Tickled Peach

Like night and day

Susie — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:09:00 +0000

We had our first meeting today at work for the 2008 Strategic Planning initiative. In the 4 months I've been working there, that was probably the third meeting I've attended. How totally cool is that?! Better yet, it was actually kind of productive. It was just an introductory meeting, so it was mostly an overview, but I could tell that the majority of the participants truly wanted to put effort into improving things that need attention around the company.

I couldn't help but notice the difference in the quality of this meeting compared to other meetings I've been forced to be a part of in the past. Nothing about today's meeting was futile. The facilitator was knowledgeable and kept us on task. Not a minute was wasted on irrelevant details of what we had for dinner last night or what we watched on television the night before. Points were respectfully discussed and reviewed, and we all left with focused goals in mind.

While I fully realize that no job is ever going to be perfect, it certainly is a big gulp of fresh air to be able to have confidence in the company I work for.

On a little side note, I had a rough day yesterday. Traffic was insane, work was even more busy than usual, people were even more dumb than usual, then I got home and noticed my house was a shambles (how does that happen during the day when we're not even home?!) and pretty much everything seemed to go bad. I even got into an argument (alright, a fight) with my sweet hubby over trivial stuff that of course meant nothing in the scheme of things. So this morning as I pulled out of the garage into my driveway, mentally preparing myself to face it all again, I stopped there for a second and said a simple prayer and asked the Lord just to help me through the day. Just a short prayer, but it was loaded. Not only did I need Him to be with me, I needed the encouragement, comfort, positivity, grace, and mercy that only He can give.

And He did. I had a great day today. (And He even let it SNOW some tonight! Woo!) Thank you, God. You are truly awesome.

Hidden meaning of names

Susie — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 03:26:00 +0000

I found this little quizzie on Stacy's blog this evening. I was kinda shocked at how accurate my results were:

What Susie Means

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong.

You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know.

You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do.

You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way.

And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life.

You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Spread your luck around a little to people who need it.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Okay, so maybe I'm not what one would think of as "suave and sexy", or having "the world under my spell", and I have never wanted to "crush the weak". Oh, and I am sometimes a worrier and I don't "get along with almost everyone". But other than those things, much of this is spot on!

The "Evil" Eye

Susie — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 03:45:00 +0000

Baby Gives The Evil Eye - Watch more free videos

Calming effect

Susie — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:38:00 +0000

I had a review today at work; it went extremely well and I was pleased with what my supervisor and boss had to say. As of tomorrow, I will have been working there for 4 months and I think I've made really good progress. Also, I've been nominated to be on the 2008 Strategic Planning Committee at my company, which is an honor.

There was one particular comment (the very first one, actually) on my review paperwork I found rather intriguing. My supervisor started the whole thing by saying "Susan is calm." Okay, if you know me well at all, you can stop laughing now. I'm probably one of the least calm people east of the Mississippi. I'm not a nervous wreck or anything, but I am definitely sensitive, emotional, passionate, temperamental, and sometimes even irrational. I openly admit all of that. But calm? Not really. However, I do have to give myself a pat on the back for at least being able to make other people think I am calm. That proves I've come a long way in the last few years. While I may experience annoyances and aggravations, I've at least matured to the point where I can control my irritation enough to appear calm. Perhaps it's something that comes with age. If so, at this rate I'll be downright easygoing by the time I'm 40.

It's just so much fun!

Susie — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:06:00 +0000

I'm really enjoying watching the political action going on lately. My mom and I have always been so excited during Presidential election years. We like to think of it as our version of the Super Bowl, except it lasts for a whole year and the results actually matter.

Politics are naturally unpredictable. But I think, oddly enough, that one reason it's so fun this year is because of the element of the totally unknown. Even after tonight's New Hampshire primary results are tallied, we still won't really know who we'll have to choose from this coming November.

I have to admit that when I occasionally hear others talking about politics, I usually end up wanting to pull out all of my hair in frustration. They are either completely misinformed, willfully ignorant, or so eat up with hate that they can't see straight (or some sad combination of all of the above). I can only hope that they'll realize how wrong they are or that they'll end up with a very good reason to stay home on November 2nd.

To be quite honest, I haven't picked my candidate. Other than knowing for sure that I won't vote for a dem, I don't have a favorite Republican yet. I'm leaning toward two of the top five, and as wishy-washy as that sounds (and trust me, I hate being wishy-washy!) I feel like it would be a good idea for all of us to be patient and take the time and effort to learn about which candidate has the best ideas, the best morals, and ultimately America's best interest at heart.

The Story of Forgetting by Stefan Merrill Block

Susie — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 15:01:00 +0000

You realize that this book has a very literal title when you find out what's written inside. The Story of Forgetting is a brilliant yet tragic novel with two main characters and two side narratives, all of which gradually come together as the pages are turned. It begins with Abel, and his story of remembering falling in love with Mae, his brother Paul's wife. It continues with Seth, a lonely but "too-smart" teenager who pushes himself out of his shell to find more about his mother Jamie's past. Woven between the stories of Abel and Seth are the legend of Isidora and genetic history details of a disease called "early-onset Alzheimer's" in which the victim starts showing signs of dementia at an early age (age 30-50).

"At a certain point, the worse you get, the worse it is for everyone around you, but the better it is for you."

A couple of the characters in The Story of Forgetting have early-onset Alzheimer's, and the impact on their families is heartbreaking to be sure. But the ending of this novel, with its two long-awaited reunions, will most likely make you feel that The Story of Forgetting is one worth remembering.

Whozitgunnabe?

Susie — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:59:00 +0000

Tomorrow is one of the big days for political junkies like me: the Iowa Caucus. This one promises to be especially exciting, as nobody has a clue who might win on either side. I really think I missed my calling. I'd love to be up there freezing my tail off with all the pundits and candidates. What kinda stinks about this particular caucus is that no matter who wins, we're still not going to have a clear front runner for the nomination for either party. It's so up in the air.

I'll go ahead and make my predictions (so I can most likely come back tomorrow night and laugh when the results are in!):

Romney for the right, and Edwards for the left.

If you want to chime in with your prediction, feel free! Leave me a comment. :)

Update: 1/3/08, 9:20pm
I told you I'd probably laugh at my predictions tonight! Looks like Huckabee has won on the right side, and it's looking like Obama will pull ahead for the left. I'll refrain from boring you with my opinions on these candidates, but let me just say that I really hope that the Iowa results are just as moot as they have been several times in the past. I take heart in knowing that The Best President Ever™, Ronald Reagan, didn't win Iowa in 1980. Next up: New Hampshire!

What's in a Name? - Reading Challenge

Susie — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:56:00 +0000

These reading challenges are hard to deny! I've decided to join just one more for this year, the What's in a Name? challenge. This one is unique in that it is based on categories. Here are my six choices:

1. A book with a color in its title:
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber

2. A book with an animal in its title.
Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Cherie Priest

3. A book with a first name in its title.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

4. A book with a place in its title.
When in Rome by Gemma Townley

5. A book with a weather event in its title.
Isaac's Storm: The Drowning of Galveston by Erik Larson

6. A book with a plant in its title.
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns

2008 Reading List

Susie — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:20:00 +0000

In 2008, I have read 440 pages in 2 books.

General Literature = 2

* = one of my favorites

Rating Scale = 10 is highest

The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald (6)

The Story of Forgetting by Stefan Merrill Block (7)

In 2008, I have listened to 0 hours in 0 audio books.

Project 365 Begins Anew

Susie — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:45:00 +0000

Last year, I only made it through 93 days of Project 365. I'm giving it another shot for 2008. It should actually be called "Project 366" for 2008, since this is a leap year! Here's my first picture:

I took this photo just a few minutes after midnight. That's sparkling white grape juice, by the way. It's our traditional New Year's Eve drink.

Up for a challenge? My 2008 Reading Challenges List

Susie — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:36:00 +0000

[My List]

[My List]

[My List]

Also participating in...

Alphabet Readers Challenge
[My List]

Reading Full Circle
[My List]

2New2U Challenge
[My List]

Reading My Name
[My List]

You Set It Paperback Challenge
[My List]

Every Month is a Holiday
[My List]

Romance Reading Challenge
[My List]

Themed Reading Challenge
[My List]

The Chunkster Challenge
[My List]

Goodbye, 2007!

Susie — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:30:00 +0000

A couple of years ago, my husband and I started a tradition. On New Year's Day, we make a list things that we think might happen during the upcoming year. We seal up our lists and put them on top of our bookshelf (mainly so I won't sneak and read them in the middle of the year!). Then on New Year's Eve, we get down the lists, open them, and read them to each other. It's a lot of fun to see how right (or wrong) we were. The most correct predictions I've ever had were 3. Anyway, I thought I'd share my 2007 list, which was opened this evening (I would share Jeff's list, too, but his is boring. Heh!):

Hillary Clinton will gradually gather steam and will seem to be the front runner for the Dems in the 2008 election.
(Wrong, sorta. It's basically a 3-way tie as we get ready for the "Hawkeye Caucii" next week.)

The Indianapolis Colts will win the Super Bowl.
(Correct! I love Peyton Manning.)

There will be an assassination attempt on either the President or Vice President.
(Wrong, thankfully. Don't know what kind of morbid mood I was in while writing this list last year! But you really never know what those crazy wacko libs might try!)

Missouri and/or Illinois will experience an earthquake of 5.9 or more magnitude.
(Wrong again, thankfully again. I think I based this on a television special I saw. Scientists believe that this area (the New Madrid fault) is overdue for a strong earthquake. But then again, some scientists say that humans are causing global warming, so you have to take these things with a grain of salt.)

Kate Winslet will win an Oscar.
(Wrong. I don't even think she was nominated for one. She deserves one, though! She's played several really great roles.)

There will be 2 hurricanes hit the U.S. but they will both be a Category 3 or less.
(Wrong by 1. Only Hurricane Humberto hit the U.S., as a Category 1.)

Rush Limbaugh will not win the Nobel Peace Prize.
(Correct! He should have, though. Lord knows he's done more for peace than this nutjob.

Someone from California or New York will win on American Idol.
(Wrong. Jordin Sparks is from Arizona.)

An actor will pursue the 2008 Republican nomination.
(Correct. Honestly, I think we had already figured last year that Fred Thompson was going to throw his hat into the ring. So this was an informed guess!)

So there we go. I got 3 right again this year. It's time to start writing my predictions for 2008. I have a few in mind, but as usual, they will just be guesses. There's no way to know what might happen over the course of an entire year. Let's just hope it's all positive stuff!

Happy New Year!

Chunkster Challenge 2008

Susie — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 01:14:00 +0000

As my twelfth (!) and last book challenge for 2008, I've signed up for the Chunkster Challenge. The idea is to read 4 books that are 450+ pages each during 2008. Here are the voluptuous books that I plan to read this year:

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber (944 pages)

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke (800 pages)

Abigail Adams: A Biography by Phyllis Lee Levin (592 pages)

Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer (592 pages)

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (512 pages)

Already (Almost) Famous

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:21:00 +0000

My new blog is less than two days old and I've already been featured on a popular website, SteynOnline! Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating my accomplishment of fame a teensy bit, because I didn't do much to earn it. All I did was link to Mark Steyn's great book, America Alone, on my 2007 Reading List.

I finished reading the book just a couple of weeks ago. And in complete honesty, the only reason I gave it a 9 out of 10 instead of a full 10 was because I had to read it in chunks. I couldn't take it all in with one gulp; it was so chock full of fact and wit, it had to be sipped. It was a fantastic, informative read, although unnerving and somewhat disheartening to see the facts laid out in such stark light that indeed, one day in the future, it may well be America alone. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, just read the book.)

Pssst, Mr. Steyn: In case you happen to drop by, thanks for the link. You are a brilliant and brave man. Thank you for standing up for the truth and for refusing to stop writing about it even when the going gets tough. You have the agreement and support of millions.

Resolutions: To make or not to make?

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:38:00 +0000

That is the question. I personally plan to make some rather significant changes in my lifestyle in 2008. Eating better (and less), exercising more (just a little, at least!) and just trying to be a more calm, organized, and "together" person. I have always loved the "clean slate" feeling of a brand new year. It's like getting another 365 chances to make things better, you know? So I guess I am making some resolutions, technically, since I am starting my new habits on 1/1/08.

What about you? Are you planning on making some changes in 2008? Below are some links I found pertaining to resolutions to help you decide if you haven't already!

10 Reasons Not To Make New Year's Resolutions This Year

Resolutions, schmesolutions. Do what it takes to be happy.

8 Ways to Achieve Success in 2008

Start a Happiness Project for 2008!

How to Make a New Year's Resolution That You'll Actually Follow Through With

Every Month is a Holiday - Reading Challenge 2008

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:57:00 +0000

How fun is this? The Every Month is a Holiday reading challenge let's us celebrate something each month by reading a book related to that particular month in some way. Here are my choices:

January: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's birthday is the 29th.
Mozart's Sister by Nancy Moser

February: President Ronald Reagan's birthday is the 6th, and Valentine's Day is the 14th.
I Love You, Ronnie by Nancy Reagan

March: Sandra Brown's birthday is the 12th.
Riley in the Morning by Sandra Brown

April: Jeffrey Archer's birthday is the 15th.
Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer

May: Military Appreciation Month
The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann

June: Summer begins.
The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres

July: The Fourth (Independence Day)
Abigail Adams: A Biography by Phyllis Lee Levin

August: Frank McCourt's birthday is the 19th.
Angela's Ashes: A Memoir by Frank McCourt

September: The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 occurred on the 9th.
Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson

October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney

November: President George and First Lady Laura Bush's wedding anniversary is the 5th.
George and Laura: Portrait of an American Marriage by Christopher Andersen

December: Bill Bryson's birthday is the 8th.
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Reading My Name Challenge

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:56:00 +0000

I thought this was a cool reading challenge: Reading My Name gives the task to read at least two books by authors who share my name. Here are my picks:

He Loves Lucy by Susan Donovan
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann

You Set It - Paperback Challenge

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:53:00 +0000

My 9 picks for the You Set It Paperback Challenge are:

When in Rome - Gemma Townley
Elizabeth - J. Randy Taraborrelli
Haunted Ground - Erin Hart
The Saving Graces - Patricia Gaffney
Seasons of Her Life - Fern Michaels
The Unsung Hero - Suzanne Brockmann
The Devil You Know - Liz Carlyle
Kane and Abel - Jeffrey Archer
He Loves Lucy - Susan Donovan

2New2U Challenge February-May 2008

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:52:00 +0000

This is an easy one! The 2New2U Challenge calls for us to read 2 books from 2 authors by whom we have never read anything. I've picked these two:

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann

Alphabet Readers Challenge 2008

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:51:00 +0000

My selected books for the Alphabet Readers Challenge (author/title) for 2008:

A - Abigail Adams: A Biography - Phyllis Lee Levin
~~B - The Bookshop - Penelope Fitzgerald~~
C - The Crimson Petal and the White - Michel Faber
D - The Dante Club - Matthew Pearl
E - Elizabeth - J. Randy Taraborrelli
F - Four and Twenty Blackbirds - Cherie Priest
G - George and Laura: A Portrait of an American Marriage - Christopher Andersen
H - Haunted Ground - Erin Hart
I - Isaac's Storm - Erik Larson
J - Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke
K - Kane and Abel - Jeffrey Archer
L - Love in Another Town - Barbara Taylor Bradford
M - Mirabilis - Susann Cokal
N - The Namesake - Jhumpa Lahiri
O - Cold Sassy Tree - Olive Ann Burns
P - A Passionate Man - Joanna Trollope
Q - The Queen of the Big Time - Adriana Trigiani
R - Riley in the Morning - Sandra Brown
~~S - The Story of Forgetting - Stefan Merrill Block~~
T - The Town that Forgot How to Breathe - Kenneth J. Harvey
U - The Unsung Hero - Suzanne Brockmann
V - Veil of Roses - Laura Fitzgerald
W - A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson
X - ???
Y - You Remind Me of Me - Dan Chaon
Z - The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Themed Reading Challenge 2008

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:50:00 +0000

I'm joining in with the Themed Reading Challenge. My theme is "Guys" - as you see from my list below, all the books I'm reading for this challenge include male names in the titles.

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke
Isaac's Storm - Erik Larson
Riley in the Morning - Sandra Brown
Carter Beats the Devil - Glen David Gold
Kane and Abel - Jeffrey Archer

Romance Reading Challenge 2008

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:46:00 +0000

Since I'm going to be reading some romance novels in 2008, I am joining the Romance Reading Challenge. Here's my list:

When in Rome - Gemma Townley
Carolina Moon - Nora Roberts
Love in Another Town - Barbara Taylor Bradford
Riley in the Morning - Sandra Brown
Seasons of Her Life - Fern Michaels
The Unsung Hero - Suzanne Brockmann
The Devil You Know - Liz Carlyle
He Loves Lucy - Susan Donovan
I Love You, Ronnie - Nancy Reagan

Reading Full Circle 2008

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:43:00 +0000

Yet another challenge that I'm participating in for 2008 is the Reading Full Circle Challange, hosted by Thoughts of Joy. This one was extremely fun to put together, because you had to link the list together so that it forms a circle with words in the title. I was finally able to find books on my TBR shelf that met this requirement. My link words are: You/Know/How/Town/Love. See below for my list:

I Love You, Ronnie - Nancy Reagan
More Than You Know - Beth Gutcheon
I Don't Know How She Does It - Allison Pearson
The Town That Forgot How to Breathe - Kenneth J. Harvey
Love in Another Town - Barbara Taylor Bradford
He Loves Lucy - Susan Donovan

You know, like "tickled pink"

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:17:00 +0000

But "Tickled Peach" instead! Welcome to my new blog!

I've been blogging on and off since 2003. Actually, I was probably "blogging" way back in 1994 when I started getting online, creating web pages, and keeping a diary of sorts via different sites. Blogging is a hobby for me, one that discovered me instead of me discovering it, if that makes any sense. So during this past summer, when I totally stopped caring about my blog or wanting to even do anything related to blogging, I kinda figured something might be wrong, because that just wasn't like me. I had somehow lost my joy for blogging. I thought it could be burnout. When you do something daily for 3+ years, burnout can become a definite possibility. I tried starting new blogs, coming up with different names, using various layouts, attempting anything I could think of to make blogging interesting to me again. Nothing seemed to work. At all.

While it may have been partly due to a case of blogging burnout, it turned out to be more. Since sometime in July or August, I have been sludging through a bout of depression. I don't know what triggered it, all I know is that had to be what it was. Not only did I lose my joy for blogging, I wasn't really fulfilled in anything I did - work, chores, reading, crafts - things that usually make me happy or give me a sense of accomplishment held no charm whatsoever for me. Nothing seemed to help me crawl out of the fog. I even asked my doctor for some anti-depressants; however, I ended up not getting the prescription filled because I wanted to beat the depression on my own (plus, I didn't need anything that could cause weight gain, trust me on that).

Over the last couple of weeks, I've noticed an improvement in my general attitude and energy. I'm still fighting off feelings of sluggishness and apathy, but I at least feel now that I can conquer this. Depression is icky. I do not recommend it. It makes you not give a crap about anything, and that is just not fun.

Anyway. 2008 is about to begin, and I'm going into it with hopes and prayers of happiness, prosperity, and just plain goodness all around. I have big plans for next year, and I'm not going to let some silly chemical imbalance stop me from achieving what I want out of life. I will turn 30 in March, and I have this deep down feeling that my 30s are going to be my best decade ever.

So, yes, I've started another blog, but this one different in that it isn't tainted with a sense of burden. I have started "Tickled Peach" because I want to, because it is fun to me again. And after these last few months, that's big.

In their shoes - Reading Challenge

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 01:35:00 +0000

In 2007, I discovered that I really enjoy reading memoirs and biographies. Fiction will probably always be my favorite type of read because of its escapist qualities, but there's something special about reading true stories of other peoples' lives. Some are inspiring, some are a bit sad, but most all include some lessons that can be applied to our own lives. So for 2008, I have joined the In their shoes Reading Challenge, where I have committed to read 5 biographies/memoirs. My list is below, and I will check them off as I read them.

1. Abigail Adams: A Biography by Phyllis Lee Levin

2. Angela's Ashes: A Memoir by Frank McCourt

3. Elizabeth by J. Randy Taraborrelli

4. George and Laura: Portrait of an American Marriage by Christopher Andersen

5. Gone with the Windsors by Laurie Graham