Summer Reading
It seems that everyone is doing a Summer reading post. I thought it would be nice to jump on the bandwagon. Then I remembered that I don’t particularly like to set up lofty goals and then come up short. And I will come up short. I especially don’t like to do this for all of the internets to see. However, I happen to see that Hoover Public Library had a Summer Reading Program for Adults, much like their kids’ program, which my children adore.
Well, nothing motivates me like prizes.
Mama likey a gold star.
So, I have pulled some books that I’ve been collecting (and some newly acquired) and took a picture of them for you made my Summer reading list.
A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller (I’m actually reading this now. Good stuff, but I’m extremely slow with nonfiction.)
The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian (This is a ghost story, which is a big no-no for this scaredy cat. But his book, Midwives, is in my top 5 all-time favorites.)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (I’m the last person to jump on this phenomenon. It will probably give way to reading the other books in the trilogy. We’ll see.)
Modern Parents, Vintage Values by Melissa Trevathan & Sissy Goff (I bought this after hearing these ladies speak at dotMOM last year. I cannot tell you how beneficial their presentation was. But again me and non-fiction: oil and water. Slow, slow oil and water.)
Erasing Hell by Francis Chan (My affection for Francis is probably unhealthy. Non-fiction aversion aside, I’d read the phone book if he wrote it.)
Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman (Lots of positive buzz plus a Lifeway $5 sale equals win.)
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (I asked for and received this for Christmas. But, y’all, I’m just scared of this one.)
Seven by Jen Hatmaker (Again, scared. Agonizingly frightened, if I’m being honest.)
The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson (I love a Southern writer and Joshilyn Jackson is one of my favorites. But, again, ghost story. **Shiver**)
Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson (Can’t read her fourth novel until I’ve braved her third.)
The Meaning of Marriage by Tim & Kathy Keller (Tim Keller has a way with words that has led me to understand Gospel truths that have evaded me for my entire life. I can’t wait to see what he and his wife have to say about marriage.)
This list isn’t going to get me far past the tote bag prize. So, I’m going to need some suggestions. What must-read am I missing? Any of my list pique your interest?
Earth Fare Hoover Opens Tomorrow
Sounds like the Earth Fare doors open a little before 8a.m. May 30th. No doubt it’s going to be packed over the next two weeks as people stop by to check it out. I think it’s going to be a great fit for the area and it’s plenty easy to get in and out of via Highway 150 or from the Galleria Circle. Here’s a link to a Google Map of the location (it’s the old CompUSA building).
Here’s a handful of photos of what the sign looks like from Hwy. 150, so you know where to turn:
The building looks nice and even has a few outdoor tables and chairs. The parking lot has been full of North Carolina tags all weekend getting ready for the opening.
Let us know if you stop by this week. It’s definitely on our to-do list!
Mother’s Day. Blerg.
First of all, let me say that I have lost the USB cord to my camera. I ordered a new one and it shipped on Monday, but the estimated arrival date… June 6th. Did the mix up my address with one of their customers on Mars?!! Come on! In the age of Amazon Prime and Zappos, how does ANYTHING take three weeks to ship?
All that to say that we’re just going to have to go with iPhone pics. Hopefully, with the help of some snazzy iPhone apps, it won’t be too much of a train wreck.
Now. Let’s talk a little about Mother’s Day. It’s a day that I’m conflicted about. Don’t get me wrong– I love a day that brings all sorts of kid-crafted, construction paper goodness. And with a three year-old and five year-old, I was BLESSED this year.
Can we just agree, though, that most of these little projects, crafted with love by little hands are designed to rip us to shreds humble us?
Take this little piece of goodness by the three year-old:
Sweet, huh? I can make out a head, some arms, even a set of earrings. Some might even call this a masterpiece. But see that green? On my face? That would be boogers. My sweet baby girl has entitled this “Mommy, Picking Her Nose”.
Presh.
Check out this sweet little book made by my kindergartener:
Harmless enough. And it is shaped like a handbag, forcryingoutloud! It even starts out so innocent and sweet.
I mean, 26. That’s what I’m talking about! Don’t be deceived though. It contains truth. The ugly kind.
Now, this wasn’t a set up. It was a perfect opportunity to for a sweet little boy to let his mommy know that he notices what’s important to her– reading books, singing silly songs to her children, dancing all crazy in the living room. Or, you know, taking a nap. Yep, Mommy is lazy.
And, how does this perfectly packaged self-esteem shredder end:
Dial up your nearest social worker, y’all, because Mommy forgets to buckle his seat belt. With this prompt, is there any way for the to end on a high note? I think not.
(Before you actually call DHR, please know that I do forget to buckle his seat belt about fifty percent of the time. However, being the fine, upstanding citizen and obeyer of the law that he is– THAT I AM RAISING HIM TO BE– he alerts me and it’s buckled before we even pull out of the drive way.)
But there is no time to lick my wounds and nurse my delicate ego from the slaughter that we call Mother’s Day. For I have need to hurry up and spend these beauties:
… I’m expecting a home inspection any day now.
An Early Mother’s Day Treat
What a wonderful surprise to see BryantsofBham mentioned in Birmingham Magazine‘s article, Mom, Online!
Now, to be fair, BryantsofBham is more Dad than Mom most weeks. But, as Trav will tell you, I’m the personality. Of course, he’ll also tell you he’s the looks. And, well, that’s only true on Mondays, Wednesdays, and some Saturdays (those tend to be my no make-up, greasy hair days).
I can tell you that Birmingham Mag nailed it with the ladies of BirminghamMommy, Boomama, and Grasping for Objectivity, and others. I have even found some new-to-me moms of Birmingham to read.
In a completely shameless maneuver, I’m going to add my own recommendation to the must-read mom bloggers of Birmingham list — Grass Stains. Grass (as I like to call her) has been a long-time occupant of our Bluff Park Blogroll. (I know, right, what an honor in itself!) I got to meet her in person at the Alabama Bloggers Meet Up last week and, in all honesty, I’d like to put her in my pocket. Her blog is thoughtful, witty, and funny. And, if you prefer your hilarity in 140-character doses, follow @grass_stains on Twitter. She’s positively addicting.
You can see pics of some of the featured bloggers over on Birmingham Mag’s site. But I suggest you pick yourself up a copy of their May issue to get the full story!
Thanks, Birmingham Magazine, for mention!
How to get a bigger recycle can
The city of Hoover is swapping out recycle cans this month. If you’re like us, then your current 30-gallon can fills up in just a couple of days. But now you can call to get on the list for a new larger 95-gallon can. Here’s how:
- 1. Call 205.444.7543 (which is the Hoover Public Works office)
- 2. They’ll ask for your Last Name, Address and Phone Number.
- 3. Then next week, after the Wednesday, May 9th pick-up, just leave your old puny recycle can by the curb, through Friday night.
The city will be driving around on Thursday, May 10th and Friday, May 11th, with the list of folks wanting the bigger cans. When they get to your house they’ll swap it out. At least, that’s all they told me when I just called to get on the list.