Alright let's take a look at how May stacked up.
1. Read 50 Books (See my tab up top to keep track of my books.)I'm currently reading book #63 :) I joined my mom's book club too. I'm pretty pumped about that. The next 3 months are all some of my favorite books. The Hunger Games, Outlander and Divergent! WAHOO!
2. Run in 3 races
Race #2 is actually tomorrow. I'm not expecting to do well. I have not been feeling well for a couple of weeks. (A new BCP had me pretty messed up. NEVER AGAIN. I'm staying away from them, you would have thought I learned my lesson the first time they put me in the hospital. But my DR really wanted me to try them since he thinks I probably have endometriosis.)
3. Start (and stick with) another method of exercise besides running.
Well I did Yoga once. It was HARD! I started my Jillian Michael's Body Revolution program and 3 days in my pills made me sick so that has been put on the back burner until next week. I hope.
4. Organize my life, and our home better.
5. Make 2 new recipes a month.
Shoot! I think the only new one was Pink Champaign Cupcakes. I made them for my book exchange party. They were pretty yummy. But they are cupcakes so what else would I expect?!
6. Be a better friend.
7. Be a better wife and mom.
8. Be happier.
9. Finally re-do our bathroom.10. Take a vacation with J. Just J.
We still haven't figured this out. Funds are a bit tight right now.
11. Learn more about photography.
I just signed up yesterday for an 8 week photography class! :) It will benefit me personally as well as professionally. (See #13)
12. Work harder (in all aspects of life).
It is going pretty well. (Minus my couple weeks here of not feeling good and not doing much of anything. To tell you how sick I was.... I couldn't even hold my kindle. I was so weak.)
13. Work at starting this business I have had in my head for too long.
Well big news here. This won't be happening for a while. I have taken on a new job at work. I'm taking classes to learn how to do our catalog/advertising things. I'm taking a photography class (since I do our website images.) I'm taking an InDesign seminar to learn that program. Then I will be taking some photoshop classes as well.
Now can we quickly talk about how it is June 1st?!!!!! My baby girl is going to be 2 at the end of the month! 2! Unacceptable. I can't believe it. She seriously rocks. More soon.
xoxo...P
Friday, June 1, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Insurgent by Veronica Roth & a Book Signing
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
5 Freaking Stars!!!!!
I LOVED this book. Maybe more than the first in the trilogy, Divergent. My first ever book review of this book can be found here.
There aren't really words to describe this book. (At least I don't have the words without giving it away.) So here is the goodreads.com synopsis.
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
This book is fast paced and full of action. It was hard to put down... which I sadly had to do about a million times between work and B. I already want to re-read it because it is that good. (And I know there are things I missed because I simply flew through it.)
I think everyone needs to read this series. I just can't say enough good things about it. If you haven't done it yet... read Divergent so that you can read Insurgent. You will thank me. Then you will curse me because you will have to wait who knows how long for the next one. Sad.
Now what is this I mentioned about a book signing? Well I went to my first one and it was awesome! It was for... Insurgent! :) I got to meet Veronica Roth. Still can't believe she is so young. She is incredible.
I had a good friend drive 2.5 hours to come with me (and then she stayed for my book exchange party. (In a post to come)) V. Roth (as she signed my books) came out and read a little bit from Chapter 8 in Insurgent and then did a Q & A for about 15 minutes before starting to sign books. We talked to one person who had a number of 267! Thankfully we called and ordered our books early and were numbers 42 & 45. I told her that I hate one of her characters because of something he did and she said she always hates him too. Kinda made me laugh. I will definitely be going to more book signings in the future.
During the reading.
I wore Amity Colors. :)
My pretty books!
LOVE THEM!!!
xoxo...P
5 Freaking Stars!!!!!
I LOVED this book. Maybe more than the first in the trilogy, Divergent. My first ever book review of this book can be found here.
There aren't really words to describe this book. (At least I don't have the words without giving it away.) So here is the goodreads.com synopsis.
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
This book is fast paced and full of action. It was hard to put down... which I sadly had to do about a million times between work and B. I already want to re-read it because it is that good. (And I know there are things I missed because I simply flew through it.)
I think everyone needs to read this series. I just can't say enough good things about it. If you haven't done it yet... read Divergent so that you can read Insurgent. You will thank me. Then you will curse me because you will have to wait who knows how long for the next one. Sad.
Now what is this I mentioned about a book signing? Well I went to my first one and it was awesome! It was for... Insurgent! :) I got to meet Veronica Roth. Still can't believe she is so young. She is incredible.
I had a good friend drive 2.5 hours to come with me (and then she stayed for my book exchange party. (In a post to come)) V. Roth (as she signed my books) came out and read a little bit from Chapter 8 in Insurgent and then did a Q & A for about 15 minutes before starting to sign books. We talked to one person who had a number of 267! Thankfully we called and ordered our books early and were numbers 42 & 45. I told her that I hate one of her characters because of something he did and she said she always hates him too. Kinda made me laugh. I will definitely be going to more book signings in the future.
During the reading.
I wore Amity Colors. :)
My pretty books!
LOVE THEM!!!
xoxo...P
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Goal Recap for the month of April
I don't think I checked in for March... Sorry! I'm going to do a quick check in on my yearly goals...
1. Read 50 Books (I have already started my tab up top to keep track of my books.)
I am currently reading book # 55, I have upped my goal to 100.
2. Run in 3 races
This past weekend I ran my first race. I participated in the Illinois Marathon Relay and ran 6 miles. My time was just about 1:13 something. I'm not 100% sure what it was because of when I started and stopped my timer. But our relay group completed the marathon in 4:36:30! Well under our 5 hour goal/estimate. I ended up about 5 minutes faster than previous paces would have come out to for 6 miles.
I'm also doing a 5K June 2nd. The Color Run. I can't wait.
I plan on doing the 5K in my town on July 3rd and the Zoo Run Run again in Sept as well as another 5K in November.
3. Start (and stick with) another method of exercise besides running. Maybe yoga?
I have been consistent with my sit ups and push ups. I ordered a yoga DVD and it arrived a couple days before the race but I didn't want to risk being sore for the race so I started it yesterday.
4. Organize my life, and our home better.
I have been working at this. I totally re-organized our kitchen and the office. I also got new dishes!
5. Make 2 new recipes a month.
I know I did 2 this month but I'm totally blanking on what the second was. One was Strawberry Lemonade Bars. They were just ok. I made them for Easter.
6. Be a better friend.
I'm working at it. It is hard with our schedules to always get time to chat or hang out unfortunately. But I am having a book exchange party this coming Saturday that I'm super excited about.
7. Be a better wife and mom.
8. Be happier.
9. Finally re-do our bathroom.
10. Take a vacation with J. Just J.
We would like to have something booked within the next 3 weeks. Still trying to figure it out. We are leaning towards a cruise.
11. Learn more about photography.
12. Work harder (in all aspects of life).
I'm trying. I think that working out now is inspiring me. I'm pulling my new dedication towards that into the rest of my life.
13. Work at starting this business I have had in my head for too long.
This is being put on the back burner for a bit. Big things are happening at work which I will get into once they have been sorted out.
More soon. I have some book reviews coming up! :)
xoxo...P
1. Read 50 Books (I have already started my tab up top to keep track of my books.)
I am currently reading book # 55, I have upped my goal to 100.
2. Run in 3 races
This past weekend I ran my first race. I participated in the Illinois Marathon Relay and ran 6 miles. My time was just about 1:13 something. I'm not 100% sure what it was because of when I started and stopped my timer. But our relay group completed the marathon in 4:36:30! Well under our 5 hour goal/estimate. I ended up about 5 minutes faster than previous paces would have come out to for 6 miles.
I'm also doing a 5K June 2nd. The Color Run. I can't wait.
I plan on doing the 5K in my town on July 3rd and the Zoo Run Run again in Sept as well as another 5K in November.
3. Start (and stick with) another method of exercise besides running. Maybe yoga?
I have been consistent with my sit ups and push ups. I ordered a yoga DVD and it arrived a couple days before the race but I didn't want to risk being sore for the race so I started it yesterday.
4. Organize my life, and our home better.
I have been working at this. I totally re-organized our kitchen and the office. I also got new dishes!
5. Make 2 new recipes a month.
I know I did 2 this month but I'm totally blanking on what the second was. One was Strawberry Lemonade Bars. They were just ok. I made them for Easter.
6. Be a better friend.
I'm working at it. It is hard with our schedules to always get time to chat or hang out unfortunately. But I am having a book exchange party this coming Saturday that I'm super excited about.
7. Be a better wife and mom.
8. Be happier.
9. Finally re-do our bathroom.
10. Take a vacation with J. Just J.
We would like to have something booked within the next 3 weeks. Still trying to figure it out. We are leaning towards a cruise.
11. Learn more about photography.
12. Work harder (in all aspects of life).
I'm trying. I think that working out now is inspiring me. I'm pulling my new dedication towards that into the rest of my life.
13. Work at starting this business I have had in my head for too long.
This is being put on the back burner for a bit. Big things are happening at work which I will get into once they have been sorted out.
More soon. I have some book reviews coming up! :)
xoxo...P
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Bloom by Kelle Hampton
You may have seen the name Kelle Hampton mentioned here before... because I am a HUGE fan of her blog! (Enjoying the Small Things)
Well Kelle wrote a book. A fantastic book, entitled Bloom. I gave it 5*s!
It took me days to read this book... simply because I didn't want it to end. I made myself put it down after just a couple chapters every night. I have been following Kelle's blog since just after Nella's birth and had been eagerly anticipating this book since she first mentioned it. (I pre-ordered it almost as soon as I could.)
I love Kelle's style of writing and am in awe of her photos of her gorgeous girls (which thankfully this book was full of.) She had me in tears no less than 10 times reading this book and I'm so glad for it. Being that I follow her blog I of course have read Nella's birth story (the first time I read it I was pregnant myself) and I think I cried harder reading it now than I did the first time I read it. I was thrilled to learn so much more about Kelle and her story. It was great to hear so many more details about the Hampton family.
One thing I also have to mention.... this book is GORGEOUS. I can't decide if I like it better with the book jacket on or off. Beautiful!
xoxo...P
Well Kelle wrote a book. A fantastic book, entitled Bloom. I gave it 5*s!
It took me days to read this book... simply because I didn't want it to end. I made myself put it down after just a couple chapters every night. I have been following Kelle's blog since just after Nella's birth and had been eagerly anticipating this book since she first mentioned it. (I pre-ordered it almost as soon as I could.)
I love Kelle's style of writing and am in awe of her photos of her gorgeous girls (which thankfully this book was full of.) She had me in tears no less than 10 times reading this book and I'm so glad for it. Being that I follow her blog I of course have read Nella's birth story (the first time I read it I was pregnant myself) and I think I cried harder reading it now than I did the first time I read it. I was thrilled to learn so much more about Kelle and her story. It was great to hear so many more details about the Hampton family.
One thing I also have to mention.... this book is GORGEOUS. I can't decide if I like it better with the book jacket on or off. Beautiful!
xoxo...P
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green & David Levithan
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan was a 4* book for me.
The blurb from goodreads.com says ...
One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.
I really liked so much of this book. I will say I kinda wished that the 2 Will Graysons had more time of interaction in the book but I understand why they didn't. My favorite character was probably the first WG that we meet, he just seemed most likeable to me. WG 2 isn't like anyone I really know so I had a bit of a hard time seeing where he was coming from. (Though he does sort of redeem himself in my eyes.)
I don't know that it is a book I will ever re-read but I did enjoy it quite a bit.
xoxo...P
The blurb from goodreads.com says ...
One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.
I really liked so much of this book. I will say I kinda wished that the 2 Will Graysons had more time of interaction in the book but I understand why they didn't. My favorite character was probably the first WG that we meet, he just seemed most likeable to me. WG 2 isn't like anyone I really know so I had a bit of a hard time seeing where he was coming from. (Though he does sort of redeem himself in my eyes.)
I don't know that it is a book I will ever re-read but I did enjoy it quite a bit.
xoxo...P
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
March Check-In
Well how about an update on my yearly goals?
1. Read 50 Books (I have already started my tab up top to keep track of my books.)I am currently reading # 35 for the year and I have started doing book reviews here on my lovely little blog.
2. Run in 3 racesI'm all registered for 2. The marathon relay at the end of April and a color run 5K on June 2nd. I'm also planning on the zoo run run again (sept 23rd) and a hot chocolate 5K with some friends in November.
3. Start (and stick with) another method of exercise besides running. Maybe yoga?
Well I'm running and doing my sit up and plank challenge. I have also added in a push up challenge. I haven't run in a week though because of my stupid strep throat and cold.
4. Organize my life, and our home better.
5. Make 2 new recipes a month.
This month I made a freaking amazing chocolate cake to celebrate a few birthdays. I found the recipe on The Country Cook. I also made Panera's Mac & Cheese recipe. It was really good. not quite the same, i tasted too much four but I didn't have any hot sauce so I'm thinking that would have covered up the flour taste. I also made a Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole that J LOVED. Next time I'm going to use noodles instead of rice as I think I will like that better.
6. Be a better friend.
I actually haven't done too well with that this month. I'm in a bit of a funk. I need to snap out of it.
7. Be a better wife and mom.
8. Be happier.
9. Finally re-do our bathroom.
10. Take a vacation with J. Just J.
11. Learn more about photography.
I took a photography class I had a groupon for and I really enjoyed learning a bit more about my camera. I still have a long way to go though.
12. Work harder (in all aspects of life).
13. Work at starting this business I have had in my head for too long.
xoxo...P
1. Read 50 Books (I have already started my tab up top to keep track of my books.)I am currently reading # 35 for the year and I have started doing book reviews here on my lovely little blog.
2. Run in 3 racesI'm all registered for 2. The marathon relay at the end of April and a color run 5K on June 2nd. I'm also planning on the zoo run run again (sept 23rd) and a hot chocolate 5K with some friends in November.
3. Start (and stick with) another method of exercise besides running. Maybe yoga?
Well I'm running and doing my sit up and plank challenge. I have also added in a push up challenge. I haven't run in a week though because of my stupid strep throat and cold.
4. Organize my life, and our home better.
5. Make 2 new recipes a month.
This month I made a freaking amazing chocolate cake to celebrate a few birthdays. I found the recipe on The Country Cook. I also made Panera's Mac & Cheese recipe. It was really good. not quite the same, i tasted too much four but I didn't have any hot sauce so I'm thinking that would have covered up the flour taste. I also made a Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole that J LOVED. Next time I'm going to use noodles instead of rice as I think I will like that better.
6. Be a better friend.
I actually haven't done too well with that this month. I'm in a bit of a funk. I need to snap out of it.
7. Be a better wife and mom.
8. Be happier.
9. Finally re-do our bathroom.
10. Take a vacation with J. Just J.
11. Learn more about photography.
I took a photography class I had a groupon for and I really enjoyed learning a bit more about my camera. I still have a long way to go though.
12. Work harder (in all aspects of life).
13. Work at starting this business I have had in my head for too long.
xoxo...P
Monday, March 5, 2012
Book Obsessed...
I think by now you might be starting to realize how book obsessed I am so here are 2 things to push you over that edge to know I am totally book obsessed.
1. I participate (almost daily) on a board that discusses books. All about books, pretty much anything to do with them. I have gotten a million good recommendations from the women on this board and I am forever grateful for it.
2. One of the awesome women on this board is hosting an incredible book giveaway (that I would LOVE to win, obvi) You should totally check out her blog, Imperfection is the New Pink. (Um, can I just say how much I love her tagline? Mother, Reader, Cupcake Eater. Those are 3 awesome things in my mind!)
Here is a link to her awesome giveaway. If you go check it out you will see that she has met all these amazing authors. Can we say Jealous???
Go check out her blog you won't regret it!
xoxo...P
1. I participate (almost daily) on a board that discusses books. All about books, pretty much anything to do with them. I have gotten a million good recommendations from the women on this board and I am forever grateful for it.
2. One of the awesome women on this board is hosting an incredible book giveaway (that I would LOVE to win, obvi) You should totally check out her blog, Imperfection is the New Pink. (Um, can I just say how much I love her tagline? Mother, Reader, Cupcake Eater. Those are 3 awesome things in my mind!)
Here is a link to her awesome giveaway. If you go check it out you will see that she has met all these amazing authors. Can we say Jealous???
Go check out her blog you won't regret it!
xoxo...P
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