79

I have been wracking my brain to remember the book I read prior to 29 Gifts by Cami Walker.  Then I noticed that I posted 1 week ago about two books and realize that I didn't misplace a book in my mind.  This WAS the next book I read.  And it took a whole week.  Not because it wasn't good or well written or anything like that.  More to do with Resolutions 47/48 than anything else.

I found a card when cleaning out the desk drawers (remember that?  Resolution 6, 2013) that had some books that I had written down back in 2010.  That may have been what led to the New Year's Resolution of 2011 which was to read books again.  So, I've read none of those books and I added them to my books to read list that I keep in a spreadsheet along with the books I want to read.  And a few weeks ago, I realized that I would need some books to keep me occupied over the upcoming break and got them from the library.  Of course, this one is already due and cannot be renewed so I hopped right on it.

At first, I'll be honest, I didn't know if I could stick with it and finish it.  It is non-fiction so the author is truly honest and not that likable in the beginning of the book.  But the growth displayed through the book and the power that she gains is addicting!  Definitely a recommended read!

77, 78

I FINALLY read the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  Of course, Teen Boy has his set at school so I am borrowing them from the library.  All those months they just sat and sat in his room waiting for me to come get them.  But in the moment that he requested we bring them to him, I remembered that the next movie is coming out.  I NEED TO FINALLY READ THESE BOOKS was my only thought.  So I got the first from the library and plowed through it.  I could picture it from the movie as I was reading it.  Now, if I recall correctly, the book and movie are quite similar.  I think I need to see the movie again.  However, in the meantime, I got the E-book of the next one from the library.  Or so I thought.  It was the audio version so I returned it and put my name down for the real book.  Which I am hoping to have by this jam-packed weekend so I can ignore all of the things I need to do and read it!

I read another of Debbie's nonfiction books, One Upon a Time.  She really is an inspiration, what she overcame to become a writer.  This book talks about the story of our life and how our life is truly a story.  She shares more of herself in this book and then gives the reader prompts to begin to share more about their lives.  I am wondering if these are good jumping off points for a family reunion to come in the future.  I cannot see myself writing in a journal about these topics, as I know she hopes that her readers do.  I would rather pick up another book and get lost in it.  But it did give me pause.  And it is written to be quite an easy read.  Those of you looking for a new take on New Year's Resolutions might just enjoy taking her prompts out for a spin.  And there are more than 12 so you could pick and choose one a month to tackle/explore.

Resolution 46 - Take Care of Someone

A friend recently found my blog.  Well, in reality, I directed it to her, but mostly cause it was the easiest way to give her information about a book we'd been discussing.  Inevitably, why do I blog comes up.  I think in many ways I was lost and needed direction.  I was lonely and needed an outlet.  I was overwhelmed with dissatisfaction and wanted to make a change.  Once I started blogging, I began reading blogs.  I found some I love.  Some are written by women that inspire me and some that just make me feel small.  Several that make me feel blessed.  But, it seemed to be growing out of control so I stopped.  I went cold turkey.  I stopped reading.  And I was okay because I was living life in the real moment with my family.

Today, I discovered that a young cancer survivor is back in the hospital fighting the cancer fight.  I thought, OH NO!  MY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED BY ME AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENS!  Boy, I think a lot of myself sometimes.  I missed good and bad.  I have to own that truth.  I missed good and bad.  I have not been neglecting; I am living for people that are here with me in life, not online.  It was a panic that spiraled into an afternoon of ferocious blog reading, accomplishing nothing in my world.  I needed to talk this out here and figure out how to make a resolution from it...

Living life in the moment... yes.  Taking care of those around me?  Perhaps, that is what that blog was saying to me.  Reach out and care for someone.  Someone in my world can use my help.  I am opening my heart (and probably my kitchen) to someone that needs me.  Let me know if you touch the lives of others this week and how.  It can be this simple...

http://momastery.com/blog/2013/11/10/coab-church-bench/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=coab-church-bench

Book 76

The Finest Hours is "The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue" and is by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman.  Now if you like slow moving, extremely detailed books that actually retell several sea rescues, many which are not successful, than this is the book for you.  I appreciate that it was detailed in the story they were telling.  However, just when it would get moving, the author would create a flashback moment of another time at sea that this particular person was involved in creating a distraction from the real story and derailing the reader. If it happened just once, well that would have been one thing.  But many such flashbacks occurred which didn't really add to the already complicated tale of the day.  When you've got two ships in trouble that both split in half, essentially creating 4 groups of people needing to be rescued and easily 4 ships of people being sent to help, you've got 8 ships of people that you are now not just telling the current tale, but adding back story as well, whew, it was work reading this book.

A side note... you know I sometimes find books in the most creative fashion.  That would be true for this book.  While searching for another story, I found this one and gave it a try.  Sometimes it works, sometimes not.  The story is incredible, but I won't be reading this author again.

Post 300 - All about Blogging

At the beginning of 2012, I had so many things I wanted to "fix" that I decided to do a blog about making a new resolution each week.  Many of these resolutions I have to make over and over, while others stay for awhile and become something permanent.  I'm okay with making the same resolution over again and again, because I am only trying to become the person God wants me to be, not perfection.  In His eyes, I am perfection.  As I discovered a latent passion for writing, I also decided to share my love of books that I am reading.  And other topics come up now and again.  When I see folks win awards for blogging, I think that I am less than I could be, that if I put more into it that I too could be a "winner".  Then I remind myself that this is for me, my journey; not for awards and accolades.  

In the spirit of cleaning out, I have gone through a folder on my computer called "blogs".  Some of them, I honestly haven't the faintest idea why I kept them because when I click on the link it goes to their most recent post (one was about girls dresses) and not always to the post that initially "hooked" me.  However, some I read and thought, that was good reading.  I should share that.  Now, some are about getting life organized, some are reflections on our world today, and some are about my faith, Catholicism.  Below, are some good reads for me, I'll know I can come back here and reread them.  So my blogs folder has gone from about 60 to under 10; some of which belong in another folder, I just haven't figured out where.

Happy 300th post to me!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristen-howerton/mommy-wars_b_1510807.html

http://www.scarymommy.com/10-things-you-dont-really-know-about-kids-until-you-have-kids/

http://wildflowersandmarbles.blogspot.com/2012/01/of-duties-and-routines-chore-system.html

http://sherryantonettiwrites.blogspot.com/2012/10/living-this-year-of-faith.html?m=1

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-hamilton/put-god-back-in-public-schools_b_2409326.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing-mistakes?src=soc_fcbks#slide-1

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f63562b3be485ea0ae33acf18&id=57b4080193

http://ayearwithoutgroceries.blogspot.com/2011/06/10-tips-on-giving-up-grocery-store.html

Resolution 45 - Clean Out (fill in the blank)

We all have it... a bag, box, pile of magazines or letters or articles that we've bookmarked that we need to go through and clean out.  For me, I found a basket of magazines.  Some from 2011.  That's right, two years old.  One would think that after almost 2 years of resolving things, I wouldn't still have so much crap to clean out.  Yet, apparently I do.  They are cooking magazines.  So I've been watching football on Sundays and going through them.  When it is done, I'll be left with a pile of ripped out pages for a future project...

Books 74 & 75

I have actually not been watching as much TV this fall as I thought I would.  First of call, the books help me to fall asleep better.  Next, I have so many books I want to read and that desire is stronger than my desire to watch some of my shows.  Now, let's not get carried away, I have had to sit at the computer to watch TV when my dish company temporarily didn't carry one network with shows I love.  But I have three series that I haven't watched any of the new shows.  I keep taping them cause one day I might be sick and need some distraction.  But, I just realized I am supposed to be recapping the latest two books...

The Butler, A Witness to History caught my attention because of my fascination with history and the fact that they made the book into a movie.  Or so I thought.  In reality, the book came AFTER the movie.  And isn't really about the movie.  Confusing, right?  Let me try again... the movie was based (loosely) on the life of a man who was featured in a newspaper article.  That's right, the newspaper article led to a movie script.  Then, led to a book by the man who wrote the article, Wil Haygood.  The book does tell the story behind the article and the movie as well as gives some history of the times.  Because I am a history buff, I did enjoy the book. And I still want to watch the movie.

Christmas on 4th Street is the latest Fools Gold Romance novel from Susan Mallery.  I was actually trying to save it for closer to the holidays.  However, I was reading a VERY detailed nonfiction book when I found myself in a blue mood.  So I put aside the other book and dove into this book.  Just what the doctor ordered... I was back among "friends" and enjoying the town of Fools Gold during the holidays.  Perked me right up.  So if you are wanting to read a holiday romance and you haven't tried any of the books in the series, I do recommend this one.  Put a smile on my face, a Christmas tune in my head and restored my spirits.

Resolution 44 - Strengthening Exercises

Another exercise challenge is going around FB, it is the Plank Challenge.  Since I abandoned the 30 day back challenge when life got busy, I am now going to undertake the Plank Challenge and the Back Challenge.  Together.  Followed by my 10 deep breaths and some formal prayer.  It will require setting the alarm a little earlier, but since I gained an entire hour of extra sleep last night, I figure I can handle it.  I'm back walking almost daily, so I am feeling pretty confident.  That and motivated by family pictures at the end of the month.  No crash dieting.  Just implementing fitness challenges.  To firm up the loose parts (and the Lord knows I have plenty of those).

Book 73

The Next Thing on My List  by Jill Smolinski is one of those books that someone on FB read and rated on Goodreads.  I really liked the premise.  I found it to be a quick read.  However, two and a half books later, I couldn't tell you what it was about and had to look it up to be reminded of the plot.  Once I read just one line of the description, it came back to me.  However, I'm not sure that it qualifies it as a great book.  Let me give you the "hook" and you can make your own choice... a woman in trying to be helpful causes a terrible accident and out of her depression and a quick lie following the accident, she embarks on fulfilling a to-do list.

Resolution 43 - Clean off a book shelf

I've got lots of books. Some fall under the category of "read over and over".  Some fall under the category of "I'll read these someday".  Really, if someday hasn't arrived, it is time to move those books along.  I like to clear out at this time of year, because I might just be donating the perfect gift for someone.  So, clearing off and donating books is my resolution.  I'll bet you have books just like this... you can try selling them yourself or to a used book store.  Me, I'll just donate them.

Resolution 42 - Use Weights

I've read it and read it and read it.  Adding weights to your workout will improve many things.  Google it if you want to know what cause I'm not an expert and I'm not going to support this premise with details.  I'm just gonna tell you that I have.  I was so sore the first few days, but after that, not as much.  I'm hoping to see the results in the long run.  I am using them with a 30 back strengthening challenge.  Yes, here I am doing another challenge.  I like them, what can I say.  I'll let you know at the end how things end up.