Good Morning. Wow, it feels nice just to sit at my own kitchen table and type this. It has been a while since I wrote a morning post from this spot. 😀
So on Sunday evening when I posted the It’s Monday What Are You Reading post, I posted that I was going to listen to Dean Koontz’ What The Night Knows. I was in the mood for a little mystery and as I looked at my audio books yet to listen to that one called to me. Yesterday afternoon while digging through my book piles for a book (yes digging because I emptied the room that holds my books for the new shelves and the shelves are not here yet *sigh*) I started listening to it and the creep factor was just right….
and then…
it wasn’t.
While listening they got to a part where the detective keeps turning his ring on his finger. How odd, I thought… I have read that before where someone is turning their ring on their finger. Then I went to my laptop… to this site and types in the title. Sure enough… I had listened to this in April of this year.
W O W. 😯
I used to do that all the time many years ago, start reading something and discovering I had already read it. It is exactly what lead me to start journals of what I read which eventually lead to online journaling which was… the creation of Book Journey.
So tell me, have you done that? Started reading something only to discover you already had?
Now I have switched it up to There And Back Again by Sean Astin. Sean is the actor who played Samwise (Frodo’s very good friend) in The Lord Of The Rings. I am enjoying it. 😀
Today I work and then have some errands to run. I am heading up to the cabin in the morning. I am going a couple days earlier than the rest of the group going for a little down time and to prepare the groceries, etc. More on that… tomorrow morning.
This is my first morning since this past Monday that I will not be hearing “Good Morning Campers!”
I cam home yesterday from my week at Camp Benedict, a camp for adults, children, and families dealing with AIDS. Camp Benedict is in the bar just underneath my blog header year around. If you click on that link, it will tell you my background story and connections to the camp. This year was my second year at camp and I didn’t think I could be even more impressed on than last year…. but I was. This week for the Saturday Snapshot (check out Saturday Snapshot at Alyce’s At Home With Books) , I am going to share with you a few pictures from this weeks camp experience: The camp brings in people from around the state (occasionally beyond) for a week of connecting, sharing, and education. My friend Connie who organizes the camp offers this week to the campers for free. You read that right. She does not want the cost to be a burden to anyone so the money we raise at the spring benefit dinner and then the summer CCB ride, all goes to support the camp and pay for the week. And… it is a nice week.
The camp is beautiful – right on the lake with education each morning and evening, and afternoon free time activities like horse back riding, swimming, pontoon rides, tubing, and more.
Morning Exercise and meditation with the ball
On Tuesday morning we were all lead in a group exercise session using the ball. This was a lot of fun and it was exciting to see everyone give it a try. Some of the moves were basic stretches and some more advanced. We ended the session with a time of meditation, relaxing laying back and reflecting. Many people mentioned how much they enjoyed this. I personally love working out on the ball and I picked up a few new tips to try at home.
Meal prayer
Before every meal we are led by Camp Staff (and occasionally a few bonus people) in a prayer. The prayers are always set to a theme song… this one is said to the Superman tune. 😀
The education classes are wonderful, a speaker came in and talked to us about stigma, an emotional talk where people could share their stories. We also had a repeat speaker, Bill, who does a wonderful job of sharing the latest information on medication, up and coming information, and the importance of being consistent on the meds. Another speaker spoke on the companies that can assist you with getting the medication you need, and yet another doctor was there to answer any questions. There may….. have been a few camp pranks played….. I am not at liberty to say. 😉
It is always a roller coaster of emotions during the week. Some moments are sad, and other time we are laughing and on a pontoon on our way to get ice cream at the Dairy Queen. It is definitely a week I will reflect on throughout the year. Some of the people have been there before, and some are new… and for the new ones, it is amazing to watch them blossom throughout the week as they feel the acceptance of the camp and make connections to keep themselves healthy and to new friends as well. In the past two years that I have went to this camp I have left with old friendships being stronger, and new ones being developed.
Tailgate Party!
Mid week we have a tailgate party where people who live around the lake and the camp come and grill for us. Our weather this week was perfect!
Camp K staff doing their typical good bye at the end of the week!Connie and I at the CCB Ride this year.
Of course… the final day is bitter-sweet. It is always hard to say good-bye hoping you will see people next year. The people who go to camp are amazing people. If you want to know more about this amazing camp, please check out the website here: Camp Benedict.org and my original connection to the camp is posted here: My connection to Camp Benedict.
The bus leaving at the end of the week.
Today hubby and I are heading to the Minnesota State Fair. We have not been there in years so this should be an experience. 😀
Good morning. I am at camp this week and internet seems to be very S L O W here so we will see how this goes. 😀
As I was reviewing my posts from this past week I realized I never posted the pictures from two weekends ago of the Muckruckus. “Doh!” So,this morning, here is my recap of the Muckruckus.
First off – the Muckruckus ROCKED. Second of all, the Muckruckus was HARD and it kicked my butt. Note to self…. next year I need to actually train for that event. 😀
Before we were dirty: L: Amy, Me, and Wendy
Some of the things we did
Oh yeah.. thats me in the front in the blue
The two crazy girls sliding across the finish line are sadly.. not me. They are my friends Amy and Wendy and by the time we finished my feet hurt so bad from bring filled with mud and rocks I could hardly walk…. next year though… I am rocking this.
So there is my brief recap. I have lots more pics but as I mentioned I am at camp and having a good time, doing a little writing and talking with a lot of people. I will be around all week, should have a review up yet this afternoon.
Obviously there are a lot of perks to reviewing books. First of all the delicious books that arrive on your doorstep and you get the pleasure to read and chat about. And of course there is the conversation itself that generates around the book, and of course, the relationships we book bloggers build together as people who love to read and love to chat books.
Occasionally, we can be asked to review something other than books just due to something we mentioned we enjoy and I think that is kind of fun too. In the past I have been given the occasional movie to review, at one time reader glasses, and a couple of years back… a bookshelf. 😛
In my mail yesterday, this arrived:
Telestrations is a “telephone like game” Sketch, Pass, and Guess! It is no secret that I love board games, and this would not be the first board game I have been sent to review. I think when we are at the cabin in a couple of weeks with friends I will try it then. 😀
I also had a few books trickle in this week:
Yesterday we car shopped – we think we found something, Hubby is processing (its how he shops, looks… and thinks….) So we will know more on Monday but I am excited to hopefully have that over with. 😀 This morning I am going to church and then packing for my week at Camp Benedict that starts tomorrow afternoon. I will talk more about that on Tuesday morning.
If you are a book reviewer, have there been any cool things that you have been asked to review other than books? Have there been any not so cool things you have been asked to review? (I remember once they asked me to talk about Ug Boots…. I told them they had no connection to books or to my life whatsoever… I couldn’t do it.) 😛
Yesterday I spent my whole day volunteering for our Friends Of The Library Book Sale. I was really excited to do it having for years been a part of the other side of it… waiting outside for the doors to open, rushing in and working my way through all the people to find just the right books for 50 cents a piece, supporting my local library and supporting my reading habit. 😀
I eagerly started my shift at 8 am, my job at that time was to go through all the books on the tables, add books from the boxes underneath the tables if there was room, and make sure there are no trip hazards. When the doors opened at 9:00 am and the people started coming in I was surprised to see it was a slow trickle. My morning started out by offering to take people’s books from them to the front and bag them if they had a huge handful and filling in book gaps to keep all the books standing upright and pretty. As it became late morning the traffic at the sale became more steady and I found myself having a lot of fun looking for books for people, or subjects, and answering bookish questions. Here are some of the things that I was asked:
Do you have any books on WWII? (we did)
Where are your books on the Renaissance era? (nowhere that I knew of)
Do you have Jodi Picoult? (we did)
Do you have Stephen King’s The Dome? (we did not)
Where do all the books come from? (people donate them to friends of the library for the sale)
Do you have to read the Sue Grafton Books in order? IE. A Is For Alibi, B is For Burglar, C Is For Corpse… (I had never read Grafton but was familiar with the series and told the lady that I did not believe you would have to read them in order as Sue Grafton was now on “W” and I think that would deter new readers if they thought they had to start at “A” and work their way to “W”. However, I told the woman I would “phone a friend” (I don’t think she got my humor) and ask the ladies at the check out table. They informed me that while the series has to do with the same Private Investigator Kinsey Milhone, you did not have to read the books in order.
There were a few other fun tidbits of information I picked up by walking the books of the sale for 11 hours…
Author who had the most books there: Danielle Steele (there were boxes and boxes of paperbacks and hardcovers)
The book we had the most copies of for sale: Dan Brown’s The Davinchi Code in hard cover. There were 10 of them. I strategically placed them throughout the books hoping to entice someone, I think when I left last night they were still all there.
Author asked for the most? Stephen King
There were 12,000+ books at this sale.
For Alyce’s Saturday Snapshot this week, if you seen my post yesterday morning, I did purchase books at the sale on Thursday:
and yes, you guessed right, there was no way I worked a book sale for 11 hours and walked out with nothing… here are my finds from Friday:
The Ella Minnow Pea book was a book mentioned to me by my roommate from BEA this year, Gail from Ticket To Anywhere. I was fascinated about the book and THRILLED when I found not one, but two copies of it at the sale – both pictured above. I plan to use this book in a way during my beloved Banned Book Week that will take place September 30 – Oct 6.
When my shift was over at the book sale I was sad to go, I really had a lot of fun talking books with people, answering questions and just being in an environment surrounded by books and bookish people. 😀
Be sure to stop by At Home With Books and see other participants in the Saturday Snapshot meme.
Have a super day, my hubby and I are looking for a vehicle today, hoping we can do this quickly and painlessly…. and then my Saturday is open and I am glad. I am a little tired out today and could use a day with a little book time. 😀
Good morning everyone! Happy Friday! Yesterday I mentioned I was on my way to the library sale in the wee hours of the morning because I just think it is fun to get their early and start the line… well guess what? At 6:30 am (sale opens at 9 am), I was not first. Nope. 😛 Epic fail on my part, I stopped for coffee on my way in and a lady beat me by 5 minutes…. LOL
It was still a great time… I love that the regulars know me by name and I enjoy talking books with the people who are around me. Our sale is 50 cents a book – paperback or hardcover, 50 cents for a movie or audio book (my heart…. be still!) and they have a few newer titles they ask a little more for – between 1 and 3 dollars.
So…. I left with this:
I spent $23.00’s. I am thrilled with my haul!
I meant to put up a review yesterday afternoon of our Bookies review (and food!) to go with the book The Crying Tree but time once again got away from me. Instead, I spent my time setting up a Meal Train for a friend of ours who has been going through some tough health issues. If you have not checked out this site, please do so. I just learned about it myself and Meal train is super cool and easy to set up meals deliveries for a new parents, someone going through an illness, new home, or death in the family. AND – it is free. 😀
Today I work at the Library Sale – all day. They were short on help this year so I had told them they could have me all day. I start at 8. I may be there until 8 pm tonight. That’s ok… I am kind of excited (in a dorkish bookish way) to help people with their books. 😀 Laptop is going with me in the event there is an afternoon lull and I can sit and write up the review. I hope this weekend to actually get around to seeing some blogs… I miss checking out what everyone has going on… life has just been…. FULL.
Good morning all! Just a brief check in… it is 6:30 am here in Central Minnesota and I am on my way to the Fall Library sale. Pics and books will be posted tomorrow morning. I am SO EXCITED!!!!!!
If you are my Facebook Friend (Sheila DeChantal) pics will be up yet this morning.
Good morning! Its Wednesday! Wednesday means many things to me… it is the middle of the work week for one… it is also the day before our fall book sale. Yes, you got that, there is another Brainerd book sale and I will be there bright and early hours before it opens doing what I do… socializing with fellow bookish people about books…. BLISS!
As a Friend Of The Library, they asked me this year to help work the sale, which I will do on Friday, however explained to them I could not work the day before because for set up because I am loving the waiting in line too much. 😛
Last night was the Bookies meeting at my house and our 11 year Anniversary. We started in August of 2001. I am still shocked. I never knew I would be still reviewing and chatting books with this AWESOME group, but I am…. and I love it. Our book was The Crying Tree by Naseem Rahka, a book I finished on Monday evening and it left my mouth hanging open in parts that made me love the book even more. Because? It shocked me. It surprised the heck out of me and some in my book club seen it coming, but others like me… did not.
Our discussion was wonderful. We had twenty questions… I had to narrow them down because we talked each question out 5 to 10 minutes. It was a wonderful and deep discussion about family dynamics, kids in the 80’s compared to kids today, forgiveness, or more accurately – the willingness – or even the ability to forgive.
Any hoo…. I will put that review up tomorrow (Thursday). Later I am hoping to put up the review of Saving Sammy, Curing The Boy Who Caught OCD. It really was a fascinating true story that I can not wait to share with you.
Ok… off to work so they do not hang me by my toes….. “Sheila, why are you late today?” Well….
I was blogging again.: 😉
Have a super day everyone!!!! Have you read anything lately that made your mouth drop open? I want to know about these books!
Good Morning! Anyone else starting to feel the signs of fall outside? Our mornings here in central Minnesota have certainly been cooler. Current temp in 50 degrees. On one hand, I am not ready… I have been loving summer big time and out and enjoying as much as I can of it. On the other hand… I do miss books and reading.
Finally this past weekend I was able to pick up a book and finish it. Then last night, I finished The Crying Tree by Naseem Rahka and wow oh wow oh wow oh wow. Our book club review tonight should be something awesome… and I still dont know what I am cooking for it…. 😯
This coming Thursday is out fall Library sale and I am so excited about that, but was hoping my shelves would be up in the book room so I would have an idea of what I would like to add… just found out yesterday it may not be until next week that they get on to the shelves, possible the week after. BUMMER.
SO how about you, does your reading change with the seasons? What is your big reading season?
Good morning! I am currently in Wisconsin getting ready for the Muckruckus which we will do at 11:30 this morning. Funny enough, where we went to eat last night had a poster on the wall advertising a book sale in Hammond Wisconsin so……. we are going to stop by there before we go to the Muckruckus…. yup, that is how we roll. 😀
Ok… the above paragraph is no longer true. I STARTED to write this post YESTERDAY morning in Wisconsin and it was taking SO long to upload pictures I could walk away from my computer, have some coffee and come back and still wait. 😯 With two other girls waiting for me so we could get moving… I had to give up… however, since I did have something I wanted to say for Alyce’s Saturday Snapshots, I still am posting…. as well as ending with a little Sunday Salon.
For this mornings Saturday Snapshot, hosted by Alyce from AT Home With Books, I wanted to post some pics from last weekends (August 4 and 5) Camp Benedict Bike ride…. I biked 104 miles day one (My first 100 (Century) in a day)… and I biked 75 the next day. It was wonderful weather and wonderful people to hang out with!
The Riders!Left: Sheila, Me, Belinda
LUNCH TIME – day one!After day one… riding 104 miles (the most miles I have EVER rode in one day)… we thought this would be a funny picture 😉The shirt I wore day two….At the end of day two, Me, Connie, Belinda, and Sheila
Two gorgeous riding days, 173 miles combined…. I wish this ride was more than once a year! LOVE this ride. LOVE the people who ride it.
Ok, now for the Sunday Salon… Yesterday, as I mentioned above, I was in Wisconsin for the Mudruckus (which,I am pretty sore from but that is a different story….) We drove there on Friday and went out to dinner Friday evening. AT the restaurant we ate at they advertised a book sale in Hammond Wisconsin on Saturday… about 24 miles away from where we were staying… AND in the opposite direction from where we needed to go.
Did I mention the two girls I was with are both from my book club?
SO yup, we traveled the 24 miles in the wrong direction for our event early Saturday morning so we could check out there book sale. While not an overly impressive one (mainly older titles), they were still 50 cents a book and I walked out with these treasures:
Turns out they were 12 for $3.00 (top two are movies, and the right side one is audio. ) I paid $4.00 for the stack.
Later this week, I am getting new books shelves in the book room. It will be a huge project to empty that room out, but I think the ending results will be wonderful and give me a home for all my books as well as help me get organized. When all is said and done I am pretty sure I will have a nice pile to donate to the library. I will be documenting the “before, during, and after as well.
Today, I will be laying low. After a slide into mud yesterday during the Mudruckus I landed so hard on a rock it took my breath away and I am still hurting. I think I am just bruised with a capital “B”. At least I am able to sit a little more comfortably today. 😛
Book Journey 