Cooking Class

I'm not the greatest when it comes to cooking. In fact if the recipe does not have photo's then I don't even try to cook the meal. While working in the library I found a bunch of books that I really love to take out and use. The cook books are called Fun Food for Cool Cooks. The books show the utensils needed, a photo of the food being made and a very simple recipe. Of course these books are for children and their parents to use together. I have put in the photo of "Banana-Berry Smoothies and Other Breakfast Recipes" The smoothies look so yummy.

So if you have a little cook in the house you may want to check out one of these cook books.

Favorite French Cinderella

My last bulletin board was of Cinderella stories from around the world. What was fun was that I brought all the books home and read them. When the children wanted to know about the books, I could tell them about them and let them know which one's were my favorite. Of the traditional or should I say the ones that were adapted by the french writer Charles Perrault, my favorite is this one " Cinderella by Charles Perrault/retold by Amy Ehrlich, pictures by Susan Jeffers. The inside cover states it best " Amy Erlich's adaptation sensitively recreates the feeling of Charles Perrault's original tale. And Susan Jeffers's beautifully rendered paintings will linger on in the mind long after the last page is turned." I absolutely love the paintings in this book. Cinderella looks like a real girl. The pictures are simple yet beautiful. Take this book out and enjoy the story of Cinderella again.

16 days to the end of school

Friday was 16 days until the end of the school year. I took some photo's to remember things. One photo is the view from inside my car. I always seem to get to work early and I sit and read or listen to some music before going in. The Photo of my car, is to show how far away I always parked. Good for getting more steps in when I wear my pedometer, but also the best spot for beating the buses out in the afternoon. There is another shot of my desk, with the student bar code binder. On the binder are the yellow slips I write out each afternoon for students who forgot their books. Most parents just send their child's book in the next day, others feel that we have convicted their child of a serious crime and call in, asking what happened and pleading their child's innocence. And yes sometimes the books somehow end up back on the shelf mysteriously.

Friday was a day two. Day two's are very busy. I get in, check out fourth grade, and then write up my yellow slips. Then I put all the books away. Then kindergarten comes in. Then first grade, and then second grade. Then my three hours are up and it's time to go home. There were many books to put away. The children are now only allowed to take one book out. This week coming up is the last week for book check out. One thing I've been doing a lot of is shifting the books on the shelves. Soon the shelves will be packed with books. I sure hope they all fit in. I had to pull a bunch of Magazines because we did not have enough space.

I will miss the view from my car, I will miss sitting at my desk. I will miss organizing the books.

I look forward to days of reading books, I look forward to going camping with my family, I look forward to walks in the park.

Count down 17 days of school and work left

There were 17 days of school and work left on Thursday. Thursday was a day one. I came in and checked out a fourth grade Class. (Mrs. M's...) Then I put books and magazines away. I only have one class on day 1's and then the rest of the day is for getting things done like fixing books, or putting new magazines or books into the computer. We now have labels and ink again so I continued to relabel the easy fiction books. I found a book that connects with my life. "LAST DAY BLUES" By Julie Danneberg. In the book it is the Monday before the last day of school, and after the teacher does attendance she sighs and says she is going to miss all her students. The story goes on to tell what the teacher and children will miss about school, and what they look forward to doing in the summer. The children also come up with a nice surprise for the teacher for the last day of school. The Book gave me the idea to count down the remaining days I have left. I hope to take a photo or two each day, talk about what I will miss about my job, and also what I look forward to with summer. The first photo is of my desk. This is the view of it if I was sitting at my desk. I will miss having it be my desk. Next year hopefully many people will come in and help the librarian with check out and sit at this desk. But for the past two years it was my spot. I love using the scanner gun, to check out books. I enjoy helping the children find books. I will miss my desk.

I look forward to having a fun summer with my children. I hope to keep us busy doing stuff so that we don't end up just sitting in front of the TV playing video games. A magazine came yesterday with 77 days of things to do over the summer. I've already decided I like the first day idea. Have a pajama day. I think the first day of summer will be pajama day, with a special breakfast and no place to go, just a day to rest. The next day we are going to make a list of everything we want to do during summer break. Of course the second week of summer will be camping which will be fun. I'm also hoping to get a lot of scrap booking done this summer, I'm about a year behind. And I plan on reading lots of books. I actually just ordered a few! What are you going to do this summer?

Elephant Tales

In the past few weeks the Librarian at the school has been teaching the children about Fiction and Non-Fiction books. He has used the book Elmer by David Mckee to teach about fiction books and then he reads a non-fiction book about elephants to the children. Elmer is a patch work elephant. He is all the colors of the rainbow. In the book he wants to look just like the other elephants. You will have to read it to find out how it ends.

While working on changing the labels on the books I found a great fiction elephant book, "Stand Back, said the elephant, I'm going to Sneeze." By Patricia Thomas. The elephant tells all the different animals he is going to sneeze and they all ask him not to and tell what happened the last time he sneezed. It is just really fun to read.

I can not believe that I have only 17 more days to work in the library. The days seem to go faster and faster as the end approaches. I'd like to just slow everything down. I have tried very hard to enjoy every day that I have had left. I have read tons of children's books. I know that over the summer I will continue to read children's books and larger chapter books. In the August I will start my new job search. The first step will be taking some resume lessons at the Raritan library. Then putting together some cover letters, and then applying first to the places I'd really like to work and then to the ones that I know I could work at if I had too. But in July I'm just going to relax. I also have one more Vet Assistant class that I'm taking.

Today is so Hot. I need to go back and read "Hotter than a Hot Dog!"

The top photo's are of the Elmer project we do at my library. One side of the elephant is Elmer the other side is the Non-fiction elephant. If you would like a copy of the coloring page let me know I have one.

Catching a Bug!

Last week I caught the bug that has been going around. I was dizzy, queasy, and tired all day long. Not realizing that this was a bug, and thinking that I was over doing it, I slowed down, took a lot of naps, but still went to work. I should have stayed home, but didn't, now the Librarian has the bug!

On the topic of Bugs there is a great Childrens book called "BUZ" and it is about a bug, who gets swallowed by a boy, and is chased down by some pills... You have to read it to find out what happens to "Buz" but I thought it was a very creative perspective of what children might think when they go to the doctors and are told they've caught a bug. This is a photo of my Build a bear cat with the book. The bug, "Buz" is in front with the two "Pills" chasing him.

The author and illustrator of this book is Richard Egielski. This book won the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's book, and Richard Egielski also illustrated the Caldecott Award book "Hey Al". If you can find this book at the Library it is worth taking out and reading to your children.

There was an old lady who swallowed a.......

I have asked many people lately, did you read the book " There was an old lady who swallowed a Fly.?" Many have looked at me as if I'm crazy, but I remember this book from when I was young. The first line goes: "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly, I don't know why she swallowed a fly, perhaps she'll die." She goes on to swallow bigger and bigger animals until she swallows a horse and then she dies of course. The book is one where the main character gets larger and larger. Some of the books show all the animals in the woman's stomach and other's just show her getting large. I always have to laugh when I read this book. It is just so silly and unreal. Yet the other day I thought, you know there are those people who have that eating disorder where they have to have all their food locked up. Maybe the original author knew someone like that.



I had always thought that that was the only story like this but I have found, as I go through the books that the old women are eating all sorts of things. One book I found was " There was an old Lady who swallowed a trout." She ends up swallowing the whole ocean.



There is also " I know an old Lady who swallowed a pie" This has a thanksgiving theme to it.

And there is " There was a cold Lady who swallowed a some snow" This one makes a snow person at the end.

Pretty much they all make me giggle. Just because you have to think, my gosh what will she swallow next and how is this going to end?

There is also one that has the objects decrease it's called " Joseph had a little overcoat." His over coat continues to shrink. I think kids like these silly books. So if you have young kids go to your library and get one. You might find that it makes you laugh too.

Car Accidents and Purple Smiley faces

I've been meaning to write about this topic, car accidents, but haven't had the time, then yesterday two car accidents happened near our street and I thought I really need to write that blog.

The first day of my new job as Library assistant was the day before school began in September 2008, and I was welcomed by a librarian whose future in - laws had the night before been in a terrible car crash. Fortunately everyone survived and although the father had serious injuries from what I know today he is doing well. This started a two year (School year) cycle of hearing about horrible car accidents.

The next accident unfortunately was that of our friends teen son. No one knows for sure what happened other than in the middle of the night he lost control of his car on the way home and hit a huge tree. When the news came it was quite shocking, and I think I walked around in a daze, my husband just curled up in a ball on our bed and cried. The cat seemed to know of our stress and sorrow for this family as she curled right up next to my husband and stayed there with him most of the day. I remember being scared that night as I drove my daughter and some friends to a sleep over party from a movie. I can not imagine all my friends went through, and pray for them still daily. Their son has had a miraculous recovery, but still I'm sure has a long way to go, and has many obstacles ahead of him. It seems a second can change things so drastically.

Then this October another car accident came to my life through our school community. This one did not have any type of happy ending. A young second graders life was lost at the scene and then a few days later his mother passed away. Leaving the father. It was shocking to walk into school and to be told that a student had passed away. I couldn't quite picture who the student was, as I had only begun to see the students, as the library had just started having the classes come in and take out books. It was very hard to come to terms with this loss. Many things have been done in honor of this child this year. One that affected me was that his father donated books to the library that had been his. I was in charge of putting the books into the computer system and then deciding on a special way to denote that they were his books. It had to be something that we could let the kids know about but could not be to obvious to the average person(they didn't want lots of questions asked or have other children traumatized by it). I choose to put a purple smiley stickers on the spine of each book.

Months have gone by and children have stopped asking for his books, and yet each day I'm reminded of him as I put the books away. Each day all over the library I see these little purple smiley faces and I think of a little boy in Heaven, he is safe and happy and free of the cares of the world. Although I would not want to leave yet, I'm at peace that he is in a beautiful place. I sometimes feel as if he is smiling at me. I know that for the most part many people will forget about this. One reason I wanted to blog about it, as when I leave, I'm not sure how many other people will even remember what the purple smiley faces were for. In some ways as I look at my job lately I see all that I have helped to change. It will be left as I go forward to something new. Pieces of me will still be there even though I am gone. And a little boy although he is gone will always be remembered by me anytime I see a purple smiley. The Photo at the top is of one of the spine labels that I put the smiley faces on. There are quite a few children's books that deal with death and dying. I've actually read a few that were I thought good. One was even about a little boy who died in a car crash. I happened to find it, and we gave it to the counselor in case they wanted to use it to help the boys class mates deal with his loss. There are also some books on the loss of pets. I haven't seen any books and I'm going to do a search about people who have been in car crashes and suffered brain injury. Perhaps if there is not one, one should be made. It would be a good tool to help younger siblings or family members understand about this type of injury. As I would think that there may be quite a few people who suffer from this type of injury. I know we had a neighbor who suffered from it, and I remember a few customers at the bank I worked at. If there was a way to give knowledge and let these people gain compassion and acceptance it would be a wonderful thing. My mind is already spinning a tale.

I've got quite a few stories stuck in my head, so I'll have to either type them out soon, or get the pen to paper. I hope someday to just type some on my blog so others can give their opinion, perhaps it would get this reluctant writer out to try and publish something.

Animals on the Subway

I found a book in the library yesterday and had to read and write about it. It connects to "You've Got Mail" I love finding these connections. Have any of you watched a movie that you just totally connected with? Any way the book is called "SUBWAY SPARROW" It is written by Leyla Torres. It is a very beautifully illustrated story of a sparrow who gets on a subway train and the people who help to capture and release it safely outside.
After reading the story to your children you might talk about seeing animals in places where they don't belong. You might talk about what it would be like to ride on a Subway, what would the dangers be for the bird. I'll have to search and see if there are any other Subway animal books out there. You might even talk about favorite birds and have some bird coloring pages.
If you have gone to New York and ridden on the subway you might tell them about your memories. I remember that I couldn't get my pass card to scan, and thought everyone was going to leave me behind at the turn stiles. I'm just not a city girl.
In "You've Got Mail" Kathleen Kelley see's a butterfly on the Subway. Here is the quote:" Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one. It got on at 42nd, and off at 59th, where, I assume it was going to Bloomingdales to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake - as almost all hats are.”
Have you read any books lately that you could connect to your life or to a movie? I'm Reading Dewey the Library Cat. It's really very enjoyable to read. Of course it's about libraries and Cats my two favorite things.

AROUND THE WORLD WITH CINDERELLA

Here are some photo's of my last bulletin board. The theme was "AROUND THE WORLD WITH CINDERELLA" I never knew that there were so many different versions of the Cinderella story. I have to say I've had a great time taking the books home and reading them. Some of them keep to the theme of slippers and magic, and others have the evil sisters or stepmothers but no real magical help. I really liked the Native American stories. I hope to do a little review of each of the books in the future. Learning the different Cinderella's has sent me on a journey of rereading fairy tales. One other thing I learned is that many authors change fairy tales these are called "fractured fairy tales." I have been enjoying reading these and the originals. I guess all this working in a children's library has awakened my inner child. I hope some day to write my own children's story and have it published. I have two good ideas in my brain right now, just have to type them out.

On the work front it looks like the town is not going to take huge cuts to the school budget. It means some teachers will not lose their jobs. Hopefully they will have 5th grade band and orchestra, I would really love to have my daughter start playing the flute. My job is still gone, with no job to change to. There had been a hope for a secretary position but those also got cut. I guess if I want to be in a library atmosphere I will have to go in and volunteer next year. I'm slowly putting my resume together. I need to learn more about cover letters. I really hope to work at a book store. I just love reading.

What is your dream job?

Lets Go Home

One of my favorite children's authors is Cynthia Rylant. She has written many books that I have read to my children over the years. My daughter and I love the Mr. Putter and Tabby books. For anyone who loves dogs there are the Henry and Mudge books. She has lots of books on different subjects. The one I'd like to share with you today is the book "LET'S GO HOME The wonderful things about a house."

A quote from the beginning of the book: " There are many kinds of houses in the world, from little cottages to big mansions, from farmhouses to bungalows. But no matter the kind of house, it is the living inside that makes it wonderful, what happens in each room that makes it marvelous. It is what the house means to those who live there."

I understand this thought of the real identity of a house is what the people in it think about it, and how they decorate it and what type of spirit it brings to those who visit. The book continues to bring you through each room of a house and highlight why the rooms may be special. I think this would be a great book to read to your children and then ask them what makes your home special. What room is their favorite room and why. You could also talk to you children about how you could make your home more of a place of peace and a place where everyone in the family feels welcome and safe.

I found an adult book that goes along with the house is a place of refuge. The book is "SHELTER FOR THE SPIRIT How to Make Your Home A Haven In A Hectic World." By Victoria Moran. I've only been able to read a small amount of this book, but it has helped me to think of my home as a spiritual shelter. A place where you go to be regain your strength and find peace. The author talks of how so often we are running about, and look forward to going away on vacation, only to go away and feel that you want to go home. I know that feeling. When my children and I travel we at first are very excited to be away and yet by the middle of the week, we want to be home, in our own beds, with our routine back to normal.

Lately I've been feeling that perhaps my family might move, that maybe we are supposed to be going somewhere different. And I keep looking about our house thinking can that truly be? I love my house, I've made it just how I'd like it to be (although I'd like it to be cleaner more often). I love my gardens. I love sitting in my Papasan in the sun. I'm not sure that I'd be ready to move. Yet that feeling keeps coming to me. I'm hoping that it passes.

So what is your favorite part of your home? Mine is my living room. The Sun coming in the bay windows, sitting and reading in my Papasan chair. It is a nice place to sit, rest, and talk to my husband.

PINK SLIP

Last Friday I received my "PINK SLIP". Actually it was an envelope with a yellow dot on it and in the envelope was a white letter from the Superintendent telling me that due to the failing of the budget my job was not going to be continued next year. I'm glad that I knew about this in January. I've had time to let it sink in that my job is ending. Although I have to say that many days it still doesn't seem real. I feel I have been very good at going to work each day and serving at the same level before I knew my job was ending. What is hard for me is not knowing what my next job will be. Not knowing what type of job I can get that will fit around everyone's schedules. This job was perfect in that it fit around the kids schedule. I do have faith that I will find something and that it will be better for my family in some way.

I feel like Kathleen Kelly again from "You've got mail" She knows the end is coming, but doesn't quite know what direction she will go in.

I have quite a few things I like to do. I like to read, I like to learn about and work with animals, I like to write, I like to garden, I like to do crafts, and I like working on computers. I'm hoping that my future job will involve something that incorporates some of what I like to do. I could see myself working in a book store, or working somehow with animals. I'd love to write and have a children's book published. So we will see. What does the future hold? I wish I had an apple tree like the one in the book "Garden Spells" then I could eat an apple and know what was coming. I think one of my biggest weakness lately is patience. I just want to have answers and I'm not getting them. Patience, Patience I need more patience!.

Here I found the definition of patience perhaps I'm not doing so bad:
pa·tience 
–noun
1.
the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
2.
an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.
3.
quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.

Feeling Hot!

The weather here has been hot and humid. A few weeks ago we had this same type of weather and I found a great children's story that went right with the weather. The title is "HOTTER THAN A HOT DOG."

Here is a picture of the book. Kipper my build a bear dog is holding it in my papasan.

The book is about a young girl and her grandmother. They are sitting on the steps outside their apartment talking about how hot they are. One says they are hotter than a hot dog cooking over a campfire, the other says they are hotter than a turkey roasting in the oven. The book takes them on a journey to the beach and then back home cool and refreshed. This is a great book to take out when you are at home on a hot day with your kids. You could sit and talk about how hot you feel, and then think of different ways you could cool off. You might ask your children what their favorite way to cool off is. We have quite a few, we like to go to the beach, Play in the sprinkler, or visit the local kiddie pool.

What is your favorite way to cool off? Mine is definitely going to the beach!