Birthdays

I have celebrated three birthdays since Friday - two grown-ups and one little man.

There are hundreds of pictures of all of the celebrating surrounding Luke's second birthday, but I'll just leave you this one for now.

I'm off to Chicago for a visit with Emily, Justin, Mirielle, and Maddie.

What I Read: The Lake Shore Limited

The book club I'm part of just discussed this one as our June read.

The Lake Shore Limited by Sue Miller

Billy is an award-winning playwright. It has been several years since her last play; she has been recovering from the shock of her boyfriend's death. He boarded a plane to Los Angeles on September 11, 2001 and never came home.

The reader meets Billy just as her newest play, The Lake Shore Limited, debuts to rave reviews. We don't really start to question who Billy is as a person until the action of the play begins to unfold. The play captures the moments after a tragic train crash, as a man is sitting in his living room unsure whether his wife was involved in the crash. The man feels tremendous relief at his anticipated loss. He had been having an affair for many years and was preparing to leave his wife. Her death would save him from a messy and sad conversation.

The remainder of Miller's novel tells the story of a cast of characters connected by Billy and her writing including: Rafe, the star in her latest play; Leslie, the sister of her deceased boyfriend; and Sam, a man interested in dating Billy.

Sounds like all the ingredients for a story you really want to read, right? Or at least something you would tolerate reading because someone else in your book club really wanted to read it.

Do not be fooled.

The characters had a chance to be really interesting, and some of my favorite stories are about the intersections between characters. It was, however, very difficult to care about these people.

Billy was planning to leave her boyfriend long before he was killed as the plane he was aboard crashed into a building. She just hadn't left yet because it wasn't convenient. Rafe's wife is dying of ALS; he is responsible for her care. Rafe leaves her alone at home without a caregiver while he has sex with Billy.

Like I said - not likable characters.

And, Leslie and Sam are almost certainly included to be exact opposites, total contrasts to Billy and Rafe. They exist simply to show that people can plod through life's tragedies and remain kind and generous. Leslie, though, is just so boring and do-goody that it is difficult to be interested in her. And, Sam just never really takes initiative or jumps into life with enthusiasm. It's hard to cheer for him because he doesn't cheer for himself.

I wanted a novel that was all about how character develops in terrible situations. I got that, but I didn't get characters I was interested in or passionate about.

And, if that wasn't enough. . . There are several gratuitous sexual encounters splattered throughout the book. Once I finally clawed my way through the last of the 400 pages, the characters that mattered ended up together - without a bedroom scene. Really? I read 400 pages for a predictable ending and didn't even get a little smut in the deal. Really?

And a final complaint - The cover illustration / photograph has absolutely nothing to do with the actual story. There is a woman with dog in the story, but it is a much smaller woman and a much bigger dog than the cover. And, there is no water anywhere in the story - not even a drop of water, much less an entire lake.

I would like the several hours of my life spent reading and the $15 spent purchasing the book back, please.

I have high hopes for next month, though: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan.

And, I'm even more excited for August: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I have wanted to read this one for ages, and book club is just the kick I needed.

Saturday.

A great Saturday started with a trip to the Farmers' Market. It was crowded - really crowded, and there wasn't much produce yet, but it was still nice to walk around for awhile.

 

The next stop was AJ's first birthday celebration. Stephanie threw a beautiful party to honor her little man. 

An unfortunate dairy-related incident took the birthday boy away. The only upside was that I got some time to visit with Em and Miri.

I ended the day with my boys.

Confessions.

I haven't written anything for 11 days. I could fake a few pictures and create a beautiful post capturing all the magic that has happened in my life over the past 11 days - the kind of pictures that make me seem like I have a fabulous life that everyone would want.

Instead, I will leave you with 11 confessions about the kind of life I actually have.

Confession 1.
This morning was the first day in a week that I got out of bed before 9 a.m.. I should feel bad about that (especially since I know it makes my mama-friends jealous), but I don't feel bad. I love it. I love being lazy and wearing my pajamas all day and not showering until the middle of the afternoon. I love taking naps and snuggling on the couch with a favorite blanket and pillow.

Confession 2.
I hate doing dishes. Brad almost always does them. I know that if I let the dishes sit for long enough he will eventually get so disgusted by the mess that he will wash them. I am religious about rinsing and stacking the dishes. I just don't wash them.

Confession 3.
I use "green square" on the camera. I can shoot in P and AV, but I don't always have the patience to figure out just how to set things and often choose "green square" to let the camera make the choices for me.

Confession 4.
I sometimes threaten to get rid of our dog. I love Memphis. I really do. I don't love his hair or the poor decisions he sometimes makes (peeing on the floor or running away). I get angry with him and threaten to give him away.

Confession 5.
I haven't been home since Christmas. I've seen my parents. Brad has seen his parents. But, we haven't been home together on a visit since Christmas. Home is only three hours away.

Confession 6.
I turned off the ringer on our land line almost six weeks ago and have never bothered to turn it back on. I watch for the caller ID on the television and listen to the answering machine instead. I'm really loving not having a phone that rings.

Confession 7.
I am terrible with money. Not just a little irresponsible - really terrible.

Confession 8.
I don't floss. That is the first thing I say to the hygenist every six months. I just tell her - real honest like - to avoid the flossing lecture.

Confession 9.
I am terrible about getting my oil changed. I have driven at least 1,000 miles more than the sticker on the windshield recommends.

Confession 10.
I believe friends are just as important as family. I'm not close to my siblings at all, but I'm fierce about my relationships with close friends (and their kids) and a few family members. I haven't talked to my brother for any length of time since last summer and really only talk to my sister on holidays. There's not really any hard feelings; it's just how things have worked out.

Confession 11.
I'm difficult to live with - see confession 1 and 2 and 6 and 7. I'm not sure how Brad puts up with me.

I'll leave you with this shot from my kitchen table. How's that for a shot of real life?

Summer Plan

 I'm looking forward to summer's official beginning at 11:01 a.m. on Thursday.

1. Summer Reading
2. No Alarm Clock
3. Blue Moon (with orange)
4. Road Trips
5. Drying Clothes Outside
6. Drive-In Movies
7. Thunderstorms
8. Pedicures and Flip Flops
9. Farmers Market Basil

1. Found Serenity at the Heceta Head Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast, 2. Clock Top, 3. Blue Moon, 4. Green County, 5. Summer cottage, 6. OH Warren - Elm Road Drive-In Theatre, 7. Wisconsin Thunderstorm, 8. summer, 9. J&J Bruschetta 365.31

Meal Plan

 I've been a total slacker in the grocery shopping department. I haven't done "real" shopping for more than two weeks. That means every night I'm aimlessly wandering around the grocery store trying to figure out what to make. That all ended today, though. I made a list and shopped like a grown-up.

Sunday Lunch:
Corn and Chicken Chowder

Sunday Dinner:
Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Potatoes, Green Beans, and Chocolate PB Banana Cake

Monday:
Barb--Baby Shower
Brad--Grilled Chicken Salad

Tuesday:
Barb--Family Style Dinner with Mom at L'Etoile
Brad--Out

Wednesday:
Grilled Shrimp Skewers, Salad, and Bread

Thursday:
Hawaiian Burgers, Salad, and Fries

Friday:
Barb--Dinner and Date with Angie
Brad--Fishing

Saturday:
Barb--Pasta
Brad--Still Fishing

Back to Reality

It's a Monday-type Tuesday. The bliss that is a three-day weekend is now a was. I did manage to make it to work on time this morning (and only changed my outfit once before leaving), but I didn't grocery shop, pay bills, or do anything responsible to get my week started right.

So, I will continue my slacking streak and blog a few more pictures from the weekend in lieu of doing something productive.

Sunday was the ultimate Memorial Day celebration at Angie's - pool time for the kiddos and plenty of food and beverages for the adults.