Books, Books, Books I Read in January

An awesome blogger friend of mine posts a wrap up of books she reads each month and I thought I might try to do the same.  (You can check her blog out here: http://orangerful.livejournal.com/).

I'm not going to write full reviews on them here - I review most books I read on Goodreads already but I wanted a place to gather together what my reading life has been up to each month so here we go.  I'd love it if you'd comment and let me know what you've been reading too!

This one took up most of my time:

I'm not usually a non-fiction reader but lately I've been reading more of it.  This read a lot like a biography (Harris is a network newscaster who has lead a very interesting life) with some advice on mindfulness and meditation mixed in.  It was a fairly slow read for me but I really enjoyed it.

Sophie Kinsella generally writes adult (like for grown ups ... not "adult"... I know how some of my friends think!) Chick Lit, but this is a book written for teens and the subject matter piqued my interest.  It's funny, and sweet, and typical of teen chick lit -- full of angst and of course romance.  Mixed among all of that the subject of mental illness is front and center..  I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads but now that I have a chance to reflect on it I will probably change it to 4 stars.  It takes a pretty good author to write a fairly light-hearted, yet true to life, positive and hopeful book about mental illness.



Ungifted is a funny story about a middle school boy who accidentally gets sent to a school for gifted students instead of punished for one of his normal trouble-making stunts. It's a fun look at kids from different groups and backgrounds being thrown into the same world and what they can learn from each other.  A good recommendation for boys or girls and I think would also be a hit with a reluctant reader.  It's not my favorite by Korman but it's still worth the read and definitely worth recommending to any tweens in your life.





Picture Book Palooza!  I read a handful of great picture books in January after all of the awards (Newbery and Caldecott and many more) were announced.  Even if you're an adult with no children in your lives these are worth a look!  If you only look at one of them pick up Finding Winnie.  You won't regret it!

Catching Up...AKA.. where does the time go?

Life is a whirlwind... and I'm learning that when there are kiddos in the house that is about 100 times more the case than when Margo was my only roomie... but that's not a bad thing really.  Life is fun, an adventure, and each day a new learning experience (both for Margo and I!).

 

While I haven't been posting much on this blog - I have been working on some of the things on my Enjoying 2015 list.

• I completed the Warrior Dash!  It was a struggle in some spots, often times more mental than physical... it was great fun though!  I truly had no concept of exactly how muddy I would get or how relieved I would be to swim through that last pool of mud under the barbed wire. I couldn't have done it without my awesome friend Kelly (and the rest of the team that she brought to us!).  
• I've been reading more... sometimes when I get in one of those non-reading ruts I forget exactly how much I love getting lost in a book.  I've read several great books lately:
• Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson - This was a quick, fun, and true to life story of those tough tween years.  
  
• The Package Deal: My No So Glamorous Transition from Single Gal to Instant Mom by Izzy Rose  - I can't say enough about this book.  I felt like I knew the author right from the beginning and we were great pals.  Sure, there are lots of "how-to" and "self help" books about being a Step-Mom, but this book did one better... it showed me that all of the thoughts, feelings, and apprehensions constantly swirling around in my head were NORMAL.  Plus it made me laugh out loud a lot! 
  
• Spending more time disconnected - this is a really tough one for me.  I can easily fall into the trap of being a smart phone junkie... checking my personal email, work email, facebook, goodreads etc on a seemingly constant basis but I've been making a concerted effort to tune all of that out for periods of time.  Being part of such an active family helps that - we are often playing in the park, taking a walk or just enjoying being silly with each other.  Henry also just got a guitar for Father's Day and it inspired me to break out my Dulcimer and do a little tinkering with a few songs.

All in all life is good - sometimes super stressful and overwhelming - but good :-) 

I think in the next few weeks I'll focus on continuing finding a good balance and staying disconnected sometimes and also get back on the exercise bandwagon...who knows - I might want to run the Warrior Dash again next year :-)

10 Books

The Challenge: List 10 books that have stayed with you throughout your life. Not necessarily "good" books; don't think too hard and don't show off.

1. Wizard of Oz (Little Golden Book)

2. Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

3. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

4. Looking For Alaska by John Green

5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

6. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

7. The Giver (and Gathering Blue) by Lois Lowry

8. Kittens First Full Moon by Kevin  Henkes

9. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

10. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I don't have them in any order of importance except that the first book on the list is near and dear to my heart because my pop read it to me over and over and over again with me curled up in his lap when I was a little girl until I could "read" the book myself.  I love looking back and thinking about those moments.  He may not have realized then how important the memory would be to me now.  

I read a grown up book!

Top Secret Twenty One by Janet Evanovich


I even surprised myself when I got to the end of a book that was over 300 pages... it's been a while!  Lately the only books I've finished are the kinds with LOTS of pictures.  Now don't get me wrong, I love picture books and easy readers and I'm happy to count them in my number of books for the year but I was starting think that my nearly 37 year old attention span couldn't handle a book with more than one sentence on each page.

So what was the trick... reading something light, something where I already know and love the characters and pretty much know how things are going to turn out.  The trick was the 21st installment of my favorite comfort series with my old friends Stephanie, Ranger, Morelli, and of course Grandma. You will notice Ranger gets first mention there... I'm Team Ranger in my reading life, though I'd probably be team Morelli in real life.

In any case, I enjoyed this book like an evening out with old friends.  I always look forward to the new installment of this series to be part of my summer reading even though lots of fans complain that the story is getting old and Stephanie never picks between the two men in her life.  Somehow I'm OK with that.

Special perk of this book: Grandma has a bucket lists.  I love crazy Grandma and I love bucket lists :-) and hers has some pretty spectacular things on it... a few she manages to accomplish!  Way to go Grandma!

Now -- What to read next?

Book Thoughts: Wild by Cheryl Strayed

 

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

I read this book simply because it seemed like an entertaining book about hiking... and as an unlikely serious hiker myself, about to attempt the Inca Trail, I thought it would be a fun (and maybe informative) read.  It was all of those things, but I didn't realize when I checked this book out of the library that it would also strike a cord with me on other levels.  I identified with Cheryl from the first few pages and while I never engaged in the kinds of destructive behavior she does while facing grief and uncertainty I certainly felt her pain as she described nightmares she would wake up from, or the feeling of loss of control after losing her mother and her family essentially falling apart.  I cried with her and laughed with her and was proud of her (and maybe a few times questioned her sanity but I'm sure people question mine sometimes too).

Definitely recommended reading, if you're a hiker or not, the story is about the journey both physical and emotional.  Definitely worth the read.  And if you're the kind who likes to read books before you see movies definitely give it a go because the movie is slated to be released sometime in 2014.

P.S. Here's hoping my Inca Trail comrades and I are more prepared than Cheryl was... plus... you know, we'll have a guide and each other.  After all, this girl is afraid of the dark... and the dark alone in the wide open wilderness... no way :-) 

Change is a good thing

Hello again!

I was just thinking how awesome it is that spring is almost here, how there's just one more week until I can add an hour of daylight to my evening and start running with friends again outside and not on a stinking treadmill... and what's it calling for? Snow!  I say yuck!  But I have some friends who are really hoping for a snow day so because I'm an awesome pal I suppose I will join team "please please please mother nature can we have a huge blizzard this week."  Maybe a snow day will give me time to do some writing, blogging, crafting or reading... ok.. so now I'm fully behind this possible weather event.

Owning 2013 update:  So far so good :-)  It's been a rough few years of changes and adjustments for me but so far 2013 has brought me good stuff.   In February I interviewed for a promotion at work and in early April I start the new gig.  I couldn't be more excited for this new challenge!  I know I've worked hard for this but I can't help but also think that things work out the way they're supposed to.  The timing and job and location and well everything couldn't have worked out better for me and I'm so very very thankful for the opportunity and adventure that awaits.

Not nearly as exciting but I did also cross reading Catcher in the Rye off my list and I've been to the gym twice in the last 3 days (and I'm about to eat ice cream as a reward.. lol)

 
Books I've Read:
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - I gave this 4 stars on goodreads...but I probably am more of a 4.5 for it.  It's not up there with my absolute, all time favorites but I really did enjoy this book.  I know I'm opposite of a lot of my reading friends on this but I sort of liked Holden Caulfield though I also believe that you don't have to love a narrator/protagonist to appreciate a book.  While I can certainly see why some would find Holden the most whiny character ever to live inside a book I also feel like Holden felt genuine to me.  He's lost, on the brink of adulthood, reaching out repeatedly to adults who don't really provide him with the guidance he needs and obviously severely affected by the death of his brother Allie.  To me Holden is someone who's searching for direction, meaning, and mostly identity.  He's stuck somewhere in between. 
For some great thoughts on Catcher in the Rye check out John Green's Crash Course on it...lots of interesting stuff to think about.  I'll be honest...John Green's the reason I wanted to read Catcher so badly and it did not disappoint.

Just One of the Guys by Kristan Higgins - I gave this one 4 stars too and I'm ok with giving classics and books I read for pure enjoyment the same credit.. they serve different purposes and this book filled the "I want to read a sweet book where everything turns out ok in the end" niche very nicely. Check out the link to goodreads for a description... it's a perfect snow day book and if you're a Marylander you might need that this week!


Song I'm loving right now:  I heard a clip of this on the 93.1 Future File on Friday and then immediately went searching on my phone right where I was (don't worry I was parked and not driving).  I love their song Postcard from Paris and this is certainly different but it's got an addictive beat and pretty fun lyrics.  Sorry guys... it's full of man-hating girl power. They'll be playing in Columbia in May if anyone is interested!!

 

 

Hope everyone has a good week :-) Catch you soon! 

One Good Friend Deserves Another by Lisa Verge Higgins

YAY! I read a book!  A whole book! Somehow I haven't been reading much lately but I started a book in the middle of Hurricane Sandy and I finished it yesterday. 

One Good Friend Deserves Another by Lisa Verge Higgins

This wasn't a deep, complicated read but it was heart warming, touching and thoughtful.  It follows the lives of four women in their mid-thirties that are still struggling with life and love each in their own unique way.  It's definitely chick-lit but it's a little more grown up than your average run of the mill *girl struggles with identity in a quirky-cute way and then falls in love* chick-lit.  As an aging (ugh) chick-lit reader I appreciated that these women were in their 30's and still figuring things out as I think most of us probably are.  The author did a nice job developing the characters and their relationship as a group.  I liked each of the women and was sad when the story ended and there were some loose ends that I really would have liked to known the outcome of.  I particularly identified with Wendy who is torn between being the woman everyone expects her to be or being comfortable with who she really is.  While this book might seem like fluff to some (and the cover does sort of give that impression) there's a lot here to think about and even discuss for a book club .. maybe with that group of women you've been friends with forever :-)

Crunch Time

When I started this blog, 1001 days seemed like a huge amount of time to complete 101 things... bwahahahaha.  So how the heck did I find myself with about 7 months left to go and a TON of time consuming items left on my list.  Reading through it just now I think it's safe to say I probably won't get it all done.. but that's ok.  I'll keep working on it until the bitter end anyway.

If I could simply start blogging more regularly that would be an accomplishment in itself...plus it would release me from always blogging about how I'm not blogging enough :)  

It's been an eventful 6 months or so since my last post... some good, some bad.  I'm not going to rehash details because those of you reading this probably know me well enough to know all of the ups and downs... I'll simply say that I'm hoping 2012 (yes - I know we are 4 months in already) will hold happiness and maybe a little less stress.  I prefer to be an optimist so I'm looking forward to whatever fate brings me between now and the end of this little project.  

Let's get down to some accomplishments and goals :)

I did manage to read several great books in the past few months... I won't give full reviews because that would take forever but here is a quick rundown:

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green  -- seriously, if you haven't read John Green - do it!  Yes - I'm a little obsessed with him... sure, he would be in my guilt free three, but aside from that - he's an amazing author that will have you laughing through the tears while reading his books.  His first book Looking for Alaska is easily my favorite book I've ever read... but with each new title I'm reminded of why I love his work.  Ok - enough gushing.

2. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander -- this is the first in the Chronicles of Prydain series.  A good friend of mine who dutifully read all of John Green's books on my recommendation suggested I try this series which is his favorite.  I loved it!  I'm not generally a fantasy reader but the quirky and lovable characters made this a great read for me.  I think I'll pick up book number two very soon!  I've been meaning to read it for ages just like I've been meaning to update this blog....

3. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon -- several friends recommended this series and I wasn't disappointed... I think I need a month off of work so I can work my way through the rest of them :-)  

4.Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich - I know a lot of people have gotten tired of this series.. after all there are EIGHTEEN of them so far... but I still love Stephanie Plum and watching her struggle humorously through life and with her feelings for two sizzling men.  (I'm team Ranger by the way if anyone cares).

Other Stuff --- 

To be honest I haven't accomplished much else that was on any sort of list of goals (not that those titles were on my list but reading in general always is) but life was busy with other tasks... cleaning out my dads house, packing this one for our move, buying my new truck (the pretty blue love of my life) and just getting through the day to day.  I have gotten a bit of running done but not enough :/

Time to set some goals--

1. Read a book.  Those listed above were all finished a few months ago... its time to finish another already.

2. Run 3 times a week

3. Blog at least once a week

4. Stop and smell the roses - have fun :-)

Yeah - I know none of those are specific items on my list... but I'm working with baby steps here... plus half my house is packed up right now and being in limbo is not the easiest time to accomplish big huge tasks.

Happy New Year, Happy Valentines Day, Happy St Patricks Day, Happy Spring, Happy Easter.... yeah I missed a lot of stuff :-)

Ta Ta For Now!

Fake Blogger

I'm definitely feeling like I'm not a really blogger... this page hasn't been updated in months...AND when I look at my "101 things to do list" it's pretty much at the same level of completion as it was all those weeks ago.  I wish I had some great excuse but I really don't.  Life just gets in the way - and when that happens it is generally the day to day mundane life getting in the way that doesn't exactly spark creativity.  

So here we are again...at least I'm a consistently bad blogger - I feel like this is the gazillionth "I'm terrible at this" post since I started this thing :-)   Maybe I need to make an appointment with myself a few times a week to do this. 

Anyway - Like I said - not much accomplished on the list front.  In fact I just went back and read through the list and some of the things left on it are sounding dreadfully boring to me at the moment.  I think I already picked all the low hanging fruit, and tackled some of the more fun stuff... and now I'm left with things that generally sound like work.  Hmmm, not sure that was really my intention when starting this project.
  
There are a few things though that I am interesting in accomplishing in the short term: 1. Read Gone With the Wind (it's downloaded onto my nook - I have a vacation coming up in November - I have NO excuse!) 2. Take a dulcimer lesson.   As soon as kickball season is over and I have another weeknight free I think I'm gonna give this a real go.  In fact I think I will put it on my goals for the week to make the phone call to set it up!

I have actually been doing some running in the past few months... I'm still not running solid lengths of time but even with walking breaks I can see that I'm getting faster and as long as I see progress I'm happy with baby steps!

I've also been doing a fair amount of reading - though nothing on my list.  I've  been reading bunches of Teen Romances for a workshop I'm facilitating at this weekend and I'm also in the middle of The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  I have a feeling that when I do finally finish this book it will inspire some blog posts.   The books is exactly what it sounds like - a woman takes a year of her life devoting each month to a theme/goal for becoming happier and writes about it.   Not all of it is earth-shattering, but even the stuff that should seem like common sense is good to be reminded of and think about once in a while. 


I think that about catches everyone up.  So here are my goals for the week:

1. Call about dulcimer lessons.
2. Blog again on Wednesday and Friday mornings
3. Do something nice for myself.  This is sort of cheating -- I already know that as soon as the place opens at 10am I'm going to sneak in a pedicure before work today :)

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares
I'm going to pay overdue fines for this book.  It was due the end of last week and so it had gone unread and unthought of for 3 weeks... but the day I was going to return it I noticed a conversation about the book happening on facebook.  Friends were talking about how it wasn't what they expected and that there was a plot twist they wouldn't have guessed but that it was well worth the read.  This exchange drew me in just enough to decide to give the library the 75 cents or so and read it over the weekend. 

I loved the teen series Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  I enjoyed all the characters (though I have always been most fond of Lena) and the reads were fun trips through memories of friendships that I still treasure today.  Following this girls into their 30th year sounded like great fun...nothing in the book jacket description would lead you to believe otherwise but that couldn't be further from the truth.  Don't get me wrong.... I loved this book but if you are looking for a beach read that won't make you think, feel uncomfortable, and explore hard emotions with these characters than perhaps it should be set aside for a rainy day instead of a day with your feet nestled in the sand.... but pick it up and read it one day...it's worth it.

SPOILERS AHEAD - Don't read further if you haven't read the book and intend to do so ..............












Once I read on facebook that there were some plot twists I had a feeling that something happened to one of the Septembers... I thought perhaps we would find out in the beginning of the book that one of them was sick and the book would explore their relationship together as the illness progressed... I was fully expecting Tibby to announce an illness when the four arrived in Greece and the turn of events did surprise me.  After a while however I did figure out that there was more going on and that she must have been ill before the incident.  It didn't actually bother me to know this before the characters... it wasn't like figuring out a mystery before then end of a suspense novel ... This book was more about the characters and how they worked through their grief and their relationships than it was about plot details to me. 

I have a hard time reading about death and grief...it makes me think of people I love that I've lost and this book was no different.  I wasn't actually sure I had it in me to keep reading after the first few chapters... I think some of this stems from great writing and evoking of emotions just as must as it does from being a weeping prone individual!

I marked some pages as I went and I want to share a few passages that particularly struck me. This is just as much for myself as for sharing so that I can come back to these few lines in the future... long after I've returned the library book.

pg xii  Growing up is hard on friendship.

pg 66 She forgot everything instantly, as though she had no memory apparatus at all.  But in a sick-feeling way, she also knew her eyes and ears were taking these things in and keeping them.  These images and words would be there waiting for her, settling into some deeper layer that would someday resurface...and make her feel crazy and scared.

pg 228
Her vision of the world under the water represented a beautiful stillness, a version of heaven.  It was the lost city of Lena, her alternate universe, the life she yearned for but didn't get to have.

Lena's grief experience most closely matched my own and so I think her sections stood out the most to me throughout the book, but following each persons individual experience and growth as a result of it was very touching and rewarding in a sort of way.  I really wanted these characters to find their way, both in life and back to each other. 

This certainly wasn't a happy light read, but readers will take comfort in the ending, and will feel better for having read it.

GUYKU: A Year of Haiku for Boys

GUYKU: A Year of Haiku for Boys by Bob Raczka with art by Peter H Reynolds


This book is clever.
I giggled and smiled a lot,
Illustrations rock!

Matched by Ally Condie

Did I love this book? No.  Do I think it would be popular with a certain group of teen readers?  Definitely. I gave Matched by Ally Condie 3 stars on goodreads.com.... but only because half stars aren't an option.  For me it was about 2 1/2.  Very middle of the road...I didn't really like it but I didn't hate it and certainly see its appeal.  In the dystopian society that Cassia lives in teenagers are "matched" with their mate sometime in their 17th year and Cassia is matched with her best childhood friend (being matched with someone you know almost never happens) but briefly catches a glimpse of another young many she knows on her match card... confusion/ angst/ coming of age abound.  This story had all of the right ingredients for me to really like it but it lost me in one place... I never actually started to like or care about the characters.  I can't put my finger on why but I didn't and because of that I never really cared what happened next and getting through the book was really tough.  I'll still recommend this title to teens ... i think it could have broad appeal (though the cover is sort of girly) but there is certainly better dystopian teen lit out there.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The second book I read on vacation was The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.  I loved this book.  I haven't felt this way about a book since the first time I read Looking For Alaska by John Green.  If you know me at all and are aware of my complete devotion to that book and its author you realize this is a big deal.
The Sky is Everywhere is a beautifully written first novel (in both poetry and prose).  It's main character, Lennie, is working through the grief of the sudden death of her older sister.  Lennie is far from perfect and she managed to earn my sympathy, anger, and joy throughout the novel.  The exploration of grief in my opinion is so well done and realistically portrays a girl going through many stages of grieving and of living.  I won't lie... I certainly had moments of tears while reading this book but I also had moments where I caught myself smiling or even laughing out loud.   The characters (all of them, not just Lennie) make this book and I felt like I knew each of them personally by the end.
This is definitely a book I can see myself revisiting and that I would highly recommend to anyone who will listen.  When it was over I just wanted to hold it in my arms and stay with the characters for a while....

Vacation Books...Insatiable by Meg Cabot

One of my favorite spots on the cruise ship was a comfy chair next to a big window:

I was able to use some of the free time while at sea to catch up on some reading and finished two books.

The first one I read was Insatiable by Meg Cabot.  The quick synopsis is that Meena Harper is a young single writer (for a soap opera) and has the "gift" of being able to see how people will die (not so much fun).  The powers that be at her TV show want to take the show in a new direction with a storyline about vampires... surprise.... at this point some real vampires make their way into the storyline of the book.  Meena of course falls in love with the leader of all of the vampires and much action/romance/melodrama ensues.  With murdered girls being found in the city --- vampire hunters enter the plot and a sort of battle moves the story forward.  I actually would have like to see more exploration of the relationship between Meena and Alaric (vampire hunter).  This was a good book to read on vacation... it was fast paced and I generally like Meg Cabot's writing.  In the end though I didn't love the characters (which I usually do with Cabot books) and in turn didn't love the book.  If you want to read a Meg Cabot book with supernatural aspects I would recommend the Mediator Series which I really enjoyed (it's a teen series but I read it as an adult).

Sweetgum Knit Lit Society

I was having a bit of a reading dry spell but I broke it on Friday when I picked this book up off my desk (where it has been sitting for several weeks) during lunch time and made myself start it.  I'm glad I did.   The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society by Beth Pattillo was exactly what I was looking for this weekend.  It was a cozy story about a group of very different women in a small town who come together each month to talk about books and share their knitting projects.  There is not a lot of action in this book so if you are looking for fast paced - this one won't be for you.  I would say this book is more of a character study of the women in the group and is made more interesting by the fact that they don't all particularly like one another.  The story begins when the town librarian brings one of her "strays" (a teenage girl lacking in the parents department -- well at least in the good parents department) to a meeting.   The characters seemed real to me, each with her own individual strengths and flaws and perhaps that's why I enjoyed the book.  I've seen it categorized as Christian Fiction but it was never preachy (actually the only hint of Christian Fiction I saw was that they meet in a church) so don't let that get in the way if you usually don't read that genre.

A nice, quick read for a cloudy day!

I'm a bad blogger but I'm mostly ok with that :-) I have no witty lead ins... so here are my updates....

101 Things to To Do:
Once again I have crossed off absolutely nothing on this list since my last post... I did however update the list a little bit... I took off a few things that don't interest me anymore and added a few others ( I was inspired by a co-workers bucket list).  Here's the list if you want to check it out.  I might make more changes over time... my original list had a lot of things on it that I want to get accomplished (and I still do want to accomplish them) but not quite as many things that are truly out of my comfort zone which is the way I am currently leaning.  I am not exactly a risk taker or adrenaline junky and I will admit to wanting to hide in my comfortable little corner of the world... but surprise surprise... doing different things can be fun :-) 

Yesterday I played on my first sports team in 20 years.  Granted it was an adult kickball league (we're not talking tons of skills necessary) but I was a little nervous my first time up to the plate.  I really intended to be an extra girl in case I was needed (you must have a certain number playing each game) but that happened at our very first game and it turns out I had a great time.   I didn't contribute much to our win (I played catcher and barely ever even had to touch the ball - and kicked two pop ups that were immediately caught) but it was still fun... and I think I will play every week - whether I have to or not.  As I said on facebook I accomplished my 3 goals: 1. actually make contact between my foot and the ball, 2. don't fall in the mud, 3. don't get hurt.  Maybe my goal for the rest of the season should be to get on base.... that's a lot of pressure though :-) 

Books:
Silent Sorority by Pamela Tsigdinos - I won't get into all of my thoughts about this book... for me it's a bit too personal to share with the world at large -- in fact -- I contemplated not adding it to goodreads or to my blog but I think it's an important book for anyone out there who might be seeking a book on the topic so here it is.  My quick overview is that this is biography of sorts about a woman's (and also a couple's) struggle with infertility that doesn't turn out peachy in the end... in other words its about how she reacts/deals with life when none of the intense/painful/expensive treatments work.  There isn't really much out there on this topic... most books on infertility are simply about getting to the final goal... and not about how your life turns upside down when you realize your future has to be different than you imagined it.  I'm happy to chat with anyone who wants to know more about the book or my personal thoughts/feelings on the subject but I think that's enough for the blog :-).

Totally other end of the spectrum I also ready DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by Kody Keplinger.  I had this in advanced reader copy form on my desk for ages and finally took it home a few weekends ago.  It's a teen novel and it was a quick read.  I was invested enough in the characters to want to finish....but I didn't love it either.  The reader reviews of it on goodreads are pretty good so maybe I just missed something? 

Resolutions:  I have made it to the gym a few times ( I forgot how much I love the kickboxing class)...and I actually took my running outside once last weekend on a pretty day instead of hiding in my basement on the treadmill.  It's much nicer outside (though the hills are not my friends) and the time actually goes faster.  I still haven't managed to get into a routine of going at set times throughout the week... life always seems to get in the way of that.

Goals:
Try once again to update this blog before an eternity goes by
Complete one thing on my 101 things list
Try the Zumba class at the gym.
Run outside again.

Brown Chicken Brown Cow

The title of my blog post really doesn't mean anything in particular to me but it's the hook from a silly country song on the radio I heard while driving to my dad's yesterday and I simply can't get it out of my head... so I urge you... go find the song on the internet, listen to it, and then get stuck with the earworm like I am :-)

I didn't cross anything of of my 101 list of things to do list in the past week.  I did attempt to take a carriage ride while in Williamsburg this weekend but when we got to the stand they were already booked up for the day... so if the thought counts ... :-)

Even though it's not on my list I did read a book I have been meaning to: Band Geek Love by Josie Bloss
As a former band geek the corny title caught my attention.  I can't even remember how I heard about it (AACPL doesn't own it) but I have had it on my to-read list for a while and finally got around to ordering from another county and it was a super quick read over the weekend.  I didn't love the book ... but if you were ever in the marching band the book would be amusing to you... there's lots of marching band terminology and it brought back good memories.  I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else though because I'm not sure that everyone would get the basic band lingo and aside from the reminiscing I did I don't think the writing or story was very strong.

As far as my "new years" goals go - I have been heading to the gym at least a few times a week and I got a lot of walking in while away in Williamsburg this weekend AND I managed to write this blog post before too much time went by :-)

Speaking of our time in Williamsburg just a quick shout out to the Sherwood Forest Plantation - home of President John Tyler.  This house is not generally open for tours but you can make them by appointment and as the wife of someone who likes to see anything related to history and the homes of all the presidents it has been on our list to see for a while.   They had another couple interested on Sunday so we were able to pair up with them for a tour.  It was a FANTASTIC tour.  The first sort of unbelievable thing is that John Tyler's grandson still lives in the house (yes -- the men had children late in life making this possible) AND the great great granddaughter and her high school friends were hanging out in the yard throwing around a lacrosse ball.  The Tyler family dogs (there are quite a few of them) greeted us at the front steps and followed us around for much of the tour and inside this fantastic house full of amazing antiques and historical artifacts was a yappy little chihuahua.   The tour guide was a family friend and the stories that were told (which is possible because the grandson has passed many family stories and versions of historic events on) were fascinating and the two hours we were there went by so fast.   If you ever have the opportunity I would highly suggest it (it's not cheap but so worth it if you are interested in history).

So that's my story for the past week or so.... some goals for next week:
1. get to an actual class at the gym
2. read the Bible at least 3 days
3. Blog
4. Go through my 101 things to do list and update (yes it might be cheating - but I am of the mindset that I can take things off the list if I'm not actually interested anymore and add new goals to it if I want to.  It's MY list and I will play by MY rules :-))

Happy Thursday!

Monthly Updates?

Maybe my single goal for the next month should just be to blog weekly... even just to say "hello".  I am definitely not in the habit and then I find myself a month later trying to figure out what they heck I have accomplished in the last month.... it would be much easier to remember a week at a time!  I have no good excuses... sure I've been busy but it doesn't take more than 10 minutes or so for a quick blog post.  Ah well... there is always room for improvement :-)


What I've accomplished from my 101 list of things to do list:
3. Read 5 Children’s Novels - This one is now complete... I read this years Newbery winner Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool and I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it!  Check out the link to goodreads to find out more about it and to read my review.

I also tried 3 new recipes for a total of 9.  One more new recipe to go!  I made some Paula Deen Pork Chops and Mac and Cheese.  I made a few adjustments... for starters I just fried the pork chops in a little bit of olive oil on both sides and then finished them off in the oven while the mac and cheese was baking... I DID NOT fry them in six cups of vegetable oil.  I also used whole wheat flour when breading them.  With the mac and cheese I used what I had on hand which was low fat buttermilk and sour cream so I saved on a few calories maybe.  Even with that said I think that the mac and cheese especially is a "once in a while" recipe.   It was SOO rich that I can't imagine making it regularly.  It was delicious in small portions though.  The pork chops were delicious with the modifications... they were so moist and I almost always dry out pork!
The last recipe that I tried was a bean soup recipe from the same Paula Deen cookbook as the mac and cheese but we didn't love it... My husband actually said it tasted like hot dog soup (maybe the smoked sausage in it?) and he hates hot dogs so that's not a compliment by any means.  I couldn't find the recipe online to link to and it wasn't so fantastically wonderful that I feel the need to type it all out for you sorry :(

As for my goals in general - I have been to the gym several time in the past few weeks and also on the treadmill... its supposed to be nicer this week so maybe I will even try to sneak in an outdoor run (run/walk!).  I have read a little more of the Bible but this is a goal I definitely need to get better at! 

All in all - January/February has been an "ok" month(s) so far... but I am so ready for spring!!

Type at you again a week (or month!).

Stumbling already?

Well... I guess I've already proven I can't be trusted to blog weekly :-)  It's ok... I'm not going to be too hard on myself-- I'll just try harder next time... really... I promise!  The last few weeks have been full of dreary weather, stomach bugs, and general blah.  But I did read some great books!  I read two more Children's books toward my goal:

The Keeper by Kathi Appelt
The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan

I enjoyed both of these books but I LOVED The Dreamer.  It's a beautifully written "fictional biography" of Pablo Neruda. I think adults who enjoy poetry should definitely give it a shot even though it's written for kids.

I've also read a few other books towards my goal of reading 50 books this year (you can check out my goodreads page if you are really curious) and one I especially enjoyed was Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.  I enjoyed the characters - all of them, not just the main characters and the love story was well done and not cheesy--a lot of the moments felt very true to teen life and while the plot was nothing groundbreaking the quality of writing makes this book stand out.

Surprisingly I did manage to try a few new recipes so far this year as well.  I made this Chicken Noodle Casserole which was quite good - though a little bland (might have to play with some spices) and also a Cauliflower Hamburger Casserole which was not delicious in the least (I used the ingredients search on the website and searched for ground beef and cauliflower because I had some of each that needed to be used- there aren't many recipes with both and I think now I know it's for a good reason).

As far as my 2011 goals I have been reading my ten pages of The Bible as many days as I can - I admit that a few days of oversleeping got in the way (I like to read it in the morning when I first wake up).  The 10 minutes a day of exercising which seems so easy has gotten done maybe half the time and as I already pointed out - I haven't exactly been blogging weekly.  So the good news is that there is so much room for improvement!  If I had aced the first few weeks it would have all been down hill :-)

For the coming week or so:
I hope that when I blog next I will be able to say that I have drug myself to the gym (that gets the benefit of my money monthly without me actually walking through the door on a regular basis) a few times, gone for a few runs, read another 50 pages or so of The Bible and finish my goal of reading 5 Children's novels (from my 101 things to do list).

Resolutions... i never keep 'em.

It's true... I can't remember ever accomplishing new years resolutions... but that's ok... it's good to think positive and plan for the future.  I'm going to make them again this year anyway and see how it goes.  I'm going to try to make them easier to attain and also easier to keep track of and more specific.  No I'm going to "eat healthy" and "exercise more" and "be a nice person" ya da ya da ya da.  So here are my goals for 2011

1.  Read 10 pages of the Bible everyday.  I usually have at least a half hour in the morning before getting ready for work when I drink coffee and play around on the internet... I think I can devote some of this time to this goal.  It's on my 101 things to do list to read the Bible in it's entirety and hopefully this will put me on the right path.

2. Write on this blog weekly.  I'm thinking I will try to write on here once a week about what I have accomplished that week and what my hopes are for the next week...sort of like a system for checking on myself.  Every now and then I might have something exciting happen that makes me want to write more often (but judging by my past record - this might not happen very regularly :-))

3. Exercise 10 minutes daily - This is a tiny little goal - I can accomplish this by walking the dog around the block or walking for a few minutes during lunchtime at work.and some daysthat might be what it amounts to!   Hopefully though some of the days will include longer stretches (so I can get actual use out of my gym membership).  For me I have realized that exercise is important to my mental well being (as well as being obviously important to my physical well being).  I deal with stress a heck of a lot better when I am exercising regularly so I really need to make this a commitment.

4. Read 50 books.  I was sort of disappointed in the amount I read this year.  It was a busy, stressful, often times crummy year and I just didn't read as much as I like. 50 will be my goal and we will see how well I do.  I'm not going to do anything special like try to read a certain number a month or make sure I keep pace.  I will just try to carve out time for my favorite hobby (made even easier with my new Nook!) and check in on goodreads.com next December to see how I did.

5.  Run a mile.  This will seem like such an easy goal to most but I don't think I have ever run a complete mile without at least walking some in my entire life.  I was TERRIBLE at running in gym class as a kid and therefore HATED it.  I had bad asthma and it's hard to enjoy running when you can't breath.  The asthma has subsided for the most part in my old age and I actually enjoy doing a little jogging (lets be honest when I say running I really mean jogging!)  but at this point I am still alternating short bursts of jogging with walking... by 2012 that will not be the case!

Hope everyone else has had a few minutes to reflect these past few days on 2010 and think about all the possibilities 2011 holds for us.   Have a great year!