Absent...

I've been absent from blogging for a few days and will be for a few days more.  I've been helping my son work through a challenge that he has come up against.  I can't say any more about it other than he and I have learned much about our responsibility to those around us and the responsibility that adults should feel towards any child, not just their own. 

Awesome contest

Two wonderful bloggers are sponsoring a giveaway of The Forbidden Sea.  Go here to find out all of the information you will need!

Good luck! 

Dreamland...

Have you ever had a night where you dream something that seems so real you feel a bit confused when you finally wake?

Last night I did just that.  It was the most strangely realistic dream I have ever had.  

I dreamt that my husband and I had secretly moved our family back into one of our old houses without anyone knowing, not even the current owners of that house.  While in the middle of unpacking our belongings, I called one of my friends who lives in that area to ask if she knew how much we should offer to pay in rent for our old house.  She was really confused by my question, which made me laugh!  It took a while for me to convince her that we were really there and she could not believe it.  She was kind of worried that we would get in trouble by the current owners, but I did not seemed concerned at all.  I acted like it was the most normal thing in the world to do. 

When I woke up in the early morning I had to look around at my surroundings for just a minute until it registered in my brain that I had been dreaming.    

I tend to have strange dreams now and again. 

Book Review!

You can probably tell what I have been doing with my time by my recent plethora of Book Reviews, but I like to think of it as homework!

Jessica Day George, in my opinion, nailed it once again with her novel Princess Of The Midnight Ball.    

First off the cover is georgeous!  Now, let's get to the heart of the matter.  It is a Young Adult novel. (I have been reading a lot of those lately, but it seems that when I find one, another gets recommended.  I kind of get stuck in a genre for a while.)   

The story is a retelling of the fairy tale of the Twelve Dancing Princesses.  We begin with the story being told by a young man named Galen who is returning from a 12 year war.  Along the way he meets an old woman who, because of his kindness, gives him some gifts to help him once he is in the palace.  He thinks the old woman must be very confused because he has no family of consequence and can't imagine how or why he would ever be inside the palace.

We follow him along his adventure as he seeks out his only living relatives and a way to earn a living.  His only skills are knitting (I laughed at first, but he had to take care of himself during the war and learned the skill to keep himself in socks and hats) and soldiering, since he had grown up the son of a soldier and spent most of his life in the war.  I won't say any more because I don't want to give it all away, but I will say that once again the author's words paint a beautiful picture.   The story is not a masterpiece by any means, just a well thought out story and the perfect length to escape on a lazy afternoon.   

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Book Review!

I was so excited to get my hands on this book.  I'd read so many raving reviews that I knew it was going to be a hit.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever. 

I didn't like it.  I tried to, I really did, but I had to push myself to finish it. 

First off the parents, where were they?  Yes, there are parents out there who just let their kids run a muck, but they usually seem to have some issue going on like drugs, alcohol, emotional problems etc.  I have a hard time believing that normal, law abiding, loving, educated people would be so completely oblivious to their daughter.  The author did show us how self centered they were, even still, how can they not notice a boy living in their own house for a few weeks?  There was one scene where her mom finally woke up to the situation and tried to forbid her daughter from seeing Sam anymore, but in one sentence Grace convinced her mom otherwise.  Yeah, I am not buying it, it was just too convenient.  

I also hated/liked the changing point of view.  One chapter would put us in Sam's head and then we would be in Grace's head.  I did like knowing what Sam was thinking, but it changed so much that I would sometimes have to look at the chapter heading again to remember which head I was supposed to be in.  It was a good idea, but I felt confused.

Olivia and Rachel were boring.  These supposed best friends were with Grace in the beginning and just disappeared until they made a cameo appearance here and there.  If they are her best friends why weren't they knocking down her door to find her when she was so absent.  If my best friend ever fell off the face of the earth either emotionally or physically, you can bet your life that I would be putting my nose where it doesn't belong just to find her.  Same thing goes if she shows up with a mysterious boyfriend.  I would be digging very hard to get answers.  Where were the phone calls?  The unannounced drop ins?  Olivia was just grumpy and Rachel was overly giddy, but we were never shown a real relationship.  They could have just as easily not been in the book.

I wasn't really convinced about the love between Sam and Grace.  Yes, she had been infatuated with him as a wolf for 6 years, but she didn't know him as a person at all.  Sam admitted that as a wolf he doesn't think about things the same way as a human.  As a wolf he didn't have emotions like a human, it was more of an instinct.  He also said that as a wolf he doesn't remember the human things or people.  If this was the case how were they so in love with each other from the moment he was in human form?  They needed time to find out about each other and develop a relationship.   I couldn't stand that all they thought about was kissing or touching.  Teens do have raging hormones, but I don't want to read about it on every page.

Out of curiosity I will probably read the second book, but if it is much the same I don't think I will give a third a chance.

Places.....

Usually when I read blogs by other people I try to figure out where they are from.  Sometimes they tell me in one of their posts, and sometimes it is in their profile section.  I always wonder what it would be like to live where they live. 

I have come across blogs written by people who live in England, Canada, Australia, Greece, and various other interesting places across the United States.  On my blog I have never told where I am from, I've just hinted at the general location.  As I read these blogs I wonder if the authors really realize and appreciate that they live in such interesting places to me.  They may find it mundane and boring because the places we see everyday can become ordinary to us after time.

I used to live in a place that I thought was interesting.  It held fascination and intrigue for me, but I started to get used to it and stopped exploring as much as I could have.  I stopped visiting the must see places that were on a list I had made.  I only lived there for five years.  Five years that went too fast.  By the time I realized I was moving to where I live now I was heartbroken by all of my lost opportunity.  Thinking back there are so many places I would have made my way to if I had realized it was my last summer or my last winter there.  If only I could go back.  

Sigh.

But wait!  I almost got the chance to.  

My husband accepted a job offer to move back to my favorite place.  We were on our way this last fall, but then his current company made him a whole bunch of promises if he would stay where we are.  So far they haven't followed through, but it looks like we are stuck. 

I have completely veered from the point of my blog.  

The point is, I don't know if anyone has ever heard about the place where I live and thought to themselves "Gee, I wish I could visit/live there!".  Maybe someone has, but since I am here to stay, I have tried to make the best of it.  I will be taking my family on an adventure here and there to "discover" this place that we live.  Then maybe one day if we ever move from here (highly unlikely) I can look back with a little regret on this place as well.

By the way:

Here is a Spells ARC giveaway! 

Super Freak.....

A few of my friends and I have been working out in the mornings together.  I love it.  It gets me out of bed and forces me to go.  If I know someone is waiting for me I will not miss.  If I am just depending on me to get there, I will often let myself down. 

Anyway, we decided to try a yoga class that is offered on Tuesday mornings.  Let me tell you, it is a challenge.  It will be quite a while until I don't feel a little ridiculous on that morning.  The 3 of us have really lucked out with the class because so far no one else shows up besides us and the instructor.  It's like having a personal yoga coach meeting us on Tuesdays.  

This morning she wanted to challenge us a little bit more and would get us into a pose and show us what we could do to make it even harder if we wanted to try it.  We were going along struggling here and conquering there when we got to the Warrior poses.  The first one is fine, the second one is pretty hard, but the third!  Oh man, I have no balance!  

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse we faced forward and balanced on one leg with the other leg bent and crossed, resting just above the planted legs knee.  She then proceeded to have us squat really low, place our hands on the floor, lean forward and rest our crossed leg on the backs of our bent arms.  (picture a hand stand with arms bent slightly and one leg bent and resting on the elbows).  At this point she balanced her other leg straight out with her head and chest straight out going the opposite direction.  She was an arrow parallel with the floor, balancing on her hands with one leg crossed at the elbows.   

I was in awe.

In my mind all I could hear was the song that says "super freak, super freak, she's super freaky!".   I started laughing because I could hear the music in my head and I couldn't believe that a human body could do what she just did.  She looked at me and I asked her if she had ever been with the Cirque de Soleil.   I kind of killed the mood because she started laughing too.  

She says that if I keep doing yoga regularly I will one day be able to hold the pose she had gotten herself into.   

When that day comes I will post a picture of myself holding the pose for all to see!  Because I want to be a.....

Super Freak!

Book Review!

Yesterday I sat down and read Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George. 

I loved it!  

Based on a Norwegian fairy tale, it has some reminders of Beauty and the Beast.  Considering I read it in an afternoon, it is an easy read, but the words are beautiful!  I loved the description, I loved the personalities, the tragedies, and the strength and determination.  The main character remains nameless through most of the book because she was unwanted by her mother who refused to give her a name.  She is referred to as "pika" which means small child by everyone.  When she rescues an enchanted deer she is finally given a name and the ability to speak to animals as thanks for her help.  She keeps her name and new talent to herself on the advice of her oldest brother, but word soon spreads that she has a way with animals.  The character goes on an adventure of a lifetime when an enchanted bear arrives at her cottage and asks that she live with him for one year.  I won't say any more because I don't want to give it all away! 


A very sweet story.

Leftovers....

I realized something about myself the other day.  I really can't stand leftover chicken.  It tastes weird and the texture seems all wrong after it is warmed up in the microwave.   I love chicken cooked on the grill or baked in the oven, but after it has gotten cold, I won't eat it again.  The funny thing is that I have always made extra chicken so we could eat it another day, but we never do.  I might as well put a few dollars in the fridge, wait a few days and then throw them in the garbage, because that's what happens to the chicken. 

My kids don't love it either. 

I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 

Book Review!

This weekend I read Need by Carrie Jones.  I would probably rate it somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars. 


Synopsis from good reads website: Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you"d have to fear.

I had heard that people were comparing this novel to Twilight and I can see where they were coming from, a girl moves away from her mom to a small town in a cold place, this girl meets a mysterious boy and is intrigued by him.  There are definitely similarities. 

*spoiler alert!*

I had some issues with the book though. First, it was choppy.  The language and the story were all over the place.  When the characters would have any sort of conversation it was always short sentences if even that.  I had to go back and reread several times just to figure out exactly what they were talking about.  There were a lot of words between the characters, they just never really said much of anything.   

The story was confusing sometimes as well.   Nick who is a "were" can smell the pixies as they approach Zara's home but he can't smell the ones standing right next to him at school?  Huh.  That didn't make any sense to me.  I also thought it was strange that Nick also had to discover on his own about the existence of the pixies.  He is supposedly the protector of the area and his shape shifting abilities are passed down from parent to child through generations, so did his parents really never clue him in?  They were probably the same age as Zara's dad so they would have been around when he had his troubles with the pixies.   


Another story line issue I had came when Zara's mom made her escape from the pixies.  I don't believe for one second that if she was being held captive for the pixie King no one noticed she was making her escape!   If she was so important to the King, someone would have been on her at all times.  When they finally did notice she was leaving, they all just watched and announced to the King that she was escaping.  The King just sat there like a bump on a log and did nothing.  Really?  No one tried to grab her?  

The best friend Issi?  She was annoying.  


I did like the premise of the story and I wish that the book had been longer so the author could have worked out some of the scenes with more depth.  A few more pages here and there would have given us an opportunity to really get to know the characters and what to expect from them.    


Would I recommend this to someone to read?  Yes, but I wouldn't buy it, even with all of the issues I had with it I would say give it a try.  But I would also say not to have your expectations too high.  I haven't decided if I will read the 2nd book yet, I'll let you know. 

Teenagers....

I love teenagers.  

They are fun to talk to, and even more fun to listen to.  My teenage son and I have a pretty awesome relationship.  His friends are at our house constantly, eating our food, using our bathrooms, putting holes in the walls, jumping over my shrubs, tearing up the grass and on and on. 

My neighbor across the street has noticed the constant commotion at our house, which her daughter is part of, as she is the same age as my son.   The neighbor admitted to feeling a little left out because her daughter doesn't want to have the group at her house.  I jokingly told her that she should appreciate that she doesn't have the most damaged house and yard on the street.  After I chuckled about it, I realized that I LOVE IT!!!

I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I asked my son why they are at our house so often instead of spreading the love with all of the parents.  Guess what he said!

"They love our house the best, mom."

I have never felt so proud!  Now don't get me wrong, I don't let them get away with whatever they want.  I have very frank discussions about what behavior is acceptable and what isn't.  I even have to stop what is going on now and then.  But I love having them here.
  
I hope they will always love coming over to our house.  I would rather them grow up under my watch than lurk at the mall or do who knows what in a dark movie theater.

I love teenagers.

Tattoos and Kryptonite.....

Ahhh!  My husband, otherwise known as Superman, now has a tooth with my name on it!  Hee Hee!

Here is the story:

Two weeks ago Superman broke his tooth.  I know technically that should be impossible, but soda is his Kryptonite and it was bound to happen sooner or later. Anyway, our brother-in-law is handy with a drill if you know what I mean and he informed superman that a crown was the only solution.  

He prepped.

He took molds.

He sent it away.


Here enters the sneaky villainess (in the form of my sister) to the story.  Her wicked mind quickly thinks up a dastardly plan of making two crowns for superman.   One looks like a normal tooth in every way and another identical to the first, except for one small change.....my name written in purple with a pink heart surrounding it, is tattooed on it. 


My Brother-in-law placed the "fancy" tooth in Superman's mouth (without cement) for him to look at, waiting for the reaction that was sure to come.  Well..... 

Superman thought it was awesome and didn't even want to see the other one!  He had it cemented in his mouth, tattoo and all!


Talk about love!