It scared the plate

Last weekend, one morning Austynn was eating cinnamon toast and was giving the crusts to the dogs. Sadie snatched the food out of Austynn's hand a little too quickly and it scared Austynn, causing her to spill her plate. I laughed and said "did that scare you?" And she quickly came back and said "no. It just scared the plate. It scared the fuck out of the plate."  It took all I had not to laugh at that comment. So I had to leave the room and laugh.  My 5 year old niece being witty, sarcastic, and using swear words in perfect context.

Defending Jacob

Defending Jacob wasn't anything more than you can expect from a book like this.

The small town of Newtown's assistant DA is Andy Barber. When Andy receives a call of a homicide involving a 14-year old boy, he doesn't hesitate to keep the case and investigate it himself. After all, Andy's 14-year old son grew up with the victim since they were babies. Andy was good friends with the victim's father. Until now. Thanks to new social media outlets, someone posted on Facebook that Jacob, Andy's son, was the one who committed the murder.

While standing trial, Jacob's family becomes isolated from the town, as everyone sees him as the murderer, and the parents just as bad for raising a murderer. As the days go on, it appears someone else may have committed the murder, and admitted to it moments before he committed suicide. But that's not the end of this story. You won't believe the twists at the end.

This book is pretty simple to guess and assume what will happen next. Until the end, you will be correct in your thoughts. But, out of nowhere, the author throws some curves into the mix leaving you hanging on every word. I enjoy murder/mystery books and crime-solving books. This was right up my alley. I rated this as a 4 out of 5 on goodreads.com.  http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12909634-julie

Life as we Knew it

I love the website Pixel of Ink.  I follow them on facebook so I am always reminded of the free books they find through Amazon.  I found another series, and it is pretty interesting.

LIFE AS WE KNEW IT

 

It’s a relatively easy read. The first night when reading it, I remember waking up the next morning and looking out my window, thinking I was experiencing the same thing I was reading in the book. I enjoyed the boo, however the downfall of reading this is it is written in the format of a 16-year old girl’s diary. Which can be funny at times, because I can relate to some of her thinking – one entry ‘I hate my family’ and the next day ‘I have the best family in the world’.

16-year old Miranda’s world changes forever when a meteor hits the moon, knocking it out of obit and closer to the earth. This causes catastrophic events to occur. With a quick-thinking mom, she pulls her kids out of school the day after and they rush to the grocery story to stock-pile on canned food and water, as well as pet food for Horton, their cat. As the days go by, they are left practically starving and freezing, fighting for their lives as tsunamis wipe away a vast majority of land, electricity goes out permanently, and volcanoes erupt all across the world, causing the sun to hide behind the cloud of ash. Miranda learns the value of love and family, as she tries to keep everyone alive when others become helpless.

Like I said earlier, this was a good read. I was anxious to see what was next to happen for their survival, but it seemed to be pretty steady throughout the entire book, once the plot was given out. This is book 1 of 4, and I do intend to give the 2nd book a try as well. I am rating this a book 3 out of 5 because some parts were just boring to me, and not a lot of excitement was happening.

I am planning reading the next book to see how it goes, regardless of my lower rating.  It was still good.

What's happenin?!

A lot of things have been happening, and yet nothing at all has been happening in my world. Not sure if I should post an update or not. I've been spending a lot of time reading, as you can tell by my regular book posts.  I am overly swamped with a lot, but yet I managed to find time to read.  - mainly, I go lay in bed between 9-10 pm every night, and sit up for a few hours reading.  It seems to be very relaxing, who would have thought??

The wedding planning is coming along. I found a place, I'm working on a timeline and entertainment for guests.  A couple of my amazing bridesmaids went with me to try on dresses, and we decided on the dress.  The color is Charcoal.  I don't know why, but whenever I imagined my wedding (well, besides from the imaginary destination wedding that I've always wanted), the color was always silver.  Did you know that silver comes in a wide range of similar colors? some are a shade of pink *YUCK!!!* so, charcoal is the silver I always pictured.  I still have a long way to go, but looks like I am staying close to budget with everything and that is making me happy.

I'm still working at H&R Block in the evenings and some weekends.  The perk of this is the bonus we get at the end of the season (which is April).  We get a set wage, but then we also get commission based on the tax return we have completed and the items we sell to the clients.  my bonus is going to pay for my wedding photographer. :) unless I spend it on something for myself first... no.  think wedding first... ugh.  I can't go any trips because all extra money has to go to a wedding now?? what was I thinking......

The kids are a mess.  Brynnlei walks around saying 'Jujee' when I'm home. It's adorable. Hopefully this week I can videotape her saying my name, before she actually starts talking. It's moments like this that you soon forget when they begin talking 90 to nothing.  I don't want to forget these moments. 

The Perfect Hope

I finished the 3rd book of the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy in record time. I literally could not put it down. I had it open at red lights, while walking in and out of work, I definitely couldn't sleep at night.

This book is very similar to the first two books, only with different characters.  The first book talks about the 3 successful Montgomery brothers, who own their own construction business; their mother who is a widow; and three best girl friends who own/run their own businesses.  The first book talks about one of the brothers and one of the girls having a romantic connection, and ending up getting engaged.  The second book talks about another brother and another friend who also have a romantic connection, and end up getting engaged, while the girls plan their other friend's wedding.  Now we are on the third book.

Hope Beaumont moved to Boonsboro a little less than a year ago.  Her best friend and college roommate convinced her to come look at a job as an innkeeper at the future Inn of Boonsboro.  Hired on the spot, one of the Montgomery brothers did not take a liking to her at all. He was rude, cold, and short with her.  He wouldn't refer her by her name, kept calling her 'the innkeeper'.  She relocated from Washington, DC to this small town with her best friend, Avery.  She met Clare, and all three became instant best friends.  One day, the door on one of the hotels would not open, trapping Hope and Ryder Montgomery.  Hope, remembering how this happened with both Clare and Avery with when they were in the room with their husband and fiance, respectfully, she said the only way the door would open is if they kissed.  fighting it, Ryder agreed.  Sparks started flying.  The door opened.  Through lots of trials and tribulations, Hope and Ryder fought hard, and loved harder.  While uncovering the final pieces of Lizzy, the hotel's ghost (who is also the reason all three of the brothers and the best friends ended up together), dealing with a past she thought was history, learning to adjust to another person and their way of reasoning, this final book has a great love-story and a very happy ending.

I have to admit, I'm a bit sad this trilogy ended.  I felt connected with the girls. The book sucked me right in with them.  I  laughed with them, and sometimes, i cried with them (shhh!!!!) Definitely rating this a 5 out of 5. wonderful book. You should all read them!

The Last Boyfriend

I am still very much enjoying this trilogy.  Will start the final book today. 

Avery grew up in Boonsboro. Her first boyfriend, at age 5, was Owen Montgomery, one of three brothers who own a construction business with their mother and late father.  Avery owns a pizzeria across the street from The Inn Boonsboro, where the Montgomery’s are currently rebuilding.  After numerous encounters with a hopeless romantic ghost at the Inn, Avery and Owen fall into each other, onto each others’ lips.  The ghost, called Lizzy, is drawn to Avery for some reason.  Avery and Owen make it a point to find out who the ghost is, and how to satisfy her so she can finally rest at peace.  With abandonment issues, trying to track down a ghost’s history, your parents’ sexual relations, opening the family dream, and romance, this book has a lot going for it to keep you entertained to the very end.

To me, I am more intrigued about the ghost part of the story than their romantic relationship, only because ghosts fascinate me.  This is definitely a great read and rating a 4.5 on the 5.0 scale. 


 

An American Hero

On President's Day, most businesses were closed.  State, government, and banks all closed.  I work for a bank.  While our actual bank was closed, all 650 employees that work for my bank did not get to have a day off.  Instead, we had an all-day meeting, that  occurs every other year on President's Day.  It's a way for employees to socialize, meet people we wouldn't normally get a chance to meet, and learn some new stuff.  This year's event was titled "Improving Lives". We had 3 guest speakers: One lady from a vendor we contract with to talk about our 401K benefits we might be eligible for, as well as better ways to save/budget our money.  Another guest speaker was another lady who talked to us about managing our time.  Learning how to organize our time on-and off the clock.  How to help prioritize so we can get the maximum time out of enjoying life as possible.  The other guest speaker  is the one that had the most meaning.  He made many people tear up (of course, not me.  I'm tough :P ) His talk was to teach people the beautiful way of looking at life, "Adapt and Overcome".  Most people have plans for their future, their dreams, wants and desires.  Often, our plans are interrupted by the unexpected.  We have to learn to accept what is thrown at us and learn to go with it.  Don't let it bring you down because what you originally thought you wanted is now unachievable. 

Do you watch Dancing with the Stars? Our guest speaker won on Dancing with the Stars recently.  HE also is an actor.  Starred in an episode of Army Wives as a Soldier with PTSD and war wounds.  He also began what was supposed to be a 3-month stint on All My Children as a soldier who came home with war wounds as well.  His 3-month stint turned into a 3 year role.  In 2002, this man joined the US Army. Do you recognize him?

Probably not in this picture.  J. R. Martinez his his name.  He is an American Hero.  An Iraqi War Veteran.  Recipient of the Purple Heart.  just 7 months after joining the Army, he was driving a Hum-vee that ran over an IED.  The 3 people in his vehicle with him were ejected, and walked away with minor scratches.  J.R. became trapped in the car, which had exploded.  Two of his SGTs' pulled him out, and he suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on nearly 1/2 of his body.  He has an amazing outlook on life, even though his dreams were shattered and his plans were drastically changed.  You may recognize him better from his more recent images:

J.R. is a beautiful person, inside and out.  I was so honored to meet an American Hero.