I really enjoyed this book, but I ran out of time to read it! It is due back at the library. So I am going to reserve it again and then write what I thought about it.
PS: The book is really good so far, so if you want to read it, go ahead. I think you will enjoy it!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Word of the Day: Purfle (to finish with ornamental border)
Song of the Day: Maroon 5's New CD. ALL OF IT!!!
I am reading Ephesians right now and it is pretty good. Granted, I'm not that far, but I've been watching my church's podcasts and following their lesson. I think listening to someone explain the books of the bible are better, sometimes, than just reading them yourself because you can get more out of it. Makes you think about things that you might not have on your own. The Pastor was saying how Ephesians is about living your best life through Jesus. That some of us are 'surviving' instead of thriving, which I find very true because I feel like I am simply surviving most of the time. What in us makes us feel that living this way is okay? Is it laziness? Ignorance? The belief that things will just come to us? I have really been trying to live a better life recently, and I can see how giving up and reverting to old ways can seem appealing, but we have to put in the hard work to get anything good. I keep trying to remind myself of this whenever I feel like giving up and it helps a lot.
Song of the Day: Maroon 5's New CD. ALL OF IT!!!
I am reading Ephesians right now and it is pretty good. Granted, I'm not that far, but I've been watching my church's podcasts and following their lesson. I think listening to someone explain the books of the bible are better, sometimes, than just reading them yourself because you can get more out of it. Makes you think about things that you might not have on your own. The Pastor was saying how Ephesians is about living your best life through Jesus. That some of us are 'surviving' instead of thriving, which I find very true because I feel like I am simply surviving most of the time. What in us makes us feel that living this way is okay? Is it laziness? Ignorance? The belief that things will just come to us? I have really been trying to live a better life recently, and I can see how giving up and reverting to old ways can seem appealing, but we have to put in the hard work to get anything good. I keep trying to remind myself of this whenever I feel like giving up and it helps a lot.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
So yesterday was kind of a bad day, but I have gotten over it and am ready to move on (again!). If you read my last post, thanks for bearing with me. It felt good to get my feelings out into the universe.
I heard an old cliche yesterday, that happiness is a state of mind. And it is so true. You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be angry or mad or sad. Life is so much better when you choose to be happy. Now, I'm not saying that life isn't hard, cause it is a lot of the time, but it's so much better to live and let live. I am working on trying to make myself a better person, and there will be some bumps in the roads (those bumps being people or events) and I can choose to let them pull me down, or I can choose to stand back up and carry on. I think I am going to go with the standing back up option. Another cliche, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!
I want to start to get rid of my negative thoughts or feelings as soon as they start to happen. Nip them in the bud as soon as possible instead of letting them settle and fester in my head. That was my problem yesterday, I let that anger and resentment get the best of me and it won and ruined my day and almost today as well. I woke up in a bad mood and all I wanted to do was sleep. But, I picked up my book and started reading. Then I decided to do some painting of the hallways and I did that for an hour and a half. And now I am thinking about talking a walk. Staying active will also help. Because, for me, the bad things get worse when I sit around dwelling on them. Most of my friends and people that I know think I am a happy person. And last week, I got to thinking that I can put on a good show...because sometimes I have a lot of negativity brewing inside me. But if I work hard I can make that happy person become a reality and not have to 'act' it.
As Oprah would say, this is an Aha! moment for me. It's a new dawn, it's a new day!
I heard an old cliche yesterday, that happiness is a state of mind. And it is so true. You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be angry or mad or sad. Life is so much better when you choose to be happy. Now, I'm not saying that life isn't hard, cause it is a lot of the time, but it's so much better to live and let live. I am working on trying to make myself a better person, and there will be some bumps in the roads (those bumps being people or events) and I can choose to let them pull me down, or I can choose to stand back up and carry on. I think I am going to go with the standing back up option. Another cliche, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!
I want to start to get rid of my negative thoughts or feelings as soon as they start to happen. Nip them in the bud as soon as possible instead of letting them settle and fester in my head. That was my problem yesterday, I let that anger and resentment get the best of me and it won and ruined my day and almost today as well. I woke up in a bad mood and all I wanted to do was sleep. But, I picked up my book and started reading. Then I decided to do some painting of the hallways and I did that for an hour and a half. And now I am thinking about talking a walk. Staying active will also help. Because, for me, the bad things get worse when I sit around dwelling on them. Most of my friends and people that I know think I am a happy person. And last week, I got to thinking that I can put on a good show...because sometimes I have a lot of negativity brewing inside me. But if I work hard I can make that happy person become a reality and not have to 'act' it.
As Oprah would say, this is an Aha! moment for me. It's a new dawn, it's a new day!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Lesson I Need to Learn (And Hopefully Soon)
How do you get rid of a negative person in your life? What if that person is a family member and there is no 'getting rid of them'? It's so hard to be around the constant negativity and fear of making this person angry, it is so overwhelming. How do I not let them get to me so much? I can't exactly ignore them, but I really don't like to talk to them either. And how can I stop it from bringing me down, or ruining my day? Some days are easier than others, but it's really annoying having to work around this person. It's especially hard cause I feel like I don't really have anywhere to go to vent my frustrations or to get away. Of course I could go hang out with a friend, but it would still be the same when I came back.
And, why can't this person see what they're doing to our family? Why is it everyone else's fault? It's like a roller coaster. And it's never a kid's ride! It's constant ups and downs, more downs than ups that's for sure. Why can't things just stay steady and calm? Since this person isn't going to change anytime soon, what can I do? It's makes me angry that I have to change my behavior or my thoughts and feelings, but I guess it's the only way to stop this from having such a negative effect on me. It's absolutely draining. Absolutely exhausting. Absolutely disheartening.
And, why can't this person see what they're doing to our family? Why is it everyone else's fault? It's like a roller coaster. And it's never a kid's ride! It's constant ups and downs, more downs than ups that's for sure. Why can't things just stay steady and calm? Since this person isn't going to change anytime soon, what can I do? It's makes me angry that I have to change my behavior or my thoughts and feelings, but I guess it's the only way to stop this from having such a negative effect on me. It's absolutely draining. Absolutely exhausting. Absolutely disheartening.
Goodies from Junk Bonanza!!
Well after only three hours at the Junk Bonanza, I think we did pretty well!! There was so much more we could have gotten, but I think we picked really good stuff!
All of our loot!
For Halloween. You can put an electric tea light inside and it looks awesome!
I picked out these charms for my necklace and I LOVE it!
I saw this picture and HAD to have it. I want to try and research it, see why all of these men are there to see this one woman!
J for Justice! And Jesus. And a Jeep. And Jug. And Jell-o!
Candelabra
Ornaments inside an old collander
Halloween Sign. It's kinda hard to read, but it says 'Salem's Annual Frog Jumping Contest'
I cannot wait til next year!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Fifth Book of the Week
Book of the Week: Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen
*I had to change my book of the week this week because this came in for me at the library and I only have ten days to read it!
Patty and Walter Berglund were the new pioneers of old St. Paul, the gentrifiers, the hands-on parents, the avant-garde of the Whole Foods generation. Patty was the ideal sort of neighbor, who could tell you where to recycle your batteries and how to get the local cops to actually do their job. She was an enviably perfect mother and the wife of Walter's dreams. Together with Walter (environmental lawyer, commuter cyclist, total family man) she was doing her small part to build a better world. But now, in the new millennium, the Berglunds have become a mystery. Why has their teenage son moved in with the aggressively Republican family next door? Why has Walter taken a job working with Big Coal? What exactly is Richard Katz rocker and Walter's college best friend and rival still doing in the picture? Most of all, what has happened to Patty? Why has the bright star of Barrier Street become a very different kind of neighbor an implacable Fury coming unhinged before the street's attentive eyes?
*I had to change my book of the week this week because this came in for me at the library and I only have ten days to read it!
Patty and Walter Berglund were the new pioneers of old St. Paul, the gentrifiers, the hands-on parents, the avant-garde of the Whole Foods generation. Patty was the ideal sort of neighbor, who could tell you where to recycle your batteries and how to get the local cops to actually do their job. She was an enviably perfect mother and the wife of Walter's dreams. Together with Walter (environmental lawyer, commuter cyclist, total family man) she was doing her small part to build a better world. But now, in the new millennium, the Berglunds have become a mystery. Why has their teenage son moved in with the aggressively Republican family next door? Why has Walter taken a job working with Big Coal? What exactly is Richard Katz rocker and Walter's college best friend and rival still doing in the picture? Most of all, what has happened to Patty? Why has the bright star of Barrier Street become a very different kind of neighbor an implacable Fury coming unhinged before the street's attentive eyes?
Fourth Book of the Week: Finished
Book of the Week: The Dead Lie Down, by Sophie Hannah
I finished this book today and I wish that I was still reading it! I love Sophie Hannah's writing. She comes up with these stories with so many twists and turns that you don't want to quit reading so that you can figure out the mystery!
The Dead Lie Down is the story of Ruth Bussey who lives in England with her picture framer boyfriend, Aidan. While on a short weekend getaway, Aidan tells Ruth that he killed someone a long time ago and her name was Mary Trelease. But Ruth doesn't believe him because she knows a Mary Trelease that looks exactly as Aidan describes and is also a painter. She tries and to tell Aidan this but he won't believe her.
In desperation Ruth goes to the police and tells Detective Charlie Zailer her story. Ruth wants the police to go to Mary Trelease's home and then tell Aidan that she is alive and well. Charlie finds the story so far fetched she doesn't know what to do. Charlie blows off the whole incident when after Ruth leaves behind her coat she looks in the pocket and finds a picture of herself from a few years ago when she was in the tabloids for unknowingly dating a serial rapist. But then Charlie's fiance, Simon, another detective tells her the story of a man who came into the police station that same day and said he had killed someone that was actually alive.
Simon and Charlie begin trying to piece together this crazy puzzle. They're not sure who to believe; Aidan who says he killed a woman and gives very specific details, but only answers questions that he wants to, Ruth who seems to have her own secrets after one of her bedroom walls is found with tons of pictures of Charlie from magazines and newspapers, or Mary Trelease who says she doesn't know Aidan, but did have an altercation with Ruth a few months before. A little while into the book we find out that Ruth was tortured about five years prior by a client that she did garden design for and has been reading self help books and trying to move on ever since. I don't think her attack is too much of an important element in the book other than to show that Ruth has been through a lot and is vulnerable.
Once Aidan disappears and Ruth seems to be getting closer and closer to Mary the story really picks up and you aren't 100% sure who to believe, everyone seems to be guilty of something. There were many twists and turns, and the book was very exciting. Although, I will admit, there were times when it became a bit confusing, it was still a really good read. I would recommend it to anyone that wants a mind bender!
4 out of 5 stars
I finished this book today and I wish that I was still reading it! I love Sophie Hannah's writing. She comes up with these stories with so many twists and turns that you don't want to quit reading so that you can figure out the mystery!
The Dead Lie Down is the story of Ruth Bussey who lives in England with her picture framer boyfriend, Aidan. While on a short weekend getaway, Aidan tells Ruth that he killed someone a long time ago and her name was Mary Trelease. But Ruth doesn't believe him because she knows a Mary Trelease that looks exactly as Aidan describes and is also a painter. She tries and to tell Aidan this but he won't believe her.
In desperation Ruth goes to the police and tells Detective Charlie Zailer her story. Ruth wants the police to go to Mary Trelease's home and then tell Aidan that she is alive and well. Charlie finds the story so far fetched she doesn't know what to do. Charlie blows off the whole incident when after Ruth leaves behind her coat she looks in the pocket and finds a picture of herself from a few years ago when she was in the tabloids for unknowingly dating a serial rapist. But then Charlie's fiance, Simon, another detective tells her the story of a man who came into the police station that same day and said he had killed someone that was actually alive.
Simon and Charlie begin trying to piece together this crazy puzzle. They're not sure who to believe; Aidan who says he killed a woman and gives very specific details, but only answers questions that he wants to, Ruth who seems to have her own secrets after one of her bedroom walls is found with tons of pictures of Charlie from magazines and newspapers, or Mary Trelease who says she doesn't know Aidan, but did have an altercation with Ruth a few months before. A little while into the book we find out that Ruth was tortured about five years prior by a client that she did garden design for and has been reading self help books and trying to move on ever since. I don't think her attack is too much of an important element in the book other than to show that Ruth has been through a lot and is vulnerable.
Once Aidan disappears and Ruth seems to be getting closer and closer to Mary the story really picks up and you aren't 100% sure who to believe, everyone seems to be guilty of something. There were many twists and turns, and the book was very exciting. Although, I will admit, there were times when it became a bit confusing, it was still a really good read. I would recommend it to anyone that wants a mind bender!
4 out of 5 stars
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Word of the Day: Esoteric (belonging to the select few)
Song of the Day: The Eagles 'Peaceful Easy Feeling'
So far the goals that I listed earlier I have been able to stick to! I've worn makeup every day this week, and I've been reading my Bible. I think The Four Agreements was a little over my head, so I stopped reading it. Feel free to try it though! I do like the main Four Agreements(Don't Take Anything Personally, Be Impeccable with Your Word, Don't Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best). Also this week my co-workers and I have started a Biggest Loser thing at work. It started on Wednesday and will be over in March. Whomever wins could get a LOT of money!!! Wish me luck. I am sure that I will talk about it more when I have good AND bad days!
This weekend I am going to The Junk Bonanza!! I am so excited! It was a lot of fun last year and there is so much to look at. I want to take my time this year, though, that's for sure! I'll let you know what I find and most definitely if I buy something!
Song of the Day: The Eagles 'Peaceful Easy Feeling'
So far the goals that I listed earlier I have been able to stick to! I've worn makeup every day this week, and I've been reading my Bible. I think The Four Agreements was a little over my head, so I stopped reading it. Feel free to try it though! I do like the main Four Agreements(Don't Take Anything Personally, Be Impeccable with Your Word, Don't Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best). Also this week my co-workers and I have started a Biggest Loser thing at work. It started on Wednesday and will be over in March. Whomever wins could get a LOT of money!!! Wish me luck. I am sure that I will talk about it more when I have good AND bad days!
This weekend I am going to The Junk Bonanza!! I am so excited! It was a lot of fun last year and there is so much to look at. I want to take my time this year, though, that's for sure! I'll let you know what I find and most definitely if I buy something!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Word of the Day: Disremember (to forget).
I don't think this is a good word, but we're going to go with it. It sounds like a made up word!
Song of the Day: Francesca Battistelli
At twenty years of age
I'm still looking for a dream
A war is already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can't always see, 'cause...
I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
And on my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me
When I was just a girl
I thought I had it figured out
See my life will turn out right
And I'll make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt, 'cause...
And you're free to be you
Sometimes I believe
That I can do anything
Yet other times I think
I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and you tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it's easy to believe, even though...
And you're free to be you
I took my Kinship friend, Autumn, out for dinner to her favorite place, TGIFridays. She LOVES the ribs there. Actually loves any ribs, but that's the only restaurant that has them on the kid's menu. She eats them in like five minutes and the sauce all over her face! She makes me laugh and she is so witty and hilarious. After we've hung out I am always in a good mood. I can't believe that November will be our one year anniversary of knowing each other. Time has flown by so fast!
I don't think this is a good word, but we're going to go with it. It sounds like a made up word!
Song of the Day: Francesca Battistelli
At twenty years of age
I'm still looking for a dream
A war is already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can't always see, 'cause...
I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
And on my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me
When I was just a girl
I thought I had it figured out
See my life will turn out right
And I'll make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt, 'cause...
And you're free to be you
Sometimes I believe
That I can do anything
Yet other times I think
I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and you tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it's easy to believe, even though...
And you're free to be you
I took my Kinship friend, Autumn, out for dinner to her favorite place, TGIFridays. She LOVES the ribs there. Actually loves any ribs, but that's the only restaurant that has them on the kid's menu. She eats them in like five minutes and the sauce all over her face! She makes me laugh and she is so witty and hilarious. After we've hung out I am always in a good mood. I can't believe that November will be our one year anniversary of knowing each other. Time has flown by so fast!
Monday, September 13, 2010
I think that I am a pretty good writer, overall. I just wish that I could 'write funny'. Do you know what I mean? One of my FAVORITE authors, David Sedaris, is so funny in his writing that he has me laughing out loud and practically crying during every story of his that I read. How does one do that? I need to figure it out! Below is an attempt at writing funny.
Picture it. Sunny day. Mid morning. Semi-busy gas station. A young woman goes inside to pay for her gas. As she is coming out of the store you see her foot bend the wrong way. The next thing you know, she's on the ground. She quickly picks herself up and continues on her way, with a bit of a red face. You don't say anything, don't even ask if she is okay, but she knows you saw her. Now, that girl was me. I was mortified as I opened my eyes and realized I was on my knees on the dirty ground of the gas station. Keep in mind, I was literally four feet away from the closest car to me and the woman did not even say anything. Which, I can't lie, I was partly grateful for, but still, SOMETHING could have been said! As I was walking back to my car, trying not to limp and wondering how red my face actually was, I kept imagining all the people inside seeing me fall and laughing. I mean, who hasn't laughed when they see someone fall? I know I have!
And as I was at the same gas station this weekend, I was reminded of this incident and had to laugh. I think that most people have places where they saw something funny or learned something or helped someone. I have places that I have fallen. I have fallen at said gas station, in the credit union parking lot one slippery winter day (and had to be helped up because I could not do it on my own. I remember some girl asking me if I was okay that day and if I needed help and I said 'No, I'm fine. I'm just going to crawl to my car and be on my way!), in high school all of the time in front of all the wrong people, and at work multiple times. Pretty much, you take me somewhere, I can tell you where and how I fell down. And I don't even think it's because I'm a klutz, I just happen to like checking out the ground every once in a while!
Picture it. Sunny day. Mid morning. Semi-busy gas station. A young woman goes inside to pay for her gas. As she is coming out of the store you see her foot bend the wrong way. The next thing you know, she's on the ground. She quickly picks herself up and continues on her way, with a bit of a red face. You don't say anything, don't even ask if she is okay, but she knows you saw her. Now, that girl was me. I was mortified as I opened my eyes and realized I was on my knees on the dirty ground of the gas station. Keep in mind, I was literally four feet away from the closest car to me and the woman did not even say anything. Which, I can't lie, I was partly grateful for, but still, SOMETHING could have been said! As I was walking back to my car, trying not to limp and wondering how red my face actually was, I kept imagining all the people inside seeing me fall and laughing. I mean, who hasn't laughed when they see someone fall? I know I have!
And as I was at the same gas station this weekend, I was reminded of this incident and had to laugh. I think that most people have places where they saw something funny or learned something or helped someone. I have places that I have fallen. I have fallen at said gas station, in the credit union parking lot one slippery winter day (and had to be helped up because I could not do it on my own. I remember some girl asking me if I was okay that day and if I needed help and I said 'No, I'm fine. I'm just going to crawl to my car and be on my way!), in high school all of the time in front of all the wrong people, and at work multiple times. Pretty much, you take me somewhere, I can tell you where and how I fell down. And I don't even think it's because I'm a klutz, I just happen to like checking out the ground every once in a while!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Fourth Book of the Week
I couldn't get into 'Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen', so I quit reading it.
Book of the Week: The Dead Lie Down, by Sophie Hannah
Featuring the return of Sergeant Charlotte "Charlie" Zailer and DC Simon Waterhouse, "The Dead Lie Down" is another sophisticated, addictive read from the new mistress of the page-turner.
Ruth Bussey once did something wrong-horribly wrong-and was nearly destroyed by her punishment. Now, she has tentatively rebuilt her life and unexpectedly found love with a man named Aidan Seed. But Aidan also has a secret-he killed someone years ago, a woman named Mary Trelease. Ruth's horror turns to confusion when she realizes that she knows Mary Trelease, and Mary is very much alive.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Song of the Day: Dane Cook (I Did My Best)
So obviously this isn't a song, but it's so hilarious I wanted to share! And don't lie, you know you've watched yourself in the mirror to see what you look like crying at least once!! I'm sure I'm not the only one!
I am getting my hair colored this weekend and I am excited! I want to do this:
It's such a pretty color. And I am also thinking about bangs. We will see. I'll post a picture as soon as it's done on Saturday.
So obviously this isn't a song, but it's so hilarious I wanted to share! And don't lie, you know you've watched yourself in the mirror to see what you look like crying at least once!! I'm sure I'm not the only one!
I am getting my hair colored this weekend and I am excited! I want to do this:
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
I got a good idea from Humble Pie's website today where she listed some goals, so I think I am going to do that.
1. I want to start wearing makeup every day. Even if it's just eye liner when I get up late. I am a little tired of basically rolling out of bed, fixing my hair and going to work. I think it would also make me feel better!
2. I've already talked about this, but I want to start reading my bible more, so for right now I am going to set that goal at two times a week. I think that is very doable!
3. I just got the book 'The Four Agreements' at the library and the front cover lists four ideas for living a better life. And I really like 'Be Impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.' I've gotten in the very bad habit of going back on my promises sometimes, and I need to stop that. It's something that's been bugging me for years, so I am going to change it!
4. I am going to start doing more activities with Drew. I was going to take him with me to a Twin's game last night, but I didn't because I knew he would be really tired from working all day and then going for a couple of rounds of bowling. I need to stop with excuses (although that is a legitimate one!)
I think this will be good for now. I'll keep you updated!!
1. I want to start wearing makeup every day. Even if it's just eye liner when I get up late. I am a little tired of basically rolling out of bed, fixing my hair and going to work. I think it would also make me feel better!
2. I've already talked about this, but I want to start reading my bible more, so for right now I am going to set that goal at two times a week. I think that is very doable!
3. I just got the book 'The Four Agreements' at the library and the front cover lists four ideas for living a better life. And I really like 'Be Impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.' I've gotten in the very bad habit of going back on my promises sometimes, and I need to stop that. It's something that's been bugging me for years, so I am going to change it!
4. I am going to start doing more activities with Drew. I was going to take him with me to a Twin's game last night, but I didn't because I knew he would be really tired from working all day and then going for a couple of rounds of bowling. I need to stop with excuses (although that is a legitimate one!)
I think this will be good for now. I'll keep you updated!!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Third Book of the Week
Book of the Week: Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen, by Susan Gregg Gilmore
Sometimes you have to return to the place where you began, to arrive at the place where you belong. It's the early 1970s. The town of Ringgold, Georgia, has a population of 1,923, one traffic light, one Dairy Queen, and one Catherine Grace Cline. The daughter of Ringgold's third-generation Baptist preacher, Catherine Grace is quick-witted, more than a little stubborn, and dying to escape her small-town life. Every Saturday afternoon, she sits at the Dairy Queen, eating Dilly Bars and plotting her getaway to the big city of Atlanta. And when, with the help of a family friend, the dream becomes a reality, Catherine Grace immediately packs her bags, leaving her family and the boy she loves to claim the life she's always imagined. But before things have even begun to get off the ground in Atlanta, tragedy brings her back home. As a series of extraordinary events alters her perspective and sweeping changes come to Ringgold itself. Catherine Grace begins to wonder if her place in the world may actually be, against all odds, right where she began.
Sometimes you have to return to the place where you began, to arrive at the place where you belong. It's the early 1970s. The town of Ringgold, Georgia, has a population of 1,923, one traffic light, one Dairy Queen, and one Catherine Grace Cline. The daughter of Ringgold's third-generation Baptist preacher, Catherine Grace is quick-witted, more than a little stubborn, and dying to escape her small-town life. Every Saturday afternoon, she sits at the Dairy Queen, eating Dilly Bars and plotting her getaway to the big city of Atlanta. And when, with the help of a family friend, the dream becomes a reality, Catherine Grace immediately packs her bags, leaving her family and the boy she loves to claim the life she's always imagined. But before things have even begun to get off the ground in Atlanta, tragedy brings her back home. As a series of extraordinary events alters her perspective and sweeping changes come to Ringgold itself. Catherine Grace begins to wonder if her place in the world may actually be, against all odds, right where she began.
Second Book of the Week: Finished
Book of the Week: Faithful Place, by Tana French
I finished this book today and it was a pretty good read. Like I said before, I have read Tana French's other novels (In the Woods, and The Likeness) so I was excited when this one came out.
The story follows Frank Mackey (who was also a character in The Likeness) as he goes back to his family neighborhood after being gone for twenty-two years. He goes back because a suitcase was found in the chimney of an abandoned house, and the suitcase belonged to his first love, Rosie Daly. She disappeared the night they were going to run off to England to get married. They were doing this in secret because Rosie's father did not like Frank because of bad blood between him and Frank's father from when they were growing up. When Rosie didn't show up the night they were supposed to leave Frank thought she changed her mind and dumped him after he found a note from her in the abandoned house. Although Rosie was not with him, he still left but did not go to England, and became a police officer in the Undercover unit in Ireland.
He had no contact with any of his family until one day, when he was a new cop his sister Jackie, was mugged and he took the report. She is the only one that he had any contact with. He swore Jackie to secrecy about his marriage, his daughter Holly, and his subsequent divorce. Although he doesn't know it until later, Jackie, with the permission of Frank's ex wife, Olivia, brings Holly to meet her uncles, aunt and grandparents and continued doing so for a whole year.
Frank gets a call from Jackie saying some kids found a suitcase in the chimney at an abandoned house in 'Faithful Place' (which is the name of his neighborhood). Although he doesn't want to, he goes back to investigate. Shay, his older brother is not happy to see him. He is jealous that Frank got away from their neighborhood, abusive father and crazy mother and didn't have to take care of the other siblings. But Jackie, Kevin and Carmel are glad that he is back.
Then the decomposed body of Rosie Daly is found in the basement of the house where they found the suitcase and Frank realizes that Rosie didn't dump him. As Frank is not officially investigating the murder he can't help but be obsessed with finding out the truth. A couple of days later his younger brother Kevin is found dead in the garden of the abandoned house. While everyone else believes he either fell out of an upstairs window or jumped, Frank does not believe this. I'm not going to spoil the ending, so I am going to stop here.
The book, overall, was pretty good. I like how it read like Frank was telling the story a while later (although it never specifically said how much later). It seemed almost like a journal entry. The murderer is a little obvious, but the list of suspects isn't that large, so it wasn't too hard to figure out. One part that I did not like was how once Frank knew who the killer was, it seemed slow to come to a conclusion, and that conclusion wasn't all that great. But, I would read it again, and think it is pretty good.
Grade 3.5 out of 5 stars
I finished this book today and it was a pretty good read. Like I said before, I have read Tana French's other novels (In the Woods, and The Likeness) so I was excited when this one came out.
The story follows Frank Mackey (who was also a character in The Likeness) as he goes back to his family neighborhood after being gone for twenty-two years. He goes back because a suitcase was found in the chimney of an abandoned house, and the suitcase belonged to his first love, Rosie Daly. She disappeared the night they were going to run off to England to get married. They were doing this in secret because Rosie's father did not like Frank because of bad blood between him and Frank's father from when they were growing up. When Rosie didn't show up the night they were supposed to leave Frank thought she changed her mind and dumped him after he found a note from her in the abandoned house. Although Rosie was not with him, he still left but did not go to England, and became a police officer in the Undercover unit in Ireland.
He had no contact with any of his family until one day, when he was a new cop his sister Jackie, was mugged and he took the report. She is the only one that he had any contact with. He swore Jackie to secrecy about his marriage, his daughter Holly, and his subsequent divorce. Although he doesn't know it until later, Jackie, with the permission of Frank's ex wife, Olivia, brings Holly to meet her uncles, aunt and grandparents and continued doing so for a whole year.
Frank gets a call from Jackie saying some kids found a suitcase in the chimney at an abandoned house in 'Faithful Place' (which is the name of his neighborhood). Although he doesn't want to, he goes back to investigate. Shay, his older brother is not happy to see him. He is jealous that Frank got away from their neighborhood, abusive father and crazy mother and didn't have to take care of the other siblings. But Jackie, Kevin and Carmel are glad that he is back.
Then the decomposed body of Rosie Daly is found in the basement of the house where they found the suitcase and Frank realizes that Rosie didn't dump him. As Frank is not officially investigating the murder he can't help but be obsessed with finding out the truth. A couple of days later his younger brother Kevin is found dead in the garden of the abandoned house. While everyone else believes he either fell out of an upstairs window or jumped, Frank does not believe this. I'm not going to spoil the ending, so I am going to stop here.
The book, overall, was pretty good. I like how it read like Frank was telling the story a while later (although it never specifically said how much later). It seemed almost like a journal entry. The murderer is a little obvious, but the list of suspects isn't that large, so it wasn't too hard to figure out. One part that I did not like was how once Frank knew who the killer was, it seemed slow to come to a conclusion, and that conclusion wasn't all that great. But, I would read it again, and think it is pretty good.
Grade 3.5 out of 5 stars
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I want to start reading my Bible more. Or maybe I should say I want to start reading my Bible period. My church has started studying 'Nehemiah' and the last time I was there, a lot of amazing points were made. My only hesitation is that I won't "get" the lessons that are taught. But, I guess that isn't the whole point. The point is that I get something out of it. It makes me feel good and thoughtful and positive and hopeful when I am reading the Bible. And smart, too, to tell the truth, if that makes sense. So maybe I will integrate what I learn into my blog as well. That will be nice. I just feel better in my daily life when I can feel God's presence there at a steady rate. And it sucks so much when I can't feel His presence. And that is obviously my fault, because He is always there no matter what, but it still sucks to feel like that. So, tomorrow I am going to start Nehemiah on my own, see what I can get out of it and then compare with my pastor says.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I want to start reading my Bible more. Or maybe I should say I want to start reading my Bible period. My church has started studying 'Nehemiah' and the last time I was there, a lot of amazing points were made. My only hesitation is that I won't "get" the lessons that are taught. But, I guess that isn't the whole point. The point is that I get something out of it. It makes me feel good and thoughtful and positive and hopeful when I am reading the Bible. And smart, too, to tell the truth, if that makes sense. So maybe I will integrate what I learn into my blog as well. That will be nice. I just feel better in my daily life when I can feel God's presence there at a steady rate. And it sucks so much when I can't feel His presence. And that is obviously my fault, because He is always there no matter what, but it still sucks to feel like that. So, tomorrow I am going to start Nehemiah on my own, see what I can get out of it and then compare with my pastor says.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Favorite Quotes
"God hath not promised skies always blue, flower strewn pathways all our lives through. God hath not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love."
"May the sun bring you a new energy by day. May the moon softly restore you by the night. May the rain wash away your worries. May you walk gently through the world and know it's beauty all the days of your life." Apache Blessing
You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering.
- The Music Man
"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." ee cummings
"This is my wish for you: comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, love to complete your life."
"What makes life worth living is knowing that one day you'll wake up and find the person that makes you happier than anything in the whole world. So don't ever hope and give up, everything turns out okay and the good guy always wins."
"To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. and number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." Jim Valvano
"May the sun bring you a new energy by day. May the moon softly restore you by the night. May the rain wash away your worries. May you walk gently through the world and know it's beauty all the days of your life." Apache Blessing
You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering.
- The Music Man
"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." ee cummings
"This is my wish for you: comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, love to complete your life."
"What makes life worth living is knowing that one day you'll wake up and find the person that makes you happier than anything in the whole world. So don't ever hope and give up, everything turns out okay and the good guy always wins."
"To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. and number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." Jim Valvano
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Mini Prayers
Word of the Day: Anacoluthia, lack of grammatical sequence or coherence, especially in a sentence
Song of the Day: Glee Cast, Journey Medley
Have you ever been somewhere and realized something did or didn't happen and you thanked God for it? I had to get a new tire today, and I was nervous about driving it this morning to work because it was basically about to fall apart. After I got there safely, I was walking into the building and thought to myself 'Thank you God for getting me to work.' I didn't really think anything of it at the time, but then later in the day it struck me as kind of awesome. I consider myself religious, but not one of the those that is outwardly so. And then I also realized that I do this more often than I thought. Just a little thought I had today, thought I'd share.
So far the book is pretty good, just wish I had more time to read it.
Song of the Day: Glee Cast, Journey Medley
Have you ever been somewhere and realized something did or didn't happen and you thanked God for it? I had to get a new tire today, and I was nervous about driving it this morning to work because it was basically about to fall apart. After I got there safely, I was walking into the building and thought to myself 'Thank you God for getting me to work.' I didn't really think anything of it at the time, but then later in the day it struck me as kind of awesome. I consider myself religious, but not one of the those that is outwardly so. And then I also realized that I do this more often than I thought. Just a little thought I had today, thought I'd share.
So far the book is pretty good, just wish I had more time to read it.
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