itsJUSTme

2010

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:59:00 +0000

This is what my knitting patterns usually look like by the time I am finished. I always copy them on the copier so I can write all over them, cut them up and tape them in the order I want and then throw them out when I am done, never ruining the original.

This squirrel is 5 feet up on that post that he climbed. He will just never give it up! Where there is bird seed, there are squirrels.

What's happening - Cold, Cold, Cold! On Sunday it was 10, but the wind was blowing 15 mph so with the wind chill it was -15. Indecently- we do have some snow on the ground now, about 4-6 inches (where the wind hasn't blown it away).
My husband was home for New Years eve! I didn't think he would be, but he left the following morning. We went out to dinner at an old Hotel built in the 1800's. They had a great buffet with Roast beef, turkey, ham, scallop potatoes, stuffed shells, ravioli, rice patties, baked beans, home made applesauce, cheese and crackers, breads and rolls, and a great salad bar. Followed by cookies and hot cocoa. Then we came home had a glass of wine and watched "Amittyville horror" remember that movie? I haven't seen that since I was a teenager. Man, for a movie made in the 70's it was scary! You guys do know that it is based on a true story right here in NY! The house really does stand in Amittyville NY. Anyway I stayed up till midnight, Glen fell asleep but I woke him up at 11:59 (that is our tradition) we kissed and were in bed by 12:10.

A friend of our from the church passed away on Christmas day. She was one of the nicest, sweetest, and godliest women I knew! I know Jesus is so happy to have you with him, Betty.
We will really miss her. Glen was home so he could go to the memorial service with me. It was really, not a sad one, but one where there were alot of stories and good memories.

Glen was off to work at 5:00 Mon. morning and will not be home probably till Fri. or Sat. I will know when he gets here. On Sunday afternoon he gave me snowblower lessons (his parents gave us their old one), yeah, like that went well! I told Glen - I think it would be easier to move down south. I really can't see myself doing this every morning.

Monday morning - back to work, kids cam bright and early as usual. Everyone seemed glad to be back. They were all very talkative, telling me all about their vacations.

Knitting - You guys are not helping me out choosing a new knitting project! I think I am going to knit a cowl, or smoke ring, or wimple (what ever you want to call them) here are some links - Abby, Wavy feathers wimple, Birds nest smoke ring. Get your vote in, help me decide!

Books I have read - "A Room of One's Own" Virginia Woolf. This is a classic written in 1929. While this may not be for every reader, I did enjoy it. It is an extended essay on women as both writers of fiction and as characters in fiction during the 1400 - 1800's, It is really about sexism! Back then women didn't or couldn't write. They never really stood a chance. And even if they had written they wouldn't have gotten the recognition for it. I loved the line - "I would venture to guess that Anonymous, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman". I dare anyone who likes great literature and is interested in sexism throughout the ages, read this book! (I own it if anyone wants to borrow it!)
"The Outsider" by Ann Gabhard, This book about Shaker life in KY during the early 1800's wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. It was good, just not great. It was a very simple story line, but... for a very simple story line it seemed very long, like things were added to make it longer, and then for such a long, simple story line, the ending seemed way too abrupt! I think the story should have been shorter and the ending longer. The story took place over 3 yrs. but the ending was like 5 min.

In 2009 - I read 75 books.
65 of them were written by women.
All of my top 10 books were written by women.
23 were non-fiction (or memoirs)
24 were historical

My favorite books of 2009
1.The Help - Kathryn Stockett
2. The Believers - Janice Holt Giles
3. Children of the Dust - Betty Grant Henshaw
4. North of Beautiful - Justina Headley Chen
5. The Shape of Mercy - Susan Meissner
6. Still Alice - Lisa Genova
7. Casting Spells - Barbara Bretton
8. Roseflower Creek - J. L. Miles
9. In the Land of Cotton - Martha Taylor
10. William Henry is a Fine Name - Cathy Gohlke

Lady Antebellum is one of my favorite groups and this is my favorite song by them! Their new CD by the same title is coming out Jan.26th. I will right there buying it. This video clip is not the one seen on CMT or GAC, it is a behind the scenes video (I actually don't really care for the real video, I like this one better). I liked this group right from the start, which is unusual for me. There are not too many "newbies" that I like right away. Little Big Town was one of those that I liked right away too.

Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:12:00 +0000

Thank you Dixie Phillips for sending me these beautiful Childrens books!

Author Dixie Phillips sent me these four Childrens book that she had written. They are all beautiful paperback books with great story lines and bright illustrations that will surely catch any child's eye.

Stubby's Destiny - by Dixie Phillips, illustrated by Kim Sponaugle. A young Donkey longs to be something great. Just as he is about to give up hope he is the chosen one! The one who is to carry Jesus through the streets! Inspirational book about having faith and not giving up hope.

One Noble Journey - by Dixie Phillips, illustrated by Kim Sponaugle. This story is about two girls, friends even thought they shouldn't be. One is an orphan, the other is the daughter of a Count. The orphan girl is accused of theft, the Count's daughter gets lost in the woods. Can these two events change the Count's heart?

Baby Jesus is Missing - by Dixie Phillips, illustrated by K.C. Snider. A town Christmas decorating contest gets so competitive that the true meaning of Christmas gets lost. A young boy brings back the true spirit when the family "Baby Jesus" is missing! A wonderful Christmas book with a great message.

Angel Eyes - by Dixie Phillips, illustrated by Sponaugle. This the amazing story of the life of Christ seen through the eyes of two young Angels. From Jesus' birth, his death on the cross ending with his rising after three days.
This was my favorite book. It was a beautiful account of Jesus' life that children will be able to understand. There were tears rolling down my cheeks as I read this tender story.

These books will make great gifts for the children in your life. These are great tools to use for discussing christian values, and a great way to introduce young children to what it means to be a christian and lead a christian life.

Thanks again Dixie and I look forward to reading more of your books in the future!
Visit Dixie's Blog at - From the Heart of Dixie

Still Holiday-ing

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:48:00 +0000

Isn't this the funniest picture???? Martina checking out the wreath.

My new baby! Glen and I got ourselves matching HP Mini netbooks!

I received my gift from my secret "Holiday swap" person! Yea! It was fun getting a gift in the mail from a person that you don't even know. The gifts were perfect. The knitting mag. was one that I didn't have. There are a couple sweaters in there I like. I love pens, I have already tried them out. They are so pretty and bright. I also love Debbie Macomber, and I have not read this one yet! So they were all so perfect. Thank you Hope's Bookshelf for the gifts!

What's happening - Hope you all had a great Christmas, we sure did. I received some really nice stuff! Couple of sweaters, Coffee cup, candy, movie, candle holders, egg poacher (like my grandma used to have), a new purse (which I picked out myself), gift cards to Barnes and Nobel. And probably lots more I am forgetting.

The rest of my family - sister, nieces and their families are all coming on Jan. 9th. to celebrate Christmas. So we get to do it all over again. I will make a dinner. They will all bring food and we will party all day. We decided, this year, to not buy gifts. We would make gifts, food crafts etc. a little easier on the pocketbook.

The day after Christmas I always go "day after Christmas shopping" My hubby was home so he went with me. When we were almost done at Walmart he got called in to work! So we finished up there and came straight home so he could pack up to leave for PA. He ended up coming back home that night. He will have to go back down there for a while , we are just waiting for the call. He will have to be in PA for New Years day, so... I am a party just waiting to happen! Anyone interested? I've got the wine.

Knitting - I am searching through my patterns to find something to knit for myself now! Any ideas? I got some rally beautiful yarn from Ruth at The Yarnarian, I would like to make something with that. It is a superwash merino wool, fingering weight, about 400 yds. Different shades of navy blue.

Books I have read - "Girls in Trouble" by Caroline Leavitt, I liked this book alot, I gave it 4 stars. It was about a 16 yr. old girl who gave her baby up for adoption only to regret it years later. It seemed a little long to me. That was really the only problem I had with it.

Another book challenge for 2010 I will do is - Reading through 12 countries.
In 2009 I did a reading through the states challenge - I read one book that took place in each of the United States , 50 states in 9 months!. In 2010 I would like to do a countries challenge. Each month I will read a book that takes place in a different country (or countries). So instead of 50 books I will read 12 for this one.

Top 5 - things you are ready to get back to after Christmas.
1. After Christmas shopping!
2. Reg. TV shows, instead of reruns!
3. Getting the house back in order
4. Playing with all the new toys
5. Knitting for myself!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:15:00 +0000

Yeah, that's me making cookies. Wanna make something of it?

What's happening - Ashley came over on Sunday and we baked cookies, over 500 of them! Good thing we only do this once a year! I am coming along with the Christmas prep. Shopping all done - check!, House decorated - check!, Wrapping done - 1/2 a check (I will be done tomorrow), House clean - Ha, not even close! and I still have to get salad stuff for Christmas dinner.
At least everything I ordered over the internet has come in! A couple things were on backorder, but everything's in now! Wed. is the last day with the kids. We will have our little party that day afterschool.

Darcy's Knotty Knitter had this quiz on her blog (she was "Vacuuming"). I commented and joked that I would probably be "Dirty dishes" well... look what I am!!!! That was so funny! Actually it does fit me to a tee!

You Are Washing Dishes

You are a dreamy, thoughtful, and slow paced person. You enjoy getting lost in a mindless chore.

You can take on any task as long as you're able to mentally check out while doing it. In fact, you enjoy any excuse to let your mind drift a little.

You are the consummate multi-tasker, and you actually perform better when you're given multiple tasks.

In your opinion, focus is extremely overrated. Why have one ball going in the air when you can have six?

What Household Chore Are You?

Knitting - Ahhhhhh, I am almost done, really I am! I am going to make it by Christmas!

Books I have read - Haven't finished the one I am reading yet, too much to do!

Top 5 - Things you need to finish before Christmas -

1. The last knitting project
2. Get salad fixins
3. Finish wrapping
4. Clean house
5. Relax?????

I hope everyone has a great Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Its begining to look alot like Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:14:00 +0000

Is this really a Goldfinch... in December????

This is the Christmas project I made with the kids. They all got to make their own. They turned out beautiful and they loved doing them. First we took a walk and collected all the "outdoor stuff" we needed.

This our Christmas tree! Our little 4', dollar store, cheap, Christmas tree!

Guess who loves the Christmas tree? Mind you, the tree is up on a table, that she is not allowed on! I guess she figures if the tree is allowed up there she is too???

Decorating the house. Is this what the call "Deck the halls"?

What's happening - My new header picture was taken at our cabin (in the Adirondacks) last year. That is our back yard there! It is beautiful.

Wow! Has it been cold!!!!! Thursday night, with the wind chill it was -11. On Friday morning it was 14 degrees. On Sunday we had freezing rain, it was very slippery walking to church.

My husband was gone from Sat. until Sat., this was the longest he has been away! He calls me everyday sometimes twice a day. I try to take notes throughout the day of things to talk about when he calls. He has been working in N.E. PA. He says there is alot of work down there. He thinks they are going to start drilling here in NY again but we don't know when.

Saturday we went out to breakfast, spent the day decorating the tree and house, went to Gimme coffee in the afternoon, and watched Jeremiah Johnson in the evening (one of my favorite movies).

Knitting - I am on my very last Knitted Christmas gift! I am not even sure if it will be done in time. If not it will have to be an IOU.

Books I have read - I finished "Carpe Demon - Adventures of a Demon Hunting Soccer Mom" by Julie Kenner. I gave this book 2 stars. Not a book to be taken seriously (if you couldn't already tell that by the title). It was fun, quirky, but didn't I didn't really get into it till 1/2 way.

There are a few "Book Challenges" I would like to do for 2010. I was thinking I would like to re-read a few books that I have loved or hated in the past and I could make a challenge out of it. Then I found that exact challenge!

Here is the link if you would like to join - Flashback Challenge
It will run from January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010.
You can sign up for the following levels:
Bookworm - Up to three books
Scholar - Four to six books - I am going to do this level
Literati - Over six books

Within these levels, we have mini-challenges! These are:
1. Re-read a favorite book from your childhood - "Heidi" I loved this when I read it long ago.

2. Re-read a book assigned to you in high school - "Flowers for Algernon" my favorite high school book

3. Re-read a book you loved as an adult - "Tilting at Windmills" I loved this so much that I said it was my favorite book of all time. I want to see if it still is.
- 2 others - "The Sitting Duck" I read this as a teenager and remember really liking it. It is out of print and unable to get it from the library I had to order a used copy off the internet.
"Valley of the Dolls" I read this as a young adult. I don't remember exactly what it was about except, Hollywood, drugs and sex. I was so angry whenI finished I literally threw the book across my apartment. I want to re-read it to see if after all these years it will still have the same affect on me. I will not read these one after the other, just sometime during the year.

Contests - Holy contests Dar!!!! Peeking between the pages is have a ton giveaways (well at least 3) - Julie Powell's new book - Cleaving (3 copies), Will there be Good News, by Kate Atkinson (3 copies), and The Little Giant of Aberdeen County , by Tiffany Baker (3 copies). Sooo head on over to Dar's and spend 1/2 an hour signing up for these great giveaways!

Beautiful Mess: The Story of Diamond Rio, By Diamond Rio

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:10:00 +0000

Six different guys from 4 different states with 6 different musical backgrounds come together to form what started out as "The Tennessee River Boys" and ended up as the Popular Country Group known today as "Diamond Rio". A true behind-the-scenes look into the life of the band as a unit as well as their individual lives. In A Beautiful Mess, Marty Roe, Dan Truman, Jimmy Olander, Brian Prout, Gene Johnson, and Dana Williams each has an entire chapter devoted to his personal and professional life. Learn how each member was introduced into the band, struggled financially, but with faith held on to achieve their dream.

Thank you Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers for sending me this wonderful book! I gave this book 4 Stars.

When I checked the list of books to be reviewed. This was the first book to jump out at me. I am a huge fan of Diamond Rio! So naturally I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. There were a few slow spots, but for the most part I found this book to be very interesting. I am not sure if it was because I am a fan of the band though. I learned so much about this band that I didn't already know. They have been through some hard times and got a real rough start! I loved reading the chapters of the individual band members and the description of their music and family histories. There are great pictures all throughout the book. I also love how the book not only writes about the history of Diamond Rio but kind of the history of Country music. It mentions several other singers and their connection with the band. I loved the cover! It is a beautiful hard cover book. I only wish some of the pictures were in color as well.

Sorry - but since Diamond Rio is my favorite country group, I think I will keep this book for my collection! I will however, be giving away books in the future.

Who would I recommend this book to -
Diamond Rio fans - definitely!
Country music fans - Yes!
People who do not like country music - Mmmm, maybe not so much.

The Christmas Season

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:16:00 +0000

Flashback - This was the first day we had Martina, three years ago. Look how little she was!

This is her today - This can't be comfortable.

Naked Tree waiting to be decorated.

What's happening - Getting ready for Christmas! I have the lights on my porch. I started getting stuff out of the attic (I hate that part). I put up the small tree in the playroom for the kids to decorate. I am starting to plan dinners, cookies and such. AND... I have even made out Christmas cards! Today I will mail them along with my gift for my "Holiday swap" person. I hope they like what I bought. It is really hard to buy for someone you don't even know. I have very little Christmas shopping left to do. I still need to pack up my parents gifts and send them on their way to TN.

I got a call from my husband's brother who lives in WI. He and his family will be here for a week or so during Christmas and they would like to come see us. It has been a very long time since we have seen them. He and his wife are very close to our age and we really get along well with them. Their youngest (son) will be coming too. He is in (hmm) maybe 9th grade??? haha not sure anymore. Anyway they (and my husband's parents) will be coming over Christmas evening! So I will be preparing a dinner, and maybe dessert.

I have no current snow pictures to post because there is NO snow! We are headed into the 2nd week in Dec., I live in upstate NY and have no snow. It is cold - only 23 this morning! I wore my heavy winter coat for the first time this season, that's how warm it has been. My mom said they got 2 inches in TN! Our friends in VA got 3 inches! No really I am not complaining. I hate snow and I hate the cold. I just want some snow pictures. I refuse to use last years pictures.

Knitting - Sorry, nothing new in the knitting dept.

Books I have read - Home Another Way - by Christa Parrish. I gave this 4 stars, but if it were not for the non-ending, I would have givin it 5. I loved this book. Loved the characters. I started liking this book on the second chapter! It ends very open ended, does she get the guy? Come on I have to know! I am a have to know kind of person when it comes to books.
Sarah graham has no money and is led to an incredibly small town of Jonah, New York where her father (whom she hates) has died and left her money and his cabin. She tries to claim her inheritance, but there is a catch - She must live in Jonah for six months before she can claim the money. Sarah understandably has some issues. The world has let her down and nobody loves her, or so she believes. Broke, homeless, and just recently divorced, the last thing Sarah wants to do is spend six months in an isolated mountain hamlet. Sarah is a real brat but the town tries to love her anyway and bring some God into her life. What she ends up gaining in this small town is so much more than money, surprising even her.

* I will be posting my first official book review (hopefully) on Thur or Fri. So come back and check it out! There will be nothing else on that post, just the book review and pictures. Great book too!

Contests - Dar at Peeking between the pages is giving away 2 copies of "Dragon House" by John Shors. This sounds like a wonderful book, check it out on her blog.

Top 5 - loves of Christmas!
1. Christmas music! Love it!
2. Decorating the tree
3. Shopping! I love shopping, so any excuse to go shopping is alright with me.
4. Getting to see all the family
5. Celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

.

Toto- I don't think we are in Kansas anymore!

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:36:00 +0000

Lazy bum!

Nosey Kitty!

Martina found another homeless shelter. She just loves those boxes.

What's happening - No, you did not come here by mistake. This is the correct blog. I have done some major remodeling. And... I love it! I love my new look! I had been thinking about switching to a 3 column layout for about a year now. I did a lot of research, it is not as easy as it seems. Oh sure you can go to a website and download an already made layout complete with beautiful pictures (which you either can't change or would be difficult to change) or you can pay someone to make a layout for you. I didn't want to do either of these. I wanted a layout that allowed me to use my own header picture so I could change it with the seasons. I wanted something simple, so that my pictures and posting stood out instead of being gobbled up by design. I finally found one! Please let me know what you think.

My Thanksgiving was great! I was going to take my camera, but... I forgot! It was at my mom-in-law's this year (next year it will be at my house). Everything was great! I just love a whole day focused on family, food, and relaxing! My husband did get that day off! but he had to work over the weekend. I went shopping on BLACK FRIDAY!!!!! This day is scarier than Halloween! I took my mom-in-law. She bought more than I did!

I had a "run in" with Norton over the weekend. My computer was telling me I needed to renew my subscription to Norton anti virus. So I did. I got an email giving me the Key code to activate. OF COURSE... it didn't work. I tried again and again. I even tried older key codes of the past. nothing. Sooooo I emailed the tech help, which... OF COURSE... in somewhere in India! My husband said I should just call them. I said "No, I do not want to talk to someone I can't understand!" I did get a lovely email back from a man in India. Telling me I need to do "this". So I did "this". Which downloaded a totally different version and lots more expensive! It also took off my previous version. It didn't even ask me, how rude! So then I put in the key code and, OF COURSE... it didn't work! I emailed them back. I told them I didn't want Norton 2010, I wanted my old version back. and that the key code still didn't work. I got another lovely email from a second man in India telling me my subscription has been extended and they wouldn't charge me the extra for the newer version. They also gave me a new key code. I emailed them back and said... again... I DO NOT WANT THE NEW VERSION, I WANT MY OLD VERSION BACK! I got another lovely email from a third man from India. Apologizing for the other 2 idiots, extended my subscription even more, Gave me step by step instructions on how to delete the new version, install the old version, and a new key code... IT WORKED! Thank you - "man from India".

I have signed up to do book reviews for two different companies - "Litfuse" (which I already told you about) and "Thomas Nelson, book reviewing Bloggers" My first book is in the mail from them. I am excited! What is nice about this is you only review books that you want, you get to choose. So, I think I will only do about one per month. and you get free books!!!!! I can keep them, give them away, donate them to the library, etc. When I do my book review posts, I will do it as a separate post on a different day than my usual post. I will always do my usual post on Mon. or Tues. But please check out my review posts as well. If anybody else is interested in reviewing for these companies, click on the "buttons" in the right sidebar. You do need to have a blog.

Knitting - Whew, Christmas knitting is somewhat winding down. I finishing things up. Probably by next week I should be finished with most of my knitting projects.

Books I have read - The Shape of Mercy, by - Susan Meissner. This book was GREAT, 5 stars! A young college student (Lauren) gets a job transcribing a diary written by a girl (Mercy) who was tried as a witch in the Salem witch trials. The book goes back and forth between Lauren and Mercy's diary. I is very well written. I fell in love with the characters. And... I did cry! When I was a teenager I was really interested in the Salem witch trials. So this book was great for me to read, and it also renewed my interest. It is so amazing to me that this really happened! That people could be so stupid to listen to a group of girls accusing women of witchcraft, for revenge? Over 100 were jailed and 19 (I think) were hung! This is classic example of mass hysteria.

The second book about the Salem witch trials was - The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent. This book was totally historical fiction although the Author's ancestors were the main focus of the book, she makes it clear that it is a work of fiction. I was really torn with this book, this first half I would give only 3 stars, it was really slow and I know that she was doing history and character building, but it seemed very long to me. The last half of this book I give 5 stars, ti was very sad, real, exciting, depressing actually. It is about a family during 1690 - 1692. The Mother (Martha) was accused of being a witch. Then almost her whole family is jailed also, 3 sons and the oldest daughter. I will not go any further so as not to give it away.

In both books there are a lot of true facts about the Salem witch trials. Both Authors did a lot of research, and both were very well written. I would like to now go back and re-read The Crucible and Tituba, which I read as a teenager. I also have another book on order, but I don't think I will be getting it for a while.

Top 5 - Things you hate about the telephone.
1. ummm... the ringing! Seriously, every time the phone rings I moan, uuuuuuhhhhhhh and stomp to the phone. Its not a pretty site.
2. Answering, especially if I have to get up just after I got comfortable and the phone is on the other end of the house, why oh why didn't I grab it and put it next to me???
3. Finding the phone, I seem to have a problem with leaving it in unusual places, bathroom, laundry basket, bed, coat pocket, outside!
4. Talking on the phone,really! I am not a phone talker. There are very few people I actually enjoy talking to on the phone. Usually only people I never get to see. I HATE idol chit chat on the phone. If you don't have something to tell me... don't call!
5. Telemarketers!!!! The worst. I really have no tolerance for them, and I know I have been rude on more than one occasion, OK OK more than 100 occasions. But really these people have to under stand that when they sign up to be telemarketers they are going to get grief from people and they are going to be despised! It should be in the job description.

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:52:00 +0000

I am really excited about Thanksgiving! My Mother-in-law and I take turns each year. This year it is at her house. And who ever is hosting the big event gets to do the turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and the other person brings the other stuff. Sooooo no turkey roasting for me! I am taking Squash, Candied yams, Pumpkin pie, a yummy fruit salad, and fresh ground coffee. There is only school Mon. and Tues. this week so I will have no kids from Wed. on! Yeah, V-A-C-A-TION!
What are your plans for T-day?

I got my person for the Holiday swap. This is going to be tough! At the questionnaire, I filled out a lot of stuff, I put as many ideas as I could think of because I knew the person who got me wouldn't know me. But the person I got didn't hardly put anything. So I am at a loss! Hmmm. Help me think, any suggestions?

I haven't seen much of my husband this week. He has either been home very late (10:00 or so) or not coming home at all. We are both really hoping that he will even be here for Thanksgiving! He said that there is suppose to be a big Rig-move this week and there is a possibility it might run into T-day. He is usually gone for several days when he is on a Rig-move.

I thought it would be fun for you all to see where it is my husband works and what he does. This is the link to their website - DC Rauscher. On the top click on - Wellsite services, Oilfield Hauling, and Pipeling construction. That's what he does! And he actually took most of the pictures they used. He travels between NY, PA, and WV. He has been in PA and NY this past week. There is ALOT of drilling going on in PA! If you click on "About us" it kind of gives you an overview of what the company is all about. Very seldom does he do water hauling, only when they are slow and there is nothing for him to do, he is too talented for it to be wasted on hauling water! LOL, just bragging.

My daughter did a really nice post - Ashley Amanda, about her friend's death, brought tears to my eyes. You should check it out, its touching.

I won "The Heretic's Daughter" from Dar - Peeking between the pages - and I just received it in the mail on Sat. I am excited! Right now I am reading "The Shape of Mercy" its about the Salem witch trials and so is Heretic's Daughter! So I think I am going to read them back to back. That should be fun.

Knitting - STILL knitting for Christmas! I can't wait to be knitting for myself again!

Books I have read - Shanyn - Chick loves Lit - was so wonderful and sent me her copy of "Laced with Magic" by Barbara Bretton. It the sequel to "Casting Spells" which I loved so much!
It was just as great! I really do suggest that you read the first one though, even if the second one could be a stand alone book, you really get the jist more if you read them in order. Once again this is about a small town in VT where strangely enough is filled with witches and sorcerers, faeries, trolls, vampires, etc. I know, this doesn't sound like my kind of book, but it was great, fun, not to be taken seriously. I am actually going to look into getting other books simular to these. I already have on order (from PBS) the first 2 "Demon Hunting Soccer Mom" books, sound like fun?

I also read "Devil in the Details" by Jennifer Traig, this is a memopir about a girl who has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Well let me start by saying, I was disappointed. It started out great. It was funny and very descriptive about her OCD. But by the 4th chapter, it started lacking.
I felt it was more of a lesson Jewish law than OCD. Nothing against Judaism, but as a non-jew I didn't understand 1/2 the terminology used in this book. I kinda got the feeling that when she wrote it she expected all the people reading would be Jewish.
Also - It skipped around a lot. One minute she was a child then a teen , then back to being a child again, very confusing. In one chapter, 1/2 way through the book, she talked about getting the biggest glasses possible to punish herself, then about 5 chapters later she told about how she found out she needed glasses. Kinda backwards. I was like "Wait a min. didn't she already have glasses?"
AND... the books keep repeating the same stuff over and over, Ha! maybe she does have OCD! LOL little OCD humor there.

EVERYONE - HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!!!!

Live everyday to its fullest

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:12:00 +0000

This is my husband and what he gets to play with all day!

I bought some new bird feeders. They are great!
The birds like them.

What's happening - My husband and I had a great weekend. We out to dinner to one of our favorite restaurants - Ciccino's in Waterloo. Its a great Italian restaurant. We hadn't been there in a long time. Then we went to "The Walmart" bought new pillows and flannel sheets. We looked for the new Lady Antebellum CD, of course they didn't have it. That is really something that Walmart is lacking in - country music. Maybe the CD is not even out but Walmart's country section is very sparse. On Sunday I wake up with a terrible headache, which I kept for at least half the day. In the afternoon we went to Lucus winery (I realized my headache was gone), Glen and I both did wine tasting and bought 2 bottles. Glen said he actually liked all the wine he tasted! This would not have happened two years ago. I told him maybe he was developing a taste for it. It would be nice if we could sit and have a glass of wine together.

We got some bad news over the weekend. My daughter found out that her ex-boyfriend (the one right before the present love of her life) had died in a car accident on Fri. night. This was very upsetting for her. They had a lot of mutual friends so she had a lot of support. She is going to the calling hrs. and Funeral on Tues. and Wed. He was a Christian so there is no doubt in my mind that he is with God. Be at peace Ryan.

Knitting - Someone last week asked if I was still knitting because there were no pictures of knitting stuff. I am knitting like crazy. Its just that it is all for Christmas and people who read my blog can't see! After Christmas I will play catch up with all the knitting photos. Promise!

Books I have read - "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova, Great book. Very sad story about a Harvard Professor who gets Alzheimer's Disease. She was only 50 when she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's.

"Made in the USA" by Billie Letts, I also really liked this book. I could easily tell it was by the same Author as "Where the Heart is" and not only because someone dies in "The Walmart" in the beginning., hahaha I love that! This was about a homeless teen and her brother trying to make it Las Vegas. Through drugs, rape, theft, beatings, porn, and handouts. They finally find a home and what they want in life. This was one book you were really hoping for a happy ending.

Contests - Dar at "Peeking Between the Pages" is giving away a copy of "After You" by Julie Buxbaum. This sounds like a really good book, sad.

Top 5 - If someone gave you $10.00 how would you spend it?
1. A book, of course!
2. Yarn (not very expensive yarn, or some on sale)
3. Coffee for my daughter, my hubby, and myself
4. Go to Micheal's and buy whatever is on sale
5. Save it for the next time someone gave me $10. then I would have $20.00!

Having a nice Fall?

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:32:00 +0000

Is anybody missing a few leaves? If so, I think they got put in our yard by mistake.

Martina destroyed her homeless shelter! So we had to recycle it.

She quickly found some good low income housing though.

She moved right in!

What's happening -

I just signed up for something really fun.It is a secret Santa through Bloggers! You sign up and fill out a form that tells about you. Then you will receive a person and another person will receive you. You send your person gifts and you get gifts in return! Doesn't that sound cool? Here is the link - Holiday Swap You have to sign up by Nov. 12 so hurry!

I also just signed up to be a book reviewer through "litfuse" the button link for the site is on the right. I will not be reviewing my first book till Feb. but I am really excited about this! I have been thinking about signing up to be a book reviewer but didn't know if I really had the time. Well, you choose the ones you want to do, so if I am having a busy month, I just don't sign up for that one. Or if I am not interested in that book, etc. This sounded like something I could handle.

My husband's birthday was Mon. I had a little party for him on Sunday. I baked a cake (yes! I baked! only for birthdays) a white cake with yummy cocoa frosting. We had icecream, presents, family, good time. On Mon. for dinner I made him one of his favorites, Lasagna.

The Steelers win again! They are now 6 - 2, yea!!!!
We have had really nice weather. I am almost afraid to tell you. I don't want to jinx it. Monday it was 70! But only high 50's today, maybe we can squeek out a 60?

Books I have read - I read two great book this past week!

"Casting Spells" by Barbara Bretton, it took my four months to get this book from the library (I was on a waiting list that long), It was absolutely worth the wait! I loved it! This is certainly not the type of book usually read, but I am hooked! It is about a small town in VT that secretly harbors Witches, Vampires, Trolls, Werewolves, Faeries etc. The main Character, Chloe, is half witch and half human whose powers have not developed yet. If her powers don't develop soon the town will be doomed! Of course there is a mysterious death - enter handsome investigator! This is part mystery, suspense, love story, and funny! Very fun, quick, quirky read!

"Boneman's Daughters" by Ted Dekker. Boy I love this Author! He is Freaking amazing! He is every bit as good as Stephen King and Dean Koontz! It is suspenseful on every page. A serial killer is kidnapping young girls, breaking their bones, and leaving them to die. Ryan Evans is an intelligence officer who is alienated from his own family. When the BoneMan kidnaps Ryan's daughter, Ryan must take on this deranged killer himself to save her.

Contests - "At Home with Books" is giving away 5 copies of "Kissing Games of the World" by Sandi Kahn Shelton.

On to the next Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:20:00 +0000

Hmmmm... Who's the new bird at the feeder? I don't think I can identify him. Stripes, fur, chubby cheeks? Nope not in my bird book. Well as long as he gets along with the other birds and doesn't eat more than his share, he can stay. What's happening - Well, I am not a big fan of Halloween, sorry guys! Never have been. So, my household kind of skips over that "Holiday" and I use that term loosely. I've never considered it an actual holiday. Its OK, all the kids that I watch know I don't celebrate it. We make up for it at Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Martina, on the other hand, dressed as a homeless person for Halloween!

On Sunday, Ashley, Micah, Glen and I all went to the corn maze. It was fun doing something all together. This is an areal view of it when it was green. It was all dried and brown when we went. It is a 10 acre maze! If you are not from the area, those are the NY Finger Lakes. We live right between the two biggest ones (Cayuga and Seneca). Knitting - Still knitting Christmas gifts! Can't post any pictures, sorry. But after Christmas I will post pictures of everything I had knitted. Kind of a catch up post. I did finish my scarf to go with my hat. so now I have a nice set for the winter. I really like them. I love it when you actually like something you knit!

People have asked me if I sell the things I knit.. No. It would not pay to try to sell them. To recover the cost of yarn (expensive these days) and the time put into it, who would want to buy a $20.00 hat or $30.00 socks? I would have to sell them for very cheep and It wouldn't be worth it. So I just enjoy making them as gifts.

Books I have read - Before the Read-a-thon I was reading "The Well and the Mine" stopped reading it so I could read other books, then tried to go back to it and couldn't get into it. This is a book that I have been wanting to read so I think I will try again in a couple months. Instead I read "Place Last Seen" by Charlotte McGuinn Freeman. I give this book 3 1/2 stars, 50% good and 50% boring. It was about a child, 6 yrs old with Down Syndrome gets lost in the Sierra Nevada's on a hiking trip with her family. It was all "Search and Rescue" stuff which I love! It was the other part - the flash backs, that was boring. It did have a good ending though.

Caution, SPOILERS below!!!!!!
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

I have actually read quite a few books about lost children, search and rescue, abductions, etc. and they ALL have happy endings. That's what people want. They children are always found, alive, and returned to their parents. So, the whole time I am reading this I am thinking, she will be found as always. Everyone thinks the mom is a little "off", I thought she just seemed like a normal grieving mom. They don't like to have the parents help in a search because of lack of training, fear that they will ruin the evidence and throw off the search. Through the whole book the mom insists that she can find her because she know her daughter. So naturally I really thought the mom would be the one to find her, showing everyone! But... Months later one of the searchers goes back again and finally finds her body. Sad, very sad but refreshing to have a new daring ending! I am glad it ended this way. Because life doesn't have a happy ending.

Contests - Nikola at "Nikola's Book Blog" is giving away 6 copies of "Coffeehouse Angel" by Suzanne Selfors. Sounds like a real fun book, I want to win! Also - Dar at "Peeking Between the Pages" is having a couple different giveaways. 5 copies of "The Gate House" by Nelson Demille, and one copy of "Pendragon's Banner" by Helen Hollick. So stop over there and check them out!

Speaking of contests.... I won a book from Peeking between the pages!!!! I am excited to win this book! It is "The Heretic's Daughter" by Kathleen Kent. So, you see, it can be done, you can win! But you don't win by not trying.

Top 5 - I love Thanksgiving so much I thought I would get started on my top 5 Thanksgiving lists. Top 5 favorite things to cook for Thanksgiving dinner (may not be your fav. to eat, just to cook). And if you are new to my blog, post your top 5 in your comments so we can all see them.

1. Stuffing - I love to make a huge bowl of stuffing, its pretty good if I do say so myself.
2. Candied yams - my family always request this, it is kind of fun to make. If you want my recipe let me know, its easy!
3. Pumpkin pie - NOT from a can but from an actual pumpkin! Hmmm imagine that!
4. Squash - its so easy, split it open pop it in the oven
5. Brown and serve rolls - again, my kinda cooking, put them on a tray and pop them in the oven.

Notice I don't have the turkey on there. I love turkey, and I do a great job of roasting one but it is not my favorite to do, kind of a pain in the butt. What are your favs to cook? I think I will do a recipe exchange post, maybe next time.

Back to normal

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:14:00 +0000

I am posting a day early (Tues. being my usual day). My hubby has been working in PA for the past week! I didn't see him for days! He came home on Sat. and I couldn't even spend time with him because of the Read-a-thon. So... he is taking tomorrow off. As soon as I get the daycare kids off to school we are taking off. We will go to the new WalMart in Waterloo that everyone has been to but me! Go to Tim Horton's for coffee and goodies! etc. I will have to be back by 2:00 so I can prepare for the kids after school. But it should be a fun day for us.

What's happening - Wow, what a weekend! It was fun doing the read-a-thon and I would (will) do it again. It was exhausting! There were times when I think I was sleeping with my eyes open and there were times where I was reading and my eyes were slits (I swear they were open 1/16 of an inch). For a while Ashley was falling asleep and I would keep her awake then there was a while when I was falling asleep and she would keep me awake. It was a real good time for us to be together. It was so much better with another person. Next time Ashley is going to make sure she has the whole weekend off.
Me - concentrating on "Goat Song"

Ashley - Enjoying "Big Boned"

Martina - She doesn't like to be left out of anything!

She says she is soaking the information up through her fur. I don't believe her.

When it ended At 8:00 am on Sunday Ashley and I took naps for about 1 1/2 hrs. then she went home. I took a shower, changed my clothes, and cleaned up the living room and kitchen. I turned on the football game (the Steelers) and went back to sleep. I slept through the whole game. I awoke just in time to see them win and walking off the field, 27 - 17. Yea, Go Steelers. They are now 5-2.

My husband called me around 5:00, said he would be home around 7:30 so I went back to sleep!
When I woke up at 7:00 I realized I had to go get milk. When I was driving I couldn't read the road signs! everything was blurry. I think I was brain dead. My eyes were tired.
Sun. night we watched Amazing Race and my recording of Trauma and went to bed. I slept real hard! But I felt fine the next morning.

Books I have read during the Read-a-thon -
Roseflower Creek by J L miles - 5 stars, excellent book. It was about living in poverty and abuse. Very, very sad book. I can't even say it had a happy ending because the ending was even sad! Very well written, loved the Characters, very good discriptions, I felt likeI was right there. I have "Cold Rock River" also written by her, I think I will read that next after I finish "The well and the Mine"

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch - 5 stars loved this book as well! It was about debutant gone wild. Kinda like what happens when the grow up. Funny, sad, well written story. With a happy ending! LOL

Goat Song: a seasonal life, a short history of herding, and the art of making cheese by Brad Kessler - I gave this book 4 stars (I may have given it more if I didn't have to read it so fast) I liked it but it was a little slow in spots. Otherwise it was very interesting! I love books about farm life and animals. There were a lot of facts in here that I didn't know, so I learned some things.

Crossing Over by Ruth Irene Garrett - I also gave this one 4 stars. It was a good memoir but I felt that she generalized too much. If the reader didn't know anything about the Amish they would think that they were all like this. Good thing I live among the Amish and I know better. I believe her story! I just know that they are not all like that. She had a bad experience so I am sure it tainted her life. It was an interesting book and gave some good details of Amish life. OH! also, she was from the "Old Order Amish" and that makes a difference too. I have another book of hers "Born Amish" which I will read as well.

I started "Busy Woman Seeks Wife" but quit reading it. It is British and I do not care for British books. I don't know why, I just haven't found one yet I liked. It started out slow and never got better, wasn't funny or interesting.
Also started "Night Flight" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Also wrote The Little Prince, one of my favorite books!) but was reading it during a very tired time so I think I will start it again. It is a very small, thin book.

That wraps up my reading episode! What a trip.

Knitting - I made a gorgeous hat! which I just love. Now I am working on a scarf to match. I don't think you can tell but the yarn has a little bit of sparklies in it. It is very soft wonderful yarn! Would definitely use it again.

Top 5 - websites you go to regularly (yes, you can only pick 5!) and not counting email.
1. Blogs
2. Shelfari
3. Paperbackswap
4. Ravelry
5. Liberarything

Finished!

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:17:00 +0000

Wrap up survey

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? The middle of the night, around 2-3:00am
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Roseflower Creek and Girls in Trucks
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Nope, loved it
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? The cheerleaders wer great and some of the challenges were fun.
5. How many books did you read? 4 total and started 2 others
6. What were the names of the books you read? Roseflower Creek, Girls in Trucks, Goat Song, Crossing Over, Night Flight (1/4 way through) started Busy Woman Seeks Wife
7. Which book did you enjoy most? both Roseflower Creek and Girls in Trucks
8. Which did you enjoy least? Busy Woman Seeks Wife
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? No, they were great!
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? I would love to do it again if my schedule permits it.
What role would you be likely to take next time? Reader, for sure!

Summing it up -

total hrs. reading - 20 hrs. and 2 min.
total hrs. blogging (and reading blogs) - 2 hrs. and 58 min.
total hrs. doing stuff (not reading time) - 1 hr. (this was bathroom, getting food,making coffee, kissing husband goodbye, etc.)

total pages read - 1,038

total books - 4 (and part of two others)

6:45 AM

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:43:00 +0000

Can't hardly keep my eyes open.
We had some oatmeal with my husband before he left for work.
It kinda revived me for a little bit.

940 pages so far!!! Woo hoo! I should make 1000 hopefully.

At 8:00 I will nap for a while. Then I will be back for my final Read-a-thon post.

Late, or should I say - early

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:35:00 +0000

4:35am dead tired, so hard to stay awake.
I have read 844 pages so far.

Tired, so tired, are we done yet?

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:28:00 +0000

2:30am, I have read 744 pages total. 64 since my last count.

I drank some juice.

"That's all I have to say about that."

Children's books

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:16:00 +0000

Mini challenge from - Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile
5 of your favorite children's books -
1. The Little Prince - In my opinion, the best children's book of all times!
2. James and the Giant Peach - Roaldl Dahl is an awsome writer but this was my favorite
3. Heidi - I didn't read this till I was teenager! I loved it and cried through half the book
4. Ramona the Pest - Who doesn't love Beverly Cleary?
5. The Pokey Little Puppy - I remember this story as a very young child

So far read 680 pages total! On page 126 of Goat Song.
Ate an apple for a snack.

Yoga

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:48:00 +0000

Yoga mini challenge from Jehara.
Ashley and I took 10 to do this Yoga challenge.
Funny coincidence because I was going to suggest to my daughter that we do some stretches or exercising. So this was perfect. AND my daughter just happened to have a Yoga Journal magazine in her book bag!
We did - A Rise and shine sequence by Kira Ryder, consisting of poses such as - Baddha Konasana, Virabhadrasana, Bhujangasana, or in laymans terms - Bound angle pose, warrior pose, and Cobra pose.
It was fun and a good pic-me-up.

I don't know how many hours, don't know what time it is

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:01:00 +0000

Total pages read - 597
Goat song, Brad Kessler - 43 pages
Busy woman Seeks Wife, Annie Sanders - 47 pages

Goat Song is great, a non fiction book about a husband and wife running a goat farm.
Busy Woman Seeks Wife, I don't really care for. Its British. Nothing about the british, I love the accent, LOL I just don't care for British books. So here's one for paperback swap.

The pizza tasted great! I didn't realize how hungry I was till I took that first bite.
Going to have ice cream real soon, my second favorite food! yum!
Is this reading challenge an excuse to gain a fews pounds? I will have to some serious exercising in the days following.

Talk to you in a few! Hours that is.

Midway

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:27:00 +0000

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? Goat Song - by Brad Kessler

2. How many books have you read so far? Two whole books and started the one I am on now

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? To be honest, i am looking forward to all my books! I got some really great books, ones that I have been wanting to read

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Not really, I don't work on Sat. My hubby went and got pizza. I got snacks ahead of time.

5. Have you had many interruptions? nope

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How quickly time is flying by! I expected it to go so slow but I am amazed how fast it is going.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? This is my first time so I really don't have much to judge it on, alot of the challenges are to time consuming.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? HMMM nothing really, I think things are going real well.

9. Are you getting tired yet? I almost started to doze a couple of times but snapped out of it pretty quick.

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? I keep changing chairs, I keep getting up and walking around, blogging every couple of hrs. I think the cheerleaders are great!

I have read 507 pages so far, only 64 this section because of eating pizza and my daughter coming back. I just started "Goat Song" by Brad Kessler, I am on pg. 30

10 1/2 hrs. down!

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:33:00 +0000

I've read 443 pages so far, 89 pages since last post. I am almost finished with "Girls in Trucks" I love it. Hmmm, well I think I am consistent - 80-90 pages per post. I could do better. I think my problem is that I am liking my books too much. So I am reading them slowly as not to miss anything.

I ate some chocolate and had a cappuccino.

My daughter will be back in about an hour. Then we will order pizza and my servant husband will obediently go get it. Fetch, good boy! OOO I am getting sarcastic in my reading tiredness.

Get back to ya around 8:30 (NY time)

Its 4:30 in read-a-thon land

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:27:00 +0000

354 pages total so far. 85 since my last post. I am on pg. 118 of "Girls in Trucks" I like it alot so far.

Not doing any mini challenges at this time, they all take up too much time. I will wait for a good quick one.

My hubby came home and brought me chocolate!!!!!! Oh, you wonderful man you! You knew just what a reading maniac needed! I think I might go make some coffee to go with it.

Thank you so much to all the cheerleaders leaving comments. You guys are great!

6 hours

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:22:00 +0000

Going well. I did start to doze off once but snapped out of it.
I have read 271 pages total (96 since the last post). I finished "Roseflower Creek" very very sad!
I am now reading "Girls in Trucks" by Katie Crouch. I have been wanting to read this book ever since I won it.

My snack list - pop corn, chips and salsa, apples, ice cream, Pizza for dinner that my wonderful husband will go get for us. orange pineapple juice, cappuccino, and coffee.

Shelley (a blogger friend) commented on my Sting music. Yes, I love to listen to it everytime I come here to post, it inspires me to go on!

first mini challenge (hour 4)

noreply@blogger.com (itsJUSTme-wendy) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:05:00 +0000

I'm up to hour 4. I'm on page 179. So that would be 90 pages since my last post. That's a little better ( think I posted a little before 10:30. So really 90 pages in 1 1/2 hrs. (aprox.)

Ashley left a while ago. Its not as fun without her here. It was great because when one of us had to go to the bathroom the other one would read out loud. Kinda like tag teaming. She will be back around 7:30 tonight, after work.

The book i am reading is so sad, its about abuse. I will write full revies on all the books I read after the read-a-thon is over. Talk to you later!

Mini Challenge - Coming from Barts Bookshelf To make a sentence using 3 book titles.
Here's mine - Where willows grow, busy woman seeks wife without reservations.