Easter Break

Finally, it has arrived.  Nine glorious days of no school (work).  This week I have two Tupperware parties to attend, a day out with grandkids scheduled, a visit to the littlest granddaughter, a doctor visit, and a cookout on Easter Sunday.

I have already weeded two flower beds and plan to do some research on how to take care of Hostas.  There are three in my yard and two of them look like they might need some TLC.

The big plan of the week is to go through two large boxes that contain many memories, treasures and some junk.  When I got ready to move (six years ago!!) I threw anything that might appear to belong in a scrapbook or memory box into two boxes and tape them shut.  Two weeks ago, on the spur of the moment I decided to look for a scrapbook on the eve of a family event.  I searched, high and low, and did not find that silly scrapbook anywhere.  In my mind I have a picture of exactly what that book looks like.  In hindsight, I think that the execution of the scrapbook never got of the ground and that it exists only in my mind.  BUT! It is a stupendous idea and I just might make it happen someday. ha ha

Anyway, getting back on topic.  In the mad search for things unfound, I have now ripped the tape off of the two boxes from the basement and was eager to see what treasures they behold.  A trip to WalMart yielded some sturdier containers and I am now organizing things into memory boxes for each of the kids.  They will be happy I am sure to find many report cards (some years better than others), certificates from bible school and sports, scout badges, drawings, letters, newspaper clippings and other miscellaneous items that moms keep.

The kids' stuff fit in their boxes pretty well but now I still have a big pile of other stuff I have kept to go back through and make tough decisions on.

I guess I had better get back to work.  Hopefully there will be more updates as the week goes on.

Tina

WWW Wednesday (on Thursday)

OK, I know, I know, it is actually Thursday.  But I found this prompt at Should be Reading and wanted play so here goes.....

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…


• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

I am currently reading:  A Stolen Life, a Memoir by Jaycee Dugard

Description from Amazon

In the summer of 1991 I was a normal kid. I did normal things. I had friends and a mother who loved me. I was just like you. Until the day my life was stolen.

For eighteen years I was a prisoner. I was an object for someone to use and abuse.

For eighteen years I was not allowed to speak my own name. I became a mother and was forced to be a sister. For eighteen years I survived an impossible situation.

On August 26, 2009, I took my name back. My name is Jaycee Lee Dugard. I don’t think of myself as a victim. I survived.

A Stolen Life is my story—in my own words, in my own way, exactly as I remember it.

I recently finished reading The Starry Child by Lynn Hanna

Description from Amazon

THE STARRY CHILD is a spell-binding, unforgettable story of a star-crossed love that survives through the ages, a tale as timeless as the mystic Scottish legends and forbidden lovers among the heather of long ago. Yet it is as vibrant and alive in the present day as those whose fates now hang in the balance. It's the story of a young mother who learns that her own destiny is forever tied to a man she hardly knows, a man of the Highlands. Yet in her heart, she realizes that he's someone she has always known. And at the center of it all lies an undying love held in secret by a little girl.

This book was awesome.  I could not put it down.  It was hard to go to work a couple of days because I wanted to stay home and read.  Which brings me to the next question....

What I think I will read next is the next book in the Starry Child series: Circle of Time by Lynn Hanna

Description from Amazon

The magic of Scotland... A love story that crosses the centuries... Another magnificent, award-winning time-travel romance from the author of The Starry Child

With The Starry Child, author Lynn Hanna created a unique contemporary novel based on the legends, lore, and love of Scotland. Now Ms. Hanna returns to this enchanting world--where the sole survivor of a plane crash on the rocky coast of Scotland discovers the key to his wife's forgotten past, his daughters' dreams, and his own heart...

I hope the second book is just as great as the first.

Tina

Done Being Friends

Done Being Friends by Trisha Grace
From Amazon:
Faith and Zac grew up together. Faith grew up in a supportive and loving family while Zac’s family was basically non-existence. Both have the money and looks, and they could not be more suited for each other. They have been friends for their whole life. Best friends. A line that neither dared to cross. But when Faith’s father collapsed and was sent to the hospital, her perfect little world was turned upside down. When Zac saw Faith in the arms of another, he saw the real possibility of losing her and decided to step up. But not everyone is happy about the change and amidst the chaos, more trouble awaits.
 
My Thoughts:
 
I do not recommend this book.  I bought the book for free for my Kindle.  The book was very poorly written and had many, many typos and other editing mistakes. It was very hard to follow in the beginning and I had lots of trouble keeping the characters straight. I thought it was very predictable and kind of boring. I have a problem where I have to finish what I start or I probably would have put it down after the first few chapters. 
 
Tina

A to Z Challenge 2012

I joined the A to Z challenge hosted by Strawberry Splash Reviews.  I tried an A to Z challenge a couple of years ago and failed miserably.  But I'm going to try it again.  Part of this challenge is to review each book and I am new to reviews.  So my main goal is to read the books and my secondary goal is to review them. 

I have a few hundred books loaded on my kindle and always have trouble figuring out what to read next.  I plan to just pick a letter and see what books are available for that and go from there.  Wish me luck!!!

A. Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

B. Bridleton by Becky Barker
C. Circle of Time by Lynn Hanna
D. Done Being Friends by Trisha Grace
E. Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out by Pandora Poikilos
F. Full Circle by Mona Ingram
G. The Glory of Green (The Green Series) by Judy Christie
H.
I. I Want it Now! A Memoir of Life on the Set of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Julie Dawn Cole
J. JANE MILLIONAIRE by Janice Lynn
K. The Kitchen Shrink by Dee DeTarsio
L. Last Summer by Theresa Weir
M. Me and the Ugly C by Becky Dennington
N. Not Your Everyday Housewife by Mary Campisi
O.
P. A Previous Engagement by Stephanie Haddad
Q.
R. Ryan's Return by Barbara Freethy
S. A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard
T. Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate
U. Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering by Meredith Baxter
V. Vada Faith by Barbara A. Whittington
W. What I Thought I Knew: A Memoir by Alice Eve Cohen
X.
Y.
Z. Zen Queen by Kirsty McManus

E-Book Challenge 2012

I joined the 2012 EBook Challenge hosted by Workaday Reads. The challenge runs from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2012.  You can start at any time.  I am choosing the memory stick level of reading 50 ebooks this year. 

Here is my list, I will update as I go......

1. Last Summer by Theresa Weir
2. Three Girls and A baby by Rachel Schurig
3. I Want it Now! A Memoir of Life on the Set of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Julie Dawn Cole
4. Learn Me Good by John Pearson
5. Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate
6. Ryans Return by Barbara Freethy
7. Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker
8. Done Being Friends by Trisha Grace
9. Bridleton by Becky Barker
10. Me and the Ugly C by Becky Dennington
11. Into the Free: A Novel by Julie Cantrell
12. I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali and Delphine Minoui
13. The Starry Child by Lynn Hanna
14. Circle of Time by Lynn Hanna
15. Full Circle by Mona Ingram
16. Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering by Meredith Baxter
17. What I Thought I Knew: A Memoir by Alice Eve Cohen
18. Inconceivable by Carolyn Savage
19. The Glory of Green (The Green Series) by Judy Christie
20. Zen Queen by Kirsty McManus
21. Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out by Pandora Poikilo
22. Not Your Everyday Housewife by Mary Campisi
23. More Than Memories by Kristen James
24. Marrying Missy by Sarah Elle Emm
25. Marriage Pact by M.J. Pullen
26. Momnesia by Lori Verni-Fogarsi
27. A Previous Engagement by Stephanie Haddad
28. The Kitchen Shrink by Dee DeTarsio
29. JANE MILLIONAIRE by Janice Lynn
30. Vada Faith by Barbara A. Whittington
31. Blue Moon Bay (Moses Lake) by Lisa Wingate
32. My Emily by Matt Patterson
33. Daddy, Come & Get Me: a dad's adventure through a Guatemalan adoption by Gil Michelini
34. The Roux in the Gumbo by Kim Robinson
35. Our Husband (a humorous romantic mystery) by Stephanie Bond
36. Head Over Heels by Sara Downing
37. Ireland Rose by Patricia Strefling
38. Get Bunny Love by Kathleen Long
39. Cherry On Top by Kathleen Long
40. The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher
41. Honeymoon With Harry by Bart Baker
42.  Bengali Girls Don’t: Based on a True Story (Memoirs of a Muslim Daughter) by L.A. Sherman
43. Queen of New Beginnings by Erica James
44.  Becoming Fearless: My Ongoing Journey of Learning to Trust God by Michelle Aguilar
45. Don't Shoot! I'm Just the Avon Lady! by Birdie Jaworski

2011 E-Book Challenge Recap

I realized I never posted the recap for my 2011 ebook challenge.  Here is the post where I listed my books.  My goal was to read somewhere between 20 and 50 books.  I met my challenge with 48 books.  I was just shy of the 50.  I think that was pretty good since I didn't even own my Kindle for the entire year. 

I really enjoy reading on my Kindle.  I have found so many free books that I have only purchased a couple of books that were not free.  I even checked out a couple of books from the library.  It was great to not have to drive there.  The books are delivered in seconds.

Stay tuned for the 2012 Challenge...

Tina