Sunday, October 19, 2014

Life: It Goes On - October 19

A huge thanks to Andi of Estella's Revenge and Heather of Capricious Reader for all their work pulling together another edition of Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon (and all of those people who organized cheerleaders, hosted hours, and donated prizes!). There were nearly 1000 readers, from all corners of the world who participated this fall - I know I commented on blogs in France, Norway, Denmark and Russia. So great that this largely solitary activity has brought so many people together!

As usual, I didn't make it the full 24 hours and was distracted a good chunk of the rest of the time. Once Miss H is all moved, I'm hoping to set up an office/reading room in her room (sshhh - don't tell her!) and I'm hoping to get much more reading done for the spring 2015 edition!

This Week I'm:

Listening To: I'll finish up Josh Bazell's Beat The Reaper. I am really enjoying this one; really original and, boy, has it got me thinking. Film rights have been acquired with an eye toward Leonardo diCaprio as lead actor which would just be wrong. Peter Brown is a very large, Jewish man. Anyone buy Leo as that?

Watching: We have not added one new-this-season show to our rotation. So...football, baseball, Person of Interest, The Voice. You know, the usual.

Reading: According to Goodreads, I've now read 65 books this year. Barring a massive reading slump, my goal of 75 books this year should be met by the end of November. I moved Still Alice off my nightstand and The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler onto it.

Making: Egg casserole inspired by my garden harvest on Thursday, baked potato soup, homemade pizza, and fried apples today after a trip to the apple orchard.

Planning: On spending this week getting Miss H ready to move into her new digs next weekend. Happy for her. Not so much for me - this mama does not like her chicks to leave the nest even though I know that's what they're meant to do. On the plus side...reading room!

Grateful for: My kids who can be wonderfully thoughtful. Mini-him walked in this morning with Dunkin' Donuts for us and Mini-me went to spend the afternoon helping his grandparents. No matter what else my kids do with their lives, I wanted them to grow up to be good people who are happy in their lives. So far, so good!

Enjoying: The wonderful fall weather we've been having. The Big Guy and I took off for Nebraska City today (home of many apple orchards and the birthplace of Arbor Day). We picked up some of our favorite apples (which you can't get any where else), hit up a couple of wine tastings, enjoyed a picnic lunch, collected fall leaves, and checked out the Living History exhibits at Arbor Lodge (home of J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day). We had so much fun!

Feeling: See "Planning."

Looking forward to: Book club this week! I missed last month with a nasty cold and I can't tell you how much I miss these ladies!

7 comments:

  1. I need to plan an outing down to Nebraska City for some apple pie! We haven't been down there (other than driving thru on our way to K.C.) in a couple of years.

    Great game the other night, huh?! GBR!!

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  2. Well obviously when I think large Jewish guy Leonardo DiCaprio is the first actor that springs to mind! That's definitely an odd choice. I do like a book so much better when the casting fits better. That's so great about your kids. I agree with your wish. I think when it all comes down to it that's what I wish as well. Have a great week and have a good time at book club!

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  3. Again, you impress me with the cooking.
    I didn't make a thing. Besides lemon scones which no one ate. They realized they were gluten free. They tasted just fine but these kids...

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  4. I gave away my copy of Beat the Reaper unread. I remember being excited when I bought my copy, but it's just sat on my shelf for years. If I ever find interest in it again, I'll check it out from the library. I know it was well liked by many.

    I hope Miss H's move goes well!

    Your visit to Nebraska City sounds wonderful. We visited the pumpkin patch yesterday--but it wasn't much of one. I had been hoping to return to the big one this year, but it's just so expensive and this year we have no pennies to spare. Hopefully next year. Luckily Mouse is too young to care.

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  5. I totally missed the readathon this time, so I am hoping to do it next year. I am way off my Goodreads goal this year but there is still time to fix that!

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  6. I would love to try those fried apples! Gorgeous fall leaves too. I hope Miss H loves her new office/reading room! I am really behind in my Goodreads challenge. I will probably not make it but I'm ok with that. This year has not been the one I was expecting. So congrats on that almost finished goal.

    Have a great week.

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  7. Big news with Miss H!

    How was book club? Did you discuss Still Alice? The timing is good, with the movie coming out soon. If you like this book add Five Days Left to your list. Different but the same worry about the future, end of life....

    Two weeks until the marathon (whoop), then I shift to planning to spend December in China! Bill's job has given us an amazing opportunity to see the world. I'm forever grateful for this experience.

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