15: Bookish A.D.D.

I’m not quite certain why, but I’ve been very A.D.D. with my reading lately.  I’ll get a hankering to read something, right.this.very.minute, start it, and twenty pages later, feel the urge to start something else.  Thus, I’ve had about four books going in current rotation for the past week or so.  A co-worker of mine has stated that she doesn’t understand how I can read more than one book at a time.  I’ve found the secret to be reading books that are of different genres.  For example, my current reads have been a travel/memoir, a food-lit/memoir, a romance, and a young adult title.  There’s no way I could read, say, three romances at one time.  The characters would start to overlap in my brain, and I’m certain I would have trouble remembering what story-line I was following.  I find it to be much easier if the books are a wide variety of topics…no way to get the dashing heros confused that way! 

I’ve also, in my A.D.D.ish-ness, been having trouble finishing books.  Which, I must say, is really odd for me. I’m usually a finisher.  I returned three books to the library today, that I wasn’t done with, and they didn’t have to be returned today. I don’t know why exactly–I just didn’t feel any interest in finishing them.   I have actually finished some titles though–some really good ones, at that, along with one really bad one.  I keep starting to write my reviews of them, and then get bloggy A.D.D…. and well, as you can see, they’ve never been completed.

*sigh* Maybe it’s this cold, dreary weather.  All our snow from last weekend finally melted off, only to be arriving again tomorrow.  Maybe it’s the fact that my husband is acting like an ass.  Maybe it’s the fact that I had an absolute hell week at work- only to be pulled in to work on Saturday as well, so it doesn’t even feel like I’ve gotten a weekend.  Maybe it’s the fact that my kids are reallllly testing me lately.  Or maybe it’s just because I’m out of chocolate almond ice cream.  That’s probably it.

Does anyone else suffer from bookish A.D.D.? Bloggy A.D.D.?  Or am I alone in my ailments?

14: Wordless Wednesday

*snort* I probably thought I was fat.

13: What I Do, Who I Am

I’ve made it very well known on this blog that I’m a musicwhore.  And I mean that in the most non-slutty kind of way:)  I have a tremendous passion for all types of music, and I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember.  I was very active in choir and theatre in high school, and continued on to major in vocal music for a few years at the university level.  I quickly realized though that I wanted to sing what I wanted to sing, when I wanted to sing, which led to my leaving choral music.   Although I love all types of music, my favorite type to sing is country.  I know that country music doesn’t appeal to everyone. I think many people have an idea in their head of what country music sounds like and don’t tend to give any of the new stuff a chance. I’m a fan of contemporary country– almost poppy in its production and instrumentation– and I’m a sucker for a well-written lyric, which is easy to find in country music- especially in the ballads.

Lucky for me, after I realized that choral music wasn’t the direction I wanted to pursue, I discovered the awesome  world of karaoke.  (I even met my husband in a karaoke bar– he said it was love at first sight/note:))  I competed in numerous local contests throughout the early to mid-2000s.  I was named Oklahoma Country Idol by a local radio station.  After winning that title, I was given the opportunity to perform at a local Fourth of July festival, and perform an opening number for the country group Blackhawk.  To be honest, I don’t remember much about that experience— I had MANY a shot beforehand to calm my nerves, and I was stunned when walking out on stage, and seeing that the few thousand people I had been expecting to see in the audience were in reality, closer to 20,000.  It was an insane feeling, and all I could think about was not tripping over my own feet.

In 2002, I began competing in a national singing content called Talentquest.  It progresses through qualifiying, local and regional rounds, and the person who wins first place in each category at regionals then moves on the national level, which is held in Laughlin, NV each September.  The first year I was proud to be part of a duet team with my future sis-in-law, Kristy, and we pulled out all the stops and upset the competition to win our way to Laughlin.  It was one of my proudest moments– to see the disbelief on our opponents faces when we walked out on stage in full 1950s garb, and performed a song from the Broadway hit Guys & Dolls.  Haha! Gotcha, sucka!   We ended up placing  4th in Laughlin in the duet category, an incredible feat for two girls who had never been to nationals before.  The next year, duet categories were elimated from the competition (Boo!) and I attended Laughlin as a solo. I got fifth place that year, but went back the next year to be the first (and only, to date) person from Oklahoma to win first place.  (Sorry– that was my little “toot my own horn” moment)

I am telling all of this because this year is the 10 year anniversary of Talentquest.  And in honor of the ocassion, TQ is flying out some of the former past winners to perform on finals night this September.  *big exhale* I haven’t competed since 2005.  Not that this would be “competing”, this would be strictly “performing”.   But wow, am I excited.  I’m excited to search for months for that “perfect” outfit.  I’m excited to tan & get my hair did.  I’m excited to get to go hang out with my TQ peeps for the first time in five years.  And most of all, I’m excited to get on that stage, and sing with all I’ve got.  After all….it may not be much…but it’s who I am. It’s what I do.  It makes me happy.

So, in closing, I’m going to share a video with you from my last year competing in Laughlin.  It was taken by a friend, and it’s not the best recording ever — I’ve definitely had better performances, but  this happens to be the only one that was caught on video.  Please be kind….as you can tell, there are many on youtube who are not– hehehe….. haters:)

12: An Oklahoma Winter Wonderland (Again)

For the second time in just over a month, Oklahoma has been hit by a snowy, wintery blast.  In my head, I see an Old Man Winter-type cloud with a face, blowing out a whoosh of icy air, grinning as he does so.  And then I think of this:

Things that make you go hmmmmm.  And brrrrr.

The kids have been out of school since Thursday, and to be honest, I won’t be surprised if they close again tomorrow.  The snowing and sleeting have stopped, but it starts to melt during the day, then at night it’s refreezing again, creating an unpleasant mess all over again. I worked until a little after noon on Thursday, but haven’t been back to the office since then.  To be honest, I haven’t put on make-up, done my hair, or gotten out of my pajamas since Friday.  I’m looking lovely, I assure you.   I thought I’d share a couple photos of what the front of our house currently looks like.  I wasn’t about to trudge through the snow/ice to get shots of the back…sorry:)  (And yes….those are still Christmas lights you see up.  Oops!)

I’m feeling the urge to take a nap. I really shouldn’t– my internal clock is getting  spoiled.  But it’s cold.  And gloomy.  And I’m out of wine.  So couch & covers, it is.

11: A Return to Normalcy

*Insert huge sigh of relief*

I have my laptop back. And it works!! Oh sweet mercy, that was the loooongest week of my life.   Not to mention the fact that OKC was hit with a snow/icestorm on Thursday afternoon, and we haven’t left the house since then.  And trust me, fighting for internet time with the hubs when he is addicted to numerous Facebook application games, well…it’s simply not pretty, I tell you.   There are crops that could be dying and food to serve before it spoils- one must not get in the way of that. But thanks to my good friend Todd- my laptop is not only back, but better than ever!

I must say though, it’s amazing what all can be done when I’m not tied to my laptop.  I’ve watched numerous movies.  I’ve read two books in the last week, and am currently rotating three titles ( I have reading A.D.D. sometimes).  All the Christmas decorations have finally been packed up.   I’ve done numerous loads of laundry & dishes.  (Side note: It’s amazing how many dishes you go through when you’re housebound for a few days!)  I’ve cuddled with my babies and giggled at their funniness.  Speaking of…

The kids have sure been full of wit & sass lately.  A few days ago, Jaxen refused to give me a kiss, and I caught myself saying, “Well, I brought you in to this world! The least you can do is give me a kiss!”  His response: “Um, you didn’t bring me into this world.  God did.”  Well, snap, my little son– I think he got me on that one. 

I’m so glad to be back in the big blogosphere! You know you’ve all carved a sweet place in my heart when I miss you desperately after being gone for only a few days!  I hope everyone is well….and I promise to get caught up on all those great posts I’ve missed!

 

10: The Sound of Books

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about audiobooks.  I can count on one hand the number of audiobooks I have listened to in my lifetime….not counting, of course, the Rainbow Brite book-on-tapes that I would listen to, and follow along with my finger in the book.  Since become involved in the world of blogging, I’ve noticed how very many people listen to audiobooks.  From what I gather, many of them are also avid readers of books in hard print, but they like to listen to audiobooks to supplement their reading list. 

I’m not quite certain why I’ve never hopped on this train.  Maybe it’s because I don’t have a Kindle, Sony Reader, or *gasp* an iPhone, all technological tools which make the downloading of books easy as pie.  Maybe it’s because I adore the feel of a book in my hands, the reclining in bed as I read at night until my eyes start to close.  Maybe it’s because I hate the thought of  listening to a condensed version of anything, yet am hugely intimidated by the thought of listening to 18 plus hours of something. 

One of the perks of blogging, and getting to peruse numerous wonderful blogs, is that one is exposed to an enormous number of wonderful sounding books.  All which, I of course, want to read–right.this.very.instance.  But when you think of it in terms of “time I want to spend immersed in a book” versus “time I actually get to spend immersed in a book”, I worry that I will never be able to get to all of the bookish goodness!!  And this is where I wonder if I’m missing something by not being on the audiobook train.

So, dear friends, what are your thoughts? Are you an AA (audiobook advocate) or not?  How do you listen to them?  When & where do you listen?  Do you prefer them to holding a book in your hands?  Do you have titles/series that you prefer listening to rather than read, maybe because of the wonderful narrator?  I need some advice peeps, so that I can decide if this is train I want/need to jump on!  Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

9: Tonight’s the Night!

*squeallll*   I’m so excited.  Tonight’s the big night.  For those who may not know, I have a little sister, Sarah, who is 10 1/2 years younger than me.  She was only in the second grade when I moved away from home to attend college.  I’ve always prided myself though on how close we are even though there is a huge age gap.  When she was born, I was actually the first person to hold her.  My mom had instructed the dr. to hand her directly to me, which is just pure awesomeness, I think, and is one of the shining moments of my life.  When I moved in to my own apartment,  Sarah would come stay with me for a couple days every summer & sometimes over Spring Break.  We would get to go do fun girlie stuff, shopping, fun dinners, and my favorite, we attended every single Harry Potter release party together.  I remember when Goblet of Fire was released, we both just sat in my apartment and read the whole time she was here.  It was lovely, and one of my most treasured memories. 

Last year, Sarah FINALLY turned 21, so she and her girls came up to the city (she still lives in our small hometown) and rang in her birthday with dinner, karaoke and her first introduction to a gay dance club.  Words can’t even describe how much fun we had!  It was so nice to be able to go “out” with her, now that she was finally legal. 

Last week, Sarah turned the big 22, and is coming to town tonight to celebrate again.  Her girls are coming as well, and I’ve booked them a hotel room in the heart of club city.  We’re going to start with dinner at Sage, a newish local organic restaurant that looks amazing.  (Multiple types of mac & cheese??  Sign me up!)  Then we’re going to hit the dance clubs again, and shake our tail feathers.  My peeps are planning on joining us as well, because they all adore Sarah, too.  How could anyone not? She’s the bees knees!

I plan on taking lots of photos this year–last year I didn’t do so well at documenting the evening.  But here’s one classic shot of the evening–my sis & one of my besties, Shannen. 

Prepare to be bombarded in the future (maybe tomorrow if I’m feeling up to it)  with evidence of tonight’s debauchery:)   I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

8: Kindred in Death- J.D. Robb

Kindred in Death (#29 in the In Death series)
J.D. Robb
Published 2008
Where From: The library

The date was August 14, 1996.  I was 19 years, and one day old.  I thought I was well-prepared.  I mean, after all, I knew who Mary Higgins Clark was, even Tom Clancy, Danielle Steele.  But when my very first customer at B. Dalton Booksellers walked up and asked where to locate Robert Jordan titles, I was clueless, and was soon forced to admit how very little I knew about the literary world.  Thank goodness this job opportunity arose so that I could learn how little I knew. 

I begin my discussion of this book, the 29th in its series, because it was there, in that little hole-in-the-wall bookstore that my love of J.D. Robb began.  My manager kept telling me that I needed to try this series of books, that they were actually written by Nora Roberts, and that although they were shelved in the mystery section, I was certain to enjoy them anyway (all I read at the time was romance).  That was back in the day when the series looked like this:

They were only published in paperback, and I believe they cost $4.99 at the time.  (*sigh* The good ole days….).   Naked in Death was published in July of 1995, so the series hadn’t been out for long before I started reading them.  When I final did enter the world of Eve Dallas and Roarke, New York City circa 2058,  the futuristic setting seemed so far-fetched, almost impossible to imagine.  Now that I’ve been reading the stories of their world for the almost 15 years, it’s not that difficult to see our future interwined with the way J.D. Robb envisioned it to be.  Tubes of Pepsi.  Skids.  Holo rooms.  Now if we could just add a little Roarke to my  future….well, that would be fine, too:)

Kindred in Death is typical J.D. Robb.  Sharp story line.  Witty dialogue.  Fast-read.  Further adventures of the most endearing characters you will ever encounter.  I can’t recommend this book, or this series, highly enough.  But be forewarned–they’re like Pringles… once you stop, you just can’t stop!

7: Wish

“I’d like to be the ideal mother, but I’m too busy raising my kids.”- unknown

Some days, I’m a better mother than others.  Today would be one of those NOT somedays.  I am exhausted.  And the only thing I want right now is some silence.  Absolute silence to be exact.  I’m not sure anything could make me happier at the moment.  Ok, maybe winning the lottery would get me all jazzed up, but other than that, I want to hear crickets.  And my fan.  And that’s it.

*snort* Yeah, right. 

When does that ever happen in the life of a mother?  Almost never–except in the late hours of night when everyone is in bed.  Which is why us mothers are often so tired.  We stay up too darn late just to revel in the stillness of those peaceful hours.  (Of course, I really shouldn’t speak for others  here.)

*sigh* Is it really so much to ask for???   All I want is a comfy chair.  Some beloved favorite books.  A cozy blanket.  Some steaming hot coffee.  I don’t think it’s much–but it feels like the world right now. 

6: Date Night

One of my (many) resolutions for this new year, and new decade, is to make our marriage a priority.  I’m sure you fellow mothers know what I mean.  Sometimes between work, and kids, my relationship with the hubs slips to the bottom of the to-do list.  It’s so easy to become comfortable, yet complacent, and assume that all is well–and then something sneaks up and bites you in the butt, and you realize that you weren’t paying enough attention to realize that there was a problem in the first place.  Or at least that’s what happens to me:)  So in an attempt to strengthen the bond we have, and to acquire even more wonderful memories of time spent together, we’ve pledged to treat ourselves to more date nights, with just the two of us.

Last night we ventured out for our first date night of the decade.  Our kind neighbor offered to add our two kids to his already full house, and keep an eye on the J’s while we went out for the evening.  We opted to travel down the road to a new-ish local theatre that we have only frequented one time before.  What can I say? We don’t get out much.

We started with a delicious dinner at the diner inside the theatre.  If you are over 21, you can purcase balcony tickets, and eat and drink to your heart’s content while actually viewing the movie.  Since that can be kind of pricey (depending on which movie you are viewing), we opted to just eat at the diner first, then go see our movie.  Boy, am I glad we did! The food was wonderful! (I apologize in advance for the poor photo quality.  They were taken with my phone since I forgot to take my actual camera.)

We lustily shared cheeseburger sliders, onion rings and malts.  Here’s evidence that the hubs WAS there….that I didn’t just eat it all myself.  He just loves it when I make him pose:)

Next up, a little friendly arcade action. I HEART Ms. Pac-man. 

The theatre is so beautiful, that I just had to take a picture of the entryway into the restrooms.  That scored me some really odd looks from fellow movie-goers:)

And finally, the main event, Avatar in 3D.  This was my husband’s movie choice, but I’m glad he made me see it.  The visual effects were stunning, and although it was reaaaaaally long, I sat thru it better than expected.  My verdict regarding the storyline:  it’s an adult version of Ferngully.  Anyone else remember that gem of a movie?  But at least I got to rock some awesome glasses.  Try not to be jealous of the hotness.

Here’s to taking time for yourself, for your marriage.  It needs to be a priority, and this night reminded me of how much I really like my husband. He makes me smile:)