jamie ann

I’ve been kind of slacking on my book game lately but I’ve been making up for it the past few weeks.

What is better than Jane Austen and zombies?

NOTHING.

Go read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Since I’m up to date on all the Sookie Stackhouse books, I decided to give Charlaine Harris’ other series a try. I picked up the first three (and only ones so far) books of the Harper Connelly series. They are about a woman, Harper, who was struck by lightning and now can find dead bodies. And this is what she makes her living from. She travels with her stepbrother. In all honestly, these are pretty predictable everything from the budding relationship between the two (lots of “we were just RAISED as brother and sister”) to the mysteries. Despite the semi-incestuousness (I mean, really, your stepbrother?) and obvious story lines, I might pick up the next when it comes out at the end of October. You know how I am when it comes to finding out how things end…I NEED TO KNOW.

And then for a dose of chick lit, we have some of Emily Giffin’s books: Something Borrowed and Something Blue. I really enjoyed both of them. I’m a fan of her, I think. But we will see how the next two go. I just started Baby Proof today. I have Love the One You’re With on deck.

ETA: I can’t believe I forgot to add this one: I read Twenties Girl yesterday by Sophie Kinsella! It was a quick fun read. I loved that there was a 1920s theme to it. I was little thrown off to the fact that there was a ghost involved but in the end, I really liked it. I absolutely recommend it, it was hard to put down (obviously, since I read it in a day!). I think that might be the first Sophie Kinsella book I’ve ever read. I’ll definitely have to check out some more!

I’m sure there is a few more I’ve read in the mix. I just can’t think of them. The library should keep track of what books I’ve checked out online for me. It would make things so much easier!

Anyone reading anything good right now?

Last month I was asked to participate in the Donors Choose Social Media Challenge.

DonorsChoose.org grew out of a high school in the Bronx where teachers saw their students going without the materials needed to learn.  Our website provides an easy way for everyday people to address this problem. Public school teachers post project requests that range from a $100 classroom library, to a $600 digital projector, to a $1,000 trip to the zoo. People like you can choose which projects to fund and then get photos and thank-you letters from the classroom.

Very cool, isn’t it?

Well, BlogHer asked me to choose a couple projects for the Chicago area. I picked two I’m really excited about and would love to see funded.

The first being for a class of first graders, their teacher wants to give them books as Christmas presents to encourage reading in the home as well as in school. These children might not get presents otherwise. She is giving one of my staple books for a child’s library, Where the Wild Things Are. When it comes to gifts for kids, I always give books (seriously, I have a list of favorites and pick from it for each holiday!). Reading was such a huge part of my childhood and I think everyone should have the opportunity to exposed to books and learn to love them. Read more about Mrs. S’s project.

The second project I chose is for an 8th grade classroom at a school where most students are low income and minorities. I remember when I was in 8th grade, I was probably in that preteen angsty stage where I just didn’t care about anything, let alone reading. So in order to encourage these students to read, the teacher is going with short stories. He hopes to get two class sets of classic stories and fairy tales. Read more about Mr. W’s project.

I’m writing this post to ask for you, my awesome readers, to rally together and help get these projects funded. After all, it is a challenge and I know my 20 Something Bloggers are up for a challenge!

Or if you’re not too into these two Chicago projects, check out the rest from all over the country. Every dollar helps, no matter who it is going to.

But if we get the two projects funded, I’ll do something really awesome for you guys. I don’t know what yet but I’m open to suggestions.

Let’s make this happen!

You know how when you just aren’t feeling your best? Not even in a body image or mental state kind of way. Just your body doesn’t feel good?

I’m there right now.

I haven’t been treating my body too well lately. I’ve been blaming it on being unhappy and just sulking. The eating, the lack of exercise, the junk food. I’ve been stagnant for way too long. I don’t get up and move around as much. I’m not chasing after kids I nanny or walking around downtown or anything like that anymore. And it’s really taking a toll on me.

Physically, emotionally and mentally. It’s obvious to anyone who knows me and sees me every now and then, that I’ve gained a lot of weight.

But weight being besides the point, I need to start treating my body better. When I eat fresh food and more lean protein, I feel good. I’m not sluggish and feeling crappy then. Which is how I feel right now.

So I’m going to start being better. And not just in a vanity kind of way. Just a healthier in general kind of way.

Grocery shopping for healthier food, cooking, not eating out, more walks and even the stupid 30 Day Shred.

I need to start physically feeling good. I need to catch up to my emotional state which is getting way better. I’m embracing “I’m Awesome, Fuck Everyone Who Doesn’t Realize That” mindset.

Although I definitely wouldn’t mind lose some of this weight while doing the get healthy thing.

I know weight and body image is something I constantly address and I’m not very good at doing much about it. I use to be so good. I need to get back to that state of mind.

I don’t plan on making another “time to start losing weight/getting healthy” type post.

This is it.

There will be no more false starts.

This is it.