Our Weekend

We spent Saturday kid-free with my parents, they graciously cooked us breakfast and then took us to their new camper. My dad is big about toys, he works very hard- always has but when it comes to relaxing, he works just as hard at it. My parents have had a pontoon boat for a while now and the place they store it has a dock, storage for boats and RV campsites. I hope I said that right.

It's amazing! Here's a picture of the inside...

We lounged outside, my dad showed Michael all the features and they talked about ways to make the cable connection better. My mom is on a home-improvement kick and they just tore down the paneling and wallpaper in their living room at home and put up new drywall- all the electronics and furniture to be replaced as well. Well Michael and Dad talked about electronics for an hour or so after we received the tour of the camper. Mom & I enjoyed listening to them, added our five cents worth in where we could and got some sun.

I told Michael I wanted to go Barnes & Noble to get the books on my reading list since BookMooch didn't have the titles available. He said he was tired after our day with my parents and just wanted to relax. Well, I decided to do a little more research about Kindle vs. Nook- I've been thinking about it for a while but felt I couldn't cross over to the ebook side. After reading the reviews (see New Reading List & Nook) - I had to see one in person. Michael, fabulous man he is, sighed and said, let's go.

Christmas 2010 was horrible for us. Michael and I celebrated with the kids only, we didn't do anything for each other because of the nasty custody battle my ex had started. We didn't spend too much, scared we'd need the money for hotels, traveling or whatever costs may arise when you're fighting a custody battle out of state. Our families helped us to get the 4 kids' Christmases and we were grateful. Between Michael and I, we were fine, we didn't need anything and the only thing we wanted was the kids to have a good time and enjoy Christmas.

We told each other that we'd surprise each other throughout the year with gifts (non-monetary and monetary). So far, we've gone to a concert, gotten our individual bicycles, he's gotten a mandoline that cuts tomatoes so thin (he's becoming quite the cook) and we've gotten a few things for the house inside and out. Nothing too crazy. He tried to convince me last year to get a Kindle or Nook. I wouldn't have anything to do with it- loyal to my books.

I did all the research, I asked the Barnes & Noble Nook expert questions to affirm what I had read in the reviews. Before I could blink, Michael told her that we'd get one and told me to pick out a cover for it. He got me the Nook Color, the kids' books feature was the final selling point for him. For me, it was the ease of use vs the Nook, I liked the way the pages looked, the touch screen, etc.

I read a LOT. I read while riding in the car, at lunch when I'm at work, I sit on our front or back porch and read to relax. I sit with Michael while he watches his techie shows and read- if I laugh or gasp, he pauses the tv and asks what's happening. He doesn't like to read but he reads through me- I share the stories I'm reading and he says that he loves it. He prefers comics or graphic novels, lol- I prefer the movies that come from the comics or graphic novels.

I still have about 1000 books on our home shelves, most of them are non-fiction for the kids. I don't keep many books for myself, I read a fiction book and I'm done with it. I only return to my very favorites. I have checked out the same book from the library before, unknowingly until I realize the story is familiar. About 10 pages in, I realize my mistake and get frustrated. I've never kept a reading journal of the books I've read outside of doing a book club. I think I'll make a tag in my LibraryThing library for books I've read. That way I can keep track and review them. I'll have to explore this idea more. I did see a Book Lover's Journal at Barnes & Noble but I would start it and not keep up with it.

I read Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks on my new Nook Color. It took a little getting adjusted to the viewing a screen instead of a page to read but I'm 100% happy. I love the weight of it and my cover makes it seem like a book.

I can even get online with a WiFi connection, which I can at home anywhere in the house. I love that I can share it with the kids, I can't wait to show them the animated children's books that I've read to them a million times on it. I am such a nerd!

A New Reading List & Nook

I've read Water for Elephants. The book was great, I'm surprised it was written for NaNoWriMo, albeit the research for the book was done beforehand. I want to see the movie, I do know it's different than the book based on the reviews I've seen.

If you haven't read it, try it. I found it fascinating and didn't want to put it down. I'm now done with all the books on my previously made list and have to create another one. Sigh. It's hard to decide WHAT to read. This time I'm going to use the library's book club help.


And surprise, I just read Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks in the last 12 hours..lol. I'll add it to my list here.

I give it 5 stars, as I always do with Mr. Sparks' books. The only way possible to read a 288 page book from 8:00 pm one night to 3:30pm the next day is if it's a great page turner. Within that time, I watched tv with Michael before we went to bed at 10:30 exhausted, cleaned house this morning and I finished the book in-between 1:00-3:30 today.

And I read it on my new Nook Color from Barnes & Noble. I wasn't sure if I could join the ereader enthusiasts. I love books, the weight, the ability to see how long the story will last by the thickness of the book, the mobility of being able to take my book anywhere. BUT- the idea of being able to take multiple books anywhere, to be able to pick a new book without going to the library or waiting for a book to arrive from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or BookMooch was too tempting.

I read about Kindle Vs. Nook Book at CNET and my favorite, ultimate decision making review was The Chicago SunTimes article that highlighted the features of the Nook so well. The LendMe feature, DRM/ePub universal compatibility. Add in that EBooks have had time to gain popularity- being able to get them from the local library and websites like BooksforNooks.com connect Nook readers together to use the LendMe feature of Nook that Kindle doesn't have.





Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt
Written with the skill of a veteran, Rosenfelt's debut legal thriller boasts fresh characters, an engaging narrator, and a plot that forces readers to keep flipping the pages. Andy Carpenter, a defense lawyer, takes on a new client: a man on death row, appealing his conviction for the murder of a woman nearly a decade ago. Andy takes the case as a favor to his father, the district attorney who originally prosecuted the inmate. When Andy's father dies, leaving him 22 million dollars and a 35-year-old photograph, Andy has some tough questions to answer. Where did his father get the money? Who are the men in the photograph? And could one of them have some connection with the murder for which Andy's client was convicted? Andy Carpenter is a welcome addition to the lawyer-as-sleuth roster; he's a charming and witty hero whose literary allusions and snarky asides keep us thoroughly entertained. In addition, the present-tense, diary-style narrative voice adds another layer of dramatic tension, because--as he's writing--Andy has no idea what's going to happen next. As soon as readers finish this remarkable first novel, they will begin clamoring for a second Andy Carpenter adventure. David Pitt Copyright © American Library Association.


In the Woods by Tana French
Rob Ryan and his partner, Cassie Maddox, land the first big murder case of their police careers: a 12-year-old girl has been murdered in the woods adjacent to a Dublin suburb. Twenty years before, two children disappeared in the same woods, and Ryan was found clinging to a tree trunk, his sneakers filled with blood, unable to tell police anything about what happened to his friends. Ryan, although scarred by his experience, employs all his skills in the search for the killer and in hopes that the investigation will also reveal what happened to his childhood friends. In the Woods is a superior novel about cops, murder, memory, relationships, and modern Ireland. The characters of Ryan and Maddox, as well as a handful of others, are vividly developed in this intelligent and beautifully written first novel, and author French relentlessly builds the psychological pressure on Ryan as the investigation lurches onward under the glare of the tabloid media. Equally striking is the picture of contemporary Ireland, booming economically and fixated on the shabbiest aspects of American popular culture. An outstanding debut and a series to watch for procedural fans. Thomas Gaughan Copyright © American Library Association.
 




The House on Tradd Street by Karen White
In this engaging novel from Southern novelist White (The Memory of Water), buttoned-up real estate agent Melanie Middleton, lover of order and all things modern, inherits an old house in Charleston, S.C., from a virtual stranger. Melanie can't help seeing the house as a big white elephant, especially regarding the terms; according to the will, Melanie's required to live in the house for a year, restoring it to its former glory, before she can sell so much as a piece of china. But as the house draws the attention (and ulterior motives) of a colorful group of locals, particularly GQ-handsome journalist Jack Trenholm, Melanie finds she has plenty of volunteers to help out. White skillfully balances her tale at the meeting point of romance, mystery and ghost story. The supernatural elements are not played for scares, but instead refine and reveal Melanie's true character; Melanie and Jack flirt with sparkling, snarky energy, but White also digs deeper, giving Melanie a tragic past that's handled with compassion and realism. A fun and satisfying read, this series kickoff should hook a wide audience. (Nov.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

Polly vs. Nellie

I have no idea what to post, a lot of things but not really anything. I've gotten a lot of anonymous posts lately, attacking my relationship with Michael- saying we won't be happy a few years from now, just give it time- he'll hate you eventually...all deleted because they were posted anonymously.

Whenever I post at someone else's blog, it's always positive- a kind word, congratulations, agreement with the author. It's a reminder of the different types of people in the world- the negative Nellies and the positive Pollies. I'm a positive Polly. I believe in the Golden Rule, to treat others how you wish to be treated and act accordingly.

I've been surprised in the last week over happenings in real life. A co-worker surprised that I would stay at work till 8:00pm working on the next week's schedule because it was Friday and the schedule for next week wasn't done in its entirety. I can't work on it at home, it's only available intranet at work and it's a software program. I promised it would be done by Friday and got side-tracked, nonetheless, everyone needs their schedule.

Another instance was when I said I would come in on my day off for an hour (I'm salary) to help my direct reports. Why is this so shocking? I thought leaders should lead by servant leadership? I can't help it that this fellow leader puts her needs before her team's- or maybe I sacrifice too much?

This has been on my mind this weekend. There are about 7 other people who hold my position in my area, I'm the only one holding a 'training' class for the team for development. I get a lot of "why are you doing that?" and I'm not met with a ton of support when I explain that it helps my team build their skills. I get the shocked look, the deer in the headlights, oh my- glad she's doing it- cause I'm not! ... Is it a bad thing? I choose to believe not because some of team members want to come in on their days off just to attend the class! Sigh.

I don't want to think too hard about this. I don't wish to have negativity ruin something positive- whether it will achieve results- who knows. I'm encouraged just by the fact my team members want it, who cares if others think I'm overachieving?

I really need to consider starting my own business...

What's the Matter?

It got home. That is all that matters. It does not matter that the bike was not on the bike rack the correct way. What's important is that it got home. Stop laughing honey. Sorry the bike didn't work out, love you.

Our Family Ride

Of course, taken precariously while riding my own bicycle. 4 Kids, 2 Adults- no one on the trail was safe. We rode down the left side of the path, thinking it would take us to the town park. No. If we had taken the right side of the path, we'd have come to the park, after about 1 hour and half of riding the trail and realizing we went the wrong way, we turned around. When we reached the place we began, the kids wanted to the do the other 3 miles to the park. Hannah was a trooper, she is the shortest with the smallest bike which means she has to pedal double the rest of us- she tired out but kept on pushing. She wanted to go to the park the most but without water (we drank it all)- we headed home instead and let them continue to ride on our street.

Back

Greenville was nice but home is better. 

I met other people with the same job as me, learned a lot and I'm glad to be home. Two weeks away is too long. Getting settled back in...

A week later

Training has been great, I'm learning the tools and methods I need(ed) desperately. I feel a change coming at work, a positive change. Being gone, living in a hotel room all week feels a little like summer camp. I'm home for the weekend and going back today- yesterday we took the kids on a 6 plus mile bike ride. It was great and relaxing to be outside in the sunshine.

Men's Legacy Schwinn

Michael had gotten me a bicycle from Sears Grand, received a huge discount because a screw was missing from the back fender platform. I rode it Friday evening and had to walk home with a broken bicycle just from riding around our neighborhood- the gears snapped and damaged the entire back tire. I dragged the bike home, loaded it on the bicycle rack and took it back to Sears for an immediate refund. Then I drove to Target to purchase the super-ugly purple paisley Schwinn that was a dream to ride but ugly to look at. I couldn't do it. I got a Men's bicycle instead, a simple Legacy Schwinn.

Nantucket Lightship Tapered basket

I added the Nantucket Bicycle basket ( I did get the exact one) and voila- my new bicycle! It's perfect for me. Not too girly, it feels great riding, especially cruising, perfect for keeping up with the kids. I cannot believe the 7 gear bicycle broke, I blame Michael- he said that he didn't trust the geared bicycles because they have always broken on him. I haven't had that problem, until now and it's because he jinxed me. Lol.

One more week of training and then back to normal life. I really don't want to leave again but I want the training. It's weird to come home, unpack and get into regular routine just to pack and leave again so shortly. I've never had a per Diem or had to worry about filling out an expense report but it's nice to be on a pseudo-vacation with other people in the same position. I've met many others in the same position as myself and  usually we wouldn't be able to spend the time amount of time we're able to. Right now, we're a group of 5 women with a few different add-ons from class as they feel like it. Regardless, every morning the five of us meet to get breakfast and coffee, then lunch and after class...dinner. I don't think I've gotten back to my hotel room before 9pm all week. We're already planning to get together when training is over, for a regular sanity night.

I'm the only one in the group of women who doesn't have marital problems, who actually wants to spend time with her husband. I break off from them to talk to the kids every night and wait until I retire for the night to call Michael to talk. It's different for me to be on this side, I've always been the one who loved being with other women and as far away from my (ex) husband as possible. I try not to talk about Michael or our relationship too much. Who wants to hear how wonderful he is or we are when you're dealing with your own problems? I've been there- hearing how wonderful someone else's relationship is while living in h-e-double hockey sticks. When I heard others talking about their happy relationships: One, I was happy for them. Two, I wondered how much was actually TRUE. Three, it made me depressed to think that their life was normal and my wasn't and there wasn't anything I could DO about it. So then I would just imagine that they are playing it up---making it better than what it actually was.

Back at home, our crepe myrtle is filling with green leaves and we'll have flowers soon.  Our strawberries are doing well and our gardening adventures are yielding beautiful results! The front porch is my new favorite place to be.

Gotta go pack. Again.