Saga of the Dollar Part 3: I say goodbye to my dollar

Part One can be found here | Part Two can be found here

The idea slowly forms in my head about what to do with this dollar, but I have an entire week to stew about this, and I want the wording to be perfect.You see, the biggest thing about me is that I am an overachiever.

Heck, even this series of posts is an over-achievement. Pictures and everything included! 

The recipe kind of looked like this: add 1 dollar to 1 over-achiever, toss in a Bible highlighter by random coincidence, allow stream of consciousness to bring the Gideons into the mix and add a pinch of a notepad with the following quote:

Or do I follow the yellow brick road?

So, this was where the Bible was:

Pretty, isn't it?

But how could I use the dollar and all this to bridge a gap between me and....whoever? I noticed the person before me left a note on the notepad thanking the cleaning staff (you know how you can see the ghost imprint of the note before). So why can't I do the same?

The night before I was going to leave Indianapolis and come back to reality, I sat down and wrote a note....

Good morning!
My name is Kristin. This past Sunday, my pastor gave a sermon in our church near Boston. In the sermon, he said that money can be a big divider, between people. He gave us homework this week by giving us all one dollar.He told us he wanted us to use it any way we wanted, but he wanted to know how we used it and how we thought it connects people across the divide, or divides people more. I want to use it to cross the divide between me and you. My email address is on the back. Send me an email and tell me about yourself! I hope this will bridge the gap between me and you. Use it any way you choose. I hope it helps you in dire need.
Kristin

Right before I left the room for the last time to check out, I used the Bible highlighter to highlight that passage, left the dollar and the note inside.

Goodbye little dollar! I hope you help someone out.

But let's leave that trail of genius, right?!

I hope that I get that bridge and I find out about whoever it was that becomes the new owner of the dollar.

Saga of the Dollar, Part 2: Indianapolis, here I come!

Part One can be found here...part three can be found here

About 8 hours after I got this dollar, I found myself in Indianapolis airport, huddled with a few other lab geeks, waiting for our transportation to the hotel. As we piled into the big van and I settled into it, my hand brushed up against something. I looked down and saw a small highlighter.
"Oh this will be useful in training..." I thought as I grabbed it, and briefly glanced at it before stuffing it into my purse (along with the dollar). It was a Bible highlighter. I didn't know they made highlighters special for Bibles, but the fact that it was a Bible highlighter kind of stuck in my head.
So I get to the hotel (Marriott, BTW....Roche, the company that paid for this learning time, was putting us up in style!) and a bunch of us meet downstairs for dinner. As we're talking about the activities to come this week, a night excursion to the Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis was planned.

One of the other women mentioned she had heard there were a lot of hobos in the area camped out in front of the mall. Hey, this could be a way for me to use the dollar! I could give it to one of them, sit down, and get the person's story! What an awesome idea!
And then I started thinking about it. With my luck, I would end up picking the only truly homicidally insane one out there, get gutted like a fish, and die in Indianapolis. I don't want to die in Indianapolis. Surely I could find some more exotic place to die than in the middle of Peyton Manning country.
So that idea was nixed.The rest of the night continued in a haze of good food and lots of it, lots of laughter, and camaraderie between the lab geeks. As I made my way into my room, the Bible highlighter came back to my mind. Now, my stream of consciousness is more like this and it can confuse a lot of people:

Image found in DeviantArt

So from the highlighter I moved to the idea that there is a group of people, the Gideons, who mass-produce Bibles and put them in all hotel rooms. I went to the dresser, and sure enough, there was a really nice hardback Bible in there, along with a paperback of the Book of Mormon. A few years ago when I went to a hotel room, the Bible was all marked up with some really rather offensive language to me, even though I didn't believe in Christianity at the time.
I got ready for bed, and I don't know about you, but the first night in a hotel, I can't sleep. Two in the morning and I'm tossing and turning, when I start thinking about this dollar. Surely there was a reason why I got the dollar on the very day I was going to Indianapolis....and then an idea started forming....safety first...the highlighter.....Gideons........follow the yellow brick road (an inside joke from the Roche training)....

If you can't see where my yellow brick road is going with this dollar, its okay, not a lot of people can grasp the tenuous swirls of my stream of consciousness....but it should all become clear in part 3....

Saga of the Dollar, Part 1: Back Story

Last Sunday I went to church. Big gasp from all of you who have known me for the past twenty years, but I've found a place that I really like. The pastor is all out cool as heck, but you'll see that soon.
The Gospel was the parable about Lazarus and the rich man (can be read here). Reading is over, sermon begins, but I've only been to one of his sermons. The one that I did listen to had most of the congregation laughing at his story, while still providing a very good sermon. But surely he can't continue at that same level, it was just a one time thing...right?

But then he started out mentioning Hades, and how everyone back then knew it was a fictional concept, similar to how if he mentioned the word "TARDIS", everyone would know it was a fictional concept. Yes, he used those words. Now either he's a Whovian as well, or he just talked to me (and the few others that actually got that reference).

This is my desktop on my computer....see anything familiar?

If you're not familiar with Dr. Who, the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space) is that funky blue police box right in the lower right hand corner. Don't ask me to explain it....it can't be done without taking up a few hours.

But back to the sermon, so then he focuses on the whole idea of the gap, or divide between Lazarus and the rich man, and then brings it round to things that divide us now as people. Eventually he got to the idea that money or the economy, is the big divider among people these days. And how true that is....the haves and the have-nots, right? With the American government in a state of shut-down right now, that divide is getting larger and larger.
He gave us homework (this was a first for me, but okay, I'll go along with it), he told us he was giving us a dollar, each. We could do whatever we wanted with it, we could use it, or save it, or give it away...anything at all. But he wanted us to focus on how that dollar either bridged a gap between people, or increased the gap between people.
I have to say, I truly thought it was going to be Monopoly money. After all, every church in the world is struggling for money, heck, everyone is struggling for money, after all, its the haves and have-nots....
But it was really a dollar. Yep, a real, honest to goodness dollar. For each of us.
I thought about what I would do with the dollar for a second, and stuffed it into my purse....I was off to Indianapolis for a week for training, maybe an opportunity would present itself along the way.

(More to come tomorrow....right now, I'm off to put the kidlets to bed! Stay tuned!)

Part 2 | Part 3

GIVEAWAY: Walmart Gift Card

Brought to you by Fruit of the Loom, Walmart, and Second Book to the Right! It's that time of year again when back to school shopping is in full swing for us. This is the time of year we stock up on crayons, pens, clothing, and more. We get the girls new outfits and tons of socks and underwear. We always go to Walmart for our back to school essentials because the prices are Amazing! (No, seriously.....crayons for $0.50?!) So when Fruit of the Loom sent me a $75 gift card to Walmart to help out with our back to school shopping I was thrilled! Especially since we go there anyway! I bought socks and underwear for the entire family! We got a lot and I bought multiple sizes as they grow. I love Fruit of the loom because they are quality products and Walmart is offering 3 extra pairs of underwear opposed to Target offering only 2 free pairs. Every little bit helps!

Fruit of the Loom and Walmart are offering a lucky person a $75 Gift certificate to Walmart to get there Back to School Needs! Fill out the form below to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Still no computer access y'all

I'm not quite sure when I'll be ale to get computer access back either... :( But when I do I will post all the reviews I'm due with.

No computer?

Yes everyone....my home computer's motherboard burned out a month ago or so and I've ben keeping up from my laptop. Well, last Sunday I came home from work, to find that my wonderful children had played around where it was and it fell off the table where it was....

Lesson learned: a smashed screen is not covered under warranty... *sighs*

So until I can afford to get another computer, I'll be trying to keep up from the library.

#PrayforBoston

The ones responsible for this tragedy will win, only if we forget the victims' names.

Krystle Campbell, native of Medford, MA, (where I live now)

Martin Richard, native of Boston, MA

Lu Lingzi, of China

 

 

Blog Hop for a Cause

When I found out that Nancy Amato at Mommy Lesson Plans had shaved her head, immediately I thought perhaps she was going through the same thing my sister is. Fortunately she's not.

On January 24th of this year, I got a call from my sister. I never hear from my sister, unless its an emergency, and I joked about it. "Lissa, what's up, you never call me unless something's wrong, what's going on?" She gave me some story about wanting to catch up, her husband had bought her a calling card for Christmas.
"Oh that's great! So what's going on?"
She broke down and started crying. "I'm going in for chemo on Saturday."
This totally hit me out of left field. I didn't even know she was sick.
So the next hour was talking about what has happened over the past almost 6 months. She found a lump on self breast exam, found out it was stage 2a Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

"Kris, there are only two things about my body I like....my boobs and my hair, and I'm losing them both!" We both cried and laughed.
So, I've got a page up there devoted to just updates on her.

My big sister is going in for her third chemo treatment tomorrow. She's already lost her hair, she lost it before her second treatment. But, as optimistic as she is, its just like her when she said, "I guess this means the chemo's working."

She's my big sister. She's gonna kick this cancer's ass. I don't mind writing that I'm crying while I am typing this. She's my big sister, I've always wanted to be just like her. I've always looked up to her. I don't want her to have to go through this.

Please pray for my sister

I found out last night that my sister is going to begoing through her first round of chemo treatment for breast cancer tommorrow. This is the first time that she's told anyone in the family that she has breast cancer. She's got two little girls that need her. This is absolutely heart-wrenching.

Blog awards!

Wow, I have just been showered with love over the past two weeks, and I do want to acknowledge those who have nominated me for blog awards. 

I've received the Liebster Award from several people. I promise to spread the love, but it will take me a few months. Right now, I am a full time worker, and a mom of two (my 7 year old and 4 year old), I am also Troop Leader for my 7 year old's Brownie Girl Scout Troop and we're in full Cookie mode. 

I also just started my second book blog at Swamp Reviews to cover my 18+ books/reviews/audience. I don't believe it will be as busy as this one, but it still will take my time. 

Thank you to everyone who have nominated this blog for the awards. I truly feel honored and loved.

A Question for Y'all

I have a book that I'm currently reading for review. The review will be coming out this coming up week and I gotta tell you the cover is steamy, the content is steamy. Well, it's an Ellora Cave book, so if any of y'all are familiar with EC stuff, you know its pure erotica.
Some people refuse to read erotica and review it. I have no problems. BUT, the conundrum lies in do I change to the 18+ content for this blog, or do I start a blog specifically for my 18+ reviews?
I'm leaning towards starting a new one specifically for my 18+ reviews.

An Encounter With a Book Snob

**The person shall remain nameless for the sake of their book snobbishness. Instead, I will call her N.**

Today I came across my first official book snob. And wow, what an encounter it was! Usually, I can come back with some pretty snide remarks to put people in their place, but this one really set me back on my heels.

I was sitting somewhere, place unknown, enjoying the relative peace and quiet, eating my breakfast of a bagel and coffee, while re-reading The Hobbit on my Nook. N came into my quiet little reading space and asked me what I was reading.
"The Hobbit," I replied.
"But you read that one already, didn't you?" N asked with a tone in her voice I didn't quite like.
I smiled. "Yes, N, that's what good books are for...to be re-read." (I warned you I could be snide!)
"That. Is. Not. A. Good. Book. Nor is it a classic." she replied with the following look on her face:

At that point I am ashamed to say I was struck speechless. And unfortunately, she plowed on with her argument concerning the Truly Great Classic Books, such as:

The Odyssey by Homer,War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, and Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Her list included about 6 books all total.

Needlessto say, I was still speechless, while brief ideas flitted through my head of how sad and forlorn Gandalf and the dwarves must feel without my company as they journey with the giant eagles....

After the encounter was over, and my brain recovered from its flummoxed state, all I could think of was, "Thank god there are billions of books out there for everyone to enjoy, not just 5 or 6."

2013 New Year's Resolutions

Hi everyone, and Happy New Year! I hope everyone has had a safe and happy start to 2013. I'm sure 90% of the population will be making their resolutions to be healthier, lose weight, eat less, smoke less, drink less, etc etc etc....

That is so....typical!

 

So let's all challenge ourselves to do something extra-ordinary, un-usual this year! Even if it's something small, or something large... just pick something and do it. Last year, I entered into a challenge to read a book from a genre outside my comfort zone. I picked a zombie book, and it was an awesome read!

 

This year, do something outside your comfort zone, you may just find a new interest!

 

Me...I'm challenging myself to read the Bible, yes, the entire Bible this year. As much about God as I read (not alot but still a significant amount), I've never read the Bible before, and that's on my reading bucket list. I'm also not comfortable with the Bible. I don't understand how people can read it and love it so much, and read, and re-read, and re-read it. Me and God...we're on opposite sides of the field, staring at each other distrustfully, wondering what the next move is.

 

 

So, what challenge will you meet this year?

End of the year race

Alright, so we've all survived the "end of the world" that everyone was predicting with the end of the Mayan Long Calendar. I disagree in the popular translation of it, but let's move on.

Books! So I had a list of 6 books that I wanted to read and review this week. I've completed 2 of them, and within 100 pages of finishing the third. The question is.... do I move on to book #4, or try to fit in 2 other books that I want to get read before the end of the year? I feel like I'm running under an avalanche of books by the end of the year....

A post of rememberance

Today I was going to write a review or maybe a week in retrospect kind of post. But after the absolutely senseless evil that occurred yesterday in Connecticut, there is the need to take a moment, a single post and send up a prayer for all of the victims, and those affected by this.
As a parent, I was horrified. As a parent of two children that age, I was grief-stricken. I can't even imagine, I don't want to imagine, the awful reality of how these parents' lives are right now.

So, in case you haven't, go hug your children, and be grateful for every single minute you have with them, even when they have you at your wits' end. My kids now are wondering why I have been hugging them so much since yesterday afternoon.

Happy Birthday to me! What are you reading?

Yes, today is my birthday. Happy birthday to all my birthday brothers and sisters out there! And since I wasn’t feeling all that good yesterday, I didn't get to write my What Are You Reading?? post.

A day late, and possibly a dollar short (especially since I have to pay for the new tire to replace my flat tire I found this morning…. bestest. birthday. present. evah. </end sarcasm>

But here is my list of books for this week! I am surprised I actually got all 4 of last week’s books read (and reviewed). I've had a lot of people email me for reviews of their books and interview/tour requests, so if you've emailed me, please be patient.

This week’s list of books I’m reading are:

1. The Last of the Bird People by John Hanson Mitchell
2. Prophecy Girl by Faith McKay
3. The King of Winter by Andy Monk
4. The Advance Guard by Don A. Martinez

I’m hoping to get all four read this week, but I will get at least 2 of them read.