A renewed love of reading

Okay, confession.

I teach English.

But up until very recently I hadn't read a book for pleasure in, are you ready for this, years! Unless Mason's bedtime stories or a student's paper counts, that's the truth. I am so ashamed to say that.

Well, then I became a nursing mom. I have found that reading while nursing is wonderful. It helps me relax and not watch the clock. It gives me something to think about while I am sitting in the rocking chair endlessly. And it keeps the TV off which could very easily be the nursing entertainment.

So in the last four weeks or so I have read about 8 books. Mainly ones my mom loaned me. I just finished two nicholas Sparks books - At first Sight and Dear John. As all sparks books go, I cried like a baby reading them. So very good. He is such a great writer. If I could trade jobs with someone, I would be him or Mary Engelbreit. I once saw a picture of her studio and almost cried because it was so...so...colorful. Paint, markers, pencils, paintbrushes, paper, posters....I can't imagine how fun it would be to go to "work" and use those things. And I would be Nicholas Sparks because his books are so real and honest. I mean they all have a fairy tale like feeling, but the heart of them is so sincere and believable and inspiring.

I am way off track.

So I read those two books which I highly recommend and I am down to only two book options. One by Louis Lamour and the other by Elmer Kelton. Both are western fiction. I borrowed both from my mom because she always read LL books when I was a kid and because Elmer Kelton is from San Angelo.

SO I am about halfway through the LL book. It's quite a difference to go from the depth and romance of Sparks to the
"Listen, 'ere, woman.The name's jebediah and I ain't much on courtin', but when I first laid my eyes on you, I knew it was you I would be aiming to marry. "
"Well, sir, that is mighty fine and I had been wanting to take me a husband right quick before the wagon trained headed west. I'll marry ya."

I mean really, the lack of "courtin' " in his books is down right hilarious, but probably somewhat historically accurate. And besides that, I can hardly put his book down - all the indian scalpin's and wagon trains and near death encounters. It's pretty dern good, if I do say so meself. :)

It's nice to be reading again. I used to read all the time as a child, but then, sadly, English class assignments kind of stole the pleasure and joy of reading. But it's back now.

I am an English teacher. I hope I am not the kind that squelches the reading joy.

Grrrr.....

I cannot tell you the frustration I have just experienced while making that slide show. I lost it TWICE! And still there are like three pictures that didn't make it to the slide show. I hope you enjoy what few pictures made it.

A little bit of everything October

The Project

I have been wanting to do something with Grant's name in his room. I couldn't decide how or what to do to the letters to make them cute or cool. I thought about painting them, but didn't know how I would... so I did this.

The letters are basically scrapbooked. And for once, they turned out as cute as I imagined they would be. I have to say I am pretty proud of my little creation. :) The only problem now is trying to figure out how to hang them - ideas? Also, I think the r looks funny. What do you guys think? Give me a g!

Give me a R!

Give me an A!

Give me a N!

Give me a T!

What do you get? A very cute "grant!"

ONe more thing

This is silly that I am posting this but I thought they were cool. Target also has these really cute place mats for a dollar. There is one for letters, shapes, colors, USA, and numbers. I got one of each for mason to learn from. I mean he already knows most of that stuff(except the map) but a little daily reminder while we eat won't hurt, right?

Okay, that's it. Really.

FYI

Not that ANY of us need more candy in our house or anything, but Target has all their halloween candy and halloween stuff 50% off. Only the outside packaging is halloweenish so you could use the little candies for upcoming holidays. I bought a bag for stocking stuffers and for Mason's school party. They also have a ton of their fall stuff on sale which I think is silly since Thanksgiving is still like 20 days away, but whatever. And all their old 'one spot' stuff is 75% off. I got lots of stocking stuffers there too. But it was kind of slim pickin's.

Also, on a completely separate note. I returned to hobby lobby today. Minus one boy. Nothing was injured but my "blow" money envelope.
I bought the supplies for a project that in my mind will be adorable, but I fear will not turn out that way. But I am going to have fun trying! Of course if it works, pictures will be posted.

I want to post our halloween, pumpkin patch, pumpking carving pictures but it just takes so long. I will get to it. I promise(mom). :)

How?!

How does it happen?
I picked up the house this morning. I didn't clean, but you know, picked up.
It's 1:29.

There is a
sock
five shoes
two dvd cases
a hula hoop
a small pumpkin
three index cards
a package of pretzels
a roll of smarties
a glass bowl
a boppy pillow
two pacifiers
a baby shirt
and a butterscotch candy

on my floor or on the couch in the living room.

How does it happen?
HOW!!!!?????

And so begins the picking up again...

:)