Isn't that awful?
Okay, I'm exaggerating a little. But truly, maneuvering five young children through the process of browsing, selecting and checking out books is not my favorite thing to do. Some days, it's nearly enough to give me heart palpitations, and would probably spike my blood pressure, if I actually had a pulse. (I set the alarm off during a physical last week because of startlingly low blood pressure. It wasn't the first time.)
Presently, I do not love the library. Which is too bad, considering we are one of their greatest financial supporters. I don't even want to know the current total of late fees we've racked up over the years. Just one more reason I dread our visits there. Not because of the library itself, mind you, but because of Me! My darn self! Because I know I'll get sucked in yet again to 30 books and a $30 fine in 30 days!!
Ugh.
Tonight, we went to the library.
The only thing that got me to step through those doors with all five children was having Craig as our chaperon. He saw the looks I gave back at home when Luke begged and pleaded. He's like a woman with childbirth when it comes to the library. He forgets the pain. Not me. I tried to remind him...desperately tried. Sparked a faint glimmer of remembrance, even. But Luke won him over, and off we went.
It was Family Home Evening, after all.
When we arrived, the little girls immediately attached themselves to the toys at the entrance and I conveniently slipped into the adjacent used book sale, under the guise of 'sticking with the twins.' SAFE! For a few. Until the girls decided they wanted books, too. And then, I did the unthinkable. The unpardonable. The Unconscionable.
I let Creighton fend for himself with all five- all a flurry- in the stacks.
While I slunk back into the Book Sale.
Note: I'm a used book junkie. I'm also a new book junkie. I have a disease. I do not like to borrow books. I must OWN them. I must possess them. I must know that I need never return them--know that they are mine to devour at will. I do not wish to spend time finagling all the borrowing for my insatiable needs. And if you've ever loaned me a book, you know how pathetic I am at returning. So I purchase. Readily. But it's so much more satisfying to snag 20 used books for the price of 1 new, don't you think? I love an occasional trip to the Goodwill or the D.I. just for the books. And the Borders clearance tables? Fun, Fun, Fun. So me-- at the library-- standing next to the sale-- with a second adult to survey five scampering children?.... Pretty much like a drunk in a bar.
I abandoned my family. Dove into wordful waters and did not come up for air until little arms and legs jostled me from behind, balancing piles of shiny books, and I looked up to see my woeful, worn out friend walking towards me, eyes pleading for relief.
Ahh...remembrance! I chuckled empathetically, apologetically.
No, no, we don't love the library. Not today.
But I sure do love a book sale!
Want to see tonight's spoils? An eclectic smattering of useful-- and delightful-- reads:
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| One of the best, suck you in, wrap you up, rootin and tootin, honest to gosh true life love stories I've ever read- by the Pioneer Woman herself! I burned the midnight oil many a night to read this story online a couple of years ago, and lookie here! The book! Worth owning. If only to pass it around. |
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| We're just about to head out on another road trip. We broke down and bought a dual screen DVD player for our last trip and ended up only using it once- for 2 hours- because the kids weren't interested in movies. (!!) So, this dandy little book just might come in handy! |
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| I'm suffering from FHE brain freeze lately. I can't seem to think of any great activities that we haven't done over and over again. Which is how we ended up at the library tonight, btw. Maybe this book will restore my brain from ice back to jello. |
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| I did a quick browse of this book, and it appears to be a basic summary of everything I've learned in the past 3 years on my exploration of all things health and healing. All right here in a nutshell. Fabulous. I don't love the title, though, for all it implies. |
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| I just love little books like this, chock full of nuggets of wisdom and practical knowledge. Maybe this will nudge me to bump up my gardening skills from perpetual novice status. |
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| Cracked me up. In the library. |
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| For those homeschool days when we're just itching to read bios of past presidents. (Ahem.) |
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| I've only dabbled in Reiki, but it fascinates me. And look!" Portable!" What more could you ask for? (??) ;} |
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| Ever seen this? Thoughtful, intelligent, well made film- rare for this genre (teen- early twenties, coming-of-age). I love the Traveling Pants movies. |
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| Just 10 pounds- that's all I ask. Okay, five. Five will do. Please. |
