In my cleaning out the downstairs effort, I donated boxes and BOXES of books to the library yesterday. I had Weston do the heavy lifting. It felt so good to rid myself of the burden of mountains of books. I have read them, loved them, but I am done with them now. I would rather have space. I used to be such a keeper of books. Now, if I don’t see a reason I will use the book again, I don’t want to keep it. (Some books, I do keep. Either for sentimental reasons–a few books–or for practical reasons, because they are a resource. But most books? I read once and I’m done. I must stop KEEPING them.)
In other news, while we are still waiting to hear whether or not Weston will receive a scholarship award as the result of his National Merit Scholarship Finalist status, he was nominated for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship by his high school. Each high school can nominate one student. Weston was nominated here, which was a surprise. We’ve also applied for a number of other scholarships, and he has already been awarded a big scholarship from WVU (West Virginia University), where he has already been accepted and plans to attend. After filling out the FAFSA last month, the results of that were very encouraging as to the grants he will receive. Between grants and scholarships, I expect he will go to college for free. Much of that, because of his wonderful brain, so he did it himself. I’m so proud of him!
Jennifer Robin says:
I used to have a hard time getting rid of books too. Then we moved twice in 18 months. :dancingmonster: I still have a lot of books, but I’m getting alt more discerning about what I do keep!
On March 9, 2011 at 1:10 am
Katharina says:
Congratulations to Weston! Scholarships were very important in getting my two boys through college as well. It is a wonderful thing when they grow up and use all the good information and critical thinking skills that we helped to stuff in their brains! and I haven’t even addressed COMMON SENSE! Once again, congratulations to Weston and to you, Suzanne. Good mama!
I love books. That’s all I am going to say about that.
On March 9, 2011 at 1:20 am
Nancy in Iowa says:
Congratulations to Weston! This is fantastic news.
Good work on repurposing books, Suzanne.
On March 9, 2011 at 1:37 am
bonita del rey says:
Great news about Weston! Does he know what kind of engineer he wants to be? Civil? Electrical? I ask because often the professional societies have loans, stipends, scholarships and such for bright as a light students.
On March 9, 2011 at 2:35 am
Patty says:
Congrats to Weston!!
I can’t get rid of any of our books. My husband’s a keeper and just got two big trash bags full of old scifi paper backs from his stepdad. It’s a losing battle here, lol.
On March 9, 2011 at 3:18 am
Glenda says:
Tell Wes, congratulations. Both of our went to MU on curator’s scholarships. He will do you proud.
On March 9, 2011 at 4:39 am
lauren says:
Good for Weston!!! and Mom 🙂
On March 9, 2011 at 5:29 am
Dianna says:
That is wonderful news! Congratulations to him….and you!
On March 9, 2011 at 7:02 am
hershiesgirl says:
Congrats to Weston and good for you Suzanne for giving up those books….you lose some clutter, and just might make someone else very happy in the process!
On March 9, 2011 at 7:24 am
SandyCWV says:
Great job to both of you!
On March 9, 2011 at 7:35 am
brookdale says:
Congratulations, Weston and Mom!
On March 9, 2011 at 7:40 am
Kim Gibson says:
WEston is a star, and you are a lucky mom! I love books too, and find it hard to get rid of them…. but maybe this spring will be the year to create space!
On March 9, 2011 at 8:03 am
B. Ruth says:
See what books can do….Maybe they weren’t what Weston used…but he knew Mom was a book fan and how important books were for education…It rubs off….
Congratulations to Weston!
Someone will find a book in there they can use…
The libraries around here are having their Spring books sales…
I love them, so many books cheap and sometimes they have free bag deals that are great for crafts, so you don’t feel terrible cutting the pictures and tearing them up for those little ones school projects…
On March 9, 2011 at 8:15 am
texwisgirl says:
Awesomeness all the way around…
On March 9, 2011 at 8:18 am
Window On The Prairie says:
Good for you Weston. I earned my way through college too. I appreciated it all the more for it. Great news!
Suzanne
On March 9, 2011 at 8:29 am
Delia gill says:
i am working on cleaning out myself i want to thank you for chickens in the road i live in the country an have dogs pigs an chickens in the road i cant wait to get on face book to read all your posts we have a lot of things in common thank you again. god bless delia gill
On March 9, 2011 at 8:45 am
Delia gill says:
this is delia they are not in the road that was a miss print ha ha
On March 9, 2011 at 8:46 am
holstein woman says:
Its all about love! You obviously did things right and he loves every minute of it. Congratulations to both of you. Excellent
On March 9, 2011 at 8:55 am
annabel52 says:
The apples don’t fall far from the tree!!
Congrats to Weston, he will go far.
I hope you kept one or two books for your working farm guests to read themselves to sleep.
On March 9, 2011 at 9:08 am
Mary Dunton says:
:dancingmonster: Congratulations Weston!!!! That is so awesome!! Great job!! I know you must be so proud Suzanne!! And happy that all of his hard work earned him a free trip to WVU!!!! I can’t wait to show Maddy!! Woo Hoo!!!! :snoopy: :shimmy: :sun:
On March 9, 2011 at 9:22 am
Diane says:
Congratulations Weston! And to you too Momma! You know that he had some genetic help with all that brain power! The Promise scholarship is also available for bright students, don’t miss out on that!!!! :snoopy:
On March 9, 2011 at 9:30 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Diane, yes, he will get the Promise, too!
On March 9, 2011 at 9:32 am
Connie from Ohio says:
Congrats to Weston. WVA is a wonderful school and Morgantown isn’t too far away.
On March 9, 2011 at 9:45 am
Valerie says:
Such wonderful news! Congratulations to Weston, and to you, too, Suzanne. You must have instilled the love of reading, and learning, in your children. Hard work DOES have it’s rewards. And I’m the same as you in regards to books. I used to save them like a little pack rat, but outside of classics, did not re-read them. So I donated them to our library. USUALLY I go to the library now to read books instead of purchasing them. I may need to wait awhile for my turn at a new release, but it saves money, and I’m all for that.
On March 9, 2011 at 9:46 am
Ramona says:
That’s great news for Weston. Congrats to him too!
On March 9, 2011 at 10:11 am
mmhoney says:
I hear that the PELL is being reduced or eliminated. We need to protect our children. Don’t let anything slip through the cracks. There is much out there that we are not aware…..
mmhoney
On March 9, 2011 at 10:21 am
Bonnie says:
Congratulations Weston your hard work paid off. Now if I could just get my grandchildren to realize that.lol
I too have tons of books but its hard to get rid of them. I admire you..
On March 9, 2011 at 10:32 am
Barbee' says:
Super post! Way to go! Both of you. :woof:
On March 9, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Bev says:
I too was a terrible hoarder of books. Then a miracle happened. My husband gave me a Kindle for Christmas. WALA!!! All the big old dust covered tomes are GONE and I have them all in the space of less than one paper backed book. I can call them up where ever and whenever I want… I love love love my Kindle.
Congrats to both Weston and yourself. It takes a good Mom to make a great kid!!!
On March 9, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Melanie says:
That is great news! Congrats to him, and a big relief for you I’m sure. Yay! :sun:
On March 9, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Imperious Fig says:
Congrats to your son! Mine is set to graduate but he is doing his scholarship applications by osmosis…if he thinks about it the form will fill out be itself. LOL
On March 9, 2011 at 2:26 pm
Yvonne says:
Weston is totally awesome, and so are you Suzanne! :snoopy:
On March 9, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Chris says:
Congratulations Weston on the results of all the hard work!!!
And Congratulations on your hard work Mom — and terrific on the clean out – I am slowly weeding out books – have 8 bookcases and 12 boxes of books — I work for a library so its so tempting to go to every sale and pull out books to add to the collection!!!!
On March 10, 2011 at 6:46 am
pam from ohio says:
Congratulations to Weston! This is such wonderful news. Suzanne, sounds like your love of books and learning new things has passed to your children.
On March 11, 2011 at 11:41 am