Diagnosis: Monomania Lectitoare Infatuation

Monomania: (1) a mental illness especially when limited in one expression to one idea or area of thought, (2) excessive concentration on a single object or idea

Lectitoare: Latin meaning to read often or eagerly

Infatuation: (1) to be foolish, an act or emotion deprived of sound judgement (2) inspiration with a foolish or extravagant love or admiration

I currently own over 130 novels.  Except for the 5 or so books I already owned, I really started my collection seriously 3 years ago. I am averaging 43 books a year.  Last year I started to use the library as a resource because books are just so stinking expensive, but I would inevitably fall off the book wagon and purchase anyway.  Recently I went on a binge buying spree.  This is that story:

In November I ordered 14 books from my new favorite online used book store Thriftbooks.com.  Thanks to Netflix, and with absolutely no fault of my own, I had become somewhat addicted to the Roswell television series that aired in 1999 on the WB.

 After loosing about 2 weeks to the sofa and Wii remote, drooling over Max's awesome abs & desperately awaiting a passionate high school kiss between an alien and brainiac & pitching a fit over Isabell's snobby attitude & silently shedding tears over a dance with a time-travelling husband that will never be... *sigh*    So, anyways, as I was saying - After loosing about 2 weeks to the sofa and Wii remote I thought, "wouldn't it be great to buy the book series and lose possibly a whole month!"

I began my search and found the first 10 books for a whopping $3.95 each and some I got as low at $3.45 if they shipped bundled from the same location.  I also found the "Second Season" books, there were 3 of those, and I got the first book of the "Third Season".  I should have known those last 4 were going to disappoint.  The first 10 were original and the TV series shook it up like they wanted for their purposes.

The other books were written as tv tie ins! I won't go into how massively upset I was but I haven't read 11-14 completely through yet.  Summing this up, there are 7 more books in this series that I have not purchased and may not ever.  The last book's USED price is roughly $176.00!  These are paper backs people!  PAPERBACKS!

Then I got this book, Mouch and Company: The Dream Psychic by Bob Dixon, for free.

You can go to Goodreads.com and sign up for give-aways.

Then I bought Wither by Lauren DeStefano and The Fallen: End of Days: Book 3 by Thomas E Sniegoski.

Neither one of these are super great reads.

November:
Total- 17

December, a time of gift giving and gracious thoughts.  So I graciously thought to gift myself:

The Maze Runner by James Dashner


Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie by Holly Black


Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl


Black by Ted Dekker


Chosen by Ted Dekker


The Clearing by Heather Davis


Tithe: A Modern Tale of Faerie by Holly Black


The Line by Teri Hall


December:
Total - 8

January
11/22/63 by Stephen King


In exactly 2 months I have acquired 26 books.

I still have 111 books listed on my Amazon wishlist.

My name is Lauren and I am a Bookaholic.

Creation Creation Creation... well, really only Creation Creation

Don't you just love creation?  Boy, do I!  We have had two big 'uns in our house in the last 18 hrs!

Last night Josiah had his first piece of Kindergarten homework to complete.  He had the assignment for 4-5 days but just couldn't decide what he was going to do.  He is studying nursery rhymes in school and this week is the gingerbread man who is chased by the wolf and has to disguise himself to keep from being eaten.  Josiah was sent home a card stock gingerbread man and was told to give him a disguise using household objects.  All weekend he thought about what his disguise would be and yesterday his idea came.  He made his gingerbread into the Thing from Fantastic 4!  Oh how clever!!!

I broke up some Cheeze-it crackers and cut him some shorts from left over denim.  Some more found black fabric made a belt and Josiah cut out the Fantastic 4 circle emblem from one of his coloring books and glued it on as the belt.

Spending time with Si while glued all the 'rocks' on to make Thing's hard skin was so much fun!  This THING rocks!  heehee  Unfortunately in the hustle and bustle I did not get a picture of it before it went to school with Si so I will get one when it comes home!



This morning I came up with the most super-wonder-licous recipe EVER!  Here it goes:

2 Kiwi

2 Gala Apples

1 Cucumber

1 cup Kale

1 cup Leaf Lettuce





Oh My Goodness this is wonderful!  So crisp and yummy!  This would be a great start to green smoothies and I actually went and got the nutritional facts together for you to see how good this is for your body.

Total Fat: 0gr
Total Calories: 302
Total Carbs: 80gr
Total Vitamin A: 222%
Total Vitamin C: 456%
Total Calcium: 16%
Total Iron: 11%
Total Protein: 4%

These percentages are done by what the government tells you you should consume.  blah blah blah

Here is what you get out of eating a Sausage Egg McMuffin from McDonalds.  You can probably substitute this for most breakfast sandwiches of the same caliber.
Total Fat: 27gr

Total Calories: 450
Total Carbs: 30gr
Total Vitamin A: 10%
Total Vitamin C: 2%
Total Calcium: 30%
Total Iron: 20%
Total Protein: 21g


This is for Sonic's Breakfast Sausage Egg & Cheese Burrito
Total Fat: 31gr

Total Calories: 500
Total Carbs: 37gr
Total Vitamin A: 15%
Total Vitamin C: 0%
Total Calcium: 35%
Total Iron: 25%
Total Protein: 18g

So there you go!  Enjoy the knowledge I kicked to you this A.M. and try this green smoothie recipes as an introduction to something Super-Wonder-Licous!

Green Days Ahead: Smiles, Laughter, and Slimmer Thighs!

I am putting our family, and more importantly - my big rear end, back on our raw food lifestyle that we got off of a year ago.  I successfully gained 25 lbs last year thanks to a full diet of half-price Sonic Burgers every Tuesday, pizza at least once a week, chili dogs, corn dogs, sandwiches, chicken strips, Sunday buffetts, greasy Mexican food...  WOW!  That all sounds so gross when you write it out like that!  So I have thrown out the take out menus and we are back on track to a healthy 2012.  If the world comes crashing to an end December 21st, I'm gonna look and feel great when it happens!

I have decided to really throw myself into my raw lifestyle and began making green smoothies for myself starting THURSDAY, January 5th.  *Date is important*  I have spent a little time on the treadmill since the first, clocking in a whopping - drum roll please...  4.55 miles.  That's pretty sad huh?  So here's the happy ending to drinking blendies twice a day and doing very little exercise:  I LOST 5 POUNDS!

Here are my smoothie recipes for the last few days:


Breakfast - Day One
3 Kale Leaves, about 1.25 cups
1/8 cup Walnuts
1 Banana
3/4 cup frozen Blueberries
1/2 Tbsp of Flax Seed
1/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
Ice

Lunch - Day One *I do NOT recommend the recipe*
3 Kale Leaves
1 small bunch of Spinach
10 sprigs Parsley
8 slices frozen Peaches
less than 1/8 cup of Sliced Almonds
1 small Gala Apple
1/4 red Bell Pepper
1 stalk of Celery
1/8 cup Orange Juice
ice

I used my food processor with the parsley, pepper, and celery.  There was just too much in this and not one flavor peaked out above the others.  I drank it because it wasn't wholly disgusting, just not the right flavor combination.  Less variety in larger portions is much better.

Breakfast - Day Two
2 Kale leaves
1 small bunch of Spinach
10 Sprigs of Parsley
3/4 cups of frozen Blueberries
6 whole frozen Strawberries
1 small handful of Walnuts
1/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
Ice

This as very good.  Needed something a little sweeter about it.  Honey or agave nectar would of worked well. Truvia may be a new staple in my cochina!

Breakfast - Day Three
3/4 cup Spinach
3/4 cup Kale
1/4 cup Parsley
less than 1/2 cup of Unsweetened Almond Milk
3 Tbsp of Flax Seed
1/2 cup of frozen Blueberries
10 whole frozen Strawberries
ice
splash of water

This was a HIT!

Lunch - Day Three *This is a ZINGER!*
1/2 cup Kale
1/2 cup Cilantro
2 small Gala Apples
2 small Kiwi
1/2 Tbsp ground ginger
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 stalk Celery

This is not for the faint at heart!  Lots of flavor.  Burns the sides of the tongue a little, but quite edible and fun.


Breakfast - Day Four
1 large Orange, peeled and seed removed, but lots of fibrous parts in-tacked!
12 large frozen Strawberries
1 cup Kale
1 cup Spinach
1/4 cup Parsley
2 splashes of Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 small handful of Walnuts
2 Tbsp of Flax Seed

Really quite good.  My orange was a little bland, but the smell was there and when I was finished eating the smoothie I was very sad it was gone.

So on day 3, the scales said I lost 3 lbs and this morning I had lost another 2!  The great thing about this lifestyle is it's good for your body and your mind.  You cut out all preservatives, all chemicals, lots of bad fats and empty carbs!  Each shake has like 400-450 calories in it and like 35-45gr of carbs and I still lose weight!  I have tons of energy, I feel awesome and I am starting to look awesome too!  If you have any questions about going green on the inside, let me know and I will kick you the small amount of knowledge I have learned so far!

New Windows

It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. If that is the case then, because I am a corrective lens wearer, mine would be double paned. Yesterday I had my every-three-to-four-year regular eye appointment, and even with the methodical "place your chine here" machines and repetitive alphabet recitation, the exam portion of my visit was three times shorter than the time it took for me to choose two pair for $89.95.  I tried on every pair of eyewear available, including the bargin bin $9.95 throw back to Estelle Getty on The Golden girls, kid's frames, and even some men's frames.

I've worn the same color and shape glasses for the last decade so with the Buy 2 option, I decided I wanted something a little more contemporary, a little more colorful, a little more me.  2 hours later I had a black pair that looked practically like my old pair, and a brown pair that looked a lot like the black one.  "Honestly?!" I thought to myself in my best condescending Brittish accent, "After two hours you came up with boring and neutral?"  It's not like there weren't options.  I tried on purple, red, pink, green, blue, silver, brown, tan, grey, yellow, copper... round, square, cat's eye, octagon, angled up, angled down, small, medium, big, and bigger.  Nothing had the sense of flare I was looking for.  So neutral and boring it was, and I was gonna get the heck out of there ASAP.

I paid for my mediocrity and while waiting for my receipt I stumbled on to my bit of quirky.  Thankfully I was able to switch average for fun before the lens had been cut, paid my extra $20 (because nothing is actually two for $89.95), and smiled all the way to the car in complete joy and anticipation!

After all that trying on, I decided it would be neat to have a little run down of popular eye wear fashions over the years.  Enjoy!  There's a surprise at the end!

1950s





1960s





1970s





1980s





1990s





2000s



MINE!!!!!





And me!

Put A Bird on It

I really love my new blog and the pre-created yet so in-tuned to my individuality template I chose for it's background.  There are birds on it.  Up there just in the top right hand corner if you hadn't noticed before.  Just now I was suddenly reminded of a snippet of a Portlandia episode from IFC.  I will include the youtube link for your enjoyment.



But this tornado of avian observation caused me to pose the question, "What is up with the birds?"  Like depicted in the Portlandia episode, this finch/"non-gender" specific bird is quite popular as is currently the owl and the peacock.  However, I can't help but send my heart out to those lesser birds who have been overlooked. So I have included a small homage to those fowl who have been sorely overlooked, forced to sit away from the more popular fowl in the cafeteria of house decor.

Steampunk Emu



If you were into the idea of power animals, then the emu to you would represent spiritual acheivement and in some places... male sacrafice.  I would place this artsy masterpeice in the foyer on the wall directly facing my front door.  First impressions are so very important.

The Jack of All, Master of None... Dodo Bird

(Completely plagiarized from Wikki.  Wait, is that even possible?)

The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) was a flightless bird endemic to the Indian Ocean island ofMauritius. Related to pigeons and doves, it stood about 3.3 feet tall, weighing about 44 lb.  By 1681, all dodos had been killed by settlers or their domesticated animals. The extinction of the bird, within 80 years of its discovery, made people realise for the first time that humans could induce the extinction of plants and animals.  Mystery remains over its exact appearance. The same is true of its behavior.

So in reverence to this poor bird's possible complete misinterpretation, I say cheers to you Dodo.  Being mistaken for stupid and worthless for centuries will surely have an impact on one's self esteem.  This lovely piece of art may serve well as a reminder of that certain past romance. One where he/she was just a tad awkward, not very practical, was easily eradicated by house pets or just misunderstood.  Here's to you, ___________.  

Aggressively bottom heavy ( I relate) to proportion the weight of their bill, this silhouette is of a Kiwi Bird - the national bird of New Zealand..  The silhouette has gained popularity as an artistic application because it requires very little skill other than to keep within the lines while coloring.  I much prefer this second piece, myself.

This piece defines a trifecta for me: It slightly disturbing, slightly witty, and slightly educational.  I slightly love it.  This piece would work well in the guest bathroom, close enough to the toilet so patrons may give it the proper attention and time.

I hope you all enjoyed this!  Have great evening!

Plans for my last year on earth...

According to our lovely Mayan friends, 2012 will be our last year to enjoy the earth as we know it.  Whether the world ends or just resets, whether you believe in it or not, I have decided to embrace what I think will be a year of great creativity.  A time I shall deem the "Bucket List" year.  You will either live to see it, live through it, or not...  that's actually quite profound, but because of this looming possibility of universal Armegedon, people will be more inspired to dream, create, execute, and experience.  And I fully intend on seizing this opportunity to succeed.

They, being the ominous nameless powers-that-be whom have been referred to for centuries, say you should write down your goals in effort to make them more concrete and attainable.  So, in accordance, I shall list my goals and hope and pray that as they become heavy with reality, they don't morph into an anchor that drowns me in the end.  But, hey... The Mayans say I have 360 to sink or swim.  

2012 Goals:

1.  See the City of Seymour's website finished, complete with proper marketable youtube videos and local business commercials.

2.  Gain City Council's approval for a skate park located South of the Portwood Pavillion.  

3.  Expand Chica Luna Designs accessory line to include hats, infinity and tarn scarfs, and a new jewelry line that markets Baylor county.

4.  Work on my graffiti skills, or lack there of.

5.  Inspire others!

In hopes of completing a portion of this list, I kept it pretty small.  I still have four days to scratch a few off in case it becomes too burdensome.  May all of you who read this enjoy what's left of your 2011...  and be prepared for the possibilities that lay ahead in your 2012!

Good Night!