My Black Friday

I will never again stand in line at a store on Black Friday. This year I decided to try out shopping on-line rather than waiting in line in person. In my small rural town Wal-Mart is the main site for crack of dawn (or earlier) shopping. This year I wanted to buy a computer for the girls and M. The laptop they were using finally stopped working. I wanted to get a desktop. Rather than going in early to get their desktop special, I was able to get what I think will end up being a better computer at a lower price. I bought a computer from Dell (Inspiron Zino) with everything except a monitor (that I got on special from Staples) and speakers that I will buy later in a store. The computer was on such as discount that I ended up spending about the typical base starting price once all the upgrades were added on. The monitor was on special for half price. If I ever wake up early to go into the madness of a Black Friday store sale, I will be shocked. On-line shopping is so much more convenient!

I am thankful...

*for two beautiful daughters who never fail to bring joy to my days.

*for a supportive husband with whom I can share the pleasures and challenges of being a parents and a young couple.

*for my family and friends near and far.

*for carving away a little bit of time each month to scrapbook, enjoying some time with other adults while preserving memories.

Slice of Life Story Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking continues to be a great hobby that I am so glad that I ended up beginning on a consistent basis this year, although it can get expensive quickly. When my oldest daughter was born, I started writing in a journal for her periodically. I would have my husband write entries from time to time as well. As with many memory book/baby books, I progressively started writing fewer and farther between. With my second daughter, I have barely any entries.

This fall my Creative Memories scrapbooking consultant was showing me how she uses a small album where she puts her calendar for the month and a few pictures to create a quick yearly snapshot album to show people until she is able to get caught up with the whole year. Seeing that thought inspired me of a solution to being able to document events for the girls on a regular basis. Two Writing Teachers have had me start to focus on Slice of Life Stories, and I realized that when I reread the journal entries I did like, it is the small moments that I enjoy reading the most.

I already ordered identical quick kits for the girls, and starting in January, I can't wait to begin my new project. Each year I want to have matching albums for the girls and each month I will document a small moment. This year I will have the I Do Quick Kit (linked above). Although it is meant to be used for weddings, I love the pink album with hearts on the front, and many of the stickers/pages are universal.

Similar to my consultant's idea, I will update them monthly. However, instead of a calendar and photos, I will have a typed up slice of life story and photos. I am excited how this project will work out and to start this new tradition. Anything that inspires me to pause and lavish the small moments in life always brings a sense of fulfillment!

New Moon Release Week - Doing Something Just For Me

I cannot remember ever using a personal day just for fun, but there is a first time for everything. This Friday I will take a personal day to spend time with my sister while she is visiting my parents from across the country. I already saw her Halloween weekend, and I will go back for Thanksgiving, but this is my chance to see her without the girls so that we can really enjoy our time together.

It just so happens to be at a perfect time that we can go to the New Moon release together as well (one other sister and possibly my niece will be able to go too). This week I will be rereading New Moon, starting tonight as soon as I log off my computer. I look forward to enjoying the book one more time and then having it fresh in my mind to compare/contrast with the movie. Thursday night when I get to my parents' we are going to watch Twilight together to kick off our fun weekend.

I am looking forward to a weekend of relaxation, fun, and family. It will be hard to leave the girls at home, both being away from them and knowing how much they love going to Granny's, but I am also excited to have some time alone with my sister. Thanksgiving with the girls will be less than a week away once I get back anyway. The only thing that could make the weekend better would be to have our fourth sister with us...Sherri, if you are reading, it is not too late to book a ticket!

The Fidelity Files

I first heard about Jessica Brody through her site Free Book Friday and the teen companion site. I finally got a copy of The Fidelity Files since the second book Love Under Cover is going to be released on November 10th.

In the book Jennifer Hunter is living a double life - the cover life of being a busy investment banker and her real life of being a fidelity inspector also known as Ashlyn. On a mission to give suspecting wives and girlfriends the peace of mind in knowing the truth, whether it is positive or negative, when they doubt their significant other's faithfulness, Ashlyn is always busy. However, the life that she has worked so hard to keep a secret is coming out little by little.

At first I was not sure how much I would enjoy the book because I admit, I was a little skeptical about the whole fidelity inspector concept. My thoughts about the topic were fitting as it was one of Jennifer's worries whenever she thought about how the people closest in her life would react if they found out her real career. However, I found myself quickly intrigued with how Jennifer found herself in the scenario and seeing the way she discovered more about herself and her beliefs throughout the book. I came to understand Jennifer and rooted for her.

I loved the style of writing. Brody wrote in a way that gave information and background little by little to unveil different details about Jennifer's motivations and to allow for plenty of unexpected twists and turns. While I correctly predicted some of the details, I was not able to anticipate many of the major details. I love books that keep my mind active considering all the possibilities.

This week on her Free Book Friday site she is having a lot of extra giveaways in celebration of her upcoming release. I was also excited to see that she has a YA book coming out in April 2010.

Cute Little Rat Anyone?

In a few hours my most hectic month of the fall will officially be over. I woke up energized this morning as I would pass my last day of the month with the event that I have been looking forward to most out of the whole month - spending Halloween with my sister from Massachusetts as well as my nephews. The girls were ecstatic as well. They could hardly contain themselves all week in anticipation.

My sister and I were enjoying our lunch with the three older kids playing outside in my parents' nice yard when A walked in and said, "Mom, D has a rat in her hands." I flew out of my seat and headed for the door with my sister calling out, "What are you doing? It's just a tangle in her hair."

I looked back confused by her comment, but before I could process what she was saying, D and H bursted through the back door with proud smiles on their faces. Even though I dreaded what would be the object of their excitement my eyes travelled down to D's hands at about the same time as my sister's. "Ahhhh!" we both screamed in unision at the sight of the baby mouse that she was tenderly holding in her hands, and I started backpedalling away from D as quickly as possible.

"Get that out of here. Go back outside!" my sister shrieked. From between us my dad could not contain his chuckles. While I caught my breath he walked outside to handle the mouse.

"Was it alive?" my sister blurted out.

"I don't think so," I said. "Or how else would she have been able to hold it?"

Nonetheless, I decided to go outside and confirm. My dad was carrying the lifeless body to the dumpster and both kids had looks of disappointment on their faces.

"H, did you touch it too?"

"Yes, mom," he replied.

"Then get inside and wash your hands right now," my sister said.

As I scooped D up to carry her inside, she said, "But he was a cute little rat." Despite ourselves, we could not help but laugh.

Right as I was getting ready to strip off all of D's clothes and give her a bath, my sister who typically freaks out even more than I do in situations such as this told me to just wash her hands and send her out to play even more.

With my heart rate back to normal and the kids blissfully resuming their play, I was able to continue with my afternoon. Whenever we get together, my sisters and I create memories. This will definitely be one that will make us laugh for many years.

Twenties Girl

Having a new Sophie Kinsella book is always a special treat, and Twenties Girl was no different. As always, Kinsella was able to conjure up the fun scenario of Lara starting to see her dead great-aunt Sadie from the time she attended her funeral. The 105 year old aunt appears to Lara as her 23 year old self, the way she always felt. Sadie has spunk and character, creating many humorous scenes and getting Lara into her share of awkward situations. She is adamant that Lara must find her favorite necklace, without worrying about Lara's everyday commitments.

This book made me remember all over again why I love Kinsella's books so much. Part way through the book I called my teaching partner who loaned me the book and we laughed and shared some of our favorite scenes up to the point where I was. Now I can't wait for my sisters to read it so we can discuss it since they are the ones who originally got me hooked on Kinsella!