WOW!

7 years ago today, I posted my first blog post.
1st BLOG POST

Thank you to all of you who have read this blog, now & then or regularly. I love your comments!

Tuesday book review

Book #1 done for the summer...

Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler

I gave this 4 out of 5 stars

 Nicole Michelin avoids airplanes, motorcycles, and most of all, Japan, where her parents once were missionaries. Something happened in Japan...something that sent Nicole and her father back to America alone...something of which Nicole knows only bits and pieces. But she is content with life in little Mount Olive, North Carolina, with her quirky relatives, tank of lively fish, and plenty of homemade pineapple chutney. Through her online column for the Pretty Fishy Web site, she meets Harrison Michaels, who, much to her dismay, lives in Japan. She attempts to avoid him, but his e-mails tug at her heart. Then Harrison reveals that he knew her as a child in Japan. In fact, he knows more about her childhood than she does...

My review: I downloaded this free to my Kindle quite a while ago. I wasn't expecting this to be real good. I was pleasantly surprised. The storyline was interesting, the characters (especially Nicole) were endearing. I would recommend this book.  As a SMALL disclaimer: it is Christian fiction.

Happy reading!

Monday gratitudes

- my husband
- my kids
- a roof over our heads
- food on our table
- finishing a book
- blooming flowers
- the Blackhawks going to the Stanley Cup finals
- cheesy 80s movies
- meeting my husband 18 years ago (at our friends' wedding)
- my blog readers and commenters

I hope you have many things to be grateful for!

Wow!

What a weekend! It sure went quick.

DD had her dance recital on Friday and Saturday nights. It went well and of course I stressed about getting her hair done. (Those of you who know me, know I am NOT good with hair!)

We went to Six Flags for a bit on Sunday. Sadly, due to my heart surgery...there are no roller coasters for me this summer. It KILLED me to sit and watch. (Yes, I will admit there are short pity party at one point)

Both kids needed some summer clothes, so we went to the outlet mall. We found some good deals and hopefully they are set for summer.

Amongst the activity, I managed to get a couple of naps in, and have a couple of conversations with DD on unexpected topics. (Insert slight cringe here)

How was your weekend?

Summer break is almost here

Wow! I can't believe it's June already! I hope your summer is starting off well.  DD is almost out of school....

Make sure you check with your local library for their summer reading program.  If they don't have one (shame on them...), check with your local book seller.

**My goal is to read at least 8 books before August 31.**
(I will attempt to review them here, also.)

My other summer goals:
**Blog twice a week
**Keep my flowers alive and the weeds pulled
**Exercise at least 4 times a week
**Scrapbook 15 layouts
**Finish the two projects on my knitting needles (scarf; doll skirt)

What are your summer goals?

Friday Fun -Front Door edition

I think these would be hilarious at the front door!

Thank you Pinterest!

It's OK

It's time for another

"IT'S OK THURSDAY!"

(Amber and Neely have stopped this link up but I will throw one in now and then.

It's OK...

...to hate my body for rebelling against me.

...to not go to work if I don't feel well.

...to read a book in a day.

...to admit a weakness.

What's OK with you?

Never forget....

WHY we have Memorial Day!

Friday Fun

Have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday-Scrappings

I linked up at Purple Mailbox (check it out!)

Tuesday books

I must be feeling better because I'm wanting to blog again! So, here goes...

Instead of a book review, I am going to encourage you to participate in

Chick Lit Blog Hop

Visit each of the blogs, make your list of secret words an enter to win some great prizes!

Hurry, it ends May 27!

On the Mend...

Slow but sure, I'm getting there!

I had a lot of pain on Friday. I napped a lot Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, I missed DS's graduation. I was afraid of being jostled in a crowd and sitting on bleachers for three hours would have done me no good.

Today is probably the best I have felt.  My mom, sister and brother have been great nurses/babysitters. Thank you all!  Of course, the hubby and kidshave been wonderful too!

What did you do this weekend?

It's Friday!

Just an update...
My surgery was successful. The hole is closed and I am resting and recovering. My mom was a wonderful nurse yesterday. My sister will be here today, yea.

DS graduates from our community college tomorrow! We are very proud of him.

My flowers I got for Mother's Day seem to be doing well. I think they could use just A LITTLE bit of rain.

I've done a little window shopping while sitting on the couch. There are such cute summer dresses out there, now if my wallet would just agree I can afford them.

I hope you all have a great weekend! What are you up to?

Book reviews

Today is surgery day but wanted to post a couple quick reviews:

NIGHT ROAD

by Kristin Hannah

4 out of 5 stars

Publisher's synopsis:

For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children’s needs above her own, and it shows--her twins, Mia and Zach, are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude. Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia’s best friend. Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable.

Jude does everything to keep her kids safe and on track for college. It has always been easy--until senior year of high school. Suddenly she is at a loss. Nothing feels safe anymore; every time her kids leave the house, she worries about them.

On a hot summer’s night her worst fears come true. One decision will change the course of their lives. In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything. In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget…or the courage to forgive.

NIGHT ROAD is vivid, emotionally complex novel that raises profound questions about motherhood, identity, love, and forgiveness. It is a luminous, heartbreaking novel that captures both the exquisite pain of loss and the stunning power of hope. This is Kristin Hannah at her very best, telling an unforgettable story about the longing for family, the resilience of the human heart, and the courage it takes to forgive the people we love.

My review:

Another page turner - I had a really hard time putting this book down.  The characters and story are completely believable. I cried and laughed through this book.

SIZE 12 AND READY TO ROCK

by Meg Cabot

3 out of 5 stars

Publisher's synopsis:

Summer break . . . and the livin' ain't easy!

Just because the students at New York College have flown the coop doesn't mean assistant residence hall director Heather Wells can relax. Fischer Hall is busier than ever, filled with squealing thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls attending the first ever Tania Trace Teen Rock Camp, hosted by pop sensation Tania Trace herself--who just happens to be newly married to Heather's ex-boyfriend, heartthrob Jordan Cartwright. But the real headache begins when the producer of a reality TV show starring Tania winds up dead . . . and it's clear that the star was the intended victim.

Grant Cartwright, head of Cartwright Records, wants to keep his daughter-in-law (and his highest-earning performer) alive. So he hires his oldest son, black sheep of the family and private investigator Cooper Cartwright--who just happens to be Heather's new fiance. Heather should leave the detecting to Cooper. But with a dorm full of hysterical mini-divas-in-training, she can't help but get involved. And after Tania shares a really shocking secret with her, this reality suddenly becomes more dangerously real than anyone ever anticipated

My review:

The fourth in this series about Heather Wells, a former teen pop star turned college dorm director. This is a very entertaining series and quick reads. The storyline is a little far fetched but still slightly believable.

Happy reading!

Monday gratitudes

I hope you all had a nice weekend!  This week I have been grateful for:
*a nice Mother's Day
*new plants for the front of our house (thanks, honey!)
*spring weather
*eating outside at lunch
*my family
*kindness and understanding
*moments of silliness
*library storytime
*my blog readers and commenters

Have a great week!

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all you moms, grandmas, aunts, fur baby moms, moms-to-be, those who are " like moms", a very happy, restful day!

Hugs!

Friday Fun - storytime

Friday Fun today is a story about our DD.

We went to Six Flags last weekend - the weather was PERFECT, by the way!!!!!!!!  She & I were waiting to get on the carousel, at the end of the line. A group of obnoxious middle school boys got in line behind us. They started to slowly move past us in line and I nudged DD forward more.  As they let us on the ride, they elbowed past her and knocked her a little off balance. I almost said something but figured I would let it go, since she wasn't hurt. I'm following her to the horse she wanted, she passes two of the boys, and throws a shoulder and knocking them off balance but keeps walking like nothing happened.
I had to try SO hard to not laugh! The look on their faces was priceless. When we got done riding, I assured DH that he had no reason to worry about her holding her own. He just smiled when I told him what went down.

Lesson to you boys - - - don't mess with a little blonde girl!  She'll knock you down.


Have a great weekend!

Monday gratitudes

*a beautiful weekend
*a fun weekend
*my family
*flowers
*scrap time
*80s movies

What are you grateful for?

Today

Happy Derby Day!  May you have a fancy hat to wear and your horse win!

To all the Star Wars fans.... May the 4th be with you!

To the scrappy readers.... Happy NATIONAL SCRAPBOOK DAY!  I hope you have time to do something scrappy.  I hope to "play" along at Scrapbook Generation. I know there are several area events and on line events happening today. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy May!

WOW! How did it get to be May already?!  I hope it's getting "springy" around you. The trees are finally getting green and flowers are popping out. I wake up to the birds singing (or squawking) each morning.  Spring has sprung!

To catch you up on me: I had a TEE (basically an internal ultrasound) on my heart on Tuesday. They confirmed that the hole in my heart wall is there. I have what is called atrial septum defect (ASD).  I meet again with the surgeon next week to go over the procedure and timeframe for recovery.  Basically, what he told my husband is that they will go in and test the oxygen levels in each of the chambers of my heart and if they feel they are too low, then they will repair the hole while they are in there.  I am ready for this to be done, as I'm tired of being stuck, poked, prodded and driving to appointments.

We spent last weekend in St. Louis. DH & DS went to the Hawks/Blues game. We had intended to spend a few hours at Six Flags on Saturday morning, but the rain deterred that plan. We went to the mall and had lunch. Checked into our hotel - where there were 3 weddings and I don't know how many proms.  Little Miss was in heaven gawking at all the dresses.  We made it to Six Flags for a few hours Sunday until the cold got to be too much.  It was nicer in northern IL than there...figures!

This weekend, the Six Flags here opens and lo and behold - it's supposed to rain ALL weekend...AGAIN! Sigh.  Sooooo - we'll see. Iron Man opens this weekend, so maybe we'll see that instead.

I am testing a crochet pattern. It will be a lovely baby blanket when I'm done. I'll post pictures then.

I hope you're all well. I will try to post when I can.