The Book I Couldn't Put Down.

I got back in my groove by participating in last weeks Book Club Friday - but after reading this post by Heather, I immediately downloaded this book on my Kindle ereader:

Never one to keep good ideas to myself - I immediately told Candy, my best friend and Brandy, my sweet friend from back in Indiana to download it as well. I knew they both had e-readers and they've bought books I've recommended before. I needed someone to obsess with me while I read at rapid speed.

Let me just say that I couldn't put this book down. I finished it literally in 24 hours (and this was a workday - so know that I read on lunch, at stoplights, while I dried my hair, etc).

My one caution should be that there is some 'adult content'.

I loved it. Brandy finished before I did (she stayed up late and read it all in one night) and Candy was close behind. They both LOVED it as well and we've spend the rest of this week trying to decide if we want to buy the other 2 books Jamie McGuire has written, even though they're not in the same genre. We've also all felt sad it's over now that we hurried through, we wish we'd rationed it out! Ha! Thanks for Heather for a great recommendation - it made my week!

Currently reading:

Watch for a review on this next week.

Love,

B

Surfacing.

I love when a good book sucks me but I have to say after 24 hour with my nose in a book - it felt good to resurface today. I love a book you can't put down and I'll share on Friday during Book Club Friday just what book had me reading at stoplights and on the treadmill so I could try'n function in society while absorbing every word as fast as my eyes could move.

November and December are crazy months but to of my favorites to be certain. Holidays, family, shopping, baking, still football season. What's not to love?

Coming up for me:

- Our work banquet which will include hearing Nicole C Mullins sing live (yay!) and Dr. Ben Carson as our speaker. After seeing the movie about his life, gifted hands, I have to say I'm giddy with excitement to hear what she shares.
- A batchelorette party
- A wedding
- A post-elopement wedding reception (not for the wedding I just mentioned)
- A trip to North Carolina
- A trip to Indianapolis
- A couple days in the 'burg with my bestie
- Christmas parties for work and friends
- Birthday parties/dinners/festivities
- Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years

Ee can I just prance around for 2 months in fabulous dresses and heels please?

One month to the day after the end of our event season for work ( I work in event - in case you missed that) it feels good to be down almost 10 pounds, back in the gym 4 days a week, AND back in my reading groove, having demolished 3 books in the last week. Ah, I'm back.

Love,
B

Thankful.

November is the one month out of the year people all over the US purpose to be thankful. I have to say it's been easy to be thankful year round since my return to Tampa just over three years ago. But I'm thankful this year in a new way. As I reflect back on this year, I'm thankful that if I had to do this year over again - I would literally do it over, the same.

I have grown so much this year as a friend, a daughter, a sister, a homeowner, a coworker, an employee, a leader, a blogger, a reader, a writer, a christian, and a person. I have faced more obstacles than any previous year and I'm happy to report with more grace than in years past. I've gone through some tough times with friends and relationships and grown and learned from them in a way I can be proud of.

I am thankful for grace and forgiveness. For the people in my life who call me out and hold me accountable. For new, attainable goals. For provision. For spiritual growth. And amazingly, for the Lord allowing me to see some things and some people really clearly this year.

It has been a year full of many things - good and bad. But I find myself living in a state of thanksgiving for where the last few years have brought me. I'm loving the life the Lord has given me and the person I feel like he's growing me into. I have never been this happy to be me.

What a great year this has been.

Love,
B

Happy Saturday.

As you read this I'm off hunting through other people's craftiness at the Junior League Holiday Gift event at the Fair Grounds. So, happy Saturday to you and happy hunting to me.

I believe I shared last year that I wanted a tradition with my best friend when it came to Christmas. The chances that we'll get to spend Christmas together are pretty slim with our families living in different places and our lives seeming to keep us a few thousand miles away. So, for now, we settled on exchanging Christmas ornaments every year. Last year I gave her a starfish painted to look like santa claus with my name and the year on the back. Today I'm off hunting for her Christmas 2011 ornament (maybe I'll post a pic after I give it to her) - I thought the JL fair would be a great place to find a unique one.

She gives me one too but as I may have previously confessed I've never actually had a tree in my grown up life. For now, I spend Christmas with my parents every year (and one or both of my sisters depending)and they have a tree so I've never felt the need to have my own. I hate the idea of storing Christmas decor all year to use it for a month. I guess I could take Tara's route and leave it up year round to make it worthwhile?

I've been toying with the idea of a small fake tree though - maybe buying one after the holidays this year for next year? (I'm cheap, this much you know).

I did hit up the Nordstrom Semi-annual sale this week and at regular Nordstrom all I bought was this fabulously comfy tee:


We in Tampa are lucky enough to have a Nordstrom Rack as well - and I bought an additional two shirts on clearance there. I've been trying to build up my 'tops' wardrobe. It seems like every time I have anywhere to go I reach for a dress as my go to outfit. But the weather may someday decide to cool off a bit here AND sometimes a girl wants to wear jeans and sit with her knees apart, you know? So for those such occasions said girl needed some shirts.

Yesterday I wore my new White House Black Market jeans for the first time. I snagged them on clearance during my outlet mall trip with the girl last weekend for $20! I got several compliments on them, especially the slightly ornate booty pockets I was feeling self concious about. I usually pick very plain pocketed jeans.

I know this is the season for buying gifts but I have to say -I save up a little for myself this time of year as well. When I'm out snagging fabulous gifts and nifty prices, I want to have room to splurge on a few things for myself as well. $20 jeans and $12 shirts are in all the time, in my mind.

Anyone doing black friday this year? I don't get up early for anything that involves a crowd, but I am hoping to snag a small TV for my bedroom during the pre-black-friday-online-deals. Arguably, cheaters do sometimes prosper. Just saying.

Love,

B

Friday - Books, Weekend Plans, etc.

It's been a while since I participated in a book club Friday. If you're wondering why it's because I've been stuck trying to finish the same book for WEEKS! The crazy part about this is the book was just good enough I couldn't quit, but not good enough to suck me and get me done with it quick.

So for the book portion of today I should tell you I was finally able to finish The Help.

I have to say what I found most fascinating about this book is that Stockett was a first time author - the Help is her first book! What? Can I get a lunch date with her and talk about what she did right to have such a widely read first novel that went on to be a successful movie? I need some advice, sista.

I had a great talk with my Mom about her take on the movie (she's not a big fiction reader) and she said it hit home for her. My Mom grew up in small town North Carolina during the integration of schools so the racism that's dealt with the the Help as well as the overwhelming desire of that 'middle class' to be socialites isn't far from the truth of her childhood. It was fascinating talking through some of that with her after I finished the book.

I haven't watched the movie yet but I hope to in the near future (redbox style). As for the book - it was good but not great for me. I was glad I read it but with as slow a read as this was for me I would also somewhat hesitate to recommend it. Does that make sense?

I'm headed to a wedding tonight, the Junior Leagues Christmas market Saturday morning, some babysitting, lunch date with my friend Jason Sunday after church, etc. November and December are going to be delightfully busy with fun activities and parties. I can't wait to send out my Christmas cards and distribute my baked goods in the cute Christmas goodie boxes I bought.

What are you reading lately and what are your weekend plans?

Oh yeah, I'm already flying through the 4th book in James Patterson's Women's Murder Club series - 4th of July.

Love,
B

It's Ok Thursday.

I haven't done one of these in a while but I think it's about time I did a 'it's ok Thursday'. So, this week I say it's ok....

...to be halfway done with your Christmas shopping (glass half full - not half empty)

...to look forward to baking goodies for all of your neighbors.

...to feel sentimental about everything.

...to randomly cry while on a jog praying for your soon-to-be-born niece, it's crazy how much I already love that kid.

...to have made your packing lists for your next three trips, one of which isn't until February.

...to be wicked excited for a lunch date at Nordstrom Cafe with Nancy and Blaire today.

...to be over the Help and happily devouring the next James Patterson in your series.

...to have a love/hate relationship with working out.

...to put 'take your vitamins' on your to do list everyday so you will and so you can check something off first thing.

...to pray in the car, the shower, and on your workouts because you have alot to talk through with the Lord lately.

...to shameless record Lifetime movies on the Tivo.

...to love dogsitting because it reminds you that you do not want an everyday commitment to a pet, even if you really like them.

...to already be planning the details of my spring trip to DC, even though I haven't set a weekend yet.

...to literally dream everynight about visiting your best friend.

Hey, it's ok.

B

When Good Things Make Me Crazy.

I tend to be a bit obsessive. Not in a Lifetime movie kind of way - but I have a habit of becoming so excited and motivated in certain areas of my life I allow them to take over. This is a tough balancing act for me because while they're usually good things - ie: working out, healthy eating, learning to cook, or budgeting - even too much of good things can be bad. I'm a self proclaimed OCD with far more emphasis on the obsessive and not so very much compulsive with a ridiculous enthusiasm to reaching goals. That was my fancy was of basically admitting I'm crazy.

The good news is - I have two close friends I'm extremely honest with (ok, so I'm extrememly honest MOST of the time with everyone) and they reel me in when I'm obsession with succeeding at something starts to run over the rest of my life.

I need to be better at balancing things. Learning to let the small stuff slide. Being content with my best and not feeling like I have to beat myself up when the good isn't great or my best isn't perfect. I tend to be a 110% all of the time kind of gal with high expectations for myself. Sometimes the girls have to reign me and give me the 'Rome wasn't built in a day' speech.

I AM learning though. I'm trying to grow and take it all in stride and learn to just relax, laugh, and enjoy. This has been a strangely logner and harder process than one might imagine. Whew. I feel better having confessed this!

Love,
B