There are at least twenty books on my "To Read" list.
I did read "One Day" while on vacation, and it was good. Not awesome or even great, but worth the time I spent relaxing on the lido deck, tanning while absorbing the written word :)
While I was at the library choosing vacation books, though, I came across "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon.
I have read this book at least three times. I heart Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall big time. This series has the ability to transport me across the miles (and the years) until I am standing in Scotland, in love with a man in a kilt.
After finishing "One Day", I opened up "Outlander" and fell back in love. Reading this book just makes me happy. I already know what's going to happen, but I cherish each chapter as the story unfolds again.
Does anyone else do this? Do you have a favorite "re-read" that you fall back on? Any good recommendations to put on my "to-read" list? Do you heart Jamie Fraser?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Pumpkin soup
No, I don't have the recipe, but you can google a hundred of them.
I tried Pumpkin Soup on vacation; it was a warm, chicken-broth based creamy version and it was exquisite.
I am afraid to try making it at home, for fear it won't be the same. Wouldn't it be a great first course to Thanksgiving dinner, though?
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Reality
Less than four days ago, I was soaking up rays in the 85 degree sunshine.
Today, I am freezing in the 32 degree Ohio weather.
I haven't worked in nearly two weeks.
I go in to the hospital for a 12-hour night shift tonight.
With a Girls on the Run bake sale tomorrow. And three assignments due for my English class on Tuesday. School conferences for the kids this week, and a Christmas stamp camp to plan for next Saturday.
Vacation is SO OVER. But it was good while it lasted...
Today, I am freezing in the 32 degree Ohio weather.
I haven't worked in nearly two weeks.
I go in to the hospital for a 12-hour night shift tonight.
With a Girls on the Run bake sale tomorrow. And three assignments due for my English class on Tuesday. School conferences for the kids this week, and a Christmas stamp camp to plan for next Saturday.
Vacation is SO OVER. But it was good while it lasted...
Friday, November 5, 2010
Warning: Vacation Post Ahead
On a bitter cold and snowy day last winter, Joe and I found a great deal on a Bahamas cruise and started to dream. Joe's parents decided to book a room alongside of ours, and our 2010 family vacation was born.
Unfortunately, Joe's dad fell ill and couldn't come, but he insisted that Kay still go with us.
Last Friday (my birthday), we loaded into our van and drove 9 1/2 hours to Charleston, South Carolina. After a few hours of sleep in a crowded hotel room, we drove to the pier and played around until it was time to board the ship.
The kids had never cruised before, and there were so many things they looked forward to. Water slides (which Gabe and I were on within the first hour of boarding!)...
Getting manicures before we left...
All you can eat self-serve soft-serve ice cream (Gabe had at least 50 cones, no exaggeration)...
Celebrating Halloween on a ship!
Traveling outside of the U.S. for the first time (for the kids)...
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| Freeport, Bahamas |
Making memories with Mamaw Kay...
Shopping for shark-tooth necklaces, t-shirts, and other assorted souvenirs...
Getting all spruced-up for delicious dinners served by friendly waiters who knew our names by the second night...
Trying new foods and getting to eat hundreds of shrimp all week long!
Spending time alone, with just mom or dad, or with the whole family, depending on the mood (and boy, do 12-year-old boys have moods!)...
Taking a taxi ride over to Paradise Island in Nassau...
Going inside the Atlantis resort...
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| One of my favorite pics of the whole trip! |
Proving to the kids that water this blue and clear really does exist...
Finally relaxing after a horribly stressful week...
Posing for multiple pictures in various areas of the ship...
Acting goofy in our stateroom, monkeys and all...
and admiring the gorgeous fall foliage on our way home through the Carolinas and Tennessee.
Between school and work and sick parents, this vacation was exactly what we needed to stay on track as a happy family. And once I dig my way out of this pile of laundry threatening to suffocate me, I'll be good as new :)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Update
My father in law is home, still having some heart issues but getting better. Thank you all so much for your prayers, your thoughts and your support.
My first English paper was due last week. Word on the street is that this professor does not give good grades very often. I was happy to settle for a B. I got a 95. A bright spot in the middle of a very difficult week.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the stomach flu, along with the kiddos. I had to call off work due to my fever and um, bowel issues. When I went back to work that next Sunday, still not feeling great, my co-worker gave me a hard time and acted like a total bee-yatch about my ill call. I am still upset about it. Trying hard not to be, but I can't stand when people talk about me behind my back...
I am knee-deep in household chores after this crazy week. We are leaving soon for a much-needed escape, and I have a million things to do. Trying hard to not be overwhelmed.
Tomorrow is my 37th birthday. Funny how birthdays used to be such a big deal, and now they are really just another day. In my head, I'm still 35 (although some days my body feels 105, if you know what I mean).
Isabel ran the practice 5K race yesterday in under 24 minutes. That's less than 8 minutes per mile. The girl amazes me. I need to find her a faster running buddy for the real race. My best time is a 9-minute mile.
Clearly, I'm rambling. Thanks for listening. Or reading, as the case may be. Now I need to go catch the dishes that are trying to climb out of the sink...
My first English paper was due last week. Word on the street is that this professor does not give good grades very often. I was happy to settle for a B. I got a 95. A bright spot in the middle of a very difficult week.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the stomach flu, along with the kiddos. I had to call off work due to my fever and um, bowel issues. When I went back to work that next Sunday, still not feeling great, my co-worker gave me a hard time and acted like a total bee-yatch about my ill call. I am still upset about it. Trying hard not to be, but I can't stand when people talk about me behind my back...
I am knee-deep in household chores after this crazy week. We are leaving soon for a much-needed escape, and I have a million things to do. Trying hard to not be overwhelmed.
Tomorrow is my 37th birthday. Funny how birthdays used to be such a big deal, and now they are really just another day. In my head, I'm still 35 (although some days my body feels 105, if you know what I mean).
Isabel ran the practice 5K race yesterday in under 24 minutes. That's less than 8 minutes per mile. The girl amazes me. I need to find her a faster running buddy for the real race. My best time is a 9-minute mile.
Clearly, I'm rambling. Thanks for listening. Or reading, as the case may be. Now I need to go catch the dishes that are trying to climb out of the sink...
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Request
Brief post here...
This past Thursday, Joe's dad (Bob), had to be emergently admitted to the hospital for heart failure and atrial fibrillation, a potentially dangerous combination.
He is in the hospital where I work, thank goodness. I know the doctors, the nurses, and I know he is being well cared-for.
He is going to be having some procedures tomorrow. Would you please hold him and our family in your prayers?
Thank you, friends.
This past Thursday, Joe's dad (Bob), had to be emergently admitted to the hospital for heart failure and atrial fibrillation, a potentially dangerous combination.
He is in the hospital where I work, thank goodness. I know the doctors, the nurses, and I know he is being well cared-for.
He is going to be having some procedures tomorrow. Would you please hold him and our family in your prayers?
Thank you, friends.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Random Wednesday
Christ Hospital is requiring all of their nurses to have their Bachelor's degree by 2020. They are paying for everything but the books, and the professors come from University of Cincinnati to either the hospital or the School of Nursing right next door. After this quarter, I will be one-third of the way done. However, for the next two quarters (January through May), I will be at school for seven hours EVERY Tuesday. In addition to working my two 12-hour night shifts per week. I'm trying to stay positive, but I have to honestly say that I am dreading it. I'm going to enjoy every bit of this English class I'm in for the time-being.
At the end of summer, Elijah wanted to sign up for fall baseball and fall basketball. I was hesitant; we have a one-sport-at-a-time kind of rule, and with him starting junior high, we didn't want his grades to suffer. After much discussion, we decided to let him try. Not only did he do a great job balancing his school and sports, he managed to get a "Student of the Week" award yesterday for doing such awesome work in Spanish class. And I was worried about Junior high...
Gabe has had to "move his apple" three times now in kindergarten. His version always includes a kid named Braxton or a kid named J.C. "making him do it". I tell him only HE is in control of his choices; however, if the combination of Gabe and Braxton or Gabe and J.C. is always a bad one, why is his teacher still pairing them up? Guess I'll have something to talk about during conferences, hmmm?
We are preparing for the big Practice 5K race for Girls on the Run next Wednesday. I can't wait to see how Isabel does this year! The official race is November 20th, and we are working hard on our goal of every girl running the race and finishing in decent time.
Joe has decided to start his own business, in addition to teaching (for now). He is so talented at home repair and tiling that he wants to try his hand at making some money from it. I am cautiously optimistic about this venture...
I have been making lots of cards lately, about eight a day. My goal is to make packs of cards called "Four Seasons of Greetings", with cards for spring/summer/fall and winter. I may sell some, but mostly they will be gifts for friends and teachers.
I adore this time of year. Cool, crisp mornings; trees blazing with color; wearing sweaters and layers of clothes with my favorite boots; making pumpkin anything to go with my pumpkin-spiced coffee; homemade soups for dinner; my birthday at the end of this month; Halloween.
We are planning a big vacation and I am getting so excited! Although it's frugal year, we did get a great deal on this trip and couldn't pass it up. My in-laws are coming along, too. We are going to make some GREAT memories!
Any random thoughts going on in your head this morning? Any big trips planned? Wanna buy some cards?
At the end of summer, Elijah wanted to sign up for fall baseball and fall basketball. I was hesitant; we have a one-sport-at-a-time kind of rule, and with him starting junior high, we didn't want his grades to suffer. After much discussion, we decided to let him try. Not only did he do a great job balancing his school and sports, he managed to get a "Student of the Week" award yesterday for doing such awesome work in Spanish class. And I was worried about Junior high...
Gabe has had to "move his apple" three times now in kindergarten. His version always includes a kid named Braxton or a kid named J.C. "making him do it". I tell him only HE is in control of his choices; however, if the combination of Gabe and Braxton or Gabe and J.C. is always a bad one, why is his teacher still pairing them up? Guess I'll have something to talk about during conferences, hmmm?
We are preparing for the big Practice 5K race for Girls on the Run next Wednesday. I can't wait to see how Isabel does this year! The official race is November 20th, and we are working hard on our goal of every girl running the race and finishing in decent time.
Joe has decided to start his own business, in addition to teaching (for now). He is so talented at home repair and tiling that he wants to try his hand at making some money from it. I am cautiously optimistic about this venture...
I have been making lots of cards lately, about eight a day. My goal is to make packs of cards called "Four Seasons of Greetings", with cards for spring/summer/fall and winter. I may sell some, but mostly they will be gifts for friends and teachers.
I adore this time of year. Cool, crisp mornings; trees blazing with color; wearing sweaters and layers of clothes with my favorite boots; making pumpkin anything to go with my pumpkin-spiced coffee; homemade soups for dinner; my birthday at the end of this month; Halloween.
We are planning a big vacation and I am getting so excited! Although it's frugal year, we did get a great deal on this trip and couldn't pass it up. My in-laws are coming along, too. We are going to make some GREAT memories!
Any random thoughts going on in your head this morning? Any big trips planned? Wanna buy some cards?
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