Believe it or not...

...I've graduated to MySpace. I probably won't keep it anymore updated than what I do my blog. The only reason I start these things like a blog or MySpace is for the knowledge of how to use them. Hopefully I learn enough to assist people who are struggling to understand the technologies of today. The only problem is the technologies of today quickly become the technology of yesterday.
I believe that this link will take you to my page should you be interested in visiting.

Click Here!

What I've learned from TV

If you watch very much TV you have probably caught those AT&T commercials for their cell phone network that works where you live even in Hollyorkazonasouthameriland! I like funny commercials that stick in my mind. Even if I never buy the product or service advertised I will remember the company.
The reason this commercial has played on my mind is the dilemma we face every December. What holiday greeting do you use? While the majority of Americans Celebrate Christmas it seems to receive the largest amount of censorship. I usually fall back on just wishing people a Happy Holiday and then they can apply it to what ever holiday they celebrate.
I often feel this is a cop-out as I strongly believe that Christmas is a celebration of Christ’s birth and therefore it should be Christmas not Holiday. At the same time I don’t want to disrespect people who also celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa but wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah & Kwanzaa is too much to say as a casual greeting so this year I have the perfect solution…

From me to all of you Merappy Christanukzaa

I can't believe it...

...a whole month has gone by since my last post. Time is just disappearing and I'm not sure where it is going. The library/Jaycee "Lunch with Santa" is this Saturday and then things snowball from there.
I've been laid up for the last week and a half with a sprained ankle. Unbelievable pain was my experience but thanks to those pain killers and ice packs it was manageable and I'm pretty much mobile now. It just aches from being down all day and having to get up and down so often.
I can't think of anything else to post on so I'm signing off for now and maybe I'll get back on here before Christmas.

When life gets busy...

... I can't find time to read! This is the second year that I've logged all the books I've read. This really hasn't stopped me from rereading books, it's just now I do it on purpose. I have found that October has not been a good reading month for me though because it is already the 24th and I've only read 6 books. Part of the reason may be that I bought myself a Wii and have been playing with the nephs and nieces. Also I've discovered that I enjoy the TV show "House MD" and I've been watching the first 2 seasons on DVD. Plus my new favorite TV show this year has been "Chuck" on Mondays. I still keep my regular Thursday night dates with George but Chuck is my new man on the side. LOL
Tomorrow night (10-25-07) is the Library's Internet safety program for parents and I'm really hoping for a decent turnout. I would be very happy with about 10 people but since I'm planning on having donuts and coffee I think we should be able to have a few more. Program starts at 6:00 PM should any blog reader wish to attend!

If it's all in the attitude...

...then it's all controllable. I don't know if you believe that or not but I know for me that this last week has been good. Our lives come down to a series of choices and very little happens purely by chance. Yes there are things that are unexpected or uncontrollable but if you think about it and trace back the circumstances of the situation it will eventually come back to a choice you made.
My choice this last week was to look on the positive side of life and think about the good things God has done for me and less time on pity parties. Some things that made it easier is the fact that I took 3 vacation days and had friends for IN come up and visit me this weekend. It was very relaxing to sit around and visit without worrying about schedules and responsibilities.
That doesn't last forever and my next project, outside of work, is to organize the Christmas Program. Yes, it really is that time again! Anyone want to help?

What do I have to be happy about...

...should be everything! We've been doing a series in church on 5 ways to introduce people to Christ. One statement that keeps coming up and hitting me between the eyes is that my Christian Life should be exciting and joyful so that it would be attractive to non Christians. I guess that I usually think that my life is boring and my Christian life is choice and duty. My goal this month is is to find joy and excitement in my Christian life that spills into my everyday life and they become one and the same. When I really think about what God has blessed me with I know that there is absolutely no reason not to be excited about him every moment I just need to keep my mind on his blessings.
One blessing that I need to remind myself of regularly is that I'm able to walk and stand and even run slowly if the need is there. When it was discovered that I was born without a hip socket the doctor told my parents that as an adult I would not be able to stand for long periods of time and that I may need some type of assistance to walk. Even being overweight I can do the things that the doctor predicted I would not be able to do. Regular Chiropractic visit help keep me aligned and reduce problems and if I get some of my weight back off that will help also. God has given me this gift of mobility and when I think of friends who do not have that gift I'm ashamed at how much I take for granted. God loves me and that's something to be excited about!

Yes it has been forever...

...but my life is boring. I'm just glad my life isn't tragic! Things are going well, I've been struggling with some emotional/depression issues but I think it's getting better if I remember to take my vitamins.
Really good book I've read lately include Nora Roberts High Noon, Kat Martin's Scent of Roses & The Summit, & Christina Dodd's Scent of Darkness & Touch of Darkness. I've received a couple of really nice recommendations from our Online Book Club offered from our library. You can sign up for it from our home page lakeview.llcoop.org and and there are a lot of different genres of clubs to join. I'm currently reading fiction, romance & teen. When you sign up they send excerpts of the featured books to your email & if you like it you can then request it through your local library.
Other than reading and eating I tend to neglect everything else. I do have a long weekend off work coming and expecting company to visit before mid October so I'm really needing to clean house.
Brockfest & family reunion are also scheduled for this weekend so I'll be very busy even if I don't have to work.

Still waiting...

...for those hot construction guys to show up. But it should be soon as the library has received their notice to proceed from Rural Development. This will definitely be a learning experience as we raise this building. The Ground Breaking Celebration went really well and almost 100 people came out to celebrate with us. If you want to keep up to date on our progress keep an link on the library's web page lakeview.llcoop.org for current information. One of the reasons this blog has been running old is because I'm trying to keep the TDL construction blog updated also.
There is a lot happening on the homefront but nothing that I want to publish on my blog. Just keep us all in prayers. Janet Evanovich published her 13th Stephanie Plum novel and it was a hoot. I'm still waiting for a relationship decision to be made but Janet is raking in the money on the series so she probably won't make that decision anytime soon.
Had a great concert at church Monday night. 40 highschool students under the directorship of the Bethany Bible College's Music and Ministry Team leader 'Exalt'ed the name of Jesus and blessed the hearts of everyone in attendance.

Okay it's about time...

...to post again. Not much has been happening but it sure seems like I've been busy. The most exciting event in my life recently was the Ground Breaking Celebration for the new Tamarack District Library. If you would like to see some pictures from the event look at the library's new web page lakeview.llcoop.org and enjoy.
Closing time got to go!

And I'm back...

...to work. Memorial Day weekend provided a wonderful opportunity to visit Hazel & Darren in U.C. IN for a couple of days. It was a very relaxing time to visit and catch up on what's happening. Hazel showed me several blogs from other IWU alumni that we went to school with and it was fun to see what they are doing.
I managed to do a lot of reading but haven't found anything that has astounded me recently. Our One Book One County pick for Montcalm County this year is "Water for Elephants" it's set during the Depression and follows a circus and the people involved. I have heard mixed feedback from readers but the professional reviewers have given it high marks. The other One Book program we do chose "To Kill a Mockingbird" this year and we will be having the closing program at the Big Rapids H.S. on June 8th, 7:00 PM.
Season finales are done and now it's time for reruns. My fave show CSI of course left us with another cliff hanger. Will Sara be back next season or not? The return of Lady Heather throw some dust in the mix. NCIS sure threw in their twist with a known arms dealer showing up as D's girlfriends father. There's not many shows that I watch faithfully but maybe there will be something new and good next season.
As far as movies go, I took Josh to see "Shrek the Third" when it came out and it was cute. Possibly better than the first. That doesn't happen often. I'm leery to go see the newest Pirates of the Caribbean because of that fact. Watched "Arthur and the Invisibles" on DVD last night. I think the fact that I read the books first ruined it. They left a lot out and I had a hard time jumping from scene to scene knowing what wasn't there. It just goes to prove the book is always better. Don't you agree?

Here it is...

...only 3 weeks til June. That is one disadvantage of working in a library. With dating everything we are always thinking 3 weeks ahead and time disappears. Went to a wonderful Rural Library Conference earlier this week at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Didn't do any Spa-ing but did enjoy the accommodations and food. The Gates Foundation sponsored the event and paid for everything but the rooms. It was part of a Rural Library Sustainability project that they have been taking to all of the states.

On a personal note I'm still waiting for my diploma to show up. I got a congratulations letter from my State Rep, Judy Emmons on my graduation from Wayne State. I thought that was a very nice touch for a governmental person. I have enjoyed reading Michael Spradlin's Spy Goddess books. He's a Michigan author who writes for teens. I also really enjoyed Amanda Quick's (Jayne Ann Krentz) new book "The River Knows". It was like reading some of her earlier novels without the paranormal side of it.

Relaxing vacation...

...where I didn't get anything done. Aren't those the best kind? I did a lot of reading and caught up on some of my teen reading for recommendations.
The library is accepting bids for construction now so we are one step closer!!!!! I'm working on a series of MI author articles for the newspaper this month. If you get the Lakeview Area News let me know what you think.
Planning a day away for mom and my siblings. We plan on hitting GR for lunch and shopping on the 19th. I'm hoping it will be fun and relaxing giving us time to visit and rehash memories.
Josh is playing soccer for AYSO this year and seems to be having fun. He doesn't have a passion for the game but does seem to be having fun. He went to see his mom and Chevy this weekend and Mom & Dad took a weekend away.

This is it...

...I go to my very last class tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Four and a half years of juggling work with classes and I am finally a Master in Library and Information Science. I got a sneak peak at my grades and even with all my doubts and stress I managed to ace my last class! I will complete my Masters with a 3.98 GPA thanks to that A- I got in Cataloging. :(
The rest of the week is vacation. Nothing is planned except sleeping in and relaxing but I still would like to get my play room painted. I might not have time since I need to clean the room first!
Been enjoying small group game nights on Saturday. It's been fun to visit with others and explore new board games and old favorites.
Read a new book by Heather Graham that just blew me away. It was a really good paranormal suspense but the ending just astounded me and I can't stop thinking about it. It's one of those that I can't quite decide if I liked the ending or not but I did enjoy the book. It's called "Dead Room".

Still a couch potato...

...ready to become a potato chip! The fat is creeping back on and I haven't found the enthusiasm to work it back off. I keep telling myself that I'll get back on track when... but that day never comes.

On to a less depressing subject. I'm ready to paint the last room in my apartment. It is what I call the play room and my plans are for a very bright and energetic room without being blinding bright. My planned color scheme includes orange, green and dark blue. I'm thinking about adding the niece & nephs hand prints to the room or some other design elements that would represent them. Maybe I will like that room so much it will become my reading room also.

I'm waiting to get back into the reading groove but I have to kick the DVD addiction first. I'm finishing up the 2nd season of CSI: NY and I'm still working on Young Riders. I probably won't get the new James Bond watched right away and I'll have to get it again later. I will have 4 days vacation next week but that will hopefully be some painting days and not all TV days. It's good having Josh home for the rest of the school year. He's happy but still goes through missing his mom.

Two more classes left and then I will be a Master in Library and Information Science. (Isn't that exciting!)

The countdown...

... is going fast! Only 2 weeks left and I've ordered my cap and gown. I don't know if it's good news or bad but I won't be walking on May 5th but I still bought the cool cap and gown. Mom says it may come in handy in case I'm ever asked to talk at someones commencement. (LOL) My main concern is that I don't know if I will feel 'graduated' without going to the actual ceremony but I just couldn't work it out and wasn't looking forward to a 3 hour plus ceremony with thousands of people there.

Been watching a lot of DVDs lately and not reading as much. Watched the second season of Wonder Woman and picked up this bit of trivia, "How many years passed between season 1 and season 2 show of Wonder Woman?" This is years in the show not our years. I'm currently watching first season of "Tru Calling" which only lasted a season and a half then I'm starting on Young Riders and CSI New York season 2. I'm also planning on watching Casino Royale 007, and Eragon. I don't think I'll be reading much this weekend either.

The diet has officially hit the skids. I keep telling myself that it is stress and I'll get back on track but I think it's more that I'm tired of trying to be good and have been craving all the candy and chips that I've been without for 9 months. Hopefully someday soon I will be inspired to start again before all my hard work is undone.

The Countdown is on...

...there is only 5 weeks of classes left before I am done with my MLIS!!!!!!
I am so ready for this I can't even imagine what life will be like afterwards. No more arranging my schedule to accommodate work and school!

Not much else going on in life. I'm still working on my Research Proposal and will have to do a classroom presentation on that in April.

Been feeling nostalgic lately and watching old TV shows. Spent last weekend watching ThunderCats and Wonder Woman. Next on the agenda is Young Riders.

Haven't been reading much lately. Just a bunch of fluff that doesn't take a lot of brain power. Went to Leadership Academy last week and learned some really good ideas and skills that will really help me make a more effective leader in all areas of life.

It's only been 21 days...

...and I'm posting again! This won't be a long post as I'm rushing my lunch hour so I can get stuff done before going to class. I enjoyed the Nora Roberts movies on Lifetime this month. (Thanks Val!) Yes I agree they aren't as good as the books but think about it, it takes 1-3 days to read one of her books but the movie has to be less than 2 hours. Something has to change.
March will be a busy month as I will spend a week at Leadership Academy so I can learn how to be an effective leader in the library world and I am also attending the Spring Institute for youth services. Add in my school work, regular work, house work and unexpected work and I don't know where I find the time to read but I seem to get it done. Latest good reads were Jane Heller's Some Nerve, and a teen book by David Lubar, Sleeping Freshman Never Lie. Lubar will be at Spring Institute as his book won the MI Thumbs Up award from the Teen Services Division of MLA. He is a very funny author.
Diet has been very bad lately. I have been binging (but not purging) and can't seem to get back on track. I'll have a couple of good days and then bam it's back to junk food and chocolate. I'm still working out at the gym regularly and hope that will help me maintain.
Gotta go. Board meeting tonight & everything has to be ready before I leave in 1 1/2 hours.

It's me again...

...and it hasn't been very long, has it? It is a boring Tuesday and the weather is sub-zero so the smart people are staying home. I still have to go to class tonight so I'm trying to prep myself up in preparation for that trip.
I've been going through a rough emotional/hormonal couple of weeks and I'm needing to get back on my diet plan and stop snacking. I'm working out about 4 times a week now and feeling good but it's still not enough to counter all the snack foods I've been mowing down. Kickboxing class has been fun and the pool class is one I plan on returning to.
Nora Roberts is having a series of movies from her books on Lifetime this month. I'm fortunate enough to have a great neighbor who will TiVo them for me and then I can visit and watch them. I really liked her newest suspense "Angels Fall" which was the first one they showed on Lifetime.
Employment needs are still evident in our family as 2 brothers-in-law are looking for fulltime jobs with benefits. One of the drawbacks of having a family and kids is that things like insurance become a necessity. Of course it is easier to get State or Federal coverage when you have kids too.
Well, I need to get back to work now so I'll try to post again later!

Wow, can't believe it's been so long...

...since I remembered to post here. Life has been busy but good. Enjoyed Christmas with family and Thanksgiving with friends. Work has had it's ups and downs with continued delays in construction plans but we have started taking baby steps towards our ground breaking.

I have been in a reading slump lately. I have found that I can't read for pleasure and stay on my diet at the same time. I think the idleness of sitting and reading triggers my munching gene. I have been reading some diet and health books and my current one is "You on a Diet: the owners manual for waist management". It's pretty big and gets into a lot of science and biology so the reading is going pretty slow. Jayne Anne Krentz has a new book out "White Lies" that I am anxious to read.

Jeanette and family are now in their new home and the sale on their house in TN should finalize this week! (Pray that closing cost will be lower than estimated.) They still haven't found any full time work but they both have pretty steady part-time jobs right now.

I have started my last class for my MLIS degree. Come mid-April I can claim the title of a real Librarian. (Think I can meet Noah Wylie then?) My class is research and I will have to do a research proposal but fortunately will not have to preform the actual research.

I can't promise to stay on top of my blogging since I have joined a free online weight loss site (www.sparkpeople.com) and spend a lot of my free online time there.