Day 27: Take a leisurely walk...

I had planned to take my walk @ St. Edward's park and explore some trails I've not yet been on. Yes, even after living near that park for nine years, there are still some trails I've yet to try. That is awesome and a testament to what a fabulous park it is! Love it. I like to refer to it as the Eastside's version of Discovery Park.

However, we were in for Snow Day/No school day #2 and the girls were my sidekicks for the day. So, I opted for a less intensive walk and one we could all enjoy.

As much as I love St Ed's, the trails behind Finn Hill Jr. High (that sync up with Big Finn Hill Park) are high up on my list. We can be on them in 5 minutes. After about just 2 minutes on the trails, you are in the woods. It's peaceful. It's quiet. It smells heavenly. Love. Love. Love. It's truly one of the reasons we will never leave the Hill or 98034 (unless Jeff's job takes us to the East coast, but that's another story, for another day).

In fact, it was a trail run on these very trails where I came up with the idea for this -40- in -40- challenge. For me, nothing beats a good trail run (sans music) for some good head clearing and brainstorming. It's definitely the time when I have the most creative juices flowing. Perhaps it's the outdoors, the quiet, the feeling of being "away from it all" even if you are in the middle of the suburbs, or maybe a combination of all those things that makes this time so productive.  Whatever it is, I am thankful for the clarity.

The girls and I thoroughly enjoyed our Snow Day Walk. We watched some sledders, the girls made snow angels, Blue got to do lots of sniffing and peeing, and the light (very light) snowfall on the trees and the trails was breathtaking.  See for yourself:

My take away from this task was simple:" Why don't I take a walk for fun more often?" I know the answer to that. It's because I don't think I have the time. Which is ridiculous. I can make the time, I just haven't chosen to do so.

Sheesh! Me thinks I need to do better about that. And I will.
 :)

Day 26: Flower giveaway!

Fun!

I love surprising people!

And it's so fun to take what could be just a "ho hum" ordinary day for somebody and make it one they will remember.  That is the absolute coolest.

It was hard to choose who the recipient was going to be. I bought the flowers in the morning during my Costco run but waited until the afternoon to pull the trigger.

I chose my daughter's Daisy Scout Troop Cookie Mom, Cynthia, because she swooped in and took over the volunteer task from someone else and has done an incredible job. This was our troop's first year of cookie sales so the learning curve was huge. And Cynthia has -3- kids (7, 5 and 2) and works part time as a pharmacist. Yeah, she's got a lot on her plate...


Cynthia has been completely organized, optimistic, and inspiring to the rest of us. She gives "shout outs" to the girls and the parents for their efforts and keeps us informed of how things are going. And she sends really witty emails, to boot. Cracks me up. Thank you, Cynthia, for the giggles!

I feel so fortunate to have her as a friend and as our "Cookie Mom".  It was a total pleasure to drop off some spring blooms to her.  Especially on a day when school was cancelled due to "snow" and there was no snow... :)

How about you? Who are you thankful and grateful to? When was the last time you surprised someone with an unsolicited token of appreciation?

"Do good, feel good". It's really a "win win".....

Day 25: Add another session of yoga into my workout regime.

Words cannot describe how I feel about yoga. To put it mildly, I 'effin LOVE it.

I've been practicing it once a week for the past 2 years. In the past 6 months I've added a second day to the weekly routine of cardio/weights, etc.  My task today was to throw one more in the mix, to up the ante to -3- times. I had every intention of visiting my yoga guru, Heather, at the other gym she teaches at. Sadly, it just was too arduous to fit it in, with the busy week I had planned. So, I re-calibrated and decided to hit a noon power yoga session at my own gym. And I love this instructor, too. She's from Ireland, so she has an irresistible accent. She's also very sweet and very knowledgeable. She recently taught a Detox Yoga workshop that I attended and it was fab, fab, fab!

(Another unexpected benefit of this -40- in -40- challenge is that I am feeling more and more okay with "being flexible" and not being thwarted if a plan doesn't go the way I wanted it to. Those that know me well, know I am a complete planner and thrive on being organized and having a schedule. This new "go with the flow"philosophy is not one that comes naturally for me, but I've come to see how it can bring about more happiness and less disappointment. Nice!)

So, as much as I wanted to hit another "Heather" class,  I went with "Plan B yoga" and it was great. And I felt wonderful the remainder of the day.

I dabbled in yoga years prior to having kids but I was, honestly,  more in it for the "work out" than the mind/body connection. I just wanted "yoga arms"... HA!

But, in the past -2- years it's been a life changer for me. Don't get me the wrong, I still adore the endorphin high of it (my Sunday vinyasa/ashtanga class is a total sweat inducer and every muscle gets worked. And I think I do have pretty nice "yoga arms"...Hee Hee!) but I've finally transcended into the mind/body connection. Which, really, is the whole point of it, yes? 

I've lost most of the self judgement and sense of competitiveness in my practice. Which is pretty huge for me. I'm very competitive. Years of playing soccer, having older brothers, being the youngest of 5 kids, having a husband that is awesome at every type of physical activity (well, except yoga! LOL!) has made me into a pretty dang competitive spirit. I do my very best to let that go in yoga. And it has made all the difference.

At some point at my Sunday morning yoga class, I started placing my mat in the back of the class/studio, away from the mirrors. Unusual for me, because in a "class" environment I usually like to be upfront and be motivated by those around me. That was my first step, if you will, into letting go of any narcissistic competitiveness. I have to trust that my body and my mind are working together so that I have the right form. And I have to trust that my instructors will guide me when I need it. And I have to let go of looking at myself and critiquing how I look or how "good" I am doing. I totally lose myself in the rhythm of the poses. It's like nothing else I've ever done. And, as I said before so crassly: "I effin' love it!".

In giving up the "expectation" of the practice, I've simultaneously lost the fear of failure. I am open to trying more and failing more.

Oddly, I've actually been able to do more things than in the past. I easily pop up into Crow and have just nailed Side Crow and am working on Clown into Headstand. My Warrior 3's are awesome. Standing Splits (hello, tight hamstrings!) are ridiculous but I am working at it and "leaning into the discomfort". It's amazing what your body can do if your mind is on board. And I FEEL the difference, emotionally and physically. It's like the struggle of it is gone. Left in it's place is peace and joy and gratitude for what my body can do. And not every session is the same. Some days, my balance is off or my arms just feel too tired to do one more chaturanga push up. But, that's okay.  It's all about honoring where you are at, at any given moment.

At my extra session this week, Deirdre reminded us that the literal meaning of the Sanskrit word yoga is "union".  It's the combination of the physical and the emotional. It's letting go and taking in. It's leaning into the discomfort, but also listening to your limitations, and respecting the here and now.

 Namaste....

Day 24: Launch "The Happiness Project"....virtual book club.

I got the book "The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun"  from the library about a year ago. I just wasn't in the mood to read it at the time. Then about 3 months ago, I stumbled upon the author's blog and signed up for her daily quotes. Then I requested the book from the library again.

This time around, I am in the mood for it. And it has been a nice accoutrement to my little challenge. It's thought provoking, yet not overly so. It's motivational, but doesn't seem overwhelming. It's a fun read, but not one that I love so much, that I needed to read it in one sitting. Which makes this book more poignant to me, because I read a little and ponder it. And take a break, and then read some more. It's totally working for me.

That said, I don't love every bit of it. But that's the beauty of an inspirational/motivational/self improvement book. You take the pieces that speak to you and you incorporate those ideas into your own life. Hopefully, it helps you become better, happier, kinder, more patient, etc.

So, I decided to spread the word on this book and invite a gaggle of friends to read it. I will buy them each a copy of the paperback edition (it's on pre-order now @ Amazon!) and we will have a virtual book club.

All I ask of my participants is that they do -3- things:

• Read the book by the end of May.
• Let me know what they think about the material, via email, phone, or getting together for coffee or lunch. Potentially, we could meet as a group if everyone wants to. I also plan to create a Facebook page where they can comment as they are reading it. 
• Pay it forward. Once they are done, I ask they pass on the book to someone they know who will enjoy it. And then, that person would be asked to pass it on, as well.

I've got about -9- GF's signed up for the virtual book club and I plan to talk my -2- sisters into it. Plus, I'm perfecting my sales pitch for a few friends who are "on the fence", so to speak. :) If any of my readers want to participate, too, let me know. I can't buy books for everyone, but I'd love to know if you are reading it.

I don't want to give too much away...but one of the parts of the book I LOVED was a discussion on the "arrival fallacy". This is the belief that when you arrive at a certain destination, you'll be happy. Examples are :buying a house, having a baby, landing the job, getting married, etc. The truth of the matter is that arriving at the end goal really just brings about new challenges and new goals. Because "Now that I have the job, I have to do well at the job. Now that I have the house, I need to buy things for it. Now that I'm married, I have to figure out how to be a good spouse". Etc. Etc. Etc. Hence, the arrival doesn't usually make you feel as happy as you thought it would. The goal, then, is to enjoy the process of happiness. How does one do this? According to the author, it's simple: "Enjoy Now".

I like to think of it as the stages of happiness. If grief gets stages (and there are 7 of those!), why can't happiness have more than one phase? Hmmph! So, the Happy Phases, as I see them, are:

• Process of the goal. This is the "Enjoy Now" part. Working towards something, using your skills and engaging in life can definitely make me feel happy.
• Anticipation of reaching the goal. This is the imagination part - where you visualize it and feel excited.
• Fulfillment of actually attaining the goal. Because there is some happiness there, for sure.
• Reflecting back on the process and re-visiting the moment of attainment. Memories are a form of happiness, right? An example: when throwing a party, do you feel happy? Or are you too focused on making sure everyone else is having a good time to actually enjoy yourself? This is another example of how happiness can be delayed. The actual moment of participation can be stressful or chaotic, but remembering the party or looking at photos of the same party can make you feel happy, after the fact. The author refers to this as "fog happiness". Meaning, it's always around you, but if you try to examine it, it's elusive.         .

It's not rocket science or even deep psychology, my friends, but it's a framework to help identify and acknowledge the art of happiness in a way that is tangible, hopeful, and all encompassing. It's not an end goal, it's a process.

Happiness is not all or nothing, black or white. Rather, it's all beautiful shades of gray and it's up to each of us to find it in our daily lives. Yes, your daily life should bring you some measure of  happiness. And as the author outlines in her "Secrets of Adulthood" principles  " Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy". Paradoxical, but I get it. I really do.

And I like it.

Day 23: Gratitude Letter. Thank someone I've never properly thanked.

It was hard for me to choose the person to write to. I had three individuals in mind. Yet I decided to go with someone I have verbally thanked countless times in the years I've known him. But I don't know that I've ever properly thanked him. And by properly, I mean in writing. Which is odd, because I am a huge believer in written thank yous. I think it's somewhat of a lost art that is in dire need of a comeback. Especially with the younger generation. Oh wait a sec! This is not a rant on etiquette. My Bad! :) Back to being grateful...

I chose my husband of 10+ years as my gratitude recipient. There are so many reasons why I am thankful to him, but often these reasons are not spoken of enough. I get busy with the daily grind and can easily lose sight of the Big Picture. And the Big Picture for me is that Jeff works really hard for our family. He has a "big" job. And is responsible for a lot of things. Many of which, I don't really understand. A whole bunch of IT acronyms and buzz words, of which I am not privy. I should listen more and ask more questions. He also travels a lot which is physically hard for him. And I tend to think of it as only being hard on me and the girls. Not true.

When we made the decision for me to stay at home full time, there was not even a hesitation on his part. We were in sync in believing this was a fundamental gift to give our children. We both had stay at home moms growing up and wanted to pay that forward. It's been the absolute right decision for our family. And I am so thankful that Jeff is willing to do what he does, without complaint.

Of course, that is just one of the reasons I am thankful to the man I married.

Without further ado, here is my letter to him:

Dear Jeff,

It’s time to write my “gratitude” letter for the -40- in -40- challenge! And you are the recipient!

I had -3- people in mind for this. Ultimately, I decided you are the one I am most grateful to.

You are such a wonderful Dad to the girls.

You are a great husband and friend to me.

You work hard and don’t fuss about it, allowing me to be home with the girls full time. That is such a blessing. I know it’s got to be stressful to be the sole breadwinner for the family. I know I take it for granted sometimes. I shouldn’t but I do. I get caught up in all that I do and lose sight of the fact that you work really hard for us. I am so grateful.

Our lives would be much more stressful if I was also working. Can you imagine? Yikes! I know our daughters are the confident, happy, secure people they are because of the choices and the sacrifices we’ve made for them. And, you have never wavered in the decision for me to stay at home. Thank you.

You are a great friend. Not just to me, but also to all the “fellas” and your co-workers and people you come into contact with. That’s another gift you are giving to Holly and Sydney- showing them the importance of friendship.

You are kind and considerate and uncomplicated. I know you have the best of intentions to those you love. You don’t over think things, which is good, because God knows I do!

You have a wonderful sense of fun and playfulness. I love this about you. It can drive me a little crazy sometimes, but it’s such a great quality in a person, especially in a parent. I wish I were more inclined to be that way. I also see this trait in the girls and that makes me happy. J

You are goal oriented and have a good eye on the future. I know you are always trying to make the best decisions for our family’s security and well-being. Thank you.

You have worked really hard to focus on your health. I am so grateful for that. We want you around for a long, long time! In doing so, you are also helping to establish this principle in Holly and Sydney. It’s such an important lesson and one that we both should embody, in order to be good role models. I’m so proud of how far you’ve come in the last year. Awesome job, sweetie!

I hope you know how much I respect you and love you and like you. J

And I am grateful beyond measure.  Truly, I am.

xoxo , Amy

That's it. That's my letter. Short and sweet and to the point. But it comes from the heart and from a place of absolute love and appreciation.


Here's my challenge to anyone reading this blog entry: "Who are you most grateful to? And have you taken the time to properly thank him/her?" 


Carpe Diem, people. Make the time. You won't regret it.


P.S.  In case anyone is wondering who the other -2- candidates were for this letter: 1) Fr. William Ryan, S.J - my advisor at Gonzaga and one of the finest men I've ever met and 2) Jo Kadleuk who was a coach at a soccer camp I went to in high school. She was one of the first people (outside of family, of course) who believed that I was something special and she helped me to believe it, too.


 I just may need to make the time to write -2- more letters...

Day 22: See -2- Movies in One Day.

How fun is this task? Soooooooo fun.

I've never seen two movies in one day at the theater. So decadent for a Mom who usually watches a kid movie when going to a theater (BTW, Gnomeo and Juliet is actually pretty cute). Obviously, Jeff and I don't get out much! We do have a Date Night on deck, as part of the -40- in -40- challenge. Thank God!

I also got to share this double feature extravaganza with my friend Angie, whom I adore. Smart as a whip, pretty as a picture, and a very good conversationalist (No, Ang, you don't talk too much, I swear!) She's also one of those friends that really listens and asks questions. We met through a mutual friend and just get along famously. A serendipitous friendship, that's what it is. Lucky me!

On to the films: We had decided a few weeks ago to try for "The Fighter" and "The King's Speech". As luck would have it, both movies were playing at the same theater and the times actually worked out.

Amy's movie review:

The Fighter: *****  5 stars, which is my highest rating. Excellent performances by Marky Mark (Sorry, that's just how I think of him! Who can forget those Calvin Klein undies ads? But, boy, has he come a long way!) and Christian Bale. And Amy Adams, too. Anyone who has dealt with addiction with someone they love will appreciate this story. And it's a true story, based on the real lives of boxers/half brothers Micky Ward and Dick Ecklund.

Mark Wahlberg does all the boxing himself (no stunt double) and he is not too bad to look at, I must say. I remember seeing him on 60 minutes earlier this year and he had an actual boxing gym built at his house and trained for like four years for this film. Four years! That's passion.

Of course, I covered my eyes during most of the actual fight scenes but luckily there weren't that many and they weren't overly brutish. And the film ends well. When addiction is part of a story line, the outlook tends to be on the grim side. I could almost feel all the moviegoers around us rooting for the troubled brother (Christian Bale) to straighten himself out. I won't say how it ends up for him, b/c I really think this is a movie not to miss.  Bale's performance is as good as it gets. He already won Best Supporting Actor at the Globes and is nominated in the same category for the Academy Awards.

The Fighter has 7 nominations for the Oscar's and my bet is that one of the supporting roles will take home a statuette this Sunday. My money is on Melissa Leo...

The King's Speech: ***** 5 stars!

Colin Firth. Geoffrey Rush. Guy Pearce. Helena Bonham Carter. Perfection in casting. I mean, really, that's worth 5 stars right there! This movie is fantastic and I will be all kinds of shocked if it does not take Best Picture and Best Actor at the Academy Awards, and possibly Best Original Screenplay. The writer, David Seidler, also suffered from stammering in his youth - and I think his personal history really helped bring the agony of stammering/stuttering to life on the big screen.

Colin Firth already won Best Actor at the Globes and the SAG's so it would be surprising if he gets passed over this Sunday. It's the performance of a lifetime for him. He nails the stammer and the complexity of the character flawlessly. His chemistry with both Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter is believable and delightful.

Personally, I felt Geoffrey Rush's performance stole the show. He was witty as hell (another victory for the writers) but Rush's delivery sold it.

Bottom line, I will see this movie again. And I will probably like it even more the second time. I think I missed a few jokes (those accents can be tricky to follow) and I would love to see it with Jeff. I know he would enjoy the heck out of it. The cussing scene is da bomb. Seeing a king (well, an actor playing a king) mutter "shit" and "bugger" and "tits" is priceless.

And I bet it's going to the big winner this Sunday: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and possibly Best Original Screenplay. That would make me smile.

Now, if I can just see Black Swan and Winter's Bone before Sunday...wish me luck! :)

Day 21: Visiting Mom @ the cemetery.

'Twas Winter Break on Thurs/Friday so the girls and I scooted over to Yakima for the day to visit with Mom/Grandma Angel...

What a beautiful day for a drive - roads were bare and dry and the sun was shining! The girls were awesome in the car, too. 

We hit Yak by about noon and went to my girlfriend's to see her new townhouse. YAY Diana! So proud of you on buying your first home. Not an easy venture as a single Mom....way to go! Another girlfriend, Michelle, was there with her new baby, Tanner. Cute, cute, cute little boy. It's so fun to spend time with friends who have known me since junior high. We may not see each other often, but it seems like we pick up right where we left off.

It's also fun to see each other in the Mom role. Who would have thought we'd all turn out to be excellent Mommies? From soccer practice, to Homecoming dances, to keggers in the middle of the boonies, to first loves and first heartbreaks, to college and then marriage and/or kids. It's been a journey for all of us and I have to say to these special friends: I love you and I thank you! :)

After lunch with all the girls (and Baby Tanner) at Red Robin, it was time to hit the cemetery. The girls were actually excited to do this. I talk about my mom a lot and I think in many ways, they feel they know her. It's very sweet. Once we got to the right area of the cemetery and parked the car, I started unloading (flowers and supplies to clean off the headstone). Meanwhile, Holly and Sydney opted to run around with their RR balloons. It was quite an emotional sight. Pics below, so see for yourself. 

My mom took care and time to choose the exact location she picked at the cemetery. There is a gorgeous tree (well, not so much in the winter!) and the view from her "spot" is really wonderful. I know she wanted a place that her kids and grandchildren could come to and find peace. And we do. What a gift that was to us. 

The epitaph, under her name, is "Remember Me, Loving You".  Perfection.

Of course, I had my "ugly cry" as I always do when I am there and have a little chat with my Tiny Mom.   

Which leads to Holly crying and hugging me. And then Syd joins in too. But I wouldn't want it any other way. Life is a crazy beautiful thing. That is what I know for sure.

 It's hard to explain but losing a parent is such a humbling, gut wrenching experience. Especially so, I think, if that parent has been ill for awhile.  Seeing the fragility of our parents is both troubling and sad. And it's a right of passage that probably always comes before we are prepared for it.  I had years to get ready for my mom's death (and there were several close calls during her 12 year battle with leukemia), but when the moment came I was incredulous that she was really, really gone.  I was left standing there thinking "how did this happen" and "I am not ready". But, I also felt incredibly thankful that someone I loved with my whole heart was no longer in pain or suffering. There's such relief in that.

About a week before my mom died (she was on Hospice care), I was helping her to the bathroom. She was on so many meds that she was very weak and her mind would check in and check out. But as we made our way to the bathroom she said to me, clear as a bell  "Amy, I see it. And it's wonderful. I am free. I am running. No Groshong. (This is a long term intravenous catheter in your chest for drugs once your veins are shot to shit from so many medications). "I am running and I am free". Her blue eyes were shining and she stood up straighter than I'd seen in a long, long time. And then, she checked out again. She slumped down and I basically had to carry her back to bed.  I will never, ever forget that moment. I know what she saw was real. It was her Heaven and she was ready. 

And it's that memory that I go to whenever I am pissed off or feeling sorry myself that she isn't here anymore. I think of Tiny Mom, free and at peace. And I am comforted. Some days more so than others, but that's something. Isn't it?

Day 20: Wear something from my closet I've never worn.

I am a bit behind on the blogging!

I wore something unworn from my closet: a BCBG dress I bought on Ideeli for about $50. Unfortunately, it's a bit too big (Holly said it looks like a nightgown!) but I missed the window of opportunity to exchange it. So I opted for the "Belt it, cinch it" approach. Who remembers that "Gap Girl" skit from SNL? Hilarious.

So, I wore the dress with leggings, tall boots and cinched up! It was pretty cute...not my best outfit ever, but ya know, OK for a Thursday, running errands with the kiddos...

Day 19: Spend no $$$ in a 24 hour period.

Naturally, the day I had slated for this task was a day I totally felt like spending some money. But  I stuck to the plan. Basically, I avoided any commercial opportunities by staying home with Sydney and cleaning the house. Not my usual "pick up the clutter and the kids crap" (I mean toys) - it was a mop the floors and scrub, scrub, scrub clean. Long overdue.

And the mop broke. And did I race out to Tar-jay to buy another one? Nope. I just used a sponge for the hardwoods. Not the most fun I've ever had, but it was satisfying to get 'er done.

I totally spend too much money. Let me re-phrase that, Jeff and I spend way too much money. On silly stuff that is unnecessary to our happiness, really. The reality of the upcoming tax season and the fact that we have to pay this year is just rather sucky. But I get it. And I feel lucky that we are where we are financially. But, it does make me mindful of "where does all that money go"...

So, I'm going to keep a better fiscal eye on things around here. The night before this challenge I happened upon the section of the book in "The Happiness Project" where Gretchen Rubin tackles the myth of money. She concludes it can "contribute" to happiness if you are mindful about how you spend it. (Nothing earth shattering, I know, but in the context of the other parts of her book, it's great!) I absolutely agree with her. There's nothing wrong with money, it's the execution of how that money is used. What's the end purpose? Is it a temporary fix for some other issue, to make you feel better? Are you using it better yourself or help someone out? Are you using it to create memories? My goal is to be more mindful (and honest) about answering those kind of questions.

 I'm finding it more and more peculiar how much this book correlates with my 40 day challenge. So many of the themes I am reading about are ones I wanted to delve into. And I really did not know much about that book before deciding to read it. I love it when life/fate/God reveals just what you need at the time you need it.

Amazing stuff, really.

Day 18: Random Act of Kindness.

I had nothing planned for this. I just went about my day and hoped a situation would present itself.  Otherwise, I couldn't call this "random", now could I?

My morning routine yielded nothing. No damsels in distress. No homeless persons to help out. Nada. So, I picked up Syd from preschool and we headed home for her to re-charge her batteries after her class Valentine's party. Once she'd showed me all her Valentine's (several times) we decided to head to Starbucks for a pick me up (me) and a cocoa (like she needed another treat, but oh well!) for Syd.

Sydney insisted on going inside, rather than drive thru, as she's developed a fondness for her name being called out by the Baristas. I think it makes her feel like a "big". And then it hit me, why not pay for the drinks for the people in the drive thru line? So I did. And it was fun. It got all the baristas chattering and talking about fun it is to surprise people like that. I hope I made someone's day a little cheerier. And maybe they'll pay it forward someday. That would be cool.

I happened to text Jeff and see how his day was going... and he mentioned he had not yet eaten lunch b/c work was so busy. HMMMMMMMM. Finally, an opportunity had presented iself! So, Sydney and I grabbed him some lunch and boogied over to Redmond to drop it off. He was surprised and touched. And hungry.

I have to say, I was in a rather pissy mood on Day 18 (PMS is a b-yatch!) and doing these -2- little things certainly lifted my spirits.

A total "win-win" of a task.

Next up: Spend no $$$ in a 24 hour period.  

Day 17: Back rubs for the family.

A perfect task for Valentine's Day, right? I thought so.

Especially when the power went out about 6:30 from the crazy windstorm. Fortunately, we'd already eaten dinner (another plus of being early eaters!) We had just settled in to watch the Charlie Brown Valentine special when the lights went out.

Because I live on Finn Hill and this seems to happen a lot - we've got a surplus of candles. Holly and I busied ourselves lighting votives and hurricanes and smell good candles all over the place. Meanwhile, Jeff consoled Sydney who was balling b/c we weren't able to watch Snoopy and Woodstock.

Once the kids were calmed down and we came to find out that 2,946 other homes had also lost power  (tree fell on a power line), we knew we were in for a good chunk of time in the dark.

So, I got busy with the massages. Sydney was first, then Holly. Both opted for shoulder rubs and then foot massages. They were in heaven. Then it was on to the Mac Daddy - all 6'5 of him. Yikes, that's a lot of area to rub! Jeff has what must be one of the longest torsos/backs on this earth. But he enjoyed it and the girls maybe helped a little. Well, they actually tickled him, but it was pretty dang cute.

Afterwards, the girls put on a talent show.

Happy Valentine's Day, indeed.

Day 16: Day of Sloth.

Well, I did it. I skipped my Sacred Yoga Sunday class, in lieu of it being "Sloth" day. I'm still a little shocked. I never miss.

So, the day got started off on a good, slothy note. But then I remembered I needed to make cupcakes for Holly's Valentine party @ school. And then I felt like making Soup Nazi Soup for dinner. And then I had to organize all the craft supplies for Holly's class party and put together the goodie bags. Then I had to clean up the kitchen from the aforementioned tasks. (Oh, and the day prior to Sloth Day, I had to clean like a banshee. Because if the house was messy, I just wouldn't be as apt to relax.) So it was closer to 11am before the true slothing began.

Some high points of the day:

• Staying in my PJ's until about 2:30.
• Watched "The Kids are All Right". Loved it.  
• Caught up on mags: O, BHG,  and the mother lode, Vanity Fair.
• Read some of "The Happiness Project" (prepping for future task). This is such a thought provoking book for me. And it really dovetails (LOVE that word) with this -40- day project. More on the book later.
• Enjoyed a quiet house. Jeff took the girls to Costco, then the park and then they went to Grandmas for dinner. Adore me some quiet time. There's something so 'effin fantastic about being alone in my own house. 

I am surprised to admit the best part of the day was that there was no set plan. The thought of an unplanned, "do anything" day was really uplifting and restorative.

By nature, I'm a planner and a do-er.  I like to know what's on deck and I really get a high from crossing stuff off my To Do list. I think I'm just happiest when I'm "doing". If I have unfinished tasks looming over me, I usually get anxious and crabby and become uber self critical.

I'm glad I can recognize this quality about myself now and embrace it. In the past, when people suggested I "slow down" or "just relax" or  asked "why do you do soooo much", it's made me doubt myself and think I have some type of issue or psychosis. (Yes, I can also be uber sensitive! After all, I am a Pisces!) But, it's time to just enjoy being me. Not what people want me to be. Another goal of the 40's: enhanced authenticity.

Anywho, I like that I go the extra mile on most things. I like that I try to think of "everything" when I'm packing for trips or having parties. I like that I can make things look like it wasn't a ton of work, even though it was. I like that I try to keep family traditions going, even though it can be a colossal pain in the butt sometimes.

I've grown to see that achieving happiness (for me) is really about recognizing the process of happiness, rather than just the end goal. The "before" the big thing actually happens, if you will. It's why I love packing. It's why I love being at the airport before the flight takes off and the vacation actually begins.  It's why I love Christmas Eve. It's the anticipation of being happy that makes me the most happy. And that process of being "busy" is a large part of what, ultimately, defines joy for me. That "busyness" keeps my eye on the prize. It keeps my mind engaged and my heart full.

But I'll give a "shout out" to Sloth Day, because it did allow me the time to ponder this and feel really good about the way I am living my life...

Score: Day of Sloth 100, Normal/Busy Amy, 10 billion.

Day 15: Cook something new.

I actually baked something I've never made before. I had planned on "cooking" but we were going to dinner at a friend's house...and she asked me to bring dessert. And she requested something chocolatey. Easy Peasy.

I opted for a chocolate pound cake with chocolate fudge icing. After using up almost all the butter in my entire house and after baking it in the bundt, the pound cake looked promising (see exhibit A). And it smelled heavenly. In fact, the hubs commented several times throughout the day how good the house smelled. And the fudge icing (more butter) was ooey and gooey and oh-so-chocolatey. Sampled that. Yum.

We had strawberries on hand, so I spruced it with those for more festive, Valentine flair. Yay! Off to the dinner...

Exhibit A (looks promising, right?)

My GF made an odd, but delish combo of a Italian soup/stew and a salad that just may be my new favorite thing ever. It's a Tom Douglas salad (Spinach, Pear and Frisee Salad with Bacon and Curried Cashews) served at his restaurant, Etta's. In fact, we loved it soooo much, I am making it for our Valentine's Dinner tomorrow. Let me just say that those Curried Cashews are like crack...And by crack, I mean - Spicy and Salty Little Pieces of Heaven that you just cannot stop throwing down.

Thus, the bar had been raised.

Sadly, the cake, after that taste medley of a dinner, was a total let down. The icing was delightful and the strawberries were fab! But the cake was just like something you would find served at Applebees. Yeah, Applebees. Major Boo!! How can a cake with -3- cubes of butter possibly be blah? I just don't get it....

C'est la vie! Good times with some old friends. Sometimes the company just surpasses the "num nums", anyway, yes?

Day 14: Join SAM!

I am now a member of SAM! The last time I was a member, I was in my 20's. So this is exciting to me!

Holly and I had a good time together when we went to the Picasso exhibit back in November. I can't wait to go back and just linger.  In fact, it was a Picasso quote I saw on the wall at the exhibit that planted the seed for this -40- in -40- project:
    It takes a long time to become young. 


I feel like the 30's were a time of growing "old-ish". Lots of big things happened to me. It was most definitely a "game changer" of a decade. Losing my mom to leukemia, having two kids, leaving a career, finding my own way as a mother and wife, etc. It was a lot to take in. It still is a lot to take in. And many of those days were just about surviving. But I'm finding myself happier and more confident at the tail end of the 30's...and better equipped to "not sweat the small stuff".  As I say "hello" to the 40's, it's all about "becoming young". 
Love that.

Day 13: Hike Tiger Mountain.

I wonder how many times in my lifetime, I have driven past Exit 20 on I90 East and wondered why in the heck are all those cars over there? Many, many times, I can assure you.

And now I get "why in the heck all those cars are over there". The Tiger Mountain summit is a great hike. Easy to get to, a great cardio workout and it's a well maintained trail, even in the winter. And there's enough people coming and going, that I didn't really feel unsettled about going by myself. Needless to say, I did check in with the hubs and a GF to let them know where I was headed and when I planned to be back.

A couple of "silly me" moments. Since, I've seen cars parked along the frontage road, I assumed you need to park there. So I walked about 1/2 from there to the actual start of the trail where there is a ginormous parking lot. No biggie, a good warm up. I also did not know there would be bathrooms, so once I started the trail, I went and relieved myself in the woods (morning coffee gets me every time). Naturally, I got back on the trail and there was the restroom. However, it was probably fortuitous that I did not hit the potty on the way up because there was this sign posed on the door...

Hmmmm, a little scary, eh? The posting was from April 2010, but still. Freaky!

The hike itself is a lot of uphill switchbacks with a little bit of leveling out in between. Round trip it took about 2.5 hours (including some chill time at the summit). Not too shabby for 30 degree weather and an almost 40 year old, right? I thought I was kinda tough, until my descent down when I passed a senior citizen RUNNING (and by running, I mean hauling ass!) up the trail in running shorts and no shirt! I am not kidding.  Must be one of those zany ultrarunners I read about it in "Born to Run"!!) Me not so tough! Humility restored.

I loved every minute of it and so glad I included this baby on my list. And let's talk about the sunshine! That much sun in February is such an unexpected gift for Seattle Folk. I think I even got a little sunburn on my cheeks. Yay, Vitamin D!

Since I was not in a rush to get home, I drove the 10 minutes to North Bend to grab a latte. Of course, a stop at the Gap Outlet, was necessary  - where I found a darling jean jacket for $1.97. My old one had an unfortunate incident in the dryer with a green crayon. So my GF and my sister got jackets, too. Three Gap jean jackets for less than $6.  Crazy Talk.

A hike and a frugalista bargain. Me likey.

Photos below document that I made it to the top! :)

Day 12: Read a book written by a political conservative.

Okay, okay, I have not yet READ the books. But I've picked it (I mean them) out. After much online researching and thinking about what I would likely start and actually finish, I selected TWO titles! Gooooo, liberal me!

The first pick is Mitt Romney's book. http://www.amazon.com/No-Apology-Believe-Mitt-Romney/dp/0312671733/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297388974&sr=1-1

And just for kicks, I'm also going to read Meghan McCain's book, too. http://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Sexy-Politics-Meghan-Mccain/dp/1401323774/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297388924&sr=8-1

I just know Mitt will be all over the place, sooner than I'd like to think. Eeeee Gads, I am not mentally ready for another "silly season". But, I might as well learn a little about him and tryyyyyyy to be open-minded.

And, the MM book will be interesting to read as I hear there is a fair amount of Palin-bashing (I'm horrible, aren't I?) and, I've seen enough interviews with her to think she is kind of intriguing.  Definitely not the typical GOP poster child....

Oh, and by the way, I am most certainly not purchasing these books. Requests for them have been made with good ol' KCLS.  I'd rather spend my Barnes & Noble gift card on David Sedaris' latest book, even if the reviews are terrible...http://www.amazon.com/Squirrel-Seeks-Chipmunk-Modest-Bestiary/dp/0316038393/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297389278&sr=1-1

Maybe HE should get into politics. Now, that would be something.

Speaking of reading and books, here's an update on my foray into E-book reading: Finished "Born to Run" and enjoyed this book immensely. Compelling, thought provoking and one heckuva narrative! Now, that my little scholars, is what a book should be! And reading it on the Kindle was actually kind of fun. I like the groovy screen saver illustrations. And it's a nice compact size. I can see myself reading books of the hub's that I like on it (and they would be free), but I can't see myself making a serious commitment to the Kindle. Honest to goodness Books (hardcover, paperback, dog-ear'd, coffee stained, etc.) still rule supreme in my little world, thank you very much!)

Day 11: Be an active listener.

In general, I think I'm a really good listener. To acquaintances, friends and to siblings and relatives.

But I'll admit I am not always the best listener to my own kids. Horrible! Shocking! Bad Mom!  At least I'm honest about my "areas that need work", right?

The first few years with young kids can be brutal. At first, you are soooooo excited when they start talking and then it's like "OMG, please stop talking". Who can relate? It's the sheer relentlessness of it.

Let's start with the fact that I am not a big talker. If I have something to say, that I feel is important or relevant, I'll pipe up. But, I don't feel the need to talk just to fill the silence. I adore silence. :)

Luckily, my first born, is like me. She can get riled up and be a chatterbox, but only in spurts. In general, she's a "watcher" and is thoughtful and tends more to the quiet side. The youngest, however, is anything but. From the moment her feet hit the floor in the morning, it's constant jibber jabber about everything under the sun. This is one of the reasons I have to get up earlier than she does. So, mercifully, the caffeine has time to kick in and I can deal. The gift of the "Neumann Gab"- that's what I call it. Jeff's mom and sister could win a championship chatter contest, whereas Jeff or myself would most certainly be disqualified (yep, the "gab gene" skipped over Jeff).

So, with constant chatter from Ms. Sydney for almost 3 straight years (yep, she was also an early talker!) - I'm a little deaf to it, to say the least. Which is not a good thing, because much of what she says is HILARIOUS. And she can be very wise. And what a vocabulary! For a not quite -4- year old she regularly uses words like "identical", "usually", "actually" and so on. I am not saying she's a genus, just very well versed in chit chat.

Anywho, I've decided it was time to pay more attention. Which led to "Unplugged Night" every Tuesday at Casa Neumann. And Jeff was just thrilled! HA!

Unplugged Night = no phones, no texting, no computers, no email, NO BLACKBERRY, no iPhone, no TV! And it begins when Holly gets home from school.

And it's really, really fun. Honest to God.

I planned the "active listener" task for a Tuesday b/c I knew it would be an ideal time to really focus on what the kids are saying to me, to one another, to the dog, etc. Jeff happens to be out of town this week  (which equates to increased level of difficulty because it was just me and the kids and no adult conversation in the mix!) so we did make an exception for one phone call with him. Other than that, it was homework, reading, playing, coloring, fighting, me breaking up fights, and a long bath followed by sprints up and down the hall (the kids, not me).  We laughed and hugged and giggled and talked. And I listened. And listened some more.

And was reminded how incredibly lucky I am....Not bad for Day 11 of my -40- in -40- day challenge. Not bad at all.

Day 10: Watch "The Big Chill"

I haven't seen this movie in years. I often think (after I've watched some horrible, modern-day romantic comedy) that I should re-visit this classic film. But I never do. Because usually I am watching Fantastic Mr. Fox or The Incredibles, or Kung Fun Panda. Yep. That's life with a almost 4 year old and an almost 7 year old.

But the kids were off to Grandma's for the afternoon so I was able to cross this one of my list. And it is still a fantastic movie. An observation on things you just don't see in the movies/TV anymore:

• forehead wrinkles
• records and record players
• characters smoking (except for Mad Men, of course)
• small-ish boobs on the leading characters (females, obviously)
• permed hair

Once you come to grips with the above peculiarities, it's really fun to watch. And if you haven't ever seen this movie, you should. The writing and the delivery of the lines is wonderful. And there are some top notch actors: Kevin Kline, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt - just to name a few. In a nutshell, it's the story of a group of college pals who meet up for a reunion of sorts about 15 years post graduation. Except the reunion is happening b/c one of their friends, Alex, has committed suicide. It's dramatic and funny and sad and hopeful and lovely. See for yourself, just a snippet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O19k-YtwXTg

Roger Ebert had this to say about the film, back in the day: "The Big Chill is a splendid technical exercise. It has all the right moves. It knows all the right words. Its characters have all the right clothes, expressions, fears, lusts and ambitions. But there's no payoff and it doesn't lead anywhere. I thought at first that was a weakness of the movie. There also is the possibility that it's the movie's message." Works for me.

The morning scene with the running shoes is my personal favorite. It personifies the characters perfectly.

The soundtrack is also fabulous. (Note to self: download this sucker in iTunes.) And the house where the movie is filmed is To Die For. A true Southern gem.

I leave you with this little dialogue between -2- of the characters who are talking about sex....

Sam Weber: Nothing's more important than sex!
Michael: Oh yeah, have you ever gone a week without a rationalization?
Michael: I don't know anyone who could get through the day without two or three juicy rationalizations. They're more important than sex.
Sam Weber: Ah, come on. Nothing's more important than sex.
Michael: Oh yeah? Ever gone a week without a rationalization?

Brilliant!

Day 9: Complete a DIY project.

I was not feeling especially crafty today. Not at all.

My house was dirty. My arms were sore from yoga and Side Crow and then regular Crow and then what seemed like 500 chaturanga push-ups. I just wanted to read (finish task #4 and put that Kindle to bed already!)

I  seriously considered changing today's task to something else. But I persevered. And I'm happy that I did.

I found this Silhouette project a looonnnnngggg time ago on a home decorating blog. I thought it was really cool and would be super cute in Holly and Sydney's rooms. I whipped out the camera, took some profile pics of them and printed them up. I carefully cut around their profiles and then used spray adhesive to glue it to some bright pink paper. Excuse me, I mean magenta paper, because Holly no longer likes pink...A trip to Michaels (wowzie, was that place a zoo today. Apparently all the Moms go there on Superbowl Sunday???) to purchase some frames and some jazzy card stock paper to mount the silhouettes onto and VOILA!


Note, it took me several cutting attempts to get the profiles looking like my girls, rather than some type of alien creature. And I ended up using the pony tail version profile, as making naturally curly hair look right is really, really difficult. Who knew?


But I do like the final product. So do Holls and Syd. They exclaimed "we look like Barbies!"


Not what I was going for, but I'll take it.

Photos and the link to the project below. Holly added hers to her art gallery wall (her framed art work) and Sydney wanted hers in between the -2- paintings my crafty friend Lynette did when Syd got her Big Girl room re-do last year...
http://www.prudentbaby.com/2009/10/diy-cameo-silhouettes-three-ways.html

Day 8: Church. Back on the wagon!

I attended the Saturday Vigil mass yesterday at Holy Family Parish. It's a little ironic that this church in Kirkland has the same name as the church I attended for 18+ years in my hometown. I'm certain there are thousands of Holy Family churches across the good ol' USA, but still, I find it a bit of a ko-ink-a-dink.

I've attended church very sporadically since graduating college. And I have not yet had my girls baptized in the Catholic church.  There's many reasons why I drifted away from the church: my husband is not Catholic (nor does he practice any faith), I don't agree with some of the church doctrines (heck, I was a Philosophy major, so I've become the ultimate cynic), and I also think religion (in general) usually bears some hypocrisy. And, as I've long argued with people, I think a person can be intensely spiritual without going to church every Sunday and being part of a faith based community. But, having said all that, I haven't felt right about not practicing anything formal.

I'm sure that has a lot to do with how I grew up: church every Sunday, CCD classes during the week in elementary, first communion, going to confession, fully participating in Lent and Advent activities, etc.

That was my "normal".

Some of the "hypocrisy" I find in the faith comes from my own family dynamics. My father was a devoted Roman Catholic, and expected the same from his children. We were to never be late to Mass and had to dress up in our church clothes (for kids that ran around in an apple orchard most of the time, this was quite a feat).  And God Forbid if we were not anything but angels during the service. I mean, honestly, this was high expectations: 3 girls and 2 boys in ages from 15 down to 5.  Looking back, I seriously don't know how we (the kids) did it. My dad also participated in Stephen Ministries and retreats and marriage encounters. Sounds like a great guy, right?  Not. In fact, he's one of the most selfish people I know. A perfect example of someone who twists and morphs a religion so that it works for themselves, regardless of their behavior. No altruistic intentions. And the coup de grace? He had his marriage to my mother annulled at that same church, so he would be free to marry someone else. I'm not sure how a 30 year marriage that resulted in 5 children can be annulled, but what the heck do I know?

So, you can see why I may have some issues with Catholicism.

Yet, as the years have passed, I've grown up enough to stop blaming the religion. That's just silly, right? And there are things about the faith that resonate with me. It's worth giving it another "go" and seeing where it takes me.

And there have been some "ah ha" moments along the way, that have steered me to where I am now, emotionally. A good friend of mine attends Holy Family and has been talking it up for several years. She's offered to go with me, invited me to a Mom's group, etc. For some reason, it didn't feel like the right time. And then, recently, a yoga buddy and I were talking before class...and I found out she goes there too. AND she's part of the team that arranges baptisms for older children. She even brought me a church bulletin, that she toted around in her purse for a week! I was sincerely touched and also felt like it was another door opening. It was up to me to walk on through....

And that's what I did.

Day 7: Surprise a friend!

Well, "technically" I did chat with the surprisee (not a word, but deal with it) today, but she really found out about the surprise earlier in the week, when I had to tell her earlier than planned. Had I not, she might have been traveling for work...the nerve of some people! :)

My college roomie, from Gonzaga (Joy!) is coming to visit! Hailing all the way from snowy, bear country in Anchorage! YAY!

I've been messaging her hubs the past few weeks, setting the plan into motion and we had it "set" until he learned of some travel/work plans for the same time frame as her trip to see moi. Of course, I was in Winthrop when this all came about (with crappier than crap cell service) so I ended up having to divulge the bare bones of the surprise to her via text. Not as fun, but still pretty awesome.

Would you believe that Joy and I were randomly assigned as room mates at GU and had never met one another, but lo and behold, we were actually baptized together (as babes) at the same church in Yakima? Destined to be friends, I tell you! I love that story.

Anywho, she is coming to visit for 3 days at the end of this month (thanks to my hubby's hefty mileage plan balance) and we are gonna party like it's 1989/90. Well, maybe there are no rugby parties in our near future, but I guarantee much giggling and catching up and commiserating about the looming 40th birthday. She will make the decade changeover 4 days before me. Yep, we are both Pisces, too.

I am sooooo excited I can't stand it! Countdown to her visit: 20 days!

Surprising people is fun. Highly recommend.

Day 6: Comment on a Blog or blogs

I'll admit it - there are a 1/2 dozen blogs I regularly follow but never comment on. Gasp! The nerve of moi, to enjoy someones work and not let them know. Looooseeeer!

I mean, really.... if a friend wears a cute outfit, do I not comment on it? Hells to the Yeah, I say something. If a Facebook friend posts something witty, or cute, or sentimental, don't I hit the "Like" button? Done and Done.

So, what is my problem???

Talk about being hypocritical! I've often said I think it's the nutjobs out there in cyberspace who look at everything, but never participate that are the ones to be wary of. And here I was being one of them. No more! Finito!

I made some comments today. Hopefully, I just sounded grateful and appreciative for these people putting themselves and their thoughts out there for all to see. And not overly stalker-ish...

One of my "must reads' every morning is a fashion-y blog, but it's also from a Mom perspective (she has triplets) and she puts together wickedly creative outfits but is also really, really witty. She has fun with language (shit-tastic) but also posts about ordinary day type things, and there are real humdinger thoughtful posts that make you go Hmmmm.

So, I never know what I am going to find, and I like that.  Here's an older post I loved, about Coffee. http://merciblahblah.blogspot.com/2010/12/once-upon-time-i-did-wardrobe-post-with.html

Every woman out there would get a kick outta this one: http://merciblahblah.blogspot.com/2011/01/wwd-feeling-euphemistic.html

For Reals, that is funny stuff!

I made a few comments on some other blogs, too, in the true spirit of sharing the cyber love. But I won't bore you with the ins and outs.

Now, I can go sass the Hubs for spending -20- minutes on the good ol' FB and not commenting on a darn, tootin' thing. No "like" buttons, either... Sheesh! Where is the love?

:)

Day 5: Trying Cross Country Skiing

Yay, this task had me jazzed up with excitement. I've always thought this was an activity I would enjoy. I love snow, love the endorphin high that goes with a good cardio workout, love being outside and away from the hectic pace of city life.

And, I was not to be disappointed. I was in complete and utter heaven out there. Picture a crisp (very crisp at 14 degrees), sunny day with the perfect snow conditions, a perfectly groomed track, and not many people out but the -4- of us (Jeff, myself, and our FAB Uncle Pete and Aunt Pam). First, a few words about them, because I Love Them To Pieces. They are 62 years young and are such fun to hang out with. They are positive minded, up to try anything, appreciate and take care of their bodies, and also love a good bottle of red. My kind of folk. And I can only hope to be just like them when I am 62.

I especially love Pam today, because she gave some hand warmers. Just five minutes into the trail, I started  whimpering about that 14 degree weather and my cold hands. Anyone that knows me well knows that there are -2- things that can make me undeniably crabby: being cold and being hungry.  Those hand warmers made this adventure fun. Without them, I could have been one cranky (cold) mess.

The actual cross country skiing is a bit tricky. It involves using -4- limbs at once and focusing on creating a natural and sustainable rhythm among the -4- extremities. I was a herky jerky, robot looking thing for awhile. But then it (sort of) clicked and I was going much smoother and faster and was LOVING it. (I was the only one of our foursome to fall down. I fell twice, actually. But as my new saying goes "You Can't Win if You Don't Play" - ya gotta go "all in" if you really want to learn something, yes?)

We saw deer (20 feet away, tops), eagles, and plenty o' sunshine. Lovely way to spend a morning. And we made it 8 miles. Not too shabby for -2- newbies and the Elder Neumanns, right?

Jeff and I are totally sold on the sport. We'll go a few more times this season. And try to get the kids into it next year. It makes us feel a little less uncool for not being downhill skiers. We've tried that and it's just not for us. I hate being out of control, am scared to death of high places, dislike being cold and just think it's too expensive/time consuming with little kids. Cross country is just sooo much more my kinda thing.

And, I can't say enough about the Methow Valley. Gorgeous. Sunny. Friendly. Good People.

Yep, Day #5 was a damn good day.

Day 4: Trying the Kindle

Oh, boy, I was not excited about this one. I am NOT a fan of electronic books, newspapers, magazines, etc. I just like the Real Deal. I like folding the corners of pages in a book when I find something delightful. I adore bookstores and wandering around touching books, picking them up and paging through them. It's kind of like "dating" or "test-driving" a book. If you don't like how it feels or looks or sounds, just put it back on the shelf. No can do with the electronic books.

I like writing in books too, if I especially like a quote, or just want to jot down a thought. (Disclaimer: I do not do any of the above to library books, just the ones I own!)

You can't do that with an electronic gizmo book. You also can't share it with your friends (BOO!) or put it on bookshelf and glance at it some random day and think "I loved that book". And it's another thing with a cord and that has to be charged, right? I get enough of that with my iPhone, thank you very much.

But I have to give the Kindle props b/c it has turned the hubs into a reader. It's a great tool for someone who doesn't love bookstores, doesn't know how to go about finding the next read, or someone who travels. I get that. Who would have ever thought Jeff would willingly be reading "The Count of Monte Cristo"?  And, now that one of Jeff's BFF's has a Kindle, we joke he may start his own Book Club. Yes, indeedy - a round of snaps for the Kindle. I just know that, for moi, it will be a handy tool for travel and instant gratification when wanting to read a certain book, RIGHT NOW. Ultimately, though, I will go to my grave an "honest to goodness, hardcover/paperback" girl.

I chose to read "Born to Run" on the Kindle b/c Jeff has been raving about it for about a year. I've heard lots of good things about it from various people, too. And since I am getting back into running, I figured it would be a good choice. And it is. I have not finished it, mind you. I am 32% done (can't tell you what page that is, though. Another thing I don't like about a "non-book" book...) and I am totally diggin' the story. Imagine people (Tarahumara Indians of Mexico) that run hundreds of miles in a day, just because, they love running and view it as synonymous with living. Not to get skinnier, or to live longer, or get paid massive endorsements, but just because it's "what we are born to do". They don't wear $200 running shoes and they don't have long discussions on pronation or supination. Interesting concept, right? I think so.

You can read more about it here:http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest/dp/0307266303/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296693172&sr=8-1

If you've read it, or plan to read it down the road - please do let me know what you think...Like I said, I'm only 32% done, so that's the end of my review, for now :)