Congratulations

I'm a little belated in this news, but I still have to share. Michelle, my best friend who I mention periodically in the blog, has accepted her first full-time librarian position. I'm so proud of her. She will continue to work in Florida for her current employer, but she will be housed at a different branch as a Young Adult Librarian.

I feel like such a proud mama! Congratulations dahlin!

(I know you'll love the pic I chose. Big Hugs!)

The Dog Ate My Homework

You know the saying, "My dog ate my homework", well it's true. Living in a household of librarians, my dog should be comfortable around books. My hubby and I have books lying around. This weekend, James left a book sitting by the chair for a moment. We discovered Bartle eating the book upon our return. Apparently he took issue with the binding. (Not the book in the picture.)

Addiction/ Obsession

In the last two months, I posted twice on my personal addictions or obsessions; one involved the Twilight series and another caffeine. My friend Michelle also has mentioned it in our various e-mails and phone calls. She also informed me that my three holiday gifts each had to do with one of my obsessions: Twilight, snowmen, and Gators.

Now that college football season is over until the fall, the holiday decorations are packed away until next November, and New Moon will be released next November; my obsessive tendencies should be over. For those who know me, this is not true. I have many others to focus on. This week brings the return of Lost.

I have watched Lost since the first episode and have not missed a single one over the last four years. Wednesday night ushers in the fifth season (2nd to last season) for the show who has a plan. Becky and I have our pizza night arranged to watch the premiere event. The e-mails have already started between Tammy and I concerning our theories and we have recently recruited Peggy into our insanity.

I am ready to begin the madness. Anyone else want to admit to their addictions/ obsessions, since I'm being open. Or we can discuss Lost.

Caffeine Addict

It's time I admit a problem of mine. I have a horrible addiction to caffeine. For Lent last year, I gave up coffee and succeeded in not drinking any until Easter. I am back to my morning brew, but have only had more than one cup a handful of times this year. For the coming Lent season, I am debating giving up all forms of soda. This is becoming dangerous territory for me. I am honestly unsure if I can handle giving up the soda.

I determined my addiction began in Tampa and was pleased to find proof to my theory. I have always chugged sodas. I honestly can't remember when I didn't crave them. My parents used to limit our intake growing up but once I was on my own, I always had soda in the fridge.

I did not become a coffee drinker until I worked for the library in Tampa. There was always a pot brewing in the back and everyone was always drinking. I sort of fell into it. At one point, I even offered to help in the coffee-making rotation. After my first horrible brew, I was asked to never make it again. Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Indigo became my friend. When I moved up north, one of my friends gave me a gift card as a farewell gift to keep my supply going.

Reading the report was a little scary in seeing how many people take caffeine tablets. I have thankfully avoided those, even on my worse days. So here's to my plan of going off soda in the next month.

Name Game

Every time I discuss my friends with my hubby and others, I find myself clarifying which individual I am talking about. I realized I did not have this problem when I was in Florida. There were two of us with the same name in Florida, so we just went by our last names. Whereas up here, I have quite a few friends, acquaintances, and coworkers with the same name. It all becomes rather confusing.

I have my Florida Kevin R, my lunch buddy Kevin R, and my friend's boyfriend Kevin. My coworker's spouse Sarah, my coworker Sarah, my friend Sarai, and my other friend Sara. My guy friend Aaron and my girl friend Erin, who both have the same middle initial and last name. Then my hair stylist Erinn. Apparently with my accent, no one is sure when I'm discussing Dawn or Don. Which is fine since there is my coworker Don, or our volunteer Don G. or Don W. I'm sure I have the count wrong, but there are 3 Steve's and 2 Jeff's who have influenced our work area.

Basically, too many people with same name. It becomes rather confusing. I don't remember it being this difficult when I worked for a bigger system and lived in a bigger area. I though it was interesting to note.

Bleed Orange and Blue

Last night, was the BCS National Championship Game, which my beloved Gators won against the Sooners 24-14. I won't even acknowledge the first half, where I continued to scream at the tv, "where's the defense, show them the SEC defense". The 2nd half the Gators shined with an interception, the newly-returned Harvin sprinting 52 yards, and Tebow plowing through and rushing 109 yards in the game. This is why Tebow is an incredible quarterback, if he can't pass the ball, he'll run it. It's beautiful to watch. Take that Sooners Franks, who earlier in the week said Tebow would rank #4 in the Big 12. If you aren't a Gator, you're Gator Bait! I think Tebow proved he is a great quarterback. Now I have to vent for a moment: the officials should have called a 15 yard penalty on the idiot who grabbed and pulled on Harvin's injured ankle after he was down. Low blow! Loved the game and so excited that Gators are National Champions!!! Go Gators! It's great to be a Florida Gator!

Now on a personal note! I will fly back to Florida the next time the Gators appear in a National Championship Game. It wasn't the same. First, my pals Sonia, Michelle, and Jen weren't here. Though Sonia and I text the whole game. My hubby and I went to a bar to watch the game, but we were surrounded by a bunch of high schoolers and left after the first half. It was depressing, no one knew the cheers. Once home, I put on my lucky charms and pulled Albert off the shelf to play the fight song through the rest of the game. But the moment it was all over, I teared up and had no one to cheer with or sing, "Boys of Ole Florida". Can't stress how much I missed my pals at that moment. One funny point, dad called from Rome (6:00 in the morning there) to congratulate. He said he was calling in late to work to catch up on sleep. Not bad for a Bowden fan.

So next time I will return to Florida and hope to watch the game with my pals because being up North was not the same. Go Gators!

Happy New Year

So in honor of the New Year, I think we should discuss resolutions. I'll be honest, I had four resolutions for 2008.

- I had the requisite lose 10 lbs and become more toned. Well, my weight fluctuated and I can be comfortable in the fact that I am the same weight as I was last year again. I started a strict workout regiment which I'm sure is good for me, but no tone.

- I planned to have my project completed by July. Well considering I am still working on it, I'd say it's a rollover resolution.

- My DAR application has been sidelined. I was completing hardcore research at the beginning of the year into April, but haven't touched it since.

- Finally I wanted to travel a bit. I went on 8 trips this year. This was the one resolution I am proud of completing. It was a lot of fun.

So for 2009, I have four resolutions again. Some of them are repeats of last years. Anyone willing to share their resolutions for the new year or discuss last years pitfalls.