Fall into Reading

Well, here it is the end of Fall into Reading. I can't believe it. I'm not good at reviewing books, so I'm not even going to pretend I can. I'm going to keep it short (or at least try) with just a summary of how I did on my list. Here's what I had planned to read:

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

Organizing Your Day: Time Management Techniques That Will Work For You by Sandra Felton & Marsha Sims

The Distant Hours: A Novel by Kate Morton

In the Company of Others by Jan Karon Release

Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagen

I read two books that weren't on the list. Her Mother's Hope and Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers. I liked the majority of the books I picked, I loved the two by Francine Rivers and the Kate Morton book. I didn't finish Organizing Your Day, there weren't many techniques that seemed to apply to my life style right now, and the ones that did I'm already using. That one went back to the library before I finished it. I haven't finished Handle With Care yet, I'm still plugging away at it. I just don't seem to be able to get into it. I loaded up my Kindle with samples, not a good sign that I'll finish it. I enjoyed the first book I read by Jodi Picoult, Her Sister's Keeper, but for now Handle With Care is going back on the shelf.

I started with 7 added 2, gave up on 1 and 1 is going back on the "to be read" list. Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading!

Busy, Busy

The past week has been very busy! Despite the bad weather last Sunday we went to a local camp ground that puts on a fantastic light display. There are 20 miles of extension cords and 216 miles of lights! The kids love it! There was no waiting this year. Maybe because we were there earlier in the evening than usually or the weather, either way it was wonderful! We even went in the store to see Santa! Surprisingly the kids agreed to get their picture taken with Santa and do it together! The last pictures I have of the kids with Santa, they each were about 3. They are 16 and 7 this year, it's been awhile.

My Dad came for a visit this week. He was here to go to Sweet Pea's band concert and Bean's Christmas program. It isn't often we get to have extend family at activities, so this was very special for both of them.

I'm not sure how long it takes for an activity to become a tradition, but for

4 of the last 5 years the kids and Papa have decorated sugar cookies for Christmas. It happened purely by accident one year, Papa happened to be here and we made cookies. The next year the kids asked if Papa was going to come and make cookies again and a tradition began. I believe we got more icing on the cookies THIS year than in the children or on the table.

Along with the two school programs we also had 3 "inclement weather" days. School was canceled because of cold and ice. One of the days the kids were out of school Papa was here and we were iced in, so we got to spent the whole day inside with Papa.

I'll have two days without the kids before their Christmas break begins to

get a few last minute things done and a couple to just have some fun before Christmas eve. Looks like it's going to be another busy but wonderful week.

If Found...

The trees are decorated, the shopping is done (I hope) and the Christmas carols are playing. But something is missing; my Christmas spirit. I've been known to start Christmas shopping in February, watch Christmas movies in July, and well a carol or two might be heard as early as October. Not this year, Thanksgiving arrived with barely a gift idea let alone a stash of presents.

I don't know where it went! I've looked under the bed and in the closets. I've even looked under the tree and it's no where to be found. I need to find it soon. Christmas is coming whether I'm ready or not. My kids are only going to be little (sort of) and at home just a short time longer. I want to create the memories and traditions they will take with them not regret what I didn't do. So, if you see my Christmas Spirit can you please send it home?

Lesson Learned

I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting older and I'm running out of patients or because I'm just getting smarter. I'd like to think it's the later and because I'm simplifying my life and material things just aren't important, but well...I think I'm just losing patients. With what? Black Friday! I do love a bargain as much as the next girl but this is just getting ridiculous. Do I really need to go to "Cole's" to buy a sweater at 3 am? I was good with 6 am, 5 am that's pushing it, but 3 am really!

Saddly, yes I did partake of the Black Friday madness, not at "Cole's" but we did go the the "Bullseye" store. My Sweet Pea, my Sister, my Niece and me. There were 4, FOUR items on my list, one was sold out, one I couldn't find, and one I didn't like. That leaves one item, right? I came home with 2 bags, 1 small 1 large! Yes, I realize that is the point of the whole door buster sales tactic, I get it. What I question is my sanity when I stand in line for 3 yes THREE hours at the crack of "you have got to be kidding" to buy things that weren't on the list!

The lesson I learned, we can have quality girl time at 3 pm and shop the door busters...DOT COM at home in my pj's with coffee in hand!

Fall Into Reading

Yes, it's that time of year cool nights, pumpkin spice latte and Fall Into Reading hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Days. This year's reading list is well, short and a little sad but that's o.k. it's just for fun. I have a couple of new to me authors and a non-fiction book, well at least this is what the list is starting out with. After I read everyone else's list who know what might get added here and I know my "to be read" list will get much longer.

Here it goes!

1. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

2. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

3. Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

4. Organizing Your Day: Time Management Techniques That Will Work For You by Sandra Felton & Marsha Sims

5. The Distant Hours: A Novel by Kate Morton Release date 11/9

6. In the Company of Others by Jan Karon Release date 10/19

7. Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagen

Happy Reading!

The Book Self, again

I finished reading Life's Golden Ticket by Brendon Burchard over the weekend, more accurately I started Friday and finished Saturday. I had no idea what to expect when I finished reading the sample, but it sounded like something I'd like and it was available at the library.

Wow! It says on the cover it's "an inspirational novel" and it was right. It starts out as a love story that turns into a fantasy journey and along the way teaches some life lessons. It was entertaining and heart warming and fun to read. If I had known it was going to have a message, I don't know if I would have read it. Lucky for me I didn't read the description very well or the reviews. There aren't many books I really think "I'd like to read this again" but this is one I would.

Yes, I missed the Fall Into Reading kick off, but my list is coming.

The Book Self

Today, today it's coming today! What's coming? Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks! I'm just a little bit excited about it. I don't think Safe Haven will make it to my Fall Reading Challenge list this year, I'm sure it will be finished by then. New book + working coffee pot + car repair appointment = Guilt Free Reading Time! Guilt Free because I can't see the dust, clutter, laundry...

Really?

A blog (web log) is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Thank you, Wikipedia. I understand the origins of the word, I understand the concept but what I seem unable to grasp is the regular entries. It's been almost a year since I "blogged" anything.

I'm not a big believer in New Year's resolutions, if something needs to change today is as good as any. So, with renewed energy and excitement (and the kids back in school) I'm jumping back on the blog wagon! The next time I "epically fail" (yes, Miss J I got that from you) in the blogosphere there will be a good-bye post. I can't guarantee what "regular" will be, but let's just go with an absence of less than 10 months for now.

Fall Reading Thing is just around the corner, post coming soon.