Category: Meanderings

Good morning!  I had an awesome evening with my College Son and hubby.  We had dinner and watched Survivor together.  Then later last night I was doing a little reading and a little putting around  on Twitter and seen that Sarah Ockler (author of Twenty Boy Summer) was asking what was that love ballad that we could pull out of our head from years ago and along with it the memories.

Oh my gosh!  I instantly went to You Tube and punched up Chicago’s “You’re The Inspiration” and it was  like I pulled a cork that released all of these memories of High School.

Basically did anyone order up a blubbering baby?  Because that’s what you got.

So – as I leave you this morning for the gym that’s calling me…. then work… then a wonderful get together with some friends for a road trip to St Cloud and dinner….  I offer you up the song that still pulls me into the era of big hair, pants that zipped at the ankle, leg warmers, and words like, “He is sooooooo totally awesome!”

AND if that song doesn’t mess you up – or at least bring up memories of your own “song” that melted you into a pile of hearts, flowers and tears, stop over at Sarah Ockler’s  Blog where she posted last night her songs and asks you to share yours as well.

Have a great day everyone!  Later Lori Lansens is going to be here to chat books, and well…. I LOVE to chat books.  😀

Good morning fellow book worms, bookish types, and random dude who just wandered over thinking this was a site that talked about cheese puffs.  I see you over there dude in the corner… just back away from the keyboard with your powdery cheesy fingers….

Ok… I am in an odd mood…. a good one… but I have no idea what the first paragraph is about.

So I am up and in need to take off soon here for work and beyond (voice echo’s “beyond, beyond, beyoooonnnnddddd”)

Has anyone seen any good movies coming up?  I am interested in seeing that Facebook one.  I think that looks interesting.  The other one that I would really like to see that is out right now is You Again.  It looks really funny and I like many of the actresses in it.  (Are they actresses anymore?  Or do we call them all actors?)

Anyway – I posted the trailer here for your viewing enjoyment and so you say see why I called today’s post what I did.  Seriously Betty White cracks me up.

I need to find time to see that one!

College Son popped in the door yesterday afternoon as a surprise (I have kids popping up all over the place lately!)  He had a couple of days off from work and school so headed into town from Mankato.  He is only here for a little bit but it was cool to see him and tonight we are going to hang out a bit.

Ok… times a moving so I had better run…. run like the wind (good grief what is with me today?).

Have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious day!

(Oh my word… what is wrong with me?)

Good Morning!  *pause for more COFFEE* After yesterday morning of “opportunities” I have updates!

My fine for parking in Itaska State Park has been reduced to $5.  YES.  Five dollars.  Apparently that was the original amount that it would have been had I purchased a day pass – had I known that I needed a day pass.

What a relief!

Then I had a meeting yesterday that was scary and exciting at the same time….  it was something I had been praying about for a while now and after yesterday’s meeting I am still scared and excited – but I finally have a yes…. and I am moving forward on my book.  You may not have known there was a book.  Or even the inkling of a book.  I was really nervous (and still am) to share about it in case it wouldn’t be.  Now however it looks like it will be and I still have a lot of work to do, and don’t want to say much more about it at this time other than a tired “SSQQQUUUEEE!!!”

Finally… and this is random… I signed up for Netflix again.  As I am reading all these wonderful books that I heard are also movies (especially some of the older titles), I can not find them at our forever closing video rental stores.  All we have in town are Red Boxes which carry a frightening low selection and they are so hit and miss, unless I have reserved one on-line – it’s not worth browsing.

I guess that’s all I have for news.  I guess that’s enough for today!  😀  I am still a bit shell-shocked with all the news of yesterday.  However.  I can leave you with this.

Feel free to turn up your speakers and dance around the room.

I am.  😛

Have an awesome day!!!

Good morning.  Hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  Mine was crazy busy but I have lived through it and am ready to start this week with a bit of energy that I think I have stored up over night.  It’s not a lot – but I think it will be enough to spark me forward.  😛

Last month you may remember that my friend Wendy and I went on a 75 mile bike ride that started and stopped in Itaska State Park.  We drove there that morning, got lost, and finally made it there about an hour and a half later than we had hoped to start.  The man who was working for the bike ride committee told us that the main parking area was full and asked us to park  in this other lot that he pointed to.

We completed the ride in hot weather but came back triumphant from completing our goal.  We loaded up the bikes, stopped for our Dairy Queen award and went home.

Then came the letter.

The letter states that a vehicle may not enter a state park, state recreation area, or a state wayside over 50 acres in area without a state vehicle permit.  Currently my fine and court fees are $125.00

WHA???

So needless to say, I was on the phone yesterday calling the Itaska State Park Operations Supervisor who had signed this letter with the phone number.  The message said the office closes at 2 pm each day.  I left a message expressing my concern over this letter (and *gulp* fine).  Then I thought I had better call the people who set up the bike ride as well as they are the ones who would have my name registered as a rider and I am a bit upset they would have me park in an area that I shouldn’t.  I mean, if we are going to participate in this ride, no where during sign up did it say that my vehicle would need to have a Park permit.

So… I am looking for the phone number on their website… scrolling down scrolling down…. and then I stop.  What was that?  I scroll back up and almost bust a gut laughing….. the picture on their website is Wendy and I.  Not a scrolling through pics of the event… nope.  Wendy and I.  I had no idea.

So yes, I did find the phone number for the coordinator and left them a message as well.  I am hopeful today I will get some calls back and we can get this cleared up.  The picture is random – they have no idea who the pic is other than riders for the event.  I think it is HILARIOUS that I am the one who will be speaking to them about this fine and I have real proof that I was on the ride – because there I am.  (Pre – letter happy)  😛

So that is my latest in event worthy news.  Today I have work, an exiting afternoon meeting I hope to share more about with you soon, and kick ball (I know, I know) tonight.

I hope your day is filled with sunshine and that your parking is ticket free.

😛

Morning!  Ok let’s try that again.

Good morning!  😛

Sunday morning here and Banned Books Week is officially over.  Wow.  I kind of miss it.  I had a week of reading books that I have wanted to read for quite some time as well as experiencing a couple new to me titles.  Over all, I did not read one book that I could say I found offensive and agreed that this book should perhaps have limited access to certain ages.  In fact, most of them really surprised me that they were banned and some I had to look up to see exactly what people found so offensive.

Of course, as I mentioned yesterday morning, I still have banned books checked out from the library and if I can squeeze a couple more in as I return to my regular reading habits I sure will.

I do not have a lot of time this morning as I am getting ready for church and as usual am pushing the time envelope but I want to leave you with what I would like to refer to as a great theme song for Banned Books:

And… well honestly…. if you are an 80’s fan…. just a great song – period.  😀

Have an awesome Sunday everyone!  Tonight we are going out to dinner with Navy son.  It’s hard to believe he leaves tomorrow, but he is going to be in Florida for a while and with a little luck – back for Christmas.  😀

Good Morning.  Picture this.  I am up but I am not.  It is early and I am here with Coffee Cup trying to relax a bit and scrape in some caffeine before I go to the gym.  My hair is everywhere…..  My eyes I think are still slits….

The dogs get out of bed.  I hear the “thwump” as their little shih-tzu  feet hit the floor.  They wander out of the bedroom and I open the door to the deck so they can go out for their morning jaunt.

I go back to the lap top…. where was I?  Oh yeah…. working on my post for later today….  great read…. what should I say ne….

“Woof Woof!”

Seriously.  They have been out all of a minute…. maybe a few seconds more …. I look over my shoulder at Elmo and Bailey wagging their tail waiting to be let in.   I ignore them.  It’s not cold out… in fact its lovely… must be almost 60 degrees already, I will just…

“Woof Woof.!!!!!”  “Woof Woof!!!”

GAH.

I let them in and they parade past me like I am scum.  I am so beneath them.  They do not even throw me a kind glance.

I shuffle to the kitchen rubbing my eyes and refilling my cup.  Elmo comes up and looks at me.

“What?”  (That’s me saying that.. not the dog…. although I am not sure if it would surprise me.)

He does his excited “follow me” dance where he looks at me and runs to the entryway and then comes back to get me and runs again and makes sure I am following.

I look at the kitchen clock.  I have to get moving.  Elmo is still doing his Lassie and Timmy is in the well impression.  He should have been an actor.  Seriously he is wasting good talent here in central Minnesota.

I go to the entryway… yup.  The water dish is empty.  I fill it.

I go back to the lap top…. look at my post.  I will have to finish it later.

That’s my morning…. anyone else have pets that own them?  😛

Why was The Color Purple by Alice Walker banned?

2010

Challenged and or banned for offensive language, being sexually explicit and unsuited to age group.

2009

Challenged in Burke County schools in Morgantown (NC) by parents concerned about the homosexuality, rape, and incest portrayed in the book.

2008

Banned for sexually explicit and offensive language and homosexuality.

2003

Challenged in Fairfax (VA) school libraries by a group called Parents Against Bad Books in Schools for “profanity and descriptions of drug abuse, sexually explicit conduct and torture”.

Good morning!  Coffee Cup and I are off to a good start today.  After a really good weekend and a pretty decent Monday here we are back again.

So…. fact about me… I really like about three tv shows.  Survivor, Biggest Loser and Amazing Race.  I love the challenges, I love to see them succeed…. I love to cheer for my teams.  SO… on Sunday evening Al and I sat down to watch the season premiere of Amazing Race.  They had one challenge where the teams had to use a big sling shot with watermelons to knock over life-size suits of armor that were lined up in a field.  It was a pretty cool challenge and this one team of two girls was really struggling.  And well….. look for yourself:

Can you even believe how that happened?  I was amazed that she didn’t break her nose or knock out some teeth.  How she was able to go on from that was like….. “Whoa!”  Unbelievable!   Poor girl!

Anyway – had to share that with you.

In other news…. I hope you had a chance to check out my new sticky post.  We are currently looking for Mini Challenge Hosts for the Dewey read A Thon and we would love to get some new people involved who haven’t hosted a mini challenge before.  Check out the Read-A-Thon site for more information.  Basically all you do is plan a giveaway around a little challenge.  It can be to answer a question, do a little task….. whatever, then you offer a prize to your winner.  It is a two-hour commitment and will drive traffic to your blogs.  If you need any help thinking of a challenge let me know and I can try to assist you.  Please consider being a mini-challenge host for the October 9th event.

Oh – I was also featured on Reading Minnesota yesterday promoting the Twin Cities Book Festival and Book Blogger meet up.  If you have a second stop by and check that out.

And finally yes…. the “Banned Wagon” is still moving full steam ahead.

I am off to work and tonight I have kick ball (feel free to insert giggles here).  Hope you have a fantastic day and moments of good reads!  😀