Inkdeath

Victory!!!  I have finally finished this series.  I would not recommend this series to children (which is the targeted audience).  This final book has some disturbing images painted for the mind's eye to view, such as the evil king soaking in a bathtub full of fairy blood to relieve his cursed body.  I enjoyed the first book, but the second and third seemed to drag on and get quite predictable.  But, another book down, so I can smell victory. . .on to the next!

Going down in Flames

I just realized that I started this blog almost 11 months ago.  The intent was to read all the books in my house in 52 weeks.  With only 4 more weeks to go, I am pretty sure that the initial goal is going down in flames-LOL!!! 

So, in the spirit of setting new goals, I am renewing my commitment to getting these books read!  I may cheat and do several of the children's book in rapid succession in order to feel like I am making progress, but progress is progress, so I guess it's not technically cheating. 

Wish me luck with my renewed goal. . .and be prepared to do lots of reading as I post my small successes.

Inkspell

It took me a long time to get through this book.  It wasn't an unpleasant read, but with working more these days, I just don't have the time to read.  This book is almost a carbon copy of Inkheart, just the location changes.  I am starting on Inkdeath which is the last in the trilogy of this series. 

This book brings many things to mind, most prevalent is the fact that we are in charge of our own destiny and that our decisions put us on paths that may take us to unexpected places.  I hope that my decisions put me on paths that lead to hapiness and not destruction. 

With my husband's company being sold last week, we are definitely on a new path.  Hopefully, that path will lead us on to new experiences, a new career and new opportunities ('tis the season to be optimistic!!!).

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Don't believe anything you see in the movies!!!!  As, I'm sure most of you have, I have seen Disney's version of the Hunchback and it is NOTHING like the book!!!!!!!!!  This book was extremely difficult to get through.  I guess Victor Hugo had a facsination with architecture, because some of the chapters in this book were nothing but descriptions of the buildings and different architectural styles prevelant in Paris.  The ending is completely different from the movie and not very happy.  Actually, it is pretty gruesome!!!  I'm glad it's over with and I can check it off my list.  I loved reading Les Miserables, but this one was really rough.

When the Legends Die

Just finished reading this book for Mitchell's English class.  I like to read what they are reading so if they have questions, I know how to help them.  This book was an interesting tale of a young Indian boy whose parents left the reservation, worked for "the man", and then moved to the mountains to live in the old way.  This kid learned the old ways, but, when both his parents died, he was forced to go to school and learn the "new way".  After years of living the "new way" he eventually found his way back to the mountains and found that the "old way" suited him just fine.  It was very interesting and I found myself yearning for the "old way" of life.  It was so much simpler, you built your house with your own hands, hunted and grew food for your dinner, traded for other needs, raised your children and minded your own business.  I don't know how I would fare in that kind of world, but it sure sounds less complicated than working 5 days a week!!!

Incredible breakthrough. . .

I just wanted to let you all know that I had an incredible breakthrough with my addiction today.  I was in B&N and the only thing I bought was a book Mitch needed for English.  TA-DA!!!!!  I am so proud of myself.  I may have sniffed some pages, and lovingly stroked some books, but, I held my ground and did not purchase anything new for me.  Technically, I have to read the book I bought for Mitch so when he needs help, I know what he is supposed to know from his reading.  But, the purchase was for him and not me.  I don't know that I am fully cured, but I learned a lot about myself today. 

Sink Reflections

I remember when I first heard about Fly Lady.  I was at home, late at night surfing the internet.  I remember a friend talking about a shiny sink and decided that it couldn't hurt to look it up.  WOW, what a change happened in my life that night.  Jared was out of town, and I sat at the computer bawling as I had the inspired thought that I was not alone and other people did struggle with keeping their house clean and being organized. 

At the time, I had four small children, was constantly exhausted and felt mentally and emotionally drained and overwhelmed.  Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I pull this book off the shelf and realize that "I am not behind" and that "I can do anything for 15 minutes".  Sometimes it takes that reassurance from the pages of a book written by someone who cares and who has been in my shoes to pick me up off the emotional floor and "put on those lace-up shoes". 

I love this book, and always will.  It has given me courage to face what seems like daunting tasks and reassurance that I am not the only idiot who can't seem to keep it together.