Glorified Reading List

As most of you who have chanced upon this blog have discovered, I am no longer adding posts to my blog. This is mainly because I am the new daughters editor at Bellaonline so my time is spent over there.

You can see my editorial section here.

I am however updating my reading list on the right hand side of this page. I will continue to do so until the end of the year.

My actual book reading is quite a bit more than what is listed but I am not including all the childrens books I have read aloud to my kids...or read to myself. Only books that are considered teenage and above.

35-mile bike-a-thon for St. Jude

In August 2005 I participated in a 35-mile bike ride for St. Jude. I had not been on a bike since Junior High. The last half was quite fun and easy since it was all downhill(down a mountain) but I was in tears quite often during the first half which was flat. It is not a good idea to ride a bike for 35 miles when you haven't been on one in years. I was terribly sore and wouldn't have made it if my dear sister-in-law didn't stick with me and encourage me along the way. Though I am still extremely out of shape I hope to participate again this year. Here are a few pictures from the ride.
Taking a break on a bridge about 8 miles into the ride.
A rooster looking for handout's at one of the check points.
One of the many views along the trail. The last half of the ride was down a mountain.
After the bike ride was over. I was very sore for the rest of the day.

Book Review--1776

I should have made the resolution to read more non-fiction sooner. I admit I was doubtful that this book would be enjoyable to read and dreaded even opening the first page. There's something about historical novels that make you remember your boring and drawn out High school History Classes. But to my surprise this book was neither boring or drawn out.

David McCullough does an excellent job at capturing the readers interest by showing the frailities and human side of our nations founding fathers. He brings General Washington to a level equal to our own. We feel Washington's pain, his despair and his undaunting will to push ever onward even through bitter defeat.

"The outcome seemed little short of a miracle" is an all too true ending for a book that takes us through one humiliating defeat through another. The Americans were drastically outnumbered and lacking in leadership yet they managed to miraculously earn a victory over the British only days before the new year, a victory that would turn the tide of the Revolution.

An engaging read for all, 1776 is sure to be a breath of fresh air in a subject many think of as boring.

Birthday Surprises

It seems I was bound and determined to ruin all my birthday surprises. Yesterday morning my son yelled at me as I walked through the living room and told me to go back to bed. He was painting me a surpirse birthday card and I ruined the surprise by waking up.

Then last night during the young women's activity I left the room to get some chocolate for the girls from the library. As I rounded the corner here comes my daughter and the Young Women's President carrying a cake. My daughter yells "look mom its your cake" while the Young Women's President tells me to go back to the room. Yet another birthday surprised ruined. The cake was good though. Angelfood cake topped with strawberries and blueberries. YUM.

The YW president walked me out as I got ready to go and as I approached the car I could tell my kids were hiding behind it. I figured they were just playing hide and seek but as I got closer though I noticed the car looked weird. Then all the Young women, my kids, and the leaders yelled "SURPRISE!". Finally a surprise I didn't ruin. Here is the surprise:

Friends of the Library

Next week marks the election period for new officers in our local Friends of the Library. I will be continuing on as President plus taking the roles of Treasurer and Secretary. My former Treasurer will be my new Vice. As president I thought it'd be fun to highlight our fundraiser and events since our organization was founded.

October 2004: The first FOL meeting is conducted at town hall with myself presiding. (I don't think I knew what I was getting myself into!)

November 2004: The community elects officers for the FOL executive Board and I am elected president.

December 2004: The FOL raffles of chances to win a fully decorated Christmas tree and sell gift jars.

January 2005: The town finishes building a large new clinic building on the outskirts of town and donates the old building to the Library rent free.

March 2005: Constitution is drafted and ratified by the Friends members.

April 2005: Volunteers from around town drive to Charlottesville, VA to pick up 500 boxes full of books and haul them back the same day.

End of April 2005: I spend everyday for 2 weeks at the empty clinic building in town organizing, pricing, and setting up books for a HUGE booksale. Mnay Friends Members volunteered their time to help as well.

May 2005: 2 week booksale fundraiser starts and ends. We make about $2,500 from the sale.

September 2005: The Friends host a Luncheon for the members to show their appreciation for all their volunteer work.

October 2005: The local jail authority bring good behavior prisoners down to the clinic building and start tearing down walls.

November 2005: The Friends get a booth during the 3 day Fall festival in town. T-shirts and Balloon animals(made by me) are sold. Donations and Volunteer help is recuited for the renovation of the old clinic building.

January 2006: Elections for new officers to take place.

****Renovation on the clinic building has been halted due to the lack of funds. The FOL is applying for a 501c3 tax exempt status so we can qualify for some federal grants.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or wanting to buy a $5 T-shirt can do so by going to http://www.youseemore.com/lprl/branch.asp?branch=7 and clicking on e-mail the librarian. Don't forget to include a way to contact you.*****

Photos from Thanksgiving 2005

My sister took these pictures for her photography class at school...I was very impressed with the quality.

Welcome to my Blog

This is my first experience with Blogging so I hope you all bear with me as I figure out how this all works. The last few days have been filled with kleenex, hot baths and aching bones. This is the first bug of the season and I hope it will be the last.
I have not decided yet what I want to use the blog for. I know many use theirs as an online journal or diary while others use theirs for articles or news. I have been thinking on this and I like the article idea. Pursuing writing is something I've felt strongly about lately and what better chance to hone my skills then a Blog. Though, I hope to keep this at a personal level as well so my friends and family can get a glimpse into my life up here in the Appalachian mountains.