I’m In

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postaweek2011

Count me in for the WordPress “Post a Week” challenge in 2011 (click here for the details).  I think know I can do this.  I’ve got a list of random story ideas and Plinky on my side.  Feel free to give me a nudge, or, at the very least, tag me with a meme if I start to fall off the wagon.

Top 10 Reasons I Need to Ditch ‘People’

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bookworm, imp doodles, list-mania

1. Reading People magazine keeps me from reading more substantial literature.
2. My 5-year old writes more substantial literature† than People.
3. The sensationalistic headlines trick me into reading mediocre stories.
4. Paparazzi are dirtbags.
5. Over time I recognize fewer of the people featured.  This is a combination of not watching much tv anymore; not watching any reality tv; and not being 20 years old.
6. I loathe articles about celebrity kids. Their kids are no more important than mine. Just better dressed.
7. I loathe articles about how celebrities “make their love work” after six months of marriage. 
8. Jon & Kate.
9. They ditched the crossword puzzle section.
10. Have I mentioned the stack of books I should be reading instead?

†More substantial literature:

But, as I told Maleesha in a comment response, I’m completely addicted to the picture section at the beginning of the magazine. And if you gave one to me on a plane or in a doctor’s office, I’d lose all willpower.  My only saving grace is that I never actually purchase the magazine.  A friend gives me her hand-me-down subscription, and thankfully, it’s set to expire in July 2011.

What I Did, Wrote, and Read in 2010

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bookworm, list-mania, say cheese

I threw snowballs, donned fake lashes, and opened my door to a complete stranger bearing flowers.  I climbed towers, paddled rough waters, and watched my daughter run to school for the first time like nothing was changing.  I swung from monkey bars, visited old haunts, and came face to face with a frog. 

And in the midst of it all, I took pictures.  Lots of pictures. 

[Click here if you would like to see the photo slideshow of 2010 highlights.]

I documented everything

Whether it happened in 2010 or when I was 10, I wrote about it.

• January- Moshing to the Beat of Her Own Drummer
• February- Better than any Balloon
• March- Girls Who Wear Dresses
• April- Lost Rivers & College Friends: Part I
• May- Summer of ’85
• June- On a Sting and a Prayer
• July- Carolina in My Mind
• August- On Top of (and Beneath) Old Smoky
• September- Model for a Day
• October- The Spirit Makes the Master
• November- How to Interpret Yearbook Signatures
• December- The Best Christmas Program Ever

I read good stuff

And in the process, I learned I’ve been using too many adjectives and adverbs.  I’ll work on that in 2011, along with giving up People magazine and drastically reducing my caffeine consumption.

• A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel
• Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot
• The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells
• Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
• The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
• On Writing Well by William Zinsser
• The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
• Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani
• Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani
• The Last Single Woman in America by Cindy Guidry
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett
• Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

**********

May 2011 bring more books, more stories, and more camera-worthy moments.  And may writer’s block stay where it belongs– far from me, along with People magazines and wolf spiders.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Tags

bookworm, say cheese, things that make me happy

As I’ve been telling my daughter for the past month, Christmas isn’t about the presents.  But this post will be.  

Todd gave me just what I wanted for Christmas—a scrapbook for my clipped columns.  They’ve been tucked in my file cabinet with the likes of pay stubs and insurance policies for months since I’ve been writing them.  Their new home suits them (and me) much better.  

I should have plenty of reading and viewing material to occupy me through the dreary days of January thanks to the generosity of my family and Todd’s.  My parents filled my stocking with Glee (Season 1) and Abby’s with The Sound of Music. 

Todd’s family gave me several books from my wish list.  I’m especially looking forward to Don’t Sing at the Table: Life Lessons from My Grandmothers by Adriana Trigiani, one of my favorite authors.  The title of her new book struck a chord with me, as singing at the table is a particular peeve of mine 

After months of wondering if I was being too strict about noises at the table, I decided to consult my cousin, Elaine, a mother of three.  Her family’s theme song is You Can’t Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones.  This fact alone makes her my parenting idol. 

“Oh no,” she said, “We don’t allow singing, humming, or any other weird noises at the dinner table.”  The matter was settled.  Noises were out.  And so I can’t wait to hear the Italian women’s perspectives on singing at the table. 

*

My five-year old never ceases to amaze me.  She received a bicycle, several games, and a box of Shrinky Dinks for Christmas.  Yet the gift she chose to show the neighbor girl was her new blue umbrella.  For her sake, I hope it rains soon. 

We celebrated a Christmas brunch with Todd’s family on Christmas Day. There I came face to face with a chocolate mouse.

That mouse didn’t stand a chance against me.  

Abby and I celebrated Christmas with my family later that day.  Todd was unable to join us due to his work schedule, but we did our best to put a serious dent in the molasses men population on his behalf. 

I tucked a reluctant girl in bed that night.  From the living room, I responded to her endless inquires with “tomorrow-promises”. 

Yes, we can watch The Sound of Music tomorrow. 

Yes, we’ll bake your Shrinky Dinks tomorrow. 

Yes, I’ll play Uno with you tomorrow. 

*

We did all those things today, along with taking down decorations and removing holiday music from my playlists.  I love the Christmas season, but all good things, like chocolate mice and molasses men, must come to end. Well, at least another 11 months.

The New Dress Code

Tags

list-mania, say cheese, The Office, what not to wear

Ten observations from the office ‘sweater’ party:

1. Amorphous sweatshirts (like the one I’m wearing) will in fact make you bear a striking resemblance to Grimace.
2. My 5-year old thinks I look pretty when I resemble Grimace.
3. Romeo had his Juliet.  Peanut butter had its jelly.  My amorphous sweatshirt had a heaping plate of Mongolian barbecue that evening.
4. Some women can make anything look good. 
5. My co-worker, Amanda, is one of those women.  I’m pretty sure the scrunchie is going to make a comeback when people see this photo. 
6. All men can make women’s Christmas sweaters look funny.
7. A picture can’t do justice to a mothball-scented sweater.
8. I want all my sweaters to have candy pockets.
9. Wal-Mart seems to be the store of choice for questionable Christmas apparel. 
10. You have to be careful on ‘Ugly Christmas Sweater Day’ not to assume everybody is participating. 

(Despite the candy canes and scalloped edges, none of us came close to Will’s sweater at Veggiemacabre last year.  Click here to see his sweater enhancing tutorial and finished product.)