Book Worm

Trendy Tuesday is all about reading. So, here are some random thoughts about me as a reader.

• I loved Babysitters' Club. This was probably the first and only series of books I have ever loved. Can you name all the Babysitters?
• I read the end of a book part-way through. I just can't resist!
• I'm a chronic-non-finisher of books. I don't know if I just have a commitment problem or what, but I often do not finish books. Honestly? I think it's because I just don't want a good thing to end (or the book just isn't holding my interest).
• The worst book I ever read was The Christmas Train. I was wishing the train would go off the tracks and the entire cast of lame characters would just die through the entire 300+ pages. It was for a book club. Might not ever forgive the friend who picked it.
• I'm really looking forward to the new book from Khaled Hosseini (author of Kite Runner). Have to be patient, though.
• Bridget Jones's Diary is my annual trashy read. I read it ever single summer.
• I think Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver is probably my favorite book.

Reality TV Idea

I was talking to my brother tonight (he's pretty hilarious and totally creative).

He suggested I become a reality tv show hostess. (This fits well with one of my life-goals: to be a contestant on a game show.)

Anyway. . .
The premise behind the show is a teacher swap. Teachers who have it rough (inner-city schools, rural schools, other difficult situations) will swap with teachers who have it easy (suburbs, wealthier districts, etc.). The result will be hilarious and riveting television that people tune into weekly and talk about at work.

Well, I thought it was a great idea. It might be destined for FX, but it's still a great idea.

In other news. . .
My brother is moving into his first apartment all by himself. He went on a total shopping spree at Target on Saturday night and left all the goods in his car overnight. Someone stole all of it! They left everything in his car untouched--except the Target bags. People are mean!

My Weekend: Brought to you by the letter "F"

F is for Friends (famous friends)
Lunch and a trip to Archivers with this girl. What makes her famous?!?! All her recent scrappy publications and DT assignments.


Hung out with this girl and her hilarious and adorable kiddos on Saturday PM. What makes Becky famous? She's the owner of the fantastic Scrap-tastic.

F is for Funny
I took two enormous bins and one canvas bag full of scrap stuff with me this weekend. I hauled it in and out of my car into various houses at least 10 times. And (here's the part that is hilarious) I didn't scrap anything until I got home!


F is for Frightening
Snow + wind + dark night + Babs behind the wheel = Frightening
We had some CRAZY weather here this weekend. Despite everyone's recommendations, I braved it and drove. Probably not the best idea. The strangest part of it all--I didn't have any close calls the entire weekend. . . until I was driving to school this morning. I slid right through a red light about a block away from work.

Spunk, Dunk, Hunk, Skunk. . . I'm in a Funk

I've sunk completely into a funk.
I've lost my spunk.
I packed my creativity in a trunk.
My attitude is definitely not a slam dunk.
I'm about as great of company as a little spotted skunk.
And not nearly as much fun as a drunk.
I'm tired of dealing with all the junk.
(But I still think McDreamy is a hunk.)

Okay. Now that I created that completely lame piece of poetry, I totally have the giggles.

Enough about my lack of spunk. It's time for me to "Suck it up, Buttercup!" and focus on the positive. . . . (I'm totally stealing this idea for a post right from AE.)

Things Babs is Grateful For:

1. My smoke-free husband. That's right, folks. Brad quit smoking almost a month ago! I'm so proud of him and totally digging that he never smells like smoke anymore.
2. Weekends. I have some killer plans this weekend with some of my favorite people. I predict lots of gossip and scrapping sprinkled with some shopping and eating. The weather had better not screw everything up.
   
3. This girl. She truly believes that we will do something fabulous enough to get us on Oprah one day. And she's agreed to treat me to Seafood Buffet if I help her organize.
4. Grey's Anatomy. Thoughts of tonight's episode are what pulled me through the day. Seriously.
5. My pajamas. We have a hot date as soon as I peel myself off the couch and away from the computer.

Help!

Okay, my dedicated readers.

I'm trying to convince Brad that I absolutely need to have a Digital Rebel.

Can you help me create a list of reasons why my life (specifically my ability to create) will not be complete without this camera?

Let's hear it. This is going to take your most serious powers of persuasion.

I fooled the toddler.

So, I babysat Natalie yesterday (she'll be two in April). I am officially her favorite person ever. We played the whole time her parents were gone. When they returned, she refused to take a nap until I went and tucked her in. Then, she layed in her big-girl-bed and screamed my name until she fell asleep. When she woke up, her first words were, "Where Barb?"

Ahhhh. I've fooled the toddler into thinking I'm about the coolest person ever.

When I wasn't busy entertaining Natalie I was scrapping, of course! Some goodies for a crop at House of Paper.Photo credits to my Aunt Amy on the last LO. That's her great photography AND her cutie-pie daughter, Jennifer.

Happy, Little Surprises

Lots of fun surprises lately. . .

A fabbity necklace from Brad for Valentine's Day (accompanied by a yummy steak dinner, some excellent wine, and a trip to Cold Stone). The one he got me isn't on the page anymore--it's pink with a red flower in it.

This little reminder of just how much I hate e-cards in the REAL mail today--a totally cute , finger-painted Valentine from my friend's 18-month-old son.
Okay. So this one isn't a happy, little surprise. . .
Today after school, I found a big ol' pile of ralph that Memphis left in the corner of the living room. Not quite sure when that happened.

And, holy man. Grey's was packed with little surprises last night! WOW!

One last surprise. . . An email from my dad that made me laugh so hard I thought I might pee my pants. Brad (and all other postal employees) have Monday off. My father thinks that Brad should spend the day writing a report our nation's most beloved Presidents.

e-Cards

It's only 7:18 a.m. and already I am in a bad mood. I completely woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Not quite sure what's going on, but I am really, irrationally crabby.

To top it all off, I got an e-card this morning. I'm not blaming the person who sent it for my bad mood; she didn't know it drives me crazy.

I hate e-cards. I realize hate is a strong word. But, I hate e-cards.

Sending an e-card is a little like giving a cubic zirconium. You care, but you just don't care quite enough to send the real thing.

Seriously. If you are physically unable to send the real thing, at least call me instead. Don't send an e-card.

Did you miss me?

Wow! I sure have been MIA from blog-land for what seems like forever.

Here's a 10 Reasons Why Barb was MIA:

1. Filling my brain and the brains of others with knowledge about literacy.
2. Oogling over Kat's new baby, Jessica.
   
3. Visiting with my parents.
4. Tending to my sick husband. Okay. Maybe not so much tending to as listening to him complain and offering very little sympathy.
5. Trying to figure out what to get sick husbad for Valentine's Day.
6. Eating pizza with my friends.
7. Getting scrap-related boxes in the mail! (I love packages!)( This is, in case you were wondering, the current state of my scrap room. I think I might have had some of you loyal readers fooled about the tidyness of my creative quarters. This is what it looks like after a typical crafty session.)
8. Trying to stay warm.
9. Doing absolutely no house work but wishing I had clean clothes and clean dishes.
   
10. Scrapping.

My creation for How Much is Too Much? # 22 (7 flowers, 14 PP, 21 stickers)A creation for a crop at House of Paper . The challenge was to create a page about something you love. My choice--snow days.My creation for Trendy Tuesday at Fancy Word for Simple. This week I challenge you to think about comfort.

Men and Women

So. . . I got home from work tonight (about two hours later than I normally do) all fired up. It was a stressful and way-busy day (the hives are back).

Some strange interactions with my husband have just reminded me that we really are different creatures--men and women, and we make some strange assumptions about each other. Here are my conclusions.

1. Women are much tougher about being sick.
I was coughing and sneezing and blowing my nose all day. It was really pretty gross. I didn't stay home. Brad stayed home because his throat hurt. He went to the doctor because he thought he had strep. The verdict? No prescription. There's nothing wrong with him.

2. Men assume women want to talk, talk, talk.
I'm having some issues with a colleague who is completely stuck in a bitching rut. All this person does is complain, complain, complain. There's never any action taken; it's just the same complaints all the time. I'm thinking about phasing the person in question out of my life because I just can't take the complaining anymore. Brad was completley amazed; he thought this was what female friendships were all about!

3. Women are more practical than men.
Brad lost a clip for a fishing shack he borrowed from a friend. Rather than go to Menard's and buy a new clip, he bought one at Office Depot. He knew it wouldn't do what he needed, but he bought it anyway. WTF!

4. Men do not understand how to react appropriately.
I ranted and raved about the complaining colleague, strange meetings at work, the stress of preparing for an upcoming presentation, etc. Brad's reaction? "What do you want me to say?" Seroiusly? He thought that was going to make me feel better? It only made me more fired up.

I need to go put some anti-itch cream on the raging hives. I really need to learn to handle stress a little better.

That's all, Folks. At least until the weekend, anyway. I'm headed to exotic Milwaukee for the Wisconsin State Reading Association convention. I bought myself a super-fab new outfit in honor of my big presentations on Friday.

50.

In honor of my dad's fiftieth birthday, I thought it might be fitting to share fifty random things about him. . . . .

1. He shares a birthday with Groundhog's Day.
2. He declared February to be his Birthday Month. (Guess that's where I get it from)
3. He loves to sail.
4. He smokes cigars.
5. He used to teach swimming lessons.
6. He strips down to his underwear and t-shirt when he comes in from working in the garage--regardless of who might be visiting.
   
7. When I was in high school, he was really into grunge and alternative music.
8. He kayaks.
9. He was on the high school swim team.
10. He has a collection of novelty outhouses.
11. He met my mom when she asked him to a Sadie Hawkins dance.
12. He loved watching Mr. Rogers with us when we were kids.
13. He's a great Christmas shopper.
14. He found a lucky penny as he was walking me down the aisle.
15. He loves to eat green olives with swiss cheese.
16. He saves newspaper articles that he thinks I'd like to read.
17. Flannel shirts are an essential part of his wardrobe.
18. He was born in Indiana.
19. His thumb is seriously green; he's a master gardener.
20. He and I have the same beginning to our email addresses.
    
21. He's been known to eat cold pizza for breakfast.
22. He used to have pet goats. (Thank goodness he's done with that!)
23. He used to have pet ducks. (Thank goodness he's done with that!)
24. He's never owned a brand-new car. At least, I don't think he has.
25. Supposedly, he wanted to name me Oscar if I was a boy (after Oscar the Grouch).
26. He had a serious thing for Ally McBeal. I wasn't allowed to call him when it was on.
27. Until I was in about fifth grade, he always wore a tie to work.
28. He's a terrible speller and has almost illegible handwriting.
29. His office is a MESS! There are piles everywhere.
30. He restores cars: a Dodge Charge, a Plymouth Sports Fury convertible.
31. He used to be a volunteer firefighter.
32. One winter, we cross country skiied together almost every day on his lunch break.
33. He likes to visit historical sites on vacations (especially forts and harbors).
34. He treats my friends like family, especially Angie. Her first year of law school, he bought her a Jury Trial board game.
35. He is a dedicated road tripper; he drives to FL every December for a sailing vacation.
36. He travels with his own snacks--Coke, sourdough pretzels, cheese.
37. He drinks his Coke on ice and with a straw.
    
38. I'm pretty sure he eats toast almost every morning for breakfast.
39. As he was growing up, my grandma used to call him Bobby.
40. He has quirky friends--Timmy, Mr. Russ, Dean.
41. He used to do a lot of wood working--fancy bird houses, wooden toys.
42. He constantly harasses me about being a teacher. Apparently, he thinks I should have chosen a different career.
43. The first thing he did when I bought a house was hang a girly calendar in my husband's garage.
44. He leaves the Christmas lights up year-round.
45. When I was learning to drive, I bugged him to take me driving even though he had the flu. He made me drive him to Arby's, and on the way home I had to pull over so he could hang his head out the door and throw up his beef and cheddar.
46. He uses handkerchiefs.
47. He alters things. He's created a whole series of plant stands constructed entirely of discarded material like vintage mirrors, garbage can lids, or scrap lumber.
48. In the same year, my brother turns 25, my dad turns 50, and my grandpa turns 75. They all also have the same first name.
49. He lacks a mind-mouth filter. This, apparently, is a trait I inherited from him.
50. He used to take us on outrageous family camping trips when we were kids. I think we visited almost every state park in about two summers.

Happy birthday, Dad!

I know it's Thursday, but . . .

Here's my thoughts for Angie's Trendy Tuesday at A Fancy Word for Simple.

10 Favorites

Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Month: June (???)
Favorite Song: What a Wonderful World
Favorite Movie: Bridgette Jones's Diary
Favorite Sport: Channel Surfing
Favorite Season: Fall
Favorite Day of the week: Sunday
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate
Favorite Time of Day: Morning

9 Currents
Current Mood: Anxious--Grey's is on in an hour!
Current Taste: Sweet
Current Clothes: Pajamas
Current Desktop: Messy
Current Toenail Color: Chipped Red
Current Time: 6:55 pm
Current Surroundings: Living room
Current Thoughts: "I should do the dishes."

8 Firsts
First Best Friend: Jenny (we met in kindergarten)
First Kiss: Bad. Don't want to think about it.
First Screen Name: barb4n6
First Pet: Melody (my parents still have her!)
First Piercing: Ears, 2nd grade
First Crush: Ryan, 2nd grade
First CD: Ace of Bass (I think)

7 Lasts
Last Cigarette: "the shed" (high school drinking hang out)
Last Drink: chocolate milk with dinner
Last Car Ride: home from work
Last Kiss: Brad, this morning
Last Movie Seen: Pursuit of Happiness (I know they spell happiness wrong in the title, but I REFUSE to do that!)
Last Phone Call: My dad
Last CD Played: Curious George Soundtrack

6 HAVE YOU EVERS
Have You Ever Dated One Of Your Best Guy/Girl Friends: Yes. Bad idea.
Have You Ever Broken the Law: Yes.
Have You Ever Been Arrested: No.
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: Yes.
Have You Ever Been on TV: No.
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: No.

5 THINGS
Thing You're Wearing: Diamond earrings
Thing You've Done Today: Book at girls basketball game
Thing You Can Hear Right Now: Television
Thing You Can't Live Without: Hand lotion
Thing You Do When You're Bored: Play on Internet

4 PLACES YOU'VE BEEN TODAY
Work--School 1
Work--School 2
Home
Car

3 PEOPLE YOU CAN TELL ANYTHING TO
Angie
Brad
My Aunt Amy (Poor Amy! She gets an earful so often. Thanks!)

2 CHOICES
1. Black or White: White
2. Hot or Cold: Cold

1 THING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
Be on a game show