Book Club 2015: Update 3

My 2015 goal is 35 books....

1. Passive Aggressive Notes: Painfully Polite and Hilariously Hostile Writings by Kerry Miller
2. I'm Dangerous...I'm Not Gonna Lie by Erin Smith
3. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
5. As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley
6. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
7. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
8. The Girl on a Train: A Novel by Paula Hawkins
9. Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
10. The Anodyne Necklace by Martha Grimes
11. Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
12. The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
13. Clementine's Letter by Sara Pennypacker
14. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
15. A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny
16. The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
17. How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny
18. The Long Way Home by Louise Penny
19. Malice in the Palace by Rhys Bowen
20. Aliens for Breakfast by Stephanie Spinner

Currently reading: Wild by Cheryl Strayed; Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith; Frindle by Andrew Clements

Again, obviously several of these were for school... hence the 3rd grade level... :)

As you can see I enjoy the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny... pretty sure the new one comes out this month... WOOHOO!

Book Club 2015: Update 2

My 2015 goal is 35 books....

1. Passive Aggressive Notes: Painfully Polite and Hilariously Hostile Writings by Kerry Miller
2. I'm Dangerous...I'm Not Gonna Lie by Erin Smith
3. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
5. As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley
6. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
7. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
8. The Girl on a Train: A Novel by Paula Hawkins
9. Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
10. The Anodyne Necklace by Martha Grimes
11. Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
12. The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
13. Clementine's Necklace by Sara Pennypacker
14. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

Obviously several of these were for school... hence the 3rd grade level... :)

Currently I am working on the next book in the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny: A Trick of the Light. (Can you tell I LOVE this series?)

Reading Wish List:

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Every Fiften Minutes by Lisa Scottoline

The Dirty Duck by Martha Grimes

New mantra

Gotta get it together.

(repeat)

Pinteresting

Perhaps a Spring Break project...

Burlap Photo Wreath

(instructions HERE)

Avacado Dressing &/or Dip

Ingredients

• 1 large avocado
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Puree until smooth,
2. Enjoy!!

** I leave out the oil to make it more "dip-like"

Super yummy & the hot sauce gives it a little KICK!

Smashed Red Potatoes

These have quickly become a favorite!!!

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. 
• Boil some red potatoes until fork tender.
• Drizzle olive oil on a baking sheet, set potatoes on sheet and using a potato masher (or back of a spatula), gently smash each potato down, rotating masher both ways (so it looks like a thick cookie). 
• Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle herbs or seasoning (I use Mrs. Dash garlic herb).
• Then, top with some low fat mozzarella cheese. 
• Bake for 20 minutes.

Remember when....

I am constantly amazed by my 4 yr old's memory... She never forgets ANYTHING!

I think it is totally true that 90% of my brain cells went to her when she was born... I used to have a great memory (I think?) but am now a huge ditz.

Book Club 2015: Update 1

My 2015 goal is 35 books....

1. Passive Aggressive Notes: Painfully Polite and Hilariously Hostile Writings by Kerry Miller
2. I'm Dangerous...I'm Not Gonna Lie by Erin Smith
3. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
5. As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

STILL reading The Anodyne Necklace by Martha Grimes... one day I WILL finish it!  ;)

Reading Wish List:

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

The Girl on a Train: A Novel by Paula Hawkins

2015

2015: The Year I Regain Control...

~of my life
~of my health
~of my happiness
~of my career

Book Club 2014: FINAL Update

1. One of Our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde
2. Trunk Music by Michael Connelly
3. The Dead in their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
4. Hidden by Kendra Elliott
5. The Seventh Month by Lisa Gardner
6. The Yard by Alex Grecian
7. Little Shop of Homicide by Denise Swanson
8. The Woman Who Died a Lot by Jasper Fforde
9. The Man with a Load of Mischief by Martha Grimes
10. The Old Fox Deceiv'd by Martha Grimes
11. The Cold, Cold Gound by Adrian McKinty
12. England my England; Anglophilia Exposed
13. The Black Country by Alex Grecian
14. Still Life by Louise Penny
15. Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
16. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
17. The Fault in our Stars by John Green
18. The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde
19. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
20. The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde
21. Dinosaurs Before Dark: Magic Treehouse #1 by Mary Pope Osboune
22. The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline  by Nancy Springer
23. The Devil's Workshop by Alex Grecian
24. The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
25. Judy Moody (#1) by Megan McDonald
26. The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood
27. Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen
28. Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
29. The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl
30. The Secret Place by Tana French
31. Let's Pretend this Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson
32. Death Comes to the Village by Catherine Lloyd
33. Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osbourne
34. Death Comes to London by Catherine Lloyd
35. The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson
36. Passive Aggressive Notes: Painfully Polite and Hilariously Hostile Writings by Kerry Miller
37. I'm Dangerous, I'm Not Gonna Lie by Erin Smith
38. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny

Currently Reading:  The Anodyne Necklace by Martha Grimes and The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny.

How I know I have succeeded as a parent...

...my child asks to watch Danger Mouse when she gets up.

Get in Shape Girl

SO. Today I had an appointment with a personal trainer at the gym. While dreading this in MANY ways, I was also hoping that it would provide motivation to get myself back in shape.

After talking with the trainer, and learning the unGodly amount of weight I need to lose, we headed to the training room. And seriously, 10 minutes in I hear a POP! and have instant, AMAZING pain in my right calf.

The trainer tried to help me stretch it out-- which hurt worse. After helping me back to the office he went next door to a physiotherapy office to ask for advice. They weren't sure without seeing me, so he came back and helped me walk (here walk is a strong word... perhaps hobble would be more descriptive) next door. They physio felt my leg and had me flex my foot (which hurts the MOST, btw). He thinks it is probably a stage 2 tear in the calf muscle.

(sigh)

Only me. Honestly, I think I will just stay chunky. It's much less painful.

Not really sure how I will get around at school tomorrow. I had Hubby bring up the crutches... thinking that may be my only option.

(insert a string of expletives here)

Things I Don't Understand...

...and am thus NOT thankful for.

(See how I tied that in to November and the What-I'm-Thankful-For posts?)

Sneaky. I know.

In no particular order:

1. Kale- I mean, it just sounds nasty.
2. Kim Kardashian- and anyone else in her family. I mean why people? There is NO talent there.
3. Reality Shows- especially ones that follow families around. WHO CARES! I have enough drama in my own life-- I sure as hell don't want anyone else's!
4. How to french braid-- this is one that I need to learn! Stupid Elsa making my 4 yr old want a braid everyday! 
5. Basketball-- UGH! Does this sport ever end?
6. This.
7. Toe Socks-- maybe it's just because I have short toes and thus they never worked for me... maybe I'm jealous. Nah... They look ridiculous.
8. Cranberry Sauce-- ok I will be honest here-- not sure I have ever even TRIED cranberry sauce. But I still don't get it. 
9. Minecraft-- What is that nonsense anyway?
10. Why ANY stores (other than maybe gas stations) are open on Thanksgiving. Give it a rest! All that junk will still be there on Friday. Seriously. 

Funny Ha-Ha

Today's gratitude is for people that make me laugh. I honestly think without these comedians I would not make it through life.

Some of my favorite funny people:

Russell Howard: If you aren't familiar with this hilarious Brit, you are missing out. Hubby introduced me to his BBC show Russell Howard's Good News a couple of years ago. We watch it on Youtube and stream it from the UK. Last May Russell was in the US for 5 stand up gigs. We got tickets and saw him in Chicago. We also ran into him/ sort-of stalked him at the Art Institute. We chatted a few mins and I had my picture made with him-- SUPER AWESOME! (Did I mention he's a cutie?!)

Here's an episode of Good News
Seriously. Watch. You won't regret it.

Jenny Dawson (aka The Bloggess): A couple weeks ago I downloaded her book Let's Pretend this Never Happened and I was not disappointed. My review of this book on Goodreads:  totally needed this audio book this week to distract me. And also, I felt like I was just listening to the voice in my head. Like if I'd write that Sh*t down- it could be a sequel. All in all I found it quite comforting.

I also enjoy her blog: The Bloggess

David Sedaris: I am pretty sure that "Sedaris" translates to GENIUS! I adore this man. Everything he writes cracks me up, or makes me feel smarter and better than I did before I read it. Everytime he's in town for a reading, I'm there. I was so nervous when I stayed to get a book signed once that I managed to blurt out statements such as, "My cat's on Prozac!" and "This is my mailman!" (instead of "One of my best friends since HS"). I love to read his books and I LOVE to listen to the audio versions. Some of my MOST fav Sedaris stories include Six to Eight Black Men, The Santaland Diaries, Jesus Shaves, Me Talk Pretty One Day, and The Happy Place.

Recently David was asked to read 50 Shades of Grey on a tour. This was seriously hilarious and almost made me like that God-awful book...  Check it out!

So there you go... That is just a few of many that help get me through this adventure called life. My advice: Laugh. Find something funny in every situation. Sometimes it is the only way to cope.

Baby, it's COLD outside!

This AM it was pretty chilly outside. As we are getting in the car, Miss Priss exclaims, "Mommy, I'm cold! Turn on the toaster in the car!"

I asked if she meant heater.

"NO! The TOASTER!"

Thanks Y'all!

So every year I do the typical "What-I'm-Thankful-For" daily posts... except that I always get behind and usually end up doing 3 or 4 entries with multiple days. Add to the fact that I am fairly certain that I name the same things EVERY year... so what's the point?

Of course I am thankful for friends and family, and awesome co-workers... and the fact I have a job (though some days I wish I didn't...) I appreciate my life, my education, and all the amazing opportunities I have had.

So this year I am not posting daily-- but whenever the mood strikes. And I am aiming my appreciation at the less obvious choices.

• Today I am thankful for wind. It's like a cyclone out there right now and I LOVE it! I love to listen to it whistle and to watch all the leaves swirling around. Wind provides great comedy as well. It is the funniest of all weather options really. Look at people's hair blowing all over the place! And people's facial expressions as they walk facing the wind-- it's like they ate an entire truckload of lemons or something... all squished up. C'mon people. Hilarious.
• I am also thankful for photographs. They help remind me of all the awesome things I do. Seriously- I need them. My memory is shit lately.

That's it for today... this week, as with most, has made my brain feel mushy... 

No Need to Go to the Gym Today....

Fairly confident that the "7 Very Active Minutes" recorded on my Fitbit were when I was holding down my 4 yr old during flu and strep tests today.

First Impressions

When I first looked at this my initial thought wasn't, "Why is that man there without

protective clothing?" rather it was, "Is that Andy Griffith?"

Weekend musings

• I'd like to think that once upon a time I would never go out without brushing my hair. But I'm thinking this would be a lie. And oh yeah, it happened again Saturday.
• I really hope the lady at Walmart is wearing her costume for Halloween. And I am assuming her "costume" this year is that of a prostitute. (sidenote: as it's Walmart, it's probably not a costume)
• Miss Priss singing along to "Kiss the Girl" totally said "Piss the girl"-- I added the word "off". Even at 4 she has men figured out.  ;)
• Josh Dobbs (QB for UT) is a funny looking spud
  
• What am I going to do when Halloween is over and Miss Priss still insists on wearing her costume EVERYWHERE? It took me 20 minutes to convince her she couldn't wear it to school today. (sidenote: Today was hillbilly day at school-- her costume is a princess)-- we compromised by her wearing her princess necklace with her hillbilly attire.

Book Club 2014: Update 4

1. One of Our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde
2. Trunk Music by Michael Connelly
3. The Dead in their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
4. Hidden by Kendra Elliott
5. The Seventh Month by Lisa Gardner
6. The Yard by Alex Grecian
7. Little Shop of Homicide by Denise Swanson
8. The Woman Who Died a Lot by Jasper Fforde
9. The Man with a Load of Mischief by Martha Grimes
10. The Old Fox Deceiv'd by Martha Grimes
11. The Cold, Cold Gound by Adrian McKinty
12. England my England; Anglophilia Exposed
13. The Black Country by Alex Grecian
14. Still Life by Louise Penny
15. Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
16. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
17. The Fault in our Stars by John Green
18. The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde
19. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
20. The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde
21. Dinosaurs Before Dark: Magic Treehouse #1 by Mary Pope Osboune
22. The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline  by Nancy Springer
23. The Devil's Workshop by Alex Grecian
24. The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
25. Judy Moody (#1) by Megan McDonald
26. The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood
27. Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen
28. Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
29. The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl
30. The Secret Place by Tana French

Currently Reading:
The Anodyne Necklace by Martha Grimes
Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson