Back and running again!

We got back Saturday night, did a whole bunch of laundry and cleaned for two days...then started VBS on Monday (which was also Grace's birthday) So things have literally been crazy.

Our trip was wonderful. Disneyland was hot and crowded (as always) but much more fun this time. The main reason was that the kids were pretty much tall enough to go on everything, and they didn't get tired so early or need naps. They could go until fairly late. Grace's favorite was Splash Mountain. Logan's was the new Buzz Astro Blasters. We ate a lot of good meals, spent time with family, and all in all had a great time.

I read two books: Marley and Me by John Grogan, a hilarious memoir about a dog. Also read a Bookcrossing bookring, Save Karyn by Karyn Bosnak, a true story of a woman who got herself in serious debt and then started a website where people could give her money. It was funny and made me wish I'd thought of it first!

Currently reading A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist. It's a historical Christian novel based in the Colonies in the 1600s. I am not usually a huge historical fan, but this one is interesting and very fast paced. The heroine is quite spunky and I admire her!

Still listening to Oh My Stars, I think I am getting through it! I need to bring it inside and listen while on the computer, it's due back at the library soon.

Ok, gotta go read some more e-mail, clean the kitchen, do some more laundry, and write some reviews.

Vacation

Finally the day is here. We're spending the night at the airport tonight and then flying out in the morning. I'm really looking forward to getting out of town for awhile.

Really excited because Kimber found out yesterday that she got into Simpson. So she's on her way at the beginning of September. I am excited for her most of all, because I remember how much I grew and changed and became my own person while I was at college. Wish I would have done some things differently (like broke up with my boyfriend and realized that I was OK on my own!) but as a whole it was a great experience.

Gotta get back to packing. Probably won't get much reading done, I'm really looking forward to seeing my sister and her family.
See you when we return!

Errands galore!

It seems like the errands to get ready for vacation are never ending! I ran around like crazy on Monday. Tuesday we had kindergarten graduation and then we went to the zoo. It was a fun day but I basically got nothing else done! Yesterday was the skating party. Grace and I went to Target afterward, Logan went home with a friend.

Today I need to go to the post office, I'm baking a cake for my neighbor's surprise birthday party, listening to my kids fight, need to go to the store and get some last minute food items and a birthday present for a spur of the moment party Grace was invited to tomorrow.

Have been working on the laundry and finally finished cleaning out Logan's room. Wow, what a huge job. Wish I would have done it before the garage sale, but that's the way life goes sometimes.

Somewhere in all that I read a whole book--Dialogues by Stephen Spignesi. It was really engrossing, a story about an animal shelter worker who killed six of her co-workers, and now they are trying to decide whether or not she's insane. I saw the end coming from a mile away, I would have liked a better ending, but it was still a good read.

Now I'm going to start Marley and Me by John Grogan. It's not about Bob Marley, it's the story of a dog. It's a First Look book and my review is due on July 1.

I can't believe we're leaving tomorrow! I still have so much to do, so I'm going to go do my hair so I can leave right after lunch.

More Reviews Posted

Book Doctor
6 Day Body Makeover

Busy weekend

It's been a busy weekend and now an even busier week. Everything is coming to conclusion and I'm trying to remember everything I need to do.

Went to Portland this weekend to see Movin' Out. It was really good. An interesting concept. The band was suspended on a platform above the stage in the back (kinda like in Blast) There was a piano player who did all of the singing. I was amazed at the concept...I couldn't believe that they took 30 years of Billy Joel's songs and made a story of it. There were dancers on the stage who were absolutely incredible. They were all top performers, mostly in ballet. It took us a little while to get into it, but it was wonderful. We went to dinner beforehand at the Macaroni Grill and did some shopping. Spent way too much money at J. Jill.

Got my Romantic Times books completely finished. Now I'm reading Potter Springs by Britta Coleman. It's really good...an interesting concept about a minister whose fiancee is pregnant, and what that means for his career. I'm going to try to get three books read before we leave, but I'm not sure I'll be able to. We'll see!

Some new reviews posted:
Club Sandwich
Cover the Butter
Skinny Dipping

Today I ran a ton of errands. Helped in Logan's class for a half hour, today was their last day of school. Then we went to the post office, bank to deposit some checks, the dentist to pay the bill, Dollar Tree to buy cards and Zebra Cakes (for VBS). Then went to Starbucks to buy a gift card for Logan's teacher, and to Michael's to check out their prices for birthday parties (really expensive) Ran home to get the library movies, then picked up Logan. Returned the movies and dropped the Zebra cakes off at the church. Right after I ate lunch the girl whose wedding I'm doing in August called to set up a meeting, and we both agreed that right then was probably the best for both, so I went back to the church and met with her. Whew! Now I have a few minutes for e-mail and I need to work some more cleaning Logan's room.

Tomorrow is kindergarten graduation and we're going to the zoo afterward. Wed. is their skating party. Then I have two days to get clothes all washed and packed so we can leave on Friday. I'll keep plugging away I guess!

I am so looking forward to being on vacation! Life is just way too stressful right now. And maybe Kimber will hear about school next week? I will be praying!

Nine more days!

Until we leave for vacation. I am so excited. If I can just get through the next few days life will be sweet.

Yesterday we had our final Bible study until fall. It was nice and a couple of the small groups went out to the Red Rooster bakery afterward. I cheated on my eating and had a marionberry scone. I just couldn't help but cave! I have been doing really, really well though. Haven't lost much weight, I guess that I can say one positive thing for that meat diet, I did lose weight.

Tonight is Grace's gymnastics "show" I think she's ready for a break from it for the summer. Some of the others are gung ho to take lessons all summer, but we're just too busy and I don't want to have to worry about it.

I'm reading my fourth series Love Inspired book. I'm almost done with the one on the computer. Then I will just have the two LI Suspense titles and I'll be done. If Grace would go play for a little while I could finish it. Right now she is so thrilled with the fact she can blow a bubble with her gum that she's making me look every time she does it. It was fine the first 100 times, but now it's getting old. Finished True Believer on CD, now I'm back to O My Stars again.

We're having Italian Market Meatloaf for dinner, it's from the Pampered Chef healthy cookbook. I've been very dedicated and have cooked every night this week (wow, four in a row) I think I'll make pizza tomorrow night, because I'm heading over to my women's ministry annual board meeting right after dinner. Last night I had a long VBS meeting but now I'm feeling a LOT better about things.

Just got a phone call from Simpson. The only missing paperwork is the academic reference form, and (crossing my fingers) Misty supposedly mailed it yesterday. Then we just have to wait for the SAT scores to get there and then she can be admitted. I don't know who is more excited, her or us.

Looking forward to the weekend, looking forward to getting through kindergarten graduation and skating party. Need to get a gift for the teacher.Any ideas?

I got the first After School Special DVD from Netflix today. I think I'm going to go watch an episode, LeeRoy has no interest I'm sure. It definitely brings back memories for me!

Craaaaazzzzyyy Days!

I feel like I have the phone permanently implanted in my ear. I've been making hundreds of phone calls about VBS...it stinks that I am going to be gone the whole week before---hey, no it doesn't! LOL, I am not that upset. But I feel like I am doing a whole lot of scrambling at the last minute. I hope this goes off ok. I really need to pray, I'm feeling very scattered.

Went to Chuck E Cheese today for three hours. Took both kids and met Maddie and her mom there. They had so much fun and for much of the time we were the only people there. It was nice to be able to talk to another mom too.

I have two new reviews posted:
Exes and Ohs
Summer in the City

I'm currently reading my Romantic Times books for August. I have one on the computer which really stinks, I hate reading in the midst of everyone running around. My deadline is next Monday. Hopefully I can get them all finished and then another couple of others before we leave for Disneyland.

I'm making parmesan chicken for dinner. Gotta go do the dishes and finish it up before LeeRoy gets home.

Quitting the diet...

We have decided to quit. I know, it's only 6 days, but four days was too many! We're back on Dr. Phil...so much more realistic and allows a much better variety of foods. Tonight we're going out...yay! We havent' been out in awhile. We must, must find a babysitter. It is crucial that we can start going out again. Kimber is (fingers crossed) going to be away at school next year and we need a replacement. We're going out to a leisurely dinner. We were going to go see Cinderella Man or The Longest Yard, but we couldn't make it to the 7 pm show and there's no way I'm watching a three hour movie starting at 10.

I'm still reading Cover the Butter. I have got to finish it because I really need to read a couple more before the RT books.

Helped out in Logan's class today, had to take Grace since her school is over. It worked out fairly well, she was able to do most of the work and things with them.

Diets, GRRRRR!

I am not liking this 6-day diet at all. Thank goodness it's only for 6 days! Although we're going out for dinner tomorrow night, so that will be a little cheat, but otherwise, we're trying to follow it carefully. It's very difficult and you'd better believe that will go in my review.

Still reading Cover the Butter. It's a little slow going, but interesting. Not sure why it's going so slowly. I'm listening to True Believerby Nicholas Sparks. I have three audio books out from the library, so I'm listening to it now while I'm reading e-mail and working on the computer. it's ok, but not as good as some of his other books. I'll admit, I was spoiled by The Wedding and Three Weeks With My Brother.

I am so behind on my reading. I need to get off the computer and get reading!

Wednesday afternoon

Well, today's not much better emotion-wise. I'm still down in the dumps. Finally starting to work on VBS...there's a LOT to do and not much time to do it. I have a bunch of phone calls to make, typing to do. But I'm procrastinating, like usual.

Started Cover the Butter by Carrie Kabak today. I'm not sure what I think of it so far. After this one I definitely must start on my RT books. REviews arent' due until the 13th, but one I have to read on the computer--bleah. And then, less than a week later, we're headed to Disneyland. With all of the VBS stuff I would feel better if I could just get my required reading out of the way and then squeeze in whatever else I can before we leave.

I need to go get the turkey roaster out. Day 2 of the 6-day diet is going fairly well. Just boring!