Wordless Wednesday - Global Warming

(Scary, isn't it? This is Manhattan sans polar ice caps... And I live about
15 miles away from there.)

Radio Silence

I know I've been kind of radio silent for a week or two, posting sporadic and random items (believe me, there were other things I've been wanting to post - I just thought better of it). Where have I been, you ask? Well, since honesty is good for the soul, here it is: I've been on a diet. Uggh. I can just hear the moans and groans of all my devoted readers. Yeah, I hear you.

Dieting is a chore I've never tried to master. I loathe NutraSweet (or whatever that nasty pseudo-sugary tasting stuff is that the power that be inject into diet drinks). And the truth is, I never really had too much of an issue with weight until these past couple of years. And don't worry, reader, I won't bore you with gory details of my current pant size, either. Let's just say that my metabolism has slowed to a point of sheer embarrassment and I refuse to be the "fat bridesmaid" forever memorialized in the wedding pictures of a dear friend of mine. THAT WON'T HAPPEN. (Especially when I used to be the skinny one - you dig?)

So, now it's See Suzy do "South Beach." I've gotten through the first two (hellish) weeks and my cheerleader says I've lost about 5% of my body fat. And I am thinking that is a decent start. Now it's on to phase two, and I am a whole lot happier already. I never knew how much I could miss having fruit (phase one is "fruitless"). I've already had an apple and a whole lot of strawberries today. Ahh yeah. Here's to not looking foolish next to your (dang) size six friends and wanting to tie them down and force-feed them lard. And here's (hopefully) to a whole new me?

Laughing Baby

Photo Friday - "Brother"

Yeah, these are my brothers. Don't they look like they are auditioning for
the musical "Oklahoma" or something?!? Good grief.

Pink Perfection

The winners of the "Pimped" Bookcart contest have been announced... And looking at the pics that some of the other contestants sent in, I am totally amazed! Check out the winner - it is incredible! I am so impressed with the creativity of some of the librarians out there! Hopefully, with the help of great websites such as this, the face of librarianship will start changing. (One can only hope.)

Wordless Wednesday - The M&M in Me

Baby Emma

Oh man. Is this not the cutest vision?!? I SO wish I could meet this little addition to our family right this minute. I could just eat her up!

For those who have just tuned in, this is my big sis Beck and her brand new little Emma. They live way up in Canada, so this grrrl will be needing to make a pilgrimage to visit those grrrls.

Did I mention that this proud sister was the first to know about baby Emmalee?!? Teehee... I used some of that librarian savvy and called the hospital the morning after I knew my sis went in. Those lovely Canadian women recognized the tension and anticipation in my voice and patched me directly through to Becky's room. Little did I know that she had only JUST delivered the baby! When brother-in-law, Jerry answered, he was as surprised as I was to actually reach him! I told him that "I'd tracked him down" and his reply was "No Way!!!" And as this proud papa told me about his two grrrls, I totally melted. I was at work that morning, so naturally, I ended up telling everyone that walked into the library. What a super memory that will always be for me!

And speaking of babies, it turns out that I have a few of them living in my wall! There is a den of squirrels living in the wall of my craft room and they are very noisy! It is a strange but cute sort of squealing noise and it is really freaking out my cats. They just stare at the wall all day, now. And them staring at the wall freaks me out. So I try and tap on the wall to shush the squirrelies - and I think that freaks them out. It is just a vicious cycle.

Wanna listen?

Weekend Entertainment Galore

My family is just full of surprises. This one is of little wonder brother, Andy. He is going to be on TV this weekend "making his entrance" into stardom. He is doing it as a country singer. Who knew?!? (Do you like country music, Andy?) And on the Women's Entertainment channel, nonetheless. Well, I am a woman and I KNOW I will be entertained. Teehee... I love ya, bud! My little Andy "Bennetich." I'll be watching! (Quiz: If you watch this, see if you can guess if Andy has even seen the movie he is talking about.)

Pretty in Pink

I'm an Aunt!!! (Well, I already was, but now I am even MORE SO an aunt!!!) My big sister had a baby- a sweet little grrrl named Emmalee Anne. (Just like my grandma on Tim's side. I L.O.V.E. that name! Emma Lee is a very special lady, so I know that this new baby, Emmalee, will also be very dear to me!)

Emmalee is 8 pounds and 1 ounce, 20 inches tall, slightly shy (she didn't cry too much), and very healthy. I can't wait to meet this little princess! She is gonna be spoiled by her Auntie Suzy, I tell you what.

More than anything, I am so proud of my big sister. She is such a brave, strong woman and I know that she is gonna be such a great mom.

Happy

Today I am a happy girl.

Wordless Wednesday - Natalie Dee

(Click here for more Natalie Dee...)

Why Hand Washing Is Important...

(I was gonna post a picture of MRSA, but go google image search it yourself - cause it's nasty.)

My sweet and wonderful, poor puppy dog of a husband has it again. Anyone who knows me should know what "it" is, but just in case you've forgotten, it = Staph Infection. And I am FURIOUS. I want to take legal action against the hospital he was infected at (Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, NY) but I am not sure of my rights here... {Read: if you are a lawyer and want to help me kick some corporate booty, please send me your digits.}

Background History: Tim went in last year with a cut that he needed stitches for, and left the hospital (Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, NY) not only with a fat bill and some stitches, but also with a rip-roaring case of Staph. He was too sick to work for a couple of weeks after that because he got a massive whelp on his leg from the infection (also on his hands, etc.). We didn't know what it was at first, because he had been given antibiotics for treating Staph and it just wasn't working. One doctor even told us it may be Job's Disease (yikes! chronic boils!). We finally got an antibiotic that started working for him, but that was after his immune system rode a six month roller coaster ride of ick. It was also BEFORE we had health insurance. So, lots of sick and lots of expense later, we thought that it had cleared up.

So imagine how we felt when Tim started getting another whelp on his hand this past week?!? Grrr... The vigilante in me wants to post health hazard violations all over that DIRTY hospital (Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, NY) and the DIRTY nurse who stitched my husband up in the first place. I wish I knew how to spam, because I would send them a million emails of this - Information About MRSA and Standard Precautions - and tell those foul people to WASH THEIR HANDS!!!

Can you tell I'm upset?

Monday Movie - Pan's Labyrinth

Okay, I know I haven't done any of these for a while. It doesn't mean I'm not watching movies, it just means I'm lazy. But this movie begs to be spoken about and it IS Monday, so here we go.

This should not be confused with a review. I'm not a critic and I'm not fond of reviews, so I wouldn’t write one even if I could. This is the informal reaction of a movie lover, offered in the manner of Jackson Pollack throwing paint at a canvas — all emotional and messy. (Anybody who feels cheated by not getting a plot summary and all that review-y stuff should stop reading now, because this will surely frustrate them.) I won’t be giving a single story detail. You’ll be able to get that kind of thing in plenty of other places, if that’s what you want…but I, for one, urge everybody to avoid reviews and see the film knowing as little about it in advance as possible, as I was lucky enough to do.

Pan's Labyrinth is an amazing and beautiful film. It is visually spectacular and the story itself is just incredible. Even if you are not fond of subtitled movies, this one is worth suffering through, because it is just THAT good (I'm talking to you, J!). Stephen King called it a "R-rated fairy tale," which I think is the perfect description of this masterpiece. It's dark and it's gruesome in parts, but it is also deeply moving and personal.

One thing I'd like to comment on is the setting of this film. It is set in 1940's Spain, during the country's civil war. Now, I'm no history buff and to be honest with you, I would not have even known about a 1944 Spain had I not taken a trip to Barcelona and seen Castell de Montjuic, which was a Franco stronghold/castle thing. To me, it was just something that looked interesting in a travel book, an old fort with an amazing view of the ocean. But I soon realized, as several taxi drivers angrily told us they wouldn't take us up there, that this "history" is still fresh and just how evil this Franco regime actually was (LOTS of people were executed there and it still stands as a symbol of right-wing oppression). It was a startling realization that I won't soon forget. And in this film, one of Franco's henchmen, Captain Vital is just as ruthless and cruel as I would image Franco being (hence the r-rating). The film made me remember just how "Ugly American" I can be. I vow to do some reading on Spanish history!

Even if you don't know much about 1940 Spain, though, you will completely understand the tragic oppression and stark difference between the magical world of the Labyrinth and the frightening world outside of it. This movie is one I will OWN!!!

Oh Yeah

Here I am with our newly "primped" bookcart! (That strange glow emanating from the undercarriage is intentional - it is supposed to be a souped up hot rod - yeah baby.) So, I entered the boys into the contest and we'll see what happens. If nothing else, it was a fun project! It's funny, though, I had absolutely ZERO chick participation in this. Well, I'll be doing a girly program in mid-February, so I guess it works out.

The girly project is one I'm excited about, too. It is in celebration of the fourth Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book, called Forever in Blue. I'm one of four other neighbor libraries and we are each having our own "pants" decorating party (paint, beads, ribbons, and whatnot). We are also each decorating a side of a pair of "traveling" pants and letting the pair travel with the program. Pretty sweet idea (again, not mine - dang it!).

Well, if you want to see more pictures of the cart and my tweeners hard at work on it, go here. And if you're feeling generous, buy me a shirt! Heh.

Wordless Wednesday - Librarian

Primp My Bookcart

Not a lot of newness here in my neck of the woods (hence the lack of posts). I am doing a noteworthy program at the library, however. It's called Primp My Bookcart - "primp" because my boss freaked at the thought of me using the word "pimp" on a library flyer. (She was like, "Suzy! Do you even know what that word means?!?" {Gasp}) I can't take credit for the hilariousness / creativity of the program, though. The program idea came from the web library comic Tim and I read called Unshelved. (This link will take you to the comic sequence on the pimping...) So far, I've only had boy interest in the project, so I am thinking that this cart will end up looking like a glorified hotwheel car. (Pictures to follow...)

Photo Friday - Sister

This is my beautiful big sis! (She's about ready to pop, too. Her due date is Jan. 24th, but she is ready to go at any time!)

Sucky Day

Arrgh. I am just sitting here after work having a "Mikes Hard Cranberry" (cool and refreshing + good for you with the cranberries and all, right?!?) and hoping that my Tylenol kicks in real quick-like after the day I've had. Yikes. (Somebody turn the dang blender off, please!) This whole week has been like this. What is up with this after Christmas angst? I mean, I enjoy Christmas as much as the next guy, but why are people SO upset that it is over that they behave like gorillas in heat? It perplexes me. All of the sudden, I need another vacation!

Wordless Wednesday - Case of the "Mean Reds"

Incredible Movie. Just Incredible.

Okay, I know it is late and that I probably shouldn't wax philosophical just now, but I saw a movie that I'll venture to say is probably one of the best I've seen all year (or actually the best of 2006, since it is technically 2007 and the year has only been 2 days long so far - yeah, it is definitely the best of 2007 for me, as of yet... but I digress). It is the new M. Night Shyamalan flick, Lady in the Water. Wow. The plot outline is simple, IMDB has it as:

Apartment building superintendent Cleveland Heep (Giamatti) rescues what he thinks is a young woman from the pool he maintains. When he discovers that she is actually a character from a bedtime story who is trying to make the journey back to her home, he works with his tenants to protect his new friend from the creatures that are determined to keep her in our world.

Sounds kind of neat, eh? Well, as simplistic as the story sounds, it is actually - as all M. Night Shyamalan movies are - very complex and full of twists. (How does he do this?!?) It is formatted like an excellent picture book - you hear the story and see the pictures and you pick up on something underlining the text... something very subtle and beautiful. Many critics write that Shyamalan themes his films and I would absolutely agree. The theme of Lady in the Water is "Purpose." I even felt it. I was completely inspired by it. (That is why you should WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!)

I wanted to quote another blogger who oh-most-eloquently wrote a stunning review. You can read it here. This is the steak and potatoes of what he wrote, though. (Film Geek Marc, well written!)

Lady In The Water is based on a children's story Shyamalan told his own daughters. And it feels like a children's fable. But I think that's appropriate, given the premise. Children, in all their innocence and freshness, seem at times drawn to a purpose. Simplicity allows them to dream, and to aspire. Adults--heavily burdened by things like the Christmas season rush, boring jobs and overwhelming goals--too often lose our purpose. We adults forget, I think, to live. Shyamalan reminds us to live through Lady In The Water. With grace, and with dignity. But always with purpose.

Check this film out - it's incredible. Just incredible.

(Link shamelessly stolen from Becky)

In the year 2007 I resolve to: Eat my weight in Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Get your resolution here.