Obsessions

I will admit that I am obsessed with something when, against my better judgment, I act in a manner contrary to my values.

Case in point: the past two weekends, I have planned to deal with my mounting laundry problem, as well as to pull ALL my winter clothes out of storage and put them away properly. Cleaning up around the house and getting all our Christmas decorations were also in the plans.

Alas, I didn't get that all done. I did a few minor tasks here and there, but I was most definitely distracted by two things:

1. Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga
2. Mystery Case Files- Return to Ravenhearst

To be fair to myself, I was given impetus to read the novels in the vampire saga as quickly as I could. I was sharing the books with my youngest who was sharing them with her friends, so it was easier for me to just hurry up and read all four novels. So I did. In eight days. If my calculations are correct, that's somewhere around 2550+ pages total. I started on Saturday night, 12/6 and finished before noon on Saturday, 12/13. I did not take any of the books to work. Additionally, I prepared a resume and applied for another job somewhere in the middle of it all. In fact, I think it's safe to say... if I could have stayed home Monday and Tuesday, I would have had all four novels done by Tuesday. Needless to say, I haven't had a lot of sleep in the last week.

All would have been just fine... my overworked eyes would have received some much needed rest... if it weren't for the note card I received in the mail reminding me that one of my favorite games had been released. I love Mystery Case Files... but I also have an insatiable need to finish the game immediately.

So, I downloaded Return to Ravenheast this past Saturday afternoon. I finished the game last night just before midnight. Total playing time was just under 8 hours.

What is WRONG with me?!?! I don't have my Christmas shopping finished. My house is somewhat a disaster. My husband did his laundry all day yesterday, so I probably couldn't have gotten much of my own done anyway... but still. This is ludicrous. Like I said... obsession.

I THOUGHT I was a grown-up who knew how to put away what I want to do for what I really should do.

But, instead of beating myself up about it all... I have decided to grant myself a reprieve. Perhaps I needed some stress relief, and that's how it manifested.

Yeah... let's go with that. ;-)


BTW, have you ever read books so quickly that you're then disappointed you're not still reading about those characters? I did that when I finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, and The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, as well as many many other books. I'm finding I miss Bella, Edward, and the Cullens a little bit too... however, not for the same reason my teenage daughters do. haha Meyer writes stories that you can't put down, and you really don't want them to end. I'm looking forward to the second movie now.

Catching Up...

Huzzah! The busiest work week of the year is past me. W00T! I might actually be able to post and read blogs again on a regular basis. Imagine that. Here's a quick peek into my brain today:


1. Thanks to those of you who gave me such fabulous suggestions for my day off this coming Monday. I decided, since the weather is so BLAZING hot and thus would prevent any outdoor activities, that I would spend some time at a day spa. I will be the recipient of a fabulous 90 minute massage. Yes. 90 minutes. That should be sheer heaven. Also on the menu is a much needed mani/pedi. Can't wait!!


2. Could this weather be a little more miserable, please? *insert sarcasm here* It's been 95 degrees F or higher with insanely high dew points... pretty much feels like you're walking around in a steam room.


3. We finally bought a new fridge. The old one was somewhat broken... it kept food cold, but mostly froze everything on the bottom shelves. Ever had a frozen head of lettuce? Yikes. Oh, and it leaked a lot, too. Yay. Old and busted fridge is gone. New fridge is in. So, the Farm Boy insisted we take a picture of it. (Sometimes, he scares me.) He even made me pose like an idiot in front of the new fridge. Trust me, under that purple blockhead is the cheesiest grin I can manage. It's a pretty cool (no pun intended) fridge. I would have preferred stainless steel, but that wouldn't match the rest of the kitchen. Oh, well.

4. I'm extremely depressed about my reading progress. Usually by this time of year, I've finished about 25-30 books. So far this year: 15. A stinking 15! It took me 6 weeks to finish my last book, mostly because I rarely had more than 5 minutes or so to devote to reading on any given day. How am I going to read 35 more books by the end of the year? Yeah. It's probably not going to happen. Gah. So depressing.

5. Daughter #1 learned yesterday that she will actually get to live on campus! Super W00T! We'd been told all spring and summer that housing was unavailable-- that she was on a huge waiting list and wouldn't be able to get a room. I was worried that she'd have to live at home and would have a tougher time getting involved in campus life. However, a room opened up yesterday, and she's in. She moves in a couple of weeks. Talk about last minute, but I'm not going to complain. She thinks I want to kick her out of my house; I just want her to be able to experience college life to the fullest. If she lived at home, it would be too much like going to high school... with a longer drive. I think I'm more excited for her new housing than she is. :-)

6. Daughter #2 and I went to Target tonight for the annual back-to-school purchasing. She starts on Monday. BUT... we couldn't find a "cute" book bag. I found several really cool book bags that would be sturdy enough... tons of pockets and cool features. Nope. Not "cute" enough. Gah. I'll be so glad when we're not 14 anymore. So, we purchased everything but a "cute" book bag, AND... I spent less than $100. I have to note these times (for posterity or something), because we rarely ever get out of Target for under $100. In fact, lately we're lucky to get out of there under $300. I love Target. So. Much.

Probably should stop with six list items... but I can't.

7. The Farm Boy and I went to Chipotle this week. It's been a loooooooooooooong time since we've gone. I got that little nervous, giddy feeling in my stomach right before we walked in. Can one have a crush on a burrito? I think "yes." One can, and one does. It was so superly tasty-licious! Of course, I couldn't finish my whole burrito (and I even asked for half the rice), but it was so worth it! I do have to mention, however, that this particular franchise is on my naughty list. This was only my second Chipotle venture in a matter of months, and both times this particular franchise had an "Out of Order" note on the Diet Coke. No other diet soda available. Boo. One cannot enjoy one's burrito with a cup of water... or lemonade. Blech. If it happens again, I might have to get cranky with them. (Or maybe just bring my own bottle of DC with me. )

Okay. Seven list items is a good place to stop. Happy Weekend!

A Bookseller's Dream....

I have a queue of seven books right now (eight, if you count the one I'm reading). I rarely let them pile up beyond four at time, but I can't stay away from Barnes & Noble lately. And if I walk in the store... I. Must. Buy. Something. It's a sickness, really.

I'm so hooked on reading, and I always have been. There's a website called What Book Got You Hooked... if you login and write a quick note about the book that hooked you, you can help your state (US only, I think) win 50,000 books or something. Click and find out.

Better yet, leave me a comment and tell ME which book(s) got you hooked on reading. I know I don't have just one, and I probably won't remember all of them, but here are some of mine:


Shel Silverstein's Where The Sidewalk Ends
Richard Scarry's Best Storybook Ever
Robert McCloskey's Blueberries for Sal
The Paddington Bear series
The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring (do you really need the links?)
The Little House series... yes, including Farmer Boy


I'll stop now; otherwise, this list will be longer than any of my posts to date. Those on the list only represent my pre- and early elementary/primary school favorites. We haven't even touched the Judy Blume years. Or Narnia. Or John Saul. hahaha

Tell me yours!