a bit on lit

A couple of quick things:

Happy Banned Books Week! I'm still trying to figure out which book to read to celebrate this. One for me, one for Pic, actually.

I'm disappointed that I won't be able to attend the "I Read Banned Books" event at UNR tonight. It's at 6 in the Knowledge Center, if anyone else can/wants to go.

Upcoming: Booksale Bonanza! October 28-November 6. I cannot wait, although, yes, I have to. I wonder if homeschoolers count as teachers for the last day?

psa: yoga gear & misc

Just popping in very quickly (why, yes, it's well after ten) to mention a super short sale over at Barefoot Yoga. (Oh, I'm tired. I typed that 'Barefood' and it took me a moment to figure out how to fix it.)

Sale ends tomorrow, July 28. (Must check my electronic mail more often. Not that I'm buying anything this time, but I could have passed on the news sooner.)

All of our yoga mats are from this shop. Both Pic's and Cardo's are the hybrid eco mats and mine is an earlier version of that.

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On another note, before this day officially ends (in this time zone), Cardo and I have been together for ten years. He told me he's ready to go another ten.

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Also on this day, one of my nephews is now only one year away from teenager-hood! I have a hard time thinking of him as past babyhood. Wow.

psa

So, we have family health and wellness plans for the summer. Cardo has finally, finally, finally come around to the idea of practicing yoga with me. His proposal is alternating Wing Chun with yoga and I'm all for that. Of course, for us all to be able to practice, we'll have to learn routines well enough to not have to be confined to small spaces in front of screens. We're thinking once we know what we're doing well enough, we'll practice in the park. (I'm attempting not to cringe at the thought of practicing out in a very public place, but I'm also looking forward to practicing in a place outside, a place I love so much.) Really, though, Pic and I end up kicking each other when we practice pilates here in the living room and adding another full-grown adult into the mix just isn't going to work all that well.

Okay, I realize I've gone on and one and that definitely wasn't the PSA part. Barefoot Yoga is holding a 20%-off sale for everything until the 27th, in honor of Earth Day (actually, Earth Month). I just ordered Cardo and Pic their first mats. I know mats can be had for much less at places like Ross, but I find it a bit contradictory to practice yoga or pilates on a mat that's rife with phthalates and formaldehyde and PCBs and such. (However, we're still working on our own budgeting, so I ordered them the least expensive mats available. Pic chose the color of hers and I guessed on Cardo's. When he got home, he confirmed my guess.)

What more? Just a quick reminder that the Earth Day celebration at Idlewild will be held this coming Sunday from 11-4. (I'm guess EcoNet decided to defer to the Easter-celebrants?)

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And, on a more personal note, as long as I'm mentioning ordering stuff: I've ordered a phone battery and it should be here by Tuesday. I hope. I have been without a cell for over two weeks now. It hasn't been terrible and the longer I don't have it, the more I don't feel I need it (imagine that). All the same, I would like to have the convenience back in time for this summer, which is when Pic and I plan to do much wandering.

I apologize if you've called my cell and haven't heard back from me. I've had my phone for a good long time (in cell years) and I really didn't want a new one. I think I've had it about five years now? The battery finally decided to get all weird and puffy and the phone completely stopped working. I'm hoping that replacing the battery will do the trick. We'll see.

psa: earth day

So, Earth Day is April 22nd, but EcoNet is hosting their celebration on Sunday, May 1st at Idlewild. I'm not entirely sure why the lapse, but there it is. Not sure what I'll be looking for this year (other than the kids' booth, certo). Live music? Yes. I'm having some difficulty with the EcoNet site so I can't scope out what else there'll be.

(I just typed "scope out" which makes me feel, for whatever reason, like I'm invoking Pauly Shore. Oy.)

Usually, I'm a bit overwhelmed by the event and I don't really allow myself to absorb much. I'll try to work on that this year. (I feel like I say that about so much. How often can I avoid typing, "I'm a work in progress"?)

psa and stuff

Tomorrow: Half-Off Sale at Savers. (On clothing, shoes and housewares, I believe. I'll be looking for table lamps, because, geez, Walter Wick books can be tricky in wan* light. I'll also be looking for things to wear to my paycheck-earning-place. Not that I need more clothes, but I'm thinking I want to purge some of what I have and get some new stuff. Let's see if I make it home with more than one or two tops. Now, if only books were also on sale. Ah, well. (Do I hear Cardo rejoicing about that book thing? Yes.)) [Update, after the sale: two tops, two books.]

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We had fabulous, fabulous garlic fries at 5th St yesterday. I'll be thinking about those all week and ordering some more come next Saturday.

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I love the name of the NPR program "Tiny Desk Concerts." I always imagine tiny people performing on a corner of my desk. I've only listened to one, featuring Adele, and I keep singing the last song of that set.

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We bought a (used) piece of exercise equipment on Saturday. (Garlic fries first, then exercise. This is where my priorities stand.) Now I have even less reason to be very, very lazy. And even more reason to listen to my shorter saved podcasts. A little Stuff You Missed in History Class, anyone?

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I might have decided that I'll be reading (some version of) the Bible this summer. Sometimes I marvel at how unChristian some Christians seem to be, but really I'm pretty ignorant on the subject. I feel I need to first read the text (or, the Word in the Book) to get a basic understanding. I really tried to be Christian for a large chunk of my life, but it just wasn't happening. (And, now, I've probably freaked people out. I think that most people who know me well know I'm not religious and that I'm trying to figure this issue out for myself. I am in the "freedom of religion" camp. That's it on that for now.)

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I'm working on being less (negatively) judgmental. (See the above and feel free to judge me.) The older I get, the more I realize how limited my own experiences are. Instead of being instantly annoyed whenever someone says or does something I find offensive or hurtful, I'm going to try to understand that the person might just be going through a difficult time. Or, they just don't care about the same things that I do and I have to accept that about others.

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* I looked up "wan" because I'm compulsive like that and the example fragment my dictionary gave me is, "the wan dawn light."

psa: thrift sale

Tomorrow, Savers is hosting one of its 50%-off sales on clothes, shoes, accessories and bed & bath items. Books, sadly, are not on sale. That's okay, though, I much prefer to buy my books at Goodwill or at library book sales. (I can't wait to read what I picked up last Sunday!)

We might be picking up some warm clothes for Pic tomorrow.

We're getting to the time of year I really would like to hibernate in my warm bed. Yesterday morning, we woke up and the thermostat read 48 degrees. Yikes! I was, once again, thankful we live inside and also that I could turn on the heat to warm up the condo a bit.

Tomorrow is, of course, Veterans Day, nee Armistice Day. I'm never quite sure how to observe such days, other than send silent "peace be with you"s for those who have fought in and those who have lost their lives in military service. I will never understand war, really, no matter how much I learn about its causes, but I still grieve for those who have lost their lives and for those who have to/choose to partake in such endeavors.

I didn't mean to completely shift there, but I find it interesting that we use special occasions as opportune times for sales. I'm glad I'll be able to buy inexpensive clothes at an even lower price, but I'm not really sure how hosting/attending a sale is observing such occasions.

il quest weekend, in five acts

-- photo shoot at Tahoe (with fabulous friends)

-- 5th St. Bakehouse

-- Mamma's Night

-- booksale!

-- Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Greek Myths

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P.S. Half-off day at the Friends of Washoe County Library Booksale Bonanza today. (I thought it was $6/bag day, but it doesn't seem to be so. Ah, well.)

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Edited to add: It was $6/bag day! I wonder when Cardo is going to start having nightmares that our books are closing in on him?

mesmerizing

Both the message and the animation held me enthralled.*


"RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms"

I feel like I've heard this talk before. Otherwise, I'm so wrapped up in absorbing similar information that it's familiar to me. I'll have to look around some of the blogs I read to see if I did, in fact, here this elsewhere.

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* Can I be "held entralled"? Is that how that term works? From the OED:

1. trans. To reduce to the condition of a thrall; to hold in thrall; to enslave, bring into bondage. Now rare in lit. sense.
2. fig. To ‘enslave’ mentally or morally. Now chiefly, to captivate, hold spellbound, by pleasing qualities.

Maybe I was held in thrall? But, wow, I don't know that I ever knew the connections with enslavement.

And, why yes, I do obsess much. Language is awe-inspiring...at least for me.

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P.S. I've definitely seen Sir Ken Robinson speak before. Now, to figure out who linked to video.

voter prep

I am looking at some candidate websites right now, as I confirm my choices for the various open positions here. I thought I'd share a couple of observations, because, um, I like to procrastinate, and I should be doing other things. (Oh, and I just learned to take screenshots -- I finally just looked up how, duh -- and how can I not put that to use?)

When I was fully entrenched* in academia, I consistently had a difficult time not qualifying my arguments with phrases such as "it seems" or "I think." I was told to just be assertive, put my argument firmly out there (wherever that may be). I don't like using language that asserts I know all the answers, that I've eliminated all other possibilities, that what I'm saying is the ultimate word in a conversation. And, I don't know that was the point of academic writing, but I felt it was part of the point. I wanted to acknowledge, though, that there may be something else "out there" I wasn't aware of, or that someone else might have had a different experience.

Here's what made me think of this when I was looking at the websites:



and



Reid (from the first example) talks about his first-hand experience. The Angle writer asserts that no one is more committed to education. That just irks me. Because, really? There is no one more committed to education? I have a hard time getting behind this kind of superlative. However, I've often felt on the outside (of something) because this kind of language doesn't sit well with me. I'm sure there are plenty of people who will argue that they want their candidates to be just as assertive as Angle is presented here. Or, perhaps, I should say she's confident.

Of course, I'm nitpicking, not because I want to be petty, but because the language made me think of some of my own issues (and, well, I apparently like to write about myself...a lot).

I'm off to further explore websites. Remember, November 2nd is Election Day. (I'll be voting in three days because Nevada offers early voting.)

[In case you didn't catch it, I included links to the candidates' sites. Check them out before they're gone.]

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* Was grad school like war? I'm not making that comparison. I've never been to war, so I wouldn't know what that is like. "Entrenched" is the word that felt best there. When grad school was over, I did feel as if I was slowly climbing out of some deep, dark hole. (Now, if only I weren't in a new hole. Ah, well.)

not perfect, but it's a start

"President Obama: It Gets Better"

I am loving that this is becoming a national discussion. I love that he says we need to change the idea that bullying is just a natural part of growing up. That idea is horrible. Bullying is not okay. It's not character-building, it's devastating, as some of us know, as we have all seen.

on being super-frugal

FYI*: Savers is having one of its semi-annual half-off sales on Monday. (I think they're still doing that twice a year...otherwise, it's only their annual half-off sale.) I have been wanting some new clothes lately, but I've had no reason to buy any. I have enough clothes to wear clean clothes every day without having to wash clothes every single day. I have enough clothes to go to work and kind of act like I have a decent variety (although, someone should have reminded me of this at three o'clock this morning, when I was trying to figure out what to wear today). Is there any justification for me buying new clothes? Yes, I'm asking for others to reassure me here.

I am trying, very diligently, to not go around spending money on things that aren't so much necessities. "How's that going for you?" you ask? Um, yeah. Last night, I bought myself a new Penny Press Variety Puzzles and Games book. (What? What's that you say? Why, yes, I am really and truly a nerd.) I certainly didn't need this book/timesuck, but there you have it.

We really messed up in July and we really paid for it in August. It is decidedly unpleasant to not be able to buy groceries and pay all of the other bills at the same time. For whatever reason, I thought we had gotten past that. Alas. As far as the whole eating dinner at home only for August? We ate out four times. That's pretty frickin' awesome for us. And, the last dinner out was a celebratory one with our dearly beloved friends after they shared some fabulous news.

We will continue to try to keep our spending well within our limits. Not only do we have bills we need to pay off, we are thinking to one day start saving for a couple of big deal (for us) items: a trip to Disneyland in the coming year and, eventually, a house. When we made the decision to start homeschooling, I was thinking we'd probably forego buying our own house, but I just haven't been able to let go of the notion. So, if we save our pennies for a good decade or so, we'll have some money for a downpayment. Let's just hope the real estate market doesn't get as ridiculous as we have recently seen. In the meantime, we are happy where we are; I've just got a problem with letting myself actually be happy. I'm working on that. It's not easy when it seems everyone is telling us, oh-so-insistently, "Now's the time to buy!" (yes, that emphatically). It also doesn't help when people keep reminding us that renting is like flushing money down the toilet. Ah, well.

As for the Disneyland trip? We'd just like to go. Although Pic is still pretty tiny (but oh-so-grown at the same time), we are hoping that she'll eventually be tall enough to go on enough rides to satisfy her. Actually, I have no idea if she'll be into the whole rides thing, but she assures us, now, that she is.

So, wish us luck with the penny-saving, if you will? Grazie mille.

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By the way: Happy September!

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* I usually keep myself from using acronyms around these parts. This, however, reminds me that I once again came across FML today and I once again had to look it up. O, Urban Dictionary! You and your examples make me a little nauseated.

psa: free pet adoptions

The Nevada Humane Society is offering free pet adoptions on adult cats and dogs (over four months old, excluding certain dogs) through Sunday.

I just came across this. And, I am so wanting another cat. I don't think Cardo does, but I do. Another cat or two or twelve. I don't believe adopting another cat is going to be a possibility for us right now and I know that adopting a dog isn't, but I wish the Humane Society the best with finding these animals safe and loving homes.

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P. S. I also just noticed a blurb on the site stating that black pets are much less likely than other colored pets to be adopted. I have no idea why this is.



Our no longer covert cat! I love when he crosses his paws like this.

sundaes for breakfast, anyone?

Okay, so it's a quinoa sundae, but still.... Actually, this is also what I had for dinner last night, but the avocado from last night was somewhat questionable. Obviously I lived to eat another delicious quinoa sundae. (I made the quinoa with vegetable broth. I like the flavor so much better than when I make it with water. I tried it as breakfast cereal once, made with water not broth, with some milk and blueberries, but I wasn't so into it. I hope that wasn't confusing.)

I got the recipe idea here, but I only use black beans, quinoa, avocado and cheese. I like the queso fresco casero better than any other cheese I've tried on this, but we don't always have it on hand. Oh, I just looked at Catherine Newman's recipe again. Yeah, mine's not nearly as involved, but her recipe was definitely inspiring.

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So, decluttering? First, I have to say, we went to the library booksale, for the $6/bag day and got 35 new (to us) kids' books and four movies for $12! We so had room for more in our second bag, but we were ready to go. And? All of those new books have already been catalogued! (Now, I just have to catch up on the many, many already floating around the apartment, but I've been working on it somewhat diligently these last few days.)

So, yes, I'm bringing more stuff into the apartment, but I just keep in mind that I have allowed myself a couple of collections, one of which is books.

In the meantime, I've begun to look again at our office/library (I really need a better term for this, I'm just so excited to have a place that really feels like a library in our home, albeit a completely messy library). And, oh the treasures I've found! Decluttering should be a snap (or a cinch? what's the cliche?) for the remainder of my thirty-day time limit. In fact, I'll, no doubt, be able to continue on with this one thing a day deal for a bit longer.

Today's decluttering item? A big old bag of trash that lived in my car for, um, two-plus years. Okay, so I didn't really carry a bag of trash with me for two years, although I wouldn't put it past me, but when we sold the car, I shoved all of the detritus in a trash bag and then, apparently, shoved that into the office closet. I began looking through it today and some stuff was salvageable: a couple of pencils, my umbrella, a picture of Pic from when she first started school (oh how I miss it and don't all at the same time). Otherwise? Mainly trash or shredder fodder: insurance cards and registration cards dating back at least two years, a broken visor, power bill receipts dating back at least two years, a random booklet that had been completely soaked at one point but that had since dried to brittleness (I say it's a word). Oh, yes, basically a big old bag of trash. Nothing to be given away today, but I'm definitely breathing a little easier having gotten rid of all of that crap.



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P.S. As if I need more stuff to bring into the apartment...Tomorrow is the Savers 50%-off clothing, shoes and accessories sale.

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P.P.S. I'm sure that this Veteran's Day will be especially emotional for many. I know that I spent much of this morning, listening to the memorial service, in tears of sympathy for those affected by the violence at Fort Hood and a kind of sadness that violence happens at all.

donation and sales

Whoo-hoo. The title is fab, I know. Whatever.

So, I finally have a donation picture that doesn't completely suck. For the last year, Pic's pool toys have lived in her bathtub (she bathes in our bathtub). This bear floatie was a gift from Peecho when we went to visit two years ago. Pic has since outgrown it and I think it's time to give it up. (The baby will be kept, the floatie will be donated.)



Also, book sales. Yes, because, I know, we need more books. I borrowed the car on Monday and bought sixteen new books for Pic's library. Used books. Books that cost $.79 each. (I'll never be able to catalogue all of the books if I don't actually, finally put into effect my rule that I have to catalogue each book as it comes into the apartment.)

Oh, wait. I just totally sidetracked myself from the booksale announcements. This Sunday, Grassroots Books is having a $3.99/bag sale (standard plastic grocery bag sized bag, but you can bring a reusable bag of that size if you have one). Grassroots has moved over near Costco. It's at 660 E. Grove Street. The bag sale begins at 3p.

Also, the Friends of the Washoe County Library System is having their bag sale at 5202 Mill Street on November 8th. The sale begins at 9a and it's $6/bag (they provide the bags). The 7th, they are having the 1/2 price sale.

Finally, National Blog Posting Month (the official one with the prizes) is coming up next month. You can sign up now and the process is so much quicker than it has been (I'm not sure how Mrs Kennedy changed it, but it worked nicely). I know that I just went on about how I should be glad that people don't post more often (because then I'd be spending even more time reading blogs), but I'd really love to read more from everyone. Also, there're prizes (which you can contribute to through the end of November, I believe). I'm all signed up. I'm just waiting to see if someone creates a fun badge I'll want to post on my page. See you there? Ms B has already signed up...anyone else?

quick psa

The next Savers sale is Labor Day, September 7th. Half-off used items. I'm planning on being there. Whether I'll actually buy anything remains to be seen. I don't know that I really need anything, I just like to go.

Also, Grassroots Books has moved to Grove Street, very near Costco. I like this location much better than the last -- it's larger and seems less chaotic. We went last weekend and Cardo said we could spend $10. He meant total, but we spend $24 or $22 or something, which comes out to less than $10-a-person, which is nice. We got nine new books: one for Cardo, five for me, three for Pic.

The next Booksale Bonanza for the Friends of the Washoe County Library is October 30-November 8 (the 7th is the half-off day and the 8th is the $6/bag day).

And, now, Cardo is probably cringing in his sleep, sensing that I'm even thinking about buying 'new' books.

book sale

This is where we'll be later:

Booksale Bonanza
Nevada's largest communitywide event for book lovers is scheduled for April 24-May 3. Location 5205 Mill Street.

There will be thousands of items for sale, including children's and adult books in all categories from bestsellers to leatherbound classics. Also for sale are videotapes, DVDs, computer software, cassettes, CDs, vintage records, magazines and maps.

At this sale, the Friends continue their bargain pricing, with most hardbacks costing $1 and pocketbooks at 50¢. There is a special section with vintage and collectible books and "nearly new" bestsellers.

The booksale will be held over two weekends. Sale hours are:

Friday, April 24 3 - 7 p.m. Member Preview (must have 2009 Friends membership card or join at the door)
Saturday, April 25 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 26 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Mon.-Fri., April 27-May 1 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 2 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. ½ PRICE DAY
Sunday, May 3 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. BARGAIN DAY
On Bargain Day, you can purchase a bag of books for $6 -- OUR bag, your book selection! Collectible and specially priced books are also discounted.

Watch for more details on these wonderful booksales!

Just thought I'd share.

psa

For those of you (who are not me), I just came across this deal on Blissfully Domestic. It's a year of Glamour magazine for $1.50. The deal ends on Sunday, though, so subscribe soon if you're interested.

(I read Storked! on Glamour's website, but I'm not a fan of fashion magazines. Big shock, I know.)

i know my limits...

...I'm dropping out.



...I'm turning in my license.

more muppets and a sale

Faboo title, I know. (I had forgotten about Wakko's penchant for "faboo" until I was trolling through those Animaniacs clips.)

Anyhow, this is one of the songs on our Sesame Street album [the beginning is a bit cut off, though]:




And, this, is just one of my favorite Sesame Street songs, although I'm not sure why:








As for the rest of my post, I bought those pants for Pic last weekend at Savers. They kind of crack me up. Anyhow, this is not just gratuitous flashing of the funny pants...Savers is having a 50%-off all used items sale tomorrow in honor of Veterans' Day (we're so weird..."let us celebrate the service some men and women have performed for our country with discounted prices on linens and clothing and used stuff"...oh my).

glorious books

Okay, one last post for now. I guess I need to update everyone on upcoming booksales. (Okay, so maybe I don't need to, but I will. Take it or leave it.)


Grassroots Books is planning three sales for November. They don't yet have a location, but I'll keep you posted when I find out. Here are the dates: the weekends of Nov 7-9, 14-16, and 21-23.

The Friends of the Washoe County Library are also hosting an upcoming sale. I'm still too cheap to go before the really cheap days, but I think we'll browse on the 50%-off day. The dates are October 30-November 9th.

Oh, and Sierra View is also apparently having a sale from October 19th through the 30th. (This is the library that is located in the Reno Town Mall, near the convention center and the Atlantis.)