Four Favorite Things I Love Right Now! Part 22

Yes, it's that time again -- a Four Faves Post!  I've been writing these posts for a long time now, but damn if there isn't always something wonderful to pass along to you guys.  If you're new to my blog, be sure to check out the previous faves by clicking here:

http://blog.paigemcdaniel.org/2015/04/four-favorite-things-i-love-right-now.html 

It is helpful if you live in the Dallas area for some of my favorites.  It is not so helpful if you live in the Dallas area today, as it is going to be a sunny 104 degrees in Big D.  I know people from other parts of the USA and the world don't understand why we live here with this heat.

One answer.  It's the best.  And we have air conditioning everywhere.

Alright, now on to the Four Favorites!

1. This will be shocking to some of you, but I actually do my own fingernails.  I do get a monthly pedicure and love it -- shout out to the gals at the Lovers Lane Barber Shop -- but my fingernails just need more attention and I can't spend the time once a week letting someone else do them.  Plus, I get really mad when they chip, so I'd rather get mad at myself.  Anyway, the best thing I've ever found to keep the polish on is this Nailtiques Nail Protein polish.  I use it as a base coat and a top coat.  Also, another tip -- buy the little small bottle if you can.  It gets old and the little bottles get used up more quickly.
   
2. I haven't even finished this book, but it is a must-read if you like a really good fast-moving story and characters.  It's been all I can do to come to work this week, as I just want to stay home and finish Station Eleven, but I love it so much I'm spacing it out to extend the enjoyment! It was recommended by my friend Jenny, who is my go-to person for book recs.  Here's what smile.amazon.com says:  A flight from Russia lands in middle America, its passengers carrying a virus that explodes “like a neutron bomb over the surface of the earth.” In a blink, the world as we know it collapses. “No more ballgames played under floodlights,” Emily St. John Mandel writes in this smart and sober homage to life’s smaller pleasures, brutally erased by an apocalypse. “No more trains running under the surface of cities ... No more cities ... No more Internet ... No more avatars.” Survivors become scavengers, roaming the ravaged landscape or clustering in pocket settlements, some of them welcoming, some dangerous. What’s touching about the world of Station Eleven is its ode to what survived, in particular the music and plays performed for wasteland communities by a roving Shakespeare troupe, the Traveling Symphony, whose members form a wounded family of sorts. The story shifts deftly between the fraught post-apocalyptic world and, twenty years earlier, just before the apocalypse, the death of a famous actor, which has a rippling effect across the decades. It’s heartbreaking to watch the troupe strive for more than mere survival. At once terrible and tender, dark and hopeful, Station Eleven is a tragically beautiful novel that both mourns and mocks the things we cherish. –Neal Thompson
   
3. What else can I say about this one?  The dinner (in this case it was the small dinner) at Joe T. Garcia's in Ft. Worth is by far my favorite Mexican food in the world.  It will definitely be my last meal, but I just can't decide what part of that meal will be my last bite.  Looks like a bunch more decision making field work in my future...
   
4. My mom bought me this stuff and it has saved my feet on so many occasions that I carry it with me in my purse at all times.  Before you even think you might get a blister, rub this stuff on your feet, toes, wherever you need it and it really helps.  There are lots of brands, but I prefer this Band-Aid Friction Block Stick the most.
   

What are your four faves?

P.S.  No Hodgepodge this week, as its creator is otherwise occupied.  Hope the move is going well, Joyce!

My Favorite Reads of 2014

My friend Jill just sent me a link to a book list from The Aspen Institute blog that listed their fav reads of 2014 and since I'm always up for borrowing a good idea, here are mine:

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd -- this book had me riveted from page one.  I'm leading the discussion for the book club later this year and cannot wait to see what the rest of the Jld Sustainers thought about it!

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer -- traces the history and coming of age of six friends who meet at camp in the seventies. Just my kind of book -- and since it was a gift from my best friend Cathy, I loved it even more.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt -- finger lickin' good.  Pulitzer winner.

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole -- if you've never read this one, do it in 2015. Joe gave it to me in high school and I've read it many times since. We all have a bit of Ignatius in us -- some more than others, of course. 

Queen of the Turtle Derby by Julia Reed -- I love everything of Julia's and read this when it came out in the 2000's and again last year since Julia was the speaker for Community Partners of Dallas' Chick Lit Luncheon in 2014.  Hilarious.  Hilarious.  Hilarious. 

Room by Emma Donoghue -- #CannotPutDownFiction -- this book is on my fav book list forever.  Creepy stuff.

One More Thing by B.J. Novak -- B.J. was a writer and actor on The Office and he is laugh out loud funny.  The new David Sedaris -- and I LOVE David Sedaris. 

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz -- advice for living a successful life.  I read this when it came out years and years ago and even kept copies of it to give to anyone who asked.  Not sure why I let the practice go, but I resolve to reread it annually. 

What are yours?

Happy new year, dear friends! <This is a borrowed greeting from one of my fav bloggers -- Katie at Preppy Empty Nester!  Giving the girl credit...

I'm having fun tonight!

I don't have a plan of what to write about today for the blog.

I've had a busy day. 

• The trainer came this morning, so I've worked out.
• Came to CPD and prepared for a board meeting at lunch.
• Met with Joanna about North Texas Giving Day since she went to a meeting about it this morning.
• Worked with Martha on billing for a reimbursement grant.

But for the past 30 minutes or so, I've just been sitting here trying to think of something to write about.  I think part of the reason is that yesterday and today, I've spent a lot of time brainstorming about a closing event for the Community Partners of Dallas 25th anniversary year.  Luckily, I've had board members and staff members to do it with me, so it's been fun, but I think it's taken a toll on me.

Luckily, tonight I am doing something super-fun...

The wonderful, beautiful, best selling author, and friend to CPD Emily Giffin is having a signing of her new book to benefit our Back-to-School Drive.  The One & Only is her latest offering and it is my favorite of all of her books.  It takes place in Dallas and the fictional town of Walker, Texas, and is full of romance, football, and fun -- and what is more Texas than that?

 

Emily is the best and we are so blessed to have her good friend (and mine) Sandy hosting the event for us at her home.

Buy The One & Only and be sure that you note the charity she mentions by name in the book...

I bet you already know which one it is.

4 Favorite Things I Love Right Now! Part 8

Seems like I haven't written about my 4 favs for some time now (visit the past 4 Favs here http://blog.paigemcdaniel.org/2013/01/4-favorite-things-i-love-right-now-part.html), but of course it is not because I don't have any favs -- quite the contrary.

Anyway, let's get right to the good stuff...

1. My Trainer, Carrie Holland -- Thanks to my friend Joanna Clarke, I realized many years ago that I would not make myself work out unless I paid someone to come over to my house and make me "just do it".  Carrie is the best.  She arrives bright and early twice a week and puts me through my paces.  We started back up around Christmas after a long hiatus (due to my self-imposed frugality) and I can already tell the difference in my clothing -- I didn't have to release the waistband of that pair of too-tight pants until 4 pm the other day!  Carrie is beautiful, smart and a great therapist too -- I love and appreciate her so much.
2. Rubber Band Bracelets -- These made the list because Carrie said they are the hit with the elementary crowd.  I bought them from some cute girls who had a lemonade stand over the weekend (my mom and I always stop and buy from every kid we see), but since I already had a City Cafe Teamonade Shlushie, I bought $4 worth of bracelets.  I'm giving them out for the Easter season, so stop by while they last and one can be yours.  Carrie told me you can buy a kit to make them at Learning Express if you want to set up a stand this week.  Let me know where you set up, I'll come by...
3. Chimes Original Ginger Chews -- these were introduced to me by my friend Jill Bee.  Have you ever been in a meeting and started to nod off?  These chews are the antidote.  First, they are kinda hard to remove from their wrapper, so that wakes you up.  They are super chewy, so that wakes you up.  They are super spicy, so that wakes you up.  Sad to say, but I need them a lot, since I am about to fall asleep even as I write.  They are also good for indigestion.  Here's the link:  http://www.amazon.com/Chimes-Original-Ginger-Chews-1-pound/dp/B005ISUOEQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1362577246&sr=1-2&keywords=chimes+ginger+chews
4. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand -- I read this book for our JLD Sustainer Book Club (Between the Covers) that meets next week and it is hard to put down.  Hillenbrand wrote Seabiscuit and she uses the "same rich and vivid narrative voice" here to tell the true story of Louis Zamperini, a young lieutenant during WWII who became a POW of the Japanese.  Gripping.

What are your 4 favs?

P.S.  The bracelets and Chimes are shown above.  When are you coming over?

Four Favorite Things I Love Right Now! Part 4

Time for another list of my 4 Favs -- there are so many that it is actually hard to decide...  What a wonderful world we live in! 

If you missed any of the past Four Favorite posts, click here for the most recent:  http://blog.paigemcdaniel.org/2012/08/four-favorite-things-i-love-right-now.html?spref=fb

OK, let's get down to business:

1. Caller ID -- I know that so many of my young friends (See last week's post -- I have lots of them!) only use their cell phones and of course they already have Caller ID, but I am talking about the Caller ID on my home land line.  I can't tell you how much I enjoy not answering sales calls -- I really do relish in it.  If you ever drive by my house and see me doing a happy dance, I probably just ignored another call.  And why are you driving by my house without stopping to say hi?  Come on in!
2. Holy Ravioli -- I had heard about this fabulous place for many years from my friend Sally, but I just wasn't that interested.  Let me tell you now, if you haven't tried it, run!  Every different ravioli I've tried is the bomb and their sauces are delish.  It is great to take to a friend who needs a meal.  Just stop by Tom Thumb and buy the Caesar salad kit, a dessert, and a bottle of wine and you are done.  Plus the best thing about it for me is that I can keep the raviolis in my freezer and just cook as many as I need -- it only takes 5 minutes.  Love it!  Their website is www.HolyRavioli.com
3. A Confederacy of Dunces -- this novel by John Kennedy Toole is the best laugh-out-loud book ever.  We are reading it for book club later this year and I am leading the discussion.  I can't wait to read it again -- for the umpteenth time.  MUST READ!
4. Estee Lauder Pure Color Nail Polish -- I just tried this for the first time last week and it really has staying power.  Right now I am wearing "Blue Blood" on my fingernails and it is super dark (very Morticia Adams, but still fun) and I have not had to touch it up yet.  Amazing!  Call Sherri at the downtown Neiman Marcus at 214-741-6911.  Tell her I told you to call.  Sherri will even walk it out to your car -- drive through service!

What are your favs?

P.S.  Sending my #FundraisingFriday gift to the Girl Scouts this week.  Being prepared has always helped me to get ahead!

Defying Gravity

Vanessa Soper, the Director of Volunteer Services at Community Partners of Dallas, gave me a book to read during my recovery last month. 

I almost never read anything other than fiction (don’t get me started on Cleopatra – ugh), unless it is work related, so when Vanessa handed the book to me, I wasn’t exactly thrilled.  A non-fiction book about a football player is just not my kind of stuff. 

Well, thank God for Vanessa, because I read it over the last couple of days and I want to recommend it to you.

The book is by Michael Oher with Don Yaeger.  Michael is an offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens and is also the young man depicted in the movie, The Blind Side.  The book is called I Beat the Odds.  It is the story of Michael’s life and it is truly inspirational.  His journey through childhood with a mother on drugs, his firsthand account of the CPS system, and his ultimate triumph of living his dream of being a professional football player, makes for a great read.  Here is just one tidbit from the book:

Martin Luther King, Jr., had a dream, and so does every kid in foster care.  Our dreams might not be as big as his were, but they are just as important.  Having some kind of goal is absolutely essential for kids trapped in poverty and bad family situations, because if we can’t hope that things might be better someday, then we basically lose a reason to live.  It’s a lot easier to fall down, or stay where you are, than it is to fight gravity by trying to pull yourself up. 

Having a dream can be the first and most important step in making it out of the system.

Isn’t that great?  I want to thank our donors and volunteers for helping CPD to inspire dreams – and for helping kids to defy gravity.

P.S.  Note the little Broadway reference.  I've gotta be me.  Oops, another one.  I gotta quit.