Thursday, July 23, 2009

A Change, well, Sort of

So I haven't been very diligent in my blogging lately. And as I am 39 weeks pregnant, I don't see it getting any better any time soon. So I am officially taking a break. I will try to keep adding my books as I read them (though I expect with child number two's arrival that the book reading will cease to exist for some time). But the home renovations are at a stand still (at least on my part) for at least 6 months. i know I still owe you pictures on the most recently completed rooms, and I am sorry for my negligence. Part of the delay is that there are still one or two things missing in them, so I've been waiting for them to be completely finished. If you are absolutely desperate to see them, then you will just have to come visit.

So thank you to all my loyal readers. I will check in occasionally, but I don't want to make any promises that I know I won't keep.

Book # 27 & 28: Eclipse & Breaking Dawn

by Stephenie Meyer

All I can say is that I am hopelessly hooked on the Twilight series! Read them! They are addictive, easy to read, and very entertaining. I am sad that there are no more for me to read. Each one got better than the last. And I will give Stephenie Meyer credit for sticking to more positive moral values for her main characters. It was refreshing, especially knowing that teenagers are reading them.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Book # 26: New Moon

by Stephenie Meyer

So the series must not be too bad because I am flying through them. The second book was better than the first, as there was less time with Edward and Bella (the two main characters) together and obsessing over each other. A little disjointed at the end, as a major plot twist has Bella traveling somewhere (don't want to spoil it). The second one leaves some loose ends, so I headed right into the third one. I'm sure I'll be up late and finishing it in a couple days. Then I need to get my hands on the fourth one, and the series will be completed. I'll keep you posted.

And I know--you need to see pictures of the baby's room and the family room. I've got to get myself and my camera geared up for that!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Book # 25: Twilight

by Stephenie Meyer

I hate to admit it, but yes, I succumbed to the pressure and read Twilight. Yes, the one made into the movie. Yes, the one that teenage girls are crazy about. I know, I know. I had a few people recommend it, and then had a friend offer to lend me the books (the first three). So there you have it.

It was good. In a low-key, teenage romance way. I was intrigued by how the whole vampire thing worked, and the dialogue was good at times (filled with sarcasm and quips at each other), at least until they really became boyfriend and girlfriend, and then it became a little sappy and obsessive. After a long beginning, something exciting did happen, and that had me up reading when I should have been sleeping, but then the end returned to the sappy and obsessive dialogue. So not an all time favorite, and probably not one I'd reread. But I enjoyed it enough, and it peaked my interest enough to have me start in on the second one, New Moon. So I'll keep you posted on it, and most likely the third, and the fourth...

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Book # 24: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam

(And the Crusades)
by Robert Spencer

Overall, not a bad read. I knew most of it from other books I have read, but it was nice as Robert Spencer quoted the Qur'an to support points. The other books I had read about Islam and politics did not do this. The Crusade information was new to me as well. My knowledge of the history of that part of the world is not as good as it should be. Something I should probably work on. I would recommend it as I believe political correctness is stifling our ability to speak our minds, and as we hear the political correct side of things most times on the news, it is nice to hear the other side occasionally!

Not sure if I am finishing Catch-22 next or if I'll go for something more history aligned. We'll see.

Yard Sale Success

Our yard sale was a success with roughly $60 profit. We then did a curb alert on Craig's List and got rid of some of the bigger items that would have headed to the dumpster instead. Hooray for other people being able to use them!