Goodbye September

Today I played in the studio and finished my September cards. I listened to podcasts about Amy Winehouse documentary and one about Do I Sound Gay. Guys who have a 'sound' are classified as gay but do girls have a sound like that?

Yesterday I finished Girl on the Train. Not a favorite. Very Gone Girlish which was also not my favorite. A page turner no doubt but I need to connect more with my books. Even my cozies I need more character in my characters. 

BOOK CONVO

I love the anticipation of the students having a book conversation.
I love when I say oh this is sooo much better than the miniseries and he says, 'there's a mini series....'
Oh he wrote that? I thought it was just a movie! I love that movie! What else did he write?
Good talking to you...

I've been down the planner rabbit hole now for almost a year and here's what I know....
color coding each member of our family, us as a family, and our main activities helps at a glance

measure

I'm trying to pull together evidence to support the high school library and my job as a professional librarian. Not in response to anything recent so don't panic, I just know I need to be doing this in general as a professional. It's not like I can present test scores or adequate student progress so how do I measure or prove that my salary is well spent on a certified librarian. Today as I was reviewing some things students were pouring in and when I sat back down I thought here's the dialogue of the last 15 mins in the HS library.

I need a book
I need a book
can I renew
can I check this out
I don't know what to read
I don't like this
I'm thinking of doing my English project on like the end days or like the breakdown of the government- what do you have in here on that?
wanna see my grades
wanna see my drawing...
Thank you Mrs. Lovin

That last one made me tear up a bit. It's from the kid who comes in everyday. He does homework beside me at my desk. We check his grades and discuss what we are going to do about that. His artwork had some really personal stuff going on. I paused my work of trying to put my job on paper and poured over his art project he brought in just to show me. We talked about what was in there. As he walked away he muttered Thank You Mrs. Lovin. And I know it isn't just for doing my job. It's for paying attention. We all do it. I'm not the only one. I'm just trying to figure out how you put a price on that. How do I measure that? How do I include that? Rambling I know but it's my struggle lately. And I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to book talk and work collaboratively alongside teachers and students doing phenomenal work.

Conversation

Morning conversation with English teacher about today's YA author, censorship and reality...
I'm uncomfortable with the edginess of today's YA fiction but also thrilled that the writing has been elevated. What I worry about are the parents and administrators who are not readers regulating what we should be reading or allowing students to read. It's heartbreaking.

Guy student conversation about not liking YA but adult has stuff in it he shouldn't be reading... So therein lies the rub right? So YA authors have heard this complaint and upped the ante on their writing and then we censor it.

Guy student conversation about Winger and sequel- this is a kid just like me. He talks like me, he does stuff I think is funny. It's relatable. I've never read a book like this. That makes me want to sing but these are the books that make me worry about my job if a non reading administrator or parent picks up one of these and reads one edgy page.

Guy student who said The Lightening Thief was the first book he picked up and chose over video games. He smiled. Ahhh, really the best job in the world.

A girl reading a book I recommended- I hurried up on my English test today so I could read this it is soooo good!!!

I am so excited about going to the Country Living Fair on Saturday.  The first time I went, I came home and told Hubs- these are my people. It is so inspiring and beautiful, full of wonderful ideas and lovely items for sale and just perfect to take in all the sights. The food from a local food truck is healthy and unique and delicious. After going for the last few years I look for my favorite venders. They know how to style a booth. It's inviting and an experience.

I can't even explain how important and indepth our conversations in the library are.
Stephenie's classes are doing a project where they pick a topic and read nonfiction and fiction to support and explore their topic. This has led to amazing conversations from deep thinking students.

Standing appointment

Showing up at IHOP today for a breakfast meeting with some friends the hostess asked, "Just one?"
"No, 5 please."
"Do you have a standing Monday table?"
I didn't know people even did that.
Then while Steph and I tried to decide if we should get sweet or savory crepes she suggested we each order and then split. Perfect.
"We are too much alike," she said. So true, and comforting. I can not wait for our weekend getaway. I'm already making conversation cards about things I want to talk about with these ladies. They are my true, dear friends, my mentors.

On the docket...
privacy and teenagers
teenagers and intimacy
people saying, well he is a boy
where Steph is sending her son to school

I really respect these ladies and look forward to the support with which they surround me.

Reading...

Reading has been slow this summer. I blame it on Facebook and Pinterest but still I need to speed it up and get more read. Pitiful librarian.

I'm not sure what I've blogged about so I'll just review...

            The Seminary- Stefan

I helped an aquaintance at church review his novel. It was good. I wanted to finish it. Lots of small errors so I think I helped. Pretty funny response when I called. Him- "Find anything?" Me- "Uh yeah" About 80 little things. 

            Fifty Shades of Gray- James

Everyone's jumping off the Gray bridge so I jumped too.  I agree with the critics that the writing style is not superb but, still, the story line is well thought out and intriguing. The heat is there and goes with the story line not trying to be the whole story. And the action, suspense and danger keep it moving quickly. 

            Summer Rental- Andrews

Our beach read for the whole group. I enjoyed it. Light. Girly. 

            Fifty Shades Darker- James

More of the same.

Metro Girl- Evanovich (audio)

We listened to this on our way to and from the 2nd beach. Enjoyable. Light. Easy to drift in and out of while doing other things. 

All over but the shoutin’- Bragg

Book club read. I know I talked about this some. I really liked this book. Very relatable.

Fifty Shades Freed- James 

The end of a very different kind of trilogy than I'm used to reading. Enjoyable.Nice ending to the entire trilogy.  

Just for Today...

Just finished All Over but the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg. Sounds very familiar especially when his mother and aunt are speaking. Or speakin'.

Woke up to the smell of coffee.. .ahh the pleasure of traveling with early risers who drink coffee :) now add a little Cinnabon creamer and we're ready for the a day at the beach! — with GeorgeandLouisa Rise.

Weezy read me this me this morning... Just for Today

Just for today: I will try to live through this day only,
and not tackle all my problems at once.
I can do something for twelve hours that
would appall me if I felt that I had to
keep it up for a lifetime.
Just for today: I will be happy. This
assume to be true what Abraham Lincoln said,
*Most folks are as happy as they make up their
minds to be.*
Just for today: I will adjust myself to what is,
and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will
Take my *luck* as it comes, and fit myself into it
Just for today:I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study.
I will not be a mental loafer.
I will read something that requires effort.
Thought and concentration.
Just for today: I will exercise my soul
in three ways: it will do somebody a good turn
and not get found out; if anybody know of it, it
will not count. I will do at least two things I
don't want to do-- just for exercise. I will
not show anyone that my feelings are hurt: they may
be hurt but today I will not show it.
Just for today: I will be agreeable. I will
look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice
low,be courteous,criticize not one bit. I won't find
fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate
anybody else but myself.
Just for today: I will have a program.
I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it.
I will save myself from two pests: Hurry and Indecision's.
Just for today: I will have a quiet half
hour all by myself, and relax. During this half hour,
sometime I will try to get a better perspective of
my life.
Just for today: I will be un-afraid.
Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what
is beautiful,and to believe that as I give to the
world, so the world will give back to me. 

At Hilton Head and we are getting along swimmingly. 
The drive down here was easy and humorous. Yolanda drove the whole way and she made good time! I flipped through magazines and finished reading All Over But the Shoutin'. Then we listened to MetroGirl by Janet Evanovich together. Lovely.

We drove by my first teaching job location. Barbourville. I told the ladies about the student who came by my room and asked me to carry her home?!?!?! Took me awhile to realize she was just asking for a ride in my car. 

Yo threatened a local at the gas station! Lady didn't pull up to the first pump but just the first. Yo leaned out the window and shouted, "Did you not see the pump in front of you?" "No" "REALLY?" Then she whipped around got out and continued gripping VERY LOUDLY!

One of the fun parts of the ride down here was Yo and me telling Margy about growing up. Yo told her she used to prick me with the diaper safety pins (telling my age there) and making me cry then telling my mom I cry too much she should take me back. 

Last night we ate at Nick's Steak and Seafood. Grouper was panko encrusted. Good stuff. 

One of the mag articles mentioned Breck shampoo. My best childhood friend Christie's mom used it on us when I spending the night. The smell is heavenly.

Summertime. A time to forget what day it is. The date. The day of the week.
A time to forget what time it is. Lingering day... That's when I know it's summer and I'm in the groove!

So fresh coffee, green smoothie, an english muffin sandwich (made by Weezie) and what a wonderful morning served up wonderful.

Milton was our tour guide on the gullah tour. He was very knowledgeable and well received as we drove around the back roads and he pointed out houses, people, and history. Wonderful tour.

Margy had the first craft night and it was hilarious. She did not do the craft ahead of time and it was a total flop. It is absolutely amazing how something could go so wrong and we could have one of the funnest most memorable times ever!

We went to a local seafood place and I bought scallops and key lime pie. Both were good but the scallops were to die for in our pasta dish that night.

The three of us all wondered why Margy chose us to come to Hilton Head with her. An odd assortment of people. She said this was her wedding anniversary (she's getting a divorce) and she wanted to be surrounded by 3 strong women.

My (borrowed) laptop died while I was at HHI so I'm now trying to suss out my notes.
We each were assigned an evening to cook. We had Orzo chicken zucchini and thin spaghetti scallops and flounder among other things. It was delicious.

We watched The Descendants. It was fabulously quirky.

I can't really remember is our gullah guide was Milton or Irving. I jotted both names down. He recommended Chef David's roast chicken and cornbread. We'll go there next year.

He pointed out Broad Creek and a little community called Jarvis. That was my grandfather's name. I wonder if he was from here. He also pointed out Port Royal, a large gullah community.

Another first was clearing the beach because of lightening and trees falling on my head. Seriously. It was downright scary.

We left by 7 on Saturday morning and we were back by 8pm. That's not bad. 

Another notable event was the  Riesling incident. Really funny. And that's all I've got to say about that. 

We listened to Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich on the way down there, driving around there and on the way back. Favorite quote by the manly man main character. Something going on that the girl main character wanted him to do. His response was no way... 

I'd get my testicles repossessed.

Funny stuff.

46

46 More Days of Summertime 6 Weeks


You know how I was worried about the long trip to and from the beach a few weeks ago? Amazingly enough it flew. I had my phone, pod and pad loaded and had books and mags in my bag and barely touched any of them. The car conversation was great on the way down there. We chatted and moved cars around and I drove. It was great. Even on the way back we all talked the whole way. I barely got any reading at all done.

Yesterday as I was finishing Shades of Gray 2 on the back porch, Marina started barking so I got up to see what the problem was. Deer. Female in the back field. Not that far away. I quietly moved inside to get my camera and poof she was gone.

So 2nd Shades of Gray complete. Good one. The story line keeps me interested and I'm liking it. This one kinda dragged on though so I'm hoping #3 picks up. I need to get my hands on our book club book to get it read.

Getting ready for Sam's visit today. A coworker was talking about finding a place to board his dog while he and his family were on vacation. This was around the first of the year. I said I'd watch him. He acted like I volunteered to give my left lung. Finally I got the wifey's ok and Sam will be here today at 5. I'm excited. He's another lab who was neglected and saved. I hope they all get along.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower movie?!?! Better get to reading!

Midsummer

Almost half way through the summer. I've appreciated every minute. This back porch has seen me most mornings and evenings.

I've...
made pinterest projects
ferried Bubs to Kings Island
had my feet in the sand
played in the ocean
lunched with friends
thrifted
laid poolside and had breakfast on Yo's back porch
walked the dogs on long wondering walks
went out for lunch
put everything in my house back in it's place
played board games
stayed up late and slept in
went out on the pontoon
finished a few books
went to the movies
went to Milford's farmers market
picked blueberries
crafted with friends
took Bubs fishing at M's
the garden is in!
got into the habit of morning pages,
and generally had a wonderfully blissful time.

And now I still have some living to do...
breakfast at Plain Folks
lunch at Acapulcos
dinner at Bite
make it Loveland's farmer's market
hammock reading
 roasting hotdogs and marshmallows on the fire pit
playing board games on the porch in the evenings
watching movies in the evenings
riding bikes
kayaking
swimming in the lake
tubing in the lake
deep clean the house 

BASEBALL ROOM: organize papers to scrap upstairs, complete some scrap projects, 
LAUNDRY ROOM: catch up on ironing, catch up on hand washing, fix things on counter in the laundry room, MASTER BED: clean the trunk downstairs and bring up to the bedroom for sweater storage, 
BUB'S ROOM: help him get his act together in there with the fridge and tv, 
SPARE BED: hang old hats, find a better way to store scrapbooks,
use up food stuff and restock with clean eating food
STUDIO: get some projects done, mainly get caught up scrapbooking and ordering photos, get cards stockpiled,
get Bub's started on some SAT problems 

My parents are on vacay but when they get back I'm looking forward to going to the trail in Loveland with them and then hitting the farmers market afterwards. I think the dogs, my parents and I will all like this.
I'd like to take my dad to the Kentucky horse park for Father's Day. He was gone that day so all he received was a phone call. Apparently while wearing his Life is Good shirt that reads not all who wonder are lost he got lost for 4 hours on a mountain.

Sipping green tea, green smoothies...
Listening to, well, the outdoors creatures telling me good morning- hawk, crow, chirpy birds
Watching The Fighter will Mark Wahlberg. Good inspired true story.

Haven't updated my 2012 Books in awhile...

Before That: Scenes Goshen Township, Clermont County, Ohio- Goshen Historical Society- a local book that was very informative about the area I grew up in.

The New Crafting Heritage Albums- Braun- a friend's book that helped me bone up on my scrapbooking knowledge.

A Couple of Kooks and other stories about Love- Rylant- stumbled on in the library at work. The first few short stories were really good then downhill. Quickly.

Blood Song: a silent ballad- Drooker- another stumbled upon in the work library. no words and little interest. didn't stand up to the hype.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening- Frost/Jeffers- another work book. Short, sweet illustrated poem.

The Elegant Witch- Neill- I've been reading this since           Halloween. Decent vintage book.

Wesley the Owl- O’Brien- Loved Wesley. Informative and heart warming.

            The Seminary- Stefan- Edited for a church friend. Lots of edits. He is still talking to me though so that's good.

            Fifty Shades of Gray- James- Yep finally got it and yes it's good and worth the read.

            Summer Rental- Andrews- Our beach house read. Good beach fun read.

Finally getting around to cleaning up some thrifted items. Looked this one up and found it sells for $50 used and around $80 new.
Stephanie Johnson for Saks

She sells SeaShells

Attended a visitation for a friend's mother's passing. Beautiful church.

Lunch at a sushi place in Eastgate. Yo and I had appetizers, rolls, meals and sides and drinks for under 30$ together. We need to come here more often. I tried an avocado roll something that was really good.

Yo and I went by Best Buy to get printer ink and we got a talkin' to by the Best Buy guy who said we were having too much fun at the apple computer's photo booth. Of course he then showed us more funny things and we all three laughed. Then he told me about Hipstagram, which I had heard of but not used. So I downloaded that. Interesting. It let's you change lenses and cameras. Not sure about how to share, etc. 

The boys took my chandaliar down and put up a fish bait. whose truck is this anyway?

We went to go get new tires for the boat trailer for their next fishing trip.

We talked about not doing a garden this year and I agreed but reluctantly. Then the next morning I woke up to the tiller. We went to get plants just in time for feeding time for the barn animals. How about those bottles. The farmer is really a knowledgeable guy. He gave us lots of pointers. Such as

• don't over water. give them a good drink once a week and then make the roots go look for water they'll get a good base
• you don't need to mound melons and cukes. it just groups them
• no need to use additional potting soil
• buy local- he researches what plants are resistant to our area and only orders those

I told Hubs I wish I would have recorded him. He talked forever and I know I only caught some of it. 

Finally watering my own.

Beach Babes Week

Breakfast on our trip out there at Bob Evans in Rio Grande

And so it begins...

Dinner on Murrel's Inlet Hot Fish Club

Morning walks with my favorite Gym Teacher 

She collects sea shells by the sea shore.

Weezy with our new room mate. She was a good fit for our trip.

A Krispy Kreme was sooo close.

Magnolia on Main on the way home.

3 in one car and 4 in the other.

I caught alot of flack for being the youngest so here's to you old folks!

Just a little traffic on the way home.

Break dreams

Good Morning! First time I've seen 5am in awhile. The boys got up to go fish and made so much noise I'm awake. I figure since I have to get up and go at 4 am tomorrow for the beach I might as well put in some early hours so I can sleep tonight. I've been staying up till midnight or later and sleeping till 8 or later. The girls sleep around all day and are out for the night be 10 then they are rearing to get up by 8. Stella's awake now. Shocking.

I have got to amp up the workouts this summer. I am constantly surprised at how little free time we have in the summer. You'd think since we aren't working out regular jobs we'd be left with tons of time but no. We are still hurrying around and fighting to get in bed at night. I'm sure it will change but I've been trying to get ready for the beach, the boys have been on 2 fishing trips already, I have another beach trip in July and they have another fishing trip. Sad to say we are going in such different directions this year but they want to fish and I, well, don't. When they were going to Key Largo I would trade some fishing time for some Florida time but not Lake Sinclair. Not sure I'd enjoy that much. They are waanting me to go this next time with them but I think not.

Yesterday I got to looking for last year's girls' beach trip scrapbook when I realized I don't have one! I have no pics from 2011 scrapped and not ever 2010 is done! and it's 2012! Wow I need to scrap like mad this summer and get caught up. This is insane.

Yesterday the boys continued getting their act together for tournaments, Hubs mowed (that takes forever) and Bubs finally detailed my car. Hubs then was need to take the pontoon up to help some elderly people from the local nursing home, Bubs had basketball and then they both had weightlifting, and we all finally met up for a concert planning meeting. Our church small group is bringing Building 429 to Blanchester in August. They are a large group so all the details are mind blowing. We have to talk to multiple agents, get prepared for 2000 people and then have faith the money will fall into place. So far it has. Amazingly people come out of nowhere to make this happen. Really praying that all the details will be covered. Lots of work ahead.

I finished The Seminary yesterday. That's the book my friend from church wrote and asked me to help edit. It was really good and I enjoyed it. I don't think he thought I'd find so much since when I called to tell him I finished he asked if I found anything. Yeah. 71 things actually. I hope he is still speaking to me after this. Students come in all the time and ask me to read things. They are expecting me to spew accolades. You got the wrong gal. I give an honest opinion. Not to say it isn't great! It is but I see errors and tweaks and if there is the opportunity to fix it, well I figure that's what you want right? I hope so.

The girls have gotten comfortable together.

Spring yard sale items

 Prom favors

 OOTD with scary hair

 The new girl got her pic taken by the resident 14 yr old.

 Some Pinterest in action

 Summer wedding OOTD

 One day I thought I lost Stella... found her, can you?

A trio of bunnies have moved into the field

 80% of their day

 OOTD for book club at MJ's

 the other 20%

 the girls see the bunnies who amazingly come to the fence to play!

 the girls realize they can't leave the fence

 so back to napping

And this my friend is how I plan to spend my entire break...