Currenty Reading

Hi guys!  Scroll down for other New Posts from today including the Mini Book Series Page #2 Theme.  Don't forget to include a link to your page in the comment section so we can all drop by and check it out!
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What are you reading this week? is a weekly event hosted by J Kaye's Book Blog to celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week. Feel free to pile on a little extra.

BOOKS I READ LAST WEEK:
Um, I'm a bad girl.  Didn't finish any books last week.  I spent way too much time doing other things and didn't have anything new from the library.  However, I did read some of this book:

It's a book my mother-in-law actually mailed to my husband, but hey, we share.  :)  

Since this is the first time I've participated in What Are You Reading Monday, I thought I'd throw in a couple of other books my husband and I both read a few weeks ago.

Daniel X is definitely a "read in one sitting" book.  Next was interesting.  I enjoyed them both.

BOOKS I GAVE UP ON:
I'm normally not the kind of person to start a book and then not finish it.  But I made an exception with "Ladie's Night at Finbar's Hotel."  Sorry.  I thought it was that bad.

CURRENTLY READING:

I'm currently reading "Strange Brew".  It's a book of short stories based in the supernatural realm.  It's easy to read, and hopefully I'll be finished with it today.

This book was picked up at our local Anchorage library.  I used to belong to a book club and received about 4 books a month.  I always loved when my books would come in!  The library is my sole source of reading material right now.  The only time Tom and I will actually buy books now is if it's a new release we've been waiting on and it's not available at the library yet.  For instance, when the last Twilight series book came out, I went and grabbed that sucker!  And when the final book in the Harry Potter series came out, we actually bought 2 so Tom and I wouldn't have to share reading it!  LOL

WANT TO READ SOON:

Tom & I both want to read Dan Brown's latest novel, "The Lost Symbol".  The library has it, but it is checked out with multiple holds on it.  This may be one we have to purchase soon.  :)  

I enjoy reading books that are part of a series.  These are my favorite kinds.  Do you know of any you'd like to recommend to me that you thoroughly enjoyed?  I'd love to get some ideas from you.

 

Tom is currently reading "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".  It's a book we've both read before, but he enjoys it more than I do.  

Bonnie is currently "reading along" with the video "The Great Longneck Migration".  It's really cool because the words are shown at the bottom of the screen and as the narrator reads each word, it is highlighted.

Happy Reading,

Janis

Support Your Local Library

I will be combining this challenge with the 100+ Books Challenge for 2010.

We go to the library every Saturday.  We all love to read in this family!

You can find out all the details and sign up for this challenge at J. Kaye's Book Blog.  Here is the jest of the challenge:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
2. There are four levels:
--The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.
--Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.
--Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.
--Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.
(Aim high. As long as you read 25 by the end of 2010, you are a winner.)
3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – any book as long as it is checked out from the library count. Checked out like with a library card, not purchased at a library sale.
4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.
6. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

Have fun!  Read something fabulous today!

Janis

Mini Book Series #2

Make a list of all the things you accomplished in 2009 or things you and / or your family did that you don't want to forget.  Or you may just want to pick one memory, elaborate on it telling the whole story possibly writing it on a journal page and then sticking it inside this page.

Whatever comes to mind is great.  These themes are to be used as guidelines, not hard rules.  Have fun with it!

Don't forget to leave a link in the comment section to your created page so we can all come visit and be inspired.

Have fun!

Currently Reading

UPDATE:  I couldn't do it.  I can't finish this book.  Maybe it's because I've read so many books in my life, I know what a good book is, and this is not one of them.  It's awful.  I had one Room and the Penthouse chapter left, and I just could not force myself to read another page.  

This is one of the books I got from the library yesterday.  I had seen another one of my bloggy friends was reading it and thought I'd check it out.

WARNING:  This book is not for all audiences.

Instead of chapters, the book is divided into rooms at the Finbar's Hotel.  Each room's story is independent of the rest of the book.

When reading the first room's story, I was shocked and wondered if I would continue to read the rest of the book. Yes, I'm almost done with it now, and would already be done, but alas, I slipped into a nap this afternoon while reading.

Tomorrow I'll post the theme for Page Two in the Mini Book Series.  I hope you guys participate and leave  a link in the comment section showing your page for tomorrow's theme.

Until then, Janis

2010 Reading Challenge: 100+ Books

 Are you guys working on your 2010 Goals, Hopes, Dreams, Challenges?

As many of you know, my husband and I love to read.  A lot of the times we will read the same books, but not always.  Every now and then I want to read a juicy romance novel... Tom never has those urges. :)

I found this challenge on Jenner's blog (click link to go directly to her blog).  The challenge is actually hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog. (Click link to go directly to the 100+ challenge post).

Here are the very simple rulse as posted on J. Kaye's Book Blog:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
 

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.
What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Books started before the 1st do not count.

This year, well, next year, well, most specifically in 2010, I accept this challenge.  I'm pretty sure I can do it!  It will be fun to keep a list of books I read.

Would you like to join the challenge?  I'd love to see what you all are reading.  What you just read may be what I read next.  You never know.  It could happen.  ;)

Hugs, Janis

 

The above 3 pictures found through Google image search "reading".

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my dear bloggy friends!

Thank you for leaving me such nice comments on my blog.  I appreciate all of them.

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas.

I hope Santa is good to you.

And I hope you have loved ones near to share in the excitement of the season.

For all of you who have put out your Manger Scene, don't forget to add the Baby Jesus to the manger tonight.

Hugs,  Janis

Picture provided by www.myspaceanimations.com

Feeling Crafty

Yesterday Tom, Bonnie and I went to Office Depot to look at kneeling chairs for Tom. While we were there, he bought me some binding rings.  YEAH!  I was out!  I thought I would get a small package of them, but the only small packages were very large rings (like REALLY large) and I wanted the smaller ones.

So I got a container of 100 1-inch binding rings.  They were $3.99 at Office Depot.  I'm sure they are probably cheaper where you live.  Everything is a little more expensive here.

I plan on making some mini albums today.  I'll post later with some pics of them.

Have a fun Sunday!

Merry Christmas,

Janis

Keri & Aaron and Baby to Be

Here is a picture of our daughter, Keri, and her boyfriend, Aaron.  This was taken at Thanksgiving.  Aren't they the most beautiful couple?  We just love Aaron like he's our own son.

Now look at Keri's current baby belly pic in the post below.  It's amazing to me how much that baby has grown just since Thanksgiving!

The doctor said the baby is growing perfectly and is a little larger than the average baby at this time in the pregnancy.  I guess he's going to be tall like Aaron. 

Just to give you a little perspective, Keri is taller than me.  (I know.  I'm short.  Just 5'2").  My hubby, Tom, is 5'11" and I'm not sure how tall Keri and Aaron are, but they are both taller than I am.  So I guess this little baby to come is going to be tall too.

I love that picture of them!  They are a good fit.  Always laughing and smiling.  What a happy family this baby is being born into.

Jingle Bells,
Janis

Brrrr

It's getting up to 1 today.  LOL  It's -2 right now. These pictures were taken at 9:25 this morning.  Sunrise isn't until 10:12 today and sunset today is at 3:41 this afternoon. 

We are having soup and grill cheese for lunch.  Sounds yummy.  Of course, I'd rather have Chinese.  I haven't had that in forever.

32 Weeks

Look at my oldest daughter's 32 Week pregnancy belly!  OH MY GOSH!  She looks huge!!!

You do realize that's got to come out, right?  :)

More Snow!

Tom's truck this morning before he brushed all the snow off.

Day 4 of the continuous snow floating down.  This is a picture of Tom's truck this morning after he brushed all the snow off so he could get in and drive to work.  He said the snow in front of the truck went above his knee!

The temperature, Lizzy, was 7 when this was taken at 7:30 this morning, and AccuWeather.com said it felt like -3.  Eeee gads.  Bonnie and I will be staying in and just enjoying the picturesque view from our windows.

It's just so amazing to look around.  The sky is a very pale whitesh blue, the trees are white, the buildings are white, the cars are covered in white, the ground is covered in varying degrees of thickness of white, the street lights, light posts, road signs.  And the white stuff keeps floating down.

There is a blind man that lives in our building.  Everyday you can see him walking with his stick down the road to the walking trail.  I just saw him walking by and I wonder how in the world he can still venture out when the ground terrain is so different with all this snow on it.  How can he still tell where he is?

Now for my silly side... just a couple things to help your brain do some pondering today:

1)  If NASA sends a pregnant lady into space and she gives birth, is her baby considered an alien?

2)  What does Geronimo yell when he jumps out of an airplane?

Jingle Bells,
Janis

December Update

I know it's been forever since I've updated this blog.  Thank you to all of you who emailed or Facebooked me asking about it.  Your kindness swells my heart!


WARNING:  This will be a long post since I have so much to catch you up on.  Grab a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or eggnog....

ALASKA HOME NEWS:
We are enjoying Alaska very much.  This is the 3rd day in a row that is has been snowing and snowing and snowing.  We are suppose to get 7 more inches by 4 o'clock this afternoon.  It's beautiful.  I fear if I were to lay down to make a snow angel I'd disappear for days.  LOL

 

 

  Here is a view of Tom's drive to work this morning.

I decided last Friday I'd drive in the snow for the first time.  Bonnie & I ordered a pizza and drove down the street to go pick it up.  It wasn't so bad.  I thought, "I can do this."  Keep in mind, I've NEVER driven in snow before.  Tom has been taking me everywhere I wanted to go because he really didn't want me driving in it either.  And that was fine by me, but I had gotten a little stir crazy, so Bonnie and I ventured out.

On Saturday, I told Tom I was going to go to the craft store.  It was barely snowing, so I thought, "I did it yesterday, I can do it again."  Well, leaving the parking lot with a short incline (not even a hill) and my 5 speed little toy car, I was spinning and fishtailing after the light turned green.  OK!  That's enough snow driving for me. :)  I mean, really, why drive anywhere when I have a personal driver willing to do it for me?  LOL

CRAFTING NEWS:

You all know Tom bought me a Cricut Expression several months ago.  I have not been able to buy any additional cartridges since then because, well, we do live on a budget.

Considering this, I hope you can understand how excited I was when I was able to buy "From My Kitchen" last weekend.  I mean, to me, this is a BIG deal!

Remember I said I drove myself to the craft store... I was looking at the Cricut cartridges and noticed "FMK" was on sale.  This is one I have had on my Wish List since I saw all the fun things my friend, Mary had created with it.  (Check out Mary's blogs!  Click here. She has more than one blog, so be sure and check her sidebar for the others.)

As you know suggested retail on Cricut carts are $99 which I think is ridiculously high.  (When asked to participate in a Cricut survey, I conveyed my dislike of the high price in a very nice way.)

The particular store I was at normally has it carts for $69.99.  And guess what?  The ONLY cart it had on sale the day I was there looking at them, was "FMK".  It was on sale for $39.99.

I called Tom and asked him if we had $40 I could spend.  He said sure.  So I grabbed that sucker!  I also had a stack of 300 pre-cut and pre-scored cards in various colors.  There was a store coupon hanging there for 20% off, which I also snagged.

I practically giggled my way to the check out and since I only had 2 items I swaggered into the self checkout.  Only the scanner wouldn't scan my 20% off coupon.  So I trotted over to the docking station with the little guy there to help, and he scanned it for me from his machine.  I swaggered back over to my checkout lane and noticed not only did it take 20% off my stack of cards, but it also took 20% off my Cricut Cart!!!!!  I was practically dancing in the store. :)

Here's the cutest little rooster I made with it that you've every seen.  I just love this cut!!

And of course he has a googly eye!

CHRISTMAS NEWS:

Remember when I said we didn't bring a lot of extra stuff on our move to Alaska?  That would explain why we don't have a Christmas tree up this year.  I wish we did, but that's OK.  I cut out some different size and shapes of snowflakes from the Cricut Home Accents.  Bonnie and I used glue dots and stuck them to our window.  So festive.  So pretty.  Tom's comment was, "It wasn't enough that there is snow outside?  You had to bring it inside too?"  LOL

Our photographer daughter, Kati, did some experimenting with her new camera.  Here's my favorite of the pictures she took of her Christmas tree.  It's my new desktop background:

Wade & Heather are good friends of ours back home.  Very nice people.  They are gentle, kind, and always smiling.  We miss them a lot.  We got a surprise package from them this week.  They sent us the South Carolina symbol in the form of a Christmas ornament.  They said they wanted us to have something to remind us of our friends back home.  How sweet is that?  I told them since we didn't have a Christmas tree to hang it on, that I hung it in the kitchen from a coffee mug hook.

IN BABY NEWS:

As you know, our oldest daughter, Keri, is expecting her first baby in February. 

I hope no one is offended by this picture.  Keri is 32 weeks now.  She has had several trips to the hospital having contractions and they have had to give her medicine to stop them.  At the last visit on Sunday, the doctor told her it was time for her to quit work.  And we all agree.  Working at the restaurant kept her on her feet all day long and when she worked double shifts, it was even longer. 

He told her she didn't have to stay in the bed, she could still go shopping and do things, just not be on her feet all day long.  He said the baby was growing perfectly and everything looked really good.  :)

IN ARMY NEWS:

Our son, James, is currently on U.S. soil!  Unfortunately, he's in South Carolina where all our friends and family are, so we don't get to see him, but that's okay.  I'm glad he is able to visit and relax for several days before going back to the desert to chase bad guys.

He has decided to extend his stay there for an additional year.  I think that will put him in Iraq for 3 years now.  Please continue to pray for him and all of our military.  They live a sacrificial life for us.  That is love.

Thank you to all who sent Jimmy goodies!  I don't know who you are, but I know he said he got a few boxes while there.  Please don't forget him over the next 3 years.  If you ever have the time, continue to send him cards or goodies once in a while.  It doesn't have to be much at all, but if it is, he'll share with his buddies.

IN EXTENDED FAMILY NEWS:

Tom's aunt has been in the hospital for weeks and weeks.  We heard yesterday that the doctor didn't expect her to live through last night.  Again, another prayer request... please pray for her husband who lives for her.  We are very worried about how he will react and live without the love of his life.  Their son is also in the military in Iraq and is trying to get home to her.

My Mama has gone from a wheelchair, to taking a few steps with lots of help, to walking with a walker, to walking with a cane, to be able to take a few steps around the house unassisted.  YEAH!  She still has a ways to go, but progress is progress and all of your thoughts, prayers, and cards have been so encouraging.  She has fallen a few times and it scares my daddy half to death every time.  But her attitude is good, her mood is positive, and we are all in a much better place than we were a while back when this tragedy first occurred.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

I pray for you guys.  I think about you even when I'm not on the blog catching up with you.  Sometimes I get very lonely.  And then there will be an email in my box from someone I haven't heard from in a while (thanks, Lizzy).  Or I will get a beautiful message from someone on Facebook (thanks, Erin & Terri). 

God is good.  He knows what we are struggling with, what our hopes and dreams are, what our fears are, what our needs are.  And He helps us.  He comforts us.  He provides for us.  He opens doors for us.  He protects us.  He empowers us.

I can't explain to you how very relaxing and soothing it is to sit here at the computer or on the couch and watch the snow drifting down from the sky.  It's like a blanket of love from heaven.  It fascinates me.  I have never in my life experienced snow like this.  As much as I used to love rainy days in the South, I love the snow in Alaska.  It's beautiful.  Peaceful.

It's snowing so heavily today that it almost looks foggy outside because of the dense snow coming down.  We don't get much daylight these days.Sunrise is at 10:10 today and sunset is at 3:41 this afternoon.  When the air is filled with clouds and snow this heavy, it really doesn't get too bright outside.  It's like dusk all day long.

Because I know how much it means to me to hear from a friend who asks about me and my life, I encourage you to reach out to a friend of yours today.  Someone you haven't heard from in a while.  Not to tell them your latest adventure, but to hear about their's.

There are people who are hurting but would never say a word of it to anyone.  You just might be the light in their day.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Jingle Bells,

Janis

End of November 2009

I hope everyone is having a GREAT end to November!  I want to share some pictures with you of my family across the nation.

My brother LOVES fishing!  He sent me this pic today - love it!  Looks like they are on the East Coast enjoying Thanksgiving.

This is my brother, Eddie.  He's so fun!

Here is my Mama, Sister - Melody, and my Daddy at Melody's house enjoying Thanksgiving.

And here's a pic of our corner of the world from this morning:

In the last couple of days we've gotten probably over 6" of snow.  I LOVE IT!

Enjoy your long weekend.  Don't do too much shopping. ;)  How many of you actually got up in the middle of the night to hit the stores?  So many people do that.  Not me.  I don't even go out on Black Friday.  For me it's not fun when it's so crowded.

Please comment with a link from your corner of the world from Thanksgiving.  I'd love to see it!

Gobble, gobble.... Ho, Ho, Ho,

Janis

Soldier Request

Hey, everybody!

Our son, James, is currently serving in Kuwaiit although he does travel all through Iraq.

He sent me a request and I wanted to pass it along to you.

I know many people want to do something for the military to show their respect and thanks, so here is one opportunity for you.

James is asking for a Care Package.  I asked him what he wanted in it and he said Import Tunner Car magazines and Mustang magazines (the new Mustang, not the old one) and of course some junk food.  Can't get that overseas.

If anyone wants to send a package, he will of course share it with his unit.

His address is:

SPC LEWIS, JAMES T.
2TC, 180 TRANS BN
AP, AE  09366

If you do send a package, please let me know so I can give him a heads up and also so I can give you my personal thank you for showing some love to my son.

You guys are so generous and awesome!

Have a fun day and a fun week!

Gobble, Gobble,
Janis

Happy November Morning To You!

The snow is on the ground and so beautiful!

Tom, Bonnie, and I went walking through the dripping show showers yesterday.  Bonnie didn't like it blowing in her face too much and had a difficult time walking, but what an adventure!  We made a tiny snowman on a picnic table and just laughed and laughed.

It's still so weird to me to go to bed and wake up and the snow is still here.  And it sure doesn't slow down people driving, school buses picking up children, etc.  So different than South Carolina.

IN BABY NEWS....

Our daughter, Keri, is 27 weeks pregnant now.  She called yesterday saying she wasn't feeling the baby move as much as normal.  I told her to call the doctor and call me back.  She ended up going to the hospital and being put on a baby monitor.  The baby is fine.  Heart rate and everything is just fine.  And then she told me, "But I'm having contractions."  

WHAT?!!!

They gave her some medicine to stop them and that worked out just fine and they sent her home.  6 months pregnant is way too early to have a healthy baby.

With all 4 of my pregnancies, I did the same thing.  Several trips to the hospital having contractions and getting oral meds to stop them, then getting an IV with meds at home where I had to stick myself.  Not fun.  I was not expecting any of my girls to go through this too.  I hope she doesn't continue to have these problems.

Keri is having her first baby shower on the 21st of this month.  I won't be there.  I hope she has a fun time.   Please keep them in your prayers.  I am praying Aaron will get a job soon.  He's put in so many applications already.

If anyone wants to send Keri a card, just let me know and I'll share her address with you.

In Mama News...

Mama is continuing to go to therapy a few times a week and making progress.  She's a little down though because she can't do the things she is used to doing and wants to do - like vacuum and mop and just go for a car ride once in a while.  She can't sit in the car for long periods of time because of the bumps.  They also have limited her liquid intake because her kidneys are having a hard time keeping up and that bothers her that she just can't go get something to drink whenever she wants it.  Please keep her in your prayers too.

In Jimmy news...

Jimmy is able to send us messages through Facebook every now and then.  It's so good to hear from him and know he's doing okay over there in Iraq.  We are so proud of him and so thankful for his service.  He is probably going to South Carolina on his Christmas leave since most of our family and his friends are there.  He feels guilty for not coming to Alaska to see us, but I told him not to feel that way.  Of course we want to see him, but I know he would have much more fun participating in the family Christmas gatherings back home than sitting here and being bored with just the 3 of us.




In Kati News...

Kati is doing well at USC.  She's got a full load and studies or works almost all the time.  But we are also so proud of her for actually studying so hard and making such good grades.  She has done some really cool pictures for her photography / art class.  There is so much talent in that little girl!

Home News...

I may have some good news to share in the next couple of weeks.  No, I'm not pregnant!  I don't do that anymore.  We are working on a project, and if everything works out, I'll be very excited to tell you about it.

Keri said I got a box from Marie V. at the house in North.  How exciting!  Only problem is, I don't know how to get in touch with Marie to tell her thank you.  So, if you are reading this Marie, THANK YOU!!

I'm going to work on a mini album today.  I love the mini albums made from envelopes and tags.  I'll post pics later on after I make some progress.

Have a fun day!!
Janis

Weekend In Review

No big news or stories to post today.  Saturday we went to see the 3D Disney movie A Christmas Carol.  It was fun!  Bonnie did a lot of jumping and looking over her glasses.  The 3D thing may have been too much for her, but I think she enjoyed it ok.  And then we did our weekend grocery shopping.

Today Tom was going to go on a 20-mile walk, but instead we ended up just chilling together at home.  I talked with my Mama on the phone for a good while.  She's a little down because she says she "can't do anything."  I know it must be frustrating for her.  She wants to vaccuum and mop and clean the house, but she can't.  I told her to just enjoy that someone else is doing it for her. :)  She also would love to ride to the mountains on a day trip, but she can't be in the car josseling around that much.  And she's been to church a few Sundays since she's been home, but an hour of sitting is almost too much for her.  Please keep her in your prayers.  She is doing so much better, and we are all really happy that she is home and recovering.  She needs an emotional boost.

I did several more scrapbook pages Friday.  That is always fun.  I've put that up for a while now until we go off again and take some more pictures, I don't have anything to scrapbook.

We saw some very, very light snow flurries for about 10 minutes today.  Nothing stayed.  Maybe it will snow this week.

Have a fun week.