Word Geek Out 5

It has been one of those crazy days that don't go the way you planned them. I had a long post I wanted to write about Spanish language learning, but my girlie had other plans for me.

I am too knackered for anything other than sleep, which hopefully the little one will allow me to do tonight.

Until next time!

-Jayme

Word Geek Out 4

I can't remember which book I'm reading had this word in it, but I wrote it down because I loved it.


Anyone who has been reading my blog since I started back in 2008 knows that I have often fallen into a state of torpor, but I'm happy to report I am no longer there! 

I wanted to share with you my current crazy reading list, as well as a book that will definitely keep any DIYers from torpor.

That book is called Home from the Hardware Store: Transform Everyday Materials into Fabulous Home Furnishings by Kathleen Hacket and Steven Antonson.

I loved this book because it is filled with simple projects made out of unexpected things like ductwork and shelving brackets! I have the kindle edition and I was surprised by how clear the formatting and photographs were. I highly recommend it.


Here are some of the other books on my summer reading list. I tend to skip around from book to book, but I'm currently reading:

1. Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline
I am a huge Michael Pollan fan, and from what I understand this book is to fashion, what In Defense of Food is to processed food.

2. All of Lucy Maud Montgomery's books in the order in which she published them. This is inspired by my recent trip to Prince Edward Island and learning that the Anne series was not written in chronological order, that my favorite in the series Rilla of Ingleside has a new edition with an additional thirteen pages in it, and that she had written an additional book for the series called The Blythes are Quoted that was published in 2010. 

3. The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Living Guide by Francine Jay
I'm fighting my inner hoarder every day. This book will hopefully help me win the battle against too much stuff.

4. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Defecit Disorder by Richard  Louv
Because I really want my baby to feel a connection to nature and her place in our eco-system.

5. A Movable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
I finished reading The Paris Wife by Paula McLean and it left me hungry for more information about Hadley Hemingway, the first wife of Ernest Hemingway. This is the book in which he finally writes about her.

What is on your summer reading list?

I'm linking this book list up to one of my favorite blogs: Centsational Girl. Check her out here!

Word Geek Out 3

My word of the week is

This is because I have a million niggling tasks to complete this weekend because honestly, they aren't very fun.

When I started high school, I read the book Coach Yourself to Success: 101 Tips from a Personal Coach for Reaching Your Goals at Work and in Life by Talane Miedaner. 

Many of her tips didn't apply to a fourteen year old, but these two resonated with me.

One: Hire a Housekeeper. (I'll save this one for another post). 


Two: Eliminate All Those Petty Annoyances.


She says "Everything you are tolerating drains your energy, makes you irritable, and wears you down. It is very difficult to be successful if you are putting up with a lot."


She suggests listing all the things that you are irritated by and set aside a "blitz day" to finish as many things on your list as you can in a day. 


It's time for another blitz day. I know I need one when my mind won't stop racing before bed, or when every time I try to do something I find myself distracted by five other things.   



On my to do list:

• Separate the change in my wallet. It is stuffed with both Canadian and US coins. I'm going to contribute them into two different piggy banks in my daughter's room. The Canadian one is going to be exciting, what with all the toonies and loonies.
• File a bunch of bills and receipts that are stacked dangerously on my desk.
• Throw out some dead plants (bad feng shui!) and replant them with some healthier ones.
• Organize the linin closets and tupperware closets. 
• Use a $10 Plum District giftcard
• Update a frame with baby's five month picture.
• Change the filter in my Brita Water Jug.
• Wash the baby's Boppy.
• Fix a curtain that is falling off the rod.
• Change the button settings on the baby's cloth diapers.
• Move the cardboard moose head to above the fireplace.
• So many more...

Do you set blitz days for yourself? How many niggling tasks are on your to do list? What finally pushes you to do tasks you've been putting off for weeks? 

Word Geek Out 2

No, I'm not studying for the GRE. I just love words, especially when I hear one not normally used in my day to day life. This week, I'm in love with the word

I found this word while watching season one of The West Wing. My husband saw the entire series on sale on Amazon and bought it since we'd never watched it when it was on TV. 

I love it, but it is kind of jarring watching a show that takes place before 9/11. 

Different issues are highlighted, and they say funny things like "We got this information from the Encyclopedia Brittanica" or "Who is beeping me now?"

The annoying thing about watching a show that is no longer culturally relative is I can't go on facebook and reference something that happened in the show and expect anyone to know what I'm talking about.

If I said something like "Elisabeth Moss is the president's daughter!!!" I would just obfuscate my friends who are not reliving 1999.

Elisabeth Moss in the West Wing. Image from here.

Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men. Image from here.  P.S: Ilove the way Elisabeth is spelled with an s. So pretty!

Anyone else fall in love with a word this week?

Word Geek Out!

I frequently fall head over heels in love with a word.

This morning I was listening to The Writer's Almanac for July 5th and Garrison Keillor read the poem "Tree Marriage" by William Meredith.

The poem contained the word, I can't stop whispering to myself,

Is it silly to dedicate an entire blogpost to a single word? Yes. But it is my damn blog and if I want to blog the word gossamer 1700 times then I will!

Gossamer! Gossamer! Gossamer! Gossamer! Gossamer!

I really need to be less argumentative and defensive with my imaginary readers.

Anyway, you can expect more word geek outs in the future.

Listening to The Writer's Almanac is one of the highlights of my day. It just makes me feel smart because in five minutes I get my daily dose of history and poetry. I don't like reading poetry but I could listen to it all day.

Now I'm off to go dust gossamer from our porch. 


Doesn't that sound less awful than sticky, scary spiderwebs that have taken over the deck making it scary to water plants or sit on the patio furniture?


As Garrison Keillor likes to say, "Be well. Do good work. Keep in touch."