Everything I added to my TBR list this week came from publisher's emails. The perils of being a librarian.

Hello, my name is Meghan and I can't stop visiting stationery stores. If it sells journals, notebooks, pens, pencils, cards, or anything of the sort, I must stop in for a visit. Usually, I leave with at least one new purchase.

One of my hobbies is sending out snail mail. While I don't get to do it as much as I used to, I still have a box of notecards and stationery readily available and I add new items to it regularly. Additionally, I love handwriting - whether it be calligraphy, hand lettering, or simply putting pen to paper. The act of writing by hand is something I enjoy immensely. So, sending snail mail is a great way for me to indulge my hobby. Plus, who doesn't like getting a friendly piece of mail these days?

When it comes to stationery stores, I love dropping in to see their wares. While the stores all sell the same sorts of things, they each have their own vibe. Some are modern and type A, others are quaint or crafty - they all make me happy. I think one reason I love stationery stores is that you don't need anything in them. They're an indulgence - but a simple indulgence. It feels like a treat to shop there but one I don't feel guilty about. I can walk away with a full bag of stuff, single notecard, or nothing at all and still feel like my time was well spent. 

On Friday, I visited Jenni Bick, a store not too far from my home. I needed a new notebook for my 2022 bullet journal. While I was there I picked up some notecards and a packet of thank you cards. (Life pro tip: Always keep a packet of thank you cards on hand.) I enjoyed looking at the washi tape, pens, stickers, and one of a kind journals. While I was there, I overheard a staffer and customer chatting about the qualities of fountain pens in specific notebooks. I left the store happy. 

What stores are you unable to pass up?

I took today off simply because I could. The kiddo is in daycare so I spent the morning super cleaning our home. Then I ate a bagel with homemade lox. Next, I took a nice long walk to a stationery shop because I need a new notebook for next year's bullet journal. Then I walked back home where I sized up the kiddo's wardrobe. Finally, I enjoyed a lunch of pot stickers while scrolling email. Now, I'm writing this post.

Today is nothing special but that's what makes it so enjoyable.

Here's what else was good in my week.

• ​The weather cooperated beautifully for today's day off.
• Baked cheese ravioli.
• Got to spend time with my brother while he is in the area.
• Pumpkin munchkins from Dunkin.
• Conquered some annoying webpage coding for a work project.
• Playing with my kiddo and her Duplo blocks.
• A good stationery store.
• Teaching my kiddo the Montessori coat flip.

We get monthly deliveries from Sitka Salmon Shares. As much as I love salmon, it's a lot of fish to eat. Most weeks, we make two dinners involving some of the filets. It's still not enough to keep up. So, I decided to make lox from scratch. I reviewed a lot of recipes, but settled on a basic one to start with. The salmon got a rub, wrapped, and went in to the fridge on Monday. Tonight, I get to unwrap and rinse. I'm excited to see if it works. If it does, I'm making lox all the time.

Here's what else has my attention.

WORK

• Earlier today, some colleagues and I met to discuss our research assignment design study. Our original survey results both told us nothing and everything. So, we're turning to focus on the interviews. We met to discuss logistics, transcription, analysis, planning, and all that fun stuff.  It's been a long time since I have done research of this sort and it feels good.
• It took weeks but I finally got the coding for the header of the new webpage to work. (There may have been some exited dancing in my office.) Now, I need to tweak the footer.
  
• We're about halfway through the webinars in our fall series. I've been handling the logistics for the past few, but I'm on the slate to run the next session. Started working on my slides and content.
• Our CAO's office has some money to spend by the end of the year. They're asking University departments to submit proposals to receive some of the funding. I wrote up one for the Library asking for funds to improve our accessibility workstation. We'd love to get an adjustable desk, hearing aid compatible headphones with mics, and speech-to-text software. Fingers crossed!
• Internet Librarian is next week. I created my slides and notes. Now I just need to review them and practice before my session.

PERSONAL

• Our family photo shoot is in a few weeks. We want our clothes to be coordinated but not matchy-match. We went through a ton of options for the kiddo and settled on an outfit and backup outfit (cause toddlers). The husband bought a new sweater so I took to LL Bean to find a few options for myself. The kiddo and I will do one wardrobe change (weather permitting). I can't wait to see how these pictures turn out.
• I created and sent out the October 2021 newsletter for my condo's green committee. This month, I focused on e-waste.

There is literally no way I could ever read my entire TBR - but that's not going to stop me from adding to it.

Why are mosquitos a thing?

I understand that bats eat mosquitoes (thanks, bats!) but other than being vectors for disease, what purpose do they serve?! *screams the woman who got 5 bites standing outside for 30 seconds*

There is scientific evidence that mosquitos are, indeed, attracted to certain people more than others.  (It's not in your head!) I am one of those people. Whenever mosquitos are around, they go for the ankles, back of the knees, and the one spot on your arm you can never comfortably reach to itch. If I don't cover up, use repellent, or stand in a cloud of citronella, I am guaranteed to be a feast for the blood suckers.

Within minutes, these bites erupt into raised areas of swelling, turn red, and itch like mad. If I can control myself through the first burst of itching, I tend to be okay. But, more often than not, I don't notice that I'm already itching a bite and then I'm stuck with scratchy spots for a few days.

But, seriously, would there be a global calamity if we eradicated mosquitos? It's October and I'm still smacking the buggers off my skin. Thanks, global warming!

Which bug annoys you the most?

It used to be, when there was this random summer weather in the fall, I would be sweating with nights of cranky sleep since I lacked control to our building's HVAC. No more! While home ownership has its downsides, I am forever grateful that, in our building, we have control over the climate in our unit. 

Here's what else was good this week:

• ​The Adventure Zone podcast. I am LOVING the new season.
• On my WFH days, taking morning walks around our neighborhood before l log in to begin the day.
• Last Saturday, my husband surprised me by taking our kiddo to her morning activity and then to the grocery store... leaving me to sleep until nearly 10am. It was glorious.
• Apple and pumpkin picking with family.
• New, adorable pictures of my kid.
• When the reference desk is quiet and I get a lot of other things done.
• Working on an organizing and consolidating project. I have never met a project like this that I didn't love. Let me weed and sort all the things!
• My hockey team won its season opener in grand style.
• Having wonderful neighbors who are happy to help us out when we ask.
• I cleaned our home on the holiday and I always have get weird joy out of seeing the dirt on the microfiber clothes and in the vacuum canister when I'm done. 
• I did our University's rapid COVID test drive. Not only was my test negative, they rewarded my participating with a $10 Starbuck gift card.

What was good in your week?

I have been back at the office for almost two months. I think I can now say that I am used to the new commuting/work week routine. Everything has been a bit weird for the past weeks, but I'm glad that I found my footing again. 

Here's what has my attention at the moment.

WORK

• I save a lot of "hey I want to read this later" stuff. It's in my email, in my work OneDrive, and on various lists. I decided I need to consolidate all work reading in one location. I'm opting to use Zotero for this since it can save all the citations which I can use to track down full text later. I spent a good chunk of a morning simply importing material from my email. OneDrive is next.
• Still coding the new homepage. I did battle with the footer last week (still needs tweaking but at least it works) and now I'm moving on to the header. I gave the team a look and got some comments for stuff to work on. My hope is to have the bulk of the coding done this month.
• Our library is a part of a local consortia. I'm working on proposing an interest group related to outreach and marketing. We have a lot of skills and knowledge across our libraries and I would love to work more closely with these colleagues.
• All the faculty senate committees I am on started their work for the semester. Yeah, more meetings! Actually, they've been pretty good for the most part.
• Started to prep the content for my presentation at Internet Librarian at the end of the month.

PERSONAL

• I am still on the hunt for the perfect sofa table. No luck yet. My next move is to take measurements of our current table so I can at least narrow down all the options out there. 
• Over the long weekend, we took our kiddo apple and pumpkin picking. There are now a lot of images I need to consolidate and share out to the grandparents. 
• The husband and I are a whole lot closer to being done with our "BIG legal documents you need project." We scheduled a notary and witnesses to help make everything official. Still work to do on this, but just having the unsigned documents has put my mind at ease.
• An idea has been percolating in my head that I need to start reducing the number of places I keep things. I've got stuff in Evernote, Google Drive, OneDrive, my computer, and a few other places. I know I can't get rid of these services, but I'd like to try to put all the various files in mostly one location. If you've got ideas on that, drop a comment below.

The premise of this novel looks really​ interesting.

When I cook dinner, 9 times out of 10, I use the same old, slotted wooden spoon. It has a thicker than usual handle with a rounder than usual head. I have no idea how or when I acquired this spoon. But, if you dare to take it from me, be prepared to be whacked on the wrist.

The thickness of the handle makes it easier to hold. The shape of the head is great for scraping sides of pans. And, since it's wood, I don't have to worry about it scratching my non-stick pans.  The slots make it great for stirring and taste testing all manner of food - be it in a skillet or a pasta boiling away. The larger shape means I can cover a whole jar or can and drain liquids away without needing to breakout a colander.

I love this spoon. 

Sadly, I need to replace this spoon.

I have a tendency to whack it on the side of my pans and the handle is starting to chip. We're not in breakage territory yet, but there is a definite dent in the handle. 

When I'm in a store that sells kitchen supplies, I always look at their wooden spoon selection. There has never been a replacement that meets my standards. The handles are all too thin or, weirdly, to long. The heads of the spoons are narrow or too flat. The one time I found the perfect shaped head but it wasn't slotted. So, my replacement quest continues. 

What is the favorite thing in your kitchen?