The Doctor has left the TARDIS

David Tennant is leaving Doctor Who.

*WAILS*

*SOBS*

*RENDS CLOTHING*

Are you in?

So....NaBloPoMo is quickly approaching. Is anybody interested in taking the challenge?? (I hear some of you asking, "Just what *is* NaBloPoMo???!?!?" Well, my friend, it's National Blog Posting Month! Basically you post one blog entry a day for a month.) I'm thinking about doing it. I'm not going to sign up at the website, because well, I just don't want to. :P

I know November's a busy month, but all that busy-ness will give you something to write about!

Anybody up for it????

Mom?
Katheryn?
Beckie?
Shauna???

How awesome is J.K. Rowling, Part Deux

I just finished reading this book, and it's pretty awesome. It's the story of the Harry Potter fandom, and it's written by Melissa Anelli, who is the webmistress for The Leaky Cauldron, a Harry Potter news and fansite.

It's no secret that I love the Harry Potter books, and that I love J.K. Rowling. I'm also pretty involved in the Harry Potter fandom, which is why I read the book in the first place. I'm sure it seems weird to some people, but I honestly don't care. I've made some amazing friends over the years- yes, real honest-to-goodness friends. It doesn't matter that I've never met most of them "in real life". Actually, my involvement in the fandom is why I started blogging over at LiveJournal in the first place. It was an easy way for everyone to keep up with each other.

Another reason why I loved the book is because it really brings back such amazing feelings for me- like when I first started reading the books. Unless you're a reader, I don't think you can fully understand the effect a book can have on your life. It can be life-changing. The Harry Potter series was like that for me.

After I read Book 7 (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) I remember telling someone at church about the experience. Poor soul, she had made the mistake of asking me how the book was. How was it???!?!?!?? It was wonderful, amazing, gut-wrenching, and a hundred other adjectives. I told her that I had to stop reading every ten minutes or so because I was crying, literally sobbing, at so many different parts in the book. At one point, I had to put the book down and walk away from it for about twenty minutes or so, because it was just all too much.

The lady looked at my like I had lost my mind and said, with some disbelief, "Really?"

Umm, yes, really.

Maybe it *is* a little weird to get so emotionally caught up in a work of fiction, to consider 'Harry Potter' a hobby. to spend hours and hours on a message board discussing plot points and character motivation and thinking about what exactly that gleam in Dumbledore's eye meant. But is it any more weird to do this than to spend hours and hours on needlepoint, fly fishing, scrapbooking or acting in community theatre? I don't think so.

I kind of felt sorry for the lady, actually. She was missing out on so much! I didn't even try to explain it to her, because I knew she just wouldn't get *it*. The anticipation, the excitement, the realization....everything.

I wrote the following for a friend's website prior to the release of Book 7. (Yep, she's a friend I met through a Harry Potter online community!) I got a lot of compliments on it then, and every time I've read it since then, all of those feelings come rushing back. I'm sure they'll dull over time, but I sure hope not.




Love at Third Sight: or How Harry Potter Made Me Late to My Brother’s Wedding Reception


My first encounter with Harry Potter came by way of the Rosie O’Donnell show in 1999. I was the mother of a 13 month old girly, and five months pregnant with girly #2. Still in the throes of terrible morning sickness, I didn’t move off the sofa all that often. I read a lot of books and watched a lot of TV. During this time, having been inspired by Oprah, Rosie launched her own “book club”, this one being aimed at children. On this fateful day, (the date of which escapes me, because, let’s face it- it was eight years ago and I was pregnant! It’s a miracle I remember anything at all!) Rosie’s guest was a British author named J.K. Rowling, and she was talking about her latest book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Needless to say, I wasn’t impressed.

Well, that’s not exactly the truth. I was impressed with J.K. Rowling. Her life story was inspirational- a single mother, living on welfare, writing out her story on bits of napkins and paper in a coffee shop, all while her small daughter napped in the pram.

I wasn’t impressed by anything else. I’m the first to admit it; I often will judge a book by its cover. As Rosie held up the American hardback edition with Mary Grand Pre’s artwork on the cover, all I could think was, “Urgh!”. Nothing about it appealed to me. Not the drawing, not the colors, nothing. That was the first strike.

The next strike was that the book was being promoted as ‘Children’s Fantasy’. I’ve never considered myself a fan of the fantasy genre, and in my mind, a book about a boy wizard certainly fell into the category. Strike three was that I was the mother of a toddler and pregnant. I didn’t get out a lot. Even if I had been desperate to read the book, it would have taken time and effort to track it down, and I just didn’t care that much.

My next encounter with Harry came about nine months later. My husband and I had moved in with my parents and younger siblings. I was now the mother of a 20 month old and a three month old. To say it was a stressful time would be an understatement. One day in June 2000, amid all the chaos, my 11 year old brother Matthew reminded my mom that she had promised to purchase him the new Harry Potter book when it was released in a few weeks time. Harry Potter? That name sounded familiar. Oh, that’s right! I saw a Harry Potter book on Rosie. Evidently the author had done quite well for herself in the proceeding nine months, and now a new release by her was quite a big deal.

The release day came and went.

I still felt like the books wouldn’t be my cup of tea. Matthew raved about them, and told me I just needed to give the books a chance. Finally, I gave in- I decided to read the books. I went to Matthew and asked to borrow his copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Huh. He had loaned it to a friend who hadn’t given it back yet. I wasn’t about to start a new series without reading book one! So much for that idea. About a month later, I volunteered at a school book fair. A paper back copy of Sorcerer’s Stone was for sale. I picked it up for $5.99 with the idea that I would put it away and give it to Matthew for Christmas.

Encounter number three happened in Early November. I was cleaning out a closet and came across that paperback. I was at loose ends, book-wise. I put it on my nightstand with the intention of starting it that night. This time, I actually followed through. I think you can figure out the rest of the story.

I was hooked, big time.

I flew through the first three books in two days. I finished Prisoner of Azkaban late on a Thursday night. As luck would have it, Matthew had loaned out his copy of Goblet of Fire to another friend. Starting that book would have to wait until I could get to the store the next morning and buy myself a copy. This posed another problem. We were supposed to be on the road first thing that morning, on our way to Florida to attend my brother’s wedding reception.

Talking my husband into stopping at the store on the way out of town wasn’t a big deal. The difficulty came in trying to meet the needs of two small children while trying to read this amazing, inspiring, jaw-dropping piece of fiction, all while traveling in a car. Luckily, it all worked out.

We were only moderately late the reception.

Thus began my obsession with Harry Potter. It’s been seven years now, and we’re almost at the end of the adventure. My girlies (now 8 ½ and 7) have grown up with Harry Potter as a part of their lives. My husband has been drawn into the world, as well. I discovered the amazing Harry Potter fandom that exists online. The movies have added another exciting dimension. I’ve planned vacations – nay, entire summers – around the release of a new Harry Potter book three times. And now it’s all coming to a close.

It took my third encounter with Harry Potter to finally discover the magic. It seems fitting in a way that this will be the third book I anticipate, and it happens in the year that I will turn 30. Surely someone out there could find significance in all of this through arithmancy or divination. I can only hope that I get to spend my next thirty years enjoying Harry, Ron, Hermione and all of the other magnificent characters J.K. Rowling has created just as much as I have for the past seven.

Something tells me that won’t be a problem.

I Voted Today, And So Should You

And now my dirty little secret is out. We have voted for Barack Obama and Joe Biden to lead our country for the next four years. Yes, 'we'. In our home, voting is a family affair. Madeline cast my vote during the primary, and Isabella cast my vote today in the general election. James will also vote for the Obama/Biden ticket next week.

I'm sure that many of you are now shocked and dismayed, and questioning my sanity/upbringing/patriotism and wondering when I turned into a Pinko Liberal Tree-Hugging Granola-Eating Hippie Commie. None of this is news to my immediate family, having seen the Obama magnets on my minivan back in the spring. Since Dad hasn't committed Seppuku in the front yard yet, I assume he's come to terms with my decision.

So why Obama? Because.

Because I want Universal Health Care.
Because I want the public schools in my country to be the best in the world.
Because I don't mind paying higher taxes if in doing so we accomplish those two goals.
Because I think we're fighting a losing war on terror.
Because I believe we need to take responsibility for what we are doing to the environment.
Because I believe the government should stay out of my bedroom and out of my church, and vice versa.
Because I want leaders who will think first and then act.
Because I am tired of living in a climate of fear and scare tactics.
Because I am willing to take a chance and HOPE for better things rather than keep the status quo.
Because I agree with Benjamin Franklin when he said, "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety".

I have voted according to the dictates of my conscience, and I hope you will too. I'm sure I have changed no one's mind, or even swayed your opinion a little. (Maybe just your opinion of me, perhaps.) I'm okay with that. I was okay with that when I voted in the primary; when I donated money to the campaign; when I volunteered my time; when I put the magnet on my car for all the world to see.

So at the end of the day we'll just agree to disagree and be happy that it's okay to be different and not be a part of some scary Group!Think experiment, because, what would be the fun in that?

Now go and vote.

My signs are vital

1. This picture is from last Saturday. We went to a park and I thought I might try and take some pictures of the girls for our Christmas card this year. I don't know if I'll use one of the shots, but I like taking pictures of the girls just talking and hanging out.

2. So what's been going on around here? Not much. Loving the cooler weather, even if the drastic seasonal change has brought on a cold. Looking forward to rolling the clock back an hour in a few weeks.

3. The girls have been listening to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on CD in the car when I drive them to school in the mornings, or even just around town. We're almost at the end. Last night they decided they couldn't wait until the next time they were in the car to find out what happened (we were at a *very critical* point- Dumbledore, Harry and Draco in the Astronomy Tower! *sniffs*), so I read until my voice gave out. I think we'll probably finish it tonight, then start on Book 7.

4. Today was a preschool field trip to the Pumpkin Patch. It was a smashing success until I realized I couldn't remember the door code to unlock my van. And yes, my keys and phone we're locked inside! I had to send the one child I had with me back to the preschool with the other teachers while James came and rescued me. (When I called him, he couldn't remember the code either!) I felt like such an idiot. *headdesk*

5. Cheerleading is almost over. Two more practices, two more games, a banquet and then a team party...wait, I thought it was almost over???

6. The girls are super excited to see High School Musical 3 on Saturday. The local theatre is doing a special screening *just* for their school's drama club! How cool is that?? I'm super excited to have 2 1/2 hours to myself on a Saturday morning! :P

Heartwarming and Sweet? Creepy and Disturbing is More Like It!

Lora tagged me for the "Seven Random Facts About Me" Survey a few weeks ago.

1. I hate, hate HATE this book. It is incredibly creepy and disturbing, and I am immediatly suspicious of people who get all misty-eyed and weepy while talking about it. The writing is terrible and the illustrations are even worse. With all of the WONDERFUL books out there for children why a parent would subject their poor, innocent child to this tripe is beyond me.


2. While on the subject of things that creep me out, let me add to the list Conjoined Twins. Seriously scared. I was browsing through a coffee table book about twins the other day while at the library. Half-way through there was a picture and story about some conjoined twins, and I couldn't get away from the book fast enough.
Just...No.

3. I do most of the coding for my blog posts myself.

4. In the past year I have had email correspondence with Lois Lowry, Clay Travis and Amy Krause Rosenthal. I was also a featured reader on USA Today's Pop Candy Blog, and a featured caller on the November 11, 2007 episode of the Pop Candy Podcast.

5. I like the smell of Vicks Vapor Rub.

6. I hate basketball. Watching it, playing it, whatever. I hate it. (Sorry Tahmi!)

7. I think if you combined J.K. Rowling, Julie Andrews and Sheri Dew you would probably have the perfect woman.

Our Trip to the Okefenokee

Since we had to cancel our trip to Disney World, James and I decided that we just COULD NOT spend our Fall Break at home. After tossing a few ideas around, we decided we needed to go camping! Our last camping trip was in February 2006, and we ended up leaving early because of BITTER COLD RAIN.

We decided to camp at Laura S. Walker State Park in Waycross, GA. I've driven past signs for the park probably a thousand times, given all the trips my family made from Jacksonville to Tifton while I was growing up, but I'd never been there. The park is just a few miles from the headwaters of the Okefenokee Swamp, so we planned a visit there, too.

We stopped in Tifton on the way to Waycross for our niece Samantha's first birthday. We were having so much fun watching the GA-TN game that we left later than we wanted. This meant it was after dark by the time we checked into the park. It was also raining. Heh. Luckily the rain was mostly a drizzle, and it wasn't constant. We had everything unpacked and set up within an hour, and we tucked in for the night.

Here's our camp. Doesn't it look homey??


Anyone who knows me knows that I don't "do" primitive camping. I want running water and preferably a flushing toilet. Ideally there would also be a shower somewhere close by, too. It's just not my idea of a good time to worry about digging myself a hole in the woods in order to take care of business. ;) Laura S. Walker is a really pretty park, located right on Lake Laura Walker. It also has very nice bathhouses, complete with flushing toilets and showers! Two thumbs up!


Mmmm...Bacon.


I realized as I was cooking breakfast we didn't have any forks in our camp box. We had spoons, though. It was easier to eat our pancakes with our hands.


After cleaning up from breakfast and heading to the showers, we left for Okefenokee Swamp Park. This is a private, not-for-profit park located within the National Wildlife Refuge. It's seriously cool.


The park itself is basically in the swamp. It's not like walking into a zoo where the animals are in cages or behind fences. You're on their territory. Luckily the park has placed helpful signs all over the place to remind you of that fact.


The first thing we did was take an hour long boat trip deeper into the swamp. Again, seriously cool.




Our boat was about five feet across, and for most of the trip, the swamp lanes weren't much wider than that. Since I was in one of the outside seats, I got whacked in the head by tree branches more than once.

We saw loads of spiders, huge vultures


an alligator nest


and, oh yes, an alligator or two.

(Notice the white part at the bottom of the picture? That's the edge of our boat. I was about three feet away from that guy.)









After the boat trip, we took a train tour. Part of the tour included a stop on Pioneer Island, which was the "living history" part of the park.






After the train tour, we got up close and personal with some of Georgia's native creatures.











All of this took about five hours, so we headed back to camp for a late lunch/early dinner. We then discovered we had also neglected to buy any charcoal, so we really did have to cook over the fire. But it was still pretty tasty.



After dinner, the girls and I went up to the park office for what we thought was an evening nature watch. Turns out it was the highlight event of a Bird Watching Conference that started over in Jekyll Island earlier in the weekend and then culminated in this little adventure we were about to embark on.

We drove a few miles to the other side of the lake, through the woods and ended up on this observation deck that jutted out over the water. There were telescopes set up and everything! There was group of about 15 other people with us, and they were serious birdies- High powered binoculars, tapes of bird calls, dressed like they were going on an African safari. Luckily they were also all very nice, and more than happy to share their equipment with the girls and myself.

We spent an hour spotting various birds, which was really cool. Then when it got dark, the real fun began! We broke out the flashlights and starting spotting alligators! When you shine a light over the water, their eyes reflect like little red lights. I told the girls it was like spotting for Voldemort. We saw several pairs of eyes, much to our delight.

After another hour or so, the girls and I headed back to camp. We were exhausted, so we showered and called it a night.

About 4 am, James and I woke up to the sound of torrential rain. I then rolled over into a huge puddle. Our tent had started to leak! We debated whether or not to try and pack it all in and hit the road, or take our chances and wait it out till morning. We decided to wait it out. As soon as it was light out, we packed up and hit the road for home.

So now it's back to school and work tomorrow. Wish we had another day or two, but Thanksgiving Break will be here before we know it!

Well, yes.

View from a Suburban Window
by Phyllis McGinley


When I consider how my light is spent,
Also my sweetness, ditto all my power,
Papering shelves or saving for the rent
Or prodding grapefruit while the grocers glower,
Or dulcetly persuading to the dentist
The wailing young, or fitting them for shoes,
Beset by menus and my days apprenticed
Forever to a grinning household muse;
And how I might, in some tall town instead,
From nine to five be furthering a Career,
Dwelling unfettered in my single flat,
My life my own, likewise my daily bread ---
When I consider this, it's very clear
I might have done much worse. I might, at that.

It never goes away, but it all works out

I just uploaded some pictures from my camera only to find out that I haven't done that since before Madeline's birthday! Oops. I was wondering where the pictures from Madeline's birthday had ended up!

Speaking of Madeline, this was her yesterday about this time:



Poor kid. She has croup AND strep! Whoever heard of a ten year old having croup? She never had it as a baby. She sounds terrible- barky cough and no voice, not to mention a sore throat and wonky stomach from the strep. Hooray for antibiotics! Hopefully she'll be able to go back to school tomorrow.

We've also had to cancel our trip to Disney World. :( You want to be at 100% for Disney, and there's just no way Madeline will be there in time for us to leave on Saturday. We're disappointed, really disappointed, but we're trying to make the best of it.

In other exciting news, Bella got her top braces on yesterday!



She still has to wear her retainer/spreader for another two months. We have a good time trying to figure what she's trying to say, because she really does sound like she has a bunch of marbles in her mouth.

And with that thought, I'll leave you with a preview of Madeline's birthday pictures.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Two Things That Have Helped Get Me Out of My Funk:

1. Finding out my ticket will only cost $89 (providing I choose not to fight it in court)

2. This sketch from SNL last Saturday night- This is for you, Mom.

My eyes cast low

That's it.

I'm throwing in the towel.

It's been a fairly craptastic week, and I'm just done. (Sorry for the salty language, Mom.)

Report cards came out this week, and it's clear that Bella inherited her daddy's spelling skills and not mine. (Which is to say she has very little spelling skills. :\) Then I felt all guilty about it because isn't it my job to make sure she studies and gets good spelling grades? And because I'm so tired in the evenings because I've been at preschool and I'm too lazy to do anything more that I absolutely have to, and that means I'm a bad mom for putting my wants ahead of her needs!

And it's not like I'm even doing all that great at school, because I feel like my kids there aren't learning anything either, especially the one little boy with some special needs who needs *lots* of extra help, and I've never been put in this situation before, and am I even qualified to be his teacher, considering I've got 55 hours of college to my name and that's it?

Not too mention that I'm also battling my (WARNING!!! TMI AHEAD!!!!!!) third yeast infection in four months, and I can't even get into my doctor to see if there's something going on, because he's booked on the days that I'm free, and I'm booked on the days that he's free.

Then to top it all off, I got a stupid speeding ticket today on the way to Tifton. And even though I'm going to fight it in court, it was just the icing on the cake of crappiness, you know?

And not even the thought of Disney World in ONE WEEK can bring me out of this terrible funk.

Woe.

Woe is me.

Feh.

I'm in a bad mood. There was a time in my life when I used to actively try to get out of my bad moods, but not so much anymore. I prefer to accept that it will pass eventually (usually with the help of a good night's sleep. Or a Dr.Pepper. Or some chocolate) and instead wallow in snarky self-pity.

So if you ever need to tell someone off, or write a letter full of fiery indignation and keen wit, give James and call and ask him if I happen to be in a bad mood (he'll be more than happy to let you know) and I'll give you a hand.

In the meantime, here's one of those surveys that goes around so often. Unlike most of those surveys, this one is actually interesting and informative if you truly want to know about someone. (See what I mean about the snark?)

Twenty Questions Survey

1. How has blogging changed your life?
I've been blogging since 2004 over at Livejournal. I started an LJ to keep up with people I had met and friended through the Harry Potter fandom. (Yes, I'm an adult in the online HP fandom. I'm not embarrassed to admit it. :P) As a result, I've met (yes, in person) some amazing friends that I wouldn't have otherwise.

2. What do you do before bedtime?
Brush my teeth, go the bathroom, arrange my pillows, kiss James. Prior to all of that I might read, watch TV or do a Sudoku puzzle.

3.If you could do it all over, would you get married again?
Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer: Probably. I married young- too young, most people would say. I gave up opportunities for experiences that can only happen when you are young and unattached. Further more, I think it would have benefitted James to wait a little longer before he got married. I mainly wish that I had had enough confidence in our relationship to wait a little bit longer before accepting his proposal and then marrying him.

But I love my husband, and I'm very satisfied with my choice, and I'm who I am today because of the ramifications of that choice.

4. What is the city of your dreams and why?
There are so many places I want to visit, and that I *think* I would love to live (London, Paris, Salzburg, Oahu, Oslo). But I dream of moving back to Jacksonville someday. It still feels like home to me.

5. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
I'm an extroverted introvert. *grins* I'm gregarious and I genuinely like people. I also really, really enjoy speaking and/or performing in front of large groups of people. But I *LOVE* being alone. I've always preferred a small, intimate group of friends to a large group. I crave my alone time. Most of the time I like it just being myself, James and the girls.

6. Do you trust easily?
I don't like this question. I think it's stupid, but I'm to lazy to come up with one of my own. So my answer is maybe. Depends of the situation.

7. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?
Our financial situation. Not being able to travel (even short day trips/weekend jaunts) because of the price of gas taking up so much of our budget.

8. Is being tagged fun?
Of course! It means that people love you and you are way popular. (At least that's what I tell myself. :P)

9. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head?
Anything off my Summer 2008 soundtrack. Right now it's It'll All Work Out by Tom Petty, Elevator Love Letter by Stars and Over and Over Again by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, with a little bit of My Only Offer by Mates of State thrown in for good measure, all on a continual loop.

10. What is your best quality?
My sense of humor and keen wit. ;D

11. "If [you] had a million dollars" -- what would you do?
Pay bills. Travel. Fix up the DH's 1967 VW Bug. Try to be disciplined enough to invest it and live off the interest.

12. What's better to give or to receive?
I must be the only selfish person on my Flist because I think it's ten times better to recieve! Don't get me wrong- I love giving, too. But seriously, folks! ;D

13. What were your parents going to name you if you'd been born the opposite gender?
I don't know, actually. I know they considered Jeremiah for the brother born right after me (they went with David instead). I just called my mom, and she said they really didn't have a boy's name picked out. Good thing I was a girl, huh? (Note: I first did this survey on LJ back in June, and I did on fact call my mother then and ask her.)

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
I love the both of them! I'm in awe of just how smart and talented Sannali is. And that red hair! SO JEALOUS. And Carre- well, I'll just say I want to be her when I grow up. I feel like I share a brain with her sometimes (which probably isn't very flattering to her!).

15. What’s your favorite household appliance?
My washer and dryer. I cried when the DH and I were able to afford to buy our own after 2 1/2 years of marriage.

16. What websites do you visit daily?
LJ, Yahoo!Mail, Facebook, Pop Candy, Goodreads

17. What are you eating for dinner tomorrow night?
Don't know for sure yet. Possibly Poppy Seed Chicken casserole and salad.

18. Name a book character you’ve crushed on.
Gilbert Blythe. Almanzo Wilder. Edward Cullen (So sue me!) Mark Darcy. Peter Wimsey. BUNTER! Rhett Butler. Bill Weasley. Martin Penderwick.


19. What do you like for breakfast?
Cereal and milk. My mom's french toast. Pancakes. Bacon, eggs, muffins, grits. I've never been a person who didn't eat breakfast. I absolutely must eat breakfast. Every other meal is optional.

20. How many questions did you change? Come on ‘fess up.
One-#17. I don't remember the original question.

I'm going to tag Tabitha, Tahmi, Katheryn, Kandice and Kristina.