Huntin' Fairies

Today we took a field trip. The kids had worked hard on chores all week so we decided to go out for a fun lunch downtown at one of our favorite places on Hawthorne. Pepino's has wonderfully authentic Mexican food in a casual atmosphere and for very reasonable prices. I had the fish tacos, the kids had chicken soft tacos and we all agreed it was much yummier than a trip to a fast food joint.



Look at the cool window panes that hang from the exposed beam ceiling.

Then it was down the street to Powell's to pick up our copy of Blackbringer. Sadly, it wasn't on the shelf yet but after asking the rather grumpy lady in the children's section to please check for the book, she found it in the back. (Sorry Laini - I tried to get her to put copies on the shelf but she told me she didn't have time to do it just then. I managed to squeeze one copy on the shelf and left it facing out so passers-by could see it.)


The tweenette treated us to a reading of the prologue and part of the first chapter on the drive home. Laini writes with such incredible detail and I love the fairy world she has created. We had many discussions about some vocabulary that wasn't all to familiar to the kids (imp, perpetually and scarab) so I think reading through the book will be a great family time.

Again I just want to encourage you to get your copy soon! You can order from Amazon here. But what a fun afternoon to go downtown and mosey through fun shops. I'm a firm believer that book buying should be an experience beyond just sitting at your computer even if it costs a bit more. You can't get a whiff of that smell through the computer - you know the one, pages, ink and magic - that come when you step inside a book store. That my friends, is a fix for my spirit.

Congratulations Laini!

A Bundle of Joy

Today is the birthday of my bloggin' friend Laini's new book, Blackbringer. What a joy and inspiration it has been to follow the process of getting her first book published. My kids and I can't wait to read it! Go out and get your copy today.

Don't just sit there . . .

your kids' brains are crying for a story that will keep them up nights propping their eyes open with toothpicks until they can just

read

one

more

page . . .


Oooohh . . . dontcha love a good book?

The Time Bank

Wouldn't it be great if there was a time bank where you could make deposits and withdrawals just like a real bank. Or, where you could make exchanges or trades? Or people could donate to your fund like a needy cause.

One of the biggest frustrations of my life is when I watch a movie or tv show that, well, to put it gently, smells like last Thursday's garbage. I absolutely hate that 20 minutes after the credits start rolling that I walk around muttering under my breath, "Man . . .I wish I could have that time back. What a waste!" There have been a couple of those recently. I suppose that's why I always watch tv and movies and try to do something else at the same time so I don't feel totally ripped off if the show is a stinker.

It happens in other areas of my life as well. Sometimes, I'll sit down at the computer to check emails and a few blogs and two hours later I'm still sitting at my desk with nothing really productive to show for it. Lately, I'm beginning to feel like I might need a technology fast. I'm sure I'd be amazed at how much time this little machine takes from my days.

Time is a precious commodity for two of us in our house. Our accounts are near the "red zone". Summer is here but Brad and I are busier than ever. Brad has taken an interim position as the director of High School ministries and we're trying to work as a team to help the students hang in there until we can hire a full time pastor for the position. He's painting and trying to tie up loose ends at school as well. I'm helping with our church's ESL program once a week and have had many requests to take pictures at special events lately. Add to that work, keeping the house running and planning the Reunion from Hell, things are a bit nutzo.

And yet there is at least one person walking around our house uttering those unthinkable words, "I'm soooo bored." Like I said, wouldn't it be great if I could put some of her free time into my account? Where are the lazy days of summer and could they kindly make a deposit into my account?

Here's where I'd spend it:
- wait for the hummingbird to drink from the flowers outside my window and try to take his picture
- paint my nails
- finish my books
- make a new necklace
- read all my magazines I haven't read yet
- make strawberry jam
- take my kids swimming
- take a bike ride to the park
- call a friend
- write a letter
- take a nap
- blog just a bit more regularly
- write my novel

No one TOLD me it was so good . . .

Okay friends. I'll admit I'm a latecomer on this one but in the last two weeks I've just discovered a little gem that sparkles like a diamond ring in the noon-day sun for this information collecting gal.

National Public Radio

Why, why didn't anyone tell me there was such a delightful place on my radio where I could hear interviews of the most INTERESTING people? Like the Oceanographer and his actress wife who have started a foundation and present their message about the need to take care of our oceans in an off-Broadway play? Or fascinating, intelligent interviews with celebrities like Andrew and Elizabeth Schue (promoting their new film "Gracie"), and the guys in the new movie "Knocked-up" (one of my favorite celeb interviews ever - hysterical!) and one of the coolest, smartest rock stars ever - Bono. I've heard a series of stories on the Six-Day War, commentaries on the ending of "The Sopranos" and the history behind Ronald Regan's "Tear down the wall . . . " speech.

And their voices. So many rich, honey-sounding voices as they come off my radio. They sound like their sitting in the seat next to me giving me my own personal update on the most interesting things going on in the world.

I'm addicted.

I was thinking I wanted an MP3 player for my birthday next month to load my new "Dreamgirls" and John Mayer CD's on but now . . . I'll be looking for one that's got a radio on it as well.

Edited to add: To find your local station, go to www.npr.org and click on the top where it says "stations". You can put in your zip code and it should tell you where to look for your local station.

PS - My hubby wrote an incredible post about a day in his classroom and he's feeling a bit blue that not many people have read it. Can I ask a big flavor of you my bloggin buddies? If you have time, go here for a good story of what it's like to teach sixth grade.

Speakin' of school, only two more days - woo hoo!

The Neighborhood Watering Hole

Well, I'm happy to report that my efforts to attract some bird life to my backyard have been successful. I'm not quick enough to capture them with the camera but we've had a variety of little birdies visiting our lovely feeder and snacking as they make the rounds of the neighborhood. As an added bonus, we even had a little hummingbird visit last night to sip from the lovely little red flowers on a bush my mother gave me last year. (Sorry - I'd tell you the name if I could but I haven't got a clue!)

The problem is that our squirrels have discovered the bird feeders as well. One guy (not a very bright one) chewed through the rope that held up the bird feeder JT had made from a kit. Not just a thin rope. A 3/4 inch nylon rope. Stupid squirrel. A full bird feeder of premium (translate: expensive, already shelled seed) dumped all over the ground and the feeder can't be repaired.

The other feeder is made of copper with a copper chain so I know it's safe from the fate of the other. It hangs on a shepherd's hook by my fence but the darn squirrels have figured out a way to shimmy up the hook and hang upside down while helping themselves to the fillet mignon of bird feeders. I filled the feeder on Sunday and it was empty by last night. There are four of them, two older squirrels (mom and dad?) and two juveniles and I think the word has spread in the family that the buffet is on.

So my dear blogging friends, any advice for me? How do I keep the nice squirrel family from being piggy-poos at my bird feeders?

PS - I found out last night that my dear friend Rene reads my blog but doesn't leave me comments. Hi 'Ne! Miss you! Glad you guys are ok from the nasty tornado that blew through! Scary! Now leave me a comment you lazy thing! ;) Love you!

Keeping my Promises

I promised a post every day and I'm dead on my feet tonight but don't want to disappoint.

Not much juice left to write anything creative so I'll just share another quote on writing.

A certain skinlessness goes with the ability to observe and describe feelings. This does not make for blithe unconsciousness. Writers are doubters, compulsives, self-flagellants. The torture only stops for brief moments. Erica Jong, "Fear of Fifty"