Trying to Get Ready For Christmas

Trying to get everything done for Christmas. It's a very busy time of year! Still have reviews piling up too.

New Reviews Posted:
Adventures of Riley: Dolphins in Danger
Calorie Queens

I'm currently reading I'm No Saint by Elizabeth Hayt. I'm listening to The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis with the kids, and The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler.

Again I need to get busy with my RT books starting next week, but fortunately, the kids are out of school and LeeRoy is off for 10 days. That will probably make it more difficult, come to think of it!

Tomorrow is the kids' last day of school until after the New Year, I am glad for that. I relish a few days of sleeping in.

For He alone is Worthy!

I think I'll probably be doing weekly updates until after Christmas. It's just way too busy around here, and then stupidly, I accepted a recall job.

New Review posted: Where Fat Girls Haven't Gone

I just started reading Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah. Hopefully it will be a quick read since it's not for review. I have been so busy lately I've had very little reading time.

I'm headed off to work some more on my Bible study for tomorrow. Last one before a vacation, I'm glad. I have to take the dog to the groomer, go to LeeRoy's Lion's Club lunch, then work on the recalls until it's time to pick up the kids. Then to hip hop, back to get the dog, then Logan has gymnastics tonight.

Kimber comes home Friday. Thankfully all of my Christmas shopping is done (I think!) I just have more decorating and other things to get, along with various teacher and other gifts.

Finally!

I can finally sign in! I don't know what giltch has been going on, I kept getting error messages.

I have a bunch of new reviews posted:
The Nutcracker

Turning Thirty

No More Christian Nice Guy

The Friendship Test

Remember Me

What She Left for Me

I'm still behind on writing them up. But at least I got my Romantic Times books done, written up, and turned in.

I'm currently reading Confessions of a Boyfriend Stealer by Robynn Clairday. It's a cute YA book. Supposedly written in a blog format, but that's a bit gimmicky...I am not seeing that it's all that accurate. Way too much detail in conversation for a blog, especially one written way after the fact of an incident. But I'm enjoying it.

Christmas shopping is well underway. I have many stocking stuffers still to get, but the big stuff is done. I think we're going to hit Wal-Mart, our least favorite store, tonight while the kids are at church.

This weekend we have a ton of things going on. Even today! Had my Bible study brunch. This weekend is the Journey to Bethlehem, I think we'll have to go on Friday if we want to go at all. Saturday is our church tour of homes, and we have to get our Christmas tree sometime. Oh yeah, Friday morning is our Mom's group Christmas brunch and gift exchange. Saturday night is LeeRoy's company Christmas party. Sunday we're going to see Narnia.

Ok, on to working on my Christmas letter.

It's December

I got a whole bunch of reviews written up last night so I should have a bunch posted this week. I only have two left and they are kids books. I should be able to complete them this afternoon.

I'm working on my RT books, I only have one LI Suspense book this time, that's the one I'm reading right now. Then I have the four LI ones...ugh. They are getting a little old. But as it's my only real paid reviewing gig I am going to stick with it.

Kids have a birthday party to go to tonight at the Hoppin House. I was wishing to just stay home, bummer.

Not much else going on, the thrill for the kids is that it snowed today. It seems to have stopped but there's still quite a bit on the ground. Hopefully it will stay until Logan gets out of school so he can enjoy it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful. Ours was great.
Other than that icky hide-a-bed! It was so fun to see my sister and her family, and the kids adored playing with their cousins. Kimber was so happy to be home, although I am not sure she was quite prepared for the clingy-ness of the kids. Oh well. Christmas should be interesting.

I am way, way behind on writing up my reviews. I have five books sitting here to be reviewed, and I had to start on my RT books today because Monday is my deadline. Not too big of a deal though, because I have fewer books this month than normal. The single title book is a re-release (according to Harlequin...but I don't consider a book that has been completely re-worked from a secular romance novel to be a Christian novel a re-release, but I can't argue with them) And I have one less suspense title for some reason.

I'm currently reading Queen Esther and the Second Graders of Doom by Allie Pleiter. It's cute so far. Still listening to Trace.

New reviews posted:
Eloise Wilkin Stories

Texas Christmas Grooms

I got the coolest new toy yesterday. It's actually my Christmas present that I got early. It's an XM SkyFi2 satellite radio. So great, I got the one that goes in the car and at home. I am totally loving it! I can even listen online which is great also.

How great is Lost? I am SO SO excited for this week's episode. I have been waiting for so long to find out what's up with Kate. It should be good. I hope they don't wimp out with the story, but so far no one's has been as I had predicted.

I also adore Gray's Anatomy. The storylines are excellent. Not really liking Amazing Race, give me back the two-person teams thank you very much.

Ok, gotta get busy!

Long Awaited Update

Things have been craaazzy around here. Getting ready for Kimber to come home today. And that whole van thing threw my week into a tizzy last week.

So...didn't get the van out until Sunday. We put four people along the door and lifted it up. It wasnt' that it was all that heavy, it was just awkward and got off balance easily if it wasn't being lifted evenly. So we lifted it up and got the van out so I could use it yesterday. And yesterday afternoon the guy came and $145 later, I have a working door again. I guess it's cheaper than a new door, but springs and labor are expensive!

We went to our church couples retreat this past weekend in Seaside. It's one of the highlights of my year. What a fun time! It's great to spend time together and with other couples just hanging out and having fun. We played lots of board games in the evenings and the speakers were absolutely phenomenal. They were Jeff and Stacy Kemp, who run Families Northwest Jeff is a former pro football player and he had a great way of speaking to the men so they could relate and understand. They talked a lot about the roles of husbands and wives and what we need to do to show love and respect for each other. It was just fantastic.

I am on my way to get in the car to pick up Kimber. Everyone's excited for her to come home, but I think Grace and Logan are the most excited.

I'm currently reading Remember Me by Deborah Bedford, still listening to Trace, but I should get farther with my drive to the airport.

Ok...the kids are ready to drag me to the car.
I guess we can wait in the airport as easily as we can wait here!

Van held hostage...

My van is being held hostage by my garage...
Last night after we got home from church we heard this strange noise that sounded like it came from outside. Looked around and couldn't figure it out. This morning, LeeRoy went to open the garage door...no luck. We have a broken spring. So later today we'll gather the neighbors and try to lift the door with brute strength, they can't fix it until Monday afternoon. And although I don't need it now, nor will I need it all weekend because we're going to the couple's retreat and my parents have their own van--I do need it on Monday. So if we can get it out I'll be much happier.

Kids are over playing with the neighbor, I am going to sit and read my book, Turning Thirty by Mike Gayle. It's cute so far.

I'm reading the message boards for Lost (when I can get through) and it's so interesting to read other people's take on it. I avoid spoilers, but I love to read the discussion.
This is most definitely the best show on TV right now.

Busy, Busy!

I have been so busy lately I haven't had much opportunity to update. Went to my parents' for the holiday weekend because LeeRoy was at the Christian Musician Summit. We had a fun time, it was nice to get out of town for a couple of days. Yesterday we had a combined church service and then our annual business meeting. After we went to see Zathura, which was pretty good. The kids had a birthday party at the Hoppin' House last night. Hopefully tonight will be an early night, they are really tired.

I ran like crazy to get things done today, but I've accomplished quite a bit. Worked in Logan's class all morning and really did a lot. Went to gymnastics, then home for a little while. Went to the post office and then to pick up Logan. The kids got to play outside for a bit while I made dinner, we finally had a non-rainy day!

I am currently reading What She Left for Me by Tracie Peterson. I'm almost finished. I started listening to Trace by Patricia Cornwell. Not sure if I'll stick with it, but I am behind on that series so I really should. I also have A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve which I'm looking forward to.

New Reviews Posted:
Cassandra's Angel

Revenge of the Paste Eaters

Body Intelligence

The Light Speed Bible

Boo Hiss

I have a whole stack here just waiting to be written up, and I'm sure I'll add the book I'm reading to that pile. Tomorrow I have Bible study (which I'm not sure I'll be going to), Lunch for 4, and sometime I HAVE to work on my own Bible study presentation for Wed. That's most likely why I would skip the morning Bible study. We were supposed to have the video tomorrow, but she's thinking of postponing it. Since we're not meeting next week, that will mean on the 29th now. We'll see how I feel in the morning. I have to make the time for my own teaching prep though. I will really be happy to have a week off of preparation.

Like always, I'm way behind in my reading. This weekend is our couples retreat, I am so looking forward to it. It's always a ton of fun. My parents (bless them) are coming up to watch the kids.

It's conference week for the kids, so tomorrow is Grace's last day of school for the week. Logan gets out at 12:30 every day. Should be interesting trying to keep them entertained.

I'm off to finish my book.

I've been a flake!

With this, not with my real life! I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off (not a pretty picture) and not getting much done. Fortunately, today I have Grace in day care for another two hours (has been all day) and I'm slowly but surely working my way through my piles of "to do" stuff. That computer crash threw me so far behind I'm not seeing much light. But my goal is to get all of my reviews written in the next two hours, so I have a lot more work ahead!

I'm currently reading Boo Hiss by Rene Gutteridge. I'm listening to At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks. After a draggy beginning, At First Sight seems to be picking up and I'm intrigued enough to really want to stick with it.

I've bought a ton of books in the past few days at the library sale. Today Grace has her first hip hop class, so Logan and I will go to the buck a bag day for the ending of the sale.

Ok, down to business. I worked on my Bible study, went to the new Winco store, listed some things on ebay, listed some things on paperback swap, now I have to write some reviews before I get fired (LOL) from my review positions.

Back online!

Had to get a new computer, then had to figure out how to use it! In the meantime, I had my second RT deadline of the month, so I had massive amounts of reading to do. And work on my Bible study. You never quite realize how much you use a computer until you don't have one to use!

I am currently reading Boo Who by Rene Gutteridge. Currently listening to Night Fall by Nelson Demille. But I did have four books on CD come in all at once at the library, and I decided to buy a copy of Night Fall, so I'll be moving on to something else tomorrow.

New Reviews Posted:
The Wedding Day

Everyone Else's Girl

She's All That

I've got quite a few books sitting here waiting to be written up, being without a computer really put me behind with that too.

Back to reading and cleaning!

Computer Crash

Had a major computer crash this week. Power supply failed. So we got a new computer yesterday. Will update more when I get a chance later today.

Sunday Afternoon

It's a rainy day here today. I am trying to finish up my book Boo by Rene Gutteridge so I can start my RT books. Two deadlines this month. I also need to finish three other books this week on top of my 8 for RT. Impossible? Probably. Grrr. Why do I do this to myself?

I am starting on Shades of Gray by Jacquelin Thomas first. Hopefully I can make a lot of headway today. LeeRoy is watching the Seahawks, so he's occupied.

I am starting a bookbox for the bookbox yahoo group I belong to. I am trying to clear out some more books before the library sale starts a week from Friday. Some of these books have just been hanging around way too long.

This should be another busy week. Hopefully I can get done all I need to.
I am off to do some serious reading.

Movin' Right Along...

In the week (but doesn't that title just make you hum, or is it just me? Maybe I'm the only Muppet fan out there)

Got to go out to lunch today with my friend Misty, that was totally fun. It will be even more fun next year when the kids are in school all day and I don't have to feel guilty leaving Grace in day care. But she loves it and has been begging to go for the past couple of weeks. Besides, there is this boy that also asks every day if she's going to go...tee hee too funny.

Currently reading Revenge of the Paste Eaters by Cheryl Peck. So far not as funny as her first, but I am enjoying it anyway.

TV thoughts:
Amazing Race--Boring. That's pretty much all I can say. It's not challenging when everyone speaks your language and all you have to do to find something is look in a phone book at a gas station. If they aren't leaving the US they could make it more difficult! I can't wait for the next real one, which is sad since the family one had so much potential.

Lost--Oh, can I say addiction? I absolutely love this show. Can't say enough good things about it. My only complaint--last night they drop a bombshell about someone dying in the next episode and now it's not going to be on for three weeks! Grrrr. That darn baseball.

Ok, off to clean some more before I need to pick the kids up from school.

Yay Grace!

At gymnastics today the teacher kept pulling Grace aside. I was wondering what was up, but after class she told me that Grace is too good for the class she's in, she needs to be in a higher level! I knew she had been really improving, but didn't realize how much. So next week she'll be in a higher class!

Still reading the same book, I hope to finish today. Still listening to Vanishing Acts. It's ok but unless something exciting happens I am not going to rate this much higher than a C. It's just average, especially compared to My Sister's Keeper.

New review posted:

Don't Get Too Comfortable

Monday, Monday...

What a busy weekend! We took yesterday just to relax and regroup.

Friday I worked in Grace's classroom and it was pet day. So I had the dog with me. First thing in the morning Logan showed him for his sharing, and then Grace showed him at 11. After we quickly took the dog home, went by the bank, then to Taco Bell, then to church for the mom's group. Picked up Logan from school and hurried home. I made the rest of my Tastefully Simple items and did another clean-up of the house. Had my party, which was fun but really busy. Watched The Longest Yard after, it was pretty funny.

Saturday we went to a Safeway grand opening ($1.38 Diet Coke 12 packs!) then to the fire station open house, then out to lunch with my parents and aunt for Logan's birthday. My mom, aunt, and I went to pick up Logan's Star Wars birthday cake, then we came home to open presents. Before we knew it, it was time for Logan's birthday party at the Hoppin' House. That was really fun, when we got home we watched Speak, which was really moving.

Sunday was a day of vegging after church. I read my book, LeeRoy napped, and Logan had Jacob over. Grace went to Katie's. It was just a long, lazy day.

Not really sure I'm enjoying Desperate Housewives this season. Nothing is really happening. On the other hand, I am loving Grey's Anatomy even more. The story lines are great and I was just bawling when Burke held Cristina while she cried.

Currently reading Everyone Else's Girl by Megan Crane. The cool thing...when I opened up the book there were a couple of pages with quotes from reviews about her last book and my review was quoted! Not using my name, but using Bookloons. Here's a link to that review if you're interested:
English as a Second Language

I have a new review posted:
Hannah's Hope

I hope I'll have a little time to write up some reviews today. I am going to force myself, I'm three books behind.

Logan's Birthday

Today my little boy is seven! I can't believe time has gone by so quickly. People always say it does, and when he was colicky and crying all the time I never believed it. But it has. It is so amazing to see him growing and changing every day, becoming more of his own person.

I'm currently reading She's All That by Kristen Billerbeck. I have four books I have to get through before Monday because I've got to start on my next round of RT books. Two deadlines in one month are not fun. She's All That is a Christian chick lit book, first in the spa girls series. It's decent so far, but nothing spectacular. I'm only on page 30 though.

My wonderful husband took the kids to church last night so I could stay home and get some things done. It was so nice of him. I got cupcakes made and frosted, Logan's presents sorted and wrapped.

I'm going to get on the treadmill, I've got 2 hours until I am going to pick up Grace from school.

Yipes!

After a walk around the block with Grace, I have handed her off to her "adopted" grandma who is going to walk another round with her.

Life is crazy, I think that should be my catch phrase.

Logan's birthday is Thursday, so I am busily preparing for his party on Saturday. I have Bible study tomorrow, so I spent this morning preparing my notes for that. I'm having a Tastefully Simple party on Friday, so much cleaning is necessary. Today I've been cleaning and getting things ready, it just never seems like there are enough hours in the day.

Currently reading Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner. It's a decent book so far, although I'm not sure it will measure up to her previous book (Little Earthquakes) in my mind. I guess I'd classify it as a chick lit mystery. I've only got about a week until I have to start on my RT books again. Two deadlines in a month will about send me over the edge. And my family too, LeeRoy especially dislikes the deadline weekends.

Started a new study at church --Know Fear. We're attending a new small group which isn't too bad. Different than I'm used to, we're one of the youngest people there. I don't feel very connected to the people, but maybe it's just too early for that. I've been feeling very disillusioned with our church lately, I'm not connecting with God like I used to, and I'm not sure what the cause is. We've been contemplating trying other churches, but we can't find something that would work for both of us. I like contemporary music, but I like some structure. I don't care for three hour long church services that may or may not include a sermon, depending on what's happening. But I also don't like these time crunched, non-Spirit led services I've been experiencing lately. I really need to pray about what to do.

I'm a little overwhelmed with life in general...I need to figure out what to cut out because I can't keep up with the pace I'm trying to right now.

Clutter

I've been thinking a lot lately about the clutter in my life. I've been doing the Beth Moore study "Living Beyond Yourself" and God has been speaking to me. The video this week talked about clearing things out through confession and bringing concerns to God before you can be filled with the Holy Spirit. She also talked about actions and how every action has its root in something internal. For example, I have a big problem with just totally losing it with my kids--yelling and getting so angry. Even bringing it to Jesus and trying my hardest to turn from it isn't working.

So I got to thinking, what is the real root cause of this? What is setting me off? And I came back to the thing that has been plaguing me my whole life--perfectionism. I expect too much from myself, my family, and even my home. I have these perfection expectations that just can't be met, no matter how hard anyone tries. And most of the time, when I lose it with the kids, it's because I'm failing at something I think I should be getting perfect--like my house clean, or being on time for things, etc.

Just something I am definitely working on with God. But now that I have really acknowledged the root of the problem I can get to work on it.

On another note, I am now reading The Wedding Day by Catherine Alliott.

I am so wishing for a date night with my husband but we really haven't found a babysitter. All of the teenagers we know are going to football games, it's frustrating. And Alicia is in Hawaii (lucky her!)

Have been diligently working on the physical clutter in my home today. I've cleaned out Grace's room and have a big garbage bag ready for Goodwill (I can't freecycle this stuff because she doesn't really know what's in there and I dont' want to keep it around any longer than necessary) and another big bag of Logan's stuff. I actually need to get rid of more of his stuff because his birthday is this week, which means more will be arriving. I'm trying to get him to part with some Rescue Hero items because he has thousands and he doesn't really play with them anymore. His is mostly really into Legos and Star Wars right now.

This is long enough, back to cleaning!

New Reviews Posted

The Judge Who Stole Christmas

Saturday Morning

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Tough

Another breakneck week

I can't believe it's Thursday already. Kids have two days off school for the ASCI conference, so we're back to summer mode again. Logan has an eye appointment this morning, so I need to get in the shower very soon.

I'm reading Don't Get Too Comfortable by David Rakoff. It's a very funny set of essays about over-indulgent Americans. I'm enjoying it. Still listening to Vanishing Acts, it's definitely good, I hope I'm not disappointed.

Kimber is driving to Ashland and back today to see a play. Pray if you think of it, that's a scary drive at night through the mountains.

I'll probably post some more later when I have more time. I think I'll have some reviews posted today.
Oh, here's one:
The Railway Children