*Trying to keep cool

That's what I've been up to the past couple of weeks. We are in the middle of a heat wave here in Oregon and I hate heat. I can bear the 80s, but anything much over that sends me indoors. I've mentioned before that summer time = reading time to me. If it's nice outdoors I love nothing more than to spend the afternoon out back reading from my Happy Spot. (Ideally, followed by a nice nap.) When it's too hot, I move to the cool indoors. (I don't know how we survived for years without AC, but we did.)

Here's what I've read so far:

• Every Woman Has A Story, compiled by Daryl Ott Underhill
• Living A Charmed Life, by Victoria Moran
• The Joy of Doing Things Badly, by Veronica Chambers

I enjoyed all of these, but if I had to pick a fave it would be that last two. I know, that's cheating! What's the best book you've read lately? I often read books I've seen recommended in blogland, so I'd love to hear.

Currently working through:

• The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron (a twelve week course in "Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self." I'm on week one)
• The Unsavvy Traveler: Women's Comic Tales of Catastrophe, by multiple travelers.
• Attitudes of Gratitude, by M.J. Ryan
• 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues
• Shelter for the Spirit, by Victoria Moran
• Younger by the Day, by Victoria Moran
• What's So Great About Christianity, by Dinesh D'Souza

Wish me luck! I'm gonna need it, especially if the weather cools down, lol!

*got this picture free from The Graphics Fairy. Love that site!

Sidetracked

That should be my middle name! OK, so here's the story. I was going to work on a layout and card or two today. But first, thinks me, I should clear off my desk so I can see it again and not feel guilty about playing the rest of the day. So I shred some of the papers I have filed away IN my desk to make room for the papers piled high ON my desk. HOURS later, when I get to the bottom of the pile, I find these notepads. Nearly twenty of them. I use these to make lists of things to do, groceries and things I need, books I want to read, quotes I like, etc. As tasks get done I tear out the pages UNLESS they have info on them that I want to keep. So today I decided it was finally time to organize that info. It is now nearly time to fix dinner. I have made a dent in the pile, but I don't think I'll get to my layouts and cards today. Still, it feels good to FINALLY be getting this chore done. Some of these are from 2002, so on second thought, maybe my middle name should be Procrastinate!

Here's one of the quotes I'll be adding to my stack of favorites,

"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."
~Einstein

Happy 4th of July everyone!