The Simple Woman's Daybook--September 7, 2009

Outside My Window ...

Another great late summer/early fall day in OH. Sun's out. Some of the leaves are already starting to turn red and gold.

***

I am listening to...
L'Angelus "Sacred Hymns"

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Magnificat readings, rosary

***
To Fit and Happy...

Gym, after hauling kids around this weekend.

***

I am thankful for...
Beautiful weather; the changing of the seasons
***

I am pondering ...

What to wear tomorrow.
***

From the kitchen ...
Not sure. I need to plan something...

I am wearing ...

jeans, my Johnson Space Center NASA t-shirt.

***

I am creating ...
more music. :)

***
On my iPod...
music! I just had to reinstall the software since it somehow managed to wipe itself. Yikes.

***

I am thinking...

I had a great weekend.
***

Around the House

Clearing off the kitchen table; making lunch for tomorrow; prepping the coffee machine for the AM.

.***

I am reading ...

Am now reading: We Two (about Victoria and Albert). Read Gilead over the weekend. So good! I can't believe I hadn't read it until now. Now I want to read Home. Also reading The Merchant of Venice (Ignatius Critical Edition)

***

I am hoping and praying ...
For a good week

***

On Keeping Home ...

these candles look awesome. (keeping this link because they are awesome)

And MORE candles: these are what I'm burning right now.

*yeah, I really like candles*

***
One of my favorite things ...
my cousins; my new Pitt sweatpants. (Yes, I now own a pair of sweatpants)

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Thursday: Voice Lessons #2; NFL season begins, Steelers vrs. Titans, at Heinz Field!

Friday: Bryan's 24th birthday. My baby brother is twenty-four! Yikes!

Saturday: Tiff's birthday dinner; OSU vrs. USC.

***

The Simple Woman's Daybook--August 31, 2009

Outside My Window ...

All the windows are open again! It's about 72 degrees here and WONDERFUL.

***

I am listening to...
the traffic on I-70, outside my window. And the "Into the Woods" soundtrack.

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Liturgy of the hours (I'm getting on board w/ this), Bible Reading, spiritual reading daily, rosary.

***
To Fit and Happy...

Gym. Are you surprised? And ballet classes start this week!

***

I am thankful for...
Beautiful weather; the changing of the seasons
***

I am pondering ...

What I'm going to have for dinner.
***

From the kitchen ...
Not sure. I need to plan something...

I am wearing ...

jeans, a V-neck t-shirt from Banana Republic that I've worn so often it has a hole in the side. But I really like it and only wear it around the house so the hole's OK.

***

I am creating ...
Music--voice lessons start this week!

***
On my iPod...
"Into the Woods"--the movie.

***

I am thinking...
This weather is fantastic.
***

Around the House

Taking out the trash, clearing off the kitchen table so it can be seen, cleaning the kitchen counters.

.***

I am reading ...

FINALLY finished A&J. And then was disappointed. Just not what I was hoping for. Am now reading: We Two (about Victoria and Albert). Have finished: The Miracle Worker, Monday After the Miracle.

***

I am hoping and praying ...
For a good week; for a friend of the family's

***

On Keeping Home ...

these candles look awesome. (keeping this link because they are awesome)

And MORE candles: these are what I'm burning right now.

*yeah, I really like candles*

***
One of my favorite things ...
spaghetti; good friends

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Tonight: Parish Council

Tomorrow; Gym

Wednesday: Dinner with parents, ballet class

Friday: Appt. with oral surgeon

Fri-Mon: Pittsburgh!!

***

Summer reading Vol. IX

• The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory
• Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy, by Rumer Gooden
• The Killer Angels (again), by Michael Sharra
• The Choice, by Nicholas Sparks
• In This House of Brede, by Rumer Gooden
• Medjugorje: The Mission, by Wayne Weible

Summer reading Vol. VIII: Sunday Church Edition

Today:

--Rediscovering Catholicism

--Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace

--The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary (this also has great chapters on incorporating prayer--any kind of prayer--into your daily life).

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. IX (the Play Ball! edition)

I.

Back from date with the boy/guy/man (whatever you want to call him, since "boy" is not universally loved by my readers) to the Clippers game. The Clippers are the Cleveland Indians' AAA affiliate (farm team), and they were playing Buffalo, lost 4-3. Could've tied it, except the last play of the game was a double play. ARGH!

II.

Lots of fun, both in the game and in the company. Started to rain a bit in the 8th (what is it with our dates and rain, huh?) but it was negligible. Lots of families with adorable children, and lots of women in heels. Why were they in heels? It's a baseball game! Who are you trying to impress?

III.

The Indians' mascot, Slider the Bird, was there, joining the Clippers' bird and seal. Watching Slider dance on the dugout is something else.

IV.

I got the materials for my five year college reunion in the mail today. FIVE YEARS? What is u with that? Apparently it includes a 2 mile run/walk, the usual homecoming events (Cap corner, etc., and the game), and then the party that night in the Cap center, where the class photo will be taken. I can't believe it's been five years! I will be sending in my registration forms soon, so I hope the rest of you alumni who read this will do the same!!!

V.

I do still see a lot of my friends from college, and high school, which I think is impressive. It's nice to have so many long-lasting friendships. Anne, one of my best friends, and I have known each other since we were six! Go us!

VI.

Football training camp has begun! Go Steelers!

VII.

And finally, some books: Harry Potter And the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Deathly Hallows always, always makes me cry, especially when Snape tells Dumbledore that he's loved Lily for years after she died. From that point until Harry kicks ass, I am just one big puddle. Catharsis, man. Catharsis.

New addition to Book Hall of Fame

The Time Traveler's Wife.

Short review: If I could only take five books with me to an island, this would be coming. No joke.

Summer reading Vol. VI (I think?)

OK another round-up

• King Lear
• Macbeth
• Pearls Before Swine collections I and II
• 1/2 of the Pope's encyclical (finishing it this week)

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. VIII

I.

A full-proof method for getting the sink really clean: put in dish soap, fill with water, let soak for 20 hours. Sink will be amazingly shiny with no work from you.

II.

In the "things I am loving" catagory: Peach iced tea. My cousin, Di, whose adorable daughter is seen here, turned me on to the mix. She uses one from Kroger, but I use Target's Market Pantry. It is sooo good. I think I'm drinking 2 quarts every five days. And it's sugar free, so better for me that soda.

III.

Things that are also better than soda: Going to the gym. On Thursday I went for the first time since coming back from vacation (I know, I know, how very slackerly) but I didn't GAIN any weight, and actually managed to lose two pounds! I am thanking the hot weather, Baby Suze (carrying a babe around is great for the upper arms), and the copious amounts of water, gatorade and iced tea that I drank over vacation. And our constant out and about trips, so there was no time to snack.

Gym is going very well--did almost 2 miles on the treadmill hill program today. I signed up for the Dash for Donation 5K in August, so I better get up to three miles before then. The chances of that look good.

IV.

Summer reading update No.4: Finished Spindle's End. It sort of dragged in the middle but the end almost made me cry! Once Rosie discovers who she is, the story picks up very quickly. Also finished The House At Sugar Beach, by Helene Cooper, about her family's life in Liberia before her mother and two of her sisters fled to the U.S. to escape the mounting violence. Again, almost cried at the end. (Not sure why.) Very well written. Still reading Abigail and John, and am about to start Beyond the Miracle Worker, about Anne Sullivan Macy, Helen Keller's teacher. I've always been interested in both their stories. I found this book at Brazos, but I haven't seen it anywhere else. Another good book about her is Miss Spitfire, which, while written for the YA crew, is great for anyone interested in Anne's life.

V.

Have not seen the new Harry Potter yet--am going tonight w/ Tiff and her boyfriend. Shoudl be good, will post thoughts sometime this weekend. I really loved this book so I am a bit disappointed about the things I have been hearing! But I shall take them with a grain of salt (or, in Tiff and I's case, many grains of salt) until I see it myself in about two hours.

VI.

Speaking of boyfriends--date with boy again tomorrow. Planning on going to the Jazz and Rib Fest, which means I will wear black to disguise any inevitable BBQ spills. (Yes, they will happen. Trust me.) Weather looking iffy so we'll see what happens in regards to timing.

VII.

Is it just me, or did July go fast? Maybe it's because I took a week off, but man. It seems like it was just the Fourth, and we are barreling into August.

Have a good weekend, y'all.

Summer reading Vol. III

Updated Summer Reading:

• Mansfield Park: Really, the more I read this, the more I love it.
• The Killer Angels, Michael Sharra: My mom took us to Gettysburg one year for Spring Break. Lots of tombstones and battlefields. I was bored. But after reading this book, I want to go back. The basis for the film Gettysburg, the book tells the story of the bloodiest battle in American history from the perspective of different soldiers, on both sides. A fantastic, totally absorbing read.
• Mediterranean Summer: a re-read. I bought this last year at Duck's Cottage, but it is a perfect travel book. I am going to try some of the recipes included at the back of the book before summer is out.
• Rose Daughter, by Robin McKinley: A re-telling of both Beauty and the Beast, and her first novel, Beauty. I first read Beauty when I was about 14, during a beach vacation, and it became an instant favorite. Rose Daughter tells the story in a slightly more mature way, but is no less captivating.

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. VI

I.

I hope a lot of you had a chance to read this entry. I'm pretty proud of it and glad that Hollywood has put a story about this family onscreen. Seeing it is a much more visceral experience than reading about it.

I've read a few articles about the movie, and then the comments following, online. And I've seen a few people ask why books and movies like this are even written, then degrading the emotions of people who read them to people who view pornography--they want some sort of emotional hit. I don't know what people's psychological reasonings are for reading these books, but I'm glad they do. My family, and all the other families whose lives are just like this, need people to understand. We're not looking for pity--that's an easy emotion--but for empathy, for people to understand.

Case in point--I love birthdays. A lot of people I know don't--they don't like being reminded that they're getting older. But I love it. Each birthday is another victory for me. It's another year I got to do things, to enjoy life. I love knowing that I'm racking up more experiences and having more time here. Maybe my blog, and movies and books like My Sister's Keeper, can help people understand how precious life is.

II.

Wow, that was a long quick take. So some shorter things to follow, like: what books I've been reading. An updated list: Robert Louis Stevenson's South Seas Tales; Richard Paul Evans' The Last Promise (love, love, love his books), and, of course, Jane. Mansfield Park being started today. I'm a bit behind in the re-read this year. Oh, and Mrs. Dalloway.

III.

New favorite TV show--Bones. If you follow me on facebook or twitter, you know this. But really, fantastic show. And interesting to me, from a theological perspective. One of the main characters, Agent Booth, is very, very Catholic. His partner, Dr. "Bones" Brennan, is not. In fact, she's an atheist. But there is definite chemistry between them. I'm planning something on Booth to have up at CPG at some point--hopefully later this weekend. He's really a fascinating study.

IV.

Speaking of theology--nearing time for my Sacraments mid-term, and my first assignment is due in Biblical Studies. We're just about to start Genesis in the latter.

V.

Next week is my four year anniversary! Can you believe it? To celebrate, I'm going to visit my cousin, Di, her husband, and her baby girl in Houston. Never been, but I hear it is hot, hot, and more hot. Thank God for air conditioning! We're thinking about visiting NASA, Galveston, and a host of bookstores. :)

VI.

It's Independence Day weekend--do you know your Declaration? Brush up on it here.

VII.

And a happy, happy Independence Day to all of you. Let's go out and celebrate "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," eh? If you're in the mood for some patriotic movies, I suggest John Adams and The Patriot for some good viewing, especially John Adams. Phenomenal, and faster than reading the book. (I read the book. I liked it. But whew, it's long!)

Summer reading Vol. II

No reviews, just books I've read (and stars if I really liked it). Most of these are re-reads.

• The Rosary, by Karen Edmisten ****
• The Rebecca Series from American Girl (yes, I still read kids' books. Deal with it.) ****
• The Right Attitude to Rain, by Alexander McCall Smith (One of my favorites, ever)****, and two others from the series--The Careful Use of Compliments and The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday
• A Father Who Keeps His Promises, by Scott Hahn. So useful for Biblical Studies! ****
• Midwives, by Chris Bohjalian ****
• Sense and Sensibility, Jane (who does not NEED stars because we know of her greatness)
• The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (GREAT book)
• The Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Leroux. It's my favorite musical ever, but I have never read the novel. Gotta say, I like the show better. (What a shock, eh?)

Summer reading Vol. I

As we know, I read more than most normal people.

OK, I read a lot more than most normal people.

I'm Emily and I'm a book addict.

Really.

Since we know this, I thought, for those of you looking for summer reads, I would chronicle what I read this summer--as in, every book (or almost every book) and bookshelves of what's new (as in, books I haven't read a million times, like my Jane Re-Read).

See, part of the problem with my Book Addiction is that people keep writing books. There are always so many more to read!

So, in this first installment, here's what I've downed so far this summer:

The Scarlet Letter (Nathaniel Hawthorne): I've read this before; it was required reading in Honors English 11 in high school (Mrs. Moone's class--one of the best teachers I have ever had). I am not overly fond of Early American Authors. I've read Cooper, and I really disliked Last of the Mohicans. (For some of the reasons why, go here.) I really didn't like this the first itme I read it. Hawthorne was way too wordy (Shades of his friend Melville!) and I couldn't wait to finish it.

In college I took a "19th Century American Literature" course. To this day I do not know what possessed me to do this. In addition to Moby-Dick, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, and other works, we read Hawthorne's short stories, which I really liked. He has a knack for the fantastic.

So, when Ignatius Press, one of my favorite Catholic publishing houses, released their edition of The Scarlet Letter, I pondered giving it another go. Finally did. It's better than I remembered. MAybe because I'm older, and I've read more, or I appreciate the characters better. I don't know. All I know is the descriptions seem less halting, and I really enjoyed Hester. So, if you haven't read this one, try it. Or try his short stories, as a way to tip your toe into the Hawthorne pool. You can even find them online here.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane (Katherine Howe): This one dovetails off The Scarlet Letter, by also taking place in Massachusetts. Connie is a Harvard graduated student, doing work in early Colonial History. When her mother asks her to prepare her grandmother's house nearby for sale, Connie moves in and discovers some odd things. As her research delves into the history of the Salem Witch Trials, she uncovers an interesting theory--what if there really were witches in Salem? And what if they still existed today? The book alternates between different narrators--Connie, Deliverance, her daughter Mercy, and Mercy's daughter, Prudence. The climatic scene is well worth the suspense as Connie uncovers not just a historical mystery, but a mystery within her own family that has important implications for herself.