Summer Reading 2009

Nothing says summer like a reading list, maybe this stems from my school days.

I absolutely love sitting by the pool and sticking my nose in a good book. This summer I am putting away the biographies and pulling out the fluff. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed the biographies but it's summer, I need a break. Oh how I love the slower pace that summer brings!

Enjoying the Journey

When the house fell through Jeff and I's first question was "Lord, what are you up to?" Jeff even said it was like manna from heaven. It just fell into our laps and just seemed perfect for us.

And well you know the rest of the story.

For the past few weeks, Jeff and I have been looking at houses but nothing has felt like home. I would like one but he wouldn't and vice versa. Needless to say, I knew something big was about to happen.

About this time last week, Jeff and I were having our daily walk & talks around the neighborhood when he started telling me what was on his heart. At first I wanted to kick and scream and cry out no. In fact, I did for about 20 steps then I stopped, asked him to start over and turned my listening ears on.

When Jeff and I first got married, my brother encouraged us to take Crown Financial Bible Study. (Does this mean I can blame my big brother for the latest turn of events? Just kidding) This bible study changed our lives. We made a goal for ourselves to be 100% debt free. Slowly but surely we are getting there, unfortunately we still have one big fat student loan left to pay off. In our checking account sits a down payment for a house, which happens to be the exact amount to pay off our student loan. I guess you guys know what I am about to tell you don't you?

We have decided to take a huge leap of faith, pay off this last student loan and put the house on hold. Why are we doing this? Because a man named Dave Ramsey once told us that we should have 15-20% saved up, as well as 6 months of an emergency fund before we move into a house.

I need to tell you before I tell you more, I am very excited about this new adventure.

1) we will be debt free

2) I have prayed for Jeff to lead our family and through this adventure he is doing just that.

If you would have told me a year ago or even 6 months ago this is where we would be going, I would have not believed you and probably kicked and screamed all the way home. But today, I feel confident that we are right where we need to be and I can't help but feel like this may have been God's plan all along.

We are confident that we have made the best decision for us and look forward to where this new path leads us.

More posts coming soon of how we are transforming our small one bedroom apartment to a place of peace and serenity. Which basically means this chick has bought a real desk so I can close up the office at the end of the day. ;)

Fall Into Reading 2008

I must admit that fall is my all time favorite season and love to use the Fall Into Reading challenge as a spring board for all the fun fall festivities.

In the past few weeks, I have challenged myself to read more non-fiction books. I am not usually one who likes to read non-fiction but have found that I am not wanting to read the fluff books either. Jeff suggested that I try a few biographies or autobiographies of people that I admire and I must admit I intrigued with this idea. After spending a few hours at Half Price books I found a few books that I have put on my fall reading list and have even thrown a few fiction in to keep my brain from flashing the word "TILT" across my eyes.

Books to Make Me Look Smart:
1) Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot
2) God's Wisdom for a Woman's Life by Elizabeth George
4) Life lessons from Corrie Ten Boom by Corrie Ten Boom
5) Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far by Amy Grant
6. Peace Like A River by Leif Enger

Books to Keep Me From Becoming A Super Genius (or something close to it):
1) Forever In Blue by Ann Brashares
2) Sunset by Karen Kingsbury
3) The Book Thief by Markus Zasuk
4) Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

To add your own book list, see what others are reading or because you just can't help yourself from being one of those people who loves to click on links when the opputurnity arisies, than go here.

Happy Fall Reading!

Weekend To Do List

1. Dinner at the Burger Box with my Dad and Hubs.
2. Laundry and other household chores
3. Read Belong to Me
4. File New Catalog Pictures that are sitting in my living room/office
5. Enjoy the nice weather
6. walk a mile or two
7. small group at this chicks house (can't wait to see the new walls A!)
8. Rent a movie at the Red Box
9. Sunday afternoon nap
10. And last but not least Charger football

See you on Monday! Have a great weekend

The End Of An Era Came Today

My home away from home is moving locations. Today was the last day for my local library to be open. Have I told you how much I love this place?

I love this building because before it was the local library it was my church home. I learned to walk in these halls. I went to pre-school here where I met some sweet friends, some I still am in close contact. I wrote my senior thesis paper at one of the tables in the middle. Every other week, I visit my local library to get more books to read.

I love to read.

I love the library.

I know I am going to love the new library but the new location is not less than a mile away. The new location doesn't have the history and the new location isn't my home away from home. Yet...

My friendly librarian encouraged me last week to check out as many books as I wanted. She said they weren't due back until the new library was open...6 weeks from now. You would have thought I won the local lottery. "Are you serious?" She was... she is a librarian after all.

When I walked in the door with all my books, Jeff thought I had lost my mind.

You going to read all those books in two weeks?

No sweets, I am going to read them in 6 weeks. It is my gift from one book lover to another.

And then I explained that they were closing down and moving to the new place. Do you know what he said, "Don't loose it, we don't want to have a fine."

Oh ye of little faith! I usually have to track down his books not mine. And he only does one at a time, not two.

For those of you curious to see what I will be reading, here is my list of books to read.

Book Review: Bidding for Love

Ladies, if you like sweet romantic books that leave you feeling sweet and well ,as my friend Meredith would say, feeling lovey, then you need to read this book. It is a good one.

Katie Fforde is England's best seller but just starting to bring her books to America. This was the first book I read by her and I loved every minute of it. The book is actually been renamed "Bidding for Love" and not "Flora's Lot."

I have come to love English writers because they are very witty and know how to tell a great story. A sweet story at that.

Here is her website for you to enjoy.

Fall Into Reading 2007

Fall- the season of reaping, gathering in, harvesting and rejoicing.

One reason why I love to blog is because of people like Katrina. Many people host different meme's and challenges but the reading challenges is one that I look forward to each new season. This summer I read over 50 books. If you know me, you know I am always reading. The library is my favorite place to visit. I have found this to be the highlight of my week. I go, pick out 4 books and read all four books during the two weeks that I have them to myself. I have also loved getting to know new authors based on the recommendations from my GOOD READ friends and the others who participate in this challenge.



So with no further ado, here is my fall "To Be Read" list:



1. Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelly

(Side note: This book is very out of character for me but it is for the Women's Book Club at church, they say it will be worth the read. I am a little scared though!)



2. Having a Mary Heart In a Martha World by Joanna Weaver



3. Becoming A Woman of Discretion by Nancy Leigh Demoss



4. If I Gained the World by Linda Nichols



5. At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols



6. Forever in Blue by Ann Brashares



7. The Last Summer by Ann Brashares



8. Playing for Pizza by John Grisham



9. The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty



10. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini



11. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult



12. Flabbergasted by Ray Blackston



13. Me & Emma Elizabeth Flock



14. Elementary, My Dear Watkins (A Smart Chick Mystrey) by Mindy Clark Starns



This of course, is not the complete list. I actually have 23 books in my Good Reads cue but this should last me for at least a few weeks. Okay, I can't wait to stop by everyone else who is participating, really most of these books come recommended by others in blog land. Who knew blogging could be so inspiring?!?

Spring Into Summer Update

I don't know your process for how you pick out a book to read but I have a few guidelines that I like to use in order to determine if I will take the time to finish a book. First, it must grab me from page one. Second, I like to embrace the characters like they are old friends. Third, I try not to read books that are just plain dirty or not uplifting to my spirit. This book "The Jane Austen Book Club" did not fit into any of these three categories for me. The first chapter left me wondering what the heck I was thinking picking this up. The characters are not people that I would associate in real life, therefore I could not relate to their struggles. The second chapter after a very graphic moment, I threw the book across the room and said with determination, "Next Please!"

And then there is the "Confessions of a Shopaholic." I love this series. Last night, I read the second book, "Shopaholic Take Manhattan." I too love to shop so Rebbecca and I are close friends in that regard although I am way more frugal than she will ever be. Plus the situations she finds herself in are very comical. It is like a grown up Ameila Bedilia (my favorite childhood books). They are very entertaining books-you will get lost in it. And that is what I love about a good book, getting lost in the storyline so for a brief moment real life does not come at you all at once. I started reading Sophia Kinsella at my great-grandmothers request. One of the last conversations I had with her was laughing at the book, "The Undomestic Goddess." She was an avid reader like me up until the day she went into the nursing home-probably another reason her brain was so intact at the age of 97. These books have helped me to laugh and that was the main request I received from my great-grandmother the last time we spoke. She told me to remain joyful, to laugh at the days to come because she was going to a much better place. Thankfully these books have helped spur me on in the laughing department otherwise, I may find myself stuck in a rut. Thank you "MOM" for sending these books my way-they are well worth reading.

What I Am Reading Now

James Dobson is doing a broadcast series on his book "When God Doesn't Make Sense." They are rebroadcasting a lecture he did many years ago and it is so relevant to my life today. There are many things happening right now that I choose not to share with blog land. No need to worry-Jeff and I are doing very well. But in the recent weeks we find ourselves asking the questions"Where are you God?" and "Why didn't you stop it?" often times in our prayer time. So when I heard that Dr. Dobson was doing this series again, I pulled out my dusty copy from the top shelf and started to read and listen to his point of view once again. Folks, I believe that God uses many things to get our attention, to speak to us in ways that we can clearly understand His message. We might not understand the method but He will direct us to different lectures, a sermon series at church and a verse in the Bible to remind us that He is fully in control and sometimes we just need to keep going and trust He has a plan bigger than what are little eyes can see.

Sorry, I will quit preaching now. Have a great day! And go pick up a book to read

A Book Review: "The Undomestic Goddess" By Sophia Kinsella

I first knew that I would love this book when my grandmother handed me her LARGE PRINT version and said, "Read this. You will LOOOOVE it!" Granny has NEVER steered me wrong in the book department.

I then fell in love with it for myself when in the opening paragraph the main character, Samantha is getting a massage while hiding her cell phone and blackberry in her clothes so she can get some work done during the massage. Who would do that?

This book is funny and sweet. By the end of it, you will have fallen head over heals in love with Samantha. And you find yourself wanting to sit down and have a little heart to heart about her choices she is making because you only want the best for her. I will NOT give anything away-you will just have to read if for yourself to see what I am talking about.

This book is one reason why more Sophie Kinsella books are on my list to be read. She is fun, quirky and you get wrapped up in each of the characters in this book. At times a little self absorbed, which is fine, for now. I just a break from the serious books that I have been pouring myself into the last few months. Not that I haven't loved the serious ones but my brain is a little bit tired and telling me to chill out for a moment.

Let me know if you have read or will read "The Undomestic Goddess." I would love to hear your thoughts.

(This post is brought to you by the people who willingly print their books in large print so my Granny can continue her love for reading!)

The Spring Reading Challenge!

Katrina at Callapidder Days is at it again but this time instead of Fall Reading we are doing a little SPRING READING.

When you look at my list you are going to see some common themes this go round. This time I am all about the Chicks. Second most of them are light hearted-hopefully some what clean and will offer a good break from THE REAL WORLD!

All these books have been catching my eye while walking the book ailse at Target. I figured what better time to read than the springtime when I can sit and get a tan at the same time.

Feel free to click on the book titles below to read the summary of the books. I will check back after each one to give you my own take. I will also a family friendly rating for those of you who try to monitor what you read.

Saving Fish From Drying By Amy Tan

Confessions of a Shopaholic By Sophie Kinsella

Shopaholic & Sister By Sophie Kinsella

Oh My Stars By Lorna Landvik

The Jane Austn Book Club By Karen Joy Fowler

The Last Girls By Lee Smith

The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants By Ann Brashares

Annie Freeman's Traveling Funeral By Kris Radish

Hope you all join in the fun! I can't wait to see what everyone else is reading out in the big ole world we affectionatley call BLOG LAND!