July Book Blowout Completed!

So originally in this fantastic Book Blowout I made the goal of reading 4 new books plus 2 I've started (one professional book that has like 3 chapters left, the other is The Poisonwood Bible which I'm almost to pg. 200 of almost 500). So, my goal will be 5 1/2 books plus a couple chapters of another one ;) You can read more details here.

So, here is what I actually read this month:
1. Finished The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
2. Finished PostSecrets
3. Finished Three Cups of Tea
4. Read 3/4 of About the Authors by Katie Wood Ray
5. Still need to finish To Understand by Ellin Keene, but only have 2 chapters left now :)
6. Finished The Color Purple by Alice White
7. Finished Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger (book for my book club)
8. Read 1/2 of a math teaching manual for Number Corner Math class I took.
9. Read pieces of Reading Essentials by Regie Routman.
10. Read about 1/3 of Everything You Need to Know to Teach First Grade.

The closing questions from the host of the book blowout had some ending questions:
1. Did you discover a new author?
no, not really, unless you count Steve Kluger
2. Where was the most unusual place you found yourself reading?
on my new swing
3. Did you read more than usual?
absolutely!
4. Did you give up anything to read more?
yes....television, something good to give up!
5. If you won the Amazon voucher what would you spend it on?
probably some songbooks for my first grade classroom...that area of my "kid library" is sorely lacking (please God, let me win!)
6. Would you like to see a 2009 Book Blowout?
oh sure, it was a fun challenge!

So I read 5 books (yeah, I know I had already started The Poisonwood Bible, but I'm counting it as 1). Plus I read parts of a few more. Looking at this list of many unfinished books I think...hmm....I really need to go finish them. We'll see. Tomorrow is August 1st. That means that I'm back to work before we know it.

I feel great about all the reading I did this month. I got to read a couple books I've really been wanting to read. I also took 2 classes. AND I have another class next week. I do love taking classes...I'm the "always learning professional" I guess.

Book Review-Yellow Blues

I received a free book from Raincoast Books. Thank you very much. I LOVED this book. If you haven't heard about Mini Book Expo For Bloggers yet, GO CHECK IT OUT!!! Free books is all I have to say. Nuff said. Go claim a free book.

Back to the book I got in the mail last week...Yellow Blues by Sean L. Moore. This children's book is delightful. I love the storyline. This little girl, June really want a pair of yellow rain boots, but her parents just don't understand. She is quite the young "diva" or "fashionista" you might say.

I say delightful is this book and I can't wait to share it with my first graders. I'm sure they'll get a kick outta this book.

A Letter To My Dentist

To My Esteemed Oral Health Professional:

Do you honestly like your job? Does inflicting pain and suffering on all do it for you? Bad breath, plaque, gingivitis, overall decay...does it ever get you down? And what about the fact that most of the world just generally hates those in your profession?

Do you like your job? Love it? Look forward to going into the office daily? Honestly. I wonder if you rise in the morning thinking, oh, YES! I have 6 cavities to fill, 2 crowns and oh awesome days of all, a root canal. Do you ever get sad from the fact that people dread seeing you?

I want you to know I really hate having work done on my teeth. It makes my jaw sore and the sound of the drill just about sends me through the roof. The smells, the cold water you splash on my ultra hot/cold sensitive teeth, the sucking apparatus you shove in my mouth and then completely miss the snotty mass collecting near my throat. Yeah, these are the good times I love at your office.

Sadly enough, I am quite familiar with the shrill squeal of the drill, as I have a mouth full of silver. I swear, I am genetically predisposed to cavities and rotting teeth. My mother and father both have partial dentures. Seriously. And I think they got them when they were fairly young. Come to think of it, my grandparents all had partials too....with the exception of my dad's mom. (OH MY GOD...that is my destiny.)

You need to know that questioning me about my flossing behaviors while your hands are in my fully numb mouth with drill in your hand is ludicrous. Uh, like I can honestly answer with more than a grunt. It completely keeps me from being able to explain how I really am trying to do better and that I'm actually flossing once or twice a week. Heck, I even tried the Listerine in your bathroom. (and by the way....it's nasty stuff)

Ok, you should also know that I wanted to vomit and reply, "f*&k no" to your question of, "would you like to see some motivation for flossing better?" (referring to the hole you'd just drilled into my tooth). Sick...I'm still reeling from this question. Like. Totally. Gross.

Finally Mr. Oral Health Professional, you should know that unless you say I have to have a procedure completed, I'm never going to volunteer for it. No matter what. End of story. See you in February for my next teeth cleaning.

Thank You!!!

So waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back on July 4th I was a WINNER (which never, ever happens!). On Saturday I went to my mail box to find this:
And then I opened it and found this:
A Target gift card. Oh yippee!!! I get to go shopping!!! I can't wait!!!! Now I just need some free time to hit Target :) Thanks so much Barb! Part of winning the Pay It Forward Giveaway is to hold your own PIF Giveaway. I did and announced the winner last Monday.

This is something that Swistle started. Thanks Swistle. Let's just keep the love flowing!!! Enjoy your Monday!

Weekly Winners

July 20-26, 2008
What a busy week we had!!!

Sunday started with cleaning the oven...boy it sure needed it, forgot to take an after shot...oh well!

Cookies for Mr. Tall Man's Staff meeting at workA giveaway winner was selected.

A wet dental appointment

Dance camp daily...what fun it was!
My sophisticated princess schooling another dance "camper". Oh my.Did I get it?
Little girls in tap shoes just makes my heart sing...wish I'd gotten a better shot!Wednesday noon tunes at Esther Short Park with friends. Lori & Sophie.

Shorty McShort, Me & Porter (what a handsome devil he is, me getting my baby fix)

Ok, seriously...could these girls be any cuter? (or cheesier)

Ava, what a cutie-pie!!! And such a fantastic big sis to Porter.

Thumbs up, ready to go...thank God they all fit in the car!!! We're off to see the wizard...

Intently listening at dance camp.

Day 2 of Garage Sale Fun...so tired I needed TWO Cups of Joe at once!

Like I said, it was quite a week!!! For more weekly winners go visit Lotus' place! Peace out and have a great week!! It appears as if I have another busy week ahead of me...I have a class Mon-Thur. Wish me luck....

Haiku Friday

Garage Sale Today!
So much work to get ready
Bring on the sales NOW!!!!

So much going on.
August is almost here now...
Back to school soon.

College class next week
get my brain all a-thinking
mentally ready

must remember to
enjoy each and every
moment that I have

live with intention
be thankful, grateful, loving
time to be thoughtful

For more haiku friday go to Jen's Place.

What Kind of Panties Are You?

You Are Basic Panties

You are a laid back chick with a real natural beauty. You can make unwashed hair and minimal make-up super sexy. Men tend to notice you show the "real you" - and they appreciate it. And while basic makes boring for some, it looks classic on you.

What Kind of Panties Are You?

So I'm not so sure at how accurate this pantie post is, but I thought it was funny. And given today's events, I just need some "funny" in my life (at least I think).

Today is my day to have the kids and by the sounds of it, they were all serious turds for Shari on Tuesday (the day she's got 'em all and she braved the zoo with them). I am hoping for better today. We've got dance camp to go to this morning and then I think we'll do the library then home for lunch. After that we'll see what the plan is. Possibly a park visit, maybe some slip and slide action, and if need be, everyone goes to a separate room. I hope the day doesn't come to that though. Really.

So, say a prayer and send the good "get along vibes" my way!

The Joys of Motherhood!

Motherhood has it's moments, doesn't it? Yesterday held just one more of those "special moments" for me. I know I mentioned that little Miss Shorty McShort had a dental appointment. Actually, we all had appointments to get our teeth cleaned. You know, a family that gets their teeth cleaned together, stays together. (tee hee hee) Anyhow. Speaking of cleaning teeth.

I was feeling a bit nervous due to the fact that Shorty herself was a total turd when we went last time in January. She was completely unwilling to let the lady look at her teeth. Yup, locked her lips shut tight. No chance. Fine I thought. Let your teeth rot you little turd. And we moved on with life and Mr. Tall and I proceeded to have our teeth picked at and poked at and scraped upon beautifully shined and cleaned.

I was worried that this appointment would replicate the last. She and I had a talk that went something like this:
me: so Shorty, you know our dentist visit is coming up
her: waaaaaaaaaaah, I don't like the dentist
me: yah, well, it's neither a good or bad thing, it's just something we do to take care of our teeth
her: whining of some sort, grumbles about how she hates the dentist

See why I was worried?!

So we arrive (on time, thankyouverymuch) and sit down to wait because the guy before us got there late (Mr. Tall). I wanted to read Time, but Shorty wanted me to read a book to her. Fine. No worries. Just keep her happy until she gets in the chair and opens her mouth.

Our turn. She hesitantly gets in the chair. The (very nice lady) shows her all of her tools. I pretend to be interested and ask to touch. (hoping this will spark some interest) The lady gives her a choice of flavors of fluoride (I think that is what they put all over your teeth) and then counts her teeth. (a warm up I think to get her fingers in her mouth. And you know what? She cooperated. Fully cooperated. I almost fell over! Here is proof.
So then it was my turn. Nothing exciting except for when Miss Short is finished and joins me in my room while I finish up. She says, "I have to potty". The dental hygienist asks me if she does and I'm like, "no". We just went when we got here. So Shorty paces the room a few times, stops, and then the hygienist says, "she doesn't have to go anymore". Initially I'm thinking, "huh?"

Yeah, Shorty peed all over her feet (and floor). Nice. Thank god we had her leotard from dance class. I cleaned up the floor, her feet and shoes the best I could. She changed clothes and I got my teeth finished. I thought, oh, they were pretty cool about this....until the dentist came in and knew what had happened and then the receptionist knew what had happened when we left. Ok, why didn't they just broadcast it? Anyhow. Such is life.

We're headed to dance class and then Shorty goes to my friend's house for the day. I have lots to accomplish too.

AAAAAAnnnnnnnndddddd the winner is......

This is the plate of cookies I baked for my hear husband to take to his store meeting last night. Aren't I a good wife? I mean...how many wives make cookies for a meeting for their husband's staff? Ok, I just had a craving for cookies. AND I like to be helpful. AND I know that meetings and food go together well :) End. Of. Story.

So Shorty McShort and I used a VERY highly scientific method to choose our winner. Uh huh. Yeah, I printed all of the comments and then cut them apart. Shorty found the hat (another China gift from Grammy). Seriously, cutting the damn things took me waaaaay longer than I thought it would. Like my red printed jammy pants? I thought so.

I put all the entries (like 40-something of them, thanks to all my loyal and devoted contest hungry, I wanna win readers. I really did enjoy reading all your thoughts on life. Honest.

Then Shorty shook up the hat a bit. Ok, she swung it a bit. Close enough, don't ya think?! And you can see she's straight outta bed, no combed hair or nothing. Just veggin' in front of the boob tube. Thank you God for PBS!

And then I said, "enough swinging, I'm getting dizzy already. Just pick a winner already!" Ok, I probably wasn't that harsh...I had already had a cup of coffee. And she picked janetfaye. This is Shorty dancing for the winner. "Yahoo Janet", she sang! Ok, not really...she was more like, WTF? Who is Janet and why is my mom making me do this while she takes endless pictures?

And then I sent Janet an email and she got back to me VERY promptly. (have I mentioned that I started this blog post at 7:32am?) Yeah...it's been a busy day. Janet is working on starting a blog and is looking forward to hosting her own contest. She'll keep us all updated. I promise to pass on what I find out. I also promised her I'd get her package in the mail on Tuesday. If Tuesday is anything like Monday, it may not go out until Wednesday. Did I mention I'm having a garage sale this weekend too? Oh yeah. And Shorty McShort has dance camp this week. And we went to the dentist today and played with friends. WHEW! More updates tomorrow and a story about our dentist visit.

p.s. Remember my friend Heather who is SUPREMELY pregnant carrying twins? go check her out here. Poor girl. I can't wait for her to have those babies!!!

Weekly Winners & Last Day of My Giveaway!!!

Ok, first things first. If you've not entered my giveaway (if you're a reader of my blog, I'm sure you're REALLY sick of hearing this) go enter NOW!!! Contest ends TODAY at 10pm Pacific Time. It'll be good. It'll go in the mail by Tuesday. YOU WANT TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY AND TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS!

July 13-19, 2008

Our trip to IKEA...gotta love when kids crawl into things you're trying to buy!

The Three Amigos having fun in the water!

Quiet McShort sliding down the slip n slide!Shorty Mc Short Crab Walking down the slip n slide

Shorty McShort and Shorty McSweet jumping for joy!

OMG! How many pieces can one swing come with?! What size bolt? Huh? How is it something like this can cause a battle?

Assembled swing. Still married. Barely.Thursday Night 6-sunset concert at Esther Short Park with Patrick Lamb:
Sally with her two McShorts.

My McShort with Cutie McShort of Sally's

OMG...Sally took me back years with her "here's the pickle...tickle! tickle!" (love ya Sally)

Patrick Lamb on stage and wacky grandma-ish figure in purple shirt getting on her groove...it was too funny to watch. Gotta love her spirit!

Before we knew it, some grandpa-ish figure had joined in with her funky groove thing and they were bumping and a moving. Go AARP!

Whew! What a busy week. For more Weekly Winners, click here. Make sure to leave a comment for Lotus and then go visit all the other Weekly Winners.

Book Blowout Udate & A Fun Video Clip