Teacher Gifts Part II

Last year around this time I wrote a blog entry about teacher gifts.  Being a teacher we always receive the same things and of course we know we are hard to buy for.  We look forward to the gifts every year.  It makes us feel loved and appreciated in a profession that does not always make us feel that way.

Last year I stated some do's and don'ts which you can read from the above link.  This year I decided to do an Oprah's style favorite things.  These gifts can be used by all and are not necessarily just for teachers.

1. Personalized Stationary - I write so many letters and get just giddy about having personalized stationary. I recently ordered this pattern from Paper Culture.  The cards are on a heavy stock and come so quickly.  For every order they pledge to plant a tree.  Makes me want to order lots more.

2. Reusable Shopping Bags - I know, it sounds like Envirosax is paying me, but I can't get enough of them.  I have 3 regular sax, a sling sax, and a mini sax (I use as a lunch bag).  They weigh about an ounce and can be easily carried every where.  They are sturdy and can hold about 44 pounds, not that you want to carry that much.  I have even gotten the tiniest hole in my original bag and it is still the size of a pin point years later.  Everyone I have given one to has adored them as much as me.

3. Personalized Stamps - I was given a gift certificate to the Three Designing Women website.  I ordered the stamp featured on the side with "This Book Belongs To  ......" instead of the address.  I am actually thinking of ordering an address stamps and a monogram version to use on stationary.  This company offers interchangeable stamps and stationary that is made to have a stamp used with it.  I just love personalization.


Enjoy!

Envirosax Sling

We all know I love my Envirosax.  They are light and easy to carry with you all the time.  Plus are amazingly durable.  Well they came out with a new style.  The Envirosax sling.

This bag has two free straps that you can tie to any length, which means you can make it fit your body perfectly.  It still rolls like the original, however it is a bigger roll and does not roll as neatly.  Because of the design there is a deep pocket on the outside where the fabrics meet.  It is actually the perfect size for a bottle of wine.  If you want to seal the bag when traveling you can tie the bag closed and fit it under the seat in front of you.

I love the bag, but I don't think I will be carrying it at the bottom of my purse like the others.  I don't carry the biggest purses and this one takes up too much room.  I will only have it when I know that I will be using it.

If you are interested in buying this bag or the other bags I have reviewed go to this site.  Now through the 28th of November the original bags are 50% off.  I know they can be hard to find outside of the internet, but they are well worth it.

Kindle vs. Nook

So over the past year my family has been in possession of the Kindle 3g and the Nook Color.  Even though both companies have come out with new versions.  I feel some people may still want to know the differences between the two.

VS. 

We originally had the kindle with the 3g and keyboard.  The keyboard makes typing easy.  However, I find it hard to scroll through websites and lists since you can only use the four directional keys.  The 3g means that internet is always available, which is a plus.  I will admit that when the ink layer changes it makes me feel a little sick to my stomach.  The screen is glare free but you need to buy a light to accompany it to read at night.

I purchased the nook color not long after having the kindle in my life.  It works like a tablet computer.  You can have music, pictures, apps, books and magazines on this device.  The nook even reads children's books out loud.  I prefer the search options on the nook since I am able to see the covers of the books.  I sometime cannot remember the exact name of the book and the cover always helps me find it.  The magazine subscriptions are reasonably priced and are beautiful to look at.  Another advantage is you can download e-pub books for free from you local library and read for free.  The screen can have glare in the sun, but most people like myself will purchase a screen guard for the touch screen.  The major disadvantage is that you must be in range of internet in order to download new books.

Overall, I prefer the nook.  I cannot comment on the new versions of either, but you can look at the lists below and make the decision for yourself.

      Kindle                                                   Nook_______________________________

      Black and White                                   Color

      Keyboard                                              Touch screen keyboard

      Scrolling using directionals                   Touch scrolling

      3g wireless available                             Must be in internet range

      No glare                                                Needs screen/glare protector

      Needs light to read at night                   Back lit

      Cannot download from libraries           Free books from library

                                                                   Magazines

                                                                   Apps

                                                                   Pictures

                                                                   Music

A Dog's Purpose

I received the book A Dog's Purpose; A Novel for Humans, by W. Bruce Cameron as a birthday gift from a fellow dog lover.  

I love dogs and have owned many over my life.  My current dog started life in a not so nice household before making it to our home through the NYC ASPCA.  This book sent me on an emotional roller coaster, thinking of her former life.  

A Dog's Purpose, follows the story of one dog through many lives.  The dog learns new things through every life he/she is given.  Along the way the dog figures that there must be a purpose for all the reincarnation that is going on.  From that point on it is the dog's quest.

I will admit I almost put the book down after the first couple of chapters.  I did not realize the dog would be reincarnated and well it took all my power to keep reading and not throw the book across the room upon his first death.  Not all of the dog's lives are perfect, but there is a reason for each one. 

I promise that this is a tear jerker.  I was crying like a baby, even though there was a smile on my face when I finished the book.   Of course my dog was there to console me.  

Sasha, my proud to be adopted pup.

If you would like to donate to the NYC ASPCA where my girl is from click the link and help another dog find its purpose.

The Monster of Florence

Many of you who know me, understand that I start and stop books, eventually picking them up again.  I know it sounds weird but sometimes you are no longer in the mood for the book you are reading.  This however was not the reason that I stopped reading The Monster of Florence: A True Story, by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi.

About three years ago my mother was reading this book and I said "What are you reading, it has the 'Rape of the Sabine Women' on the cover?"  She explained that it is the true story of an author and an Italian reporter trying to solve the mystery of "The Monster of Florence."

This book is right up my alley.  I love mystery, history and crime novels.  So why did I stop with 30 pages left and leave it for so long.  Simple reason, I was headed to Italy.  I figured it would not be the best book to carry around while sightseeing.  Especially, since it does not always speak highly of the Italian judicial system.

The book follows a series of murders that occurred between 1968 and 1985.  In each of the murders a couple would be murdered while having sex in their cars in deserted areas around Florence.  Sounds like they were breaking a horror movie rule.  This murderous rampage took 16 lives.  

The book takes a turn about half way through, and begins to focus on the Italian judicial system.   Why may ask, if there are no clear suspects?  Well, the writers are finding more sensitive information and are actually accused themselves.  You can now see what it is like to be pursued by the Italian police and prosecutors in the Monster of Florence.  Mario Spezi at one point is accused of being involved in the crimes and jailed in Perugia by Prosecutor Giuliano Migini.

Giuliano Migini, may sound familiar.  He was the prosecutor in the Amanda Knox case.  There is an addendum to the story featuring research into the Amanda Knox court case.  

This book has a little bit of everything.  You will feel uncomfortable at some point in the book.  The murders are given detailed descriptions.  The accusations and jailing are equally as detailed.  The book makes you squirm and the scary part is its all real.