Playing Catch Up #4

December 4 Book. What book - fiction or non - touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies?

I've been in a bit of a reading funk as of late and honestly this year started with a bang in the book department, but is ending in a small almost inaudible whimper. However, of the few (read paltry) number of books I read I would have to say Anne of Green Gables was my favorite. I find this slightly hilarious, because I've packed and moved the copy I received as a child every.single.move, but had yet to read it. It was sweet to finally pick it up. And guess what, even though I knew the story, I really loved it. I'm excited to read it with Lulu.

Killing Me Slowly

In my quest to complete the Big Read List, I'm reading Catcher in the Rye. Maybe it is a book you should read as a teenager, because it is killing. me. slowly. Seriously. In the last few months I have been a book junkie, but after picking up this little baby, it has completely killed every single ounce of joy I have recently experienced while reading.

I'm in a bit of a quandary over the whole issue. I could put it down and move on to a book I'm actually interested in reading, but my bookshelf is filled with half read books. Also, I've made a goal and I'd like to stick to it. Even if it means finding out why Salinger insists on writing such an unlikeable character that RAMBLES on, and on, and on. On the other hand, why am I so fixated on reading a book that is painful for me to read? Doesn't that completely defeat the purpose? I'm certain my life will be just as fulfilled if I move on. I also have 20 books sitting on my nightstand screaming "pick me, pick me" every night when I climb into bed.

Any suggestions?

My Life in a Nutshell

Teddy has decided that if I'm not going to post on my blog, he will do it for me. Isn't his nose disgusting?

Although I've been completely neglecting my blog, I haven't been neglecting myself.

• I signed up for an online photography class w/ Candice Stringham through Jessica Sprague.com. I had no idea I could change my shutter speed. I'm seriously pathetic. It has only been a week, but I've enjoyed playing with my camera and learning about what it can really do. My pictures aren't great, but at least I got the shutter speed correct.

• I'm terribly embarrassed at the number of books I've read on the Big Read List. I mean REALLY embarrassed. I'm trying to correct the matter and read the bulk of the books recommended. I just finished Anne of Green Gables and A Town Like Alice. OHHH A Town Like Alice- I can't say enough about this book. I'm sure y'all have already read it, but if you haven't I would HIGHLY recommend picking up a copy. It reminded me of my other favorite book Mrs. Mike. I also finished Hunger Games (fantastic) and Girl with A Pearl Earring (for bookclub). I just picked up The Five People You Meet in Heaven and I need to finish Palace Walk. I'm really enjoying this little reading kick I'm on.
  

arboretum

We have had ridiculously nice weather for the last week or so, so we have been enjoying the outdoors.

Teddy ate his lunch in the go bug because he wouldn't stop running off.

A bike ride and lunch in the park

My mom and sister are coming for a visit tomorrow. We have several fun things planned around town (Fossil Rim, the Tut Exhibit at the DMA, the arboretum). Hopefully the weather will hold out.

I know.. I am the prodigal blogger. I do have very good excuses for my lack of blogging the last couple of months.

This past week was beautiful in our part of the world and we LOVED it!! We spent lots of time outdoors. I forgot how sun deprived I was. We went to the arboretum with friends (although I forgot my camera, so this is a picture from last year)

Arboretum

Lulu and I got our postcards mailed- albeit a couple of days late. SORRY!

Postcards

I finally read Twilight. I had a hard time finding time, so I finally sat down and read it- YESTERDAY. Yeah- 498 pages. Luckily Lulu had Maren over yesterday and they kept one another entertained. I spent the day on the couch reading and enjoying the AMAZING book. I called my girlfriend that gave the book to me and told her I needed to drive up last night to pick up the sequel. I didn't, but partly because I didn't have time to read it today. I highly recommend it and it is unbelievable. I wish I had this kind os a "young adult" author when I was that age.


Twilight

And FINALLY- my biggest reason for not blogging--












NEWEST ADDITION

We are so excited for the newest little bean in our family. Lulu keeps getting upset that I won't take the baby out and show her. She says she wants to "get it dressed". I have been rotating between my bed and the couch, so another reason I was thankful for the beautiful weather. It made me leave the house- when I REALLY didn't want to.

Come September we will be a family of 4... yikes.

A Week worth of The Daily Show, Books, and postcards

TV
I realize I post on this topic frequently, but I just spent the better part of a night catching up on my Tivo shows. I opted for something a little comical. I have been CRAZY busy this week working for my real estate agent and on top of it Adam has been working a lot this week so I needed something light. Although LIGHT isn't the word I would immediately use to describe the Daily Show.


So there were SEVERAL ridiculous comments, but I think what got me was the interview with Laura Bush on CNN when she states.. and I quote "Many parts of Iraq are safe now, but what we see on TV is the one bombing a day that discourages everybody." Needless to say- John Stewart had a field day with this little baby- several of his comments included:

"That one pesky daily explosion"
"Do you know where it is discouraging... at the site of the BOMBING"
"One bombing a day is just.. how did we let that one out?"
"You know what they say a bombing a day keeps the doctor away - because the educated middle class has left the country."

I know- I just find it a little entertaining.

BOOKS



Last night we had book club. We discusssed "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" written by Muriel Sparks. It is a fascinating book about a teacher that has a group of "prized pupils" that she takes under her wings and tries to school them on her version of life and the way things should be done. Because of my crazy week I didn't quite get through it, but what I read was interesting and gave me a good introduction to this crazy teacher. I was able to finish the book today (it is really short- 138 pages) and it was ridiculously entertaining and sad at the same time. Sad that she manipulated and destroyed these students with her own desire to live vicariously through them. Our next book is "Jane Eyre". I have never read "Jane Eyre", so I'm excited.



I've also just picked up "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer. Another Stephanie recommended it on her blog a couple of months ago and I have been meaning to add it to my list. Kaycee just read it over the weekend- along with the sequel and she insisted I take it. She said she read both books in about 4 days and they are each about 500 pages. Kaycee reads A LOT so that might be part of it, but I have heard great things about the books. Interesting fact: the author is Mormon. Y'all might already know about her and the book, but I knew nothing except for the glowing reviews. I'm excited to see where the story will take me.


Postcard Exchange
I'm so excited- tonight I checked my email and my inbox indicated ONE new message from Rebecca. I'm quite excited about sending out postcards from our little part of the world. I'm thinking something as BIG AS TEXAS or something with the Texas flag on it- people are nuts about the Texas flag. A good time should be had by all.