Super Mom to the Rescue

It is a love hate relationship....that time in a parent's life when your children no longer need you. The time when they have left the nest...some of you may know of what I speak. You hope you have given them the tools they need to survive the world without you. The brains and common sense to make decisions that keep them safe, secure and happy.

It is what we strive for as parents...it is our job and the measure of our success. But it also a bit sad...for to not be needed is an empty feeling. So when our children call upon us for advice or help it makes us feel 'parental' again...needed.

I have one who seems to think her mother has an 'S' emblazoned upon her chest and when anything needs to get done this child calls upon her mother to 'handle it'. Not that this daughter isn't capable of handling herself or her situations...oh trust me she is. But when she fails...it is mom who swoops in to save the day.

Yes there is a story here.....

Phone rings at 4am (why is it always 4am?)

"Mom there is a man in my house and he won't leave." She is very calm.

"Do you know this man?"

"Yes his name is Tom and he wants to talk to Andrea but she does not want to talk to him and we want him to leave and he won't."

I hear in the background a man's voice confirming he does not want to leave until he talks to Andrea (a friend of the daughter).

"Is he threatening you or Andrea?"

"No, he just won't leave. Can you come over and tell him to leave?"

"Tell him I am on my way and I am bringing my gun."

I hear her tell this man who will not leave her home as asked, "now you are in trouble, my mom is coming over and she is bringing her gun."

I hang up the phone, the hubby and I get out of bed, get dressed, retrieve the appropriate tools necessary....he takes a ball bat, I prefer the .38, and off we head to the daughter's.

You may be wondering at this point why the police were not called. The reason....we are only two blocks from her home and are most definitely able to reach her long before any police cruiser would. But I would have called them if I felt it was necessary and long before I showed my firearm.

We arrive to find this man whom we do not know and the two woman at the table. There is nothing adversarial going on. The hubby bangs the bat on the floor and suggests Tom leave. Tom thinks we are kidding...no we are not kidding and I even offer Tom a ride to whatever destination he chooses. No...he doesn't think that will be necessary and walks out. I let Tom know returning is a very bad idea and shut and locked the door behind him.

All was well that ended well. But.............

Back to the beginning....you know the part where we as parents are supposed to give our children the tools to take care of themselves? Seems I have failed.

As I was trying to figure out the night's events and how Tom ended up in my daughter's home I became aware that my daughter has the potential to be an idiot! Strong words for a mother to use in reference to her daughter don't you think? But I don't know how else to describe her behavior that night. You read and decide.

It seems after several glasses of wine and conversation into the wee hours of the morning, the friend needed to smoke and being that it is winter and cold they just decided to open the door and sit inside. Viola...in walks Tom! I had a fit...a giant, mom-sized tantrum.

They were lucky it was just Tom and not the rapist that has attacked seven women in the area in the past six months. Because next time she is acting stupid, Super Mom may not be able to swoop down in time to save her.

Unfortunately it was not the time to try to teach a lesson. Too much emotion and too much alcohol involved at that time. But I will get back to it...trust me.

Me, the mom who taught personal protection courses for years, both with and without firearms to strangers, has been unable to impart the same valuable information to her own daughter. Or is it I taught it and like most young women, she just doesn't think she will ever be a victim?...she is invincible, untouchable, scatheless?

I wonder if those other seven women thought the same thing?

Neglectful

Yes, I have been neglectful...but I know you will forgive me. It has been a busy time...the holidays, the hubby's recuperation, my continued therapy and then the news.

The news? What news you ask? Ah.... a shiny sparkly thing that appeared on Christmas Eve. A symbol that was placed on the fourth finger of a beautiful young woman who seems to enchant my son, light up his eyes and enrich his life.

Though they have lived together for years and are more committed to each other than most who call themselves married, they will take the final steps to making their relationship legal.

I don't see much changing...it will just be easier to introduce her...My son's 'girlfriend' never did give her the importance and respect she deserved. I will be honored to introduce her as my daughter.

A Day For Snapshots

A quiet moment before the next rush arrives. There is beef in the oven doing what beef does...filling the house with a wonderful aroma. Most of the other staples have been created and await the empty bellies.

It is these moments on this particular day that life starts to flash in front of me like the cellophane windows of a Viewmaster reel. I press the button and one vision quickly changes to another. Some make me smile....some make me sad. The Christmas' past.

Like the rectangular windows in those round paper discs, my visions are still shots. Snippets of moments in time. My memories are like that sometimes...still shots. No words, no actions, just a picture.

I have these frozen frames filed deep in my mind...put away for days like this...times when I need to remember days gone by, people who have left my life, journeys that have ended...for days when I need to remember the good far outweighs the bad.

For there are always the snapshots in my mind to keep me going.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

I wish you love, peace and joy to you and your families today. Spend your day enjoying each other no matter what it is you do. My love and thanks to all who take the time to visit me.

Spread The Wealth

Poor Opie...Pa had to teach him a lesson.

Opie thought he was doing good...stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.

But noooooo...Pa told him stealing was wrong no matter what. You should never steal even if it is to give to those less fortunate than you.

"But Pa," the boy reasoned, "what about those who can't help themselves?"

He continued to explain to the young impressionable boy, "we already have ways to help those who can't help themselves," the kind Sheriff explained.

It's called TAXES!

This show originally aired in 1963. Some things never change!

Shadow Shot Sunday

I was out in weather of wind chills below zero to shoot this! What artists will do to get that perfect shot! Go on over to Harriet's and see some other wonderful shadows.

Photograph:

a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art.

Ambrose Bierce

R-Rated

Several years ago, Angel and I went to see the Vagina Monologues. "Every monologue somehow relates to the vagina, be it through sex, love, rape, menstruation, mutilation, masturbation, birth, orgasm, the variety of names for the vagina, or simply as a physical aspect of the body."

I love being a woman and I thought I would leave the show somehow reveling in the fact that:

I OWNED A VAGINA! I thought I would be empowered and somehow stronger by watching women talk about what was great about having this muscle that helps to define who I am. I was so wrong. I hated the show and so did Angel.

The show seemed to take all that was negative about my female orifice and exploited those things. Rape, abuse, incest, etc. The only part that was entertaining was the funny names people seem to come up with for that one body part: hoo hoo, coochie, winkie, and the all time favorite pussy.

And that is why we are here folks. You were wondering weren't you.

The word 'pussy' originally was used to refer to women, but now is frequently used as an insult toward men, as it is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "showing a lack of courage or determination".

If you are of the same mindset, I ask you to reconsider. In the words of my dearest Captain Du Mon Parfait and his new paramour, "any orifice that can stretch to many times its' normal size, pass a 10 pound kid through, and still be entirely suitable for carnal pleasures is truly an organ to be reckoned with."

So the next time you are considering insulting someone by calling them that five letter word that refers to a woman's anatomy, remember the power of the pussy. If it is an insult you are looking for, you need to pick another word. Because if you call them a pussy, you are not insulting them...you are actually giving them the ultimate compliment!

Things Are Looking Up

"Sometimes life has a way of putting us on our backs to force us to look up."

Charles L. Allen

Reality Check?

I am 47 and I'd like to think I don't look my age and most people seem to agree. Well now it has been confirmed.

The daughter and I were getting some, wake-us-up-libations, the morning the hubby was having surgery at the hospital cafe. As I finished paying, the daughter was snickering.

"You just saved $.33," she said.

"I did? How did I do that?" I inquired puzzled.

"You got the senior citizen discount." And she walked away laughing louder than Santa Clause.

OUCH!

Oh My!

click to enlarge if you really want to gross yourself out

He couldn't stand the bandages anymore, so I took them off a day early.

Not sure what I expected.

He is doing very well considering.

Glow - HSMSHS

The theme today is GLOW. Rather than look for a picture, I thought I would share something with you all. As you know, if you have been reading, it has been a rough couple of weeks in this house. Hopefully, we are through the worst and better things are coming.

So I am sitting at the hospital this morning when I got a text from our son the chef. This is what it said:

"How do you feel about VS2 diamonds?"

I think he may be shopping for a special present for "his lady" and I am simply glowing at the thought!

Platinum, Gold or Titanium?

The hubby is a proud owner of a new titanium shoulder!

Surgery was yesterday morning and went fairly well. There were a few minor complications...the nerve block was not effective so pain control was an issue. Fortunately for him, he had a wonderful nurse who was right on top of it (not that my phone calls had anything to do with the extra care and attention he and I both received !)

He was in recovery for about three hours because of pain and blood pressure spiking. He also had some problems with nausea and vomiting. But all in all, considering he had the end of his arm amputated, a spike driven into his bone, another bone ground down and a plastic disc glued into that space, plus all the muscles and tendons cut and torn from his bones....I think all went well (of course I am the one typing this not sleeping in a drug induced state in the recliner!)

He is home and resting well. I will take pictures and post them when the dressings come off tomorrow. I can already see the bruising and it is ugly!

This is what I love about the blogging world...there are a plethora of people who have experience everything under the sun. If you want advice just ask and you will have an answer. So, if you want to know anything about shoulder replacements and shoulder surgery...ask. We will be experts after this.

Pain Part II

Last Friday I was finally able to speak to the powers that be at the hospital where I had surgery. The condensed version...I wasn't out of my mind. I was treated poorly and the records reflected it.

The supervising nurse had pulled my chart and was very dismayed at what was not in the file. You know that question, "what is your pain on a scale from one to ten?" All charts are supposed to have a number reflecting that score not once, but multiple times depending on how many times the patient is asked.

My chart had no such number post surgery. Why? Because I was never asked the question. Even though my first conscious words were PAIN, I was never asked the question and consequently got no pain medication and that's where things went bad.

The results of this conversation: the supervising nurse had already had a 'discussion' with the nurse who was my caretaker. I was assured this same nurse would not have anything to do with my husband when he had his surgery. I was also assured I would be permitted to stay with my husband from the time we arrived until he was taken to surgery (not usually permitted).

While my main concern was the care my husband was going to get, I am also concerned for those who come after me. This woman, who is supposed to be a professional in the care of people who are sick, in pain and unable to advocate for themselves, failed me miserably.

I hope this 'discussion' she had with her supervisor taught her something. It is not her place to decide someone else's pain. It is her job, her duty to ease it. I hope it taught her that there is at least one person that was not willing to be treated poorly and that she will think before she decides to do it again.

Same Place, Same Time, Three Weeks Later

Tomorrow morning, the hubby and I will be on the road at 5:00 am headed to the same hospital I was in just three weeks ago. He will be on the same floor with the same nurses and the same Dr. will be doing his surgery.

The hubby is going bionic! A new titanium ball will replace the old, arthritic, chewed-up bone the Dr. calls his humerous and he will also have a new plastic socket to cover the pitted, scarred, excuse of a gleniod....in other words: he is having a total shoulder replacement.

Wish him well. I hope to be able to post while he is there...if not I will be back when he is home.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Honor Guard

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Washington DC

for more information: http://www.snopes.com/military/unknown.asp

HSMSHS

Tis' the Season to

Glitter

2 Weeks and Remembering

This time two weeks ago, I was lying in a hospital bed hooked to an IV getting a dose of dilaudid every four hours. My simple out patient procedure had turned into a nightmare and it shouldn't have.

As I look back on the events of that day, I am convinced there were things that were done, or not done by the nursing staff, to exacerbate my downfall and cause me to end up being admitted for an overnight stay.

The saga actually began before the surgery. My anesthesiologist suggested I have what is called a brachial plexus nerve block...an epidural for the arm. It was suppose to make post-op pain non-existent because my arm was to be completely numb. Sounded good to me. I was given a local numbing agent and some sedation...I remember feeling a pricking sensation in my neck and then I was in the recovery room.

Was I saying it out loud? Could they hear me? God I hoped they could. I could hear them..."just say it louder...pain, pain, pain, pain." Oh God I was in the worst pain I had ever been in and I was begging someone to hear me, to do something about it, to make it stop!

The nurse came over and asked me what was wrong. I told her I hurt...that there was horrible pain in my armpit. She told me I couldn't hurt...it was an ice pack I was feeling. I faded in and out of consciousness over the next hour all the while trying to communicate my agony when my brain allowed me to cognitive enough to do so.

Some of it is a blur but the bits and pieces I do remember are so disturbing to me I still want to cry thinking about it. At one point I was awake, again in agony, I heard another nurse summon my caretaker, "your little girl needs something" I heard her say. Again I expressed my pain..."you can't be in pain, you had the nerve block. It is the ice bag." She walked away.

In the background I heard her say, " he says there is no reason she should have pain in her armpit." I could make no sense of what was going on around me. Why wasn't she listening to me? Why didn't she believe me when I told her I hurt like I had never hurt before. Again I tried to tell her..."fine I will take this out and tell your Dr. you are being non-compliant" as she jerked the ice pack from under my arm. But I still felt as if my arm was on fire.

About 10:30 am I was moved to what is called a step-down unit. I arrived in the unit with my head in a bag dry heaving. Now I had another problem. But good news, the nurses in this unit seemed to believe I hurt...they had a clue...I could move my fingers. We all have an Ah Ha moment...THE NERVE BLOCK DID NOT WORK!

I had yet to receive anything to relieve the misery I was experiencing. But due to some protocol, the step-down unit only allows pain meds to be given by mouth and because I was dry heaving I would not be getting anything by mouth. Nothing by mouth, nothing by IV means nothing to relieve the god forsaken hell I was immersed in. By that time I was beside myself.

There were tears, begging, visualizing, Lamaze breathing...anything I could do to take myself out of my body and away from this limb that had turned on me. My poor husband could only sit and feed me ice chips...he was powerless to do anything. Friends who had expected me to be home by then were worried because they hadn't heard anything...it had all gone terribly wrong.

I remember calling my Angel to tell her what was going on. At the sound of her voice I broke into sobs...I was broken both physically and emotionally and I couldn't get anyone to help me. I couldn't understand how with today's medicine they could let me suffer like they did.

Finally around noon, my savior arrived. She was a nurse who did not normally work on that floor and was covering my nurse's lunch break. I don't know how or why she could do what she did and I don't care, but I think she saw how horrible it was for me and she said enough was enough. Before I knew it, she came in with a syringe full of phentinol and tordol and stuck it in my IV.

Within minutes I had relief. It was unbelievable. I told her I loved her and asked her to marry me! I also asked her why someone didn't do what she had done three hours earlier. She just shook her head and said, "I don't know."

It was obvious at this point that pain control was only going to be managed through IV. It was also obvious the block did not work...my arm was not numb. I was going to be admitted for pain and nausea control.

The goal was to move me from IV meds to oral meds and get me out in the morning. That didn't happen either. I could not keep the oral meds down until late in the day the next day. In the meantime, the IV meds dropped my blood pressure so low the nurse cut me off. I ended up getting 1000cc of fluid over four hours to get my blood pressure back up.

Again, what was supposed to be a simple outpatient procedure turned into a nightmare. And I don't think it had to happen. I believe if I had gotten good pain management from the beginning, in the recovery room, I would have gone home that day.

I am furious that some nurse made the decision that I did not hurt. That she decided my complaints were not to be taken seriously. I am beyond angry that she called me 'non-compliant'. No nurse should decide for his/her patient whether or not they hurt and how bad...it is the patient who should decide and the nurse who should listen.

When I saw my Dr. for my post-op and told him what had happened, that the nurse did not believe me when I told her I hurt, his response was, "she should have...that block fails in one in ten people." One in ten!

I have called the hospital and spoken with "customer service". I want to speak to her supervisor. I want answers. But more than anything, I don't want this to happen to anyone else.

Besides the personal pain involved, there is also the cost issues related to the extra time and supplies required for the overnight stay. I have insurance that will pay at 100%. I am lucky...someone else my not be.

One week from today, the hubby will be at the same hospital, on the same floor, with the same surgeon having a total shoulder replacement. They have no idea what they will be dealing with if anything like this happens to him....I am not as nice as he is and trust me....I won't stand by and watch it happen a second time!

I'll let you know how it turns out.

I was given this award by Polergirl...she is a delight. I laugh everytime I read her and you will too. She is one who knows how to make lemonade out of lemons. Thank you Polergirl.

I will not tag anyone but feel free to indulge if you would like...Epi?

It is an award for bloggers who show kindness and spread happiness around. Just list 10 things that make you smile...come on you can come up with 10 things can't you?

The rule was to list ten things that make you smile.

Only ten? That was tough!

You Know...

If you put potatoes in the microwave for 20 minutes, this is what you end up with....

Blazing balls of fire!

And a broken microwave...but he is working on that.

I'll let you know if he redeems himself.

Update 9:01 pm: He may not know how to cook potatoes in the microwave, but he does know how to bypass the thermostat fuse and now the microwave works!

Isn't he brilliant!

HSMSHS - Decoration

Yummy...gumdrops

This is one of those reasons I take the camera everywhere I go...a picture taken in a store where the tree was decorated with sugar coated gumdrops on a string. Unfortunately, they were fabricated out of some kind of plastic! What decorations are you putting up this year?

"Why is She Carrying a Camera?"

I was on a mission today to find some decorations for the mantel. I had seen the ones I wanted a week ago in a shop that is so full of do-dads, diddlely bops, and thinga-ma-jiggies you can barely walk the isles. Have you been to such a place? I don't understand how they get past the fire marshall? I should have bought them last week...hindsite and all.

Anyway...this shop is decorated to the hilt with every kind of seasonal decoration you could possibly imagine: trees, snowmen, elves, stars, snowflakes, ornaments of all shapes, sizes, colors, textures. They even sell Vera Bradley purses!

Okay get to the point...I had my camera with me because I usually do and it is a great place to take unusual photos of who knows what. I am walking through the narrow aisles ready to knock the crowd down in front of me ( oh did I say that out loud?), when I hear a lady say to her husband, "why does she have a camera? What is she taking pictures of? Why would you bring a camera to a store?" Couldn't help myself...if she was going to say it so loud...I was going to respond.

I walked up to her and I said, " I have a camera because I like to take pictures and you never know when you will see the perfect picture." She was clearly embarrassed so I continued to explain, " You see that ornament on that tree? I reminds me of a childhood event and now I have a picture...it sparked a memory and I will write about it."

Her husband made small talk and she joined in. It turned out to be a decent conversation and I hope I taught her something. At the very least...if you are going to be so rude to talk about someone, you should monitor the decibels at which the sound leaves your oral cavity. Or you may end up with someone as ballsy as me responding to what you say. Use your inside voices people, inside voices!

And since this is such a cool shadow photo, I am going to use it for a new photo meme too! It is called Shadow Shot Sunday. Check it out.

December 7, 2008

Today is the 67th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

I have been there twice...it was no less impacting the second than the first. My heart and soul ached as I stood, literally stood atop the watery graves of 2,000 men.

It is a beautiful memorial to those who lost their lives that day. It is a sacred place for the family's of those lost and the survivors who still carry the images of "the day that shall live in infamy."

I bow my head today. I hold my mind still. I say a private thank you to those gone and I assure you, you are not forgotten. And I cry at the top of my voice, with all the breath I have, " Thank you, Thank you to all of you who fight for my freedom every day...I think about where you are and what you do and I hope somehow you hear me."

100 Things You Never Knew About Me

Okay Epi...I'll play:

1. Started your own blog. I love it!
2. Slept under the stars. Only in a tent
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii. Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity. Then that would make me the charity case wouldn't it?
7. Been to Disneyland. No but all my kids have...thanks Grandma and Grandpa
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo. Only in the shower!
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris. And really have no desire
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. Stained Glass
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning. Pizza Hut...the whole damn family and one bathroom
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train. Not overnight but on a train yes
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked. Teenagers aren't very smart
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping. It wasn't by choice...was stripped and thrown in by some 'friends'
27. Run a Marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse. Both lunar and solar
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. Some of the best memories I have
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise. Alaska and the Caribbean
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. Satisfaction isn't found in money
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock (wall) climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke. Painful
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight. By full moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted drawn.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.5
1. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling. In Hawaii and the Caribbean
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud. At a Jimmy Buffet concert...we don't talk about it
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class. Sort of...Took two Krav Maga classes does that count?
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.
62. Gone whale watching. In Alaska and Maine
63. Got flowers for no reason. Usually a single yellow rose
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma. Would like to, have rarish blood type but don't weigh enough
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check. oops
68. Flown in a helicopter. Over Hawaii and Alaska
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. A bridal doll my aunt gave me
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial. I will sit in his lap before I die. You will read about the crazy woman who was arrested for scaling Lincoln!
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglade
.75. Been fired from a job. My first one when I was a teenager
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone. My left elbow...fell off a horse
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible. Just the New Testament
86. Visited the White House. Only the outside..they don't let you in anymore!
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating. Went dove hunting, I shot the dove, someone else prepared and ate it.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury. It was one of the most fascinating experiences I have ever had and I think everyone should do it.
91. Met someone famous. Jack Hanna
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one. More than I care to think about
94. Had a baby. Three
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit. Only to testify as a witness
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee. On the boob no less!
100. Read an entire book in one day. "Of Mice and Men"

HSMSHS

Lights

HSMSHS - Angel

Angel...I prefer not to think of the religious image: white flowing robes, wings and halos. As that seems so far from my reality. I am not a religious person. I have made my peace with my lack of belief in a higher power and yet I believe in angels....the living breathing variety. The kind you would define by the way they live their lives, by their goodness, their kindness, their selflessness.

Are you lucky enough to know such a person? I am. Because I know her I am kinder, more gentle, and more giving. She is truly the BEST person I have ever known. And because I know her, I am a better person.

I'd like you to meet my Angel.

Ruby Tuesday!

With everything that is going on I needed to take myself back to a time when life was simple and painfree...a relaxing sunny day on a little red boat with bare feet hanging over the side.

Life is Good!

Another Award!

Some of you may have noticed that I have been entering several of my photos into the Creative Photography contest created by Roger. I am pleased to say that Roger felt that this months photos were so good he could not decide a winner....so he has given all those who entered the honor of the badge.

I chose my photographs this month carefully. I love reflections and used this months entries to highlight reflections in different ways. I am honored to display the Creative Photography badge on my side bar. Thank you Roger and all of the other photographers who competed.

An Award!

The Bookworm Award

I was awarded this award a couple of weeks ago by my dear friend Epijunky and have just now had the opportunity follow through with it. I am so sorry Epi it has taken me this long.

As soon as I got the award I gathered the book. Because I am working in the library at my middle school, it is my goal to become more familiar with middle school literature. I want to be able to talk the talk when kids come in to ask what they should read.

I am currently reading "Killing Mr. Griffin" written by Lois Duncan. Some interesting trivia regarding this book...it used to be a required read for our middle schoolers. That was until some parents got their panties in a wad and decided it was too graphic for their kids.

They went to the school board and campaigned to have it removed from the required read list and were successful. Fortunately, they were not successful in having it removed from the library.

I will not tag anyone else but feel free to play along...it is interesting to see what everyone is reading. If you do play, please leave a comment and let me know where I can read what you've written.

The rules are as follows:

Pass it on to five other bloggers, and tell them to open the nearest book to page 56.

Write out the fifth sentence on that page, and also the next two to five sentences.

The CLOSEST BOOK, NOT YOUR FAVORITE, OR MOST INTELLECTUAL!

....."I have an abrasive personality. Fierce dogs cower when I walk down the street and slink away to hide under porches. Small children run screaming to their mothers. Beautiful girls rip their numbers out of the telephone book and chew them up and swallow them for fear I might call and invite them out."

"Oh, Brian!" She had burst out laughing.

Day 6

I made it! I worked half the day. It is the getting ready that is exhausting though. The best and the worst part of the day....the hugs from all the kids!

Now for some catch ups.........