Kindle for PC

I was reading Francine River's post about Leota's Garden being available FREE for Kindle. Since I don't have a Kindle, I got on Amazon, just wondering if it could be downloaded to a PC. Yippee! Discovered Kindle for PC (a free application) and my book is downloaded. Now I can return Kelly's paper edition so she can cozy up in her library and read this summer. I also discovered there are many free Kindle books on Amazon and I downloaded The Count of Monte Cristo, which is one of my favorite movies. Tom and I just watched it the night we got home from Phoenix.

I have spent the evening in bed reading the Last Sin Eater and e-mail, dozing, and even eating supper in bed. A true couch potato tonight, but since Tommy woke me up when he was not feeling well and taking pain reliever at 3:00 a.m., and I taught all day on 4 hours sleep, it is to be expected. Tomorrow ought to be a better preschool day since I will be rested. One of my little sweeties heard me yawning and said "Miss Cindy, are you tired?" This afternoon, I was way more than tired--haven't zoned out like that in a while. Good night, all!

Awesome, awesome week

This last week was spring break, and it was delightful in every way. We left a week ago today flying from Hays to Denver, and then on to Phoenix. Our flights were wonderful, and I didn't even experience the ear pain (thanks to Earplanes earplugs). Cameron picked us up at the airport about 2:00 and we had time for a tour of Cameron and Kelly's beautiful home and to help a little before their guests arrived for their housewarming party. The party was delightful, food was yummy, and company was awesome! Who would think you could have an outdoor party by a pool in March? We don't think of that because we live Hays, Kansas where it could easily snow in March. :( We headed to the guest room for a good night's sleep and felt like we were in the Marriott!! Cameron and Kelly are wonderful, wonderful hosts....Sunday we went to 32 Shea for coffee and breakfast, and then to McDowell Mountain Church. We ate at BJ's Pizza, and hung out at Cam and Kelly's. Monday found Diana, Kelly, and I getting pedicures (we all got a hibiscus painted on our big toenails with a small "diamond" center). After the "foot pampering" we went to Beauty Brands to buy my favorite hair products, and then went to lunch at a cute lunch place in Scottsdale, I think, called Arcadia Farms. We shopped Old Scottsdale, and for a refreshing late afternoon treat went to SPRINKLES! I had no idea it was famous until I came home and Chelsea told me that is where Katie Holmes gets her cupcakes. Well, in LA, not in Scottsdale. They were beyond delicious. We each ate tastes on the way home, and then divided them into sections so all the guys could taste them after dinner at Kirk and Diana's. Which, by the way was a traditional dinner of spaghetti & meatballs, salad and toasted french bread. We looked at a video I had taped of Chelsea, Carson, and Easton, and then played Wii bowling. Tuesday Cameron was off and by then the weather was warming up, and we enjoyed their beautiful home and them! We ate at McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurant at the Biltmore. On Wednesday, we drove to Sedona and had Starbucks and muffins on the way. Sedona is gorgeous and we loved the views.We walked around and looked at art galleries and in charming little shops and ate at a cowboy grill for lunch. We decided to go on a Pink Jeep Tour of Coyote Canyon. What a wild ride! Could it have been bumpier? I made a funny video while we were bumping along (or pitching forward) looking at Arizona cacti and wildflowers and the red mesas and buttes. The afternoon went so quickly and we headed back to Phoenix and went to Fry's food store to get things for a barbecue. Oh, my. It was like a Hollywood grocery store. Diana calls it Fry's Disneyland. They have everything, and it's way too beautiful to be a grocery shopping experience. I am still in awe of the fruit displays. It looked like a wedding banquet. I wish I had taken a picture! We got the grill ready just in time--it gets dark in Phoenix about 7:00 now, and barbecued steaks, and I made creamed corn and mashed potatoes. We cozied up on the couch for a movie I brought from home--Chocolat, and went to bed later than usual! Thursday was our last day in Phoenix, and we shopped at Kierland, I think, had lunch at Olive Garden, went to Target and Wal-Mart to look for a gift for Carson, and headed home to pack. Later in the evening we heated up some leftovers, played Farkel, and Kirk and Diana came to wish us well with a champagne toast. What a lovely, lovely week, not even spoiled by the the flights home being a little weird. Sat next to a businessman from Phoenix to Denver who looked the other way when I said good morning, then spent the entire flight highlighting his manuscript and elbowing me. Rude, rude, rude!!! I said extra prayers for him...Then on the Denver to Hays flight there were two gals who were outrageously loud and brazen. I think they had been in the bar a few hours. My ears plugged up and hurt badly, so it was not pleasant, but I had my great memories to hang onto! We got home and discovered a breaker was off when I couldn't get my computer on. When I turned it on, it fried a wall outlet where our fireplace space heater is in the kitchen. There was black smoke on the wall! We called an electrician and got it fixed right away. Thank you Jesus! Except for the squirrels which had taken up residence in our attic and the small wall fire, we were in pretty good shape. Spent the evening watching a movie, and today unpacking and doing laundry. Back to reality! I am going to save money for my next trip, and hope Michelle & Scott and Chelsea & John don't move in a different direction. I think one couple out of town is enough.

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Oops!

Last night before I went to bed I knew I had misspelled niche in the last post . I didn't go to my computer and change it! Sorry for not editing or not thinking. Sometimes I write so fast to get all my thoughts down that I don't do a very good job. Also, I spend my days with preschoolers, so I have started "invented spelling" as they do. Forgive me. So glad that my readers are my best friends (and best family!) and that you know me, and it's o.k.

I'm a"nerd" and I've found my niche!

I'm such a nerd, and it feels so good to be in my skin. I love to read, I love to learn, and the past few days of finishing my research on early literacy have been a joy. Today I organized my personal library by subject. Most people would be tearing their hair out, but I was in a "zone", and having the time of my life. To me, there is no greater joy than reading and learning, except for teaching how to "read" and "learn," so I am ecstatic. Pastor Kyle's daily e-mail was about giving up t.v. The average person watches 4.5 hours of t.v. per day. I watch 1-3 hours per week, and 2 hours of that is a movie and the other hour is a t.v. program. NERD city. You can find me reading,listening to Boston Baroque on pandora.com, reading the bible or another Christian book,writing, or knitting in my free time. These things make me happy as a lark, and there is no better thing than singing like a bird in your free time.

I really think I've found my life's work in becoming a reading specialist. The road has taken lots of twists and turns, but when we have God--our steps are ordered of the Lord. Everything I've ever done, every wonderful place I've been, every hard place I've ever been, has all been to the glory of the Lord. He placed these desires in my heart and it is He Who is weaving this beautiful tapestry of my life, for such a time as this.

Praise be to God for this day, for all I'm becoming--in Him--and all the plans He still has for me.

Funny story

Carson is always delightful and is really getting to be quite a "ham." Sometimes he doesn't even know he is funny--like yesterday when we were in Penney's. He found a little dog hanging by a strap (in the girl's department) which was a purse, but he picked it up and said "a boy purse--it's blue!" The little spotted doggy had a turquoise blue sequined strap which was a leash/hanging strap for the purse. He wanted it so bad! Mommy (Chelsea) said "no Carson, what would Daddy say if I bought you a purse?" No amount of reasoning would do, and he started crying. I had bought an elephant overnight bag one time for him that I thought was either boy/girl, and I brought that up to Chelsea. I said "what does it matter? He really wants it. Let me see how much it is." It was $19.99, which was a little steep. So I suggested we go to Dillon's and buy him something there. He reluctantly put the "purse" back. When we got to Dillon's we found a Thomas train component--Toby--and I thought no matter what the price, I would have to buy it, since we said no at Penney's. We took it to the checkout expecting it to be $11.00 or $12.00. It was $2.50. What are the odds of that? It was a win-win for everyone!

Today we skipped church (I didn't want to but Tom had a headache). I submitted my rough draft for my class which was due March 25, but the deadline I had for myself was before we leave for Phoenix. What a feeling to click "submit" two weeks early!!! God is good. I want an "A." Prayers are appreciated. Only 13 credit hours to go after this semester and I will have a reading specialist endorsement. Yippee!!! I have wanted this for 20 years. I love teaching reading, and believe me I am more of a diagnostic problem-solver, than a motivator, but it's all good... I learned so much in my job as a media specialist where I used my last master's, and now am learning so much as a preschool teacher. Our steps are truly ordered by the Lord.

Onlhy a few things left to do today which I have to do, then I can do some things I want to do. Cleaning house is a necessary evil, but once that and my lesson plans are done, I can paint my toenails in front of warm fire, and catch some much needed R & R in front of the t.v. Sundays are amazing. Thank YOU, Jesus, for our days of rest. Have a blessed Sunday, readers...

The day that is "today"

I woke up this morning with a Ron Kenoly worship song playing in my head that I haven't listened to in months "Go Ahead." The lyrics say--if you catch hell, don't hold it, if you're going through hell, don't stop. Remember no weapon formed against you shall prosper...you're going through hell, go ahead cause you have authority over the enemy."

I jumped out of bed and started searching the house for my cd's that I moved when we were getting ready for the carpetlayer to come. I finally found the cd, popped it in, and was so blessed by the words of all the songs on this cd. It has been rough lately. It feels like all Tom and I do is work. I never even dreamt--in my wildest dreams--of working this hard. I heard a sermon once on people needing a "payoff"--in other words, it is human nature to seek rewards for our efforts. I tend to say "how long, God?" When is that wide open place coming? In my heart I know that in this world we will have trial and tribulation, but in my head I want to wake up in a fairy tale world of no problems, time for the things I want, and complete financial and physical security.

Yesterday, I met with some church friends to plan a baby shower. They were wanting to e-mail me and noticed I wasn't on FB anymore. They asked why. I said I do too much comparing myself to others, and it stresses me out! They said we don't stress you out, do we? It's so hard to explain...this place I'm in, but I have a certain goal that I haven't reached in life. It is for a place where I wake up and feel content in my body (not overweight, stressed out or with deformed feet), with $10,000 in checking and $$millions in investments, content in all my relationships, happy, able to do anything I choose to do that day whether it be helping others or actually taking care of myself a bit. Is this the definition of heaven? Can that goal actually be attained in this life? I hope so. I love God with all my heart, I'm not a selfish person, I've given my whole adult life for others, and I just want to quit wandering in the desert (40 years) and reach the promised land. Here! Before heaven!!! For now, today I will celebrate that I'm not where I want to be, but I'm not where I was. If I can't have what I want (yet), I will love what I have.

Ron Kenoly is now singing "Welcome Home"--another great song celebrating being in my Father's house.

Friends are Amazing!

Mokas was the spot for a coffee date this afternoon with my good friend Molly. It has been months and months since I've seen her, and I missed her so! It was fun to share about the last months while drinking delicious specialty coffee (for me) and a steamer (for my caffeine-free friend)! How do you do it, Molly? I have at least a pot of coffee a day, and about 20-24 ounces of soda. I am WIRED!!! I'm hoping the old ticker doesn't get too "rattled" and can keep on ticking for many years even though I have sped it up most of my life. What is a girl who is trying to live two lives in one supposed to do? I need energy, and lots of it. Check the sidebar for my "likes." So much to do, so little time.... I'm really glad for the time I had with a friend today. Friends are flowers in the garden of life.

I fixed garlic-crusted salmon, sourdough bread and steamed peas for supper. Yum, yum. We had some leftover cookies and cream dessert from yesterday, and it was very delicious. In a moment, I'm going to start writing my rough draft, but I felt the need to compose a post on my blog. Maybe jumpstarting my writing in this way will be an inspiration. One can only hope and pray. I'm such a procrastinator!!!

Will we have the 6-9 inches of snow tomorrow they are predicting? Will it interfere with having school? Spring, where are you? I started wearing turquoise and lime green about a week ago, but am back to the burgundys and browns today. Winter, winter, go away. Phoenix is only 12 days away. Only 12 days from the biggest bear hug in the world from Cameron. I love my KIDS! Hope I can see them all together this summer...