Day 01 -

Day 01 - A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!)

DON'T JUDGE... but ... Twilight.

I read it before all the big hoopla and I must say I was wrapped up in it.  I became attached to the characters.  I was so sad when it ended.  I wanted to know the continuing stories. Like what happened to Bella, Edward and their daughter and Jacob? And more importantly, Rosalie? she was my favorite after all.  This is one story line where I think if I had time I would read the fan fiction.
 I do with that Meyers would just finish the Midnight sun book so I could at least get a new perspective on the series. 

I must confess that I have never read the Sookie Stack House books, but I do wish they would go away.   No reasons really, I'm just tired of seeing people check out the same books over and over again. UHG!

30-Day book meme

Have you noticed,

30-Day book meme's are EVERYWHERE.

Every blog I read is now being taken over with these "Meme"'s.  So... Im jumping on the wagon...
Im starting with this one... I found it at

Book Memes and Quizzes. 

And I must confess I think I might be a new follower.

Day 01 - A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!)
Day 02 - A book or series you wish more people were reading and talking about
Day 03 - The best book you've read in the last 12 months:
Day 04 - Your favorite book or series ever
Day 05 - A book or series you hate
Day 06 - Favorite book of your favorite series OR your favorite book of all time
Day 07 - Least favorite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise
Day 08 - A book everyone should read at least once
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A book that disappointed you
Day 12 - A book or series of books you’ve read more than five times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood book OR current favorite YA book (or both!)
Day 14 - Favorite character in a book (of any sex or gender)
Day 15 - Your "comfort" book
Day 16 - Favorite poem or collection of poetry
Day 17 - Favorite story or collection of stories (short stories, novellas, novelettes, etc.)
Day 18 - Favorite beginning scene in a book
Day 19 - Favorite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!)
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite romantic/sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 22 - Favorite non-sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 23 - Most annoying character ever
Day 24 - Best quote from a novel
Day 25 - Any five books from your "to be read" stack
Day 26 - OMG WTF? OR most irritating/awful/annoying book ending
Day 27 - If a book contains ______, you will always read it (and a book or books that contain it)!
Day 28 - First favorite book or series obsession
Day 29 - Saddest character death OR best/most satisfying character death (or both!)
Day 30 - What book are you reading right now?

ahh-uhh

Birthday Tickers
Just though everyone should know ;)

It's Friday again! YEA!

Link here and fill yours out.

 It's Friday again! YEA!

1.What is something you wished you’d learned to do earlier in life?
Lots of things.
            1. That I dont need to make anyone else happy and I need no ones approval
            2. To handle my finances like I do now.
            3. That no matter what, Life will go on.


2.What is your biggest pet peeve with the military?
Lack of planning and organization.

3.What tourist attraction near you have you never seen?
HA! back home in Michigan we have a place called " Sea Shell City"  I have never been, but it looks pretty rinky dink.

4.What are you avoiding doing right now?
Cleaning. Im always cleaning so its no big deal though.

5.Wine, beer or liquor?
Wine, more importantly.... Moscato Wine.

Snail Mail

We find the most interesting things at work...

I wish I still had the other things we have found over the years... I'll post any more fun tid'bis should they be left behind.

Reading lists

Updated... I think I'm falling behind... 

Books To READ

Undead 7 Unwed
~ Mary Janice Davidson

Zipporah, the wife of Moses
~Marek Halter


Squawk!
~ Travis Bradberry

A Treasury of Royal Scandals
~Michael Farquhar


The Bad Queen
~Carolyn Meyers


SuperFoods
~ Steven Pratt

Cherries in winter
~ Suzan Colon

His Last Letter
~Jeane Westin

Anne Boleyn
~Joanna Denny

The Haunting of America
~William J. Birnes

The Books of King Henry VIII and his Wives
~James P. Carley

The Harlot by the Side of the Road
~Jonathan Kirsch
The Short Seceond Life of Bree Tanner
~Stephenie Meyer

Raised by Wolves
~ Christie Mellor

Delivering Happiness
~Tony Hsieh

How to read like a Professor
~ Thomas C. Foster

You'll Never Blue Ball in this Town Again
~ Heather Mcdonald

Happy Housewives
~ Darla Shine

The Dead Guy Interviews
~ Michael A. Stusser

Honeymoon in Tehran
~ Azadeh Moaveni


Confessions of a backup dancer
~By Anonymous

Fable Haven
~Brandon Mull

Inside the kingdom : my life in Saudi Arabia
~Carmen Bin Ladin

Around the World in 80 days
~Jules Verne

The Enchantress of Florence
~Salman Rushic

The Painting
~Nina Schuyler

Wolf Hall
~Hilary Mantel

Gwenhwyfar
~Mercees Lackey

Christianity
~Diarmai MaCcolloch

The Secret History of the World
~Mark Booth

Darkhenge
~Cathrine Fisher

Vampire Kisses
~Ellen Schreiber

Coraline
~Neil Gaiman

Cleopatra's daughter
~Michelle Moran

A Separte Country
~Robert Hicks

The Virgin Queen's Daughter
~Ella March Chase

Girl in a Blue Dress
~Gaynor Arnold

The Army Wife Handbook
~Ann Crossley

The Crooked Letter
~Sean Williams

Hero of the Crown
~Robin Mckinley

Dragon Bones
~Lisa See

Flower Net
~Lisa See

Confessions of a slacker wife
~Muffy Mead-ferro

Prada & Prejudice
~Mandy Hubbar

The Red Pyramid
~Rick Riordan

Orange is the new black
~Piper Kerman

GOD, According to God
~Gerald Schroeder

The modern girl's guide to sticky situation
~Jane Buckingham

If you have to cry, GO outside
~Kelly Cutrone

On gold mountain
~Lisa See


The Wagon
~Martin Preib

The thoughtful dresser
~Linda Grant

Dragon Sword & Wind Child
~Noriko Ogiwara

Paradise beneath her feet
~Isobeel Coleman

The Carrie Diares
~Candance Bushnell







Books READ

Snow flower and the secret fan
~See, Lisa

Bound
~Napoli, Donna Jo

Princess : a true story of life behind the veil in Saudi Arabia
~Jean Sasson.

The constant princess
The queen's fool : a novel
~Gregory, Philippa

The Blood of Flowers
~Anita Amirrezvani

Peony in Love
~Lisa See

Suck your stomach in and put some color on!
~Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Seeking Spirits: The Lost Cases of The Atlantic Paranormal Society
~Jason Hawes, Grant Wilson, and Michael Jan Friedman

Living Oprah
~Robyn Okrant

I am Nujood
~Nujood Ali

The Red Queen
~Gregory, Philippa

Amish Grace
~Donald B. Kraybill

The Help
~Kathryn Stockett

The Heretic Queen

~Michelle Moran

Suck It, Wonder Woman
~ Olivia Munn

Very insightful!

Music Monday

Spinning

I have fallen off track...

Due to a family emergency, Life changes and Bad news at work... Lets just say that my daily work out has only been so much as the walk from my desk at work to the vending machine across the hall...

Im not sure when I'll get back on track.

Have you ever felt like your world was spinning...

Like being on a merri-go-round that someone pushed a little too fast and now your in fear of flying off and slamming to the ground..,

I'm there..

I feel myself and my world spinning slowly out of control.  I don't want to go in to details both for personal family reasons and for professional business reasons but it seems that everything lately is going wrong. For the first time in my life I think I'm being tested and I feel that I am on the verge of failing.

But as usual with these things, the worst is nearly over.( just waiting for the word on my work)

Now its just a matter of recovery. 

Recovery that I seem to be fighting for who knows what reason. Although, even when I dont fight it and I accept what it is, I seem to still be in the wrong. 

I am tired.

I'm tired and dizzy.

I'm no longer going to fight the inevitable, I cant stop the un-named forces from playing "lets see" with my life.

All I can do from this point on is sit back, mind my P's & Q's and see what the world has planned for my life from here.

As Carrie Underwood says,
"I'm flat on the floor with my head down low
Where the sky can't rain on me anymore
Don't knock on my door 'cause I won't come
I'm hidin' from the storm 'til the damage gets done"

Minor set back

so....

We didnt get to start the P90X this week...

Because I have caught the plague of colds going around.  I had to take yesterday off work and spend the whole day in bed downing dose after dose of Nyquil.  It was a GREAT day ( big rolling of eyes there)

but we WILL start next week!

In the mean time, We have implamented the healthy eatting diet, and I must say it feels great!
Even though I'm sick, I can feel the difference. I just feel so much better eating healthier.

And so with that, I will post my First Recipe:

This one is a fave around here. and its SO simple!
(addmision... This is a Kraft Foods Recipe)

ok, i cant get my computer to work.... so check it out HERE

Anyone looking to eat a bit healthier should really check out this site....

HUNGRY GIRL

I'm in

Music Monday

Every Monday I'm going to post songs that are on repeat on my Ipod.

This week is


And...



ENJOY!

Stepping it up

things has gotten my waist to where it is now... the Mr.'s return home, work and the close proximity of our house to McDonald... After noticing that my clothes were getting a bit tight I tried to put on my "skinny jeans". I have had these jeans since high school and they are super small and from back in the day when I weighed in at 102.  So they are my go to pants when I think my junk food additction is getting the best of me...
and well...THEY DIDN'T FIT!  I don't mean they wouldn't button or were a bit too tight... I mean they wouldn't fit over my thigh!!! omFREAKINGg!  They have gotten snug before, even hinted to the dreaded

. 
  But they have never, ever not fit.  I was, well Devastated is and understatement.

It was that same night that the Mr. mentioned that he was considering purchasing the coveted P90X system.  After many, many, MANY obsessive youtube searches I was SOLD!

I mean look at these before and after shot (I refuse to post my before right now...because its too "Fresh" but I promise to post my own before and after when I hit the 90 day mark)

$310 later, I had purchased it. (yes, the infomercial says three payments of $39.99, but they LIE, lies I tell you!) 

Both the Mr. and I have made the vow to commit to the systems plan for 90 days.  This means getting up at 5am with the Mr. to do the work out and COMPLETELY changing our diets.  I have tossed out ALL the bad "no-no" food... Poor Godiva Chocolate.  I'll also be posting my recipes as we progress through this. Currently I'm in love with the cook book "200  under 200"  *Hint- The southwest egg-rolls are to die for!

We are starting today... ( because of the Mr.'s Schedual we are actually starting the workout tonight) I will be keeping track of my progress on here. Not that I really want to share my dirty wieght laundry with the world, but lets face it, if I have to post it for all to see... it will keep me honest and on track!

SO... here goes!
I wieghed myself last night...124.6
and again this morning...121.8
Hum.. that cant be right...I might need to look in to my scales accuracy...
Tonight we break out the tape to be official and measure everything...  Im scared.

MilSpouse Blog Hop!

I LOVE this idea. 

Go to  Riding the Roller Coaster And check out her MilSpouse Blog Hop!. I'm number 163! that means that right now there are ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY THREE other blogs to read! I'm so excited to  check them all out!

So, now for my addition to the MilSpouse blog hop...

I'm Jen, I', 25... no 24... maybe 26? Honestly, I forget.  I have been a military spouse for 6 years now. I think I'm just starting  to figure out this crazy life style.  I have been married to my real life G.I. Joe for 6 years as well. Its been an amazing 6 years, full of travel, deployments, lessons and friendships.  All of which has left us with very little family building time... we hope to get to that next year..

We are stuck on the bayous, where the Army has left us for 5 years... We hope to be leaving early next summer  (YEA).  Time here has been very good for us.  I have been able to finish my  BA's  and get a foot hold in  my chosen career.

( shameless plug, check out my other blog...  life from the stacks)

In the fall I will be starting Grad School. Very exciting and totally scary at the same time.  

My Blog, is Just like me... Very Random.  I love Visual  things, so be prepared for lots of pictures.

Please Leave a comment with your blog, I cant wait to read them

 

So i like a bit of Cheese, what of it?

Making of a Military Wife

Author: Unknown

When the good Lord was creating Wives, he was into his sixth day of overtime.
An angel appeared and said, "You're having a lot of trouble with this one. What's wrong with the standard model?"
And the Lord replied, "Have you seen the specs on this order? She has to be completely independent, but must be sponsored to get on post; have the qualities of both father and mother during deployments; be a perfect hostess to 4 or 40; run on black coffee; handle emergencies without a manual; be able to handle flu, birthdays and moves around the world; have a kiss that can cure anything from a child's torn Valentine to a husband's weary day; have the patience of a saint when waiting for the Unit to return home; and have six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her hand slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way!"

And the Lord answered, "Don't worry, we'll make other military wives to help. Besides it's not the hands that are causing the problem, it's the heart. It must swell with pride in her husband, sustain the ache of separations, beat on soundly when it's too tired to do so and be large enough to say, "I Understand" when she doesn't, and 'I love you' regardless."

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve gently. "Come to bed... finish this tomorrow!"

"I can't," said the Lord. "I'm so close to creating something unique. Already I have one who heals herself when she's sick, can feed three unexpected guests who are stuck in the area due to bad weather, and can wave good-bye to her husband, from a pier, off a runway and understand that it is important to his country that he leaves."

The angel circled the model of the military wife very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed.

"But tough," said the Lord excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this woman can do or endure."

"Can it think?"

"Can it think? It can convert 1400 to 2 p.m."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."

"It's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear."

"What's it for?" asked the angel.

"It's for joy. Sadness. Disappointment. Pain, loneliness and pride!"

"You are a genius," sighed the angel.

The Lord looked somber and replied, "I didn't put it there."

Want a good laugh!?

Some days, I wonder why I even claim this place.

This is from my hometown news paper's web site.

Take a look at the OBITUARIES...

particularly, the last one.

Uhg

The joys of living on post.
I'll explain later, but for now enjoy the flames
and be thankful its not your house.

No worries, the house survived... this time

Hum...Where to start...

I hate starting anything. The hardest part of anything for me is the begining because I never know just where or how to start. I wish I could just jump in the middle of everything. Well, Everything but age. I'd hate to start life at 40.

"The beginning is the most important part of the work.”~Plato~
(428 BC-348 BC)

I suppose, I will just jump in here. Maybe one day I'll post from the beginning but for now... I'll start right here, right now.

We are going home next weekend. Cause for joy, regalement, jubilance, cheer, delectation?

Yes....
and no.
Mostly no, because,

WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WANTS TO GO TO MICHIGAN IN FEBUARY!!!
WHO! ?

Not this girl! That’s for sure.

You want me to trade my 50-60 degree temperatures for 20’s with a POSSIBLE high of 30!

No.
Thank You.

But that is where the family is, that is where home is.

We will only be staying for 4 days including the days we fly in and fly back out. We seem to be getting good at the short 4 day vacations. We drove to West Plam Beach, Florida on our last 4 day vacation. Now that was a vacation. trading 50 degree days for 70+ degrees and beach views! 

Ahh, thats the life.

This seems to make the Mr. believe himself to be a rock star. He proceeds to tell everyone we know “oh, were just flying to Michigan for the weekend, its no big deal”

Umm, my love, at $1000+ a trip, it’s a big deal. And I for one would rather not spend that much on a four day excursion.

But I’m getting away from the excitement and the whole purpose of the trip in the first place.
The Mr.’s Step fathers 60th birthday! This isn’t just any birthday, his family is throwing an MTV style sweet 16 ( in this case, 60) birthday party. The Mr. has family being flowing in from all over the world for this event. Most of the people that will be there I have never met! I’m Super-Uber nervous! Did I Mention that we are a surprise! Yep, Mr.’s mother is secretly having us fly in just for the occasion, hence the 4 day trip.

It is going to be a fun filled, super busy and packed 4 days.

Day 1)

To start with, the Friday we fly in is also the birthday of the Mr.’s very close childhood friend. So after landing we will immediately grab our luggage, get our rental car, make a b-line for the mall. ( it’s just how we roll, and living where we do with the non-existence of shopping I think the mall maybe just be the highlight of the trip) And finish the day by taking our birthday friend to dinner and hitting up the finest nightclubs our home town has to offer.

Day 2)
Were not too sure how the Am on Saturday will play out. We had planned to meet with my family but they seem less then interested in driving 90 miles south to meet us for the day, even though we will have traveled over 1200 to see them. But this is a rant for another day. So if they don’t meet us, we have plans to go to another mall and do more shopping before meeting up with the Mr.’s siblings for the after noon.

The party isn’t until that evening, so the day will be ours to do what we wish.

Day 3)
Sunday will be a day of church, eating and getting acquainted with the family member I have never met.

Day 4)

Finally, flying home in the Am. Getting home just in time to sleep and get up the next morning to get a cavity filled before work… no really, that’s on my agenda, fun hu?

The Mr and I plan on taking Lots of photo's while we are home so be on the look out for that.

Also, I plan on adding music to the blog soon.  Big things are happening aroung here... let's hope...

Starting over...

As you can see all the old posts are gone,
gone,

baby,

gone.

The old blog was just a bunch of randomness.
I was never inspired to post anything to it because it was so here and there.
I'm all for things being here and there, but with a general theme. So from now on, this blog will not have a "theme" other then, MY LIFE.
Which means my Daily workings, odd occurrences.
Yes, Odd, My life can be very odd.

Bare in mind, I'm a new blogger...
And as with a fine wine (which I love oh so much!) I hope it will get better with age.

I have started another blog called
"A Veiw From A Life In The Stacks"
Its all about work.But work in a good way,

Scout's Honor.

I work in a library. There are tons of things that happen there, and it's not all about the books.
go on, clicky the link and check it out.... I'll be here waiting...
That is until I get side tracked and go read another book...

So...with out further Adieu...