Construction's Over! Hooray!

Check out some pics of the new master bath and closet!

Living in a Construction Zone

For the past month, my husband, two cats, and I have lived in a construction zone. We are converting our guest bedroom to a master bath and walk in closet. Very needed additions to our 50+ year old brick ranch style house. So, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of packing up most of our clothes and selecting everything from tile to paint colors for the new rooms. Our two cats are used to having the run of the house, but they have had to stay in "their room" during the day when most of the work is being done. We are over half finished (I hope!) and we haven't had too many surprises--given the age of our home.

It definitely is a big plus to have an architect husband and a contractor brother-in-law. Between these two wonderful guys, I know everything is being taken care of and the end product will be stunning. I can't wait until it's over (but then I have to really clean every room of the house!). Perhaps I can get some time off from work....

Recent Good Reads

I just finished the new book by Dorothea Benton Frank, Bulls Island. It's one of those books that you don't want to put down...it reads extremely fast and enjoyable. Don't miss reading it.

I like to read books that are set in places that I know. Having grown up in Charleston, SC, I try to read our local authors. I guess I just like identifying with the setting. While I'm reading, I'm imagining the character walking down the streets mentioned in the book. What fun!

So if you like the South (and Charleston in particular), try these authors: Dorothea Benton Frank, Mary Alice Monroe, Anne Rivers Siddons, Pat Conroy, Patti Callahan Henry, Ruthie Bolton, Josephine Humphreys, and Sue Monk Kidd--just to name a few!

Going to Orlando in March

For the first time since we were teenagers, my sister, brother and I will be taking a vacation together. I've rented a condo in Kissimmee, FL and we'll spend a week sightseeing around Orlando. We've all been to Orlando before, but my brother hasn't been since the 1980s. He'll be bringing along his wife and six year old son, Joey. We'll be taking Joey to the Magic Kingdom for the first time. I have to wonder if the boy knows what awaits him. The Magic Kingdom opened when I was a teenager, so I don't have fond memories as a small child of seeing Main Street or Cinderella's Castle for the first time. I can't wait to see Joey's face!
We'll only be able to spend one day at WDW, but we will also be going to Sea World. We are all marine animal lovers, so Sea World seems like a safe bet for a good time. My sister, brother-in-law, husband and I will also be going to Epcot for a day. Of all the Disney parks, Epcot is our favorite. My brother and sister-in-law are passing on going to Epcot with Joey--they will spend the day at the condo's heated pool if the weather's nice.
Does anyone out there have other suggestions for fun activities in the Orlando area for six year olds?

Otters at the SC Aquarium

I love to go to the SC Aquarium and the main reason is to watch the otters. I could watch them all day! Here's a video I found on YouTube (thanks to theramblingscot for the posting).

Ray Turner on YouTube

Don't miss this short video of Ray's comments on SCLA's 2007 Annual Conference. What Ray doesn't mention about the conference was he was selected as the SC Outstanding Librarian of the Year! Way to go, Ray! Ray is the Reference Manager at the Otranto Road Regional Library, a branch of the Charleston County, SC Public Library. Thanks to Dr. Curtis Rogers of the SC State Library for this video.

To One and All