I'm totally into felt. I love little handmade felt pillows, pin cushions, etc. like this one that I found on Etsy. I was shopping at Cabela's this weekend looking for manly type gifts and came across these really cute ornaments. And, they were 50% off! Sadly I went back to get more for gifts and they were all sold out.

Yeah! Brandon Mull came yesterday. He was very entertaining and really knew how to connect with the kids. We all really enjoyed it and thankfully everyone fit in the Media Center. Anyway, I had my husband snap a picture of us in front of my office. Can't wait till book four comes out.

Thanks to the Tuttles for having us all over Saturday night. Had a great time as usual, hopefully the pictures I took will turn out, I haven't looked them over yet.

I woke up this morning barely able to move my arm. I can't believe how pathetic I am that 45 minutes of Wii tennis could make me that sore. Thanks for the memories!

Christmas - the twins are conflicted about Santa. Gracie doesn't think he's real, but she thinks she has a chance of getting an Ipod if he is, so she's believing 100%. Ian is 80% sure he's not real, but you can tell he's not quite ready to let it go. I'm realizing that Christmas is going to be so much more boring once the little midgets have grown up. You don't realize what you have until it's gone I guess.

Am so excited. Brandon Mull who writes the Fablehaven series will be coming to my school next Monday. I got his email from a friend, and he was so nice! Emailed me right back and said he'd love to come. The kids are getting whipped into a frenzy this week, signing a big poster, and checking out his website. He seems very down to earth, and I've heard he is quite entertaining, so we're all pretty excited to meet him.

It's the first big program I've coordinated at the school. It was a lot of work, but I think it will be worth it.

Check out the website, I took the Fablehaven personality quiz and here is my result... "You are Seth. You think rules are made to break. You hate to read and think school is a total bore. Sometimes though you can come in handy."

So, we're stillllll remodeling our bathroom. We've got the tile done, and now just need to move to the sink/mirror/lights region. I found some sinks and faucets that I liked on Overstock.com. I got the sinks, but they weren't exactly as they looked in the picture so I returned them. Overstock was great. I think I've found a couple replacements and will probably order them soon. I love buying online, I'm so used to comparison shopping and reading product reviews that I don't like regular shopping anymore! Anyway, my one beef with Overstock and other retailers is that you have to page through your results. Bless you to all the retailers that give you a "View All" option. I know it only takes a second, but I HATE having to page, page, page down to see all the results. See pictured the sink I returned. I think I'm going with white instead.

It's 8:30pm and I am working the reference desk and weeding the Romance collection. Being tired and weeding romances is probably not a great combination. I can't believe these titles really hit the spot. But, they do! They are all checked out on a regular basis, even the ones that look horrible. Some titles to consider...

The world is full of married men
Love killers
Monday morning faith
Wicked deeds on a winter's night
The reluctant husband (I don't know about other husbands, but mine is always reluctant!)

I am envious of women who find solace in these titles. I have sneaking suspicion they may be happier than I.

Embarrassing. Saturday night I went jogging (or yogging) with the dog and my mp3 player at 9:15. It was dark, and I wasn't paying enough attention to the pavement and tripped and fell. It happened so fast, I can't really remember what happened. But, I was left with a sore face, shoulder, knee, and hand. Especially my hand, it's all swollen up on top which is strange because you'd think that it would be my wrist that would be hurt. I actually continued jogging and went a full 4 miles, which I am very proud of.

Anyway, I'm a klutz so it's not entirely surprising. I guess it's just a hint of what's to come in the osteoporosis years. Sad

Happy Columbus Day!

I'm happy to report that Justin had a nice b-day yesterday at the in-laws house. Yummy food was eaten and really nice presents were given. I know J appreciated it.

I can't believe that it is already October, it has already snowed, and UEA vacation is upon us. Happy day, only 3 days of school this week.

We are eagerly looking forward to taking the new car to Colorado for Grandma Jan's big b-day bash. Hopefully it won't snow on that awful road through Wyoming. Driving on it during a snow storm is scary!

Here's Rick Riordan reading an excerpt from what is sure to be his next, very popular series...

Yeah, my sis is on Facebook! Of course us old people are slow to take up the new technology, but now that I'm on I totally get how awesome it is. No, I just have to keep proselytizing. None of my old friends from high school or college are on. This sucks as they are the ones that I have lost touch with that I would really like to reconnect with. Come on Gen X'ers, get with the program!

Okay, I took this book home as a joke - The Dewey Decimal System of Love - but it's hilarious and engrossing. I woke up at 3:00am last night and read about 2/3rds of the book. Maybe my equilibrium was off, but I was enthralled. I need to finish it to see what I really think.

A 40 yr. old librarian is single, and celibate for the last 15 years. She suddenly finds herself obsessed with the local symphony director. The book is classed as romance, but I would say that I would put it in General Fiction.

Anyway, it's not often that you read a book where the main character is an interesting Librarian!

An old friend of mine from my Dynix days is the Director of the Pocatello Public Library, he was always wayyyyy into guns. Just got this link - the lady in the red hat is the head of the Children's department. Who knew that guns and librarians were such a great mix??

I forgot, on Saturday, Ian, Grace and I met the lovely singletons who work at the lib and we attended the Timpanogos Story Telling Festival. Everyone was great, although my favorite was old timer Bill Harley who I have always enjoyed. So glad that my friends invited us, I am ashamed that we have not attended since my sis and family moved away. We miss you Terra!

So far, school has been fun. I'm reading The Shelf Elf by Jackie Hopkins. It's a pretty cute story and good for the lower grades in teaching library manners and book care. I'm reading Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller to the older grades. It's a crack up, although the teachers seem to find it funnier than the kids do. Often I get stony glances from them, while I'm thinking, that was funny!!!

Anyway, so far I'm enjoying life and having a good time with the kids. Jackson's second football game is tomorrow, and I'm having a tooth removed. So, if you see me try to ignore my fat face.

This was my first week back to work. Mostly meetings at the school while I tried to get the Media Center ready for students. Last year I had a Harry Potter theme as the 7th book had just come out. I turned my office into Hogwarts with much success on my part. Everyone thought it was awesome. I used shelf paper and then painted it with a stencil using that granite spray paint so it looked like big rocks. Unfortunately, that made this year a bit more difficult.

Ian and I really loved reading the third Fablehaven book this summer - The Grip of the Shadow Plague. So, I went with that theme. It's not as awesome as Harry Potter, but it's pretty cute. Maybe I can send a picture to Brandon Mull to convince him to visit the school.

School starts on Monday and everyone is excited and nervous.

Today is my last day of summer vacation. Ian and Grace and I visited a cemetary in Provo that is really peaceful and overlooks the valley. It is also home to a bunch of bunnies. We saw three.

Jackson will be coming home tonight after attending his football camp. It was hard to have him gone, he had to leave his cell at home so there was no contact the entire time. We are all looking forward to the cranky teenagers return.

Speaking of books...I'm halfway through the last book in the Twilight series - Breaking Dawn. I really like it, it isn't anything that I expected. Hope to finish it before Saturday.

Yeah!!!! Our summer reading program has ended. It was a lot of work as I was on the team posting all the online reviews. If you're looking for a review of something to read done by the average library patron take a look here.

Rosie O'Donnell's Crafty U - This is a fun book. The twins and I have now tried out two of Rosie's recipes in the book. Here is a picture of the crystals we are growing...

July

A big thank you to everyone. First of all, to Grandma and Grandpa Tedrow for hosting the twinners for a whole week. They had a great time and definitely want to do it again if you are up to it. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Fullmer and Arikka and Matt for taking time out to drive all the way down for a birthday celebration. We really appreciate you guys coming over, and it was really fun. Also, thanks for all the presents, the kids really appreciated them.

I can't believe it's almost August, I guess I can finally take the streamers down.

Using spellcheck?

As we wrap up our summer reading program I have to say that I am really surprised at the number of people that turn in book reviews online with a multitude of misspellings and horrible grammar. These are people who read a lot, so I would expect them to be able to write a proper sentence. I'm not talking a few misspelled words, some of them have so many that I have a hard time deciphering what they are trying to say. It just surprises me, I mean how hard is it to use a spellchecker?

Not that I'm perfect (far from it), but there are resources out there and I for one don't want to look stupid!!!

I love David Sedaris.

I have a very distinct memory of being on a plane flying back from some boring business trip. I was sitting there reading Me talk pretty someday, and I started laughing. I don't like drawing attention to myself so I tried to stop laughing, but I could not!

Anyway, his latests hardly needs my plugging but here it is - Read it, you won't be sorry. When you are engulfed in Flames.

Are you a Librarian?

This question comes up occasionally. Usually it's a male patron with a concerned look on his face. This always throws me into a quandary. On the one hand, my job title is Adult Reference Librarian, but, I do not have an MLS degree. So, the answer is yes, and no. After a struggle I usually say yes, feeling rather guilty about the lack of degree.

I don't know why I struggle with this moral dilemma because the next questions is ALWAYS something inane like "Well, what are your hours then?"

Ian and I finished Fablehaven 3 - The grip of the shadowplague. It was awesome! It was definitely more mature than I expected, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under 5th grade. It's wonderful to have at least one son that loves to read and be read to.

We had lots of fun yesterday on the 24th - visiting Cascade Springs, and Park City. Unfortunately Jackson stayed home and was a slug. Even though we missed him, I guess you can't expect a 15yr old to want to spend lots of time with his family.

Well, today we went to Park City, had lost of fun. Now, I'm ready to relax and have a drink!

Jackson was all planned to go with us, and then said we had to take him home so that he could see the new Batman movie with his friends. We got home and he was totally pissed as he didn't go to the movie, and didn't go with us. So, of course who got the crap but us???? Jeez, a teenager is difficult to live with.

Did I say that I love Project Runway? Well, I do. When I was at CQ the gay reps there all agreed with me. I have yet to find a Utah buddy to enjoy my obsession.

Anyway, happy 24th to everyone.

Did I mentioned that we love Lost? Yes, I know I am pathetically behind the times. I'm usually working when it's on, and it's not the kind of show you can just watch once in a while.

For our 18th anniversary I bought Justin the 1st season of Lost. Romantic yes?

Man, we are obsessed! We all actually sat together as a family (including snot nosed 14 almost 15 year old) and watched it. Yesterday, Jackson, Ian and I snuck and watched an episode, Justin and Grace are not going to be happy when they find out.

Ian and I are almost done with the third book in the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. I'm trying to only read 1 chapter per day to drag it out. I thought the 1st book was okay, but I think this last book is really good. We're both excited to know that there will be two more books, but the bad news is that we have to wait until next summer. I think my decorations for this year at school will be Fablehaven themed. I've got to make a s*&tload of fairies! :-)

Being a librarian is great. I like customer service, I really enjoy making people happy and helping them get books. Of course there are always angry, nasty people, but I've learned not to let them get to me. In fact, pretty much the funnest thing to do is make fun of them with your fellow librarians after they leave. After 3 years I've got lots of stories!

Wow, I can't believe summer is almost over! I have 3 weeks left and counting. The kids go back on the 18th.

The twins had a wonderful time at the Tedrows, thanks for hosting the little suckers! I got sick while they were gone, so I didn't get as much done as I had planned.

Anyway, Justin completed his big sprinkler project, and I am stillllllllll working on the bathroom remodel. Who knows if it will be finished this summer. Maybe it will be next year's resolution.

Happy Mother's Day! Thanks for visiting Grandpa and Grandma Tedrow, we love you guys!

Zions park was beautiful.

Gracie and Ian decided they needed another source of cash other than their parents so they held a garage sale. Didn't make much money, but they had fun!

Gracie at her dance recital.

Jackson at a rugby game - his mouth looks weird because of the mouthguard

Thought I would post some pics...

This is us in one of the Narrows in Zions. It was so beautiful, quiet, and cool.

Well, spring break was fun, although I think we all got sick of sharing 1 room together. The hotel pool was lovely and the hiking in Zions was beautiful. We all wore shorts home only to find 30 degree weather. Yuck!

Excited for Spring Break. I can't believe it's almost here, seems like it was just Christmas Break. We are excited to see Grandma and Grandpa Tedrow tomorrow, for Grace's dance performance. Jackson is busy playing Rugby and goofing off with his friends. Ian is still in Scouts and is taking puppets to school each day so that he and his friends can make up elaborate puppet shows.

We are leaving for St. George on Sunday for a few days in the sand and sun. Hopefully the weather down their will be in the 80s. We can all use the warmth as our weather is cold and yucky.

Happy Valentines!!!

Gracie went with her activity days girls and sang for the old folks down the road. She had a great time.

So much snow!!! We went tubing up in Park City. On the second run Ian and Grace were both crying, but things turned around and we all had lots of fun.

Well, it's been a long time since my last post. We had a great Christmas in Colorado and a fun holiday break.

It's back to school and we are all adjusting to the cold weather. We have so much snow this year - it's great but I'm tired of shoveling!

I'm starting to look forward to spring, it will be here before we know it.