Books You Can't Put Down.

I like to describe things in extremist form.  If I bake something for you I will always ask if it changed your life a little bit.  With books I define a great book by whether or not I can put it down.  I actually mean this literally as I nearly chopped my own toe off with a ceramic coaster this week because I wouldn't close my book to walk upstairs and as I grabbed my coffee cup, didn't realize the coaster was stuck to the bottom until it fell off and stabbed my toe on the way down.  So there's that.

Here's my book I couldn't put down list from this summer for those of you who keep asking me what you should read next:

First and foremost read this one:

Now only could I not put this book down, I raved about it so much 3 of my friend finished the same copy of my book within a week.  Yes, that good.  Buy it, read it, pass it on, rave about it and repeat.

Here's the summary from Amazon:

A pilot's wife is taught to be prepared for the late-night knock at the door. But when Kathryn Lyons receives word that a plan flown by her husband, Jack, has exploded near the coast of Ireland, she confronts the unfathomable-one startling revelation at a time. Soon drawn into a maelstrom of publicity fueled by rumors that Jack led a secret life, Kathryn sets out to learn who her husband really was, whatever that knowledge might cost. Her search propels this taut, impassioned novel as it movingly explores the question, How well can we ever really know another person?

This next one is a 4-in-1 recommendation and actually Amber of Brunch with Amber the blog gave me this set so thanks girl - you're the best.

I started this on Monday and I'm almost done with book 3.  Yeah, so there's that.  And no, I haven't been home sick in bed, I've just been staying up too late and getting up too early to work it in.  Oh and reading in the gym, at stop lights, and every other chance I get.  My warning on this one is some parts of the book are a little 'racier' than my usual recommendations so if that bothers you, steer clear.  You've been warned.

I love the theme of the friendships in the books though and I have to say I'm a sucker for friends who turn into couples.

I'll skip the amazon on this one and tell you that it's about 4 best friends who go into the bridal business together.  They are: an event planner, a florist, a baker, and photographer.  Each book follows a different friend on the path to love and romance.

Ok, 5 books is enough for now kids.  I'll get back to you with more soon since I have the most amazing friends in the world and they gift me books (oh hey, maybe I'll get a whole new stack for my birthday next month?).

Love,
B

Christmas Reading List.

Lucky for me Amazon had an ebook sale at just the right time. I'm prepping to leave town early tomorrow morning for 10 days of Christmas vacation. I of course plan to dominate a few books while I'm on there. I'm pretty much a weeny when it comes to the cold so I expect I will spend plenty of time indoors reading and drinking homemade hot chocolate. I thought for all of my crazy little reader friends you might want to know what I'll be working on.


I'm currently reading this book which came highly recommended on a newsletter from my library (which is also where I got this book):

From Amazon: John Ajvide Lindqvist has taken the horror world by storm. His first novel, Let the Right One In, has been made into critically acclaimed films in both Sweden and in the U.S (as Let Me In). His second novel, Handling the Undead, is beloved by horror lovers everywhere. Now, with Harbor, a stunning and chilling masterpiece, Lindqvist firmly cements his place as the heir apparent to Stephen King.

One ordinary winter afternoon on a snowy island, Anders and Cecilia take their six-year-old daughter Maja across the ice to visit the lighthouse in the middle of the frozen channel. While they are exploring the lighthouse, Maja disappears – either into thin air or under thin ice -- leaving not even a footprint in the snow.

Two years later, Anders, a broken man, moves back to his family’s abandoned home on the island. He soon realizes that Maja's disappearance is only one of many strange occurrences, and that his fellow islanders, including his own grandmother, know a lot more than they’re telling. As he digs deeper, Anders begins to unearth a dark and deadly secret at the heart of this small, seemingly placid town.

I'm only 50 pages in but I wouldn't describe this book as 'horror' at all. Suspense, yes but not horror. Although I imagine losing a child for any reason is horrific. So far I'm impressed with how well written the book is and the imagery the author is capable of.

On Kindle I bought:

(this is in prep for my trip there in April - I wanted to learn more about the history of the country and their culture there)



I also still have the 2nd and 3rd Hunger Games books downloaded to finish as well. After that, well, I've got a list if I get through all of these in time to tackle more. Whew. Let's hope I get plenty of reading time.

Any of you planning on getting some reading done this holiday season? What's in your book pile?

Love,

B

Book Review: Firefly Lane.

Firefly Lane came available at my library just in time for my trip to Indiana for 10 days I hoped to spend a good bit of reading. It was the December book club choice which I keep track of even on months when I can't make it to the meetings. I clicked through the reviews and thought, this sounds worthwhile. I popped by the library the day before I left town and had this in tow for a week in midwest winter.

It goes without saying that friendship plays a huge role in all of our lives. Whether in times where we feel friendship is lacking or times when our friends are our families. I spent years having many, shallow relationships only to find that the most rewarding friendships are when you cut out some of the fringe and dig in deep with the friends you can really 'do life' with. In the past few years I've really come to realize the value of a 'best friend'.

Hannah's story follows two friends from middle school through adulthood and beyond in her recent novel, Firefly Lane. A prototypical 'easy read', it was a great vacation book. Simple writing, simple story line, rather predictable but entertaining. You follow TullyandKate through the tumultuous teen years, through college scandals, first jobs, growing up and at times - growing apart.

You see the danger of sharing it all from family to first loves. Lines are crossed. Boundaries broken. You question whether love can prevail and at what point you have to leave someone behind to truly find yourself.

For me perhaps the most though provoking theme that came from the book was that people who go after their dream careers lose out at love. That you can't replace having a family with having a successful career. Is this true? Do you have to lose at one to win at the other? Wherein lies the balance? At what cost does fame and fortune come?

I'd give Hannah's Firefly lane a 6.5. If any of you decides to read it, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts, the book club response was really split.

Love,
B

Cha-Ching & my To Reads.

I'm always on the hunt for Colts colored outfits for games, parties, etc. I snagged this skirt for ...get this... $3 at Old Navy (where I rarely go). But I'd spy'd it online a month ago or so and then noticed it hit sale last week. When I went in today the clearance items were an additional 50% off! While 6.99 would have been a steal...$3 was even better! So exciting.

As for what's on my weekend reading list I figured since a few of my newer readers have taken an interest in my reading material - I'd show you what's coming up next. This weekend I will be finishing up the last few pages of Gigi Levangie Grazer's novel 'Queen Takes King' as it was leant to me by a coworker and I was ready for a bit of mindless reading material (Grazer is good for this). Little substance but a bit of New York flare.

Next up after finishing Grazer I'm back to the library pile with...

How to be Single came highly recommend on several websites and I've see the cover on a few blog pages lately. I'm interested to try about Tuccillo, whom I've never read (or heard of) before. This one may be worth reviewing for you all. If it's good I may just get it done this weekend. If it's sunny I'll be poolside with my book and if it's rainy (as predicted) I'm going to hole up in the 'batch pad' and blaze through these.

If (or when) I finish How to be Single I will be reading this from the BBC list I printed earlier this year...

I try to make myself read the occasional 'classic'. Good literature is so hard to find these days.

I'll keep you up to date as time goes on.

Love,

B

Time Savers.

I’m a doer. I love to have a plan, execute it, exceed goals, etc. My friends are constantly teasing me that they need my secret to doing it all. So, I thought I’d share it with you…

Multi-tasking. It’s really that simple. When life is busy you have to find a way to do more than one thing at once. So, here are my examples:

- I read while I dry my hair. Can’t do much else then anyway (unless you’re really good at one handed makeup). I usually get a chapter done during this time…keeps me plugging along even on days when I can’t sit down and read.
- I return phone calls while driving. I know this could get me some backlash and people are so anti-cell-phones-and-driving lately but guess what, it works. E-mailing and texting I advise against, but talking on the phone en route? I say do it. I try to return my phone calls every day. This doesn’t always work – but it helps keep me from getting overwhelmed.
- I pack my lunch and read on my lunch break. If reading is a priority to you but your life is crazy, this is a good way to read for 30 minutes to an hour every day. Great habit. Plus it keeps you from going out to eat everyday (better for budget and waistline).
- Lists. One of my friends seems to have to run an errand every.single.day. I find this tedious and wasteful of time and gas. I make lists and I accomplish what I need to in the week either en route to something I have to do, or in one big sweep. Example: my bank is between my house and work so I do all my deposits en route to or from work. My grocery store is on the way home from Bayshore, where I do my weekend workouts, so I hit the grocery (with a list) on my way home.
- I put aside at least one night a week for ‘chores’ and on that night I have a list (with time allotments) of what need to be accomplished. It makes the night kind of a bummer – but I can usually fly through my list and still have time to watch a TV show or play on facebook after. : ]
- I schedule my workouts like I do work meetings – they go on the calendar and they are non-negotiable. If a friend calls and wants to grab coffee during that time, I say I’m busy – because I am. If it’s on the calendar you’re more likely to actually go.
- Gym time is also a good time to read – if you rotate like I do and have days you do either the elliptical, walk, or bike. All of those are good reading activities and it makes the time go faster.
- Another fun workout multi-task option is that it’s a good way to spend time with a close friend. Call them up and see if they want to visit our gym, meet for a walk outside, or go for a swim. Multi-tasking at its finest.
-
So, there you have it. The secrets to life.

Love,
B

Over analyzing.

I'm currently reading the Biggest Loser's 30 day jump start as I'm back in a BL contest at work (the 2nd, after winning the first) with 2 new competitors. I'm always looking for ways to efficiently reach my goals, no matter what the goal may be. I started to read a little ahead (typical) and the title for Day Three's lesson is 'get selfish with you time'. That title grabbed my attention right away.

I think with getting fit and healthy, as with most goals you do have to allow yourself to have some 'me' time. And I realized as I was reading the lesson, that for the people who go on that show this is a big deal. They've allowed their families, friends, kids, responsibilities, and jobs to hold them back from taking the necessary steps to get their health under control. Something that could easily happen to any of us. I know that I've allowed my friends (and sometimes family) to keep me from the right amount of sleep, staying up with housework, studying when I was in school, etc.

Life is full of tough choices and while we want to make sure those we love know how important they are to us, we also have to make us time. Here's my argument though. I don't think making your health a priority IS selfish. Ultimately, you're taking care of yourself so that you can spend more time with your family and friends over the course of your life.

Balance is sometimes difficult for me. I truly love everything about my life. I love being a homeowner and taking care of my place (though some weeks you wouldn't know it from the looks of it!). I love leading a bible study for young women and growing with them as we 'do life' together. I enjoy my job almost every minute of every day (couldn't say every because data entry does not get me excited). I feel fortunate to be able to travel and see new cities as a result of said job. I'm enthralled with reading and writing. I treasure talking to my family members on an almost daily basis. Amazingly, I've started to really enjoy my daily workouts. I've always loved laying by the pool with a good book. I'm also in a book club, which I'd taken a break from while I was teaching personal finance but am now back in.

I dabble in a bit of everything. Curiosity tends to get the best of me and I find myself doing activities such as ceiling fan installation classes and wandering the library selecting new books. With the 4th of July in a few days it seems only appropriate to point out that we have an incredible amount of freedom to do as we wish. We also have an overwhelming amount of resources to learn, which a sadly small amount of people utilize. That's not a freedom that I take for granted, or that I'm willing to miss the chance to take advantage of.

So here's my challenge...if we're not getting our hands dirty helping others, then we're missing a great opportunity to give back. While I encourage getting time to yourself and doing something worthwhile with it, I truly believe that the best and most memorable times in my life are those spent helping others. The trick, is that you have to find a balance. When you give too much of yourself, allowing yourself to be worn out and pouring nothing back in - you will eventually have nothing left to give. Nothing of value or worth, at least. But when you use all your time for selfish matters, you develop no legacy to leave behind.

Love,
B

New to the Reading List.

As I finish up books 25 and 26 for the year, I'm already thinking of what I will be reading next. I have a nice 4 day weekend of relaxation followed by 6 days on beaches in South Carolina to get some serious reading in. I plan to start with these 3:



I LOVE Kelly Cutrone! I believe I've blogged about this previously but from 'Kell on Earth' to her rolls in 'The Hills' and now 'The City' - I have fallen in love with her straight forward style. She isn't afraid to bring tears to her interns eyes and make grown men cower in fear. I love that about her. Life and success belong to those who go after what they want, without fear of failure, does it not? She is my kind of girl.


I love me some Coco as well and have had this book on my Kindle 'to read' list for months now. I'm finally going to bite the bullet it, buy it and probably soak up all the fabulous advice in a day or two. After reading, 'How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World' I'm kind of into these icon advice type books. Go figure.

A new book from my very favorite author! I was so excited when I found out about the release of Picoults most recent book, House Rules. I've been protesting on Amazon to the Kindle version being 15 bucks, as I think that's outrageous for an ebook. But lets be honest if the price doesn't come down soon, I'll be forced to buy it anyone....I NEED to read this book.

Still taking ideas and suggestions. : ]

Love,

B

Updates, Updates.

Hello Darlings.


Life remains busy in the bay area for this go-getter. Booked 2 more flights for 2010 this week - to Indiana for Candy's Wedding (free flight courtesy of Southwest - love ya!) and to Nashvegas in August for work. I leave in 12 days for Myrtle Beach & Isle of Palms with la familia (that's pretty much all the Spanish I know, be impressed). I fly as much as a bird these days...I may just forget how to keep my feet on the ground by December.


This weekend I'm staying put and spending time with my Tampa family - the Huhtas. Sweet Bryn's turning 18 this weekend! Can't wait to celebrate her @ Ellas in Seminole Heights (the cutest little place you ever did see!). Can't decide what to wear...what do you all think of this dress:

Image borrowed from here.

This dress was a fabulous on sale find at the local Marshalls btw - Dave Ramsey approved. I've tried it with nude Guess heels and with a Stella and Dot bib necklace and black peep toes. Votes are welcome for which to sport this weekend. I guess nude heels little or no jewelry would be more casual. Hmm.

Found a cute pair of jeans on sale at Gap for $13 bucks today. No lie. $13. Amazing. Every once in a while you walk in and hit the jackpot. I rarely even set foot in a Gap since preppy isn't really my style. I like a little more color and glitz in my life then the typical Gap shopper - but as with any store you never know what you'll find that you can work into the perfect little outfit.

You may have noticed I've been adding quickly to the book list on the left side of my blog. I am almost halfway through my 25th book of 2010. We're currently reading The Red Tent for book club. Jury is still out for me on how I feel about it. Fictional stories based on biblical characters are always a bit intriguing to me. Theres a little more of a sexual vibe to it then I care to read typically - maybe it just freaks me out that 4 sisters are married to the same man. Having 2 sisters of my own, it's hard not to be a bit creeped out by that...even realizing that social norms were different in biblical days.

For those of you who caught my video blog, you already know that I am now leading a small group (bible study) in my home! That is going amazingly well and I continue to be inspired and challenge by our current study entitled: Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild. She's refreshingly frank and I appreciate a to-the-point gal. I am pleased and grateful for how the group is taking off...God is so good.

Oh yeah, I can't believe I almost forgot... I won biggest loser (the work edition). It always feels good to win but honestly, the contest itself was great for all of us and together the 3 of us lost over 40 lbs in 10 weeks. So it was a great team effort to get healthy and fit for the summer (and forever). I considered showing you all my before and after pics but just couldn't bring myself to post my double chin on the internet. Gross.

Who's got exciting plans for the 4th of July? My only request is a tan and some fireworks. I don't care where or with who. Still working on those deets.

Love,

B

Stupid Girls?

In a flash of inspiration I bought 'How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World' on Kindle yesterday. As I've admitted previously I enjoy the occasional 'reality' tv show, I like to shop, I have some shallow habits for lack of a better term. What I've recently become more aware of is just how out of control many girls my age have become.

You may remember when Pink released her video 'stupid girls' a year or two ago and opened fire on the girls who plague the front page of the gossip magazines at the grocery store. She took some digs at Paris, Jessica Simpson, the Olsens, Nicole Richie, etc. In general the attitude of the video can be summed up in the lyrical line: 'what happened to the dream of a girl president? She's dancing in a video next to 50 cent'. In a time period in which women have more opportunities than ever before, many reason that their time is better spent tanning, toning, and talking (while driving) - or so Pink seems to think.

The book title was catchy and I thought, why not? I would much rather be a Hepburn than a Hilton, at least when it comes to class. So after finishing book 21 of my 50 for this year, I started 22 this evening with Hepburn. In the first chapter I was struck by this quote from Hayden Pannetierre who thus far remains true to herself and has managed to keep unflattering rumors and photos from the tabloids...'My mother always says you are the books you read and the people you surround yourself with'.

There has to be some sort of balancing act that few have mastered but still exists. See for those of us who live as Christians we're called to embrace all people with Christ-like love, right? I mean Jesus dined with high-profile-sinners. However, they weren't his best friends and his name wasn't constantly tossed in with theirs. Reputation deserves more attention than many people give it. Maybe you are who you hangout with.

I haven't read enough to review the book, I'm only chapter in. I thought it appropriate to share with you that I'm on a search for what a 'lady' looks like in todays society. I'm doing a bible study in my home (starting next Thursday) called 'Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild' that I couldn't be more excited about. Doesn't that sum it up? I wish to be wise but I'm surround by the wild.

I leave you with these excerpts from chapter one of the Hepburn book ...

Through hard work and high standards, we can become class acts that outshine the cheap stars. We can turn in our tube tops and gum chomping for pinstripes and promotions. We can ditch the party hats and all-night benders for burgeoning careers and real friends. As we step up to the place, become more informed, and begin to influence those around us for the better.

I'm convinced that our new classy standards can raise the cultural bar...

- Jordan Christy

This should be interesting research....

Love,

B

Me time.

Well, my Dove post is coming so never-you-fear. I've got all the images uploaded and the text written, but I need to deal with my vid clips before the post goes up. So hopefully tomorrow. Hold your breath if you like. But I wanted to take a timeout from my party planning entries to talk about what I like to call, 'me time'.

Now you all know from former confessions that I am a scheduler. If it's not written in my planner and highlighted in the appropriate color, it doesn't happen. So for a girl with a plan, I have to make plans to do nothing. Silly? Maybe. But that's just my life. On really busy weeks I have been known to schedule in sleep! So as of late, I've been scheduling my 'me time'. One day per week where I come home, straight from work, and just spend time alone for one night.

These nights have been known to include: reading a ridiculous amount in one night, bubble baths, red box movies, DIY facials or pedis, cleaning out my tivo, cooking, or going to bed ridiculous early just because I can. Sometimes theses nights are a combination of 3 or 4 of the previously mentioned luxuries.

For a girl who goes full speed ahead from 6:45 every morning to after 10 some night with work, volunteering, teaching, and errands crammed in over lunch breaks while returning phone calls and e-mails via blackberry - these nights are a treasure! While I live full throttle by choice, I also chose to have a night to myself weekly to remember all the things I love about my life.

I schedule these nights, allow nothing to cancel them out, and highlight them in pink (which means stuff I'm excited about in planner world). I don't break dates with friends (or guys), commitments at church, or work related items so why should my time alone be negotiable? This is where saying no and keeping schedule boundaries has come in handy.

So my advice this week is to get out a pen and mark across an entire evening on your calender 'me time'. Keep the appointment. And relax. Life is too short not to sit back in a bubble bath and smile about the good people & things in your life.

Love,

B

On my choice to read Steph Meyer's New Moon.

I received this comment recently on my post stating that I had just finished Stephanie Meyer's second book in the Twilight series. The comment:

Anonymous said...
haven't read it, but know it's this generation's "obsession" -- I have heard horrible things about it from a Christina perspective and strongly encourage you to rethink your choice of reading materials. If I recall from the synopses I've read . . . . it's all about a vampire obsessed with an underage girl with whom he wishes to have a sexual relationship? Doesn't sound all that wholesome to me.

My response:

Anon - I'm afraid I have zero idea who actually wrote this comment (one small draw back to allowing people to comment without their name). But while I see great intentions behind your suggestion and think all 'entertainment' should be carefully considered I would offer you a challenge as well. I tell my Mom so often when she makes statements about Harry Potter, Twilight, etc. that there is a level of unfairness in judging anything you don't personally know about. Twilight is actually the first book in...years? written to be a non-christian romance story in which they wait until they're married to have sex. While the vampire (being without the ability to 'die') is certainly older than the desire of his heart, Bella...it is HIS decision that they will not have sex before marriage which at one point he explains as his desire to 'protect her honor'. I give Meyer 'mad props' for this. While, not unlike Harry Potter, there is a magical, mythical element to the characters, I can appreciate the expression of imagination. I do feel, that parents should consider if their children are yet at an age to muscle through in their minds fact from fiction. But at 24, I think I have reached that point.

I take every comment I receive to heart. I really do. I went to someone I consider a Christian mentor of sorts, who is a part of my every day life and I asked her what she thought of the comment. She herself had just finished reading the entire Twilight series because her middle school daughter's friends were, and her daughter wanted too as well. Here were her thoughts, of which I am inclined to agree...

This person sounds exactly like I sounded prior to reading the books.

I found the story to be more about a deep devoted love. She desires to have sex. He says they need to be married and they don't have sex until they are married. They have a child after marriage. The family rallies together and unites when they face adversity. After reading the books, it definitely changed my pre-judged theories.

I don't think that Twilight is based on truth. I don't think it was intended to be a faith-based literature of any kind. And I appreciate concern on the parts of many Christians that I have read comments from, about the desire to keep 'evil' and 'fantasy' out of literature. But while vampires and ware wolves are certainly an odd choice for a romance novel, the stories themselves may be a far cry from what you imagine. I enjoy reading popular books because as people talk about them, I want to have an opinion that is based in my own knowledge, and not in word-of-mouth.

This post is not to endorse Twilight in any way, or to push others to read it. I in no way would push anyone to read anything they feel uncomfortable with, for any reason. If you feel, based on your own knowledge or anyone elses, that a book is not of the level of value you wish you expose yourself, then I would say don't read it. But in my experience, when you keep an open mind until you can find your conclusion for yourself, there are surprises to find.

I am not at this time reading the third Twilight book. Not because I won't someday, as I imagine I will finish the whole series someday. But for now, I'm reading 'The 10th Circle' by Jodi Picoult (my favorite author).

I continue to welcome your comments and I certainly welcome a challenge when you think I am doing something wrong. Thank you to the writer of this comment for your concern and your interest in my well being. I appreciate your heart.

Love,
B

Book Four of 2010.

Just finished Stephanie Meyer's second book in her Twilight series, called New Moon. I had read Twilight (the first book) sometime last year before seeing the first movie. Unlike many of Meyer's fans, I wasn't instantly addicted. I think she's a compelling writer and the way she weaves a story is certainly entertaining. I wouldn't say it drew me into obsession or that I couldn't put it down, but overall, I enjoyed the book.

I will make one comment I hope wouldn't offend Meyer, should she for whatever reason read this blog entry. And that is this, I find it disappointing that the most read romance of my generations literary era has been a book about vampires and werewolves. Literature is certainly not what it once was. While I support expanding the imagination as well as the mind, I find myself slightly saddened by romantic literature these days.

I'm sure some of you are wondering and yes, I will read the next one in the series. I'm not sure if I'll do it right away, but eventually.

That's four books so far this year, but leaves me trailing far behind my partner in reading crime. I need to get in gear!

Love,
B

Goodbye January.

Well I'm four days from departure for the Super Bowl. I've officially picked out 2 of the clothing items I'm going to wear. Sadly, they don't even go together. I allowed myself one new outfit...well, part of an outfit (aren't budgets the worst?) for the 'after party' which SHOULD be arriving via UPS tomorrow during the day. I may have to beg my boss to let me do drive bys of the condo every hour tomorrow until it comes. Is that wrong?

To say this weekend didn't go according to plan is a bit of an understatement. We planned to make it to the party early so we could be in bed early BUT Sarah didn't even get to Tampa til almost 9. So, after dinner and the party we finally flung ourself into bed at 12:30 (my idea of early is 10 by the way) for 6 hours of sleep before we had to be up for Gasparilla 2010! It was worth the sleeplessness however, since Gasparilla was WAY more fun this year than last. Last year we walked 10 miles, got sunburns and blisters, AND by the time we were done walking most of the parade was over.

This year we parked on the lawn of my friends house, hung out at their party until 30 minutes after the party started, walked 1 block to the parade and saw as much of the rainy debacle as we desired before walking back to grill out. It was a delish and entirely less tiring and stressful Gasparilla experience. Totally worth the lack of sleep which was made up for when we crawled into bed, well onto the air mattress that is pretending to be my couch for now, to 'watch a movie' and passed out by 8pm. I'm not as young as I used to be!

Oh yeah, you're wondering about the bull-riding huh? Sadly, by the time our business manager responded all the freebie tickets had been taken and our office didn't get any. Tear. So no bulls this year. But honestly, as fun as it would have been - my body is thankful that I let it recover last night from the 5 hour night before. Lame, I know...but so true.

Today was relaxing. I had to be at church early to work the table for Financial Peace which starts near the end of February. We got a great response after the service today and it looks like we'll be busting at the seams with new budgeters this 'term'. After a little recruiting I hit Brio for brunch with Aubs & Sarah before, sadly, Sarah had to return to Jville this afternoon.

I promised myself I would be productive today which apparently translated into vegging watching Criminal Minds, Millionaire Match Maker, and *drum roll* a lifetime movie! BUT in my defense I did fold 3 loads of laundry, change my sheets, balance my checkbook, work on my budget for Feb, workout, read, and pack two cardigans along the way. So today was not a total waste.

Without finishing my last book, I started 'Accidental It Girl' today during my workout. Don't judge me, I was craving some chick-lit in my life. At least it kept me on the bike for 8 miles of uphill riding!

Oh yeah, and did I mention I'm leaving for the Super Bowl in four days!?

Love,
B

Quote of the Week.

'A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read,' - Mark Twain

The Start of my Reading for 2010.

So, as previously mentioned I have set a goal to read 50 books in 2010. I do not want to pick them all in advanced. That's just boring. So, here are my first 5.

The Sweet By & By - Sara Evans (read & reviewed)
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day - Mark Batterson
The Last Dickens - Matthew Pearl
My Enemy's Cradle - Sara Young
Basic Black - Kathy Black

Thank you to Karen Code, Krystal Whitten, and Krista Knable for 3 of these first 5 reads. And if you wrote me to suggest books, I have them written down. I'm just taking it little by little.

Love,
B

Calling All Readers.

I need your help readers...I've commited along with a good friend, Joy Engdahl, to read 50 books in 2010.  So you have probably guessed what I need help with...

I need you to give me some good ideas for books to read.  Comment or e-mail me titles, a lil description, and why you think it should make the list.

Thanks.

B

Thanksgiving Reading List.

What will you be reading by the fire (or on the beach if you live in Tampa) this Thanksgiving? You will find me in the Indiana, curled up by the electric fire reading these lovelies...

I've been on a roll lately, so if you've got any additional titles you'd like to throw my way, hit up my comments section or shoot my an e-mail. I like to keep my Kindle fully stocked with new titles to keep my motivation to fly through books high. I'm use to being busy so when I get away for a few days of food and family, I usually find myself quite productive in all things literary.

Love,

B

New Adventures.

At the suggestion of my new small group coach, Paige, I've signed up to start reading and reviewing books! It's seems like a great way to get FREE books and it will keep my skills for reading and writing tuned up as I have to write a review on my personal blog and for amazon or a similar company. I will be writing for Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers (link at the bottom of my page).

Paige has been writing reviews for a while and you can check out her personal blog at www.sincerelypaige.com - she's great. I've enjoyed getting to know her more throughout my journey towards small group leadership (for my church).

I just picked my first book to review and it is titled, ' Fresh Start' by the youth pastor from Saddleback Church. I'm excited to receive it and 'get to work'. I have come to enjoy blogging so much in the past year that I want to continue to try out new ways to expand my arena as a blogger. Suggestions are welcome.

Also, I want to continue to review events, especially ones that benefit charities so please keep me posted if you have one in mind you think I should be attend and write about. I use the term review lightly because I haven't written a negative charity event 'review' yet. I enjoy experiencing events and helping out and writing about them gives me a chance to share that with you and hopefully encourage people to also get out in their neighborhoods and support the people and organizations that are trying to make a difference in our community! So keep me posted.

Love,
B