Owner: Christy's Book Blog URL:www.christysbookblog.blogspot.com Join Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2007 10:21:27 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: An off the cuff discussion of the books I'm reading and my thoughts on life. Site statistics:Click here
Blogging Chicks 2007-03-19 03:15:00 I just joined a new blogroll for women who blog. I love the idea and can't wait to check out the other blogs on the list. I hope you do too! Check it out down on the right side of the page. Read more:Blogging
, Chicks
Fables 2: Animal Farm 2007-03-18 22:44:00 Yesterday we had to wash all three of Mia's winter coats. She spent much of the day outside, and most of that splashing in mud puddles near the barn. Her boots are sitting out by the back door to dry out. She tried out her bike for the first time in the driveway and exploring the yard with Doogie. We were all walking outside in the early evening when we heard some klooo-klooo sounds overhead. A sandhill crane flew directly over our heads calling to its companion who was flying a little farther south over the house. Mia stopped splashing and stared upward with her mouth agape at the graceful bird. As it flew over the treeline to the west, she ran toward me wanting to know what it was. This is why I love living here. For an interesting take on the left's conservatism and Al Gore's personal inconvenient truth, check out this article from TIME Magazine. Fables
2: Animal
Farm by Bill Willingham is an unsatisfying sequel to Legends in Exile. Snow White takes her sister Rose Red up north t Read more:Animal Farm
Autumn Blue 2007-03-21 04:56:00 Couple of snapshots of my life. Some people talk about a small town being one of around 20,000 or so. I live in a truly small town. My mom called and asked me to pick up a prescription for my little brother. I put Mia in the van, and we ran to the Falls. The pharmacist, who just happens to be my cousin, grabbed the prescription and put it on the table for checking out while we caught up with each other's families. Doogie's best girl friend was checking out on one register, and we exchanged smiles while I checked out at the other one. The clerk handed me a note saying that Molly wanted me to call her at Lindsey's, her best friend's. The local pharmacy takes messages for its customers. That to me is the definition of a small town.On the way home, Mia asked me what trees are. That's one of those big questions that I stuttered before answering that they are made of wood and make things like houses, chairs, and her bed. To which my 4-year-old emphatically stated, "I don't believe that Read more:Autumn
Good-bye Chunky Rice 2007-03-23 18:09:00 Sorry about the odd title for today; it really is the title of the book I'm reviewing. I'm completely wiped out today. I spent most of the week running errands and spring cleaning, and I overdid it. I'm spending today on the couch, laptop on my lap (thank you Eric!). Wednesday was a heck of a day. Dad came over to visit for a bit, and I followed him outside to go get the mail. Mia was completely sucked in to a video, so I thought two minutes wouldn't hurt. My mistake. I came back from the mailbox to see her smiling behind the closed back door. Yep, the door was locked. I tried to explain to her how to move the lock to let me in, but in her nervousness, she couldn't quite get it. The front door is completely blocked off by bookshelves (part of spring cleaning). I went to the front door and opened it the two inches possible, and she retrieved my keys from where they hang by the backdoor, and I was able to get in. She spent a four minutes on the naughty chair, and we had a talk about Read more:Chunky
Praying God's Will For Your Life 2007-03-25 21:42:00 Doogie and Mia played outside for sometime this morning, which included climbing on Grandpa's tractor and finding a mudhole that turned Mia into a "mud monster." It was a lovely morning. I woke up before everyone else, got my paper, and slipped outside onto the front porch swing where I worked on my lists for the week and read my paper while listening to the birds outside. A male cardinal perched in the neighbor's lilac bush. I wish I knew my birdcalls better. One bird sang sweetly klwaa-peep-peep-peep-peep. I have no idea which one, but it's lilting aria lifted my day. TIME Magazine has a terrific article this week about teaching the Bible in schools. I was impressed by their objectivity and thoroughness on this article. The Bible is the foundation of much of Western literature. So much references it, that without an education in at least the basics, we miss deeper meanings in books, movies and even songs. My nightly devotional time currently consists of two chapters in the Bible,
A Charm of Finches 2007-03-27 01:45:00 No book review today, I just had to share the joy that spring is bringing to our home. The temperature hit 80 degrees today. March in Wisconsin is an unpredictable thing. Last night we had a tornado warning with 1/4" sized hail and amazing pink lightning. The finches have been coming to the feeders outside of the kitchen window for about a week, and they males are slowly losing their winter dull yellow for the bright gold in their name. We even have a purple finch stopping by. The sky is a beautiful blue with not a cloud in sight, and the birds are singing so loudly, with the windows open, I can hear them throughout the house. The purple finch is the one just poking his head around the left feeder, while three male goldfinches sit on the other feeder. A flock of finches is correctly called a charm, which I find perfectly...charming. :) The ladybugs are infiltrating the house already, but no box elder bugs, so I can't help but be grateful. I love family and family history. I have been
At Some Disputed Barricade 2007-04-02 16:57:00 It's been a week since I last posted. I hate to go that long before posting, but this last week has been a rough one. I overdid it on Monday and Tuesday and spent the next four days on the couch trying to rest up. The pain got so bad on Saturday, Jess took me to the urgent care center. The doctor upped my prednisone again, which gave me a little jolt on Sunday when I ran around cleaning and straightening, but I'm back to pooped again today. Dad blessed/cursed me by putting a game called Bookworm on the laptop, and that keeps me busy. Maybe a little too busy. It's extremely addictive, even Molly and Doogie are sucked in. Jess hasn't had a chance; he had another major paper due this weekend. He's taking a nutrition class, and he's already learned a great deal. Fruits and veggies are the new snacks in the house. Mia doesn't mind at all, I'm having a little harder time with it. At Some Disputed
Barricade by Anne Perry is the fourth book in her World War I series. The story features
Persepolis 2007-04-04 04:53:00 Last night I finished reading Persepolis, a graphic novel about a young girl living through the Islamic Revolution in Iran in the early 1980s. I was deeply moved by this story, my review is below, and it made me think a lot about Molly. Molly is 13, 14 in a few months, and it's so hard to know if I'm always making the right choices as a parent. The main character in the book, Marjane, has the normal teenage independency battles with her parents, but they take on new meaning under the strict regime of Islamic government. I admire their ability to encourage their daughter's love of Western clothing and music, as well as encourage her strength to speak her beliefs in school when it could mean imprisonment for her and/or them. I don't know that I would have that strength of character for my own children; I think I would encourage more outward docility. Marjane had to wear a veil in public, was attacked for wearing jeans and tennies. Molly wears make-up almost daily, low-rider jeans, an
Coral Moon 2007-04-14 17:20:00 It's been forever and a day since a blogged (ok just 11 days, and on the web that's forever). The doctor bumped up my prednisone, so in two weeks I've already got chipmunk cheeks, I can't hold a pen to write very well, and the insomnia is back with a vengeance. I haven't done as much reading as I like to, but other things have been getting done. I'm taking Mia into work today. The hospital where I work is taking pictures of the children of employees for Shush photos. Mia has to say "Shhh" with her finger in front of her mouth. The pictures will be posted in hospital hallways to encourage staff and visitors to be quiet. It's a terrific idea. The hospital doesn't have to pay for expensive or useless signs, and the community gets to smile at pictures of local kids being cute. Tonight Jess and I are going out on an actual date that doesn't involve a trip to Wal-Mart! I won tickets to see the Green Bay Gamblers, the local hockey team, at the work Christmas party. I can't remember Read more:Coral
In Dublin's Fair City 2007-04-16 01:24:00 I have a special affection for the song from the title today. It comes from the traditional Irish song Cockles and Mussels about Molly Malone, which is Molly's full name. Last night the Gambler's game was a blast. The turnout was just over 3000 people, but it was fan appreciation night, and they really went all out to make the crowd feel valued and a part of the game. Jess and I came home with coupons for free food at Taco Bell and Hardees. Autographed hats, T-shirts, and towels were thrown to the crowd. I am completely impressed by the ability of athletes; their skill and capability is so far removed from anything I could accomplish. Put me on ice skates and you have an opportunity to win some money on America's Funniest Home Videos. These guys do it while wearing pads and carrying sticks, and while watching the puck and their opponents and being ready to receive the puck at any time while trying to avoid other players who will beat you up if you get it. All while on ice skates! Th Read more:Dublin
Update 2007-04-20 00:46:00 Just a quick update. Prayers work! The van started just in time for us to get Mia to kindergarten screening. Dad thinks we may need a new starter, but that's doable. Read more:Update
Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall 2007-04-19 17:44:00 I hate days like today. I have my day neatly planned with all of the stops and errands in my notebook, appointments made, etc. And the van won't start AGAIN! I think we bought a lemon. It seems like almost once a week I have to call and cancel everything because of this van. I love the mobility it's brought me, but the payments, gas-guzzling, and constant repairs are really bringing us down. Mia is supposed to go to kindergarten screening today; I'm praying for a miracle between now and then. My frustration is pumping adrenaline through my system, so at least I'm getting things done around here.Yesterday the silo on the farm was brought down. It was built in 1921. The crash was slight in the house, but it Mia and Tyler had fun watching the machine dig the hole and then pull it down. Mia kept a piece for her rock collection and memories. Keep scrolling to see how it ended up. The farmhouse down the road that belonged to Louis Lockstein was knocked down on Tuesday. Lots of changes in Read more:Fables
Murder on the Celtic 2007-04-22 23:20:00 Life is sweet. The windows are all open and the wind is blowing through the house bringing the sounds of Jesse and the kids raking the lawn and teasing each other. There's only the occasional sound of a car passing by (and Molly on the four-wheeler). The weather is so warm, it's easy to forget that it's only April. Yesterday Jess and I bought a porch/chest for storing sports equipment and outside toys. It quickly came into use today as his grandma, Aunts Sandie, Janet, and Jean, and Uncles Gus, Gene, and John came over to visit along with his cousin Julie. I am not by nature a social person. I want to be, but it doesn't come to me naturally. Thank God for this house. It seems to draw people in and invite them to sit down and stay awhile. Drop-in company is regular here, and while it tires me out, I welcome it. I love to see the Locksteins who grew up here come in and look around at our slight changes and smile in approval. Grandma Lockstein is funny, because she comes in and starts Read more:Celtic
Obsession 2007-04-28 00:05:00 This has been a crummy week. Wednesday was my appointment with the new rheumatologist. I had a lot of hopes for this doctor, and I have a great deal of respect for him, but I'm frustrated with what he had to say. He doesn't think that I have rheumatoid arthritis; he thinks that I have fibromyalgia. I'm familiar with fibromyalgia, and it's been a diagnosis mentioned before, but Dr. Davis really killed any hope of my having a normal life. He said that most RA patients on the dosage of prednisone I'm on would be painfree. I'm still struggling with pain on a daily basis. He also said that there really is no effective treatment for fibromyalgia, and that the pain is something I would just have to live with for the rest of my life. I felt like he'd given me a death sentence. Granted death is in forty or more years, but living every day of my life with this amount of pain and knowing that it was never going to get any better sounds like life lived on the rack. He's tapering me off of Read more:Obsession
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive 2007-04-28 22:13:00 It's another beautiful day outside. Mia and I spent time blowing bubbles. She saw the first butterfly of spring and chased it until it was out of sight. Now we're watching Backyardigans inside with all of the windows flung open to let in the wind. Jess is helping his dad plant trees on their property. Poor guy, I have a list of chores for him too, plus he has homework. I have a couple of interesting links for you to check out today. The local paper, the Green Bay Press-Gazette put an article in yesterday about proms. They asked a month ago or so about prom stories, and the one I submitted was accepted. So read my prom memory here. There's a hilarious essay in this week's TIME magazine about the last prejudice in mixed marriages: interfacial dating. Considering I married a hunk, I found it hilarious. And for a bit of info on the ongoing debate on stem cell research, here's a bit that's being ignored by MSM but is important.The Good Husband
of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith
Why Do I Always Feel Guilty? 2007-04-30 21:36:00 I've been reading Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This by Jenn Doucette as part of my nightly devotional reading. Her writing makes me snicker out loud and smile as I recognize myself in each chapter. She comes across as such a positive person, someone I'd love to know personally. In last night's chapter she confessed that she suffers from fibromyalgia. I had to re-read it and when I did tears sprang to my eyes. She admitted to fighting with frustration with the pain, but she reminded me that God is big enough to provide me with the strength and wisdom I need to get through each day. I may not have any reserves left at the end of the day, but He will provide each day anew. It was an affirmation I badly needed yesterday. I've been allowing certain people to steal away my contentment. Reading the book last night reminded me that I don't have to give them that power over me, and if I treat them with love, I'm doing the Lord's will. Proverbs 25:21-22 about raining buring coals upon Read more:Guilty
Over Her Head 2007-05-10 03:36:00 Mia's appointment with the pediatric rheumatologist went very well today. Dr. Keim gave me a lot of hope for her future. The official diagnosis is juvenile idiopathic arthritis. They don't use the term rheumatoid arthritis anymore for kids, because it's not truly rheumatoid arthritis. Idiopathic means that they don't know what causes it. The x-ray showed an excess of fluid on her knee, but all of the blood tests came back negative. She started taking naproxen tonight to reduce the inflammation and the pain. Hopefully that will put her into remission, if not, Dr. Keim has a plan in place for what to do next. He made her laugh and even let her tell the interrupting starfish joke. She completely charmed everyone she came into contact with. The x-ray techs let her take the films out of the machine, the receptionists were so busy chatting with her that it took them extra time to fill out the appointment card, the nurse spent extra time talking with Mia about her new fairy doll. Dr. Keim
Dry Ice 2007-05-08 20:48:00 You know they say that the Lord never gives you more than you can handle. I think that God is seriously overestimating my capabilities. Mia has been limping on her right leg on and off for the last month or so, and in the last week it's gotten so bad, she limps all day. She can't straighten her knee without pain. I took her to the doctor a few weeks ago, but she put it off as growing pains. I called a pediatrician yesterday, and he saw her right away. He thinks that she has pauci-articular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. We have an appointment with a pediatric rheumatologist tomorrow and an ophthamologist in late July. It's a rare condition that can spread to other joints and even effect her eyes. Please pray for her and us.Molly's confirmation party on Sunday was wonderful. She looked beautiful (as you can see in the picture), and the service was lovely. She had 8 grandparents at the church, and Doug and I stood in as her sponsors. We had 34 people at the house for the meal. It was
Silence is Golden 2007-05-11 20:24:00 Mother's Day is almost here, and it's a busy time of year for us. Jesse shares his birthday with his mother, which is on the 15th, and we foolishly decided to get married on the 11th. (Happy Anniversary Jess!) Between our siblings and extended family, we have nine birthdays and two anniversaries in the month of May. Throw in Mother's Day, and May starts to feel a little like Christmas. But I love this time of year. Fall has always been my favorite season, but this year living in the country I'm starting to change my opinion. The air smells like lilacs and apple blossoms, birds are everywhere, and I'm starting to learn their calls. And my absolute favorite flower only blossoms at this time of year. I love cowslips, otherwise known as marsh marigolds. I love the bright yellow blooming on the side of the road and in some places completely carpeting the ground. One of the reasons I love them best is that you have to work to pick them. If someone brings you a handful of cowslips, chanc Read more:Golden
Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This 2007-05-14 01:58:00 I had the most wonderful day yesterday. Mom, Molly and I went to an Amish quilt auction. Mom and I have been going every year for over 12 years, but this was Molly's first. We had a terrific time. We ate junk food without worrying about how much. We spent the day talking together and laughing, and we spent entirely too much money. I came home without any lawn furniture, but I did get an ingenious oriole feeder, a matching bird feeder, two birdhouses, a large planter, and Mother's Day gifts for all our moms, and several decorative items for the house. It was a terrific Mother's Day gift for me. No one whined at me or asked for anything (other than money for soda), Jess didn't yell at me about the money I spent, and I got to spend the day with two of my favorite women (young woman in Molly's case). Any mother of a 13-year-old girl knows that rolled eyes and regular condescension are a teenage girls' stock in trade, but yesterday Molly held my hand, put her head on my shoulder, talk
Orchard of Hope 2007-05-17 01:57:00 Mia's preschool class had a field trip to the zoo yesterday. It was a great time for all the kids and parents. The rain held off until after we were in our van on the way home. The medicine the doctor prescribed Mia is working miracles. She ran all day, climbed up the rope ladder, and never limped once. Jess said she limped a little first thing this morning, but after the medicine she was fine. I spent the entire day in bed recovering from the day walking yesterday. Obviously the doctor still has to work on my medicine. The zoo was so much fun. Mia got to feed a giraffe, goats, sheep, and a reindeer. I tried to get a picture of her feeding the reindeer, but the camera flashed just a moment too slow, so instead I got this amazing picture of her joy. I love this picture. It's very chilly up here, but we've been leaving our bedroom window open to hear the birds outside. Jess and are I becoming avid bird watchers. We have goldfinches, purple finches, ruby-breasted grosbeaks, and an indi Read more:Orchard
The Book of Air and Shadows 2007-05-27 19:48:00 Jess and I got a nice book, Bird Songs by Les Beletsky as our belated anniversary gift to each other off of Amazon. It has over 250 bird songs recorded into it, so you just select the number of the bird you want to hear, press a button, and you can hear all sorts of birdsongs. I discovered that the annoying cowbird has the beautiful watery voice that I had fallen in love with. Now we're having fun listening to the birds sing outside and trying to identify them. I'm enjoying the three-day weekend. Jess is working on the second of two major essays due today as the finals in this series of classes. I worked around the house yesterday, but today I'm having a flare-up so I'm taking it easy by reading and relaxing. I'm also enjoying NOT having country music blasting outside my bedroom window at 6:30 am. A new roof is being put on the house, and the roofers show up every morning at 6:30 am. I don't mind the time. It's best to get as much work done before the day gets too hot. What I do Read more:Shadows
Hogzilla II 2007-05-25 14:39:00 I found this story and just had to share it! Apparently it's real, but it's still unbelievable. This 11-year-old boy killed this pig in Alabama. This picture is not photoshopped, read the article for details. Also, Jesse started a blog about his birdwatching. He'll only be blogging once a week or so, but he's become fascinated by birds.
Snitch 2007-05-25 11:13:00 We've been having some odd weather here the last few days. Yesterday set a record high of 85 degrees, but it was so windy, it felt much cooler. Watching the little birds trying to fly in the strong winds made me think of how I go through life. There are two kinds of birds: those that fly effortlessly. They soar and glide through the air with only a tip of the wing. Then there are birds that flap constantly to get from place to place. Their flight looks like work, especially when they are fighting the wind. I want to be the kind of bird that soars gracefully through life, but I am more like the little birds, flapping gracelessly through. Wednesday night I couldn't fall asleep and then when I did, the pain woke me up. Even after taking pain pills, I didn't fall back to sleep until after 4 am. Jess' alarm went off at 5:45, and Mia woke up too. By 6:30 when the roofers showed up, I was crying out to God for strength to get through the long day ahead of me. And He answered, giving me t Read more:Snitch
The Savage Garden 2007-05-31 13:50:00 It's been a heck of a week. Jess and I had to buy new tires for his work car, the Saturn, on Monday because the roofers left a large piece of aluminum next to the driveway that sliced through one of his. That night we dropped the van off at the repair shop. They called Jess on Tuesday and said that an animal had chewed through the spark plug wires, so they replaced them but wanted us to wait until Wednesday to pick it up. Dad took Mia and I to the shop. The bill was just under $200.00, but I was so happy to have my van back and the air conditioning fixed, I jumped in the driver's seat with a smile on my face. Until the air conditioning didn't work. I went back inside and asked the attendant who said that it would cost another $100-200 to fix the blower. *sigh* So the $200 was just for the spark plug wires. I was fuming on the way home, but at least it was working again. About half way home I noticed that my dash lights were gone and the battery indicator was down into the red. I tur Read more:Savage
, Garden
Silent in the Grave 2007-06-03 15:57:00 Molly's eighth grade graduation was held on Friday. I was very proud of Molly and all of her accomplishments, but the ceremony seemed a bit overdone for just a junior high graduation. Lots of awards, and every kid got called up to the front at least once. In a class of over 100 students, it makes for a long program, especially with a four-year-old little girl in tow. Mia didn't understand the significance of the ceremony or why she needed to be quiet and sit still, for OVER AN HOUR! In the course of trying to keep her busy, I let her play with my good pen. You know, the one I write out all the checks with, with the cushy grip and sleek silver top, the one Jesse's always trying to steal from me. She dropped it under the bleachers, and now I'm writing out checks with a cheap Bic pen. In between trying to shush Mia, I watched with interest what the girls in Molly's class were wearing. The teachers have been scolding her for the necklines on her shirts, and I wanted to see if they we Read more:Silent
, Grave
Organ & Tissue Donation 2007-06-08 17:04:00 The house feels oddly empty. I brought Doogie and Molly back to their dad's for the weekend, so it's just Mia, my brother Jake, and me. This morning I loaded the computer up with a bunch of great dance music, and we all boogied around the house straightening. There was lots of laughter and singing. The mood stayed through the trip to Oconto and dropping them off. I miss them already. When they are gone, it's as though part of my heart goes numb until they come back. This is an article I wrote for the local papers about organ and tissue donation. I work at a hospital as the pastoral care coordinator. Part of my job is to organize luncheons for local pastors and hospital staff so they can talk about what's going on and make sure that the community's needs are being met. I've been getting speakers to talk about specific concerns, and late last year, we had a speaker talk about this issue, and it really opened up my eyes to the need of donation and the possibilities. My driver's lic Read more:Donation
These Boots Weren't Made for Walking 2007-06-06 14:13:00 Jess discovered the greatest website for me in PC World the other day. I am a big list maker. I have lists for to-do's, library due dates, books I want to read, movies I want to see, shopping lists, lists for just about everything. Backpackit let's me make several lists and I can rearrange or delete items easily. I used to carry a notebook with me everywhere, but I was constantly rewriting lists as I changed items or scribbled them out. It's free, and I keep it open all day long on the desktop computer to update as I get things done or remember things to add. I haven't touched my novel in too many months to count, and I've been feeling a bit of a failure as a writer. But I was reminded that I am doing creative writing in many ways at work and home. I had an article published in the two local newspapers about organ and tissue donation (I'll post it on Friday), and a brochure I produced for the hospital was printed up and will be distributed to all patients and placed in all local Read more:Boots
, Walking
Diva NashVegas 2007-06-12 13:33:00 I read a quote by Donald Miller in Blue Like Jazz where he says that he is like a rechargeable screwdriver, the type that you plug in for 24 hours so that it can run for 10 minutes. He needs 24 hours of alone time in order to function for 10 minutes in public. I completely relate to that. As an only child, I spent much of my time with my nose in a book. I had to amuse myself, because there was no one else to play with. Being Mom and Wife all day leaves me exhausted and wanting nothing more than to curl up with a good book for a few hours to recharge my batteries so I can do it again the next day. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being a wife and mother, but at the end of the day when Jesse wants to talk, Doogie wants hugs, Mia needs reassuring after a bad dream, etc, I feel like finding a small closet and hiding in it until everyone is asleep. Last night, Jesse was in a talking mood, and I was in the middle of a compelling book. After a few short exchanges, he gave up and went outside to st
Family Tree 2007-06-11 14:40:00 Yesterday Jesse, Doogie and I drove up north to look at the destruction from the tornado. The only word I can think of is devastation. It looked as though someone with a large blunt chainsaw went on a rampage for miles. All of the trees have been struck down, and if they were too stubborn to crack and fall down, they were torn out of the ground by their roots. The few trees standing above the line of destruction look like telephone poles, they have been stripped of every branch and leaf. What used to be a forest on both sides of the road is now lumber with a forest about a mile away in the distance. It's frightening to see the power of God in even such small way. We only had some strong winds, but even that did damage. The picture today is a chipping sparrow nest. Chipping sparrows build their nests on low branches in bushes or on the ground. Doogie found this nest after the storm, and it was probably blown down from our grape arbor. It's made almost entirely out of horsehair. T Read more:Family
Recommend Site To A Friend
