Category Archives: Uncategorized

Love Adventure

Last weekend, George and I went on a motorcycle ride to the Great Dismal Swamp. Although the swamp isn’t far from our house, it was quite the adventure. Prior to the trip, I had only rode on George’s bike at about 45 mph. I’m not afraid to admit that at 70 mph, I was holding on for dear life. George is terribly ticklish and he said I had to stop holding him in a death grip because he might die from laughter. I managed to get a few snapshots on the bike after I got my courage up.

The swamp has a man-made canal! Next time, I want to take my canoe down the canal.

We had a picnic and watched boats sail down the canal.

We made jokes about this guy’s “dingy” hanging out.

And on the way back home, I got up my nerve enough to take a couple of pictures from the bike.

What kind of adventures do you have planned this weekend?

love,
melanie

Love Books: Please Ignore Vera Dietz

I’m on a Young Adult literature kick right now. I guess I’m making up for reading almost no YA lit. as a “young adult.” (I still consider myself young adult, although I’m technically out of the bracket.)

I have to admit, I picked Please Ignore Vera Dietz because of the cover art. I’m terrible about judging books by the cover, but I can’t think of one instance where a book I love has a crappy cover. This book was no different. Great cover, great story.

Vera, a high-school senior, is haunted by her dead-ex-best-friend, Charlie. Charlie wants Vera to tell the truth surrounding the circumstances of his death. But Vera is conflicted. She loved Charlie and she hated Charlie. She loved him because he was charming, dangerous and her childhood best friend. And she hated him because he spread her ugly family secret around their high school.

Please Ignore Vera Dietz is an easy, but edgy read. The book has a storyline that jumps through time and through characters to keep it interesting.  I’d recommend this book to any and all wallflowers with a free afternoon.

Has anyone else read this book? What did you think about it?

love,
melanie

My Love/Hate Relationship with Productivity Tools

One of my goals for this next year of my life is to take Sundays completely off. So that means no computers, no cooking, no cleaning– just relaxing. But I’ll be the first to admit, it is going to be hard. We modern ladies are busy, right?!

And as a modern, busy lady, I am always on the lookout for new ways to help me to get things done. In March, I tried The Seinfeld Method aka Don’t Break the Chain. This tool has you making calendars for each of your tasks. Then, you have to do a task from each calendar each day in order to “not break the chain.” But understandably, I was exhausted from this method.

I had a blogging calendar taped to my fridge too, but I quickly saw doing something blogging related everyday was just too much for me.

This  month I’m trying something new. I’ve read that it helps some people to schedule all their time, so I’m trying that this month. I really don’t want to schedule my Saturday too.  But I might start if it looks like I’m not doing chores, like going grocery shopping, which I usually do on Sunday.

Here’s a glimpse at the schedule I made via Google Docs:

Now, this may look crazy to some of you. Hell, it looks a little crazy to me. But I’m already seeing cracks where I’m probably taking a bit to long at one task. And I really want a full day to lay around, hang out with George and relax.

Have you all ever gone to extreme measures to protect your free time? Do you use productivity tools? Which tools have worked for you and which didn’t work?! Let me know in the comments.

love,
melanie

Thank you, thank you!

I can’t believe I made it to Freshly Pressed– the front page of WordPress. MY FACE is on the front page! I’m just starting to find my voice and I get this amazing opportunity. I am so, so thankful to all of you all who saw my little ‘ol blog, commented, and/or started following me. I’ve read each and every one of your comments. And I appreciate anyone who even just took a few seconds to check out it out.

So, how did I do it? I have no idea. I think my photography helped. My fiancée, George, took the pictures and as an artist, he has a good eye for composition. But rather than that, I’m chocking it up to pure luck. WordPress has tips here if you want to strategize. Good things have definitely been coming my way lately. Thanks universe, thanks WordPress, thanks ya’ll.

love,
melanie

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Love Stripes

I’m constantly trying to improve and grow. This year, I’m trying to make a conscious effort to improve my self-confidence in all aspects of my life. In the past six months or so, I’ve improved my culinary skills and I’m currently working on trying to improve my style. I love fashion, but I often feel that because I’m short in height and short on cash, I can’t wear cute clothes. But I’m out to prove myself wrong. I also want to prove that librarians can and do have good style.

I wore this outfit to brunch in Asheville. I love Asheville so much. You could literally wear a paper bag and no one would judge you.

Pants: Vintage Pendleton 
Sweater: Can’t remember! eep! Edit: I remembered! United Colors of Benetton.
Shoes: Target
Bag: Gift from my sister

How do you improve your self-confidence?

love,
melanie

Thankfulness

The view from a block from my house.
Picture by muah!

I have to admit, I’m not always the most thankful person. I always want more. It’s the perfectionist in me. Or consumer, if you want to be political. 😛

I want to live in a bigger city with more opportunities and exciting food. I want a better wardrobe. I want to travel. I want more free time. Want. Want. Want. Want. Want.

And although I think it is good to keep my eye on the prize and all those clichés, I also need to remember what I have. I live in a beautiful, historic town. I have a closet full of clothes. I’ve been all over the country. And I’m apparently making enough time to blog.

ANDDDDD something really exciting happened to me today. I won a grant! When I found out I literally skipped around the library. So that means I will be traveling to a conference in one of my favorite towns, Asheville, NC this weekend! I’m more excited and grateful than I have been in a long time.

How do you stay thankful?

love,
melanie

Love Notes: Anchorman

This love note goes out to one of my favorite movies, Anchorman. Because, you know what? It’s still funny.

Happy Tuesday!
xoxo,

melanie