Weekend Reflections 1/21

Looking outside…it’s snowing. It’s cold and cloudy. Listening…to clocks ticking. A fish filter. The Doctor just finished on the treadmill.Loving…that my boys are on their way to being well-rounded. They went to a Shaolin Martial Arts Performance with The Doctor and my nephew and loved it. Then they came home and watched The Phantom of the Opera because my nephew hadn’t seen it. They both have classical music on their mp3 players right next to Queen and Phil Collins and Toby Keith. The Boy can discuss samurai philosophy in detail and turn around and talk about Pride and Prejudice. He’ll talk about Shakespeare or weight-lifting. He can shoot a gun and play the violin. The Artist draws creates amazing drawings and is brilliant when it comes to clay. He’s now learning oil painting. But, when he can, he’s out on his bike riding and he’s ruthless when it comes to Monopoly. When either of them wants to learn something, they find ways to educate themselves. It’s awesome.Thinking…that I am tired of the hatred still being spewed in regards to our new President. Apparently tolerance still only goes one way and if you disagree with someone, you hate them or what they stand for. Where in the world did that concept even come from? Holy small mindedness Batman! I am so very tired of all of it. I have my own reservations and concerns for the next 4 years, especially in regards to my family’s health care, but I’m not going to condemn anyone yet. I didn’t 8 years ago. I’m going to hope and pray and watch.And Hollywood? Grow up. Use your fame to make the world a better place. Donate to charities. Serve others. Maybe you already do. But, stop with the petulance. I’m all for awareness, but stop sulking. Don’t sit in your gilded world and lament that your candidate lost. Just because you’re celebrities, doesn’t make you smarter than anyone else. It doesn’t make your opinions more important than anyone else’s. The people you criticize for voting for Trump? They know who you are and just like they were silent in their voting choices, they will be silent in their film and entertainment choices. You are not special. Many every day citizens lost in this election, not just you.And for the record? The rest of you? Stop with all the incendiary memes on Facebook. Anyone who knows you, knows where you stand politically and they already know that you are either giddy or saddened. So stop liking and sharing unsubstantiated posts and articles as if they are fact. At this point, nothing shared on Facebook or Twitter is likely to change anyone’s views and if you’re celebrating, don’t gloat. If you’re mourning, I’m sorry. But, don’t assume every conservative is a hater or agrees with the current administration. So before you share something? Find out if it’s true. What you likely will discover is a misleading headline as nearly everything at the moment is misleading and clickbait. You can’t take anything at face value. We do not have a principled press. They are all biased one way or the other. What we do have is an internet-led world where anyone can fabricate whatever they want and treat it as though it’s truth. Bloody Hell! Use your brains and think before you act or react. Also, leave Barron Trump out of it. Underage children of presidents are traditionally left alone in the media. Or they have been since Chelsea Clinton. As they should be. It doesn’t matter if you like the current president or not. Leave their underage children alone. They didn’t ask for the attention. They aren’t seeking politics or position. As a parent, I have always hated when presidential children were spoken of in the papers and more recently on social media. There were things said about the Obama and Bush daughters that always bothered me. Because we are nearly the same age, I remember when journalists were hyper critical of Amy Carter because she read and her father would ask her opinions on things. You don’t like it when your children are teased or bullied. Don’t do it to them.Be kind. Especially when others aren’t. Do good around you and in your communities. Love is a verb.In my kitchen…a cup of hot chocolate right now. Are you surprised? This is me!Tonight, I think we’ll grill steak. Last night, The Boy shoveled all the snow around the grill to cook Lime Chicken. Yes. We grill even surrounded by 4 feet of snow and when he pretty much had to climb a snow bank to get to the grill. It’s Idaho.Wearing…gray turtleneck, gray fuzzy socks, yellow Minion jammies. Don’t judge. I mean it. They’re super soft, super comfy and cute as heck.Hoping…that more snow holds off. It’s been 46 days since we saw bare ground. The Artist had another snow day this week. We are ending week 4 of the new year and he has been to school 4 times. It’s crazy.Reading…nothing. Seriously, I suck right now when it comes to reading.Today…it doesn’t matter because The Doctor is home. Perks of having your own practice means scheduling as you want. It’s nice.Quoting…“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says ‘Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.’” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.Feeling…So tired. So very tired. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel rested.Planning…I’m actually not sure… Gratitude…for my hard-working boys. The Boy had a temp job this week that had him shoveling snow for 8 hours at a local university. He started at 4:00 am. But, they were very complimentary about how hard he worked and how conscientious he was. Both boys have shoveled and worked for Grandma this winter. So proud of their willingness to help others.From my world… Because this is still one of the best pictures ever to come off the internet. It’s so much better than something political or a picture of snow.What about you? What are you reflecting on this week? How has your week gone?©Holly B. of 2 Kids and Tired Books 2007-2014 All rights reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than 2 Kids and Tired Books or 2 Kids and Tired Books Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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Childhood Favorites…The Resident Witch

Childhood favorites. Everyone has a favorite book or author from childhood. A book that touched them or changed them. A book that perhaps initiated their love of reading and put them on the path of libraries and learning.Childhood Favorites is a monthly series focusing on beloved books from the past. Donald Zolan, Quiet Time.Witcheena, little witch in training who wants to be a Junior Witch, lives in a barn with her aunt and a hundred cats. Well, more like 26 or something like that. She flies around on her broom at night, but wishes she could have a friend. When she changes her appearance to be around other children, she meets a girl named Nancy. Witcheena loves spending time with Nancy, but knows that she can’t do magic or show her powers in front of anyone.This was such a strange little story. I have no idea where it was purchased or why it showed up in our house. I think it was one of my sister’s books, but I have it in a box. I loved this little gem and the lovely pencil sketch drawings.What about you? What is one of your childhood favorites?©Holly B. of 2 Kids and Tired Books 2007-2014 All rights reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than 2 Kids and Tired Books or 2 Kids and Tired Books Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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Cover Crush…The Secret Ingredient of Wishes

I will freely admit that I judge books by their covers. The cover is usually what first captures my attention when browsing Goodreads or Netgalley. Actually, in all honesty, it isn’t just usually, it’s pretty much all the time. The cover determines if I look at the synopsis and reviews.How can a book with a delicious-looking pie on its cover not capture your attention? What are the wishes? What is the ingredient? How does a pie come into play? Are we reading about people or baking or people who bake? This one is on my wish list and I need to track down a copy because this cover just begs me to pick it up and read.What about you? Any book covers capture your attention this week?Cover Crush is a weekly series that originated with Erin at Flashlight Commentary. If you want to check out some other terrific bloggers and what their Cover Crush posts look like, you can do that here: The Maiden’s Court, Flashlight Commentary, A Bookaholic Swede, Layered Pages, indieBRAG, A Literary Vacation.©Holly B. of 2 Kids and Tired Books 2007-2014 All rights reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than 2 Kids and Tired Books or 2 Kids and Tired Books Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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Snow Commute

This is too true.©Holly B. of 2 Kids and Tired Books 2007-2014 All rights reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than 2 Kids and Tired Books or 2 Kids and Tired Books Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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Weekend Reflections 1/14

In the interest of full disclosure, Ms. Snark is alive and well and definitely in the building today…Looking outside…it’s cold and cloudy. I think our high is supposed to be 21. There is still a shedload of snow on the ground and some flurries which is frustrating because there is  no snow in the forecast for today. Next Tuesday we will get more freezing rain and snow.The Artist finally went back to school yesterday after having 7 days off in a row. Not necessarily because of the snow, but because of the aftermath.The storm dumped snow, roads didn’t get plowed, it iced over and snowed again. Then it thawed a bit, froze and snowed again. And then warmed up so we got freezing rain. So even trucks with 4WD were getting stuck. With a normal snow storm, main roads and freeways get plowed. Residential areas never get plowed. This time around, there was too much to keep up with, two of four plows broke and the snow kept coming, then freezing, then raining, then thawing, and hopefully you get the point.The problem isn’t the snow. This isn’t the south. We can handle snow. The problem this time around was ice and the fact that our city was not well prepared for a big snowstorm or icestorm. Which is stupid because this is Idaho. We normally get snow, but it’s been 30 years since this area saw the amounts we got this week. We vary from year to year and some years we might get this same amount of snow over a season, but not at one time. I think many haven’t lived here long enough to remember how the weather can be and people get complacent. I monitored the school district and city FB pages this week. Mostly for information, but also for the fun of it. People really can be horrible. The school district is in a no-win situation. If they don’t call a snow day, people bitch. If they do call a snow day, people bitch. They can’t win. The city? Like I said, I was frustrated with the city. I usually am when it comes to how they deal with snow. But this time around? They tried. Those poor city workers were out there non-stop nearly 24/7, which is why two plows broke down from use. After they got the main roads taken care of, they began plowing residential neighborhoods. Which was greatly appreciated. It meant that the deep ruts were gone for the immediate interim and cars and school buses weren’t getting stuck.Instead of being grateful, people complained that their neighborhood hadn’t been done yet. They complained that the plows pushed snow into their driveways or blocked mailboxes. It was unbelievably disappointing to see. Many weren’t willing to get out and take care of their own drives and sidewalks or clear drains on their street to prevent flooding. They just complain that someone else hasn’t done it.Yeah, I had a three-foot high wall of snow in front of my cleared driveway. But my boys got right out there and started clearing it because we were so grateful that the roads had been plowed and we knew our non-4WD car wouldn’t get stuck. I expressed that gratitude on the city’s FB page.Seriously. People. Grow up. Life happens. If you live in Idaho, you’re going to experience snow. Some years more than other years. Shovel and ice your own driveways and sidewalks. Help your neighbors do theirs. When you have to get a car? Find one with 4WD if you have that option. If you’ve never lived in or driven in a snowy place before, LEARN! Drive slower. Be careful. Don’t cut people off and don’t scream and yell because the roads are icy. They are icy because you live in Idaho. And just because there is snow on the ground, doesn’t mean school is canceled. Deal with it. Buy some warm clothes. Snow boots at Walmart or DI are not that expensive. Gloves and hats are practically free. And when someone shovels your driveway or plows your street or a bus driver willingly transports your children to and from school in snowy weather, say “Thank you”. Listening…to mostly silence. Faint sounds coming from the office where The Doctor is working. The Artist is watching YouTube. The Boy went with me this morning to pick up ice melt. He hauled 9 40# bags for me, so he’s now watching something on his phone and eating pizza. I can hear a fish tank filter and a clock ticking.Loving…this quiet Saturday with my family all home, together.Thinking…that I am blessed with a wonderful family, some good friends and a comfortable home.In my kitchen…a cup of hot chocolate right now. Wearing…gray turtleneck, black fuzzy socks and yellow Minion pajamas. Don’t judge. They are super soft and very warm.Hoping…that trucks can finally get through snowy passes and deliver much needed ice melt as well as other supplies. I made calls today and we went to Lowe’s.And seriously, stores? I don’t care about swimsuits or summer. It’s JANUARY. Don’t be trying to sell me swimsuits and sundresses. Costco, bloody hell what is wrong with you? Swimsuits three days before Christmas? Do people really buy your swimwear in January? Pretty sure they don’t in Idaho. And Walmart, today? All I care about is staying warm and trying to find more ice melt. The guy at your store laughed at me when I asked him if they would get more in. You have all your winter stuff on clearance and while I like clearance prices, I’d still like to be able to find shovels and ice melt and men’s gloves IN JANUARY! Maybe it’s warm in Arkansas where your procurement people are, but it’s not warm in the Northwest.Thank goodness for places like D&B and Lowe’s that recognize winter is still here.Reading…nothing. I really need to. But I decided this week that I want to do a series like the Cover Crush one, except this one would be “Cover Condemnation: the Main Reason no one Read your Book”. I likely won’t, because I’m not a cruel person, but there are a lot of covers out there that really don’t do the book justice.It’s like with editing. Every book needs to be edited and proofed. Every book. Take the time and make the investment to find a good editor if you are not with a major firm. At the same time, take the time and make the investment to find a good cover designer. The do-it yourself look translates into how people perceive your writing. Your book could be the best one ever written, but if a reviewer is looking at a page of books and your cover looks like something your 2nd grader did with Powerpoint, it will get dismissed if they don’t have a recommendation that it’s worth reading. It’s sad, but it’s true.Today…having friends over for dinner.Quoting…“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” ― Edith Sitwell Feeling…So tired, but relieved that we found ice melt. Thank you Lowe’s. We got some for Grandma too. We are staying in for the rest of the day and it’s such a good feeling.Planning…we have lists and tasks and things to take care of, but it’s been a good business week.Gratitude…for warmth. The cold doesn’t bother me nearly as much as excessive heat does, but I am grateful for fireplaces and heated seats and sweaters, gloves and scarves.I’m grateful for my mom.  We spent the day together yesterday, running errands doing some shopping and getting lunch. With the roads the way they’ve been, she didn’t go out this week, so it was nice to get out and enjoy each other’s company.From my world… Seriously the best thing on the internet this week. I love Broadway. I love show tunes.I love Neil Patrick Harris and I love James Corden. Together? These two are magic. This is pure fun. You haven’t seen anything until you watch James Corden sing, All that Jazz from Chicago, with sexy moves and all. Brilliant. Funny. These two are golden.What about you? What are you reflecting on this week? How has your week gone?©Holly B. of 2 Kids and Tired Books 2007-2014 All rights reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than 2 Kids and Tired Books or 2 Kids and Tired Books Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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