Bookworm

The Virtues of Single-tasking

This morning I listened to a 43 Folders podcast entitled "Goin' on a Media Diet" and took away two simple, but neat ideas: Once a week, devote 3-4 hours to enjoying just one type of media.  Read a book, watch TV or a movie, listen to music, but don't do anything else at the same time. Second idea: Call someone on the phone and talk for 30 minutes.  Don't do anything else while conversing.  [Note: If you use iTunes, you can subscribe to the 43 Folders podcast (or download episodes of your choosing)through the Music Store.  I'm not a Mac user, but I use iTunes.  Yup, there's a Windows version.]

I probably won't be able to do the first idea with great regularity because my job and my beautiful toddler don't allow me such luxuries most of the time.  But I could aim for an hour. . .  It's also difficult to find time for a phone conversation during which I can concentrate just on the call.  My daughter would have to be asleep at a time when it is still polite to call someone. . .

What I've Been Doing Instead of Blogging

What I've done on my summer vacation since my last post . . . . I've watched my daughter grow and learn and change. My husband and I keep saying to each other, "Come see what she's doing." We've spent time with my sister-in-law, my mother, one of my best girlfriends and her daughter. I finally finished a book -- the first one since the baby was born. I've watched more television than usual while giving the baby her bottle -- Yankee games, Wimbledon tennis, Oprah, What Not to Wear. I'm usually a news junkie, but have watched very little news in the past two months. I've taken quite a few pictures, although I haven't been posting to my photo blog. Some things inevitably have to fall by the wayside, at least temporarily, for my new priorities. I've never had a better reason to get up in the morning than I do now. She is beautiful and a joy.
(click for larger picture)

Gabrielle

Gabrielle Karen
2:52 p.m. 5/7/2004
7 pounds, 12 ounces
20 1/4 inches

Can't believe she was born on her due date. She, her father, and I are doing well. Look for posts within the next few days on the baby blog.

For Those of You Who Pray

I'd very much appreciate prayers for my boss -- a wonderful mentor and friend -- who will be having surgery for breast cancer either next Wednesday (if there is a cancellation) or the following week and radiation treatment to follow. She's trying to stay positive and wants those around her to do the same.

Also, I'd appreciate prayers for my beloved sister-in-law, who is experiencing worrisome symptoms that might lead one to think of cancer; she has a gynecologist appointment today.

Thanks!

11/3/03 Update: My boss's surgery is this week on Wednesday. My sister-in-law's health issue maybe have been caused by a medication she was taking, that the dr. has now discontinued -- hope very much that is the case!