Life in the Stacks: A Library Drama part 2

Leaping from her seat, Emma hurried to pick up the glossy covered books that had slid across the grey linoleum floor. She glanced around to see if anyone was watching and squealed when she met Emery’s face.

“Shhh.” He put his finger to his lips and smiled. “Don’t you know this is a library?”

Color flooded Emma’s cheeks as she nodded and stood. Emery rose too and placed a few books back on the uprighted pyramid display. Emma began to replace her books. “Were they were in any kind of order?” her voice cracked, mentally kicking herself for being such a clumsy nerd. Like Emery Pratt cared about the order of some stupid books, as if.

“I have it on good authority that they just throw books up there randomly.”

Emma paused and stared at him.

“My mom works at the reference desk.” He jerked his head towards the center of the library where the reference desk stood. “I hang out here until she gets off work at 6. You’re here every day too; your parents work downtown or something?”

Her heart jumped to her throat. He had noticed her here before? She shook her head no and brushed her bangs to the side. “My dad’s in Iraq. My Mom died.”

Emery scratched the back of his head. “Sorry to hear that, ‘bout your Mom. So ya staying with grandparents or something?”

“My uncle,” she said as she hurried back to the table and picked up her math book.

“Emery, it’s time to go.” Emma looked up at the petite blonde woman standing at the end of the row.

“That’s my cue,” said Emery. He started down the aisle and turned. “Catch ya next time, Library Girl.”

“It’s Emma,” she whispered. “My name’s Emma.”

Life in the Stacks: A Library Drama part 1

Emma tossed her pencil into the crook of her algebra book and followed it with her forehead.  “Why does math have to be so hard?” she thought as she picked her head up and brushed her brown bangs out of her blue eyes. 

She sighed and looked at the pages filled with daunting equations.  The yellow smiley faces covering her pencil mocked her frustration.  Slamming the book closed, she smashed the happy faces and pushed the disgusting book to the corner of the table. 

Leaning back in her chair, she closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the library; the constant beep of the circulation desk, the shushing of parents to young impatient children and the buzz of low conversations.  All the sounds of family and purpose, sounds she longed to hear at home, but couldn’t.

Reaching into the chair beside her she searched for her mp3 player in the green knapsack that used to be her father’s.  He had given her the bag six months ago when he left for Iraq and she had kept the tattered satchel by her side ever since. 

A ripple of boy’s laughter broke the silence of the library.  Emma leaned to her right and looked down a row of fiction.  There sat Emery Pratt, surrounded by a group of boys all giggling at the computer.   Emma placed her chin on her hand and stared at the boy with the messy black hair.  She watched as he pointed to the screen and talked to a tall boy on his left.  “Probably playing a game or chatting with Darcie the Diva,” thought Emma.

Emery’s green eyes shot up and met Emma’s.  She gasped and straightened quickly hoping he hadn’t seen her staring, but her elbow caught the corner of her math book sending it soaring into the teen book display.  Emma watched in horror as the pyramid of books slowly crashed to the floor and echoed throughout the library.

*Part 2 will be available tomorrow (Wed, Nov. 11th)

Negavite Nancy Silenced Again

Had another great day.  Every muscle in my body is still sore from my weight class on Tuesday and again Negative Nancy begged me to stay home and skip the Thursday class.  I did not listen, completely ignored her, even when she screamed in pain during the ab portion of the class.  So another good day and cooking some yummy thyme chicken for supper *stomach growls*.

My husband had a check up this week and found out he has high cholesterol.  This really didn’t surprise us, but I think it gave him the push he needed to get back on the treadmill.

FU Negative Nancy

Not only did I wake up late this morning, but everything hurt from my pinkie toe to my hair roots.  Negative Nancy was screaming at me to stay home, lay on the couch and rest my weary muscles.  Did I listen, almost… even though I’m not a cusser I got right off the couch and went for a 3 mile nature walk.  So FU Negative Nancy, FU!

Another day on track

This morning was hard, I didn’t want to do anything. The tendonitis in my left hand was killing me and it’s my strength training day. The Negative Nancy that lives in my head was strong and argued I should rest because my cake decorating class was tonight and how would I be able to decorate a cake after lifting weights? I didn’t listen and went to a Women and Weights class at the gym. My hand actually felt better afterwards, then I spent the next four hours making frosting. Seriously if I would’ve known it was going to take 4 freakin’ hours I would’ve done it last weekend and split it up. If was for a rainbow cake, so lots of different colors. Anyway, food prep burns like 200 calories an hour, so that’s like 800 calories! My back feels it too. Class was great and my husband is taking the cake to work tomorrow so it won’t be here to tempt me. I admit I tasted the cake and frosting. I couldn’t let other people eat it until I knew it was ok. I did keep it to just a bite. It was yummy and my first cake decorating experience was a success.

Tomorrow is a New Day

Had a rough week, last week was so good and this one was, well it wasn’t good. Monday was great, but then Tuesday I was sidetracked by the 3 hour dentist visit. Wednesday was good, but Thursday and Friday were awful. I didn’t get in any exercise and made poor food choices. My weight is holding steady but I can’t help but be disappointed in myself for not sticking to my plan.

So, bottom line, I fell off the wagon pretty hard last week. Life just got in the way and instead of making room; I did what I always do and gave up.

Thanks to the support from my wonderful husband I have done some serious soul searching this weekend and am feeling good about tomorrow. I have sat down and made a detailed schedule of my week. I have made sure not to overload my day and I gave myself plenty of time for workouts.

I feel really good, ready to move on from the downfalls of last week and to the euphoria of being good to myself.

Meet and Greet with New Torturer… um I Mean Trainer

Today was a good day. I got up early which is not normal for me and went to the gym. I did 33 minutes of cardio and my thighs are feeling it.

Met with the trainer, Andrew, and it sounds like he has a great workout philosophy. A lot of resistance training, working on balance and toning.

Oh and today was a weigh-in day, lost 3 lbs last week. Yay! Ok I know it’s water weight, but still… Yay!

Polar Body Age Assessment

So today was the dreaded day. The day I found out how old my body actually is. I’m 31 (quickly headed towards 32) and my body is 38.

What a releif. Ok so it’s not great, my body is 7 years older than my actual years, but I’ve neglected my body for a long time so it could’ve been much worse.

The assessment came with a diet and excersise plan, both are very appreciated. I can’t wait to meet with the trainer on Monday, though I can’t help but worry about the money.

Get in the Van

“I’m not going to tell you again. Now get in the van.”

“No.”

“Christopher Michael Garver, you get in this van right now.”

“No.”

“Do you want me to call your father?”

“No.”

“Then get in the van, now.”

“No.”

“That’s it, I’m calling your dad.”

“No.”

“I’ll spank you right here, young man, in front of everyone. Is that what you want?”

“No.”

“You’re making a scene. Just get in the van.”

“No.”

“Why are you acting like this? Just get in and we’ll go home and talk about it.”

“No.”

“Please get in van, Christopher.”

“No.”

“Come on, Chrissy, help Mommy out here.”

“No.”

“Fine, if we go back in and get you the game system, will you get in the van?”

“Yes.”

Drawing a Blank

Car keys… Where are those stupid things? 

I fling my purse over my shoulder and begin to hunt.

Jacket  pockets?  Nope. 

Think damn it; you’re going to be late.

Bedroom, on the dresser? 

Crap, not there either.

Where the hell did I put them?

I went to the post office, maybe in the kitchen? 

Shit, shit, shit… I’m going to be so late.

 “Honey, what are you looking for?”

“My keys.”

“You mean the ones attached to the strap of your purse?”

I grab the missing keys. 

Crap, I’m going to be so freakin’ late.