Recently Read: Me, Myself, & Bob

What do MTV, Walt Disney, and Star Wars have in common? They all had an influence on the life work of Phil Vischer, the creator of VeggieTales.

In his book, Phil shares how he came to create Bob and Larry, and his company, Big Idea. He also gives a pretty good cursory history of how the art of computerized animation has evolved over the years.

While this book is about Bob and Larry (and the other Veggie characters), it's also about dreams, learning to let go of them, and what can happen when we do. I think this is a good read for anyone interested in VeggieTales, computer animation, or figuring out how to find the path God has planned for them. Vischer shares his own life experiences in a straightforward and often humorous way.

Rating: A

These opinions are entirely my own. Neither the author nor his publishing company even know I exist.

Letting Go

Letting Go

You win.
I'm done.

No more reaching out
where no one's reaching back.
The hands I yearned to hold
only pushed me away.

I'm done.
You win.

Goodbye.

In need of a Nerf room!

Does anyone have a Nerf room I can use? Seriously, I need a whole room made out of "Nerf" so I won't hurt myself. Every time I turn around today it's like walking into a brick wall.

I can picture it now . . . hurling myself against one wall, then bouncing off into another. It would be much less painful than what I've already experienced today and would burn off so much of the frustration and out right anger I am feeling right now.

Between work and family issues I am very nearly ready to just implode (exploding is too messy and I'm the one who would have to clean up the mess anyway).

Hmmm, maybe a Nerf suit would work. Yeah, I think that would work much better. Less Nerf material would be needed and it's more portable than a whole Nerf room. Yup, that's the ticket!

Anyone have a "Nerf" suit I can borrow? Or buy? Or rent?

Seriously, anyone?!?

This is what happens . . .

. . . when we get together with the family (especially when the nieces and nephews are involved).

Sadly, the battery in my camera died about half way through the zoo. More sadly, I had left the spare battery in the car. Drat the luck. Much fun, or a near approximation, was had by all anyway!

6 Years Ago Today

Six years ago today the first man I ever loved died, and even though we never really understood each other, I still miss him.

Mom & Dad on their wedding day, 6/12/1965

Where we spread Dad's ashes, June 2006.

Recently Read: Two Kisses for Maddy

I started reading Matt Logelin's blog (matt, liz and madeline) shortly after his wife died only one day after giving birth to their daughter. It was nearly three years after the unexpected death of my father in a house fire, and while I had the support of TheHusband and many great friends to help me with my grief I was still drawn to see how others dealt with the grief of unexpectedly losing someone they loved. I was also drawn to his story because Matt & Liz were both from Minnesota.

When his book came out, I thought I wouldn't be buying it because I "knew" the story. I had been reading the blog nearly since the beginning (three years) after all. I'm not sure why I changed my mind about buying the book, but I'm sure glad I did. The book not only memorializes the life Matt and Liz shared, it follows his journey through the grief of losing his wife and the joy of being a new parent. It also shows how a bunch of strangers became a community and how that community helped change one man's grief into hope for others (in the form of the Liz Logelin Foundation).

This is not a "how to survive your grief" book, or even a "how to help someone else through their grief" book. It's just the story of one man, his grief, and his joy, so that his daughter may know her mother and also know how much he loves them both.

Rating: A

These opinions are entirely my own. Neither the author nor his publishing company even know I exist.

This is what happens . . .

. . . when your very perceptive husband (well, mine anyway) picks up on your not so subtle clues as to what you want for your (meaning mine) birthday!

Yup! I have entered the Nook world, and so far I'm liking it. I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about reading a book from a screen, but the contrast is fairly decent and I love that you can change the size of the text and the font type (there's several options) to help make the reading experience customized.

What I really love about it is that it can hold so many books and will never get heavier. Our actual book collection is quite large and with us not knowing where the good Lord will take us once TheHusband graduates seminary, the idea of adding even more books that we will end up having to move was not a happy thought. Also, in regards to the weight issue, I think it will be great for those days when the spondylitis/arthritis is really bothering me and I don't want to stress my hands out even more with the bulk of an actual hardcover book.

So, now that I've entered the Nook world, any suggestions for e-books I should read? (I've read one so far and am working up a review to share with you all).

Back to work...

After a lazy week off, it's time for me to go back to work. Wish me luck.

And if you really need me, I'll probably be in my "happy place".

Wiped Out!

Saturday mornings are usually reserved for doing laundry, but TheHusband and I rearranged our schedule this week and spent yesterday morning helping out at our church's softball tournament.

While helping to run the concession stand reminded me a little of working in the Wilkin County Fair 4-H canteen, those four hours completely wiped me out. I'm pretty sure that the AS is mostly responsible for my exhaustion because by the end of our shift my lower back and hips were feeling horrible. I definitely need to start working out more so I can build up more stamina.

Staying Cool

While TheHusband and I enjoyed the warmth and sun yesterday, I can't imagine how this guy felt being in the heat of Minnesota instead of his natural arctic habitat.

I was very glad to see that he found a way to stay cool and enjoy the day.

A little tip for anyone wanting to visit the polar bear exhibit at the Como Zoo: A good time to check out these playful guys is to go when everyone else is watching the Sparky the Seal show. While the polar bear exhibit is still busy at that time, you can at least get up to the glass to take some pictures without having to wade through  a sea of kids (or having to deal with getting run over by all the strollers).

This is what happens . . .

... when I take "vacation" time.

napping

lots of napping

I have taken a lot of naps the last few days (I did work out with TheHusband on Monday morning, and now can we say OWWW) and woken up to TheDexter napping with me. Let me tell you how hard it's been to quietly slip out of the bed to get the camera when all I really wanted to do was rub that furry belly.

Today we (TheHusband and I) are off to the Como Zoo. We are in for a fun day of polar bears, flowers, and mini golf (and some mini donuts if I have my way)!