

I think it is time to catch up on a few of the books that have crossed my path and have been read.
I will start with the two bookgroup books....

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.  This woman is better know in the world as HeLa.  A woman who grew up on a tobacco plantation in the south.  She lived a hard life but seemed to be happy.  She came down with cancer - and eventually died from it.  What the story picks up is how a sample of her cells were taken and became one of the most important tools in medicine.  Her cells were the ones that helped create a polio vaccine, as well as helped uncovered viruses, helped with cancer research, and many other amazing scientific advances.  It also addresses how her family found out about it 20 year after the fact.  The family had a hard time dealing with it - based on their beleifs and were very private about themselves and media and scientists continued to bugh them.  I really enjoyed the story - got sucked in right away.  I enjoyed the read and learning about a science that was new to me.  Definitely not a book I would have chosen to read on my own volition, but one I would recommend

The next book was Highest Tide by Jim Lynch
This book is about a boy coming of age in a not so easy time.   He has passion for sea life and marine biology.  He spends a good part of his summer searching the beaches for what ever the sea happens to give up to the beaches.  He also spends his summer worrying about whether his parents will split up, or if his geriatric neighbor is truly a psychic, or if his feelings for his former babysitter, or hanging out with his friend who is only interested in girls and music.  The question posed that I found interesting was how it dealt with mysticism vs truth.  I read this book from a "summer read" perspective instead of digging in and finding the symbols and hidden meanings behind the writing.  Not my first pick - but interesting. 

The next book was my choice.  Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt - Beth Hoffman.  I don't remember how I heard about this one or why I chose it, but I really enjoyed it - A young girl raised by a mother who has severe bi-polar disorder and a father who left on business a lot to avoid dealing with the issues at home.  It isn't until her mother dies and she is taken by her great aunts to be raised that life starts to turn around and she has to face and deal with her past.  Despite the hard things at the beginning of the book - I loved the direction the story took and the characters in it were funny and enjoyable.

The next one to review is The Scent of Rain and Lightning -Nancy Pickard.  I was looking for a good mystery and this was a well reviewed book so I gave it a try.  Definitely kept me guessing until the end.  This novel starts with a 26 year old woman in a small Kansas farm town learning that the man who was convicted of murdering her father(the same night that her mother went missing, presumably also dead) was being released from prison, largely about concerns about the fairness of the original trial. The book then flashes back to 23 years earlier and details the events and the people involved in the death and disappearance.  It isn't until the very end and some major plot twists that you find out who done it.  I loved it.

The last book to review is The Blue Sword - Robin Mckinley
The story is about a young girl who doesn't really fit in finds her strength after being kidnapped by a mysterious, magical Hill-King.  She learns about her heritage as well as an ancient power that she holds.   Full of insecurities she perseveres and does what she needs to do to fulfill her destiny. It is a lot like another book I have read which happens to be one of my favorites called Crown Duel - by Sherwood Smith.  The book was complete escapism and an enjoyable read.

Happy reading to all

I am a Pooper Scooper

Aside from Riley's - most of that action seems to be happening at work.  Yesterday, in a conversation I was having with my boss -we figured out that our GSC team is really just cleaning up other people messes, picking up the pieces left from the software rollout.  Therefore the title of my post.  Phew - today is my last day of really long hours.

As I was working last night I happened to stop by a coworkers desk and saw this quote from Gordon B. Hinkley - "By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are only thinking of ourselves."  Is it a bad thing to think about ourselves?  Is it bad to complain?  I don't think so...but if you let it consume you then yes. 

Book Review

Pirate Latitudes - Michael Crichton

The book was found in his files and was published after Crichton's death.  If you want a quick read book about pirates this is it.  The story takes place in the late 1600's in Jamaica.  The story has battles, witches, a moor, a jew, a kracken, gore, cheating, & revenge.  Sounds a little bit like a Johnny Depp movie.  I can see why Crichton didn't publish it - it doesn't even come close to most of his other stories - but a fun read still the same.

I am looking forward to the weekend and spending time with my boys - even if it involves picking up poop.

Ta Ta for now.

 

Happy Birthday to my Sassy girl!

With a chance of Mar seeing her birthday card before she gets it in the mail - I will post the card tomorrow.  Just wanted to say Happy Birthday Mar!

Work has been "fun"  We have been given an actual date for a system upgrade that will be installed and should be "supposedly" working.  The team has really tried to keep up beat about the changes and talking about all the "fun" we will have trying to figure things out.  Well...I think my feelings are best shown in this video clip from "The New Emporers Groove"  I am fun'd out!


It is definitely going to make for a interesting October and year end process.  Hopefully we are all surprised that everything works.
I have a couple of books I have recently finished to share with you.
My bookgroup just reviewed Beyond the Earth and Sky by Jamie Zeppa

A story about a young 20 something gal who drops everything in her life to teach English in Bhutan.  I am not feeling the 5 star rating with this one that so many people have given it.  The writing is good, but she comes accross so naive and clueless.  I was irritated with her choices.  I did like how she "sort of" integrated herself into the culture by studying budhism.  I thought she was clueless when she tried to teach her "Western World" ways of thought to her students who have been raised with the strong political and religious beliefs of their families and country.  I would have thought in her training they would have warned against teaching western ideas.  I felt like her over romanticized view of the people and country was an over compensation for leaving her fiance and civilized world behind... kind of like her way of dealing with it.  I loved when the teacher from from India brought her back to real life.  Even if it only lasted a few minutes.  The ending left so many holes and so many unfinished stories.   Even though it was well written I don't know that I would reccomend it.

For pleasure I just finished Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman  I felt so sorry for this little girl to begin with.  I know there are kids out there in real life dealing with manic parents.  If I didn't know things were going to improve for her I probably wouldn't have finished reading the book.  It is a story of this young girl coming to terms with what she had to deal with in her early years of age.  Her Mother had some serious mental issues and her Dad did not know how to deal with them so he disappears into his work.  She is taken in by a great aunt and the "help".  I liked the story.  It had some very funny moments.  I wouldn't reccomend the book if you have real issues from childhood - it might hit too close to home.  To anyone else looking for cute story -give it a read.

Well - Things to do
Ta Ta for now

Book Review and Stuff

Once again the scales have dropped despite the Bugle treats this week...must have been those walks up the hill.  YAY!!!!  I feel like I have broken through a barrier I thought I would never get through. yes!  I have now officially lost more than what I ever did with Weight Watchers.  Every little drop provides just enough motivation to stick with it.

 

Just finished another book titled Restless by William Boyd.  It took a long time to get into it and then for the last third of the book it really kept my attention.  There were parts of the story which really had no relation, I felt, to the true plot of the book.  It is about a Russian woman recruited to be a British spy during WWII.  The job of their team was to get the US to join the war.  It ultimately is about trust and revenge.  It was an ok book, but wouldn't suggest it as a "good read"

Just Now…

• The sun is coming up it is going to be a beautiful day.
• It totally feels like fall and I love it!
• After a cleanse day – I am starving - even a breakfast shake sounds good.
• I lost 3 pounds last week
• And even more inches
• Riley is still not awake
• I have a big day ahead of me lots to do

Ta Ta for now

Benadryl and a book review

During my lunch hour yesterday, I took my walk, as always, up the canyon.  What was different today was that three fire engines came up the one way road.  As they drove past, I wasn't sure why they were driving up the canyon. I know the gate is locked at the end of the road and there are easier ways to get where ever they could possibley be going than this particular route.  I did catch up with them, but didn't stand around to gawk at where they were stopped and what they were doing.  I noticed they had climbed down into the creek and up the other side of the embankment...had they found a body?  Crazy thought!  My guess is they were rescuing someone that had hurt themselves on the other side of the creek.  It is quite steep and there are lots of places that you could easily slip and hurt yourself.  On my way back down, I noticed that an ambulence had arrived on the scene as well.  My thought at this point was "did this really warrent 3 fire engines and an ambulence?" 

The other wierd thing was that I started to itch.  Not too bad, but I was itchy all over.  I thought it was because I was hot and sweaty.  By the time I got home and changed clothes - I was covered all over in little welts that looked like bug bites.  Yes, I scratched and they got worse.  I finally took a hot shower, and rubbed cortizone cream all over my welts. That alleviated the itching for a while, but it came back with a vengance.  Ralph convinced me to take a Benadryl to alleviate my skin irritations.  So I had "Drugged" head all evening.  I woke up about 1:30 am itching all over - I reapplied lotion where I could reach, took another benadryl and 2 advil.  It took about an hour to get back to sleep.  Things have cleared up mostly - still itchy on the backs of my legs.  I am tired!  Hopefully whatever has caused the "hives"  will go away.

I have seen this book listed on several different suggested reading lists, so I thought I would give it a try.  It did not disappoint.  At 93 years of age Harry Bernstein starts to write his life story.  There are three books in the series.  The Dream and the Golden Willow follow this amazing story of a Jewish family living in England.  It takes place right around WWI.  The Jews and the Christians live on the same street, but opposite sides.  The story kind of reminded me a bit of Fiddler on the Roof.  Same traditions enforced in their Jewish homes.   With an alcoholic abusive Father and a Mother trying to keep things together living in poverty.  Same issues were dealt with  as outside influences(Socialism) ends up completely changing this family.  This story covers his life from 4 years to 11years of age.  I wonder how much is accurate as it was so long ago?  However - they are his memories and this is his story. I plodded along and enjoyed the story, but it wasn't until the end when I started to think about everything this family went through...I don't understand some of the choices they made, but have no comprehnsion of how hard it was and how this affected the choices they made.  I can't wait to read the other two books. 

May we get much accomplished today...Ta Ta for now
 

Happy September and Book Review

Wowzers!  It is already September 1st.  My how the time flies by.   I only wish I felt that way at 9:00 in the morning as I sit there at my desk wondering if I am going to make it through the day.

I recently finished the book The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

I am not sure I have a lot of good things to say about the book.  The story takes place just before WWII hits the US.  It focuses in on 3 women - a postmistress who is kind of the town know it all spinster, a war correspondent/journalist who travels to Europe to report on the War, and a young newly married bride whose husband, a doctor, after a medical procdure goes awry travels to Europe to help in the hospitals.  It seems that most of the book follows the journalist as she documents what she sees over in Europe while periodically develping the other two characters in Cape Cod MA.  The book ends as they all story lines come together and each woman somehow is affected by the others.  My issue with the book is this...the author does great at telling the story, but wraps everything up so quickly it leaves you wondering what really happened.  I was disappointed in the ending - I wanted more.  There were so many good reviews, maybe talking with someone who has read the book and liked it might change my mind. 

Well - since the rest of the week and weekend are booked - tonight is the only night I have available for chores.  What chores you ask...?    Ralph has already bottled many quarts of tomato juice (I haven't counted) and made bread today.  I need to:

1. Clean bathrooms
2. Fold Laundry  - Put clothes away
3. Brush Riley - prep for bath
4. Make birthday cards   AND
5. Clean craft area 

With Grandma coming for a visit - Riley is in great need of a bath and brushing.  If we don't brush him before his bath - the tub gets too full of hair and clogs the drain.  After his bath  and he's dried - he gets another brushing.  He absolutely hates the whole process.  I usually bribe him to sit still with his favorite treat as I get as much hair as possible.    Quite the pile of hair I must say.  Ralph has volunteered to do the actual bathing. 

It has been a productive day so far, and I hope to have it end as productively as it has been so far.  I am off to get more stuff done.

Ta Ta for now

Just Stuff

Hello... Anybody out there?  I have a free evening - well not really, but I have to chosen to make it that way.  Being there is not much on the telly - Ralph and I watched a Miss Marple mystery.  There has to be at least 2 people die and it rarely ends up being who you suspected in the beginning.  We find them thoroughly entertaining and much better than most of the crap on TV.   With time to spare I thought I would update my blog.  I have started several posts, but never finished them so therefore they never got posted. 

I got a Stampin UP order a couple of days ago with all kinds of goodies in it. 

Some of what was inside the box was actually for me and in was some of the new product out of the new catalog.  Fun stuff.   So with yesterday being another Curtis family birthday - (I know it seems there is always a Curtis birthday) I decided to pull out some of the new stuff.  It wasn't easy making a card for the mystery man, after many attempts at jokes about Gas (cause you know that is where the birthday boy works) that got veto'd...Here is the card Ralph and I put together. 

Stamps - Nature Sillouettes, On Your Birthday
Ink - Black Staz on, Marina Mist
Paper - Basic Black, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Marina Mist
Accessories - Embossing Folder, 1 1/4 Circle punch, sponge

Have you enjoyed any of the soccer games.  I haven't been an avid watcher, but I have caught a few.  Here is the most annoying thing about those games...

Wouldn't you agree?  The constant "Buzzing" drives anyone crazy.   How about the USA team today? WOW what a finish.  Who would have guessed they would pull through in the last minutes of overage time. 

The garden is doing well - I meant to take pictures last night, but the sun went down before I finished my chores of helping Ralph put the tomato cages up.  Maybe this weekend.  The peas are about ready to pick.  I love to eat them straight off the vine.  Ralph has to have them at least blanched if not fully cooked.  Crazy - who doesn't love raw peas?

I finished a couple more books - The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti - A very Dickensian written story about an orphan and the very colorful characters he encounters.  I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

I also finished - The Weed that Strings the Hangmans Bag - Alan C. Bradley.  This is the second book in the series.  What can I say.  Flavia is up to her snooping around and gets into her usual troubles, but as always figures things out in the end.  A fun read and another one I would recommend.

One other note I need to mention - I made a Dulce de Leche cheesecake that was to die for.  I took a basic New York cheesecake recipe and made up my own recipe.  The texture was unbelievable perfect.  And the flavor - such a creamy caramel delight.  I wish I could have gotten pictures, because it was picture perfect.  Hopeully I will get a chance to make it again and then I will get pictures and share. 

Have a fabulous day and
Ta Ta for now

A list of 10 with Nothing in Common

First and foremost I want to mention a little contest I found to enter for a $100 gift card to Carrabba's. I have never been to the restaurant, but it has been on my list of places to try ever since I watched their program on PBS.  I would love to win the gift card and be able to go with my sweetheart.  Cookin Canuck is the website where I entered by answering the questions "what big things come in little packages".  I don't usually win these contests, but every once in a while I get lucky.  Here is hoping I do!

Second - Obama - Your job is to be the President of the United States.  That means on Memorial Day you need to get your butt to the Arlington Cemetary to place the wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier.  Not vacationing somewhere else and sending someone in your stead.  I don't think that soldier had that kind of option - neither should you! 

Third - I hate politics - very few people know what is the truth (even the politians have problems with that)and then they try to have an educated discussion with no backing for what they are claiming. When Ralph and I discuss them, it ends up in a not so nice disagreement.  I try to keep things to myself, but sometimes I can't help it.  I can't wait until we have a leader that we can both agree on.   You can probably guess when that will happen.

Fourth - We get to have a sleep over with the nieces and nephews tomorrow night.  Hopefully we will keep the oil paint contained to the palette and the doors closed to closets and personal items.  There will be threats on their lives if they get into things without permission.  Once the ground rules are set - we shouldn't have any problems.  I think we will have a healthy dinner, play in the park, eat a treat, watch a movie, read a story and then (hopefully) fall asleep.


Fifth - Please pass some warm weather our way so that the garden won't be so muddy and we can get our tomatoes and peppers planted.  We will probably get everything in on Saturday (I hope) so that we can play on Monday.

Sixth - Tomorrow is my last work day of the month.   I have about a weeks worth of work to cram into 8 hours.  Maybe I will go in early...then again - maybe I won't

Seventh - I am so glad my Mom is home safe and sound and that my brother was able to get moved so he can be with his family.  I hope everything works out.

Eighth - I have lost a total of 10 pounds and 13 inches off of my body.  Ralph has lost 32 pounds and 25 inches off of his body.  We started a program using Isagenix products.  The good thing with this program is that I haven't craved the burgers and french fries, or the desserts.  I just keep telling myself, especially when co-workers bring mini reeses peanut butter cups to work to share...It is all about the results - and changing our habits.  Lets keep it up


Ninth - TV time will dramatically reduce now that Biggest Loser and NCIS are over for the season.  That is ok - more time to spend on my hobbies and get organized.  I got a few goodies in the mail this week - can't wait to get the projects rolling.  I have a banner to make, a couple of birthday cards and some prep for my class that I teach next weekend.  Fun for me!!!

Tenth - Book reviews   I just finished a book called The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton - I loved it.  I had a hard time keeping track of characters to begin with, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed the story.   So, so, SO good. A tiny bit reminiscent of The Secret Garden, only in a completely different, grown-up, enchanting way.  Total page turner! It has been awfully difficult for me to tear myself away from it and concentrate on my work.  Loved It!   Another book I finished was They Mysterious Benedict Society 1 and 2.  They are great childrens storys.  They require a little bit of thought process on the readers part as you get to participate in the mystery sleuthing.  Thumbs up for both of them

Ta Ta for now