Attention! The Illustrated Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Has Arrived!

Click here to buy your own!

It is no secret that I'm a wonderfully nerdy Potterhead.  If it's Rowling Approved, I want it.  I've been eagerly awaiting the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for months and have already ordered it for my son (yeah, right - we all know who it's really for).  If you haven't seen the teaser pictures that have been released over the last several weeks, I've  compiled them into a happy little slideshow for your viewing pleasure.  

                                     

Of course this is just a taste of what's in the book.  With over 100 new illustrations by Jim Kay, the artist hand picked by Jo herself, this book will be a Harry Potter lover's dream. 

I'm SO excited to introduce my son to this series with such an exciting and beautiful edition!

J.K. Rowling Never Disappoints Me

One thing J.K. Rowling fans love most about her is the way she actually interacts with us on Twitter.  (She's kinda the queen of cool there.)  This exchange came to my attention today and I'm sure I'll be chuckling about it for a long time.

Click here to follow Jo on Twitter

It's New George Strait Album Day!!! Hooray!!!

Click here to buy Cold Beer Conversations from iTunes

George Strait released his latest album today, Cold Beer Conversation, and it's a fantastic way to start your weekend!  

A Positive Update on The End of Your Life Book Club

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a book I'm not loving.  The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe seems like a book I'd absolutely adore and read in one day.  It's well written and about books for crying out loud!  What's not to love?  But, I haven't connected with it.  I've been forcing myself to read a page here and there just to get through it.  Finally though, I've hit a spot that really clenched my heart.  I'm about 30 pages from the end and without spoiling anything, the main character mother is on hospice care.  Things have gotten seriously real with her cancer and suddenly I've found the emotion that had been lacking. Will and his mom (Mary Ann) have read John Updike's book Tears of My Father: And Other Stories, a collection of short stories.  Will asks her which was her favorite story.  She says, "the first one".  It deals with death, which is currently hanging over her head like a velvet curtain. She directs Will to read this passage about a 55th class reunion:

This passage truly resonated with me.  I don't think any of us, once we are out of what we'd consider the prime of our lives, thinks of ourselves as any less than prime.  I know in my own head, I still feel like I'm 17, or maybe 21 or even 27, which was a very good year.  I imagine that will continue as I age, and frankly, I kind of like that idea.  The idealism of a room full of the rather aged still feeling like round cheeked beauties is lovely.  I also like that I've finally connected with Mary Ann, a truly remarkable woman who until this point in her story has felt at least an arms length from me.  At last, I feel I've really seen something very personal about her, about how she feels about her stage of life.  I know now that these final 30ish pages will fly by, and when all is said and done I may look back on the book as a whole with affection.

Pin This Image

Product Review: Thundershirt! Dog Anxiety Solution

This is Rex.

I have a great dog.  Rex is a twelve year old red border collie.  He's normally a confidant, happy guy.  Then thunder rolls in, or someone lights a firework.  Loud sounds reduce him to a fearful puddle trembling under my husband's desk in our basement.  I have always felt bad for dogs who have fears because they're smart enough to know fear but not able to understand that noises won't actually harm them.  We've teased Rex, tried to comfort him and helped him find good hiding places from that mean old thunder but as he's aged I've been trying to make his life more comfortable over all so I resolved to alleviate his fears.  I decided to give the ThunderShirt a try.  

The kids and I giggled at the funny name, and who doesn't chuckle at the sight of dogs in shirts?  I admit, I was a skeptic about the shirt and had a "can't hurt anything" attitude about buying it but I hoped it worked. My hope was rewarded! I shouldn't have been such a skeptic - I swaddled my babies and that worked a charm.  This is the same concept. The first time I put it on Rex he almost immediately calmed.  It was crazy!  He visibly relaxed and laid down in the living room instead heading for the basement through the storm.  I'm sure it helped that the kids fawned over how cute he was in his shirt, but Rex really was less afraid!  He didn't seem to mind wearing it at all.  I've used it through two more storms and both times he has been able to just be Rex, unafraid and not hiding!  Every dog should have one of these!  I'm a believer in the ThunderShirt.

*My only complaint is that getting a scared dog to stand properly to get the shirt on is a bit challenging.  That's not a design flaw, just a fact of dealing with an anxious animal.  I  put the shirt on Rex and adjust it a bit after a few minutes when he has calmed so it isn't all bunched up.

This is Rex in his ThunderShirt.  See how it's on him a little crooked?
After he calms I am able to straighten it out and it fits perfectly.
You can buy your dog a ThunderShirt here.

From the manufacturer: ThunderShirt's patented design applies a gentle, constant pressure that has a dramatic calming effect for over 80% of dogs. Like swaddling an infant, Thundershirt is recommended by thousands of veterinarians and trainers around the world. Already helping millions of dogs, anytime calming is needed, a Thundershirt may help. Not just for thunder! Use for thunder, fireworks, separation anxiety, car travel, problem barking, general fearfulness, reactivity, and much, much more. A positive tool that almost all dogs seem to love to wear. With no need for training or medications, most dogs respond positively within minutes of the first use. Very easy to put on and take off. Made of lightweight, machine-washable material.

You may also like:

Pin This Image

It's Roald Dahl Day! My Favorite Dahl Quotes Episode 10

Learn more about Roald Dahl.

September 13th is Roald Dahl's birthday (1916 - 1990).  In celebration of him, I've decided to share some of my favorite Dahl quotes.  Some are from his books, some are statements outside of his books.  They all inspire me, and make me want to read his lovely, magical books again.

This is the final Roald Dahl quote I will share today.  It is my favorite because for me, it sums up everything he was trying to do with his books.  Plus, it suggests my ideal life.  A lovely bookshelf on every wall would be beautiful life for me!

It's Roald Dahl Day! My Favorite Dahl Quotes Episode 9

Learn more about Roald Dahl.

September 13th is Roald Dahl's birthday (1916 - 1990).  In celebration of him, I've decided to share some of my favorite Dahl quotes.  Some are from his books, some are statements outside of his books.  They all inspire me, and make me want to read his lovely, magical books again.

Such a lovely and honest thought.