by Sarah | Mar 4, 2014 | All About Me, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
Books have been my favorite thing for as long as I can remember.
No, really. I’ve often shared the story of how my first nightmare ever was of me destroying my favorite book, [amazon_link id=”B000IYCL4Q” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Bongo[/amazon_link].
So what better way to start my Top Ten Tuesdays then with my favorite books? Trust me, this sucker is going to be a tough list. I have to say this list is “currently” or “for now”. I’m always reading and finding new books, and sometimes forgetting them. So I could come back in a year with a totally different list (or it may stay much the same).
So without further ado…the list.
10. [amazon_link id=”1451657889″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Wicked As They Come (Blud #1)[/amazon_link] ~Delilah S. Dawson — A unique story of vampires in a combination of the modern and a steampunk world. It’s #10 because it took me a little to get through it and get totally caught up, but once I did I was hooked. Loved it!
9. [amazon_link id=”1419709704″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Splintered (Splintered #1)[/amazon_link] ~ A.G. Howard — Wow. I loved this take on Alice in Wonderland!! Totally imaginative and fun. Both the [amazon_link id=”B00FJ7NTP2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]novella[/amazon_link] and [amazon_link id=”1419709712″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]book 2[/amazon_link] are on my wish list.
8. [amazon_link id=”1594744769″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children[/amazon_link] ~ Ransom Riggs — I honestly didn’t know what to expect with this book. It kept me enthralled with the unusual children based on real photographs. I’m looking forward to [amazon_link id=”1594746125″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Hollow City[/amazon_link]!!
7. [amazon_link id=”031257357X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Still Missing[/amazon_link] ~Chevy Stevens — An amazing heartfelt story about life after the abduction. The ripple effect carries throughout Annie’s life after she gets home…and the answers she finds have surprises of their own.
6. [amazon_link id=”1439102813″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Still Alice[/amazon_link] ~Lisa Genova — Painful. Beautiful. (Warning: not a recommended read if you have someone in your life with Alzheimer’s, it might be too painful)
5. [amazon_link id=”0425247449″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]What Alice Forgot[/amazon_link] ~Liane Moriarty — A driven mom falls of an exercise bike and hits her head – losing 10 years of her life. The life she remembers is not the life she’s living.
4. The Demon Tales Series ~Kerrianne Coombes — Kerrianne’s take on the classic fairy tales is amazing (and hot). Starting with [amazon_link id=”B00816NFJ8″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Beauty and the Beast[/amazon_link], to [amazon_link id=”B0098M0IYY” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Cinderella[/amazon_link], to [amazon_link id=”1618855964″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Snow White[/amazon_link], and [amazon_link id=”1618859056″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Rapunzel[/amazon_link], I’ve loved every story. I have my hot little hands on [amazon_link id=”B00H29N3A6″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Sleeping Beauty[/amazon_link], too & can’t wait to read it!! I know the author has more coming, I follow her on FB 😉
3. [amazon_link id=”0061962155″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Confessions of a Prairie Bitch[/amazon_link] ~Alison Arngram — Confession here, I did NOT like the TV series Little House. I know, it’s a travesty since the books are in my top 10. Mostly because I thought the TV show strayed too far from the books…and to me that was sacrilege. I LOVED the book. That all being said – I liked this book so much it is the ONLY non-fiction book on this list, especially since I’m not a fan of memoirs in most cases. Alison’s recounting of her time on Little House almost made me want to try watching it again (almost). She displayed humor, grace, and a nice dose of snark, just how I like my peeps.
2. [amazon_link id=”0060754281″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Little House Series[/amazon_link] ~Laura Ingalls Wilder — first books I read, and read religiously. I’m now reading them with my girls and they remain my favorites. They mean too much to me not to. (P.S. the only adaptation I like of the books to film of any kind is the miniseries from a few years back done by Disney.)
1. [amazon_link id=”0545162076″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Harry Potter series[/amazon_link] ~J.K. Rowling — This is the first year I can say that this series makes my top 10. My first read-through I was more “eh” over the series. I didn’t “get” the madhouse fandom. After a second read-through in 2013 I’m totally on board. My girls love them, my husband loves them…the teen never got into them, but that’s okay.
*
And that’s my list for this week. I may revisit this in six months and see if it still stands.
What about you? What are your favorite books? I’m always looking for new recommendations?
Feel free to join me for Top Ten Tuesday! If anyone is interested, I can create a linky 😀
by Sarah | Feb 25, 2014 | All About Home, All About Me, All of Us, Photography
Three years ago I started on a trail like this, and didn’t get far. I wish I’d stuck with it, I might not be where I am today.
<<–Do you see that? Almost 30,000 photos taking up 67.2GB of space on my hard drive (external).
I’m fortunate to have a photo managing program that automatically sorts by month and year when I’m in management mode, but still. 30k worth of photos?
And do you know how many are ‘sorted’ in any way shape or form? Maybe 3%
What’s worse? Probably 10% of them are missing the META data…no date (or WRONG date), nothing.
When I want to find a photo, unless it’s been taken in the past few months, it’s a scavenger hunt with pictures and my undependable memory.
So today I bit the bullet and started to remove the clutter.
I now have images sorted by human/family pictures, and not so much. Then divided into years. In the process I did manage to remove 300 photos just by virtue of knowing they weren’t necessary.
Over the next month or two I hope to whittle down all of the blurry, duplicate, needless shots. Most especially of my family. Also, so I can find photos I can use for blog posts, or just for fun.
Then, I want to back them all up (Hello new [amazon_link id=”B003MVZ8NI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]DVD+R[/amazon_link]’s) on discs and store them somewhere safe.
Lastly, I want to print some out to have on hand.
My family deserves better than this disorganized mess. and my brain will be much happier in the end.
(Soon, I’ll be starting the same de-clutter concept on my house…it’s worse than my photos…we are such packrats)
by Sarah | Feb 12, 2014 | All About Erik, All About Indiana, All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Indiana State Museum
This weekend the Indiana State Museum is hosting their 11th Annual Art Fair!
And the best part, is preview night is on Valentine’s day!
I’m not usually a big hearts & flowers – “I LOVE Valentine’s Day” type of girl. In fact, Erik knows that if he gets me something on Valentine’s I’m more likely to be annoyed than all lovey-dovey about it. I don’t like to make it a “thing”.
However, this year? When I got the option of going to an Art Fair filled with art by 60 Hoosier Artists representing 21 countries, along with some cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on this big romantic day – I was all over that. Erik and I are going to make a date of it.
I love that we can view, and even buy, beautiful pieces of work from local artists. You can preview some of the artwork now on the Indiana Art Fair Facebook page. I, personally, would rather spend the night enjoying beauty and supporting local artists, than worrying about flowers and hearts. It’s the ideal compromise for me – it’s a date, without the pressure of the label the day brings. It’s a total win-win.
The Indiana Art Fair Preview night is on February 14th from 5:30 to 8PM. Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for non-members (as a bonus, your admission ticket to the Friday evening reception can be redeemed for free admission to the Indiana Art Fair on Saturday, Feb. 15).
If you can’t make it on Valentine’s Day, you can still see the Art Fair from 10AM-5PM on Saturday the 15th – and the cost is included in the regular museum admission ($10 adults, $9 seniors aged 60+, $5.50 child aged 3-12).
Have you been to the Art Fair before? Do you plan on going again?
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*Disclaimer: In exchange for this post I was given two tickets to the Indiana Art Fair. All opinions are my own.
by Sarah | Jan 31, 2014 | 45 before 45, All About Me, All of Us
*It should be noted that if my mom knows I put this out there, she’ll probably kill me. So mom, on the off chance you’re reading my blog today, so sorry–but it had to be done!
My wish for ink started when I was young. From the time I was sixteen I knew I wanted a tattoo, even if I was afraid of how much it could hurt. However, I always said I would not get one at 18, no matter what. I didn’t want to get a tattoo I might one day regret.
My brother, being older and in the military, beat me to the ink. He started with a panther (high school mascot) on his shoulder. I’m not sure just how many he has now, but he didn’t stop there.
My mother? HORRIFIED! How dare he get a tattoo? How could he do that to himself? OMG, it was awful.
Two and a half years ago, on my 35th birthday, I finally got my ink.
It’s a butterfly, a running theme on my website that I use to represent my kids growing beyond their labels. It’s purple, my favorite color. It has all three of my kids initials. Can you see them?
My only regret with this tattoo is that because of the location, I actually forget I have it sometimes. I love it. I’m so glad I waited until I was 35.
My mother by now? Her reactions were not as severe as they were years ago when my brother got his. However, I got the chastising glance and the disappointed shaking of the head. The heavy sigh of “Where did I go wrong?”
Fast forward to two months ago. My dad brings by their dog so we can dog-sit while they go on a cruise.
In casual conversation the subject of tattoos comes up. I mention that I’m itching for another one and he just throws out the statement:
“Well, your mother has one.”
Said like it was no big deal. I screech to a halt and say, “WHAT?”
“Yeah. She got a flamingo.”
(Side note-my mom has been obsessed w/ flamingos for years).
Of course, I had no choice but to confront her the next time I saw her. She tried to deny it with a shocked “Who told you that?” And then I got “Well, you’ll never see it.”
I just shook my head and I’m still shaking my head. After all the fuss she threw over my brother and I getting tattoos?
I don’t know how to take it. My friends mom? Sure. She’s getting a full on sleeve, and that’s cool. I mean, I’ve met her mom and this doesn’t shock me.
My Mom?
WHAT?
by Sarah | Jan 3, 2014 | All About Me, Story of Me
I suck at resolutions. I really do.
I’ve tried making them publicly, here on this blog, to have accountability and a place for public shaming if I fail.
Doesn’t matter.
I always drop them fast.
Supah fast.
So now when a new year comes along I don’t make big resolutions.
This year, though, as I’m laid up after foot surgery, I’ve had time to reflect.
2013 saw a great many humongous highs.
It also saw some dark and despairing lows.
It turned into an unexpected year of flux. The last half of the year, especially, was a struggle in many ways.
Now there’s a new year to face.
I’m thinking the idea of picking a word for the year is appropriate.
I’m going to call my word for this year at Growth.
In every aspect I hope to grow.
Personal.
Blog-wise.
Professionally with my writing.
So here’s to growth.
With as few growing “pains” as possible.
by Sarah | Jan 2, 2014 | All About Me, Story of Me
I know I’ve spoken of my podophobia before on a few occasions.
I don’t.like.feet. At all.
Not even a little bit.
Which likely stemmed from my own foot issues and being the the dance world with a crap-ton of ugly feet.
This year my own foot issues reached the breaking point and I had to get to the podiatrist.
I know what was coming.
Surgery.
I knew it was inevitable.
The truth of it is, a genetic issue got progressively worse until I was in pain.
My big toe turned outward toward my pinky toe. It had reached a point where it was almost completely underneath my second toe. Only a triangle of nail was visible, which also meant I’d developed a large bunion. The shocker was also a bone spur on my littlest toe.
Surgery on 3 toes was the decree.
So two weeks ago, 1 week before Christmas I climbed onto the surgeon’s table full of fear and anxiety and was asleep in a minute.
When I woke, my foot looked like that. All bundled up and bandaged and at first, numb as can be (yay). Within 24 hours the numbness wore off and I had to deal with the pain, and trying to walk on crutches.
It hasn’t been even a little bit easy.
I’m such an independent person.
Relying on everyone around me to handle the house, the kids, dinner, Christmas, new Years, and even my own food and drink.
It’s been hard.
On me.
On the family.
But I got to use a motorized shopping cart when the husband took me out to help my cabin fever.
Sometimes the depression is bad.
Sometimes I’m okay.
But I’m on the mend.
Slower than I wish, but as fast as the doctor had hoped.
Today I became free of stitches & bandages. I have a boot/cast so I can ease back into walking. I only need a sock now and not full bandages, although my foot having free motion is an odd feeling after being wrapped up tight for two weeks.
I’m not good at this.
My brain thinks about what’s going on inside my foot.
Makes me nauseous.
But I’m trying.
Books have been my favorite thing for as long as I can remember.
