Fifteen Books

This is an extension of a note I posted on Facebook today. I saw that my friend Elaine had posted it in her notes and felt compelled to do a similar note.

The task: Don’t take too long to think about it. List fifteen books you’ve read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes . . .
1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. Jane Eyre
4. The Poisonwood Bible
5. Little Women
6. Beau Geste
7. Ender's Game
8. Three Cups of Tea
9. Foundation Trilogy
10. As You Like It (started my love affair with Shakespeare)
11. A Prayer for Owen Meany
12. Rebecca
13. QBVII (and more by Leon Uris - Exodus, Mila 18)
14. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
15. Seven Pillars of Wisdom

Here I get a chance to express a little more about these choices because asking me to make a list like this is very difficult especially when I consider the thousands of books I have read and the hundreds that are favorites.

Over the next fifteen days I want to write a bit about why I selected these fifteen books.

First up, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R.Tolkien.

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I love The Lord of the Rings. I have Leonard Nimoy to thank for this. When I was 11 years old and a devotee of Star Trek, my friend Celeste and I discovered an article in a teen magazine in which Leonard Nimoy expressed that a favorite book of his was The Hobbit, also by Tolkien. Nothing would do but for us to read The Hobbit as well. Once we read and enjoyed that book, we had to move on to The Lord of the Rings.

While The Hobbit seemed to be written more as a children's book, the trilogy was definitely not. Many people experience difficulty with the length of the trilogy (which is formidable) and with Tolkien's tendency to include lengthy bits of poetry. Personally, I enjoy long reads and have no problems with stylized writing. The themes of good vs. evil, nature vs. industrialization, moral strength vs. weakness, sacrifice and dedication to doing what is right, and the bonds of friendship and love paired with an epic tale of quest and adventure made this an immediate favorite of mine.

I've lost track of the number of times I've read these books. Each time I read them I fall in love with Middle Earth all over again. I worry about the hobbits as they leave the Shire behind and set forth into a strange new world. I long to wander through the wonders of Rivendell. I'm on the edge of my seat as the Fellowship enters the Mines of Moria and tear up when Gandalf falls in the battle with the Balrog. I wonder what I would see in Galadriel's mirror. I shiver as Aragorn leads the army of the dead to battle and thrill when the Riders of Rohan arrive at the Pelennor Fields to save Gondor. I cheer on Sam who so bravely does whatever he can to help Frodo carry out his mission. I am so happy when Aragorn is crowned as King Elessar and finally receives the hand of his fair lady, Arwen. Finally, I cry when Frodo leaves his friends behind and sails from the Grey Havens.

These books are timeless. They have been, and will always be, a top book pick for me.

Blog Challenge - Scentsational Memories

From Tracilouwho: I read recently that our sense of smell is much stronger than we realize. For many people a specific scent can trigger nostalgic memories from years and years ago. For others, a whiff of a specific scent or odor for that matter can bring back awful memories. Is there a scent that does this for you? Talk to me about smells that you remember, from childhood, your teenage years, or even more recently, and be sure to tell what these scents mean to you when they resurface in your life now.

Just yesterday I was standing outside and smelling fall. There's just a certain scent in the air for this season. I'm not sure whether it's partly due to people burning leaves, fires in fireplaces or what, but I know it's fall when I smell that scent.

The scents that evoke memories of the past are so often associated with food. I can't prepare Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner without being reminded of the past. The cloves in the Christmas ham, the nutmeg on the brandy alexanders, the cinnamon of the pumpkin pies always make me think of my mother and all the times I helped with preparing our family feasts.

Sometimes, the scents take you back to special places. When we were on vacation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan this summer, at one point we were at a beach on the shore of Lake Superior. I told Michael that it smelled like the Great Lakes. It's a different smell from the ocean. It was the same scent I remember from going out on the boat with Dad on Lake Erie.

Blog Challenge - catch-up mode

From Sarah: What is your favorite color and why. Add a picture so we can get the "feel" for your favorite color.

RED is my favorite color. I call it my power color. Whenever I wear red, I always get lots of compliments. Consequently, there's a lot of red items in my wardrobe.

Reminding myself that Autumn in Wisconsin is beautiful...

I love the trees whose leaves turn a shimmering golden orange-red.

Pumpkins and apples at a harvest festival

Leaves at The Ridges Sanctuary in Door County

It's a New Look!

Thanks to a thread on ScrapShare, I checked out Pyzam.com and decided to go with a more colorful look for my blog. Let me know what you think.

I don't want it to be October yet!

It's dark by 7:00 p.m.

The temperature outside this morning was 48 degrees.

The leaves are changing color.

Freaky signs that point to it actually being autumn. And we all know what that means...

Winter will be coming right after that.

Blog Challenge #32 -Countdown list

This was posted by Joan and was a fun way to get back into the blog saddle again.

10 Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1-Complete a Book of Me scrapbook
2-Complete my family heritage scrapbooks
3-Travel to France, the UK and Australia
4-Travel to each of the 50 states
5-Visit every US National Park
6-Read all the books I have waiting to be read
7-Reach my goal weight
8-See my children happily married
9-Welcome grandchildren to our family
10-Learn to play the piano

9 Places I Last Spent Money:
1-Barnes & Noble
2-Michaels Crafts
3-JoAnn’s fabric & crafts
4-Waldenbooks
5-Subway
6-Scheel’s sporting goods
7-Pick ‘n Save grocery store
8-Custom Crops online scrapbooking supplies
9-Creative Memories

8 Sounds I Routinely Hear Around My House:
1-Husband snoring
2-Cats meowing
3-The television
4-The radio
5-The dishwasher running
6-The washer & dryer
7-The telephone
8-The rattly noisemaker inside the fake ferret cat toy

7 Real Restaurants Where I Last Ate Out:
1-El Azteca
2-Subway
3-TGI Friday’s
4-Third Street Diner
5-Applebee’s
6-Wendy’s
7-Perkins

6 Things I've Recently Scratched Off My To-Do List:
1-Order my SSTX5 t-shirt
2-Daily household chores
3-Prep for CM conference call
4-Run errands
5-Work on updating Outlook contacts
6-Finish a double page spread

5 People I Don't Know but would Like to Hang Out With:
1-Tom Hanks - I’m dying to ask a question about “That Thing You Do”
2-Steve Carell & the cast from The Office – I bet the laughs never end.
3-Ellen Goodman &…
4-Leonard Pitts – I would love to sit down with these two columnists & discuss social issues in the USA
5-Bunches of people from ScrapShare – too numerous to mention

4 Songs That Make Me Happy:
1-Charmed Life by The Divine Comedy
2-I’m a Believer by The Monkees
3-Hey Jude by The Beatles
4-Hollywood Nights by Bob Seger

3 Things I Hate To Do:
1-Work in Quicken
2-Change the cat litter
3-Clean out the refrigerator

2 Things I'm Really Good At:
1-Logistical planning
2-Organizing

1 Bad Habit:
Procrastination

I've been away so long ...

Life has been craaaaaazy & blogging just didn't make it onto the to-do list. But I'm back and plan to be writing here on a more regular basis.

Blog Challenge #9 - Day 7

Challenge Recap - Find a piece of joy in every day for a week.

This has been an interesting exercise - looking for joy on a daily basis. I've had a chance to ponder many things this week from health & fitness, activities that are special to me, recognition and special friends. Today's bit of joy is not something especially noteworthy, just a little something that made me feel good today - a simple nap.

I had big plans for the day. I was going to clean and run errands. But I didn't sleep well the night before waking up several times and I was tired. So I got my favorite penguin fleece throw and laid down on the bed and enjoyed the pleasure of an afternoon nap.

Blog Challenge #9 - Day 6

Challenge Recap: Find a piece of joy in every day for a week.

If it's Friday, it can only mean one thing...it's Friday Breakfast Club day or FBC as I like to call it. Every Friday at 9:30, the FBC gathers at the Third Street Diner to eat breakfast, talk a lot, and laugh even more!

As we sat in session yesterday morning, it struck me how wonderful it is to have such a disparate group of women come together in friendship. Our ages span a range of about 10 years. Our political beliefs range from the far right to the far left. Some have lived in the same town all their lives, others have lived in faraway places. Some have jobs, some don't. But we have been through so much together: the sad times - caring for ailing parents, parental death, death of a spouse, divorce, health problems and also the good times - graduations, weddings, new homes, grandchildren.

When you've got friends like this, who are fun to be with, who listen to you, who are ready to lend a hand whenever needed, who will be there to support you emotionally, that's certainly a reason to be joyful.

Blog Challenge #9 - Day 5

Challenge Recap: Find a piece of joy in every day for a week.

Today I received an e-mail that really surprised me! After almost 20 years of serving on the Friends of the Neenah Public Library board of directors, I decided this year that it was time to bring that part of my life to a close. For many years, I was the recording secretary, then a member-at-large, then the book sale chair. Yesterday was the Friends annual meeting which I had to miss due to another commitment. The library director e-mailed me today that I have been chosen as the Friends' Volunteer of the Year, the first person ever to repeat that honor. I was previously VotY in 1993.

So my name will go on the plaque in the library. An article & photo will go in the city newsletter and probably the regular newspaper. I get to select a book to have a commemorative bookplate placed in and I get to select some free Friends merchandise for myself. It's just so nice to receive this unexpected recognition for my volunteer efforts.

Blog Challenge #9 - Day 4

Challenge Recap: Find a piece of joy in every day for a week.

Books, books, books! I love books. I love reading books. I love owning books. I love taking books out of the library. I love talking about books I've read with other people. I love being in book clubs. Did I mention I love books?

I belong to two book clubs. One I joined three years ago when I became an AAUW member; the other I've been in for 19 years when it was part of the Newcomers Club interest groups. The way the groups are run is different. The AAUW club decides in May as a group what books we will be reading the next year; the other club lets the hostess for each month choose the book to read. The AAUW club uses a discussion leader who also researches and presents information about the author, the book, and any reviews; the other club we simply give each person a chance to talk about the book and let the discussion go from there. At first, I wished the AAUW club was more like the other club, but now I enjoy the differences. The bottom line is I now get the chance to read and discuss more books.

Today our AAUW book club met to discuss the book March by Geraldine Brooks. It is based on the character of Mr. March, the father who is away at war in the Louisa May Alcott story of Little Women. Ms. Brooks writes a compelling novel of what happens when an idealistic man volunteers to go to war and ends up facing some harsh realities. I very much enjoyed both the reading and discussing of the book. Now, on to the next story...

Blog Challenge #9 - Day 3

Challenge Recap: Find a piece of joy in every day for a week.

Every other Tuesday from September to May is my bridge group. I actually play in several groups, but this is the one dearest to my heart. This group got started 18 years ago when the original eight of us got organized to take lessons. After the lessons were finished, we played together every Tuesday to try and get a little better. After a while, we changed to every other week.

Over the years, the members in the group have changed a bit. Only four original members are left, but the newer members in the group are just as much, if not more fun. What is great about this group is that while we are semi-serious about the bridge-playing, we're really serious about being together as friends. There have definitely been times that the cards took second place to the therapy sessions. Whether it's been problems with kids, problems with parents, death, divorce, we've been there for each other. Sometimes when we get together it's just to laugh our tushies off and feel better that way.

Anyway, today was bridge day. I just marveled at these wonderful women that share my life and at the laughter and the tears that were shed. Surely one of the greatest joys to be had is that of friendship. Not to mention winning three bucks for placing second for the day! :-)

Blog Challenge #9 - Day 2

Challenge Recap: Find a piece of joy in every day for a week.

I take water exercise classes at the Y every day Monday through Friday. When I was in class this morning, it really struck me how much I enjoy these classes. My friends, Judy & Ann, and I have been doing these for 2+ years now and I've seen such a big improvement in my general physical fitness. When I first started, I could barely fill my lungs for those final deep breaths of our cool-down. I could barely balance. Many of the moves were difficult for me to do. Although there's still much room for improvement, my lung capacity has increased. My balance has definitely improved - I've made it through 2 winters (knock on wood) without any falls. And I can now do many of the moves much more easily. So, a little hurray for becoming healthier and more physically fit!

Blog Challenge #9 - Day 1

Melissa's challenge:
This week, my challenge to you is to blog one thing, each day, that has brought a smile to your face. Could be something as simple as the first bloom of spring, a silly comment from a child, or a blessing you've received. As I read through the prayer requests on ScrapShare, many of us are facing what seem to be insurmountable odds. I've had a hard time recently focusing on the joys in my life and have been letting our problems bring me down. I'm not suggesting we ignore issues; rather, let's find a piece of joy in each day.

Here's my piece of joy for Day 1 - Sunday. I'm wearing a new pair of jeans that are a size smaller! Hurray! I've officially lost 36.6 pounds following the Weight Watchers program and am absolutely ecstatic about reaching the point where I can start fitting into somewhat smaller sizes. The weight loss road is still a long one for me but I'm getting there slowly but surely.

My friend Mickey_lou

I've never met Marian or, as we knew her, Mickey_lou, in real life. But I call her a dear friend and today I am saddened by her loss. I know that she was still a young woman, that she was married to a wonderful man and had two cute little boys. I know that she lived in Australia. I know that her favorite colors were red and blue (something we have in common). I know that she faced the world with a cheerful attitude.

I met Mickey_lou in the wonderful virtual world of the internet. I am thankful that this technology brought us together. Too often, computers are said to cause alienation, that the solitary nature of personal computer use drives us further and further away from others. My experience has been the exact opposite. I am a participating member of an online community made up primarily of women, of all ages and stages of life, all shapes & sizes, of various religious and political views, each of them unique yet drawn together from around the globe by a love for scrapbooking, for both the idea and the process of cherishing our family, our friends, the memories and moments of our lives.

There's a little corner of that online community that began as a place called Simplifying Your Life that recently underwent a little updating to become Managing Your Life. That little corner was the ideal location for those of us who struggled with keeping our lives simple and manageable but was also for those to whom it came more naturally yet were ready to lend a helping hand and give moral support to those who were struggling. A little corner where people could get to know one another a little more. After all, when you've shown each other, through photos, the deepest, darkest secrets of the mess in your house, you're now the closest of friends!

That's where I met Mickey_lou. It was her suggestion that we have a separate (infamous for its length) chatting thread to prevent on-topic threads from being hijacked repeatedly. Each day for a long time, she began our daily to-do thread. Her cheeriness was infectious. We all felt her excitement as she awaited the arrival of her niece. We celebrated with her when it appeared her cancer was all gone. We cried with her when it returned. We were there with her as she went through her treatments. And for the last few months, we prayed for her and awaited updates from her husband as Mickey_lou could no longer share the news herself.

Thursday, March 13, 2008, we decided to hold a Tribute Day for Mickey_lou. Women around the world spent the day doing things that were important to her: being with their family members, cleaning and decluttering their homes even if it was only for 15 minutes, scrapbooking their memories and taking care of themselves by making appointments for health-related activities. We wore red and blue clothing while hoping and praying for a miracle for Mickey_lou.

Saturday, March 15, 2008, Mickey_lou departed this world, her pain and suffering at an end. We, her friends who never met her, are left behind to grieve, to turn to one another to share this feeling of sadness and perhaps, to resolve to each day remember Mickey_lou and what she taught us. Take care of yourself. Love your family and friends. Enjoy life's moments because you can clean up most anything 15 minutes at a time.

Personal Goal - Blog Challenge #5

This challenge is from Pamela:
As women we all spend time putting others first, worrying about them, taking care of their needs, scheduling their lives with little time left over for ourselves. For this week's challenge: What is your most important personal goal for the year? What are you doing that is just for you? How are you trying to improve yourself?

Without a doubt, my most important personal goal for the year is to lose weight. Not only will I look and feel better about myself, but it will also enable me to achieve a healthier lifestyle both physically and mentally. With each 5 lb. weight loss goal reached, I know that I am reducing my risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, etc. With each bit of weight loss, it becomes easier to exercise, and each exercise session makes it easier to lose weight.

I want to be around for my husband and children for many years to come. I want to be around for any grandchildren that might be in my future. So, even though I am doing this for me, I can see nothing but good things resulting from this for us all.

A Belated Valentine's Day Story

Mike and I agreed that we would keep Valentine's Day fairly low-key - just exchange cards and go out for dinner. I wasn't too surprised when he went out after supper on Wednesday. His reason - "I have to go shopping." I figured that meant he was going out to buy the card. I did wonder when he was out for several hours, but I figured he just stopped to check on a friend or something like that.

When he got home from work, my card for him was on the counter already. I went downstairs to greet him and there's a card for me along with a Ghirardelli Chocolate square and cute little heart eraser. Open the cards - hugs & kisses - where shall we go to eat?

We decided to go to HuHot which is one of my current favorite restaurants because it's so Weight Watcher friendly. We got there and were seated at our table. After giving our drink orders, Mike suggested that I go up first to get my food because I was really hungry. When I came back to the table, the little easel which shows beverage choices was sitting right where my dish was supposed to go so I just pushed it to the side. Michael rescued the easel and took a small package wrapped in red paper and a bow from inside of it. I was so surprised!

This is what was inside the box - the perfect gift for a penguin lover - a gold penguin with jade tummy! It turns out that he went to 13 jewelry stores from downtown Neenah to out in the mall before finding a piece of penguin jewelry for me. He's such a sweetheart - definitely a keeper!

Scrapbooking Quiz

Stacy posted this on the scrapbooking discussion board & I thought it would make a great blog entry.

1. Name your two favorite scrapbooking topics: Family and travel

2. Where are the two best places you’ve been to? England and New York City.

3. Name two things you do every day:
a. Go online to read what's happening on ScrapShare.
b. Check my e-mail.

4. Tell us two things that pretty much everyone knows about you:
a. I am a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings.
b. I love to play bridge.

5. Tell us two things that everyone DOESN’T know about you:
a. I now have a sizable penguin collection.
b. I tend to procrastinate.

6. Tell us two things that got you into the "hobby" of scrapping:
a. wanting to do something with the photos of our GS troop trip to NYC
b. my first CM class on 9/13/2001

7. Tell us two things that you want to accomplish in the next six months in your scrapbooking (my addition):
a. I want to finish the 2006 Disney Album.
b. I want to finish the albums that just need some finishing touches.

8. Name your two favorite scrapping tools: My CM trimmers and my scrapbooking tweezers

9. Name your two favorite sources of scrapping inspiration: Layouts posted on ScrapShare and Becky Higgins' Sketches

10. How has your scrapping changed since you started? I now wallpaper most of my layouts.

11. What scrapbooking project have you yet to try but would love to? I have two projects actually that I haven't taken the first step on - a Book of Me and Family Heritage albums.

Weight Loss Milestone

I've been going to Weight Watchers meetings since mid-October. Today I cleared the hump of losing 30 pounds, 30.8 to be precise. This is a major achievement for me. This is the least I have weighed in probably the last five years. And I plan to stick with the program and release a lot more of this weight from my body. I'm very thankful that my friend Judy M. got me started on this current weight loss journey. Each week I feel more and more empowered and confident that I can lose and reach my goal weight.