Creative Every Day Challenge

I just came across a blog called Creative Every Day and thought "what a great idea!" While I have great intentions of being creative every day, somehow between working 9-10 hour days and (sort of) making sure the house isn't a sty there just isn't enough time. We got rid of satellite TV, so now I'm reading more, but I need the impetus to "make something". I have lots of ideas, so I'm going to give it a go.

The theme for this month is blue. Now what can I do with that?

Independance Day

I understand the appeal of fireworks - I do. There's nothing like a match and a flame for some good, clean fun. Pretty lights, loud noises, I get it. I also understand the run up to the Fourth of July - set off a few every night to get the anticipation for the big night going. 

It's July 5. I'm sitting in my dining room listening to the neighbors set off yet another round of fireworks. They've been doing this for 4 nights running. Seriously? Do you really have that much disposable income? I know those things aren't cheap and it's been 30 minutes every night straight. It's Michigan here - have you heard of the recession? Perhaps next year we could talk about putting your money into something a little more productive. Maybe you need a deck or your house needs to be re-roofed? I know a guy, I'll get you his number.

Book Reviews - June

I resisted reading this for a long time - mostly because I didn't know what it was about and I hate to read a book because everyone else is reading it. It came up as a selection in one of my book clubs and I thought, "Oh why not". I'm so very glad I did. Even my mother, who doesn't much like crime stories is enjoying it.

I loved the characters and enjoyed their eccentricities (who doesn't have a crazy friend?). I'm waiting for the second book in the series, but rather sad th...more I'm printing all my book reviews for June at one time. I'm lazy - sue me.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson, originally published in 2008

I resisted reading this for a long time - mostly because I didn't know what it was about and I hate to read a book because everyone else is reading it. It came up as a selection in one of my book clubs and I thought, "Oh why not". I'm so very glad I did. Even my mother, who doesn't much like crime stories is enjoying it.

I loved the characters and enjoyed their eccentricities (who doesn't have a crazy friend?). I'm waiting for the second book in the series, but rather sad that there will only be 3.

It's not a beach read, there are too many things happening. It is a good summer read.

Bicycling Magazine's Complete Book of Road Cycling Skills, edited by Ed Pavelka, originally published in 1998

This is a collection of articles originally published in Bicycling Magazine. There are sections that cover basics, essential skills, traffic safety, riding stronger and longer, off-season training, how to eat to ride, and medical concerns.

This is the perfect book for a beginning cyclist. There's so much I don't know that I didn't know where to start. Essentially I walked to the sports section of my local book store and started pulling books off the shelf. A lot of them are way over ...more This is a collection of articles originally published in Bicycling Magazine. There are sections that cover basics, essential skills, traffic safety, riding stronger and longer, off-season training, how to eat to ride, and medical concerns.

This is the perfect book for a beginning cyclist. There's so much I don't know that I didn't know where to start. Essentially I walked to the sports section of my local book store and started pulling books off the shelf. A lot of them are way over my head, but this was fit perfectly. I have a feeling that I'll refer to it for a long time and eventually pass it on to someone else.

My  Lurid Past, Lauren Henderson, originally published in 2002

The one word I would use to describe this book is filthy. The main character is a food public relations person representing a young chef who's doing his best to "shag" all the girls, snort all the cocaine, and drink all the alcohol in London. Juliet is doing her best to keep up with him. While I don't live like this, it was fun to read about other people who do. And as filthy as it was, it was the first book in a very long time that made me wish I was at home reading every second. 

Too Many Blondes, Lauren Henderson, originally published in 1998

There's is nothing like a good British mystery to keep me reading. The main character of this one is a sculptor who moonlights as an aerobics instructor. Henderson has taken me through the rave clubs of London and I enjoyed every minute of it. Plus there's quite a good mystery to solve. A fun summer read.

Tour de France 2010

If it's July, it's TdF. I'm in front of the television spinning yarn and watching Bobke call the race. It's heaven!

The Team Radioshack blog is here. Should prove to have some interesting pictures and commentary this month. I will be there for the recap every night.

Friday Night - Movie Night

My daughter and a couple of her friends from elementary and middle school made a pact a long time ago that they would all watch the Twilight movies together. Tonight was the night for the latest version of teenage, vampire angst. Since they were all coming to my house afterward, it made sense to stay and watch the movie. I kind of wish I hadn't.

First, I couldn't sit with them because that was just awkward. I spent the whole time hoping people didn't think I was some wacko middle-aged woman desperate to "connect" with Edward or Jacob. (I am insecure enough that I waited for the girls to leave their seats after the movie was over so I could be seen leaving the theater with them.)

While the werewolves provided some very nice eye candy, the acting was ... let's just say it could have been a lot better (seriously, a lot better). I realize there isn't much to work with, but maybe better actors - if not a whole new script.

I did quite a bit of eye rolling and dropping my head on the back of my seat in disgust. Totally not worth it. Next time, I'll bring knitting and sit in the lobby. All the real life teenagers provide plenty of drama that's probably more fun to watch that this movie.

Here We Go Again

Remember when I said I was going to write every day? That lasted all of 2 months. So, here we go again. At least this month, I'll have things to write about as the Tour de France starts just 2 days from today!

Because I know myself, I need something prodding me to make sure I do write everyday. So, I've signed up for July NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month). I'll have daily prods in case I can't think of anything to write. The theme for this month's NaBloPoMo is Saved.

I drive a hoopty. It's a 2005 Subaru Forester and I love it, but it has 125,000 miles on it and needs more care than I have been able to give it recently. I took it in for an oil change last week and since the tire place was right next door to the oil place I took it over there for a tire rotation and balancing. The tire guys showed me that the tires are wearing unevenly and suggested I go in for an alignment.

The guys at the alignment place did their thing, but when they took it out for a test drive, it was making a funny noise. They put it back up on the lift and discovered a hole where the bolt that holds the steering wheel in place should have been. Let me just pause for a moment to let that sink in. The bolt that holds the steering wheel in place was gone. That means that on any one of my daily trips into work I could have lost control of my car at highway speeds. I shudder to think about all the things that could have happened.

They put a new bolt in place that will keep me safe and will order a part to completely fix the thing. The alignment guys at Ann Arbor Muffler saved me.

Art in the Park

It was a great show last time. Drop by and check out the great art!

Book Review

The Help, Kathryn Stockett
 originally published in 2009

My friend Jillian has a great library system. I do not. She helps me out by reading voraciously and then passing on the good ones to me. I never would have read The Help if she hadn't given it to me.

The story is set in the late 1950s early 1960s in the south. The help referred to are the black women who clean the houses and raise the children of southern white women. One of these women, unmarried after college, begins to question the system that she grew up under and decides to write a book about it. She enlists the help of one of her friend's maid and she brings more maids to tell their stories.

There's back biting, in-fighting, and cattiness enough for anyone who loves that sort of thing (Bunko party, anyone?). What surprised me was how anxious I was for the characters. They had to keep their meeting and story writing secret and I was turning pages faster and faster as I expected someone to come busting in at an inconvenient moment.

I read it on a business trip - it was perfect airplane and hotel reading.

Book Review & Update

February kicked my ass. I know, it's the middle of March, what am I whining about? I had a big deadline at work, winter was dragging on and on and on, and I was (still am) a single parent (Peter Pan went to Florida). The last couple of days of sunshine and spring-like weather have me feeling so much better. It's enough to make me want to invest in one of those happy lights next fall.

Allow me to start out with a book review to ease myself back into the swing of things.

Find Me, Rosie O'Donnell

originally published in 2002

I like Rosie O'Donnell, always have. This book left me a little underwhelmed. Maybe I read it too quickly after Celebrity Detox, too much of a good thing?
 
Find Me was an interesting glimpse into mental illness. How it not only affects those who suffer from it, but those who watch from the outside. I was uncomfortable with the view into Rosie's head that the book afforded me. I don't want to go that far into anyone's head, let alone someone I only know from watching TV and the movies.

The book tells the story of a woman who contacted O'Donnell with a story about being pregnant and having no options. Which turned out to be untrue. It was painful to see how much O'Donnell immersed herself in this woman's life, almost to the detriment of her own and her children's lives. I don't want to know this much about her inner demons. I have enough of my own.

Did You See It?

I will say it right here, I LOVE the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Summer, winter, it doesn't matter - bring it all on. I love to see the national clothing, the dancing, the singing, the athletes walking in the parade with their cameras and their million dollar smiles, it's all amazing. What I love most is the pride the host country brings to the celebration.

Canada did not disappoint. I'll admit, I think of our neighbors to the north as laid back, country cousins. They know how to make beer and play hockey, but celebrations? Not so much.

Last night, they proved me wrong. I got goose bumps when the snow boarder came shushing down the mountain and through a lit-up maple leaf. I was amazed at the costumes the first nations people wore and the dances they performed. I fell in love with Shane Koyczan and I'm rethinking my fear of poetry. I am planning a trip to Newfoundland to find myself some punk-rock fiddlers with bad-ass tap shoes. I teared up when k.d. lang's voice soared out over the stadium.

It was all beautiful, and very, very Canadian. You are more, my friends, you are.

Book Review

Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously, Julie Powell
originally published in 2007

My mother-in-law saw the movie based on this book twice in the theater. Then when it came out on DVD, she bought it and brought it over to watch with my husband and me. While the book isn't quite as precious as the movie, it was close. From someone who lives in the middle of the country, I get a little tired of navel-gazing New Yorkers telling us how special they are.

I liked the book Julie Powell more than the movie Julie Powell. She seemed a little more down to earth (she swears like a sailor). However, there was a lot less Julia than I expected - that was really a shame.

It was a quick read, so I was grateful. Not too interested to read anything else by Powell. It did make me want to try new recipes, and that's saying something!

January Wrap-Up

I ran into the admin from my accountant's office on Friday (our daughters play field hockey together). I asked if tax season was ramping up. She spent 5 minutes telling me how screwed up this year's tax season will be because rules are still changing and they don't have all the forms for filing, so people are turning in their taxes, but they can't get them done because they're waiting ... for the government.

The upshot is, I need to get our tax organizer filled out if I have any hope of seeing a refund any time soon. The problem is this - I haven't balanced my checkbook since January 2009. Why is this an issue? My husband is (sort of) self-employed. We use a computer program to keep track of what we spend and how much he makes. Do you see my problem?

So I spent several hours yesterday and a couple of hours very early this morning balancing my checkbook (what can I say, I woke up at 3:30 am panicking and figured I put the time to good use instead of just panicking uselessly). It's done! Now I can tackle the stupid tax organizer and get it in this next week.

January Goals:
Writing
Reached. I'm not always here, but I am writing at least 30 minutes/day. Unfortunately, this last week, it was all work related. I guess if it helps me keep my job I can count it towards progress, right?

Eating Mindfully/Exercising
I'm counting this as a half win. I'm back on the exercise bandwagon, but the purposeful eating has not gone well. I'm making better choices on a day-to-day basis, but have fallen off the wagon a couple of times (note to self: DO NOT BUY POPTARTS).

Spinning
Reached. I did 4 oz each week this month. It's not all up on 13 Pounds, but it did get spun. My WooLee Winder is on the fritz right now, so I'm going back to the regular flyer for my wheel until I can get it figured out or sent back for a tune up.

Special Goal for January
I set a special goal to get my resume tuned up by the end of the month. Early on, I realized that January was not the month to do this. January is the month to get all the tax details together. I'm the treasurer for my daughter's field hockey team and there was year end stuff for that. I had to get Little Big Man's FAFSA form taken care of (government form that figures out how much aid you get for university) and I had to get our tax organizer stuff together. The only thing left to do is actually fill out the organizer, so I'm considering this 95% finished.

I'm counting January 2010 as a successful month. I figure 2.5 of my major goals were met and 95% of the special goal met - it's progress. Onward

Book Review

U is for Undertow, Sue Grafton
originally published in 2009

I could just say, "the best one yet" and be correct, but that seems a little too simple. I started reading this alphabet series after Grafton had written four of them. I loved her descriptions of everything and felt like I was sitting on a park bench in Santa Teresa. I still feel that way.

I met Sue Grafton at a book signing once. She had spoken about how she received letters from people admonishing her about how much Kinsey swore. She reacted by having Kinsey swear less, b...more I could just say, "the best one yet" and be correct, but that seems a little too simple. I started reading this alphabet series after Grafton had written four of them. I loved her descriptions of everything and felt like I was sitting on a park bench in Santa Teresa. I still feel that way.

I met Sue Grafton at a book signing once. She had spoken about how she received letters from people admonishing her about how much Kinsey swore. She reacted by having Kinsey swear less, but felt uneasy about it. Eventually she decided that Kinsey swore because that's who she was and Grafton stopped trying to "fix" it.

In the last couple of books, I felt that Kinsey had hit her stride. She is who she is (so to speak) and she's comfortable with it (and so is Grafton). I loved this book and the only bad thing is how quickly I read it. Now I have to WAIT for the next one.

Book Review

Personal History, Katharine Graham
originally published in 1997

Last year I read Warren Buffet's memoir and he spoke endlessly of Katharine Graham. I figured she'd be an interesting person to read about - and she was.

Graham survived the curse of living in extraordinary times. I found it endearing that she was so worried about whether she was up to the task - any task (dressing herself, picking out furniture, running The Washington Post). Admittedly, she grew up at a time when women raised the children and decorated the houses, so she didn't have ...more Last year I read Warren Buffet's memoir and he spoke endlessly of Katharine Graham. I figured she'd be an interesting person to read about - and she was.

Graham survived the curse of living in extraordinary times. I found it endearing that she was so worried about whether she was up to the task - any task (dressing herself, picking out furniture, running The Washington Post). Admittedly, she grew up at a time when women raised the children and decorated the houses, so she didn't have many role models. However, she was whip smart and applied 100% of herself to everything she did.

She didn't sugar coat anything in this book. Her insecurities are completely on display as well as how she reacted when her husband left her and subsequently killed himself, leaving her to deal with the aftermath both personally and professionally.

I'll admit that once or twice her sense of privilege annoyed me, but that's really the only drawback I found. Graham came through as a woman who met her challenges head-on and usually came out the winner.

Book Review

I confess that I love graphic novels. I don't have a hard time imagining what everyone looks like or what the layout of the house is. I can just immerse myself and see exactly what the author wants me to see.

I didn't always want to see what Small was showing me. Stitches was really painful to read. It's the story of growing up in an emotionally stunted household where everyone is angry, but no one is able to talk about it. They aren't able to reach out to each other at all, each memb...more Stitches: A Memoir, David Small
originally published in 2009

I confess that I love graphic novels. I don't have a hard time imagining what everyone looks like or what the layout of the house is. I can just immerse myself and see exactly what the author wants me to see.

I didn't always want to see what Small was showing me. Stitches was really painful to read. It's the story of growing up in an emotionally stunted household where everyone is angry, but no one is able to talk about it. They aren't able to reach out to each other at all, each member of the family wrapped up in their own cocoon of pain.

It is a beautifully drawn and artfully told story that will stay with you, long after you finish it.