For Lauren

Who tagged me on this book meme and who sent me a Facebook message which said, "i am here to tell you that it is time for a new blog post. because your purpose in life is to entertain me, you know."

Well because I heart you Lauren, here goes-

First, the book meme rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

Well, clearly, problem number one, as Lauren aptly pointed out when she tagged me, is that I am tempted to go find a cool book rather than grab the one closest to me. The first place I looked was on the shelf above my computer. No good! Dictionaries and thesauri do not an interesting book meme make.

So then I faced an ethical dilemma. Do I wait until after I've "rearranged" my computer space to do said meme, or do I give poor Lauren-who did, after all, just have a baby-some much needed brain stimulation?

Then, a ray of light fell on a box of books at my feet. Yes! A box of books that I brought home to catalog. Perfect!

I reached over to grab one-pulled it out-and was bummed at the one I took-so I reached back in and came out with a book titled Dear Max by Sally Grindley. I have not yet read this book, so turning to page 123 and seeing what is written there will be just as much of a surprise to me as it is to you, fair readers.

Wait-

Do I post the 5th sentence, plus the next three. Or just sentences 6-9? Is it the 5th complete sentence?

This seemed much easier when Lauren did it.

Well, just to be thorough-

5th sentence: "Then, I when I sit down to put it onto paper, it will all come out in a joyful rush" (Grindley 123).

Sentences 6-9: "I'm glad you're working hard to finish your story. I hope you'll send me a copy, because I can't wait to read it. Love, D.J." (Grindley 123).

Now does that last sentence count? Should I include the sentence after, just in case?

Bonus sentence: "P.S. How did soccer practice go?" (Grindley 123).

Well, I was hoping that my sentences would somehow lead me into a profound, philosophical musing on life. Instead I think it proved that I am not good at memes.

And now to finish off with direction numero cinco-I tag Margaret, April, Laura, Kim and Bonnie.

Oh, and anyone else who wants to be tagged-'cause I don't want anyone to be left out . . .

Coolest Pajamas Ever

UPDATE: Clearly many of you agree that these footie pajamas are the most amazing jammies ever created. You can order your own at Jumpin Jammerz-with or without feet (though clearly they are cooler with feet). As I child, I LOVED these kind of pjs (which I called blanket sleepers) and I was devastated when I got too big to wear them anymore. But thanks to this incredible gift from my amazing husband, I can now revisit my childhood anytime I want by zipping myself into this snuggly, warm, penguin-covered cocoon!

Holiday Commercials: An Editorial

'Tis the season for many things-one of which is holiday commercials.

I always look forward to seeing the Hershey Kiss holiday commercial:



There is something about the kisses acting like a bell choir and the little kiss at the end ringing his heart out that just signals the beginning of the holiday season for me.

I also enjoy this commercial:



If you know my sister, you need no explanation as to why I think this is a fabulous holiday commercial.

However, if you do not know my sister-allow me to give you a small glimpse into the strangeness which is my family.

I don't know exactly when it began-but somewhere along the line my sister began asking for a pony for holidays, birthdays and any special occasion. When someone would ask her, "What do you want for your birthday?" she would reply with complete seriousness, "A pony." If my mom came home from the grocery store and told Lindsay that she picked up something for her, Lindsay would say, "I hope it's a pony!" This year at Thanksgiving, we all had to write down what we were thankful for. Lindsay wrote, "I am thankful for the pony I am sure to get this Christmas."

Whether she really ever wanted a pony, or believed she would get one, the pony has turned into a running joke with my family. And honestly, if the life-sized pony at Wal-Mart was not so gosh darn expensive, we probably would buy it for her this year. I mean, it is sort of realistic and comes with a grooming comb!

So this commercial makes me laugh because if Lindsay were in it, she would be totally pumped to have a pony and would be making fun of her friends who only got cell phones.

Unfortunately, along with the good commercials, I am forced to endure some holiday offerings that are quite annoying.

The Lexus commercial.

Interestingly enough, this commercial is not on YouTube. Maybe because other people, like myself, are tired of seeing people get Lexuses with ginormous bows on them for Christmas. Thank you Lexus people-we get it. The only gift worth getting is a Lexus with a huge red bow. Thank you for making me feel insecure about my Saturn.

But the worst holiday commercial of all is the Victoria's Secret commercial wherein Heidi Klum believes she has permission-nay talent-to sing.



You should be thankful I only posted the short one.

Isn't it enough that her husband Seal can sing? Why do attractive famous people think that because they are pretty and famous that they can then dive in to other professions-such as singer, or children's book author? I'm just wondering.

However, the holidays are too joyous of a time to end on a negative note. So I will leave you with a montage of clips from another holiday favorite of mine-The Charlie Brown Christmas Special.

I'm sorry about your books, Mrs. Curry

Elementary school students, along with their younger siblings and pets, are very rough on library books (see examples at end of post).

Because the pile of "damaged beyond my magical librarian abilities to repair" books had grown a little too large for my liking, I decided to give the "respect your books, be responsible with them, and tell me the truth about hurt library books" speech.

The speech begins when the students enter the library. I don an extremely somber face and say, "I am so sorry that I have to begin your library time by talking about something very sad. We are having a real problem in our library. Many of our library books are being ripped, colored in, chewed on, and spilled on. Let me show you what I mean-"

At this point I show them the samples I have collected (see below), pausing for dramatic effect as I toss the books into a trash can conveniently located beside me and secretly reveling in the horrified faces of the children. After all, it is nice that they find damaged books as much of an atrocity as I do.

Then I make the emotional plea. "I really need your help to keep our books safe. So here's what you can do. Number 1-Take care of your library books. Keep them away from food, from pets and from little brothers and sisters who don't know how to take care of library books. Number 2-Be honest when something happens to your library book. I will never get mad at someone who tells me the truth. Do you think that you can do these things for me?"

Heads shake in earnest. It is a glorious sight.

Of course, after this talk every student becomes a self appointed library policeman-informing me of every smudge and tear that exists on any and every book.

But there are also some extremely precious moments.

One boy, upon hearing that I was going to have to throw away Diary of a Spider, buried his head in his hands and lamented, "But that was my favorite book!" I know sweetheart, I know.

A second grade girl stopped me in the hall this morning to console me, saying, "Mrs. Curry, I'm sorry about your books."

One little boy couldn't take the horror anymore. He covered his eyes and exclaimed, "I can't watch anymore. I just can't."

But the best observation of all-"You know Mrs. Curry, throwing away a book is like losing a good friend. It hurts."

(Please note the horrified look on Arthur's face, and the fact that the spider is yelling for help. It is almost as if they knew the fate that awaited them)

(A puppy chewed up this book, which is, ironically, about cats)

(For the record, Junie B. is NOT happy about her makeover)

Turkey Hat Day

Wednesday was the 3rd annual Turkey Hat Day!

You may be wondering what THD is and why you've never heard of it before. Well THD is a little holiday I made up myself so that I could wear a hat I made, which, conveniently, looks like a turkey.

Three years ago, I began working in an elementary school. I wanted to do something a little weird and creative to celebrate the last day of school before Thanksgiving vacation. So I made what would be come to be known as the Turkey Hat. I used no patterns or directions-just the picture in my mind. When I wore it to school for the first time most of the kids and staff laughed hysterically. One class of Kindergarteners even made their own Turkey Hats! And thus, Turkey Hat Day was born.

Last year I wore the hat again and made one for the new librarian. We happily frolicked about in our turkey hats together. This year, I invited my aide to join me in Turkey Hat fellowship. She was more than happy to participate in the festivities.

Next year, we're going to make THD t-shirts :)

Getting started . . .

is always the hardest part for me.

As an English major in college, it was not uncommon for me to sit down the night before a paper was due and begin putting my thoughts down. Not because I was a procrastinator (not usually, at least) but because I wrote better when I let my ideas percolate in my brain for awhile.

Consequently, I have already written at least 4 blog posts in my mind :) Yet, now that I am sitting in front of the computer, with the "Compose" screen lying intimidatingly blank in front of me, I have Writer's Block.

Actually, it is Writer's Fear.

• What if people think my writing is dumb?
  
• What if people expect me to be funny?
  
• What if people expect me to be interesting?
  
• What if there are grammar and spelling errors?
  

But, I have decided to face my fear. I am going to blog.

I will happily entertain a list of topical suggestions. Is there anything you'd like me to write about fair readers? I always aim to please.