Book #7 -- Queste

This is book 5 on my quest to finish the series.  I like the adventure in this book, and was reminded about how different the magic is in this series compared to the Harry Potter series.

Book #6 -- Focus by Daniel Goleman

Ironically, I found this book unfocused.  Started out well, but ended up really preachy about world issues.  Not that I disagreed with him, but I found it strange at the end of the book.  That said, there were a lot of tidbits sprinkled in the book that would be useful for educators and business folks.  I like the piece about Mindfulness . . . felt that it could be useful in a classroom full of students at-risk.

March 10

Just one more day before Derek is a half century.  Wow.  

Lots happening, with little motivation to blog.  Here are some snippets over the past few weeks.

1. The thaw has really taken its toll on the quinzee.  There was a new 'window' that appeared a couple of days ago (see above), and now the whole wall is pretty much gone.  Surprisingly, the roof is still sound.  The girls told me that they could stand on the quinzee when it was first built.  I guess this structure is safer than at first glance.  Too bad the girls never got the opportunity to sleep in it (our sleeping bags aren't rated for the really cold nights we've had here).
2. I have finished all of the volunteer points required for both the swim team and gymnastics club.  I thought I would be elated, but I'm actually quite sad. Kaitlyn is off to university next year, and although she is planning on swimming at university, I'll be too far away to take part.  Sarah has retired from gymnastics, and will not be competing again.  The parents on both clubs (and there are some, like us, who have kids on both teams) are absolutely fabulous, and I've enjoyed getting to know them.  I don't know what I will do with all my free time next year.
3. Speaking of those friends, I went to a birthday party for two of the swim friends, and broke my toe.  Not really sure how I did it, but it is now a nasty shade of purple.  My toe doesn't like shoes right now.  Hopefully it will be better soon because . . . .
4. The cruise is booked.  I'll be travelling with mom and 4 of her condo friends to Mexico, Honduras and Belize.  Can't wait!  I have never been to these countries and I have never been on a cruise.  Hope to climb a Mayan ruin on an excursion and lie on a beach for a couple of hours.  Ladies only, so Derek and the girls are staying at home.  I will be the youngest of the group by about 18 years, but one of the ladies (who is older than mom) is planning on spending much of our 'at sea' days in the pool and sipping wine.  I guess I just found my kindred spirit.
5. Kaitlyn is finally working on her NLS.  She has wanted to take her lifeguard course for a long time, but never got around to it due to swimming, coaching and working (ironically, as a swim instructor).  Kaitlyn will have a ton of first aid training as a result, and Sarah has her Wilderness First Aid, thanks to Bronte Creek Project in first semester.  Reassuring to know that they know what to do in case of an emergency.
6. All three girls have to work on Derek's birthday.  It will be up to me to entertain him. Do I have to stick with the Mountsberg tradition, or can we go to a grown-up place instead?
7. The paperwork is building up . . . time to start the taxes, file for medical/dental benefits, etc.  Sigh.

Book #5 -- Physik by Angie Sage

This book is number 3 of the 7-book Septimaus Heap series that started with Magyk.  I've read most of them before, but the last book has just been purchased by one the of the girls and I wanted to remind myself of the key characters and plots before reading the last book.  The series is another wizard, who at age 11, and without any real family, is needed to save the world from evil threats.  (Like Harry Potter and Bartimaeus series, but the similarity ends there).  Written for youth, but enjoyed by adults.

Book #4 -- Decisive by Chip and Dan Heath

Highly recommended for anyone who ever has or ever will make a decision.  The book helps to find blind spots in one's perspective, as well as looking forward to the effects of the decision when made.  I've already used it twice in my personal and professional life.  The book is extremely easy to read . . . it intersperses the psychology and economy theory with personal, business and education anecdotes.

March 3

Part of the reason for the leave was to be able to complete all of the volunteer hours (volun-told hours) required as a parent of a competitive athlete.  That's done now.  Whatever am I going to do with my spare time?

Made a Harry Potter dinner for tonight. . . . 

Mrs. Weasley's Meat Pie

Kreacher's French Onion Soup

Treacle Tart with Florean Fortescu's ice cream 

Book #3 -- 419

If you insist on a linear plot, this is not the book for you.  It bounces back and forth from past to present, and follows three distinct characters who meet in the end of the book.

If you can handle the bouncing around, it is a great book.  However, the book left way too many unanswered questions for me.  I like a book to wrap things up in the end.