It's OK!

Linking up with Amber again this week.

It's OK...

...to be sick and tired of snow!

...to read a "trashy" romance and love it.

...to be afraid.

...to look foward to some R&R this weekend.

What's OK with you this week?

Tuesday books

A few books I have read this year - I'll try to be better about this!

The Bullpen Gospels

by Dirk Hayhurst

5 out of 5 stars

I LOVED this book-I laughed so much reading this! An honest look at a season in the minors and baseball in general. The writing and storytelling is fantastic!  But prepare yourself for one moment of immaturity after another...
Pick this book up!

Out of my League

by Dirk Hayhurst

4 out of 5 stars

Another fantastic baseball book by Mr. Hayhurst! He's made it to the bigs - catch the antics and stories here.

The Lightning Thief

by Rick Riordan

5 out of 5 stars

Publisher's summary:  Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

My review:  A juvenile book I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. My 9 year old recommended it to me. It was great! The storyline was fantastic, lots of action and fun. I can't wait to read more in this series.
I highly recommend this book!

In Need of a Good Wife

by Kelly O'Conner McNees

4 out of 5 stars

Publisher's summary:  Richly detailed, vivid, and unforgettable, this is an extraordinary novel about three women challenging the American West—and unpredictable fate—for a future only the most daring can secure…

For Clara Bixby, brokering mail-order brides is a golden business opportunity—and a desperately needed chance to start again. If she can help New York women find husbands in a far-off Nebraska town, she can build an independent new life away from her own loss and grief.

Clara’s ambitions are shared by two other women, who are also willing to take any risk. Quiet immigrant Elsa hopes to escape her life of servitude and at last shape her own destiny. And Rowena, the willful, impoverished heiress, jumps at the chance to marry a humble stranger and repay a heartbreaking debt. All three struggle to find their true place in the world, leaving behind who they were in order to lay claim to the person they want to be. Along the way, each must face unexpected obstacles and dangerous choices, but they also help to forge a nation unlike any that came before.

My review:  This was a very enjoyable read about post-war "mail order" brides/matchmaking. Fascinating story and characters. I couldn't believe how quickly I read through this book.

Gratitudes & More

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a nice weekend.
This week I have been grateful for:
*My husband and his strength & support
*My kids for their sense of humor
*My parents and siblings for their humor & support
*A "trashy" book
*Modern medicine
*My blog readers, your comments cheer me

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Weekend recap:
Friday night was relatively quiet.
Saturday, DD & I went to Chicago to attend a couple of plays - THE FROG PRINCE CONTINUED and THE CAT IN THE HAT. They were put on by Emerald City Theatre Group. Both were lots of fun and fantastic productions.  Saturday evening, we went to some friends' for a couple of hours to visit and play with the "baby" (she's almost 2...).
Yesterday, we headed to the zoo. We were there for a few hours. It was a little chilly but not very crowded. We enjoyed ourselves.  We came home, napped then met some friends for dinner. It was great to catch up with them!

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Apparently, I live with the 9 year old version of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.... She & I stopped for a snack on our way home on Saturday and I explained to her that would have to have surgery and would have to rest for a few days afterward.  I was SO afraid she was going to freak out when we told her but all she did was give me a hug and say "I thought you had looked pale." I just smiled and shook my head.  I think the Lord can work in strange ways sometimes - she was a reminder that when I think the worst, that things will be ok and I have support in places I don't expect it.

Have a great day & week!

Friday Fun, music video

One of my favorite Brad Paisley songs and videos!

Wordless Wednesday

Taken April 14, 2013

Happy National Library Week!

The one with....

The boots!

(I don't normally get attached to shoes, but I think that has changed)

I have wanted a pair of boots for a few years. There have been lots of pairs I have liked, but most of them have been out of my price range or the ones I could afford I couldn't find in my size...   Anyway, I literally stumbled upon this pair:

while surfing the web one night.

I happened to have a Penneys gift card; they had my size and the color I wanted. My hesitation? The heel!  I don't usually wear more than a couple of inches for a heel (but usually flats). Alas, a coupon for an additional $15 came to my email...deal sealer!

I ordered and waited (impatiently) for them to come.  When I opened the box, I think I fell a little in love.  I really like the detail on the shaft:

I put on my jeans and wore them to the hockey game (and traipsed through Menards and Home Depot) the other night.  My feet didn't hurt, the ankles got broke in (I'll have to work on the toes a little more).  I think I might be having an emotional affair with a pair of boots....

Do you have a favorite pair of shoes?

A little about me

I haven't posted an update in a couple of weeks.

I don't know much for sure right now. I have seen the cardiologist who has ordered an echocardiogram (done) and a stress test (coming up this week).then I meet with him again in a couple of weeks.

The echo tech had me in tears when I left the office with what she thought she saw. But I am going to assume at this point that, since the doctor hasn't called me, it must not be too serious. Safe assumption, right?

Other than that, I have been trying to get out for walks, pick what flowers I want in the yard, reading, crocheting and working. I haven't posted book reviews in a while. I need to gt on that...sorry!

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Venting...

In the past two weeks, we have gotten home paperwork from school, that our daughter has three (that's 3!) big projects due within a week of each other.  A poetry project (memorize and recite the poem, rewrite it neatly with illustrations); a research project & paper (her's is on Venus - oy!) and build a model of the major Earth landmasses.

Sigh... I feel stressed about this.  She's in 3rd grade!  What the heck?

Rant over (for now...)

Have a good day and weekend!

Tuesday...

I can't believe it's only Tuesday...it's been a long week already!

On a more pleasant note, the boots I ordered came in yesterday. I LOVE THEM!  I've never had a pair of cowboy boots before.

How's your week going?

Sweet!

DD and I hit Goodwill and out local resale shop.  We did pretty good!

$10 got me a Gap tank, Merona sweater and Jones New York shirt

 $15 got me a green tank (Target brand), DD Hello Kitty capris, Justice tank, Children's Place dress, Target brand striped shirt and a homemade Hello Kitty shirt.

I would say we did good....

It's OK!

Linking up with Amber today.

It's ok....

...that I have gotten no scrapping done

...that my house is a disaster

...to piss people off now and then

...that I ordered myself something on my birthday

...to panic a little when I have several palpitations in a cluster

...that I haven't known what I'm in the mood to read for a couple of weeks

...to rock out to New Kids and NSync on Pandora

...to look forward to stopping at the secondhand store

...that Friday can't come soon enough.

What's ok with you?   Have a great day!

Wordless Wednesday

Butterfinger Bars

Thumbs up from those who ate these.

Prebaked:

 Chocolate, PB and vanilla (premelted)

 Done and cooling

1 c. Brown sugar
1/2 c. White sugar
1 c. Margarine, softened
4 c. Quick oatmeal

6 oz. chocolate chips
3/4 c. Creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together first 4 ingredients and press into 9x13 pan.
Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and vanilla.
Spread over the bars when done and let cool.  (I put mine in the fridge once the pan had cooled to set up)

Grateful for so much!

Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever.
Charles Lamb


Happy April!  I am so amazed that March is over.  I hope you all had a nice Passover, Easter, whatever you celebrate.

As I begin my 39th year, I reflect on how many things I have to be grateful for. Here are a few of them.

I was raised by fantastic parents! I am thankful for all they gave us growing up. We may not have had a lot materially, but they taught us love, patience, hard work, genorosity, respect and thankfulness, things that have been important in my life. Thanks mom and dad.
I have four great siblings. They taught me how to be tolerant and how to get along. They have taught me in my adult years that there are four people I can lean on and they will love me no matter what is going on.  Thanks P, A, J & E!
I have been blessed with an amazing husband! He irritates me sometimes but no one can make me laugh like him. I don't think anyone picks up on my personality ticks like him. he surprises me with the "little things" a lot.  Love you babe!
We have two fabulous kids! I will always be thankful for all the dandelions, homemade cards, scribbled pictures and knock knock jokes.  I hope they have/are learning all the values I grew up with and will be decent adults and have fulfilling lives!  Love you R & S!
I have a job that I have been at for almost 6 years that I LOVE! I don't think I have ever been able to say that until I started there. I feel "at home" in the environmnent and with the clients. Our company is amazing to all of us.  I like to think that in a very, very small way...I help America eat.  ;-)
We have a roof over our heads. We have food on our table. We have clean clothes on our backs. We are all healthy.
I have wonderful blog readers. Your comments keep me blogging. Thanks for stopping by, I love that you do!

I hope you all have many things to be grateful for.
May you have a great week!

PS: MLB starts today - come Cubbies!

Friday Fun - Just 'Cuz

This post came from Jessica at Wifesticated please go check out her blog!

The Rules 

1. Each blogger should answer the questions the tagger has set for you.
2. Choose eleven new bloggers to pass the award on to and link them in your post.
3. Create eleven new questions for the chosen bloggers.
4. Go back to their page and tell them about the award.
5. Each blogger should post eleven random facts about themselves.
6. No Tag Backs!!

Questions from Jessica

What kind of car do you drive? Chrysler Town and Country minivan in a light blue that my DH hates (cuz it's girly...)

If you could have 3 wishes, what would your first wish be? For more wishes

What is your favorite country song? I can only pick 1?!  Ummmm....hmmmm... How about if I just say in general - anything by Kenny Chesney

If you could see anyone in concert dead or alive, who would it be? Elvis

If you had your own show on E!- what would it be called?  Are you serious?

What is your dream job?  A writer and photographer

Where is the one place in the world you want to travel to?  Italy

If you could be any age for the rest of your life, what age would it be?  39 (I'm pretty happy with where I am in life right now)

What kind of exotic animal would you want as a pet? A giraffe

What is your favorite dessert?  Cookies (preferably chocolate chip)

One piece of blogging advice for others.  Don't feel obligated to blog everyday!

11 Random Facts 

*Wizard of Oz if my favorite movie ever

*I've been reading Gone with the Wind for a year

*My secret dream is to take a leave of absence from work and scrapbook for a year

*I hold onto hope every year that the Cubs will win it all

*I love my full-time job

*I put on a helluva a concert driving to and from work

*I stay up too late reading many nights

*I love cooking in my crockpot

*I cry at movies

*I may have an addiction to Pinterest

*My head is full of little decorating ideas

Anyone can do this! Jump in, have fun with it - leave me a comment so I can come check out your post.

Questions for You:

1. What is your favorite color?

2. What is your favorite place you've ever traveled?

3. Can you speak a language that isn't English? What is it?

4. What is your favorite movie?

5. Do you have a lucky number?

6. What is your favorite place to eat out?

7. List your hobbies

8. What website do you visit daily?

9. What household task do you dread most?

10. What was the last good book you read?

11. Do you prefer to vacation or staycation?

Attention blog readers!

PLEASE go read some of these blogs

<-----------------------------

They are AMAZING and fun!

Thank you!

Just a quick update.

FIL's surgery went well. He goes back today for a check before they come home.

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.
Hugs!

Monday gratitudes

I would like to start my gratitude post today with a request for prayers/good thoughts. My FIL is having a lens in his eye replaced today and he seemed a little nervous yesterday. Thank you!

This week I am grateful for:
*My husband and our kids
*Our kids getting excited about our summer trip
*My husband that spoils and surprises me
*A little scrapbooking time
*Seeing a robin (come on spring!)
*Picking up a book that I can't put down
*My scrapbook group meeting this week
*Getting an e-mail from a friend I haven't heard from in a long time
*My blog readers and commenters (thank you!)

I hope you have much to be grateful for this week.
HUGS!

Sunday randomness

Happy Sunday all!
So there are snowflakes in the air this morning....Puxatony Phil must die!!!  This is making me mad now.

I did a little scrapping yesterday

We went to the Chicago Rush game last night. The Rush lost (the die hards in my house were bummed). A great story though, the national anthem was sung by a Special Olympian. Was it a great rendition? Not really, BUT I guarantee you...NO ONE ever sang it with more heart! The players from both teams high fived him and hugged him when he was done.  There were a few tears wiped away by the time he was done too. To me, it was beautiful!

Baseball season starts in 8 days!  8 days!  I'm not expecting great (or even good) things from my Cubbies, but....I look forward to the season anyway.

Hoping the snow goes away and I can get another scrapbook layout or two done today.  Have a great Sunday!