An Adoption Diary on Slate

http://www.slate.com/id/2132692/entry/2132693/?nav=ais

considering my own experiences and the fact that we are considering adoption, I have been reading many different people's experiences on international and domestic adoption. This is interesting to me.

Interesting article at Slate "The Earthly Father"

http://www.slate.com/id/2132639/nav/tap1/

Maybe I am too Catholic to believe this, but you know, I also believe that no one wrote down things as they happened, so everything in the Bible is open for interpretation. The History Channel has had some interesting shows on about biblical texts which never made it into the canon. I know that not everyone believes the same way as I do, but I also think that one should not force a religious viewpoint on someone who is not interested.

just my two cents...

Peace & Happy Holidays.

November's books

The Present by Johanna Lindsay
A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsay
The Charmer by Celeste Bradley
Rules of Surrender by Christina DOdd
Just Above a Whisper by Lori Wick
The Rogue by Celeste Bradley
Jumping in Sunset by Dawn Ringling
Beyond the Blue by Leslie Gould
The Dark Queen by Susan Carroll
The Courtesean by Susan Carroll
The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini
Dragonwyck by Anya Seton
A Day in a Medieval City by Chiara Frugoni
Debt of Bones by Terry Goodkind
War of Eagles by Tom Clancy
Surrender to a Wicked Spy by Celeste Bradley
Julie and Romeo Get Lucky by Jeanne Ray
The Bourne Legacy by Eric Van Lustbader

Total for November 6191 pages...........
Total for Dec 2004-Nov 2005: 58893 pages....yes, that's 58 thousand.

Man....

Wow....what pictures

Check these out on a daily basis from the MSN Slate site: http://todayspictures.slate.com/20051201/

sad day for literature

http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/11/17/literature.text.ap/index.html

grr.....damn movie releases anyway...

So I was really kind of excited to go to P&P the movie this weekend. However, the movie studios have managed to thwart me again. In order to see this movie, I would have to drive to Chicago, somewhere in Nebraska or somewhere in Minnesota....because those are the closest locations.

I have yet to determine a suitable punishment for them....especially considering that HP4 is coming out next weekend.....should I go to the midnight showing? I don't know. I *do* have to work that day.

We were talking movies at work the other day. It was determined that movies such as those made before the 70s would never be made today. Especially those from the 20's to 40's, because then they were viewed as ART, not ENTERTAINMENT. Think of the sets/locations for "Funny Face" or any Fred/Ginger movie. Production companies today have no interest in spending money for things like that because there is no guarantee that they will recoup their costs. How unfortunate for today's movie going public. The only movies that I think even come close are the HP series, "Elizabeth" from a few years ago, the upcoming "P&P" and "Narnia"--of course, the latter two are being considered without being viewed.

What a shame....

Another one of the faceless masses...

Today was the downtown Muscatine Holiday Open House...an event I usually attend with my family. Not so much for the purchasing of gifts, but because the downtown is currently in a state of flux. However, this year, Mom & Dad went to g&g and frog wasn't going to come down, and hubby had to work....ergo....I go by myself. And once again I am reminded that people judge you based on what you wear. I was dressed comfortably (considering the wind & the fact that it was the weekend) in jeans and a hoodie. Now I don't look like a thug, but I don't look like I have a salary of $50k either. Do you think anyone would even deign to speak to me?

No.

Once again, I am part of the faceless masses yearning to be recognized. Now I will admit that I didn't go out of my way to be noticeable to anyone, but still, one would think that if you walk into a store and you look like you may be looking for something, you may say something...right? Or am I just in the wrong era? Now this happening at N----------, I can understand, but not at a local retail establishment.

Of course, it could just be me. At the place I work, most of the times, the client doesn't even realize I exist--they go right to my partner to tell her things. In all reality, it's fine with me because then I don't have to be bothered. However, it is kind of annoying when they don't even know my name. Part of that could be that I was never introduced to most of them when I was hired, and the other part could be that I am not a smoker, so I don't go out and smoke with them. That's fine...I would rather have my health and do good work than have them know my name, I guess.

Hooray for TB?

The article linked above is rather interesting...brief and not very deep in its theory, but interesting. The theory is that if Orwell hadn't been so sick with TB that maybe 1984, his great opus of big government wouldn't have been so dark and oppressive. However, he was a kind of gloom-and-doom type before 1984, and his advetures in the Spanish Civil War may have played more of a part in the book.

Personally, I think a chipper, happy-go-lucky 1984 is depressing. Without the overwhelming sense of paranoia of Big Brother, and the sense of confusion with doublethink, 1984 wouldn't be a masterpiece of mid-century writing.

Will it be as good as the Colin Firth version?

I don't know. But the cast is amazing....Judi Dench, Donald Sutherland, Kiera Knightly and Rosamund Pike. And really, the Colin Firth version was only on A&E, and this is going to the big screen. As long as they are true to the book, and to the spirit of Jane Austen, I don't think we will have a problem.

Enter the librarian...

Paradise Lost: the movie
Dante's Inferno: the musical
Leviticus: the haiku

I *know* my library doesn't have enough copies...

;)

Tho' the upside to being the closest library to Disney World is that no-one wants books! My beloved patrons arrive in castmember outfits, small black ears, and sensible shoes. The last thing they want is to wander the stacks questing for that perfect bedtable read. They're in, out, and homeward bound. No doubt it's to shed the hawaiian Dumbo shirts and pirate boots... And escape the endless stream of tourists. I know, 'cause I do the same thing (sans uniform, of course).

But it's never the same throng twice.

And it may make me a sick puppy for saying so, but I kindof like it. Not many people can claim to be Ringmaster to a freak show.

For now,
*kat

Paradise Lost

Wow.....check this out....Paradise Lost by John Milton as a movie! Can you imagine the casting issues? And how about making it accessible to today's audience---most of whom have never read PL, must less heard of PL.

Something to ponder.....

The October List

My Father Had A Daughter by Grace Tiffany
The Pretender by Celeste Bradley
Amethyst by Lauraine Snelling
Bed & Breakfast by Lois Battle
Spell of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
The Imposter by Celeste Bradley
The Spy by Celeste Bradley
To Wed a Scandalous Spy by Celeste Bradley
The Innocent by Posie Graeme-Evans
The Exiled by Posie Graeme-Evans
Knitting by Anne Bartlett
Consent to Kill by Vince Flynn
Say You Love Me by Johanna Lindsay

Total: 4721

Bad thing for this month...didn't finish my non-fiction book for the month, so I have to read 2 in November. But October was a crappy month anyway, so I needed the escapist lit.

The late September list

A Fine Passion by Stephanie Laurens
Whence Came a Prince by Liz Curtis Higgs
Earthly Joys by Phillipa Gregory
Julie & Romeo by Jeane Ray
Lie by Moonlight by Amanda Quick
Mr. Darcy's Daughters by Elizabeth Aston
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
The Exploits and Adventures of Miss Althea Darcy by Elizabeth Aston
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll
Revolutionary Mothers by Carol Berkin
Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas
Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas
Otherwise Engaged by Eileen Goudge

Total page count: 4827

The Amazing August book list

Ok folks....6087 pages...a new record!!!

The Magic of You by Johanna Lindsay
Wedding the Highlander by Janet Chapman
Tempting the Highlander by Janet Chapman
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
Summer of Roses by Luanne Rice
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Piccoult
Table for Five by Susan Wiggs
Saving Grace by Julie Garwood
Wedding Ring by Emilie Richards
Devil's Bride & Rake's Vow by Stephanie Laurens
One Night of Sin by Gaelen Foley
Royal Babylon by Karl Shaw
Moonlight on the Millpond by Lori Wick
The Things We Do For Love by Kristin Hannah

July Book List

Ok everyone, here's my July book list---5572 pages!

A Caress of Twilight by Laurell K. Hamilton
Seduced by Moonlight by Laurell K. Hamilton
A Season for Scandal by Stephanie Laurens
The Ruby Ring by Diane Haeger
Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh
The Secret Wife of George IV by Diane Haeger
One Night With a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries
A Stroke of Midnight by Laurell K. Hamilton
Summer's Child by Luanne Rice
Zipporah: Wife of Moses by Marek Halter
Josephine: A Life of the Empress by Carolly Erickson
Sin & Sensibility by Suzanne Enoch
A Matter of Scandal by Suzanne Enoch
Loving the Highlander by Janet Chapman
The Crown Rose by Fiona Avery

Also, I have decided to sell some books on Amazon, as well as Half.com. We'll see how they go. Some of the books I read because new books in the various series were coming out soon, so I wanted to get caught up. I am sticking with my goal of one "smart" book every month. This month, it was the biography of Josephine Bonaparte. A very good read, but slightly disturbing. She seemed so beaten down. Maybe that's because of her relationships with men and what she had to do in order to survive. Napoleon and his family didn't exactly treat her very well anyway.

That's it for now.

A weekend of efficiency

So maybe I haven't been the most motivated person the last few months....but there's been a lot going on. Not anymore...I was the model of efficiency this weekend. I read 2 books, started 3 more (not an easy task, I tell you), finished 1 quilt top, another is about 80% done (even with thinking I completely messed it up), AND I still managed to do all the laundry. All in over 100 degree heat. (Ok so I was in the a/c all day long, but still). And I even found time to run all my errands.

My new job has some interesting opportunities. Maybe they will pay off in increases in pay, but anyway you look at it, it will probably advance me some in my career. As long as I stay on top of things and don't horribly mess up, I should be ok. I try to be friendly to people, so that might help.

Goals for the rest of the year...
#1 Lose weight--at least 20 pounds
#2 Work out some everyweek--even it if is just walking the dog
#3 Finish at least 2 more quilt projects--preferably the star quilt & the big siggie top
#4 Get caught up on the DJ BOW & TOW challenges
#5 Go back to church
#6 Pay off credit cards
#7 Increase savings significantly--to get a min of $1000 in each account

We'll see.....

June Book List

Ok folks, here we go....5483 pages for the month of June...that may be an alltime high!
Princesses: The 6 Daughters of King George 3 by Flora Fraser
The Reasons for Marriage by Stephanie Laurens
An Unwilling Conquest by Stephanie Laurens
Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey
Four in Hand by Stephanie Laurens
Impetuous Innocent by Stephanie Laurens
Light on Snow by Anita Shreve
A Factory of Cunning by Philippa Stockley
A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber
The Revelation by Beverly Lewis
A Horse & His Boy by CS Lewis
Charming the Highlander by Janet Chapman
Reforming a Rake by Suzanne Enoch
A Dangerous Love by Sabrina Jeffries
Opal by Lauraine Snelling
Dreams Made Flesh by Anne Bishop

So what have I realized by looking at this list?
1. I seem to like Stephanie Laurens' books.
2. I like regencies.
3. I have a wide variety of interests.
4. Reading is my escape.

I'm back...

Not that I really went anywhere, but it's been a bit since I posted. So what's new here??? It's frikkin' hot!

But anyway, I have 4 days left in my temp job. That's good because I would really like to start my new job. I finally got my webshots updated with the quilt blocks I did over the last few months. I was going to put up graduation pics, but I don't like the way I look in them...so no way they are going up.

I bought my journal for my "Women of the Bible" quilt. I think it's cool. So I just spent like 30 minutes gluing things in it, rather than have loose pieces of paper floating around. Now to work on the actual blocks.

Bruce's birthday was last Monday...he got toys. We got lucky because some of the toys we bought him when he was a baby were still available at Petsmart, so we were able to replace the ones that were destroyed. Petsmart is awesome!!!

Why don't I want to do what I am supposed to do?

The answer---because I tend to find what I am supposed to do not nearly as fun as what I want to do. Why sleep when I can stay up reading a good book? Why learn my Rainbow part when I can watch TV? Why do laundry when I can spend time with my husband? I know, such are the little things in life. But the little things make me happy.

I have to go shoe shopping soon. Most people would think this is a good thing and that it's fun. I, however, HATE shoe shopping. Thinking that someone else may have put their stinky, nasty foot in a shoe that I am going to buy grosses me out.

I have also decided that I need new shirts. I basically have 2 colors...red, black and brown---ok three colors...

anyway, such is life.

Meet the Duchess

She's the oldest of the three cats and doesn't really like any of the others or Bruce, for that matter. That's why it's so surprising that she is sleeping on his bed. She's a momma's girl...she likes to follow me around and be by me.

This is Scooter

She's the youngest of the three cats. She and Bruce are attempting to be friends. She likes to sleep by the sliding glass door so she can watch the birds and try to lure them into the house.

This is Harvey

He's the middle cat, and the most affectionate. We got him when we lived in California. He was such a little thing--all ears and tail. Now he's 12 pounds and still all ears and tail. However, he's allergic to darn near everything in existence, including cat dander, and has to get allergy shots. He's the snuggle bug out of the group.

Times they are a changin...(or at least my job is)

So I had a job interview on Monday. Thought it went pretty well, but didn't want to get my hopes up. By Tuesday morning at 8:30, I had a job offer! Yeah!!! So this week has been pretty good. I don't start at my new job until July 5th, but that's ok.

Word for the week: xanthophobia: the fear of the color yellow. I don't think I am afraid of the color yellow, I just think it needs to be used in moderation.

Today, I am going to sew. I have to get some stuff done. This is starting to get ridiculous.

peace,
Jennifer

Book List, among other things

Ok, for May, here is what I read: (yes, there are some "bodice rippers" on here, but I am trying to balance out the fluff with "smart person books")

Love's Proof by Catherine Palmer
Chateau Ella by Hilary Norman
The Marriage Wish by Stephanie Laurens
A Lady of Expectations by Stephanie Laurens
The Shop on Blosson Street by Debbie Macomber
To Pleasure a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries
The Rising by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey
Rachel & Leah: Women of Genesis by Orson Scott Card
Tender Rebel by Johanna Lindsey
The Sugar Camp Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

So May was a total of 4238 pages. A little bit less than last month, but that's ok, I've been busy. Still need to get caught up on my Dear Jane blocks (www.dearjane.com), and I have decided to do the Women of the Bible Quilt by Carol Honderich, plus I have several other projects going on. Check out my webshots for more pictures of what I have been doing:
http://community.webshots.com/user/jenpeterson_96

so anyway

So I graduated....now to find a real job. But since I can't find anything, I am temping at a local company. While it's nice to be working, I wish I could be busy for the entire shift. Oh well...such is the life of a temp.

Ever tried to read 3 books at once? It can be done, but it really depends on the books. Right now I am trying to read a biography of the 6 daughters of King George III, a bio on Catherine the Great of Russia, as well as Jennifer Chiverini's Sugar Camp Quilt. I will have to update my book list here in a few days.

Anyway, that's all for now.....

A Day in the Life

So what to do.....
Realized today that I needed to get work clothes because I start my new temp job on Monday & since I haven't worked at a real job that required real clothes in a couple of years....must go shopping. Which really isn't my favorite thing to do. So after two hours, I walked away with 2 pair of pants, a skirt and two tanks. Still need shoes, but I think those will have to wait.

Why is it grocery stores are retarded? They didn't ask if I wanted my milk in a bag, kept trying to give me a free thing of salsa--when I already had 2 large jars--and basically crushed all the chips I was buying. Between that and the cashier people at department stores always pushing their store cards it's about enough to make a person go postal.

So now I get to clean my house. What fun...chasing 3 cats around with a vacuum cleaner, the dog around with the broom, and it's raining. Lovely.

Anyway, till later.

Meet "the Bruce"

This is bruce when he was just 4 or 5 months old--trying to look cute.

Bruce at 8 months old

isn't he a cute dog? this was when he was still little. he's not so little any more. But he matches the ugly brown carpet so well!

life interferes with fun

So this is what I have read so far this month:
"Love's Proof" by Catherine Palmer
"Chateau Ella" by Hilary Norman
"The Marriage Wish" by Dee Henderson
"A Lady of Expectations" by Stephanie Laurens
"The Shop on Blossom Street" by Debbie Macomber

Right now, I can't find a book to capture my fancy.......so I am going to wait and see if the library gets anything good. But I have one more final to take before graduation, so I had better study rather than read. And to top it all off--I think I managed to catch a cold. I hate being sick. Trying to find a job sucks too. I have decided to do temp work until I find a REAL job, but even that is depressing. Maybe I will just paint for a living.

New New New

Hi everyone! I will be using this space for my ramblings, but most importantly, for my list of and comments on books that I am reading or have read.

Just a little bit about me.....
I read a lot (usually over 4500 pages a month), on a lot of different topics. I like to paint and quilt. I also like to keep up with current events, although I don't read a lot in that vein.

I look forward to your comments.