I am not in a good place right now.

100 Mile Challenge

So, I am floored by the book, and the television show challenging people to eat locally, and to limit their consumption to 100 miles. We try to be conscious of eating seasonally, getting US-grown foods, and shopping our local farmers market, but to get EVERYTHING locally? I think I'd fail in a few seconds flat. I think spices would be my downfall. We live in an area that has a vast selection of fruits, vegetables, and quite a lot of the country is fed by things that are local...however...I'm just not that optimistic. I think I'll continue to try and make better choices, but I think a strict adherence to the 100-mile rule is just not in the cards, as much as I'd like it to be. If you think you can do it, here's the books:

My Prayer

On an entirely personal note (though what about a blog isn't), I have one thought, prayer, whatever you wish to call it that frequently runs through my mind. And, I just had such peace today with this wish, hope, plea. What is it? "Lord, help me to see your light in all people I meet, and let your light shine through me." I just was able to follow what I always seek to today, and for that I am truly thankful. I hope everyone else's day was as fulfilling.


John 1:9 "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

Announcing another Marriage Confessions Giveaway

Katie at Marriage Confessions is giving away an iPod because she loves her fans. You should check it out.

Book Title Meme

Got this from Find Your Next Book Here

What To Do: Using only books you have read this year (2009), answer these questions. Try not to repeat a book title. It’s a lot harder than you think!

Describe yourself: Eldest (Christopher Paolini)

How do you feel: Baby Proof (Emily Griffin)

Describe where you currently live: Dune (Frank Herbert) --Um, not at all, but it's all I've got

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Magic Study (Maria Snyder)

Your favorite form of transportation: Like Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen)

Your best friend is: Stone of Tears (Terry Goodkind)

You and your friends are: The World Without Us (Alan Weisman)

What’s the weather like: Shadow of the Wind (Carlos Ruiz Zaffon)

You fear: The Assault on Reason (Al Gore)

What is the best advice you have to give: Every Good Boy Does Fine (Tim Laskowski)

Thought for the day: Wizard's First Rule (Terry Goodkind) --"People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People’s heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool." (This IS the 1st rule, from p. 397)

How I would like to die: Poison Study (Maria Snyder)

My soul’s present condition: Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)

Reading Lists

So my reading wish list has gotten out of control. My Amazon list is up to 136 or something crazy like that and I have MANY books on my shelves that I have not finished. Many GOOD books. Ranging from the last few pages of The World Without Us, to one of Gregory MacGuire's recent ones, to the Idiot, and on and on and on. I need to make a point of sitting down and reading more often. But of course, needing to exercise, finish house projects, and all of that get in the way. I WILL start reading and letting all of you know what I think again soon. For now, I'll review a book I'm ALMOST done with...c'mon I'm on 921 of 979 pages, it's taking me awhile, but I'm close.



The Stone of Tears by Terry Goodkind
Enjoying it a LOT. It's the sequel to The Wizard's First Rule (The basis for the television show Legend of the Seeker...which I have never watched). It's kind of the standard fantasy, journey epic, but not entirely predictable. It's not like the blatant rip-off of Tolkien that I discussed in the past (and won't bother to name again). This doesn't really involve other species (e.g. elves, trolls, the like), but does have a magical element, and is more political. Highly recommended for those of you that enjoy this sort of thing.

PUPPY BUTT!!!

So, our baby girl was born a week and 1/2 ago, and we just got pictures last night. We don't know which puppy is ours yet, so here's just a few pictures from the litter. They are TOO frickin cute. Eyes aren't open yet, but they're so BIG.

The Price We Pay

Well...the bathroom's not done. We hit more snags than anticipated. A pipe was in the way of the vanity, an outlet was behind the sink and mirror, the toilet seals...oh the toilet seals...the first one was missing the bolts, the second we screwed up, then the 3rd we got in...but I stepped on the 2nd one in the process, which is INCREDIBLY disgusting.

So...we've figured out the pipe situation, the outlet got moved (though we now have a patched drywall area that needs to be sanded and repainted), and the toilet can be used. The grout has been sealed, the room is VERY purple (yay! looks great!), and we're getting close. Still not the "done" we were hoping for, but close.

The price? I'd like to claim that I hurt my foot working, but I'm just a klutz. Fell up the stair between the family and dining rooms and cut it/bruised it badly. Looks nasty, and feels about the same, so I thought I'd share.

Congrats Quynh and Kyle!

So, last weekend we did something startling, amazing, write-on-the-calendar worthy...we did not work on the house. Well, not on Saturday (we did when we got home on Sunday, we're hopeless). We went out of town, and celebrated two fantastic people getting married. Quynh "what's in fun coke" and Kyle "that's what she said". Oh, I could go on and on with favorite moments from these lovebirds, but I probably want to keep them as friends. Maybe. Oh, alright, I'll give you another one from Quynh that she posted in her status message for awhile.

One night Quynh and I were walking back from a pub when we were living in Ireland, with but slightly ahead of a large group of people. Quynh, per the norm, had had a few drinks, and was wearing giant heels. Crossing the campus lawn, she WIPED out and fell flat on her face. She popped up, turned to me, and asked, "Did anyone see that?" ...And of course no one had. That's Quynh, embarrassing herself and getting away with it for 29 years.

She did NOT embarrass herself with choice of husband, however. Even if he became king of the dance floor (which we were not anticipating). Kyle is that poem "Love is patient, love is kind, etc..." He is the yin to Quynh's yang. Where Quynh is the cheerleader with the bullhorn, Kyle is the male cheerleader holding her up. Though slightly less flamboyant. And hopefully not looking up her skirt. That's just tacky.

Anyway, we had a great time at the wedding, and here are some pictures to prove it.