Just One More Reason Why I Love my Harrison Ford...

Yep, it's another blog about how much I love my Kindle. So, my 6th graders recently finished their Moral Dilemma literature circle unit. One of the books they could choose was Al Capone Does my Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. Most of the kids chose it and really liked it (it has one of the greatest endings in young adult literature, in my opinion). Toward the end of the unit, one of my students told me they'd seen a sequel in a bookstore. I hadn't heard any buzz about a sequel, but when I looked online, sure enough, a sequel had just been released called Al Capone Shines my Shoes. I powered up my Kindle, and in the span of about 60 seconds, I owned the book, and Amazon.com had zapped it to my Kindle. Now, I'm reading it out loud to my classes, right from good old Harrison Ford.

On a slightly unrelated note, I'm reading The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood right now for my own reading on Harrison Ford. I've always wanted to read it. I remember seeing the previews of the movie, and it seemed haunting and intriguing, all in one. I never watched the movie, but I've always meant to. I'm finally reading it, and I cannot put it down. It's not really my type of book either, but I'm hooked. Plus, I keep imagining Natasha Richardson's beautiful face, since she played the main character in the movie. It makes the story even more tragic. When I get done, I'm totally Netflixing the movie too.

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I have so much to be thankful for this year. I have a job I love, a home, a great family (all across the country!), a loving boyfriend, my health, and many opportunities to do things I love to do. Life is good! Let's all count our blessings today... :)

Extreme Makeover, Dog Edition

Poor, neglected dog. Check out this need for a haircut! Avery and I recently played frisbee, and I knew it was getting bad when he turned and the frisbee hit him in the face because he couldn't see it! Luckily, we got him in today, and he's a whole new dog. Also, for once, she didn't put the freaking bow on his ear! HELLO?!?!?! HE'S A BOY! Boy poodles already have gender identity issues, and yet the dog groomer insists on putting the bow on his head like a sissy! Since it was a Thanksgiving bow today, and it was on his collar, I decided to let it stay until after T-Day. Avery will be all spiffed up for Turkey Day at his Grandpa's (yep, I said his grandpa... I'm well aware how ridiculous it looks, but I'm going with it).

Before

After

Fun Give Away!

There are some really fun things that bloggers give away... look at this one!

Hanging On

My show opens one week from Friday. Eek! This week has been crazy, and today was the perfect example. I started this morning with a meeting from 8:00 to 9:45. I went right to my second meeting during 1st hour, then I taught for the rest of the day. I worked after school until 5:30 or so. I ran home to grab dinner, check the mail, and let the dog out. I was at church for handbell practice at 6:30 and choir at 7:30. After that, I went to rehearsal for my show from 8:30 until about 10:15. I went and saw Andrew for a few minutes, and now I'm home, doing one last e-mail check before I grade some papers. I seriously need more hours in the day. I have a pretty wretched sore throat, so I'm keeping an eye on that. I have a 30 minute window on Friday morning that I could work in a doctor's appointment, if needed. Also, I need SLEEP!

Off the subject, please keep my friend Jeff and his family in your prayers. His dad is in the hospital ICU, and it's been a very bad day. Please send him some positive energy. I know his mom and sister could use some too, and of course, his dad. I'm thinking of you, Jeff. Hang in there! :)

Gray, Cold, Wet

Gray, cold, wet, rainy, gloomy, ugh. That's the weather today. I had to drive to my meeting in Ottumwa in it. I had to drive back home in it. I have to miss the meteor shower tonight because of it. I want to ignore it and snuggle in until it leaves. Boo to you, rain and clouds! :(

It Does the Heart Good

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Josh-Cribbs-walks-with-late-coach-s-son-on-his-s?urn=nfl,202608

In this day and age where celebrities and athletes are idolized, here is one who is worthy. Paying it forward. Class act.

Weekly Update

Weird and wild week. Last weekend was a little depressing with the Hawkeyes' loss, but it was a beautiful day to be out at Kinnick Stadium. At least there's no pressure this Saturday against Ohio State. Andrew & I are having a few people over for the game. We've been planning it for quite awhile. It will be fun, even if it will be a tough one to win.

Monday was the only normal day at school. This is conference week, so we have early dismissals on Tuesday and Thursday, with our normal late start on Wednesday. No school on Friday. I've had rehearsals after conferences and after church choir this week for the new show I'm doing called "A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol." It will be a cute show, but we only have 2 1/2 weeks to rehearse, so it will be crazy! I definitely need to watch Fargo and work on my Minnesota/Norwegian accent. We'll be performing Thanksgiving weekend and then again two weeks later. It's nice to think that, even though it will be a stressful few weeks, that it will all be over in a month!

I'm really looking forward to sleeping late tomorrow, but then I need to get on the stick and work on lines. It's going to be a busy weekend full of rehearsals, so I need to start getting a grasp on the lines I'll be PERFORMING in just 2 weeks and 1 day. EEK! I shouldn't have written that. Now I'm panicking.

This is totally unrelated, but I saw this clip on Facebook and on my cousin Anne's blog in honor of Veteran's Day. Only a heart of stone could not be moved by this reunion. I'd never thought about pets of soldiers before. Maybe you haven't either until now. Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

Nap Dreams

Today I napped while Andrew went into work. I sometimes have weird dreams when I sleep in the middle of the day, but this one was awesome. I dreamt that the door going into Andrew's formal living room (dubbed the Adult Room when his kids were little) led to a little theater. It was a great space with a rounded stage like at Spayde, but it was much smaller. It had a few rows of seats, no more than 25 or so. It was deep and had 4 doors around the back leading offstage... wish I would have checked those out in my dream! I was painting the stage a dark charcoal gray, but it wasn't level, and the paint wasn't covering like I wanted it to. I started picking away at one of the bumps, and the paint started peeling off. I realized it was going to be much easier to peel away the layers than to add another one on top. As I peeled away big sections of paint, I could tell by what was underneath what shows had been done. There were even (for some weird, odd, dreamy reason) actual production posters in each layer. I remember thinking, "Cool! My Fair Lady!" as I ripped away this poster and a layer of Pepto pink paint. Underneath it all was a beautifully worn wooden floor, rubbed smooth by thousands of feet in thousands of previous shows. I remember thinking that I couldn't wait to have a party there or to make the theater a cool new room of Andrew's house. Wouldn't that be awesome... to have your house attached to a small, old little theater? I love dreams.