I have a 3 hour Leadership Training meeting this morning so not a lot of time here but wanted to grab Coffee Cup and say hi really quick.  I have winner s to announce later for the giveaways that ended yesterday.

This afternoon I plan to go to New Moon with Chance and I am pretty excited about that.  I also started reading Hunger Games yesterday afternoon and it is totally blowing me away.  I would have never thought I would have enjoyed a book with this sort of theme but I am so loving it.  Obviously more soon…. this will be quite the review!

You may have noticed my post on the Pemberley Ball.  Yes, I have been invited to a weekend ball of all things Austen!  Stop by and check out this clever event!

I am off for now.  Enjoy your Saturday wherever you are!

Does anyone elses day go like this?

I wake up and I am excited…. I don’t work today!  Imagine the possibilities.  I already have the laundry and dishes done so I really don’t have any household commitments… whatever will I do with my time?

I could spend some time reading – oh that would be nice!

Or maybe even take a nap – I haven’t done that in like forever!

Then reality sets in…

I am planning to work out at noon, but I really should get there at 11:30 so I can use the elliptical before class starts.

Oh – but I also need to stop by the office to get a count for tomorrow mornings Leadership Training meeting as we are having continental breakfast and I am in charge of purchasing and setting that up….

Oh – thats right I said I would stop by the book store and see what they have for Harry Potter in audio…. I would like to price out the first book…  should I do that before or after the work out?

I must stop by the movie theater and pick up our New Moon tickets for tomorrow afternoon

I really do need to drop those three books at the post office today.

And don’t forget supper…. it is Friday night, I should make something nice….

maybe we could watch a movie…. I should pick up a movie!

I need to get to Wal-Mart too and pick up my picture CD’s so I can mail out the certificates for everyone who went to Honduras….

I keep procrastinating on updating the Book Challenges I am currently in….  thats right, I did plan on doing that today.

I haven’t seen my Grandpa in quite a while – I really should stop by and talk with him…

and just like that…

the day is full.  😉

Today starts the Pemberley Ball.  Whatever will I wear?  😉

This morning I am Coffee Cup free.  Yup.  Don’t worry…. after 8:30 I will be back with Coffee and all will be right with the world again.  🙂

A friend of mine had a baby 6 weeks ago and she and I had done weight watchers together before her pregnancy.  Today she is starting up again and I am a life time member but like to hold myself in check, so I will be going with her.  I am a little nervous for this initial weigh in as I am usually a pretty good eater but with the changes to our life in mid September when Chance came to stay with us, my eating habits changed and so did my work out schedule…. or lack there of.  🙂  Honduras is always impossible to eat right as well as wow do I love the food they make there and really do not have any control over what we are served…. go with the flow.  Anyway – this makes my first time on the scale in about 2 months.  Yipes!

On a  book note –  I found a link yesterday to a sight where you can download 100 free audio books.  I wasn’t an audio fan until this year when I had quite a bit of car time and then discovered I love them!  Finally a way to read and drive at the same time!  AWESOME!  I am a huge fan and haven’t looked into these yet but passing the info on to any of you who may be interested.  I usually prefer a background book over background music.

And my final morning note is last night I had an hour long conversation with the author of Jantsen’s Gift, Pam Cope.  I had requested an interview by email with her regarding the book and she responded saying she would rather do a phone interview.  How fun!  I think she interviewed me as much as I interviewed her!  Watch for that post coming up in the next few days here.

Later – I have book reviews (of course) and hopefully the Thursday Word Balderdash will make its appearance as well!  Have a super great day!

There are some mornings when I sit here with Coffee Cup and seriously have to rack my brain for something remotely interesting to say…  maybe I didn’t have time to read any blogs so I have no great books to direct you too and maybe I have nothing real exciting going on in my life….

Today – is not that day!

In fact, I knew yesterday evening what I wanted to do for today’s post and have been really excited to share it!  Actually I have two things to chat up this morning (Go Caffeine adrenaline go!!!).  First, I had wandered over to Petty Witters blog, Pen and Paper, and found a post that says she has crossed over the 500 visitors mark!  YEAH!  The funny thing is, she thinks I was the 500th visitor!  LOL, I am just happy for her and excited to see her blog grow.  You should check it out… she does great reviews and always posts funny things out of the newspaper or thoughts that crack me up.  Stop in today and congratulate her!

Secondly…. I was over visiting Vera at Luxury Reading yesterday and when commenting on a recent review she had up, I seen the comment above mine said that she wished there was such a thing as a spoiler button so she could see what happens in the book…. and that got me thinking…..

How many times have I wanted to share more in a book review and couldn’t for fear of spoiling a great plot for a potential reader?  I am really careful in my reviews to not reveal too much but the real me behind the keyboard (much like the Wizard of Oz) is shouting, “Oh my gosh I really want to talk about page 142!!!”

So….  full credit for the idea  going to the commenter of the Luxury Reading post, I have created a spoiler button.  Uh huh.  I did.

Want to see it?

Want to push it?  Go ahead.  I will wait.  🙂  ……………………

I am not going to use it all the time…. I wouldn’t want to abuse it!  I am thinking for those reviews when I want to say so much more.  The button will take myself and those of us who have already read the book, to a safe area where we can discuss it openly without spoiling any of it for those who have not read it.

Have a great morning all and I appreciate all your comments on whatever craziness I have going on over here!

Morning all!  🙂  I feel pretty good today!  I think I have battled and won the cold/sinus/ bug thing that was plaguing me for the last week….  (of course the lower energy sit around time helped my reading….LOL)

Yesterday I made my way back into the gym and that felt great to make that step to get back on track.  Now I just need to keep on going….  I know my goals… now I need to get there 🙂

This morning I got up at 7, still a little later than I usually do, and put the Coffee on and sat down to write my morning post for the day and the rest of a review that will go up today as well.  Of course, instead I read comments and started blog hopping and well…. you know how it goes.

I found myself over at Esme’s Chocolate and Croissants Blog and seen a review that she had written for a book called The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel.  I started to read her review and about 3/4 of the way through her post I am tearing up.  It sounds wonderful!  I am shocked at how much I am liking what I am reading and… well… I could tell you what it is about, but I would rather you stop over to Chocolate and Croissants and read it for yourself.  I am adding this one to my wish list.

Today I have a pretty full day, I work 9 – 2 and then my plan is to tan, pick up my Honduras picture cd’s at Wal-Mart, work out with my friend Heidi and then get home.  I have a couple more posts set to go live later today so feel free to stop back and help yourself to the coffee… it is always on.  🙂

Today is project day!  I am three cups of coffee into my day and other than my afternoon work out I am going to get some things done that I need to!

1.  My reading Room is a disaster.  I have been so busy lately and have ran out of shelf space that I have been stacking on the floor and this is driving me nuts!  Currently I have books to be reviewed mixed with books I have already reviewed…. GAH!  Today that comes to an end!  I am making a call to a friend of ours to see if he can build me some bookshelves that go around the top edge of the room.  If I can put my keepers up high that will relieve the pressure of the bulging book shelves that are seriously only an injury waiting to happen! If they explode, I could lose an eye!!!

 

 

 

2.  I have procrastinated on putting away our lawn furniture.  I could kick myself for this and today looks like it is going to be around 50 degrees so I am doing it before I find myself doing this in the snow with only myself to blame.

On a happier note, last night I made the turkey burgers from The Biggest Loser and they were delicious!  They use a portobello mushroom for the bun and that is a lot of mushroom but they were so good!  I have linked the recipe here.  I will make these again.

Also – be sure to check out current giveaway when you have time.  I have several that end later this week that let you pick a book of choice and I added a couple over the last few days that include a chance to win New Moon, a chance to win a date night package, and a chance to win Picket Fences by Susan Meissner which was a wonderful read!  You can link to all current giveaways here.

Ok….  I have to get moving so I am off to have an egg white omelet and get going on my day!  Enjoy!

Coffee?

Check

The coffee is hitting the spot this morning.  I spent the whole day yesterday with three of my friends and we went to St Cloud (an hour away) to do some shopping.  I really didnt need any thing but it is always fun to hang out with friends.  If you see from my Mailbox Post below, we did stop at Barnes and Noble and I did get a few books I have wanted for awhile!

I love hanging out with these friends and we have great memories and are always making new ones.  I never leave home without my camera so here is a shot of my friend Sara and I at one of the stores where they had these boots for $130 a pair!  They are Coach brand but we thought they were the ugliest things which of course translates in friend language to “Put them on!”

Ahhhhh memories!  🙂  Off to church and then later I have reviews to write and must keep on track to get them posted!  🙂  Have a wonderful day and may your boots be lovely!

Heading to St Cloud this morning with some friends to do brunch and a little Christmas shopping.  We plan an event to catch up each month and this is our November outing.  I dont have a lot of shopping I need to do but it will be fun to hang with the girls and it will be a chance to go to my Mother Ship (Barnes & Noble).

Yesterday afternoon Al and I went to see the movie 2012 and a few blogger friends on twitter wanted me to post about the movie so here I go.

This was a movie that Al really wanted to see so when we suggested we see it on Friday afternoon – even to the point of him coming home early from our office to do this, sick or not – I couldn’t say no to such a sweet gesture.

The movie went above and beyond my expectations.  I was engrossed from the opening lines.  I loved the scenes from around the world.

John Cusack and Woody Harrelson do a fantastic job – Woody is in top from!

Seriously – fantastic.

The scenes of the earth crumbling were breathtaking.  As I seen buildings crumble, cars and people falling from large heights it really was something to see on the big screen and I openly cried at the thought of all the loss of lives.

Danny Glover made a wonderful President.  I appreciated his compassion and the mark he makes in this movie is an important one.

Amanda Peet plays the role of John Cusack’s ex wife.

This is my favorite person in the movie.  His character is strong and he really made the movie come together.

The movie was full of action and closing out at two hours and forty minutes and didnt feel long at all.  Right up to the end I was glued to my seat.  I found it insightful that as the earth began to crumble – all people – all race, all levels of income, all of us – were put on the same playing field.  The walls of differences had crumbled and the movie portrays that well.  Money does not buy you the security you think you deserve.  Class does not exist and we are reminded that we never really were any better than anyone else.

In the end, I liked the message I seen, not sure if that was what the movie was going for or not.  I found comfort in taking that away.

Highly recommended.  !

Have you seen it?  Share your thoughts here!  Are you planning to see it?  Let me know!  🙂

I woke up this morning to a great smelling pot of coffee (if you have not tried Cameron’s Chocolate Covered Cherries coffee – bagged by the bean, I would highly recommend it.  Smooth and not bitter.)  LOL I sound like a commercial!

I was reading the Amazon top ten list for 2009 this morning… not the editor’s picks, but the customers picks.  It is funny as the two lists are so different and looking over the Editors picks, I seen a couple I would consider reading and on the customers list there were more I would like to read as well as some I have.  I had read none on the Editors List.

1.  The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown: This would be a “yeah I want to read it” for me.  I am excited as I have actually won this book when I participated in the Dewey’s Read A Thon last month and won in hour 10!  I cant wait to receive it!

2. Liberty and Tyranny:  A Conservative Manifesto by Mark Levin – This one holds no interest for me.

3.  Glenn Beck’s Common Sense – The Case Against An Out Of Control Government Inspired By Thomas Paine  : Again, this one I would pass on.

4.  Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man by Steve Harvey. Uhhhhh…. no.  I am good.  Thanks though.

5.  The Help By Katherine Stockett. yes, yes – 1,ooo times yes!  In my opinion, this should have been number one on this list.  The book is amazing!  Dont miss out on this book!

6.  Eat This, Not That by David Zinczenco. I read this earlier on this year and it is a fantastic book.  This is one I will return to again and again.  Considering my recent eating habits… I should probably turn to it soon.

7.  Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney. These look great and I have not had the opportunity to read any of them.  Have you?

8.  Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse book 9). I haven’t read any of these yet either.  I know!  I have heard such good things and once I get one in my hot little hand I am going to read it!

9.  The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan. I honestly dont think I have ever even heard of this one.  It looks readable but I have no background info on it and dont recall seeing it in the reviews I have read.

10. Cook Yourself Thin by Lifetime Television. I would buy this for sure.  I like these type of cook books and am always looking for healthy recipes.

 

 

So… which have you read?

Which would you like to read?

What books are not on this top ten customers choice that you would have put on it?