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Sweet!

By the way, have you discovered Julia Golding's Cat Royal books yet?

That's a great collection of interesting links at the Guardian. Thanks for telling us about it.

Very useful, thanks! I'm always on the hunt for great children's books and have recently discovered Bayard and their series of StoryBoxBooks, AdventureBoxBooks, DiscoveryBoxBooks They have work by acclaimed children's books illustrator Helen Oxenbury appearing in the Storybox series for September. In addition to this, they also have some great activities for rainy days: http://www.storyboxbooks.com/potatoprinting.php, http://www.adventureboxbooks.com/macaroni-picture-frames.php, http://www.discoveryboxbooks.com/skittles.php Enjoy!

Hi,

I'm Jules and I work at bestrank.com, a company interested in blog advertizing. I found
your blog engaging and I'm contacting you to ask if you are interested in blog post
sponsorship.

If you are interested, kindly mail back for confirmation([email protected]).Please
include your blog's URL.
Looking forward to doing business with you.

Sincerely,

Jules Viernes
BestRank.com

I've done a 'Pieces of Me' post in response to Rosoff's.

Cool, Lee! I'll go take a look.

Thanks, Jules, for the offer, but I'm not interested in advertising for this blog.

Thanks, Cheryl! And, Sarah, I haven't read them yet, but have read a ton of great reviews :)

Have you tried Windex? Congrats. Truly. I'd like to suggest a celebration in your honor. Perhaps a cyber cocktail party. WE can all meet online at a particular time and offer our congratulations, best wishes, and so happy for yous. Don't forget the windex. You want to look great on such a day.

I understand about saying "Yes" as I am constantly choking in the tenth frame. Success can be scary, but you deserve it. Embrace it!

Think of what you would want for your own kids. You would want them to realize their own potential and enjoy their success. Follow your heart!

First, and most important, WOO HOO to you.

Second, new things are always a little scary, but it's good when the scary reminds us to sit up and think a little. My fear of power tools is extremely functional in this regard. When I turn on a power tool, I am sure as anything PAYING ATTENTION to what is going on.

I totally get this. Zit, be damned. Sometimes I have to just close my eyes, so to speak, and move forward and I don't freak out so much (on a literal level, I once climbed a 55-foot vertical obstacle course at Maryville College called The Alpine Tower -- well, I've done it several times, but this particular time, I was blindfolded and tethered to Eisha's husband, also my friend. I found that it was easier to climb while blindfolded. My mind didn't trick me out with fear -- none of this "I can't possibly make that hold five feet above me!" I just trusted my gut and felt my way around, listening to encouragement from a friend. Tell your zit to do that!).

Jules, 7-Imp, whose analogy may possible make NO sense whatsoever

Jules - maybe there is an actual link between vertigo and fear of success...

I've tagged you for a fun meme on my blog, if you're interested. :)

It is possible to write with a talking zit on the side of your nose, isn't it?

Sure it is. Ask Richard E. Grant in How To Get Ahead in Advertising.

Old New Age sounding expression I sometimes think when I don't ant to admit how scared I am: Embrace the fear to erase the fear.

Cornball, that's me.

Donna, but then I'd SMELL like Windex. Wouldn't I?

Amy, I love your attitude. And didn't I hear that you kick butt at bowling, too?

Adrienne, whenever I'm afraid, I'm going to think of you with a power tool. In a dress. With your cute purse.

Wow, Jules! That climb! Honestly, it sounds like fun, in a strange, liberating way.

David, I never typed you as a cornball, but I'll try hugging fear, just for you. As long as you swear it won't hug back.

Erin, I'm thinking on your challenge. Fun!

It is fun, Sara. The view is gorgeous when you're done. Here's a pic of it I found online: http://www.maryvillecollege.edu/news/news.asp?id=815&pgID=849. And this -- http://www.dioceseofknoxville.org/etc/june20/STA%20group-tower.jpg. There are seven ways (I think it's seven) to climb it, multiple "faces" to it.

You know, I don't know if that's required for freshman now. When Eisha and I were students, there was a Mountain Challenge course (rock-climbing, boleting (sp?), all kinds of other challenges in the college woods, etc.), and the Tower might be required now. Anyway, when I was a student, I rolled my eyes at how they tried to make us take those challenges and apply them to life (I actually had to write a paper once, entitled "how is tying a knot like life?"), but with that scattered-smothered-and-covered-blindfolded-and-tethered climb, as Brian and I jokingly called it, I really DID learn about how it's easier to climb when not being able to see, not letting your mind trick you out. It actually did teach me a lot about myself, blast it (which brings me back full-circle to your post, which is why I started rambling about this).

Hope things have, y'know, cleared up by now :) Listen, I posted about this post today. Kinda sorta. Hope that's okay...