Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Thinking of trying this..

Interesting article on housewalking from hungrygirl.com.

Housewalking is my new obsession! I coined the term to refer to my recent habit of walking around the house whenever I can -- instead of sitting or standing, I'm constantly housewalking! It all started when I began wearing a Fitbit to keep track of my daily steps -- I was aiming for that recommended 10,000 per day. I found that when I was low on steps in the afternoon, I'd just stroll around my house to get the number up. Then I realized how easy it is to rack up major steps this way. So I started housewalking whenever I could, and now I'm averaging 20,000 steps per day. Amazing! All those extra steps mean extra calories burned. Plus, I have so much more energy, and I feel better, in general. 

Why is housewalking so great? It doesn't require much -- no gym membership, treadmill, or warm weather needed -- and anyone can do it. You don't even need a house! An apartment or even a hotel room will do. And walking (or jogging) in place totally counts. You don't need a Fitbit either (although I do love mine) -- any pedometer or other step-counting tool works. Once you've got it, start walking or walking in place wheneveryou're at home. Brushing your teeth? Housewalk! Texting? Housewalk (in place)! Watching TV? Housewalk (around the room)! You'll be blown away how quickly it all adds up. The other day, I clocked 600 steps while opening mail, 200 while flossing, and a solid thousand while chatting with my mom on the phone! 

Try it and, trust me, you'll soon be obsessed too. In fact, I'm challenging everyone right now to start housewalking and see how many steps per day they can get in. Report your progress on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #housewalking. Can't wait to see how everyone does! 

By the way, I read that Old Order Amish walk significantly more than other Americans, and they're among the communities with the lowest rates of obesity in North America. That's great! Let's give them a run (or should I say, a walk) for their money. 

Happy housewalking! Stay in touch, and let me know how it's going onFacebook and Twitter!

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

How I Know I am 36


  • I actually catch myself watching the news and talking about the anchors personal lives like I know them.
  • I think the idea of repurposing items is interesting.
  • I like farmer's markets now!
  • I find myself wanting to buy more casual clothes than I used to-I want to buy holiday tee shirts. I love yoga pants.I love the basic shirts from Maurices. I used to be more prissy.
  • I pack things better for when I go places..ex; will think to bring water, use bags that are easy to tote, sneak water in the movie theatre.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Scout's First Fall Festival



Scoutie and I had fun at our first fall festival together!! She is allowed to go to the one at the Rescue Ranch! We enjoyed getting our pictures made as little turkeys and seeing the owl show (real owls-they were so cute!!). We also got to take a hayride and get a red velvet cupcake from the cupcake truck! Scout really loved being able to be included in our fall fun!! What a great time!

Friday, October 10, 2014

Dr Oz!!!

I got the opportunity to see Dr. Oz yesterday! He came to Mooresville, he is really great friends with a family here and also helps out with charitable efforts when he is here. He was going to speak at a school, help out at a free health clinic, etc. They did a presentation in Downtown for free where the Mayor declared it Dr. Oz Day. So I went with my reporter (I got to stand really close too w the media)! It was so neat and great for our town. He was really cool and very thin! Here are a few pictures!




Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Trying New Things!

This weekend, my friend Terri had tickets to the Festival of India and we also had tickets the Sip and Stroll in Downtown Charlotte. We had a yummy lunch at the first festival--I had some kind of spicy chicken, jasmanti rice, and some kind of chickpea dish with a yummy sauce. It is always fun to try new things (I've had Indian before but it's been a while). Then we went to Sip and Stroll. They mostly had manufacturers there with samples. I like Barefoot but they did not have that much selection. It was a neat locale and still fun though. 

Sunday I went to church with my neighbors. I have gotten really close to my neighbors over the past year and they all go there. I really liked the sermon and I liked that it was so relatable..all about the ant vs the slug -what are we in areas of our life including health, work, relationships with others, etc? As someone who is really wanting to get it together, I really enjoyed it. 

It was fun to mix it up and try new things!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Inspired by a Friend

I just read my friend Susan's blog and it occurred to me that even though our situations are different, we are the same! I can so relate to her. I miss you Susan!!! I wish we lived closer and could go to Ulta tomorrow.

I feel there are so many things I would want to say on a blog but fear of being judged. If I talk about Pete, I am not moving forward. If I complain, I am not trying hard enough or am depressed. I am very liberal thinking. My family is me and my pets. I am defintely different. Of course, I am probably my own worst critic :).

I have decided to embrace being different and find my own path. I try to be open and know that my path will be unique. Sometimes I really don't know what I should be doing and I feel alone. Other times, I am so busy and feel that I am on the right track.

I have thought about Pete a lot over the last week because we met ten years ago this week! I read some of the emails he sent me. He was really over the top and hilarious and I really miss him. It occurred to me that one reason I have had such a hard time is I lost him twice. His illness was horrible..I had no idea what he was thinking..it took away the guy who wrote the emails and planned crazy fun dates (hey! Let's go to the library and take a class on fung sui-it's free!!). Then I lost him physically. I couldn't really remember any good times or funny stuff because memories of this illness were so forefront.  It was good to revisit the magical time we met and I hope something like that will happen again.

I hope that I can be bold and blog more. I love reading Susan's blog. She is so open and that makes her even more likeable/relatable.


Saturday, June 14, 2014

Ronan Farrow!!

For once the highlight of Taste of Charlotte wasn't the food (still good, lots of samples!!)..this year, MSNBC had an area set up.."Growing Hope". You could plant your hopes in their garden and they gave us a free tree to take home too. And best of all, Ronan Farrow was going to be there from 1-2 pm. That worked perfect for us and we got to meet him. He was really nice. Ronan is the son of actress Mia Farrow and Woody Allen. He is estranged from Woody and many believe Frank Sinatra is his real father (he looks just like him too). He is a lawyer, activist and has his own show on MSNBC. I was thrilled to meet him and know we will see great things and more from him in the future.








Friday, June 13, 2014

Dennis Vineyards

I am finally doing my write up on Dennis Vineyards. A group of us went in March. I know it is kind of near South Charlotte and it was really really good..they had a ton of different wines, all affordably priced!
I tried the Carlos Sweet (v good), Nectar (tropical!), Spring (my favorite, very springish, and that's the one I bought), Christmas (love my Christmas wines!), Sweetheart (Valentinesy but my note says too dry), and Cherry (a little tart). It was so fun. My friend Terri is really good at finding these deals on Groupon..this one included a tasting for 2, 2 glasses to drink there and a bottle I believe for like $12. She is so good at finding fun outings like that. I would like to go back to that one or find out where they retail because it was super good and they actually had like 30 or so you choose to try!

Here are pics from the trip:


I always have to get a picture with the winery cat! That is the PETE in me, making things extra fun!


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Amazing Read

I actually read a book in just a few hours last night! It was "Finding Me" by Michelle Knight. Michelle was one of the three girls who were held captive for ten years in Cleveland and were finally freed last year.  It was soo amazing, and hard to grasp the reality she had to go through. Very horrible and made me feel grateful for my freedom and cleanliness. She truly had to live in filth and terrible conditions. It is a good read.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Adult Lessons from "The Brady Bunch"

Growing up, "The Brady Bunch" was my favorite show. I wanted a house with stairs (done), and have all five seasons on dvd ready to parent with them--any life lesson there was pretty much an episode for that. 

I never really thought of it as an adult show until a few years ago. I was re-watching the first episode (the wedding episode where Mike and Carol Brady got married). As a kid, I never really thought about it being their SECOND marriage. 

Carol Brady says: "A few years ago I thought it was the end of the world".

My mouth flew open! She knew just how I was feeling having lost my husband! I felt terrible, like my life was over. 

Mike Brady replies: "But now it's a new beginning, for both of us".

Carol: "No, for all of us"

Mike: "That's right-the whole bloomin Brady Bunch".

I never gave much thought to their stories before they got married..who knows what they have may have encountered. Supposedly Mike was widowed (his wife may have had a horrible disease or died suddenly in an accident, we don't know)..Carol was "supposed" to be divorced but they wouldn't let them put that on the show..however I think that is GENIUS of creator Sherwood Schwartz to leave it ambiguous because that way all women, no matter what their circumstances, that have had a marriage or relationship end can relate to her. Their lives seemed happy, perfect, idyllic but the reality of it was it had been some hard times. 

It also occurred to me that Carol totally scored in her second marriage..she got a live in maid, Alice who was funny. Pretty much stayed out of the way, yet ran the household and always wrote the dinner menu on the chalkboard every day. Carol really didn't have to do much (or work). It occurred to me after re-seeing this episode that maybe I, myself, needed to have a little higher expectations for Hubby #2 (does anyone know any guys with live in maids?!!) I was married to someone who was really wonderful, so I have always felt that maybe if there is ever another marriage, it would not be quite so great. This show basically says, you can have a good second marriage.

I don't know what the future holds for me and honestly it scares the crap out of me. But it is comforting to see someone on a tv show that I so admired growing up going through a similiar situation. Maybe tomorrow I will re-watch this episode. I am so proud that a show I so loved as a kid is still teaching me in my adult years as well.

RIP Ann B Davis ("Alice")



Saturday, May 31, 2014

What's Trending in my World This Week

-I have a new flavor I am into-wasabi ranch!! I don't know when I realized I like wasabi (not plain with sushi but like mixed with a ranch or something). I bought these at Target in the wasabi ranch flavor and they are so good..and kinda healthy (only like 300 ish for the whole bag and it's hard to eat it all at once too)


-I also tried out the wasabi ranch at the new popcorn store in Mooresville. You guys would love the place..super fun..for kids, dates, gift ideas etc..over 200 flavors including Cherry Cola, Spicy Dill Pickle, Jalepeno Ranch, Sun Drop, flavors based on candies/sodas/savory flavors, etc. You get two samples each time you go.

-I have had trying a farmer's market on my list for over a year. Last weekend, my mom took me to the Denver one, it is on Saturday am each week at Rock Springs school. They didn't have a ton of veggies yet (Mom says that changes later in the season) but they had these gorgeous multi color flowers for $15 like we used to get at the Observer from the Korean florist down the street. Soo pretty and good to know that for future ideas. We also tried the Troutman farmer's market..it is on Thursdays from 3:30-6:30..Josh's (who actual "store" is in Mville) had a stand there..I got yummy cucumbers, zuchhini and a pepper for less than $3!! They were all really fresh and yummy smelling. I will def get my cucumbers there this summer! Also, they had an icee truck with yummy flavors and I got a cherry cheescake flavored one and they even added a little cream to it! Soo good! 

Monday, May 26, 2014

Cidery Fun

Earlier this month, my friend Terri organized a trip for me and two other friends to all go to Windy Hill Orchard and Cidery.  This is located a little past the state line in SC, and looks like a fruit stand with a tasting bar. It was very rural and a neat atmosphere. There were little pigs and chickens and a cat running around. You got to try about four different kinds of hard cider. One was a Christmasy tasting one that I liked best (rusty gold?), another was a peach, ginger apple, and Hoppin Johns. It was a neat little day trip. Here are a few pictures and here is the website to learn more. The only thing we forgot to do was try the apple cider donuts :(.  Check the schedule for events and tasting schedule, I think they are kind of seasonal hours.
http://windyhillorchard.com/




Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Summer Reading!

I am already "ordering" my books from the library to make sure I have lots of good summer reads for the holiday weekend! Our library is closed Sun and Mon so want to make sure I am not without a book :).

I am def liking the Susan Mallery series "Blackberry Island" so I have one of those coming and also decided to order up Rue McClanahan's book (she played "Blanche" on "Golden Girls"-isn't that like going to be a Southern summer read?!). I am currently reading the Jason Priestly autobiography..it is a quick read and filled with good celeb stories/scoop! And I have a beach read from Mary Alice Monroe to try next!

YAY SUMMER READING!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Start to Summer

Susan, I have been horrible about updating too! I need to do better.

It's starting to feel like summer here! Yesterday, my friend Amy and I went to the Yadkin Valley Wine Festival in Elkin. This is about 30 min from me! They had a ton of great wineries (our favorites are Slightly Askew, Weathervane, we tried a new one at Carolina Heritage called Glogg (holidayish!)). As usual I bought an overpriced snack (wasabi party mix from the country store!) and Amy bought something from the vendors (Pottery). Last year, we had went to the NC Wine Festival which is on Memorial Day weekend and some friends suggested this one to try instead this year-less crowded (this one is lots less crowded, more food, prob the same amt of wineries, but again less crowded, music, etc). So it felt like the kickoff to summer again. I bought a bottle of my favorite summer wine, Tropical Wave from Weathervane. I am going to have to figure out how to buy some locally. LOL. We also got to try out Dewey's Ice Cream there (I got key lime pie flavor). Tickets are $25. We had a fun time!!

I found a new author. Susan Mallery. She writes a (so far) three book series called Blackberry Island. I am currently reading "Three Sisters" about the women that live in these three really awesome houses side by side on the island. They all have diferent things going on in their lives. This feels like a good beach read so again, I am feeling like summer! LOL. 

Some blogs I still need to do are on the cidery trip and Dennis Vineyards (from March!). 

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Fun With Scout!

Scout and I have gotten to do two fun activities together over the last month.

First up was Pawz too Run on the Davidson Town Green! This was a charity event to help our furry friends. Our friend Diane's teenage daughter created this event. It was a two mile walk (and also you could do a 5K). Scout and I did the walk with our friend Amy and her dog Sasha! It was Sasha's first social event and she did great! Scout almost won the costume contest and there were a lot of neat vendors (freebies! We also got the coolest race bags!) and they had food trucks. I love a good food truck. Our favorite is Southern Cake Queen..she has yummy southern flavored cupcakes. I got the banana pudding one!! I also bought a dog cookie for Scout. You can track the food trucks you like online-Facebook, Twitter, etc to find out where they will be!

The second event was called Bark in the Park at Rural Hill. I had been to this one once before.We went with Amy and Sasha and then our friend Holly and her husband brought their dog and a few other friends (Lisa, Jennie, Cat and her boyfriend) stopped by briefly without their dogs. This was a free event. These events at Rural Hill are very crowded. We went early which I would encourage for any event there, it also got very hot. This event had vendors as well, and you could enter contests. They had demos (my favorite was where dogs could jump in the pool!) and my favorite part was Open Play. Scout had a chance to go in a little fenced in area without her leash to play with dogs her size. She loved that. I think that was her favorite part. She loves making friends! There were all kinds of dogs and I also bought Scout a doggie pizza which looks like a circle of bread with "sauce" and "cheese" on it (she really likes these).  The only food avail was a Harris Teeter truck making (very affordable) hamburgers and hot dogs.

Scout says she likes going to fun events and making friends and she hopes to see more of her friends this summer!

Here are a few pics from Pawz too Run.




Sunday, April 27, 2014

Backyard Fun

I added a few new cheerful pieces to my back porch this weekend. I had a reward certificate to use at Pier One so I found this suuupperr cute glow in the dark owl I just had to have. I also found a cute little lantern. I spent only $2! My goal is to have more cute stuff on my porch so I will go out there more. The Pets love it. I also had bought a cute owl rug a while back off the Internet (discounted $17 which is great for a rug!).
New glow in the dark owl from Pier One

The Pets already love it

setup including a new lantern

New welcome mat bought online

Coopie loves being outside

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

I BAKED!!!

One of my goals this year is to get better at baking. I mostly like spicy/salty/savory snacks so I tend to do a lot of good dips and pasta salads. I like cupcakes a lot though and I wanted to get a little better at baking. Anytime I try a cake I mess up..I don't mix good enough (one time I got an eggy mess :(!) or underdone. So I want to get some good sweets recipes up my sleeve.

The one I tried was for Easter and was from Pinterest called two ingredient lemon bars. It was made by mixing angel food cake mix and lemon pie filling. Just mix it, put it in oven at 350 for 30 minutes.

I thought it turned out yummy and good. I let it "set" when I got out of the oven which I think was good.

What are your go-to recipes when you are supoosed to bring something??

Mine are:
-pasta salad with Italian dressing/cheese/olives, etc (receipe from Morgan so I don't make it for events she is there)
-pasta salad recipe from Catherine's mom in law uses salad supreme seasoning (summer receipe)
-now, lemon bars :)
-spinach dip (Ms Simmons's high school cooking class)
-Asian slaw (late friend of my stepuncle)
-Mexican layered dip (Judy Stu*ts church cook book)
-dip mixes
-greek layered dip (Pinterest)
-Aunt Carol's pizza dip
-pimento cheese dip (Pinterest)
-cheesecake dip (Pinterest)



True Tori

I guess I have been a bad blogger again. My goal is 1x a week. Oops!!

I am excited about a new tv show coming on tonight called TrueTori..it will be on Lifetime at 10 pm. It follows Tori Spelling and her husband Dean as they go through their marital issues.
Ok, I love Tori Spelling. I liked her on 90210 and then her books and reality shows, I really liked her personality and felt she was really relatable and fun with crafts. I was happy for her and Dean. They have FOUR kids together.
Supposedly he really did cheat on her. Soo dissapointing. It seemed like they were in so love and happy. It seems like I hear more and more stories of marriages with awful issues :(. What happened to being nice to your spouse :(?!!!
I will say she and Dean met while they were married to other people. So I guess that might be a sign but I really thought they were made for each other despite that.
Anyways, I am so glad to have a new tv show to check out!!!


Monday, March 31, 2014

"The Mother" Finale (Spoilers included)

"The Mother" finale was great. It showed the highlights of the next 15 years. 

Barney and Robin ended their marriage after three years. She was travelling a lot for her job and it was just not working. She began to distance herself from the group and travelled more.

The Mother and Ted were planning their wedding when she got pregnant. So they put it off and after  2 kids and seven years, they finally got married. 

Barney got one of his random conquests pregnant and proclaimed his new baby girl the love of his life. 

We get to see the flashback of the first time Ted and the Mother met and hear them figuring out how they have almost crossed paths over the years. Then it shows him talking to the kids. Turns out The Mother had gotten sick and passed away six years ago!

The kids joke..this story is not about Mom..it's about Robin! They told him they love her and are okay with him asking her out. He starts to pick up the phone and then goes..wait..

He retrieves the blue tuba he stole from a restaurant on his first date and shows up to see Robin. So they ended up together!!

We didn't think they would end up together because she was marrying Barney and was unable to have kids. So she wasn't the Mother but they got together after all.

It was a very sweet ending and showed life may not turn out as we planned and the journey is important!

Saturday, March 29, 2014

The Mother-The How I met Your

Most couples have a song. The Petester and I had songs FOR each other but we def had a SHOW.

Monday night is the series finale of "How I Met Your Mother" or as Pete and I called it "The Mother-The How I Met Your".

This wasn't our first show together. We met after the series "Friends" ended (which we both loved) and there was a new spinoff show that fall called "Joey" with Matt LeBlanc's character trying to make it as an actor in LA. We would get together every Thursday night and get Jersey Mike's and watch "Joey". We actually had a friend stage a party one Thursday to impress a girl and she liked the show also so he had it as a "Joey" viewing party (Pete was like that's our "Joey" night" but if you show it we will come).

"Joey" lasted about two years and was cancelled. So then our show together became a little show on Monday nights on CBS called "The Class" (one of the girls from Joey moved to this show). This starred Jason Ritter (John Ritter's son) who staged a 3rd grade reunion party so he could propose to his girlfriend (he had originally met her in third grade). The proposal does not go well but he and his classmates become re-intertwined in each other's lives..and it was really cute. Jesse Tyler Ferguson was also on the show. By Season 2, we were married btw. We both loved tv and wanted one show we could watch together.

That show lasted a year but there was a show around that called "How I met your Mother" so we started watching that late in Season too  (I think this was late in Season 1) and that became the show we could watch together, about a group of friends in their 20's/30's, one in particular that was trying to meet the future mother of his kids.

I can't say I have watched it as much in recent years-sadly, it has not kept my interest, maybe went on a little tooo long (even this final year I found myself choosing the Real Housewives over it) but I will def be tuning in Monday and remembering my precious husband/best friend that I enjoyed watching this with so much.

Toxic Friends-Just Say No!

I just had a dream about an old friend of mine. We are no longer friends..sure I have seen her on Facebook but there is no need to reopen that friendship. This particular friend was known to get a boyfriend and basically not be around. When she was single, if you had a boyfriend, she would actually try to get their attention.. If you were both single, she would tell me there is no way that guy liked me..they liked her. It wasn't just me, one time she said that the guys were all looking at her and no one else in our group! It's funny because we both had the same first name and same major and were in the same program in school so I figured we should be great friends. I am the type of person I was super friendly and wanted to be friends with everyone. It took a while but I realized she really wasn't a friend.

Toxic friends..reading my friend Shanimal's blog (http://www.shanimaltalks.com/#!Girl-Code-101/c1wia/3BF02EA4-F790-49CA-9282-5201ED754405) on girl code, really made me think recently. It is so important to have good friends that lift you up and don't put you down. They don't want to compete for the same guys at all. In my 20's, I said goodbye to several friends. Unfortuantely, a few I gave a few parting words. I realized years later you need to be careful about that..it's not like a soap opera where you get to tell someone off and win..you may run into them again and they may have words for you. It's best to quietly take yourself away from these friends and honestly since they are not that there for you, it's pretty easy to tone down the friendship.

As someone who really wants EVERYONE to like her and be everyone's friend, it was a hard thing to realize that some people are not just good friends. I am really proud that I did start to weed out my friends back in my 20's..in my 30's I have the best set of friends ever. And when you are a grown up, you will go through all kinds of things that you can't imagine ever happening to you--death, divorce, etc. You need good people around.

Enjoy Shanimal's blog and thank you for being a friend!!

Monday, March 24, 2014

The Bookshelf Turns

My bookshelf has been turning!! Here are some of the reads I have read or books on my wish list since I last updated you--

Bios:
-Deep Thoughts from a Hollywood Blonde by Jennie Garth-Jennie played "Kelly" on 90210. It's a cute book with some behind the scenes on 90210 and some info on her marriage breakup.
-Grin and Bear it By Jenni Pulos--Jenni is on "Flipping Out" a reality show on Bravo where she works as an assistant for the very OCD (but likeable-he always makes me laugh) Jeff Lewis. She writes about coping (her first marriage ended while shooting the reality show). It is too advicy (not much dirt) but I do like her.
-Romance is my day job by Patience Bloom. Patience is a romance editor but she was very unlucky in love. She tells of her journey and it has a really neat twist to it.
-Columbine by Dave Cullen. Very interesting thorough account..did you know one of the shooters went to the prom a few days before the shooting?

Fiction
-I just discovered Mary Kay Andrews (only read Summer Rental so far). Very cute beachy read about relationships/friendships/etc. I love finding a new author that has a lot of books that I can go read!
-All you Could ask for-by Mike Greenburg. Mike of Mike and Mike (yes the sports show) wrote a chicklit book and it's good!! It's about three women who are connected by breast cancer. This was inspired by a friend of his and his wife's.
-Tempting Fate by Jane Green. She is my fave author-book will be out tomorrow!




Ready for Spring!

Purple vase painted by The Family Attic-flowers were from Pier One

Ceramic Easter basket and animals made (or painted?) by my Sunday School teacher when I was 5

NEW RUG!! Only $16 (total!) from Bealls online
I can't get the picture to rotate.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Reading is Fun!!

Ok I am obssessed with reading (as you can tell!) and I always love having something new to read..esp when you are going through any kind of transitional time-it keeps you busy, excited and learning!!

I just bought FOUR, yes FOUR, FREE e-books online this am!! ($0, #girl on a budget!). They are all thrillers and look good..I bought mine through amazon but you can also buy through itunes!! My choices were free but they also have quite a few that are only a few dollars. Plus no clutter when you are finshed reading!

I used to buy all my books but when I was married, my husband got me hooked on the library. I didn't realize all my favorite authors could be found at the library and sure sometimes you may not get to read the book on the very day it comes out but it's FREE and if you are smart, you can get it pretty quickly. I love the online library directories you can search for the titles you are interested in reading in. If you are part of a library system, don't be afraid to ask to reserve a book from another library in your system! That's someone's job to bring it your library for you to pick up #helpingtheeconomy! Then they call or email you when it's ready! I am very fortunate where I live as well..we have a county system and a sep city system that I am allowed to have cards in both-for FREE! So if the book is not through your library system, check about the next closest system and find out what their policy is..they may have the book you want in theirs!

There are MANY ways to get good reading suggestions--I use amazon.com to find out the latest books, People.com or People magazine when I get to look at it usually has suggestions once a week. Shelfari.com is my go-to-search. I search out my favorite authors and take note of their latest titles coming out and when. They also have descriptions of books too (as does Amazon) so that is helpful. I also check out Target and find books I might be interested in. Then I get on to the library website and start marking requests (or watch for the title to show up shortly before it's release date). I always request the book unless it is already at my branch..that also eliminates guesswork (they will call you when ready) and puts you closer to the front of the line.

If the book is not in the library system or the alternate library system I use, I check out amazon or ebay--you can usually buy an e-version for very cheap OR a used book. (To eliminate clutter, I usually give to a friend after for them to read, borrow/pass on, it saves them money, or I donate to the library to help them out--or you could yard sale and make a few bucks).

And those are my best tricks for reading a lot-and affordably!!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

What's Trending in My World This Week

I am so addicted to Streaming Netflix..it's awesome..tons of movies, tv shows and documentaries you can pull up at any time! It's not every movie but the list is getting bigger and you can find all kinds of movies to watch. Here's some of my recent favorites:

30 on 30 The Price of Gold (Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan story)-ok first of all, everyone quit saying it was 20 years ago. It feels like 10 (it really is 20, I am getting old). I was obsessed with this during the 94 Olympics and very much Team Nancy back in the day. Hated Tonya. Now 20 years later, Nancy seems whiny and annoying and Tonya is rough but interesting and a dynamic skater (the triple axle was awesome!) Very good to watch (this was made recently with recent interviews with Tonya) esp during the Olympics.

I Hate Valentine's Day-the girl and guy from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" team up for another movie (as different charaters of course). This time, the girl (who I am forgetting her name-Nia Varodlous?) is really thin and basically has a rule where she just dates guys for five dates and then moves on (No, it is NOT about s-e-x, it is about romance, just dates. She does this to prevent getting hurt). She is a florist and she meets John Corbett the new restaurant owner down the street.This is really cute, esp with Valentine's Day coming up.

Lee Daniels' The Butler-NOT on Streaming netflix, but is avail on their dvd-I had to put this one on my list, because it was excellent!! Forest Whitaker did a great job portraying a White House butler over a 30 year plus span. I am not an Oprah person, but she also did a great job as his wife. It covers a lot of adminstrations including Reagan, Obama, Kennedy, Nixon and more and a lot of stars are in this-Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Cuba Gooding Jr, James Marshden, John Cusack and more.  It is very historical and just a really good movie. I did watch this one over two nights (long).

Butter-Jennifer Garner as a competitve wife of a butter carver is a campy funny movie about a butter carving contest. Good indie film

Soapdish-I had never seen this and I love soaps--Sally Field, Robert Downey Jr, Elisabeth Shue, and more in a movie set on a soap set and their lives get very soapish as well. It's very funny. Made around 1991.

Don't Trust the B in Apt 23!-this is a really funny, mindless show about two roomates-one an innocent girl from the Midwest, the other is the "B"--very manipulative. They get into some funny scrapes and learn from each other as well. James Van Der Beek is hilarious playing a fictional version of himself. Only lasted about 20 eps so you can get through it kind of fast. Very funny!

Bronies-a documentary on the phenomnen of adult guys liking the cartoon "My Little Pony-Friendship is Forever".  It kind of makes me want to watch the cartoon to see what is so great about it. It is pretty intersesting.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

The Best Breakup Story Ever to End your Breakup Blues!

Ugh..one thing I dread about being single again is breakups. Technically, I haven't had a break up in 13 years and I never handled them well. After that I really did not get in a relationship til I was married. I don't know if having a husband that passed away will make me handle breakups any better. I def went through some of the same phases you would go through after a breakup except there were no mean words to be hurt over and you couldn't try to call him back (so I should be good at that the next time around!).

This week I was reminded of a great story to tell anyone who is upset over a breakup. It's a story I wish I knew back in the day but didn't learn till over the last few years.

So..Alannis Morissette...around 1997, wrote/had a great Grammy winning album that really catapalted her singing career called "Jagged Little Pill". It was pretty obvious she was SUPER mad about an ex! I pictured him as a real tough guy, prob a leather jacket and a motorcycle. Such a mean guy.

Well years later, I found out it was about the guy from Full House.



Nope, not this guy!


This one! 

Yes Uncle JOEY broke her heart with his Mr Woodchuck puppet and Bullwinkle impressions..WHAT?! A cool girl like Alannis was sooooo mad/upset over this guy?! 

It turned out okay for Alannis..she has a great singing career, went on to be engaged to this guy:


married a cute rap guy and had a baby. So Alannis, it turned out OKAY!! (And Dave Coulier hasn't even really done anything since "Full House" or re-married).

Sometimes we worry so much and we are stressing out over people we really shouldn't be stressing over and things are going to be OKAY!!

This is like my favorite breakup story ever.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

What's Trending in my World This Week

I'm a little late to the game but I just really got into the Amanda Knox trial. It all started when I heard about "Cartwheel", a fiction book that had similiarities to the Amanda Knox story..a 20 year old American girl in a foreign country accused of murder of her roomate. After reading "Cartwheel", I wanted to know more about the real Amanda Knox story..lucky for me, she had actually written a detailed book (around 500 pages!)..her stay in Italy, the murder, the trial and her time in jail. I found it super interesting..it was really well written.

I am pretty sure she is innocent. There is no DNA evidence of Amanda or her boyfriend at the crime scene (another guy, Rudy Guede, whose DNA was all over the scene and that she had only met once, is serving time in Italy for the murder). It is extremely scary what she went through. First of all, she was only 20!! (She is now like 26). So, very young. She did not think to get a lawyer (note to self GET A LAWYER!), thought she was helping (she and her boyfriend with her with the cops when they discovered the body of her roomate, Meredith) and talked way too much to the cops. They kept twisting her words and basically tortured her into a false confession. That part of the book was what confused me..they made her doubt herself and she knew she had done drugs (pot) that night so she said well maybe I was there. Her aunt continually said call the US Embassy (she didn't). I am sure if I was 20, I would not know what to do either.

She spent about four years in prison which was really interesting to hear about. I just felt so bad for her. Her trial ended in a guilty verdict..but then there was a retrial and it was overturned so she got to come back home to Seattle!! The bad news-in Italy, double jeopardy is okay..so you can be retried again for the same crime! That is so scary..you are declared innocent and they can retry you! Soo what's happening now is they have started yet another trial  (#3); (She is inabsentia, still in Seattle)..if she is declared guilty, they could try to put her back in an Italian prison! That is so scary..you are home, safe in the US, trying to get your education and live your life, and they can take you back to prison! She said she would not go wilingly if this happens.

It's def a scary situation and an interesting story. I do feel she is innocent and I hope she can move on in peace!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

As the Facebook Turns

There are some things I really love about Facebook.

I am the birthday queen so I LOVE knowing everyone's birthdays!

I love looking at everyone's pictures (NOT selfies posted everyday, pictures of family and events).

Positiveness-follow George Takei, Peanuts, "Cane" from Y&R, they are all great!

Candy Crush, let's face it. I have a problem.

Supporting local businesses



Here are some things that annoy me about Facebook-

Vague status updates or on the flip side, blatant SPOILERS about your fave tv shows! ;)

Ongoing depressing status updates (and when you try to encourage they blow you off!!!)

People who fall in love (He's the one), then they break up, you have to hear about that, then they have another one (He's the one). By the way, I LOVE all of you who put it's complicated for your relationship status or don't put a relationship status at all-you guys are way more honest!!!

Mean people who you went to school whose friend list mostly contains people you went to school with who prob don't like them (um..because when people are adults they know better!)

People who friend everybody because they want to be in everyone's business

People who you phased out that you never want to see again being on Facebook (hello block feature!)

So the next time you are annoyed with Facebook, just remember:




Friday, January 10, 2014

I Want Your Text

In my 20's, there used to be the three day rule. The guy had three days to call you.

Now finding myself single again in my 30's, that apparently is thrown out the window. I read some book that said with technology and texting, three days is not acceptable!

I used to hate the three day rule (sitting by the phone, wondering if he called while the phone line was busy or maybe your cell was turned off-remember those days, you could only use cell phones during emergencies!). 

Now I miss it. 

I hate texting..don't get me wrong. I love to set up plans or appts or ask a quick question but I don't want to get into a conversation that goes on throughout the day on it. Guys went from not wanting to call you to texting you all day!  For some reason, that's just TOO much for me! And I don't want to feel like I have to answer right away. I have to work! Then if you stop seeing them, you miss getting the all day messages. Why can't we spread it out?  

There was a little more mystery to it too..now I guess if you don't get some kind of Facebook note or a text within a day, you feel bad. And of course you can see if they've been on Facebook or whatever and that's not fun either! It was better not knowing and thinking oh they're out mowing the lawn, out of town, etc. Now you're like -what the heck you had lunch down the street from me!

PETE called me within two days. He actually told me he called the first day but my cell phone was off (I was taking a nap) so that was back in the day if it was off, you didn't see the call. We mostly saw each other and he was a very good emailer. That worked sooo well for me! No urgency and nice things to read. 

I have a sick feeling though had we met ten years later he would've texted me--ALL DAY.

Friday, January 3, 2014

As My World Turns

When I was little, I remember watching "Guiding Light"-- Beth and Lujack were riding horses on the beach (as the song "Almost Paradise" played), I thought, that is the kind of romance I want when I grow up!

I kind of forgot the part about Lujack tragically dying in a knife fight with a rival gang member.

Life is not what you plan and is much more like a soap opera than I ever thought it would be...Love, loss, redemption..and a few plot twists in between.

I'm finally learning to "Embrace It" (phrase stolen from my friend Cindy)

As My World Turns.