Sunday, September 26, 2010

Lucky!

Yesterday was quite a day. Well, mostly the evening was interesting.
Andy and I went to the fair and watched the tractor pull. I had a great
time. Andy and I shared an elephant ear and he tried a funnel cake for
the first time ever!
I think that's crazy, but it was good! I joked around saying the powdered
sugar looked like crack. We had a lot of laughs. I was definitely all smiles!
I even guessed a distance that a tractor pulled, 312 feet! Maybe it should
be my new favorite number?
I ended up mentioning pizza, so we left to get one.

My poor phone has been dropped so many times I'm surprised it still works.
This time not only did I drop it, but I didn't know I dropped it. Yeah, lovely!
How did I figure out I lost it? Andy said I was calling him. I thought I butt
dialed him so I was looking for my phone in the truck. I had him call the phone
and I remembered it was on vibrate. But instead of me hearing a vibrate, someone
answered a phone. Some guy.
All I could think of was, SHIT!
But he told us he found the phone and we met up with him so he could give it back.
I can't believe that I lost it. And also that it was found and returned!
The guy only called my mom and left a message, my dad and my dad told him to call Andy,
and he did.
All Andy could say was that I was DAMN lucky!

Monday, September 20, 2010

OMG - It's almost time!

So October is less than 10 days away, well the 30th is. I'm not gonna get all technical. All I know is that it's REAL soon. We can at least agree on that.

Well you know that iPad contest I've been in on Kiwibox?
I didn't win the 2nd contest (which was the 1st contest I entered).
Now I've entered the 3rd contest (so this is my 2nd time trying to win).
I almost want to say I have a good chance, but we'll have to wait and see.

I really hope I win. And the whole reason I'd like to win, is my computer screen is cracked.
I can't see a clear picture, whether it's a movie or a web page.
My other laptop is soooooooo slow.
I don't have the money to fix either.
So I figure the iPad could allow me to see things fully, work faster than one of my computers,
and it's FREE.
The only problem is I'd have to get a wireless router...and I'm just a little unsure how that's supposed to work.
I thought I knew how, but it's been so long since I had to mess with it. I don't know what I need.
But I won't do anything until I know I've won it.
I can always take it to the library.
But I'd like to use it at home.
Man, now I sound like I won.
And we won't know yet for a while.

I just thought I'd let ya'll know!! It's soon!

Book Review - One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

I just finished reading One for the Money by Janet Evanovich last night.
It is the first of her 'crime stopping, thrilling adventure' series.
As I've mentioned before, my mom LOVES this series. She recommended
it to me, so I'm recommending it to all of you!

If you're into the 'bad guy stopping' type books, this is for you. It has
a LOT of wit and charm. I've cracked up many times during this book.
It also has a few more serious events that take place. Let me begin by
explaining to you.

Stephanie Plum (the main character), gets laid off and has been laid off for about 6 months. She's tried various odd jobs to keep her apartment, but loses her car to the re-po man, whom she went to high school with. She makes her town of Trenton, New Jersey seem small, but the neighborhoods are filled with big families that are close to one another.

She brings you back to her childhood days, and mentions one person in particular, Joe Morelli. They had a past, but when it comes to Joe Morelli, who hasn't?
Her mother nags, when Stephanie finally admits she's been laid off.
Her family suggests she checks with her cousin Vinnie, who owns a Bail Bonds agency, for a filing job. With the filing job taken, she is told about the Bounty hunting jobs. She gets a taste for greed when there's a bond worth $100,000, and with her getting 10%, she wants to take the case. She convinces her cousin to give her one week.

Then she finds out she's looking for Joe Morelli.
A soon to be ex-cop, who is charged with first degree murder.

You go along for the ride, and it's a heck of a ride. I suggest you get started!

Happy Reading!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Sworn to Silence - Book Review -

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo is a very compelling thriller. It is the first book I've read by the author and it will not be my last. I cannot get enough of her style of writing. She lets a lot of details come out, ones that you are looking for but are afraid to find.
I'm new to thrillers and I anticipated this novel to be a good read. It is far from "good" and that's a good thing. It's one of the best yet.
Not only is it about murder but it's about having a will to live. That not only do we have a reason to do so, it's best to have no other choice. I was told that it was to be an extremely gory book, but I found it to be somewhat mild. It's no different than CSI or Bones gore. Yes, the details let your mind wander a little more. They might be strong if you aren't used to reading books like this, but the storyline is captivating. The reveal is such a surprise.
If you're open minded to the many genres of books, then give this one a try. You won't go wrong.
I recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

It's that simple..

It's only going on the third month of me living here, and I'm just now starting to see it for what it's worth. Before I moved here all I have come to know this place for was Andy, his cows, the farm.
Now that I'm here, I'm finding ways to make the time to myself enjoyable. I've taken to babysitting 3 mornings a week, with possible Wednesday evenings. I also agreed to babysit this Saturday. Heather *(the woman I sit for) is making it a day for herself and her husband. She'll have a pizza delivered while they're out for me and Ellie to eat. I've been wanting pizza lately.
It's a way to make some extra cash, taking the extra days. It's easy work, tiring, and also rewarding. Spending time with little kids is what I've gotten used to in my early teens. I enjoyed people depending on me for a change, and that might sound selfish. I think that's also when I really got into helping people. I like to think I'm really generous (once you get to know me). In my earlier years I've always wanted to have kids. As I got older (up until now) I enjoy watching kids that aren't mine, for money. It's a fair exchange I think. I get to see the child grow and learn new things. I know I'm only a temporary person in their life, but sometimes it's those times that are crucial. They mean something.
Watching children comes naturally to me. It might be hard to believe, as much as I bicker with my younger brother, but the relationship is different, obviously, when you're related. I prefer babysitting over the fantasy of having kids of my own. It's a nightmare that has a lot of room for screwing up. When they're your own, I can't imagine how to teach things the right way. They can only have so many "How to" books. But there's the fact that you can give them back once you're done with them. I've always heard that from other people. And I agree. I go through a little bit of what I'd have to handle if I were to have my own. And with that said, I would not be upset if I were to not have kids. And it's possible I won't. With my PCOS, I don't think I'd be able to anyway.
But back to my admiration of where I live.
I didn't have the pleasure of taking a short trip to Amish Country before I moved here. It would take a lot more gas, money, and time. I love living close. I love being able to take in my neighboring surroundings. I anxiously await the fall. When the trees start to change, you can bet your bottom I'll be in my car with my camera, capturing the rolling hills of color. I might even make a pit stop for apple cider.
I really grasp for the simple life. By being able to take in my surroundings, knowing that I'm not far from home, and seeing how beautiful it is, is very comforting. I feel like every bit of what I want is right at my fingertips. Surrounding me with fresh air and the opportunities I've been longing for.
I've always been a big fan of the country. I think even more so as I got older. I eventually appreciated the time I found for myself. To develop these hobbies (photography and painting) that can make me feel even closer to nature. And that's the main thing that draws me to my photography and paints. Nature. The country. The glorious life that surrounds me, daily. I can't get enough.
There are a few reasons why I'm drawn to scenic photography/painting. You can't mess up. You can't go wrong. There is not a wrong angle or subject. You are not limited to what you can create. It's already created for you, your job is to capture it. I enjoy capturing the moments that catch my eye. The scenery that makes me daydream. The images I picture when I think of the country.
Whereas, when you have a person (or one single topic) that can't be altered like nature. You can't take your favorite pieces and throw them together like you can with nature. Nature allows you to do that. Nature accepts you.
I know I'm probably sounding like some tree hugging hippie, but I'm really letting the wind embrace me while I'm capturing the moments on camera. I let it take me away. Only then can I snap a picture and be satisfied with the result.
It's something to think about.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Effect
By Epik Ride

The Butterfly Effect
By Andy Andrews

Thomas Nelson Publisher.


The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews, was something that I think everyone should read. We can all grasp the meaning behind what the butterfly effect really is. It is a small amount of proof that what we do really matters. The actions we make can and will effect many lives in this world. I enjoyed the message the author displayed in this informative piece. It made me think and pay more attention to how the butterfly effect is all around me. And all around you.
I would read it forever if he could keep going back, telling us how one action lead to another. It was very fascinating. It is something I have never thought much about. I have not thought about how important my choices are when it comes to something this big. It helps prove that our choices are important enough to make a difference. We always have someone to thank or maybe even blame for where we are today. We might blame people for the negative impact, but if it brought us to where we wanted to be we can be thankful.
Thomas Nelson has provided me with an advanced reading copy.

Road trip to Amish Country (Holmes County, Walnut Creek, OH)

The past few days have been good days. I've been in a good mood (as in: not depressed). I've been doing a TON of reading. I finished Witch & Wizard, as well as, Maximum Ride: The Final Warning. I found both to be enjoyable. The last Maximum Ride book was shorter than the others in the series, but still a great read! I wanted more with the ending, as always.

Now I'm finally reading Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo. I've been excited about this book for a while. Mainly because of where the *fictional* story takes place. Holmes County, Ohio. I just took a road trip to there. Where I live, I'm not far from Holmes County. Today I went to Walnut Creek. It was a nice drive. It was windy, a little mild, but I wasn't dying. I took some really great pictures and edited them through picnik.com.




Friday, September 3, 2010

A reason to write is a good one.

Well it's September and I'm ready for Autumn to come! It's my favorite season. My favorite month is October. I can't wait until I can buy good apple cider. I enjoy the light jacket weather. I'm not looking forward to the winter months. I hope we have a decent fall this year. It's my first fall living in New Philly, and I can't wait for the country to turn beautiful colors.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm mostly looking for good weather, not too hot, not too cold. That was supposed to be back in the Spring, but it's been so ridiculously hot and no fun. It's been hotter here in Ohio than in Florida. Ever since we moved back to Ohio from Florida, the weather has kind of turned on us. When we lived in Florida, the weather was un-godly hot. But when we move they get a tiny bit of snow and tons of rain! The only time it would rain down there is during tropical storms. I don't ever remember a hurricane while living there. If there was one, we got the tropical storm, no big damage. Tree branches would be in the yard the following morning, but nothing major. Some power outages. I remember sitting with the windows open, a cool breeze coming through, and just relaxing while it rained. We'd light the candles around the living room and watch the rain race down the street.

I also remember heat lightning. Those were more dangerous. If it had been particularly dry, that would cause fires. And since the grass sucked down there, it was frequent. I kind of miss it. I haven't been back since we moved to Ohio in 2001 or 2002. Yeah, I remember because I was in 5th grade when we were let out when September 11th happened. The anniversary isn't far away.

This blog is completely random, and I have no problem with that. At least I found something to write about. I haven't been able to think of anything to write about. I've stared at a blank page for the past two days, and I'm glad I'm able to write something. Not sure about a title though.

Oh well. Let's see. I'll start  babysitting 15 hours a week. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
I babysat for 8 hours today. Went to the mall after. Stuffed my face. Went to the bookstore and bought Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo. I've been waiting to read it, but I haven't gotten done with the books I got from the library. So I bought it. (heehee)
I'm almost done with Witch & Wizard by James Patterson. I have 3 other books to read. I hope to get them done. At the very least I'd like to finish the last Maximum Ride book. I'd have to start it first, but I should be getting to that soon. Maybe I'll hold off on the other 2 books, and just add them to a list to get some other time. So I can get to reading the books that I OWN. I have a TON of books that are mine.
Yay for reading!!