Lost and Found

Jordan really wanted me to help him make a custom book mark and, although this is not a project I minded doing, I'm willing to do anything that will motivate him to read. So he chose a quote by LeBron James and a LeBron icon, we printed it on purple paper and laminated it.

On Monday I returned a book to the library that he had - and then hadn't - been reading.

Tuesday Jordan told me the bookmark had been in the book I returned, and the library was closed that day for some reason.

Wednesday I went to the library to find the book and retrieve the bookmark. It was so crowded in there, probably because it had been closed the day before. The computer showed the book checked in, but it wasn't on the shelf. So a nice man at the information desk said he'd find it for me in the unshelved books. While I was waiting - not in the mood to browse around because it felt so hectic in there - I sat in a chair and noticed a book that Laur had recommended to me (Princess Academy), so I checked it out and then the man came back to say that he was sure the book was there somewhere, but he couldn't find it yet. I left the library, and was less than a block away when he called to say he found the book and the bookmark (and to describe it, "it has a quote by...LeBron James?...on it?") I got to Jemma's school to pick her up, had to wait a minute, and opened the book I'd just checked out and found.....A BOOKMARK that someone had left behind!

Later that day we went back to the library and I traded the bookmark I'd found for the one we'd lost. The librarians found that little exchange to be highly amusing.

Farewell to Goldie

Remember Goldie? I had higher hopes for this fish. It seemed to be more robust than other goldfish. It had a lot of energy and really ejoyed eating. Saturday night I noticed that it's desire for food was diminishing and wasn't surprised to find it gone on Sunday. Jemma buried it in the backyard, the grave marked by this stick. A few days later she wondered if we should have called the fish doctor.

Edamame

Edamame is a favorite side dish and snack around here.

For lunch today we had peanut butter sandwiches...and edamame (a last minute suggestion by Jemma).

Walking for a Cause

This morning I went to the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk at Liberty park. I don't know that I've ever participated in a walk for a cause before, but I kept thinking of The Office, and Michael's Rabies Run (support the rabid). I registered for this one because the company I work for was a sponsor and it's always good to be involved in a good cause. There's something really cool about seeing a bunch of people come together for the same purpose. It was especially moving to see the women in pink t-shirts labeled "Survivor." I thought of the people I know personally who have been affected by breast cancer, and none of them are here anymore. Jemma came with me, in the stroller.

There were people with t-shirts that said things like: bosom buddies, knocker walkers, and something about our ta-tas. A lot of people brought dogs and most of the dogs were wearing pink shirts, sweaters, or scarves. One group of people had on bright pink wigs. It was all very interesting. A little cold, a sprinkling of rain, good exercise - three times around the park. We didn't stick around for the bananas and milk they were giving out afterward.

We stopped to feed the ducks.

Dinnertime

What do people eat for dinner? I want to know, but really I need to know. Do you plan out well-balanced meals? Do you cook things in advance? Do you throw something together creatively at the last minute? Do you have a large variety of favorites?

If it's one o'clock in the afternoon and I don't have a plan in mind for dinner, it becomes a nagging little unsettled thought in the back of my mind until it's figured out. I like cooking, it's the planning that gets me.

So - what are your solutions? What do you eat for dinner?

Fall Field Trip

Jemma and I went on a field trip this morning with her preschool. It was beautiful, although there were more green leaves than red ones. We'll have to go again.

A Catalyst

I love the word catalyst.
A few months ago I was looking for something and in the process came across a stack of photos from my summer in France (16 years ago). I had started putting my France photos in an album many years ago and for some reason, after about 1/4 of the way through, stopped. So when I found the photos I resolved to finish the album. I got the album out, organized the photos, and then for some reason could not get going. I think I was stuck because I'd couldn't remember the chronological order of things.

Luckily, I remembered my Travel Journal and it was a great help becuase I had documented everything! It was so great to read the journal and then find a photo of the exact thing I had described. So, the project should have gone quite smoothly, but it sat under my desk forever, waiting.

Last week I went to Tabula Rasa (favorite store) and happened across this photo tape. And the tape turned out to be the catalyst. The book is now done! Finally, I'm so happy with it.

After all this time.... Thank you Tabula Rasa, and thank you, tape.