Monday, July 28, 2014

Mondays - 07/28/14

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Found myself unable to focus on much since the loss of my kitty last Monday.  Finally decided to read a book I had already read just to have something to focus on other than Facebook. Then UPS came Saturday and delivered a gift.




Now Reading:
Rare Bird (Anna Whiston-Donaldson)
All Souls (Michael Patrick MacDonald)

Just Finished
The Ocean At The End of The Lane (Neil Gaiman)

On Deck
????

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Saturday Snapshot - 7/26/14

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

And God Laughs...

BEFORE I GO further, I must warn you that this is a tough, tough post - and apologize for the lack of pictures. Honestly, it's just too hard right now...

What is that saying about making plans and God laughing?

Well he must be chuckling a good one. All my vacation plans: painting the house, couponing trips, doctor appointments have gone, gone, gone out the door.

God's plan (blessing) was that both hubby and I be home this week... with my sweet little kitty... in her final hours.

Over the weekend, she was not feeling well, vomiting and lethargic. It didn't get better...so we visited the doctor Monday and I am very glad we did, the night's events would have been more horrifying had I not known it was coming.

A very quick check up and the vet told us that she was likely in her last days (her temp was low and that apparently is a major sign) and strongly suggested euthanizing. Now, if you've read some of my previous posts, you'll know that this wasn't a complete surprise, she is...was...15 and had been having some issues. But we really believed it was stomach trouble, similar to recent events, and expected some Pepcid...and perhaps something to help with some arthitis. We expected to have to make the decision sooner or later... Later.

Apparently, she's likely been battling a cancer or some disease for over a year, her spleen (which was slightly enlarged last year) was huge this time and the concern was it would burst and she would bleed out painfully. And its now clear that it's likely that her stomach issues were caused by the spleen swelling and squishing on her intestines/etc, hindsight is a bitch.

Hubby and I were taken by surprise, though the "what should we do if this is something serious" conversation did come up, so maybe not totally. After little consideration, and watching her push her way back into the hated, dreaded, evil cat carrier because she knew it meant her return, we knew we that we needed to bring her home.

We got the info for a home-based vet who would come to us and perform the final deed and made a call. The doctor gave us pain meds and told us to keep her comfortable until that time. She was very happy she was home... but clearly not well. The meds, while they helped, actually made her vomit more...which took progressively more out of her as the night went on.

Our efforts to get in touch with the home vet were desperate as we realized she might not actually make it until the vet came. Sadly, she didn't. But we were with her every second of the way, telling her how much we loved her, that it was ok to go, and calling her by much loved nicknames (which she responded to with a tail wag...until she just couldn't anymore). We gave her the pain medication and pray she was not in any pain.

She now walks with the angels.

It was, without a doubt, the most horrible, painful night of my life... The only close second would be today, when we had to put her into a box and bury her sweet soul-vessel in the ground.

...Now I'm faced with refocusing a life that, for 13 years (many of which were single and all of which were childless), revolved around my sweet, baby girl. The love of my life. My little kittenopolous. My She-Nibblers. My reason for living.

So, whatever plans I had for vacation, this week or next, for the blog and for life in general are on hold until I can once again get my feet on solid ground.

I am sure you all understand.




Friday, July 18, 2014

Vacation...

I am only about 4 hours from a two-week VACATION!

 

I keep checking my email for resolution on two issues that I really, really want finished and cleaned up today!!

One down...

Unfortunately, we aren't headed anywhere fun. We've got too much to do around the house.  So, the first week of my vacation will look like this:

 
















As hubby and I paint the house!

But week two will look more like this:














And...













I'll try to get some posts up.  But I make no promises!

See ya soon!


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Tuesday Tunes - 07/15/14

A good lyric is like a great book...
The Good Stuff
Kenny Chesney, Artist
Jim Collins and Craig Wiseman, Writers



Well, me an' my lady had our first big fight,
So I drove around 'til I saw the neon light.
of a corner bar, an it just seemed right.
So I pulled up.

Not a soul around but the old bar keep,
Down at the end an' looking half asleep.
An he walked up, an' said: "What'll it be?"
I said: "The good stuff."

He didn't reach around for the whiskey;
He didn't pour me a beer.
His blue eyes kinda went misty,
He said: "You can't find that here.

'cause it's the first long kiss on a second date.
Momma's all worried when you get home late.
And droppin' the ring in the spaghetti plate,
'cause your hands are shakin' so much.
An' it's the way that she looks with the rice in her hair.
Eatin' burnt suppers the whole first year
An' askin' for seconds to keep her from tearin' up.
Yeah, man, that's the good stuff."

He grabbed a carton of milk an' he poured a glass.
An' I smiled an' said: "I'll have some of that."
We sat there an' talked as an hour passed,
Like old friends.

I saw a black an' white picture an' it caught my stare,
It was a pretty girl with bouffant hair.
He said: "That's my Bonnie,
Taken 'bout a year after we were wed."

He said "Spent five years in the bar,
When the cancer took her from me.
But I've been sober three years now,
'cause the one thing stronger than the whiskey

Was the sight of her holdin' my baby girl.
The way she adored that string of pearls,
I gave her the day that our youngest boy, Earl,
Married his high school love."
"An' it's a new tee-shirt saying: 'I'm a Grandpa'.
Bein' right there as our time got small,
An' holdin' her hand, when the Good Lord called her up,
Yeah, man, that's the good stuff."

He said: "When you get home, she'll start to cry.
When she says: 'I'm sorry,' say: 'So am I.'
An' look into those eyes, so deep in love,
An' drink it up.
'cause that's the good stuff.
That's the good stuff."



Monday, July 14, 2014

Friday, July 11, 2014

Bookish (and not so bookish) Thoughts

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is a weekly blogging event hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. It allows book bloggers (and not so bookish bloggers) to write about pretty much anything, bookish or otherwise.



1. Well, the fourth was a washout here on the east coast, but we made up for it on Saturday the 5th!  Family and friends over. Hamburgers were eaten. Potato salad was consumed. And a few drinks too.


2. Loved the book. Love Reese Witherspoon.  Cannot wait!




3. Only one week left until I am on vacation! My husband actually managed to take the same time off too, so it will be nice to hang out with him some.  No, we are not going anywhere. We've got tons of house projects to do during that time (read: paint the house, ugh), but I am sure I will find some reading time too!

4. I also have a few other items on my list that I've been meaning to do, like visiting the grave of a ex. Yes, he passed young. A bit depressing, but I've felt like this is something I've needed to do for a while now. I think saying goodbye will calm my soul.

5. I'm sure everyone has heard about Louis Zamperini (1936 Olympian and the subject of Laura Hillenbrand's bestselling nonfiction book Unbroken) passing away on July 2nd. What an incredible man he was and Hillenbrand did an exceptional job of relaying his amazing story to the masses. Another movie I am looking forward too. 

6. Sad, but true, after only three years World Book Night looks like it has gone belly-up. Due to funding issues, they are calling it quits. "The expenses of running World Book Night U.S., even given the significant financial and time commitment from publishers, writers, booksellers, librarians, printers, distributors, and shippers, are too high to sustain without additional outside funding, " according to Director Carl Lennertz. What a shame. It was such a wonderful program. Hopefully someone can step in and help out.

7. Garth Brooks... New album. 'Nough said! 

8. So, can someone tell me the benefits of Oyster and Scribd? I mean beyond the sort of obvious, get whatever book you want, whenever you want it? Aren't these services just libraries? And I finacially support my local library already. Yes, they may not have every single book I want, at the time I want them. But rarely do I find a book that I absolutely cannot wait to read. I usually have hundreds (thousands) in line that can fill in until a hold is ready. And, if the library doesn't have that book, most libraries in towns close by do and I can borrow from them too. So, what is the deal with these sites? Do you use them? Why are they worth it? Other thoughts?


Wednesday, July 09, 2014

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism - Higashida

Title: The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism

Author: Naoki Higashida
Published: 2013
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating:
3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.

Book Source: Library

Recommended if you like: Non-fiction, information about autism, children's writing

What Its About: 
As autism becomes more and more prevalent in our world, misconceptions and lack of information about the condition become greater and greater. Those with autism are often seen as childlike and mentally deficient, but this is not necessarily the case. In fact, autism is a condition that effects behavior and ability to communicate, but does not effect intellect.
In The Reason I Jump, Naoki Higashida breaks down some of the walls of misunderstanding and lack of communication around autism. Utilizing an alphabet board (think Ouigi-board), Higashida was able to share his thoughts and feelings about being autistic honestly and frankly. He shares his reasons for his struggles with communication and controlling his physical body. He explains why autistic children do not always follow directions and why they often feel naughty or bad.  He also offers caregivers valuable advice when dealing with loved ones who are autistic, do's and don't both. Ultimately, he makes it clear that folks with autism are just like you and can live wonderful, fulfilling lives with the love and patience of those who care for them.

Truly a "...road map into the world of severe autism" (People Magazine).


The Bottom Line:
I have to be honest. I went into this book not exactly understanding the format it would take. I expected stories or a narrative or memoir, but what I got was a question and answer (with some short narratives included). This threw me at first and any potential reader should be prepared. However, once I settled in I truly got quite a bit of understanding from this book.

Yes, the writing is a bit juvenile, but Higashida was only thirteen when he wrote the book. And, having had limited communication due to his autism when he was younger, he did an exceptional job of communicating his thoughts and feelings about being autistic. This is a powerful and valuable book for anyone who knows someone with autism, or anyone who might come in contact with someone with autism. Its very enlightening and, due to its rarity, likely to change the lives of many autistic persons.


Tuesday, July 08, 2014

Tuesday Tunes - 07/07/14

A good lyric is like a great book...
Not at all my kind of music, but totally up my sister's alley (a sort of birthday week present). And I like the message. 


Schism
Atnhrax, Artist
Bellardini, J, Bello, F., Benante, C., Rosenfeld, S., Spitz, D, Writers



Don't look at me as a white man
I'm just a man
Don't look at me as a black man
I'm just a man
It takes a man to deal with ignorance
Prove that you can
Like having to climb a barbwire fence

Can ya tell me how it feels to be hated?
Can ya tell me how it feels to be loved?
Can you show me what it
means to be respected?
Or is the answer none of the above?

It's so easy to hate your brother
It should be hard
It's so easy to hate your friends
Why ain't it hard?
Love and hate come in the deck together
Play your card
Love or hate can rule your life forever

Can ya tell me how it feels to be hated?
Can ya tell me how it feels to be loved?
Can you show me what it means to be respected?
Or is the answer none of the above?

Hating, fighting, lying, and I can't take...
Bitching, screwing, crying, and I just hate...
Taking, cheating, spying, and I can't take...
Hating, fighting, dissing, fighting, fighting,
Fighting...
And I can't take no...
SCHISM!
Schism, SK, SK, SK, SCHISM

A house divided can't stand
Prejudice is un-natural thought
When we were kids
It's not inherited, it's taught
When we were kids
If we were blind and had no choice
Differences hid
Would we hate each other by the
tone of our voice?

Can ya tell me how it feels to be hated?
Can ya tell me how it feels to be loved?
Can you show me what it
means to be respected?
Or is the answer none of the above?

Hating, fighting, lying, and I can't take...
Bitching, screwing, crying, and I just hate...
Taking, cheating, spying, and I can't take...
Hating, fighting, dissing, fighting, fighting,
Fighting...
And I can't take no...
SCHISM!

[CHORUS]



Friday, July 04, 2014

Wednesday, July 02, 2014

Exciting News!!! SBB is now on Facebook (come be my friend)!


Sorry, no review today. But exciting blog news instead...


Alright, I admit it. I'm not much of a Twitter user....

When I set up this blog, I set up TwitterFeed to a Twitter account.  But anyone who follows it knows that pretty much all that hits is my posts here. That's because, as noted, I'm a bad Twitterer. Bad, bad Twitterer! It just feels so overwhelming, the amount of effort it requires. I'm kinda lazy. Etc.

What I do tend to do though, is Facebook. I have my personal site on my phone and use it often. I feel more comfortable with Facebook and it just feels more manageable to me.

So, what's my point?

Shannon's Book Bag is now on Facebook!  

Please be my friend!


Pretty please?!  I'd really hate to be the only one there. Talking to myself. And, with any luck, I'll be more active on the Facebook page than I am on Twitter.

And, of course, my posts here will link there!



Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Tuesday Tunes - 07/1/14

A good lyric is like a great book...
Dated, but still very valid!


New Dress
Depeche Mode, Artists
Martin Gore, Writer



Sex jibe husband murders wife
Bomb blast victim fights for life
Girl Thirteen attacked with knife
Princess Di is wearing a new dress

Jet airliner shot from sky
Famine horror, millions die
Earthquake terror figures rise
Princess Di is wearing a new dress

You can't change the world
But you can change the facts
And when you change the facts
You change points of view
If you change points of view
You may change a vote
And when you change a vote
You may change the world...

In black townships fires blaze
Prospects better premier says
Within sight are golden days
Princess Di is wearing a new dress

You can't change the world

But you can change the facts
And when you change the facts
You change points of view
If you change points of view
You may change a vote
And when you change a vote
You may change the world...

Princess Di is wearing a new dress