Vita Dolce

New Blog

2009-11-02T09:53:00.001-05:00

I can now be found at...

A little bit of Magic

July Reading

2009-07-28T10:29:00.000-04:00

At the beginning of the month I challenged myself to read 10 of the books I have sitting around the house I haven't yet. I tend to buy a lot of books but don't read them right away as I always have a pile of library books as well.

Here are the books I've read....

The Trouble With JJ - A cute and easy read

Gone With the Nerd - I got this book really cheap. It was decent. Nothing I would spend 7 or 8 bucks on though

The Principles of Uncertainty - I just didn't get this book. There seemed to be no point to me

By the Shores of Silver Lake - This book took me awhile to get into. I ultimately enjoyed it because it got the Ingalls family to their final spot and me to the books I've already read and enjoyed

A Walk With Jane Austen - A waste of time. I enjoyed the parts about Jane Austen but the author got on my nerves talking about herself

Wuthering Heights - Not what I would call a romance book but I found it interesting. I'm glad I read it but it's a little weird.

One Restless Summer - Just ok, nothing I would recommend. If I had gotten this book from the library I wouldn't have finished it.

Give It Up - This book defiantly inspires me. I already have what I'm giving up in August lined up. Shopping. Good thing I'll be by an outlet this week so I can get it out of my system.

The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World - I will take this book with me when I go back in September. If you've never been to WDW I wouldn't read this because it takes away a little bit of the first time magic but since I've been there so much the new stuff I find out, how the make the magic, is magical to me.

Midnight Bayou - I'm actually reading this right now. I've read it before, I didn't figure that out until a couple chapters in though. It's good that I don't remember how it ends. Basically anything Nora Roberts writes is good so I'm enjoying it.

Of course I have read a couple library books

LA Candy - You can definatly tell this book is written by a first time author. The most interesting thing I found was trying to figure out how much Lauren Conrad took from her own life to use in the book. Plus, it shows you how reality shows are edited to show you what they want to see.

Best Friends Forever- Finished this book over the weekend. I had to force myself to finish it. I hated all the characters and the story line.

Meet Sparky

2009-07-26T18:13:00.002-04:00

He was only supposed to be here for a couple days and now he's staying here permanently.

Guess Where I'm Going?

2009-06-29T14:40:00.003-04:00

Over the weekend I booked my next trip. I wanted to go one more time before my annual pass expires and I don't get discounts on things. Like hotel....

I got a great deal at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Since I first visited it over a year ago I've wanted to stay there. I have high expectations since the other hotels I've stayed at recently have been a disappointment.

I've already made 3 meal reservations for places I've never ate at. Trying to decide which back stage tour at the Animal Kingdom to do. And getting excited about Trick or Treating at the Magic Kingdom.

Thankful....

2009-06-22T14:31:00.003-04:00

That mom and dad had a good vacation
I have lots of new books to read
Traveling this week
Pretty flowers popping up around our yard
a new iMac at home, I'm seriously in love
I finally finished Anna Karenina, that has to be the longest book ever and I didn't even enjoy it
Grilling weather

Pebble Beach

2009-06-21T20:03:00.003-04:00

Mom and dad spent part of last week in Northern California. The main reason for the trip was so dad could golf Pebble Beach. It was a dream of his. Now he just needs to go to Scotland.

At $500 a round it's a little pricey but dad said it was worth every penny and more. It was fun just to talk to him Friday after he was done. It was like a little kid on Christmas morning.

The day was made better when at dinner they sat next to Clint Eastwood. So basically it was a perfect day for dad.

I agree!

2009-06-12T08:20:00.001-04:00

"Chocolate is the only aromatherapy I need."
—Jasmine Heiler

I didn't intend for this week on my blog to be food week. :)

A Homemade Life

2009-06-11T13:24:00.003-04:00

Last week I read this book. It's a memoir written about food basically. There are short stories about food and then a recipe after the story.

The actual stories in the book aren't what makes this book worth it. It's the recipes.

So far we've tried 4 of the recipes in our house, in less than a week. They're all keepers.

The best was a chocolate cake. It's to die for. It also happens to be the last recipe in the book. Saving the best for last.

If you like food or cooking, this book is one you should at least get from the library. I'll probably wait until I get a really good coupon and buy it because there are so many things I want to try.

I give this book 2 thumbs up.

The author also has a blog with some of the recipes on it.

Let's Go Wings!!!!

2009-06-09T12:34:00.000-04:00

I really don't want a game 7!

Loved this...

2009-06-08T08:36:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I made roasted tomato pesto for dinner. I've never really had pesto so I was a little apprehensive but I loved how it turned out.

First follow this recipe. I don't like salt and didn't use the coriander but I did the rest. :)

After the tomatoes cooled I put a couple cloves of garlic, a teaspoon of lemon juice and 1/2 cup of EVOO in my food processor. Pulsed it until the garlic was chopped. Then added in about 10 leaves of basil. If you really like basil I would add more. Pule that until the basil is chopped. Then throw in the tomaotes and let it go until they are chopped up. Lastly add some pepper and parmasean cheese and mix it up one last time. Taste it, it's wonderful.

I used the pesto 2 ways. First I cut up some crusty bread and toasted it in the oven. When I took it out I put some cheese on top then the pesto on top of that. Major yum.

The other way was over some pasta. It's a light tomato sauce.

Enjoy!

recipe came out of A Homemade Life.

Major Yum Burgers

2009-06-05T14:49:00.000-04:00

One day last week I was laying around about 6:30pm and thought, "30 Minute Meals is on."

She was making burgers. It seems like she's always making burgers. But I watched.

Dad was home too and subjected to a little Rachael Ray.

At first I was very skeptical of this burger. I mean she put beer in it. But it did look good and dad was really like it. So I made the burger this week. I had planned to take pictures but they were just too good. Here's the recipe...

Smoky Beer Burgers
Serves: 4 servings

I only used about a pound of burger for 3 of us so I halved everything and the burgers were enough for us.

Ingredients

* 2 pounds lean ground sirloin
* 1/3 pound smoked Gouda cheese, diced into 1/4 to 1/2-inch cubes
* 1 medium onion or 1/2 large onion
* 2 teaspoons smoked sweet paprika, 2/3 palm full
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/3 palm full
* Grill seasoning (recommended: Montreal Steak Seasoning)
* Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
* Generous handful finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1/2 (12-ounce) bottle beer
* 4 crusty Kaiser rolls, split and lightly toasted
* Green or red leaf lettuce, for topping
* Sliced sweet bread and butter pickles, for topping

Directions

Preheat grill over medium-high heat.

Place the meat in a bowl and add the cheese. Peel the onion and halve it, if using the medium onion. Grate about 3 to 4 tablespoons of onion directly over the meat into the bowl. Finely chop the remaining onion and reserve for topping. Add spices to meat: paprika, cumin and about 1 tablespoon of grill seasoning and/or some salt and pepper. Add garlic, parsley and Worcestershire and beer then form 4 large patties making them a little thinner at the center than at edges. Burgers plump when you cook them so this will prevent burger bulge. Drizzle a little olive oil over the burgers then grill about 4 minutes on each side for medium rare, 5 minutes on each side for medium and 6 to 7 minutes on each side for well done.

Serve patties on bun bottoms and top with lettuce, pickles, chopped raw onion.

The orginal recipe made some topping out of mustard, sour cream and dill that sounded really bad so I just made some dill mayo. Tasted great!

Happy June 4th

2009-06-04T09:11:00.001-04:00

Happiness is...

Watching the Red Wings try to win the Stanley Cup
I'm going to see the Red Sox today. It's the last game of the series against the Tigers. I also think Cheli's Chili is in my future.
4 day weekends. This one will include shopping, scrapping and hanging out with friends
Reading A Homemade Life. What recipes!
Thinking about surprising mom and dad with a new computer. Granted it's more selfish because I want an iMac and can't justify it.
It being sorta light outside when I drive to work
wearing flip flops every day
The French Open. I listened to it on the radio last weekend because Nadal was about to lose. Most days I just watch scores go back and forth on my computer screen

Link Me Up

2009-06-03T10:01:00.002-04:00

Here's some good stuff I've run across lately.

Scrapsupply Challenges, even if you're not a member they are a good way to jump start the mojo

This picture by Kelly Rae Roberts. Also, check out some of the pictures of her house.

Idolatry interviews with most of the Idols this season.

This, this, this, and this from Ikea. Hoping to make a trip over there this month. I'm trying to figure out how to better organize my scrap stuff.

A new clip from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Even though I know I won't like the movie I'm still excited.

Are you ready for cuteness?

2009-06-02T19:20:00.011-04:00

I did it! I took a picture every day for May. I'm going to continue in June. Now I just have to scrap some of these pictures.

May 25

May 26

May 27

May 28

May 29 - My dog is spoiled.

May 30 - For some reason I really like this picture. The baby is my goddaughter in her aunts arms. That's her mom and my mom in the background.

May 31 - We went to see a high school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The sheep in the front made the show.

June 1 - It was getting late and I hadn't taken my picture yet so out came photobooth and since I looked horrible you can't really see me.

June 2 - Taken just a few minutes ago. This is a normal thing.

Pretty Pictures

2009-06-02T07:45:00.000-04:00

I haven't done a Flickr Favorites in awhile....

1. I colori di Burano, 2. Creativity, 3. On creativity, 4. Creativity, 5. Let your creativity grow!, 6. rainbokeh: 140/365, 7. the last of the 'mohicans', 8. Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once she grows up., 9. Bubble Art, 10. Shoe Loves You?, 11. Untitled, 12. through the glass.., 13. Pancake, 14. Colors!, 15. Untitled, 16. Untitled, 17. Untitled, 18. The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page., 19. X is For X Marks The Spot, 20. Spring. {EXPLORE}, 21. Bokeh Break, 22. Untitled, 23. Finestre Aretine, 24. the scent of magnolia, 25. Untitled, 26. Maracas de México, 27. All Seeing All Knowing, 28. Two kissing fish and a cheeky monkey, 29. 55 :: 365 :: For You, 30. DROPLET REFLECTIONS, 31. 26.02.09, 32. Mhmmmm. Gotta have 'em Starbucks, 33. {95/365} happy day, 34. daisy booty, 35. Cityscape, 36. up in the sky

Up, Up, Up

2009-06-01T12:13:00.003-04:00

Friday afternoon I was the theaters seeing Up. First off they gave me 3-D glasses and it took me a minute to figure out the glasses are just like the glasses Carl (the old guy) wears in the movie. I did not recycle the glasses.

Overall I really enjoyed this movie. The thing about Pixar is they don't make animated movies, they make movies that are animated. There's a difference. There are so many really bad animated movies out there, quality isn't thought of. Pixar is all about quality.

That said there was one scene in the movie that I found really hard to believe. The ballons attached to a flying house and talking dogs I could believe. So you know what I'm talking about is really out there.

I don't think UP is Pixar's best movie but it's so much better than any other kid movie out there. And remember Pixar's ok movies are still better than most movies.

I give this movie a strong recommendation. Go see it! It's probably even worth the couple extra dollars to see it in 3D.

There's this place online...

2009-05-28T09:49:00.005-04:00

A couple years ago I was made aware of a little website called ScrapSupply. What I found was a great community and store. Wendy always has the latest products and the shipping is lightening fast.

The community is small, which I like. But it’s welcoming of anyone new, so if you’re reading this stop by.

This past month ScrapSupply has been getting ready for their 5^th Anniversary. There have been challenges and games. The challenges and games earn you points and the top 3 point earners get gift certificates to the store. I’m working really hard on cracking that top 3!

One of the first challenges was to take a picture with your mom (or kids if you have them) and scrap it. Mine was digital since I was leaving the next day for Alabama.

Another challenge is using some art pieces as inspiration. Check out one of my layouts (again digital).

There have been sketch challenges, simon says, follow the leader and there’s still more to come. The great things about the challenges have been getting me scrapping some pictures I’ve had around for awhile or pictures I had no motivation to scrap.

Here's one of my sketches

Again, stop on by and tell them I sent you. (I get points for that)

Too Kill a Mockingbird

2009-05-27T12:05:00.001-04:00

This book is on my list of books to read this year.

I read it sophomore year in high school. I remember enjoying it. The best part was writing a journal in Scout's voice. I had fun not using proper grammar.

Last week I took the book with me on my travels. Very early into the book I was amazed at just how good it is. I didn't get that part in high school.

There are so many lessons to learn from this book, just from the title actually. It really is a beautiful story.

If you haven't read it in awhile, or never read it, I strongly recommend picking it up. You won't regret it.

Now I just need to watch the movie again. I remember it being very good.

The American Idol Influence

2009-05-26T13:00:00.002-04:00

(I promise this is my last AI post for awhile)

This time of year the playlists on my ipod are full of American Idols.

For example, last Wednesday before Kris won, I went on itunes and bought all of his music from the season before it went bye-bye. I need something to tide me over until his album.

The amount of AI music I listen to grows steadily throughout the season, makes sense right? But it also makes me go back to past Idols and listen to their music.

I bought David Cooks album when it came out in the fall and barely listened to it. Today, I love it, I've been listening to it a lot more.

Kelly Clarkson has been on constant rotation. I love her new album.

Just for statistic sake. I keep a list of my monthly top 10s. In January and February I had no Idol songs on that list. March had 3, April had 4, May has 7.

Weekly Photo Share

2009-05-24T20:08:00.008-04:00

May 18 - Detroit from Above

May 19 - Can you see NYC?

May 20 - We needed to get out the pool for the dog, she likes to go running through the woods. (ie. mud)

May 21 - I spend a lot of time on the C concourse at Metro Airport, it's like my home away from home

May 22 - This is the Richmond, VA airport. Doesn't it look like Ford Field?

May 23

May 24 - Can you see the dog running? She was being her crazy self.

12 Weeks Ago I would Have Said You Were Crazy

2009-05-21T07:56:00.002-04:00

At first I thought Kris was just a pretty face.

6 weeks ago I would have said he was a long shot to win but he deserved to be in the top 13.

Last week after the final 2 were announced I had a feeling he could actually pull it out.

Right before Ryan announced his name I was trying to get myself ready for Adam's name to be read but I couldn't.

His voice just makes me smile. Has a very unassuming presence. It's nice to see the 'underdog' win.

Plus did you see him and Keith Urban? Earlier this week I was listening to that song on my ipod thinking Kris would have killed that song if he sang it on the show and then they come out together. Magic!

I can't wait for his album to come out. I went on an itunes shopping spree to hold me over until the fall.

Congrats Kris! Very much deserved. I'm glad to know my hours of voting made a difference.

Kris...How Do I Love Thee?

2009-05-19T10:44:00.000-04:00

For the piano, I love anyone who plays the piano.
For the little smile you have when you sing, it melts my heart
For being one of the most surprising contestants in that I didn't expect you to go far but look at you now!
For making me vote for hours, I haven't felt this way since Clay Aiken
For taking a rap song that had been sung on the Idol stage by the original artist and killing it
Mostly for 'Falling Slowly', I am head over heels in love with this song and you singing it

Good Luck Kris, make us proud!
(but if Adam wins I won't be heartbroken)

Travel Tip #1

2009-05-18T10:50:00.000-04:00

I travel a lot so I'm going to start giving you some of my tips to have a great travel experience.

The Airport
Enjoy airports. I hate to drive so I don't mind getting to the airport early and waiting around. I enjoy walking around new airports to see what they have. I also view the airport as downtime, especially when I'm traveling for work. I tend to grab a Starbucks, stroll to my gate, and relax with a book/magazine/newspaper.

One game I play at airports is walking by all the gates to see where the planes are going. I decide if I'd rather be going there or now. Most of the time I'd rather go to the other place.

So enjoy the time you have at the airport. You'll never get that time back.

More Pictures

2009-05-17T14:07:00.008-04:00

May 11 - The tunnel to get to the B and C gates at Detroit Metro Airport. I love walking through the tunnel, there's music to go with the light show.

May 12 - View from the mall in Johnstown, PA

May 13 - The airport I flew in and out of this week

May 14

May 15 - The results of a trip to Barnes and Noble

May 16 - Susan was actually journaling, she never does this

May 17 - Nani enjoys sun bathing just like the rest of us.

Fish are Friends

2009-05-15T12:01:00.000-04:00

Driving to the airport last week I saw a sign saying animals aren't food for those crazy vegetarians out there (no offense to vegetarians I just enjoy a nice steak every now and then). The sign did make me think of Finding Nemo though. I don't eat fish or seafood. I've been saying I don't eat anything that lives in water but I like the whole "Fish are Friends" thing better. I mean it comes from Finding Nemo and I love that movie.

Picture a Day

2009-05-10T16:18:00.012-04:00

I am taking part in a challenge for May hosted by Kim. What I am challenging myself with is a picture a way. Now, none of the pictures have to be good pictures, I just want to get in the habit of taking one a day.

May 1

May 2...what I did on National Scrapbooking Day

May 3...went to see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past at Partridge Creek (see what I mean about bad pictures?)

May 4...I always love seeing the 747 when I walk through security

May 5...voting for Kris on AI while watching Dancing with the Stars

May 6

May 7

May 8...I went shopping

May 9

May 10

Scrapbook Wishlist

2009-05-01T09:47:00.004-04:00

I do a lot of my browsing for scrapbook supplies online then go to Archivers to see what they have.

This is my biggest want right now. Beside being pink, I just think it would help some of my organizational issues right now.

Have you seen the new fabric stuff from Donna Downey? I'm not a fabric person but this stuff is majorly yummy!

Finally there's Basic Grey's Lime Rickey Line. It's majorly yummy! I actually bought the pack because I wanted it all. It's even really fun to play with!

Coming Soon to my House

2009-04-27T12:22:00.002-04:00

Barnes and Noble has sent out some coupons recently and I decided I needed to use them.

Vision in White is new from Nora Roberts. I got this book more than 50% off because it was a preorder.

Under Her Skin is by a new favorite author. A lot of her books are series, like this one. I enjoy sereis books because it gives me more time with characters I like.

Summer on Blossom Street is a book I hope to have tomorrow. I love my library because I usually get new books in the first couple weeks they come out. It helps that I give my librarian a wishlist many months in advance.

Little Town on the Prairie, just working my way through all her books. I've never read some of the earlier ones and I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy the later books a lot more. My favorite is These Happy Golden Years.

The Principles of Uncertainty is a book I've had on my wish list for awhile. I first heard about it from Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love). I've looked at it a few time at Borders but I've never wanted to put down the money for it. Because of a coupon I got a really good deal on it.

Flowers on Main is the second book in a triology by another new find. I really enjoyed the first one so I'm excited for book 2.

I'm hoping to read most of these books in my travels during May. My suitcase may weigh a lot but I'll be enjoying the books.

2009-04-24T14:24:00.000-04:00

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine

Sweaters

2009-04-22T11:18:00.001-04:00

I love sweaters. I wear one almost every day plus I have a couple at my desk at work just in case. I'm always cold at work so when I'm dressing in the morning I have to think about wearing long sleeves, even in the summer. This has resulted in me having lots of sweaters.

This is my newest addition. I can seee it getting lots of use this summer.

I would love this one but the price seems a little steep for me. Plus I have a really heard time denying myself chocolate brown.

Favorites

2009-04-21T14:07:00.001-04:00

These are rides at Disneyland Paris, but I've found my favorite rides are the same at any Disney park. Just this past time, mom and I rode Buzz Lightyear 4 times, I won 3 of those times. :)

2009-04-20T10:14:00.001-04:00

Saturday morning I went to see Zac.

I have to admit I have a tiny crush on Zac Efron but not in the 'I want to marry him' way. It's more in a cute little brother way.

Anyway, the movie was ok. It started slow but once Zac came back onscreen it got much better. It was predictable but cute. I wouldn't spent $8 to see it. I wouldn't even buy it. But I would watch it on TV at nigh.

love, love, love

2009-04-16T11:51:00.003-04:00

Have you seen some of Cosmo Cricket's new stuff? It's majorly yummy! Here's a picture of "Girl Friday" but "Snorkel" is just as yummy. I think it will be coming to my house very soon!
I was very pleased to see Matt Giraud saved on American Idol last night. He's been a favorite of mine all season and not just because he's from Michigan. Him singing "Let's Get It On" makes me swoon. It's one of the few songs I've bought this season. I will defiantly be voting next week!

Speaking of swooning and buying songs, I am totally in love with Kris Allen sining "Falling Slowly" this week on American Idol. I'll own the song today after watching it about a million time. (scroll down to watch)

2009-04-15T12:41:00.001-04:00

Why Did I Wait So Long?

2009-04-13T09:54:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I watched Casablanca for the first time.

I have to admit I was a little skeptical of how good it was going to be but I loved it. It had me on the edge of my seat. It had me laughing. It even had me crying a little bit at the end.

I don't think they make movies like this anymore. It's more of a 'kinda happily ever after' instead of a 'happily ever after.' I think it was a better love story than most of the romances we have today.

It doesn't top Gone With the Wind (which also is a 'somewhat happily ever after') but it's close.

April 8th Happiness

2009-04-08T07:42:00.005-04:00

Mary Higgins Clark has a new book out. We're waiting to get it because the Kindle price is still more than $9.99. This book might be another case of mom reading on her Kindle and me on my Ipod, gotta love the Kindle App for Ipods. :)
Gossip Girl. Really does anything more need to be said. I think it's the best show on TV right now. Because I was behind on episodes I bought a couple to watch on my vacation. They made me laugh and cry.
Gilles Marini...seriously this guy can dance! Plus this week the whole shirtless thing....I'm temped to watch the Sex and the City Movie just to see him and not in the way you may think. ;)
Baseball started up this week. Too bad the Tigers are 0-2 already.
Some new stamps to play with.

Words of Wisdom

2009-04-07T10:13:00.001-04:00

Go State!!

2009-04-06T10:09:00.002-04:00

I may be a University of Michigan fan but I can't help but cheer for MSU tonight.

For the past couple of months I keep saying how nice it would be for State to make the final four in Detroit.

Well they pleasantly surprised us on Saturday by making it to the finals.

Good Luck boys, you have a whole state behind you!

The Middle Place

2009-04-03T12:47:00.000-04:00

I read this book based on many recommendations.

It was OK. It was an easy read.

I just don't think I like the way it ended because it just stopped. I wanted more and didn't get it.

If you want to read about a person's experience with breast cancer this kinda gives that to you. There is about as much back story as there is present story. (does that make sense?) Having lived through my dad's cancer treatment 3 times, I think there are some things she glosses over.

From 1 to 10 I'd probably give this book about a 6.5. I'm not upset I read it but I didn't find it as earth shatter as others have.

Somebody had a birthday today.

2009-04-01T19:23:00.002-04:00

That's her new toy. Don't you like how her tongue is hanging out?

This is us singing Happy Birthday, she really wanted that cake, instead she just got a piece and some icecream.

Mom and dad find it fitting that her birthday is on April Fool's day since she can act like a fool sometimes.

How are those 26 things going....

2009-03-31T12:34:00.003-04:00

I'm hoping to have pictures from my vacation up tomorrow!

Live within a budget I'm getting better
Read 12 'classic' books The Reader and Revolutionary Road are added to this list for now.

Read Jane Eyre done
Read A Christmas Carol done
Read The Scarlet Letter
Read Alice in Wonderland done
Read Wuthering Heights
Read To Kill a Mockingbird again
Read Anne Frank done
Read Walden
Read Catcher in the Rye

Photo 300, 300 daily pictures horrible
Finish 100 scrapbook projects (LOs count as one, mini albums count as one) horrible
Take an art class
Go to the zoo
Read all Little House Books 3 down, 6 to go
Give up Pop horrible
Read a non-fiction history book a month Read Anne Frank and The STory of the World part 2, The Defining Moment , almost done with Write it When I'm Gone
300 blog entries I'm having problems with motivation
For one month, create something everyday
Simplify and organize. This means making my scrap stuff fit within the space I have. This also means getting rid of the things I'm holding onto but will never use. Organizing photos and closets.
Become ambidextrous I'm practicing everyday and my writing is becoming more legiable
Go a month without buying any clothes This is April's task, I spent too much at the Outlets in Orlando
Watch 10 movies I haven't seen off of AFI's greatest movies ever made Watched Bringing Up Baby and didn't enjoy it. Casablanca and Singin' In the Rain are up next.
Read The Chronicles of Narnia
Go 7 days without TV
Upgrade my Mac OS I bought Leopard and am working on backing up my harddrive before I upgrade
Do one thing that scares the crap out of me
Go to a crop once a month December, February, and March are done
See Shakespeare performed live have to see if Mom wants to go to Stratford for a weekend this spring
Keep my car clean
Save at least 30% of my paychecks check
Try at least one new recipe a month I'm just going to go with 12 new recipes. I need to get out my Rachael Ray cookbooks and magazines
Stop procrastinating as much
Be recognized for my work

History

2009-03-18T10:08:00.000-04:00

I had this teacher in High School, had him for 3 years, that just made history fun. Sure a lot of people complained about him, he made you work and think. But his love of history really came out. When my other college bound friends took Honors American History Junior year I decided I had enough of American History and took 20th Century Conflicts instead.

We spent a few months just on WWII and I loved it. One of the things that was so great was how he connected the past with the present. Ok, I didn't think it was so great at the time but looking back I really appreciate it. I can see that sometimes we do repeat history.

Anyway, last summer when we visited The Ford Presidential Library I saw the above book in the shop and thought it looked interesting. I've been reading it for the past week and love it. Pres. Ford agreed to do a series of interviews after he left office, but nothing that was said in those interviews could be published until after he died. The book is full of candid observations about the presidents after him. The book reads like a novel.

I might not agree with Ford's political views but I am grateful a president actually was honest in his thoughts.

Read it!!!

Happiness happens in 4 days

2009-03-16T09:21:00.003-04:00

I had to mail back 4 of the free tickets but they are giving us 8 Fast Passes to use on any ride at any time.

I have reservations at Chefs de France (in France), San Angel (in Mexico), Jiko (at the Animal Kingdom logde), Garden View Lounge (at the Grand Floridian) for tea, and Liberty Tree Tavern (at the Magic Kingdom). A couple of those are favorites and a couple are new restruants I'm excited to try.

I also have a reesrvation to ride a Segway around the World Showcase at EPCOT. I'm really excited for this, I only rode a Segway for a couple minutes and can't wait to spent a few hours on one learning about World Showcase. Mom is doing a Garden tour while I'm riding around, I hope she really enjoys it.

Lastly we have tickets for a spring training game, Braves v. Tigers, at Disney's Wide World of Sports. It's where the Braves train and it works out the Tigers are playing the Braves while we're down there.

This barely leaves time for shopping but luckily one of the places we're staying, we can walk to the Outlet mall.

happy things today

2009-03-10T09:26:00.002-04:00

1. American Idol finals start tonight. My favorites are Danny, Matt and Adam. Although I am looking forward to seeing Scott behind the piano, I think that could be really special.

2. Kelly Clarkson's new cd comes out today.

3. Disney sent me two 1-day park hopper passes and then by mistake sent me 4 more. :) I'm trying to figure out if my mom will be able to use those as well when we go down in a week. But I do love Disney's guest services, you're not happy, they'll do something to make you very happy.

4. My mom got a Kindle for Christmas that wasn't actually delivered until 2 weeks ago. While reading the paper at the airport last week I saw there is an App for the iPhone or iPod Touch where you can read Kindle books. So now you'll see mom reading on her Kindle and me on my iPod.

Happiness is...(3/3)

2009-03-03T12:16:00.002-05:00

1. This little video. Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat, Pray, Love is one of my favorites. It seems to give me the punch I need at times so hearing her speak is doubly good. I plan on downloading this video and putting it on my ipod so I can listen to it whenever I need a little boost.

2. Christine Miller Mason's Etsy shop. I bought her book recently and can't wait to dive into it.

3. Old College Try. I found this book this morning and already am in love with it. I'm amazed by people that can go against the grain a little bit. Her experiment at being a monk really makes me want to do something similar.

4. Monopoly for an Ipod. I found this out a little over a week ago. Monopoly is my favorite board game. I'm goign to download the game tonight and play it on my trip to Charleston tomorrow.

5. Making dinner reservations for my upcoming trip back to Disney World. I'm excited to share my favorite things with my mom. She hasn't been there in 7.5 years. If only I could get a reservation at the California Grill to watch the fireworks.

Books

2009-02-25T12:07:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite topics. I'm always reading 1 or 5 books. I don't go anywhere without one.

To help me keep track of books I want to read I have a wishlist at Amazon.com.

Some of the books I'm most looking forward to reading soon are.....

Handle With Care by Jodi Piccoult
I just found out how to say her last name today, it's pronounced Pico, not the way I've been saying it for the past few years.

All I Ever Wanted, Kelly Clarkson's new CD
From what I've heard this sounds more like Breakaway than her last album and I loved Breakaway! I listened to it constantly for months.

Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark
This author is a must for both my mom and I. Maybe I'll get to read it on mom's new Kindle!

Visions in White by Nora Roberts
I read anything she writes!

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Sarah is a YA writer but I enjoy all her books. She writes to her audience without talking down to them.

The Middle Place
I've read a lot of good things about this book. It's been compared to Eat, Pray, Love which is one of my favorites of all time.

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot
This is another author that I read basically everything she writes. This is a follow-up book to Airhead, which I really enjoyed.

Most of these books I'll get through my wonderful library so cross your fingers my librarian stays on top of ordering books. I give her a wishlist every so often. :)

I've Been Sick

2009-02-19T09:38:00.002-05:00

My mind is stilll fuzzy so I thought I'd link you to good things today.

This interview with Andrea Scher. I love her blog.

Creature Comforts. I found this blog in a magazine and it's just a happy blog.

There are tons of things I want at this website.

Kelly Rae Roberts always inspires me. Plus I love it when people share their feelings in ways I never could.

This camera bag.

This mini album. I'm cropping this weekend and I'm tempted to making something like this.

Danny's My Guy

2009-02-12T13:07:00.001-05:00

I've liked Danny since his audition, it doesn't hurt he has a story.

I have to agree with the judges that from what we've seen, the guys are stronger than the girls.

I'm excited as always (plus Dancing with the Stars is less than a month away). It's good TV time!

Good Thing

2009-02-11T08:23:00.001-05:00

My mom has been dealing with a lot of family stuff lately. She spent a few days in Cleveland while my granpa's in the hospital. She needs a vacation, which she'll have in less than 36 days.

Last night I told her she sure is lucky that her next vacation is to the Happiest Place on Earth :) She just shook her head and smiled at me.

A movie I won't be seeing

2009-02-10T08:28:00.003-05:00

I loved the book. It's one I read over and over because it's laugh out loud funny. When I heard they were making a movie I was excited at first. Then I heard more about the movie. They changed the setting from London to New York, they've combined books and basically rewritten the story. I can't ruin a great book by seeing this movie.

I've seen them all

2009-02-09T07:37:00.002-05:00

The best picture nominees for the Academy Awards that is. I still think Wall-E is the best movie of last year but since it wasn't nominated here's my thoughts on the other 5.

5. Milk - I didn't really like this movie at all. First I thought Sean Penn played the character more like he was mentally disabled than gay. Second there wasn't much to the story really. You have to applaud the real Harvey Milk for breaking through barriers but I don't find his story worthy of a movie. The only thing is that it's sad to see some of the same prejudice still alive from 30 years ago, there's been some progress but not a whole lot.

4. The Reader - I read the book before I saw the movie. The only thing I can say about both is they were interesting. My problem is I couldn't really like the two main characters. Would you rather be embarrassed than spend 20 years in jail? This movie has a lot of nudity in the first 30-40 minutes. I was surprised before the movie started to see some late teens early twenties walk into the theater with a kid, like 6 or 7. They left very early in the movie. I'm guessing it wasn't the movie they actually paid to see. Kate Winslet was good, I haven't seen the other women in their movies though.

3. Slumdog Millionaire - This movie was hard to put at 3 because it is getting a lot of buzz. The only reason I put it here is because I would watch Frost/Nixon again but I'm not so sure about this one. I think my expectations for htis movie were too high. My mom spent a month raving about it so I was expecting magic. Instead I got a very good movie that was entertaining. I would tell people to see it though, it's cute.

2. Frost/Nixon - I love history and the Nixon era is not one I knew a lot about except for the whole Watergate thing and even that I just know the basics. I thought this movie was fast paced, fun, entertaining, educational. It flew by. It makes me want to watch the actualy David Frost/Richard Nixon interviews. The movie did a good job of not staying with one topic for too long. I really liked this movie.

But the Academy Award, in my opinion, goes to....

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - There was a scene early in the movie where I said to myself, "I'm really going to like this movie." I fell in love with Benjamin early on, how could you not? He did remind me a little of Forrest Gump. He was just a guy that wanted to fit in. He fell in love early in his life and loved the same person for all of it. This movie gave me magic. It also gave me tired/red eyes becasue I cried through the entire 3 hours. Mostly happy tears. The movie was just amazing. I loved Brad Pitt in this role.

Photography

2009-02-04T12:09:00.002-05:00

At one of my favorite scrapbook websites, they are having some photography challenges/lessons.

Last week's lesson was to take a self portrait (below) and to answer some questions.

1. What photography equipment do you use? (Make model of camera, lenses (if applicable) tripod, etc.)

Digital Rebel, the original and a Rebel Xsi. Mostly I shoot with the kit lens because it's what I'm most comfortable with. Lately I have been using the 50mm 1.8. I just got a 24-105mm lens and I have a 70-300mm that I use about once a year.

2. What photo-editing software do you use? And how comfortable are you with that program?

PSE. I'm fine with what I use it for.

3. What are your photography goals? AKA what is it you would like to work on in photography?

I just want to take better pictures for myself. I just finished Karen Russel's online class although I'm only about half way through the lessons. I mostly need the motivation to get out my camera and practice. Having a new camera helps of course.

Update on 26 things

2009-02-02T08:13:00.002-05:00

It's always good to check on progress right?

Live within a budget I came close in January, but then I went to Eddie Bauer and saw a couple things I've been waiting to go on sale, on sale and had to have them
Read 12 'classic' books The Reader and Revolutionary Road are added to this list for now.

Read Jane Eyre currently reading
Read A Christmas Carol done
Read The Scarlet Letter
Read Alice in Wonderland
Read Wuthering Heights
Read To Kill a Mockingbird again
Read Anne Frank done
Read Walden
Read Catcher in the Rye

Photo 300, 300 daily pictures horrible
Finish 100 scrapbook projects (LOs count as one, mini albums count as one) horrible
Take an art class
Go to the zoo
Read all Little House Books 3 down, 6 to go
Give up Pop horrible
Read a non-fiction history book a month Read Anne Frank and The STory of the World part 2, The Defining Moment is on tap for this month. After all the inauguration stuff I kinda want to spend the year learning about our presidents. Jimmy Carter might be next moth.
300 blog entries behind
For one month, create something everyday
Simplify and organize. This means making my scrap stuff fit within the space I have. This also means getting rid of the things I'm holding onto but will never use. Organizing photos and closets.
Become ambidextrous I'm going letter by letter and today is 'p'
Go a month without buying any clothes
Watch 10 movies I haven't seen off of AFI's greatest movies ever made Watched Bringing Up Baby and didn't enjoy it.
Read The Chronicles of Narnia
Go 7 days without TV
Upgrade my Mac OS
Do one thing that scares the crap out of me
Go to a crop once a month Didn't go to one in December
See Shakespeare performed live
Keep my car clean
Save at least 30% of my paychecks check
Try at least one new recipe a month Mac and Cheese ala Jiko in December, tried one last night, will do another before the month is over
Stop procrastinating as much
Be recognized for my work

Excited

2009-01-29T09:49:00.001-05:00

Because this book is being delievered to me today. Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of my favorites. I plan on just reading tonight, that's it. It would even be nice if UPS waits until I'm home so Nani can get her usual biscuit from him.

Because I'm going to see Revolutionary Road and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button this weekend. I'd love to fit in Milk but I don't see it happening.

Because I have new glasses. Can you even tell? They're from Banana Republic. I just can't help but love things that come from Gap/Old Navy/Banana.

Some favorites

2009-01-27T17:15:00.002-05:00

I've noticed I'm liking a lot of color and letters/words lately.

1. 23/365 Blue Monday (Explore Explored), 2. Untitled, 3. Back to the Bubble, 4. Week 3 : Rule of Thirds, 5. Paraguas de Invierno, 6. Corks, 7. Self portrait, 8. not nearly enough, 9. Which to choose?, 10. Untitled, 11. Magnetic letters, 12. A Rare Alphabet Butterfly, 13. Pages, 14. Untitled, 15. Holiday Cheers, 16. Flower, 17. Liberador de Luz, 18. up, 19. Bokeh Love, 20. my favourite colour is rainbow

On 53 days

2009-01-26T09:04:00.001-05:00

I need a vacation!

Coming Soon to a Home Near Me

2009-01-23T09:31:00.002-05:00

I have a camera. It's 4 years old. It works ok but not the best.

I want a new camera.

I'll get the camera soon thanks to a bonus I just got at work.

This..

and this..

Along with a filter and a wireless remote will be mine soon.

Now I just need to find the perfect camera bag.

I'm nicely going to give mom and dad my old camera. Dad is going golfing at Pebble Beach in June and needs a good camera to take pictures.

Now I Know...

2009-01-22T08:44:00.003-05:00

..what movies I need to see.

I told myself I would see all the Oscar Nominated movies this year.

Monday I saw Frost/Nixon and really enjoyed it. I actually want to see the real Frost/Nixon interviews now.

Next weekend I'll take care of at least Slumdog Millionaire and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

I read The Reader over the weekend so maybe I can convince mom to go this weekend after we see Revolutionary Road.

The only movie I'm not too sure about is Milk but I guess I'll have to find a theater that's showing it so I can make a fully educated guess on what was the best movie of 2008.

Having read both Revolutionary Road and the The Reader I'm surprised the academy went with The Reader for Kate Winslet. I think Revolutionary Road gives her a meatier role but I'll see.

Pretty Amazing

2009-01-21T07:16:00.003-05:00

That was my exact thought right after he got sworn in.

I enjoyed watching all the coverage yesterday. There's just this sense of hope and energy. I hope he lives up to everyone expectations.

Picture taken from yahoo.

Book before Movie?

2009-01-18T10:56:00.003-05:00

In the past week I've finished Revolutionary Road and The Reader. I saw the movie previews and they looked good so I thought I would read the books. I always want to read the book before I see the movie because movies leave so much out. I want to know the real story before the Hollywood story.

But at a dinner last week with my grandpa and his wife she said she was surprised I would read the book first. Wouldn't that ruin the movie? Since movies leave stuff out wouldn't I rather read the book after to see what they didn't add?

I guess I feel the movie is another way to enjoy the book. Rarely have movies ever been better than the books. Plus why would I sit down and read a book after I just saw what happened in a lot less time?

What do you prefer? Book before movie or vice versa?

I'm dreaming of places like this

2009-01-15T10:20:00.001-05:00

it's way too cold outside.

16 Things

2009-01-14T12:38:00.005-05:00

Kelly Rae tagged everyone that read to make a list of 16 things people might not know about them so here is mine....

1. I danced for 8 years. Started in kindergarten and stopped at the end of 7th grade. Tap, jazz, ballet but tap was my favorite. I quit to play basketball although it was more of a paternal urging to quit and not so much my wanting to.

2. I celebrated my first birthday in Nassau. I was going to celebrate 13 there but my grandma died and we had to come home.

3. Most of the times when I go shopping for clothes I ask myself if Stacy and Clinton would approve.

4. I don’t eat anything that lives in water, seafood, fish.

5. Mac and cheese is my favorite comfort food.

6. I like the window seat on planes. I enjoy seeing where I’m going and trying to spot landmarks as we’re getting ready to land.

7. I only made Dean’s list once in college. After my first year I never thought it was possible but I got it my last term. It also happened to be one of my easiest terms.

8. My mom is addicted to Bejeweled on my IPod Touch. I have to make sure it’s charged when I get home at night so she can play until the battery dies.

9. My first job was working with mentally disabled children. It’s still the best job I had.

10. Hearing people use double negatives is a huge pet peeve of mine. Also poor grammar. Not that my grammar is perfect.

11. This time of year is my least favorite. I don’t mind cold but I don’t like the really cold.

12. I’m one of those people stores hate. I buy things and then take them back. With clothes it’s the fact that things look different once you get them home. I’m trying to be better but I do have stuff that needs to go back to Target.

13. Pink is my favorite color, but for most of my life it was purple. My bedroom in my current house was originally painted purple, now it's blue.

14. If I could wear flip flops all year long I would.

15. I've been to the finals of 2 sports and feel like I need to go to a Superbowl and World Series to round it out. I saw the Wings win in 1997 from the top row of the Joe and in 2005 I was at game 5 of the NBA finals when the Pistons lost I believe in 2 overtimes.

16. I'm not the most organized person in the world even though I sometimes think I am. Then I have to look at my bedroom and know I need major help!

I wonder about the girls

2009-01-13T08:22:00.002-05:00

I mean the way they act on the Bachelor is embarassing sometimes.

Last night while watching the show I was commenting on their behavior and said, "They have families, they have fathers." To which my dad basically agreed. I know you're trying to get the guy but do you have to be so obvious?

I don't have my favorites yet but I do know which girls I don't like.

Thankful

2009-01-12T12:50:00.001-05:00

Not having the best day so I'm trying to think of the good things.

1. I got into Pop Century for $69 a night when I go to Orlando in March. Now I have to figure out when I'm flying down. Mom is going with a friend and then she was going to be alone for a couple days before I came down. Now I'm thinking I'm going to get there when my mom's friend is still there. After Carol leaves mom can drop me off at Disney while she goes to visit my aunt on the coast.

2. New Gossip Girl and The Bachelor tonight. I think right now Gossip Girl is the best show on TV, followed by The Mentalist.

3. No Mannings are going to be in the Superbowl. :)

4. My dog is a nut. No question about it.

This is Stephen

2009-01-11T17:06:00.003-05:00

Stephen is the son of one of the men my mom used to work with.

Stephen was in the movie Miracle.

Really he was.

During Christmas when Miracle was on TV my mom and I enjoyed watching it to see if we could pick out Stephen. You don't see him a lot but he definatly has some screen time as one of the hockey players.

I went to Sephora today...

2009-01-10T19:21:00.001-05:00

to get moisturizer and cleanser for my face and ended up with this as well. It smelled good enough to drink so I bought it.

I Might have a Problem

2009-01-09T11:06:00.002-05:00

I'm going back in March. I'm taking my mom to the Flower and Garden Show at EPCOT. Right now I'm deciding what day I'm flying down. My mom is going with a friend a week before I have to be there but I can spend a couple days with them, use my Annual Pass to get a cheap room at Disney and then head over to the condo. If only I could get the hotel I really want for the price of the hotel I'm going to have to live with. (Anyone ever stayed at one of the All-Star Resorts?)

I love the beast

2009-01-08T08:46:00.002-05:00

I can call her a beast because she's 95 pounds. Try having that lay on top of you!

In the fall I took her up to the park a couple times so I could get pictures of the trees changing color. She enjoys it because if there's no one around I let her off the leash. But then she runs around like a crazy dog and has to rest.

This is how she looks when she's winded. Her 2 foot long tongue comes out. This was her Christmas Card picture because it was perfectly her.

Not the best

2009-01-07T09:57:00.002-05:00

In my quest to watch all the movies on AFI's Top 100 Movies of all time, the orignal and revised list, I watched Bringing Up Baby over the weekend.

I didn't enjoy it so much. I thought is was defiantly a comedy of errors. My biggest problem though was I just couldn't like Katharine Hepburn's character.

So this movie won't be making my personal Top 100 list.

This makes 12 movies I've seen on the original list and 15 movies on the revised list.

Don't you feel sorry for her?

2009-01-06T10:51:00.002-05:00

She gives me many looks throughout the day. Mostly when she wants food. Beside a few times during the day, she gets feed at 6pm. We may eat dinner at 5 and have her whining for a half hour because she thinks it's time for her dinner too. I've actually done countdowns with her.

She's sooooooooooooo abused. *eye roll*

She's actually incredibly spoiled by all of us but she does try to milk it for all she can get.

229+ books

2009-01-05T10:49:00.002-05:00

That's how many books I read last year. Some good, some bad.

I think my favorites of the year were:
Water for Elephants
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Taking Flight

Other stand outs from my favorite authors were:
Natural Born Charmer
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched
Tribute
Change of Heart
The Beach House
Twenty Wishes
Remember Me?

I also read most of Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice is still my favorite but Mansfield Park was totally enjoyable.

It's interesting to me that my favorite books of the year aren't books I would normally pick up. That's something I want to change in 2009, read more books I wouldn't normally. Although if they all turn out like Revolutionary Road is, I might stick with what I like.

One of my goals

2009-01-04T14:08:00.002-05:00

for this year was to take 300 daily pictures. December started off good because I was at Disney World but then I got sick and didn't feel like taking pictures.

Yesterday I uploaded a bunch of pictures to flickr.com to jump start myself.

I hope I can get back on track and start taking more pictures. It might help though to clean off my memory cards as I have no room on any of them.

My Word

2009-01-01T19:34:00.003-05:00

I've had my 2009 word since I went to Cabo.

I was sitting poolside reading this book and the word came to me. It's a word I strive for in 2009.
I really want to work on enjoying life more. Remembering the simple things. The phrase in Italian is my blog header. The sweet life.

Favorite Songs of 2008

2008-12-31T07:55:00.003-05:00

10 of the 12 months this year I made a top 10 songs list. The lists were made of of 55 songs. I've narrowed those songs down to my favorites of this year.

You're Gonna Miss This by Trace Adkins
Hollywood's Not America by Ferras
What About Now by Daughtry
Let It Be sung by Brooke White
Long Trip Along by Dierks Bently
You Look Good in My Shirt by Keith Urban
Don't Think I Don't Think About It by Daius Rucker
Country Man by Luke Bryan :)
Better As a Memory by Kenny Chesney
Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven by Kenny Chesney
Famous in a Small Town by Miranda Lambert
Start a Band by Brad Paisley and Keith Urban
Lookin' For a Good Time by Lady Antebelum
Already Gone by Sugarland
Love Story by Taylor Swift
Time of my Life by David Cook

Love, Actually

2008-12-30T09:54:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite movies.

The other would be Hugh Grant dancing around 10 Downing Street.

Take a box of Kleenex

2008-12-29T12:38:00.003-05:00

I saw Seven Pounds over the weekend. I can't really tell you anything about the movie because it would give it away but you will need kleenex for most of the movie.

The movie was good, just a little slow in a couple places.

I Believe

2008-12-23T10:16:00.002-05:00

My favorite Christmas movie is the original Miracle on 34th Street. I don't know why really but it's just always caught me. Maybe it's the idea of Santa. Sure I know it was mom and dad that put stuff under my tree but I love the idea of Santa, some magical guy.

A couple interesting things I just learned about this movie. It came out in July because the studio didn't think anyone would want to see a movie about Christmas. The movie stayed in the theaters until Christmas. Next, the scene where Susan pulls Kris's beard is real. It was a shock to her.

My favorite part of the movie is probably the end. Susan is sad that she didn't get her gift and keeps going, "I believe, I believe..." Then the next thing you know their driving by the house of her dreams.

Magic!

Dear Santa

2008-12-22T09:21:00.001-05:00

All I want for Christmas is an Ipod Touch. Really, I'll be happy with a little box as long as this is in it.

I LOVE JCREW

2008-12-18T08:55:00.002-05:00

Jcrew is one of my favorite stores. It can get pricey though so rarely do I buy anything in the store that isn't on sale.

Take the 4 things I got Monday.

I got them for about 75% off orginal price.

That makes me happy. It also makes me happy to wear the pink shirt, it's so soft.

What I think...

2008-12-17T10:08:00.000-05:00

Twilight, the book and movie, are big right now.

I've read Twilight and the sequel. I enjoyed Twilight, the second book not so much.

It seems like, to me, the reason people love the books is not because of the vampires but because of the love story.

After going to see the movie and hearing the young girls audible sigh when Edward came on screen for the first time I finally realized something.

Edward is that generations Mr. Darcy.

To me there is just something about Mr. Darcy, from Pride and Prejudice, that makes him so attractive. He's the literary love of my life.

Fabulous book!

2008-12-16T12:08:00.001-05:00

I read something about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society a couple months ago. Then I looked at it at Barnes and Noble and thought, I'll get it from the library.

I picked it up last week, as there are lots of holds on it, and I couldn't put it down. I was reading Sunday night and wanted to keep reading but the fact I had to work Monday got in the way.

The book takes place just after World War II mostly on one of the Chanel Islands. (I didn't even really know about those islands) The story is told through letters by some of the most charming people. If the people were real I'd be booking a trip to the island to meet them.

I think the book is just a feel good book. It's an easy read and I dare you to finish it without a smile on your face. I know I did as well as laugh many times while reading.

A Great Way to Spend Sunday

2008-12-15T07:36:00.002-05:00

After Rent, Wicked is my favorite musical. I don't even like the Wizard of Oz but I love this show.

Mom and I saw it in Chicago a couple years ago but dad hadn't so when I saw it was coming back to Detroit I ordered tickets.

The music from the show is played at least once a month on my ipod. My favorite song, Defying Gravity, is one of the most inspirational songs I've heard.

The problem now is I want to go see it again and again. I did drop lots of hints about Rent coming to Detroit in the Spring just in case mom and dad didn't get me an Ipod Touch for Christmas. :)

7/300

December To-Do (6/300)

2008-12-12T07:52:00.002-05:00

Mail Christmas Cards
Read 8 books, hopefully
Christmas shopping for dad, Nani, Ella and Joan
Organize Scrap area, for like the 50 billionth time
Make euchre score cards (like today)
Clean my work desk
Watch It's a Wonderful Life, Love, Actually and A Muppets Christmas Carol
Sleep

A few pictures (5/300)

2008-12-10T07:52:00.005-05:00

These are from Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. A totally worthwhile experience. The Disney people took these pictures. My Christmas card picture is from this night but you have to wait for the card to see the picture. :)

My goal was to get a picture with Mickey but then I saw Stitch and well, I had to go see him. He was great. I know it's just a person but I turn into a child and just have fun.

And yes, my santa hat has ears. :)

I can say...

2008-12-04T13:18:00.000-05:00

without a doubt, my favorite nighttime show is Illuminations. I saw Wishes for the first time last night and although it's cool, it's no Illuminations.

What's another word for magical?

2008-12-02T08:41:00.001-05:00

Last night I saw something amazing. The Candlelight Processional is a retelling of the story of Christmas with lots of music. Neil Patrick Harris told the story with over 100 singers. The whole experience was moving. I'm planning on going back another night this week.

After that it was one of my favorite things at Disney, Illuminations. They have a special show for Christmas.

Overall an excellent day. And yes, I did do some work.

enjoying my work day

2008-12-01T12:42:00.001-05:00

I spent my morning at the animal kingdom riding Everest twice, going on a Safari, and seeing Dinosaurs. Now I actually have to do a little work before a German buffet and listening to Neil Patrick Harris reading the story of Christmas.

26 goals for my 26th year (1/300)

2008-11-29T18:44:00.002-05:00

Live within a budget
Read 12 'classic' books

Read Jane Eyre
Read A Christmas Carol
Read The Scarlet Letter
Read Alice in Wonderland
Read Wuthering Heights
Read To Kill a Mockingbird again
Read Anne Frank
Read Walden
Read Catcher in the Rye

Photo 300, 300 daily pictures
Finish 100 scrapbook projects (LOs count as one, mini albums count as one)
Take an art class
Go to the zoo
Read all Little House Books
Give up Pop
Read a non-fiction history book a month
300 blog entries
For one month, create something everyday
Simplify and organize. This means making my scrap stuff fit within the space I have. This also means getting rid of the things I'm holding onto but will never use. Organizing photos and closets.
Become ambidextrous
Go a month without buying any clothes
Watch 10 movies I haven't seen off of AFI's greatest movies ever made
Read The Chronicles of Narnia
Go 7 days without TV
Upgrade my Mac OS
Do one thing that scares the crap out of me
Go to a crop once a month
See Shakespeare performed live
Keep my car clean
Save at least 30% of my paychecks
Try at least one new recipe a month
Stop procrastinating as much
Be recognized for my work

Christmas Fun

2008-11-26T07:18:00.003-05:00

I got this in an email and thought it would be fun to do here.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper! Wrapping gifts is one of my favorite Christmas things to do.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real or nothing like this year. Dad's doctors said we can't have a real tree so the only tree we'll have is my mom's little ceramic one.

3. When do you put up the tree? If we have a tree usually around the middle of December.

4. When do you take the tree down? Before New Year's if mom gets her way

5. Do you like eggnog? no thank you. Funny story though, over 10 years ago my aunt, uncle and cousins were at McDonald's and someone asked my cousin Timmy if he wanted eggnog. He said, "I don't like eggs and I don't know what nog is." He hasn't lived that down yet.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My bear. His name is Desmond, named after Desmond Howard. I got him the year Desmond won the Heisman Trophy.

7. Hardest person to buy for? my dad

8. Easiest person to buy for? my dog

9. Do you have a nativity scene? My mom has one

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail, I just need to find time to make them this year

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? usually anything from my grandpa's wife

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? the original Miracle on 34th Street

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever I see something

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? my mom's cookies

16. Lights on the tree? red and white

17. Favorite Christmas song? Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays by 'NSYNC

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? stay at home, although the one year we went to Vegas it was great

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen (and Rudolph)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Santa

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? the craziness around the mall

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I have a blue one with my name on it. I like to get ornaments from places I travel. And any ornament with Stitch on it. :)

24 What do you want for Christmas this year? Ian says I want a Giants house with Eli in it...LOL

Wise Words

2008-11-25T12:26:00.002-05:00

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~e.e. cummings

A Favorite

2008-11-20T08:01:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago I was helping mom clean part of the basement and saw all my cds. I went through them to see if there were any I wanted to listen to again. The above cd is one of them.

I got it in 2000 and listened to it almost constantly. To me this cd is timeless, I love every song on the album.

My favorite song is probably the first one called Affirmation. Here are some of the lyrics.

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

Just a good song for those days when you need a little pick me up.

Also,crowdSPRING, hire Kelly Purkey for your new Community Marketing Manager!

What have I done?

2008-11-19T07:29:00.001-05:00

This is probably making the rounds but I thought it was interesting. You bold the things you've done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band ....at school
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world (again in 11 days!!!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (rode the elevator to the top)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

That's 38 things. Some of them I don't think I'd want to be able to bold but other things like most of the travel one's I want to do.

Good Day

2008-11-18T11:57:00.002-05:00

This is out.

And this.

And this.

A stop at Target on the way home is in order.

I kinda love my job on days like today

2008-11-17T12:18:00.002-05:00

The first week in December I will be in Orlando.

For a work conference.

At Disney World.

I am getting paid to go to Disney World.

Ok, they're not paying me to go play in the parks. I do have to attend the conference from 8-5 each day but I'll be close to Mickey. I'll be in the parks at night. Plus I'm staying 3 extra days to enjoy the holidays with Disney.

There are so many things I want to do while I'm there. I've never been to Disney at Christmas time. I expect to be amazed.

Science is Fun!

2008-11-12T13:35:00.006-05:00

I spent Monday morning at the Science Center. It's a place I've been wanting to go to for awhile and told myself I have the day off work so I should go. Overall it was ok. I got through everything in a couple hours. It's a great place for field trips.

One of the reasons I wanted to go now was they have a DaVinci exhibit. Basically it just shows a bunch of his inventions and some prints of his pictures. Very interesting to see what he created 500 years ago without our modern conveniences.

This picture was taken in a 8 sided little room that is all mirrors. Pretty cool, especially with a camera.

Mom wouldn't even cross this bridge. At one end it showed how suspension bridges are built with give so they can sway and move with the weather. Pretty cool to see but I don't think I'd want to be on the bridge on any day with some wind.

My Library

2008-11-06T10:01:00.002-05:00

It might not look like much but I love this little library. I'm in there once or twice a week to pick up books. I can get brand new books sooner through my library than the library coop.

Then there's our head librarian, a very nice woman. Whenever I go in there we end up talking for 10 minutes. I actually went to school with her daughters.

Earlier in the year, probably because I am in there so much, she asked me if I would like to run for the Library Board. I would get paid a small sum every month and would help write policy for the library. Now since I'm in there so much I would be great at this job.

On Tuesday I got to write myself in. Yesterday when I checked the election results they only had the people that were on the ballot, not the write-ins. I figured I did not make it anyway because I did not tell anyone really that I was running. This morning I got the email I did get on the board. I'm very honored actually to be able to give back to a place that has given me so much in the past year.

You might think I'm crazy

2008-11-05T13:13:00.003-05:00

But I love "It's a Small World" at Disney.

The song does not make me cringe and I consider it a must ride when I'm at any Disney park.

I think the message is one that we need to think about all the time.

There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all

Then there's the ride itself. The dolls are absolutely beautiful. Mary Blair did a great job.

To me, the magic of Disney now is about how the rides were made, what's the story being told, what's the history behind the ride. It's A Small World was created for the 1964 World's Fair and then was transfered to Disneyland after. This ride was created and built in about 8 months which is amazing considering it takes years to create a new ride at Disney. And again the message of the song, as annoying as it can be, it's still wonderful.

A First for Me

2008-11-04T09:09:00.004-05:00

I've never physically voted before. I've always had to do absentee because I was in school. I get to leave work an hour early to go and vote. I even get to vote for myself for Library board.

If you want to do nothing for a week

2008-10-30T20:55:00.002-04:00

you need to come to Cabo.

We've spent at least 15 hours at the pool in 4 days, more tomorrow. We've gone snorkling and a little shopping, but mostly laying by the pool. We always make sure we're there for happy hour when drinks are buy one get one.

I don't love tequila but pina coladas are good. :)

Hola!!

2008-10-26T20:02:00.001-04:00

I'm very tired but also nice and warm in this 90 degree weather.

Wish you were in Cabo!