Who needs air conditioning?

This past Saturday, I was at Kohl's on the west side of Lansing, when I went back to my car and tried to move it. What made this difficult was the fact that I couldn't turn the wheel...no power steering!!! Well, that and the fact that I'm a weakling, but that's neither here nor there.

So, luckily, my friend Mike was around, and he's good with cars. We learned that the serpentine belt broke (boo), and that was a problem. So, trying to figure out what to do, we ended up deciding to take the car to Sears to get it replaced. After attempting to drive it there, and it overheating, we decided to use AAA to get it towed. After finally getting it to Sears, they replaced the belt, told me my AC compressor was bad, and sent me on my merry way.

Since then, I've driven back and forth to Muskegon, and back and forth to work. As I turned on my car last night to go to dinner, it started smoking and the power steering went out again. Sigh. Really? How did this happen, you say?

After getting it towed to the auto repair shop (yup, forget Sears), and then getting dropped off at work, I have learned that the AC compressor is the reason the belt keeps breaking. Somehow, I wish the guy at Sears would have mentioned that part. I feel as though it was a vital piece of information he failed to tell me. So, my poor Ford Taurus will be going without air conditioning the rest of the summer, but that's ok, because it costs way too much to get the AC fixed.

All shall be well tomorrow morning, when I'm scheduled to get my car back. Well, almost all will be well, except my bank account...

Yoga, anyone?

Most everyone that knows me probably knows that I've been on a yoga kick lately. I started a class at work in April of this year, and pretty much got hooked. Since then, I've started trying to learn what I can about it - history, practice, etc.

Wendy Kopitsch is my instructor, and she has a great workplace program. She also teaches at the Center for Yoga in East Lanisng. There are also many types of classes you can take there.

I am actually looking forward to a class I've decided to take this fall, Yoga and Depression: Mind-Body Connection. I'm hoping to learn some ways to cope with the everyday stresses and not so everyday stresses!

So, if you all didn't think I could become more of a crazy liberal...I've still got a long way to go!

Time Flies...

Even though it's the first full week of August, I've already realized how quickly this month is going to go, and how soon it will be September. Then again, there are so many things going on before the end of the year, I'm getting prepared to operate on full throttle.

I'm only hoping that I can find time to rest properly, exercise properly, and read!!!

Animal Challenge Addition...

I forgot that I had wanted to read it, but I'm adding Winnie-the-Pooh to my animal challenge list.

List for Animal Challenge

I think I've come up with a minimum list for the Animal Challenge.

1. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (finished)
2. Tell Me Where it Hurts by Nick Trout
3. Eldest by Christopher Paolini
4. Brisingr by Christopher Paolini (when it comes out in September!)
5. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (finished)
6. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
7. The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst

I read #1 in early July and just finished #5 a couple of days ago. I am quite sure that I will be adding to this list or modifying. But, it's a start!

'Cause I just can't stop reading...

I'm entering another challenge. Those of you who know me, know I LOVE dogs. So, this is a perfect challenge. My list will be coming soon...

What an Animal!

The rules are simple:
1. Read at least 6 books that have any of these requirements:
a. an animal in the title of the book
b. an animal on the cover of the book
c. an animal that plays a major role in the book
d. a main character that is or turns into an animal (define that however you'd like ;>)).

2. The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragons, mermaids, centaurs, fairies, vampires...you get the idea...

3. Challenge runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. You can still sign up after July 1st as long as you can get 6 books read by June 30th ;>).

4. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.

5. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or just list them as you find them.

6. Books may be swapped out at anytime (assuming you made a list to begin with).

7. Crossover books with other challenges is permitted and encouraged.

8. You don't have to blog or write a review, but you can if you want to.

9. Sign up with Mr. Linky below. Please sign up with the specific post announcing the challenge if you are a blogger. If you do not blog, sign up with your name and leave the URL field blank. Thanks!

10. Have fun!!

July Book Blowout Wrap-Up

Just a few comments on the July Book Blowout - which was fun!



I read a total of 6 1/2 books during the month.

The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory (only counts for 1/2, since I started in March)

Debbie Harry Sings in French by Meagan Brothers

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

American Nerd by Benjamin Nugent

There were actually two books that I loved - The Art of Racing in the Rain and The Handmaid's Tale (which I also read for the New Classics Challenge). This was a good month for me to do this challenge, because I was just really in the mood to read. Though, I'm sure August won't be much different!