I Love You Guys

Hello friends, I thought of you today.
... when I walked on the trail with my parents.

... when i found this lotion at Big Lots. It has some sentimental value to me - my grandmother sent me the cologne when i was a college student back in the Philippines.

Here she is with my grandfather. We fondly call them Papalo and Mamalo. Papalo has gone to heaven, or maybe he's babysitting her invisibly.

... when I recalled how I started reading. My aunt Susan in Georgia sent me several of these books when i was a young girl:

What memories are coming back to you today?

Some Things

Something beautiful: I found it laying on our sidewalk...

I was sad that it died, but happy to show it to my toddler.

Isn't it a perfect work of art? How tiny it is, which is only part of the entire universe of God's entire Masterpiece.

Something unique: I have never seen a cosmos with tube shaped petals. Maybe it's a common thing? I did not grow up with cosmos'es.

Something old: death by shopping LOL.

Something new: pillows on the couch. (before and after photos)

Something I do: read as I sit on a chair by the driveway, while the little one rides his tricycle

Something silly: I saw this as I got out of the car when I went to the mall last week.

Something good: looking better than ever

Something fantastic: My parents are here! (picture to follow)

Seven (more) Random Things About Me

Oooh, I was tagged by Connie of Magnolia Street Style to share 7 random and weird facts about myself.

The nice thing about this game is I am forced to do a little introspection. I have done this before in a previous post and this time I will share more things about me that I haven't told you...

1. The first place I've been to that really moved me is the golden gate bridge in San Francisco, on one January day, when it was surrounded by mist. I'll let the picture speak for itself. ..... it was an emotional experience! (got the picture from the internet)
















2. The first time I ever saw a family of sun bathing turtles was at the Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park in Vancouver, B.C. Let's see, how did I feel then? I just sat on the bench. I wanted to watch them forever. It was so peaceful, bright, and carefree. Can i just be a turtle? (the pictures are also from the internet and these turtles are at the Lost Lagoon...)



3. I want to do something that I am passionate about - something meaningful, where many are able to benefit from me. Yesterday, I thought God gave me a sign to go ahead and explore it.
   


4. As a child, for play, I pretended to be a teacher, and a singer. I sang "on stage" at home, with a hairbrush. I wrote on walls of my bedroom, with a pencil, and pretended there were students in front of me.



5. Because I grew up with and played with boys, I jumped off the roof of our house a couple of times.



6. I also through a huge huge huge knife, a bolo knife, across our yard. I was unsupervised. The knife flew and went smack into the center of the trunk of a palm tree. That frightened me. It could have gone past the tree and hit someone walking outside :( I don't remember how old I was. I think I watched too much TV and that's what gave me that bad idea.


7. I am blessed with a big loving extended family. Although I am far away from them, I feel very much connected with them.

If you have been tagged, here is what is requested:1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog. 2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. 3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. 4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a post on their blog.

I tag:

Marie of Garden in Bethlehem PA

Mari of My Art Corner

Nance of Fun N Family

Jane Marie of Happenstance House

Mary of Grey Mom

Patti of Dreams and Decor

Roxanne of River Garden Studio

Home Library Party !

A Book
by Adelaide Love

A book, I think, is very like

A little golden door

That takes me into places

Where I've never been before.

It leads me into fairyland

Or countries strange and far

And, best of all,

the golden door

Always stands ajar.

click here for source

Welcome, to the Home Library Party!

This idea came about when I remembered my dream of having my own reading room someday, where family and friends can escape into a quiet place and read, and be satisfied.

Now, let's celebrate, and have a tour, shall we?

Please click on the pictures to enlarge

and visit other libraries by clicking on the links...

Jeanne:

Books have always been a most very important part of my life.I love to rest and relax and rejuvinate at bedtime with a great book. My Son's original paddington bear from England ever present as are flowers from the garden and a glorious cup of tea. It always makes for the most sweetest dreams. Books are a gift you can open again and again.

I read on the bed too... I write notes on little cards that I use as bookmarks. Jeanne and I have at least one book in common:

Some of us read outside. I do that when my son plays on the driveway. Cielo of The House in the Roses reads at her outdoor sanctuary, on her back porch, overlooking her garden. You will find her here in the spring through the fall, reading and taking in the gifts of literature, and nature. It's no wonder she's so filled! If you click on her picture below, you'll see what I mean.



About the flashing "Sit Long Read Much" picture: It was created by Cielo. Grab it!

Books are so important. They make great company. Books educate and inspire. Books give solace, bring people together, and sometimes, change our lives.

Meet Nola, of Alamo North:

" Come and see my library at Alamo North. There's nothing big and fancy; not even a bookcase (yet), but it's a warm and cozy place where I can snuggle up with my kitties and a good book. Drop by when you have a minute, I'll be waiting to see you! "

Patti of Dreams and Decor has a very interesting and creative way to use and display old books:

"The photo is of a little "table" I made from stacking up some encyclopedias my Mom was getting rid of (the ones we had when we were kids. ) Just enough room to set a drink and possibly….a book! "

What do you think?

Richie of Richies Inspirational Designs shows some amazing libraries at her space. When she's home, like a queen, she can feel like she's at a spa when she starts reading.

And here's a friend whom I thought of first, when this idea came to mind, because I very well remember where she reads. I could picture it in my mind.

Mary of Little Red House. Do you know that her father built the bookcase, and the entire house?

"The sofa is one of my favorite places to sit and read, especially on a sunny morning. Most of the books on these shelves belonged to my parents. I keep a lot of my decorating books under the end tables here, but we have a lot more books in our family room. We are definitely a reading family. :) "

Books bring people together - as parents read to their children, teachers to students, and as people gather in book discussions in person, or online! Families read together too. You might want to picture Laura's family read together here... She mentioned that her husband built the bookcase himself. I wouldn't do justice to it though if I told her story, so see and learn more at her place, Amongst The Oaks.

Last but not least, mine... what used to be an eye sore is now organized. I finally put this bookcase in order, and integrated it with the rest of the furniture in our great room, after 4 years of living in our home. The whole room isn't perfect, but it's the best it can be and that satisfies me.

Before and After (not much difference)

The lamps play a part.

And there's a little man in the house who reads, too. This is his reading corner and mine.

He made me go to the library and yes, read.

I can't believe I'm taking photographs of my books.

The baskets on top store my cd's, and the one in the middle tier holds my magazines.

Books, magazines, music, and movies.

hot tea, and a recliner.

Bliss!

(see that couch? the man of the house reads there)

Books! Books! Can't Wait to see...

your books... where you keep them, and where you read them....

Our Home Library Party is coming up and just reminding everyone to email me a picture or two with a short description tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 24th at jeanniedotmyronatgmaildotcom.

Have your post ready on Friday Sept. 26.

Just to give you an update I am reading this book now:

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Just look at the books behind them:

Source: http://www.kissesandroses.blogspot.com/

Laura at Amongst the Oaks features Oprah's magazine in her blog today. The current issue has Oprah's library in the front cover :)

See you all on Friday at the party!