Scaifea's 2014 Challenge - Thread #29

Welcome to The Twenty-ninth Thread!



Below you’ll find an explanation of my reading habits, which, I warn you, is a bit crazy. Usually I have about 10-12 books going at once, one each from the following groups (and occasionally other books slipped in there, too):

1. A book from the 100 Banned Books book (at least currently. As soon as I finish this list, I'll replace it with another, and oh, I've got tons of lists).

2. A children's book, for Charlie's library. I'm trying to collect books from various award lists, and I like reading them before reading them to Charlie or deciding to add them to Charlie's shelves. For this category, I’m currently working through three lists:
a. 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die
b. The CYOA books
c. The Newbery Honor books

3. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

4. A book for the Presidential Challenge. Books for this category are read in chronological (presidentially) order.

5. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/drive.

6. A list I'm working through together with my best friend, Rob: The Hugo/Nebula/WFA/Bram Stoker lists (combined, in chronological order)

7. For this category, I cycle through 7 different stacks:
a. A book from my shelves which I haven't yet read
b. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
c. Stephen King's bibliography (in chronological order)
d. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
e. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
g. The NEH Timeless Classics list
h. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
i. The Pulitzer list (in alpha order by author)

8. A read-aloud-to-Charlie-at-bedtime book.

9. A book from my Classics shelves.

10. A book on Buddhism or from the Dalai Lama's bibliography.

11. Book-a-year challenge: Last year at some point, along with a few others in this group (*cough* Paul *cough*), I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've decided, again, to follow Paul's lead and try to fill in some of those blanks, and so I'm adding an entry here to my lists.

12. This slot is reserved for books that just grab me and shout that they need to be read Right Now.

And on top of these, there will be a multitude of picture books, which Charlie and I read together. I only list picture books that I or we read for the first time - no repeat reads will be mentioned here (and they are legion).

So, now you've got a glimpse of just how neurotic I am.
Please feel free to post comments, recommendations, or whatever else strikes your fancy. And Happy Reading, everyone!



What I'm reading now:
-Sanctuary (Banned Books list)
-Cedric, the Forester (Newbery Honor Book list)
-Faust (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-Martin Van Buren and the Emergence of American Popular Politics (Presidential Challenge)
-One Summer (audio book)
-The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress (Hugo award list)
-Enemy of God (from the TBR shelves)
-Runaway Ralph (Charlie's bed-time book)
-The Cambridge Companion to Critical Theory (off of my classics shelves)
-The Life of the Buddha (buddhism list)
-Lady Windemere's Fan (year-by-year book list, 1893)
-The Iliad (everyday audio book in the car)
-Divine Misfortune (Summer Book Bingo)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1

And here's my list for the Reading Bingo, which seems to be taking us 75ers by storm. Like many others, I'll not make an extra effort to fill it, but rather just see which of the books I read this year happen to fit what categories:

More than 500 pages: The Sterkarm Handshake
Forgotten Classic: The Man in the High Castle
Book that became a movie: The World of Pooh
Published this year: Packaging Your Crafts
Number in the title: 45 & 47 Stella Street
Written by someone under 30: Cirque du Freak
Book with non-human characters: Odd and the Frost Giants
Funny Book: Diggers
Female Author: Flora & Ulysses
Book with a mystery: One Came Home
One-Word Title: Truckers
Book of short stories: M Is for Magic
Set on a different continent: Wings
Non-Fiction: Buddhism for Beginners
First book by a favorite author: Paddle Your Own Canoe
Heard about online: A Darkling Plain
Best-selling book: Still Foolin' Em
Based on a true story: John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life
Book at the bottom of TBR pile:
Book my friend loves: Stories I Only Tell My Friends
Book that scares me: The American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook
More than 10 years old: The Genie in the Bottle
Second book in a series: E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core!
Blue cover: The Life and Times of Paddington Bear

Also, here's the list of all categories for my local library's Summer Book Bingo Challenge (the ones specifically on my own Bingo card on in bold):

Come to a library program: Mad Science of Iowa show
Find a something (plant, animal, mineral, planet, etc) and identify it with a library resource.
Find the secret phrase onfacebook.com/plattevillepubliclibrary or plattevillepubliclibrary.org/adults.
Listen to a music CD you haven’t heard before: Now That I've Found You - Alison Krauss
Listen to an audiobook: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Read a book about how to do something: The Unforgettable Photograph
Read a book about someone from a different culture: The Last Temptation of Christ
Read a book and watch the movie: Dune
Read a book by an author with the same last initial as you: Blood Tie
Read a book from the new book shelves: Packaging Your Crafts
Read a book from the children’s shelves: Should I Share My Ice Cream?
Read a book from the teen shelves: Predator's Gold
Read a book in a series: Infernal Devices
Read a book in large print: 1776
Read a book longer than 300 pages: Andrew Jackson His Life and Times
Read a book of poetry or a novel written in verse: Howl and Other Poems
Read a book set in the future: This Immortal
Read a book set in the past: Little House in the Big Woods
Read a book set in the present.
Read a book set outside the United States: Brave New World
Read a book shorter than 150 pages.
Read a book that is not in a series: The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Read a book that is scientifically impossible.
Read a book that is scientifically possible: The Haunted Bookshop
Read a book that makes you laugh: Paddle Your Own Canoe
Read a book that mentions a place you want to visit: The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine
Read a book that says “by a bestselling author” on the cover: The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Read a book that won an award: Babel-17
Read a book where “sparks fly”: A Darkling Plain
Read a book with a battle against the elements.
Read a book with a color in the title Forever Amber
Read a book with a love story: Lady Chatterley's Lover
Read a book with a number in the title.
Read a book with a one word title: Divergent
Read a book with an explosion: Great Disasters
Read a book with an investigation in it.
Read a book with pictures in it Horton Hatches the Egg
Read a book without a love triangle: Deity Yoga
Read a book you heard about in the media or online.
Read a book you keep “meaning to get around to.”
Read a cookbook and try a recipe: 500 Cupcakes (Lemon Cupcakes)
Read a folk tale or a book based on a folk tale.
Read a graphic novel: Hello Kitty: Here We Go!
Read a magazine from cover to cover: High Five - June 2014
Read a memoir or biography.
Read a newspaper that you don’t normally read.
Read a nonfiction book: The Girl in the Leaves
Read a short story or essay.
Read out loud for half an hour.
Read outside for an hour.
Read the same book as someone else and discuss it.
Try something recommended by someone at the library: It's Always Something
Use the microfilm machine to look at the Platteville Journal from the week you turned 5.
Watch a movie based on a true story.
Watch a movie with the subtitles on.

Books Read (see previous threads for previous reads):

AUGUST
450. Charlie the Caterpillar (public library book) - 8/10 = B-
451. The Invisible Boy (public library book) - 10/10 = A+
452. (#74) E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core! (Charlie's bedtime book) - 9/10 = A
453. The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
454. Watch Me Throw the Ball! (public library book) - 9/10 = A
455. Brown Rabbit's Shape Book (public library book) - 8/10 = B
456. Boy + Bot (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
457. Gray Rabbit's 1,2,3 (public library book) - 8/10 = B
458. Trouble at the Bridge (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
459. Digger to the Rescue (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
500. In My Neighborhood: Postal Workers (public library book) - 8/10= B+
501. Monster Day at Work (public library book) - 8/10 = B
502. Rrralph (public library book) - 8/10 = B
503. My New Teacher and Me! (public library book) - 9/10 = A
504. Fly Guy Presents: Dinosaurs (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
505. Where Is Jake? (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
506. (#75) Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times (Presidential Challenge) - 7/10 = C
507. Tools Rule! (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
508. C Is for Caboose (public library book) - 7/10 = C
509. Crafty Chloe (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
510. I'm a Frog! (public library book) - 9/10 = A
511. The Nose Book (public library book) - 8/10 = B
512. Tawny Scrawny Lion (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
513. What We Wear (public library book) - 9/10 = A-
514. (#76) The Haunted Bookshop (follow-up to Parnassus on Wheels) - 9/10 = A
515. A Mammoth in the Fridge (public library book) - 9/10 = A
516. (#77) The Mouse and the Motorcycle (bed-time book) - 9/10 = A
517. (#78) Paddle Your Own Canoe (from the Read Now Pile) - 9/10 = A
518. (#79) The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine (off my Classics shelves) - 8/10 = B+
519. Danny, the Duck with No Quack (public library book) - 6/10 = D
520. (#80) Deity Yoga (buddhist reading list) - 8/10 = B+
521. The Everyday Train (public library book) - 9/10 = A
522. (#81) Blood Tie (NBA list, Summer Book Bingo Challenge) - 7/10 = C
523. We Are in a Book! (Charlie book) - 10/10 - A+
524. Chu's First Day (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
525. The Night before Kindergarten (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B
526. Tom's Tweet (public library book) - 8/10 = B
527. When Dinosaurs Die (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
528. Where Do People Go When They Die? - 8/10 = B+
529. Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky by Demi (public library book) - 9/10 = A
530. (#82) 1776 (Summer Book Bingo Challenge) - 8/10 = B+
531. Lifetimes (public library book) - 9/10 = A
532. Let's Go for a Drive! (public library book) - 9/10 = A

The Charlie Topper:

And the Bonus Question:

If you and your dog/cat could understand each other for just five minutes, what would you say to him/her? What would she/he say to you?

>I would ask my cat just what she sees when she looks up at the ceiling, and then tears through the house like a maniac. I don't see ANYTHING up there...

New thread! I talk to my dog all the time under the illusion that he understands me, so that wouldn't change. If he could talk to me, I'm sure the first thing out of his mouth would be "What else is there to eat around here?"

Happy new thread!!

I would ask my little dog to please stop sleeping underneath my bed as she wakes up Chloe when she tried to climb under there!

Hi Amber, nice new thread my dear and another lovely Charlie photo. Thanks for accepting my friend request, you do know it is for life, ha ha and one day we may get to meet up.

Well I don't have my own pet, but the folks I rent from have a dog - a peekapoo. I would ask him why he finds reflections so incredibly fascinating. I probably wouldn't explain anything, however, as it's far too entertaining watching him chase them. He would most likely ask about food and rides in the car.

In the past we've had dogs and cats but unfortunately we have no pets right now. But I would like to ask the neighbourhood cats why they always seem to have their fights at 3 o'clock in the morning and under my bedroom window!

Happy new thread!

If Sophie an I could talk to each other, I would probably try to explain that she doesn't have to be scared of quite so many things (she's a very timid pup in some ways), and she would probably tell me that she would like to have a cat, and ask if we could play with the laser pointer more often (we play with it pretty much every day, but she would prefer that we play with it every hour, I think).

Happy new thread!

As for the bonus question, I'll have you know that my cat and I understand each other perfectly and talk every day. Mostly about how hungry he is or how he's not supposed to wake me up in the middle of the night because he wants to go outside.

Happy new thread! No pets here, but I would likely ask if that 1 human year = 7 dog years thing really is true.

He would probably ask me if naming him Karma was really as cute as I thought it would be. ("Good Karma!" "Bad Karma!" -- nope isn't old yet! )

Here early for once! *smooch*

*wave

Happy new thread! What a great Charlie topper! What is that he is holding that looks like Thomas the Train?

I don't have a dog or cat now, but my parrot does talk to me, and some of the things she says are quite perspicacious. "Are you thirsty?" when I'm drinking. "Let's go take a shower!" when she's bored. (She does NOT like getting wet.) "Let's go outside!" when she wants some sunshine and flapping of wings, which she gets to do a lot more outside than in. "Peekaboo!" is a new one, when I am somewhere near but she can't see me. "C'mere" when I have been ignoring her too long. "I'm so cute!" when she has done something she thinks is especially clever. "Good night!" when I put her in her cage at night but don't turn off the lights right away.

Me? I talk to her all day long about all sorts of things, but the thing I end up saying to her most often is, "Don't poop on me!" when I let her ride on my shoulder, which she loves to do.

Happy new thread, Amber!

Just caught up from last thread.

How did you end up handling that annoying lady? I would like for you to educate her on the 100+ jobs that you do every single day the next time she tries to pawn her child off on you. Refer her to your thread if you don't want to do the education yourself. Anyone reading your thread (read: me) gets tired just from imagining all that you do! Anyway, enough of my attitude. You are probably already over it and I'm just stirring up mess again. That got my feathers in a ruffle!

Dogs / cats: Well, prior to living with Lisa, I would have tried hard to answer that question. But, she talks for them all the time. It's odd and sweet simultaneously. So, she'll ask a question (or I will) and then she will answer for what she thinks they are saying back. So each of our pets now has a voice, based on the personality that they demonstrate. So, I talk to them differently now. **Yes, we both should be institutionalized most likely.** :)

>16 TinaV95: You'll have a lot of company in that institution, if so, because my family does the same thing, and I'm pretty sure we aren't the only ones. :-)

Re: your question from previous thread about I Am Forbidden by Anouk Markovits. I read this when it came out and liked it. There is a YA novel, Hush by Eishes Chayil is also an interesting read and is also set in an orthodox sect.

Amber, Happy New Thread! I guess our cats would say that we shouldn't go on holiday for such a long time, even though they love our neighbour who is feeding and cuddle them. I wish you fabulous weekend full of reading.

Congratulations on your latest thread Amber and dropping by hurriedly to wish you a wonderful weekend.

I'd ask Cinders our cat why she turned on Hani so suddenly one week and kept up the attempted assaults for a full ten days.......and since it was hilarious would she mind doing it again.

DINGDANGIT!!!

I just spend 20 minutes typing out a response to all of you and then lost it! POOP!
I don't have the time or the heart to try to re-do all that, so please forgive me for saying hello and thanks for the visits all together here. *sigh*

Anyways, today's agenda:
A few errands to run, a possible stop at the local FroYo place for a birthday weekend treat, some sewing, reading (I think I'll finish the Morley book today), possibly some baking. Shepherd's Pie on the menu for dinner tonight.

The weekend book quote on the calendar: "I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills." Any guesses from what book this comes?

>16 TinaV95: Tina: I do want to re-type the response to you - I just told the woman a flat-out No with no made-up excuses why I couldn't. And my plan is just to keep on saying No with no explanation until she finally gets the hint. Crazy people. Sheesh.
Also, foggi is right that your household is not alone in the voices-for-animals thing: Tomm and I have talked for Tuppence and Susie for years. Tuppence even has a back story: when we lived in Ohio, she had an underground secret mad scientist-type lair under our house, and a Mini-Pooper (what she called her Mini-Cooper), which she was annoyed that she couldn't drive because she couldn't get a license. She's still sore at us for selling that house and moving, because she lost both the lair and the car somehow. And she insists that she's an expert at protecting our house from gorram reavers, which she is convinced are rampant in Wisconsin...
So, crazy? Noooo, you're not crazy...

>very simple answer to your question:

I love you unconditionally. Thank you for helping me through the rough spots!

>21 scaifea: I believe that quote is from Out of Africa by Karen Blixen.

I think the quote comes from Out of Africa. I haven't read it, but I can hear Meryl Streep's voice from the movie.

Bonus question:

What I would say to Maia:

The Parmesan bottle is not the enemy.

Why do you get upset when I put my computer up? Or move the ottoman? Or move my feet for that matter?

Why do you lick EVERYTHING?

Stop licking.

Is there some reason you get cranky at bedtime? Stop it.

What Maia would say to me:

Stop opening and closing the Parmesan bottle!

Stop moving! Especially the feet! That's my spot.

I'm bored. I want walkies.

I'm tired. Don't bother me.

We'd both say:

Love you! Give me cuddles!

Hi Amber! I lost you for a while. One question: you say that you are reading many lists in alphabetical order (e.g. Pullitzer), so do you ever worry that there's something great at the end of the alphabet that you will never get to?

>23 Whisper1: Linda: Aw, lovely!

>24 PawsforThought: Paws: You got it!

>25 cbl_tn: Carrie: You, too!

>26 Morphidae: Morphy: Adorable!

>27 LoisB: Lois: Well, were I one to worry about such things (and I'm not; I'll get to the end eventually), it really wouldn't matter what order I read the lists in, would it? I'd still be worried about the end...

Congratulations on the new thread, Amber!

We don't have a dog or cat these days, but if I were talking with our daughter's dog Sherlock, I imagine he'd be saying, Quiet, I've got a new lead on Moriarity, and I need time to think it through, and I'd be saying, I just wondered where you put my box of treats?

>3 scaifea: If I could have a conversation with my little yorkie I would ask him why he is such a picky eater and why does he hate going to the bathroom on grass? Then I would make sure I told him how much he means to me and that I love him to pieces.

I would apologize to my cat for moving him around so much (he's lived coast to coast), but I would also tell him that I love him too.

>28 scaifea: Whohoo! I haven't read it yet (though it is on the never-ending list) but I have seen the movie. Ah, Robert Redford... Sigh.

>29 jnwelch: Is it a three-bone-problem?

>21 scaifea: I love that book. And I love that movie. And as a companion to Out of Africa I highly recommend West With the Night, by Beryl Markham, who was a friend of Blixen, and more than a friend of Denys Finch Hatton, and about whom Hemingway said "Did you read Beryl Markham's book, West with the Night? ...She has written so well, and marvellously well, that I was completely ashamed of myself as a writer. I felt that I was simply a carpenter with words, picking up whatever was furnished on the job and nailing them together and sometimes making an okay pig pen... it really is a bloody wonderful book." He was right, too.

>32 laytonwoman3rd: Oooh! Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely look out for that one.

>31 PawsforThought: LOL! I believe it is. Still waiting to see him play the violin.

Hi Amber! I am afraid that the pets and I already do talk; so not sure there is much left to say. But if they could speak in English, I would love to ask about their lives before they moved in with us.

If I could talk to Shyanne, I would obviously tell her the talking muffin joke.

>34 jnwelch: Ah, that'd be great. He could team up with one of the YouTube cats that play the piano!

>29 jnwelch: Joe: I just recently saw a pattern for a Sherlock Holmes dog costume and naturally thought of you daughter's furry buddy.

>30 RosyLibrarian: Hi, Marie! I feel bad when we had to move our animals, too, but they seem to be pretty resilient.

>31 PawsforThought: Paws: I didn't dislike the movie, but I didn't exactly love it, either.

>32 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: As I just mentioned, I didn't really care much for the movie, but I've always assumed that the book would likely be much better. Both added to the wishlist - thanks!

>35 banjo123: Rhonda: Oh, that's a good one! We bought Tuppence as a puppy from a breeder, so we know about her life, and I got Susie out of a free box at a garage sale when she was tiny, so they've both been with us for most of their lives.

>36 Ape: Stephen: Oh, well, obviously. *ahem*

Hi Amber!

>3 scaifea: Like Rhonda, I'd like to know about Geezer's previous "home." We think he probably came from a dreadful hunting pack/outdoor kennel situation in Southern Illinois, but have no idea how he ended up on the road, although we suspect he wasn't a very talented hunter and that had something to do with it...

Woohoo, I made it to a new thread before it hit 50 posts.

As for the bonus question, I would ask Mister Smee to stop meowing outside my door before the alarm clock goes off. I'd also tell him that when I go to work it's not going to be for a very long time. And then I'd tell him I love him.

He'd probably tell me that I should pay more attention to him and less to the boxes with lights and moving pictures. And hopefully that he loves me too.

>21 scaifea: Since Out of Africa is #4 of my all-time favorite books, I'm quite sure the quote is from that book.

>39 DorsVenabili: Kerri: So many dogs come from those sorts of places. Way too many of them.

>40 MickyFine: Micky: What is it about cats, eh? 20 minutes before the alarm goes off, Susie sets up shop in the hallway, yowling as if she hasn't eaten in weeks. Sheesh.

>41 Whisper1: Linda: More Out of Africa love! Good thing I've put it on the list.

On the agenda for today:

A very lazy start to the morning - we've all slept in and I'm still in pajamas enjoying my morning cuppa. Once I manage to get myself in gear I'm looking forward to a day of sewing and reading while Charlie and Tomm work on the basketball hoop (no work was accomplished on it yesterday as it was raining and super-humid all day). I didn't get to the sewing room at all yesterday, as the morning was spent running errands and helping Tomm pack up the last of his books and things in his old university office and then the afternoon was filled with cooking and baking (shepherd's pie and chocolate-glazed peanut butter and cinnamon pie) and reading (I'll report back later on the reading - I've some books to list).

Sounds like you guys have a wonderful, relaxing Sunday planned! Enjoy :)

>44 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle!

512. Tawny Scrawny Lion by Kathryn Jackson (Charlie book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
I loved this book when I was a kid, so I grabbed it right up when I saw it at a garage sale last week. It's just as great as I remember it, too.

513. What We Wear: Dressing Up Around the World by Maya Ajmera (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A-
A cool little book about how children dress for school, play and special occasions around the world. Charlie was fascinated, and so was I!

514. (76th non-picture book read this year) The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley (follow-up to Parnassus on Wheels, 253 pages) - 9/10 = A
This sequel to Parnassus on Wheels finds Roger and Helen running a used book shop in Brooklyn, having retired the Parnassus cart. The tone is quite different (there's romance of a younger brand, along with a bit of a mystery, too), and although it didn't quite live up to the first book, I still loved it quite a bit. Roger's ramblings on books and authors and bookshops are just wonderful.

515. A Mammoth in the Fridge by Michael Escoffier (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
A very weird book about a mammoth stuck in a family's fridge. Weird, but in all the right ways - we loved it!

516. (77th non-picture book read this year) The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (bed-time book, 158 pages) - 9/10 = A
I loved Ralph when I was a kid, so I was excited to introduce him to Charlie. I mean, really, who doesn't love a mouse who rides a toy motorcycle?!

Hi Amber; I'm a long way behind this week.

Bonus question: well, we don't have pets - though the boys have been angling for a dog for a while. But our youngest is such a puppy dog, and our oldest has cat-like tendencies, so I tell them we don't need a dog. I think my question to them, in despairing tones, would be "Why?"

I have two cats, Julius Caesar (J.C.) and Jasper. I would ask J.C. why he insists on staying outside when he's clearly miserably hot. I would ask Jasper why he plays with invisible toys, goes from sleeping to tearing through the house and back to sleeping all within 60 seconds, and why he's so neurotic about his food. Oh, and why he's so afraid of the meter reader.

J.C. would ask us why we don't recognize his obvious superiority. Jasper would ask why we don't let him chew on the very prickly cactus and why we make him stay in the basement when that strange lady comes to visit. (My sister-in-law is deathly allergic to cats, so Jasper has never met her.)

Happy New Thread, Amber!

Bonus question: I haven't had any pets for a number of years now but if I could have a conversation with the two family cats we did have, I would ask the older black cat why he choose one night to drag a bag of bread up a flight of stairs and onto the bed in the middle of the night and wake me up while he was trying to open up the bag. I would ask the younger white one why he loved to lie upside down on the stairs to the family room and watch everyone from that position.

I would ask Willie why the ironing board terrifies him (I've never dropped it on him or swung it at him - honest, I swear!). The other question I crave an answer to is why he hates all cats (I would really like to have another).

I pretty much know what the answer would be - "Because," he would say, while squinching up his eyes before turning his head away to stare off in another direction.

517. (78th non-picture book read this year) Paddle Your Own Canoe by Nick Offerman (from the Read Now Pile, 340 pages) - 9/10 = A
A memoir by Nick Offerman, of Parks & Rec fame.
A hoot and a half. I love his character on the show, and it also happens that I agree with a great deal of his views on life. A mid-western boy of the best kind. Recommended if you like his type of humor.

>47 humouress: Nina: Charlie's going to get a puppy sometime in the next year; Tomm and I both grew up with pets and we think it's a great way to learn responsibility. Plus, a boy needs a dog, to our way of thinking. I understand not wanting the hassle, though, if you're not a pet household to begin with.

>48 casvelyn: I have a friend from grad school who used to have two cats, Caesar and Pompey.

>49 lkernagh: Lori: *snork!* Your cat-with-the-bag-of-bread story had me laughing right out loud!

>50 Fourpawz2: Charlotte: Ha! Good point - understanding what cats would say doesn't necessarily mean that we'd understand them...

I would ask our three cats to please confine throwing up to the vinyl floors in kitchen and bath and all upstairs... plenty of room- Please avoid piles of paper, bedding, clothes, etc. Also to avoid awkward hiding places when it is time to go to the vet or boarding kennel. We were two hours late leaving on vacation last month because Luna found a new hiding spot. They would probably ask me why they cannot have food whenever they ask - they are currently quite svelte, but that would change fast they had all the food they would like.. and Orion throws up his dinner if he eats too much at a time.

I would ask my Black Labrador Diesel how much pain he is in and he would tell me. He's 9, and has had leg surgery and occasionally limps after exercise. He would no doubt ask to play and walk with me.

Amber, I am enjoying all these animal conversations on your 29th thread!! That's a lot of threads and a lot of charming Charlie pictures.

I would like to ask Lucky the Lab some food-related questions: 1) Are you really that hungry? 2) Can you taste food when you don't chew it?

I'm pretty certain he would ask me: 1) Is it time to eat yet? 2) Wanna go for another walk?

>50 Fourpawz2: Our last dog hated the ironing board too. Didn't make much fuss when I put it up, but barked crazily at it when I collapsed it. No matter where she was in the house, she'd come running to "attack" as soon as I unplugged the iron. It made exactly the same awful noise going up as coming down, and like you say, the dog was never hurt by it, so it remained a mystery.

>53 Helenoel: Helen: Yep, cats are adept at vomiting in all the most inconvenient places, aren't they?

>54 jjvors: Jeff: Oh, I love the name Diesel! Our border collie is starting to hobble round after her exercise, too - she's 9 as well.

>55 Donna828: Donna: Ha! Tuppence snarfs down her food too fast sometimes, too. And then other times she'll grab a mouthful trot into the next room, drop it in a pile on the floor and then proceed to eat it kibble by kibble. Weird.

>56 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Huh. Interesting. Tuppence has no issue with the ironing, board, but then again it's up all the time in the sewing room so she never has to deal with it being collapsed. She does, however, view the vacuum cleaner as the most evil of beings. *sigh*

Well, the vacuum cleaner IS evil...

>58 laytonwoman3rd: Super evil and it needs to be kept at bay....

>3 scaifea: Conversation with the pets goes...Freddy why are you so neurotic? I swore I would love you for life and I do. To quote Billy Joel "I love you just the way you are" since he doesn't understand me I really do love him as is. He just isn't always assured. To my dear Bruce. You are one of the finest dogs I have ever met. You put up with a whole lotta crazy and keep your cool. Thank you for being an angel that walks on fours. Yes you can always play in the dirt even though you're white and I'm sorry I have to bathe you once in a while. To Baby Téa. There is only room for one B in the house and I'm it. You do make a nice second though. You will never have to live out in the street again. Yes, the vet said you have to lose some weight. Dr. B. Shah tells me that too. We got curves girl. We'll be alright.

>22 scaifea: There are gorram reavers in Wisconsin. I swear it!

Amber is it you that collects vintage sewing machines? I read that recently and I am trying to place the person.

>58 laytonwoman3rd: & >59 Familyhistorian: Linda & Meg: Ha! I stand corrected, then. Apologies, both to you and Tuppence.

>60 luvamystery65: Roberta: Tubby, uh, I mean, Tuppence has a few more pounds on her than she should, too. But I'm right there with you - curves make things more interesting, and there's nothing wrong with that.
And, what?! Do you have an information source on reavers that I don't know about?! Good thing we've got Tuppence, I guess...
And, yep, it's me. I'm up to 9 sewing machines right now, but after our trip this week to Indiana, it'll be 10...

On the agenda for today:

The usual stuff: Bills, cleaning, some baking (I think I may try the apple cider caramel cookies that Richard posted on FB a little while ago), sewing, reading. And since this is the beginning of the last week before Charlie starts kindergarten (*takes a moment to pull it together*), I'll be savoring every second of having that little man here with me. Florentine Chicken Soup for dinner tonight.
On the reading front: After polishing off two books this weekend (go me!), I'm now working on The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine and learning quite a lot - it's not an area that I'm well-versed in (anything post-Augustus, really, is outside of my research focus, but when you get this far out, yeah, I don't really know anything). It's a bit dry, of course (hello, classicists writing), but chock full of stuff I didn't know about the Roman Empire = cool.

The calendar book for today is one in which, after reading the blurb and learning that it's about how families cope with losing a child, I'm not interested. No, let me rephrase: I'm not touching this one with that proverbial longish pole. Too chicken. Can't handle that sort of thing: Those We Love Most by Lee Woodruff.

Good morning Amber! I thought of you this weekend. Look what I found, front and center, just inside the entrance to the Kenyon College Bookstore ... I just love Kenyon!

Laura: Ha! Awesome! I was thinking of you this weekend, too, knowing where you were...

It was a great weekend, Amber. Both girls are settled in and happy, which greatly eased the pain of saying good-bye.

Ooooo, Kenyon is on my list of colleges to check out when it comes time for Will to decide. He's been deadest on John Carroll but I think he's wavering. But I can never be sure, he's the strong silent type.

The Thomas toy line was practically all Will every played with during his toddler/young boy years. So much fun to look back @ the videos and hear him toot tooting. His faves: Toby and Percy which he pronounced with a British accent. I finally asked him about that and he said that's the way they said it in the Thomas videos. To this day he's spot on when picking up a foreign accent. (is there a major for that at Kenyon ;0})

Morning Amber! Back in Chi-Town! And back to heat & humidity. Ugh! Glad I took off today. It looks like the hottest day of the week.

Hope you had a nice weekend.

>65 lauralkeet: Laura: That must make it a bit easier, that you know they're happy and settled. Still...

>66 Carmenere: Lynda: It's a great school - they have fantastic taste in professors... *snork!*

>67 msf59: Morning, Mark! Yep, I'm afraid you've come back to August-with-a-vengeance. Muggy and gross. Blech.

>62 scaifea: Totally understandable you not wanting to deal with that book. I can remember when Eric Clapton came out with the song "Tears in Heaven". My son was also four at the time and the song affected me so much that I had to turn down the radio if it was on. I still can't listen to it. Guess that makes me chicken too.

>69 Familyhistorian: Likely it just makes us regular moms. Ha!

Happy-week-ahead *smooch*!

I'm not a Mom, but I'm with you -- chicken, chicken, chicken...

>71 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!

>72 michigantrumpet: Marianne: Well, you certainly don't have to be a mom not to want to put yourself through an emotional read like I suspect that one would be.

518. (79th non-picture book read this year) The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine edited by Noel Lenski (off my Classics shelves, 398 pages) - 8/10 = B+
A compilation of essays on Constantine and his rule.
As with all collections of this kind, some of the essays were better than others. I learned quite a bit, glossed the stuff that I already knew. These Cambridge Companion books are touted as accessible to all audiences, not just scholars in the field, and I suppose that's true to a certain extent, but do keep in mind, if you're thinking of picking one up, that these are scholars in the field writing the essays, and the average classics scholar is no David McCullough. So go right ahead, but just don't say I didn't warn you.

519. Danny, the Duck with No Quack by Malachy Doyle (public library book, picture book) - 6/10 = D
A little duck has trouble finding his voice (i.e. he's shy) until he really needs to (he's about to be eaten by a couple of foxes).
Ugh. Heavy on the preach, very much not so on the substance. Blech.

>32 laytonwoman3rd: Sigh. I just bought West With the Night. After I swore not to buy another book this month... But I loved Out of Africa and if what you say is true, and I'm sure it is, I must read it.

>75 nittnut: Jenn: I'll be interested to hear what you think when you get to it!

On the agenda for today:
Nothing out of the ordinary planned for today, just the usual cleaning, bit of baking, sewing, hanging out with Charlie, reading. I don't even need to cook, since there are tons of leftovers in the fridge.
On the reading front: I'm nearly finished with Deity Yoga, most of which is over my head, but what I can understand is pretty fascinating.

The calendar book today sounds like the kind of thriller that I don't usually read: The Devil She Knows by Bill Loehfelm. Thoughts?

Morning Amber! It looks like it will be a little less humid today, which is a relief. Enjoy your day. BTW- Your calendar book has the wrong touchstone.

>78 msf59: Thanks, Mark - I'll see if I can fix it. Sometimes the touchstones are beyond my abilities...

Hi Amber, leftovers are always good. Today, I brought some at school for lunch. So no stress during my lunch break. Ha!

Hi Amber, leftovers are always good. Today, I brought some at school for lunch. So no stress during my lunch break. Ha!

>80 Ameise1: Barbara: Agreed! And some things are even better as leftovers!

So I decided to make a size 5 pattern for the dresses, and I've just finished the first one in that size:

Hi Amber, nice photo, you really are a talented lady, I loved your comment about our selfie last week. Hope you had a good weekend my dear, love and hugs to you and the family.

Hi, Amber!~ Love the thread topper.

I'd really like to explain to Sig that those things that occasionally move under the covers at the end of the bed are our FEET, not some mouse or other critter for him to attack.

He'd probably ask for more catnip.

Cat-shaped sign I saw behind a cash register: "What part of 'meow' don't you understand?"

Hullo Amber (and Charlie, and Thomm)

>84 johnsimpson: Many thanks, John - always happy to have a visit from you!

>85 tymfos: Hi, Terri! Susie used to be like that with feet under the covers, too. And I love the "meow" sign - Ha!

>86 AuntieClio:: Hi, Stephanie!

Okay, so remember how a little while back I was in search of books about losing a pet because I was afraid that I would soon need to have that conversation with Charlie about Susie? Well, Susie seems to be doing much better these days, so I had relaxed a bit about that whole business, thinking that it could now wait for a later time.
Whelp, Charlie blindsided me today when this afternoon, right out of the blue, he comes up to me and asks, "Mommy, am I going to die someday?" Whoa. WHOA. So, I tried to push down the mommy-panic, took a deep breath, and started in on the talk that I had tried to prepare in my head. And then we're going to the library tomorrow to look for some books on what people think happens when you die. I think I've mentioned before that Tomm and I want to introduce Charlie to all types of beliefs on this issue, and on the issue of religion in general. So, I'm opening the floor to suggestions, now, on good children's books about death and the various beliefs people have on what happens when you die.

*sigh*

After we sat in the rocking chair and talked for a while, Charlie went back to playing with his Legos and I headed up to the bedroom to have some silent sobbing time. Did I do that okay? Did I just inadvertently say something that will now scar him for life? He's growing up too fast for me. Too. Fast. I feel like a little bit of childhood goes away once the awareness of death shows up. Damn. It's just happening too fast.

So not being a parent or anything, I'm probably the least helpful person to comment, but I'd say you handled it just fine, since he went back to his Legos, rather than freaking out or something. My impression is that kids can absorb and process a lot, probably way more than any of us give them credit for, and do it in a really healthy and natural way.

And the fact that he's curious, and bright, and comfortable talking to you, all means you are doing a great job as a parent! So go treat yourself to whatever delicious baked good you made today :-)

The only "children's" book about death that I know of is You Shouldn't Have to Say Goodbye which is more for the 9-12 set probably, and is about a mom dying, so yeah, I wouldn't share that with him...

As a long-term parent, I agree with Katie!

And ... It sounds like you answered his question directly, without dumbing down and also without a freak out on your part. As with the sex talk and other important talks, that's really really important.

Well done, Amber.

>89 katiekrug: >90 lauralkeet: Katie & Laura: Thanks, ladies, I needed that reassurance. I started by answering him with a gentle, yes, it happens to every one of us eventually, and then went on into a very basic beginning talk about the different beliefs out there on what happens when you die. He was a little troubled, but, being a true child o' mine, he was very comforted by the idea of going to the library and finding some books to read together to help us understand. So we'll take it from there, I guess.

Hugs to you Amber.

>92 luvamystery65: Thanks, Roberta. I needed that!

520. (80th non-picture book read this year) Deity Yoga by H. H. the Dalai Lama (buddhist reading list, 274 pages) - 8/10 = B+
Well, as I said earlier today, much of this whizzed right on over my head, but the few bits that I did understand were fascinating.

(Sorry that this review is even less detailed than usual - I'm a little low on the mental juices this evening...)

>89 katiekrug:, >90 lauralkeet: +about a billion.

Charlie is a lucky man, and a better one than most, for having you as a mom.

Agree with all the others - you seem to have handled it well so far.

As for books on the matter, I'll re-recommend the book I mentioned last time: Goodbye Mr Muffin by Ulf Nillson and Anna-Clara Tidholm. It's a lovely, sweet book about an elderly guinea pig whose wife dies (and eventually so does he). It's the go-to book about death in every nursery and primary school I know. Astrid Lindgren's The Brothers Lionheart is also a great one but might be a bit too grown up for Charlie - I don't know. In a year of two it'd be great.

>95 richardderus: Thanks, Richard, I certainly appreciate the vote of confidence right now. Yesterday was one of those days that I felt took every ounce of however much parenting skill I have, and I sure hope I didn't screw it up.

>96 PawsforThought: Thanks for the book recommendations, Paws. I'll keep the Lindgren in mind. I was thinking last night that it may be about time for Charlotte's Web, too...

Good morning Amber, hope you have a lovely day my dear.

On the agenda today:

A bit of a busy day. It's Wednesday, so Library Day! Woot! We've got a bit of a grocery list for the library this week, too, what with the death books and new picture books and a couple of movies for Charlie for the car ride to my parents' and an audio book or two for the car for me. Then home to pack for the trip to Indiana, which starts tomorrow (we're squeezing one last visit in before school makes it more difficult to plan them). And then this evening is Back to School night, when we go in to Charlie's school to meet his new teacher, check out his new classroom and take in his school supplies. He's completely excited, of course. Since the school open house is from 4-6pm, we'll likely go from there to having dinner out tonight.
On the reading front: I started Blood Tie yesterday, and it's not at all what I expected, although to be fair I didn't know what to expect, having no idea what it's about. I think I like it so far, but I'm not completely certain yet. It won the NBA award, so clearly some think it's great; I'm not convinced just yet...

The calendar book today is already on my wishlist, since I loved The Historian: The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova. I know some of you have already read this one - what did you think? As good as her first one?

>99 johnsimpson: Morning, John!

Oh, Charlotte's Web ... yes, that's a wonderful book on so many levels and also handles death sensitively.

I'm excited for you attending Back to School Night. I loved doing that. Is Charlie attending a full-day or half-day Kindergarten?

>102 lauralkeet: Laura: Kindergarten here is full-day, 5 days a week.

Wow! 5 Full-days seems like a giant step for some children. I was never an elementary school teacher, but that seems to me that all-day, every-day is a big hurdle!

>103 scaifea: I'm sure preschool has prepared him well for the all day, every day hurdle. But I also bet he'll be tuckered out and ready for bedtime the first week or two!

Good morning Amber!
Sounds like you handled Charlie's questions perfectly! Hopefully you guys can find some good books on the subject for him!

>104 LoisB: Lois: I know, right?! I'm glad that he was in $K last year, which was two days a week all day. That means that this year will be more of an adjustment for me than for him, which is as it should be.

>105 lauralkeet: Laura: Yep, I think so, too - on both counts!

>106 ChelleBearss: Chelle: Well, the library didn't have any of the books in, but we've requested a few and Charlie is already well-versed in how the library works, even with requests, so he's content to wait until next week for them to come in.

Durn kids will always sneak around the questions you think you're prepared for and ask the ones that you thought could wait a bit... I'm pretty sure that, even though he's asked the question, the concept of dying is a bit vague to Charlie. He may not want TOO much information on the subject just yet. I defer to those who have some experience with good books on the topic for his age. But in my opinion you can't go wrong with Charlotte's Web, for so many reasons.

I went to kindergarten full days, 5 days a week, waaaay back in the middle of the Last Century, and it included a 10 mile bus trip morning and afternoon. Don't recall it being dreadful or anything. My mother was working at the PO, so she didn't have to cope with the empty house--might be tougher on you than on Charlie.

One of the best picture books on the subject of death I have ever read is Duck, Death and the Tulip. Absolutely brilliant.

Best wishes on the death conversation. (That didn't sound right, but you know what I mean). I wasn't the recipient of the most evolved parenting and I don't actually remember a conversation. If one did occur, it didn't scar me. The point being, if my parents didn't screw me up, you'll be great!

Let's not talk about Santa Claus though...

I found this list on pinterest with some good suggestions on it - http://www.pinterest.com/kinderbookboard/picture-books-about-death-and-grieving/
I wasn't that taken with Duck, death and the tulip, I should have another look at it as it was popular when it first came out.
Tough Boris by Mem Fox where a pirate loses his parrot, I haven't read it for years but Mem Fox is generally terrific.
I read The Bear and the Wildcat by Kazumi Yumoto and remember it being rather good.

From New Zealand I like Haere: Farewell, Jack, farewell which shows death as part of the cycle of life and from memory includes the Maori custom of tangi
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8630203/Understanding-a-tangi

Not about death but a good multicultural nonfiction is DK's Children Just Like Me: Celebrations!

and I just watched a French documentary where they followed two years of philosophy workshops in a preschool, 'Just a beginning', quite illuminating and they did discuss death along with freedom, love, leadership.

>108 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Oh, I know he's going to be just fine in kindergarten - he *loves* school and went right into his first day of 4K last year without a backward glance. It's most me I'm worried about...
And Charlotte's Web has been pulled from the shelf and places in the 'very soon' bedtime pile.

>109 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky - I'll check to see if I can request it from our system.

>110 DorsVenabili: Kerri: Now, I *will* cry when he eventually (hopefully not for *years*!) comes to tell me Santa isn't real. Dang.

>111 avatiakh: Kerry: Thanks for the list! I'll have a look for them.

>112 scaifea: What? Santa's not real?

:-)

I remember the Santa conversation. It started with the Easter bunny:

Mom, is the Easter Bunny real?
What do you think?
No.
You're, right.
{deep thought}
Well, is Santa Claus real?
What do you think?
er, no.
You're right.
{turning to her father}
You mean you ate all the cookies!

{relieved mother, trying not to laugh!}

>88 scaifea: Amber, I don't think you could have handled that jolt any better than you did, both at the time of Charlie's question and afterward. Parents who aren't ready for that question will sometimes get angry at the child for asking it, refuse to answer the question, or deny that the child (or anyone else) will die. Well done for thinking about this ahead of time, and taking a deep breath before you answered him.

On a related topic, the American Academy of Pediatrics' book Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 5 to 12 includes a section on discussing the death of a loved one with your child, titled Helping Children Cope with Death, which is also available online.

First, I am going to say this, Amber ... we all screw up, even moms. That you worry about scarring Charlie irreparably shows me that you are one of the best moms in the whole galaxy.

Those talks are gonna be tough, under any circumstances, and I concur with all here, you did a fantastic job. :-)

*hugs*

>113 michigantrumpet: Marianne: Chose to believe what you will; I still believe in the guy.

>114 LoisB: Lois: I found out about the Easter Bunny first, too. To this day, though, both he and Santa still leave eggs and presents for me (and Charlie, too, of course, now) at my parents' house. Best parents ever.

>115 kidzdoc: Darryl: Oh boy, that really means a lot from you. Many, many thanks. And thanks, too, for the book info and link - I'll absolutely be looking at those!

>116 AuntieClio: Thanks, Stephanie. I must be the best mom in the universe, because I'm constantly worried that I'm screwing the whole thing up! Ha! I talked to my mom about it this morning, and after some commiserating (I found out about the whole death thing and almost exactly the same age, due to the death of a foal on our farm), she jokingly said, "Well, just wait until the sex talk - that's a fun one. Ha!" But I think that one won't make me as worried and sad as this one. I'll still be worried, mind, but not about him being troubled or sad about the subject matter.

521. The Everyday Train by Amy Ehrlich (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
A little girl lives in a house close to a train track and every day she runs out to watch the train go by.
A lovely, quiet and somehow soothing little book. We loved it and I highly recommend it. Very nicely written and the illustrations are lovely.

So, we went to the school's open house this evening to meet Charlie's kindergarten teacher and see his new room and such. And his teacher seems amazing: just the right balance of ultra-organized and super-nice. I already love her, and so does Charlie. It seems that he's going to have another amazing year!

And because Charlie and I are leaving in the morning for Indiana (and so I may forget it then), here's this week's throw back a bit early - Charlie in early September 2009:

Hi Amber

I am glad Charlie is ready for school. We had our open house tonight for 1st and 2nd grade. K is next week. The kids were really excited! It is nice to see their happy faces come in the door. I like the hours of your open house - ours was 6:00-7:00 which made for a LONG day for us teachers as today was also teacher orientation!

Awwwww more cuteness! Charlie is a sweetie!

Enjoy your trip! Drive safe!

Very quickly (because I've got to go into Kindy and finish off some posters for sports day tomorrow); don't stress too much on that talk. It's worse for us than them, I think.

We went through it first-hand earlier this year when my husband's mum passed away, and I hadn't thought to talk to my guys. My older one is more sensitive (he even cries at airports) but he understands more. My little guy didn't seem too affected; he's more prosaic, and not close to my husband's family. I do remember he asked whether she'd come back, but he accepted fairly easily that she wouldn't.

Mind you, he's the one who says quite happily "When I grow up and you're dead"; so I'm not sure how much he understands / isn't too bothered.

For myself, I have no idea what comes after, so I'll live this life as best I can and see what happens when I get there. So because it's not a big issue for me, I suppose that's transmitted to the kids. ... but if you do find those books, please read them to me. I don't know what I'd do if I lose someone close to me. I pray hard it doesn't happen, but I know I'm going to get a nasty shock one day.

In the meantime, yay for Charlie and Kindy and super-nice teachers. Why don't you organise a coffee morning for the first day with some of the other mums, and you can all commiserate each other?

OK - got to go. Hope I didn't cause offence in my rush.

>121 jayde1599: Jess: Oh, that *is* a long day! During parent/teacher conference days, we (the PTO) bring food in for the teachers, since they've been teaching all day and then have to stay on until 7pm for the conferences. I remember similar days - and similar exhaustion - as a faculty member at Kenyon during orientation, which included long days of meetings with other faculty and then meetings with parents and then evening meetings with new advisees...

>122 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle!

>123 humouress: Nina: I'll let you know how the books are - I'll certainly be reading them first before deciding which ones to share with Charlie.

On the agenda for today:

Driving, mostly; it takes 7 hours to get to my parents from here. So, I'm going to finish up the very last of the packing, make up our lunches and hopefully be ready to hit the road by the time Charlie wakes up. We'll be back on Sunday, so until then, I'll not be posting much (again, iphone screen and LT don't mix too well).
On the reading front: Blood Tie is still a bit of a mystery to me. I can't tell if I like it or really don't quite yet. The writing certainly seems capable, but I think I may be a bit annoyed by it. And then I don't really like any of the characters, yet. And nothing too much has happened yet, either. *sigh* We'll see how it goes, I guess.

The calendar book today sounds like an interesting murder mystery: The Truth of All Things by Kieran Shields. Anyone read this one?

Well, okay, then. I'm off to get the car packed up. Happy Weekend, everyone!

Happy travels!

On the subject of difficult questions presented by kids - I will share the best advice anyone ever gave me. Just answer the question they ask, nothing more. If they want more information, they will ask. It was good advice for me. I talk too much. :P

I don't think you really need that advice though. I think you've got things handled. :) Lucky Charlie.

I don't know if it's good or bad, but at our house we just say that Santa won't come if nobody believes in him. I believe!

Sweet Thursday, Amber! Looks the humidity has moved out and the loveliness has moved back in. Yah. I hope your week is going well.

Have a grand visit with the grands!

Good job on the issue of death and dying, Amber. It's funny, as parents we always rehearse when we are going to bring up certain subjects but you're still never quite ready when they are the ones to decide when you're going to talk about it. The best thing is you didn't avoid it, brush it off or make light of it. Jumping into the deep end is the way to go and going to the library for books on the subject is awesome!

Safe travels to Indiana! It's going to be a superb weather weekend in these parts!

I only read Charlotte's Web some years ago, so don't know how I would have reacted as a kid. Probably refused listening as I was so scared of spiders. The death issue was handled very well imo. But The Brothers Lionheart? That story really overwhelmed me when I was a kid, it made me so sad! I didn't even finish it then, just read the first couple of chapters until both kids are dead and I cried my eyes out for their poor lonely mother and didn't care a straw about their exciting life after death. Astrid Lindgren has written more sad stories about death, and as far as I remember they are all poetical and wonderful, but maybe not for very young children.

>130 Deern: That's why I said it was for older kids than Charlie.
I read that (or rather had it read to me) as a child. So did my brother and every child I know. I dare say every child in Sweden born after 1965 has read it. It's even used in schools!

Safe journey and happy arrival, Amber and Charlie!

Hi, everyone! We're here in Indiana, safely arrived. Had an amazing dinner last night, as usual, and today we're off for a but of shopping in Terre Haute.

Yay for safe arrivals and dinners that can't be beat!

Hi Amber! Glad you made it to Indiana safely! I'm just sitting here catching up on threads...thought this time I'd try a strategy where I caught up on the threads of people who actually comment on mine and THEN go catch up on my own thread. Hahaha. That relieves some of my thread-guilt. :)

I think you handled that question very well with Charlie. I agree with people's comments above - an honest and open response is better than denial. Lies only teach kids to lie. And, you know, kids were able to deal with the concept of death quite easily back in the days when medicine wasn't so good and kids saw people dying all the time. I think we try to protect our kids too much these days.

Amber, I'm glad to hear that you're safely arrived. Enjoy it!

In reverse order of thread appearance:

Glad you made it to Indiana safely. Have a great time!

You know I don't have kids, so I never feel right responding to questions, but I do feel qualified to answer that you did a great job in answering Charlie's question! I think that all kids want (and deserve) is honesty. I feel much the same way about difficult topics when they arise with my elderly folks. An open and honest discussion is always best. Even when it is hard and they may not understand all of the nuances, they will know that you respect them if you answer truthfully. You are a great mom! :)

>22 scaifea: You (and foggi) made me feel so much better about my level of crazy with the animals. And I actually laughed out loud at the gorram reavers in Wisconsin!

Hi Amber, I wish you a fabulous weekend.

Help!!!! Your Threads are growing to fast to keep up with!!

Have a good weekend and a fabulous week.

The throw back picture is soooo cute!

Whelp, we're back home safely now, although I'm completely tuckered, as I decided it would be a good idea to do the grocery shopping this afternoon right after we got back, on the day before Labor Day, and also Move-In Weekend for the University. Not smart. Gah.

Anyhoo. Exciting News!! I brought home another sewing machine, but this one isn't vintage - it's one of them new-fangled fancy-pants embroidery machines! WOOT! I'm so excited I could just burst! I can't wait to get it all set up and start playing with it! It will definitely be a nice distraction this coming week while I'm all alone here during the day with Charlie at school...

I'm sorry that I'm not responding individually, but I really am completely beat. Please do know that I've read all of your comments and and so grateful for your visits while I was away. I'll do my best to respond tomorrow...

>141 scaifea: Welcome back! My mom recently got an embroidery machine, and she loves it. She's been doing all kinds of projects with it.

My daughter named him Diesel because of his black color. He's quite a large lab, 27" tall and 95 pounds, with little fat.

I've got a book for you and Charlie, Amber: Roxaboxen. Here's a review: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/roxaboxen#cart/cleanup

And here is an excerpt read aloud on Youtube: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/roxaboxen#cart/cleanup

Morning, all! Okay, here goes with the catching up:

>126 nittnut: Jenn: That's sort of the route I think I'll take with Santa, at least if he comes home saying that other kids have told him Santa's not real: Well, okay, then he's not real to them and won't show up at their house, those poor sods...

>127 msf59: Thanks, Mark! It looks like it's going to be pretty rainy here today - good thing there's no mail today, eh?

>128 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Thanks - it was wonderful, as usual.

>129 Carmenere: Lynda: It was a bit humid and there was a bit of rain, too, but overall it was a lovely weekend.

>130 Deern: Natalie: I didn't know much about Lindgren, but do intend to read more of her stuff.

>131 PawsforThought: Paws: She's quite popular then, eh? I do need to seek more of her stuff out.

>132 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!

>135 lycomayflower: Laura: Agreed!

>136 The_Hibernator: Rachel: Oh, I'm way too over-protective of Charlie in most ever aspect, I'm aware. But I do want to be open about this sort of thing to him - open and honest but comforting as much as I can. And I want to do my best to make him feel comfortable coming to me with questions or problems about *anything* and confident that he'll get an honest answer and an understanding listener. So far, so good, I think.

>137 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara!

>138 TinaV95: Tina: I'm glad the Reavers bit made you laugh, although Tuppence would chastise you - it's no laughing matter, she'd say.
And thanks for the kind words - the support of this group means so much.

>139 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara - beautiful!

>140 connie53: Thanks, Connie! I can hardly believe that tomorrow I'll be taking his First Day of Kindergarten photo. *sigh*

>142 foggidawn: foggi: I'm so excited about the new machine I can barely stand it! What kind did your mom get? Mine's a Viking, which, to my and my mom's way of thinking, is just about the best brand out there.

>143 jjvors: Jeff: Whoa, he sounds like he's a powerhouse, eh? Tomm's parents just got a black lab puppy, which we'll be meeting soon, apparently...

>144 jjvors: Jeff: Oh, that book looks amazing! I'll be checking to see if the library has it - thanks for the recommendation!

Whew! All caught up, I think.

Now, on the agenda for today, this last day of Charlie-and-Mommy time before he's off to 5-day-a-week school (silent sob):

I need to get the laundry done from our trip, make out the bills, and then help Charlie get his backpack ready for tomorrow. Tomm's home today, of course, so I may spend some time in the sewing room with my new machine (!!), but I may hold off until tomorrow and just bask in the at-home-ness of Charlie all day today. Tomm finished the basketball hoop while Charlie and I were away, so if it stops raining for any amount of time today, we'll likely get out and play a little ball, which would be entertaining to watch, I suspect: two hopeless academics and an adorable yet slightly clumsy 5-year-old playing basketball. I bet the neighbors will get a chuckle out of it. Sloppy Joes for dinner, I think.
On the reading front: I finished Blood Tie in Indiana (more on that later) and I've started 1776, which is a McCullough book so of course it's wonderful so far.

The calendar book today is a YA about an openly gay young boy who dreams of being a famous make-up artist and deals with prejudice at school and at home: Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy. Anyone read this one? Sounds like it may be worthwhile, if it's well-written...

522. (81st non-picture book read) Blood Tie by Mary Lee Settle (NBA list, Summer Book Bingo Challenge, 386 pages) - 7/10 = C
A novel about a group of ex-patriots hanging out in Ceramos, a Turkish coastal city, flouncing around thinking they understand and love the 'natives' or actively not caring about them, and every one of them completely self-absorbed. All this with a background of corrupt local politics and savagely superstitious and vicious old women from the villages and only one halfway-likeable character out of the bunch makes for tedious reading. Blech.

523. We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems (Charlie book, easy reader) - 10/10 - A+
Elephant and Piggie are shocked and then excited and then amused and then panicked when they discover that they're in a book and someone is reading them.
One of the best in the series so far - Charlie *loved* the interaction, which is akin to The Monster at the End of This Book. So much fun.

>145 scaifea: "Popular" is an understatement if ever there was one. Astrid Lindgren is the patron saint of children in Sweden. More or less. Everyone's read her books - know most of them by heart. There used to be kids shows on TV that just featured her reading her books. Nothing else, just an elderly woman reading. And it was almighty popular (I remember watching that).
When she died, the Swedish government instituted an award in her honour. She'll be featured on the currency when they re-make them in a few years. So, yeah. Popular.

Enjoy the day, Amber and Charlie. Tomorrow a new world opens up for both of you!

Morning Amber! Welcome back. I hope you have an R & R day planned.

>148 PawsforThought: Paws: Well, okay then. Ha!

>149 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda. So far I'm holding it together fairly well. We'll see what happens tomorrow. A fellow mom and I are going out for lunch together tomorrow to commiserate, which will help, I think. Plus there's the new machine...

>150 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

>145 scaifea: I think Mom's machine is a Viking, but I'm not certain. I know she had a Viking when I was growing up and loved it, though it was not an embroidery machine (but it did have a bunch of knobs you could swap out for different fancy stitches).

>147 scaifea: I think We Are In A Book! is the best of the series, what with the meta-fiction aspect and all. I was thinking of you the other day, because there is a new Fly Guy title that just arrived at my library... ;-)

Definitely save the sewing machine for tomorrow. I like the idea of basking in Charlie-ness today. I can't wait to see photos from his big day though! Are you making a special dinner tomorrow to celebrate? Or cake?

mmm ... cake ...

Enjoy your day with your family!! Good luck to Charlie on his first day tomorrow!

Can't work out if I missed 1 or 2 threads whilst I was away... so I'm not even skimming, just waving and jumping in here before I miss another one.

Also both my kids have the same T that Charlie is wearing in #2 :)

Hope all is well with you.

>152 foggidawn: foggi: I have one of those older Vikings, too, and so does my mom. Best machines out there, as far as we're concerned. I'm thinking of getting a serger soon, too, and if I do, it'll be a Viking.
Oh, that Fly Guy. Was it one of the 'non-fiction' ones? Or is there a new main series one?

>153 lauralkeet: Laura: Not really any special dinner plans, but I did pick up the new Toy Story Halloween dvd yesterday, and I'm planning on giving it to him tomorrow afternoon as a Back-to-School present. I'm thinking about using his league of Toy Story figures to stage a bit of a scavenger hunt for him to find when he gets home tomorrow...

>154 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle!

>155 BekkaJo: Hi, Bekka! Feel free to jump in when/where you can! And funny - Charlie's wearing that shirt today, too! Ha!

>156 scaifea: Looks like a main series one -- Fly Guy's Amazing Tricks.

Congrats on your new sewing machine! I wish you and especially Charlie a good start tomorrow.

*sigh* I'm with you in spirit, Amber.

My little guy is in Kindy; his bus comes about 15 minutes after his big brother's, but he comes home for lunch (his Kindergarten has a morning session and an afternoon session).

He'll be going to primary school at the beginning of next year (equatorial / southern hemisphere timetables) but because of the change of schools (the international schools here all follow different timetables, depending on all kinds of parameters), he'll be on holiday from mid-November to the end of January. And then he'll be on the same bus as his brother, and I'll be left to kick my heels until 3 o'clock.

On the other hand, after having the two kids to myself for over a month, I may be relieved to see the back of them by then ;0)

My mum couldn't wait until she retired, so she could get herself a Janome sewing machine. It does embroidery and she can apparently download stuff using a pc, so she put out a heap of projects for a good few years before it palled. I still ask her to do something for the kids now and then (which, as a dotting grandma, she's happy to do).

Enjoy your day, Amber. Tomorrow is the start of a whole new phase in Charlie's life and I hope you both have a great first day of school!

Been lurking, Amber. Yay on the new machine. Should jazz up those little dresses a treat!

I had given you some book titles around the death of pets. However, the two I'd recommend for questions about death in general for Charlie's age are The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for all Ages by Leo Buscaglia and When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death by Laury Krasny Brown and Marc Brown.

Hi Amber, hope your having a good Monday my dear, I have put up a new thread to start the final third of the year.

Hoping the new week and the new regime will be more fun than you're expecting it to be, Mom. xoxo

>157 foggidawn: foggi: Ooof, that *is* a new one - I'm sure he'll spot it as soon as the library gets a copy.

>158 Ameise1: Many thanks, Barbara!

>159 humouress: Nina: To be honest, I'm of two minds about the whole thing: I'm sad, but I'm also excited to have time to do all of the things that I can't quite manage with Charlie around. So there's good with the sad, for certain.
I've heard of Janome, of course, but I've never had one nor used one. I've heard they're good, though.

>160 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy! It certainly helps to know that I have friends here thinking of Charlie (and me) tomorrow.

>161 ronincats: Roni: Excellent - I have both of those books waiting for us at the library now!

>162 johnsimpson: Thanks, John - I'll try to get over to your new thread tomorrow.

>163 richardderus: Many thanks, Richard.

I've been saving these two back all summer just for tonight. Both were sweet and fun:

524. Chu's First Day by Neil Gaiman (Charlie book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
525. The Night before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing (Charlie book, picture book) - 8/10 = B

Amber--good luck as Charlie heads off to school. I am glad you have a new toy to divert you. ; )

Amber, just be aware that the dinosaur one is more reference rather than read straight through. Pick a couple of pages at a time that correspond to the themes you want to touch on, and there may be some you don't use at all.

Sending good vibes to keep you company tomorrow while Charlie is in school!

I was trying to remember what we did around death when my daughter was Charlie's age. Mostly, I think we just tried to be honest. My mom died when Banjo, jr was 6, so it was a big issue in our house. She was so sweet at the time, I remember her saying "Now granddad will be lonely!"

Anyway, book wise, the Marc Brown is very good I remember. Also The Tenth good thing about barney by Judith Viorst. My favorite was Pearl's Marigolds for Grandpa, but that might be more than you need.

Happy new school year!

Good luck today, Amber!!

>166 Berly: Kim: Thanks! Me, too! Although now that I'm thinking about what I have to do today, I'm not even sure I'll have time to play with it yet!

>167 ronincats: Thanks, Roni. I plan on reading them all through first, of course, before reading them with Charlie, so I'll be able to pick out the passages that I think will be good for him.

>168 banjo123: Rhonda: I've read the Viorst book, on recommendation earlier, when we thought that Susie was on her last legs, so to speak, and it's very good. It'll certainly be on the roster when her time does come, which we're still fairly certain will be soonish, poor thing.

>170 scaifea: Thanks, Laura! I so very much appreciate the solidarity round here. It most definitely helps. I'm still amazingly calm about it right now. Oh, I had my sobbing moments last week, but for some reason I'm quite peaceful about it now. Later on this morning may be a different matter, however, but Tomm is coming with us for this first day, so it'll be good to have him to steer me back to the car and drive me home as a wail. Ha!

On the agenda for today:

It's the big day, so we all know what Charlie will be doing. *sigh*

As for me, I've got a plan to keep busy until 3pm: back home after taking him to school for some treadmill time (I'm excited about my new healthy eating and exercise vows starting with the new school year) and then the longest, hottest shower I've had in 6 years. Then I'm going to work on creating that mini scavenger hunt for Charlie, so it'll be ready when he gets home, followed by some errands (stopping by the FroYo shop to book the party room for Charlie's birthday party, picking up some invitations for said party, stopping by the library...), followed by lunch at a local Mexican restaurant with my fellow kindergarten mom to commiserate. After lunch it's back home, and if I have time I'll back some cookies (I have amazing memories of coming home from school to a house that smelled like brownies or peanut butter cookies or freshly-baked bread nearly every day). And then, if there's time, some playing in the sewing room. Whew! I think I've planned enough to do to keep myself occupied - what do you reckon? At least I don't need to worry too much about dinner tonight: I prepped some chicken in a marinade last night for Chicken Tikka Masala, and since we don't have a tandoori oven (tragic, no?), Tomm will grill it for us. All I need to do is make the sauce and cook the rice.
On the reading front: 1776 is going well. It's not quite as engaging as his John Adams, but it's still very good.

The calendar book today sounds possibly interesting: Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding. Anyone read this one?

Morning Amber! Wishing Charlie good luck, with school. How fun. Enjoy your free-time, my friend.

>171 scaifea: I've been craving lunch from the Mexican restaurant here in Jefferson City where I work. Unfortunately I'll have to wait to do it. I've been sick all weekend, and I don't think I can handle it at the moment. Enjoy some Mexican food for me!

>172 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

>173 thornton37814: Lori: Oh, dang - I'm sorry you're not feeling well! I'm definitely looking forward to lunch!

Whelp, he's there. And I didn't cry! I'm doing okay so far. Here he is, so excited to get going:

And just look at the change in him over the last three years:

Last year's first day of 4K:



And the year before that's first day of preschool:

Amber, what a gorgeous photo of Charlie's first day at Kindergarten.

What a wonderful set of pictures. I hope he lets you take one every first day right through high school! I'm sure he's having a great time, and good luck to you going through this day. The scavenger hunt you have planned for after school sounds awesome.

>177 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara! It's not difficult to take a great picture with such a handsome subject...

>178 lycomayflower: Laura: Well, I've managed to take a picture of him every day of his life so far, so he's pretty used to it. Ha!
Once I get the scavenger stuff set up, I'll try to take some photos to share.

#175/176 Bless! I must do this tomorrow - Cass starts year 2 tomorrow and we have pics from each year in a similar place each time. Must remind hubby to take one...

You are just a lovely Mum, to make it so special for him - to give him such great homecoming memories too. He's a lucky boy :)

Ah, lucky Charlie! I love scavenger hunts!

Amber, those first-day pictures are so cute! Charlie looks more confident this time around, and I hope he has fun today.

Thanks for sharing your Charlie photos!! Hope he has a great day at school and hope Mommy has a good day too!! Enjoy that long shower lol

>180 BekkaJo: Aw, thanks, Bekka! It goes both ways, though - I'm just about the luckiest mom there is with that little guy.

>181 PawsforThought: Paws: I think it'll turn out to be more of a 'follow the arrows' than a real scavenger hunt. We'll see.

>182 susanj67: Susan: I've no doubt that he's having a blast, since he has loved school from Day One of preschool.

>183 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle! The shower was *wonderful.* Ha!

>184 scaifea: Still fun!

>186 PawsforThought: Paws: I hope so!

Okay, so here's the mini-hunt, all set up:

Last year every so often I'd stick a little treat of some kind (a lollipop, a silly-looking pencil, a package of gummy bears) in the little bag attached to the back of the front seat, which is just in front of his car seat, for him to find when I picked him up from school. So, today, Woody is hanging out in there with this little note, made up all of words that Charlie knows (and pictures of the ones he doesn't - don't laugh at my artistic skills, folks):



Then, I've left some of his 'guys,' as we call them, through the house with arrows, leading him to his room:







With the surprise waiting for him on his bed:

Gorgeous! What a lovely thing to do.

This is super awesome, Amber. Should be a perfect cap to what I hope was an excellent first day at school for Charlie.

"laugh at your artistic skills"???? I'm in awe of your Mummy-imagination. Who cares if you can draw or not?

>188 scaifea: brilliant!

>188 scaifea: Wow. You definitely get my vote for Mother of the Year, Amber!

>189 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara - I like occasionally setting up little surprises for him like this. It's fun for both of us!

>190 lycomayflower: Laura: Let's hope so. And on the off chance that it wasn't as spectacular a day as he'd hoped, it can act as a cheering-up surprise...

>191 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: I'm noting, of course, that you've very skillfully not commented on the actual drawings. Well played, lady. Well played.

>192 lauralkeet: Laura: Thanks!

>193 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl - just trying to keep myself busy today. Ha!

Did you ever consider adopting old guys, Amber? I'm available (don't tell my MBH I said that). Charlie's a lucky one, all right.

Love the pics of him as he grows up. And the treat hunt.

So I stopped in at the library to pick up some holds, and look what was waiting for me - my Summer Book Bingo prize!! Awesomesauce!!

>195 jnwelch: Joe: *snork!*

>196 scaifea: Oh, nice! I just got Sandman parts 1-3 in the mail yesterday and today. A little present to myself, from myself.
I wish my local library had lovely prizes like that, but I don't think they'd be able to afford it!

>196 scaifea: Oh my, you've got some great reading ahead of you, Amber. Hope the Sandman series works for you.

>200 scaifea: Paws: I love those self-presents, don't you? And I'm not sure how they afford such great presents here, but they usually have some fantastic ones.

>199 jnwelch: Joe: Oh, I read them when they were first coming out as monthly comic books! I absolutely love the Sandman.

*happy dance*

>200 scaifea: Self-presents are my favourite kind. I always get exactly what I wished for. How did I know that's what I wanted?

You are such an amazing Mom!! Charlie is one lucky little dude!

Soooo?!?! How was his first day and did he love his surprise?

^^^What she said!

>201 jnwelch: *joins in happy dance with Joe*

>202 PawsforThought: *snork!*

>203 ChelleBearss: Aw, thanks, Chelle! I bet you've got all sorts of fun plans for Chloe, too. I was already scheming this sort of thing when Charlie was her age. (Yeah, I don't get out much.)

>204 katiekrug: & >205 richardderus: Katie & Richard: He had a *fantastic* first day and chattered away at me from the moment I walked into his classroom to pick him up to the time he climbed in the back seat and saw Woody waiting for him, at which point he gasped, read the note and said, "Mommy, did Woody write this for me?!" I told him that his whole gang of 'guys' had cooked something up as a surprise for him and he'd just have to wait until we got home to see what it was. He *loved* finding the guys with their little arrows and was thrilled with the whole affair. All in all, I'd say he had a pretty great day. At this moment he's in the living room playing School, so, yeah, he's happy with his first day of kindergarten, I think.

Sounds about perfect!

Great first day of school! I loved looking at the pics and seeing how much more confident his expression became each year -- it's clear that each time, he's looking forward to it that much more! Just wait until you're sending him off to college, as some of my friends are doing now with their youngest...

ETA -- 29 threads???????

Aww so happy for Charlie! And a happy kid makes for a happy mom so that makes it even better.

>208 Chatterbox: Suzanne: College?! Lalalalala...I'm not listening...

>209 lauralkeet: Laura: You're spot on with that equation. Happy momma, indeed.

526. Tom's Tweet by Jill Esbaum (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B
A big old tomcat makes an unlikely friend in a tiny baby bird.
The story was fun, but the story was told in a rhyme scheme that annoyed me for some, likely crazy, reason. Neat illustrations, though.

I brought home another sewing machine, but this one isn't vintage - it's one of them new-fangled fancy-pants embroidery machines!

Oh.... I am so excited for you! I have a very basic Brother that works dandy but no bells on fancy features. I am a bit scared of the new-fangled machines, but probably because I have never used on before. Have fun with your new machine!

>175 scaifea: - I love that picture of Charlie! What a perfect "going to school" shot!

>196 scaifea: - OMG! You go the Sandman series as a prize! Super jealous!

>1 scaifea: (yes, #1!!) I love dictionaries! Actual, paper dictionaries. I found myself looking up three words the other day just listening to one radio broadcast (vignette was one, I can't remember the other 2). At while essay-writing, I often google "______ define" just to see that I am on the right wavelength....it is so handy!

>188 scaifea: what a cool treasure hunt!! Wilbur asked me once if his toys got up and played at night, like in Toy Story. I didn't tell him they didn't....I think he still wonders.

>196 scaifea: awesomesauce indeedy! That is one pile o'books!!!

May I just chime in and say that you are such a wonderful, amazing mum??
It's incredible what you're doing to sweeten those first days and to make him feel good and loved! And the house smelling of cookies when he's coming home, wow... And a treasure hunt - just wonderful!

>212 lkernagh: Lori: A Brother is one of the (few) brands of sewing machines that I don't have and I've always been curious about them. Maybe someday... Ha! I haven't had time yet to putter with my new one - I'm telling myself that I *must* get that last little shirt dress finished and all of them up on the etsy shop before I allow myself to play...
And, yeah, that First Day photo turned out pretty good, didn't it? He's such a charmer.
And, yes! I'm so excited about the Sandman prize! Here's the slightly silly thing: I have a few of the volumes already, but I didn't have a complete set - and now I do! I'll likely be offering my extras here to anyone interested.

>213 LovingLit: Megan: My Latin dictionaries and grammars are especially near and dear to me, and all have been well and thoroughly thumbed.
Charlie is a pretty firm believer, I think, in the idea that his toys have a life of their own as in Toy Story, which is a belief that Tomm and I subtly cultivate (and I don't entirely disbelieve myself, to be honest (it's the synesthesia in me talking, I think)).

>214 Deern: Natalie: Many thanks for the kind words. My mom did this sort of thing for me all the time, which meant that I had a charmed and wonderful childhood, and I just want the same for Charlie. I'm a firm believer in the idea that children should have as much magic and wonder in their lives as possible, and it seems more and more difficult to find it out in the wide world these days, so I want to make this house as full of those things as possible for as long as I can.

On the agenda for today:

I want to hop onto the treadmill as soon as I get home from taking Charlie to school again this morning (and try to make that the daily habit), and then a bit more baking, I think (banana cupcakes), before heading into the sewing room for the duration of the day. I'm going to try to keep Wednesdays as close to a Nothing But Sewing day as I can during the school year. I want to try to get that last little shirt dress made before I start putting them up in the shop and then start tinkering with my new machine. But first I need to finish a quick little project that I started the day before we left for Indiana: a birthday crown for Charlie.
I also need to work on writing up the party invitations - did I mention before that we're having a birthday party for Charlie at the local FroYo shop? They have a private room that one can reserve for free, and I'll bring in cupcakes and hand out pre-purchased coupons for free froyo to the kids (it's one of those choose-you-own-yogurt-and-toppings places). We're hoping for good weather that day, so that after the kids are all finished eating we can move to the park for them to burn off all that sugar!
Ham and Bean Soup for dinner, I think.
On the reading front: still pluggin away at 1776, so nothing new, really to report.

The calendar book for today: Next Stop: A Memoir of Family by Glen Finland, which is, according to the blurb, a book about a mother and her husband raising their autistic son and the challenges therein. Anyone read this one?

Morning Amber! Just don't eat any of the bakery, after your treadmill workout. LOL. I listened to 1776. I think the author narrated it. I liked it.

>217 msf59: Mark: *snork!* But I'm treadmilling to make me feel less guilty about eating the baked goods!
I like listening to this particular type of non-fiction, too, but I had this one on my shelves already in tangible form, so, *shrug.*

Puff, puff, puff....just trying puff puff to keep up with you puff puff on your treadmill puff puff.
Gives up!
I plan on starting 1776 sometime this month, doesn't look like a difficult thing to get through but your "pluggin away" concerns me.

Gorgeous first school day. I'm glad that everything went so smoothly for both of you.

>219 Carmenere: Lynda: Oh, no, sorry! My plugging away was a reference to how little reading I'm getting done these days, not the quality of this particular book. I'm a big fan of McCullough's work, including this one so far!

>220 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara - me, too!

Now, off to the treadmill...

Hi Amber, great news that Charlie enjoyed his first day of school, getting them off to a good start is so important.

Congratulations to you on the Sandman win. I participated in the group read of the Sandman series last year and just loved the books. They are certainly books that are well worth owning as I think every time you open the pages of one you see something new that you missed last time!

Hi Amber, so glad Charlie had a really good first day at kindergarten. Love and hugs to you and the family my dear from a tired little bunny.

>222 DeltaQueen50: Judy: I'm a huge Gaiman fan and the Sandman series holds a special place in my heart, I admit.

>223 johnsimpson: Thanks, John! I'm a bit tuckered myself after a day of baking and treadmilling and sewing...

>224 scaifea: You're a woman after my own heart, Amber! Gaiman 4evah!

I made another little dress today; this one is a size 5T:



I know have two of each size, so hopefully tomorrow I'll get them sorted and up in the shop!

>225 PawsforThought: Paws: *snork!* We should get matching tattoos!! (Not really.)

>227 scaifea: And they'd be the best matching tattoos ever. (I agree, never.)

527. When Dinosaurs Die by Laurie Krasny Brown (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
This one had some excellent passages, but I'm glad I read it first so that I could gloss over the references to suicide and killing in wars (I mean, really? No. Not yet.)

528. Where Do People Go When They Die? by Mindy Avra Portnoy (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
A great start toward answering the question, although a little too once-sided as far as religious views go (references only to heaven and god and not to other religious beliefs, which is what I'm really looking for).

529. Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky by Demi (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
A very cool book about the origins of kites in China and what they mean, plus a bit about the kite festival, too. Charlie and I both were fascinated!

>229 scaifea: And that is why I said it was a reference book. Some children do need to deal with both of those in life (I dealt with a population with a lot of military families at my schools) but Charlie doesn't need those sections yet.

>230 ronincats: Roni: And I was grateful for the heads up. I ended up paraphrasing some other passages, too, because I thought they were worded not very well.

On the agenda for today:

Menu-planning and grocery shopping list-making, then getting some work done for the etsy shop. Then a trip to the library and a couple other errands before heading to Charlie's school for my first afternoon of volunteering in the school library this year! I'm not sure if I'll climb onto the treadmill this morning or not - I've developed a chest cold. Already. And it's not really even fall yet. Gah. Thank goodness we've a fridge full of leftovers, so no cooking necessary this evening.
On the reading front: I managed just a few pages of 1776 yesterday between dinner and Charlie's bedtime, while he was playing with his legos, and I was way too knackered to read in bed.

The calendar book today sounds pretty interesting - a quasi-futuristic sort-of scifi novel set in near-future Istanbul: The Dervish House by Ian McDonald. Anyone read this one? Thoughts?

Morning Amber! Boo to chest cold. Isn't it a bit early for that? It is supposed to hit 90 today. I hope your cold is fleeting. i have not heard of The Dervish House. Sounds interesting.

>233 msf59: Mark: Well, anytime I get even the slightest case of the sniffles, it turns into a chest cold for me. Too many bouts of bronchitis when I was younger, I think. Hopefully it doesn't last too long. And, yeah, it's gonna get nasty hot out there today.

I want to come live in your magical house. Can I? Huh? Huh?

Any time I get a cold, it turns into laryngitis. I know that about seven days after the first symptoms, I'm going to lose my voice.

I'm so very happy that Charlie is loving school.

>234 scaifea: The same thing happens to me, except mine's the fault of a particularly bad case of walking pneumonia while in high school. I drink a lot of green tea (Tazo "Zen" in particular) and hot apple cider vinegar, which sounds gross, but tastes like hot apple cider and really helps my chest congestion.

All you do is put 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in a regular-sized coffee mug, add hot (just under boiling) water to fill, and then stir in a heaping spoonful or two of honey. Drink it as hot as you can stand it. Add cinnamon or nutmeg, if you prefer. Just don't drink straight vinegar; it will give you acid burns all down your throat (don't ask me how I know that).

>235 Morphidae: Morphy: You and Mr. Morphy are welcome here anytime!

>236 casvelyn: casvelyn: Oh, that is *excellent* advice! Apple cider vinegar is good for so many things!

Okay, so I *finally* got all of the dresses I've made so far up in the etsy shop. Whew! Now, off to run some errands and then shelves some books at the school library - woohoo!

530. (82nd non-picture book read this year) 1776 by David McCullough (Summer Book Bingo Challenge, 574 pages (in big print)) - 8/10 = B+
Not as gripping as his John Adams - which could be in part because I've been reading early presidential biographies and so have approached a sort of saturation point with this particular subject - but it's still a good read.

>239 scaifea: I listened to 1776 on audio some years back and enjoyed it.

>240 lauralkeet: Laura: I suspect that I would have enjoyed it even more if I had listened to it instead of read it - I really like listening to non-fiction, for some reason.

531. Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
A lovely, quite-like book about the life spans, and deaths, of various plants and animals. A nice, gentle way to talk about death with young ones.

>226 scaifea: I'm hopeless when it comes to sewing. I'm glad you have the talent to make such lovely clothes for the little ones.

>243 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori!

On the agenda for today:

Grocery shopping this morning and then either some sewing time this afternoon, or, depending how I feel, possibly a nap. Charlie woke up in the middle of the night from a nightmare, so I was up for a while trying to help him back to sleep, and then, of course, I couldn't get back to sleep myself. Gah. Not helpful for the chest cold, I can tell you. Leftovers again for dinner tonight, although I'll likely offer to make a little something to go with it for Charlie, mac & cheese or cheesy rice or some such.
On the reading front: I pushed through and finished 1776 yesterday (see above) and I'm excited to start Divine Misfortune today, which was recommended to me by Stephen.

The calendar book today is the first is a crime series featuring two lady detectives: Where the Bodies Are Buried by Christopher Brookmyre. I need a new series like I need a, well, something that I don't really need. But if this is a good one... Anyone read it? Thoughts?

532. Let's Go for a Drive! by Mo Willems (public library book, easy reader) - 9/10 = A
Elephant wants to go for a drive, but he and Piggie keep thinking of things they need before they can go. It turns into a bit of a circus, which isn't at all surprising with these two.
Charlie and I love these books so much! I have so much fun reading them in crazy voices to him and there is generally much giggling. I hope Willems keeps churning them out.

Cheesy rice? Recipe?

>247 Morphidae: Morphy: Aw, sorry to disappoint, but I've no recipe - I use either Rice-a-Roni or Uncle Ben's.

Kindly join me over on the new thread:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/180090#

>248 scaifea: *snorts*

>250 Morphidae: Morphy: Yeah, we've completely scrapped the leftovers idea and are going with Totino's Pizza Rolls for dinner. Ha!