Ode to a Library

Bookworm's Heaven

I had to return a few library books last night. It was late, and I only had 15 minutes before the library closed, but I managed to find 3 books before being kicked out. The only time I'm able to leave the library without checking something out is when I don't go into the library, usually when I return books after hours and entering is not an option. I wasn't planning on getting anything new to read. I have a stack of books at home that are just waiting for me to start. I was just going to return my books, pay a fine (forgot that one of the books was overdue), and walk back home. That was the plan, anyway.

I love the library. I go through phases when I don't step inside of one for years, then some feeling will draw me inside the building and I'm hooked on it all over again. Where else can you go where you're ENCOURAGED to sit all day long? I can't think of a single store that wants you to take up space, get comfortable, read as much of their material as you can handle, put it back on the shelves (or not, but I always try to put books back from whence they came), and making a purchase isn't even an option!? Usually, I go and look at the new releases. There are a few authors that I love, but I have the habit of buying those books. I go for the authors that I don't know. Then I'll go to the stacks and look for some of their previous material. Other times, I'll wander through the books and pull things semi-randomly from the shelves (yes, I am guilty of judging a book by its cover... and its title). If the excerpt and a few pages sounds good, I'll take it home. What a fantastic way to find new authors! There's just no risk to it. If you like the book, you've found something new that you may otherwise have missed. If you don't like it, just return it! No questions asked. No judgment if you didn't read it.

I'm lucky enough to live within walking distance of my local public library. It's only a few hundred yards away from my front door. In addition to that convenience, and I am aware that not everyone has a library that close to their front door, my local library system (Henrico County libraries ROCK) is on line. I can look through the complete catalog, look for books, place holds and transfer requests from any other county library, and renew them, too! I even have email reminders sent to me when books are nearing their due date (yes, I recognize the irony that I STILL manage to have overdue books). Free internet access, research material, DVDs, music, books (fiction and non), programs for adults and children, staff ready to help you. An underused asset that not enough people use.

Susan and Bowen's Baby Shower

My cousin Alice threw a baby shower for her sister and future brother-in-law on June 7, 2009 at the Four Seasons in D.C. I admit I was a little hesitant about going. It was a 2 hour drive up and back, and I wasn't staying the night since I had to work the next day. Alice had an online survey that she encouraged all of the invited guests to take. I wasn't able to take it, but she showed the survey results. It was hilarious. Alice did a wonderful job in creating the Powerpoint presentation. The tea at the Four Seasons was very nice.

I'm really using this entry as a record of the blankets that I made for the shower. I was so frazzled by the time I'd finished the second one, that I forgot to take pictures. Susan was kind enough to send me a couple. I made 2 blankets for Susan and Bowen's baby.

I took a while to decide exactly what I wanted to make for the shower. I knew that I wanted to make 2 things and that I didn't want to use a lot of pink. I wanted to use "baby" colors, but I didn't want to be so stereotypical. I started the green blanket first, since I knew it would take me longer to finish. By the time I started the 2nd one, I only had a week before the shower. I worked on it after work and karate every night. I didn't finish it until Sunday morning. I worked on it until about 2:30 Sunday morning, went to bed, and woke up at 5:30 Sunday to finish it. I wasn't done until 9:30 then had to get in the shower and get ready to go.

The details on yarn and tools for the blankets are at on my Leisure Corner site.

Returning to the Blog

There are so many things that have happened since my last post way back in December. Andrew is a healthy inquisitive boy. Lilly is doing well, even though her parents are still trying to get her to eat enough. I got hired at Circuit City at the end of February 2008 and was laid off in November of the same year. I went back to working as a contractor and now work at Suntrust Mortgage. John got married to Christine. He should remember his anniversary since it's the day after his birthday. They recently celebrated their first anniversary. My cousin Susan got engaged to her long time boyfriend, Bowen. She's also pregnant with a girl. Due in July. Brian sold the karate school, and I've somehow managed to take over the vast majority of the teaching duties. Getting ready to conduct my first test and will have the unpleasant job of evaluating students and telling some that they are not quite ready for the next level.

I guess that would be what's been happening in a nutshell! I'll expand on a few things in further posts!

Definitely a big difference between being laid off and having the summer off!