Back to Work - Day Two

Just to keep everyone in the loop -

My Friday was a bit hairier than Thursday. About 1 o'clock I started losing steam. Ended up sitting at the checkout computer from 1:30 - 2:45 just trying to stay awake. I was so tired.

But I made it through. Came home and went riding in the country with Brent to look at things. It's a disease I inherited from my dad. We are the only people I know who will pay $3.14 a gallon for gas and will ride just for the heck of it.

But I don't know what will happen next week, with five days straight in a row.

Wish me luck.

Challenge

Do you know what a book challenge is? I do, because I am a public school librarian. I also know, because over the course of six years, I have had to handle a few - the most for any school in my school system - yes, I am so proud.

A challenge occurs when someone wants a book removed from the library, because he or she thinks it is inappropriate for students. What usually happens is a parent hears about something his or her child is reading and decides that he doesn't want his child reading that, and for that matter doesn't think anybody else's child should read that book either.

So, they fill out a form, and then according to school board policy, I have to have my Media and Technology Advisory Committee read the book, meet to discuss the book, and then vote on how to answer the challenge. Then I write the parent a nice letter to let him or her know what we decided.

As a librarian and warrior for intellectual freedom, I think that most parents are nuts when they want to control what every other child in the world is reading, just because they don't want their child reading something. But, as a champion for intellectual freedom, I recognize the parents' rights to challenge library books.

You see, in order to have freedom of speech, you have to let everyone speak. Even if you don't agree with them. That's probably one of the most important things I learned while going through the MLS program in college.

So I welcome challenges. Sorta - and I look forward to meeting with my committee to discuss this book and its place in a middle school library.

The book, by the by, is The Giver, by Lois Lowry. Check it out at your local library.

Will let you know how the challenge turns out.

Back to Work

Well, today was my first official day back at work in the library. I managed to work a whole day, too, which I was sure I wouldn't be able to do. And tonight, I am only a little tired and sore, so hopefully I will be able to get out of bed tomorrow and do it all over again.

It was nice to get back to work. I haven't been there since December 4, the day before my first back surgery. I have been gone about 11 weeks I guess, haven't stopped to count out the time, because it's sorta depressing.

I had my first lamenectomy - I think that's what it was supposed to be - on December 5, and it didn't take - although the doctor said it did. How can something have worked - something that was supposed to get rid of the pain - when you wake up on a gurney in terrible pain - I woke up and immediately started crying.

Well, the doctor said that the pain would ease off, and it did, but not enough to make me feel like I could go back to work after Christmas break, which was my plan. But something happened and I had another surgery on January 9th - the day I was supposed to go back to work. I put work off an extra week, hoping to feel better, but what happened? I reherniated my back. OR did I?

Brent and I both think the first doctor screwed something up, or didn't do it quite right or finish the job or whatever. The second doctor went in, cleaned things out, and I am doing rather well as far as the sciatica is concerned. And today I went back to work - did I mention that already?

And I walked from the parking lot to the car and then back again at the end of the day with no pain - amazing -

So, thanks to God and my husband, and our second doctor, for getting me through the past two and a half months, and please help me get through tomorrow - one day a time - as the song says . . .

Looking Glass Wars series

I have just finished Seeing Red by Frank Beddor, the sequel to The Looking Glass Wars. Just as good as the first, although it felt like there wasn't as much going on in the second - really just one large battle. Here's hoping the third one is as good, and that Alyce and Dodge can get together.

Six months . . . but who's counting

Well, it's been quite awhile. Since my last post, I have had the most depressing and drastic life changes.

Back in June, I apparently did something to my back that caused pain to gradually increase in my right leg. Apparently I herniated a disk somehow.

After a series of steroid injections, with the pain growing worse and worse, I had back surgery on Dec. 5th that I say didn't work. I woke up in recovery still in pain, and the pain never went away.

And then, on January 6th at 2:00 a.m. a new, more severe pain hit me as I was trying to get up out of bed to use the bathroom. I couldn't walk or actually get up without my husband's help. Needless to say this led to another surgery, because the new doctor said I had re-herniated my back. Happy, happy, joy, joy. . .

So now I am in recovery for the second time in two months. There is no real pain this time, just a numbness in my right foot that goes and comes, although now I am experiencing some stinging in my right calf - especially when it starts getting late - like nine or ten -

So wish me luck. I really probably should have used this webpage as a place to right about what was going on - someplace to chronicle the misery I am going through, but I swear - I don't think I could have done it if I had wanted to - the pain kept me from being able to concentrate on anything really - couldn't read books - could only sit in a chair (my trusty recliner) and watch the boob tube - and let me tell you, with the writer's strike going on - it is definitely a boob tube. Give those guys what they want finally . . .

So just a quick note to tell you where I have been for so long - like it's really an excuse - let's see if I can manage to do more over the next couple of weeks as I build up my strength in the hopes of returning to work.

A Reading Diary

I never expected this to become a diary of what I have been reading this summer, but it needs to be something I guess, so here it is . . .



I have been working on reading books off of the NC Battle of the Books list - a competition for middle school students who read specific books and then go through quiz bowl like competitions answering questions about the books. The NC School Library Media Association sponsors this competition, and it gets kids reading.



I have read several this summer and am getting ready to head over to my library to pick up two or three for a trip Brent and I leave on tomorrow. The last one I read was The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (pronounced foon-kay). It was okay. I much prefer her Inkspell series - of which there are currently two with a third in the works.

I also read The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. That was an excellent book - a really quick read - and there are more in the series -

Have to admit - I am a sucker for a series -

First Among Sequels

If you have never heard of Thursday Next or her books, you really should try out the first one, The Eyre Affair. You really have to love reading and literature to appreciate some of the finer points of these books, but if you are just interested in something light and goofy, you can get that in these books as well.

I just finished First Among Sequels, and I loved it, because I love the idea of being able to jump between books and into plots and meeting characters and stuff like that. The whole premise is wonderful. And then there are gun fights, time travel, supernaturals, and loads more.

What is really great is that Jasper Fforde, the author, has set himself up, and Thursday as well, to be very busy for awhile with other sequels. And as silly as they get I don't think I will ever tire of them.

So, today's suggestion for something to read as the summer picks up speed to burn us up with a hot August - read Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair.

And so it ends . . .

I finished the last Harry Potter in less than 24 hours. I couldn't resist the urge to drive to Wal-Mart for a discount copy at 12:01. So there I was shopping with all of the other HP fans, and then drove home to stay up two more hours reading the book before being reminded by my husband that we were supposed to be getting up early on Saturday to drive to the in-laws (who I would really like to thank for -if not understanding - accepting that I had to finish that book before any spoiler got to me).

Loved it. Really wished there could have been more to the Dumbledore family story-line, but it is Harry's book.

My husband kids me, especially when I am talking with friends about the book, that Harry isn't a real person, and I know he isn't, but still, I swear I am going to miss him, and Hermoine, and Ron, and all the rest of those characters.

I did appreciate the epilogue, but wish we could have learned more about what they are all doing as adults. I distinctly remember Rowling saying she would never write about Harry working in an office or somewhere, and I can totally respect that, but I would LOVE to know what Ron and Hermoine ended up doing. At least we did learn that Neville got a job at Hogwart's - too cool.

So now, I am moving on to another series - The Thursday Next books. Very interesting group of books, especially if you love literature.

So, let me go try to read some of her exploits -

Harry Potter

I know, I know, most people would think that I am way too old to be interested in Harry Potter as much as I am, but I am, I admit it, so there.

Just finished re-reading number five and number six, Five to get ready for the new movie, and Six to get ready for - I can't say it - I find it hard to type it - the end of the Harry Potter series - yes, folks, it actually does make me sad to know that she is going to stop writing about Harry after this last book. What makes me even sadder is wondering if she is going to kill him off in this last book - there are rumors -

The funniest thing is that I read an article in People magazine (yes, I actually bought a copy of that totally trashy magazine - love the picture of Matthew McConaughey on the cover so how could I resist?) about the last Harry Potter book and how to help your children deal with his death - that is - if he dies - and when I first read the title of the article, I laughed - how absolutely absurd - helping your child deal with the death of a fictional character - and then I thought - Oh NO - Harry Potter can't die - that would be absolutely terrible -

So now I wonder if she is going to "knock him off." I hope not - It would be sad - Harry Potter has become a part of our lives I guess. When I am reading his books, I feel like I am there, we are friends, I really become a part of the story. Like when she killed Dumbledore - and I know SNAPE killed Dumbledore - but did he really - well, when Dumbledore died, I cried. When I reread the first book, I cried when Hagrid showed up at the shack on the rock in the middle of the night and told Harry that he was a wizard - because I was so happy for Harry.

So I am looking forward to the new book. I hope it starts off lightly at Bill and Fleur's wedding - something nice and light to get us going.

And I absolutely cannot wait for the movie - that Umbridge woman really was heinous, wasn't she?

So, I am off, to find something new to read - peace out - :-)

Another good book I just finished

Great book - The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor - excellent. And a nice twist on the Alice in Wonderland story. Supposedly a trilogy, so I'm hooked. Will probably by the next two as well.

Also just finished another Artemis Fowl book. God bless Young Adult Literature -

So much for New Year's Resolutions

Yeah - right - so what if it's been five months since I have been here to fill the world in on the goings on here. :-) At least I managed to remember my password and log in - after several failed attempts.

So, will try to become a little more regular.

Wish me luck.

Worth Reading

I finished a book yesterday - a fabulous book - about reducing your personal consumption. It's called Not Buying It - My Year Without Shopping by Judith Levine. I really enjoyed it, and actually took a few notes - or rather - jotted down a few things that I want to write here - so KNOW that these are from her book, and Judith Levine gets all credit for the following . . .

when talking about our generation - "whose soundtrack is television"

when describing herself - a "counterculturalist to the culture of the counter"

other things to think about or look up later - ecological footprint,
Voluntary Simplicity, Radical Simplicity by Jim Merkel

Of course I didn't BUY the book - I checked it our from our local library - something she learns a lot about during her year of abstinence - something I am particularly proud of as a librarian myself.

So here's a link to Amazon where you can purchase it yourself - or visit your local library like I did.

http://www.amazon.com/Not-Buying-Year-Without-Shopping/dp/0743269357/sr=8-1/qid=1167882107/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9290350-9020712?ie=UTF8&s=books

And coming soon - pictures of Pete with his pre-New Year's Eve haircut.

A new arrival at the Baker home

Sorry I haven't posted in forever - I really need to work on that - you know, set aside some time for myself to work on this.

Wanted to let you know that my husband and I have done our part here at Christmas-time and have adopted a dog for our own kid - also a dog -

Seriously, we have been toying with the idea of getting a second dog; one smaller than Sassy, but just as much fun, and I think we have picked ourselves a real winner here.

His name is Pete, and he's a terrier mix. Very cute. The pound called on Tuesday, and now we are four.

So here's a couple of shots for you dog lovers out there. Here's hoping this one doesn't learn any of Sassy's bad habits!

Merry Christmas!

Sixty Five

My father turned 65 on Friday. We all went out to eat, my parents, my sister, brother-in-law, three nephews, Brent and me. Yes, it was a hoot. But we all had seafood, well most of us did, and then we went over to my parents' house for cake and ice cream.

While supper settled, we had a photosession on the front porch - which was another hoot - trying to get all three boys to sit with their parents at one time is like trying to pick a broken egg off of the floor with your fingers.

After cake and ice cream, dad opened his gifts. We are all preparing him for his trip to Australia which is coming up in October. Brent and I gave him cash for a card for his digital camera. My sister's crew gave him the coolest backpack from LL Bean. Very nice. Mom gave him a post-dated check to be sure he didn't cash it before he left on his trip - hahaha - because he would.

I can't believe my parents are 65 years old. I never thought they would be my Grandmama's age, of course I can't believe she's in her mid 80's, so who am I to really say anything.

Happy Birthday old man!

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas . . .

Went over to my mom's house on Sunday while my sister and her three sons were there. They were rampaging as usual - three boys will do that - but the center of attention was the new Sears Christmas Wishbook.

Now, let me warn you. If you are, say, thirty or older and have fond memories of an actual book that Sears but out full of toys for Christmas, the new version would disappoint you, to say the least. Today's version is more of a magazine, limiting the wish list my nephews can make.

I remember being young, primary school-aged, and getting off the bus in early November always wondering if the Wishbook had come yet. Note the capitalization - this was no mere catalog to be looked at once and thrown in the burn pile. Oh no, the Wishbook let you dream about things you would never see - at least not until you were old enough to buy your own. I know my sister and I wore out my Grandmama's Wishbook. We would go through and circle things and fold pages down - just waiting for my mama to get there so we could push the catalog at her to be sure Santa would know what we wanted.

There were drum sets and guitars, telescopes and machines that would take old bottles and turn them into polished glass stones. Oh we were soooooooooo excited. And there were trampolines, something I had always wanted, and dolls, and horses. I could go on forever.

But Sunday, there was my four-year-old nephew all excited about a bowling game that works with an air hockey puck. And my nine-almost-ten-year-old nephew had already circled two or three PlayStation games he wanted. So I guess the Wishbook is still capturing kids attentions, and I'm glad of it.

A Mighty Wind

Okay. We've survived Ernesto. I think the worst thing Brent and I had to deal with was the ninety minute wait for the oh so exciting call saying that school was closed today. Our power was out, so we sat listening to the only radio we could find (needless to say we were not really ready). The DJ kept promising updates but would only play commercials and then a song or two. The water had backed up from the drains to block our driveway, so I told Brent I was just going to go back to bed. That's when the call came through - and the radio announced - school was closed. I'm worse than the kids on snow days.

We had water up to the curb, but not in the yard, thank the good Lord. No real trees or branches, just lots of yard trash which I will leave for the guy that cuts our grass.

Brent and I went out around 11 to see what kind of damage we could see - I took some pictures but haven't downloaded anything yet - will do that next and post anything good here -

I think that the National Weather Service may want to rethink when hurricane season starts and ends. Seems to start and end later every year. But that could just be me.

Monday Morning

Okay - have switched to a template I can deal with -

Getting ready to go to a meeting today and then back to it tomorrow - when will summer vacation ever begin?

Fixing Things Up

Okay - I have switched my template - twice - and am still not satisfied - will work on it more later - because everytime I change my template I have to replace my three links -

And PLEASE visit them

I love Dooce - that's how I really got interested in reading blogs

and The Daily Mumps is a little out there sometimes but still hilarious

and SkeeterGun - well - that's sorta a personal problem I have - lol

And just so you know

I do have a dog. A lovely beagle mix we call Sassy - and she totally lives up to the name.

I asked her opinion on the dog at Lowe's situation, and she is totally in agreement with me.

She loves Sam's with all the free samples.

Here's something I TOTALLY don't understand

When did it become okay for people to carry small dogs under their arms into Lowe's? I have been out there twice now and have seen two different women shopping for God only knows what with little dogs under their arms. What in the world? What is she shopping for? And how does she pick anything up?

Of course I have to remember that both of these women were older women who looked like they didn't have to worry about picking anything up. The kind that were probably just browsing for something to tell their gardener to do the next time he was at the house.

But seriously - what was the dog thinking - oh boy I get to be squeezed around the middle for awhile while we look at lumber? I think not. Wouldn't it have been better off at home? In the AC, in what I am sure is a very nice doggie bed?

OF course the first dog I saw was on a leash. That's right folks. If you need to run out to the hardware store at least bring the leash for old Fido there. He could walk around and help pick out those bathroom fixtures you have been trying to decide on.

And God forbid one of these animals poop or pee in the store. What happens then?

So, from me to you guys, STOP the insanity - leave the dog at home - HARDWARE stores are not the place for Fido -