Scaifea's 2012 Challenge - Thread #3

Esto es una continuación del tema Scaifea's 2012 Challenge - Thread #2.

Este tema fue continuado por Scaifea's 2012 Challenge - Thread #4.

Charlas75 Books Challenge for 2012

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Scaifea's 2012 Challenge - Thread #3

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1scaifea
Editado: Feb 20, 2012, 1:58 pm

New thread!

Here's one of my favorite versions of the Pythia, John Collier's "Priestess of Delphi":



Below you’ll find an explanation of my reading habits, which, I warn you, is a bit crazy. Usually I have about 10-12 books going at once, one each from the following groups (and occasionally other books slipped in there too):

1. A library book. I'd tell you how I pick these, but it's too embarrassing. Maybe you'll figure it out as the year unfolds...

2. A book from the 100 Banned Books book (at least currently. As soon as I finish this list, I'll replace it with another, and oh, I've got tons of lists).

3. A children's book, for Charlie's library. I'm trying to collect books from various award lists, and I like reading them before reading them to Charlie or deciding to add them to Charlie's shelves. For this category, I’m working through a few different lists:
NEH Timeless Classics list
Newbery Winners list
1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die
John Bellairs' bibliography
The Black Stallion books/Farley bibliography
Beverly Cleary's bibliography

4. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

5. A book for the Presidential Challenge. Books for this category are read in chronological (presidentially) order.

6. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft.

7. For this category, I cycle through 9 different stacks:
a. A book from my shelves which I haven't yet read
b. A CYOA book - I'm trying to collect as many of these as I can, again, for Charlie.
c. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
d. Stephen King's bibliography (in chronological order)
e. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
f. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
g. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
h. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
i. The Pulizer list (in alpha order by author)

So, now you've got a glimpse of just how neurotic I am.
Please feel free to post comments, recommendations, or whatever else strikes your fancy. And Happy Reading, everyone!

What I'm reading now:
-John Stuart Mill Autobiography, Essay on Liberty/ Thomas Carlyle Characteristics, Inaugural Address, Essay on Scott (library book)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-Mary Poppins (NEH list)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-James Madison (Presidential Challenge)
-Blink (audio book)
-Four Past Midnight (King bibliography)
-The Children's Hour Volume 8: Myths and Legends (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

Books Read:
23. The Know-It-All (audiobook) - 2 stars
22. The Children's Hour, Volume 7: Favorite Mystery Stories - 3 stars
21. A Dance with Dragons (series) - 4 stars
20. Ulysses Annotated (for help with #19) - 2 stars
19. Ulysses (Banned Books list) - 1 star
18. Socks (Cleary bibliography) - 3 stars
17. The Mansion in the Mist (Bellairs bibliography) - 4 stars
16. The Black Stallion's Ghost (Farley bibliography) - 3 stars
15. Ramona the Pest (Cleary bibliography) - 3 stars
14. Heidi (NEH list) - 2 stars
13. Bridge to Terabithia (Newbery list) - 4 stars
12. The Black Stallion Challenged! (Farley bibliography) - 3 stars
11. The Black Stallion and Flame (Farley bibliography) - 3 stars
10. The Secret of the Underground Room (Bellairs bibliography) - 4 stars
9. The Light in the Forest (NEH list) - 3 stars
8. Orlando Furioso (for a group read, of sorts) - 5 stars
7. The Horse-Tamer (Farley bibliography) - 3 stars
6. Kids Go! (found in Walmart sale bin for $4!) - 3 stars
5. A Gathering of Days (Newbery list) - 3 stars
4. The Chessmen of Doom (Bellairs bibliography) - 4 stars
3. The Black Stallion Mystery (Farley bibliography) - 4 stars
2. The Growing-Up Feet (Cleary bibliography) - 2 stars
1. The Trolley to Yesterday (Bellairs bibliography) - 4 stars

2scaifea
Ene 31, 2012, 5:34 pm

15. Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary (Cleary bibliography, 211 pages) - 3 stars

Ramona, known to loyal Cleary fans as Beezus' little sister, stars in her own book this time around, and she's off to kindergarten. She wreaks all sorts of unintentional havoc, of course, and manages to be completely adorable.

Cleary gets kids. She's very adept at depicting the thoughts and emotions of grade school children, or, at least, how I thought and felt during my early years. Solid entry in her series, hence, 3 stars.

Updated Currently Reading List:
-John Stuart Mill Autobiography, Essay on Liberty/ Thomas Carlyle Characteristics, Inaugural Address, Essay on Scott (library book)
-Ulysses (banned books list)
-Ulysses Annotated (because I'm gonna need some help, I think)
-The Black Stallion's Ghost (Farley bibliography)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-James Madison (Presidential Challenge)
-The Know-It-All (audio book)
-Four Past Midnight (King bibliography)
-The Children's Hour Volume 7: Favorite Mystery Stories (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

3maggie1944
Editado: Ene 31, 2012, 5:37 pm

Well, I have lots of books started too and for none of the good reasons you list above. But I understand having more than one book at a time in the actively being read role! Woo Hoo

I am here to follow you along the way. Congrats on the Thread # 3!

4scaifea
Ene 31, 2012, 5:37 pm

Ugh. When Charlie and I went out this morning to hang our newly-made bird feeders, I twisted my ankle something awful in the deep snow. Stupid thing still hurts like crazy and I've been hobbling around all day. Blerg!

On the up side, I've got the Slow-Cooked Southwest Chicken in the crockpot, and it smells wonderful. Can't wait to try it!

5scaifea
Ene 31, 2012, 5:37 pm

Hi, maggie!

6PaulCranswick
Ene 31, 2012, 6:17 pm

Amber - congrats on the latest thread!

7FAMeulstee
Ene 31, 2012, 6:22 pm

Oh a twisted ankle can be so painfull!
I hope it isn't too bad.
((( hugs )))

8maggie1944
Ene 31, 2012, 7:29 pm

oh, hunney, be sure to elevate that foot, and read a book. Sure fire way to make the ankle feel better. Someone else needs to do all the housekeeping jobs.

9scaifea
Feb 1, 2012, 7:30 am

Paul: Thanks, and welcome!

Anita & maggie: Well, it feels quite a bit better today, but only after it got *much* worse yesterday evening, when a certain border collie, who will remain nameless, made a landing from her flying leap to catch a ball right on my ankle as it was propped up on the ottoman. Sigh. But Tomm came home just 5 minutes after that incident and proceeded to baby me for the rest of the night, so that made things better, of course.

On the agenda today:
-A whole lotta nuttin. Really, I don't have much of anything that just *needs* to be done today, so we'll just play it by ear. Just hanging out, playing with my toddler will be good enough. Maybe a little sewing (made no progress on the curtains yesterday), maybe some knitting. Again, maybe some reading.

10London_StJ
Feb 1, 2012, 7:47 am

Yeowch on the border collie gymnastics.

Enjoy your free day!

11dk_phoenix
Feb 1, 2012, 9:22 am

Love the painting at the top. Love, love, love it. I've been thinking for awhile about trying to find a large print of it to hang at home.

12scaifea
Feb 1, 2012, 10:47 am

Thanks, Luxx. I've already had some nice reading time this morning.

Faith: I'm a big fan of Collier. Have you tried allposters.com or art.com?

13DeltaQueen50
Feb 1, 2012, 6:03 pm

Glad to hear the ankle is doing better today. I can't imagine having to hobble around after a toddler with a sore ankle all day!

14ChelleBearss
Feb 2, 2012, 12:43 am

Sorry about your ankle! Hope it is healed up now and you enjoyed your do-nuttin day!

15scaifea
Feb 2, 2012, 7:37 am

Thanks, Judy & Chelle - it was a pretty good day, in fact, and my ankle feel much much better.

Rob's surgery is this morning, so I'll be spending the morning thinking of him and hoping for the best.

16FAMeulstee
Feb 2, 2012, 10:23 am

Thnking with you!

17cal8769
Feb 2, 2012, 12:33 pm

Thinking of you and your friend.

18scaifea
Feb 2, 2012, 5:26 pm

Anita & Carrie: Many thanks for the good thoughts.

Rob is now home and feeling okay, though sore, of course. He won't know anything more until they run tests on the tumor, so it's waiting time. While waiting to hear how it went, I tried to distract myself with a little reading:

16. The Black Stallion's Ghost by Walter Farley (Farley bibliography, 177 pages) - 3 stars

While spending the rest of the winter in the Florida Everglades, Alec and The Black meet up against an insane French horse-trainer (the trainer is French; I'm not sure if the horse is) and his haute-ecole trained horse, Ghost. The Crazy French guy wants to breed his mare with The Black, at all costs, and the cost turns out to be quite high.

Sigh. Alright, he's done it. He jumped the shark with this one. It's just, well, weird. Alec and The Black get lost in the swamp at night and Alec has some sort of crazy-train encounter with some sort of amorphous hoodoo monster...? I think...? And then there's a race tacked on at the end like some sort of lame after-thought. Oh well. I give it 3 stars not because it really deserves that many, but because at this point I'm in it for the long haul and have some sort of feeling of loyalty to the series. I can't bear to hurt it's feelings, somehow.

Updated Current Reading List:
-John Stuart Mill Autobiography, Essay on Liberty/ Thomas Carlyle Characteristics, Inaugural Address, Essay on Scott (library book)
-Ulysses (banned books list)
-Ulysses Annotated (because I'm gonna need some help, I think)
-The Mansion in the Mist (Bellairs bibliography)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-James Madison (Presidential Challenge)
-The Know-It-All (audio book)
-Four Past Midnight (King bibliography)
-The Children's Hour Volume 7: Favorite Mystery Stories (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

19scaifea
Feb 2, 2012, 5:31 pm

Poor Charlie fell right on his ol' noggin this afternoon, and now has a healthy-sized and purplish-looking egg on his forehead to show for it. Poor little tiger. So, we're convalescing by watching his current favorite movie, Dumbo (gawd, I'm reading for him to become obsessed with something else already - I've never been a fan of this particular Disney installment).

Dinner tonight is easy-peasy fare: BBQ Chicken Pizza, made with grilled, frozen chicken, bottled BBQ sauce, pre-baked pizza bread shell and shredded monterey jack cheese. I just need something *very* easy to fix today.

20FAMeulstee
Feb 2, 2012, 5:34 pm

Amber, I understand your feelings about The Black Stallion's Ghost, the original publisher of the Black books in the Netherlands published 12 books about Black (and Flame). To my surprise I found out in the 80s that an other publisher did the Black books now and published some new books, this was one of them and an awfull disappointment :-(
Although I am listing books we don't have anymore at LT, I decided to list only the original publishers 12 Black books...

I hope the waiting isn't too hard on you and Rob.

21PaulCranswick
Feb 2, 2012, 5:48 pm

Best wishes to Charlie.

22scaifea
Feb 2, 2012, 5:55 pm

Anita: Waiting is awful - he told me that he just keeps imagining the worst, which is only natural, of course, but I try to keep positive for him. Knowing, even if it's bad news, is better than the waiting, I think.
As far as the later Black Stallion books goes, I'm pretty impressed that they stayed good for so long, so I'm too troubled about them diminishing here at the end - I think I only have 3 more to go.

Paul: Thanks - he's enjoying the pampering he's getting, at least!

23norabelle414
Feb 2, 2012, 6:08 pm

>19 scaifea: Oh, little kids (especially boys?) and their movie obsessions. I used to babysit for a boy who watched "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" on repeat constantly, and pitched a fit if I didn't watch with him. I will never, ever, ever read that book.

24alcottacre
Feb 2, 2012, 6:12 pm

Would you post your recipe for Slow-Cooked Southwest Chicken? It sounds like something Kerry and Beth would like!

I hope the ankle is feeling better and that Charlie's poor noggin is on the mend too.

25PaulCranswick
Feb 2, 2012, 6:14 pm

Amber if we can get him potty trained he won't need the Pampers!

26scaifea
Feb 2, 2012, 6:26 pm

Nora: Ha! I can usually tune whatever he's watching out and sit next to him and read, but today, what with the coddling he needed, I had to watch with him. Sigh.

Paul: *snork!*

Stasia: Yep, sure thing:

Ingredients:
• 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can chicken broth
• 1 can-full (use chicken broth can) of water
• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 can (16 oz.) salsa (I used black bean and corn salsa - Newman's Own brand)
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• pepper, to taste
• 1 cup rice, cooked

1. Combine all ingredients except rice in slow-cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low 6 hours or until chicken shreds easily.
3. Shred chicken and return to slow cooker; heat through.
4. Serve over rice.

This recipe (slightly modified from the original) comes from Taste of Home Simple and Delicious, which has tons of good recipes in it. Highly recommended.

27weejane
Feb 2, 2012, 9:14 pm

Thanks for the posting the recipe! I was going to ask if you would share, but Stasia beat me to the punch!

I'll be sending lots of Light your way and your friend Robb's way.

Life here is good and think it might - just might - be the beginning of slowing down. Although I will have a slew of research papers to grade. . . blah.

28scaifea
Feb 2, 2012, 9:38 pm

Thanks, Brit, for the good thoughts - we'll take as many as we can get! And enjoy the recipe - it makes the chicken so so tender, and the salsa and cumin are delicious.
I was never a fan of grading research papers - you could use the stairs method...

29thornton37814
Feb 3, 2012, 8:09 am

That recipe looks really good. I love Southwestern flavors in food.

30dk_phoenix
Feb 3, 2012, 8:24 am

>12 scaifea:: Well! That was easy! There it is, all well-priced and ready for me to order it!!! How have I not heard of this site before? I think I was just so used to relying on university poster sales that I've never looked around online... (a poor excuse, since I haven't been in uni for 5 years)... LOL

31scaifea
Feb 3, 2012, 11:09 am

Lori: It *is* good - and really easy too!

Faith: You're welcome - those sites are dangerous, though; I try to stay away from that kind of temptation.

32scaifea
Feb 3, 2012, 12:30 pm

Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies, anyone? Fresh from the oven...

33scaifea
Feb 3, 2012, 12:51 pm

There's mention of one of my favorite shows over on sandykaypax's thread, and it reminded me of my favorite clip from that show (The West Wing). As it's a bit on the political side, I thought I'd post it on my own thread instead of on hers, in case she or her thread-followers don't agree with it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWuXpfXSl5Y

34DeltaQueen50
Feb 3, 2012, 3:43 pm

Great clip, Amber. I still really miss that show!

35thornton37814
Feb 3, 2012, 5:10 pm

What's the "triple" in the cookies -- cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and ____?

36scaifea
Editado: Feb 3, 2012, 5:20 pm

Judy: Me too!

Lori: unsweetened baking chocolate, melted.

37scaifea
Feb 3, 2012, 5:25 pm

Ugh. I posted that link on my FB page (I should learn to stop doing that kind of stuff, really), and my ultra-conservative, right-wing sister just jumped down my throat about it. Sigh. Poor thing. She thinks her little sister is going to hell in a hand-basket.

38Helenoel
Feb 3, 2012, 6:42 pm

The hand-basket has a pretty good crowd. Maybe we can all get a group rate on the travel.

39maggie1944
Feb 3, 2012, 7:56 pm

And such a lovely "hot-air" balloon to keep us sailing smoothly! Wheeeeeee

40scaifea
Feb 3, 2012, 8:37 pm

*snork!* I'm happy to be in such good company!

41msf59
Feb 3, 2012, 8:53 pm

Hi Amber- I've seen your name pop up all the time over on Paul's Thread, as an up and coming Post Leader. So I wanted to drop by and see what the fuss was about. Now, I know!
Love the painting at the top. Cool stuff. Enjoy your weekend.

42scaifea
Feb 3, 2012, 9:44 pm

Mark: Welcome! Yes, I do tend to fuss a bit, but you'll forgive me, of course... ;)

43weejane
Feb 4, 2012, 7:51 am

Amber - Don't listen to your sister! Because if you're going to hell, then the dyke over here is certainly going to hell and that just means that hell is where the party is! :)

And those cookies look amazing!

44The_Hibernator
Feb 4, 2012, 8:06 am

Just stopping by to say "hi!" Mmmmmm cookies.

45scaifea
Feb 4, 2012, 10:07 am

Brit: Ha! Good point - hell has all the cool people.

Rachel: Hi! Help yourself to the cookies. I ate *way* too many yesterday, though. Ugh.

46scaifea
Feb 4, 2012, 10:14 am

17. The Mansion in the Mist by John Bellairs (Bellairs bibliography, 170 pages) - 4 stars

Anthony Monday, his friend the elderly librarian (Miss Eells), and her brother, Emerson, all get caught up in an other-dimensional nightmare when they go up to Emerson's summer cottage on the lake.

Another solid entry in the series. Bellairs' strong suit is his ability to write believable young characters, who are easy to identify with, while still writing pretty amazing supernatural plots. Great, great stuff for young readers.

Updated Current Reading List:
-John Stuart Mill Autobiography, Essay on Liberty/ Thomas Carlyle Characteristics, Inaugural Address, Essay on Scott (library book)
-Ulysses (banned books list)
-Ulysses Annotated (because I'm gonna need some help, I think)
-Socks (Cleary bibliography)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-James Madison (Presidential Challenge)
-The Know-It-All (audio book)
-Four Past Midnight (King bibliography)
-The Children's Hour Volume 7: Favorite Mystery Stories (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

47jnwelch
Feb 4, 2012, 10:22 am

Amber, I'm so impressed you're reading Asinaria (which is new to me) in Latin and the Iliad in Greek! I find it challenging enough just reading ones like that in English. And I love that you mix it up with authors like Bellairs. Very cool.

48scaifea
Feb 4, 2012, 10:34 am

Joe: Thanks! I like to think that I keep a pretty good mix of reads going. :)

49Storeetllr
Feb 4, 2012, 1:05 pm

Hi, Amber! You've sure been keeping busy, even if you have to hobble around to get things done. Hope your ankle is better. Also hope Charlie's recovered from his fall.

#33 and 43 ~ Guess I'll be joining you all in hell, then. (Bring some of those double chocolate cookies with you?) Although, as a legal secretary of 30+ years' duration, I've been assured that I won't go to hell when I die, no matter what, since I've already spent enough time there.

50scaifea
Feb 4, 2012, 1:34 pm

Hi, Mary! Yep, both the ankle and Charlie's head are much better, thanks.

*snork!* at the legal secretary hell. Either you won't go, or you'll be well qualified for a management position when you get there.

51London_StJ
Feb 4, 2012, 2:51 pm

Am I too late for yesterday's cookies? Yum!

52scaifea
Feb 4, 2012, 3:46 pm

Luxx: Nope! There's still some left. In fact, despite the lesson I should have learned yesterday, I'm eating one right now.

53KiwiNyx
Feb 4, 2012, 7:15 pm

Hi Amber, just checking in with your thread and have you starred. Was admiring your border collie photo, my dog is a border collie as well and they are just the best pets to have around, in fact mine is staring me down right at this moment and I can just tell he is sending me 'walk,walk,walk' thoughts.

54scaifea
Feb 4, 2012, 7:53 pm

Hi, KiwiNyx - it's amazing out my expression they have in their intelligent faces, no? We love our border collie, Tuppence. She's definitely a herder, and Tomm, Charlie, Susie (the cat) and I are her herd!

55Storeetllr
Feb 4, 2012, 10:24 pm

Haha, Amber ~ I wouldn't mind being put in charge of some of the attorneys and office managers I've worked for over the years! *evil grin*

56scaifea
Feb 4, 2012, 10:28 pm

Oooh, I just had a lovely thought - all the books that have ever been banned must be in the most wonderful library... in hell! We'll have lots of great stuff to read!

57scaifea
Feb 4, 2012, 11:50 pm

Over on Paul's thread, people are chatting about marriage proposals, and it's got me remembering Tomm's and my wedding. The day itself was dreadful - very stressful family stuff, and I hate being the center of attention and all that - but we got married in one of the most beautiful places I've been to in Ohio, the Park of Roses in Columbus. This is the exact spot where we said We Did:



Lovely, no? Sigh.

58Storeetllr
Feb 5, 2012, 12:09 am

Oh! Looks like a storybook image! What a beautiful place for such a memorable occasion!

59AMQS
Feb 5, 2012, 1:15 am

Beautiful!

Hope Charlie is feeling better -- poor little one. I have been eying Bellairs' books for years. Now I really want to try one!

Your cookies look goooood! (As I write this I am trying not eat an entire box of Thin Mints all by myself...)

60lauralkeet
Feb 5, 2012, 6:38 am

>57 scaifea:: oh, that's beautiful! how romantic.

61maggie1944
Feb 5, 2012, 8:59 am

A beautiful place captured very nicely in the photograph!

62scaifea
Feb 5, 2012, 9:50 am

Mary, Linda & maggie: It *was* lovely and romantic - and we have a wonderful warm and sunny day for it - this picture is not mine but one posted on the park's website.

Anne: Charlie is much better, thanks - they recuperate fairly quickly when they're so young, it seems. I encourage you to give Bellairs a try - his books are a hoot! And, please, pass some of those thin mints over - they're my favorite!

63London_StJ
Feb 5, 2012, 10:23 am

Oh, perfectly lovely!

Location is the one thing I regret about our wedding, but it made my mother happy and she did so much for the whole event that it was ultimately worth it.

64cal8769
Feb 5, 2012, 12:39 pm

Oh my, that is a wonderful spot. Very beautiful.

65scaifea
Feb 5, 2012, 2:28 pm

Luxx: My MIL *hated* that we got married there instead of in a church, and by a judge instead of a pastor. Made it all the sweeter for me. ;)

Carrie: It's a beautiful park - huge! I've never seen so many roses in my life!

66scaifea
Feb 5, 2012, 2:30 pm

18. Socks by Beverly Cleary (Cleary bibliography, 139 pages) - 3 stars.

Sock is a cat who is adopted by a loving, young couple, and his life is perfect, until the lady of the house becomes pregnant. Will he be able to learn to live with a new baby in the house?

Cute, but not Cleary's best. Hence the 3 stars.

Updated Current Reading list:
-John Stuart Mill Autobiography, Essay on Liberty/ Thomas Carlyle Characteristics, Inaugural Address, Essay on Scott (library book)
-Ulysses (banned books list)
-Ulysses Annotated (because I'm gonna need some help, I think)
-Mary Poppins (NEH list)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-James Madison (Presidential Challenge)
-The Know-It-All (audio book)
-Four Past Midnight (King bibliography)
-The Children's Hour Volume 7: Favorite Mystery Stories (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

67cal8769
Feb 5, 2012, 2:57 pm

I showed that picture to my son and he said, ' That is beautiful. Who painted it?' He was so surprised that it was a real park.

68London_StJ
Feb 5, 2012, 4:54 pm

Made it all the sweeter for me. ;)

*snickersnort*

69DeltaQueen50
Feb 5, 2012, 5:45 pm

Amber, that is a lovely spot to get married in. Very romantic.

70scaifea
Feb 5, 2012, 7:33 pm

Carrie: Ha! Nice!

Luxx: :)

Judy: Definitely. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend a visit - it's a public park, so it's free!

71scaifea
Feb 5, 2012, 7:47 pm

19. Ulysses by James Joyce (Banned Books list, 783 pages) - 1 star, begrudgingly bestowed

Well, I read it. Sort of. I suffered through the words, and barely retained anything, if you can call that reading. And no, of course I didn't 'get' it all - no one is really meant to, I think - although I was surprised at how very many obscure references I did catch (classical stuff mostly, of course). This steaming pile of 'literature' just makes me angry. Joyce did this on purpose, to make scholars cream their proverbial jeans over what he could have meant here, or what his intentions were there, when his intentions were to make them react just as they do! Gah! What makes me really angry, beyond the 'emperor's new clothing' sort of malarky that goes on in English departments the world over about this sort of thing, is that Joyce was capable of writing truly amazing stuff; his Dubliners is some of the finest stuff I've ever read. What a waste: a waste of his ability, a waste of my time, a waste of the paper it's printed on. Ptooey, I say.

20. Ulysses Annotated by Don Gifford (for help reading #19, I skimmed this one) - 2 stars

I only gave this 2 stars because I'm not really fond if this kind of commentary (endless footnotes on minute points that I don't give a crap about, and no general commentary at all). I'm sure it's useful to someone, somewhere, though.

Updated Currently Reading list:
-John Stuart Mill Autobiography, Essay on Liberty/ Thomas Carlyle Characteristics, Inaugural Address, Essay on Scott (library book)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-Mary Poppins (NEH list)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-James Madison (Presidential Challenge)
-The Know-It-All (audio book)
-Four Past Midnight (King bibliography)
-The Children's Hour Volume 7: Favorite Mystery Stories (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

72maggie1944
Feb 5, 2012, 7:53 pm

I just today moved my copy of Dubliners from one bookcase where it was collecting dust, to another, where perhaps I'll pick it up sometime in the next year. My TBR piles are just ridiculous.

73ChelleBearss
Feb 5, 2012, 9:40 pm

What a lovely place for a wedding!! Glad you had it where you wanted :)

74PaulCranswick
Feb 6, 2012, 2:06 am

Wow! Amber what a beautiful place to exchange your vows. Thanks also for namechecking my thread! Hope Charlie is Ok after his tumble and you are able to keep up on 1 1/2 legs.

75scaifea
Feb 6, 2012, 7:53 am

maggie: Oh, do! Even as much as I disliked Ulysses, Dubliners is absolutely wonderful!

Chelle: Ha! Yeah, even so, only one of my three brother came to the wedding, but it wasn't a big deal (to me anyways; my MIL thought it was terrible that my immediate family wasn't all there. Sheesh.)

Paul: Many thanks - we're all better here now. For now, at least... :)

76norabelle414
Feb 6, 2012, 8:39 am

I love hearing about people's understated weddings. Such a contrast to the horrors seen on tv and in movies.

Congrats on getting Ulysses off your bedside table!

77FAMeulstee
Feb 6, 2012, 2:59 pm

Even after your review I am still in doubt if I want to give Ulysses a try one day ;-)
Your review sounds as it is straight from the heart, well done!

78scaifea
Feb 6, 2012, 3:23 pm

Nora: Our's was very understated: I had a very simple (and inexpensive) dress; there was only a best man and a maid of honor (and we told them they could wear whatever they wanted; we only invited immediate family members; we had our dinner (lunch in our case) at a local buffet restaurant!

Anita: Ha! If I had read a similar review, it wouldn't have mattered to me either - I still would have read it. It's a classic, and referenced all over the place, so I wanted to know what it was about just for that reason.

79cindysprocket
Feb 6, 2012, 6:09 pm

Amber, what a beautiful picture of Park of Roses. We are in Columbus a few times during the year. Always make sure to go to the park during the summer. Have seen brides at different times.

80scaifea
Feb 6, 2012, 9:56 pm

Hi, Cindy! Why do I feel like we're constantly just missing each other...?

81scaifea
Feb 7, 2012, 7:03 am

Well, Charlie and I are leaving this morning for a week-long trip to visit my family in Indiana. I'll only have internet access through my iphone, so I'll be lurking, but not posting much, since trying to type on the tiny phone keyboard tries my even tinier amount of patience very quickly. I may stop in from time to time, but otherwise - have a great week, everyone!

82ChelleBearss
Feb 7, 2012, 7:16 am

Have a great trip!

83dk_phoenix
Feb 7, 2012, 8:31 am

Have a good trip, be safe! We'll be here when you get back. :D

84maggie1944
Feb 7, 2012, 8:37 am

Ya! What those other peoples said! See you when you can post!

85DeltaQueen50
Feb 7, 2012, 2:35 pm

Hope you and Charlie have a great trip and get lots of spoiling from your family!

86sandykaypax
Feb 7, 2012, 3:35 pm

Hey, just checking in here to find a week's worth of messages! I loved the clip from The West Wing! My husband has often brought up all of those same points--he has a degree in education and theology because he went to a Lutheran college, so he knows the Bible backwards and forwards.

I have never been to the park of roses...I've been to Columbus many times, but had no idea that park existed. I should check it out this summer. Looks like a beautiful place to get married, and the aroma must be divine. I carried a bouquet of red roses for my wedding, love them.

Have a good trip!

Sandy K

87London_StJ
Feb 7, 2012, 4:42 pm

Joyce did this on purpose, to make scholars cream their proverbial jeans over what he could have meant here, or what his intentions were there, when his intentions were to make them react just as they do!

Your review of Ulysses perfectly describes my own experience with the novel. I considered once giving it "another go," but I think this is one book that I will doom to dust-gathering.

88FAMeulstee
Feb 7, 2012, 4:45 pm

Have a safe trip and a good stay with your family!

89ronincats
Feb 7, 2012, 5:02 pm

Safe travels, and hope Charlie is a good traveler.

90weejane
Feb 8, 2012, 7:10 am

Have a safe trip!! I'm sorry I haven't been around too much. I love the picture of your wedding site! Hope Charlie is doing well. We found yesterday that we're going to have another BOY!!!! I'm so excited! Whitney is getting used to the idea - she really wanted a girl.

91scaifea
Feb 8, 2012, 3:15 pm

Hi, everyone, and thanks for the safe travel wishes! We're here safe and sound, and having a nice, relaxing time. And I'm getting reading time! WooHoo!!

Brit: Yay!!! Boys, of course, are awesome!

92scaifea
Feb 13, 2012, 7:41 am

Hi, everyone - we're back home! Charlie and I had a lovely time visiting my parents, although it was a bit exhausting, too. My dad came down with some sort of 24-hour bug while we were there, which Charlie then caught, and then me. On top of that, Charlie never sleeps very well there, so I was up several times every night to tuck him back in and get him back to sleep. So I'm a bit tired. I did get some reading done, though:

21. A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin (next in the series, 1016 pages) - 4 stars
I can't really offer up a summary of this book to you, both because I'm too lazy to try to sort out all the characters and events, but also because any mention of any particular character would be a spoiler of sorts, since you never know in this series who's going to live to the next page. What I will say is that Martin serves up another helping of awesomesauce here. Excellent storytelling, amazingly written.

Slight spoiler ahead:

Gah! One of my two favorite characters dies! Damn. He held on for so long, poor sod. Now, if Martin kills my other favorite, I *will* be angry. Humph.

Spoiler (and whining) over.

22. The Children's Hour, Volume 7: Favorite Mystery Stories (next in the series, 375 pages) - 3 stars
Nice collection of a variety of mystery stories. Some I skipped because they were ones I'd read before within their greater contexts, a few others I skipped because I want to read them in their context someday as well. Some stories were a bit outdated, but there were some real zingers in there, too. I like that this series has two sections in some of the volumes: one for 'younger readers' and one in the back for more advanced readers.

23. The Know-It-All by A. J. Jacobs (audiobook) - 2 stars
Nonfiction. The author - a writer for Esquire magazine - decided to read the Encyclopedia Britannica cover-to-cover, claiming that he's doing it in an effort to become the smartest man in the world.
Now, really. If he truly thinks that cramming all those facts into his head makes him smarter, well, he's doomed from the start, no? I have issues with this book. The idea is a cute one, if a little too quaintly NPR-ish for my taste, but this guy is, for lack of any better phrasing, annoying. Really annoying. He clearly thinks that this is a completely clever idea, and tries to remind us throughout how clever he is. But, he (thinks he's) so clever at doing so: He constantly refers to himself as silly, neurotic, a bit of an ass - he's trying to come off as a Woody Allen figure, I think. And this ruins the book, for me, at least. The best part is his excerpts from the Britannica itself. But, hell, I'll just read the thing on my own, if I want. Sheesh.

Updated Current Reading List:
-John Stuart Mill Autobiography, Essay on Liberty/ Thomas Carlyle Characteristics, Inaugural Address, Essay on Scott (library book)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-Mary Poppins (NEH list)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-James Madison (Presidential Challenge)
-(audio book - need to make a trip to the library to pick out a new one)
-Four Past Midnight (King bibliography)
-The Children's Hour Volume 8: Myths and Legends (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

93dulcibelle
Feb 13, 2012, 3:21 pm

>23 norabelle414:. I've seen Jacobs speak. His father is/was a federal judge and he (Jacobs the younger) was chosen as the keynote speaker for our annual convention one year (I'm a law librarian). At that time, he said he read the Britannica because it was something his father was trying to do and didn't get a chance to complete. He didn't seem as bad in person, but I haven't read any of his work (books or articles). He was actually a pretty entertaining speaker.

BTW - he's also the guy who wrote The Year of Living Biblically. He had some amusing stories about that as well - but I ended up feeling sorry for his wife.

94scaifea
Feb 13, 2012, 4:31 pm

Riva: Huh, I didn't realize that this was the same guy who wrote The Year of Living Biblically; I had that on my wishlist, but I may take it off now - ha! Yes, there's a whole theme throughout the book about him trying to out-do his father in various ways (reading the EB as one of them). Oh, and I too feel sorry for his wife, but then again, she did marry him.

95scaifea
Feb 13, 2012, 4:34 pm

I just finished watching the next movie on my AFI list: Shakespeare in Love. It was much better than I expected it to be (I thought it would be Titanic-like for some reason); in fact, I really quite liked it, and that's saying something, because I'm *really* not a fan of Paltrow. Next up on the list: The Postman Always Rings Twice (the 1946 version).

96London_StJ
Feb 13, 2012, 8:03 pm

Oh, I found "Shakespeare in Love" to be surprisingly charming; I didn't have high hopes when I started it, but my favorite Shakespeare professor really enjoyed it, so I gave it a go. I appreciate surprise good movies.

97Ape
Feb 14, 2012, 7:40 am

Sorry Amber. As I posted on my thread just now I missed this entire thread because of the stupid Continuation feature. Ugh. Sorry. :(

98scaifea
Feb 14, 2012, 7:47 am

Luxx: I love being proven wrong about movies in that way too. I'm such a curmudgeon about movies sometimes...

Stephen: S'okay. I've been out of town for a week anyways. Glad you're here now, though!

99lauralkeet
Feb 14, 2012, 9:12 am

Oh I'm glad you liked Shakespeare in Love!
The hubster and I watched the recent Brideshead Revisited film last night. He's a huge fan of the original series, which of course was much longer, and the movie had to condense quite a bit. I haven't read the book and I don't have the original memorized, so I enjoyed it and thought the cinematography was wonderful.

100scaifea
Feb 14, 2012, 9:47 am

Laura: I'll have to put Brideshead Revisited in the Netflix queue - both versions - thanks for the recommendation!

101jnwelch
Feb 14, 2012, 10:15 am

I liked Brideshead Revisited as a book, but I still haven't seen the series or the movie. I did get a kick out of Shakespeare in Love though - how about that Judi Dench? She sure packed a lot of power into a fairly brief appearance.

102scaifea
Feb 14, 2012, 11:03 am

Joe: Agreed - Dench was pretty amazing in that part.

103scaifea
Feb 14, 2012, 12:30 pm

I just got a call from my mom - my brother needs emergency surgery to put in a pacemaker. Having lost one of my brothers in the not-too-distant past, this has shaken us all up quite a bit, naturally. I know that pacemakers themselves are not a big deal - people live a long time after getting them - but the surgery itself, when his heart is at such a level of malfunction (apparently the doctor said that if he doesn't get it done now, he'll be dead in 6 weeks), is terrifying. Please send some healthy thoughts (and prayers, if that's your thing) his way, in your spare moments.
We live 7 hours away from my family, and since we just got back from a visit, I hate to put Charlie through that drive again so quickly. I'm torn about whether I'm going back or not for this. I know that Charlie would be good for Mom - he'd distract her some - but both Jim (my brother) and my mom are saying not to put ourselves through the drive. Still mulling.

104Whisper1
Feb 14, 2012, 12:42 pm

Amber
I love the photo of where you were married. I hope you don't mind but I borrowed it to make it my desktop picture of the day.

105Helenoel
Feb 14, 2012, 12:44 pm

Can you plan to go out after his surgery when he comes home and needs help? might make waiting far away easier if you have plans ot help out later.

106scaifea
Feb 14, 2012, 12:57 pm

Linda: Of course! I feel strangely honored... :)

Helenoel: That's a good idea; the reason for going now would be to be there with my mom on the day of the surgery, more than for my brother, so that's the issue at hand.

107lauralkeet
Feb 14, 2012, 1:23 pm

Thinking of you, Amber. And of course your brother, too. I'm sure your heart will guide you to the right decision on when to visit.

108Ape
Feb 14, 2012, 1:58 pm

Hoping for the best for you and your brother, Amber.

*Hugs*

109sandykaypax
Feb 14, 2012, 3:55 pm

Amber, sorry to hear about your brother's health. Sending good vibes your way. Hang in there.

Sandy K

110cindysprocket
Feb 14, 2012, 4:02 pm

Amber, here is to good healthy thoughts for your brother and a hug for you.

111jnwelch
Feb 14, 2012, 4:10 pm

My sympathy and positive thoughts to you and your brother, Amber.

112ronincats
Feb 14, 2012, 6:31 pm

Sending healthy vibrations to your brother and lots of {{{hugs}}} for you and your mom.

113scaifea
Feb 14, 2012, 7:02 pm

Thanks, everyone, for your kind words and thoughts. I'll keep you posted.

114drneutron
Feb 14, 2012, 8:53 pm

Please do. We'll be praying for your brother and the whole family.

115PaulCranswick
Feb 15, 2012, 4:46 am

Amber - what a terrifying thing to be told by a doctor. Sending prayers and best wishes from Malaysia to your brother (and to you and your other family members too of course).

116Morphidae
Feb 15, 2012, 6:51 am

Holding you and your family in my heart and thoughts today.

117scaifea
Feb 15, 2012, 7:14 am

Thank you so much, Jim, Paul and Morphy. I know that my mom will be quite touched when I tell her that there are people all over the world praying for Jim and us.

To try to keep myself busy today and my mind at least partly off of this, we have friend coming over tonight for after-dinner desserts (it's a couple who have two boys that are Charlie's buddies - they'll be playing with Charlie's train set now that Tomm has made a train table for him). So, I need to make some desserts! I've got some Valentine's cupcakes from yesterday, and I also made Orange Chocolate Truffles yesterday, but today I'll make Apple Spice Bread, Spiced Orange Pecans, and maybe also Apple Cookies.

118AMQS
Feb 15, 2012, 11:26 am

Oh, Amber, I'm sorry to hear about your brother. That is so scary, and such a helpless feeling when you are so far away.

119FAMeulstee
Feb 15, 2012, 12:54 pm

Wise to keep yourself busy on this day.
Thinking of your brother, you and the other members of your family today.

120DeltaQueen50
Feb 15, 2012, 11:20 pm

Amber, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother's health problems. Sending good wishes from Canada.

121scaifea
Feb 16, 2012, 9:33 am

Anne, Anita & Judy: Many thanks - we're still just playing the waiting game until tomorrow morning...

122London_StJ
Feb 16, 2012, 4:07 pm

Best wishes for your brother - we'll be thinking of your family.

But what fun you have planned for tonight! Chocolate orange truffles and a new train table? Sounds like a party.

123scaifea
Feb 17, 2012, 7:36 am

Luxx: Many thanks for the good wishes - fingers crossed, as he's in surgery as I type.
The truffles and train playing went really well, although the 4-year-old gets on my nerves a bit - he clearly comes to play with Charlie's toys, not so much with Charlie. Erg.

So today will be filled with thoughts for Jim and for my friend, Rob, who has his follow-up appointment at which he'll discover just how advanced the cancer is and what comes next. A big day in the Scaife household. I'm going to try to keep busy until I hear from both, and so I've lined up a playdate for Charlie this morning with our new friends (the woman and her 3-year-old son, whom I mentioned earlier - we met at a local play group a couple of weeks ago and found out that we only live a couple of blocks away from each other on the same street). Then I want to work on a project that I got started on yesterday, which is to clean up the rest of of the drum set that I inherited from one of my other brothers (the one that passed away a year and a half ago). Last year I used part of it in the all-prof cover band I was in (but had to leave because we moved), but I've never organized and put the entire set together (didn't have room or time before). So I've got the steel wool out to buff out the metal stands, and then I'll try to figure out what goes where (it's a big and complicated set). It will be a long project, but a good one. Therapeutic and all. I may get some more sewing time in this evening too, hopefully.

124Helenoel
Feb 17, 2012, 7:47 am

>123 scaifea: - At that age parallel play is still pretty common- play beside each other rather than with each other. Some kids grow out of it sooner, some never really do. Tough on Charlie if he wants the cooperation though.

Prayers for your brother- Drums sounds like a good way to keep busy while you wait.

125scaifea
Feb 17, 2012, 7:51 am

Helenoel: I wish that were the case with this little boy, but he comes and asks for certain toys of Charlie's if they're not out, indicating that he came specifically to play with those toys, and then gets upset when he's told to play with the toys that are out and that he's here to play with Charlie. In other words, it's not just simple parallel play - he completely ignores Charlie and purposefully wants only to play with the new-to-him toys. I think part of it is that Charlie is closer in age to this boy's younger brother, and the difference between 3 and 4 years is more significant than between 2.5 and 3. *shrugs*

126Helenoel
Feb 17, 2012, 7:55 am

> 125- Oh Dear- Well sometimes we have to deal with problem people. Tough to learn at Charlie's age, but if younger brother is ok, then may be worth it. Hope you can find ways for just younger bro to come at times- Might be good for all boys.

127scaifea
Feb 17, 2012, 10:15 am

I just heard from my mom that Jim's surgery is done, and the doctors say that it went even better than they hoped! If he does okay overnight, they'll let him go home tomorrow. Whew! Thank you all so so much for your kind thoughts and prayers - we've all appreciated them, and I'm so grateful to have such wonderful friends here. I'm more thankful for you all than I have the eloquence to express.

Now, just waiting to hear about Rob...

128cindysprocket
Feb 17, 2012, 11:18 am

Yaaaa! for Jim and now here's hoping Rob gets a good report.

129scaifea
Feb 17, 2012, 2:11 pm

I finished the hat I've been working on for Rob - it's a Jayne Cobb hat, from Firefly (cunning, ain't it?):

130lauralkeet
Feb 17, 2012, 3:16 pm

Great news about Jim! I've been thinking of you today.

131The_Hibernator
Feb 17, 2012, 3:24 pm

That's a pretty darned awesome hat. I'd wear it!

132scaifea
Feb 17, 2012, 3:35 pm

Laura: Thank you - we're all very relieved!

Rachel: Thanks! I like it enough that I'm going to make me one and Charlie too!

133ronincats
Feb 17, 2012, 6:28 pm

Great news about your brother, still keeping the prayers going for Rob.

134scaifea
Feb 17, 2012, 8:39 pm

Thanks, Roni.

More good news: Of the two possible types of cancer, Rob has the better kind (easier to treat), and of that type he has the best kind (apparently there are sub-types), so the doctors think 1 round of chemo will take care of it. Whew! It's been a remarkably good day, and I am so so grateful and thankful.

135Whisper1
Feb 17, 2012, 8:45 pm

Amber...great news all the way around! Amen!

Regarding pacemakers, my ex husband had emergency surgery to install one. He was in denial for years thinking he really never needed it. Then, suddenly it did not work and his heart almost stopped. At the time Metronics manufactured pacemakers knowing they were defective.

Michael was scared enough to sue and won. That was 15 years ago and he is fine now after his third or fourth pacemaker.

My, but you are very creative! I love the hat you made.

I'll hold your friend Rob and your brother in my prayers. LIfe is so precious!

All the best to you.

136London_StJ
Feb 17, 2012, 9:17 pm

Huzzah for a successful procedure! I am so relieved to hear that he'll be heading home soon.

As usual, great work - I won't try anything that requires more than a few straight stitches. ;)

And boo about the unsuccessful play dates. There certainly is a difference between parallel play (which is most of what we'd get from B) and just wanting new toys. :-/

137richardderus
Feb 17, 2012, 11:32 pm

Celebratory Waterhouse painting:



For all the great news!

And yes, the hat's totally cunning.

138scaifea
Feb 18, 2012, 5:36 pm

Linda: Thanks so much for the kinds words, and the supporting anecdote. The doctors told Jim that he wouldn't believe just how much better he's going to feel once he recovers from the surgery.

Luxx: Thanks! I thought that too when I started knitting, but things just get easier as you go along...
Oh, and the little boy's behavior got put in stark perspective when the new little boy and his mom came over to play. Oh. My. Gawd. That kid is so poorly behaved! He tore out *all* of Charlie's toys without asking, took things right out of Charlie's hands and said "MINE!!" to him, told his mom, "I HATE YOU!!" when she tried to correct him...oh wow. I just have never experienced such horrible child behavior. And the poor mother feels exasperated. I wanted to tell her that she's not being forceful enough with him - talking 'reason' to him in a soft voice is demonstrably *not* going to work - but it's completely not my place. I did step in when he was being mean to Charlie, but not rudely (I hope). I feel sorry for this woman because she kept apologizing for her child - she clearly wants to get him to behave but obviously doesn't know how to approach it. Sigh. I really like her too, but I won't have anymore playdates with them; I can't have Charlie exposed to that kind of stuff. Whew! And let me tell you how much I praised Charlie for being such a good kid once they left! I don't think I realized completely how lucky I am to have such a great little guy!

Richard: Ooooh, lovely! Definitely a time for celebration!

139London_StJ
Feb 18, 2012, 6:54 pm

Oh dear, what a nightmare of a playdate!

It sounds like you're making the right choice in not scheduling future play dates. Our little people are really impressionable - I know I'm not always happy about the behavior that comes home from preschool ("and then I KILL the car!").

I'm that apologetic mom - after I discipline my kids. Brooks was a screamer for the first couple of years, and every once in awhile that behavior will come back and blind-side me. Ugh!

140scaifea
Feb 18, 2012, 10:45 pm

The kind of funny but also kind of sad thing was that while this kid was acting so out-of-control, Charlie would look at me with a shocked and confused look, as if to say, "Whoa, what the what is he doing?!" And then, right after they left, I asked Charlie if he had had any fun, and he said, "Oh, honey, no.", which is what I say to him when he's done something he shouldn't but not on purpose. It was sweet but a little sad; he clearly didn't like the way the boy was behaving any more than I did!

141PaulCranswick
Feb 18, 2012, 11:27 pm

Great news that both your brother and Rob have had positive prognosces. The power of good wishes is truly impressive.

142lauralkeet
Feb 19, 2012, 6:45 am

Interesting playdate story, especially Charlie's reaction. You've taught him well Amber! But yes, it's sad ... I feel badly for the other boy and his mother too.

143scaifea
Feb 19, 2012, 9:11 am

Paul: Many thanks - and yes, powerful indeed!

Laura: Yes, I feel sorry for the boy, too. I really believe that when little ones test boundaries, they're actually *looking* for boundaries - they want to have them. So I think this little boy probably isn't very happy, and I *know* the mom isn't. Sigh.

144scaifea
Feb 19, 2012, 9:14 am

We've got a nice, lazy Sunday ahead of us here in the Scaife house: I've got Pineapple Bran Bread in the oven for a late breakfast, I've got some laundry to do, then it's some LT-ing, sewing, and some reading amidst the rough-housing and general hangings-out of Tomm and The Charld. Later I'll be putting an Apple Batter Pudding in the oven to have as dessert with the last of our leftover Jambalaya for dinner. And to boot, it's a lovely sunny day today. *contented sigh*

145jnwelch
Feb 19, 2012, 9:51 am

Ah, that sounds good, Amber. Similar lazy day planned here, although our edibles won't be on your level I don't think. We'll probably be scrounging and at some point ordering in.

146scaifea
Feb 19, 2012, 10:14 am

Joe: Oh, I'm really tempted to order pizza for lunch, actually. We'll see what The Husband says...

147London_StJ
Feb 19, 2012, 11:03 am

"Oh, honey, no."

The kids just laughed at me because I burst out laughing. Oh, what a sweet little man.

Pineapple bran bread? Please share! The recipe, at least. I just put together my My favorite chili recipe, and I'm planning on making some cornbread to go with it.

If I'm honest I won't even pretend that I'll get to grading today when I have so many sewing projects calling my name.

148scaifea
Feb 19, 2012, 2:15 pm

Luxx: I have so many backed-up sewing projects, it's ridiculous. Right now I'm working on a fabric playhouse that hangs over a card table, for Charlie, of course.
Oh, there's nothing better than cornbread with chili! What time's dinner? Set an extra place, please!
Here's the Pineapple Bran Bread recipe:

2/3 cup pineapple syrup (from can)
-2/3 cup whole bran
2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
(1/2 cup walnuts - I leave these out, as the Scaife men don't care for them)
1/2 cup cup crushed pineapple, from can, drained - use drained syrup for above
1 well-beaten egg
2 tablespoons melted shortening

-Measure pineapple syrup from can and add water if necessary to make 2/3 cup.
-Pour over bran and let stand 15 minutes.
-Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Add walnuts, pineapple, egg and shortening to bran mixture and then add to dry ingredients.
-Mix until just blended.
-Turn into greased loaf pan and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

149London_StJ
Feb 19, 2012, 3:04 pm

I did that! I cleaned out some scraps and made them a fort for our table:



In hind sight I can think of better designs, but it's functional!

Thanks for the recipe - I think I'll have to make some this week. Yum!

150scaifea
Feb 19, 2012, 3:10 pm

Ha! Very cool!

151AMQS
Feb 19, 2012, 3:46 pm

Amber, glad to hear the good news about your brother and your friend.

152DeltaQueen50
Feb 19, 2012, 4:59 pm

Hi Amber, so much creativity over here! I love the playhouse idea! We are having a simple day of leftovers as well, and I plan on getting lost in the pages of my book for a couple of hours this afternoon.

153scaifea
Feb 19, 2012, 6:37 pm

Anne: Thank you. All good thoughts are welcome!

Judy: It's been such a lovely day here - we're about to sit down to our leftovers, the Apple Batter Pudding is cooling, and I'll be either knitting or reading or LTing in my comfy rocking chair this evening. I hope your day has been as good!

154scaifea
Feb 20, 2012, 7:21 am

Oh my, but the Apple Batter Pudding was *amazing!* Excellent and easy recipe; I'll share later if anyone is interested...

On the agenda for today:
-little but of cleaning
-trip to the post office to send my cunning hat off to its new owner before his chemo starts
-trip to the cleaners to drop off the pants that I wore to Thanksgiving dinner (!!)
-stop-off at the library for Charlie, and for me to get a new audio book
-if it gets warm enough here, perhaps a lovely little walk in the afternoon with Charlie and Tuppence
-hopefully some reading at some point; it's been a few days...
-maybe some sewing, if Charlie lets me. Getting a bit frustrated with this playhouse project; the pattern instructions are terribly written and I bought too-thin/flimsy material, I think, for the base, but also I'm just flummoxing the whole thing. Gah!

155ChelleBearss
Feb 20, 2012, 12:46 pm

Wow Amber, you've had a stressful couple weeks eh! Sorry to hear about your brother needing surgery, but glad it went smoothly! Hope he feels better quickly!

156scaifea
Feb 20, 2012, 2:00 pm

Thank you, Chelle.

Well, back from the library, and I picked up a new audio book, so here's an updated Current Reading list:

-John Stuart Mill Autobiography, Essay on Liberty/ Thomas Carlyle Characteristics, Inaugural Address, Essay on Scott (library book)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-Mary Poppins (NEH list)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-James Madison (Presidential Challenge)
-Blink (audio book)
-Four Past Midnight (King bibliography)
-The Children's Hour Volume 8: Myths and Legends (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

157scaifea
Feb 20, 2012, 5:34 pm

Ugh. I'm so irritated! When we moved here in June, we had rented a house that was on the market (for sale). Part of the agreement was that the owner would take the house off of the market while we were in the house (we didn't want to have to move again in 2 months if the house sold), and in exchange, he asked that we pay more per month than he was originally asking for rent. Okay, fine. We agreed. Also part of his condition was that the contract be for 10 months (June 1st through April 1st), and then he'd put the house back on the market, and we could rent month-to-month after that, if we still needed the house (i.e. hadn't found a house to buy before then). Okay, again, fine. So, our rent contract is for last June through April 1st. The contract itself sets out none of the details above about the month-to-month after April 1st or anything; it's just a lease contract for June 1st through April 1st.
So, Tomm called the owner today just to check in and to remind him that March would be the last check we'd be sending, since we've already found, bought, moved into, and are now paying a mortgage on, a new house. The guy's having none of it - claims that we promised (verbally) to pay two more month's rent even though it's not in the contract (he claims that even though he wanted to put the house back on the market in April, we insisted that he let us have the option of renting after March - not true; none of this is true), and so we *owe* him those two months' rent. Not to mention the fact that we told him when we started looking for houses and let him put the house back on the market in *September*, which he did and then refused to lower the rent even after we had moved out. So we've been paying the jacked-up rent all along, even though we're not even living there anymore, which is fine, I guess, since we did sign the contract and all, so we're willing to own up to our obligations, even though it would have been nice of him to cut us some slack.
Tomm thinks we should just pay the guy the two extra months to avoid a fight in court. I say, screw that; this guy doesn't have a leg to stand on - it's his word against ours, and in that case I think it would fall back to what the contract says, no? And the contract is completely in our favor.

Thoughts, anyone? I'm definitely open to advice here on what we should do.

158ronincats
Feb 20, 2012, 5:48 pm

Amber, around here there are organizations for renter's rights that would jump all over that for you--you might check to see if there are any such in your area. It doesn't sound to me like your landlord has a leg to stand on. Another reminder to put EVERYTHING in writing. Plus, if he had moved someone else in the house after you moved out, he isn't entitled to the rent from you even with the lease for that time. That's California law, but really, look for a tenant's rights group in your state. As a landlord here, there is a whole book of laws and regulations I have to consult before I do anything.

I made a scarf from a new pattern, picture on my thread--I'm interested in what you think of it.

159scaifea
Feb 20, 2012, 7:27 pm

Roni: Ooh, I'd forgotten about tenant's rights organizations - I'll have to look into that here. And I did see your scarf - and it's beautiful!! - but I'm so behind on threads that I've resorted to lurking a lot, plus I sound like a broken record over there, always saying how lovely your stuff is - because it is!!

160ronincats
Feb 21, 2012, 12:29 pm

No problem. I just thought it was a really unique pattern with the chains instead of a solid weave, and wondered if you'd ever seen anything like it. Not looking for compliments!

161scaifea
Editado: Feb 21, 2012, 1:01 pm

Oh Roni, I'm sorry - that must have come out completely wrong! I didn't mean to accuse you of compliment-fishing, and believe me I know that when I see it (my MIL is a huge culprit). I was just trying to excuse myself to having seen it and not yet posted a comment on it. It's really quite lovely and I've never tried anything like it - did you say you knitted or crocheted it?

162London_StJ
Feb 21, 2012, 12:39 pm

I say, screw that

Totally screw that! It sounds to me like you've fulfilled the conditions of your contract, even though the contract did not favor your present situation. I can't imagine verbal housing agreements would hold any water even if there was one! Even more in your favor is that you honored the contract despite no longer needing the property.

He's just trying to bully you and I doubt he'll be willing to pay court costs to make you pay the rent you don't even owe...

163scaifea
Feb 21, 2012, 12:41 pm

Luxx: I agree about him probably not wanting to pay court costs for not much gain. We know a lovely, nice woman here who is both a lawyer and a landlord herself, and she's agreed to look at our contract and advise us on the best way to proceed with this.

164ronincats
Feb 21, 2012, 12:55 pm

It was crocheted, Amber. I'm glad you've found someone to advise you on the rental situation.

165scaifea
Feb 21, 2012, 1:02 pm

Roni: I don't know how to crochet at all, but I do like the unique look you can get with it that you can't with knitting. Maybe someday I'll give it a go...

166scaifea
Feb 21, 2012, 7:16 pm

Luxx: (From the older thread): Let me know how it turned out - my guys and I really loved it (the pineapple bread, that is).

167mellymel171328
Feb 22, 2012, 1:35 am

Oh no I just realized you had moved on to a new thread! lol HI!

168scaifea
Feb 22, 2012, 12:46 pm

I finished Charlie's version of the Jayne hat:



169ChelleBearss
Feb 22, 2012, 12:52 pm

So frickin cute!!

170London_StJ
Feb 22, 2012, 1:18 pm

Agreed!

171lauralkeet
Feb 22, 2012, 3:51 pm

>169 ChelleBearss:: my thoughts exactly!

172scaifea
Feb 22, 2012, 4:56 pm

Melissa: Hi! Welcome!

Chelle, Luxx & Laura: Thanks! I think he's some of my best work...

173cindysprocket
Feb 22, 2012, 5:40 pm

Are you keeping him under lock and key till he is 35? He is just adorable. Oh the hat is cute,too.

174scaifea
Feb 22, 2012, 6:18 pm

Cindy: Oooh, now *that's* an idea... ;)

175FAMeulstee
Feb 22, 2012, 6:20 pm

> 168: very, very cute, both boy and hat!

176PaulCranswick
Feb 22, 2012, 6:35 pm

Nice to see you have a nice new hat to keep Charlie's ears warm just as spring arrives!
Tickled that Ulysses sneaks a grudging 1 star. Makes many many peoples top ten lists but I am with you as I found it incomprehensible and indigestible.

177ronincats
Feb 22, 2012, 7:15 pm

Looks like he likes it!

178scaifea
Feb 22, 2012, 7:23 pm

Anita: Thanks!

Paul: Ha! Well, we're slated to get 4-8 inches of snow tomorrow, so spring seems still a bit far away.

Roni: When I made the first one for Rob, Charlie loved it and asked if he could have one too. So, yep, he loves it!

179Storeetllr
Feb 22, 2012, 8:06 pm

127 Glad your bros. surgery went well. Hope he is recovering nicely.

157. Tell that jerk to sue and be damned. Verbal agreements are not recognized (at least in California) where there is a written agreement. You've got a written agreement. If he happens to be stupid enough to take it to court, then counter-sue for breach of contract and ask for attorneys fees. And sanctions for filing a frivolous lawsuit. (Not sure about the sanctions part, but it sure would be justified, and wouldn't that just frost his butt!) (Also, I'm not an attorney, just a paralegal/legal secretary, so glad you have an attorney looking over things for you.)

People. Honestly.

168. Love the hat. Charlie looks amazing in it. Much better than Cobb ever could. *snort*

180KiwiNyx
Feb 23, 2012, 1:09 am

Caught up, loving the hat and definitely get that nice lady to look at your renting contract, I agree that the landlord doesn't sound like he has any legs to stand on so don't pay the extra.

181scaifea
Feb 23, 2012, 7:15 am

Mary: Thanks, thanks, and thanks!

KiwiNyx: She's taking a look today, so I'm anxious to see what she says...

182scaifea
Feb 23, 2012, 7:21 am

Well, yesterday the weather people were saying that we might get slammed with up to 8 inches of snow today, but this morning the weather channel is saying 1-3 inches. I'm hoping that the latter is the truth of it, because Charlie and I have several errands to run today and I have a serious case of cabin fever at the moment!

I made Mulligatawny Soup last night and ohmygosh was it good! I'd never tried it before, and that's definitely a keeper recipe. So, errands this morning and a lazy rest of the day, since we have leftovers for dinner tonight. Sigh.

183ChelleBearss
Feb 23, 2012, 8:32 am

Morning Amber!
Hope you don't get too much snow! they are saying we should get 15 cm overnight tonight, I am hoping that we don't!

What is Mulligatawny soup?? Sounds exotic!

184dk_phoenix
Feb 23, 2012, 8:37 am

Ack, we're due for 10-15cm tonight as well, and I have to go out tomorrow... not looking forward to it! I'm crossing my fingers that the whole thing is exaggerated, but in truth, we're all overdue for a big winter storm...

185Ape
Feb 23, 2012, 8:51 am

CUUUUUUTE!

Sorry for the delayred reaction. :)

186scaifea
Feb 23, 2012, 9:50 am

Chelle: Mornin'! Yeah, I'm hoping we dont get too much either. I'll post the recipe for the soup later - it's an Indian soup with a really nice mix of spices.

Faith: Yeah I know we're due too, but those big ones usually don't hit us until March...

Stephen: Hey there! He is pretty cute, no? I keep meaning to tell you that Charlie is totally into playing Animal Crossing - funny, huh? I have to watch myself or I'll get re-addicted to it myself. Tomm's only enabling me and not helping - he just ordered the Wii version of it for me (we have the Game Cube version).

187Ape
Feb 23, 2012, 11:22 am

Don't hate me or anything, but I've actually never played Animal Crossing. I know, you can tell me how much I suck, I won't be offended. :P

188norabelle414
Feb 23, 2012, 11:48 am

Animal Crossing!! *Digs in junk drawer to find DS*

189scaifea
Feb 23, 2012, 12:59 pm

Stephen: Silly. Why would I hate you for not playing a video game? You're better off, really - it's too too addicting.

Nora: Ha! Sorry - I've send you down the path of obsession...

190Ape
Editado: Feb 23, 2012, 2:56 pm

It's only fair, anyone who hasn't played my favorite games obviously sucks. :P

191scaifea
Feb 23, 2012, 3:08 pm

Stephen: Oh? What's your favorite game?

192DeltaQueen50
Feb 23, 2012, 3:26 pm

Hi Amber, your mention of Animal Crossing caught my attention. It was the first game that both my grandkids got addicted to. Then after they learned to read and write, they got addicted all over again since now they could write letters and read the ones they received.

If you and Charlie do get out today, and he wears his new hat, I bet he'll get a lot of attention! He looks adorable.

193lyzard
Feb 23, 2012, 4:45 pm

>>#182 Could you possibly post your recipe? I've been looking for a good one!

194scaifea
Feb 23, 2012, 6:15 pm

Mulligatawny Soup (from the Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book):

Ingredients:
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 medium apple, cored, peeled & sliced
• 1 cup cubed cooked chicken
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/8 teaspoon mace
• 2 whole cloves
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• salt and pepper, to taste

1. In dutch oven, sauté in butter the onion ,carrot, celery, green pepper, apple and chicken until vegetables are tender.
2. Stir in gradually the flour, curry powder, mace, cloves, salt and pepper.
3. Stir in chicken broth and tomatoes.
4. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 30 minutes.

195Ape
Feb 23, 2012, 6:16 pm

Oh, I could list dozens. I'm a huge fan of the God of War series (although the final one was probably my least favorite. The others had a fantastic story going on.) I also love the Elder Scrolls games, Diablo II, Age of Mythology, Soul Calibur II and IV, Unreal Tournament 2004. I've played all those games obsessively. I don't typically replay games, but I've put a LOT of hours in those. and others too, I'm sure if I looked through my old PS2 games I'd have lots of "OH YEAH! I forgot about that game!" moments.

196lyzard
Feb 23, 2012, 6:21 pm

>>#194 Thanks!

197scaifea
Feb 23, 2012, 6:21 pm

Oooh Diablo II!! Nice.

I could play and replay and replay and replay FFIX. Love that game.

198Ape
Feb 23, 2012, 6:25 pm

I'm getting to the point where I like shorter RPG games like Diablo as opposed to the giant Bethesda ones. I mean, I sunk over 100 hours in both Oblivion and Skyrim, but I like replaying RPGs over and over again with different character builds. I've played through Diablo 3 times with different Druid builds alone, and that doesn't count the times I replayed with the same character on the harder difficulties. *Twitch* Big huge 100 hour games are fine and good...but I rarely play through them with different kinds of characters.

199richardderus
Feb 23, 2012, 6:41 pm

>198 Ape: I understood not one word of that entire post.

200scaifea
Feb 23, 2012, 6:58 pm

Stephen: Agreed. I like (don't laugh) Gauntlet: Dark Legacy for the same reasons - I love to level up with all sorts of characters.

Richard: *snork!*

201Storeetllr
Feb 23, 2012, 11:54 pm

>199 richardderus: Richard ~ Glad I'm not the only one whose eyes glazed over while reading (trying to read) >198 Ape:. I know it makes me a luddite, but I just can't get my head around video games or even computer games. Except maybe Mahjong.

202Ape
Feb 24, 2012, 6:02 am

Amber: I played one of those games once at a friends house with 2 other people and it was ridiculously fun. :)

Richard/Mary: I was going to try to explain, but I quickly realized it was going to take several paragraphs, so I won't bother.

I'll just say that my first character ever on Diablo II was a Necromancer focusing on the Raise Skeleton skill, but it failed and I quit playing in Act 2.

A few months later I came back, created a Druid, and was hooked. First I had a generic build, but the 2nd time I focused on transforming into a werebear and sapping life out of corpses with the Carrion vine. The 2nd time I made a unique build by rushing poison vine so it killed everything on screen, and then putting points into ice magic so I could freeze things over the poison vines.

Those were just Druid builds. There were, what, 6 characters in Diablo II? With 3 skill trees each, which you could mix and match with endless possibilities? :D

...I guess I still typed alot. :(

203scaifea
Feb 24, 2012, 7:41 am

That's what makes those games so fun - all the different possibilities. And of course my neuroses makes me want to get through *all* the possibilities.

204scaifea
Editado: Feb 24, 2012, 7:55 am

Well, hm. I had planned on spending the morning with Charlie at the local playgroup, but overnight we got half a foot or so of snow, and no roads plowed yet - and Tomm took the 4WD to work. So, that's out. Good news, though, is that it's perfect snow for snowman creation, and it's not too cold out, so I've still got something to occupy us this morning. :)

205scaifea
Feb 24, 2012, 7:50 am

#192 Judy: Somehow I missed your post earlier - sorry!! It is indeed a very addicting game, but I'm not too troubled about Charlie playing it, because he's learning hand-eye coordination and such, and of course there's no violence.

206Donna828
Feb 24, 2012, 10:39 am

Hi Amber, I'm delurking to say I hope your rental property woes are resolved without a court battle. As an owner of rental property I don't quite understand how he hopes to extend the written contract like that. He doesn't have any legal grounds or any business taking you to court. Some people!

I've enjoyed the recipes you've been posting and, of course, the Charlie news and pictures. In a way it was good for him to see the selfish actions of his potential friend at the playdate fiasco so he would know how ugly such behavior is. It sounds like you are raising a kind boy with a sensible head on his shoulders. Enjoy the snowman building day!

207cal8769
Feb 24, 2012, 12:32 pm

I hate to ask an embarrasing question but as a not too great of a cook this has always troubled me. What is a dutch oven and how does it compare to a roasting pan?

208Helenoel
Feb 24, 2012, 12:58 pm

> 207 A dutch oven is a big pot with a tight fitting lid that can go in the oven or be used on top of the stove. My roasting pan is shallow and has an optional cover. I use it for turkeys, leg of lamb, etc. My dutch oven is used for soups, stews, cooking pasta, steaming large amounts of vegetables, etc. I have eaten cake baked in a dutch oven on a campfire - and camp cooking is a traditional use for old-style cast iron Dutch ovens -

209scaifea
Feb 24, 2012, 1:48 pm

Donna: Good to see you! Our lawyer/landlord friend looked at the contract last night and confirmed what I (and you) suspected - he hasn't a leg to stand on, and she's willing to write a letter to him informing him of that fact. So, hopefully this will be the end of it.
The snowman-building was fantastic - we both had a lot of fun! I'll post a picture in a bit.

Carrie: Yep, what Helenoel said; I would add that it's important that it have a heavy bottom for a lot of recipes that call for it. The pot I used when the recipe calls for a Dutch oven isn't technically one, but it's nice and heavy and deep, so it works.

210scaifea
Feb 24, 2012, 2:46 pm

Our first Wisconsin snowman (we named him Pete):

211Ape
Feb 24, 2012, 5:44 pm

Pete looks like a smoothe young hipster. :)

212scaifea
Feb 24, 2012, 6:00 pm

Ha! Doesn't he, though?

213cal8769
Feb 24, 2012, 7:40 pm

Thanks for the info! I knew I could get answers here.

Great picture!

214scaifea
Feb 26, 2012, 9:36 am

Carrie: You're welcome! :)

Yesterday was a pretty good day: A friend and I went down to Dubuque and spend the day exploring quilt shops, yarn shops, book and tea shops. I was able to pick up most of the fabric I need to start a couple of quilts I've been planning. Very fun. Tomm was still not feeling well (some sort of mild flu, it seems), but he seems better this morning. I've got some Butterscotch Bread in the oven now, and later I'll be rolling out some noodles to dry overnight, making pork chops for dinner with Baked Fudge for dessert, and hopefully squeezing in some sewing and reading in between all the cooking and laundry. And hoping that neither Charlie nor I catch whatever Tomm has...

215maggie1944
Feb 26, 2012, 10:07 am

I've been away for a while with a bout of first, scratched cornea, and then second, pneumonia! Dang. But I've been good, taking my meds, and taking it easy, asking for help, etc. etc. So finally today I was able to finish reading your thread which I'd been putting off for way-way too many posts!

I hope all the silliness your landlord attempted has been nipped in the bud. He was just trying to push you all around, probably because the housing market is so bad, he may not want to put his place on the market and get less than he wants. Being a "landlady" myself I can see his motivations, but certainly do not think his tactics have any value.

Also, kudos to you for good parenting skills. I felt sorry for the Mom with the out of control toddler but totally think you are right to avoid play dates with them. Maybe a "date" at a big toy playground could work. Less stuff to compete over.

Hope all the health challenges are well on their way to resolution.

216scaifea
Feb 26, 2012, 10:13 am

Thanks, Maggie - sorry to hear that you've been not 100% healthy, but happy that you're on the mend!

217PaulCranswick
Feb 26, 2012, 11:46 am

Wow Maggie what a matter of fact way to announce pneumonia! Hope you are feeling well. Agree with you on Amber's parenting skills.

Amber I am sure that your house woes will resolve themselves in your favour in early course.

218jnwelch
Feb 26, 2012, 12:22 pm

Mmm, butterscotch bread. Sounds good, Amber. I hope your health is improving.

219scaifea
Feb 27, 2012, 7:18 am

Thanks, Paul.

Joe: It *was* pretty good!

I was able to get a nice amount of work done on my current sewing project (a playhouse for Charlie that fits over a card table), but I'll be so glad when I'm finished with this silly thing. Nothing but flub-ups and annoyances at every turn with this one. Ugh. Partly my fault (I bought too flimsy a fabric for the main part of the house, which has let to tucks everywhere that I can't seem to avoid) and partly (a big part, I'd like to add) the fault of the pattern, which is very poorly written and does things in more difficult ways than needs be. Gah.
I still didn't get any reading done, though, and it seems like forever since I've picked up a book. Hopefully I can remedy that this week somehow.

On the agenda for today: not much, really. Maybe a trip to the library with Charlie, but otherwise just hanging out at home.

220cal8769
Feb 27, 2012, 8:35 am

A playhouse that slips over a card table!! What a great idea! Where did you get the pattern or did your wonderful, creative mind think it up?

221scaifea
Feb 27, 2012, 10:34 am

Nope, not my own - it's McCall's:

http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6369-products-14424.php?page_id=106

I'll post pictures once I'm done with it, not matter how ridiculous it looks. :)

222scaifea
Feb 27, 2012, 12:58 pm

I picked up a lovely hardcover copy of The Geographer's Library from the sale shelf at the library - woohoo!
And, I signed Charlie up for the weekly story time, so, since it's Mondays at 4pm, we'll be headed back there this afternoon!

223barney67
Feb 27, 2012, 1:26 pm

Amber, have you ever taken an IQ test? Because, after reading various posts by you, I think you may be a genius.

224scaifea
Feb 27, 2012, 1:41 pm

Oh, deniro, flattery will get you *everywhere*. But, no, I haven't, and I assure you that I am demonstrably *not* a genius! :)
Oh, wait, were you being facetious? Ha!

225barney67
Editado: Feb 27, 2012, 1:59 pm

Not, not facetious. Just amazed—you are multitalented, accomplishing more in a day than I could in a week. And you married a physicist. Your son is going to be brilliant. Start teaching him Mandarin now or something.

226scaifea
Feb 27, 2012, 2:04 pm

*snork!*
I'm already teaching him some Latin... Poor kid doesn't have a chance of being anything but a nerdy smartypants.

227barney67
Feb 27, 2012, 2:09 pm

Yeah, better give him a set of barbells too.

228London_StJ
Editado: Feb 27, 2012, 2:19 pm

Poor kid doesn't have a chance of being anything but a nerdy smartypants.

Lucky kid.

PS. Your fort is ten million times cooler than the one I threw together.

229scaifea
Feb 27, 2012, 2:25 pm

Luxx: Don't pass such favorable judgment on it until I post the pictures - I'm telling you, I'm having more trouble with this accursed thing. Blerg. Plus, your thrown-together one is very cool-looking.

230scaifea
Feb 27, 2012, 2:26 pm

deniro: Ha! Good thinking.

231ChelleBearss
Editado: Feb 27, 2012, 3:03 pm

Poor kid doesn't have a chance of being anything but a nerdy smartypants.
There are worse things so be! Lucky kiddo got good genes!

232scaifea
Feb 27, 2012, 6:21 pm

Chelle: Ha! True (at least on Tomm's side)!

Well, we just got back from storytime at the library, and let me just say (although it's likely a given around here) Thank the Gods for Libraries and Thank the Gods for Librarians! That was wonderful - Charlie loved it; heck, *I* loved it! We'll definitely be going back each week that we can. I'm so happy that we have such a nice library full of lovely helpful people who work hard to put together programs like this for the community.

233maggie1944
Feb 28, 2012, 8:22 am


We went to our library yesterday, too, and I loved it that the 4 year old sweetie pie, Jocelyn, walks away from the computer and looks for a book to check out! Woo Hoo! no coaching from me, either.

234dk_phoenix
Feb 28, 2012, 8:27 am

Thank goodness there are still things like libraries to inspire kids to read. Now, if only we can get more parents to actually bring their kids into them... o_O

235norabelle414
Feb 28, 2012, 8:48 am

*shakes fist at poorly-written patterns* You know how I feel about those.

236scaifea
Feb 28, 2012, 10:34 am

Maggie: Charlie's the same way - he looks at going to the library as a treat!

Faith: Sing, it, sister!

Nora: There's a separate ring of hell reserved just for the writers of those sorts of patterns.

237London_StJ
Feb 28, 2012, 11:09 am

235/6 - I tend to avoid the instructions entirely because they are often far more complicated than they need to be. Boo hiss for poor communication skills.

238scaifea
Feb 28, 2012, 11:21 am

Half the time I end up ignoring them too, if I know an easier way to do something.

239scaifea
Mar 1, 2012, 7:20 am

Almost finished with the stupid playhouse project - I put it on the card table last night to see if it would actually fit, before I put the finishing touches on it, and got all excited about how much Charlie's gonna love it. Sigh. I'll likely end up making another one, now that I know how to work around the idiocies of the patterns, plus we have two card tables, so he could have a neighborhood!

240Whisper1
Mar 1, 2012, 7:57 am

Amber
I so admire your creativity...and energy! The playhouse is incredible and the hat for Charlie is darling.

Sorry about the rental woes. It is difficult to hold on to goodness in people when there are such nasty ones in the world.

And, back up to Richard's beautiful Waterhouse rendition of Circe, this is one of my favorite Waterhouse paintings...just look at what he does with the colors of the water!!!

Here is another Waterhouse painting wherein he renders water so accurately and yet mystically.

241scaifea
Mar 1, 2012, 7:59 am

If it's Waterhouse, I love it! And you're right - he renders the water so beautifully! My best friend just sent us a housewarming gift, which is a large, beautifully-framed print of Waterhouse's Boreas. I'm so excited to get it up on the wall!

242scaifea
Mar 1, 2012, 8:31 pm

Okay, I *finally* finished the playhouse. Whew! Charlie loves it, thank goodness!



243London_StJ
Mar 1, 2012, 8:33 pm

Amazing! Fantastic! What good fun for your man.

244ChelleBearss
Mar 1, 2012, 8:45 pm

OK that's pretty awesome!! I am a little jealous of your talents!

245ronincats
Mar 1, 2012, 8:45 pm

That looks simply marvelous, Amber!

246lauralkeet
Mar 1, 2012, 9:36 pm

Wow, I know it was a pain in the a** but the hard work really paid off. It's sooo cool. I'm coming over to play tomorrow, OK?

247scaifea
Mar 1, 2012, 9:48 pm

Luxx, Chelle, Roni: Thanks!

Laura: Ha! Come on over!

As much as I grumbled about the silly thing, I think it likely that I'll make more of them: another one for Charlie (we have 2 card tables, so he can have a little neighborhood - I want to make another one for him because I now know how to do a better job), and one each for Tomm's little niece and my best friend's niece.

248dk_phoenix
Mar 2, 2012, 8:16 am

That's really, really cool. I kinda wish I had one to crawl into this morning...

249norabelle414
Mar 2, 2012, 8:37 am

Oh my gosh that is so adorable! I love Charlie's pj pants, too. Are those frogs??

250scaifea
Mar 2, 2012, 8:51 am

Faith: Oh you do know, but believe me, I spent most of the evening last night sitting inside it, by request, and card tables are just the wrong height...

Nora: They're Kermits! (I made those too...)

251Morphidae
Mar 2, 2012, 10:05 am

He and it are just adorable.

252jnwelch
Mar 2, 2012, 10:20 am

Jeesh! That's really impressive, Amber. Charlie's going to have a great time with that, and great memories as he gets older.

253scaifea
Mar 2, 2012, 10:32 am

Morphy & Joe: Many thanks - we've already had a tea party in his house this morning!

Well, I'm so mad right now that I'm shaking. Tomm called our landlord this morning to explain that we will not be paying the extra months' rent and that we have consulted a lawyer about the matter, and he got furious, apparently, and told Tomm that he wouldn't be taken advantage of like this (which is rich, the way he's been treating us) and that he'll be talking to *his* lawyer, and also that he'll be coming up over spring break to look at the house and if there's any damage, he'll take us to court over it. Apparently he's determined to get that money one way or another. Tomm's worried that this will end up costing us way more than the extra rent, and I think he's upset at me not for insisting that we fight the thing. Gah. Why are some people so horrible?

254Ape
Mar 2, 2012, 12:09 pm

Cuuute! You're going to make me one next, right? :P

255ronincats
Mar 2, 2012, 12:38 pm

Can you take pictures of the condition of the house as you left it? That would make me furious as well.

256scaifea
Mar 2, 2012, 12:49 pm

Stephen: Ha! Riiiight...

Roni: Technically we're still renting it - we've paid rent for March - so we're thinking about paying a house inspector to come in and inspect it and write up a report, which we will then file with our lawyer. Also, if he comes to look at the house this month, again since we'll still technically be renting it, we have the right to know when he'll be there, and we will insist on having our lawyer, or someone, present while he's there, just in case he considers doing some damage and then blaming us.

257London_StJ
Mar 2, 2012, 3:48 pm

253 - What a nightmare. I hope for your sake it was just an emotional response and he'll let it drop with an undignified grumble. Ugh.

258scaifea
Mar 2, 2012, 3:54 pm

Luxx: That's what I'm hoping too...

259DeltaQueen50
Mar 2, 2012, 7:28 pm

Good for you and Thomm for standing up to this guy's bullying tactics. He's probably used to getting what he wants with his blustering and posing, but it's a good idea to protect yourselves with having a witness there so he doesn't try anything underhand. It's hard to understnd people who go out of their way to create such misery.

260scaifea
Mar 2, 2012, 8:41 pm

Thanks, Judy. I think you're right that this guy is used to his bullying working like a charm. Hopefully he'll see that he doesn't really have a chance at winning in court and just drops the whole thing.

261ronincats
Mar 2, 2012, 11:36 pm

Great, Amber. Sounds like you have a good plan.

262scaifea
Mar 4, 2012, 10:46 am

Roni: I sure hope so!

A nice quiet day at home today: I made a Cherry Upside-Down Coffee Cake for breakfast, there's a Apple Spice Snack Cake in the oven for dinner's dessert (dinner will be Beef Fried Rice), Tomm and Charlie are playing with Legos (who can make the tallest tower is the current favorite game), and once the cake is out of the oven, I'll be heading to the sewing room to work on a baby quilt for Tomm's brother and his wife, who is expecting a new baby girl in May.

263London_StJ
Mar 4, 2012, 11:04 am

262 - I love your Sundays.

I spent the morning making baby food, and now have the makings of vegetable broth in the slow cooker. Dinner isn't on my mind, but I'm probably going to try Pioneer Woman's Pots de Creme. ;)

264scaifea
Mar 4, 2012, 12:34 pm

Luxx: I made something very similar to that last weekend, but Betty Crocker calls it baked fudge. Oooh, it's really really tasty!

Vegetable broth sounds good too - I bet your house smells really good right now!

265Ape
Editado: Mar 4, 2012, 12:55 pm

Legos and cake sound good to me! :D

266Storeetllr
Mar 4, 2012, 12:57 pm

Cake! Okay I have to stop reading your thread because now I want to bake something rich (or just run out to the bakery) and I'm trying to lose the last five pounds so can't. Wah!

267London_StJ
Mar 4, 2012, 1:33 pm

266 - You could always do what I do, and indulge in something rich, followed a bit later by a kettlebell and yoga workout. ;)

Still not sure how that's going to work out for me...

268DeltaQueen50
Mar 4, 2012, 4:06 pm

Happy Sunday, Amber.

#263 - Luxx, thanks for providing the link to the Pots de Creme recipe. it looks so good and so easy! I have become quite the Pioneer Woman's fan, since reading her book and then discovering her website.

269scaifea
Mar 4, 2012, 4:30 pm

Stephen: Come on over and join the party!

Mary: Me too, but I love to bake, so the weight-loss isn't so easy...

Luxx: *snork!* I'm pretty good at the first half of that plan...

Judy: *waves* Yes, it's the best of both worlds - easy to make, and delicious (at least, the recipe I made was, and this one looks very similar)!

270maggie1944
Mar 4, 2012, 6:16 pm

*waving as she lurks through*

271PaulCranswick
Mar 4, 2012, 6:54 pm

Amber - keep a photographic record of the house when you depart as it sounds like this fellow will stoop to anything. Lodge it with your lawyers and have it notorised as to time and date. Did you have any record of the state of the house when you moved in? Was it let part furnished and is there an inventory of all fixtures and fittings? Have you made any improvements to he house? If so remove the improvements and reinstate. How long have you stayed there as the issue of fair wear and tear would come into play?
Stand your ground if you are able to - I hate that type of landlord!

Btw I am drooling at the thought of Cherry Upside Down Cake and (despite not being sure exactly what it is) Apple Spice Snack Cake.

272scaifea
Mar 5, 2012, 7:26 am

New thread, Stephen!

273BredPit
Dic 23, 2013, 2:35 pm

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Este tema fue continuado por Scaifea's 2012 Challenge - Thread #4.