"Hang 'Em High" Hoedown...book release party

When: Saturday, August 13th, 12 – 4 pm

Where: Pioneer Book, 858 S. State, Orem

Prizes, games, Dutch oven cobbler (first come, first served)

Authors Tristi Pinkston, Nichole Giles, Heather Justesen,

Cindy Hogan, and J. Lloyd Morgan

July 2011 Reading

Here are the books I've read this past month, with a brief review.

'Save the Date' by Jenny B. Jones
5/5
Loved the humor upon the sweet romance from this author. I've read 2 previous novels of hers, and it was love at first sight. This book follows the authors strong influence of Christian belief and assists the characters in their agency and decisions.




'So Not Happening' also be Jenny B. Jones
4.5/5
This is the 2nd book of the Bella Kirkwood YA series. Again, humorous and sweet, but maybe over the top just a tiny, tiny bit when the character, Bella's, life is in danger. Loved the read and couldn't wait to read the 3rd, final book in the series. So cute!






'The Stranger She Married' by Donna Hatch
5/5
Wow! What a beautiful sweet romance. Towards the 'Beauty and the Beast' self-favorite fairytale, this story had me swept in a lovely telling of wished love and wonderful happy endings.







'The Guise of a Gentleman' also by Donna Hatch
5/5
Do you see how I get on a roll with an author? Once I find one I love, I devour anything I can get my hands on. This is the 2nd book following 'The Stranger She Married'. Even though the story followed the life of another brother, I was hypnotized with the developing story. I was not dissapointed. A dear friend of mine, who also shares a love/obsession of reading, urged me to not peek at the end of the book (as she knows I often do...I can't help myself - I have to be reassured everything happens happily). So, while restraining myself, I am sooooo glad I didn't peek. What a surpise!





'So Over My Head' by Jenny B. Jones
4.5/5
Love this author! So much faith, sweet love, & humor which makes reading a joy and heavenly. I constantly had a smile on my face while reading this last book in the YA trilogy. I pledge to read every book this author writes. Love her!!!

Where to start...grass anyone?

Well, a better place to start than any would be my life...today...right now.

My hubby is again out of town for work...story of the last 7 years of our married lives. But I've grown accustomed to it and have even grown craving the alone time. Tonight our family's bread-winner is coming home and just like many other times I want the household to be in order. Therefore, I trucked outside this morning around 8 am (early for my part after catching word online that rain was 40% likely this afternoon) and endeavored to mow our yard. Now let me point out that our yard takes just under 2 hours to complete. It is not a slight distraction to my normal everyday schedule; it is the bulk of my day, resulting in a sweating, green under fingernails, stepping in dog poop kind of morning. A shower...slightly cold to battle the heat exhaustion...always follows and then by the time I'm prepped and ready to go for the remainder of the day, it's almost 1 pm. What a day!

After this being said, I have to confess that I love to mow the lawn. Why?! It's because I'd rather exert myself physically where there is a sense of satisfaction when I am done. My form of exercise is dancing to the radio or doing an impromptu aerobic routine with my kids. I have never been a runner and never intend to be. I don't feel the satisfaction when I pound the pavement for miles and miles and have nothing to show for it except my burning lungs and the necessity to rinse the stink off of me. When I mow the lawn, I'm exhausted, worn out, filthy, stinky...and proud of what I've done. As a bonus, I love the outside smell of fresh cut grass.

So, there I've said it - I love to mow the lawn. I've hidden this confession especially from my husband because consciously I know it's not wise to present one's desire of hard work. :-)

Intermission

Shift gears.
I've been in a pit
No reading
No writing
So, new plan:
I intended to send letters to my grandmother, but that never happened. So, here is my attempt to make amends & write a little something here and then to send to my grandmother.

Editor

Another Negative

Oatmeal/Chocolate Chip Pancake KISSES

This is a post from a very good friend of mine. Many, many years ago (never mind how many) when I was young and played 24/7 with our next door neighbors, who were also our adopted extended family, this good friend of mine always wore a smiling face...even when she was cast insistently as Toto in our daily neighborhood adaptation of 'The Wizard of Oz'. This friend never ceased (or still ceases) to amaze me with her desire to love life, no matter what the odds. She's always put a smile on my face. Just saying her name makes me grin.

In her post, my friend vents and remembers the sacrifice of being a stay at home mom. In summary: Motherhood is hard; it takes diligence. But in the end, it is the greatest reward.

I love you Steph...and you are doing an awesome job at being a stay at home mommy!

I'm in an incredibly amazing good mood today

February 15, 2011

Email

Again rejuvinated

Winter time blues

No writing
discouraged

Walnut Springs

what a nice name...what a nice e-mail

Mass Mail