Scaifea's 2014 Challenge - Thread #27

Welcome to The Twenty-seventh Thread!

I am fresh out of favorite illustrators. So, instead, I thought I'd start sharing snapshots of my bookshelves:



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)
-Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times (Presidential Challenge)
-One Summer (audio book)
-The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress (Hugo award list)
-Enemy of God (from the TBR shelves)
-The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Charlie's bed-time book)
-The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine (off of my classics shelves)
-Deity Yoga (buddhism list)
-Lady Windemere's Fan (year-by-year book list, 1893)
-Paddle Your Own Canoe (from the READ ME NOW pile)
-The Iliad (everyday audio book in the car)
-The Haunted Bookshop (sequel to Parnassus on Wheels)

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:
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.
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.
Read a book longer than 300 pages.
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.
Read a book that makes you laugh.
Read a book that mentions a place you want to visit.
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.
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):

(end of) JULY
443. (#72) Forever Amber (Banned Books list, Summer Book Bingo Challenge) - 6/10 = D
444. Suki the Very Loud Bunny (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
445. Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas (public library book) - 9/10 = A
446. (#73) The Girl in the Leaves (Summer Book Bingo Challenge) - 7/10 = C
447. Are You Ready to Play Outside? (public library book) - 9/10
448. Big Egg (public library book) - 8/10 = B
449. Happy Birthday, Garfield! (public library book) - 8/10 = B+

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+

The Charlie Topper(s) - yesterday we made party hats for Brody's birthday (Brody is one of Charlie's imaginary friends):

And the Bonus Question:

If you could invent a holiday, what and when would it be? What special celebrations/traditions would take place on your day?

27th thread!? I haven't even read 27 books this year.

Congratulations.

Love the photos, especially the giggles.

Shout out for the 1,001 books in that lead photo :) Woop!

>1 scaifea: LOL! I love that your first book shelf pic is of books of book lists. It's so you!

>243 jnwelch: I don't know if you ever look at the TIOLI challenges, but this month my challenge is to read a book that is catalogued with the same title and a different author. There are 20 entries already, and Reckless is not one of them.

I would like to make my birthday a holiday, but I was born on September 11, so too much celebration would be insensitive.

So I would have "Reading Day," which is celebrated by reading books, drinking hot tea (or one's favorite reading beverage), and eating foods inspired by one's favorite literary works.

Amber congrats on number 27. Way to go!

Charlie looks like he is communing with his imaginary friend in the last photo you posted. Fun to be young and have a vivid imagination.

Created holiday must selfishly be 75ers day. It should be celebrated on Jim's birthday.

>8 casvelyn: I love the idea of food inspired by literary works!

>10 LoisB: My senior year of college, I lived in an apartment on campus with a full-sized (for an apartment) kitchen. My housemates and I cooked all sorts of literary food, particularly from Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. We also figured out how to disconnect the smoke detector so we could deep fry without making the entire building evacuate. (Those smoke detectors were the worst. A 20-minute hot shower would set them off.) And we had Iron Chef competitions.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread is set to raise and I'm here for a quick LT break before starting in on the Butterscotch Blondies...

>4 humouress: Hi, Nina! Charlie giggles are indeed the best kind, as far as I'm concerned.

>5 BekkaJo: Bekka: Whoop indeed! I can't wait to get round to working through that big, honkin' list! (I'm still working on the 1001 Children's Books list, though.)

>6 Morphidae: Morphy: Ha! I know, right?

>7 LoisB: Lois: I have to admit that the TIOLI challenge business is a bit of a mystery to me - I've been putting off exploring it until I get through a few of my already-started lists. My reading is already very strictly governed these days...

>8 casvelyn: casvelyn: I get that, but I could also see the goodness behind turning it into a day of joy, too. And I'm a big fan of treating birthdays as if they were national holidays.
And I LOVE the idea of a Reading and Tea Day! With Bookish Food! YES!!

>9 PaulCranswick: Paul: Oho, 75ers Day sounds like a good one, and what better day than Jim's birthday!

>10 LoisB: Lois: Me, too!

>11 casvelyn: casvelyn: Cool! I just bought a Harry Potter Cookbook, too...

Okay, back to the kitchen - Charlie's waiting to start the Blondies...

Happy New thread, Amber! Love those bookie toppers! Now, that I have my smartphone, I can start taking more shelfie shots!! Big smile...

>3 scaifea: I like the idea of a Reading Day, but since it is July 31st, I'll make a push for Harry Potter day. :-)

Out of favorite illustrators? Surely not! ;-) What about Trina Schart Hyman? Marla Frazee? Steven Kellogg? Oh, wait... those are some of my favorite illustrators. Maybe next year I will steal your idea and start my threads with featured illustrators!

>13 msf59: Mark: Shelvies! *snork!* Love it.

>14 foggidawn: foggi: Oh, do it! I'd love to discover more children's books!

Hmm, bonus question. I like the birthday answer; I was looking up my birthday in history, and it's fairly quiet - at least on things I'd want to celebrate - so it'd be nice to have nice things to celebrate.

But maybe I'll take every Monday, because the weekend is always over too soon. Celebrations? I suppose spending times with the people who matter to you.

>16 humouress: Nina: Every Monday?! Wow, that's some ambitious wishin'...

I wanna live in Nina's universe ...

Welcome all. Maybe if we get a petition going...?

Just tell me where to sign!

>18 rosalita: >19 humouress: Julia & Nina: Best of luck to you, ladies. You know, I have every Monday off already. And every Tuesday, and Wednesday, and...

Throwback Day! Here's a 10-month-old Charlie rockin' an awesome shirt and a serious expression:

I like a 75ers Day -- We could have a BIG celebration every time one of us hits 75. The winner for that day, would pick the food, of course.

BTW, yesterday was Cheesecake Day. http://www.ibtimes.com/national-cheesecake-day-2014-where-get-free-cheesecake-di...

>21 scaifea: You can't fool me. You have a child and a home to keep so you actually work 7 days a week, poor thing. Unless you're telling us the myth of stay-at-home moms not really working is true after all?

>23 michigantrumpet: Marianne: Oh, good idea!

>24 rosalita: Julia: Yes, some days it feels like I feel like I'm slave labor, especially on the rare occasion that I don't feel well, because, of course, Moms don't get to take sick days (two Novembers ago I had the flu like I've never had it before and boy-o, let me tell you, that wasn't an easy week to get through). But those are only rare exceptions for me. 98% of the time I feel like the luckiest gal on the planet, because I get to stay at home, play with Legos and Matchbox cars and hang out with the coolest person I know, who makes me laugh every single day.

ETA: I don't mean to contradict those stay-at-home parents who argue that it's way tougher than it looks. Not at all, and I certainly don't just sit around the house all day - not possible when you have a child to look after (and I'd go crazy in that kind of leisured lifestyle anyway). But I've taken to it like some proverbial thing takes to some proverbial something (I can't think of the phrase now - ducks and water? Is that it?), even though, when I was younger and Tomm and I were very first married, I never thought I'd ever want to leave my career to be a full-time parent. Now, I think it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

>22 scaifea: Way too cute for words!

>27 barney67: What sort of book repair do you need?

>22 scaifea: LOL!!!

Most of my personal obsessions already have holidays: Pi Day, World Book Day, National Running Day, National Library whole-darn Week.

How about National Binge-Watch Netflix Day? Although I expect that too already exists and celebrants (like me) call it "Saturday."

Bonus Q: At the college one of my friends attended, they had a tradition where every year the dean (or the president?) would decide in the very early hours of the fall day of his choosing (meant to be one of those perfect autumnal New England-y days) that all classes were cancelled for the day. I think some very spry activity like hiking a nearby mountain was then meant to be organized for the day, though participation in that was not required. The idea was just to take advantage of a lovely day and play (sanctioned) hooky. This is the holiday I want. I think magic might have to be involved for it to work (how else could it come off?), but everyone should be allowed one day (a year?) where they get to shrug off all work (with no consequences) and just enjoy themselves. It has to be spontaneous though--that's part of the fun of the thing. It should feel like a gift. I think we'd have to call this holiday "Felicity."

>30 swynn: Blasphemy! True believers know that National Binge-Watch Netflix Day is Sunday!

>12 scaifea: You can do TIOLI like I do. I read a book then see if it fits into a challenge! Once in a while I'll try to "sweep" the challenges. Then I'll determine my reading by challenges. But mostly I do it the first way.

I like the suggestions for both Reading Day and Felicity Day. Personally, I would probably combine the two into, um, Felicitous Reading Day?

Before I retired, every now and then I would, on the spur of the moment, take a day off as a "mental health" day, when I would basically just relax and read all day. Fortunately, I was seldom sick and never had any accidents that caused me to be laid up, so I always had a lot of "personal" days to use.

Looking back, Amber, I agree 100% that being a full-time mom (during Meg's early years) was one of the best things I ever did in my entire life.

>29 LoisB: Lois: I'll assume you're not laughing at the verity of the t-shirt's statement...

>30 swynn: Steve: "Saturday" *snork!*

>31 lycomayflower: Laura: What a cool idea!! Love it.

>32 norabelle414: Nora: *snork!*

>33 Morphidae: Morphy: That's a good idea. Maybe once my summer bingoing is over, I'll think about it...

>34 Storeetllr: Mary: I like the sound of a 'mental health day,' but in my line of work it wouldn't have, um, worked. It would just have meant that I was a(nother) full day behind on everything, and I would have worry-warted the entire day about not working. Ha!

>31 lycomayflower:: Mt Holyoke right? It was a major talking point in the campus tour when we visited earlier this year. I thought it was a cool idea too.

>36 lauralkeet: Laura: Interesting! It also sounds like something Kenyon might do (but they don't, of course).

Dropping off a *smooch*

Amber, because you enjoy children's illustrated books, you might enjoy this facebook site:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/420974967922612/792856937401078/?comment_id=7929...

>36 lauralkeet: Yep!

>32 norabelle414:: Sunday you say? Nonsense! Why is there never a cathedral door handy when you need one? Why, I .... oh look, new episodes of Hemlock Grove.

Never mind.

>35 scaifea: Yes, well, that was the trade-off for me too, but there were times that I just didn't care.

I have to think about this holiday thing because really there is a National Day of Everything but I want off work for my holiday and national hot dog day isn't going to cut it. I'd like to be British and have all of their holidays. That would work for me. I'm going to call my holiday I want to be British for their holidays Holiday.

>1 scaifea: Book Lust books!
hehe, yes. Of course.

Charlie as a big kid shows signs of having been Charlie as a ten-month-old :) Is it fascinating how parts of their looks are carried right through. The floppy cheeks are soooo cute in little ones. He's 5 now, right? Just like my Wilbur- well, he turns 6 in September. We are currently in the midst of a birthday party frenzy- all his classmates are turning 6 lately. We have back to back weekend parties, it is fab!!!

My holiday would be National No-Celebration Day, just so I could point and laugh at the people who try to work out how to celebrate it.

Amber! I hope Brody had cake for his birthday. I will be in Madison again this year (okay, Verona) Sept 14-18. With luck, I can drive my own (new) car and we can visit!

What a good mom you are. My mother would never have thrown a birthday party for my two, especially after Boyo turned the potatoes off on the stove. Do I only get one day as a holiday? I'd like to have the winter and summer solstices off; the first because it's so dark and short, the second because it's so long and joyous.

I'd like every Friday to be a holiday. I'd love to work four-day weeks.

>38 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!

>39 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda! I've sent them a request to join.

>41 swynn: Steve: *snork!*

>42 Storeetllr: Mary: Hm, yeah, I didn't really have much of a choice, at least as long as I was working toward tenure.

>43 luvamystery65: Roberta: Ha! I love it!

>44 LovingLit: Charlie turns 6 in September, too! And yes, I love looking back to see the Now-Him in the Tiny-Him...

>45 Ape: Stephen: Oh, you hooligan, you!

>46 tloeffler: Terri: He did have cake (and I did, too)! Oh, I hope we can get together this time round! I've recently found a fantastic little bookshop in Spring Green, which isn't too far from Verona, I think...

>47 tiffin: tiffin: Charlie's imaginary friends are a big part of our lives right now, and Tomm and I both - without talking it over first at all - just naturally include them in our daily lives. I vaguely remember having my own imaginary friend (Carrie Jane), so I know how important they are, and if it's important to Charlie, it's important to me. Plus, it's just, well, fun.
And if it were up to me, you'd have all the holidays you'd like.

>48 Whisper1: Linda: I've thought about that before, and I wonder how long it would be until people would be wanting a 4-day weekend, then. Ha!

449. Happy Birthday, Garfield! by Jon Davis (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
Garfield at first gets only healthy treats for his birthday, but once he lets Jon know exactly how that makes him feel (which involves Jon getting chucked in the head with some wheat toast), his birthday gets better, via lasagna and cake.
Charlie has recently discovered Tomm's collection of Garfield books (which are anthologies of the comic strips) and just loves them. So he was excited when we found this picture book at the library. It's hard not to giggle at Garfield, honestly. He's one funny cat.

My brother had an imaginary friend, Zucker, who did all of the bad things. There was also an imaginary Weasel -- you know how ice, when it has been in the freezer for a long time, picks up various flavors and becomes generally nasty? That was known as Weasel-ice, courtesy of my brother's imagination. I never had one, myself, though I imagined myself into many different roles (I was often a small white dog named Kippy, for instance).

My brothers and I had imaginary enemies when we were younger--Donald Quieye (pronounced kwai-eye) and his gang of Al Capone-esque thugs. We were always the intrepid private investigators who were going to catch Donald and send him to Alcatraz. Well, the older of my two younger brothers and I were P.I.s. My youngest brother was usually our dog. It was very 1920s and noir and Nick and Nora, at least in my imagination, which was funny, since I didn't know much about the 1920s or noir at the time, and I just read The Thin Man this year. But sarcasm and wisecracks are familial traits, so it kind of worked. We enjoyed it, at any rate.

Edited in a feeble attempt to curb reckless comma usage.

I had an imaginary friend when I was really little. It was a bear-like creature. I can't recall its name just now, but if I do will edit later to add it. I don't remember blaming it for any of my own mischief but that instead it was a comfort to me. (There weren't a lot of kids around before we moved away from my grandparents' house.)

>49 scaifea: don't tell my my other son has an LT birthday buddy too! Lenny has one :) Wilbur is the 15th, close to Charlie's?

>51 scaifea: My last dog was named Odie, after the pup in the Garfield comics.

449? Really?

>52 foggidawn: foggi: Zucker and Weasel - love it!

>53 casvelyn: casvelyn: Oh, man, it sounds like it would have been so much fun to play with you as a kid!

>54 Storeetllr: Mary: Aw, sweet.

>55 LovingLit: Megan: Get right out of town! Charlie's is the 15th! How cool is that?!

>56 rosalita: Julia: Sometime within the next year we'll be getting Charlie his own puppy, and although right now he claims he's going to name it Mario, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't consider Odie. (I makes no difference, of course, that we'll likely get a female...)

>57 EBT1002: Ellen: Yes, well, nota bene that only 73 of those are non-picture books.

On the agenda for today:
Grocery shopping this morning for the next week and then I've got some work to do for the shop (packing up some orders - I've sold a dress already and I haven't even posted them in the shop yet!). Otherwise, no solid plans today. I'd like to get into the sewing room for a bit this afternoon - I'm nearly finished with the next little dress - and of course some reading time would be lovely, too. Chicken Korma for dinner, I think, as I've got the chicken marinating in the fridge already...
On the reading front: I think I may have managed half a page total of the Jackson biography yesterday. Sad state of affairs, really. Hoping to get more read today.

The calendar book for today: The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock, which sounds a bit dark. Anyone read this one? Thoughts?

Happy Friday, Amber!! The Devil All the Time!! OMG! What a great read, but not for the faint of heart. It is a very wicked tale...

>60 msf59: Mark: Yep, I'm thinking that even if it's a well-written book, it may not be for me...

Ha - chicken korma for dinner here too. Though it's a last minute jar jobby for me :) I am thinking blueberry cake tomorrow though since I seem to have excessed on blueberries - Will is a blueberry addict but still, some are starting to look fluffy...

>62 BekkaJo: Bekka: Oooh, Blueberry Cake! Yum. I have a recipe for Blueberry Upside Down Cake that I love...

That's what I was thinking - most of my cookery books are in a box in my sis's loft (part of the empty the house to sell malarkey) but I'm pretty sure there is an upside down blueberry cake recipe in Cassie's usbourne bakery book - one of the 3 cook books still on the shelf!

Garfield: "Diet" is DIE with a T!!!

I support all lasagna-based lifeforms.

>64 BekkaJo: Bekka: Oooh, an Usbourne baking book, you say? *off to research that one*

>65 richardderus: Richard: Ha! Me, too. Wait, Garfield is a cat, Richard! My world just spun round a little...

I had an imaginary friend named GooGoo, don't remember him ever getting into trouble. The funny story about GooGoo, which my mom recounted, is that when my brother was little, I introduced him to GooGoo and apparently we all played together. Then one day, when I had gone off to school, my brother was moping around with nothing to do, and my mom suggested "Why don't you play with GooGoo?" To which he answered, "I can't, he went to school with Rhonda!"

Okay, so in my on-going mission to make our household and our daily lifestyle more earth-friendly and less wasteful, I've decided to try making my own laundry detergent - the store-bought kind is just full of chemicals that I can't identify, comes in those big plastic tubs and costs only slightly less than the soul of one's first born. So I did some online searching and found a recipe that seems a bit less toxic, the ingredients of which come in earth-friendlier packaging (cardboard boxes as opposed to plastic tubs) and will end up costing less money per year to a startling tune of close to $200 dollars. I bought the ingredients today and will try to get round to making it up this weekend. We'll see how it goes...

Do any of you here make your own detergent?

>67 banjo123: Rhonda: *snork!* That's adorable. Last year - Charlie's first year in school - we had to drop Brody off at his own school before taking Charlie to his (Brody's school is, apparently at the end of our driveway, which was happily convenient).

>69 scaifea: Thank goodness; I was envisioning you driving all over town, before I got to the end of your sentence.

My eldest had an imaginary friend, when he was very young, called Baby, but he was left behind soon after my son started pre-school. He was just a companion, maybe a touch younger than my son.

My youngest has a friend called Leggy (I worked out that I think it comes from when he was smaller, and would come running up to me and hug my leg, because he was only about knee high to me. It stopped for a while after one memorable occasion when he actually knocked me off my feet - my shoes have an odd shaped heel, which contributed); Leggy can be any age from a babe in arms to (I think the oldest was) 35 years old. And he can sometimes age rapidly within a day. He's only mentioned occasionally now. Leggy is a bit more adventuresome than Baby, but he mainly gets to do things my son can't do yet / can no longer do because he's too old. I think he only took the blame once.

I don't think I ever had an imaginary friend myself, but I felt that all my toys were real people. I even felt upset on their behalf when my youngest used to toss his soft toys out of his cot. (I think that's why I'm a hoarder; I feel I'm betraying my possessions by throwing them out.)

ETA spelling

>70 humouress: Nina: Oh, all of my stuffed animals were/are still real, too. And Charlie's, too, of course. I've grown so attached to some of Charlie's that I'm already hoping he'll leave them all here when he goes off to college/out in the world, because I'd miss them too much if he did.

Never had an imaginary friend either. Lots of book friends, though.

Hi Amber, nice new thread my dear and once again you have poste some lovely photo's, especially the Charlie ones.

>Roni: Ha! I had lots of those, too.

>73 johnsimpson: Many thanks, John!

What I did this afternoon:

Sat outside and enjoyed the glorious weather with a book and a lovely view:



Came inside and made a couple of magnets, one for a friend and one for myself, in honor of Harry's birthday yesterday:

>75 scaifea: Love the magnets!

>76 foggidawn: Thanks, foggi! I nearly couldn't part with either of them, but I made the book one specifically for my friend, so *sigh.*

Instead of coming up with a new holiday, I think I would rather make a new rule about an old one - Labor Day. My re-vamped LD would require employers to pay their part-timers at least half a day's pay for this holiday. It seems like such a slap in the face for the PTrs to be forced to take the day off, but receive absolutely nothing for the day that is meant for all workers.

I plead guilty to the charge that I never would have thought of this injustice before I became a PT person myself.

>58 scaifea: I certainly think I was fun to play with! (Did I ever mention that I had a huge Greek mythology obsession as a child?)

>68 scaifea: We thought about making our own detergent, but based on some stuff I read online, it wouldn't have much cleaning power when coupled with our unnaturally hard well water, so we never actually got around to trying any.

Happy new thread, Amber.

>78 Fourpawz2: Charlotte: I hadn't thought of that before, but your complaint makes sense.

>79 casvelyn: casvelyn: That's right, I think you have mentioned your Greek Myth interest before! Awesome! And that's interesting that homemade detergents don't work with well water. Huh.

>80 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara!

450. Charlie the Caterpillar by Dom DeLuise (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B-
Charlie the caterpillar sets out to explore and make friends, but no one wants to play with him because they think he's ugly.
Meh. Not great. I don't like how the caterpillar, once a butterfly, takes what seems like too much delight in refusing to play with the creatures who wouldn't play with him before. It's a little heavy-handed.

LOVE those magnets & would totally buy them if you sold them in your store!!!

Last thread's question... being stuck with one person in hell? I'd have to say my sister. I do love her dearly, but in short order she is able to jump on every nerve ending I have and I have to practice biting my tongue often to remain a decent person.

This thread's question... I would make a holiday of celebrating chocolate. Just cause. Ladies, wanna take a wild guess what time of the month it is ??? ;)

>83 TinaV95: Tina: I'm glad you like the magnets - I hope my friend does, too.
And, yep, I've got a (half-)sister like that, too. Two of them, to be honest.
And I second your chocolate holiday motion! One of the best parts about our getaway weekend last, uh, weekend, was the 100 (!) Lindt Truffles we brought home with us...

On the agenda for today:
Charlie wants to make a Party Pancake this morning for breakfast (a recipe from his Laura Numeroff story/recipe/song anthology book, and after that we'll all be headed to Dubuque for a family outing of shopping and lunch (the main goal is to find some new school shoes for Charlie). Other than that, I'm hoping for the usual: sewing and reading time. The fridge is full of leftovers, so no cooking necessary this afternoon.
On the reading front: I did manage a few pages of the Jackson biography yesterday outside in the gorgeous breezy sunshine (see photo above). Hoping to read another nice chunk today.

The calendar's weekend book quote: "To the red country and part of the gray country of Oklahoma, the last rains came gently, and they did not cut the scarred earth." I suspect at least some of you *cough*Mark*cough* will get this one right away...

Happy new thread, Amber! The party pancake sounds fun, and reading time is always a plus.

>86 Thebookdiva: Thanks, Abby! The Pancake Party was pretty fun, I have to say.

All caught up on your thread again. Love the hat pictures up top. And the idea of a holiday--at this point I am not too particular about the reason, just that it be soon! Enjoy the weekend. : )

>84 scaifea: 100 Lindt truffles? Enough to share, then ;0)

>88 Berly: Kim: Ha! Agreed.

>89 humouress: Nina: Um, no. Sorry, but no. *snork!*

>85 scaifea: I don't want to spoil Mark's fun, so: is it The Grapes of Wrath?

>91 lauralkeet: Laura: DINGDING!!

Happy Half Year! July 1st, we all celebrate a new half of the year with parties and celebrations worldwide!

451. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig (public library book, picture book) - 10/10 = A+
Tells the story of a young boy who feels invisible - ignored - at school, and how that all changes when he reaches out in his own, shy way, to the new kid in class.
The story is so well told - not overly sentimental or at all preachy - and the illustrations are beautiful. I highly recommend this one, for all kids. An important topic, delicately and deftly handled.

Thanks for the latest recommendation! On the list it goes.

Yummm!! 100 Lindt truffles?? Sounds divine!

I came home from a dinner thing tonight expecting to eat the other half of my chocolate bar that I saved from last night. **I was attempting to be good by only eating half, you see.**

Guess what? The DOG had gotten out of my bedside table (which he typically can't reach) and had eaten the entire thing. No more chocolate for me tonight!! Dang dog. ;)

Hi Amber. I hope everything is good with you and the family.

>95 Whisper1: Linda: You're welcome! I think you'll love it.

>96 TinaV95: Tina: Oh, ding dang! I think I may have cried. Also, I hope your dog is okay...

>97 connie53: Connie! So good to hear from you!

On the agenda for today:

Should be a nice, quiet day at home today. I'm hoping to get some sewing and reading done (I did manage a few pages yesterday, but no sewing). Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots for dinner.

Also, today is my dad's 81st birthday! He's the best dad a girl could ask for, and the best Pa a Charlie could ever hope for, too. Here he is with Charlie, just about a year ago:

How wonderful your dad and Charlie have a nice relationship. Happy Sunday Amber.

>100 luvamystery65: Thanks, Roberta! Charlie does a lot toward keeping both of my parents young, I think.

I just got off the phone with Dad, and he's happily waiting for his birthday cake (German Chocolate Cake, always) to come out of the oven, and for his birthday supper of Soup Beans and Corn Bread. I wish I could be there to help him celebrate, for more reasons than one...

Morning Amber! For some reason on this rainy New England day Soup Beans sounds very good. Don't know what it is, but it sounds warm and cozy. Happy Birthday to your dad!

I wanted to let you know how much I have been enjoying your interesting questions every thread this year. They are quite a varied lot and they really make me think. Example - this thread's question. I did not even realize that idea was in my head until your question brought it out of me. I bet you are a great teacher.

>102 Fourpawz2: Charlotte: Soup Beans are one of my absolute favorites, and I think most people refer to them as Ham and Bean Soup. For me, it's a dish best served by crumbling up a large hunk of cornbread into the largest soup bowl you can find, then pouring the soup beans over the top and add a generous dash of pepper on top. Also necessary: A side plate of more cornbread, sliced in half horizontally and slathered with butter and strawberry jam.
And, aw, thanks! I don't know about great, but I certainly do love teaching. These questions were always a fantastic way for me to get to know my students and for them to get to know each other and to form a classroom bond, which makes learning a language like Latin so much easier, I think.

>85 scaifea: It's been awhile since I read it but of course my first guess would have been Grapes. What a great opener!

Happy Sunday, Amber! Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

>99 scaifea: What a fantastic picture! Reminds me of my own grandfather, who always had time to take any (or all) or his three grandkids on walks and rides and to teach them anything he could about the woods and the animals and plants you'd find there. Grandfathers can be such a treasure--looks like Charlie lucked out with your dad!

>104 msf59: Mark: I *knew* you'd recognize that one! Happy Sunday!

>105 lycomayflower: Laura: I never got to know either set of my own grandparents, and I'm so happy that Charlie has such a wonderful Pa - they both enjoy the company of one another completely.

>103 scaifea: Interesting, how that is true with language classes. My ancient Greek class in college certainly bonded over the course of four semesters, helped along by the prof's random stories and wacky sayings.

Happy Birthday to Dad! My Dad's favorite cake was also German Chocolate Cake. Love him while you've got him!

>107 foggidawn: foggi: It's true if you're lucky, I think. I've been in a language class or two as a student which didn't form any sort of camaraderie and we all suffered because of it.

>108 tloeffler: Thanks, Terri!

452. (74th non-picture book read this year) E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core! by William Joyce (Charlie's bedtime book, 251 pages) - 9/10 = A
I just love this series and how wonderfully Joyce uses existing folklore and childhood belief systems to form his own origin stories and stories of comfort to children with common night-time fears. Charlie is enjoying the stories, too, but this one started to approach a level of sophistication in plot and language that made it difficult for him, I think, to keep up with the story and therefore to remain focused on the telling. So I think we'll shelve this series for the time being and come back a bit later.

453. The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
Charlie loves the Magic School Bus stories, and this one nicely dealt with the issue of global warming, the havoc it's having on the planet and what we can do, even in little ways, to help.

Inventing a holiday - I'd probably go with the one I saw celebrated when I was in Barcelona a few years ago - St Jordi Day, a day (23 April) celebrating books, romance and roses and is the equivalent of Valentines Day for Catalunya. The main streets were full of people, book stalls, flower stands, writers doing readings and signings plus a huge dragon wearing reading glasses. The only problem I had was that all the books were in Spanish or Catalan.
The reason books became involved is that both Cervantes and Shakespeare died on the same day, 23 April, in 1616.

Morning Amber, wishing you a lovely day.

>111 avatiakh: Kerry: Oh, wow, that sounds like a fantastic holiday! We definitely need to get that started over here!

>112 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara!

On today's agenda:

Not much planned for today. A little cleaning and possibly some baking. Hopefully some reading and sewing. We'll just see how it goes. I don't even need to cook dinner - plenty of leftovers in the fridge. Hoping to repeat that lovely scene above, the one with me in a lawn chair with a book and Charlie and Tuppence playing away outside...
On the reading front: The Jackson biography is still plugging along; I managed a few pages yesterday, but I was also fighting a headache all day, so I didn't get much of anything done.

The calendar book for today: No Cheating, No Dying: I had a Good Marriage, Then I Tried to Make It Better by Elizabeth Well. Anyone read this one? Doesn't really sound like my cuppa, honestly.

Morning Amber! Hope you have a headache free day today. Hugs!

>115 msf59: Mark: Thanks - so far so good...

Cake, anyone? It's Lime Sponge Cake with Lemon Frosting:

>117 scaifea: YES PLEASE NOW PLEASE MORE PLEASE THANK YOU PLEASE

>118 richardderus: *hip checks RDear out of the way*

Mine!

>117 scaifea: {like}

What a lovely photo of Charlie and your dad. This looks like a photo to keep for years and years to come and to pass down from one generation to the following!

>117 scaifea: Oh man, I am so hungry.

>117 scaifea: Never heard of it before, but it looks yum. I'll just sneak in and snaffle a bite, while Morphy and Richard are squabbling.

Or two.

>117 scaifea: Yummm

>118 richardderus: Richard: Help yourself! It turned out pretty good, if I do say so.

>119 Morphidae: Morphy: *snork!*

>120 LoisB: Thanks, Lois!

>121 Whisper1: Linda: I know, right? I have one that I just absolutely love, of both of my parents each holding on to one of Charlie's hands, and they're swinging him up in the air as they're walking - I took the photo as I was walking behind them and it just perfectly captures the loving and happy atmosphere between them all.

>122 RosyLibrarian: Marie: There's plenty; come on over!

>123 humouress: Nina: Ha! I'd never heard of it before either, but it looked good enough to try out the recipe...

>124 norabelle414: Nora: It definitely is.

Yum!

Hi Amber! Hope you're doing well -- I've enjoyed getting caught up. Love the Brody stories (happy late birthday to him, by the way). My brother had an imaginary friend for several years named Hardy. Sometimes I miss Hardy.

Love reading your daily agendas. When my oldest was born I went from full-time at the Chorale to very-very-very part time (like 5 hours a week). I never regretted it for a second. Still kinda wish I could stay at home. I know you are enjoying it, and I enjoy following you and Charlie:)

I've just read a Dutch children's book, How to become King from the 1960s that had moving churches in it, so I was telling my daughter about Mortal Engines and she couldn't believe the whole idea of it, cities chasing towns! I was pondering at the time whether Reeve had read the book as a child, as the churches were quite lethal to other buildings.

Hi Amber, if you are going to tempt me with cake photo's I will have to get Mrs S baking ASAP. Good morning my dear I hope you have a lovely day.

>126 ronincats: Hi, Roni! I'm having a slice of the cake for breakfast with my tea - yum, indeed!

>127 AMQS: Anne: Aw, thanks! I can't say that I'm too much looking forward to school starting in just about a month, as it will mean Charlie will be in school 5 days a week for the first time. I've no plans to return to any kind of work - at least not now - and I don't foresee running out of things to do, but I sure am going to miss that little guy hanging out with me all day...

>128 avatiakh: Kerry: Oh, interesting! I bet he did read it - nothing new under the sun, and all that, eh?

>129 johnsimpson: John: The products of Mrs. S's baking always looks so wonderful when you share photos that I myself am always tempted to hop over the pond to help you polish them off...

On the agenda for today:
Charlie's having a few friends over this morning to play outside (as long as the weather holds). We have a spare package of balloons from his birthday last year, so I think I'll inflate those and let them have at it outside with a balloon party. Otherwise, the usual: a bit of cleaning, some baking maybe (Irish Dairy Bread today), some sewing and reading. I finished another little shirt dress yesterday and I'm eager to get going on the next one (this one is a 4T):



On the reading front: Nothing happened yesterday. Too busy during the day and too tired and distracted at the end of the day (more on the distractedness in a moment).

The calendar book for today: The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright, about a woman who has an affair with a married man, which results in an ended marriage and has a life-changing effect on the man's teenaged daughter. Doesn't really sound all the pleasant. Anyone read this one? Thoughts?

Okay, the reason for the distracted state:
Remember how I happily announced that Tomm had fixed the in-laws-on-my-birthday problem? Well, it turns out that he didn't, really. He came home last night to tell me that they called him to tell him that they have a 'solution' to the problem of his not being here this weekend: They're still determined to be here on my birthday (What the what!? Why?!), so they'll come on Friday, spend the night in their RV in our driveway and then go by themselves on up to visit Tomm's cousins and straight home from there. Then they're planning on coming *back* in a couple of weekends for the alternative weekend that Tomm offered, too! So now I have to spend my birthday with them AND an extra weekend! What the what?! Oh, and it gets better: they want to take us out for dinner on Friday (my birthday), but they've laid out such intricate restrictions on where they will and will not eat that the place that I'd like to pick for my birthday dinner is, apparently, out of the question. So I don't even get to pick the restaurant for my own damn birthday dinner. Which I have to spend with my In-Laws. Who don't like me.

Needless to say, I was upset.

Look, I know that I'm very likely being childish about this whole thing, and that I probably should have outgrown the notion that birthdays should be national holidays years ago, but I can't help it. I think that everyone is entitled to one day out of the year on which they are made to feel special. And for the past couple of years I've felt more like Tomm has barely remembered that it's my birthday at all, let alone made any sort of effort to help me celebrate it. So, yeah, just feeling a little pathetic and sorry for myself today. So, apologies for the whinging...

>131 scaifea: cute dress! Makes me wish I had little girls again.
Also, I haven't read The Forgotten Waltz but I read her Booker Prize winner, The Gathering, which was not very pleasant so maybe that's her thing.

>132 scaifea: we were posting simultaneously. That sucks, Amber. I'm curious why they are so adamant about being there for your birthday in the first place. I kind of know what you mean about birthdays feeling special to you, more so than to others. I'd love a brass band and all kinds of hoopla, but it seems others don't.

>133 lauralkeet: Morning, Laura! Hm, so it seems that I may want to stay clear of her books...

>133 lauralkeet: Hi Amber! I added sympathetic comments to my previous message as well ...

Thanks, Laura. I wonder if it isn't just pure stubborn spite. They must sense that they're intruding on something, but just really want to get their own way...

>130 scaifea:, If you lived nearby Amber you would be most welcome.

>137 johnsimpson: Many thanks, John. I would love, love to get over to your area of the globe someday...

Morning Amber! We finally got some rain last night. We NEEDED it. I heard some areas got 2 inches. I haven't even cut the lawn in over 2 weeks.

Enjoy your Tuesday!

>139 msf59: Morning, Mark! Yep, we got some of that rain, too, and needed it just as badly.

We may get rain tomorrow then back to warm and sunny on Thursday.

>68 scaifea: I have made my own detergent. It's great. Just make sure that the first time you use it that you put it in first with the water and see how it suds up before adding clothes. Some recipes don't dissolve well... I also make my own fabric softener. White vinegar with lemon and orange essential oils. Yummy!

>117 scaifea: Yes, please, and thank you. YUM!

>132 scaifea: So. I have a suggestion. :) Take or leave, you know the drill. Anyway, what if you tell Tomm that you are declaring a different day your birthday and that it will be somewhat on the level of a national holiday. Fireworks, flags, the whole deal. Give him a list of ways that he can make that day so special that you will be (ahem) able to somewhat reconcile yourself to the willful abduction of the traditional holiday. Also, just tell him you want him to make your birthday special. Birthdays were not a really big deal in my husband's family and so for a few years I was really disappointed on my birthday when he didn't do much. After I told him, he got much better. It's sort of like the thing with taking the trash out. They just don't see it. If we ask, they do it. So, instead of making it about whether or not they love us, we just need to ask. :)

Advice column lady signing off now... ;)

Now that I've done the marriage advice, I will go back to my thread and wait around for some "how to handle obstreperous, obstinate, oppositional teenagers" advice.

>141 johnsimpson: John: We've had a couple of hot, sunny days here this past week and the rain helped cool things down again. I really can't complain about the heat, though - we've had an amazingly and wonderfully cool summer this year.

>142 nittnut: Jenn: Thanks. We've been married for 10 years and he knows how I feel about birthdays and in the past he's been very good about making it a special day for me, but lately I think my silly wishes have been shunted to the side in favor of work stress and avoidance of arguments with his folks. I've been sympathetic up to this point, because I understand how frustrated he gets with his parents and his work has been quite stressful lately, but I'm nearing the end of my rope with being willing to take a back seat to all of that. I'm getting tired of the squeaky in-law wheel getting the oil and I'm ready for it to get replaced instead. Or possibly just kicked a bit.

ETA: Also, sorry but I can be of no help with the obstinate teenager issues. I'm not there yet. Something to look forward to, I suppose. Ha!

>132 scaifea: Your birthday, your choice of restaurants. All are welcome to join you. End of story.

>142 nittnut:: "how to handle obstreperous, obstinate, oppositional teenagers" advice.
Wait. This, too, shall pass.

All kidding aside, my daughters went through phases like that, around 15-17, and both improved mightily during their senior year in high school. They are now 18 & 21 and the challenge for us as parents is to know when they want or need our advice, and when we should just let them find their own way. We are fortunate in that they usually make good decisions, but when we *know* the answer it's hard not to just butt in and make it happen.

>144 LoisB: Lois: Well, you'd think so, wouldn't you? *sigh*

>145 lauralkeet: Laura: Good advice that I'll tuck it away for later use...

What jerks! They can't even let you pick the restaurant on your own birthday?? There is definitely something spiteful going on.

>132 scaifea: You know I agree with you on this one! We both have so many stories to tell. How I wish you were able to do what I've done...refuse to be around the idiots. It causes stress, but Will knows I'm firm on this. And, in a heated conversation, I reminded him that he was the one who warned me about the wicked Aunt, and that so many things I've been upset about regarding his cousin's games, he has also said (many times) "Brian needs to grow up!"

I know you hate that Tomm is in the middle of all this. Hats off to you for the gentle soul you are in not demanding he choose. Still, I know it is very frustrating.

Happy Almost Birthday. Love you lots!!!! If I lived nearby, I'd be sure you had a wonderful birthday dinner.

What an impossible situation. Ugh. I do like Jenn's suggestion of declaring an alternate day as your birthday. Go to dinner with the in-laws (shudder), put up with them for however many hours, and then get a complete do-over on another day with activities and meals of your choice. It doesn't make up for it, but at least you can still get a nice day with just Tomm and Charlie out of it.

>147 norabelle414: Nora: Thanks for the supportive angst - I appreciate it!

>148 Whisper1: Linda: Thank you for the kind words and many, many thanks for the virtual birthday dinner! That means more than I can say. Honestly, I'm very tempted to pack up and take Charlie for a visit to my parents' for the weekend, but I'm fighting that instinct...for now...

Amber, I hope it's appropriate to say that I really don't like your in-laws at all. They don't sound quite right in the head. Stay strong. Also, maybe you can do a lot of nasty, passive-aggressive things to them over the weekend. (KIDDING!)

Hi Amber. I am in total agreement with you that birthdays should be a sacred day and spent however the birthday celebrant wants to spend them. It totally sucks you have to spend yours with your in-laws. I have no better advice than what you have already been given, only sympathy for you!

Re: imaginary friends....Mine was named C.B. One night riding in the car with my mom in the rain, I made her pull off to the side of the road and pick up C.B. who was hitchhiking. She did it too. My mom is cool lady! You are a cool mom too! I'm not sure I would throw a bday party for an imaginary friend or stop to pick one up who was hitchhiking....luckily neither of my kids had an imaginary friend.

>149 katiekrug: Katie: Yeah, well, the stubborn and petulant child in me thinks that that's just not good enough. Ha! *sigh*

>151 DorsVenabili: Kerri: Ha! Thanks! I've never really been very good at the whole passive-aggressive thing - I'm not subtle enough!

>152 Cobscook: Heidi: Thanks. I really appreciate all the support! I cried it all out to my mom this morning on the phone and she's all lathered up into a right royal snit about the whole thing, which of course makes me feel a bit better about it. Honestly, I can't ever let my mom and my MIL in the same room together - I don't want my mom to go to prison! *snork!*
Also, I love that your mom pulled over for C.B.! I would have, too. I don't know how cool that makes me (unless you pronounce "cool" as "crazy"); I just remember having so much fun with my own vivid imagination that I like to encourage Charlie's in every way I can.

So very sorry about the whole birthday thing. Completely sucks, not to put it too politely.

I've only made your acquaintance since January, however, I can say with some assurance that you ARE made to feel on special many other days. Just wish Friday was one of them ...

Adding my sympathy to the pile Amber - give hubby a big kick. He needs to know that he's making you feel rotten. Massive in-law sympathy - my husband's just informed me that mine are coming over in September. Which is distressingly soon... sigh.

>154 michigantrumpet: Marianne: I know, I know, I shouldn't complain. But it's my birthday and I'll grouse if I want to. Ha!

>155 BekkaJo: In-Law Sympathy right back at you, Bekka. Stay strong, sister!

Amber my dear you have every right to grouse about how your birthday is being spoiled by ignorant and arrogant people (hope my saying this is not out of order) and you should be able to do what you want. I would go to the restaurant of my choice and if they don't like it then THEY don't have to go. I always try to make Karen's birthday special regardless of whether it a significant one or not, it is a shame Tomm is in the middle but it is YOUR special day and you should be the one that all the attention and love is aimed at. I was lucky in that my in-laws took to me right from the off and in fact my mum No2 saw it her mission to feed me up, cakes were made and couldn't be touched until I had had a large piece, stew and dumplings were made for me and once my father No2 said to her that if I bent down she would get a sun tan, this remained that way until Robert was born and then I moved down a step and then further down when Amy was born. It was the same for Karen with my mum and dad but unfortunately she only had a short time with them, dad died on this day in 1990 and mum passed away in 1995.

Whatever happens I hope you have a lovely day my dear and I will send special wishes on Friday (it is Friday isn't it?).

I'm afraid I would have to stop letting Tomm be the one to deal with these people. At least on matters that affect you so profoundly. He's in a tough position, and can't do right by everybody. So you're both stressed. But how you feel about how you celebrate your own birthday is, by damn, YOUR prerogative, and you should be able to call the shots.

>132 scaifea: >144 LoisB: I'm with Lois on this. Also, can't you take Charlie to visit your parents for your birthday? Your inlaws can still camp out on your driveway if they choose (though I'd not let them have a key to your house without you being there ~ sorry, but they don't sound the most responsible, reliable, decent of people, and your house is your castle, or something like that).

>157 johnsimpson: Thanks, John. I'm wistfully happy for you that you have in-laws that actually like you. You made me laugh right out loud at the bending-over sunburn comment! Love it!

>158 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: The problem is that they avoid direct confrontation with me on these issues, mostly, I suspect, because they (and by they I really mean she) know that I won't take any nonsense from them, but they do know that they can bully Tomm around to a certain extent. But if I were to step in and 'handle' it, it would just mean even more grief for Tomm later - they'd harass him no end about it on the phone (it's happened before).

>159 Storeetllr: Mary: I am very much tempted to pack up and leave for a visit with my parents and leave Tomm here by himself to deal with his own parents (I'm irritated enough with him at the moment that he's not invited). I'm still resisting that, though.

Then, as Lois has said, "Your birthday, your choice of restaurants." They can meet you there or not, up to them. Staying out of the "Tomm and his parents" issue ~ I was an adult long before my own parents died, and I had a hard time dealing with them as one.

Birthdays are special, no question. (A couple of years ago, since my husband was away, the kids were in school and I knew my parents wouldn't celebrate it, I took myself into Sydney and treated myself to high tea on the day. Also a trip to my favourite book shop. I suppose I can't blame my mum, really; she always claims my dad forgets her birthday until she gives him his card. They share their birthday.)

My first instinct was to say, you've picked your restaurant - you take Charlie and go. Poor old Tomm will have to make a decision. (My dad's tried to pull the one where he stipulates the restaurant, in the past, but then he's my parent.)

My second, seeing >150 scaifea: was to say, pack up Charlie and Tomm (it's not really his fault) and go to your parents' and let them spoil you rotten. Again. Tomm did tell them he wouldn't be there, right? Only problem is that they seem so determined to spend your birthday with you, they might follow you over. Maybe they think they're making amends?

>157 johnsimpson: Yay John!

Since we're even further away than John, why don't you come here? There'll be parties and fireworks and the whole hoopla. You'll have to share your birthday with the nation, though, and my husband's brother's wife (but she's decent enough).

ETA clarity

>161 Storeetllr: Mary & >162 humouress: Nina: Thanks for your comments; I've read them through three times now and can't make sense of them, which is not to say that you've both gone nutty, but that I've been whomped with a doozy of a headache and can't myself think straight. Putting Charlie to bed now and then I'm off myself. Haven't had a bad one like this in a very long time and I'm certain it's the stress, which my normally charmed life these past few years has ill-equipped me to endure. Tomm and I *never* fight, so this is new territory for us both. Hopefully I'll feel a bit better in the morning; there's been a funny sort of side note development that I don't have the mental capacity to relate right now. Remind me in the morning.
So, Bedfordshire for me, now. Night, all.

Oh, dear...too much advice in the guise of support? I hope we haven't contributed to the stress levels with all our suggestions. You have to live with the situation, and more importantly, with Tomm...don't let all these cooks spoil your wonderful soup!

I deleted my response. It was all advice and it's all been said.

I'm sorry you have to deal with all this crap. It's not right and it's not fair. Your birthday should be your special day. I'm frustrated for you that it is such a struggle. *hugs*

>163 scaifea: It's entirely possible my post doesn't make sense; I wonder myself, sometimes when I read them back. If it still doesn't make sense in the morning, I'll (try and) supply a translation, if I can still understand it myself. (I'm also typing on an iPad; not the easiest at the best of times, plus it insists on deleting 2 characters every time I use the backspace at the moment, which doesn't help.)

Feel better. Maybe things will look brighter in the morning.

>58 scaifea: Megan: Get right out of town! Charlie's is the 15th! How cool is that?!

Actually, I am going to have to get right out of town. I put down the wrong date for my first-born's birthday! He is not 15th Sept at all!
*shame on me*
He is the 20th. Little Lenny is the 15th (but of July). However, his due date was the 15th of Sept, so that is still really cool :)

Cripes, I need a stiff drink. For now, I am getting out of here before I commit more lies to eternal scrutiny!

>164 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Aw, you know me so well. Thanks for the reminder that advice = support.

>165 Morphidae: Morphy: Many thanks for the hug and the sorry-for-all-the-craps, which is just what I needed.

>166 humouress: Nina: No worries, Nina, and no need to struggle with your ipad on my account - I definitely know how frustrating that can be!

>167 LovingLit: Megan: Thanks for my first *snork!* of the day! Still cool, though, because Charlie's due date was the 15th, too - he's in that rare 1% of babies who arrive on their predicted due date. Always the polite and prompt one, he has been.

On the agenda for today:

Headache is mostly gone this morning, thank goodness, because Charlie and I have a busy day today. It's Wednesday, which means it's Library Day! Woot!! So Charlie and I will head over there this morning for a spell. Then home for lunch before heading back out again to Dubuque this afternoon, where Charlie has an eye check up - if all goes well, he may be finished with the patches! And then this evening is the library's end-of-the-summer-reading-program program, which is some sort of bubble party, which has Charlie very excited, and then at the end they'll announce the winners of their various summer contests. Charlie and I read 188 books together since the summer program started, so I think he may have a strong chance of winning something or other. We'll see. Oh, and I may try to bake some bread this morning, too, since it didn't get done yesterday...
On the reading front: Didn't happen yesterday. Just not in the right head space to read about Andrew Jackson, I'm afraid. Hopefully today...

The calendar book for today sounds pretty interesting: The Visible Man by Chuck Klosterman Here's what the blurb has to say: "When therapist Victoria Vick agrees to work with a new client, Y__ (her name for him), the reader wonders why. Perhaps it's curiosity: Y__ claims to be a government scientist who can make himself invisible. What could be merely bizarre turns sinister as the novel progresses, and readers will enjoy trying to figure out just what Klosterman's got up his sleeve."
Anyone read this one? Sounds like it could be good.

Okay, now for the funny little side development to the story:

Tomm came home last night from work looking very hang-dog-ish and contrite, and I could tell that he'd had a pretty miserable time at work worrying about all of this. He said that his immediate boss noticed that he looked more harried than normal and asked what was going on, so he told him about this whole business and how troubled and angry I was about it all. Apparently his boss said that if he were in Tomm's position, he'd book a room for me at the Hotel Julien (the fanciest-pantsiest hotel in Dubuque) for Friday night and a spa day to go along with it. I like his style, to be honest. In lieu of that, he told Tomm to (air quote) work at home (air quote) on Friday to give him time to help fix the situation/work on damage control. Again I say, I like his style. So Tomm will be here all day on Friday. Not sure what we'll do yet before the in-laws arrive, but I've got some ideas, including taking a personal day to go check out the thrift shop book shelves on my own...

What a great boss. I hope you guys can make the most of the day before the in-laws descend.

>171 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. It seems, so far, to be a very good company to work for - lots of very family-oriented folk who realize that family comes first.

Morning Amber! Sorry to hear about all the birthday tribulations. I hope you can make the best of it. It sure is nice to have supporting, loving spouse.
Glad the headache is moving OUT! Enjoy your day.

>170 scaifea: Tomm's boss is clearly a keeper! Hope something works out for you. *hugs*

And WOOT! that Charlie may be done with patches!

>173 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

>174 lycomayflower: Thanks, Laura. And yes, I'm so grateful that his eye has responded so well and so quickly to the patching! Here's hoping his doctor doesn't find any regression today.

>170 scaifea: Awesome boss!

Actually I want that boss :/

>176 BekkaJo: Bekka: Since Tomm has worked there (which has been, admittedly, only just a year) this boss has been a very funny, kind and supportive person for him to work with. I think he's become even more sensitive to family importance since his wife is battling cancer and they have 4 young children.

Back from the library and bread has been baked - and it turned out so tasty! It's one of my favorite bread recipes, because it's fast and easy and delicious (an excellent combination of traits, no?):

Irish Dairy Bread

Ingredients:
• 4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk

1. Heat oven to 375⁰.
2. In large bowl, mix together dry ingredients.
3. Using pastry knife, cut in butter.
4. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk; gently stir it in.
5. Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface and knead several times until dough comes together.
6. Shape into a ball, press down until it’s about 2 inches thick.
7. Cut a cross in the top and place on a lightly floured baking sheet.
8. Bake 35-40 minutes or until nicely browned and sounds hollow when tapped.

I found this recipe in The King Arthur Flour All-Purpose Baking Cookbook.

>177 scaifea: Oh! Lovely that he is a good boss, but so harsh to deal with all that whilst trying to manage a team. My heart goes out to anyone in that situation - I can't even imagine how hard.

I've had several days of reminders to count my blessings. I must do it more - I get bogged down and forget sometimes.

Hi Amber - following all your birthday troubles and was hoping that it was all sussed. Great response from your husband's boss and wow, what an awful situation that he is in.
All I can say is that you should start planning your birthdays a year ahead so this does not come up again.
I've never had in-laws as my MIL died when my husband was young and my FIL died a few weeks after our wedding.

>178 scaifea: Sounds like the Soda Bread MrMorphy makes occasionally.

>179 BekkaJo: Bekka: I'm enough of a worry-wart that I don't get too much into a take-things-for-granted mode; I spend my days alternating between being so grateful that things are so good here at Scaife Manor and being worried/aware that it could all change in a moment.

>180 avatiakh: Thanks, Kerry. I've already told Tomm that if his folks invite themselves next year on my birthday, Charlie and I will demonstrably not be here when they arrive, so either way care has been taken of it. Ha!

>181 Morphidae: Morphy: I make a soda bread, too, and they are similar, yes.

Awesome, wonderful, amazing news, everyone!

Charlie's eyesight is at 20/20 in both eyes and he can stop wearing the patch!! I'm so, so thankful for his doctor, who just this past year completed her national board exams and placed first in the nation and won a Scobee Award for it! What a charmed life this Charlie has - we just happen to go to the clinic that employs the best new doctor in the nation for exactly the eye disorder he has. And to top it off, she's just a lovely person and clearly both loves her job and is perfectly cut out for it - she's amazing with children and Charlie absolutely loves her. Here he is just hanging out in the chair with her earlier today:

Hi Amber, yay for Charlie and the doctor does look like a nice person, what a lovely photo.

I bet Charlie was so happy! Did he jump up and cheer?

>184 johnsimpson: Thanks, John!

>185 Morphidae: Morphy: Not really. He's happy enough about it, but he doesn't at all mind wearing the patch so the prospect of not wearing is good but not super exciting.

What great news, Amber. That's some doctor.

Hooray for 20/20 vision! Charlie's diligence in following the doctor's orders has paid off in a big way.

I'm big on birthday celebrations too. I like to extend them to "birthday week", or even "birthday month". And I'm good at spending birthday money several times. Especially when my dad used to give me a $100 bill. I couldn't break the bill, so I'd either spend twenties or use my credit card, but then I'd still have the hundred in my wallet, where it could be spent again...and again... I hope your birthday is better than you fear it might be, and that you get to celebrate on other in-law free days, too.

Hi Amber,

I'm sorry to hear about your birthday being sullied by the presense of the in-laws.
I definitely think birthdays are YOUR days. You get to do what YOU like, eat YOUR favourite food, etc. No one has the right to ruin that for you.

catching up Amber

Yum on the lime cake up there and I actually pulled my hands to my sides when I saw the picture because I just KNEW Richard was coming barreling straight to get it!

I'm sorry your in-laws are so tacky, but I love that you have not yet made Tomm choose a side. That speaks a lot and I wish they knew, really knew, what a gift this is.

Tomm's boss is a very wise man. He deserves a raise. ;-)

Hugs to you and your birthday is the same day as my cousin Sandra who is like a sister to me. I will be thinking of you and sending you awesome wishes.

Charlie and his eye doctor look so adorable. What a treasure she is.

Amber. you just might want to follow your instincts and take at least part of the day away from the nasty critters. Book stores and libraries just might do the trick to claim part of yoru day and help with your feelings.

Tom is a wonderful, wonderful man!!!!!!

Glad to see there's a bit of a silver lining to the whole in-laws debacle. Whatever happens, HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY!!!

Yay Charlie!

That Charlie is just adorable!

>3 scaifea: Stephanie Day at the Beach in which no one is allowed to be at the beach unless they have an embossed invitation from me. It will be a catered affair with lots of good chocolate, and other nummies I think up on the spur of the moment. Every friend attending will get an amazing swag bag filled with just what they wanted. And there will be limos as necessary.

>33 Morphidae: Morphy, that's the way I do TIOLI too. Although I doubt if I'll EVER sweep.

Great news about Charlie's eye exam! Woo hoo!

>78 Fourpawz2: I think temps should get the same considerations as the people they work for/with. Paid holiday? Temps should get that because it's not their fault the client closes on a workday.

The agency I'm working with now pays for holidays only after the temps accrue so many hours worked. One of the nicer perks is that after accruing what amounts to a year's worked hours (40/week x 52 weeks), we get a week's pay. It usually took me more than a year to accrue the hours.

Also, it should be unethical to exclude temps (on the client side) from things like food if it is just going to sit in the refrigerator and rot. Yes, I have a story, but I am not going to highjack Amber's thread with it.

>83 TinaV95: Tina, I had a male doctor tell me the worst things we could eat at that time were salt, chocolate and caffeine. I blinked and thought, "Okay YOU try telling my body it can't have chocolate."

Oh, Hallelujah for Charlie's wicked-good eye exam results. Is that 20-20 corrected, or does he get to jettison the glasses too?

I meant to comment before on how lovely that picture in >99 scaifea: is. I've probably said it before, but as I had no grandfathers (both my parents lost their fathers when they were still children), and I saw how much Laura's meant to her, I think that is one of the most special relationships there is. Charlie is a lucky little man, and your Dad's lucky too.

>132 scaifea: I think you're more than allowed to enjoy your birthday and have people you love help you celebrate it. It is a celebration of you, after all.

I once mentioned buying my own birthday cake to someone who said, "You're not supposed to buy your own birthday cake!"

I just shrugged and said, "Well, if I want birthday cake then I have to buy it 'cause no one else will."

This year was the exception :-)

>183 scaifea: Way to go Charlie!!!

>187 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! We're pretty grateful that it could be fixed at all, not to mention so smoothly and quickly!

>188 cbl_tn: Carrie: *SNORK!* I love the idea of spending that birthday money again and again! Genius!

>189 PawsforThought: Thanks, Charlotte!

>190 luvamystery65: Roberta: Don't think I haven't been tempted time and again to offer him an ultimatum, but it has never gone to that point, yet. He does indeed stand up for me and runs interference on a ton of their bullshit, which is way more than his brother does for *his* wife, poor thing. Or not, as she had to know before she said "I do" what *they* were like and what a momma's boy her husband is. *shudder* I never would have married Tomm in the first place if I weren't 100% certain that he was on my side when it comes to his parents.

>191 Whisper1: Linda: Agreed!

>192 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky!!

>193 jjvors: Jeff: I know, right? So proud of him.

>194 AuntieClio: Stephanie: I know, right?!

>195 AuntieClio: Stephanie: Oooooh, love that idea. Love it. (Um, am I invited?)

>197 lauralkeet: Laura: Yes! Awesome news, isn't it?

>198 AuntieClio: Stephanie: Agreed.

>199 AuntieClio: Stephanie: *snork!* What a dumdum doctor, eh?

>200 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: He'll always need glasses - and that one lens is super thick - but I still think it's pretty amazing that they can affect such a change so quickly. Apparently the eyes are malleable in this way up to the age of about 13, and then they finally become unchangeable. Cool, no?
I didn't have any grandpas or grandmas, either. And I agree that both my dad and Charlie and very lucky to have each other. Very.

>201 AuntieClio: Stephanie: I'm making my own cake this year, but I'm not sad about that part - I love baking and I'll bake just exactly what I want, which, I've decided, is a Graham Cracker Cake. Yum. My mom will bake a cake for me for our next visit sometime later this month, and I'll get to pick my own dinner, too. She's also offered to show up unannounced on Tomm's birthday (which is exactly 2 weeks after mine) to see how he likes it (and she's only half joking) - she made me laugh through my tears yesterday morning with that little bomb. Which was the point of it, I suspect. Best Mom Ever.

>202 AuntieClio: Stephanie: My thoughts on the matter, exactly.

Yeah for Charlie's vision! Yeah for Tomm's boss. Obviously he doesn't want to see any marriages break up on his watch! As for in-laws, sigh... Here's wishing you strength and a chance to hide from them by reading a good book.

>183 scaifea: Yay Charlie! Though he looks a bit glum at the idea he'll be seeing less of his eye doctor.

Are you still going to go to your restaurant for your birthday? Actually, don't. Save it and only go with people you love, so you really enjoy it.

>195 AuntieClio: Can I come, can I come? Chocolate? Please can I come?

ETA - I hope I'm writing something approximating to English now.

Of course you are all invited to Stephanie Day at the Beach. It would be rude to throw a party and announce it in public and then say only certain people could come. Embossed invitations and chocolate for everyone! Except for those who don't like chocolate .... Richard

Hooray for Charlie's good news! Fantastic!

Good luck with the birthday. I like Tomm's boss. Good guy.

>145 lauralkeet: So true, and so hard to do. In the immortal words of Inigo Montoya: "I hate waiting."

>204 cammykitty: Katie: Thanks! I'm hoping to hide behind a book for at least a while, too.

>205 humouress: Nina: Well, now that Tomm will be home all day tomorrow, I think we'll go to my first choice of restaurant for lunch before the in-laws get here, and then who cares where we go for dinner. Plus, that way I get two eat-out meals on my birthday, even though one of them won't be terribly pleasant.
And yes, you're coming through loud and clear now. Ha!

>206 AuntieClio: Stephanie: Just provide peanut butter with the chocolate and Richard will be just fine.

>207 nittnut: Thanks, Jenn!

On the agenda for today:

A haircut for Charlie followed by grocery shopping this morning, and then this afternoon we're headed to a park to meet up with some of Charlie's friend to play for a bit (weather permitting). In between there will hopefully be some sewing time. Oh, and we'll likely stop by the library so that Charlie can pick up his prize - he won something for being one of the top readers this summer!
Twice Baked Potatoes for dinner tonight, I think.

The book calendar offers up a quote in place of a book suggestion today: "Think before you speak. Read before you think." Any guesses who uttered this one?

Throwback Day! This is one of my all-time favorites of Charlie, taken in August 2009, when he was 11 months old (the monkey he's holding is our good friend, Bananas, who is still a regular participant in our daily lives):

>210 scaifea: Sweeeeeet!

{Love}

>203 scaifea: Amber, your eye doctor is correct. Will always told parents the same. When little ones balked at wearing eye patches, and parents didn't want to adhere to what was best for the child, he always came home worrying about what would for sure happen to the child if correction wasn't made in the window of opportunity.

>210 scaifea: Oh, what a charmer!

Great news about Charlie's vision! It is truly amazing the advances that have been made in medical treatments these days that don't require either drugs or surgery. Charlie's doc definitely sounds like a keeper!

>210 scaifea: Cheeky monkey!

>211 laytonwoman3rd: & >212 LoisB: Linda & Lois: You'll get no argument here, ladies.

>213 Whisper1: Linda: And that's why I was prepared to wrestle him to the floor to put the patch on everyday; thankfully I have the world's most amazing kid and he never fought it. Ever.

>214 rosalita: Julia: She is amazing. Aaaand, she graduated from the University of Iowa!

>215 humouress: Nina: Two of them! Ha!

>210 scaifea: Adorable.

>218 EBT1002: Ellen: I know, right? The look in his eyes, that little button nose, that little twist in his smile, those dimples in his hands, the way Bananas is hugging him back... *sigh*

Congrats to Charlie on the good news, eye-wise!

>216 scaifea: Well, there you go! No wonder she's so good if she's a Hawkeye. :-)

I always love bookshelf pictures. Our library booksale starts tonight. I have to try and be very good! My shelves are already too full.

>220 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>221 rosalita: Julia: I thought you'd appreciate that.

>222 RBeffa: Ron: I'm sad that my local library isn't having a sale this year. Ding dang it. I advise to throw caution (read: good fiscal and spacial sense) out the window and have at it!

454. Watch Me Throw the Ball! by Mo Willems (public library book, easy reader) - 9/10 = A
Elephant and Piggie are as hilarious and adorable as ever in this one. Love it.

455. Brown Rabbit's Shape Book by Alan Baker (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 =B
A rabbit gets a package in the mail and the package and it's contents are all made of simple shapes and colors.
Too young, really, for Charlie, but apparently they read it at school last year and he wanted to read it to us.

>223 scaifea: I managed to control myself and only buy 6 books at the library sale. I could have easily bought many more but after getting so many books already this year I am really trying to hold back. Each of the six I got I really wanted - well, 5 of them including The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson that I've wanted to read for a long time and haven't. The 6th book was a surprise find Beam Me Up, Scotty in a trade paperback for $1 - but what makes it special is that it is autographed by Scotty, James Doohan!.

Hi Amber, I'm back home after visiting my mother and other family members. I love both the picture of Charlie with his eye doctor and his absolutely adorable baby picture. What a doll!

I was sorry to read about your in-laws coming on your birthday, please accept both my sympathy and (((hugs))).

Happy Birthday, Amber!!

Happy Birthday Amber. We're only a day apart. Mine was relaxed and good. I hope yours is too.

Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great day despite the in-laws. And great to hear the news about Charlie's eyesight.

>210 scaifea: aw! That photo (apart from being gorgeous) is so crisp and clear, I love it.

Happy Birthday !!

Hope the cakes and treats and good-vibes are free flowing.

Happy Birthday, Amber! I hope the day goes as well as it can :-)

I'm sure I saw somewhere on one of your threads that you are reading a Chinese classic, although I can't seem to see it on this one. Anyway, I got an email from Coursera this morning which included a course called "Classics of Chinese Humanities: Guided Readings" so I thought you might like to look at the link: https://www.coursera.org/#course/chinesehumanitieseng I'm vaguely tempted. I know nothing about Chinese writing or indeed China, but there was an interesting section on Chinese history in a book I read a while ago, so I'm thinking of signing up. I'll try and get some of the texts first!

Happy Birthday! :)

A very happy birthday to you, Amber! Have a good one.

Happy Birthday Amber!

Happy Birthday! Own it!

Happy Birthday, Amber! Hope you have a great day!

Happy birthday Amber!

Best wishes on your birthday Amber!!

Thank you so much for all of the fantastic birthday wishes, Ellen, Ron, Rhian, Megan, Susan, jenn, Charlotte, Mark, Carrie, Lois, Paws, Nora & Laura!!

>225 RBeffa: Ron: Wow, what a haul! You definitely made out bandit-style - way to go!

>226 DeltaQueen50: Judy: Thanks for the sympathy. That part isn't happening until later in the day and so today I'm refusing to think about it until it does. Ha!

>231 susanj67: Susan: You can't find it here because I've finally finished it! It was Journey to the West and it was fantastic. I highly recommend it.

On the birthday agenda for this birthday day:

I had a lovely sleep-in and the woke up to presents of fancy-pants chocolates, a new video game that Charlie thinks that I will love (ha!) and a very cool book from Tomm on how to make origami using fabric. Charlie has made me breakfast (a strawberry poptart) and I'm enjoying it with my tea as I quickly check my thread before starting in on making my birthday cake. After that's done I suspect we'll all be playing said new video game (a Mario game, of course) and then we'll go out to lunch - my pick. This afternoon I'm heading out on my own to the local thrift shops and the Goodwill, so with any luck I'll come back with an armload of books!

Happy In-Law Day Birthday!

Ha! Love Charlie making you a poptart breakfast, Amber, and giving you a video game you'll love. He's something special, that guy.

Have fun thrifting - we'll look forward to hearing about the book haul.

Happy Birthday Amber!

Everybody should have a Charlie to make breakfast on their birthday! Good luck with the book hunting. Don't remember mentioning this last year, but forgive me if I did....you share your birthday with my Uncle George, who is 93 today.

>242 katiekrug: Katie: *snork!!*

>243 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe!

>244 luvamystery65: Thanks, Roberta!

>245 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Thanks! I don't remember you mentioning your Uncle George, but then again, I have a terribly memory. Happy birthday to him!

Happy birthday, Amber! Your birthday agenda sounds excellent.

>247 lycomayflower: Thanks, Laura! So far so good!

One of my FB friends just posted a link to another post about making the dresses from men's shirts. https://www.facebook.com/homesteading So I gave your Etsy shop a plug in her comments. Hope it brings you business. (You'd better start listing those dresses pretty soon---there's going to be quite a demand, I'm sure!)

Happy, happy birthday! It sounds like you will make the most of it. And HOORAY for Charlie's vision--that sounds like the best birthday present.

Happy birthday!

Hope you liked your cars, and good hunting in the shops!

Happy birthday Amber!

ETA: Oh wow! I just realized you share a birthday with my niece who is 18 today. It really doesn't seem all that long ago that I was trying to paint her tiny toenails purple. I did a horrible job with the nails, but an excellent job painting her toes.

Happy birthday Amber, hope you have a fabulous day my dear.

Happy happy birthday, Amber! Hope it is as special as you are. (And kudos to Charlie - and you - on his vision success!)

Happy Birthday, Amber!

(Strange how kids find presents that suit them more too ;0) )

I did have a classical language question that the kids came up with that I thought you might know the answer to but I've forgotten ... oh, hang on, just remembered.

My eldest was doing his homework and he had to look up the meaning of some words. When he couldn't find it in his (junior) dictionary, I told him to try the thesaurus. My youngest, who seems to be into them, looked around and asked where the dinosaur was (took me a few seconds to work out why he asked that). So if (as I vaguely remember) 'saurus' means 'lizard', why is 'the-saurus' a book of words?

No matter, take your time. Enjoy your special day!

>256 humouress: I'm sure Amber knows much more about this but I don't think the words are related, though they sound like they would be. Thesaurus comes from a word that means something like "treasure", I believe.

Ooh, wait! Just looked it up! "Treasury" is what it means.

A very happy birthday, Amber, and hope dinner went as well as it can...

>249 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda!

>250 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda!

>251 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>252 richardderus: Richard: I sure did, and I had some pretty good luck at the shops, too, although the luck was in the cfrating supply area and not the book area (I did manage to find two books, though).

>253 AuntieClio: >254 johnsimpson: >255 Storeetllr: Thanks, Stephanie, John & Mary!

>256 humouress: >257 PawsforThought: Nina & Paws: Yep, Paws is correct - it's Greek for 'treasury.'

>258 bell7: Thanks, Mary! The dinner was craptacular, but not any worse than normal, besides that fact that it had to happen on my birthday. They're still here - I'm just stealing a quick moment to check in here... Gah.

456. Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
Cute story, although not much to it, about a boy who befriends a robot. Neat illustrations.

You're a saint, Amber (St. Amber, ha!) for putting up with handling your in-laws with such restraint. Not sure I could do it.

>261 Storeetllr: Mary: Well, I did purposely order the most expensive thing on the menu tonight (*chuckle*). I have my ways of making it through with my sanity intact...

Hehe. Good for you!

Dear Friend. I hope your day was as special as you are. I wish only the best for you! What a wonderful, kind, sensitive person you are. I am blessed over and over again by your gentle spirit.

You are loved!

>263 Storeetllr: Mary: *snork!* I feel a little bad about it, but not too much. Plus, the most expensive thing was Filet Mignon, which is one of my favorites. Yum!

>264 Whisper1: Linda: Oh, thank you so much for those lovely words. The feeling is mutual, lady!

Happy Saturday, Amber! I hope you have a nice weekend planned.

On the agenda for today:

'They' are here until, presumably, around 9am, when they're taking off for Minnesota to visit some of FIL's family. After that, I've really no plans today. Tomm bought a new basketball hoop and a child-sized basketball, so he and Charlie will likely be working on that project this afternoon. I'm looking forward to some possible sewing and reading time, and I was lax about keeping up with threads yesterday, so I should do that, too.

The book calendar's weekend quote (anyone have a guess from what book it is pulled?): "First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried letters from a girl named Martha, a junior at Mount Sebastian College in New Jersey."

My birthday book haul (the top two are from the thrift stores, the others are birthday gifts):

Wait, wait. You got a book yesterday on making origami with fabric?! Tell me you'll make some and post pictures! I am thoroughly intrigued!

Happy Belated Birthday, as well. :D

>268 scaifea: Nice book haul! I liked Wives and Daughters very much when I read it 10 years ago, but it really does end abruptly. Gaskell was sooo close to finishing it when she died.

>269 dk_phoenix: Faith: Of course I will! I'll try to get round to it soonish...

>270 cbl_tn: Carrie: I picked it up because it's a Penguin Classic that I know I don't have, but I don't really know much about it - thanks for the heads up about the ending!

Happy Belated Birthday, Amber! Lovely book haul.

>272 RosyLibrarian: Thanks, Marie!

Belated Bountiful Birthday Blessings, Beautiful!

You've left some really important information out.

1. Who said, "Think before you speak. Read before you think." If we're not allowed to Google, you've got to tell us!

2. Where did you go for lunch? What did you have?

3. What did you order at dinner that cost so much?

4. Did Tomm treat you like a queen on your day?

Just 50 minutes to go! You can make it!

Happy Birthday - It sounds as if you're surviving it and that the Before was delightful, and let's hope for a similar After!

>267 scaifea: I will guess that the quote is from The Things They Carried, just because it seems an obvious choice. It's one of those books I have around somewhere but have not read yet. (Are you free yet?)

Hope the in-laws have now LEFT.

>267 scaifea: must be "The Things They Carried," yes?

>274 Morphidae: Morphy:
1. You're allowed to Google.
2. Culver's. Patty Melt, fries and a Sundae with hot fudge and peanuts.
3. Filet Mignon.
4. He did.
And yes, I made it! Whew!

>275 sibylline: Many thanks, Lucy!

>276 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Correct! Well done!

>277 lycomayflower: Laura: They have, although I'm still in stress/fret mode, as they asked - again - if they could have Charlie visit them for a couple of days next summer. I can't agree to that and I know it's going to cause a fight. This time around I just said nothing at all in response (my mind was racing for the proper way to say no) and after a bit of silence, she said, "Well, think about it." *sigh*

The new thread is up and running:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/179005

Happy Birthday, now that the in-laws are gone! Relax.

Thanks, Roni! I'm still pretty keyed up about the whole thing, though. A nap later, perhaps...

^I think you might have missed me up there but no hard feelings. It is your birthday weekend, after all...grins.

Sorry, Mark! I did miss you! Tomm's leaving for Boston on business tomorrow morning, so yes, a quiet weekend here at Scaife Manor.