Readding list december 2015
I’m going to try to knock off some of the books on my started to read list.
Currently reading
- Tales of the female nomad by Rita Golden Gelman
- On writing by Stephen King
- The desert and the blade by S.M Stirling
- The Aeronaught’s windlass
There are also quite a few e-books on kindle that I want to get through too, but I’m going to focus on the paper copy ones I have from the library first.
How I almost died
Right after Christmas flush with about $50 to spend I went to my cities downtown shopping district. First I had to pay fines at the library, then since I had some time decided to get a coffee, that led to browsing at one of the clothing shops and checking out a new restaurant that had opened. All in all a nice leisurely shopping trip for a Saturday afternoon. On the way back the wind had picked up, making a cold day into a frigid one. I was walking to the bus stop and had my head down, I was fine until I got to this weird round about that has like 5 entrances and a weird middle. I was past the first crossing and checked no cars were coming and started across the second part. Out of nowhere a truck passes inches from my feet. My heart pounding I think that if I was walking just a little faster that I’d be hurt or dead.
These past few weeks I have made a point to double check and triple check any crossing that I need to. So be cautious out there!
<a href="https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/close-call/">Close Call</a>
2015 Reading challenge
READING CHALLENGE 2015:
- A book with more than 500 pages
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The Demon King (Seven Realms #1)
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- A classic romance
- A book that became a movie
- Moonfleet
- A book published this year
- A book with a number in the title
- Station Eleven by Emily st John Mandel
- A book written by someone under 30
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Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh
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- A book with nonhuman characters
- The Bees by Paull Laline
- A funny book
- A book by a female author
- Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)
- by Kristin Cashore
- A mystery or thriller
- The Harpers Quine by Pat MacIntosh, or any in the series
- A book with a one-word title
- Mythic by Mike Allen
- A book of short stories
- The years best science fiction and fantasy 2014
- A book set in a different country
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- A nonfiction book
- A popular author’s first book
- A book from an author you love that you haven’t read yet
- SOUL CATCHER by Frank Herbert
- A book a friend recommended
- A Pulitzer-Prize winning book
- A book based on a true story
- A book at the bottom of your to-read list
- A book your mom loves
- A book that scares you
- A book more than 100 years old
- Bram Strokers Dracula
- A book you can finish in a day
- A book with antonyms in the title
- A book set somewhere you’ve always wanted to travel
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- A book that came out the year you were born
- A book with bad reviews
- A trilogy
- A book from your childhood
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- A book with a love triangle
- A book set in the future
- A book set in high school
- A book with a color in the title
- A book that made you cry
- A book with magic
- A graphic novel
- A book by an author you’ve never read before
- A book you own but have never read
- Batman Gotham Knight
- Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Mercedes Lackey
- 2094 by John Lauricella
- Japanese fairy tales by Piggott
- Fire by Kristin Cashore
- A book that takes place in your hometown
- A book that was originally written in a different language
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Kangaroo Notebook
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- A book set during Christmas
- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, original Middle English, Edited by J.R.R. Tolkein
- A book written by an author with your same initials
- A play
- A banned book
- Naked Lunch (1959 ) by William S. Burrows
- A book based on or turned into a TV show
- The hunger games
- A book you started but never finished
Current projects
1 Rake leaves – Why do more fall after I’ve used up all the bags?
2 Clean Grandma’s and Uncle’s house – ongoing.
3 Prep for winter – I put away all my summer stuff and then the next day its in the 70’s.
4 Prep for NANO, read about all the different ways to organize a novel, knowing that I’ll probably do none of the advice and just write a stream of consciousness thing anyway.
5 Check if smoke alarms carbon monoxide detectors work, remember to replace batteries.
6 Spray for spiders at grandma’s and cousins place
7 Donate clothes that don’t fit
8 Organize my books
9 donate books to Library’s book sale
10 Buy a pumpkin, Halloween supplies, a pair of gloves and a hat.
Winter checklist
1 Complete fall list
2 Organize craft bin
3 Donate Jeans that don’t fit anymore
4 Go to Library book sale
5 Clear up kitchen clutter esp tupperware
6 Exercise more
- Watch yoga cd’s and return them to library
- Do bycling on the bike while a load of laundry dries, up the resistance
- Walk with toddler more often, take him to park on sunny days
- Go to gym 2x month
- Log stuff on fitocracy.com
7 Make a monthly menu plan
8 Bake bread using Dough book and experiment using bread maker
9 Read more often
10 Draw more often, try to get back into Zentangles again, fill up sketchbook
I’m planning to participate in NANO this year!
I’ve been aware of the National Novel Writing Month for quite a few years now, and always something got in the way of my novelistic aspirations. Sometimes it was school, or work, sometimes it was that I just didn’t have the time or energy. This year I should have a few free hours a day, and I already have a few ideas floating around. I’m a bit undecided between a post apocalyptic fairytale story, or a sci-fi space empire war things, or a few other small ideas that have been floating around in my head for some time. I’ll have to write a outline and it seems that the best program out there is Scrivener so I’ll be posting there a lot. I’ll post it here after I’ve gotten it to as far as I can 50,000 words. I’ve only written poetry ans small blog posts but I am excited. The people over at http://nanowrimo.org/ have been very supportive and inspiring. I’m http://nanowrimo.org/participants/nicole-bulger over there.
So true!
Current project – git rid of stuff declutter
I have been going through my stuff and have a few clothes that I’m getting rid of. 1 pr jeans that don’t fit, 1 shirt that is too nice and will be going to the consignment shop. 1 pr pants to hem, 1 pr pants to either toss out or make into fabric. A bag of books to be moved. 3 project bags that have had the clutter removed and the projects sorted and de tangled.
My goal for this weekend is to do laundry and sort through 1 drawer. Try on all the clothes and sort into 3 piles keep, giveaway/consignment, toss. Also to sort through my cabinet in the pantry and organize all the tea and drinks there. If there’s time to go through 1 tub of craft clutter. I know that there’s stuff I don’t even know I have, blanket squares that have to be put together, stuff to be finished, spinning that I started and let collect dust, probably more that I don’t even know.
I am working on a scrap rug made with my grandmothers craft stuff.
A positive experience today
I love seeing the birds in the woods behind my house, almost everyday their songs wake me up. I love to see their flashes of color, today a young robin was singing from my porch gutter, and a swift yellow thing was eating worms in the garden.
Things I am grateful for today
Berries that grow wild along the path.
Swimming pools that are open.
A dog that is happy to see me.
My cottage in the woods
You just inherited a dilapidated, crumbling-down grand mansion in the countryside. Assuming money is no issue, what do you do with it?
I have often thought about something like this, there are many fallen down, old dilapidated houses and cottages around my town. My family had a construction business and I know how to fix some things. I also know what I don’t know which is electric, gas and plumbing. I would start by getting an inspector just so I know what the dangerous parts are. I would struggle with just jumping right in and trying to fix all what I can in a tornado of anxious work and procrastinating and dreaming of making this just the right house for me. There would have to be woods and a vineyard or orchard, I would like a largish but not too big garden, just enough for me to work on it with a little help. I would love to have or install a pond. There is a pond on the way to see my sister that i just love, enough for swimming or carefully stocking of fish. The place would have to have enough windows as I don’t like a gloomy house
If the house was a family place I might contact distant relatives to see if they wanted any heirlooms, but with my family that might start a lot of arguments I guess that this is only a dream and not real, it sounds like a lot of stress.
But the best thing would be to turn it into a bed and breakfast, I am not enough of a loner to stay in it myself and would like the busyness of taking care of it to share with others, knowing that after a short while they would be gone on their way soon.
3 things
3 things that I’m grateful for:
1 That I played an instrument and know something about music.
2 That I took gym in High school, though I might have hated it then it is really coming in handy in my life now that I want to get back into shape.
3 My family, even though most drive me crazy sometimes, I would be awfully lonely without them.
Achievement journal entry
My recent accomplishments: I applied for a job and got an interview, I think I did ok, I talked a little about myself. Perhaps flubbed a few questions but hopefully seemed enthusiastic and suitable for the job. Entry level but have to start somewhere.
I’m going to not let it worry me and keep being positive.
Walking today
On my walk today I was just walking along when this jet black bird with red and white shoulder patches kept following me. It would fly from tree to the next tree in front of me and sing its song. It was very unusual and funny, I wish I had a camera with me. Also I found some blackberries almost a handful, I’ll have to go back in a few days to check.
current projects
So over the past month or so I’ve been busy. Started an afghan project, started going to the gym again and jogging, found my old calligraphy kit, drew more Zentangles, and I’ve been baby siting my cousin for more than 60 hours a week, last week was about 80 hours. Helped garden at both my moms house and my grandmas, now I want to start my own. I’ve even found time to read a book, and go to the library. So much to do still.
crochet motifs
I’m thinking of making a lace coverup for summer.
These are the patterns that I’m thinking of doing:
- http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rojo-fuego-motif-blouse
- http://arteenhilo.blogspot.com/2011/05/blusas-motif-hechas-de-aplicaciones.html
- http://knottyliving.blogspot.com/2013/04/sunflower-crochet-motif.html
- http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-bedspread-made-from-two-motifs
- http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/celtic-knot-motif
- http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/20-12-lacy-cardigan
- http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/20-21-19-long-sleeve-lace-cardigan
I’m still undecided, but know that I’m either using a bamboo yarn or bamboo-cotton blend.
Day 6 letters : A stranger
I met you, you were homeless I’m sorry that I couldn’t help more. I gave you some advice that I knew you wouldn’t take. I worried for you and others like you for a while after. I realize that you cant make people get help unless they want it. You have to want to change to change. Hope you are in better climate like you wanted.
Day 5 letters : Dreams
I have many dreams, to accomplish them I need time, money, more education, and to move. I know this. Why I have trouble achieving these things that are necessary to achieving them? Procrastination and inertia.
Recipe Strawberry banana peach fizzy smoothie
ingredients
6-7 strawberries
1 banana
1 cup frozen peaches
1/2 cup ice
2-3 tsp sugar or honey (or leave this out)
Directions:
Take the strawberries, banana, peaches, and ice blend in blender. Add to this fruit mixture a half can of ginger ale, and sugar or honey to taste. Enjoy!
Day 10 letters : Someone you dont talk to as much as you’d like
Someone I don’t talk to, certain cousins of mine, too much difference in age or life circumstances, we talk at birthdays, or holidays but not enough otherwise.
Day 13 letters : someone you wish could forgive you
I really don’t have anyone Ive harmed too badly, If their mad at me its for a reason and the reason is bs.
Dinner Frittata
Tonight I made an Italian favorite the Frittata, is like a omelet but baked. You can put any veggie and/or meat into one and it’ll come out fine. Today I felt like asparagus and onions would be good, plus I had leftover Easter ham.
Ingredients:
1 tbs butter or oil
5 oz asparagus
1/4 medium onion
salt
approx. 6 oz ham cubed
5-8 eggs
mozzarella cheese 2/3 cup
Directions: Take a medium 9 inch oven save frying pan, melt the butter, fry the asparagus and onions until they are a little softened. Meanwhile preset your oven to 325F (Some people like to cook them more, or caramelize them I like vegetables with a little crunch) add seasoning, I used salt and garlic salt, plus a spice packet that came with the asparagus, scramble your eggs, a smaller number makes the frittata smaller, more and you’ll have a thicker pie. When the vegetables are done to your liking, (keeping in mind that they’ll cook more in the oven) add the eggs and the mozzarella cheese. Let this firm up on the bottom, then put the pan into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until firm. You might want to add more cheese when it comes out. Let cool down for a minute or two and enjoy.
Oil treatment day 2
This time I used 1/3 cup of coconut oil and 2/3 cups of olive. I shampooed and conditioned as usual, I have waist length hair so people with shorter hair might use less. My hair came out good but a little oily so a 1:2 ratio is too much and a 1:1 is too drying I will have to experiment more. I try to do a oil treatment once a week as more often than that is not good for my hair. I think that the next time I will use a 2:3 ratio of coconut to olive oil.
Poem 3 wind/air
What is this force that pushes me?
Why does it spin the leaves around in a playful circle?
How long have the birds used it to travel, to hunt, to move to play?
Where does it begin or end? Nowhere and everywhere it is wind.
Gently it curls about my feet, strongly it whips my hair,
The trees that bend live longer than the ones that break in the path of the storm.
People are like this too, but those who do not bend sometimes cause others to bend for them,
the strength of their will is a storm that leaves destruction and carnage in its wake,
but lets the forest of humanity have some room to grow.
nickybulger 