Friday, December 16, 2005

It's been a long, long,,,

...long time! But I finally got back to my blog.
School is almost over I have one class left on Monday and a final exam that I need to take online before next Friday! I need to recheck my plan of work but I think I only have 4 more classes to go!!!!!!!
The fam will not be together this Christmas as Jeanette and Greg can't afford the time or the travel to come up from Tennessee and Charity and Mike are in Detroit. Mom and Dad are planning to go to Tenn for New Years weekend and they will go see Charity when the baby is born. Yes I'm going to be an aunt twice over again as Jeanette is also due in March.
My reading has been light and nothing serious but I have been enjoying it. Mariah Stewert has a new series of suspense called; Cold Truth, Hard Truth, and Dark Truth. They were good and the fourth is coming out next year. That's all for now if I don't get back on by the 25th, may you all celebrate at wonderful Christmas filled with God's gift.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Looking for the light...

...at the end of the tunnel.
Holidays are coming and school is almost over! I am soooo ready to have my weekends back to get things done at home and relax. I really miss sleeping in! My last class is Dec. 19 and I will be taking next semester off.
We are struggling at work to get the bond proposal ready for February and there is a lot to do. I have learned a lot this last month with library conferences and workshops. I almost know how to use dreamweaver but still need to do some figuring out. I'm also starting to work with some marketing ideas for the library.
On the homefront life is going well other than I lost a TV remote in my move. Fortunately it is for the video game TV and not the one I watch. I had to put my games onto my regular TV just to keep the nephs happy. Painting is done and the carpets have been cleaned but they still show 6 years of wear and walking. I hope to have everything unpacked and organized during Thanks. weekend and then I can invite people over to see my wild color scheme!
Josh is home with Grandma and Grandpa since Charity is having some complications with her pregnancy and they currently do not have any place to live since they ditched Tennessee and moved back up to the Detroit area. Mike and Charity are staying with people he knows and Mike is driving for a steel company doing daily deliveries so he is home at nights.
Class is getting ready to start so I shall post this and hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to have an extra slice of pie in honor of my birthday!

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Three rooms down...

...and one or two to go! My living room should be ready to habitate by tonight, and then the only thing left to paint and clean carpet in is the back room/hallway area. I haven't decided yet if the play room will get painted soon or if it will wait. I have an extra gallon of the blue from my living room. I'm going to try to post photos once everything is done so you all can see!
The holidays are already crowding my life. We have 3 big events coming up for the holidays and another big fundraiser for the library. We are having a Art and Collectible Auction with signed books and memorabilia. We got an autographed football from the Green Bay Packers, a signed hockey puck, and an autographed picture of a Tigers player. We also have a dozen or more autographed books that we will be auctioning.
November weather is still tolerable and enjoyable in Mid-Michigan. There is still a lot of color but the leaves are falling quickly. I haven't had much time to read lately but I've started Nora Roberts new Blue Smoke and so far it's good.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Two minutes...

...and counting. Class is about ready to start and today we learn about web pages and html text format. (Joy) Hopefully it will be helpful. I'm going to take a Dreamweaver workshop in November to help with keeping the library site up to date. I helped our Coop guy put information on our new site but he did the work I just provided the data. (check it out at Lakeview.llcoop.org)
Mom and I got the kitchen and bathroom painted this week. I'm going home after class to day and hopefully Bruce and Jen have the bedroom cleaned out and I can get that painted before moving stuff in Monday. (Anyone want to come help!!)
Missed 1 question on my midterm but that isn't bad I guess. No prospective employer is going to care if I have a 100% or a 98% so I shouldn't sweat it.
Want another funny Vamp romance to read while waiting for the next Undead book by MaryJanice Davidson try Fangs for the Memories by Kathy Love. A book about a vampire with amnesia! What next?

Saturday, October 08, 2005

In order to comment...

...you must be a real person! I have turned on a word verification process for blog comments so I don't get hit by blog spammers. I read 2 yesterday, one wanting me to spread the word about music celebrities fundraising for Katrina victims and another wanting me to join an online dating service. These people obviously do not know me or they would know that I don't forward solicitational email/blogs and dating scares me.

What will happen if you want to comment to my blog is you will have to retype letters that will appear on your screen. Machine spammers cannot read! (They should have used the library more!) I welcome your comments but please don't ask for money or a date!

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Packing, packing...

...and more packing! It's amazing how one family can all move at the same time when they live in 4 different locations. Dad left this morning with a truck and trailer loaded to the limits to take to Mike and Charity in TN and then he will swing over to Nashville area and help Greg and Jeanette move to a new location. When he and mom get home Bruce and Jen should be ready to start moving boxes and furniture to their new home. As soon as they are out and everything gets painted I will be moving too! Good thing mom and dad don't plan on going anywhere!

Haven't done much reading lately so don't have much to recommend but if you like English historical romance there is a series by Julia Quinn about the Bridgerton family that is very well written. Lots of wit and humor.

As for bogus thoughts... Here is my latest that I've been spreading it around. "Birthdays are good for your health! - - - - -The more you have the longer you live!"

Saturday, October 01, 2005

It's been a long, long, time...

...and I know you have all missed me! Life has gotten hectic lately. Charity and Mike up and moved to Tennessee around Labor Day, Jeanette and Greg have gotten a new job and will be moving south of Nashville. Jennifer and Bruce signed papers for their house yesterday.

Homecoming parade was yesterday and the library handed out books again. Fortunately the Teen Advisory Board helped out and did most of the walking.

The main reason I got back to post my blog is because I'm sitting here in class waiting to 9:30 and our homework assignment is to write a paper about blogging and libraries. I think I will focus mine on using a blog as a reader's advisory tool.

Speaking of Reader's Advisory here are the best books I have read recently. Chill Factor by Sandra Brown, Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper, and the one I'm really liking now is Table for Five by Susan Wiggs.

Class is ready to start and I'll try to get back sooner than later.

Monday, September 05, 2005

And vacation...

...is almost over. It has been a good week although I'm still not ready to go back to work. I was able to spend 2 and a half days with Hazel and family relaxing and visiting. Traveling was uneventful and safe. Greg and Jeanette are up for a long weekend and Greg is job hunting. Charity and Mike did a cut and run while I was gone for 2 days and are now living in Tennessee. The company he was trucking for in Grand Rapids hasn't paid him for several runs so he found a job trucking with Tenn. with a cousin.

Bruce and Jen found a house they are interested in and are waiting for an inspection and financing to be finalized. Our family is in need of prayers right now so if you believe in prayer please take a moment to ask for God's guidence on moving, jobs, and other decisions we are facing. As for me I'm planning on staying in my trailor until the floors or windows give way and then go from there.

My semester starts Saturday and I will be spending weekends at Doug and Nelda's (Uncle & Aunt) for the weekends as I also have a Monday Night class.

On the entertainment side I've been cramming on my reading because I know that school will be taking a lot of time soon. Dead End, is the 4th in the DEAD trilogy by Mariah Stewart. (Yes I realize she doesn't know how to count.) It was very good and even had some supprizes that weren't obvious so if you read her paperback trilogy of Dead Wrong, Dead Certain, and Dead Even, you won't want to miss this one. I also had a chance to read Kay Hooper's new Chill of Fear, this is the middle in another trilogy she is writing on Noah Bishop and the Special Crime Unit of the FBI. The book reminded me of the movie The Haunting. Right now I'm trying to finish Sandra Brown's Chill Factor before I go back to work tomorrow. After that I have new ones by Julie Garwood, Catherine Coulter, J. A. Konrath, and Lori Wild waiting for me plus some paperback romances that I will need to read to get over all these mystery/suspense that I'm reading.

With school starting I don't know how much I can blog but I will endeavor to keep the 2-5 of you who take the time to read this updated.

Monday, August 15, 2005

It's Monday...

...and I can't wait till Friday. Yes I know I'm wishing my life away but the sooner the next two weeks go by the sooner I can take a vacation!!!!!!
The authors of Knightscares will be at the library tomorrow and we are expecting a fun program that will encourage kids to read. Wed. night our SS Class will be setting up for the church yard sale and that will run Thurs, Fri, and Sat. Mom, Dad and I will be working it Saturday and then the YA's will have a class party that night.
Library Yard Sale and Poker Walk will be the 27th, and then it's full time vacation after Celebration Sunday on the 28th. If my life is this busy why do I feel like I haven't accomplished anything?
Just finished Elizabeth Lowell's new book "Always Time to Die". Good suspense and I wasn't even 100% sure who the suspects were until the end. There was some genealogy and family history writing involved in the book but I enjoyed it anyway.
Next on my list is "Carpe Demon" by Julie Kenner. (She did a great job with 'Givenchy Code') and then on to the other 10 books I have stacked up at home. I'm trying to keep up with my teen and junior level reading by listening to them in the car. Right now I have "Bucking the Sarge" by Christopher Paul Curtis. (MI author from Flint) I have "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt (MI author from Grand Rapids) for my vacation trip. I hope gas prices go down some before then! It just went up to $2.70 today and the lines were to long to wait in.
Bogus Thought: Why don't all cars and trucks have gas tanks on the same side? You know how difficult it is to wait for gas when the lines are going the wrong way! What am I suppose to do, go through the line in reverse just to get gas? I think we should start a petition that would require all vehicle manufactures to locate the gas tank filler on the same side! IS ANYONE WITH ME?

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Too many things...

...to come up with an interesting heading. It has been a busy week. Last night was the McDonalds fundraiser dinner for the library. All eat in sales between 5-7 brought 20% to the library fund. We had a good turnout and I'm glad I don't work at McDs but they sure were nice. We haven't got our total figures of how much we made but I'm hoping for around $500.
Next weekend if a fundraiser yardsale for the church. We are trying to raise money to reside the parsonage. Mom and I will be spending Saturday cleaning the garage of last years yard sale stuff and getting it ready for the church. Jen and I are also having a Pampered Chef party next Thursday and I need to get food for that. On Tuesday the authors of 'Knightscares" will be at the library. They writed a fantasy adventure series for upper elementary kids. That will also be a busy day. But tomorrow will be that last of Summer Reading Club and our Medieval Faire. I will be manning the Quinlan game and working with set up and lunch prep before comeing back to the library for work the rest of the day. (Fun, fun, fun)
I'm anxious for my vacation and looking forward to seeing Darren & Hazel, and Greg, Jeanette, and Lauryn. (J&G I'm praying your job interview goes well, and it's what you want!)
Well, I have a little bit of time left on my lunch hour and I want to finish Fern Michaels new book, "The Nosy Neighbor".

Thursday, August 04, 2005

The truth about men...

...as only a single woman can tell it!
Men are like mascara...they run at the first sign of emotions.
Men are like lava lamps...pretty to look at but not real bright.
Men are like coolers...load them up with beer and then you can take them anywhere.
Men are like copiers...good for reproduction but thats about it.
Men are like commercials...you can't believe a word they say.
Men are like blenders...you know you have to have one, you just don't know why.
Men are like plungers...they spend most of their lives in the hardware store or the bathroom.
Men are like coffee...the best ones are rich, hot, full-bodied, and keep you up all night.

If you want to know how men are like Chocolate bars, vacations, and snow storms check our Marianne Stillings book, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie". (There are also several good comebacks about what women are like.) If you can't find the book

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

School's Out...

...schools out! A whole month with no classes or homework! Finally some time to read and relax. (Only in my dreams) Two top books on my list are required reading for a library program we are planning for next spring. We offer a Community Reads program and we are choosing the next book.
Plans are underway for the relocation of the Lucas households. We're praying that Bruce and Jen will hear back on their loan soon and that Greg and Jeanette will find the additional work/income to stay in Tennessee like they want to.
The library is hard at work raising money for a new building. Everyone who can needs to come to the Lakeview McDonalds on the 10th from 5-7 and order a weeks worth of food. (Bring your own bag because you have to make a eat in purchase.) Pam has started requesting authographed books for an auction and received 3 of Henry Winklers 'Hank Zipzer' series. (They are cool)
I am getting my feet wet in Grant Writing and I really don't like the water. We are trying to get an A/V Learning Center for the library which would provide a listening center for cassettes, CDs, and DVDs. I'm also working on one with the Greenville library to get a CD/DVD repair machine for the county libraries to share. (I don't like writing grants!!!!!)
Other aspects of my life are just as busy as always. I'm taking a sabatical from church duties in Sept-Dec as I will be taking 2 classes in Lansing. My classes will be Saturday and Monday so I will be spending the weekend with Uncle Doug and Aunt Nelda in Potterville. It will be a nice time to relax and keep my homework done.
No more to say for now. Would appreciate feedback on any of the books I've recommended. I forgot to add some to my humor section but if you want some laugh out loud Christian authors try Linda Windsor's "It had to be you" or "Along came Jones".

Thursday, July 28, 2005

If you want to laugh...

...while you read. I just had a request for books similiar to Jennifer Crusie who does a marvolous job a making you laugh out loud. Here are some I would recommend.
Jane Green, "Mr Maybe" or "To Have and To Hold"
Kasey Michaels paperback contemporary romances. (Her historical ones aren't as funny)
Sandra Hill, Cajun romance series or her time traveling Viking series. (I love these books!)
Sophia Kinsell, Shopaholic series.
Jane Blackwell, "Sexiest Dead Man Alive" or "A Hard Man is Good to Find"

Those who like the humor but not so much romance (i.e. Janet Evanovich)
Sarah Strohmeyer, "Bubbles Unbound" (first in a series)
Jane Kozak, "Dating Dead Men" and "Dating Can be Murder"
Tori Carrington, "Sophie Metropolis"

There are probably many more but for now I can't think of them.

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Summertime equals...

...some reading time! If you are a serious reader who likes depths of emotion in your books here is some to try! The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. It is a story of a man born in Afghanistan and covers the culture and people he grew up with until a tragic event started changes that led him to America yet the past will once again call him back to Afghanistan.

For another emotional and contriversal read try My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult. What happens when a child is concieved to provide healthy blood platelets, stem cells, and bone marrow for a sister who has leukemia. What happens when that child want medical emancipation from her family so she can live a normal life? The emotional journey takes you to the brink of your emotions and beliefs.

For a lighter read Janet Evanovich struck gold in her 11th Stephanie Plum novel Eleven on Top. Stephanie leaves the bonds office tired of being shot at and having her car destroyed. Finding a new job leads her into the world of factories, fast food, and gun crazy bosses. Of course you know that nothing can protect Stephanies cars. I think she goes through 3 in this book and I think it is one of the best in the series.

If you want a romantic comedy try the new books by; Jane Heller, An Ex to Grind, Julie Kenner, Givenchy Code, or coming soon Match Me if You Can, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

A good suspense series if you haven't read it yet is P.J. Tracy's Monkee Wrench series. They are in order; Monkee Wrench, Live Bait, and brand new Dead Run. A group of computer programers have created a game based on an actual crime spree that is close and personal to one of the programmers. In the next two books the computer programmers have developed a program to detect and solve cold cases and that begins a wonderful series.

Another book that is getting a lot of press is The Historian, by Michigan author Elizabeth Kostova. This large book (642 pages) takes a historical look at the legend of dracula and his connection to Vlad the Impaler. If you like your vampire stories more on the humorous side try Maryjanice Davidsons series, Undead and Unwed, Undead and Unemployed, and her new one Undead and Unappreciated.

Hopefully this gives all you readers a good selection of books to choose from. I know all of you here at the library has already experienced the joy of these books. Read, enjoy, relax!

Thursday, June 30, 2005

So much time...

...and so little to do! Doesn't usually apply in my life but as the holiday weekend approaches and I actually get to sleep in this Saturday I am taking some time to catch up on things I've missed. Don't you love all the TV series that are now coming out on DVD! It has been a blast from my teen years to sit and watch episodes of MacGuyver, 21 Jump Street, The Pretender, and Dukes of Hazzard. This last week I've been enjoying the 1st season of Law and Order which I never watched when it was on TV. So far I've seen Jim Brass from CSI and the police captain from COLD CASE go to trial for crimes they committeed. Interspersed with all the drama of cops and law I've enjoyed the 2nd season of THE ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE SHOW!.
I have done some reading also. I've finished the last of Lori Foster's Visitation romances with "Jamie" and have started Janet Evanovich's, "Eleven on Top". Life and a good book just seem to go together so as long as I find time to clean house this weekend I think I will enjoy my holiday weekend. Happy 4th of July everyone!

Monday, June 20, 2005

A bang up weekend...

...that lit up the sky. Summerfest 2005 is finally over! While having my cataloging class on Saturday morning kept me from the parade, the rest of the staff did a wonderful job. (And have pictures to prove it) I did work the Jaycees concession booth throughout the music and fireworks display and that was a long night. But it was worth it. The fireworks were awsome and the company friendly.
Father's Day was special as I helped scoop Ice Cream Cones for the dads after church. My SS class helped prepare the program by giving words of wisdom that they remember from their dads. My favorites that I remembered were; "It is better to want something you don't have than to have something you don't want." and also "Do you want me to give you something to cry about!". Others had wonderful quotes also and they added something special to our Father's Day program.
I started the new Linda Howard "Killing Time". So far it is good but definately different. Not to give anything away but it could be cataloged into Sci Fi. I also started watching "Arrested Developement" first season, with Jason Bateman and Ron Howard as narrator. Strange but funny. It is like a mixture between a documentary and a sitcom.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

My thoughts for today...

...are to few to count. My exercise routine this morning evidently did not energize my brain cells so hopefully it burn some of my fat cells. (I have more than enough to start a mighty inferno!)
I had the opportunity last night in my boredem to watch "Fire Me Please". It is amazing how crazy and obnoxious people are willing to be for a chance to win $25,000. I felt kinda of sorry for the bosses and coworkers, but some of the contestants were hilarious. My favorite was the one who laid down in the middle of the office and sang a song about being bored. There are days where I'd like to lay down and sing a song about stress, and work over load, but for now I'd better get back to that towering stack of work I have to do.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

The Serious Kiss...

...was a serious book. I just finished reading the YA book, "The Serious Kiss", by Mary Hogan. The cover, a chihuahua with a lipstick kiss on his cheek, looks cute and humoruos but most of the topics covered definately are not. As high school freshmen, best friends Libby and Nadine pledge to find love and receive their first 'serious kiss', after all that is what love feels like.
Libby has several other challenges facing her including an acoholic father, debt collectors who are reclaiming her house, a move into a retirement trailer home park, and a new school where she just doesn't fit in. Finding herself and her identity beyond her troubles becomes more important than getting the serious kiss and Libby discovers that in letting go brings more control into her life than fighting to maintain it.
Overall a good book for any teen who thinks finding 'love' will take care of all their problems.

Monday, June 13, 2005

When you are in demand...

...you never get to relax! After a weekend it doesn't seem right that you have more time to relax at work than you did over the weekend. Friday night I attended the One Book, Eleven Communities author visit. While nobody from Lakeview attended it was still a nice crowd and an interesting author. (He's better in person than in writing!) Saturday started with class in Lansing, a wedding in the afternoon, followed by clean up and taking 2 boys home with me. After 9:00 I ended up taking one back to Grandma's because he could still his mind and body enough to want to sleep in my trailer.
So bright and early Sunday Trenton and I got ready for church where I opened the Sunday School hour and the taught the Young Adults class. After a church potluck I took 2 more children home with me and then added a 2nd halfway through the afternoon. Then I loaded 5 children up for a run to McDs followed by another trip to church for song and praise service. After church I finally had a chance to do something for myself!
One movie watched and no books finished out of a whole weekend. Maybe I should move to Nashville! I only have 1 niece there!

Friday, June 10, 2005

The one man show...

...has no one to catch you when you fall. The problem with one person trying to perform a project all by themselves without help or input is that there isn't one to catch your mistakes. It is alway better to include a team or even one other person to help and verify information.
If you don't ask for help there is never anyone to share the blame when things fall apart!

Thursday, June 09, 2005

In the beginning...

...I have no idea what I'm doing. With the rapid change in everything techno I am attempting to keep up. I was never a letter writer and emails never get forwarded from my box but maybe here I will learn to communicate to the 'masses' who don't even know my blog exists.
I titled my blog Brains, Books, and Bogus Thoughts because that is what I plan to include in my posted blogs. Brains is my main attraction although I'm light years away from Einstien, Books are my favorite form of entertainment, and Bogus Thoughts are what I get at random moments. To all those who may stumble upon this Blogger, "Welcome, hope you enjoy the meaningless commentary and come back again. If practice and time make things better, someday this blog may win a Pulitzer Prize!"