For the Love of Reading

I sat down to write another book review. Are you sick of those yet? Then I thought about why I love to read so much and I got all sentimental about it. Ah sweet.

The truth is my mom taught me to LOVE reading. I have never known my mom to not have a book to read. Really, call her up right now she will be in the middle of a book. If she has just finished one, she has started another, guaranteed. It’s my opinion she single handedly keeps her local libraries in circulation and the Barnes and Noble in Sandy, UT really should have some kind of statue of her. On one occasion I remember she had just completed another novel it had to be about 8 pm and she rushed to Barnes and Noble, it closes at 9, to get another book because how could she wait till morning?

Photo

My mom has a myriad of talents, but her most unusual one has to be her ability to pick books for other people. She has actually given Mason a few, she’ll hand it over to me, “He’ll like this.” Then he devours it in three days, comes up for air, and says, “That was a good book.” For my young cousins she is the aunt who buys book, “Here Hunter, you’ll like this.”

Before books came to us electronically one of my mother’s dilemmas was packing for a trip. Not because of her wardrobe, but because how do you pack a pile of books? She knew she couldn’t bring just one, she’d finish it, then what would she do?

Her passion has proved to be contagious. My family, every member, usually has a book they are reading. We sit around and talk about what we just read, what we are reading and if we liked it.

My mom has taught me SO much, but this lesson, the lesson of reading, has been a real gem. I think I lean on it a little more since becoming a SAHM. I’m becoming a little more like my mom in this respect. Hardly a day goes by when I haven’t read, even if it was just for ten minutes. Reading has become my new calm. Mason knows it’s been a rough day at home when I request, “Can I please just have ten minutes to read my book.” He’ll take the kids out of my room and I sit in my reading chair soak up a few words and forget about the world for just a few moments.

Thank you, Mom.

A Makeover

I've been trying to give this little blog a new look. I was determined not to set her free until her hair and makeup were perfectly set.

Then I realized that was like saying she had to lose weight before she went to the gym. Finally I sat her down and told her, "You are good enough, smart  enough and gosh dang it people like you." So please accept this little site for the work in progress it is.

photo

Technical Difficulties

If I were Milly I would cup my hands around my chubby cheeks and say, "Oh no, sad." For I am sad, I have not been able to load pictures from my camera onto my computer since last week. When I plug the camera in my computer it just says, "Cannot find any pictures or videos on this device." Has this ever happened to any of you? I'm not sure if it is my camera or my computer.

 photo credit

And here's the real kicker, I had Easter pictures on there! I also had a few other posts worked up, that I'd rather not do without the accompaniment of an image or two. Oh, no SAD. Help.

Oops...

They've got me pegged.

Image: someecards.com

Laugh

Me and the ladies in my family have been long-time fans of Anne Taintor's hilarious and insightful works. Today they were invading pinterest and I couldn't resist sharing at least a few with you.
Image from olalaland.blogspot.com

Images courtesy of annetaintor.com

For the Love of Snow...

Computer light glaring at my face, cold fingers skim the keyboard, my head shifts to the window, I gaze with wonder as beautiful flurries appear from the blue abyss. I began to reflect on all the graces snow has granted me. I kind of owe snow, in a way. As the white beauty camouflages my brown grass I’m trying to imagine my life without snow. Only my imagination is not one of wonder, and two, I’ve never really wanted a life without this cold white stuff.

This morning I woke up to a skiff of snow, and admittedly wished for more.  I came home from the gym, shoved snow boots on my two year old and we shoveled that skiff off our driveway, not because I had too, but because I wanted to connect with a love that has provided me such joy for as long as I can remember. My daughter and I walked the block in our snow boots, it's fun to see her try to figure it out. To stomp it, slip on it, and gingerly walk the sidewalks. Her cold rosy cheeks warmed my heart. I took a deep breath and inhaled a cold refreshing thought, the thought that everything was, one day, going to be okay. Perhaps it wasn’t going to be today, but it will, one day.

With all that snow has given me, it once again, displayed its generosity, as it gave me hope.  I realized while some things in life are ever-changing, snow is not. It will come every winter, guaranteed.  It may come way too late, or way too early. There may be too much, or not enough, but there will be snow and where there is snow, there is hope.

Love This...

Mom,
Someone finally listened to you.

Sweater Up

 A new Yale University study recently revealed warmth can improve our mood. John Bargh, Ph.D., professor of psychology and cognitive science claims, Our physical temperature and the affection we feel from others registers in the same part of the brain and often makes a connection. Brargh explains, "Any source of heat-wearing a sweater, bundling up in a blanket or holding a mug of hot chocolate- should give you a sense of comfort." Maybe we're all just one sweater away from a good mood.

The Bang Change

I'm itching for a change! Should I go with bangs?