52. A Blue-Eyed Daisy, by Cynthia Rylant
51. The Guy Not Taken, by Jennifer Weiner
50. The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson
49. Nothing Can Keep Us Together, by Cecily von Ziegesar
48. 24-Karat Kids, by Judy Goldstein
47. Savannah Blues, by Mary Kay Andrews
46. Death Gets a Time Out, by Ayelet Waldman
45. Nobody Does it Better, by Cecily von Ziegesar
44. Bride Needs Groom, by Wendy Markham
43. Me and Emma, by Elizabeth Flock
42. You're the One that I Want, by Cecily von Ziegesar
41. I Like it Like That, by Cecily von Ziegesar
40. The Boyfriend List, by e.lockhart
39. Because I'm Worth It, by Cecily von Ziegesar
38. A is for Alibi, by Sue Grafton
37. Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
36. Wife in the Fast Lane, by Karen Quinn
35. The Man of My Dreams, by Curtis Sittenfeld
34. To Have and To Hold, by Jane Green
33. All I Want Is Everything, by Cecily von Ziegesar
32. You Know You Love Me, by Cecily von Ziegesar
31. Fourth Comings, by Megan McCafferty
30. Basket Case, by Carl Hiaasen
29. Gossip Girl, by Cecily von Ziegesar
28. What to Expect the First Year
27. Small Steps, by Louis Sachar
26.What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations, by Stephanie Cave
25. Maine Squeeze, by Catherine Clark
24. All-American Girl, by Meg Cabot
23. A Playdate with Death, by Ayelet Waldman
22. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling
21. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, by J.K. Rowling
20. Kristy's Mystery Admirer, by Ann M. Martin
19. The Big Nap, by Ayelet Waldman
18. A Most Uncommon Degree of Popularity, by Kathleen Gilles Seidel
17. Walking Across Egypt, by Clyde Edgerton
16. Drowning Ruth, by Christina Schwarz
15. What Do You Do All Day? by Amy Scheibe
14. The Year of Pleasures, by Elizabeth Berg
13. The Ivy Chronicles, by Karen Quinn
12. Skinny Dip, by Carl Hiaasen
11. Nursery Crimes, by Ayelet Waldman
10. My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult
9. The Color of Water, by James McBride
8. Shopaholic and Baby, by Sophie Kinsella
7. Sleeping Through the Night, by Jodi Mindell
6. Emergence: Labeled Autistic, by Temple Grandin
5. Class Mothers, by Katherine Stewart
4. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hossein
3. Forever in Blue, The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood, by Ann Brashares
2. Writing Magic, by Gail Carson Levine
1. The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood, by Vicki Iovine
Monday, December 31, 2007
Oh Christmas Tree...
It's nice to come home from your Christmas vacation to find that your trees have finally turned to fall in your absence. I mean, it is New Years. Seems like time for autumn. Or something.
I took down all of my Christmas decorations last night - in record time: 50 minutes! We have decided after 8 years of fighting with the stupid fake pre-lit Christmas tree, that it was time to get rid of it. So, since I know you have all been waiting on the edge of your seats for Pigs' Next Cheapskate Tip 'o the Day.....here it is. I've educated you about the Grocery Game, I've enlightened you about Paperback Swap. Now....if you haven't found it in your hometown yet, let me recommend Freecycle. There's a group in most towns. What you do is join your local group and post things that you want to get rid of (for free) and people come and get them. It's kind of like very organized trashpicking. The goal is to keep things out of the landfill, which brings me back to my Christmas tree. My post went a little something like this:
OFFER: One 7 ft. pre-lit Christmas tree. Bottom 6 inches of lights do not work, courtesy one Very Bad Beagle. Tree is in three separate parts for easy storage and set up. We simply string one strand of regular Christmas lights along defective part of tree for a seamless look.
I posted that last night at 10pm and this morning I had four emails from people wanting to come get it. I put it on the front porch with a sign on it with the person's name I chose, and voila! The tree was gone from my porch by 9am. Then I drove over to someone's house and picked up a bag of 18 month-2T boys' clothes to rifle through. I found a load's worth of clothes to wash for play clothes and will pass the rest to a friend. Not too shabby, huh? Stay tuned for future Cheapskate Tips from Pigs.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Whew!
Whew! [Pigs collapses in sweaty heap on desktop, panting in exhaustion from trip.] We have returned. We have survived two (2) three (3) hour flights with the Piglet, approximately eighty-seven (87) relatives and family friends, and more food than I care to think about through my morning (evening) sickness fog right now.
The flights were probably the most eventful aspects of the trip. On the way out, I used every trick you guys gave me, some of them multiple times. The flight was a morning flight, so I didn't really expect Piglet to sleep - which he did not. It's tough to entertain a 15 month old for 3 hours. It really is. On the way home some glorious girl at the American Airlines (Yes!! I said glorious and American Airlines in the same sentence!) gave us an extra seat for Piglet and his carseat and even put us all together and moved us to the very front of the plane! Sweet bliss! He, despite it being naptime, still did not sleep, but was at least contained in one spot. Those of you who got my hopes up about your kids who don't nap well, but sure do sleep on planes? Pish posh, I say. Piglet has now established that he simply doesn't need naps. Bah!
The flights were probably the most eventful aspects of the trip. On the way out, I used every trick you guys gave me, some of them multiple times. The flight was a morning flight, so I didn't really expect Piglet to sleep - which he did not. It's tough to entertain a 15 month old for 3 hours. It really is. On the way home some glorious girl at the American Airlines (Yes!! I said glorious and American Airlines in the same sentence!) gave us an extra seat for Piglet and his carseat and even put us all together and moved us to the very front of the plane! Sweet bliss! He, despite it being naptime, still did not sleep, but was at least contained in one spot. Those of you who got my hopes up about your kids who don't nap well, but sure do sleep on planes? Pish posh, I say. Piglet has now established that he simply doesn't need naps. Bah!
The rest of the trip was a blur of people spoiling Piglet insanely and trying to keep him out of people's knick knacks, out of their drawers and off of their stairs. But? I got to read like crazy and got to my 52 book goal for 2007. Time to start over. My last Piglet post was met with picture requests, so I'll show you a few of my favorites from the trip.
We had one wholesome trip to the park. Piglet slid, Piglet swung (swang? Surely not), Piglet got dirty. It was good fun.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Think! Think! Thanks!
I don't care if you have kids or not, I am seeking creative minds. I am in need (today) of a list of activities to engage a 15 month old on a plane sitting in my lap for 2.5 hours. That would be tomorrow. There will be no sleeping during this time unless something very strange happens.
Example: My Very Clever Friend Shea told me to take an old wallet and fill it with used up gift cards, old Blockbuster cards, etc. and let them take it apart on the plane. Piglet will thoroughly enjoy this. Check. Food is a given. I will be armed with Cheerios and the like. I also have a couple of new toys and books, a couple of his favorite toys that have been in hiding all week so they'll be fresh and new, and some stickers, crayons, and paper.
Wrack your brain! Help meeeeee! Don't make me be that lady with the bad kid!
Example: My Very Clever Friend Shea told me to take an old wallet and fill it with used up gift cards, old Blockbuster cards, etc. and let them take it apart on the plane. Piglet will thoroughly enjoy this. Check. Food is a given. I will be armed with Cheerios and the like. I also have a couple of new toys and books, a couple of his favorite toys that have been in hiding all week so they'll be fresh and new, and some stickers, crayons, and paper.
Wrack your brain! Help meeeeee! Don't make me be that lady with the bad kid!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
What about Piglet?
Most of what I do each day involves my little Piglet, yet I haven't mentioned him much on the 'ol blog lately. Seems like time for an update.
At 14.5 months, the little booger is weighing in at about 24 pounds. That's 24 pound of pure boy. Boys love dogs. Gus is Piglet's best friend. I would not say that the feeling is mutual. He likes to pummel Gus with hugs, balls, toys, and his love. "Love" being indicated by his version of a hug, which is tucking whatever he is loving up into his arm and pulling it up to his ear. We're not sure how he got the idea that this is a hug, but it's what he goes with. Loving Gus involves walking up to him and laying his head on Gus's back, neck, or head and then dropping his full body weight on him until Gus gets annoyed and moves away, leaving Piglet rolling in a fit of giggles on the floor.
Piglet is a good sleeper, but a terrible napper, taking after his daddy. Rumor has it that his daddy was the only kid in preschool who didn't take naps, so he was allowed to read books while the other normal children slept. Piglet seems to be following in these footsteps, much to my chagrin. He dropped his morning nap around 9 or 10 months, and makes do with his hour to hour and a half nap in the afternoon before calling it good. I, on the other hand, am trying to grow a human right now and require far more napping than this. It's causing a mild rift between us. Fortunately, he plays hard all day long and conks out around 7pm and remains conked for at least 12 hours. For this I am eternally grateful, and not at all ashamed to admit that the two days of cry it out has been infinitely worth it for the last 10 months of sleep it got us.
Socially? Piglet is a bit of a ham. He loves to go anywhere in the car and make his car sound when you start the engine or pass a motorcycle or particularly large truck. He is very into vehicles in general. He can make an animal sound for a cow, chicken, monkey, snake, lion, bee, sheep, cat, dog, and duck. He can say such brilliant words as mama, dada, Gus, Roomba, dog, water, ball, bath, bye bye, book, yes, look, burp and bad (usually in reference to Gus). He can sign more, hungry, all done, down, and milk - all words related to eating, his passion. Piglet can show you his hair, head, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, tummy, and feet. He gets confused about his hands when trying to point to them.
Lately, he's learned a lot about the word "no". While he doesn't say it, he can shake his head vehemently, which he often does while walking, which can subsequently cause a wipe out. He knows what he's allowed and not allowed to do and enjoys showing you when he makes good choices. This week, this means walking up to the Christmas tree, reaching for a branch, then firmly shaking his head no, as though to remind himself of his boundaries.
He got his first haircut last weekend and now looks like a big boy. He's outgrowing his 12 month clothes and growing a stout little belly, which matches his soft pudgy cheeks. He likes to pretend to brush his hair or talk on the phone and loves to hammer. Piglet is quite serious when naming things, particularly those of a gassy nature. We're not sure the origin, but all forms of bodily gas including gas, burps, or sneezes are all quite stoically called "BOPF." He will look the offender in the eye and say loudly and firmly, "Bopf!" before returning to what he was doing. This includes his own offenses.
Overall, he's a very good boy. He's quite destructive and very messy, but we have just entered a phase of "putting things in things" which is an improvement over the last phase, "taking things out of things." He wants nothing to do with TV, which at times I find vexing. You wouldn't think a teacher would want their child to watch TV, but sometimes 20 minutes of just being still would be nice. He does love books, and will "read" quietly for a good while by himself.
That covers Piglet in a nutshell. Wonder what the next one will bring? They will be 21 months apart. Hopefully, if I can survive the first year, they will then entertain each other.
At 14.5 months, the little booger is weighing in at about 24 pounds. That's 24 pound of pure boy. Boys love dogs. Gus is Piglet's best friend. I would not say that the feeling is mutual. He likes to pummel Gus with hugs, balls, toys, and his love. "Love" being indicated by his version of a hug, which is tucking whatever he is loving up into his arm and pulling it up to his ear. We're not sure how he got the idea that this is a hug, but it's what he goes with. Loving Gus involves walking up to him and laying his head on Gus's back, neck, or head and then dropping his full body weight on him until Gus gets annoyed and moves away, leaving Piglet rolling in a fit of giggles on the floor.
Piglet is a good sleeper, but a terrible napper, taking after his daddy. Rumor has it that his daddy was the only kid in preschool who didn't take naps, so he was allowed to read books while the other normal children slept. Piglet seems to be following in these footsteps, much to my chagrin. He dropped his morning nap around 9 or 10 months, and makes do with his hour to hour and a half nap in the afternoon before calling it good. I, on the other hand, am trying to grow a human right now and require far more napping than this. It's causing a mild rift between us. Fortunately, he plays hard all day long and conks out around 7pm and remains conked for at least 12 hours. For this I am eternally grateful, and not at all ashamed to admit that the two days of cry it out has been infinitely worth it for the last 10 months of sleep it got us.
Socially? Piglet is a bit of a ham. He loves to go anywhere in the car and make his car sound when you start the engine or pass a motorcycle or particularly large truck. He is very into vehicles in general. He can make an animal sound for a cow, chicken, monkey, snake, lion, bee, sheep, cat, dog, and duck. He can say such brilliant words as mama, dada, Gus, Roomba, dog, water, ball, bath, bye bye, book, yes, look, burp and bad (usually in reference to Gus). He can sign more, hungry, all done, down, and milk - all words related to eating, his passion. Piglet can show you his hair, head, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, tummy, and feet. He gets confused about his hands when trying to point to them.
Lately, he's learned a lot about the word "no". While he doesn't say it, he can shake his head vehemently, which he often does while walking, which can subsequently cause a wipe out. He knows what he's allowed and not allowed to do and enjoys showing you when he makes good choices. This week, this means walking up to the Christmas tree, reaching for a branch, then firmly shaking his head no, as though to remind himself of his boundaries.
He got his first haircut last weekend and now looks like a big boy. He's outgrowing his 12 month clothes and growing a stout little belly, which matches his soft pudgy cheeks. He likes to pretend to brush his hair or talk on the phone and loves to hammer. Piglet is quite serious when naming things, particularly those of a gassy nature. We're not sure the origin, but all forms of bodily gas including gas, burps, or sneezes are all quite stoically called "BOPF." He will look the offender in the eye and say loudly and firmly, "Bopf!" before returning to what he was doing. This includes his own offenses.
Overall, he's a very good boy. He's quite destructive and very messy, but we have just entered a phase of "putting things in things" which is an improvement over the last phase, "taking things out of things." He wants nothing to do with TV, which at times I find vexing. You wouldn't think a teacher would want their child to watch TV, but sometimes 20 minutes of just being still would be nice. He does love books, and will "read" quietly for a good while by himself.
That covers Piglet in a nutshell. Wonder what the next one will bring? They will be 21 months apart. Hopefully, if I can survive the first year, they will then entertain each other.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
And now for something completely different...
Well, internet, friends and folks, the time has come. Where has Pigs been you ask? What has she been doing? There's not any good TV on what with the writer's strike....is she frantically trying to reach her 50 books a year goal? (yes) Has she been bogged down reading low-level quick reads to push through to the final five? (yes) But surely that hasn't taken up all of her time. Has her couponing reached an unhealthy extreme? Has she.....been found out by CVS? Kroger? Gasp!
Perhaps it's Piglet. Or Gus? Has Piglet run her ragged the last two months in which he has learned to walk (run) and refuses to be in one room for more than 2.5 minutes? Has Gus at last snapped over being followed around every waking moment by a determined 14 month old? Or is it something altogether different?
Clearly, she's been terrible at blogging lately. Obviously, she's been quite distracted and has mentioned moving to Georgia in the coming year. Buying and selling a house, moving beagle and Piglet to a new home....this seems like enough stress really, especially when you factor in Christmas shopping and the dread of flying with a curious, wiggly, chatty toddler in a couple of weeks. But, alas. Pigs has nerves of steel. Eight years of teaching prepared her for those kinds of scenarios. She's tough to rattle! Calm in the face of decisions! Sarcastic and witty even in extreme situations!
Except for this one. This one involves a lot of nausea, extraordinary fatigue, and a great deal of peeing. It might be called a little Crimp in the Plan to move next summer, or the optimist might see it as relief from the challenge of adult acne and daily pooping. Grandparents call it a blessing, friends call it a surprise. Pigs calls it "Oops, I did it again."
The only question remains: This blog already has a Piglet. Whatever will we call his sibling? Suggestions to be accepted until the end of June 2008.
Perhaps it's Piglet. Or Gus? Has Piglet run her ragged the last two months in which he has learned to walk (run) and refuses to be in one room for more than 2.5 minutes? Has Gus at last snapped over being followed around every waking moment by a determined 14 month old? Or is it something altogether different?
Clearly, she's been terrible at blogging lately. Obviously, she's been quite distracted and has mentioned moving to Georgia in the coming year. Buying and selling a house, moving beagle and Piglet to a new home....this seems like enough stress really, especially when you factor in Christmas shopping and the dread of flying with a curious, wiggly, chatty toddler in a couple of weeks. But, alas. Pigs has nerves of steel. Eight years of teaching prepared her for those kinds of scenarios. She's tough to rattle! Calm in the face of decisions! Sarcastic and witty even in extreme situations!
Except for this one. This one involves a lot of nausea, extraordinary fatigue, and a great deal of peeing. It might be called a little Crimp in the Plan to move next summer, or the optimist might see it as relief from the challenge of adult acne and daily pooping. Grandparents call it a blessing, friends call it a surprise. Pigs calls it "Oops, I did it again."
The only question remains: This blog already has a Piglet. Whatever will we call his sibling? Suggestions to be accepted until the end of June 2008.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Meow?
So, there was a bobcat on my fence in my backyard a little while ago. A bobcat. Gus, of course, almost threw himself through the window because he really, really believed in his heart that he could take on this bobcat. I've never seen a bobcat in real life before. It just looks like a really large cat. I bet its name was Bob. It could totally whoop Gus, paws down, no problem. It alarms me the amount of wildlife I've seen in person during my stay here in Texas. Coyotes, of course, and armadillos. Lizards in my house and annual cricket invasions. But never a bobcat. I hope he goes home.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Lame Excuses
Need to post. Have been insanely busy this week. Will try to refocus on you people I don't know, sorry for unexplained lapse.
I have a question that's been nagging at me and I even put the item of annoyance in the office on my desk so I would remember to ask you. When one buys earrings (bye, men), why on earth do they come with backs with massive clear disks around them? (What are those doodads called, they're not posts...) Is it intended for you to wear these? Are they to shore up heavy earrings? Because they come on all the earrings now. I never wear them, but I'm vexed because I'm running low on the normal kind of backs. Your opinions? Thanks.
I have a question that's been nagging at me and I even put the item of annoyance in the office on my desk so I would remember to ask you. When one buys earrings (bye, men), why on earth do they come with backs with massive clear disks around them? (What are those doodads called, they're not posts...) Is it intended for you to wear these? Are they to shore up heavy earrings? Because they come on all the earrings now. I never wear them, but I'm vexed because I'm running low on the normal kind of backs. Your opinions? Thanks.
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