*hugs back* well i dont know if anything happend to him, all i know is that he's gone and i really miss him. but i'm happy as long as he's alive and well

on the other hand we went down to the SPCA and picked out a kitten earlier. i'm naming her Lyra. i miss Larka, but i still want a cat and Mittens needs a companion, she's really lonely so...................

postet av Smiley_Scorpio kl. 11:14 pm (EST) den Sep 6, 2008

haha, well I'm really excited. None of my friends are really into reading... some are, but they're not interested in talking about it. So I'm happy to be making friends with people who ARE interested already!

postet av ashestars kl. 3:08 pm (EST) den Sep 4, 2008

Hey Kerian,

Thanks for the warm welcome, and hello from alllll the way over in VT!

postet av ashestars kl. 2:47 pm (EST) den Sep 4, 2008

Thanks, K :) I'm feeling better today, trying to enjoy the sun a bit while I finish The Golem's Eye, which I didn't accomplish before crashing last night. Hope you're having a good day!

postet av aglaia531 kl. 3:44 pm (EST) den Aug 28, 2008

*snort*
No good K, they told me it was you. Crazy technology can see right through invisibility cloaks.

But thanks for trying. ;o)

postet av jugglingpaynes kl. 8:55 am (EST) den Aug 28, 2008

Hi Kerian! I saw you wrote you want to read Wuthering Heights just because of Thursday Next. I had never read WH, but after reading the group theropy session in Well of Lost Plots I am reconsidering. It was great!

I thought I would post my comment here than on the thread. Less chance of spoilage :)

postet av compskibook kl. 3:18 pm (EST) den Aug 27, 2008

KIK. Maybe it is subliminal that we type attacked instead of attached.

postet av compskibook kl. 10:00 am (EST) den Aug 14, 2008

Congrats on the new job!! Now we just need details or I need to catch up on the threads or both.

postet av Marensr kl. 4:43 pm (EST) den Aug 13, 2008

Hi gorgeous!

Yep, still waiting! I leave home before the post arrives every morning, so the first thing I do when I get home is look through the glass of my apartment block to see if there's anything waiting for me - before I've even opened the door!

Fingers crossed we'll get our treats soon!

I'm still catching up on all I've missed around here, but will jump right back in I'm sure!

Big hugs,
N
xx

postet av LadyN kl. 5:40 am (EST) den Aug 9, 2008

Hi Kerian! It was so nice of you to drop by and comment on my Breaking Dawn review :-) I see that we do share some books (51), a few of which are my favorites like Glass Houses, Tithe and, of course, Twilight. Thank you also for the complement on my profile pic. You have a very nice one as well, I love the pink sky!!

postet av Jenson_AKA_DL kl. 6:41 pm (EST) den Aug 7, 2008

Kerian,

Thank you for the thoughts... almost everything is looking up. I still do not have a job or internet at my apartment but other then all that everything is great.. I miss you guys so much and I am going to try and pop by HE to let everyone know... Hopefully I willbe on again A LOT soon cause I got my internet router today... I really hope everything is good with you! Let me know... TTYL ~Melody

postet av Ms_Bella kl. 2:41 pm (EST) den Aug 7, 2008

Kerian - That is SOOOOOO cool that Ginny Rorby commented on your blog!! :-D **I'm jumping up and down for you right now!!** I'm glad you liked that book so much too - my husband and I read it aloud together (he grew up near Fremont too!) and there were definitely times when we were both in tears (I think for the entire last third of the book we had to keep pausing because one or both of us was too choked up to read). I originally picked it up because I love chimpanzees and gorillas - the cover really caught my eye - but the story was so moving that I've been telling everyone I know to read it. Now I'll have to look to see if Ginny Rorby has a website.... I have to say again too - that is just totally awesome!! Your blog is really neat too. Glad you liked Howl's Moving Castle, that was a really fun book!
*Still jumping up and down*
lisa :)

postet av elbakerone kl. 10:42 am (EST) den Aug 7, 2008

Hello K,

Yes, I've been building the couch/daybed. I just need to get a mattress and it's done. I never realized how hard it is to build furniture. I would explain what I planned to do, and my husband would shoot these annoying questions at me, like "is there going to be enough support in the center to keep it from bowing?" What am I, a physics professor? Sheesh. :o)

Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

postet av jugglingpaynes kl. 11:39 pm (EST) den Aug 6, 2008

I am still waiting to hear back from Stu. I wonder if he signed up with a real email address to know when he gets comments. Maybe he needs to start an advice collum like "uncle" Andrew did on Green Dragon.

I like Breaking Dawn so far, but I am not very far. I read your review. Thumbs Up! Good luck!

postet av compskibook kl. 10:55 pm (EST) den Aug 6, 2008

Job hunting is always hard. It sounds like you have a good plan. You might consider part time and then some time volunteering or as an intern at either a library or a publishing house. That way you could be getting valuable experience that will help you get the full time job you want when it comes along. Don't be discouraged. Something will happen- it always does. Maren

postet av Marensr kl. 6:20 pm (EST) den Aug 6, 2008

Thanks for the good wishes K. It is good to be moved and good to be back. How goes the job hunt?

postet av Marensr kl. 12:43 pm (EST) den Aug 6, 2008

HI! thanks for the good wishes.
I went to the doctor yesterday for a follow up, he said it could be up to 4 months. I'm going back next thursday so he can see how I'm doing and hopefully be able to tell if it will really take that long.

postet av Mandy2 kl. 12:21 pm (EST) den Aug 6, 2008

hi, I had to call Lucky and complain. I haven't gotten any issues since like Feb.

OOOOH I can't wait. the only thing that makes winter more berable are the clothes. AND BOOTS!!!

postet av suge kl. 10:38 am (EST) den Aug 6, 2008

hi k, everyone's actually home now. I got home on wed. and my sisters got home on sun. we all had a pretty good time seeing all our million relatives. I know I haven't posted much, but I've been pretty busy between that and work and I've been spending a lot of time with the guy I'm dating. and right now I'm trying to get through breaking dawn before I venture back into the HE.

postet av rissa kl. 2:09 am (EST) den Aug 6, 2008

lol that's awesome! I haven't called the number since! How cool is it that they got numbers for the book? Did you tell your sisters that I kept calling it too?

I didn't really read a lot on friday. I guess I was kinda drunk and my mom was visiting and she was going to sleep in my room. I even got a new book light (I have about three running about the house) so i could read with her there but I fell asleep as soon as I got there!

How was your experience?

postet av suge kl. 4:49 pm (EST) den Aug 5, 2008

No problem! I understand how one can get lost in the Twilight Zone! ;)

postet av lefty33 kl. 4:23 pm (EST) den Aug 5, 2008

I like your new profile pic - very pretty!
I finally put your book in the mail so it should be there in 10-12 days (media mail). My address is included if you want to pass something else along, but you certainly don't need to. I'm of the opinion that good deeds are best payed forward than payed back!

On a side note, I'm alllllmost done with Breaking Dawn and I can't wait to read the discussion thread about it!! It's so tempting to peek that I've actually been avoiding LT so that I don't look before I finish it! Excited to see how the review contest goes too. It would be great to see HogXers win it!

Cheers! lisa :)

postet av elbakerone kl. 12:08 pm (EST) den Aug 5, 2008

Hi, K! This is for the dessert pizza. The dough is the same dough I use when I make normal pizza, if you ever wanted to make other pizzas. I made it pretty detailed because I wasn't sure how much you have worked with yeast doughs before. I hope you get a chance to try this! I'd love to hear how it turns out!

For one 12-14 inch pizza:
3/4 C water (about 110 degrees F)
1-1/2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp sugar
2 C flour (I like to use bread flour, but all-purpose flour works fine)
1-1/2 tsp active dry yeast (an envelope of active dry yeast is 2-1/4 tsp)

Put warm water, olive oil, and sugar in a large bowl; stir. Add the flour and put the yeast on top of the flour. Mix until flour is moist, and then knead dough for 7-10 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic. If dough feels dry after 3-4 minutes of kneading, add water a tablespoon at a time, kneading after each addition. If dough is too wet after 3-4 minutes of kneading, add flour a tablespoon at a time, kneading after each addition. Cover bowl with a moist towel and put in a warm place to rise until doubled in bulk, about 40-60 minutes. Punch down and roll out onto a floured surface. Fold dough and lift onto a pan with a thin layer of either cornmeal or oil (cornmeal will give a crisper crust than oil, but use oil if you need the protection from sticking to the pan). Unfold dough and turn under edges to make a crust border. Add toppings. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 20-30 minutes. (It usually takes me a little over 2 hours to have pizza ready to eat).

Fruit Dessert Pizza Topping:
1 C water
1 C sugar (you can use as little as 1/2 C if you want to cut out a few calories)
3 Tbsp cornstarch or 6 Tbsp flour
4 C fresh or frozen fruit, divided
Granola Topping
1/4 C oats (old-fashioned or quick-cooking)
1/4 C brown sugar
2 Tbsp butter
Glaze
1 C powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 Tbsp milk

Stir together the water, sugar, and cornstarch in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 C fruit, stirring often until mixture starts to boil. When it starts to boil, stir constantly until mixture starts to thicken. Add remaining 3 C fruit, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens to syrupy, pie-filling texture. Remove from heat. Spread over uncooked prepared pizza dough. Top with granola topping and cook at 375 for about 20 minutes. Let cool a few minutes, and then drizzle with glaze.

Granola Topping: In a small bowl, mix oats and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter until crumbs form. Sprinkle crumbs over fruit filling.

Glaze: In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 Tbsp milk. Add more milk as necessary for desired drizzling consistency.

postet av lefty33 kl. 10:34 pm (EST) den Jul 30, 2008

hey Kerian!
how r u??i hope u r having loads of fun on ur NY trip. lots of hugs.
Take Care.
xx Peace xx

postet av Saify. kl. 4:18 pm (EST) den Jul 14, 2008

Hey thanks, I meant to leave the book. I want to finish Chamber of Secrets.
Have fun at JP's house! Don't talk too much crap about me and my dogs.

postet av suge kl. 3:49 pm (EST) den Jul 1, 2008

Thanks for the congrats! 8) I've been pretty busy so I haven't been posting too much though I really miss everyone. I didn't know you were going to take that long of trip to NY. I hope you both are enjoying each others company. I would be scared to meet anyone from LT. I'm so not cool, I'd hate to ruin my mega savvy HE image 8] LOL Don't forget about me! Hopefully, I'll be able to be around more often soon.
See ya, Mary aka MEM

postet av MEM82 kl. 7:43 pm (EST) den Jun 26, 2008

Its been fine. Yours?

postet av MrsGrinch kl. 9:58 pm (EST) den Jun 25, 2008

Hi K! Im very bored.

postet av MrsGrinch kl. 9:29 pm (EST) den Jun 25, 2008

Thanks petal!

Perfect - Malibu and pine are exactly what I need right now!

xx

postet av LadyN kl. 6:50 pm (EST) den Jun 25, 2008

Hi K,

Give me a call if you need to talk or want me to come get you. I'll be babysitting in the morning, so it's no imposition.

Hugs,
Cristina

postet av jugglingpaynes kl. 9:58 pm (EST) den Jun 24, 2008

HI K!

Thanks for that :-)
I miss Suge too, and can't WAIT to meet you.

Things are very dull here in London at the moment, but the sunshine is becoming more frequent at least!

Lots of love to you both,
N
xx

postet av LadyN kl. 8:29 am (EST) den Jun 24, 2008

Kerian, you silly!

You left your crumpets in our car! Now you have to come back. :o)
Did you read the "What are you looking forward to" thread?

Cristina

postet av jugglingpaynes kl. 3:07 pm (EST) den Jun 23, 2008

Hey kerian!
i was just wondering if u are on Facebook or not. and if u r then let me know and give me ur id too so i can send u a friend's invitation. :-)
xx peace xx

postet av Saify. kl. 6:47 am (EST) den Jun 6, 2008

Hi K! I was able to score a free copy of The Tenth City! Let me know where to send it and when (I can wait till you get back from your trip to drop it in the mail). Hope you're having a lovely June!

el :)

postet av elbakerone kl. 10:34 am (EST) den Jun 2, 2008

K,

Someone on the rant thread mentioned that there was no sign you had arrived in NYC--so if you can, leave a note and let us know you're there, you're okay, you're having fun . . .

Elizabeth

postet av ejj1955 kl. 11:27 pm (EST) den May 31, 2008

i am 8

postet av rainacat kl. 7:54 pm (EST) den May 29, 2008

Glad you liked the poem K!

Cristina

postet av jugglingpaynes kl. 7:40 pm (EST) den May 28, 2008

Thanks for your concern about the fire, K. I'm fine, but a couple of my friends may be in trouble.

You are the best, I swear Kerian.

postet av littlegeek kl. 5:37 pm (EST) den May 22, 2008

long enough for me to go to bed early for a change ;)

i had just typed out a long post on your "trainers" thread when it went down, and that got lost. sigh. i might redo it tonight if i get a chance.

I loved the apology to australians, though. very funny.

postet av MrAndrew kl. 1:17 am (EST) den May 22, 2008

Why thanx. She is 2 months and 3 days old.

postet av MrsGrinch kl. 10:59 pm (EST) den May 17, 2008

Hi K! hope you are having a loveleyyy day! Dude, The Host already came out!

postet av suge kl. 4:22 pm (EST) den May 16, 2008

Too late. I'm just glad I was able to vote on a lot of the categories and the three-way tie polls. Thanks for making the polls and trying to help me. I want to thank you and foggi for all the hard work you have been doing for Hogwarts Express like making the group page look terrific and letting us vote on our image.

I love The Golden Compass. I haven't finished it as fast as I could have because we are reading a book for school called Sparrow Hawk Red. I can't wait to read the rest in the series too. And watch the movie.

postet av ChelseaBottomley kl. 10:40 pm (EST) den May 2, 2008

Hi K! I'm home finally. Oh boy, am I tired.

I'm sorry I'm being so critical of your book. It's really not so bad. I can see why young people like it, and why you identify with Bella. I hope suge doesn't hate me! (Tell her I said Hi....I miss her!)

I'll try to post a bit tomorrow, but i have been out of the office most of the week so I may have some stuff on my desk.

postet av littlegeek kl. 12:40 am (EST) den May 2, 2008

*sniffle* yeah, that's a fair assessment - thanks for the well-wishes! i swear i never had allergies before i moved to the bay area... but i guess it's a fair trade for no snow... right now, i'm not so sure, though!

postet av aglaia531 kl. 3:54 pm (EST) den Apr 25, 2008

Hi Kerian!

I'm missing you guys too! I'm so frustrated - our internet at home has collapsed, and the engineer who came round yesterday says that our cable was installed all wring to start with, which is why the tv isn't working properly either, and they have to send more engineers to come anr redo thelot. Just when I got my shiney new laptop!!! Aggghhhh!!! This is one for the rants thread!!

So anyway, that limits me to only having access at work, but my job has been crrrrazy busy this week.

Hope everyone is well. I'll be popping in over the next couple of days, but nothing proper until the darned thing at hime is fixed :-(

Love you!!!
xxx

postet av LadyN kl. 9:06 am (EST) den Apr 23, 2008

Hi Kerian,

Yes, feeling better. I don't know what I had, but it left me achy the past two days. Today was a run around day. Aside from the usual babysitting and taking son to Tae Kwon Do, I had to help hubby bring his car to the mechanic and we had our Family Poetry Night at the library. Only one other family showed up. :o( It was nice, more intimate than usual, I just would have preferred more people.

How was a homeschooler supposed to know that this week was spring break for local schools? :o)

Peace and Laughter!

postet av jugglingpaynes kl. 9:20 pm (EST) den Apr 22, 2008

Thanks!!, she is a little puppy there about 14 weeks old...she is much bigger now but with the same coat, it's what made me fall in love with her.

and Thanks for being my friend!!
YAY FRIENDS!!

postet av Mandy2 kl. 8:29 pm (EST) den Apr 22, 2008

Hi K, no problems with the earthquake for me. I didn't even feel it. Thanks for checking though. I have just been really busy lately. You've probably been through much worse in California. When does the countdown to New York begin?

postet av Marensr kl. 11:30 am (EST) den Apr 22, 2008

Hey Ker -
You're so thoughtful! The earthquake was in southern Illinois so not much was felt up in the Chicago area - some small tremors but nothing scary. I woke up to the sound of windows rattling just a little but it was the same noise we get from heavy winds so I didn't even realize it was an earthquake until the morning. Mostly it's still just strange to think about quakes being possible in the Midwest! I keep joking with people that we always thought tornadoes were our disaster of choice around here. ;) Hope you're having a good spring and having a good time planning your trip! I know what it's like to have family members wary of online friendships, but I know you'll have a safe and super fun time! Pass around some hugs for me too!
el :)

postet av elbakerone kl. 10:02 am (EST) den Apr 22, 2008

thursday it is!

postet av Mandy2 kl. 7:07 pm (EST) den Apr 16, 2008

I just saw Bib's messege that she can to tomorrow. Well, I can do tonight! My committee wrapped up our work after two nights and didn't need the third. I will be on tonight and tomorrow just in case!

Thanks K!

postet av compskibook kl. 6:00 pm (EST) den Apr 16, 2008

Okay, I'm good for Thursday now. The dinner I was invited to has no vegetarian options, so its a no go for me. What time are we doing?

postet av biblioholic29 kl. 11:05 am (EST) den Apr 16, 2008

Thursday seems fine. I'll peek in Wednesday too, just in case.

A friend of mine sent this story to me today. He's another juggler in a weird family. I thought you would appreciate it, now that your taxes are done. ;o)
-------
So I convinced my mother to file her income taxes in order to get her $300 rebate. She went to my sister's house to do it on her computer with Turbo Tax. My sister called me and I talked her thru it. The filing part was no trouble at all but you had to come up with a user name and password to sign in. They also asked you for a security question in case you forgot your password. My sister picked "What is the name of your first pet?" and put in "Spunky". My mother then said that her first pet was "Mother Cat" and she should really put that. My sister allowed as to how it didn't make any difference as long as you remembered what you put in. My mother then said that Mother Cat really was their first animal and started getting nervous about putting Spunky in. She said, "What if they check? We better not mess around!".

Later I called my mother up and was telling her that it was good that she filed and was getting the money. I asked her if it was worth the ten minutes it took to get the $300. She said, "Yeah, I guess so but I still don't know why the hell they need to know my cat's name!".

Peace and Laughter!

postet av jugglingpaynes kl. 9:53 am (EST) den Apr 16, 2008

Well, no problem! I love making new friends on LT! Are you just reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for your first time??? Oh, if you are, it is completely AWESOME!!! :D I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, and a major fantasy junky. Its cool we have that in common! :8-)

Jenny

postet av moonstruckeuphoria kl. 6:53 pm (EST) den Apr 14, 2008

Nope, it's all you K.

postet av biblioholic29 kl. 6:46 pm (EST) den Apr 11, 2008

Thanks K! Can't believe it's been a year! Hurrah for LT!

postet av LadyN kl. 5:02 am (EST) den Apr 5, 2008

Ha ha ha!! Chip n Dell! I geddit! I'm going to PC World on Sunday, and if I don't find anything there that takes my fancy, I'll go for it with the Dell.

You won't be able to miss it when it arrives - there'll be no stopping me!
xx

postet av LadyN kl. 9:38 am (EST) den Apr 4, 2008

Wanted to ask, was zsu suge or MrA? I thought it was suge when I left, but then I thought maybe it WAS MrA, and I've been up half the night wondering. :o)

Cristina

postet av jugglingpaynes kl. 2:12 pm (EST) den Apr 3, 2008

K, the 12th works for me.

postet av littlegeek kl. 9:45 am (EST) den Apr 3, 2008

Yes because there are two classes and two casts in each class. So there are 4 preformances and one class each night.

postet av MrsGrinch kl. 7:53 pm (EST) den Mar 28, 2008

Thanx Kerian I had my play yesterday it went great. :D

postet av MrsGrinch kl. 6:35 pm (EST) den Mar 28, 2008

Hey Kerian!

I am SO sorry about Aloof! Sending thoughts and prayers both yours and his way for a safe journey.

On a lighter note, I hope you and littlegeek enjoy your upcoming lunch. I voted for everything, including Troll, just because I'm curious WHERE she plans on finding such a place?!

Your profile has got to be my favorite, hands-down. I didn't realize we could use our playlist! I transferred mine from MySpace over. Yours is much more relaxing, though. :)

Have you started on "Looking Glass Wars?" I FINALLY started on "Seeing Redd!"

Happy Easter!

postet av punkypower kl. 12:51 am (EST) den Mar 24, 2008

Thanks for the heads up about the movies. As I mentioned, I moved recently and I'm staying with my parents until I can get enough $ together to buy a car and move out. Until then most of my stuff is in boxed in storage, including the majority of my books. However, I have far fewer DVDs than books, so I can have those in "my" bedroom until I leave.

The iPod shuffle is really inexpensive right now, the big problem with that is that you can't tell it what to play, it just randomly plays what you put on it. That means that you can't use it for audio books (well you could, but it would be weird).

postet av biblioholic29 kl. 7:00 pm (EST) den Mar 21, 2008

I love Evanescence. Fallen helped me through one of the hardest times of my life! I hadn't thought to add movies and CD's. I don't have any CD's because I iTune, but I might have to start adding movies. They're not all in boxes!

postet av biblioholic29 kl. 5:46 pm (EST) den Mar 20, 2008

cool, I'll call you tonight!

postet av littlegeek kl. 3:48 pm (EST) den Mar 20, 2008

Don't worry about being too chatty. If you need to talk talk. School is expensive and it is good to be there because you can enjoy it. I think it is good you have the trip to look forward to you can give yourself some breathing space maybe find a new job and decide what the next step is to the sorts of things you want. I knew lots of people in school who should have taken some time off.

Don't beat yourself up or feel like less of a person because you aren't in school right now. You are someone who is intellectually curious and that is the most important part the education part will come if you have that part.

It makes me sad to think how isolated you've been and I know what losing a cat can do too. I wasn't sure I could finish a semester after my cat Monster died. I felt like I was sleepwalking.

Remember too to spend a little time each day thinking about what you want and dreaming a little bit. I suspect you get caught up for caring for others and you need to keep your hopes and dreams healthy.

And it may not seem like it but you are young and you have time to sort things out and don't ever feel bad about long venting posts you need as many friends as you can get :) Maren

postet av Marensr kl. 6:21 pm (EST) den Mar 14, 2008

gorgeous cat!

postet av mckait kl. 7:01 pm (EST) den Mar 12, 2008

Yay! I'm so glad. Now if we can only get to work on the middle east....

postet av littlegeek kl. 4:25 pm (EST) den Mar 12, 2008

Awww. I'm touched. I really am, Kerian. I'm in the middle of feeling sorry for myself because I've caught a cold from my son, so your note has really brightened my day. (As did that thread in HE.)

The Eyre Affair has been on my mental wishlist for a while now. I'll have to keep a sharper eye out for it.

*hugs*
Clare

postet av clamairy kl. 1:04 pm (EST) den Mar 12, 2008

I haven't been around much this weekend, what with one thing and another, but you have been in my thoughts.

postet av foggidawn kl. 8:46 pm (EST) den Mar 10, 2008

btw dearest I hope that you are enjoying Glass houses? A little distraction for your poor heart?

Love ya!

postet av suge kl. 2:29 pm (EST) den Mar 10, 2008

Hi K!

I'm glad you're feeling a little better. I was trying to find a good face shot of Aloof to sketch for you, like I did for foggi, but I'm not having any luck. Can you point me in the right direction?

Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

postet av jugglingpaynes kl. 1:29 pm (EST) den Mar 10, 2008

So sorry to hear about Aloof, Kerian! :( Hope you're doing okay and know that all our thoughts and hugs and well wishes are with you!
Hang in there, el

postet av elbakerone kl. 12:42 pm (EST) den Mar 10, 2008

Kerian, I am so sorry. I wish I could ease the pain. My heart is with you in sorrow for Aloof.

postet av Marensr kl. 12:54 am (EST) den Mar 9, 2008

K, I am holding good thoughts for Aloof I know it is scary.

Thanks for your thoughts on The Secret Garden. I should do a reread soon. My experience of that book is so deeply tied to my childhood reading of it and the endless amounts of time I spent in our garden reading. I was a sort of self isolating child and so I identified with Mary and the Garden.

I saw the movie later and the musical. I think my strongest memory is of her first entering the garden in the book. It was just so vivid to me. It is interesting how the book covers a really complicated range of emotions for the children. As you said about Mary crying and running away. That so much of the book should be about loss and regrowth is lovely. I always think children's books should be honest about loss and grief and unhappy emotions because all children feel those things too.

I agree about Dickon. I think my 9 year old self was a bit in love with him- my first book crush I guess. I'd love to hear your other thoughts as you process.

postet av Marensr kl. 11:40 pm (EST) den Mar 8, 2008

I hope Aloof is OK, Kerian. It is so scary. One of the five cats we lost over four years had kitty asthma. We even had an inhaler for him. We understand what you are going through. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help and feel free to use my email (it's on my profile page). I'll be praying for him.

Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

postet av jugglingpaynes kl. 6:42 pm (EST) den Mar 8, 2008

Tanx Kerian!

postet av MrsGrinch kl. 10:10 pm (EST) den Mar 2, 2008

Hi Kerian!

Happy birthday to me!

postet av MrsGrinch kl. 10:11 am (EST) den Mar 2, 2008

I got runner up in the Groundhog Day bookpile contest! The groundhog saw its shadow and it took 3 weeks to pick a winner :) I think you predicted it and also put good thoughts out there so I would win. Thanks!!

I think I win a year membership (they actually haven't contacted me yet). I already have a lifetime membership, so do you want it?

I am now going to go do my dance of joy!

postet av compskibook kl. 4:33 pm (EST) den Feb 29, 2008

Hi Sweetie! Thanks for the healing vibes. I have been so busy at work, and now this. I just got back from spending 3 hours at work putting out fires. Next week is going to SUCK!!! I miss everyone at HE....it's like a fast moving train, if you step off for any reason, it's hard to get back on! I'm still worried about g....

I'll be around eventually. If no where else, I'm doing the reread. Please send my love to everyone. I've gotta go collapse now.

postet av littlegeek kl. 2:45 pm (EST) den Feb 29, 2008

I actually have never read Wuthering Height. I saw a movie of it, and never really cared for it or cared to read it. It does help to have read Pride and Prejudice, though, before reading Bridget Jones, but it is not a necessity.

I do like working with kids. This is the first year I have worked with middle schoolers and I am finding that is hard to adjust to. Individually they are all great, but when they are together, it is a different story.

The lit classes I took in college included Greek, Irish, Spanish, and English literature. I don't think I would ever try for another major, but this does have me thinking of looking into a class this summer. I have to take 6 credit hours every 5 years to maintain my certification. I don't want anything to structured, though. I still have those bad dreams where it is finals week and I forgot to go to and/or drop a class. They were really bad when I was getting my masters.

I know what you mean about being an English major in lit classes. I was glad I wasn't and could just enjoy the reading and discussions. I did feel that "you should know everything" pressure when I used to work at a bookstore. I hated it, and sometimes felt so fake when I had to fake it :)

Don't worry too much about your future, just keep working and make sure you do what you want at least occasionally. Things do have a way of falling into place. Look at me; I was an econ major who now teaches kindergarteners how to backspace! I love it, but I sure didn't see it or plan it.

postet av compskibook kl. 8:52 pm (EST) den Feb 21, 2008

Hi K!

I see you are reading Bridget Jones Diary. I loved that one, too. One of my favorite lines It struck me as pretty ridiculous to be called Mr. Darcy and to stand on your own looking snooty at a party. It's like being named Heathcliff and insisting on spending the entire evening in the garden, shouting "Cathy" and banging your head against a tree. I really recommend the movie, too. They are very different, but I loved both! I think you know how rare that is to have a good movie based on a good book.

You asked before about my reading time and if I had more time between semesters. I teach K-6 computers so luckily I don't have a lot of "homework." I have to correct a few papers, but no more college textbooks to read, thank goodness! I can read what I want, but the hard part is staying awake to read a lot. I find the closer I can get to eight hours sleep, the better my day goes with the kids. I do miss my literature classes from my college days. They really expanded what I read. I envy you your English major. Do you have any good classes right now? My BA was in Economics (I know, yuk!), but I took a lot of Lit classes. I should have made it my minor. After graduation I finally figured out I wanted to be a teacher and earned my MA in education. When will you be done? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

postet av compskibook kl. 8:06 pm (EST) den Feb 20, 2008

Hi Kerian.

I agree with your comments on the Other Boleyn Girl. Since I a interested in royalty, I knew that ages ago marriages were more for 'politics' than out of love. But Gregory described it so well, that it still grabbed me. I really felt sorry for the girls.

Thanks for the link to the Jane Austen group, I will check it out!

Take care and have a wonderful day,

Sophie

postet av sophies_choice kl. 11:54 am (EST) den Feb 19, 2008

I liked The Jane Austen Book Club, but some chapters were better than others. I don't think I would have liked the book at all if I wasn't so familiar with Austen's works. There were a lot of subtle references. The better I knew the book, the better I liked the chapter.

Even though they weren't as good as TOBG, I did enjoy Phillipa Gregory's other books. I just remember I flew through the first one (it was my only sick day ever; I never got off the couch) and the others seemed to take forever. I might have to wait until spring break or summer vacation to read TBI. If it takes me a long time to get through a book with a lot of characters I sometimes get lost. I think that is what happened with Little, Big.

postet av compskibook kl. 7:04 pm (EST) den Feb 18, 2008

Hi Kerian!

Just saw that you had finished The Other Boleyn Girl, I finished it last week. What did you think of it?

I am considering buying and reading The Book Thief and I want to try out Jane Austen. I see you are an Austen fan, LOL, but I would love to hear your opinion on the Book Thief when you have finished.

postet av sophies_choice kl. 5:31 pm (EST) den Feb 18, 2008

Hi, K!

Thanks for checking out my profile. I based it on yours! I see you are planning to read The Book Thief. I really liked it! If you like it, the author also wrote I Am the Messanger which is completely different, but great, too.

I am glad I found LT because of Jasper Fforde. I had read the first one years ago, and never got around to the others. I forgot about him until I saw you talking about him on the HE. They are very original books and I have really liked the two I have read.

I do seem to have a lot of Austen related books on my list. I wish I knew which one was the best. I will probably end up reading which ever is at the library at the time I feel like reading one. I am trying not to buy any more books, and so far it is working. I will probably have a backlash from it and end up buying 20!

I know you just finished Phillipa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl which is the first I read of her's and the best so far. Did you like it? I don't think any have to be read in a particular order. I have read so far The Queen's Fool, which is about a girl in the courts of Mary and Elizabeth, and The Constant Princess which tells Catherine's story before the Boleyns enter the picture. It looks like The Boleyn Inheritance covers Henry's wives after Jane Seymore, who was after Anne Boleyn. I keep reading her books hoping to capture the magic of the first one, but none so far measure up.

Hopefully you had a good weekend. You had to work, didn't you? It was a big day at the ski resort Saturday, but unfortunately it rained yesterday. I took today off and it is back to school tomorrow.

postet av compskibook kl. 5:12 pm (EST) den Feb 18, 2008

Based on what I've seen of your likes and dislikes, you're going to LOVE [The Looking Glass Wars]. I bought its sequel,[Seeing Redd], the day it came out, but still haven't read it yet.

You're also making me want to finally buy the Twilight and Inkheart books!

As for our love of Fforde, his new one has been pushed back another year. Grr..

Have a great weekend!

postet av punkypower kl. 10:14 pm (EST) den Feb 16, 2008