Review - The Da Vinci Code

It's been almost 6 years since I first read The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.  Since than, I've seen the movie a number of times so reading this book away was very refreshing.  Don't get me wrong, I love the movie, but reading the book is so much better.

I had forgotten several items that are mentioned in the book, such as how the bank manager wants to protect the vault items and not steal them, Robert Langdon talking to his publisher about the manuscript that he just submitted.  I know that when books are adapted for movies, things are often left out simply because there is not enough time, etc.  That is why it's been fun reading this book again.  So many things that didn't make it into the movie, but were so important to the story.

This book also made me think about religion.  Religion is a touchy topic and not one that I'm in the mood to talk about.  Let me just say that I can see the possibilities that Dan Brown discusses in this book. 

Overall, this is a very good book and one that I will probably pick up and read again in the future.

Hope's 4 month Birthday!

Today is my daughter's 4 month birthday.  Yes, my husband and I do like to celebrate these little anniversaries since they are nice milestones.  Here are some photos that I took of her and our oldest earlier today.

 

Day 30 of 30 Days of ME! - Whatever tickles your fancy

This is a crazy weekend for me.  It's my family's annual golf outing weekend.  The tradition started when my siblings and I were getting married, three weddings in three years.  The day of the bridal shower, my dad hosted a golf outing for the groom so that the guys had something to do.  My dad's side of the family had such a great time, getting together and golfing and socializing that it has become an annual event.

Everyone starts arriving in the middle of the week and that's when the festivities begin.  Golfing, dinner, family.  What could be better?  This is one of the few times of year that everyone gets together.  Not everyone comes in for the holidays since the family is scattered across the country and most split the holidays with their in-laws.  The family gathers at one house, usually my parents, from the time they start arriving until Sunday when everyone starts to leave.

I love getting to see everyone in my family.

Day 29 of 30 Days of ME! - Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

You would think that coming up with a list of one's hopes and dreams for the next year would simple simple.  And in some ways, it is.

• For my daughters to be happy and healthy.
• To be happy.
• To have my health, my family, my friends.
• To have the means to live our lives comfortably.
• For the world to find peace.

These things are easy but actually writing them out is not so easy.  Whether it's a fear of jinxing the future or an inability to articulate what I truly mean.  Are my hopes realistic or are they wishful thinking?  I'd like to think that they are realistic.  I guess it's going to take a year to tell which of these have come true and which are a work-in-progress.

Review - The Writing Circle

The Writing Circle - I read an Advance Copy of this book through the Barnes & Noble First Look Club.  This is the first book that we read that was an e-book.

I have mixed thoughts on this book.  It was good, but I think that I expected better.  I had a hard time getting into this book and I'm not sure why.  It might have had something to do with the style.  The chapters weren't chapters the way books usually are written.  The chapters would deal with one person with some overlap from the other characters, but it seemed that the story didn't follow over well using this format.  At least not for me in the beginning, I didn't get into this book until almost the end.

Aside from this, I really don't have a lot to say without giving too much about this book away.

Day 28 of 30 Days of ME! - This year, in great detail

I've spent the past year looking for a job and taking care of my daughter.  Hated the first part, loved the second part. 

My husband and I found out that we were expecting our second child.  We spent the next 9 months getting ready for her arrival and getting our first born used to the fact that soon she won't be the only child in the house but the big sister.

Now, our second child is here.  It is another girl and we are very happy and getting used to another person in the house. 

This summer is filled with enjoying my girls and spending time with family.

Day 27 of 30 Days of ME! - This month, in great detail

Where has the last month gone???  Well, let's see.  While I've been looking for a job to replace the one that I lost last year, I've been spending a lot of time during the day playing with my girls.  It seems like I get one down and the other one wakes up so I can have some one on one time with both of them. 

We've spent time at least one day a week at the local library in the children's section.  Syd's had a great time there.  I usually have to pull her out of the library, which from my point of view is a good thing.  I really hope that she continues to love books and that Hope grows to love them as much as Syd and I do.

We've also had a lot of family activities this summer, birthdays, holidays, etc.  This weekend is the family golf outing and people will be arriving from around the country starting tomorrow.  We are going to be spending a lot of time at my parents through the weekend so that will be good times.  Hopefully, the guys will be able to get their game in before any rain hits on Saturday.

There's also be the usual stuff of household chores that need to get done.  But those things are to be expected.

I wished a good friend and sorority sister safe travels a couple of weeks ago as she headed to Japan to join her boyfriend for the rest of the year.  It's a good thing that she and I are able to talk via email and private messages, cause otherwise, I'd really be missing her.  I'm glad that you made it safely and are settling in, Heather!  I can't wait to see more pictures and to hear more about your life there.  :)

That's about all for now.

Day 26 of 30 Days of ME! - Describe the week in great detail

The girls and I started the week with a trip to the library so that DD1 could participate in the library's reading challenge for children.  After signing in for the week and getting out new books, we headed home with a stop at McD's for a shake.  Yum yum!  We spent the week trying to stay cool since it was so hot.  Thursday we went over to my mom's and spent the afternoon by her pool and had lunch.  Friday was spent racing around running errands and seeing cousins.  The weekend was spent cleaning the basement and the office thoroughly! 

Now this week has started off the same as last week.  The girls and I went to the library so that DD1 could check in and complete the reading challenge.  We also had to pick out new books to take home to read.  We dropped off the quarterly tax payment and spent the afternoon running errands so that I could finish the laundry. 

It seems that there is always something to do.  :)

Day 25 of 30 Days of ME! - Today in great detail

There is not much to say today.  We, my husband and I, spent the day doing a major cleaning or the basement and our office.  There is now a large pile of garbage to go out this week.  I can't wait for trash day so that I can have my front hallway back again!

When I wasn't cleaning, I was walking around the first floor with the baby trying to keep her happy.  That's all folks!

Review - The Killing Edge

I've found over the years that Heather Graham books are either hit or miss with me.  I either love the book or I don't.

This book, unfortunately, falls into the realm of not a favorite.  While it was interesting, it didn't grab my attention the way some of her other books have done.

The story is about Chloe Martin.  Ten years earlier, she and 3 friends survived a brutal massacre while staying in a Florida mansion.  Chloe was able to provide the police with a sketch of two of the killers who were later identified as members of a local cult both of whom were dead.  Now, she is a psychologist who specialized in working with trauma victims using art therapy.  She is working part-time as a swimsuit model when a girl goes missing. 

When the girl's ghost appears to Chloe, Chloe realizes that the killers from the massacre are still out there and it's a race against the clock to find them before they come after her.

I have to admit that I didn't see who the killer was until the end.  This was a good book, but as I said, it just didn't grab me the way some of her other books have in the past.

Day 24 of 30 Days of ME! - Whatever tickles your fancy

OK, I'm back.  The last two weeks have been busy with family events.  The Fourth of July weekend was spent bouncing between my parents house and my husband's parents (one in Cleveland and one in Pittsburgh).  Lots of driving that I really didn't want to do but that's another story altogether.  The week of July 5th was spent cleaning our house in preparation for our daughter's baptism on July 11.  There was so much to do, but somehow, as usual, it all got done in time.  Sunday was great with all the family here to celebrate with us.  I loved watching my oldest play with her cousins.  They had a great time together even though they don't all live near by.  It was sad when everyone had to go, but we'll be seeing my side of the family next weekend for the family golf outing. 

Now, I'm off to get ready for the day and to plan out the coming week.

Reading with my daughter

About 3 weeks ago, I was at the library with my 2 year old daughter.  We were there so that I could drop some books off. I decided to stop in the children's section of the library to get a DVD for her since she had been so helpful earlier in the day.  While we were checking out, the librarian asked if we were signed up for their summer reading challenge.

The challenge is to read 10 books a week as well as do a couple of activities, i.e., songs and rhymes, educational activities, etc., each week.  Since we already do the activities at home and she loves to read books, I decided to sign her up and we checked out 10 books to read for the week.

I decided to introduce her to Caldecott books.  We have a couple of these books at home, but there is a section at the library that is devoted to them.  Every week, I am trying to select a number Caldecott books for her to read.  So far, she has enjoyed all of the ones that I've selected.  I've created a page, Reading with my daughter, to document all of the award winning books that she and I are reading together.  I can't wait to see how this list grows.

Day 23 of 30 Days of ME! - A YouTube video

I was looking for something for my 2 year old and found this.  What happy memories!

Day 22 of 30 days of ME! - A website

I live on a couple of websites every day.  I am constantly checking my Gmail account since my husband and I email each other throughout the day.  I'm on Facebook several times a day.  I also check in with my sorority's online alumnae chapter, the Surfing Sisters of Delta Zeta.  I also try to keep up with what my friends are saying on Twitter.