Friday, March 30, 2012

FRIDAY VIEWS

Everywhere I look around here it reminds me of Easter.  On Wednesday we had an Easter egg hunt at the library.  The two librarians filled plastic eggs with some Hershey kisses, peanut butter eggs, jelly beans and four of them had a blue ticket that entitled the finder to a free book.  The kids loved it.  All of them found at least two eggs.

Yesterday the afterschool leader, Miss Joan, helped them to make Easter bonnets.  They took a really strong paper plate, cut the center out, and attached a super strong paper bowl upside down on it to make a hat.  Then they decorated it with feathers, ribbons, crepe paper, flowers, beads, sequins, etc.  They turned out really nice.


At my house the Easter egg light is up and lit and I bought a new little Easter bunny for the front door.



Now I just have to get the inside cleaned up and the bunnies put out.

The yard is looking like Easter too with all the tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.  And the smell!  I'm so glad Spring is finally here.



Wednesday, March 28, 2012

THE GREAT ESCAPE

Hi, I'm Jenny.  I'm a black cat who lives with my Daddy and Mommy.  I like to lay in the sun on their bed.  Mostly on Mommy's side.  That way I can cuddle up to my Daddy and make him pet me over and over while he is trying to sleep.  There are priorities in life, you know.

I love the sun inside the house.  But I am very afraid to go outside.  Who knows what would happen to me there.

 
 Last night Mommy was very late getting home from that place she calls "work".  She had some bags with her full of food.  Maybe there was something in there for me!  Daddy went to the door, held it open while she was parking and then went out to help her bring the bags inside.  I wanted to help too!  When Daddy wasn't looking I went outside to see what I could do.




But there were strange smells and sounds out there.  I got scared.  I ran for this alleyway I saw next to Daddy and Mommy's house.  I thought I could escape to the back yard and be safe.  But there was a gate there.  I was very scared.  I cried and cried.




Mommy asked Daddy where I was.  He said, "Upstairs."  She said, "Are you sure?  I hear a cat crying and it sounds like Jenny."  She looked down the alleyway.  It was very dark.  All she could see was my eyes shining.  She told Daddy she saw a cat in the alley.  Daddy walked down the alley, calling my name.  I was very scared.  I was probably in big trouble.  But Daddy picked me up (I never let anyone pick me up) and carried me into the house.  I was so relieved to be rescued I actually held onto his shoulder.

Mommy kept asking Daddy if it was really me or just a cat that looked like me.  Doesn't she recognize her own child?  I showed her.  I went over to my treat container and begged for something to eat.  After all, I had to keep up my strength after such a harrowing experience.

I think it will be a long time before I venture outside again.

WHAT I'M READING

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE by J.K. Rowling (1997)


About the book:

Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility.

All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudly -- a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry -- and anyone who reads about him -- will find unforgettable.

For it's there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter.

My thoughts:

I read this a long time ago, but I never finished the series. Now with the last movie out I decided I would just start at the beginning and read straight through to the end. Even though I knew what was going to happen, the book was just as good as the first time I read it. Maybe more so since I was familiar with the characters. Let's face it, a good book is a good book no matter how many times you read it.

Monday, March 26, 2012

IT'S JUST ANOTHER DAY

There's really not much going on here.  It got COLD again.  REALLY cold.  The wind chill is supposed to be in the teens tonight.  What happened to that 80 degree weather we were having last week?  Come back!!

My friend, Donna, came into the library today and we went to lunch at Arby's.  I like their roast beef sandwich.  Unfortunately I hit a lot of traffic on the way back and was late getting back to work.  Oops.  My boss looked at me, but didn't say anything.  Whew!

For any of you that are mothers with young children, you might enjoy my niece's new blog -- Have Baby Will Diaper.  You can find the link on the side of this blog.  Heidi is such a good writer, besides being a sweet girl.  Not prejudiced, am I?  I think you will enjoy it.

Also, I changed the blurb under my picture -- the "about me" section.  I like it a lot better.  When I wrote the first one I had no idea what I was doing or where this blog was going.  I thought only my family would see it and they wouldn't care because they knew who I was.  Boy was I wrong.  Although I don't have hundreds of followers, I have over 6,000 hits.  That's kind of impressive!
 
We found out today that our next-door neighbors are moving.  They were not the greatest (or friendliest) neighbors we have had, but at least they did not give us any trouble.  We are uneasy about who will move in.  Hopefully someone nice -- someone without a large, noisy car, drug or alcohol problem, etc.

Back to my cleaning.  I have a lot to do tonight.  Well, I will do as much as I can.  I'm really tired, so don't know how much will actually get done.  Maybe a nap first....

Sunday, March 25, 2012

THE SUNDAY GARDEN

Even though it was cool and drizzling today, I went out and took pictures of the garden for you.  It is looking beautiful and I am very happy with it.  Spring is really here.  Yes, it really is!

I expected that my winter pansies that I planted last fall would just die in the cold weather.  Well, I guess the weather never got cold enough to kill them.  See how beautiful they are.





Rosemary, parsley and chives are growing by leaps and bounds!

The little hydrangea buds that turned into little leaves are now big leaves!

Hyacinths, daffodils and tulips are blooming.  Beautiful!
 




When I was heading back to the house, I saw this little flower in the grass.  I did not plant this Johnny-Jump-Up.  I don't know how it got there.  But I like it.

 
Springtime really is a time of miracles.

 

Saturday, March 24, 2012

IT'S A BETTER DAY TODAY

It was so nice to spend the day at home today.  Of course, now the nice weather is gone and it's cold, cloudy and rainy.  But I'm not at work, so there is always a good side.

I had plans to get so much done today, but I ended up sleeping and didn't get as much done as I expected.  However, I did get the shamrock light taken out of the front window and the Easter egg light put in.  About time, isn't it since Easter is only 2 weeks away.  I got some wash done, the dishes and changed the flowers in the pot outside of my front door.  I have silk flowers that I put outside because real ones always die (not enough sun).  I took in the poinsettias and put out the lilies.  I'm still going to do some more this evening, but I'm not going to overdo it and hurt my back.  I do NOT want to go through that again.  It just started feeling OK a couple of days ago.

I have to go.  Joe just bought me a vanilla ice cream cone from the Mr. Softee truck and I want to eat it before it melts.  See you tomorrow with pictures of my garden.

Friday, March 23, 2012

CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS DAY TO BE OVER

Oh my gosh, friends, this has without a doubt been the most boring week of my whole life.  Throw in a little "spring fever" and it has been almost unbearable.  Everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather we've been having (sunny in the high 70s/low 80s) and going to the library is not a priority for anyone.  People are dropping off books and leaving.  Right now I am at lunch and when I left the front desk there were 2 (count them 2) people in the building.  Most of the last hour there was 1 and at one point NONE.

It wouldn't be so bad if I were at my own branch where I could find something to keep me occupied.  But there is NOTHING to do here.  Can I shelve for you?  "All done."  Library cards to make up?  "Done that."  Do you want me to shelf read?  "We did that earlier this week."  So for my time off of the desk I have been roaming the internet looking at various things.

To make matters worse, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.  I am purposely not going outside because I know I would not want to come back.  Richmond, my home branch has been RED HOT all week.  Whew.  Today at the Fishtown Branch they have the air conditioning on and it is ICE COLD.  Go figure.

So enough of my grumbling.  Just a few more hours and I can go home, put on a t-shirt, shorts and my flip-flops and make barbecued chicken legs on the grill.  Yes, folks, we have decided that tonight is the night to fire up that baby and indulge in some good eating.  (And Elaine, Larry and Marion I know you are reading this -- I am making my world-famous potato salad.)

Have a good rest of the day everyone.  Even though it is going to get colder this weekend (and the coming week), I am still going to enjoy my time off tomorrow and Sunday.

WHAT I'M READING

WILLIAM AND CATHERINE: THEIR ROMANCE AND ROYAL WEDDING IN PHOTOGRAPHS by David Elliot Cohen (2011)

  

About the book:

Few events capture the world's heart like a British royal wedding -- even more so when it is the first wedding of a future British king to a commoner in more than 350 years.  This richly illustrated keepsake book commemorates Prince William's fairy tale romance with Kate Middleton, and their spectacular nuptials at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.

Through more than 200 spectacular photographs, William and Catherine recounts the couple's wildly different childhoods, their romance and engagement, the events leading up to the wedding, and the grand affair itself.  Here are the massive crowds lining the parade route, the sparkling celebrities at Westminster Abbey, the bride's spectacular gown, "The Kisses" on Buckingham Palace's balcony, and the worldwide celebrations.  Also included is a brief pictorial history of British royal weddings from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840 to Prince Charles and Lady Diana in 1981.

With fascinating detailed captions and a foreword by renowned royal watcher Robert Jobson, author of Willliam and Kate, The Love Story and royal correspondent for four major British newspapers, this book magnificently illustrates the pomp, the pagentry, the history and enchantment of the romance that charmed the world.

My thoughts:

I loved this book.  Tons and tons of pictures.  The best part to me, however, was the history part.  I loved seeing pictures of Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and all the royals in between.  I loved seeing the gowns, reading the stories and imagining how it all played out in those past years.

The pictures of William and Catherine were the same ones we have been seeing all along in all the magazines and books that have been published.  It flowed smoothly, however, so it wasn't boring to see them all again.  Even though I got this out of the library, if I were a real royal watcher, it is a book I would consider buying.  As it is, I enjoyed reading (and looking) at it.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

SPRING TREES

There are some beautiful blooming trees outside of the Richmond Library.

I noticed yesterday that they were blooming.

My friend, Debbie, came to visit me at work today.  She came around lunch time so we sat and talked for awhile and then she accompanied me outside and I took some pictures of these lovely trees.
 
I know these blossoms won't last very long.  They are already starting to fall.  But I will enjoy them while I can.
 

Monday, March 19, 2012

THE LAST DAY OF WINTER

Can you believe this is the last day of winter?  Time just flies by, doesn't it?  We have been very fortunate this year and had a mild winter.  I think we had only one snow storm and just a little bit of ice.  And the temperatures have not been so bad either.

Today was just lovely.  Of course.  I was at work.  It is SO hot at work.  I think I am going to have to wear lighter clothing tomorrow.  The temperatures were in the high 70s.  I didn't even wear a jacket to work today.  And I've been smiling so much.  I just seem to come alive in Spring and Summer.  I even enjoy Autumn.  But Winter is just so hard on me.  So expect my posts to get happier and happier as time goes on.

The sunset was so beautiful today and I took some pictures of it.  So goodbye winter.  Thanks for being so kind on me this year.  Here is the sun setting on the winter of 2011-2012.




 

Sunday, March 18, 2012

ST. PATRICK'S DAY


Hope you all had a great St. Patrick's Day yesterday.  It was my Saturday to work, so that's how I spent it.  It was the most boring day I think I've ever spent at work.  No one was coming to the library.  Everyone was out celebrating as I saw when I was driving home.

We had the leftovers from the Irish Lunch for lunch on Saturday.  At the end of the day we divided up what was left and took it home so that it wouldn't go to waste.  There was so much left over.  I really over bought.  But I always feel better too much than not enough.

At the end of day I got some pictures of us.  Our volunteer, Tom, took the first one and then I switched with him and took the second one.  We had a lot of fun decked out in our green.

 Marquita, Diane and me.  It's hard to see, but the shamrock on my shirt is made up of mini shamrocks.

Marquita, Diane and Tom.  The Leprechauns of Richmond Library.  Ha, ha.

Pastor Justin was away today so Joe and I had to open up the church and set things up.  Deacon Richard gave the message which was very good.  I wish I could have paid more attention, but my back was killing me.  Those wooden pews were not conducive to helping a bad back.

I got a chance to have a nice long phone call with my sister this afternoon.  We don't talk often enough.  I love talking with her.

I got a few things done, but I'm going to have to step up my game to get everything done by Easter.  Can you believe it's only 3 weeks away?

Well, gotta run for tonight friends.  My bed calls to me.

Friday, March 16, 2012

FRIDAY VIEWS

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.  It didn't start off that way, though.  It was drizzling and chilly.  But as the day went on the weather got better and better.  I'm loving this.

My back was bothering me so much at work yesterday that I was popping pain pills the whole day.  So I decided to just take it easy today.  I had off today since I am working tomorrow, so it was the perfect day to just lay around and try to get things in my body under control again.  It's not perfect, but a lot better.

I do have to do something today though, so I am going to get a few things done this evening and then it's an early to bed day so I can get up tomorrow.  I don't sleep through the whole night because when I turn in my sleep the pain wakes me up.

I'm getting ready to make dinner.  Baked chicken, real mashed potatoes and some veggie that I will scrounge out of the freezer.  Maybe spinach.

So here is your Friday View for this week.  The yard is really coming to life.  I am so happy.

 The daffodils are blooming.  I planted a lot because they are Joe's favorite flower.


Remember the hydranagea buds I showed you last week?  They are baby leaves now.  Soon there will be flowers.


And here's my rosemary, parsley and now the chives are up as well.  I love spring and summer!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

AN IRISH LUNCH


Today the Sunshine Club at work sponsored an "Irish Lunch" in honor of St. Patrick's Day.  I did all the legwork getting things together.  Joe helped by going to the store with me and carrying the heavy things into the library so I wouldn't re-hurt my back.

At noon time I got our volunteer Tom to help me carry things up from the kitchen into our workroom.  I got corned beef, ham, rye and white breads, potato salad, cole slaw, cookies and mini cupcakes.  Of course I also got plates, cups, napkins and plasticware.  My coworker Bob brought in some soda, iced tea, and juice.  Everything was good.  My boss thanked me for my hard work and said how great it had turned out.  There is enough food left over for lunch tomorrow and probably on Saturday too.

It was really hot at work.  I guess that's because it was so hot outside today.  So I was really beat by the time I got out of work.  I called Joe before I left and asked if we could go to Chik-Fil-A for dinner.  Of course he said yes.  We love that place.

As you can see, today has been a day of eating.  Back to being good tomorrow.

Monday, March 12, 2012

I OWE, I OWE, SO OFF TO WORK I GO

I went back to work today.  I don't think I really should have because I was in a LOT of pain.  It wasn't too bad until I got on the front desk and had to stand for most of the hour.

We had four LAs in today, so I put myself on only once, the first hour.  However, we got a call to send someone to the McPherson Square Branch.  It was my turn to go, but I said I just was not able to, so Bob went.  Marquita was in for only a half of a day, so I ended up being on the front desk for 2 1/2 hours.  Usually this would not bother me at all, but today it was rough.  But thank you so much, Bob, for going so I didn't have to!  I really owe you one.

Two of my friends came to see me at work.  They were both worried about me and wanted to see how I was doing.  Aww.  That was so nice of them.  And I am doing better every day.  I think by the end of the week I will be back to myself.
 
I laid down for 1 1/2 hours when I got home from work and now I am feeling much better. When I got up I made fried rice and potstickers for dinner.  It was good.

The sunrise this morning was so beautiful.  I'm going to end with some pictures to show you that morning in Philadelphia is a beautiful thing.






Friday, March 9, 2012

FRIDAY VIEWS

My back is still hurting badly, but is a little better every day.  I am supposed  to go back to work on Monday, but I don't know how I can.  I will just have to see how things go.  I took a muscle relaxer with my pain medication this morning and was out for the whole day.  I never even got out of my pajamas, brushed my hair -- nothing!

Joe has been making dinner for me every night and he is getting better all the time.  Tonight we had baked chicken and veggies.  It was really good.

I am hoping to get up and do more tomorrow.  At least I can now lean over forward.  It still hurts to stand, but my walking is better.  I just have to watch how much I pick up and carry.

Well, thought I would show you my garden for my Friday views this week.  I took these pictures last week.  The mild weather is making my February garden think that it is April.  Look at this!

These little pansies made it through the winter!

My rosemary and parsley survived too.

The hydrangea leaves are coming out.  Soon it will be blooming.

The tulips are up.

So are the daffodils.

And the irises.  Spring is here early.
I am so excited to have nice weather.  I always feel better in the spring and summer.