Life in Denim and Flip Flops

This has been a long month. I managed to post something each and every day, but for some reason this month it seemed more like a chore. The first 2 weeks seemed to fly by, but by week 3 I'd really lost steam. And I sort of feel like I phoned in week 4. I didn't realize quite how crazy busy I was going to be this month. Being without internet for a weekend, pulling extra evening reference shifts, and not sleeping well most of the month (no idea why) did not lend itself to witty, well-thought out blog posts. I'm really glad I did it again this year, if only to push myself to write more frequently. I think I'll go back and do some of the prompts that I missed. The writing was tougher than it was last year, but I really loved reading everyone's posts this time around. I'm rather behind on some of them. There are simply too many blogs to read everyday! A great problem to have. I hope some of you continue to flex your blogging fingers with me for the rest of the yea...

Today's Follow Friday is supposed to be a website we follow. I feel like I've probably talked about this website on here before, but I really love the website mental_floss . It's smart and funny. Enough so that I bought a subscription to their print magazine. They do quirky quizzes and off-the-wall articles. I don't know how many times I end up on their site for hours just reading the articles wondering how I managed not to have learned this knowledge elsewhere. I was a bit of a trivia and random fact junkie growing up (she says as if this is no longer true). This feeds that hunger again and more.

the library staff--Today our director gave the "Last Lecture" today. Based on Randy Pausch's book, the student government started a lecture series 3 years ago. This year Mary Anne gave the speech. It was as fabulous as I imagined. One of my coworkers thought it would be fun (and loosen her up a little) if we made signs to hold up. Mine said 'Just Perfect.' cream puffs--There were cream puffs at said speech's reception. They were delish. running around after my cousin's kids--Easter weekend was nice. I got to see my little cousins. (Technically my cousin's kids but you get the picture.) The boys had fun playing catch with me, reading me a book, and checking to make sure they weren't taller than me. (They're not....yet.) buying movies with Gretchen--Shopping with Gretchen is always fun, but movie shopping particularly so. Why don't you live closer Gretchen? 3 hours is too far to drive for shopping trips. Kindles--We just started lending K...

It's like Question Tuesdays on Friday. (Vlogbrothers reference for all of you who have no idea what I'm talking about). I've missed all 3 Follow Fridays so far, so here are my suggestion for YouTube channel: WheezyWaiter --He has clones, a whale tank in his apartment, loves coffee (and when it's done) and is thinking about making Explosion Wednesday a thing. Basically a funny frequently updated channel with some stupid humor, some intelligent humor, and did I mention clones?? Here's a good intro to the channel and one of my recent fave videos and another . So many fun inside jokes, but funny enough to watch until you understand them :)

The Godfather Casablanca It's a Wonderful Life Schindler's List Psycho Silence of the Lambs Taxi Driver Saving Private Ryan Clockwork Orange 2001: A Space Odyssey Trainspotting Life of Brian Stand by Me Goonies Rocky  I feel like this might be a good list to work from this summer. What should I start with?

Today's post is going to be short. The inspiration is just not there today. Tonight we're getting rain. I like listening to the sound of rain. I'm not so much a fan of thunderstorms. Ones that are far off I'm not so worried about, but we've had some ugly thunderstorms in Dubuque since I've lived here, and being in a second floor apartment with a large front window (and old rattling windows elsewhere) does not help that. But I do like when it just rains. I can hear it on the roof of the porch, the windows, the air conditioner. I also really like the sound of cars rushing by on the wet pavement. I'm not entirely sure what about that noise I like, but I do. I can't wait til it's warm enough to listen to it rain with the window open while I sleep. Is summer here yet??

My family is big on holiday traditions. We always have been. I feel like I've blogged about a bunch of our family traditions before. Thanksgiving especially. (I did a week long look at it in 2009, here's the first post . You can follow the rest of the week.) I thought I had blogged about my May Day and July 4th traditions but apparently not. Or I can't find them easily on my blog. (Went back and looked and found this little preview here.) I'll save May Day for the actual holiday, but I thought I'd let you in on our Fourth of July traditions. Actually a few of you have been witness to or played a part in this story. Ever since my sister and I were pretty little, we've been fans of the fireworks. As a family we'd tromp down near the river (usually to the parking lot at my dad's work) and watch the fireworks. As we got a bit older, Mom and Dad would let us venture off on our own with our picnic blanket and goodies as long as we got back to the car in ti...