Just Read: Outlander

Awhile back someone suggested this book to me. I had a few other books to read before I tackled this one...especially since it's 850 pages!!

It tells a story about a woman that travels back in time leaving her husband in one time & finding a DIFFERENT husband in the new time she travels to. It's set in Scotland back in the days of clans & war. I've got to admit that it took me awhile to get into but a few chapters in (once she travels back in time) I was hooked. Apparently, there are about 6 more books in this series...already got the next one downloaded & started!

Just Read: The Septimus Heap Series Books 1-6

Awhile back someone suggested this book series to me or rather to Marissa for reading. I had nothing better to read so I started the series.

It's a kids collection for sure but not bad. It does NOT hold a candle to Harry Potter by far. It's not even comparable. The only similarity is magic.

Being the type of person that I am, once I read one I had to download the next book to see what happened. Like I said, it's a kids collection and I'll read almost anything. Apparently there's a seventh book in the works....

Book #1 Book #2

Book #3

Book #4 Book#5 Book #6

Just Read: A Discovery of Witches

I've had this book on my ipad for awhile just waiting for me to read it. I don't remember exactly why I downloaded it. Possibly due to the high ratings it got? Not sure. So I finally read it.

It's about witches.
And vampires.
And demons.

The vampires aren't sparkly at all.

It's mostly about a witch that refuses to use her powers. Ummmm, if I were a witch (ok a REAL witch) I'd definately use any powers I had! Like making sure the light that's always red when I take the girls to school in the morning stays green long enough for me to get through...just saying. ;)

It took me a while to get into it. Not saying that it's bad but it didn't hook me in until 3/4 into it. Supposedly there's a sequel....

What are you reading?

Just Read: From This Moment On

First off I want to say how much I love Shania Twain's music.

Next I want to say, stick to what you know best.

I've read a few auto-biographies & usually find them very interesting, especially when it's about someone I like. So I really thought this book was going to be much more intersting than it was. It was written in her own words & she jumped around a lot, & adding things that just weren't needed to the story. I had a hard time reading this & wanted very much to just stop, but I'm no quitter. I pushed through it & now I'm warning others. ;)

In my opinion, find something better to read, or just listen to her music.

Just Read : Tiger's Quest

This book is the second in the series of books. The story line continues where the 1st book left off & doesn't dissapoint. The book has romance, action & mystery--my kind of book. Something to get lost in without thinking too hard.

While it's a great story, I like the 1st book better but I can't say why without ruining it for you. ;) You'll just have to read it yourself!

Just Read:The Help

This book is another one that I've heard about for awhile but hesitated to read. On a night out to the movies they played the trailer to the movie & it looked good. So good in fact that when I got home that night I downloaded the book to my ipad.

The story is about a white girl down in the South who writes a book about black maids & their opinions of the people the work for. Such a great story. I would read this again as well as see the movie.

Just Read: The Witch's Daughter

I read this book during our recent trip. It got me from the beginning. It was interesting & suspenseful. The book moved back & forth from one time period to another, which was a little hard to keep track of since I was reading it in short spurts, but it was good.

What are you reading??

Just Read: Water For Elephants

I've heard about this book for a long time.
To be honest I wasn't sure it would interest me.
So I did what I do best.

Procrastinate.

Since I've been reading on the ipad, I've started giving books I normally wouldn't bother with a chance. So I downloaded this finally. I mean it's got to be decent for them to turn it into a movie, right??

Not that I had any desire to see the movie.

So the book sat in my ipad, downloaded just waiting for me to read it. I was trying to "save it" to read on our next vacation, but then I realized I could always download something else & decided to just read it already.
I have to say, within the first few pages, the book got me. Hook. Line. and Sinker.

I had the hardest time putting it down too. I finished it in about a day, since I was trying to make it last.

Yes it's that good.

Now I DO want to see the movie. ;)

Just Read: The Forgotten Garden

Since getting my iPad I was skeptical about using it to read books on it. I like the feel of a good book in my hands. I never thought I'd get into reading books on the iPad. But then I had an epihany (of sorts)--it'll be great for vacations! I won't have to lug books with me on the plane & make room for them in my suitcase! I think that sold me. Not that I won't ever buy real books again but I definately like not having to deal with piles of books I'm running out of room to store. I don't just buy (download) the books right away either. First I'll download a sample to see if I like the book. It'll give you a nice chunk to read & get hooked on. I like this a lot. If I read the beginning & decided it's not doing anything for me, I delete it. No harm done. If I decided I can't wait to turn the page then I download it. Fast & simple. So far I've only deleted 1 book that I couldn't get into. This book started out as a sample. I don't remember where I heard about it, but the preview sounded good so I tried it out. I liked it enough that I downloaded it. It was a little confusing since it jumped between 3 different time periods but it pulled me in & I couldn't wait to finish it. The ending was a little bittersweet for me, but it was a good read.

Just Read:Tiger's Curse

I'm the type of person that will read anything that holds my interest. Doesn't matter to me really. I saw this listed as I was searching for books to read on my iPad, so I gave it a try. It sounded interesting. And I noticed it was listed as a "teen" book. Apparently I like "teen" books, especially if they're in a "series". Twilight, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson--go figure. I ended up reading this in about a day. I liked it. It had adventure, mythology, & romance. The next book in this series comes out in June. Can't wait! What are you reading??

Random

I've been packing for our trip to Disney,

to see this guy,

when I realized that I'll be needing some supplies. A trip to Target was in order.

Gianna has had a stuffy nose the past few days (of course right before we go away--it never fails!) & I realized I was low on this stuff.

I also realized I was in need of reading material so while I was there I checked out the book section & came up with these two that sounded good.

I also happened to see this & wondered if it had anything to say about Twilight. Sure enough there on the cover they mention it so into the cart it went!

Yesterday I was at Michael's for a few things & picked up the Scrapbook Trends "Vacation" idea book. I forgot to get some MM Embellie jars which will have to wait until after the trip at this point.

The past few times I've scrapped I've been going through my button stash (which was orginally in 2 jars but I eventually combined them into one) & I realized that it's not working for me. I like how they look but when I need a few matching buttons it takes forever to find them. I broke down yesterday while I was taking a break from packing & started sorting them out. The girls were eager to help so I let them at it while I went back to packing. Now everything is sorted & ready for those jars when we get back.

Another reason why I jumped to do this? Joe was talking more about re-organizing the den to create more space for me!! He even went so far as to measure things out, which got me excited & I gave him some ideas. Before we knew it I was pulling up some scrap rooms I've seen online. 2 Peas was a good source & of course all the great blogs I read. We discussed things & have some ideas we're gonna work on once we get back. Can't wait!!

I've got a couple of LO's that I want to share so I'll get those up soon.....

Breaking Dawn Q & A

Did you read Breaking Dawn? Do you have questions about it?? See Stephanie Meyer explain alot of the questions people are asking here. Keep watching during some "commercials".....

Spoiler Alert!!!
Don't watch the interview unless you've finished the book!!

I'm DONE!

After staying up late AGAIN last night, I got ahead in the book enough so I could sleep peacefully dreaming of romantic vampires & werewolves.

Then this morning I was woken up by Marissa. Who seems to feel like she is the only being in the house & runs through it on her quest to see her dad before he leaves for work. After he leaves warning her to be quiet & not wake anyone guess what she does? She runs through my room through the house, into her sister's room to wake her up. Then they proceed to torment each other until I can't take it anymore.

I am so ready for school to start!

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During breakfast I armed myself with coffee & my book & finished it all. I loved it (I'll reserve other comments for another time--waiting on YOU Susan!!). In the saga my favorites in order are

1.Twilight

2. Eclipse

3.Breaking Dawn

4. New Moon

So so good. I'm a sucker for romance & the whole mystical creature storyline. I laugh when I'm reminded that it's a Teen book.

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On another note, I had to go to M's to pick up one of these. I swore I'd never buy these again but now I needed 1 for a Disney LO & they didn't have it.

Searching through M's they didn't have anything spectacular that caught my eye. No new MM product. They did have Halloween already on shelves & some new Martha, Halloween stuff but I'm usually not a fan of her stuff so I passed. I did remember to pick up the Aug. issue of Scrapbook Trends & I'm planning on taking it with us this weekend.

Now I'm off to pack! Yeah I know, it's STILL not done!

Breaking Dawn

So I'm almost done with the book. I'm towards the end & I don't want to finish it so fast but it's hard to put it down.

Last night I stayed up till 3AM.

Today fueled with a LOT of coffee I've read more, somewhere around pg 600-ish. I did manage to do 6 loads of wash in between all this so I don't feel so guilty reading so much today. Somehow I managed to keep my concentration even while the girls were chattering to me non-stop while I "hmmm" "uh huh" & "yes'd" them. I'm not commenting on the book until I finish it so I don't spoil it for anyone.

Oh & I'm STILL not packed! Joe still hasn't brought down the suitcases from the attic for me. I see that as more time for me to finish my book!

Finally!!

Amazingly enough that last update about the book being scheduled for delivery was TRUE!

I now have this in my hands!!

I didn't touch it until I was back home from running errands today. Actually I lovingly caressed the cover but that's all! **wink**

After dinner (we ate out) I was all over it! I'm already on pg 164. YEAH!! I am a HAPPY woman!

I wonder if the girls can be trusted to pack for this weekend?? I don't know HOW I'll be able to break away from this book!

Can it be true??

Be still my heart. Dare I say it? Can I truly believe it?? I just checked the status of my book & NOW it says it's out for delivery!! Approx. del date still shows as 8-7-08 so I don't wanna get my hopes up. I think I need to set up camp at my front door!

Yeah I need a life.....

Am I getting Punk'd?

So today I'm working on some LO's that I've only got to title & they're done. I planned on using the Cricut & the new Mickey font I got last week at M's on sale. My dilema? The blade isn't cutting all the way through. Is it me or did the blade not last very long? I don't use it for every LO & I've had it since March. What am I missing?


My biggest frusteration today? Everytime I checked the status of my book, it said it was ready to be shipped. I just checked it again & it said it's been shipped & I should have it on time with a delivery date scheduled for Aug. 7th! WTF!! It's coming from Edison which is about 45 mins away. I could DRIVE there to pick it up faster than how they're shipping it! I'm leaving for Great Wolf Lodge on Fri & if I don't have that book I'm gonna be all sorts of pissed off!! Never again will I pre-order a book from B&N!!!

So besides that non sense I'm in laundry mode so I have clothes to pack for our trip. I should have spent some time today cleaning the house somewhat but I didn't. I'm the type that leaves it all until the last minute & then fly around getting everything done on time. Call me crazy I know it.

Weekend Update

Breaking Dawn Update: Yesterday I got an email saying my book is packed & ready to leave the warehouse.

Ready to leave?? Shouldn't it be in transit??

Just checked the shipping info & it STILL had the same status!! I wish I had followed my instinct & just cancelled the damn order!! I've been by Borders or BJ's at least 3 times this weekend & could've picked it up by now! DAMN you B&N!!

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Yesterday we went to my sister Marie's house. My girlfriend Carolee was there with her niece Madison. After we ate a late lunch, the sun decided to grace us with it's presence. The kids were itching to get in the pool, despite it not being that hot out.


Gianna taking aim at her next victim. She's concentrating very hard, see her tongue hanging out?? That helps her concentrate.



Here's Marissa right before she started shivering from how cold she was...but had to do a few more underwater flips--because she can.


This is niece Nikki, she was all over the pool. She's part fish.

This little dude is my nephew Tyler. He's never gonna be hard up for a date when he grows up. Just look at those muscles.

This is Madison. She was staying with Carolee for the weekend. The kids all idolized her since she was the oldest kid there.

This is where there should be a pic of me, Carolee, & Marie but there isn't. We were busy chatting to think of something like that. So instead I will show you this tasty treat we had for dessert.

I brought my famous chocolate chip cookies for dessert & we stuffed 'em with ice cream. YUMMMMY!

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Today Joe had to work, so the girls & I basically didn't do much of anything. I sorted & reorganized my loose ribbons. Don't ask but it just wasn't working for me the way I had it. I should've been doing more Disney LO's but my computer was acting funny & I needed to print a few pics for this one LO, so I didn't bother.

This week I'll be packing for our trip to Great Wolf Lodge. If anyone has any tips for us I'd love to hear them. I like knowing what to expect when we go somewhere new.

It's a SIGN!

So I tracked my book just now & as fate would have it, the website says it's not shipped! It says it's expected to ship Aug. 2. Excuse me, but isn't that TODAY!?!?!?!?

Yesterday just as I shut down my computer to go to my mom's house, I get up to see someone at my door. I realize it's the mailman AND he's got a BOX in his hands!! I had to fight the urge to rip open the door & grab the box from his hands!! As soon as he left though I was there, I look at the box & realize it's just my order from 2P's. NOT the HAPPY mail I was hoping for!!

However we had a good time at my mom's house. We went through some old photo albums & I scored some pics of me as a kid. Gianna looks just like me! I also got some crazy pics from high school. Can you say BIG HAIR?? I plan on scanning them & will post them soon. It's always good to mock yourself & I'll share the fun.

It's also POURING rain right now. Storming actually with thunder & lightening---maybe I should shut my computer down.....And you know what? We were supposed to go swimming by my sister's house.

On a better note....My sister Marie & I went to the movies last night (everyone else backed out!!) to see Mamma Mia. It was so GOOD!
I told Joe I want the movie when it comes out to DVD AND I want the soundtrack. Do ya think he got the hint for Christmas?? I never realized I liked ABBA that much! But I know I like Pierce Brosnan! When I get the DVD I'll be watching him with the mute on--he can't sing but he makes up for it in other ways!!

"MAMMA MIA hear I go again! My my how can I resist you?"

The Wait is OVER!!

Breaking Dawn is officially out!

Don't expect to see me much. My family better order take out, because my nose will be buried in this book!!


That's WHEN I GET it anyway!! Still Waiting.......