Since we are getting ready to get into a brand new year, I decided that I would update this wonderfully interesting blog.

So.

Howya been?

I kind of "fell off" the blogging bandwagon long about April of earlier this year. (That year being 2008 and all).

To update all of my zero readers, Jacob David Green came a tremendous amount earlier than we would have liked, after my obstetrician placed me on bed rest. He had an irregular heartbeat, and had to be delivered by emergency c-section. What a treat that was.

Especially the part where my husband told me that he saw "my guts."

How endearing that romantical statement was, I tell you!

Anyhoo, I digress. Jacob arrived a smidge over six pounds, which is a pfft of a baby for me, and was just about nineteen inches long. He developed severe jaundice, which required bili lights, lost too much weight, which required additional feedings of formula that he really didn't dig, and a whole other host of things that come along with being a preemie.

But. Would I trade any of the experience in order to have a "perfect" labor and delivery? Not a chance.

I got my baby (healthy as God needs for him to be right now), and the way I look at it, I got extra time with him earlier than I would have expected!

And, since this is the beginning of a brand new year, I want to let all of you (okay, the zero of you) know what my new year's resolutions are:

1. Be a better mother to my three children (I am the first example that they see, and I need to ensure that what I demonstrate to them is what I would demonstrate to the Lord),

2. Keep a running tally of what I read throughout the year (I say that I'm going to do this every year, and I totally forget until around April or so. This year, I'm actually going to do it!), and

3. Think of others before I open my mouth about certain "prickly" situations. I say this because I sometimes find myself placing my foot inside my mouth, and I most wholeheartedly regret hurting feelings of those that I love and admire, because I don't take the time to think about how some might feel.

Now!

Since I have taken up ALL that time for posting my aspirations/goals/resolutions for everyone to read, I want to challenge those of you (ha. ha. Aren't I hysterically funny?) who actually stumbled upon my post to do the same. Post your resolutions, I mean. Not do the same resolutions as me, you see.

Only because I've heard that if you write down your resolutions or goals, that they are sometimes easier to maintain.

So we'll see.

Either I'll stay motivated to do what I claim I'm going to do, or I'll be shamed into it.

And I really don't dig shame.

If anyone out there has, had, or dealt with gestational diabetes during a pregnancy, I would appreciate it so very much if you would either leave me a comment, or email me.

I found out yesterday that my blood test did not come back very friendly-like.

So I get to either go and take another blood test (which I did last week, and, literally, came thisclose to fainting in the doctor's office because of the glucose solution), or I could just go ahead and start the gestational diabetes diet, and monitor my blood.

Yay.

Is my excitement coming through clearly enough?

So in my search on the internet (which was a REALLY bad idea; just like everyone always says not to research health issues on the internet, but why would I listen to them?) I didn't really find any more information on the subject, but did come across the following cool test.

Which, of course, I took.

Because I am a nerd.

A librarian nerd.

But just LOOK!!!

97 words

Speedtest

If the woman who taught keyboarding to me in high school could see that, I think she would be pleased with herself.

Happy Easter, everybody!

We decided to "go away" this holiday weekend, and take the chitlins somewhere we had never been before.

So we went to Manahawkin, New Jersey.

Because we are adventurous folks.

Oh yeah.

And because of this...


It seemed that I had been obsessing merely mentioning the fact that I would enjoy going to a Sonic Drive-In and enjoying some of their fine, fried delicacies.

Well.

It seems that the lovely folks at the Sonic headquarters really want EVERYONE in the entire free world to visit their fine establishments. Frankly, I think that some of the world's problems could be solved over an order of Cheesy Tots and a refreshing Cherry Limeade.

But I digress.

So! I had been viewing these absolutely fabulous television commercials extolling the wondrous virtues of the Sonic Drive-In. Which, I might add, I have visited numerous times throughout my life. Seeing as how I was born, raised in, attended college in, began my illustrious career as an educator in, and love with all my heart, THE SOUTH. So! I am familiar with all of the joy that Sonic can offer to an individual.

But.

Once your body/car/vehicle passes over the Mason-Dixon line, and you are physically in "THE NORTH," there ain't no Sonic to be found.

Period.

Unless you go to Waretown, New Jersey.

Which is exactly what my wonderful husband schemed and connived his way to doing for me this past weekend.

We drove for approximately three and a half hours just so I could sit in my husband's truck, eat a hamburger, cheesy fries, drink a Cherry Limeade with extra Cherry, and finish all that off with a Peanut Butter Fudge sundae.

I don't know if that's love or just devotion to a fryer, ya'll.

Either way, it was good beyond belief, and this year's Easter will be one of the more memorable ones. I can guarantee you that!

This, my friends, has got to be BAAAAAAAAD news.

I mean REALLY bad.

Just look at it.

Go on, look.



When I return to my doctor later this month, I am sure that the weight gain that shows up on my lil' chart will be courtesy of that delicious sammich.

It's from Panera Bread.

Sigh.

It's the Tuna Salad on Whole Grain.

Now, ya'll, I didn't take a picture of the one that I had earlier today. That picture is from the Interweb. BUT! I will tell you that the deliciousness that awaits you if you go to a Panera and order one of these babies, is ENDLESS.

Except when you finish your last bite.

I blame all of this obsession on my friend with whom I teach.

SHE had to have a student teacher.

TODAY had to be the student teacher's last day.

And, to make matters worse, we HAD to celebrate a job well done for the student teacher.

NOW I am going to be forced to return to Panera's in order to get this sammich.

Ugliness is going to ensue, I guarantee ya'll.

I did, however, alter one teeninsey thing with Panera's deliciousness between two slices of bread.

THIS...



THAT, my friends, can only add to the enjoyment that you will experience when you eat such a wondrous thing.

Just so ya'll know, I had to take a few extra packets of the Tabasco to keep in my desk at work.

Jacob demanded it.

And what type of mother would I be to deny a poor, defenseless infant what he so rightly deserves?

That's EXACTLY what I thought, too.

Has it really been over two months since I last posted? That is absolutely shameful. Honestly, you would think that SOMETHING would have happened at least remotely interesting/exciting/embarassing since then, but I can't come up with anything. I have finally stopped having "Morning Sickness." That's a really funny term, since the worst part of my endearing nausea would occur around 5:30 each evening, and last until I fell asleep each evening. It was a ball of fun for everyone in the house. Especially me.

Well, since I haven't posted anything since December of 2007, I can update everyone on the following information:

1. Yes, we are still scheduled to welcome our last little Greenlet in July of this year. According to the doctors and the sonogram folks, the 3rd is still the date of choice, whether or not the baby feels that way, I have no way of knowing.

2. I am still working as a School Library Media Specialist. Or, for those of you who prefer, school librarian.

3. We still reside in upstate New York, and are enjoying the frigid winter weather. Me, not really, but I have an image to uphold here.

4. We know the gender of the baby, and if you are a type who enjoys surprises, don't read the following sentence: IT'S ANOTHER BOY! We are kind of still up in the air on his name, but we know that his first name will definitely be Jacob. Any helpful suggestions with the middle name, please leave me a comment, and gimme what you got. A few ideas from us are David and Daniel.

5. I don't have any "belly shots," only because, well, I haven't taken any pictures, and frankly, ya'll, I don't really feel like showing my pudge that is possibly not related to the baby. (Meaning, do you really want to see my poochy tummy even though the baby is the size of a baked potato, a RAWTHER large one at that)?

I will, however, when it's closer to time, post a few shots for all of everyone to see. Just not now. Although, I do have the following picture to offer to all of you, and remarkably, it resembles me to a TEE right now! 


Check it out...



The ice cream cone, minus the cherry, is a really good rendition, and the round body, since I am pretty much round right now, and the pink, since I seem to be hot all the time, so the picture is EXACTLY what you would see if I were to post any actual photographs on here. Anyway!

I remembered that I never took the picture of the sign from the local business to post on here, but it went exactly like this:

"'TIS THE SEASON FOR PROJECTILE VOMITING"

That was featured on the local vets' billboard in front of the office. Around Christmastime, no less! I don't know if I found it more odd than funny, but it was just plain weird, if you ask me.

Hope everyone is doing well, and I will make it a point to post FAR more frequently than I have been as of recently!

Well, since I haven't posted a THING since November, I feel like I should do something.  Even if it's only posting the HTML code from a quiz that I took about which character I am for the holidays.  Because it is JUST that important, folks.

Oh, and, when I come home from work tomorrow, I plan upon taking a picture of a sign out in front of a local business for everyone to enjoy.  Just because, well, I have discovered just what this season is for, folks, and it's not what you're thinking.

Here's how you can tell when you need to break out the warm fall/winter clothing:

your kids are begging you to "hurry up, Mama, and take the picture! We can't feel our hands anymore, Mama."

The amount of time and money that's going to have to go to a therapist for my children later on in their lives is going to be shameful.

But my photo albums will be full, and I will be able to look back at all the wonderful memories we created.

All at the expense of frostbitten fingers.

I totally forgot to keep everyone updated on the weedwhacker/weedeater/weedexterminator's condition. A few weeks ago, Big Daddy went to the small motor/engine shop, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that he owed NOTHING for its repair. Evidently, the warrantly was still so relatively new that the company provided the payment for its surgery and rehab.

It seems that SOMEONE burned out the clutch, and had to replace the entire housing for it.

I can't imagine, for the life of me, who would have done such a sorry thing to a man when he could hardly hobble around on his bum leg.

I think that the person who caused the damage should NEVER again be allowed to touch any of the yardwork tools, and, well, I think I'll even go as far to say that the person in question should be required to remain in the house, drinking a Coca-Cola, and reflecting upon the sadness and injury they inflicted upon the poor defenseless weedeater.

I'm just sayin'.

Ya'll, I have blogger's block.

I don't have any idea what to write about.

This is not good.

So I think I will make a list.

But what will it be about?

Hmmm.

I know.

Here we go.

Things I Enjoy About Fall

1. The changing colors of the leaves on the trees. For those of you that live WAAAAAY down south, I do apologize. I will try my hardest to take some pictures once the leaves start a-changin' up here. My daily commute to work is a forty-five minute drive, (mostly) down a two-lane country road that runs alongside the Hudson River.
2. Going apple picking. Miss Molly's preschool class is going on a field trip in the next couple of weeks, and they are going apple picking! I plan upon taking a personal day from work to accompany my little peanut to a local apple orchard.
3. Pumpkins. Need I say more? Sad thing about this is the fact that they now sell those pumpkins that are made from acrylic, and you can't carve them, or roast the seeds. Sad.
4. Cool mornings that require a light jacket.
5. Drinking warm spiced apple cider.
6. Candy corn. COME ON!
7. Caramel apples. With chopped peanuts stuck to them.
8. Scarecrows that people hang on their front doors. Although I haven't seen any in a long while, now that I think about it.
9. Smelling the smoky, woody smell that accompanies someone who is burning leaves.
10. Going for a walk and hearing the leaves crunch underneath my feet.

You know what? Looking back through all of these things that I have listed, I realize that the Lord has truly blessed us to have our five senses, because if one is lacking or missing altogether, I wouldn't be able to enjoy any of these things. He is a wonderful Father, and I forget the "small" blessings that He has given to ALL of us far too often.

Have a wonderful Saturday, everyone!

First day of school, first day of school!

For those of you who have already begun school for this year, this comes a little late, but better late than never, right?

Me: "Molly, did you have a good day at preschool?"

Molly: "Yes. There was a little girl crying too."

Me: "Oh. Why was she crying? Did she get hurt today?"

Molly: "No, she wanted her mama. She was saying, 'I want my mommy.'"

Me: "Oh. Well, did YOU want your mama today?"

Molly: "Nah."

Me (understandably upset, mind you): "Well! Did you want your daddy, then?"

Molly: "Unh uh."

Me: "So you wanted your brother? You wanted Bubba at school, right?"

Molly: "Heck no!"


So, as you can see, we are extremely concerned about Molly's awkward transition phase, and we are really hoping that she gets this shy, awkward phase worked through quickly.

Yeah, right.

Happy Friday, everybody!

I just came from visiting Boomama's blawg, in which she had blogged last night's MSU and LSU game. It was a sad affair, to say the least. I tuned in to the game around 10:30 or so last night (which was 9:30 central time), and there was no pointage going down for the Bulldogs, so I figured poor Boomama was not having herself an enjoyable time. I'm sure everyone has sent their condolences already.

Well! We just came inside from mowing/weedeating/sweating/not having fun outside. It's extremely nice out today; we had a nice breeze blowing, no hot sun beating down on us, but I just do not enjoy the "gardening," or, for the TRUE term, "manual labor for which I do not get paid." Because I want it never to be said that I am harboring something other than the truth!

A sad occurrence occurred (?) while we were outside.

Daddy-O, since having had his knee surgery, is not really able to use the push mower, but can operate the riding mower. (I cannot answer any questions as to WHY we need both a push and a riding mower; I just chalk it up to the fact that my husband feels the need to have any and every power tool that was created, and is displayed all nice and shiny-like at Lowe's).

Anyhoo! Ya'll, I was doing the weedeating, and the thing started a-smokin'. And you know that, me, being a woman, figured, oh, it's probably supposed to be doing that. It probably doesn't matter that it's a little sketchy-soundin', either. Well. THAT was incorrect, for those of you who are like me, and who know near to nothing about what is correct soundage for your outdoor power tools.

So our Troy-Bilt weedwhacker/weedeater/weedexterminator is going to the hospital. And I think that I may be in the doghouse when Daddy-O gets back from the power tool hospital.

I'll keep you updated on its condition.

Time, it is a flyin'!

Ya'll, I am just about TOO excited that school is getting ready to start again. Down where we used to live, and where we both used to teach, school is starting in three days. I don't think I'm quite that ready, but I'm ready to go, probably REALLY ready to go in about three weeks.

So here's why I'm excited about going back...

Crayons. I LOVE the way that they smell, especially when you first open them up. And you know what's funny? If you buy some of the "generic" crayons, they don't color as well as the NAME-BRAND ones. You know the ones I'm talking 'bout. Sounds like STAYOLA? Mmm hmm. You know 'em.

Okay. Here's the second thing I'm excited about...

Now, let me explain myself. It's not the idea of using the pencil that gets me so jazzed; it's the actual process of getting them sharpened and lined up. I think I have a problem, actually. I like to have them sharpened, and put into a nice little cup, all pretty and ready to go. It's when they're all nubby and gross-looking that I get depressed.

Moving on! The next thing I like the idea of more than the actual thing itself...

I LOVE the brown bags. Actually, I think it's simply the brown paper sacks that I enjoy more than actually packing lunches. Honestly, I haven't used a paper sack for lunch in... wow. A really long time. I can't remember the last time I used a paper sack. You know what's funny? Up here in New York, we have to recycle. Our garbage service now allows us to put all of our paper recycles together in a big plastic bin, but it used to make us put them into the big paper grocery bags. Well, there are only a couple of grocery stores here that offer paper versus plastic, and I went in a while ago, bought some groceries, and asked the cashier to give me some extra paper sacks. She was like, "What?" I don't think they call them "sacks" up here. That pretty much summed up just how southern I am inside! But what's cool about the paper sacks is all the different arts and crafts you can do with them. When I taught 4th grade, we did all kinds of things with them. When I taught the book Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder, we made owls from them. Pretty neat stuff, huh?

I guess teachers enjoy going back to school more than the students, huh?

We're almost in August! I can't get over just how quickly this summer seems to be flying! The picture that you are viewing with this post is due to the fact that "Big Daddy" had arthroscopic knee surgery this past Thursday. He had hurt himself this past April (or so he thinks) and, as a result, went to his orthopedist a few weeks ago, had an MRI, and then was scheduled for surgery.

Which led me to learn the following things about myself:

(Some of these I am NOT that proud of, so I am humbling myself at this point...)

1. I do not enjoy it when others do not want to accept my help
2. I get upset when members of my family are hurting, both physically and emotionally
3. I actually enjoy visiting others in the hospital (weird, huh?)
4. I really don't like waiting in my children's pediatricians office when one of my kids is crying, and the receptionist can't be bothered to stop and ask if I need help
5. I feel guilty when I think "meanie-head" things about my husband, who can hardly walk without a set of crutches (e.g., why can't he at least help me fold some laundry?)
6. I don't like being the only "rep" for my son at his Little League All Stars game
7. I like watching my son play baseball, especially when he is at bat
8. I cry when my son (my daughter doesn't hardly ever tear up with this) gets shots or medical procedures (like his nose cauterization this morning) (!)
9. I like feeling like my help is absolutely necessary to life itself
10. I enjoy having a doctor listen to me when I have to explain something; this small act of listening makes me feel as if I matter in a situation

And, because I am truly a librarian, and REALLY anal, I had to have ten things to list. Because if my list was an odd number, or didn't have a rhyme or reason to its numbers, then I wouldn't be able to leave this post up.

Sigh.

Come on, September! I'm ready to get back to catalogin' and shelvin' my books!

OH! And...

The back part of my library was being remodeled this summer; getting a wall knocked down, new furniture, new laptops, the whole shebang! I can't wait to get back to my nerdy library ways! Woohoo for me!

Whew! This week has been a whirlwind of activity around our house. We had a good friend from Tennessee come and visit us. During his stay, we visited Coney Island (hence the postcard pic featured in this post), had a few cookouts, roasted marshmallows in our brand-new fire pit (!), went to a Yankees baseball game, and did a few other things during our time with him.

In thinking about his visit, I realized that there are quite a few things that we kind of let fall by the wayside. Since moving from Tennessee about four years ago, I haven't kept in touch with any of the "friends" that I had while I was teaching. It's a shame, really, since during the time we were living in TN, I came to depend upon these folks, since we had no close-by family in the area.

I am glad, though, that my husband has kept in touch with his friend. We were able to laugh and talk, and, most importantly, reminisce about the reasons why he and my husband became friends so many years ago. There is a saying that goes something along the lines of there are those that come into your life for a moment, some for a flash, and others for a lifetime. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could realize those that are only with us for just that flash, or that moment, and make all of it matter so much more? I can think back on instances where I wish I had taken the time to tell that certain someone just how much they meant to me, and now I will never have that opportunity present itself again.

Make sure you make the most of each day you're given, especially since tomorrow is not a given!

Well, well, well. Another month has seemingly come and gone, just as they will. Sigh. It seems like we just started school, and now we have completed one year! Wow. I must say, I really did enjoy my first year as a school librarian. I learned quite a bit this first year, and I have a list of things in mind that I plan upon changing this next upcoming school year. Here is a small list of them:

1. When ordering books, materials, etcetera, I plan upon reading at least five items from each of the boxes that arrive in my library. I am saying this because I feel like I let quite a few of my "customers," aka "students," down this past year. I wasn't able to "sell" as many books as I would have liked, and this is all due to the fact that I hadn't read all of them. Big surprise that I couldn't have read them all. If I remember correctly, I ordered over 500 books this past school year. That's books alone, folks, not counting videos, dvds, and all of the other stuff that was ordered.

2. When working with "not-so-active" teachers this upcoming school year, I plan upon involving them BIG TIME with lessons that are going on in the media center. I mean, really, folks, what is the big problem with another teacher helping out with the lesson? I mean, I understand if the lesson doesn't directly deal with what they are actively teaching in class, but, give a person a little bit of help! How will I accomplish this task, you ask? Once the door closes and the bell rings for the period to begin, teachers will be taking attendance, and I will be conducting my "pre-lesson" set-up, which involves making sure all needed items are available and within reach for my schpeel. Schpeel, this year, was orientation, lessons over works cited, how to use particular reference resources, and the like. Teachers this year will not be able to sit down and ignore the students. Nuh-uh. I ain't going down like that!

3. My third (and final, for the purposes of this journal) item to work on will be directly telling (via e-mail, telephone conversations, or whatever) book vendors that I do NOT want to deal with them this way. Ya'll, there was ONE woman last year that pestered the absolute snots out of me. And only because she wanted to come in and take over my library. Well, probably not. I made the mistake of continually pushing her to a further date that she could call, that I would talk, that we would meet, and finally, I had to bite the bullet and meet with her. Ugh. It was horrible. I mean, I had heard the horror stories from library school professors that would advise us to NOT deal with vendors, only do it if it was the ONLY way possible to get a particular item, etcetera, and I ignored all of the advice. Boy, was I sorry. Well, not next year, ya'll. I am going to figure out a way to politely but FIRMLY let these book hawkers know that I will NOT be dealing with them, not now, and not in the future!

Ahhhh. That feels much better, having gotten all of that off my chest. I thought that I would feel guilty about "letting loose" with my secret confessions, but I don't. I mean, life is a learning journey, right? And since I am only thirty-hum-hum-hum years old, I got a LOT more years left to learn, and make mistakes! I'm just glad that the good Lord has given me the opportunities He has thus far, and I can't wait to see what else He has in store for me!

Well. Time has gone by, and I find myself reminiscing about things that used to be in my childhood, but can't be found in today's day and time. Remember the candy that your grandma or great-grandma would put out in a bowl around the holidays? I remember my "Memaw" would put out this hard candy, but it had different kinds of fillings inside each one of them, and it wasn't like the generic garbage that is sold nowadays. Sigh. It was good.

My husband the other day was asking me if I remembered "toaster pizzas." Toaster pastries? Nope. Toaster pancakes? Nuh uh. Toaster strudel? Toaster PIZZA, Beth. Pizza, like you get from a pizzeria. Can't say that I recall this one, but he promises me that there was a company that made pizzas that had cheese and sauce inside a circular cracker-like crust. He said that you had to make sure to poke holes in them, or else your filling would be partly frozen, or just cold. Ewww. I think I'm glad I don't recall these things. Yuck.

Here's another one that I remember, but can't say that I've seen around anywhere: Kaboom cereal. My Granddaddy bought it for me one time, and it was absolutely DELICIOUS! I remember it didn't have marshmallows, or prizes or anything, but it was really good. I think it was colored, but again, maybe my childhood recollections aren't what they used to be? I know it was in a yellow box with a clown on the front. I think that was the only time I ever had it, but boy, it was good. (Probably was the absolute worst thing that a child could eat, but since my Granddaddy let me run the show, it was like eating manna from heaven, right?)

Wonder what my parents (who are 58 and 59 years of age) remember, but is no longer around? I bet it's vastly different from the few items I just described, and I imagine that those items are nothing like what my grandmother and mother-in-law would remember from their days gone by.

I shudder to think about what today's generation (and future generations) will reminisce about. I can see it now: my soon-to-be 7 year-old will wonder about whatever happened to "Airheads" candy, but more importantly, will call me up, frantically asking about his 3,768 piece collection of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon trading cards. No baseball players need apply!

So another month has gone by, and the ol' groundhog didn't see his shadow. Now, really, are we putting that much faith into a rodent? Folks, I have to question those of us who are THAT certain in whether or not Punxsutawney Phil crawls out to sunshine or clouds. Maybe that's how the weathermen figure out their forecasts? Makes me wonder...

Onto more of my heartwarming cynicism! Let's take a random topic... oh, I don't know... how 'bout the upcoming Presidential election? Nahhh. Everyone's discussing THAT. How about... I got it! Which is better: Cool Whip or real whipped cream?

You know, I once saw the Martha Stewart Living Show (this is before the infamous insider trading/information deal, you guys) in which Martha has her banker (do you have your own personal banker? Just a question.) Anyway, Martha's personal banker comes on the show, and of course, Martha is going to instruct her friend how to propertly create some dessert. Or maybe the friend was showing Martha this hillbilly dessert. WELL! Martha's banker friend whips out Cool Whip. Ya'll. Really. Martha's face just about fell off her head. She looks at her friend, gives one of those snickery laughs, and tells the camera (of course, her audience) that those who would rather, REAL whipped cream would be a more appropriate substitute.

Now how snotty is that? We talked about this at work a few weeks ago. I myself enjoy Cool Whip as opposed to REAL whipped cream. I mean, NO, they don't taste like each other, and frankly, I don't know who would think Cool Whip would pass for the taste of real whipped cream, do you? But thinking back on my childhood, I enjoyed Cool Whip, and my children now enjoy it also. But of course, regular/plain Cool Whip just won't do, and the Cool Whip company has come out with strawberry, chocolate, French vanilla flavor, and all other weird things that they have brought out of their think tank.

So, if the Cool Whip people are reading my blog (and I'm SURE they are! ;oD ), I appreciate the wonderful concoction that you have given to us Americans! I don't think Thanksgiving would be the same without you!

Since the "holiday season" is pretty much past us, now would be a prime time to add another post to my blog.

No one has added any comments, so this blog is pretty much an online journal for myself, and... well, myself. I enjoy being able to do this, since it's a "new" item of technology for me.

Having been a school library media specialist for approximately three months now, I feel that ample time has passed, and enables me to speak about a topic that many feel is indecent, even obscene.

Overdue books and fines. There. I said it. Well, technically, I typed it, but I guess for our purposes, it's all the same here.

What is really the purpose of fining a library patron for an overdue book? Doesn't that set a tone of negativity for those who enjoy the printed word? Why is it necessary to require someone to pay hard-earned money for a book that they kept longer than their twenty-eight days?

This is probably a highly-debated issue among those who make their living in the library setting, but I feel that it's one that's the most hated.

Wouldn't it make better sense to ask (let's not require anyone to do anything) the patron to donate food to a basket that the library staff drops off monthly to a local food bank? Or maybe the patron could assist in shelving for an hour for the offense?

In today's day and time, there are much more important issues at hand in which we can be involved. Far be it from me to admonish anyone for anything they have done that I disagree with; until I have "walked a mile in his moccasins," I don't understand for a second where a person is coming from.

Here's hoping that each and every one of us enjoy peace in the new year! God be with our troops that are overseas; protect them, and bring them home safely to us.

Introducing... Beth Green, former 4th grade classroom teacher-turned school librarian! After moving with my husband and two children to upstate New York from Clarksville, Tennessee, I returned to school, and got my master's degree in Information Science and Policy. Real Engligh, please? I will continue to teach in public schools, but this time around, I will be doing so from an actual school library! YAY! I can't wait!

Since my blog is entitled, "Conscious Thoughts from a School Librarian," here is a thought, that I, as an actual school librarian, have to offer you today:

Why is it, whenever a student/child/patron would like for you to locate a book for them, is it always phrased this way:
"The book that I am looking for is blue and has a horse on the front cover. OH! I forgot. And the title has the word 'the' in it."

Funny thing, how our memories work, especially with those visual items, isn't it?