School and other ramblings...

You know when you look forward to something for so long. You hype it up and you count it down. Then poof! It's over and you're on the other side. For the past almost 5 years this looking forward to has been the end of a semester. Once I get to the other side? Well more school... but not this time!

I'm tyring to psych myself up for finishing college. I feel like I should be over the moon right now. Unfortunately class stress is not allowing me to feel the excitement. I want to be excited but its just not happening. I wish I had one more extra week wiggled in there to get stuff done. O well, I just have to make it work. I foresee many sleepless nights and tears in my near future.

But can you believe it...

15 days
4 classes
3 exams
2 papers
2 forum postings
1 quiz
1 poster session

... until I'm a free bird.

I hope I feel the euphoria I have been looking forward to. But that's the problem you see. Once you finish one obstacle there's always another one to overcome. Maybe it's a matter of perspective. School was an obstacle there's no doubt about that, I keep forgetting to look at the future as an adventure. It can be hard sometimes as a 20 something graduate in this economy.

As I said to my sis, I just want a farm dammit!

As you can tell by my book selection lately, I'm trying to absorb all of the farm related info. I can gather. Specifically organic gardening, throw in some hens and a coop, with the possibility of 2 hives, some sheep, and some wabbits.

It's interesting because every author has a slightly different opinion and it clearly comes out in their writing. Specifically in terms of "farm" animals and what should be done with them. I just can't imagine butchering my hens and succumbing them to the seemingly torturous mating practices of roosters. Some authors say never to name your animals, only give them numbers so you don't get attached to them. I understand that in western culture we tend to humanize our animals but come on, if your hens are excited to see you and have distinct personalities how could you shove your unassuming hen into a crate, one that trusts you, and bring it to slaughter? I just can't imagine it. I think I'm off to a world of vegetarianism.

The authors do make good points in saying that all animals must die and with some circumstances on a farm you need to kill an animal in order to put it out of its misery. I am going to have to find a way to cope with these situations. I mean I know my dog won't live forever, but I can't ever imagine living without her.

So a post that was supposed to be about impending graduation turned into a post about organic gardening and farm animals, go figure. Well my end goal is to provide food for myself and hopefully fiber to wear and knit with. This leads into other goals of being completely self sufficient. How amazing would that be? Always something to strive for.

Riz

PS: I'm currently absorbed with (even though there are certainly other things I should be reading that pertain to ahem.. school!) The Vegetable Gardener's Bible by Edward C. Smith. AMAZING. I'll give a full review once I finish.

PSS: Continued frustration of not being a twin. I need my Lyddy to experience this end with me. It would just be so much better. I feel like I can't be excited because she still has a year to go! I don't know what it is. Maybe just the perpetual worry I have for my siblings and their well being. Hmph. Maybe she can find it in her to celebrate with me, that always makes me feel beter :)

Canning & Preserving

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Canning and Preserving by Ashley English will not disappoint! After reading Keeping Chickens I was hooked. The second I saw that the person who had been hoarding it finally returned it to the library, I ran out immediately and grabbed it off the shelf 10 minutes before closing. Yes her books are that good.

It provides you with the basics on how to can and gives you some great recipes to try out yourself. I love how her books are so easy to read for the beginner and are honest without being too daunting. So scamper out yourself and grab a copy!

I am really bummed because these are the only two of her books that our library has. Looks like I'll be filling out another request form to buy her others books. I wonder if they put a limit on how many requests one person can make? I would totally go out and buy them myself just to support Ashley, as I am sure I will someday but the funds are not permitting at the moment.

Now that I have finished Canning and Preserving I have moved on to a book Ashley suggests in her blog that I found at our library. The Self Sufficient-ish Bible by Andy and Dave Hamilton. I'm about halfway through but unfortunately there are other things I have to complete, ahem huge research paper due tomorrow, before finishing their wonderful book. Sigh.

Back to dreaded paper, am I done yet?

Riz

PS: T-minus 22 days till I'm a free bird

UPDATE: How can I have been working on this paper for O I don't know 17 hours now and I'm still not done?? Beats me.

Keeping Chickens

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How cool would it be to have a couple chickens and harvest your own eggs? The answer is, so cool. Growing up our Grandma had a couple chickens (nothing like when my Dad grew up, then she had cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, horses, pigs, donkeys, and the list goes on). Our Grandma is the ultimate animal lover and the animals feel the same way about her. When we were growing up she had two Plymouth Rock chickens named Henrietta and Gertrude. Plymouth Rock being the breed, but oddly enough one of them lived out its last few years at Plymouth Plantation in MA.

Photo Credit - Plymouth Rock chicken

So sis and I grew up around her chickens, regularly feeding, watering, and gathering their eggs. Once I settle down on my own plot somewhere, I would love to have my own little flock.

At the library today I picked up Keeping Chickens by Ashley English. This wonderful book gives you general information in regards to keeping your own flock in an easy to read and entertaining manner. She covers all necessary topics ranging from hatching your own chicks to building your own coop. She gives advice based on research in the topic and her own personal experiences and preferences. I finished this book in one sitting and would encourage anyone who is interested in keeping their own flock to pick it up!

Now I'll be passing it off to my equally interested sister...Off to find a book about keeping alpacas or sheep! Can you imagine spinning your own wool from your own animals?

Riz

The Forbidden Game

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The Forbidden Game by L.J Smith, I'm making it through all of her books apparently. Well I am in shock right now because I hated the ending. I get it, but I still hate it. This book is about a girl who started off on a quest at the last minute to find a game for her and her friends to play at the party she was having for her boyfriend. She ended up getting a game that wasn't actually a game, it was a game in a sense but really it threw them all into the reality that the earth is not the only world there is. I won't say anymore, but I loved this/these books. There's three books within this one. I loved them until the last couple pages that is. But I was reassuring myself because I knew there were sequels... no there aren't, this was it.

So frustrated. How could you just end this way? I have similar frustration about the fact that the last Night World novel has still not been written/released. Like for reals??

Now I'm afraid to read more of her books. I feel like I'm left with a cliff hanger with no way to fix it.

UGH.

Riz

Vampire Diaries: The Hunters: Phantom

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Vampire Diaries:The Hunters:Phantom was a book I was so excited about, until I read that it was being written by a ghost writer and not L.J. Smith. Which is confusing because it makes it seem like she actually wrote it, but everything I read says it was written by a ghost writer. So I was skeptical but was dying to hear how this story continued. The last book ended alluding to Damon not being dead. I was SO excited about this. Damon was my favorite character, and him dying meant that I would no longer be reading the books. Seriously. But bring Damon back into the picture? Hell ya.

I honestly couldn't tell this book was written by anyone other than Smith. The only part I was disappointed with was when Damon and Elena were reunited. I wanted it to be more dramatic I guess. It's hard to explain the plot of this book because so many have come before it. But anyway I would suggest this book to anyone who loves the Vampire Diaries!

Now I just wish I had time to read...

Tomorrow's Friday... Get excited!

Riz

PS: Apparently my shoes leak. I came home today with soaked socks and wrinkly feet. This can't be good.

Sam's Letters to Jennifer

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Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson tells the story of Jennifer who is still reeling from the loss of her husband, and finds out her beloved grandmother has gone into an unexpected coma. She rushes to be with her Grandmother and finds letters written to her by her grandmother, documenting her life that Jennifer never knew much about. She also falls hesitantly into a romance with an old friend while staying at her Grandmothers house in Wisconsin.

I was shocked to see that James Patterson is writing love stories, I mean my grandfather reads his books. But I was pleasantly surprised. I did not love his style of writing but enjoyed the story and appreciated the overall message. I'm wondering why he decided to embark on the romance novels. Trying to cash in? Who knows these days. When I fantasize about being a writer I think of an ongoing process of creativity with an end result of a labor of love. I never once have thought of the money you can make from it. Isn't that weird? Maybe it's because if I imagine the type of book I would write I would want it to touch people and be meaningful to my readers. Well that's a whole 'nother topic isn't it?

Ta ta,

R

The Best of Me

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The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks is about high school sweethearts who went there separate ways after high school and cross paths again much later in life.

(Before reading amazon page:) I have to say that I was disappointed with this book. I have loved ALL of Nicholas Sparks' books. It seems like maybe he is being forced into writing (as mentioned in Three weeks with my Brother) with tough deadlines. I understand everyone wants to make money and that's the bottom line, but doesn't that squash creativity? This book just seemed so unrealistic and I didn't feel connected to the characters like I normally do. I didn't feel the connection between the main characters until pretty far into the book and the book ended up being really predictable, even though it wasn't realistic.

(After reading amazon page:) You're probably wondering why I did this before/after thing. Let me explain. I jumped over to amazon's page for the book and came across the Q & A with Sparks on the page. That softened my review slightly. I understand what his thought process was now. Then I looked at other reviews and funny enough many of them felt the exact way I do. Also looking back, I had really high expectations for this book. I was so excited for a new NS book to come out and I loved the plot, probably because I can relate, as Sparks mentioned in his Q & A. However, the book ended up being nothing like I thought it would and I was disappointed. Another reviewer mentioned that they loved Safe Haven and that they felt like he took the change of pace with Safe Haven and ran with it in this book, but didn't totally succeed this time.

All in all, I love NS. He is still one of my favorite authors of all time and I will always read his books and watch the movies.

Riz

The Rose Garden

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The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley documents the life of a woman who just lost her sister and travels to their childhood summer home in England. Here she finds mysteries and eventually love.

This was a good story written by Kearsley. I was so excited to see this on my recommended reading list on kindle that I bought it! I don't think it was as good as her others that I have read, but definitely still worth reading.

In other book news. I read today that the last of the Night World series by L.J. Smith has been on hold for over a decade.. I haven't looked into it further but that would explain why I can't find it. Sort of strange. And irritating because the whole series has been building up to this book. No closure. I hate that.

Next in book news, The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks comes of Oct.11th! I can't wait.

Last in book news. The next trilogy in the Vampire Diaries series is The Hunters: Phantom. The odd part about this is that I read that this series is not actually being written by L.J. Smith, but a ghost writer... I really hope its not weird or disjointed. Unlike my sister I LOVE these books. Elena loves Stephan, but also loves his dark brother Damon.. I'm a sucker for the bad boys that have a weak spot for only the heroine. And this book is a continuation of that love triangle. That book comes out the 25th I believe. I can't wait for that either! Please don't disappoint!

Almost forgot, I looked into whether Deborah Harkness is coming out with a sequel and she is! I don't know how long it's going to take but it can't come soon enough.

Speaking of loving the bad boys... This seems to be a reoccurring interest with me. It seems my favorite books involve woman that win over the bad boys. Except don't try to play this out in real life, it doesn't work. They're deemed bad for a reason, no matter how tempting the challenge may seem. Word of advice ladies, steer clear, unfortunately life isn't like a fairytale, be safe and go with the nice sweet ones.

Yours,

Riz

PS: Ya I read this book through the night and ya my alarm is going off in o 2 hours and 15 minutes cause Lyd and I are going to ikea.. Shhh don't tell her!

Night World No. 3

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Night World No. 3 by L.J. Smith tells the story of 3 of the 4 wild powers that find their soulmates and join the race to save the end of the world from happening. Yep another silly book but hey it's a love story and not a textbook so I'm not complaining. On to the last in the series.

Riz

Night World No. 2

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Night World No. 2 by L.J Smith follows along basically with the first book. It has 3 separate stories in it with basically the same story line. 2 people that break the night world laws by being soulmates. And within the stories, all the people end up being interconnected. So no. 2 was 3 more stories, same idea. I got no. 3 today.

In other news. I'm sick. Boo. I never get sick so it feels extra yucky. It took me forevs today to write a 5 pg paper. ugh. With only more papers and tests to come this week, why?? Ya, it's this torture called college.

Tootles,

Riz

Book Worm

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Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson is about a girl who was raised to hate long lost relatives. This was a good story. Kinda wordy, not in a hard to read way but in a over written kinda way. If that makes sense. Still worth reading.

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Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner is about a girl part of a village that is living in the aftermath of a War fought between Faerie and humans. This is also a good story. Not the best book I have ever read but also definitely worth reading.

Four more books to go before I get through this stack.

I'm dreading school tomorrow as my sister is, I think I have accepted though. It is what it is ya know?

Wish us luck tomorrow,

Riz

Book Worm

I have been trying to cram in all of the reading I can before school starts again (Ugh).

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Night World No. 1 by L.J. Smith was written by the same author that wrote Vampire Diaires. Which are some of my favorite books. This book was good, not as good as Vampire Diaries but still worth reading. It has 3 separate stories in it about different people that are all related.

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The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal was a story about a girl who got switched at birth with another girl so led a life as a princess until she was 16. Good book as well.

I went to the library today and got plenty more books so hopefully I'll have another book worm post coming up soon.

Riz

Warrior Rising

Finally I have officially read this entire series...

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Warrior Rising by P.C. Cast is about the story of Achilles. It was very good. Another one of my favorites I'd say. Different twist on the theme of the other novels. Still involved the soul of a modern woman placed in the body of an ancient woman. And it was hilarious.

Thank you public library for ordering this for me! I didn't even know this was possible and I kinda felt like a bossy ass for asking (don't ask me why). I also put in a request for the rest of the Susanna Kearsley books. Still no word on that.

But seriously lets talk about how state of the art the library is. I know, I know I've said it before but seriously it's nuts. Lyddy can back me up on this, she was there when I picked this one up. You fill out a form to request the book you want with your info on it. They send you an email when it's in. Then apparently (I didn't know this) there is a wall that has all of these books waiting for people to pick up alphabetized with your name on it. Crazy I tell ya. Then you just check it out with the machines yourself and you're doneso.

So once again thank you public library for ordering this book for me. Oddily enough you had every other book in this series except this one. So actually I was kinda doing you a favor.

Riz

PS: Lyddy and I spent the day at the pool. Amazing. So I skipped my class and decided to just go to the lab (lab TA sent out another nasty-gram, ugh). Well karma hit me hard. Took me an hour and a half to get to school. It usually takes me anywhere from 30-45 minutes. So of course I was late to lab where we were actually doing something I needed to know. Worst day to be late, ever. And I was burnt to hell and my hair was still wet from the pool so it looked bad. Then I was in class for the remaining 30 minutes, which was just long enough for me to get a parking ticket. Then I had to drive all the way back home. Best day ever to worst day ever.

PSS: On a lighter note. Lyddy and I will be spending tomorrow at the pool as well and then meeting an old friend for lunch we haven't seen in months! Gotta love that.

Goddess of Legend

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Goddess of Legend by P.C Cast was also very good. It involves the story of Camelot and instead of a woman exchanging souls with a goddess, a woman actually gets transported back in time to Camelot. It was slightly different than the other books. I can't find anything wrong with it, however I still would say my favorite so far is Goddess of Spring. But maybe that is just becaust that is the first one I read. Or maybe it's the Hades factor again, who knows.

Nothing much to report today. LIL BRO IS BACK! Woo Hoo! Missed him, shhh don't tell him though. We already have plans to have a target run for c a n d y. Boo ya! And visit our sister while we're over there of course.

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Just missing someone today. Do you ever have that? You just miss someone random from your past and you cannot put your finger on the reason? That happens to me occassionally.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Mine seems to be short already since it's halfway over already. Bah humbug.

But not to be a hater on Sunday's because we know how I love them and hate them!

Tootaloo,

Riz

PS: What I am loving today =

Lil bro being back duh!

Goddess of the Sea

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Goddess of the Sea by P.C. Cast was good. Not as good as Goddess of Spring. I just think Hades sounds way hotter than a merman. Maybe that's just my evil side showing itself.

I have had to reign in my temper a few times today, ex-boyfriends, need I say more?

Anyway, Goddess of Sea was about a US Air Force sargent who felt as if she had never really found home. Until her soul was exchanged with Princess Undine, a mermaid who forever longed to live on land. That's all I'll say, you'll have to read what happens. Of course hot steamy romance, not quite as exciting as Hades, but close.

On to the next book!

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Today was a lovely day, spent mostly outside and at the park, I guess I may just have to work tomorrow huh?

Lyddy just cut my hair yesterday and she did a wonderful job. I have a reputation for hating haircuts. Ever since some hairdresser butched me some bangs in kindergarten I could never look at any hairdressers the same since (I tend to hold grudges, can you tell?). I get my hair cut about once a year and hate it every time. And I only get a trim, nothing even fancy. So anyway I finally asked lil sis if she would cut it. I trust her way more than I trust those hairdressers that charge me 30 dollars for a trim.

The one and only time I got my makeup done was for senior prom, where I proceeded to tell the bobbi brown makeup person how I wanted my makeup and still proceeded to take it off when I got home. I am also impossible to choose gifts for. I don't know what it is about me, it just makes me feel sorry for everyone on my bday because I love surprises but it is close to impossible to pick anything out for me. Sheesh I am difficult huh? At least I am the all time best gift giver, maybe that redeems me a little.

However lil sis never fails. She is the only one I trust with these things. Did I mention she is amazing at doing makeup? We were the ultimate duo at dances because I was always good at doing hair and she at makeup.

Love you lil sis!

Ta ta for now,

R

PS: After reading M's "Free Bird.." I must share my little awkward moment. Especially considering it's Sydney's awkward and awesome thursday. So I have been walking in my favorite park about everyday lately. It has a paved sidewalk around the whole park that in total is about a mile long. Well I go round and around this circle on my walks. However there are others that are doing this as well. So I keep passing them, again and again and again. What's the proper etiquette here? I at least make the effort every time and smile after the initial first pass hello. Of course when prompting my lil sis, what does she say? "O I would just ignore them, f that." Precisely my friends. Thank you lil sis for that piece of friendly advice ;)

Books and Opposites

It's all I seem to want to blog about as of late. O well.

Goddess of Spring by P.C. Cast was just lovely. I will definitely be reading the rest in her series. Phew that may keep me entertained for a short while. It involves the intertwining of the mortal world and the realm of gods. And lots of hot steamy romance. Just how I like it! Snaps all around Ms. Cast.

In response to my sisters earlier post. I say RUDE. I was horrified to say the least. I don't even throw out the cheap cards from Walmart, and that's saying a lot because I throw out everything, unlike my other sister half.

On that note lets make this a post about my sister and I and how we are opposites but it totally works for our dynamic.

M= Brown hair
R= Blond hair

M= rational
R= not always

M= hates confrontation
R= not so much

M= passive
R= aggressive
(not in bad ways, you know what I mean)

M= hoarder
R= purger

M= never matches
R= has to match

M= not dramatic, lets stuff roll off, doesn't sweat the small stuff
R= not so much

M= totally fine to leave the house in whatever
R= not so much

M= picky
R= will try anything once, not picky

M= cat person
R= dog person

M=patient
R= impatient

M= indecisive
R= decisive

Similarities: crafting, reading, being one with nature, animals, kindness, creativity, hatred of all things college (are we done yet?), Disney movies, green eyes (our bro got the blue ones, not that we're complaining)

Now I recognize many of these traits are due to the sibling dynamic. We'll leave that for another post. Lucy is hating me right now.

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Maybe I am becoming an insomniac. I am wide awake right now and it's 3 in the morning. I considered for a second taking a trip to steak and shake and getting a frisco melt and a mocha milkshake. Almost. Good thing lil bro's at camp because he's usually my late night craving buddy. We usually go out I would say every other night and do a mcdonalds or Walgreen's run. Candy or mcfulurries, whatever we happen to be feeling at the time. Or if we really don't feel like dealing with the weirdo that works at Walgreen's (an explanation cannot even do this man justice). Speaking of lil bro... I MISS HIM SO MUCH! What I will ever do when I don't live with him anymore is beyond me. I thought I would cease to exist when M moved out, never mind when I can't just knock on the wall between my room and J's closet to have a conversation. Is anyone else this close to their siblings? Anyone? Anyone at all? I believe I have it the worst. I have always gotten along with both of them equally (well maybe not always, fetus sibling issues don't count), better than the two get along with each other. Plus I would go to the ends of the earth for those two. I guess that's what happens with brother's and sister's, its like a secret society. Now I'm babbling, too much reading.

GOODNIGHT

R

PS: What I am loving today =

OPI Strawberry Margarita

PSS: Check this out. This is exactly what I think of when I think of the perfect library!

Books and Blogs

Well I did it again. I need to master the art of reading and being able to put the book down. I just get sucked in. It's a problem. Seeing as I procrastinated today because of it. But what am I about to do once I finish this post? Read another book.

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Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen is about a girl who was forced to grow up too quickly and finds herself on a quest to reclaim some of her childhood the summer before college. Sarah Dessen is one of our favorite authors. Or should I say used to be. Don't get me wrong this book was great and she is a great writer but they are becoming a little too juvenile for us. O well. I will still read them. Also her plots are all very similar. I also hate the cover. It does not relate to the story line at all.

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Goddess of Spring by P.C. Cast is the book I'm about to start. I'll let you know how it goes. Well while I was just finding the link for this book I realized that it is not the first in the series but the second. Woops! I'll probably read it anyway. Cast also writes the House of Night novels that M and I read.

By the way I returned the other books that would have broken my rule. Couldn't find any motivation to read them. I went to the library on Sunday and it is so hard to find books! It's just such a random process its annoying.

Blog time. I have been loving the food blogs lately, baking especially. Look I made that is one of my new found faves. Lottie and Doof is another one of my faves. I just drool. Actually it's making me really hungry. Knit1Slip1 also posts lots of food related stuff. Cast Iron Darling is another one that I frequent. Check them out! I'll of course let you know when I finally make a dessert from them. That will be soon actually because lil bro's bday and fathers day is coming up. Can't wait!

Happy Monday,

Riz

Book Worm

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Remember the Beauty and the Beast library? We were (are) huge Disney fans, and I remember immediately wanting a library like that in the castle. I would want mine a little cozier with a fireplace, the ladders, the whole bit. If I can't have my library (god forbid) I'll settle for a reading room. Either way, there must be a designated area. I can never seem to find a good place to read. Maybe I just need to borrow Oprah's tree.

I have been a busy little reader these past couple of days. I have finally had a chance to dive into those library books!

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Heart of the matter by Emily Giffin is about a tragic event that brings two unsuspecting women together. Another love story.

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Baby Proof by Emily Giffin is about a seemingly perfect couple who find each other later in life and have it in common that they do not want children. Then their lives change abruptly. Another love story as well.

Each of these were a tad predictable. They brought in characters from her previous books which I enjoyed. Maybe they were just predictable since I have read all of her books now, who knows, they're still worth reading. I like Baby Proof more than Heart of the matter but Something Blue still remains my favorite of all of her books.

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The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley I just finished about a minute ago which is why I am posting this so late. It was great just as Winter Sea was. I am really enjoying this author. Just the right balance of everything I like in a book. Mystery, romance, the supernatural, and history. Love it. She seems to be somewhat undiscovered as well so definitely check her out here. Don't get me wrong I was a little concerned when Winter Sea was only $3 on the kindle and that turned out to be amazing. And then this book is called Shadowy Horses?!? Sorry but I am not a horse person and the name and book cover make it seem like one of those horse books, you know what I am talking about. But don't be fooled my friends, don't be fooled. Anyway this wonderful book is about a young archaeologist who takes a job in Scotland where her ex is working on a job site of a very wealthy but controversial archaeologist following a hunch that they should dig at this particular site on the edge of Scottish harbor. Another love story. Duh.

So I have two books left. I will be breaking my own rules and reading a book that I have already seen the movie of. We will see how it goes. Lil sis says its worth it because they are very different, or different enough to read. I guess I just want to be able to say I have read every single Nicholas Sparks book. Ego. Except for Dear John. I can't bear to read that after seeing the movie. I don't think I have cried more over a movie in my l i f e. I think the story line hit too close to home for me, being ripped away from someone you love with no choice in the matter. Like putting salt on a wound. I will never forgive Cat for letting me watch that movie. I think I went through a whole role of TP. (we don't bother buying tissues or napkins for that matter, we just wipe our tears and our butts with TP and wipe our mouths and hands with paper towels, another Cat thing, can't say I won't do the same, actually we don't really even use paper towels to wipe our hands, waste of paper, what do we use paper towels for?... ANYWAYS)

Sorry for being sideways, you get the idea.

I think its the lack of sleep. Poor boo (Lucy) has been kept up two nights in a row now because of my reading. Thankfully for her I bought some Tylenol PM today so I can try to get myself back on a normal sleeping schedule. I have never had trouble sleeping unless I am in a terrible emotional/physical state. But once my schedule gets out of whack I'm a goner. M too. In high school she would stay up all night and sleep the second she got home from school. Weird. J our lil bro does the same exact thing. Bunch of weirdos. Maybe I already told you that story.

ANYWAYS, jeez I'm really distracted tonight. Happy weekend everyone!

R

PS: What I am loving today =

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Etsy

(Not me but I thought it depicted my night well)

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It's already thursday so I will once again show what I have come across on etsy.

Book Worm Update:
I did buy Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. It was VERY good. And only three dollars! I say was because I read it through the night last night. Not by choice but I couldn't sleep so there you have it. I would highly recommend it. Now to find my next book... This time I think I'll wait and get one at the library.

So to say the least I am tired and wish I had more to say. But my etsy finds are sure to keep you entertained. Without further adieu...

Scarf
Heart Ring
Tank Top
Love Yourself Tank Top
Heart Monogram Necklace
Tub Caddy
White Rose Ring
Top
Bamboo Soap
Three Soaps

R

Update:
I did decide to go to the library, hopefully this will keep me entertained for a while so I don't have to drive to the library again and waste my precious gas!

Book Worm

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I love to read. I love to read anything that is NOT a textbook for school. I HATE reading for school (sorry Grammie I know I'm never supposed to use hate and use strong dislike instead but I had to just this once). No matter what I do I cannot stay awake while I'm reading textbooks. No matter how much sleep I have had or how uncomfortable I position myself. If I do somehow manage not to fall asleep while reading I still find a way not to read. I cannot absorb the material. I end up reading the same paragraph over and over and over again and still could not tell you what that paragraph said. So bottom line I don't read my textbooks, just reference them. Sorry if that makes me look like an irresponsible student but I'm just not cut out for textbook reading. Kudos for those out there that read their textbooks cover to cover, I really wish I could.

Ironically I LOVE to read otherwise (except for magazines, which I treat as a picture book, Lyd loves this about me, not). Right now my books of choice are sappy love stories and supernatural books. I know I'm probably the coolest kid on the block. Just trying to be honest.

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My love for supernatural books can be completely credited to J.K. Rowling. I have loved Harry Potter ever since my teacher started reading them to us in 4th grade (I think it was 4th grade, don't quote me on that one). I have read all of those books too many times to count. J.K. Rowling is the reason why I love to read. Fun fact. When Lyd and I were younger and a new book would come out, our Mom would get off her shift as a waitress and go wait in line at midnight with all the crazies and get us both the new HP book. She would come home and hide them so when Mel and I would wake up we would have to search and find them, like our easter basket routine. What a good Kitty she is (nickname for our Mom). We would then proceed to read the books without a break until we were finished. Good times.

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My love for sappy love stories can probably be blamed on the lack of romance in my life. HA! The author that can be credited for my love for love stories is Nicholas Sparks. No fun facts with that one, just my sister and I going to the Kingston Mall and seeing the Notebook, balling our eyes out while an old man in front of us in a wheel chair laughed his ass off while Ally and Noah kiss in the rain. Clown.

So here is a list of my recent reads:

Ahem

1. Love the One you're with by Emily Giffin: It is good so far. It's about a woman who is happily married and runs into an ex that she used to be infatuated with and is having issues getting him out of her head.

2. Something Borrowed and Something Blue also by Emily Giffin: Something Borrowed was made into a movie with Kate Hudson and is either out already or coming out soon. When it comes to books becoming movies I have to read the book and then see the movie or just see the movie. My favorite part of reading is creating your own mental image for the characters so when the watching and reading is done in any other order it ruins it for me. I didn't realize that Something Borrowed was coming out as a movie till I was about halfway through the book so it didn't spoil it for me.

Something Borrowed is about best friends who have an unhealthy relationship and end up having guy problems. I don't want to give too much away.

Something Blue is the sequel to Something Borrowed and I loved it.

3. The Paris Wife: A Novel by Paula McLain: I attempted to read this book. I hate to start things and not finish them, thats just my personality, but I couldn't do it. This book got boring. Probably not romantic enough for me. Too old school. O well, not really o well because I bought it on my kindle but whatevs.

It's written from the perspective of Ernest Hemingways wife documenting their story.

4. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness: Loved this book. It's awesome. I can't wait for the sequel.

It's about a witch who has tried her whole life to suppress her powers and then meets a vampire and is being threatened by fellow witches.

5. The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith: I love these books. I don't watch the series. I have finally finished them all. I used to wait for them at the library but finally caved and bought the kindle versions because I was sick of waiting. Also, cannot wait for the sequel, team Damon all the way. I have not read the Stephan diaries and I don't think I will. I don't know if its the team Damon thing or just because I have a feeling they won't be as good, who knows. Unrelated fun fact, team Jacob, Lyd is team Edward, typical.

6. Pendragon Series by D.J. MacHale: This is another series like Harry Potter that I have been reading since Elementary or Junior High I can't remember. I finally read the last installment and was very sad that its over. Which is exactly how I felt when I read the last HP book. While your reading you can't wait for it all to end so you can find out how it all ends and see how everything connects and unfolds together, but once you're at the end you realize that its all over and there is nothing else to look forward to.

7. Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks: This was the last of the Nicholas Sparks books for me. I have read every other one that I have not seen the movie of. I love Nicholas Sparks. So much so that I have pre-ordered The Best of Me which doesn't come out till October 11th. If you are a Nicholas Sparks fan, the only book I would suggest not reading is Three Weeks with my Brother. It was good and all but it basically told the life story of Nicholas Sparks which basically shows where all the ideas for his books come from. This kinda ruined my whole mental image thing, Lyd is reading it now.

I prefer to get library books (except when I have to "shop" in the teen section, kinda awkward when everyone already assumes I am a senior in high school, not college). However, our library is pretty amazing but all the books I want are always checked out.

So since I am an instant gratification person I have been buying the kindle versions. Hate that. Just because I know I could be getting them for free at the library. But the kindle books are just so easy! You don't even realize your spending money!

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I use the kindle app on my PC and iphone. I still would prefer to actually have a kindle or ipad but that debate will have to be postponed until I'm raking in the corporate dollar bills. We can only hope.

Until next time,

R