Currently

Linking up today with Anne In Residence

Starting
TO PANIC!!!!!!

I had to go to a colorectal surgeon yesterday because I'm still living in pain.  All these months later.
Come to find out.... all these abscesses... they've caused a fistula. Which is basically a tunnel that runs from one part of the body, to another, & it keeps filling up with yucky stuff & draining randomly.  So basically another abscess in the making. Luckily, its still draining so I'll have horrible days of pain & then it drains & I'm ok for a few days. & if it ever stops draining, another abscess will form. God help me!!!... but its all just MISERABLE. Months of pain. So the surgeon, of course, wants to surgeon (use it as a verb... I am)  She wants to go in & do a fistulotomy... which doesn't even sound fun, does it?  So basically - ANOTHER FREAKING SURGERY!!!!!!! ... & to top it off, she wants to do a colonoscopy the day before as well. Just the cherry on top of the cake.  She wanted to do it in like 2-3 weeks - I've put them off till the end of October... & still not sure if I'm keeping that appointment.  I'm just so freaking overwhelmed..... beyond overwhelmed.
So yeah... starting to panic in 3...2....1....


Buying
Light bulbs, more light bulbs & EVEN MORE light bulbs.
Doesnt it seem like they ALL go out at one time?  I've had 2 lamps in my bedroom out, two lights in my kitchen & one light in my living room.... & I'm sure when I go home, my laundry room light will be out. For some reason, that light blows like every 3 weeks.  Buy a long lasting light bulb & nope, still lasts less than a month. SO AGGRAVATING.


Sharing

Have you had these yet?
DELICIOUS!!!!... I bought a can of the Cheddar Cheese chips & Ricky tried one & was like, "Can I have some of these?"... needless to say, we shared that can in all of about 15 minutes.
I gotta pick up some more.


Reading
Right now I'm doing three books. I've started doing 2-3 books at a time. I used to hate doing that but I'm getting better at going from story to story.  It's only because I've got library books & I dont want to return them unread, so I'm trying to inhale them as fast as I can... but right now, here's what my nose is into.

Recording
Right now, my DVR (which just became available recently on the DirectTV app) is always recording Big Brother in case I miss it (GO TYLER!!!)  - & my favorite ladies - the Real Housewives. The ones currently on, New York, while finishing up their season & my OC Housewives - which I'm not digging the two new ladies on this year.... & Dallas - they are growing on me more each year!

Wellness Wednesday - Wellness Goals of 2018

I love to be joining in with some amazing ladies for a series that will be happening the 2nd Wednesday of every month that deals with living your best healthy life.  I cant wait to see how everyone else looks at the same topic each month. I love getting inspiration & motivation from others when it comes to being healthier & fitter.... so let's kick this off!

This week we're talking about WELLNESS GOALS

So for me.... I am kind of - no, let me rephrase that - totally 100% disappointed in myself in letting my health go lately.

Remember a few years ago when I had a fire in me loosing weight & working out & eating amazingly & feeling the best ever? ..... yeahhhhhhh.... I remember those days too.

I just fizzled out lately.  Like REALLLLY fizzled out.

I dont know if it is being in my mid-40's & hormones kicking me in the gut (truly) or the stress of dealing with my job & health insurance issues resulting in one of the biggest life changes I've had in awhile, or if it's just motivation has just gone out of the window.... or a combo of all of it....

but yeah... all that weight I lost?  Guess who found me?  Yep... all that weight.

The struggle is real y'all.  I know this is going to be a life style, every day, every night, every moment decision for the rest of my life.  To be healthy & to be fit, its going to take focus on every area of my life. No slacking allowed. Slacking leads to habits... habits leads to downfalls & downfalls lead to landslides....

BUT..... I love a good but (which by the way, I'll get again #punintended)

I have taken the steps to getting healthier for 2018.

& yes, I lost my weight before  doing the 21 Day Fix - & it worked amazingly for me.  But for some reason, its just not filling my soul right now.  I mean, it's not motivating me - I just can't seem to stick with it this time around.  Not sure why... I just am not feeling it.

So I have been looking around at different options... the Tone it Up girls, Jenny Craig, other fitness sites & trainers.... & know what I did?

I pulled the cord & jumped & made the leap... I joined Weight Watchers!

& can I say, I'm pretty excited about it.

This new point system?  I see what Oprah is yelling about now.

As a vegetarian, its REALLLLLY nice too - because a lot of foods that I eat as stables as a vegetarian are "free point" foods.  Crazy, huh?

Free point foods dont even have to be measured or weighed - they're free.  Which is nice because veggies & fruits?  Eggs & tofu?  Beans & lentils? I can eat all I want.... how incredible is that?

Even on the 21 Day Fix - you are limited to how many fruits & veggies you can have - with fruits being a low amount for a day.  I'd eat my daily fruit by noon.... which is strange to think that fruit is limited - & I get it - it has natural sugar... but still - its full of vitamins & healthy stuff for you.... not limited any more.

& I'm loving the web page & app & the community that is on all of it... So far, I'm really impressed.

I have big goals ahead. I still want to get the 50 lbs BACK off. (insert head droooping sigh here)... but I know I can do it.  & I'm excited to get back at it.

This is the fire I was talking about my soul needs...

Wish me luck... & I'll be posting updates, I'm sure!!!

Who knew me & Oprah & DJ Khaled were going to be best friends?

An InLinkz Link-up

3 things about me - Holiday Version

Joining in with the amazing Tonya for a Holiday edition of 3 things about me

3 Things I love about Christmas
1. Celebrating baby Jesus.  What its all about.
2. Christmas songs.  I dont know if its because its one month out of the year that they are played, but they just make me so happy to listen to.
3. Lights.  I always love when dark nights are made more joyful with glow of Christmas lights from everyone's homes & windows.

3 Things I dislike about Christmas
1. The materialism of it.  So much of Christmas isn't about the celebration of Jesus & it just makes me so sad.  How it turned from celebrating our Savior to spending all the money you have saved up for a moment of opening a package & let's be honest, how many of those packages are totally forgetten in such a few weeks?  It's just sad to me. I always say I cant imagine what God thinks when he sees what people focus on during the holiday
2. The Comparisons.  In a world of Pinterest & Instagram & the goal to have the PERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAY - complete with decorations, tree, gifts just wrapped with the perfect bow that stands up (how does that even happen?).... The goals & expectations are just too much.
3. THE STRESS. I guess that sums it up.  Trying to please everyone with that gift you are trying to figure out.  The finacial stress.  The trying to be everywhere, be everyone & do everything.... UGH

3 Favorite Christmas Movies
1. ELF - I never tire of it & still gut laugh every time
2. Scrooged - with Bill Murray.  I adore that movie.
3. The Santa Clause. I love the movie -but it also is special because the day we saw it in the theater, is the same day Ricky proposed to me. I remember that day so well.

3 Favorite Christmas Traditions
1.  Christmas Breakfast. I dont know why but I love making breakfast on Christmas morning. It's nothing different than I usually make, but it just tastes magical that morning.
2. I will say, the past few years, our Christmas Day has opened up with out any commitments to go anywhere so we've started going to the first movie of the day on Christmas day - while everyone else is opening presents or spending time with family.  It's been a fun add on to our holiday.  This year - STAR WARS!!!!
3.  Sitting in my living room looking at the tree. Says it all. I dont spend a lot of time in our living room - but when the tree is lit, I can sit in there all night long & bask in the glow.

3 Favorite Christmas Songs
1.  Casting Crowns - I heard the Bells on Christmas Day.  My FAVORITE!!!!!
2.  Josh Groban - O Holy Night - MY FAVORITE!!!!!
3. Trans-Siberian Orchestra -Christmas Canon - MY TOTAL FAVORITE!!!... I walked down the aisle to Canon in D & this just makes me tear up every time I hear it.





3 Favorite Christmas Gifts Received
1.  My Engagement Ring.  Christmas Eve is when Ricky proposed... back in 1994. At my church's candlelight Christmas Eve midnight service.  WOW... What a great Christmas that was.
2.  As a teenager, I can remember opening all the presents & we were finished, but walked up to my bedroom & found a STEREO!!! I was probably 13... having my own stereo was a BIG THING. It had a DUAL CASSETTE player on it. I could RECORD CASSETTES. Oh my gosh - my mind was blown. & it had a record player on it.  Bring on the albums!  I still can remember the feeling of surprise of seeing it in my room & how excited I was about it.
3.  We got our first dog as a kid on Christmas morning.  A little schnauzer sitting under the tree... & me & my brother ran right past her. haha... She was our family member for many years.

3 Gifts I want to give the world.
1. To animals, I want to give the gift of compassion.  They matter. They have minds, hearts, emotions. All the animals. I wish I would save them all.
2. To teens, I want to give the gift of presence.  To let my youth know they are loved, & I am there for them to listen to them, laugh with them, to be a shoulder to lean on & a heart to celebrate with ... & mainly to point them all on the right path to help them become amazing adults.
3. To everyone I meet every day, kindness. I think kindness is so over looked. A smile. A simple gesture.  Kindness can change the world if it was spread from one person to the next.

So join in - tell us your favorite things

All about Fall!!! ....{TBB ASKS}

Joining in with the ladies at The Blended Blog to get our Fall Feel on!!!

1) Favorite Fall Sweet Treat?

I'm all about pumpkin pie in the fall! mmm

2) Red, Yellow or Green Apple?

I used to be on a yellow apple kick, but lately, I've been about the Gala or Honeycrisp apples

... which technically looks red AND yellow 

3) Favorite Fall Sport to Play?

Funny.

I only watch Tennis.

No tennis in the fall.

SIDE NOTE... I Just saw the question says PLAY & not WATCH

& I'm too lazy to change the answer above

... just know I dont play sports either.

Me & sports? Not friends

4) Best Drink for Fall?

    Chai Tea Lattes with pumpkin! 

THE BEST!!!!!

It's funny because I've ordered that for years (by the recommendation of another bloggy friend)

& now, its on Starbuck's fall menu!

The word must have spread how amazing it is.

                

5) Favorite Fall Activity?

Photo sessions with changing leaves

... the most beautiful time of the year

6) Must have Fall Purchase?

All the vests!!!

7) Pumpkins: Pick your own or store bought?

Store bought

... which is a shame since we live like 10 miles from a pumpkin orchard.

But my pumpkins usually are from Hobby Lobby ;) 

(see next question)

8) Real or Fake Pumpkin?

Fake

I love a good real pumpkin, but they usually end up rotting on my front porch,

so we dont typically get a real pumpkin.

Now, my brother used to paint some cute ones up & give us one & I'd love having those on my front porch, or on my table inside - but as for me buying one? Typically fake.

9) Favorite Halloween Costume?

I kinda liked my Pippi Longstocking costume I wore one year.
My hair actually help up all night long... thanks to coat hangers in those braids.
& I was pretty comfy all night in some good striped socks & combat boots.

10) College Football or NFL?

Did we not see the Julie Andrews dancing meme at the top?

yeahhhh....neither

11) Fall or Halloween Decor?

Fall

I do have my Halloween decorations I throw in there,

but I typically do more "Fall"so I can keep it out till Thanksgiving.

12) Raking Leaves or no Leaves to Rake?

It's strange because we have trees in our back yard, but the leaves usually drop fairly early

& its like they just get blown away - we never have had to rake.

I think honestly, most of the leaves just get brought in from the bottom of the dog's belly & into my kitchen floor.

So its more like SWEEP

13) Favorite soup?

  Tomato    

14) Favorite Fall Candle Scent?

I'm not picky

... give me anything apple or caramel, or pumpkin or fireplace or any kind of WARM smell, I'm happy

15) Love or Hate Pumpkin Spice?

meh... 

I like it in pie

The Pumpkin spice craze has taken a strange turn though... FO' REAL!

16) Short Booties or Tall Boots?

Tall Boots!

I've been a tall boot girl since I was little in the 70's... seriously.

I dig me some tall boots.

I've never owned short boots though - I think because they have a heel usually on them - I dont do a heel.

Tall boots can be flat

17) Favorite Halloween Candy?

That's like trying to pick a favorite child

18) PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte): Yes or No?

Nope... like I said before - just give me the chai tea with pumpkin

19) Hayride or Corn Maze?

I love a good corn maze

20) Favorite Fall TV Show?

I'm waiting so anxiously for Halloween for 

STRANGER THINGS!!!!! 

A good month!!!! {Show us your books}

I'm excited... this was a good month for me in the book department. 

Just what I needed.

& I've already bought 2 new books to jump into, plus I want to re-read 13 Reasons Why since I have forgotten half the things & the show doesnt ring bells in some areas - so I want to read & compare.

Lots laying ahead on my reading schedule....

But here's my past month!

Ratings are based on the Goodread Scale

1 Star - Didnt Like it

2 Stars - It was OK

3 Stars - Liked It

4 Stars - Really Liked It

5 Stars - It was AMAZING!
___________________________________

Belle by Cameron Dokey
****4 stars

Another re-telling of the Beauty & the Beast story... which I'm always a sucker for & will buy every one I can get my hands on.

This is definitely not like the Disney version, but does still hold Fairy Tale qualities & magic.  & its very 'time period-esque'.

My only problem with the book was that you are more than half way through before we even get to hear about the Beast & probably about 75% in before Belle meets him. I wish there was more interaction between the two of them. More of that story.  But most of this is told about her family, & the town legends of a tree called the Heartwood Tree, which comes into play in the end, but it was just missing something for me.

I'm glad I have the book for my Beauty & the Beast loving heart... enjoyed the story... but its not a total winner for me.  I'd still recommend it though if you love the Tale as Old as Time story.

Plus, its a really fast read.  Just barely over 200 pages. This is one to zoom right through.

"True love never has just one face, does it?  It must always have two, or it isn't true love at all"

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
***** 5 stars

Why did I wait so long to get this book?
I absolutely loved it. 

What would you do if the love of your life, who you married, was presumed dead, & after a struggle you move on with your life, only to find a new love in an old friendship... & then find your husband is still alive?

I was gasping & couldn't read fast enough to find out how this was going to go. & I was so torn. I loved both of the guys - Jesse & Sam. I couldn't root for just one. Oh the struggles.

I just liked the ease of the writing & story telling. It was like a friend just telling their story to you - not like a book trying to push a story AT you. I've heard so many good things about this author - after reading this, I've already order a few more of her books & cant wait to dig in.

"Just because something isn't meant to last a lifetime doesn't mean it wasn't meant to be"

Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg
***** 5 Stars

What a book that puts attitude in perspective.

We did this book for our Bible Study along with the workbook & it was just a wake up call how much our attitudes & the way we look at our lives, our every days, can make such a difference.

This book talks about Margaret's journey when she found out she has cancer & had to go through the treatments to save her life. It's a hard read sometimes to see what she had to go through & had to face... but you come out seeing what real life joy can look like. It's not always perfect & the struggle is real in finding it, but its possible.

I love the book has extra sections at the end on things to say to someone who is facing a crisis, & one of my favorite lists, a playlist of songs that are encouragement for joy. I am currently going through all of them & focusing on the words of each of them.

I heard Margaret in person at a conference & just loved her little spunky self & her book totally represents that same side of her. I totally recommend this book - & the study if you get a chance

"Joy means holding on to hope in God regardless of the outcome.  Declaring we will give up everything & entrust ourselves more fully & wholly to the One who holds all things together"

Mix & Match Mama / Kids in the Kitchen
***** 5 Stars

I was sent this book to review but SO GLAD it was sent my way.

I'm all about easy cooking & these are recipes that are made with the intentions of having kids help in the kitchen - just my speed.
But the recipes arent juvenile. There are some really good ideas in there.
My favorites are the desserts just because who doesnt love easy desserts?
Being a vegetarian, not every recipe works for me, but there are actually vegetarian recipes in there & some that I can alter to work for my lifestyle.
It's a small book too, easy for kids to hold. I just love that Shay really does have her kids in the kitchen helping out early on.
If you have kids & they are interested in working in the kitchen with you, get this book. You'll love it.
If you love easy recipes for yourself, you'll love it.
Side note - the Tex-Mex Ravioli bake is one of our favorite recipes now. 

Have you been on a good reading trend?

What's your favorite book or cookbook you've read this month?

10 Oscar-Award Winning Flicks

So I'm going to be joining in with quirky pickings as she's kicking off Tuesday Topics that counts down from 10 to 1 every week of fun different topics.  Be sure to click & join in if you want to jump in the fun.

Today's top - 10 Oscar-Award Winning Flicks.

Me & my little get around the rules kinda gal, I'm like, does that include the ones that won Best Song or Musical so I can really get in some of my favorite movies... which usually means cartoons. Yes, cartoons - or to be more MATURE - "Animated films" ... yeah, so what? I love my cartoons even still.

But I'll play fair & go with solely the movies that won for Best Picture... though Beauty & the Beast got ROBBBBBBBED ...

Fun Fact - looking through the list - I've never seen Rocky... but have seen Rocky 3 & Rocky IV is like my favorite... hmmm
& never seen The Godfather.  & I'm Italian. I feel like I should hand over my Italian card.
Honestly, there's a lot of Oscar Winning movies that I've never seen... nor really heard of.  I still am rooting for movies like The Avengeres or helllooooo - the new Beauty & the Beast to win....

Anyways - let's do this ...

1939 - Gone with the Wind... I can remember watching this movie in school.  It was so long, it litearlly look all day long with lunch & breaks in there. But I really enjoyed it.  & couldnt believe they actually used the word "damn" in it. Wouldn't Clark Gable be shocked with the language today?

1965 - The Sound of Music - this is a favorite of Ricky & I.  We always watch it when its on TV.  We even had the 2 set VHS because it was too long to fit on one VHS.  We've seen it on Broadway - with Marie Osmond playing the lead role of Maria... I have the soundtrack (on cassette too) - How do you Solve a Problem like Maria is still one of my favorite musical songs (How do you catch a moon beam & pin it down...that speaks to me)... I never tire of this & its Vaseline lens on Julie Andrews.

1994 - Forrest Gump - Classic.  "I just felt like running"... If this is on TV & I pass by it, I have to sit & watch it. Everyone knows a line or two... or 10 ... from this movie.  JENNNNYYYY!!!

1997 - Titantic - JUST SCOOT OVER ROSE!!!!... you know we all are in agreement on this fact.  But this is ANOTHER movie that we had the 2 VHS set on. I remember seeing this in the theater & SOBBING - like UGLY CRY - at the ending. Like I didnt know how it was going to end?  It was such a beautiful film.  & to this day, I still dont get out of a car with a hat on & not do the Rose head tilt with the look up to the sky.

1998 - Shakespeare in Love - I actually really loved this movie.  Maybe its because of Joseph Fiennes & his droopy eyes - or a really young Ben Affleck - but I thought this was so cleverly done on how they came up with the Romeo & Juliet story.  I need to watch this again... I forgot how much I loved it.

2000 - Gladiator  - Again, not a typical movie that I'm drawn too but I thought this movie was so beautifully shot.  & it just had me on the edge of my seat.  I loved the music in it too - weird, I know, but it just is so enchanting.  Russell Crow is just the best in it. Maximum forever.

2002 - Chicago - Gotta love a good musical.  & I was super impressed with Catherine Zeta-Jones & Renee Zellweger.  I still need all my the musicals brought to the big screen please.  Wicked, I'm looking at you!!!

... sorry... I can only come up with 7... I'm telling you, the Oscars dont know how to pick good movies.

So I'm once again breaking the rules & looking at the Best Animated Film... Here's my language.

Movies like Brave, Frozen, Inside Out, Big Hero 6, Happy Feet, Finding Nemo, UP! ... this is my world.

So to finish it off, I'm going with 3 of my favorite Animated winners

2004 The Incredibles - This movie is still one of our favorites. I mean - its SUPER HEROES!!! With a SUPER FAMILY.  & SUPER SUITS!  ... still one of the best Disney Lines ' Honey - Where is my Super Suit!!!!!" ... I need NEED another one of these. If we can get a new Nemo/Dory movie, we should be able to get this!!!!

2007 - Ratatouille - This is such an under rated Disney movie. It's SOOO good. I actually didnt see it when it first came out because I thought it was going to be dumb. & now, I watch it every chance I get.

My spirit animal?

2016 - Zootopia - another Disney movie I missed at the theaters because I wasn't too sure what it was about. But when I saw it, instantly fell in love with it.  Such a good point to the movie - & such a cool looking animated film.  Total thumbs up on this one.

So what's some of your favorite Oscar winning movies? 

Are you like me & prefer the Animated category? ... & think the Oscars are too snobby & pick weird movies?  Bygones.

Like any of these?

High to low & back again.. but ends on a high note (Show Us Your Books)

YESSSS - the 2nd Tuesday of the month!!!

While the US is all in a frenzy about voting... which everyone - GET OUT & VOTE if you haven't already - I think we need this distraction of books today. I know I do. I have no idea how this election is going to go.  So I'll just sit back & fill up my Goodreads list today & wait for the final outcome of this wonderment we call the 2016 Elections.

Suddenly Royal
By Nicole Chase
3 out of 5

I came off of last month with a bunch of depressing, sad reads so I was excited to get to a little fun, romance & 'fairy tale' sort of book.  Just an easy read.  This didn't disappoint.

Samantha finds out she is actually a Duchess of a small country of Lilaria, her life gets turned upside down. Especially when she meets the Crown Prince of that country.

I really loved this book. Sort of predictable.  No real issues in the story.  I was expecting some sort of 'drama' to come up & cause problems with Samantha stepping into her role, or some sort of issue with her & Alex, the prince - but it was just really sort of an easy story.  I didnt mind it. Maybe if I hadn't come off such a slump of books, I would have been more frustrated with that, but it was the perfect book for me at the perfect time.

If you want an easy read, a good romance, & a 'thoughtless' book where you dont have to put too much effort into reading & keeping up with characters, then this is a good one for you.

I found out afterwards this is a set of 3. I did buy the 2nd book, which focuses on the Prince's sister. Didn;t get around to it yet though.

Side note - anyone watch Jane the Virgin?  I think the cover looks exactly like that girl!

See it? Or just me?

_____________________________

Luckiest Girl Alive
By Jessica Knoll
0 out of 5

I can't even. LITERALLY. CANT!

I almost bought this book in the bookstore because it was on clearance. THANK YOU LORD I didn't. I ended up getting it at the library & made it through about 20% & just couldnt do it any more.

I LOATHED the character of Ani.  She was foul to me. In every sense of the word.  I could care less to learn any more about her, to hear about her life, to know what her big 'mystery' was - she just disgusted me actually. I dont think I've ever read a book that the character made me so ... YUCK... that I was like, I'm not even going to try to read this book.  Between the character & all the stupid name dropping of products & fashion & styles. I just couldn't.
I tried to look up some spoilers to see what the big dramatic reveal mystery was. Never found out, but read a lot of people who just basically felt the same way I did.

Someone wrote in the reviews "Got to the halfway mark, realized I didn't really feel like reading about rich, white people problems. Therefore, DNF."

Yep... I wasn't alone.

______________________

Everything, Everything
By Nicola Yoon
5 out of 5

I totally devoured this one.

It was another fast read for me. I think I liked it because the chapters were so short & some chapters were actually drawings or notes or random things that just made it fun.

The point of this book was the idea of what really living life looks like.  Especially for Madeline who is a 'bubble girl' - someone with a compromised immune system that has to stay confined in her home with her mother & her home nurse.  She plays games with her mom, studies & reads & just keeps to her own clean world.

... until she gets new neighbors next door & she watches through the window.  Olly, a boy around her age moves in with his family & she's intrigued... as he is with her when he sees her through the window.

Their relationship is just so cute & sweet & then Madeline questions if its really living if she's stuck in this house & not taking a chance at seeing what it is on the outside of those walls... even if it costs her her life.

I just loved this book. Not sure what struck me so much about it, but I just really enjoyed it.
I want to read Nicola Yoon's new book now too to see if she is a one time shot for me or if I just like the way she thinks.

______________________________

This is Where It Ends
By Marieke Mijkamp
0 out of 5

Again - another Nope.

Except I did finish this one. Dont know why.
It just left me even more frustrated & angrier.

The idea of this book is a school shooting & its told from 4 different perspective with different relationship with the shoot, & its over a span of 54 minutes.

I thought this had great potential in our world where, sadly & amazingly, school shootings happen more often than they every should... it failed in so many ways for me.

First, I think there were too many characters. Not only do we have the 4 perspectives but with each of them, there were people & stories connected with them, making the cast SO HUGE in this. Hard to keep up with.

& second, I just felt like it wasn't written well. It didn't feel really in depth for me, especially on such a hard topic.  It had such potential I think, but it just sort of fell flat to me.

How it all ends?  Dont get me started. I just wanted to drop kick this book.

______________________________

31 Verses to Write on Your Heart
By Liz Curtis Higgs
5 out of 5

I have always been a fan of Liz Curtis Higgs... Shout out for a Louisville gal!!!!
But I love her writing & her personality which shines through her books.

This one is a little different than some of her others as this can be used as a devotional, which I've been doing.

She had asked for some of women's favorite scriptures & she took the top 31 that people sent & this is what the book is - a break down of the scriptures for every day. 

& I love the way she breaks it down. It's not 'teachy' in the over-your-head way teaching scripture can be - but a way of breaking it down like you're sitting with your girlfriend & she's explaining to you in the simpliest of terms. 

Liz urges you to memorize these scriptures too so you know they deeply & more personally as well.

I really do love this book & am glad to have it & learn from it.

Linking up with Steph & Jana today... click the button to join in or see what everyone else is reading!

A lot of gloom & despair this month... {Show Us Your Books}

Excited to join in with Steph & Jana for their 2nd anniversary of Show Us Your Books!

If you are a reader & a blogger, you know the 2nd Tuesday of every month is all about books. 

I love this day in the month. I seriously keep my Goodreads account open on a tab so I can go & add books that some of my favorite bloggers recommend.  THE BEST BOOK DAY!

Thanks ladies for starting this link up 2 years ago... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU!!

So how did my past month go?  Not as good as my previous month - but still got in 3 books - I won't complain.  I had a wedding in there after all - always keeps me busy.  

Here's my reads for the past few weeks.

99 Days by Katie Cotungo
3 out of 5 starts

The book legit counts down the amount of time that Molly leaves to go to college after returning to her home town where she's sort of an outcast after having a 'fling' with one brother while dating the other.  Town drama.

I'm always up for a good playful love story - especially a love triangle.  & this was the cheesiest of love triangles.  It was an easy, light read but Molly just started to get on my nerves on her indecision between the brothers that she started to dive into new relationships with on her return back to town.  It wasn't enough for me to hate the book, but it did aggravate me. But then the ending?  It was so unresolved.  It didn't make me feel like anything had been answered or completed especially after the back & forth of these brothers & all these relationships. I closed the book totally aggravated at that point & just let down.  I did give it 3 out of 5 though just because it did keep me engaged the whole book.  If books with no 'real ending' doesn't bother you, go for it.




The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
3 out of 5


FINALLY! This book was all over blog world & everywhere else for awhile & I never got around to it. I just need a movie to come out to inspire me to read it. Always love to read before I see.  Which I didn't make the movie this weekend... gotta try& get it in next weekend!!!

A missing girl - a drunk woman who thinks she saw something - ex husbands married to his mistress - husband accused of missing wife's disppearance. All so DRAMATIC.  I couldnt wait to see how it all it was going to come together.

Except I kind of figured it out pretty early on. Dont ask me how I knew. Maybe because the movie trailer stuck out in my mind & I think that helped a lot.

I did enjoy the book.  But I have to say, the main character, Rachel, with her drunken ways - I just wanted to punch her. She got on my nerves with her antics & her drinking & her scheming & making up lies to get into situations that didn't involve her.  Honestly, if she were my friend, we'd have to have a Come to Jesus moment or we couldnt be friends anymore. Mercy... that woman.

If it wasn't wanting to know how it all came together, I would have given up on the book - she bothered me that much.  But luckily there was a mystery to solve.  & while I figured it out, it was still holding me in to see exactly how it would play out.
& in the end, I didn't mind the book.  It wasn't horrible. It wasn't amazing. But glad I read it.
Anxious to see how much of the movie is like the book now.



The A to Z of You  & Me by James Hannah
2 out of 5 stars

I should have known this was just going to be a heart wrench from the beginning when we see the main character in a Hospice unit.
His nurse gives him something to occupy his time by thinking of a body part that starts with every letter of the alphabet & then think of a memory with that body part.
& every memory is just torture.  Either the way he's treated his body with drugs & alcohol even though he's a diabetic, or a memory of a girlfriend that we know early on that isn't around anymore herself.  How she passes away is a big part of the book that you have to read to find out.
So this was just a bunch of death.  Uplifting, huh?

The one thing that really got me in this book was all the jumping time.  You would be in present time in Hospice in one paragraph & then it was like it would jump & you weren't sure how far back you were.

There weren't very many characters I liked in this book.  Except for the Hospice Nurse & the young daughter of a patient across the hall from Ivo, the main character.  I did like Mia (the girlfriend) - but you already knew her fate.  Ivo's friends?  If we all had friends like that - we'd be in trouble.  Just a hot mess of characters really.

& the ending? I had more questions than ever before. I didn't understand how you keep a person out of Hospice the whole book can slide in with no explanation. & how a book is centered around a hatred for someone the entire time & then forgiveness happens without any big explanation. I get forgiveness... I love forgiveness ... but not when in a book, its not explained. It was like, "I'm dying right now so I'll forgive"... dumb. Just dumb finish to me.

I shut this book just depressed. I saw it in Target with my niece who was picking out a book for her birthday. I told her if I ever caught her reading that book, I'd slap her.  Aunt love right there.

If you ever want to read something to just sink into a little despair - this is the book for you.

______________________

Needless to say, this wasn't the best month in books for me.

A bunch of aggravation, frustrating & despair.... sometimes, that's how it all works.

Right now, I'm reading a love story centered around a girl who finds out she's royalty - a MUCH lighter read. My brain, heart & soul needs some cheesy princess romance.

What are you reading right now?