Books

I joined the Fall Winter Reading Challenge to push myself to read more books out of my comfort zone and I read all but two. I am very pleased with myself. The only two I didn't read were the last two titles in the non-fiction choices. This is one area I struggle to read. I love stories with happy endings and fun, shopping experiences not information. Anyway, I have been checking out a few more challenges to join for the New Year and I hope you think about joining one as well.

Here were my books:

Fiction:

Never Look Back by Kathy Herman-This was the second book in a series. It was a gift so I need to read book 1 and book 3. Loved how the author kept you guessing who done it.

Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner-Loved this one and so did my mom! A christian based romance that brought tears to my eyes.

Chick Lit:

Tales of a Drama Queen by Lee Nichols-If you love Confessions of a Shopaholic then you will love this book. Elle, the main character, is very endearing and extremely amusing.

Fat Chance by Deborah Blumenthal-Very fun and lighthearted. It gives a different outlook on how a happy ending can end. There was not a lot of diet information since the character went from fat to thin in about 8 weeks. I wished the author had shared that secret!

How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Lauren Baratz-Logsted-Didn't care for this one.

Non Fiction:

3 Seconds by Les Parrott-Just by giving yourself 3 seconds to think about how you will react to a situation is very powerful.

Called out of Darkness by Anne Rice-Didn't read

The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin-Didn't read

Biography/Memoir:

Stori Telling by Tori Spelling-I love Tori and I loved reading this book. I am a huge fan!

Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster-I laughed just about all the way through this book. You have got to read this one!

Pieces of My Heart by Robert J Wagner-Loved how he told his story of the old Hollywood. I was quite surprised with some of them and laughed at others. I loved watching Hart to Hart growing up.

Let it Snow!

I can't believe it was snowing in my city. There were big flakes falling as we left Luby's in the Galleria area after dinner. In the picture above the white spots are the snowflakes. My son and I had fun playing in the snow but darling husband was too cold! It quickly melted and we had school the next morning. We were wishing for a snow day like our family in Missouri gets quite often during the winter months.

Have a warm day!

What A Week

Have you ever had one of the days or weeks that you wish you could start over? Well, that is exactly what I have wished for this week. Monday was great then it went all down hill from there. I am blaming the Half Price Book coupons I received in the mail! That's right. I got this coupon postcard for savings all week for each day to come in and shop the shelves and then get a percentage off.

Monday it was raining and the start of the week so we didn't go, we being my son and I. So we made a date to go Tuesday night on Veteran's Day. So after school I rushed to pick him up and the dog, dropped the dog off at home and then started on our way to the book store. The store we picked to go was out near my parents house. We made it to the store in one piece with all the traffic and rain. We wondered around that store and had our arms filled with books to enjoy in the coming days. We paid our bill and got in the car. Now this is where it goes down hill.

I am trying to leave the parking lot and cross three lines of traffic to get to the center turn lane. I had to wait several traffic light cycles before some sweet motorist left an opening for me to cautiously cross to the center lane. I was moving slowly and BAM! a little aveo hit my front bumper. She was speeding down the turn lane to make the light instead of waiting in the traffic and knocked my front bumper off. I drive a Chevy full size mini van. She was flying in order to make the light. We were all alright just shaken up. This was my first major fender bender. I called my brother in law to send a unit since he works for the Sheriff's Department and after a short wait help had arrived, in the form of my mom, husband and the deputy. We got all the paper work filled out and the tow truck towed my van home. The insurance company came to pick it up the next morning.

I was very anxious about the accident and my car that I really couldn't focus on school. Playing phone tag with the insurance company is not fun.

Thursday morning my son wants to take a tuna sandwich for lunch so I open up the can to drain the tuna and slice my fingers on my left hand right across the knuckles. OUCH! They would not stop bleeding. So I wrapped the in gauze and band aids and go to work. I figured if I lost all my blood and fainted the students would buzz the school nurse and help would arrive. Much to the delight of my students the nurse was not needed.

Friday the insurance company called and told me the total cost of my van which was over $1400 but we just have to pay the deductible. YaY!

So to get around this week I have been driving my parents boat, I mean car! I am thankful that we were all OK in the accident and that we had some form of transportation that is only costing us a tank of gas. My fingers are starting to itch and doesn't that signal healing. I hope so or I got an infection coming on. Gross!

Anyway, I hope your week was a whole heck of a lot better than mine.

Menu Planning

Here is our plan:
Monday~Spaghetti, corn on the cob and hot bread.
Tuesday~Easy Onion Chicken and Mac and Cheese
Wednesday~Fish and seasoned rice
Thursday~Leftovers or Pizza
Friday~OUT

I am very busy with school. I am going to be filmed for a commercial tomorrow for an organization that provides services to our school. I am not sure what it all entails but I am getting my 15 seconds of fame!

Hope you week is off to a great start!

Friday Fill In

1. My blueprint for success includes my family.


2. A Kit Kat stolen from my sons trick or treat stash was the last candy I ate.


3. The best facial moisturizer I've ever used is Oil of Olay.


4. Hanging with the girls can be good therapy.


5. I'd like to tell you about the reading challenge I am participating in.


6. Patience is my strongest characteristic.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having the house to myself, tomorrow my plans include a teacher workshop and Sunday, I want to relax!

Have a great weekend!

November Pay It Forward Book Exchange

"Roberts has a warm feel for her characters and an eye for the evocative detail." -- Chicago Tribune

"The publishing world might be hard-pressed to find an author with a more diverse style of fertile imagination than Roberts." -- Publishers Weekly

Escaping the rat race and the lure of gold-digging women, wealthy businessman Vance Banning moves to a small, rural retreat, telling the townsfolk that he's an out-of-work carpenter. All he wants is peace, quiet and to keep away from women. So the last thing he needs is a charitable neighbor--especially a beautiful, gracious and persistent neighbor of the female persuasion--but there's something about Shane Abbott he just can't ignore.
Vance is certain his cover story will stop his lovely neighbor from getting too friendly, but Shane is determined to break down his resistance. Vance has been burned once, so only a fool would fall for the same innocent act twice. And he's no fool. But he has no idea how relentless Shane Abbott can be when it comes to giving a helping hand--or a loving heart.
He needed to simplify his life and mend his broken heart. She was searching for a place to finally fit in and a man who could love her for who she was. Together they discover that all they really needed was each other, and that love is the greatest Christmas gift of all.

Here are the rules to enter. Yes, there are some rules!

1.If you win this book you must host a giveaway on your blog. If you don't have a blog then you will give the book to a local shelter, library, etc.
2.You do not need a blog to participate. If you don't have one just please leave your e-mail so that in the event you should win I can get a hold of you.
3.You need to leave a comment to this post by Friday, November 28.
4.I will randomly draw a name on Saturday, November 29 and post the winner here. Also, I will contact the winner by e-mail or blog.

Please click over to Overwhelmed with Joy to see the many other book exchanges happening this month.

Thrifty Finds

My latest finds, two Butterfly Gold mixing bowls. They were in excellent condition and both for under $10.00. I keep finding dishwasher damaged items and it breaks my heart. My Salvation Army near my house still has not reopened so I am not thrifting as much and I sure do miss it.

What have you found lately?

Menu Planning and Another Carnival

What a weekend! We were busy from the time after work on Friday to Sunday evening. We had fun at my sisters church out in Fairfield trunk or treating. Saturday we rose early in the morning and headed to Canton, TX to shop First Monday Market Days and it was crowded! Then drove over to Tyler, TX to stay the night and Sunday shopped a little bit more in Tyler and then played at Fire Mountain Amusement Park and then headed back home. I am tired even though I had an extra hour of sleep!

Nothing fancy this week since I need to run to the store after work. Here is our plan:


Monday~Tuna Tettrazini
Tuesday~Tacos
Wednesday~Out
Thursday~Spaghetti
Friday~Pizza and Salad







If you love to read and would love to enter for a chance to win some great books, head over to here. Tracy has a list of bloggers that are giving away free books. Good luck!

Friday Fill In

1. My favorite food seasoning is garlic.

2. My son reading is music to my ears.

3. Lucky is winning something in the Bloggy Carnival.

4.My job is something I take very seriously.

5. Many people will be voting in this election.

6. Dog food was the last thing I bought at the store.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the fall festival at my sisters church, tomorrow my plans include getting up early and heading to Canton to shop the Market Days and Sunday, I want to travel back home from Tyler with all my fabulous purchases!

October Pay It Forward Book Winner

Congratulations to Tamy 3 sides of crazy. She has won this months book.

Please stop by next week for next month book exchange.

Have a great day!

Menu Planning and a Carnival

I had a restful weekend, well sort of. Saturday we were busy just about all day with running to Walmart, Craft show and dinner with my parents at the Texas Roadhouse-yum! Since I wasn't feeling so great last week and we either went out or my sweetie picked something up on the way home, I didn't have to cook. Yay me! So this week I am repeating meals that didn't get made from last week.

Here is our plan:

Monday~Grill Cheese and Tomato soup

Tuesday~Hamburger Pie

Wednesday~Out

Thursday~Pizza and Salad

Friday~Fall Festival Food

Have you heard it's Bloggy Carnival week. Just click here to check out all the fabulous prizes you can enter and win. Good luck!

Friday Fun

1. Right now, I'm feeling miserable.
2. At home in bed is where I want to be.
3. How does one function when your head is in a fog?
4. My husband keeps me on track.
5. Please don't talk so loud.
6. My son fills me with joy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed, tomorrow my plans include reading and a craft show or two and Sunday, I want to rest!

If you didn't notice I am not feeling well. Not sure if its allergy related or if I'm getting the nasty bug that is traveling around our school.

Have a great weekend!

Menu Planning

What a fun weekend I had. Saturday it was glamour day at Nordstroms. My girlfriends and I had fun experimenting with makeup and then cruising the Galleria afterwards. I think I spent the least amount ($70.) on makeup, can you believe it! I can't wait for the next glamour day!

Sunday was the usual church and then a craft show and then hanging with my guys. My guys are so good to me. I didn't have to cook all weekend and they even set up a chair massage for me. Oh, I have a secret pal at church and see gifted me this perfect pitcher form Crate and Barrel. It makes me smile. I'll snap a picture soon and share.

This week will be busy at school due to parent/teacher conferences and getting grades entered for report cards. So I tried to plan easy and quick items to cook since I know I will be at school late most nights.

Here is our plan:
Monday-Easy Onion Chicken and rice
Tuesday-Hamburger Pie
Wednesday-Out
Thursday-Grill Cheese and Tomato Soup
Friday-Pizza and Salad

Friday Fun

1. Follow the Leader.
2. Several magazines or a book is something I always take with me on vacation.
3. To achieve your goals, you must work hard.
4. I hate being alone is something I'd like you to know about me.
5. I have a new fabulous necklace that I purchased last weekend at the Scarecrow Festival.
6. Hope floats. (I love movies with Harry Connick, Jr in them.)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the mall with my son, tomorrow my plans include Fall Cosmetic Day at Nordstroms and then watching Harry Connick, Jr's new movie on Lifetime and Sunday, I want to attend the Sami Show in Katy!

Thrifty Finds

Here are some treasures I found while out thrifting. I love this red Pyrex bowl. It's in good condition!
I saw plenty of these, damage done from the dishwasher. I just left those on the shelf.
A stack of chick lit books, snowmen ornaments and a pink bunny.

Friday Fun

1. One of the best concerts/plays/movies I ever saw that I really didn't think I'd like was Kit Kittredge.

2. Otila's Verdes Enchiladas is a recipe I recently made (or meal I recently ordered) that was delicious!

3. It's time for Fall Festivals.

4. Sonics Route 44 Fountain Drink is quite refreshing.

5. If I never hear the word election again, it'll be too soon.

6. To one side of the curving road was a mountain, and on the other was another mountain.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to celebrating my moms birthday and a three day weekend, tomorrow my plans include a festival and the zoo and Sunday, I want to go to Chappell Hill for the Scarecrow Festival!

Fall Reading Challenge

Katrina at Callipidder Days is hosting the Fall into Reading Challenge 2008. It runs from Sept. 22 to Dec. 20. I have lots of books I want to read and this is a good way for me to set some goals and get some book read.





You can join too! Just make a list of books you plan to read this Fall on your blog. Then check back on Dec. 20 and tell how you did in reaching your goal. Click over here to join.

I usually get stuck in one genre(Chick Lit) so this will be pushing me out of my comfort zone. I picked 4 genres to read. I may have planned more than I can read since I have reading for work to do as well, but I'm giving it a try.

Here are my books:


Fiction:


Never Look Back by Kathy Herman


Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner



Chick Lit:


Tales of a Drama Queen by Lee Nichols


Fat Chance by Deborah Blumenthal


How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Non Fiction:


3 Seconds by Les Parrott


Called out of Darkness by Anne Rice


The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin


Biography/Memoir:


Stori Telling by Tori Spelling


Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster


Pieces of My Heart by Robert J Wagner

**Red higlighted titles are books that I have read!


Check out what everyone else is reading over at Callapidder Days!

Projects

Well since my son has decided that he doesn't want to play football because of his fractured finger I have a lot more free time after work. I am enjoying that time by working on projects. I didn't realize how much time we were actually running from work/school to practice 5 days a week. This was his helmet for the season. It's so pretty! Can a football helmet be pretty?
This project I found while surfing blog land during the hurricane. I found it here. You take a wood cutout, scrapbook paper, Modge podge, paintbrush and a few embellishments and you have a cute pumpkin. I found all my supplies at Michael's.
Isn't he cute. I think I will be going back and getting more seasonal items to make like this.
And this was my sons teacher gift. I found the idea here. He had taken it to school and pulled it out of his backpack to show it off to his friends and CRASH it smashed to pieces all over the sidewalk. So I have ordered another vinyl to make a new one. You can order one from this Esty store. The vase and clear wrap is from the Dollar Tree, pencils from Sam's and ribbon is from my stash.

What have you made lately?

October Pay It Forward Book Exchange

I have one book up for grab this month. Its a paperback book that I received in a swap. Its in good condition.
Synopsis from Barnes and Noble
Fed up with her moody teenage daughter, Meg Addams decides what they both need is a good dose of suburban wholesomeness. But when they leave Manhattan behind for Meg's humble blue-collar hometown, they find it crowded with wealthy strangers and upscale boutiques. Settling into a creaky fixer-upper, Meg finally spots a familiar face right next door--and it belongs to none other than Sam Rooney. The would-be love of Meg's high school life is now a single dad, her daughter's new soccer coach--and a neighborly ghost-buster whenever things go bump in the night. With three kids and an undeniable attraction between them, Meg and Sam are in for some heart-racing, wee-hour encounters that have nothing to do with spirits...but everything to do with hearts.

Here are the rules to enter. Yes, there are some rules!

If you win this book you must host a giveaway on your blog. If you don't have a blog then you will give the book to a local shelter, library, etc.

You do not need a blog to participate. If you don't have one just please leave your e-mail so that in the event you should win I can get a hold of you.

You need to leave a comment to this post by Monday, October 27Th.

I will randomly draw a name on Tuesday, October 28 and post the winner here. Also, I will contact the winner by e-mail or blog.

Please click over to Overwhelmed with Joy to see the many other book exchanges happening this month.

Thanks for playing and Good Luck!

Calvert

Awhile back we spent a day out in the country in Calvert, Texas enjoying the simple life. There is nothing like male bonding while shooting the BB guns.
You need a steady aim to hit the target. The younger ones are watching the older ones shoot.
After all that shooting we needed to relax on the hammock. Its hard work living in the country!

Friday Fun

1. October is my favorite month.

2. Small creepy crawly things scare me!

3. Leaves are falling all around, it's FALL.

4. My favorite horror movie is Haunted Mansion because its not scary.

5. Disney= good memories.

6. It was a dark and stormy night when the hurricane arrived.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting son a haircut and hanging with the family, tomorrow my plans include a Teacher workshop and a surprise birthday party and Sunday, I want to shop till I drop at Wimberley Market Days!

I plan to fill this cart up with all kinds of goodies on Sunday. Have a great weekend!

Monkey Bread

You can't go wrong with a warm chunk of this ooey, gooey sweetness on a cool morning. 4 cans of biscuits (the cheap kind) cut into quarters
2 cups of sugar
1 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 1/2 sticks of butter

Put quartered biscuits in a bowl or bag and mix with 1 cup sugar and 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon.

Bring 1 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and butter to a boil in a saucepan or microwave. (Do not boil. You don't want the mix to caramelize.)

Put biscuits in bundt pan and pour syrup over top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Wait about 10 minutes before turning pan over onto a plate to serve.

Enjoy!

Thrifty Finds~Pyrex

Woo Hoo! I scored some Pyrex! I walked right into the Salvation Army and these two items we waiting for me. I love the yellow loaf pan and the other one I am not quite sure if its a small gravy boat or creamer. These were purchased before the hurricane.

I drove by the Salvation Army the other night and they were closed due to Hurricane Ike. The store was empty and the the fixtures were all pushed against the windows. I was relieved to see a sign on the door stating a Grand Reopening soon.

What have you found lately???

Menu Planning

Nothing exciting happening here this week, just busy at school entering grades for progress reports and getting ready for Open House on Thursday. So it makes for late evenings and quick meals.

Here is our plan:
Monday~Out for Mexican food! yum!
Tuesday~Hamburger Helper Three Cheese. DH can make this!
Wednesday~Tuna Tetrazzini
Thursday~Out due to Open House
Friday~Spaghetti I finally put together this sign. I picked it up over the summer in Wimberley at the Market Days. My neighbor gave me the galvanized bucket and rocks came from Super W store. I think it looks great by our back door. Now I want to find a scarecrow to stick in there for Fall.

Have a great week!

Round Rock

This summer I learned so much about baseball. My son played in a summer league and we had such a great time. I even learned how to keep score in the official score book for the coach. I also learned about there are minor leagues that some players go to before moving up to the majors. I know where have I been. I like to cheer on a team but never have learned much about the sport. While Texas has two minor leagues that I found out about. So we packed up the car and went to see the Round Rock Express, which is the minor team for the Houston Astros. We had so much fun that weekend and plan to do more next summer.

While spending time in the Austin area we went to the Austin Zoo. This was a unique experience. It is much smaller than the Houston Zoo but you are so close to the animals it was exciting. Our son feeding a goat.
And no trip to the zoo is complete without a ride on the train.

Round Rock Express stadium
They even have a pool you can rent out to watch the game.
The field

Enjoying the game. It was Longhorn night and everyone was decked out in Longhorn gear, even the players had Longhorn jerseys.

Our Hurricane Photos

Here are the photos from Hurricane Ike. We didn't have any damage to our home or fence. We had very little tree limbs that fell from the trees. We did end up with shingles in the yard but not from our roof.

The wind blew so hard that leaves and dirt stuck to the door.
It stuck to the walls
Our backyard
The back patio was a raging river of leaves. Our front yard.
The pile of limbs growing for the garbage pick up.Our son pitching in and raking the leaves and limbs from the street. We lost everything in our refrigerator but I have a nice clean one now.

When we lost our electricity we packed up and headed out to my sisters house. To keep the children happy and entertained we put the tent up in the backyard for them to play and sleep in. Well, my darling husband thought it would be so funny to go out there and scare the kids that the boys decided not sleep in it at night.
The girls.

The boys.

September Pay It Forward Book Exchange Winner

Congratulations to Robin Titan. She has won both books for this months giveaway.

Please check back next month for more books to win.

Happy Fall Y'all and Menu Planning

WooHoo! We have power! I am so excited. The neighbor texted husband this morning to report that the power had been turned on. We had been staying at my sisters house with her lovely family but I was ready to get home. I loaded up the dog and dropped her off before heading in to work. I can't believe it took an hour and a half to make it in to work. The freeway was a parking lot this morning. Quickly checked the house before leaving and got to work only 20 minutes late.

Our plan for the week:

Monday~grabbing something quick since we are moving back home tonight from my sisters and we have an empty refrigerator.

Tuesday~Out with friends

Wednesday~Salad buffet

Thursday~Tacos

Friday~Out with friends

I don't have a lot planned since I have nothing in my refrigerator and need to restock.

Still No Electricity

We are still without power and I miss my home. We have been staying with my sister and her family. We are getting very good at the Wii. My son has made friends with the neighbor kids out here. We ventured out yesterday to Target and the grocery store. No problems at either place but the traffic lights are still not working properly so its slow go moving around the city.

School is reported to open on Monday. My school has power but my sons does not yet. Today we should get an update about that. I am ready to get back to our normal routine.

My husbands office, which is near the Galleria area, had lots of damage. So he and others in his office have been cleaning and salvaging what they can.

I have been reading and catching up on the blogs I like to visit and have gotten many ideas for decorating and craft projects and lots of yummy recipes that I can't wait to try.

The electricity company has been reporting on the news station that my zip code should have power by the end of the day on Monday. I have my fingers crossed.

Hope you all have a great day!

We made it through the Hurricane!

We had no damage to our house. Praise God! The wind was howling and rattling the windows like crazy last night. It was pretty intense for awhile. We have plenty of small to medium branches thrown all over our yard. We spend the afternoon raking up piles of leaves and limbs. We have a huge pile of medium branches from our oak and pine trees, about the size of a small car. Some of our neighbors were not quite so lucky. Lots of damage from the old trees. One thing I didn't have on my supplies list was large trash bags so those piles will have to sit until the stores open up and the piles dry up some. Another thing I didn't pick up was batteries and the radio didn't have any working batteries in it, so I was pulling batteries from my sons toys and games this morning so we could hear the news and weather. You can bet we will be well stocked with batteries this next week.



We lost our electricity around 4:00 in the morning and it still hasn't been turned back on. So we packed up our bags and refrigerator and we are staying out at my sisters. She is very fortunate to have power out here near Cypress.



Good news and bad news. Our school was closed on Friday so we could prepare for the hurricane and now they are going to be closed for Monday and Tuesday due to damage and electrical problems in the school buildings. My son is going to be so happy when I tell him but I am not since we will probably have to make these days up and that means more than likely they will start to take from our holidays.



Oh, and for those that want to know what you can get us for Christmas, we would like a generator, please!

Preparing for Hurricane IKE

We are out preparing for Hurricane IKE today. We have secured things around the house and stocked up on supplies. Now we just have to wait til it hits. The news coverage shows how hard its slamming into the coast. I think we will experience some wind and local street flooding. I hope we do not lose electricity!

Please keep us in your prayers!

I'll be back once the storm passes.

Enjoy your weekend.

Our Anniversary Celebration Just a Bit Late

I have been debating whether or not to post these pictures because I'm in them. I finally decided to go ahead. So you can put a face with a name.

For our anniversary which was in July, my in-laws took us out to a very nice restaurant. The food was incredible cuisine and then we walked around the grounds afterwards. This place is known for its gardens for bridal pictures and weddings.

Me and my family

Our son

The beautiful gardens

The restaurant which is hard to see in the dark!

The graceful swans that glided over the water.