Monday, May 28, 2007

A Day for Categories....

I've always said I'm a NERD...now we know what kind....
What Be Your Nerd Type?
Your Result: Literature Nerd
 

Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works.

It's okay. I understand.

Social Nerd
 
Gamer/Computer Nerd
 
Drama Nerd
 
Artistic Nerd
 
Anime Nerd
 
Science/Math Nerd
 
Musician
 
What Be Your Nerd Type?
Quizzes for MySpace




This is why I'm a LIBRARIAN.....
What Kind of Reader Are You?
Your Result: Dedicated Reader

You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.

Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Literate Good Citizen
Fad Reader
Book Snob
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You?
Create Your Own Quiz



Hmmmm...this one's interesting.
Which Positive Quality Are You?
Your Result: Charity

You are Charity. The spirit of giving has been promoted by every religion. Charity is kindness. It is compassion for our fellow man. Charity doesn't ask anything in return, and in this way it serves as the opposite of greed. "Be charitable with many."

Friendship
Courage
Faith
Love
Peace
Which Positive Quality Are You?


For all of my "children" who LOVE this series...Which I am told is going to become a TV show(?)..
Which Gossip Girl character are you?
Your Result: Vanessa
 

Quirky and as some may say 'weird' you are an artist. You don't need the validation of others to feel good about yourself. You are a creative soul who likes to express themself. People admire you for your talent, but tend to be a little intimidated too.

Blair
 
Nate
 
Serena
 
Which Gossip Girl character are you?
See All Our Quizzes


And now we know why I'm still single...these people don't exist!
What type of person do you attract?
Your Result: You attract Yuppies!

You attract the very well-dressed, job oriented type of people. They usually have their finances together, are 'middle of the road' on most topics, generally happy with the 'main-stream' of things. If it is stability you are after, these are good people to attract, if you seek adventure, it may be time for an overhaul.

You attract geeks!
You attract rednecks!
You attract models!
You attract artsy people!
You attract unstable people!
What type of person do you attract?
Quizzes for MySpace


I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day, but let's not forget WHY we have this day!

Sunday, May 20, 2007

I'm a Little Behind on my Spring Read Thing Book Reviews


SAHM I Am by Meredith Efken

Written in the form of email postings from each of the listserv members, readers will get to know and understand the various SAHMs in this Godly group of women. Not being married, nor a mother, I didn't know what SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) meant at first. (Thankfully it wasn't too hard to figure out since the "mommies" discussed their misunderstood role with one another.) It was also a little hard for me to relate to some of the characters since I've never been in their situation--trying to raise a family in a Godly home. However, as a single person, I could relate to the "well-meaning" antics of crazy family members, as well as the frustrations of trying to run a home on their own. This book had me laughing and crying, and I was really excited to find out that there was a sequel....





@ Home for the Holidays by Meredith Efken

The sequel to SAHM I AM, the postings from the SAHM group members continue. Readers become witnesses to the day-to-day hassles that affect SAHMs and their families. This book was a little more in-depth with the relationships between certain members of the group, which was nice since things were left "hanging" in the first book. It was refreshing to see that even the best laid plans sometimes falter, but with God's strength and faithfulness, we can pull through--which is what the message seemed to be for me. Both books are very quick reads, and I know you'll grow to love the honesty of the characters as much as I did.





If the Shoe Fits by Marilynn Griffith

I didn't realize that this book was part of a series (The Sassy Sistahood)when I started it, but no worries--I still understood what was happening with the plot and the characters. (If you want to start with the first book in the series, it's called Made of Honor.) I'm still in a state of longing after having read this book...without giving too much away, Rochelle owns her own shoe store in which she designs and creates high-end shoes for most of her customers. After being single for 18 (?) years, she is provoked into joining a local Christian dating service called A Match Made in Seven. After going on several group-dates, "Chelle" is being pursued by several handsome and available men. However, her life starts to get crazy and "complicated" (don't we all know how that goes) and now she's second-guessing her decisions.

Now for my longing part--I've only been single for seven years and it feels like forever. I feel sad that she had to wait so long before she found men who were interested in her. I wonder if I'll have to wait that long? (If so, my momma can kiss those biological grandchildren from my side goodbye! :) I keep telling her that Madison is her grandchild, but she hasn't accepted that fact yet.) It seems that as soon as I decide I'm okay being single, I read a great book like this one that has me praying for more...I know--it's all in God's timing and I obviously have some major issues to work through before the timing becomes right. Keep praying....I know I will be. :)

YouTube stikes again...

Here are my latest picks from YouTube:





With a voice like that...I really hope Anthony Callea won Australian Idol 2004. If not--they're crazy! What a beautiful voice (and guy)!







Only my friend April would catch this inside joke. (I swear..this is what I thought he meant!)






Boy do I wish I could have done this...I love this song by Miranda Lambert!

Hmmm...Something to think about......




Your Inner Child Is Scared



Like a kid, you tend to shy away from new experiences.

You prefer what's tried and true - novelty is scary!

New foods, new places, and new friends are difficult for you to deal with.

Some say you're predictable, but you enjoy being comfortable.




I must admit that at first I was shocked at this result of my "inner child." However, after reflecting on the things that happened during my childhood, I now absolutely agree with the label. (After all, if most people had been around for my childhood, they would be scared too!)

Now I wonder what this says about my adult life? Am I still scared as an "adult" to try new things-to remain in a comfort zone? I have to disagree. In fact, I am more of a change-agent. Like it or not, when I'm around, change WILL happen. (Although maybe if I reflect on why I like change, I would find that I'm scared to have a comfort zone. That change means I don't have to face the reality of what is really happening in my life. Hmmmm....something to think about....actually I'm going to bring it up to God and see what His take is on the matter.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Smokes Alive!





Did anyone else wake up to the choking smell of smoke this morning? I started to grab Madison and run out the door in my PJs when I first woke up this morning because the smoke was so thick. As the sun began to rise, a haze settled over the Tampa Bay area due to fires up near Gainesville and just a couple hours South in Sarasota. YUCK! (These pictures are from the online Tampa Tribune site.)

After I realized that we were not in any trouble, Madison was able to enjoy the comfort of the cranked air conditioner so that she wouldn't have much trouble breathing while I had to suck it up and go to work. Yippee.


The sad thing is, Sunday I spent a WONDERFUL day at beautiful Clearwater Beach. My sister Rachel is in town from Washington (the state) for a couple of days, so we decided to go to the beach--her favorite spot. (I love the white sand and the crystal colored water. The pirate ship was fun too.) Check out some of our pictures....





Okay, Okay...I've tried to avoid the subject--after all, I've had a day of moping about...Danielle and Eric won The Amazing Race. I must admit, while I definitely DID NOT want them to win, they did pull together when it counted and that's what helped them win. Oh well....Of course you know I'll be checking the CBS site for applications for the next go-round.

There are only a few more weeks left with the children! Yippee! Then I can actually sit down and read some of the books that are sitting in my growing pile. (Too bad I don't have time to read at work.....I used to actually think that's what librarians did all day long...little did I know that the only time I would see the inside of a book was when I sat down at home with one.) In any case, since I do not have a summer job (YIKES!) lined up completely, that's what I plan on doing until I find one. Does anyone need me to review books for them for money? (I promise, I can crank them out over the summer!)

On the funny side, my dad decided to go to Europe to visit my brother (who lives in London). He was supposed to fly back today, but apparently missed his flight in London--what a dork! (I can say that because he NEVER worries about the little details like time, etc.) The last I heard, he managed to get a later flight, but is going to Philadelphia first. Hopefully he gets a flight back tonight, because he doesn't know that Rachel is here to surprise him, and she leaves tomorrow evening. Talk about drama! In any case, he'll get a great laugh at it all in a few days. I can't wait to see the pictures!