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?