Reading update.....

So, here is the update since my last reading update post.....

Thr3e - Ted Dekker
The Innocent - Harlan Coben
Just One Look - Harlan Coben
The Irresistable Revolution - Shane Claiborne

Be watching this weekend for my entry into Fall Into Reading hosted by Callapidder Days. My friend Allyson recently moved and unloaded a lot of books onto my shelves, so I've got quite the list of upcoming books.

new license plates & scrapbooking

So my question of the day is this......why did I have to get new license plates?

I bought my car in November 2000. So, this November will be 7 years that I've had my car. When I renewed the registration, they sent me new license plates. WHY??

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I went on another scrapbook retreat this last weekend. And ..... drumroll, please ..... I finished my scrapbook! It started with my surprise 30th birthday party last year, covered my trips to New York and Germany, the purchase of my house last fall, and Christmas. Yay!! Now, I just have to decide if I have enough scrapbook-worthy things going on to start another.....or just come up with other projects for retreats.

My favorite part of these retreats is just being able to sit around a visit with these ladies from church that have become such mentors and friends. Church can be so hectic trying to chase kids, meet commitments, etc that it is hard to have time to really visit. These retreats provide hours and hours to talk, laugh, cry, and share with each other. It is so good.

One year ago....it is official

One year ago on this day of September 15, I signed scads of papers and officially became a homeowner. Yikes.

Next week, on September 23 (the official moving day), I'll share some before/after photos....

Projects

My friend Kelly came over last Thursday night and helped me re-think and reorganize my scrapbooking supplies and craft closet in my office. I don't have any "before" pictures, but the after make me very happy. Now I am able to find and pull out exactly what I need, rather than having to open and unload every container. We both love to organize and actually this was payback to me for a fun Saturday about four years ago when we spent the day organizing her closet.

Then over the weekend, I have been creating a quote canvas to hang in my dining room. I had never painted on canvas before, so it was a unique experience. It really wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I spent about 20 minutes priming the canvas with gesso on Friday night, spend about 30 minutes Saturday night rolling on the background color, and only about an hour today painting the words. I'm pleased with the result - no it is not perfect, but I think it looks pretty good for a novice!

I'm planning to do another canvas for Christmas decorations and swap them out.

Now, to sit and rest for a few minutes before I head out to my small group.....

Nerd Quiz

Courtesy of Udge

Rockin Girl Bloggers

Sarah has bestowed upon me the honor of:







Wow. Who knew!? So, according to the stipulation of accepting the award, I must now nominate 5 other Rockin' Girl Bloggers.

So, without further ado, and in no particular order, I nominate:

Princess Terri - she always has fun things to say and manages to make a pointed statement at the same time. Plus, she's just fun to hang out with!

Amanda - love seeing photos of her precious baby girl....and the creative way she uses that gift of photography to bless others.

Stephanie - one of my favorite blogfriends who I have not yet met in person -- love how she sprinkles wisdom in with everyday life.

Sara - love, love, love that my good friend is using wonderful techonology of blogland to share photos of precious baby Jenna.

Candy - love the encouragement and honesty that is displayed in this little corner of cyberspace. A prayer warrior that I am so glad to have on our side.

Sunday afternoon timewaster.....

Reading Update

Sarah referenced an article this morning that discussed American's reading habits and fact that 25% of Americans didn't read a single book in 2006.


It's been awhile since I gave you a 2007 reading update, so here it is.....this morning I started my 54th book of the year (Thr3e by Ted Dekker). I guess I skew the curve a bit.

When I was growing up I used to read constantly. After college, my reading slowed dramatically. I think it was because I was tired when I got home from work and I couldn't stay up until all hours of the night reading! Since I started riding the train to work last fall, I almost can't keep books in the house to read! I get about 20-25 minutes each way every day, plus I usually read for 30 minutes or so at lunch. That's at the very least an hour of reading time every day!

Since my last update, I've added the following books:

At Home in Mitford - Jan Karon
A Light in the Window - Jan Karon
These High Green Hills - Jan Karon
Out to Caanan - Jan Karon
A New Song - Jan Karon
A Common Life - Jan Karon
In this Mountain - Jan Karon
Shepherds Abiding - Jan Karon
Light from Heaven - Jan Karon
Perfecting Kate- Tamara Leigh
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J. K. Rowling
Tell No One - Harlan Coben
The Negotiator - Dee Henderson
The Guardian - Dee Henderson
The Truth Seeker - Dee Henderson
The Protector - Dee Henderson
The Healer - Dee Henderson
The Rescuer - Dee Henderson
Op Center - State of Siege - Tom Clancy
Black - Ted Dekker
Red - Ted Dekker
White - Ted Dekker

New proverbs

Got these in an email from my (almost) 95 year old Granddaddy this morning.....they're pretty cute!

A first-grade teacher had twenty-five students in her class, and she presented each child in her class the first half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading these keep in mind that these are first graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is classic!

1. Don't change horses......until they stop running.

2. Strike while the......bug is close.

3. It's always darkest before......Daylight Saving Time.

4. Never underestimate the power of ......termites.

5. You can lead a horse to water but ......how?

6. Don't bite the hand that ...... looks dirty.

7. No news is......impossible.

8. A miss is as good as a ...... Mr.

9. You can't teach an old dog new ......math.

10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll ...... stink in the morning.

11. Love all, trust ...... me.

12. The pen is mightier than the ......pigs.

13. An idle mind is......the best way to relax.

14. Where there's smoke there's ......pollution.

15. Happy the bride who......gets all the presents.

16. A penny saved is ......not much.

17. Two's company, three's......the Musketeers.

18. Don't put off till tomorrow what......you put on to go to bed.

19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and ......you have to blow your nose.

20. There are none so blind as ......Stevie Wonder.

21. Children should be seen and not ......spanked or grounded.

22 If at first you don't succeed ......get new batteries

23. You get out of something only what you ......see in the picture on the box.

24. When the blind lead the blind ......get out of the way.

And the WINNER and last one!
25. Better late than ......pregnant.

Catching up.....

I know, I know.....I've been away a while. Sorry.

I can say that I've been thoroughly enjoying my iPod. Two days after I bought it, my family left for our vacation -- a road trip this year to and through Tennessee. It was great fun to all spend a week together - though I think we all were tired of the car by the time we got back home.

This past weekend my church family had our first all-church retreat. It was so much fun - lots of extended fellowship and times to play. If it hadn't been quite so hot it would have been even better!

Beyond all that, it's really just the same ol thing.....work and life!

the dark side

I'm a PC girl. I always have been a PC girl (except for a vague memory of Apple IIe computers from middle school).

Daddy is a tech-geek and has worked in computers my whole life, so we have had a computer in the house since I was 5. The first computer I can remember that we had was a TRS-80 in about 1981. Over the years we had many different computers - but as technology evolved, we always stayed on the PC/Microsoft/Windows side of the fence. I had to use a PC/Mac combo in college for a certain class and it drove me insane, because I couldn't figure out how to make the Mac side do what I needed to do!

Last night, I switched over to the dark side......a least a little bit.....

I bought an iPod.

For several years, I've had mp3 capabilities on my PDA, but resisted going the way of the masses and following the herd to the Apple store, partially just on principle. In the last several months, though, I decided to check out iTunes and see what there was. Oh my goodness -- all the fun stuff to download and listen to and watch. But, I had to be tied to my computer at home to do it, because I couldn't sync any of that fun stuff to my PDA. Only boring mp3 music files on my 1 GB memory card.

In anticipation of the day I'd decide to just give it up and cave in to media hype and peer pressure, I have spent evenings and weekends the past few weeks burning all my CDs to iTunes. It was an enjoyable process - I forgot about a lot of the music that I own! Last night, I opened the iPod box, plugged it into my computer and VOILA! all my music is there!!! I found some podcasts and downloaded them this morning. On the train ride into work today, I listened to a Cash Cab podcast. So fun!!

Can't wait to rediscover all my forgotten music......and start to discover more! So, any suggestions for podcasts or new music to enjoy?

Spider

Last night I got home from bible study about 9:30. I hadn't been home yet from the day, so I walked out on my front porch to check the mail. As I turned to look at the street from the mailbox, I noticed a huge spiderweb with a fairly good sized spider - probably at least half-dollar size - in the center. Kinda creeped me out, so I ran back inside.

This morning as I was in the kitchen, I looked out the window to see the web.....and it was gone! Completely. No trace whatsoever. I don't know if that is typical of spiders at all, but it was interesting to me.....

Mattie Ruth

I went to NM this weekend to visit my friend Mollie's baby, Mattie Ruth. It was great to be able to love on this precious, much-prayed-for beautiful baby and her parents.

















Mattie & Me





































Sarah, me, Mattie and Mollie

















Mollie, Wade and Mattie

Mosquitos

As much as I LOVE all the rain we've been getting --- I HATE the mosquitos that it brings!!

I liberally sprayed myself with OFF before I went out to mow the other night. My bug spray must have expired or something though.....because I have around 30 bits on my legs and arms. And mosquito bites on me get all red and splotchy. And they itch!!!

Ugggghhhh. Another reason to prefer the winter season.

Hot, tired, stinky, and sweaty

Yep, that's me. After far too long (probably at least a week and a half - though I can't really remember), I mowed my yard tonight. Thankfully, it wasn't too too hot today. But, even at 7:30 pm, it is still pretty warm here in my little corner of the world.

I finally broke down yesterday and bought a weed eater. So, the yard work took about three times as long as usual, because I was putting it together and figuring out how to work it. First order of business - got to get more extension cord. I've asked my first favor of my neighbor also....that next time he edges, if he would edge my driveway to get me a good edge that I might can keep with the weed-eater going forward. I couldn't get it all the way with the weed-eater tonight, though I did make good progress.

Now, I'm off to clean up and crawl into bed.....

Spring Reading Thing Wrap-up

Here is my original post with my list. Basically, I didn't make a list of what I wanted to read, but was determined to keep a list of everything I will read in 2007. Maybe for the fall reading challenge, I'll have a list of things I want to get through.



What I've read so far this year is ..... 31 books:

Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen
The Color of Law Mark Gimenez
Deception Point Dan Brown
Digital Fortress Dan Brown
Da Vinci Code Dan Brown
Outlander Diana Gabaldon
Angels and Demons Dan Brown
Primrose Past Caroline Rose Hunt
Lord John and the Private Matter Diana Gabaldon
The Accidental Bride Janice Harayda
A Salty Piece of Land Jimmy Buffett
Alexandria Nick Bantock
The Morning Star Nick Bantock
The Pocket Muse: Endless Inspiration Monica Wood
Heartburn Nora Ephron
The Forgetting Room Nick Bantock
The Museum at Purgatory Nick Bantock
Where is Joe Merchant? Jimmy Buffett
Voice in the Wind Francine Rivers
Echo in the Darkness Francine Rivers
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone J. K .Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J. K .Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban J. K .Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire J. K .Rowling
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix J. K .Rowling
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince J. K .Rowling
True Devotion Dee Henderson
True Valor Dee Henderson
True Honor Dee Henderson
Net Force - Point of Impact Tom Clancy
Debt of Honor Tom Clancy




And here are the wrap-up questions:



What was the best book you read this spring?

How to define "best"? I can't even narrow it down! So many were so entertaining. Sorry, I have to cop-out on this one.

What book could you have done without?

The Museum at Purgatory -- couldn't even get into it, so I took it right back to the library.

Did you try out a new author this spring? If so, which one, and will you be reading that author again?

Dee Henderson -- she had been highly recommended and I really did enjoy the books of hers that I read. And yes, I plan to read another of her series soon.


If there were books you didn't finish, tell us why. Did you run out of time? Realize those books weren't worth it?

The Pocket Muse - I thought it would give me blogging fodder, but really it was for serious writers. So, I skimmed it all in about 30 minutes and took it back to the library!


Did you come across a book or two on other participants' lists that you're planning to add to your own to-be-read pile? Which ones?

I actually didn't have much time to browse other lists -- but I got quite a few suggestions on new authors and books to read that I haven't even attempted to start on yet!


What did you learn -- about anything -- through this challenge?

I'm definitely a fiction, read to escape kind of girl. I've tried to read non-fiction and just have a really hard time. I think I could probably do biographies, because really that is still an escape into someone else's world.



What was the best part of the Spring Reading Thing?

It jump started me on keeping a list of what I've read this year...



Would you be interested in participating in another reading challenge this fall?

Oh yes. Most definitely

Reading update

Well, I've been reading the same book for well over a week now.....must be a new record for me! Seriously, though, it is a Tom Clancy novel ..... Debt of Honor. I'm really enjoying it, but his novels are long and take FOREVER to read! Good thing there is nothing on TV to distract me!

Life Blogging

I was chastised this morning at church by a friend who thinks I need to post more often....somehow, I think he hasn't been looking at the right page because he thought it had been more than a year since I posted, but for Marc's benefit, here is a new post.

A little project that I worked on a few weeks ago....burp cloths for my four friends who have had/are having babies. The last shower was today and the gift delivered, so I can finally post pictures....

for Mollie and baby:
















for Sara and Jenna:















for Jenny and Colton:
















Last night I went to a fun dinner party....it was a 1929 Murder Mystery Dinner party. So fun....here are a few snaps:

The Train

Rambling thoughts from a public transportation rider.....

This afternoon, some pretty strong storms moved through my area. Strong enough, in fact, that it affected our train. When I got on my red line, it was standing room only (which is rather unusual, given that it was about 4:30 pm). The length of time at stops was longer than normal.

About halfway home, a group of teenagers got on the train. They were so extremely obnoxious. Loud.....belligerant.....disrepectful....profane.....obscene.....etc. Deep down, I wanted to confront them, but was quite too afraid to do so. Thankfully for the rest of the train riders, they happened to get off at my stop.

Then I ran to Wal-Mart on my way home.....I had a return and a few things to grab. While in the food section, a young man "recognized" me from the train.....then proceeded to ask if I had a boyfriend ("no") and a phone number ("no thank you!").

Just when I think there are no prospects in the world......hmmmmm

End of the rainbow.....

Too funny not to share.....

Finally, someone has found the pot at the end of the rainbow......