Diary of a Madwoman

This madwoman, a 40-something mom of two children, is here to tell you a thing or two about life when you're an overweight, perimenopausal (she has pills for when she laughs too hard, cream for when hair grows where it shouldn’t and patches to prevent hot flashes and aggravation.) She’s claustrophobic, agoraphobic, insomniatic, diabetic, stubborn anxious, hypothyroid, chronic sinusitis, allergenic, Fibromyalgia, asthmatic, migraine queen with two kids (both teens, one with special needs), four INDOOR dogs, a Cockatoo, two ferrets, a husband and PMDD. Why tell you all of this? TO make you feel better of course!

Category: Parenting

Used Books

Jun 08

4:18 PM

I use to love going to the used bookstore on Tuesday’s and walking away with a bag full of books to read. I also use to love reading (all the time) sometimes several things at once. Then something happened…I am not even sure what happened to be honest. For some reason though, I started going to the large bookstores and purchasing my books from the reduced racks. I never paid full price mind you, but I did purchase a lot of books for around $4.95 each (many of them hardbacks.)

When I watched Sex and the City: The Movie this weekend I laughed to myself when Carrie “leaned” into bed with Big, with a library book in her hand. She said she loved the smell. I use to work in a library…and I love the library, but for me something changed. Again, I am not sure what.

While out today running errands, I drove past the old used bookstore I use to visit weekly. I turned around and drove back. Walking in the memories came back. The sections of course have changed because now you have aisles for genres such as, “chick-lit” and “paranormal.”

As I rummaged through the books, I felt proud once again to be buying recycled books with a history. I held my head high as I left the bookstore with my used books. Then “it” happened!

“It” being the uncontrollably desire to imagine who had the books before me. Di they sneeze on it? Did they touch it after touching themselves? Did they cough on it? Did they die with it in their hand? Did any bodily fluids make its way onto the pages? All of these crazy thoughts started going through my head, then the books were no longer attractive. They were now, scary!

As I tried not to “imagine” so much I decided to enjoy my books anyway. Well…almost anyway. I am going to wear gloves as I read them. Too much you think?

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Lighten up...

Submitted by Southron on Tue, 06/03/2008 at 5:19 pm.

You do realize that frequently people with infectous germs, diseases and viruses breath in your presence when you go out in public don't you? And that the money you exchange for any and all purchases as well as the purchases themselves have been (gasped) touched, sneezed on, fondled, and only God knows what else by the great unwashed mass? And surely, infectious used books in a world filled with germs, diseases and viruses are low on the list of potential health risks. Besides, isn't that what your antibodies are for. Hmmmm? Oh, and while we're on the subject of books, I suggest you, if you have not already done so, have a look at the internet site albris.com. It is truely the mother lode for all used book people.

Southron

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