a little nookIE

For my birthday, wedding anniversary, and general good behavior my husband bought me a nook. For a person with 15 book cases and a serious intent to do some serious reading the idea of 1500 books on one tiny little device was irresistible. I did consider the Kindle and the Sony Reader, but a friend recommended against the Sony and the Kindle's selection was significantly smaller than the nook. Barnes and Noble also offers me a real store, that I visit once a week anyway, where I can get help if I need it. I'm going to need some help getting the pre-loaded samples I don't want out of my library. That kind of clutter drives me crazy.
I am already seeing fiscal advantages in that many of the books I want to read are available for free or as little as 3 dollars. It helps that I love old books. (Do get Fagles' translation for the Illiad, the Odyssey, and the Aeneid. He is so worth it.) John Donne comes in multiple flavors and all interesting. Jane Austen and Dostoevsky came in a special ereader version with all their work in one place easily accessed. I believe other authors are similarly available at very attractive prices. I couldn't work out how to get a similar version of the Chronicles of Narnia, so I'm just going to get the latest Redwall book to read to the kids on our way to the beach. I don't even have to worry about packing books as anything I decide I'd like to read I can shop for in the car, at the house, on the beach. I love my nook! That is to say, I love my niche.

Meet the Love Bug Bag!

I will admit to being a softie whose modus operandi is more oriented toward praise than consequences. I also find it hard to pass up neat gizmos the kids might like. I shop the bargain bins at every store looking for cool stuff at a good price. In the past I didn't manage that very well, handing things out because they were there. It led to spoiled kids who gave me a shopping list when I went out and it wasn't for carrots or broccoli.
Combining both tendencies into one program I've been doing better at connecting achievement to reward. Walmart had a cute and cheap bag covered with hearts, and I was instantly inspired. I bought it and we call it "the love bug bag." I put all my finds in the bag and kids who do well get to choose something special. We will soon be going on a trip and normally I'd be scrounging up things to keep the kids busy on the road. This time everything is already in the bag, literally--what a blessing on several levels.