Hi, I'm An Addict.

So, I will admit, I have a problem. I have an addiction-esque problem. I love paper. Whether in journal form, notebook form, or more noticeably, book form. I love books. I like to read. I love bookstores; especially old ones, or ones that sell used books. I have not read every book that I own. I continue to grow my library and therefore, have to make some hard decisions every once in a while... I have to decide which books to take off of my shelves and put in a box for storage because there are just too many to "display", and I need the space for new additions (especially since I can't just add more bookshelves to my living space!)

These pictures are the product of my latest decision makings. I now just have to find space for two large under-the-bed totes, and four smaller under-the-bed sized totes (why not just put them under my bed? An excellent question, and one that I will answer if you read to the end of this post). A decision I made when I was working on this project was to write the name and author of every book I own - intending to put it on a spreadsheet, so that I can have inventory of my collection. While I was thus documenting my books, I "found" some books that I'd forgotten I even had! I made another decision that as soon as I am done reading my current book (and the subsequent following two books in the series... Harry Potter - which I've not read before), I am going to read these "lost" treasures that I have rediscovered! :) I am excited! I am also looking forward to some looong summer days when I can do nothing but read.

I shall probably post more pictures with my "projects" as I complete them. I have already gone thru my movies and have four totes of them under my bed as we speak (or, as I type this), which is why I need to find space for book totes now. I don't know what my next project will be, but it will be a good one ;) It might be another addiction, or it might be a pet peeve - such as having no closet. Maybe it will be a grand solution to my sock-bucket issues...
Thanks for reading! Keep the Peace.

Took long enough...

Since I moved into my current apartment (coming up on 4 years now), I have wanted to find/make shelves to display my shot glasses. The glasses have been sitting in a box, and I don't get them to keep them in a box. I get them to remind me of places I've been and there are memories associated with each one. Some of them have been given to me, but most of them I've purchased myself.
Well, I was house and puppy sitting for my friend all last week, and had some spare time. One of my other friends went with me around to some stores helping me look for something suitable to display my glasses on/in. We went to Hobby Lobby and found the shelves. I don't know how well you can see it in the picture, but I added the little "fencing" around the shelves so that if the glasses decide to take a dance, they won't fall off the shelves.
I am very pleased with how it all turned out, and I have two more shelves (one each of the bigger sizes) to paint and deck out for any more glasses that I need to display in the future :)

Seriously?!

Look closely at this picture. Do you see anything wrong with it? 

Today I went to the Thanksgiving Point Gardens. It's been a long time since I've been there, and was excited to visit my favorite garden, the Secret Garden. My friend and I walked up to the garden and heard lots of children's voices coming from inside. We walked into the garden, and saw a bunch of kids (with parents and strollers nearby) sitting on the wall, with their feet and legs dangling inside the pool.
See that big blue sign in the background? 'NO swimming or wading'. Does that not also imply, 'keep your feet out?' Am I mis-reading between the lines? I don't care how hot it is outside (it wasn't even that hot today), you're in a public, non-swimming, park. I was so bugged by seeing all the kids with their feet in the pool, with parents sitting by letting them do it... I couldn't spend ANY time enjoying the garden.
We were on our way out when I took this picture. All those kids who are standing around the pool were the same ones who had their feet in the pool. It's no wonder that kids anymore have no respect for rules or property; when their parents don't even follow the rules... or they bend the rules to fit their own desires.
If you want to let your kids play in the water, take them to a water park or take them to your backyard and spray them with water. Why do parents have to be disrespectful and teach their kids to be the same way?
I'm not a parent. Maybe what they did is 'ok'. Maybe it's not. I didn't turn them in, I didn't say anything to them about it, I also realize that 13 years of playground duty has given me a different view on things.

I'll get over it. I'll keep trying to get out of "Miss O" mode when I'm in public. Thanks for reading. Perhaps I'll post something tomorrow...

Once Every Four Months

Well, school is out for the summer and I am 'slowly' cleaning my apartment... one area at a time, until I leave next week for my trip to Washington (state).
Today I gathered and counted my socks (if you don't follow me on Facebook, for the last two school years I've worn mismatched socks every day to work.) Since I'm also currently taking a 'break' from Facebook this week, I will post my totals here! I have two numbers: total number of knee socks (see the picture below) is 140. Total number of non-knee socks is 57. I could totally wear one pair of  socks a day (Mon-Fri) and get through an entire school year!!! So weird.

I really do hope to blog more than just once every four months... I don't know why it's so hard right now. Perhaps while I'm on vacation I can get back with the program and blog more frequently.

I am going to read, again, the unabridged Count of Monte Cristo! I love the movie, and I love the book (I read it last year? Or maybe the year before), and I am excited to read it again! :) If you've not read it, it is an interesting read, and nothing like the movie. There are some similarities, and a few things are in both mediums, but for the most part, the book is a completely different story than the movie. I will say that this book is one of my favorite books!

Well, thanks for reading. I really will try harder to post more often. Maybe I need to set a calendar alarm on my phone to 'remind' me to post ;)

New year, New ward, New calling, New changes

I have joined the new mid-singles ward for my area. It is a ward for 31-45 year olds. It is not what I had anticipated it being, but it is going to be good for me. With that, of course, comes a new calling. I am now the ward organist. My new baby is called Agnes (I think she is older than I am... But I'm not bringing it up with her. Haha). Today is my first Sunday playing in this ward.
I have also started to take my health under the reins. I am walking more for exercise than leisure. I am doing planks every morning, I am eating more fruits and vegetables, I am trying to get enough sleep each night, and I am trying to have a better overall attitude about life. It's not all easy, but with enough patience with myself and higher help, I'm sure I can do it :)
I love, love, love being an aide in first grade. I'll have to post pictures of the bulletin boards I've been able to make and hang... For not being  a "creative" type, I'm pretty impressed with what has been done! The teacher I work for is amazing and we get along incredibly well :) in fact, she is the reason I've made some of my health changes this year... Simply by her example!
I hope the picture of the organ shows up... I'm doing this post via my iPad and I remember getting frustrated last time because I couldn't get pictures to show up. I suppose if it doesn't work, I'll edit this post tonight from my computer and get the picture on.

Thanks for reading!

Update: I couldn't stand the picture not showing up, so I had to add it already. I know you were worried... ;)

Well...

Well...
I don't know what to say. In looking back thru my blog post list, this has been a really crappy blogging year. Sorry.
I would say that I'll try to be better at blogging again... But it might be a lie. I would say that I totally miss blogging and my world is not complete without it, but it might be a lie. I will, however, say that it is fun to look back and read about things that were happening. Or, I have also been known to look for certain pictures or posts to help in my story tellings to other people.
I will also say that perhaps 2015 will bring enough of a change that I will get back to regular blogging. We shall have to see.

If you still follow me, thank you.
If you don't follow me anymore, the you won't read this and you wouldn't care anyway ;)
See you soon!

P.S. I really wanted to add a picture of a project I did today, but apparently you cannot upload photos from an iPad into blogger. So... I'll have to get on my computer at some point and blog from there. *sigh. Technology.