Shaking the Tree

Lelly's Self Portrait Tuesday challenge for May is as follows.. going back into the vault this month, to an spt challenge i really loved! hope you will join along!! tuesday, may 5 something old tuesday, may 12 something new tuesday, may 19 something borrowed tuesday, may 26 something blue Okay so I'm doing a SPW since I missed T. If I haven't all ready, I'm gonna post or speak of this again. This is an OLD 1978 1st edition of Shel Silverstein's, Where the Sidewalk Ends. As you can see its very beaten up and very used, it has finger prints all over it. The corners are bent from being thrown in backpacks and being shoved on the library shelf it sat on for years. Then one day it was put in the retirement bin, even though it still has a tough spine and every one of its yellowing pages. And my thoughtful brother in law Justin bought it for a dollar and gave it to me for Christmas, since he drew my name in the family lottery. It made me cry when I opened it. Man...

As I have mentioned before, I love books. I am even considering going back to school to become a librarian. The process is daunting but possibly worth it. Boulder City has a beautiful library that feels very homey inside and very beautiful on the outside. I just found out they are hiring for a shelver, part time. The pay isn't much but I am seriously considering it because its not about the money for me. This is Becky.. She's my favorite Librarian, head of the children's department. This chick has great taste in books and can always find something for my kids to read, especially when they are moaning and groaning at the prospec t of reading a book. She has a fun attitude and feels like a friend in what some perceive an intimidating world of books. This is the latest Young Reader series that Becky referred to my family. The Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke. Wow is it good, its a dark and imaginative tale. My kids and I listen to it together. The audio version of the ...

Have you ever heard this... "Do what you love for a living and the money will follow."  I don't know where I got this from, but I heard it somewhere a long time ago.  When asked "What do you do for a living?"  I've always joked... play Barbies! Meet my Barbie! This is Theresa K. one of my favorite model friends.  We played together like good little girls.   Today we did a fashion shoot for Luxury Las Vegas magazine celebrating Barbie's 50th birthday.  I got to turn her into Chanel Barbie, 60's Barbie, Malibu Barbie, Birthday Barbie and finally Princess Barbie. Here are a few sneak peeks from my snapper. Not only does Theresa make an awesome live Barbie doll, she is a very very wonderful person.  She is so sweet, sensitive, genuine and loving.  Working with her is just like play, not work. On a side note, another highlight of my day was shooting in Baumann's Rare Books.  And this is what I got to hold in my hands. This is a first edition Gone With...

Last night I went to midnight Twilight with some of my friends. We had a really good time. Rachelle and I had Cafe Rio for a late dinner and then headed over to the Fiesta Station. My friend of coolness, Heidi Gross was so smart, she rented the party room at the theatre, and with that we got reserved seats middle center. There were two groups of us in two theatres. Rachelle and I had a whole row to ourselves we were the small group as well as the envy of all in the theatre. But what was great was SO many of our other friends showed up and we had sweet seats to give out. So the movie! I have to say my expectations were quite low. I knew the hair would not be to my liking and I had a few casting issues with minor characters. I consider Jacob a minor in this film, Shark Boy doesn't do it for me what can I say. I didn't expect much from Robert P. As Edward and he really grew on me, pretty fast. My expectations were a little too high for Bella, but she pulled it off for me. All in ...

I recently finished Brisingr the most recently released edition of the Inheritance saga. I must encourage you to read these books if you have not already done so. The inital draw for me was all the hype about a 15 year old author. Christopher Paolini. Eragon was a wonderful book that tugged at my heartstrings as I traveled along with him through his hardships, growth and adventure. This fifteen year old impressed me. Then I read Eldest when it came out and I was blown away with the story. I was left hanging off the edge of a cliff by a fingernail. Christopher's writing had improved tenfold. Brisingr has been an emotional roller coaster and once again, I'm hanging... Which is a love hate thing, I think. Now I am in reading depression! I'm finished with Bella and Edward and now I'm waiting for the fate of Allegasia... What do I read next?? I'm still working on the Host, its really not doing it for me.. So tell me.... what are you reading?

I like to curl up on the couch under a lamp to read... My son likes to read lying in his bed. My mom has recently discovered the ease of audiobooks. My daughter likes to read in a creative fashion. What is your reading position?

This weeks SPT topic is the third element of summer "shade" . When I contemplated this topic the first thing that popped into my brain was a book. Eragon by Christopher Paolini . There is a character in this wonderful book (written by a 15 year old mind you) called "the Shade"his real name is Durza . Do me a favor, read the book and stay far away from the movie. It is just too hot to be outdoors period in Vegas. Even in the so called shade its still hot. Our "shade" here, the cooling shade, the escape from the heat kind of shade is simply an air conditioned indoor spot. Like the conservatory at the Bellagio . When I ponder shade in a Vegas summer, I think of curling up on the couch inside my air conditioned home with a great book, and a creepy character called "the Shade". (sorry I had to use an old self portrait, I'm on vacation)

Growing up I was WAY too kewl to be seen reading a book! A Metal Edge, Bop, Hit Parader or Tiger Beat Magazine, for sure, but NEVER a book. Forget Jane Austen, I was way too busy reading up on the antics of Keanu Reeves, Bon Jovi and Ozzy. My scrapbook was not a book it was my bedroom... SCARY I TELL YOU!Well we all grow up sooner or later, as do the celebs we idolize as a teenager, mine are scary these days. Now my appreciation for things published are much much different than my days of yore! I now LOVE to read read read, and listen I must add. I read a vampire series in my early 20's, (B.B. before baptism) and that was about the extent of my reading. About 4 years (or so) ago I was in an airport with a friend and we went into a bookstore, I was buying a recent installment of the old vampire series, hoping I could stomach it in my now mature minded years. My friend suggested I buy a Harry Potter book instead after I explained my concern. A kid's book? Puh-leez! She insisted I...