My Bookshelf

I don't often talk about books here on my blog, but I am an avid reader. Two years ago I kept track of every title I read for the year, and the number was a surprising 276. Despite that number, books for me are more about quality, not quantity. I rarely read a book twice with few exceptions -- Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, Happiness by Will Ferguson, A Million Little Pieces by James Frey and Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Evidently those are my favorite books of all time, as I've read each several times. Now there's a new title to add to that short list. I returned to page one of Real Life & Liars by Kristina Riggle (Harper Collins, publisher) as soon as I finished the last page, and read it all over again. This is an unusual story of Mirabelle Zielinski, age mid-60's, and her relationship with her husband, her three adult children, her friends, and her self. Mira's oldest daughter feels unappreciated and unloved by her own husband and children; Mira's son looks for love in all the wrong places, when the right place is within arm's reach; and her youngest daughter refuses to grow up. As Mira faces life-changing health issues, the reader realizes that those personality traits she has difficulty accepting in her children, are the very traits that Mira must recognize and deal with in herself. I am passionate about reading writers' first books. "Real Life & Liars" is Kristina Riggle's first novel, and it left me immediately hoping she writes many more. Riggle creates a line of characters with whom any parent of adult children can connect, and realistic glimpses into what we all, on the threshold of this age group, don't want to think about -- health issues. While dealing with serious issues, Riggle does so with a sense of humor and a sense of caring. Truly a remarkable read. AND MORE BOOKS ON MY BOOKSHELF I just finished Mixed Blessings by Jon and Kate Gosselin (although there is not a trace of Jon's writing in this book, so I'm not sure why his name is listed as author!). On a score of 1 to 10? Two. I didn't learn anything I haven't heard on the show before, and the writer-Kate seems like an entirely different person than the show-Kate. (Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the show!) The book makes Jon seem far more decisive and in-charge than what the show portrays. It felt like one was made up, but I don't know if it's the show or the book. I'm glad I borrowed it from the library and didn't pay big bucks for it. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich - Oh yeah. Love her books, love every single character in her books, love the fact that she is one of the few "instant" bestselling authors who doesn't run out of things to write. Scale of 1 to 10: 8. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives by Guy Fieri. A favorite television show and now a favorite cookbook. I may just have to buy this one. All those mouth-watering homestyle recipes you see on the show -- along with behind-the-scenes comments by Guy -- wrapped up into one enjoyable read and cookbook. Scale of 1 to 10: 9 Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons. Another of my favorite authors. This is possibly one of her best works to date. Set on the coast of Maine, it's the story of firsts -- first love, first traumatic event, first enemy, first loss. I found it just a wee bit slow to start, but after the third chapter, I couldn't put it down. Scale of 1 to 10: 8 Secrets by Jude Devereaux. This must have been my lucky week, because this another book I thoroughly enjoyed. The library's description of this book: "Having harbored an unrequited love for a man she met in childhood, Cassandra impulsively breaks an engagement to become the now-widowed man's nanny, but realizes that her chance for winning his heart is threatened by dark secrets." At times, some of the "dark secrets" were a bit hard to believe, and the twists and turns were a bit too evident before they actually arrived, but overall a good read. There's just something about Jude Devereaux's writing style that appeals to me so much I can overlook the negatives. Score of 1 to 10: 6+ What I got at the library today: Blackwood Farm by Ann Rice Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani Oh, and "The Poky Little Puppy" in both book and CD form -- but that was for Mr. Brayden's reading pleasure (though I loved reading it again after all these years!) What are you reading today?

Swap-bot Penny Pocket Swap

I'm hostessing my first swap on Swap-Bot. It's a Penny Pocket Swap! Penny Pockets are small fabric pockets used for decoration or cute storage. The photo above is one I made to hold buttons for a recent vintage button swap. These are quick and simple to make. You can find more photos at The Happy Zombie's web site, and a complete pattern from Happy Zombie here. In this swap, you will receive one partner's name and mailing address, and you will mail your partner 3 penny pockets in coordinating colors and fabrics. Although the original pattern doesn't call for a hanging loop on the top of the Penny Pocket, the swap does. You must use the pattern given, but you can embellish your pocket, add a button, lace, ric rac -- whatever you think your partner will like after you've read their profile. Sewing machine is required. The swap is open to USA folks only. Sign up by Feb. 15, 2009, and mail the pockets out by March 8, 2009. If you're not a member of swap-bot, it's easy to join! New members find it hard to get into swaps (most don't allow "newbies") but this one is open to newbies as well, so it's a good way to get your foot in the door at Swap-Bot. Come have some fun with me!

Focus on the positive!

Ooooo, I’ve been so busy this week thinking about negative things, and it shows in my blog. So it’s officially time to MOVE ON! Here’s the GOOD things that have been going on in my life lately (aside from being married to the world’s most wonderful husband, being parent to the world’s best adult children, and grandparent to the world’s best grandchild, of course!)

Giveaway Goodies

My home decorating books arrived! Come on over and have a cup of coffee with me and spend a few hours looking through these treasures. This was an incredibly generous ($350!!) book giveaway by HomeDesignFind.com. Tons of inspiration for my quest to redecorate and renovate my home this year!

This wonderful little surprise arrived in my mailbox, along with a sweet card signed by “Secret Sister friend” but I’m not sure from whom! My Yahoo group, Quilting on a Budget, is having a Secret Sister Exchange, but I can’t participate (obviously because as the organizer, my Secret Sister wouldn’t be much of a secret!). So these bookmarks were definitely unexpected. Thank you, Secret Sister Friend, whoever you are! One bookmark will go for reading, and one for following knitting patterns.

I’m sorry this photo didn’t turn out better, because this generous giveaway is a beautiful handmade ceramic “Bodhi Leaf” given away by Erin at Every Heart Crafts. I love the explanation that came with the leaf - “The tree and its heart-shaped leaf serve as symbolic reminders of the potential that lies within us to become our highest self.” I will wear it with pride. Erin has both an Etsy store and a blog.

This gem of a reusable grocery bag tote is from a swap on Swap-Bot. My swap partner, Debbie, did a fabulous job. This is a knit pattern on Ravelry, and I believe I’m going to have to make a few of these myself! You can see a better photo on Debbie’s blog, Rites of Passage.

 

What I’m Working On

I’m working on several projects right now, and none of them are quilting. Weird. However, some are sewing, so that counts! I’m working on doll for a Dotee doll swap on Swap-Bot. Don’t know what a Dotee doll is? Check out these photos on Flickr. They are funny little (3 – 6 inches) dolls with no legs or arms, but tons of personality. I’ve mentioned before that original creations are not my strong point, but this is a great way to force some creativeness out of me!

I’m also working on more socks. I just love to knit socks. This is the first sock of a pair for my friend, Karen, whose feet get cold at work (Hey, she lives in New Hampshire – it’s understandable!). I’m doing these without a pattern, and love how they’re coming out. These are from yarn I found in my stash – 100% wool but thick enough to have a bit of stretch. I did the cuff in a twisted rib pattern – I just knit 2, purl 2 and after 3 rows, move it all over by one stitch. It really looks nice and should provide some extra stretch.

Lastly, although I have no photo, I’m also working on a doll for The Toy Society. I love this blog! The goal is to make a very simple homemade toy of any kind, enclose it in a plastic bag with a tag, and place it anonymously at a place where a child is likely to find it. The tag gives the finder instructions on how to let The Toy Society know who the toy went to. I think this is just fabulous. We have a drug rehab center in a town not far away that works with moms and children, and that’s where I’m planning on leaving my doll.

So that’s what’s going on here! What’s going on with you?

Wordless Wednesday - Children

Join my blog buddy, Dixie, over at the French Lique blog, to participate in Wordless Wednesday.

Update

I feel like I've just come back from the Twilight Zone... and without a Restraining Order. Apparently, you can't get a Restraining Order (called a Protective Order here) until something actually happens to you. That's the bad news. The good news? The restraining order my daughter has covers me for the days Brayden is here with me. I do need to take a copy of it to my local police department and explain to them what's going on. The better news? The magistrate gave me a few things I can do BEFORE he gets out of prison... send a copy of the letters to his probation officer so he/she can make staying away from me and my house a condition of his probation, send a letter to the prison board that reviews early releases, so he won't be released early, and... take a copy of the letters to my local police department and possibly file criminal charges for harassment (the magistrate wasn't sure about that one, as she had not read the letters herself). Yes, everyone who commented is absolutely right -- I should have sent the letters back RTS (Return to Sender) and that's exactly what I did for a long time. Then one letter came that had "this concerns Brayden's health so please read" and I did... (and it didn't) and since then I've been opening them. No more. They'll go straight back. I think I'll even take a pen with me out to the mailbox to write RTS right then and there and not even bring the envelope into the house. The gun suggestions... well, no. That's not going to happen. For one thing, I have a three year old in the house part time. Secondly, I couldn't live with myself if any type of gun accident happened. I'm not the most level-headed person in emergencies or overly-stressful situations. No, that's not an option. So... I move on. I dislike the fact I lost an entire day to this guy, but I do feel better to have the information I now have. Thanks to everyone who commented for your support and understanding. We now return you to your regular programming....

May you never have to post this in your blog...

Today I have to go to the county court building to get a Restraining Order. How sad is that? How sad is it that someone else's stupidity is causing this kind of turmoil in my life. How sad is it that I have to think fearful thoughts? How sad is it that I jump a mile when someone rings my doorbell? I'm furious that this kind of thing has even entered my life. I do not lead the kind of life that requires restraining orders, you know? Good people leading good lives don't have to get Restraining Orders. I've mentioned my soon-to-be-ex-son-in-law before. I actually liked the young man when he first came into my daughter's life, though he wasn't the person I would have chosen for her. He had a horrid family life as a child, and made horrid decisions as a young adult. But you give people a second chance when they seem willing to make a change, don't you? I thought so. I'm not so sure I do anymore, though. Now he's in prison and rightfully so. Two counts of felony child endangerment, among other charges. If you read my blog, you know my world evolves around my 3 yr old grandson. He is the sweetest, funniest, smartest, most loving child on the face of the earth. This is the child that was endangered. This is the child whose very life was at risk twice by the stupidity of his father. Unfortunately, "stupidity" isn't a criminal act, or the guy would have gotten a life sentence. Now I'm getting prison mail... and it's a display of a nonsensical thought process that scares me to death. For some bizarre reason, this "man" thinks he's going to sachet out of prison right back into our lives as if nothing has happened. If he says he's sorry enough, the burn scars on my grandson's legs will magically disappear. He's now apparently thinking he'll be Father of the Year and Husband of the Year and Son-in-Law of the Year with just a little more practice and, of course, our forgiveness. I nearly throw up just thinking about it. I want to grab my grandson and run. I don't normally let his mail get to me (or even read them.) But the last few are purely "passive aggressive". Offering ME the opportunity to "stab or even shoot" him. Oh... my... God... How does that thought process even occur to any normal person??? He also states he's coming to my house "even if you don't want me to" when he's released from prison -- sometime in the next few months. So today I head to court for a restraining order. Today I call the alarm system people and have our house alarm system upgraded. My daughter already has a restraining order in place, but it doesn't cover my house. Today my husband stated he has a billy club in his closet and we should place it by the front door. Today my daughter suggested I buy a tazer at the flea market. Today my world has officially changed, and I hate it.

Grandma got run over by a flying saucer

We have a SMALL hill (more of a dip than a hill) in our back yard -- you can see it in the photo here. In flat southwestern Ohio, this little dip was THE sliding spot in our neighborhood when my kids were small, despite the fact the ride on the sled took all of 3 seconds -- as opposed to the 90 second "hills" I grew up with in New Hampshire. With more forethought than I normally exhibit, I purchased a "flying saucer" at a yard sale last summer. Yesterday was THE BIG DAY for introducing Brayden to sliding (as we called it in New Hampshire -- "sledding" to others). Jeff was home for the day, so we dragged him outside with us in the 15 degree weather. He had to shovel 8 inches of frozen ice-encrusted snow away from the front of the shed door so we could get the flying saucer -- which turned out to be in the garage. Flying saucer, piece of rope, everyone looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy in a riot of winter clothing and colors... off to the "hill" we go. At first a little leary of sitting on the funny red circle of a flying saucer, I finally convince Brayden that he's going to "fly like the wind" and to sit down. I give him a push. Ka chunk ka chunk push! ka chunk ka chunk push! Hmmm... slower than I expected, which meant Brayden was thinking this was NOT going to be as much fun as I'd explained to him. I'm still determined. so I convince a very reluctant Jeff to go down next, so HE can show Brayden how much fun it is! Jeff gets on -- legs and feet waving out in front of him (flying saucers were not made for 6 foot tall big guys) -- I give him a BIG push - ka chunk, ka chunk, PUSH! ka chunk ka chunk.... sigh. We practically had to PULL him down the entire hill. Brayden's thinking his grandparents made this whole "fly like the wind" thing up. He's losing interest. He's having more fun flinging snow at Joey the Killer Cat. Next, Brayden wants ME to get in the flying saucer so he can pull me down the hill -- which he now assumes is how this whole sliding thing goes. I figure I've watched Brayden go down the hill at zero miles per hour, Jeff go down the hill at zero miles per hour - what's the harm in letting the poor kid pull me down the hill? I plop my big ol' lady butt down on the flying saucer and before you can say "Holy crap I'm going 90 mph" I'm flying down the hill, hat flying off in the air, hair whipping out behind me.... headed for the WOODS! Brayden is practically peeing his pants laughing, Jeff is standing at the top of the hill with his mouth hanging open -- and I'm trying to stop myself from being beheaded by tree limbs. After I recover and pull the snow out of my glasses, my ears and my hair, Brayden now thinks this is the coolest thing EVER! "Do it again, Umma!" I try to convince him that HE should try another ride because he might go fast this time (now that I've got the trail blazed) -- but Nooooo! "I want to watch YOU do it!" So now Brayden thinks the fun part of sliding is watching Grandma go arse over tea kettle into the woods. When Mary came to pick Brayden up last evening, she asked him if he had a good day. He said, "Yes! We went outside and Umma went SO fast she was flying like the wind!" Mary looked at me and shook her head, and I just gulped down three more Motrin and smiled back at her. Luckily, no one was around with a movie camera. But picture this: OK, it only FELT that fast. Believe what you want -- just pass me the Motrin and my Grandma of the Year Award.