Misadventures of the Monster Librarian

Someone prefers naps to packing boxes. And the cat does too. The move is plodding along. I finished painting the living room and hallway yesterday; 2 coats primer, 2 coats paint to cover up the monstrosity that was a room consisting of: rust red, vomitrocious green, and dish water dirty brown. Still trying to understand that motif. I've slowly been taking batches of boxes over as layers of paint were drying. My hope is to finish getting all boxes moved by this weekend. We'll begin sleeping there Friday night, and furniture will be delivered next Saturday. So close! I'll be happily settled before Christmas! As most moves go, I find, this is happening while we're super busy at work: book groups, Santa's visit, holiday movies, and Gingerbread houses are all on the calendar this week and next; our Holiday Silent Auction winds down soon; and we're again doing Feet for Fines (folks bring in new socks, shoes, etc. and we clear their fines). Counting down the ...

You remember Joan Didion's epic packing list post? Because I'm a dork I inventoried what I've packed for 2.5 weeks travel in Germany and beyond: Carry-on: 1 skirt 1 pair jeans 1 pair khakis 1 pair black capris Enough underwear, bras, socks for 1 week 5 blouses 1 thin sweater Bathing suit PJs: 2 pairs shorts, 2 t-shirts Hat Bag with: shampoo, conditioner, facewash, bar of soap, face astringent, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush, floss, tweezers, jewelery, prescriptions Backpack:  2 journals 5 pens Copy of Fodor's essential Europe (2014) Copy of Lonely Planet's Europe on a Shoestring (2011) 3 books Glasses Camera & charger Phone & charger 2nd pair of shoes flip flops Passport, Birth Certificate, License, Credit Cards, Cash Laptop & cord European power converters Chewing gum I only am packing for a week, as Yannick said I can do laundry at their apartment and we can probably do it at hostels along the way while w...

Moving is an exercise in nostalgia; moving is holding and examining possessions long since lost to your memory, or those intentionally packed away. Tonight as Pavarotti fills the emptying space of this apartment I find myself examining so many books as they find their way into boxes--as alphabetically by genre as possible. I smile at my friend who remembers where she was when she bought her favorite shoes, or at the one who can pinpoint exactly who was with her when she saw whatever movie, but it's always been books for me. Each book a visitation of a favored bookstore; dear friends; the city, state, or country I was in while reading it; a reminder of a lover. So, here I sit wishing desperately that I were better prepared for this nostalgia night, wanting a tall glass of some type of red wine and long, pensive drags of a cigarette. But, pack on I must.

We're Going To Be Friends, The White Stripes Sorry, I know I have been posting a lot of music and fluff lately. Still packing, getting to that point of frazzle because I hate the disarray. The past few days have been a whirlwind: worked my last Saturday; had a going-away work thing; dropped off my first load of boxes and picked up my keys; visited with my sister A1, Mike and my niece and nephew (7.5yrs and 6yrs) as they passed through; visited with my Mom since she is heading off to California next. Tonight I get rid of my car, Harry (more on that soon), and pack pack pack! Gah! Too much!

Forever Young - Youth Group When I worked at the Farm I used my iPod every day at work; there was always music, always a soundtrack. I miss those early mornings opening the Kitchen, sometimes alone, sometimes with others; I miss the warmth of the oven, it's hum almost a part of the music from my iPod. As I sorted and packed this past weekend I had hours of uninterrupted music; time spent forming a new soundtrack. The song which has stuck with me into this, my second to last week, is this one. Enjoy! Also, welcome to new follower Deanna!