Happier

I would be happier if:

• My house were cleaner.
• I had more patience.
• Reading were a form of aerobic exercise. 
• The general public was less "general public-y."
• My kids were more obedient.
• The yard was cleaned up.
• I was less chunky.
• I was more productive in every facet of my life.
• People ceased to tell me "no" without good reasons (ie those I agree with.)

Now, I need to determine which of these are actually important and which of these are just red herrings and which of these are actually not feasibly accomplished in conjunction with the items denoted "actually important."

Reads

Twitter was abuzz with Where'd You Go, Bernadette? and so I ran to Technical Services and stole a copy, just as fast as they could get the spine labels on.  I did like it. I thought the device was really unique and interesting and I liked the characters a lot. Highly recommended.

I just finished Seraphina last night. I thought this was very well written with a lot of unique perspectives in it. It had elements in it that I had never seen before in a fantasy novel, which is thought provoking. It makes you sit up and pay closer attention. It is always fun to read something that feels a bit outside of the formula. It reminded me a lot of Daughter of Smoke and Bone with a dash of Kristin Cashore.

I have also recently read Barbara Kingsolver's newest work, Flight Behavior. Oh, I really loved this book and desperately wish for the time to listen to it on audio. It was much like Prodigal Summer. Same setting in Appalachia. Same themes. Different tale. Man, the characters were so good. And the message. Ah! I really loved it. If you liked Prodigal Summer, you will want to kiss Barbara for giving the world this book.

This month in the book club, we are reading Christopher Moore's Fool, which is brilliant and dirty all at the same time. It's more like Sacre Bleu or Lamb than his other work and I am set to start rereading it today. (I am slightly worried about the book club's reaction to the bawdy parts...which is basically the whole book.)

What about you? Read anything good lately?

Project/Kiddos

Sometimes I just need something. I have to have a goal or something I am working on. (Or maybe lots of things. You would think the whole librarian/motherhood thing would be enough. But no.) I get anxious. I get antsy. I need to DO something. Preferably something easily accomplished in a reasonable amount of time. My attention span isn't want it once was. So, I have picked a project: Going on a cruise with Honey. This will require money management, travel planning including getting passports (not necessary, but I don't want to be stranded with no way home), and a little self improvement before I go. Basically, I want a new swimsuit...in a smaller size. So! Mission set out. Now, time to accomplish.

Funnily enough, I get this almost exact same feeling when I don't have a book to read. Weird, right?

~~~~~

• Brother is so annoying when he does the exact same annoying things that I do. Why is it not annoying when I do it? Oh, wait.
• Scooter is practically completely potty trained. So, yay. Due to this and sleeping through the night, we can see some sort of light at the end of the tunnel and so some snippage will be taking place. Preferably before we go on a cruise.
• Jelly had the barfing flu yesterday, but is much better today. The kid has serious control for a 6 year old. Only one surprise in bed in the middle of the night, but after that, made it to the bucket.  We followed Swistle's method. Worked.
• Scooter is now starting to play some games on the computer. When I am teaching him how to click the mouse, I am reminded of teaching full grown adults how to do this same thing at work. It is kind of surreal.