In other news

So I've been in a bit of a book slump this month. I guess reading eleven books in one month will do that for ya. It's not like I don't have anything to read!! I started two books after number 11 last month, but they kind of went no where. And it's not that they weren't interesting...it just wasn't happening. But, thanks to the purchase of a new book, I think I'm back in the "game". I got Private, by James Patterson, yesterday in the airport. It intrigued me and so I thought I'd try it. Maybe because it's fairly easy reading, maybe because it doesn't require a lot of thought to follow the story, or maybe because I'm a bit bore in Indy...I finished it about an hour ago. It's 400 pages. And, thanks to a Borders around the corner from the hotel closing, I also have four new books (to add to the 5-7 at home) to read!

Confession: I dropped my Social Psychology course the other day. I turned in my first three assignments (of 8) three days late (each) and two weren't even completed. There really wasn't any way I was pulling that grade out of the dumpster it took a dive into. And, after finding out I made a D on the last two, I figured it was best this term. I'm in Indy this week, DC next, and two weeks after that I'll be in Atlanta. That's three out of four weeks I'm gone...where am I going to find the time to read 2 chapters a week, do a 64 question quiz, and pull a 4-7 page paper out of no where?? Yeah...so that's why I dropped it. I'm not happy about it, but at least it won't affect my already dying GPA.

Speaking of being gone three of the next four weeks...how is one supposed to plan a wedding when one travels for work??? If we take an October date (which is what I'm hoping for), that give me at least six full months to plan...so about 24 weeks. Of those 24 weeks, I will be out of town for 9 of them. That's really not a lot and I know it can be done. But it stresses me out more than just a little bit. I have four bridal/wedding magazines (obsession) and a wedding book I just bought (about planning a dream wedding for $5 grand or less). I'm looking forward to delving into that one. :)

Speaking of traveling...any idea how hard it is to eat right when you're on the go?!? I think I'm going to have start packing food in my suitcase! Maybe our hotel in DC will have a fridge in the room and I'll stock up some fruits or something.

I HAVE A FIANCE'!!!! :)

night...

7 books in 18 days

Yup...you read right. And I've, apparently, been reading non-stop!

I've done a lot of traveling this month...I'm heading home from my 3rd week away. So I've had a lot of "free" time: airplanes, airports, hotel rooms, and one VERY slow conference.

My only defense is the first book was started in January. But that's not a big defense as the book I finished today (the second book I finished today) I also started today. Yup...lots of free time here, folks. And for those that are interested, check here for the list.

Free time next week will be spent more productive: finish unpacking and organizing the kitchen, organize the office, unpack and shelf books and knick-knacks and such. There are other things that need to be done, but let's take baby steps here folks! :)

Well...off to start another book. :)

Valentine's Day!!

I have to be away from my dear Mr. S on this day of love. But...we celebrated yesterday with our monthly trip to Disneyland. And yesterday was a much more momentous occasion for us anyway...our 2 year anniversary!!! Mr. S is the love of my life and we have had a wonderful 2 years together so far....and I can't wait for more to come!! :)

I would like to say, though, that despite our wonderful day it wasn't fun getting up early and leaving him today for the week. I mean, we just moved into our new apartment three weeks ago and I've only been there about four days - total!!! I don't even feel like I live there! I'm very glad that I have no work adventures next week and spend it at home. If I can get just get through this week, I'll be fine. :)

As for other things in my life, I'm zipping through the 100 + book challenge (see January 1 post). I just finished my 8th book. I'll be starting number whatever (as I've got two audiobooks I'm in the middle of as well as the paperback I'll be starting). I'm enjoying this...and with all the travel I'm doing I've got plenty of time lately.

Hugs...

Happy Monday...or something like that

I am not a morning person...ever! I am a night owl at heart. But last night...I was in bed before 9 pm!! That is most odd for me. And I fought it, too. But Mr. S told me not to fight it...he's so sweet that way. I really wanted to stay up with him for another hour or so (also knowing that if I went to sleep before 10 I'd have a headache in the morning). But I just couldn't fight my eyelids anymore! So I finished the last few pages of my book (The Princess by Lori Wick) and drifted off to dreamland.

Unfortunately, I was right about the headache. My body doesn't process excess sleep very well. I can be completely exhausted and go to bed early, like last night, and get a lot of sleep to reenergize my body...but I'll wake up with a headache, and not feeling very energized. Basically, if I get more than eight hours of sleep, I'm still miserable. Mr S was kind enough to bring me some Aleve, 3 of them, this morning before I was up. And now, with coffee coursing through my veins, I'm feel a little bit better. But there may be some more medicinal remedies in my future before the day gets fully underway.

In other news: Hooray for the Packers winning last night!!! I'm so tired of the Steelers...it was nice to see a different team win the Super Bowl for a change.

I made my decision for the iTunes gift card money I have left. I decided to re-read some of my books and hold onto that balance for a bit. I've got plenty to read, so it's not like I'm missing anything. However, on the flip side of that, it's a lot easier to have the book on the iPod when I travel (like I will be this week and next) than to have one more thing to pack in the backback or suitecase. So I may buy one before I leave Weds morning, or I may just suck it up and take a paperback with me. Oh decisions, decisions...why must you be so difficult to make!?

Can't Decide....

...what to do with my iTunes gift card.

Back before Christmas, or just after, Mr. S sold back a DSi and some accompanying games. He got A LOT of credit from Game Stop (where he sold them back). So after purchasing a game, he was at a loss of what else to do. So he went back and got each of us a $50 gift card to iTunes. This can be used for games, music, movies, podcasts, other apps, or books on the iBooks app.

And this is my dilemma. I've got about $14 left. I've already bought two books and some music with it. I can't decide if I want to buy another book (7-10 dollars) or about 14 songs. LOL!!

I am loving working on the 100+ book challenge (see this link for what I'm talking about and this for what I've done so far). I've missed reading so much. And I've got books of my own that I can read, since I can do re-reads (hooray!!). But I want another book! LOL! And, despite my list of over 100 books I want to read...I can't decide which one to get.

There aren't anymore games/apps I can think of that I want. There is definitely not $14 worth of music I'm interested in. So I'm thinking book it is.

Now to figure out which one to get. There's Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich, Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs, and the list goes on!! I'll figure it out today...I'll need a book to start for conferences and travel next week.

Apartment....

....we got it!

Moving on the 28th, the day we take the keys! It's upstairs, which I prefer any day of the week except moving and grocery days. The only down side to that is that Bro (Mr. S has a bro a year younger than me) can't come over unless we can find a way to get him and his chair up the stairs. So that stinks.

But I'm very excited about the new place. 2 bedrooms with walk-in closets, 2 bathrooms, a lovely patio/balcony, washer & dryer IN the apartment (yeah!), and we will be getting Verizon FiOS (Mr. S is very happy about this). And I've been given full privileges to decorate as I desire (hooray!)!!

My first, once we get the finances squared away, purchase for decor will be from here. I don't remember how I found this site, but I love wall clings like this!! They don't mess up the wall (thank goodness) and you can move them if you get tired of them. Haven't decided what one I want, but I'm thinking this or this for the bedroom. There are just so many options to choose from and I can't wait to go crazy!! Mr. S has no idea what he's in for!!

Well...that's all the excitement lately. Oh, and I started a new book: Virals by Kathy Reichs. I can't keep away from her!! So I've got four going now - two audio books (Life of Pi and Angelology), a regular book (Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich), and a iBook (Virals). Plus schoolwork! And packing for moving!

This craziness I like to call everyday living!! :)

Books and such

Finished Grave Secrets over the weekend. Started Angelology on Friday of last week. It's a audio book. Very interesting!

I've done the audible subscription off and on last year, mainly off...only on when there was a good deal. Like the last time when I got two credits for free if I did a 30 day trial. That's who I got Angelology and Life of Pi through. Anyway, I'm thinking of doing it again, but actually keeping the subscription this time. It's nice to have the background noise as I work. And I'm actually enjoying the stories and such. We'll see...it's about $15 a month for one credit, which buys one book. Not really sure it's worth it as the local library has a really great selection. I just haven't been to the library in a while.

Something to ponder...

Middle of the week Mania

It's Wednesday...and there's not much fun going on today. I'm glad it's Wednesday...2 more days till the weekend! It's only the 12th of the year and I'm already looking forward to weekends! Something is wrong with this picture. LOL!

Well...I'm moving right along in my books. Started listening to Life of Pi again yesterday. It's really not what I thought it would be, or what the back of the book says it will be. Very disappointed in that. But I am LOVING Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs. I love her stuff...love a good mystery to be honest.

Thanks to being on the road yesterday, today, and tomorrow, my eating healthy plan has gone out the window. It's hard to eat healthy when you drive around all day and don't really have time to stop. What I really need to do is do my research on what the "healthy" options are at fast food joints so that I'm not raking in my daily allotment of calories in one stop. I also need to go grocery shopping to buy some snacks...that will help immensely!

As for the school goal...well, I'm a day late on three assignments. The plan is to work on those tonight and get them turned in. I have no idea what I'm doing on one of them, so that should be interesting.

I've also got to start getting my stuff packed for moving at the end of the month. I have a TON of work stuff I've taken out of boxes and thrown the boxes away. I have no idea what to do with them now...and I can't throw most of it away. Looks like I'll be investing in some boxes somewhere.

Ok...that's all I got for now. Just needed to vent out some of what's going on. Back to work.

Hugs...

Books - Jan 3

So I added another book to my "currently reading" list: Kathy Reichs' Grave Secrets. If you like the TV show "Bones", these are good books for you. The TV show is loosely based off these books by Kathy. Her main character is the main character of the TV show: Temperance Brennan. Love the show, love the books! :)

Again...I'll up dating the Jan 1 post with the list as I read them.

Have fun, all!

2011 Challenge - 100 + books

(Found Here)

I'm shooting for 100 books. This is where I'll list them as I've read them (or listened). I'm counting real books, kindle/iBooks (iPod/iPad), and audio books (I'll post media type when I list the book). As of now (1/1/11) I've got two books going on: Life of Pi (audio) and Lean Mean Thirteen (paperback).

*listing will be as follows: book - author (date finished): media type. An asterisk before the number indicates a re-read.*

1. Grave Secrets - Kathy Reichs (1/14/2011); iBook
2. Virals - Kathy Reichs (1/21/2011); iBook
3. Lean Mean Thirteen - Janet Evanovich (1/28/2011); paperback
4. Fearless Fourteen - Janet Evanovich (2/4/2011); paperback
*5. The Princess - Lori Wick (2/6/2011); paperback
*6. White Chocolate Moments - Lori Wick (2/9/2011); paperback
7. The Geometry of Sisters - Luanne Rice (2/10/2011); paperback
8. Finger Lickin' Fifteen - Janet Evanovich (2/14/2011); paperback
9. Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich (2/18/2011); paperback
10. Alexandra, Gone - Anna McPartlin (2/18/2011); paperback
*11. The Hawk and the Jewel - Lori Wick (2/21/2011); paperback
*12. Wings of the Morning - Lori Wick (2/21/2011); paperback
*13. Who Brings Forth the Wind - Lori Wick (2/23/2011); paperback
*14. The Knight and the Dove - Lori Wick (2/24/2011); paperback
15. Private - James Patterson (3/22/2011); paperback
16. Angelology - Danielle Trussoni (3/28/2011); audiobook
17. Dawn's Prelude - Tracie Peterson (4/15/2011); paperback
18. The cat who knew Shakespeare - Lillian Jackson Braun (4/21/2011); paperback
19. Roses - Leila Meacham (4/30/2011); paperback
20. Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris (5/5/2011); iBook
21. Daughter of Joy - Kathleen Morgan (5/9/2011); Kindle app
*22. The Negotiator - Dee Henderson (5/12/2011); Kindle app
23. Living Dead in Dallas - Charlaine Harris (5/18/2011); Kindle app
*24. The Guardian - Dee Henderson (5/20/2011); Kindle app
25. Woman of Grace - Kathleen Morgan (5/25/2011); Kindle app
26. A Vote of Confidence - Robin Lee Hatcher (5/26/2011); Kindle app
27. A Tailor-Made Bride - Karen Witemeyer (5/31/2011); Kindle App
28. Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins (6/1/2011); Kindle app
29. Morning's Refrain - Tracie Peterson (6/2/2011); paperback
30. Naked in Death - JD Robb (6/8/2011); iBook
31. A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray (6/24/2011); Kindle App
32. Club Dead - Charlaine Harris (7/5/2011); Kindle App
33. Gods and Kings: Chronicles of the Kings #1 - Lynn Austin (7/6/2011); Kindle App
34. Song of Redemption: Chronicles of the Kings #2 - Lynn Austin (7/7/2011); Kindle App
35. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins (7/8/2011); Kindle App
36. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins (7/15/2011); Kindle App
37. Unlocked - Courtney Milan (8/1/2011); Kindle App
38. Dead to the World - Charlaine Harris (8/24/2011); Kindle App
39. Spying in High Heels - Gemma Halliday (8/26/2011); Kindle App
40. Twilight's Serenade - Tracie Peterson (9/2/2011); paperback
41. Match Me If You Can - Susan Elizabeth Phillips (9/22/2011); CD
42. Safe Harbor - Luanne Rice (9/22/2011); paperback
43. Shadows of the Canyon - Tracie Peterson (10/5/2011); paperback
44. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith (10/7/2011); CD
45. Across the Years - Tracie Peterson (10/9/2011); paperback
46. Maid to Match - Deanne Gist (10/17/2011); Kindle App
47. Safe Haven - Nicholas Sparks (11/26/2011); paperback
48. The Search - Nora Roberts (12/18/2011); paperback
49. Seizure - Kathy Reichs (12/23/2011); iBooks
50. The Next Always - Nora Roberts (12/31/2011); iBooks




Thanks for the support on my reading adventure!!

Happy New Year!!

So it's a new year, finally...and yet...WOW 2010 went by FAST!! So much has happened and so much is going to happen. I can't wait to see what life will have sent my way a year from now. :)

On to what everyone wants to know: resolutions. Ah...they were made to be broken before they were made.

1. Healthy, healthy, healthy!!! That is my number 1 biggest goal for 2011. Eat better, exercise more, and get healthy. And if I happen to lose a few (maybe more) pounds in the process, yea me! I plan to be a little better at meal planning to make better for me meals. Cut the sodas, work on doing healthier snacks, and get some exercise in...even if it's just a lap or two around the apartment complex on my lunch break.

2. School, school, school! I have about 66 hours to complete my Bachelor's in Psychology degree. I've done 3 and I'm working on two more classes for 6 more hours. At the end of February I'll have 57 left (19 classes) to knock out. Now I don't see that happening before the end of the year, but I'd like to see about 8-10 classes done by this time next year.

3. Debt go away! I'm combining households with my boyfriend in about 29 days. That means combined incomes. Between the two of us we have about...well, enough, debt. With combined incomes the goal is to knock more than half of that. I've got a budget plan that I think will work, so it's definitely doable if we stick to it. :)

4. Read more! I love to read! But with all that's gone on lately, and my obsession for online games, I've not done so much as I usually do. So I'm going to start a challenge that I found here: here. I'll start a second blog in a bit with my starter list.

5. Blog more! I'd like to be a little more faithful here, despite the few followers. I'm hoping that the resolutions that I've listed above will give me the motivation to share with all of you what I'm doing and how I'm doing. Guess we'll find out how well this one goes.

And that's all I've got. 5...no more, no less. Here's to a great 2011!!