Book It 2011 - March

I read Mansfield Park by Jane Austen as part of Life as Mom's Book it 2011. It is the first book I read on my Kindle. I received the Kindle as a gift. Thanks Nonna! Mansfield Park is a free download to the Kindle. I have read other Austen books but not Mansfield Park. It took me a while to get through.

The general premise is Franny Price is sent to live with her wealthy relatives when she was 10. She is basically a servant and companion. The main part of the book is centered of the coming of age of the cousins and Franny. It is the soap opera of who is marrying who and not so subtle maneuvering one does to find a mate. For a much better and accurate summary see here.

I wanted to shout at or maybe shake Franny Price several times throughout the book. I wanted her to stand up for herself. It seemed like all the other woman characters were a lot more assertive than Franny. I realize though those women could be more assertive because of their position. I actually wrote that in my notes that I like Franny Price but I wanted her angry sooner. I wanted her to stand up for herself way before Henry. Does anyone else think Edmund just settled for Franny because he couldn't have Mary? I know it is the happy ending of Edmund and Franny but it was just wrapped up a little too neatly for me.

Penguins

Penguin by Chuckles

Our craft this week was making these penguin stamping pictures. We did this over a couple of day. Chuckles has been researching penguins for his 2nd grade animal report. The idea is from The Artist Woman. We did cut the beaks and feet out from construction paper. The kids enjoyed doing this.

Big E's Penguins.

The Diva's - love the baby penguin

Squirrel Moment #1001

I got selected in a exciting new program to help me informed decisions about my energy use. (Ha, Ha) That is straight from the letter I received. It came with these great graphs. It rates you against you neighbors. See how efficient I am compared to my neighbors.

Evidently, I use 52% more electricity then my more efficient neighbors. I could of told them how inefficient I was. Have they been to my house? Chaos and destruction reigns here. INSERT DEEP THOUGHT -I know the report talks about energy but if I were more efficient in all areas of my life I would probably have a lower energy bill.

I love the little smiley guy. Reminds me of a weeble people. But all I can think when I am driving around is," Wow, those must be the efficient neighbors and look at their great landscaped yard.They probably post their report in a frame. Oh, that is definitely a hoarders house. They are way inefficient. The only thing they have tacked to their wall is a notice from the Health Department."

Hey, I got approval from Puget Sound Energy. I am GOOD. Put a frame around that. Yeah ,these are the things I think about. Squirrel moment is defined here.

Craft Tweet

Sometimes I just need to create.On Friday night I wanted to make something. It is truly a sickness.I had no supervision. So I had seen a sign created with a birds. I knew I couldn't make that in the time allotted but I had a sizzix die of a bird on a branch. So I dug through my hubby's wood scraps and cut out a bird of contact paper.This is what I ended up with. I painted the wood block green let it dry. Then applied the contact paper cut out and painted over in white. I then removed the contact paper. I sanded the whole piece and ended up with a distressed bird block. I think it turned out cute. Now I just need to figure out where to put it.

Coconut Oil Bandwagon

There has been a lot of Buzz on certain messages boards about coconut oil for your face and skin. There was a few discussion threads on two peas in a pod. I decided to give it a shot. I like it. It did seem to make some of my pores appear smaller. I have combination skin especially oil on the nose and chin and why it does seem to be counter intuitive to put oil on those spots. It did not increase breakout(seemed to lessen) nor increase oiliness. My skin was particularly dry in the eyebrow area and that was completely erased with the coconut oil.

Read Aloud

Today is Read Across America Day.(lots of reading suggestions at the link too) It is not only the Diva's Birthday but Dr Seuss too. MSN had a list of 10 best children books.

I thought I would share what Chuckles and I have been reading together. We have been really enjoying reading Roscoe Riley Rules book series by Katherine Applegate. Here is a review on the Roscoe Riley series. So far, there are 7 books in the series. I love that each book ends with a list of things Roscoe has learned from his adventure. Here are a few from Roscoe Riley Rules #7 - Never Race a Runaway Pumpkin.

Useful Things I learned at the Bookstore

1. Do not ask the bookstore lady to come to your house and read you a bedtime story. She has other plans.

2. There will never be enough books about dinosaurs, pirates, or boogers.

3. First graders are not Young Adults

4. Say "Store manager." Not Boss of the Books."

AND the last one number 10

There is a rule called Do Not Write in the Book unless you are pretty sure your Mom is going to buy it.

Nine is Divine!

Today, the DIVA turns 9 years old. This girl is spunky and smart, too. We had a little pre- celebration on Monday. Because yours truly is always ready for party. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Being Nine is truly SWEET!