Fred Poets Society

Welcome back Top Chef!

2009-08-20T22:19:00.002-05:00

What started out as a summer guilty pleasure has turned into a full on obsession. Well, obsession is probably a little strong. I've been watching "Top Chef" since season 2, back when it used to just be a summer show. It was great because all my other shows went into reruns and I had something new to look forward to one night a week.Anyway, here we are at season 6. On Facebook, I already dubbed

2009-07-19T20:54:00.000-05:00

Exasperated

2009-07-10T23:09:00.003-05:00

I was just contemplating one of the great frustrations of being a parent. You set up what you consider to be a few simple, reasonable rules, and yet the children seem to either forget about the rules or just pretend that the rules even exist.For example, the remote control for the TV belongs in the basket on the end table when it's not being actively used. I have told the children many, many,

Taming your inbox

2009-06-23T16:12:00.002-05:00

Here's a truly great article about organizing your email inbox. To quote:But many people are struggling with e-mail overload and overwhelm these days, and from my consulting and training on the topic, I think I’ve figured out part of the reason why: people are keeping their information in e-mail format rather than converting those e-mails into what they really are: information, tasks, calendar

What do you do with a surly teenager?

2009-06-08T18:31:00.003-05:00

Calling all parenting experts! Or just people who have management experience. How would you respond in this situation.Some "friends" of ours have two daughters. One is 14. We'll call her "teenager". The other is 11. We'll call her "little sister". This family has fallen into a pattern of behavior that so far only results in the parents getting angry, teenager sulking and little sister ending up

2009-06-04T09:09:00.001-05:00

If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying? Shantideva

Tra-la, it's May...

2009-05-30T22:32:00.002-05:00

And in the blink of an eye, May has come and gone. I have many, many good reasons for not posting during May.What did we have in May?Honors bandConfirmationA visit from the WildersMission trip fund raisers and meetingsFinal choir concertLost season finale partyFriday night wine tasting partiesBand world tour (I got to chaperone!)School field tripsFinal band concertSchool fund raisersFinal flute

Benediction

2009-04-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

BenedictionBlessings be with them, and eternal praise,Who gave us nobler loves, and nobler cares!The Poets, who on earth have made us heirsOf truth, and pure delight, by heavenly lays.O might my name be numbered among theirs,Then gladly would I end my mortal days!”William Wordsworth

Acrostic

2009-04-29T06:00:00.002-05:00

AcrosticMaiden, though thy heart may quailAnd thy quivering lip grow pale,Read the Bellman's tragic tale! Is it life of which it tells?Of a pulse that sinks and swellsNever lacking chime of bells? Bells of sorrow, bells of cheer,Easter, Christmas, glad New Year,Still they sound, afar, anear. So may Life's sweet bells for thee,In the summers yet

Your turn: submit a limerick

2009-04-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

I can't think of anything good for today's post, so it's up to you, readers.Today's assignment: submit a limerick.It could be an old favorite, or if you're in need of a challenge, submit one of your own.....

Arbor Day

2009-04-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

Plant a TreeHe who plants a tree Plants a hope. Rootlets up through fibres blindly grope;Leaves unfold into horizons free. So man's life must climb From the clods of time Unto heavens sublime.Canst thou prophesy, thou little tree,What the glory of thy boughs shall be?He who plants a tree Plants a joy; Plants a comfort that will never cloy;Every day a fresh reality,

Epigram

2009-04-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

On Shakespear[e]What needs my Shakespeare for his honored bonesThe labor of an age in pilèd stones?Or that his hallowed relics should be hidUnder a star-ypointing pyramid?Dear son of memory, great heir of fame,What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name?Thou in our wonder and astonishmentHas built thyself a livelong monument.For whilst, to the shame of slow-endeavoring art,Thy easy

Shakespeare

2009-04-23T06:00:00.003-05:00

It is widely held that William Shakespeare was born this day in 1564. It is a matter of historical record that he did die on this day, 1616.Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbearTo dig the dust enclosèd here.Blessed be the man that spares these stones,And cursed be he that moves my bones.

Patriot's Day

2009-04-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

Lines Suggested by the Graves of Two English Soldiers on Concord Battle-GroundThe same good blood that now refillsThe dotard Orient's shrunken veins,The same whose vigor westward thrills,Bursting Nevada's silver chains,Poured here upon the April grass,Freckled with red the herbage new;On reeled the battle's trampling mass,Back to the ash the bluebird flew. Poured here in vain;—

Kalamazoo

2009-04-20T06:00:00.002-05:00

A B C D E F G HI got a galIn Kalamazoo.Don't wanna boast,But I know she's the toastOf Kalamazoo zoo zoo, zoo zoo zoo.Years have gone by,My, my, how she grew.I liked her looksWhen I carried her booksIn Kalamazoo zoo zoo zoo zoo.I'm gonna send a wire,Hoppin' on a flyer,Leavin' today.Am I dreamin'I can hear her screamin',“Hiya, Mister Jackson,”Ev'rything's O KA L A M A ZO oh, what a gal,A real

Your turn: submit a haiku

2009-04-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Now it's your turn to work, readers. Today's assignment: submit a haiku poem.It could be one that you are personally fond of , or write your own!Possible topics:SpringFaithGrowthA sweaty toothed mad manChildrenThe OfficeRainMudFriendshipBlogsPetsHave fun!!

Nebraska

2009-04-18T06:00:00.003-05:00

The Kinkaiders 1You ask what place I like the best,The sand hills, O the old sand hills;The place Kinkaiders make their home,And prairie chickens freely roam.Chorus: In all Nebraska's wide domain 'Tis the place we long to see again; The sand hills are the very best, She is the queen of all the rest.2The corn we raise is our delight,The melons, too, are out of sight.Potatoes grown are extra

Books

2009-04-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

I cannot think the glorious world of mind, Embalm'd in books, which I can only seeIn patches, though I read my moments blind, Is to be lost to me.I have a thought that, as we live elsewhere, So will those dear creations of the brain;That what I lose unread, I'll find, and there Take up my joy again.O then the bliss of blisses, to be freed From all the wants by which the world is driven;With

In honor of my Grandmothers, Cora Frank and Irma Nothwehr

2009-04-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

GrandmaI know what makes a Grandma grand—she always has a treat,A cookie or a piece of cake or apple pie to eat,And when we go to visit her she gets the good things out,And we don't have to ask for more as long as she's about. Then Ma will say: “That's all to-day;Don't give them any more; You'll make them ill. I know you will,To-night we'll walk the floor.”A Grandma never punishes or

RIP Abraham Lincoln, 1865

2009-04-15T06:00:00.002-05:00

O Captain! my Captain!O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won,The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.O Captain! my Captain! rise

RIP Titanic, 1912

2009-04-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

The Convergence of the TwainIn a solitude of the seaDeep from human vanity,And the Pride of Life that planned her, stilly couches she.Steel chambers, late the pyresOf her salamandrine fires,Cold currents thrid, and turn to rhythmic tidal lyres.Over the mirrors meantTo glass the opulentThe sea-worm crawls--grotesque, slimed, dumb, indifferent.Jewels in joy designedTo ravish the sensuous mindLie

2009-04-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

This day, in 1387, would have been the first day of the fictional pilgrimage that takes place in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

Easter poem

2009-04-12T06:00:00.001-05:00

The Cross and the Tomb“He died,” saith the cross, “my very name” Was a hated thing and a word of shame;But since Christ hung on my arms out-spread, With nails in His hands and thorns on His head,They do but measure—set high, flung wide— The measureless love of the Crucified.”“He rose,” said the tomb, “I was dark and drear, And the sound of my name wove a spell of fear;But the Lord of Life in my

Hymn

2009-04-11T06:00:00.003-05:00

O Saviour of a World Undone1. O Saviour of a world undone!Whose dying sorrows blot the sun,Whose painful groans and bowing headCould rend the vail and wake the dead,Say, from that execrated treeDescends the ruddy tide for me? 2. For me did he who reigns above,The object of paternal love,Consent a servant's form to bearThat I a kingly crown might wear?Is his deep loss my boundless

Sonnet

2009-04-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,I all alone beweep my outcast stateAnd trouble deaf heaven with my bootless criesAnd look upon myself and curse my fate,Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,With what I most enjoy contented least;Yet in these thoughts myself almost despisingHaply I

Indiana

2009-04-09T06:00:00.003-05:00

OUR Land—our Home!—the common home indeed Of soil-born children and adopted ones— The stately daughters and the stalwart sonsOf Industry:—All greeting and god-speed!O home to proudly live for, and, if need Be, proudly die for, with the roar of guns Blent with our latest prayer.—So died men once. . . .Lo, Peace! . . . As we look on the land They freed—Its harvest all in ocean-overflowPoured round

Anyone know why this is today's pick?

2009-04-08T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hey JudeHey Jude, don't make it bad.Take a sad song and make it better.Remember to let her into your heart,Then you can start to make it better.Hey Jude, don't be afraid.You were made to go out and get her.The minute you let her under your skin,Then you begin to make it better.And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain,Don't carry the world upon your shoulders.For well you know that it's a

William Wordsworth born today, 1770

2009-04-07T06:00:00.002-05:00

Composed by the Sea-Shore What mischief cleaves to unsubdued regret,How fancy sickens by vague hopes beset;How baffled projects on the spirit prey,And fruitless wishes eat the heart away,The Sailor knows; he best, whose lot is castOn the relentless sea that holds him fastOn chance dependent, and the fickle starOf power, through long and

2009-04-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis 1 1 When Louis came home to the flat, he hung up his coat and his hat,He gazed all around, but no wifey he found, so he said, “Where can Flossie be at?”5 A note on the table he spied, he read it just once, then he cried.It ran, “Louis dear, it's too slow for me here, so I think I will go for a ride. “ Meet me in St. Louis,

Algernon Charles Swinburne born today, 1837

2009-04-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

AprilWhen the fields catch flower And the underwood is green,And from bower unto bower The songs of the birds begin, I sing with sighing between.When I laugh and sing, I am heavy at heart for my sin;I am sad in the spring For my love that I shall not win, For a foolish thing. This profit I have of my woe, That I know, as I sing,I know he will needs have it so Who is master and

El-a-noy

2009-04-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Way down upon the Wabash,Sich land was never known,If Adam had passed over it,The soil he'd surely own.5He'd think it was the garden,He'd played in when a boy,And straight pronounce it Eden,In the State of Elanoy. Chorus 10 Then move your family westward,Good health you will enjoy,And rise to wealth and honor,In the State of Elanoy. 2 'Twas here the Queen of

George Herbert born today, 1593

2009-04-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

Evensong The Day is spent, and hath his will on me: I and the Sun have run our races, I went the slower, yet more paces, For I decay, not he. Lord make my losses up, and set me free: That I who cannot now by day Look on his daring brightness, may Shine then more bright than he.

Triolet

2009-04-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

A Triolet

April is Poetry Month

2009-04-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

Oh Did You Hear? Oh did you hear?The President has measles,The Principal has just burned down the school,Your hair is filled with jam and purple weasels April Fool!Shel Silverstein

It Only Takes a Recipe to Get a Meal a Cookin'

2009-03-19T07:25:00.012-05:00

Last night a fellow blogger and my dear sister in law, Virtual Farmgirl posed a question to her readers: Where do you get your recipes?That question has been stewing in my mind ever since.So many thoughts are whirling round that I knew a mere "comment" would not answer the question hence this blog entry.Last evening just prior to to my reading of the VFG post of the day, I had received two

Big sigh of relief

2009-03-08T21:14:00.002-05:00

Aaaaah! Time to relax -- finally! We made it through the craziness of the past couple of weeks.VIP day is over.School operetta is over.Solo contest is over. (4 gold medals for the Blackwell girls! Yay!)Top Chef is over.The bake sale is over.Flute choir performance is over.Piano at Family in Faith is over.Hannah's show at the Park District is over.I feel as though a great weight has been lifted. I

William Carlos Williams

2009-03-04T11:11:00.001-06:00

A Celebration A middle-northern March, now as always—gusts from the South broken against cold winds—but from under, as if a slow hand lifted a tide,it moves—not into April—into a second March, the old skin of wind-clear scales droppingupon the mold: this is the shadow projects the

Pixar rumors

2009-02-27T09:20:00.002-06:00

Could it be true? Could there be a sequel to Monsters, Inc.? Wouldn't that be wonderful to see Boo and Sulley reunited?I do agree with several of the commenters, though. The movie that really does scream for a sequel would be The Incredibles. How awesome to see Jack-Jack use his powers some more!

Busy week continued

2009-02-26T10:08:00.002-06:00

Whew! Made it through the soup supper last night. Nearly every drop of my chili was gone. I used the soup starter from Mrs. Grass. I just added hamburger, canned tomatoes, and kidney beans. Delish!So the crazy week continues, but the worst days are over -- I think. Tomorrow night we're off to a wine tasting event out in Genoa.It turns out I am NOT playing piano for church Saturday night! Yay! So

Band practice: or how I learned to stop worrying and love the clarinet

2009-02-24T13:12:00.002-06:00

Okay, so I'll never love the clarinet. Especially after being subjected to the squeaking and squawking of no less than SIX beginning clarinet students. Oh, there were supposed to be seven, but one was a no-show.Speaking of no-shows....That pretty much describes my first night of practice with the band solo kids last night. The number of participants was down -- way down. I think there were about

New six word motto for America?

2009-02-24T10:13:00.001-06:00

We are too big to fail.I don't know that I agree. What do you think?

The storm is starting

2009-02-22T23:22:00.002-06:00

It's all starting to get crazy. Friday night was the Disney gig -- what a blast! We sat through a presentation about the DVC and then danced the night away with Minnie and Mickey. We even got to meet Tinkerbell! How fun!!Saturday morning I braved the snowstorm to accompany a high schooler for her flute solo. It took me a lot longer to get to the HS, so I was grateful that the judge was running

3 things

2009-02-20T15:14:00.002-06:00

What I wish I could do tonight: Watch the entire Lord of the Rings DVD trilogy back to back.What I ought to do tonight: Practice the piano for band contest.What I will actually do tonight: Meet and greet at the Disney Vacation Club. I probably will fit some piano practice in, too.It's so easy to tell my posts from Maria's isn't it?

A Holding Place for Memories

2009-02-20T11:07:00.006-06:00

As I age I have been thinking back and remembering the past more and more.In some cases, all I have left of people and places are their memories.My mother was an accredited flower show judge and we always had fresh flowers and arrangements in our home.One thing she did was make a huge grapevine wreath from vines in our 639 Sycamore home's yard.She took the wreath and filled it with dried

2009-02-20T08:37:00.000-06:00

“The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ahh Memories... A Blast from the past!

2009-02-14T19:29:00.001-06:00

Rick found this in his Shakespeare collection.Thought you would all enjoy this.Steve... really causing a problem ...all those years agoand still today.

Why YouTube is better than TV

2009-02-13T10:26:00.003-06:00

Wind Waker UnpluggedTribute to John WilliamsNintendo AcapellaSimpsons AcapellaHuman Tetris

Top Chef prediction for tonight

2009-02-11T16:27:00.001-06:00

Yay! It's Top Chef night.I'm afraid that it's going to be Fabio's turn to pack his knives and go. But there will be some serious cheering in my house if Leah gets sent home! I do hope Carla is still around when the night is over.It makes me a little sad to think that the season is so close to being over. After tonight there will only be four chefs left.

Suggestion for the day

2009-02-11T15:35:00.001-06:00

From the library suggestion box:"Develop a system that warns people about possible offensive material in novels. Cracker Barrel does it -- you can too! Thanks!"Sure, while we're at it, let's develop a system for warning me when a suggestion in the suggestion box might make me roll my eyes! Spleesh!

Move over Top Chef

2009-02-10T16:32:00.002-06:00

Because you're about to be Chopped!Well, not really. Sunday night, instead of getting 7 hours of sleep, I stayed up to watch a rerun of Ted Allen's new show on the Food Network. I'll be reviewing it so that you can save the time of watching it yourself.The premise has potential. They start with 4 chefs. Each chef has to prepare a 3 course dinner; appetizer, entree, dessert. May the best chef

3 day recap

2009-02-07T10:33:00.002-06:00

WednesdayFor once, I was excited about work again. All the final pieces of my "Hats off to Lincoln" contests are falling into place. It will be over soon.I came up with an idea for a grant. It will be a lot of work, putting a grant proposal together, but it will be good for me to try something new.I started writing an article about marketing. I'm going to try to get it published in the ILA

Ignorance can be bliss?

2009-02-03T12:11:00.001-06:00

Are you an agnotologist?What's going on? Normally, we expect society to progress, amassing deeper scientific understanding and basic facts every year. Knowledge only increases, right? Robert Proctor doesn't think so. A historian of science at Stanford, Proctor points out that when it comes to many contentious subjects, our usual relationship to information is reversed: Ignorance increases.

Top Chef recap (finally)

2009-01-30T10:33:00.002-06:00

I can't believe I haven't blogged about Top Chef this week. I think my mind was spinning from Lost that I couldn't properly focus on Top Chef.Here's my problem with this season of TC. I already know who's going to win. I knew from episode one. There is no doubt in my mind about who is going to win. And there's no doubt in his mind, either. So there's not as much mystery surrounding this season.

2009-01-29T00:01:00.000-06:00

AfterflakesIn the thick of a teeming snowfallI saw my shadow on snow.I turned and looked back up at the sky,Where we still look to ask the whyOf everything below.If I shed such a darkness,If the reason was in me,That shadow of mine should show in formAgainst the shapeless shadow of storm,How swarthy I must be.I turned and looked back upward.The whole sky was blue;And the thick flakes floating at

2009-01-28T23:23:00.000-06:00

Do you abuse quotation marks?

The Shack

2009-01-28T11:17:00.001-06:00

Okay, so I got it. I finally have my copy of The Shack. I should be able to start reading it tonight, though it is Lost and Top Chef night.

2009-01-22T20:00:00.000-06:00

Manitoba Childe RolandLast night a January wind was ripping at the shingles over our house and whistling a wolf song under the eaves.I sat in a leather rocker and read to a six-year-old girl the Browning poem, Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came.And her eyes had the haze of autumn hills and it was beautiful to her and she could not understand.A man is crossing a big prairie, says the poem, and

Where have I been?

2009-01-21T13:46:00.002-06:00

Where have I been? I don't know! You read my last blog post. Guess I didn't go online much over the weekend. I did a lot of shopping, which I didn't really enjoy, but it was necessary. Bought new shoes for everyone in the family but me!Saturday I had lunch with my former staff from Poplar Creek. Only one of them still works there. We convinced Kim to run for the Poplar Creek library board. So I'm

A Photo Story

2009-01-20T18:50:00.004-06:00

Photo 1 a butterfly visits the lattice work of the back porch Photo 2 my bikePhoto 3 the stained glass panels window from the front hallPhoto 4 my porch swing

639

2009-01-19T08:57:00.015-06:00

Every time I happen to look up and see the clock read 6:39, I heave a sorrowful sigh.I have personal moment of silence in memory of my childhood home whose address was 639 Sycamore St.Sadly, 639 was torn down in 1993 by eminent domain to build a football field for the junior high across the street. A few days ago, Julie asked me to write a description of my childhood home.I have a vivid and

Observations on a weekend

2009-01-18T20:05:00.003-06:00

The thing that bugs me most about working someplace "perfect" is everyone freaks out when one little thing goes wrong.I love buy one get one half off -- especially when it comes to shoes.I can't believe I picked out boots for my 13 year old without her opinion -- and she loves them!Saturday mornings are for SLEEPING IN!!!!There's nothing like a long lunch with good friends. Mixed in with a little

An Incentive to "Move Forward"

2009-01-15T11:36:00.008-06:00

Here are the photos of of my new desk!I love my husband!This desk was purchased to help me move forward technologically.Our district is moving to computer generated report cards.In order for me to interview each child and be able to input the data needed for each report card I needed this set up.So my attendance incentive money went for the desk this year.I also had enough to buy a one touch 25

Wired and waiting for the crash

2009-01-14T22:50:00.002-06:00

What am I doing still up? I should be going to bed, but I'm just too wired.Top Chef was like sticking a knife in my heart. Sad that they sacrifice someone for the sake of drama on the show. But that's how Lisa managed to hang on for so long last season. IMHO. I really thought Carla would go, but I believe she made the same dish that she made on the Thanksgiving episode and they loved it then. She

Out of Commission

2009-01-14T13:29:00.004-06:00

Going out of his way (25 minutes), my wonderful husband, Rick came to my school yesterday to put together a desk for me.It is a sleek glass and metal L shaped desk.I will try to post a picture from home later today.The headache started around 2:30 and continued to worsen.We got home at 6:00 and they all ate and I lay in the dark room and stayed still.My head hurt so much, I could not lift my

Calling in Dinner!

2009-01-13T10:44:00.002-06:00

This morning, I was slow and rather late to get going.I competely forgot to put the roast in the crock pot.A quick call home to #2 daughter and voila' ... dinner is simmering.And you thought I was going to order carry out!

Changing It Up

2009-01-12T12:15:00.004-06:00

Governor's State University uses the school where I teach kindergarten as a language arts lab site.Each semester, I get to mentor a new elementary education student.The professor also asks me to make a presentation to her new students about storytelling in the classroom.I keep the bare bones outline of the presentation each time but change props and stories out. This keeps it interesting for me

My grandmother

2009-01-11T22:26:00.002-06:00

Last Friday night, my last living grandparent passed away. This was my mother's mother, Irma Nothwehr. Many nice people have given me condolences, but I was not close to my grandmother. I was not close to any of my grandparents, really.She was what you would expect for a farmer's wife. A hard worker who had a beautiful vegetable garden. But I don't remember her teaching me to sew, knit, or

A Toast to My Dad

2009-01-11T17:53:00.003-06:00

My father was a restauranter.The first restaurant I recall his involvement was Sap's in Greenwood.As a little girl, I loved to go and visit him there.We would come in the back door entrance which came right into the kitchen.There my father would often be standing frying potatoes on a large grill.I loved those potatoes.We would then go through the swinging door into the dining room.I would often

eight God given minutes

2009-01-10T09:36:00.004-06:00

Last night I decided to sneak in a hot bath before I went to the basketball game.In order for this to work, I had to do my eye medication while in the tub.I have to time my eye drops. 5 minutes for the first drop and 3 minutes for the second.I forgot the timer in bedroom so #1 daughter went to get it for me.She kindly set the timer for me and stayed to chat.She shared her day and we talked the

The waiting game

2009-01-09T12:10:00.002-06:00

I am still waiting for my turn for The Shack. I am on hold for multiple copies of this book at multiple libraries.At my work library I am on hold for three different copies: hardbound, paperback and large print. In the queue of holds I am #22, #17, and #6, respectively. The problem is that at work, my hold priority is low, so that if a resident places a hold, they are automatically bumped ahead

Snow Memories

2009-01-09T11:37:00.003-06:00

When I was little, I remember there being lots of snow.Winters were both cold and white.I also remember blizards shutting down Columbus for 2 or 3 days.This winter seems much like the winters of my "youth".While no blizzard has shut things down for long, there still seems to be lots more snow. Cold winds blowing snow!I love to be warm and when I was little I would go and sit on or stand over the

Updates...

2009-01-08T16:50:00.002-06:00

This brief update is being written to appease a dear reader...who does not follow my status on Facebook.I did make glazed pork chops.Today, I wore brown not black socks.The bills are paid.The calendar is still blank.

I hate to say I told you so...

2009-01-08T12:19:00.001-06:00

Wait a minute, I LOVE to say I told you so!Well, only sort of. I predicted even before we started watching Top Chef last night that Gene and Melissa would be packing their knives and going. I didn't even have to see the episode. I knew it would be their time.Then again, anyone who has been watching Top Chef this season could have called that one, so it's not like I pulled off anything

Maria at Peace

2009-01-08T12:07:00.003-06:00

Tonight, Rick and I get to go back to our small group Bible study.I have missed it so much.We are studying Heaven.It has been both eye opening and a review of the great things ahead of me.I have stuggled with major grief in my life with the earthly loss of my grandparents and my dear mother and father. This study has eased my soul.What a comfort and a joy to be with my friends again tonight as

Use of libraries in tough economic times

2009-01-07T14:19:00.002-06:00

This is the new mantra in the library world. Even the Freakonomics guys are jumping on the bandwagon.I'm still waiting to check our local statistics to see if they support this idea that library use goes up when the economy goes down.I did write this for our newsletter:Do you love the library? You’re not alone. The statistics show that library use, especially in tough economic times, just keeps

Black Socks

2009-01-07T13:38:00.003-06:00

We have a division of labor in our home.Rick does the yard/outdoor duties, the laundry and the dishes.The girls all have tasks.I have other jobs. (I will let you believe that they are too numerous to mention here.)As I was getting ready for school this morning,I opened the sock drawer to see my last pair of black socks.This was bad news.I wear black socks everyday to work.Out of the corner of my

Back to crafts

2009-01-06T20:30:00.002-06:00

My recent scrapbooking activities have gotten me motivated again.It's been several months since I last did any new scrapbook pages. The last think I scrapped was the June Disneyworld trip. And I've done virtually nothing in the past couple of years in terms of birthdays and any other trips we took.Oh, I did a 4 page layout of "2007 - year in review" which turned out great, but I want to focus on

Happy Birthday

2009-01-06T16:18:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday Carl Sandburg.Chicagoby: Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) Hog Butcher for the World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler; Stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders: They tell me you are wicked and I believe them

Easing on into this New Year!

2009-01-06T08:51:00.004-06:00

With a six o clock arrival home last night...(I am normally home by 3:05).With a lack of planning and organization...With frozen meat and nothing in the crock pot...With my bad attitude and adjustment to being back in the saddle again...Dinner seemed impossible.Impossible until I thought of Wendy's.For under $20 I fed my family and got a chili for my lunch today.Today I will do better.Pork chops

How can it be 8:12 p.m. already?

2009-01-05T20:11:00.002-06:00

Time to get one of my kids off to bed.Is 8:30 p.m. to early of a bed time for a 5th grader? I do not think so. My kids catch the bus at 7:15 a.m. and school starts at 7:45 a.m. so I feel this warrants an early bedtime.Plus, Tuesdays and Thursdays the girls have band at 7:00 a.m. so they have to be out the door no later than 6:45 a.m. (Speaking of band, I'd better make sure the band instruments

Happy New Year to Me!

2009-01-05T14:48:00.004-06:00

Hi.Since no one else is posting...I thought I might try it.I am back at school today after two weeks off.It was an easy day.I really love my job and usually do not mind coming to work.Today, however, I did not want to get out of bed.Moreover... it is hard to get back into Mommy routine.Making dinner and so forth is proving hard to do.The 2009 calendar remains

An evening with no children

2009-01-02T16:03:00.002-06:00

Both children are at a sleep over tonight. So what shall the grownups do?I'm bringing home three movies from the library: Sideways, The Prestige, and Disturbia. Honestly, I could care less about any of these movies. If it were up to me, I'd spend an hour playing Wii and then the rest of the evening reading.The last movies that I brought home for Dave and I to watch were Juno and Thank you for

A last minute Christmas

2008-12-26T12:33:00.001-06:00

Despite putting up the Christmas tree and having the Christmas cards addressed the weekend after Thanksgiving, this year really turned into the last-minute Christmas.We did have some events that severely cut into my prep time, though: a late night weeding party at work; two Christmas parties on the same night; playing the piano for every Saturday night and two out of three Sunday morning

There's a reason he's doing community service

2008-12-23T09:32:00.001-06:00

Rotten lousy community service person! I have this volunteer who needs to do court-ordered community service. It just so happens that we did a huge book weeding project and we have a conference room full of books that need to be de-processed.Fine, I said, come in and do your community service work here. For once, we actually have work that a community service person could do.He came in yesterday

2008-12-22T15:51:00.001-06:00

I have gotten two chocolate bars from colleagues at work for Christmas and enjoyed them thoroughly.But what does it mean when you are given Orbit gum as a gift?

What to read next?

2008-12-22T12:52:00.004-06:00

Okay, so it's still 2008, year of non-fiction. So which of these do I want to read first?Whichever one is on the shelf here at the library, of course....

Christmas thoughts

2008-12-19T09:33:00.004-06:00

What a difference a good night's sleep makes.Last night Iwas NOT in the Christmas mood. In fact, I was angry, annoyed and (probably most of all) tired.With predictions of a horrible snowstorm coming, the kids' band concert was postponed AGAIN -- but it wasn't even snowing yet. I was looking forward to the concert, but now I just want to get it over with. Now it will be January 7.Instead we went

One less thing to worry about

2008-12-18T13:58:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is the last school day before Christmas break. It occurred to me that I need to get out the gift certificates I picked up for the teachers so that the kids can take them to school tomorrow. But I don't have any Christmas cards! I actually cut my usual list of Christmas cards down because I didn't have enough cards this year. (Guess I could be lame and just send a letter with no card,

Top Chef last night

2008-12-18T11:00:00.001-06:00

Okay, got just a couple of minutes before heading off to a meeting.Initial reaction: bummer.I liked the challenges, I liked Martha Stewart, but hated the other guest judges and I was ticked off that they didn't send someone home.Oh, sure it was heartwarming to see everyone pitch in and help the chefs whose food got ruined, but ultimately this is a competition and at the end of every episode,

Season's Readings

2008-12-17T12:47:00.002-06:00

2008 was the year of non-fiction.I think the only fiction I read in 2008 was that horrible Breaking Dawn book. So I was just about to declare 2009 as the year of fiction, but then Fast Company published this list:Fast Company Best business books of 2008 Back of the napkin – Dan Roam Big switch – Nicholas Carr Buying in – Rob Walker Earth : the sequel – Fred Krupp and Miriam Horn

2008-12-12T12:27:00.008-06:00

On the 12th day of Christmas my schedule gave to me:12 Days 'til Christmas11 Trips to Jewel10 Glurge emails9 Choir rehearsals8 Church services7 Hours of cleaning6 Loads of laundry5 Overnight guests4 Dozen cookies3 Christmas parties2 Band concerts1 purchase from DVC! (Disney Vacation Club)

2008-12-11T14:33:00.001-06:00

Thief messes with the wrong librarian

Top Chef spoiler alert!

2008-12-10T22:40:00.002-06:00

Warning -- if you haven't watched Top Chef and don't know who was eliminated, then you might want to stop reading now.Ok?Ready?Here we go.First let's talk winners. Yea for Jeff! Stefan didn't want him to do the sorbet, but everybody loved it. Lesson learned -- stand up for yourself when you know you're right.Yea for Ariane. Kind of surprised that it wasn't Jamie, but you know what? It's a

Why I was late for work

2008-12-10T09:57:00.001-06:00

This morning I was driving to work down Wise Road. There was snow on the road, but it had obviously been plowed.So I'm going along and notice the light up ahead turning yellow. So I tap the brakes and totally start sliding. I don't have ABS, so I start pumping the brakes, but it's clear there's no way I'm stopping for this light.Thank God (literally!) there was no one in front of me. I'm sliding

Extra extra read all about it!

2008-12-09T10:18:00.001-06:00

Well, here's a headline that should help the Tribune with its financial woes:Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich arrestedAll I can say it "I knew it."Cut.

Top Chef update

2008-12-07T18:48:00.002-06:00

Once again Leah wins immunity, much to my chagrin. She's my new Lisa I think.I don't know who is the new Marcel/Hung. On the one hand, there are the Europeans. Fabio and Stefan are pretty confident, but they aren't as annoying as Marcel.I enjoyed the challenge. I thought it was a good one. Interesting how Tom pointed out that a number of the chefs claimed not to want to do TV. And here they are

Time to post

2008-12-05T16:30:00.002-06:00

Wednesday night was the 3rd-5th graders turn to lead the Advent service. The program was "A King is coming!" The citizens of a town knew that a king was coming but had different ideas about what kind of king it would be. The king of rock and roll? King Tut? King of the jungle?Of course, the King turned out to be Jesus and only two children of the town were able to remind the citizens about Jesus

Tagged!

2008-12-02T23:03:00.003-06:00

Kristi tagged me! I've stayed up way too late so I'm very tired and punchy, but I don't know when else I will have time to blog for the rest of the week, so here goes. (Please take my responses with a grain of salt....) Seven things I did before I had a child(ren):1. Played in a bell choir2. Directed a bell choir3. Watched the TV show "Friends"4. Called in sick to work when I just wanted a "

Thanksgiving weekend

2008-12-01T22:22:00.002-06:00

It was a very nontraditional Thanksgiving for us this year.We went to my parents' house Wednesday after I got off work. We were pleasantly surprised how light traffic was getting out of town.So we got there around 9 pm and the first thing Michelle did was get out the game, Payday. So we played a few rounds before bed.We went to church Thursday morning at my Mom's neighbor's church. It was a small

Top Chef recap

2008-12-01T21:51:00.002-06:00

I'm so glad that Top Chef is back on the air. I really do enjoy it. I stayed up until 12:30 am last night watching last Wednesday's episode.First off, I'm sure I'm showing my age, but while I do know of the Foo Fighters, I can't say that I can actually name any of their songs. So the celebrity aspect of the show didn't do anything for me. The prize of going to their concert wouldn't be a big