I Read Kids' Books

 Last summer I found a Canva template someone shared with their bitmoji for summer reading. I really liked the idea and I took the template and amended it for myself and I started posting to all my socials. I then asked my principal if she would be willing to share a couple post to the school Facebook page. Of course she said yes, so I texted her a few times a month with the picture and a blurb about the book. Our students also all have Sora accounts, so if it was available, I also bought anything I read and included in my post that it was available in our library in the Fall, or on Sora right now. I didn't know if anyone would pay attention. I still don't. But, if even one parent saw a post and thought it was something their kid would read and they went and got the book, then mission accomplished!

 The original plan was just to do kid books, but then I realized I read more than kid books (especially during the summer) and I have adults following me that might care about what I'm reading. So I ended up doing a post for every book I read. And since I was having so much fun doing it during the summer, I decided to continue it into the school. I change bitmoji Mrs. Pierce for each season and I count how many books I've read.

I don't honestly know if anyone reads the books I post. I guess I don't really care.

ScreenRecorder Assignment

 Is Canva a Tech Tool? I say YES!

For my next assignment, I had to use a Screen Recording program and do a quick video showcasing a tech tool I am already familiar with. I've decided Canva counts as a tech tool. There is so much you can do with it and so many people share templates on the socials. I have an entre folder of templates I may or may not ever use. But maybe a teacher in my building will try to do something and I'll have a template to save the day! See the link below to my video...

For whatever reason, Loom wasn't cooperating (I have used it in the past), so I did a Zoom meeting by myself, recorded it and shared my screen. Fingers crossed that this works!

Tech Sandbox: Discover, Play, and Engage with the Newest EdTech Tools Assignment #1

 As I mentioned in my last post, I need to use this blog for a PD class. So you'll find my first assignment below....

Your Name, School District, and Grade Level or Role

My name is Tina Pierce. I'm the school librarian at Arcade Elementary School in the Pioneer Central School District. I work with all the students in the building, UPK - 4th grade.

How many years you’ve been in education

The 2025-2026 school year will be year 17+ in education.

Why do you teach?

I never thought I'd be a teacher. This is a 2nd career for me. When I returned to WNY, I discovered I could no longer do my previous career to the level I would have wanted. So I had to figure something else out. 'School Library Media Specialist' came up in my job searches. Once I discovered what that was and what I had to do to become one, I was sold. 

This is the best job in the school. I get to see every kid every week. Some of them are still 3 years old when they come to me in UPK and then some of them are 10 years old when they leave me to go to the middle school. They come to me as babies and leave me as little people!

Why did you choose to take this PD? What are you hoping to gain from it?

I selected this PD because so few PDs offered by my district apply to me. I can make this apply to my role as a school librarian. I'm hoping to discover some new tech tools that I didn't know about before or learn how to better use a tech tool that I've heard of, but never really had time to play with.

What is your favorite tech tool, and why?

Right now, my favorite tech tool is Canva. There is just so many ways it can be used. There is not a creative bone in my body, but when I use one of their templates, it looks like I actually have skills. Plus, so many people share templates on the socials! I grab them and save them, just in case. I might need them, or better yet, a teacher in my building might be able to use them!

It's been a hot minute....

 So I'm resurrecting this blog. I'd thought about it numerous times, but it just so happens that I need to for a PD class I'm taking.

So stay tuned....

Let's try this again...

More than five years later. I always have good intentions. But life happens. And I'm tired. And I'm on the computer all day at school so the last thing I want to do is turn the computer on at home. But I'm going to try.

The truth is, I'm so much more than a librarian. Don't get me wrong. I think I'm doing some pretty great librarian things. I'm not at the point in my career where the same old same old is good enough. So I'm still looking for new and fun things for my kiddos. And I'm in a reading rut. A lot. I'll take any suggestions.

But my running has taken on a life of its own. I've done 44 half marathons and 4 full marathons. I seem to have gotten a reputation for only doing international marathons, so I might as well keep that up! I have big plans for half marathon #50 in early 2020. I know where full marathon #5 will be, although not until 2022 at the earliest!

I've been chasing baseball stadiums since 1998. So many are gone and have new stadiums in their place. And Pat is joining me and there's a passport now, too.  So I have to return to many for Pat. And for that stamp in the passport. Looking like at least two passport stamps this summer.

I'm also reinvesting in learning French. I tool it in high school and even minored in it in college. But if you don't use it, you lose it. So I'm working on an app called Duolingo every day. They've added local meetups and I went to the first one. It was awkward and uncomfortable and I can't wait for the next one at the end of the month! I've also joined the Alliance Francaise in Buffalo with the hope that I'll have access to more French resources. With any luck, I'll be able to get by on my next trip to a French speaking country!

We're trying to buy a second home in Charleston, South Carolina. An old boyfriend took me in 2000 for maybe 2 days and I fell in love. Kept saying I wanted to retire there. Our friend Carla hooked us up with a realtor and Pat and I went in April 2018. We spent time in all the areas and decided that we'd really like to be in Mount Pleasant. We went again in February 2019 and made an offer on a cute 3 bedroom 2 bathroom condo. Jumped through many hoops just to have it fall apart the day before closing. Thought we were going to be sued for a while. But it fell apart through no fault of ours. I don't even want to look again right now. I need a break. Planning another trip in April 2020.

Like I said, I'm going to try. I'm not going to make any goals. I'll feel like crap if I don't keep to them. I'll stop in every so often and write more in depth about the things I've already mentioned. And maybe I'll write about some new things too. Until next time...

2013 in Review Part 2

The rest of my year in review...



July was quiet.  Worked a few days.  My principal retired and I was on the committee to pick candidates to replace him.  No races.  Just half marathon training.


August.  The end of summer.  I worked a bunch.  Still half marathon training.  Saw John Mayer at Darien Lake with Marianne.  It was freezing!!  My final 5K
of the season.  Another PR in the Moonlight Run.  Then we headed to Long Island for a week.  We hit some wineries with my parents.  We went into NYC and saw a taping of the David Letterman Show.  Oh, and my tenure was finally approved at the last board meeting before the new school year.  Phew!

September brought the new school year.  A lot less stress now that I have tenure.  But a new year is always exhausting!  But fun!  I ran my second ever 15K and did it almost 2 minutes faster than previously.  In 100% humidity!  September was also my second ever half marathon.  The Mighty Niagara.  It poured!!  I wore a hefty bag over my cute running outfit.  At least it was warm. It was the best day ever!!  At least that's what we had to keep telling ourselves to keep from crying.  Oh, and I PR'd!

In October, Pat turned 40.  I had a surprise party for him!!  He had no idea!  It was great!  I also rocked my unannounced observation with my new principal! Our department also presented at our state library conference.  We were rock stars!!  Over 60 librarians from all over the state came to see our presentation!! My third half marathon was at the end of October...  The Niagara Falls International.  The weather was decent... sunny and chilly.  And I took more than 9 minutes off my time from a month ago!  Which means, another PR!  It hurt, but I've decided I really like half marathons!!

November brought our 4th anniversary.  We went to dinner and we also went to see The Nutcracker at Shea's. It was also the Turkey Trot 8K race on Thanksgiving morning.  This was my 4th Trot and my last if nothing changes. 13,000 people register for this race and more and more of them are walking it rather than running it.  I think that's great.  Except it's a RACE.  And they pay no attention to the runners.  They walk in front and stop wherever.  It's just not fun anymore.  Nor is it safe.  I can't afford to get hurt because of some oblivious walker.  I didn't see any of the costumes.  I didn't see any of my friends who came to cheer.  I was too busy looking out for walkers.  Never mind what happened at the finish line.  Oh, that's right.  We couldn't get to the finish line!!  Everyone crossed the finish line and stopped, so there was a back up and it took more than a minute to actually cross.  A minute is a lot when you're racing!  If they don't do something different with the walkers, I am done.  It's just not fun or safe.

December brought my birthday and snow, snow and more snow.  I seriously have never seen so much snow at one time!  I got home from work and the snow in the driveway was up to the hood of my car.  And I drive a small SUV!  But I went for it anyway, and that car made it all the way into the garage!  I have no idea how much snow I plowed into the garage, but, oh well!  I wish someone had been there to take a picture of me with snow up to my crotch!  It was ridiculous!  And then the poor dogs didn't know what to do or where to go!  I didn't know what to tell them.  Craziness!  We ended the year in Florida and then in North Carolina for Candace and Brian's wedding.  Good times!

2013 saw a lot of running.  A few PRs.  I met my goal of 500 running miles with 5 days to spare.  I also met my goal of 250 bike miles back in June.  And then I didn't touch my bike again for the rest of the year.  I did not meet my goal of reading 100 books.  I missed it by 23.  I guess I was in reading rut.  I didn't like a lot of what I did read, so I was excited to read anything else!

I don't know what 2014 will bring.  I do not have a mileage goal for running or biking this year.  Since I've discovered my love for half marathons, I'm intrigued by a half marathon a month.  It will be difficult living where I live.  There just isn't any half marathons around in January or February (or July, November and December)!  I have limited time and $$$ for destination races, but I'll do my best.  I may just have to aim for 12 half marathons in the calendar year and see how that goes.  As far as biking, I can't to the Ride for Roswell this year because it falls the same day as one of my half marathons.  But I'd like to get out and do more leisurely riding this year.  I lowered by reading goal for the year.  I'm aiming for 75 books.  So far, I've liked what I've started with.  I hope it continues!

What about you?  Do you have any goals for 2014?

2013 in Review Part 1

We're 4 days into the new year and I've been thinking about 2013.  It wasn't a terrible year.  It wasn't a great year either. But overall, I can't complain!

January wasn't anything special.

February was ok.  I presented in front of the board of education at my district.  I had previously been warned that my tenure was on the line.  Apparently some teachers in my building thought I was worthless and went to the superintendent to voice their concern.  Funny that they never came to ME with any problems they had.  So I had to fight for my job and show them just what I do and how valuable I am.

In March, the superintendent finally called me in for a meeting.  Apparently she didn't want to not give me tenure.  But she didn't know me well enough to give me tenure.  So she started asking all these questions about what I do for the district and what I do to further my library knowledge.  This is when I leaned that either my principal had done nothing to fight for me or the superintendent just didn't care for him.  I figure she just didn't care for him.  The meeting ended with her telling me she was going to be around.

And she was.  She came in and observed me with 2 classes.  She didn't want to see my plan book or anything else.  Came back later in the afternoon and told me she would recommend me for tenure.  What??  After all that? Anyway, until it was actually approved by the board, my stress wasn't over!

End of March brought the death of a friend.  It was very sudden and unexpected.  She wasn't a close friend, but I liked her a lot.  I had seen her a few weeks before and we had talked about getting together for a dinner date.  I was looking forward to that.  I still think of her often.

April was still a lot of nothing.  Boot camp, running and biking.  Biking was happening a lot more.  I had registered for the 45 mile Ride for Roswell at the end of June and I had never biked much more than 30 miles before!

May brought my final portfolio presentation at school and the faculty play.  We did Jack and the Beanstalk Bandstand.  I was Duck Clark.  It was as ridiculous as it sounds, but the kids loved it and it was fun!

May also brought my first 5K of the season.  I had been meaning to do the Holland Tulip Festival 5K for years, but the weather was always crap.  Well, the weather was crap, but I still went and did it.  And I set a 5K PR.  I also participated in the Buffalo Marathon Relay with 3 ladies I hardly knew!  I ran the 3rd leg, which was about 6.25 miles.  It was colder than usual but an experience I'd repeat!  And I also started participating in Ride for Roswell training rides.  Finished the month with the Gay 5K.  No PR, but a ton of fun!

June brought the end of school, more biking and another 5K PR.  This time in the Girls on the Run 5K.  The Ride for Roswell was great.  I had no problem with the distance.  It was fun and I'd do it again!

 

June also brought a seizure for Barkley.  Rushed him to the emergency vet.  Never did I think he would go before Jeter and I was almost certain he wasn't going to make it.  By the time we got to the vet, he was starting to come around.  Because no one witnessed what actually happened, the vet can't say for certain, but because of how he was acting after the fact, a seizure was assumed.  It took him a few days to return to normal and all his tests were normal, so no idea what caused it.  He has not had another.

 

Ended June with a trip to Charlotte.  Hadn't been in more than 3 years!  So good to see all my friends!!  It was hot and seemed to rain any time Stephie and I planned outdoor fun!  So we went shopping.  And out to eat.  A lot!



Check tomorrow for the last half of 2013 in review!

Airport Observations

Yup.  More than 6 months since my last post.  Buy hey, I did better than 2013!  And hopefully, 2014 will be better...

Anyway, Pat and I traveled for Christmas this year.  We went to Orlando to visit his parents and then we stopped in Charlotte on the way back for a wedding.  We had a lot of time in the Charlotte airport headed home...

1. The answer to skinny jeans is always no.  Just don't.  Most who wear them shouldn't and even if you can, don't.  How is that even comfortable?

1a. Men in skinny jeans.  Really?

2. Still not understanding the black and brown together.  When I was growing up, this was a fashion faux pas.  I guess it isn't anymore, since they make black boots with brown trim.  But I still don't like it.  I must be the only one.  Black leggins with brown boots.  Not for me.

3. Leggins??  When did these become pants?  Aren't they meant to go under dresses or skirts?

4. If you have to run for your plane, tighten your belt.  Saw a guy with his pants almost to his knees.  You'll be faster if you're not fighting your pants!!

5. It can't be easy to travel with little kids. But please, don't treat your kid like dirt!  And don't tell the person you're talking to on the phone how you can't stand your kid right now.  Especially WHEN YOU'RE REALLY LOUD ON THE PHONE! And your kid is sitting right there. If I can hear you, so can your kid! You might be on your last nerve, but the people sitting next to you in the food court see you as a mean horrible mother!

6. Seeing a dog when unexpected puts a smile on my face!  Lots of people traveled with dogs this holiday season.  Being a dog person, and someone who had to board her own dogs because they are too big to fly, thank you.  Flying is stressful.  And seeing you with your dog in the airport made me smile and relieved some stress.  Thank you!

Reading, Biking and Running

So, it's been a little longer than I would prefer, but these things happen.  I've been busy.  The school year is winding down.  The Ride for Roswell is 10 days a way.  And I've run a bunch of races.

I'm so happy school is almost over!  We've all had enough!  I'm looking forward to reading lots of books that I want to read.  For ME.  Not for school.  I have a huge 'to read' list.  I don't even know where I'm going to begin!  But I'm excited!

As you may remember, I'm doing the 45 mile Ride for Roswell on June 21st.  I've passed the minimum for donations, but if you'd still like to donate, click here.  I'm riding in memory of my Aunt Renne.  This past Saturday, I did my first ride longer than 20 miles (this season).  I've been doing some of the official training rides.  It was rainy and me and another guy were the only ones to show up.  So we basically did the ride.  We went just over 41 miles.  We returned on the bike path instead of the roads, like we will on the day of the ride.  Without police presence, we thought it safer to take the path back.  The last 10 miles were a struggle.  My thighs were on fire!  But I got back to my car.  I was sore the rest of the day, but other than a little leg fatigue, I felt fine on Sunday!

My running has been progressing.  Memorial Day week, I did 3 races.  I did the 3rd leg of the Buffalo Marathon Relay.  As long as I've been paying attention, this day is always HOT!  This was an exception!  It was freezing!!!  Ok, it was actually perfect for running, but since I wasn't running until mile 12.4, I was freezing while waiting my turn.  The first mile was just working out the stiffness from waiting around, but after that, I felt really good.  One thing that did bother me, and this is totally a me thing... not long after I started running, it was just me and the marathoners on the course.  Every time a spectator cheered me on, I felt bad.  I just started running.  These other people are running 20 miles more than me!  And anytime I passed a marathoner, I wanted to yell out that I was just a relayer... not one of them.  But anyway, that's just a me thing.  My leg of the race was 10K (6.2 miles).  Not sure how, but I ran almost 2 minutes faster than any of my previous 10Ks!

On the Thursday of that week, I did the first Gay 5K in Buffalo.  It was awesome!!!  That's me on the left!

Buffalo's first Gay 5K

They better have this race every year!  For a first time, it was very well done.  Everyone was very friendly and very welcoming.  The after party was great.  It was a very hot day.  Probably the hottest I've run in so far this year.  I finished Sub-30, but it wasn't a PR.  However, and this has nothing to do with the race, I do have one complaint.  I was disappointed by the people I call friends, who were horrified that I would support "those people".  "Those people" are my friends.  "Those people" are my family.  They are PEOPLE.  And they deserve the same rights everyone else has.  And just who are you to judge??


I ended that week with the Girls on the Run 5K.  I've done this race in the past.  It's not a great race if you care about your time.  But I totally support the cause.  Wish I could start a program at my school, but we're a poor district and our families just can't afford the $150 per girl.  Anyway, it was a rainy day.  Not really raining at the time.  It had rained and was going to rain again.  Very windy.  And very humid.  I was tired and I felt like death.  Girls were stopping all over the place.  A lady from the Checkers running club kept running right on top of me.  Every time I moved to get away from her, she followed.  It's like she was stuck to me with glue!  Ugh, get away from me!  I just wanted this race to be over!  When I finally crossed the finish line, I looked at my Garmin.  29:19.  20 seconds faster than I've ever ran a 5K.  What?  How is that possible?  Was it a true 5K?  Yup... 3.13 miles.  Holy crap!  Imagine if I didn't feel like death!

So, I'm definitely getting faster.  I'm trying to figure out why.  I haven't run as many miles as I had at this time last year.  I don't do speed work when I do run.  The only thing I'm doing different this year is Boot Camp.  I've been going once a week since the beginning of December.  Maria and I tried it last Spring when we saw a Groupon.  I enjoyed it, but at the time, I was always exhausted by the time I got to my long runs.  So after the Groupon ended, I didn't join.  But I knew I needed something, so I went back.  It is expensive, but i enjoy it and it keeps me accountable.  And I'm running faster!  So, it's working!

Ride for Roswell

On June 22nd, I am riding my bike 45 miles in memory of my Aunt Renne in the Ride for Roswell.  The ride benefits Roswell Park Cancer Institute, here in Buffalo.  Aunt Renne lost her battle with ovarian cancer in November 2008.  The night before Pat and I got engaged...  She left behind a husband, 2 kids, 6 grandkids, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, all who miss her dearly.

Me and my bike after the Summer Sizzler 2011.

I have done the Ride for Roswell before.  I've done 30 miles four times.  It's rained at least 3 of those...  I'm hoping for a nice day this year!  I have never gone more than 32ish miles on my bike.  This is the first year for 45 miles.  It was only open to the first 250 riders who registered.  I wasn't sure whether I wanted to do the ride this year.  I so enjoyed the 30 mile route, but I wanted to challenge myself to a greater distance.  The next distance up was 44 miles and a completely different route.  What if it sucked?  When I saw that a new 45 mile route had been added, I was intrigued.  It follows the 30 mile route along the river walk and continues all the way to canal side.  Yes!  I signed up immediately.

So, I did my first outside ride yesterday. About 7.31 miles.  During a high wind advisory.  I have a little more than 2 months to make 45 miles seem like nothing! 

If my bike and I are going to be BFFs, I need to be comfortable.  I need a better seat.  I'm going to end up with an old lady seat, aren't I?  Whatever.  As long as my butt doesn't hurt!  I will keep you posted!

Every little bit helps, so if you'd like to donate, you can do it here.  Thanks in advance!

OK, For Real This Time...

So, it's been more than a year since my last post.  And in that last post, I vowed to do better when it comes to posting.  So, I'm not making any such promises this time.  Let's just see what happens.

Since my last post, I've been mostly unfulfilled in my reading life.  Most of the books I've read have been ok, but nothing fabulous.  A few exceptions:

           
Yes, they're all children's or YA chapter books.  But they were excellent reads.  I'm still searching for an adult read that is as good as these!

My running career has been pretty exciting.  In March 2012, we (me, Maria and Mary) had the bright idea to run a half marathon.  We picked the Mighty Niagara in September and training began in April.  Considering I had never ran further than 6.2 miles and I now had to do a little more than twice that, I was less than optimistic that this would actually happen.  But I paid and trained and race day came.  I was as ready as I was going to be.  My goal was to finish in less than 2:30.

I woke up and it was pouring.  Literally raining buckets.  And it was cold.  I trained in the rain.  But rain and 80 degrees.  Not rain and barely 60 degrees!  This had the makings of the worst day of my life!  I was so upset!  But I paid the money and trained for 5 months.  This was not the time to not show up.  So Maria and I went.  Just as the race was starting, the rain stopped.  Yippee!!

I started slow.  For a while, I could count the people behind me on one hand!  But I gradually started passing people.  I ran the entire race without having to stop and walk.  I missed my goal by less than 2 minutes!  But I finished.  I had run a half marathon.  13.1 miles! 

It's all about the sticker!

Time has passed and I'm ready to do it again.  September 21, 2013 is the Mighty Niagara Half Marathon and 5 weeks later, October 27, 2013 is the Niagara Falls International Half Marathon.  I'm aiming for both!  I probably don't need 5 months of training, but it worked for me last year and I was really prepared, so I'm going to do it again. 

It all begins April 16th!

What did you read over break?

That's what a 3rd grade teacher asked me in the hall the other day.  So I started telling her about all the books I brought home from school to read.  New books I bought and put out right away for the kids, so I never had a chance to read them.  As I was telling her all this, she stopped me and said, "No.  What ADULT books did you read over break?"  After having to think about it, I had to laugh.  I read 6 kids chapter books and 1 adult book.

I like this teacher a lot and she did laugh with me when I had to think about the adult books I read.  The sacrifices we make for our kids...

Anyway, the only adult book I read was Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner.  I've read several other books by her, and like those, this one did not disappoint!  She has a way of telling stories about multiple people who seem to have nothing to do with each other, but as you keep reading, you see how their lives are intertwined.  If that sounds like something you'd like, check it out!

Getting on with it...

So I haven't posted since August.  I didn't stop reading.  I just didn't really read anything that inspired me to blog.  I'm going to give it a try again this year.  But I'm not going to just do books this time around.

On goodreads.com, I did a reading challenge last year and I read more then 135 books.  I do count the books I read at my job as an Elementary School Librarian.  I don't think that counts as cheating. My goal for 2012 is 150 books.

Anyway, I'm also trying to be a runner.  I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that before.  I've done a bunch of 5K's, a few 10K's and a duathlon.  I want to do more!  On dailymile.com, I've accepted a challenge to run 366 miles in 2012 (a mile a day).  Looking at my running mileage for 2011, I was just under 300 miles (the counter also counts bike mileage).  I didn't want to pick a challenge that was unrealistic and this one seems attainable.

So the plan for 2012... I'll blog about books I love and books I hate.  I'll also blog about successes and failures in my running life.

Wish me luck!  :)

Love and Other Impossible Pursuits

by Ayelet Waldman

This is the 2nd book by her I've read.  I really like her!  Both books have made me cry.  A lot.  They felt so real.  If I wasn't the main character, I felt like she was my best friend and I was experiencing everything along side her.

***SPOILER ALERT***

This is the story of Emilia Greenleaf.  She is the second wife of Jack Wolfe, step mother to 5 year old William.  William is very smart, but incredibly sheltered.  She tries to like him.  She tries to do fun things with him.  But something wrong always happens and William tattles to his mom, who then calls ranting ang raving about how Emilia's trying to kill her child.

There is something going on in the background that we don't know about.  As the story goes on, we kind of know, but aren't sure.  Two months before, Emilia gave birth to a beautiful, healthy daughter, Isabel.  Isabel died of SIDS on her first night home.  As devastating as this is, there's still more that we don't know.  Emilia's life is spiraling out of control.  Her marriage to Jack is strained.  She and William have good days and bad.  Things finally hit the fan and this is when we learn the rest of the story.  Read the book to find out!

I would recommend this to someone who doesn't mind having a good cry.  Someone who likes books that feel real.


4.5 out of 5 stars.


Currently reading:  The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley

My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto

by Jen Lancaster

I finished this one a while ago and never got around to writing about it.  Like the others, I enjoyed this one, too!  At some point, I will read every book by her. 

In this installment, Jen decides she isn't cultured enough and sets out to rectify that situation.  She watches movies, reads books, goes to the opera and other live shows (plays, dancing, etc.), as well as partaking in cultural dining.  Basically, through any means possible.  It all started with her attending function with socialites and having nothing to talk about except what happened on the latest  reality show or a 1980s John Hughes movie.  And apparently, socialites know nothing about these topics.

I appreciate that she realizes she's not as cultured or as classy as she'd like to be.  And at certain events she doesn't feel as though she fits in.  Who among us hasn't felt that way at some point?  Let's face it, those who think they're classy, do everything to make the rest of us feel like dirt, which in my opinion, isn't very classy...

If you've read other Jen Lancaster books and enjoyed them, I'm sure you will enjoy this one, too.


4.5 out of 5 stars.


Currently reading:  The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

by Stieg Larsson

This was a book club read.  I wasn't at the previous meeting, so I had no say in picking this.  I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when I saw that this was the book.  Oh well.  I read it anyway.

I'm glad I did.  Now, it wasn't my favorite book.  Far from it.  But I didn't hate it.  I liked it more then I thought I would.

It was a little strange.  I think it held my attention because I had no idea what was going on for so long.  And all the Swedish names were a little hard to follow.  On a whole, this book was very wordy.  In case you didn't know it, Sweden is very cold in the winter.  Now, I knew very little about Sweden before I read this, but I knew it was pretty cold there.  And this book makes sure we never forget that!  When we talked about this book at book club, we had to wonder where the editor was.  There's a whole lot of nothing going on for a while.  But when things start to happen, holy crap!  Some things happened that I should have seen coming, but didn't.  And then things happened that there was no way I could have seen coming!

This is a mystery, which isn't normally my thing.  It's the first book in a trilogy and I haven't really decided if I'm reading the next two.  This one ended kind of abruptly, but not with a cliff hanger.  I put the next one on hold at the library for my Nook and I suppose I'll decide when turn comes up. 

Don't read this expecting it to be the next Twilight or Hunger Games because it isn't.  Was it worth my time?  Yes.


3 stars out of 5.


Currently reading:  My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto by Jen Lancaster   

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

by Christopher McDougall

I loved this book!  Immediately after finishing, I declared I was never eating meat again and I was running barefoot!  If you know me, you didn't really believe me.  And you shouldn't have.  But still.  It was eye opening.  If you're not a runner or into running, don't read it.  You won't get it.  But I'm trying to be a runner.

It was a little slow getting into this, which is why it took me so long to read.  Plus, a lot had been going on in life, too.  The thing that got me about this book is that they've known for decades what causes all these running injuries.  And nothing has been done about it!  All these technologically advanced running shoes are causing all our injuries.  We're meant to run like we ran when we were kids.  Basically, barefoot or with minimal footwear.  And this was known BEFORE Nike made all their money selling us crazy expensive running shoes!  The more cushion a shoe has, the harder our feet work to find hard, solid ground.  These injuries didn't happen back when all these crazy shoes didn't exist!!  How was this not publicized??  How was Nike (and all the other shoe companies) allowed to tell us we'd be better runners if we spent all that money?  Blatant lies!!  And they knew it!!

Ever since finishing this book, I look at feet at every race.  It's amazing the different foot attire I see.  No shoes.  Those minimal shoes with the toes.  And the people with the crazy expensive cushiony shoes that are supposed to be better for you.

There was more to this book... a tribe of people in Mexico who run.  Long distances (like 100 miles!).  In sandals.  And there was a big race at the end between some of their best runners and some of our best ultra runners.  I don't remember ever hearing about that.  Oh, and I also learned that women are better ultra runners then men.  Not that I'm going to go run 100 miles or anything.  But good to keep at the back of my mind!

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Currently reading:  My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto by Jen Lancaster   

The Happiness Project

by Gretchen Rubin

I read this book to be a part of the #TwitBooks book club on Twitter.  Due to life happening, I did not finish it in time for the discussion.

In this book, the author decides she's not as happy as she could be, so she researches happiness and makes a years worth of resolutions to achieve happiness.  Each month she concentrates on a different happiness goal.  She also has '12 Commandments' that she tries to incorporate into her resolutions.  She even created a blog to ask readers about different thoughts and ideas she had and she also offers copies of her resolutions.

I've mentioned that I like the idea of this.  But I don't think I would ever do it.  I feel like I'm reasonably happy enough.  I don't have the motivation to run when I should so I sure don't have the motivation to start my own happiness project.  But if you think you could be happier then you actually are, then I would totally recommend reading this.  I guarantee you will get ideas you wouldn't have thought of before!


3.5 out of 5 stars.


Currently reading:  Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
 

Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me?

by Jen Lancaster

These books are quickly becoming my guilty pleasure.  I'm always looking for a new book by Jen Lancaster.  And this is only the 2nd book by her that I've read!  Anyway, usually you're supposed to be slightly embarrassed by guilty pleasures, but I'm not afraid to admit that.  These books are hilarious!  I love her self confidence!  So many people, myself included, think the way she does, but keep quiet about it.  It's refreshing to see someone who's not afraid to say what she thinks!

Jen Lancaster also has a blog, Jennsylvania.  If you like her books, I highly recommend checking it out.  It will make you laugh!

4 out of 5 stars.


**Special shout out  to Danielle Rocktaschel!!  She finished her first half marathon today!  Woo-hoo!!**


Currently reading:  Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
 

My relationship with athletics

I'm not just an elementary school librarian.  I do other things, too.  I'm a wife to a wonderful husband.  We're not planning on children, but we spoil our two dogs rotten.  For the most part, they have good manners around company!

I was an athlete growing up.  Played soccer from 4th grade though high school.  I wasn't very good, but I enjoyed it, for the most part.  I did intramural soccer in college and when I lived in Charlotte, I found an adult league that played in the spring and fall.  I have accepted that my soccer days are long over, but I still need to be active.  I ran track in middle school and did indoor track my junior year in high school.  Running was a part of playing soccer, but I never really took it seriously. 

When I first moved to Buffalo in the Fall of 1997, all I did was work, sleep and party.  That following Spring, I bought a bicycle... a $75 Wal-mart special!  I lived in a relatively bike friendly area, so I rode a lot.  I did my first charity ride in June 1999... the Tour de Cure to benefit the American Diabetes Association.  At that point, 30 miles was the shortest distance they had.  So me and several others I worked with at Channel 7 signed up!  30 miles seemed like a lot, but I did it!

Not long after that, I got into running with another co-worker, Charlie Wagner.  We worked the same schedule, so we met several days a week at Delaware Park and ran.  I'm not sure we ever actually ran the entire thing, but we were out there and doing it.

I moved to Charlotte in January 2000.  My bike moved with me.  I rode it a bunch in my first year in Charlotte, but not much after that.  I didn't live in very bike friendly areas.  And running never happened either.

My husband is a biker and a runner.  I returned to Western New York in August 2005.  That first full summer I was back, I suggested we do the Tour de Cure.  They had shorter distances, but since I'd already done the 30 miles, why would I want to do less?  Six of us signed up and did it.  I didn't train properly and I was miserable!  Didn't make that mistake again.  I did it again the next year or so.  Alone.  My husband moved on to the 100 or 65 miler (yes, he's crazy).  The last year I did the Tour de Cure, I also did the Ride for Roswell to benefit cancer research.  They're a few weeks apart and it was very difficult to raise money for both causes.  I had to make a choice.  The route for the Tour de Cure changed and frankly, it sucked.  The 30 mile Ride for Roswell was such a nice ride!

This is my 4th year doing the Ride for Roswell.  I haven't tried a distance other then 30 miles.  The ride is just so nice!  What if the next distance sucks??  I ride in memory of My Aunt Rene.  She passed away in November 2008 from ovarian cancer... a day before my husband and I got engaged.  She was taken way too early, so I ride to help find a cure.  I will probably ride until a cure is found.  And then I'll keep riding until cancer prevention is part of every day life.  If you're interested in donating to my ride this year, please click here.  After the Ride for Roswell last year, I finally retired my Wal-mart special bike and got a nice Cannondale.  I'm looking forward to using it for the ride this year!

Last Spring (2010), I started hearing about Couch to 5K.  Several friends were doing it... friends that weren't 'athletes'.  I thought, "I'm an athlete, why can 't I do that?"  So I did it.  And then I trained for a 10K all summer.  In the mean time, I did three 5Ks in 12 days.  I didn't actually do a 10K, but I did do an 8K, The Turkey Trot.  I did my best trying to run this winter, but Western New York winters are brutal.  And I don't live where it's safe to run in bad weather.  I tried staying at work and running on the sidewalks there.  But they weren't maintained very well.  I tried the treadmill at work, but my footpod didn't seem to work, so I didn't know how far I was going.  It's very hard for me to put in the time and not know how far I was going! 

But the weather is getting nicer and the race calendar for the summer is out.  I'm planning more then three 5Ks this year.  I'm going to try a duathlon next month and combine my biking and running.  Last weekend, I did my first bike then run.  The transition sucked!  But I did it.  And I'll keep doing it.  I'm planning to actually do a 10K at the end of the summer.  And depending on how that goes, maybe the Niagara Falls half marathon in October. 

I had no plans to ever run more then 10K.  But then I heard that Oprah did a marathon.  It took her 6 hours, but she still did it.  And she's Oprah!  I know she had all the trainers and the nutrition people, but she's still built like Oprah!

Motivation is hard.  I started following Runners World on Twitter.  Last week, they posted a fabulous article, 101 Kicks in the Butt.  Some of them were kind of dumb, but for the most part, awesome!  So, I didn't exactly do #1 (this isn't a running blog!), but now that I've posted my plans and if someone actually reads this, then I'll have to actually stick to my plans!

People have asked me why I run.  I know I'm not fat.  I'm not trying to lose weight.  I'm trying to maintain.  My favorite things to eat are the worst for me!!  Loaded potato skins, loaded fries, nachos, ice cream.... yum!  As long as I run, I can eat what I want and not feel guilty!