Let the painting begin.......

This week will start the beginning of a long process to be known as "paintgate".  As many of you know our house is VERY COLORFUL!  And that could be considered an understatement. So, we will be going room by room to make our house or home. A home that will both feel and look like Tom and I.

So, be prepared for pictures (before and after) and the fun and exciting details of "paintgate". 

Till next time.  Toodles.

Weird Church Day

Well; today was one of those days at church when you have to look back at it and simply say "huh" . Without going into details it the first two hours were odd and so when I got into Mia Maids I told them that we had to make the class count so that I could leave church on a high note. Class was great and it helped end church on a great note.

Today we talked about the Atonement and what it meant in our lives and if we are ever indifferent to the sacrifice that was made for us. I am amazed what the young women know and understand at their age. I don't think I understood as much as they did when I was their age  since I still don't have the understanding they do. It really cements the idea that the callings we are given are for us and not for those we teach.

Anyway, the first "in progress" craft project was finished today. One down, many, many more to go.

Till next time.

Can't Believe I Have Ignored This For So Long.

Wow! I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted. I would like to to think that it has been because I have been off doing something wonderful but it hasn't.  Life just got in the way but I think we could all relate.

Another year another round of resolutions? Not for me. I have set too many resolutions that don't make it to February, so, just a few things that I would like to change that will hopefully turn into bigger things and eventually help me become the person that I would like to become and more importantly the person I should be. 

Ahh, the person I should be........who exactly is that.  Well, the lesson I taught on Sunday was one of those lessons that I think all members of the church have sat through many, many times. The subject- I am a daughter of God.  Part of the lesson was asking the girls to write down the traits of an ideal daughter to their father and then had them list the traits of a daughter of Heavenly Father. What was interesting to me was that the girls added things to the list when I changed it to Heavenly Father. It made me really think and I guess I have never thought of this before but there really shouldn't be a difference. The traits of a good daughter are the same whether to our Heavenly Father or to our Earthly Father but we do think of them separately.  (And while I reference Fathers I really mean parents.) I think that if I can strive to be a good daughter to both it will help me be a better person overall.

The other thing I want to turn into a habit is finishing projects. I have too many partially finished projects and they need to get finished. I made a deal with myself that if I finish all of the unfinished projects in my office then I can start a new one. After those are done then I attack all the ones in the garage but I have a while before I see those. I have almost finished a quilt that has been partially cut out for more than 3 years.  (Probably would have been done but attached one of the strips wrong. Thank goodness for seam rippers.) This means it may be done tomorrow and if not then hopefully by the end of the week and then another quilt to work on.

Did you set any resolutions? Are you crafty? What are you working on?

Till next time- D

*****SPECIAL GUEST REVIEWERS******

We have the priveledge of having 2 guest reviewers. They graciuosly accepted the invitation to review a book of their choosing. So, without further interuption here are the reviews from Emma and Hannah Graff......

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Emma Graff

When I first got the book i thought it was going to be hilarious and it was. One of my favorite parts is when he got a present from his uncle Charlie was an 8x10 picture of Uncle Charlie. Another part is when Rowley broke his hand and two girls were feeding him. Another one is when he made a comic it said, " Doctor could I have a new Butt, my old one has a crack in it." I told you everyone has a crack in the butt" "Oh yeah I forgot"

Diary of  A Wimpy Kid, The Last Straw by Hannah Graff

When I first got it I thought it would be really funny and it was. My favorite parts are when he got Wonder Woman underoos. Also when he bought stuff on the back of a comic book like; x-ray goggles, personal hovercraft, print your own money with Cash Machine, and throw your voice. Last but not least my most favorite part is when Greg went to play bingo with his grandma because he didn't want his grandma and dad to fight.

Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

Book Synopsis:
For years Helen Knightly has given her life to others: to her haunted mother, to her enigmatic father, to her husband and now grown children. When she finally crosses a terrible boundary, her life comes rushing in at her in a way she never could have imagined.

Unfolding over the next twenty-four hours, this searing, fast-paced novel explores the complex ties between mothers and daughters, wives and lovers; the meaning of devotion; and the line between love and hate. It is a challenging, moving, gripping story, written with the fluidity and strength of voice that only Alice Sebold can bring to the page.


My Review

If you hadn't noticed, this is the same author who wrote The Lovely Bones. I liked that book. I enjoyed it and thought it brought a new perspective to such a horrible thing. But this book was different. I started it and really tried to plug away at it. It was taking me a long time to read. I was losing my interest in reading and I didn't want to. So, I eventually put it down. I admit it, I did not finish this book. I really wanted to but just could not. The BOOK WON!!! I tried and tried to finish but I couldn't. It could be the reason I let my husband pick out my next few books. (which were hilarious!!) It was just dark and very slow. Perhaps I should have read the synopsis better and noticed that the whole book only takes place in 24 hours. Oh well, too late now. I may try later and finish it but can't guarantee it.

Let me know if you read it and if you have insights as to why I could not finish it.

Till next read........

Look Again by Lisa Scottoline

Book Synopsis:
When reporter Ellen Gleeson gets a "Have You Seen This Child?" flyer in the mail, she almost throws it away. But something about it makes her look again, and her heart stops—the child in the photo is identical to her adopted son, Will. Her every instinct tells her to deny the similarity between the boys, because she knows her adoption was lawful. But she’s a journalist and won’t be able to stop thinking about the photo until she figures out the truth. And she can’t shake the question: if Will rightfully belongs to someone else, should she keep him or give him up? She investigates, uncovering clues no one was meant to discover, and when she digs too deep, she risks losing her own life—and that of the son she loves. Lisa Scottoline breaks new ground in Look Again, a thriller that’s both heart-stopping and heart-breaking, and sure to have new fans and book clubs buzzing.

My Review

This is a great book. It really makes you think about what you would do in the situation the main character gets into. It really got to me and I don't even have kids yet. During some of the book, I was at the edge of my seat ready to jump to defend and encourage the characters in the book. That to me is a great book. I was more engrossed in the book, then any movie I have seen recently. And I think that says a lot. It is very well written and I enjoyed it so much I have sent it to someone else to read.  I have also grabbed a couple of her other books to read.

 I encourage you to read it and let me know how you think you would respond if you were the main character.

Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb

Book Synopsis:

It's 1964 and ten-year-old Felix is sure of a few things: the birds and the bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this is one Christmas he'll never forget.

From the Funicello family's bus-station lunch counter to the elementary school playground (with an uproarious stop at the Pillsbury Bake-Off), Wishin' and Hopin' is a vivid slice of 1960s life, a wise and witty holiday tale that celebrates where we've been-and how far we've come.

My Review

This book was just funny for me. As I was reading it, I could just imagine a 10 year old little boy in catholic school just trying to be cool like his friends. It is a short book and pretty quick read. There is a lot of language, mostly the F-word, and some innuendo's, although they are not explained in detail, it is very easy to figure out what they are talking about. Although I liked the book, I wouldn't recommend it to my mom because I know she would put it down quickly because of the language, which I totally understand. If that would not bother you, go for it. It is cute and fun and won't take that long to read.

Enjoy.......