Finding myself on Pinterest

Uhm, so yeah, hi!  If you are here from Pinterest, welcome.  I'm sort of in shock here.

I'm not a very good blogger.  I enjoy messing around on here, and I have lots of ideas of things to share, but rarely find the time.  I happened to do a post on my solution for my jewelry, and holy cow, it somehow started getting pinned.

So I apologize for the not so pretty pictures on that post.  I work with the tools I have.  Since this blog brings in less than $100 a year in advertising and book club posts, I don't have the time and money to devote to pretty pictures and expensive equipment.  But I enjoy sharing and I will continue to do so.

And I'm still in shock.  I feel like hunching my shoulders and blushing and kicking the dirt in embarrassment :)

Books are my escape

I still remember the first chapter book I read.  It was Socks by Beverly Cleary.  It was a book one of my older cousins had, and I read it in First Grade. (side note...apparently that book was released the year I was born. Funny.)  That was the beginning of the end.  I began to devour books, reading all of Beverly Cleary's books, as well as all the big name books of that time, and anything else that sounded remotely interesting.  As I grew older, I went through phases...Stephen King and Dean Koontz, The Left Behind Series, Danielle Steele (that didn't last long) Romance novels, etc.  I go through small times when I just can't muster the interest, and then suddenly I find a long list of books I need to read.

Goodreads has been such a great find. It's a good way to find those books that aren't a best seller, but are so good.  You can find other people that like what you like in a book, whatever that is.

I joined the BlogHer Book Club because I love to read, and the idea of free books sounded awesome.  And what I've gained is some favorite books and some meh books.  But I've had the opportunity to review some genres I might not otherwise read, and find some authors I love.

Almost every night, my son and I crawl into my bed and read for 20-30 minutes right before bed time.  Sometimes he whines to watch television instead, but not often.  He pulls out his latest book, and I pull out mine, and we each quietly read together.  This has become one of my favorite times of the day and it helps me achieve so many small goals...more reading time for both of us, some quiet time to cuddle before bed, and less screen time.

One of the best epiphanies I had was that I didn't have to finish reading a book I didn't like (unless it's a paid review.)  I could just stop reading, and if I didn't wonder what happened, it was okay to stop.

I want to read a minimum of 30 books this year, from front cover to back cover.  I try to remember to capture all of them on Goodreads, but I think I'm going to add a column over there to the right as well.

What do you like to read? Do you like to discuss books after you've read them?  Are you on Goodreads?

on tragedy

I've purposely not thought too much about Friday's tragedy.  It's so simple for people to make this another battle in the war that this country is fighting.  I'm not talking about the war in Iraq or Afghanistan.  I'm talking about the war we are waging against our neighbors.  The arguing and the fighting about which side is right and which side is wrong.  The angry things we say and post about people, and the gross generalizations.  And it's easy for us to sit at our computers and post that things need to change, or to share those sweet little affirmations, pictures, etc on Facebook saying we won't forget.

And we won't forget.  But it will fade.  And we'll go back to our daily lives, taking those we love for granted as we scream about our beliefs.

So I will do what I can.  I will try to show grace an compassion to others.  I will try to stop myself when I begin to silently judge someone else.  I will attempt to live a life that is worthy of all that I have.

Holiday Necessities

With all the hustle and bustle this time of year, it can sometimes be difficult to handle the basic things necessary for daily life. Although you've gone to the store three times in the last three days, you still forget to buy the batteries and laundry detergent. Now you can shop the P&G eStore for those items and have them delivered to your home.

Everyone needs batteries this time of year.  You can get a 28 pack of Duracell AA or AAA batteries to keep those great Christmas gifts working.  And while you are there, you can enter to win a $100 prize pack of batteries in the Duracell Sweepstakes. Stock up now for all those snow days so that you aren't stuck at home with whining kids when their electronics need batteries and you are out.

With New Year's right around the corner, I'm sure we're all thinking about the resolutions we'll be making.  If better skin care is on your list, you should visit the Olay are of the site for some great products. I love Olay products...they work great but are still affordable. You may also be looking to whiten your teeth, and there are some great Crest Whitestrip items available as well, so your smile can sparkle in the New Year's Eve pictures.

You can save even more with some of the great bundles available as well.  I like this Keep It Fresh Bundle personally. 

There are some great deals going on site wide right now as well.  Right now, you can take 15% off your first order if you are a new customer by using code A9Z-MN5-KY3-ISA.  Also, there is free shipping on all orders over $25 and free samples are included in every order.  Avoid the crowds and lines and shop the P&G eStore today.

Have fun shopping in your PJ's while drinking your coffee!

Double Digits for the baby

Today my little boy turned 10. He's no longer the little baby with chubby thighs, or the toddler with a crazy menagerie of imaginary friends.  He's not even a little kid anymore.  He's entered the world of tweendom, and every moment I see the changes.  I've always watched the aging of my children with a combination of glee, excitement and dread.  I love them as their little selves, all cute and cuddly and innocent, but I've learned that I love them as their older selves as well.  I love see the lovely young adults they turn into, and enjoy having more grown up conversations with them.  But today I enjoyed the simple joy of a boy turning 10, and being showered with love by his whole family.  Because he is love and light and joy, and he deserves the best of days.  I thank the Universe, God, and whomever else I can think of for giving me this unexpected present every single day.

Failing again

I had hoped that the photo a day challenge would help me get back into this space, sharing our adventures.  Because I love having this small area to come back and look at.  And I made it until Thanksgiving, and then I crashed and burned.  And I've barely taken any pictures since then.  Part of that is due to the necessity of secrecy this time of year.  I'm sure I'll have lots to post of my new creations once they've been given. But no matter, I'm going to try and post more.

And I actually have one of my first truly sponsored posts coming up.  I'm excite to get a little paycheck from here, and it may actually make it so I can justify putting  a little more effort into this here blog.  I don't want to make oodles of cash, but I need it to be close to self-sustaining.  We'll see what happens.

Oh Christmas Tree - but not ours

view full image

"My baby boy is in that group singing Christmas songs for the base tree lighting. #Christmastreelighting #Christmasmusic"
(taken at Dover Air Force Base Housing)

It's a party!

view full image

"Watching some Scooby Doo with some friends. @sfclang "
(taken at Asylum de Lang)

Sunsets

view full image

"While going to work an coming home from work in the near dark sucks, the sunrises and sunsets have been spectacular. #nofilter #sunset"
(taken at Dover Air Force Base Housing)

Day 21 - what I wore

view full image

"Day21...theme is what I wore, but I'm choosing to show you what my daughter dressed my namecard as. #Thanksgiving #fmsphotoaday #novemberphootoaday @ilang98"
(taken at Asylum de Lang)

Day 20, work and play

view full image

"Work and play...tabs for both, and some tabs are both by themselves. #fmsphotoaday #novemberphotoaday "
(taken at Asylum de Lang)

Day 19 - Something awesome

view full image

"Family dinner...my something awesome almost every night. #familydinner #fmsphotoaday #novemberphotoaday
(taken at Asylum de Lang)

As a family we try to sit down to dinner every night together.  We don't always succeed, especially now that the oldest has a job.  But everyone that is home sits down to eat together, no television, just food and conversation.  

Day 18 - Happened today

view full image

"Spaghetti for dinner. Funny noodles for something different. #fmsphotoaday #novemberphotoaday "

Day 17, something you bought

view full image

"Last thing I bought...this shirt, which was comfy and cute. Catching up my photo a days...I took them but forgot to post them. #fmsphotoaday #novemberphotoaday "

Day 16 - Out my window

view full image

"Out my car window when I get home. I hate that it gets dark so early. The blue square is the Sirius transponder reflection. #fmsphotoaday #novemberphotoaday #outofmywindow"
(taken at Asylum de Lang)

Day 15 - in my bag

Exercise class today, so my clothes are in my bag.

BHBC - My Life Map

This time, BlogHer gave us another unique book to review.  My Life Map is a journal, but not just any journal.  It's a journal designed to make you review your life, and to determine your future.  It's a book you need to write in, and think about.  

One of the things I appreciated about this books approach was that it made you also look at where you've been, not just where you want to go.  We need to stop and think about the things that have led us where we are and how those events can help us move forward.  Looking back isn't always easy, but this book helped by providing some guidance and tools for doing so.

This book is nice because it can be used by anyone of any age.  It's also nice because it can be revisited, and changed, at any time.  

I'm happy that I had the opportunity to review this book, and I'm hoping to spend some more time with my journal.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Day 14 - Man made

I'm stretching the subject a bit today.  Although this isn't man made in the sense of things like buildings and lakes, my hubby did leave this for me this morning.

Day 13 - Where you slept

view full image

"Where I slept. But not for long enough. #fmsphotoaday #novemberphotoaday "
(taken at Asylum de Lang)

I want to get more sleep, but it always seems that I start working on my chores, and before I know it, I look at the clock and it's 11 pm. I have a feeling it's not going to change until after the Holidays.  I'll just have to get some sleep on the weekends and holidays I guess. 

Day 12- Drink

view full image

"Drink. Coffee over vanilla ice cream. Yum #fmsphotoaday #novemberphotoaday "
(taken at Asylum de Lang)