Reading...

Reading has been slow this summer. I blame it on Facebook and Pinterest but still I need to speed it up and get more read. Pitiful librarian.

I'm not sure what I've blogged about so I'll just review...

            The Seminary- Stefan

I helped an aquaintance at church review his novel. It was good. I wanted to finish it. Lots of small errors so I think I helped. Pretty funny response when I called. Him- "Find anything?" Me- "Uh yeah" About 80 little things. 

            Fifty Shades of Gray- James

Everyone's jumping off the Gray bridge so I jumped too.  I agree with the critics that the writing style is not superb but, still, the story line is well thought out and intriguing. The heat is there and goes with the story line not trying to be the whole story. And the action, suspense and danger keep it moving quickly. 

            Summer Rental- Andrews

Our beach read for the whole group. I enjoyed it. Light. Girly. 

            Fifty Shades Darker- James

More of the same.

Metro Girl- Evanovich (audio)

We listened to this on our way to and from the 2nd beach. Enjoyable. Light. Easy to drift in and out of while doing other things. 

All over but the shoutin’- Bragg

Book club read. I know I talked about this some. I really liked this book. Very relatable.

Fifty Shades Freed- James 

The end of a very different kind of trilogy than I'm used to reading. Enjoyable.Nice ending to the entire trilogy.  

Time passes...

My borrowed MacBook bit the dust. Second day of vacation I think so no blogger on the go.

We left at 7am on Saturday and got home at 8pm. Not a bad drive really. I mean, who am I kidding, I didn't drive at all. Yo drove the whole way. I think I got in the driver's seat to pull around the parking lot once. That's it.

It really was the best vacation. We had such a good time.

Monday the boys went dress shopping with me. St. Vincent de Paul, Gayle's Vintage, Goodwill, Valley Thrift; they were troupers.

Watched some Project Runway yesterday, Suits, Covert Affairs... spent time helping Bub's clean his room. Packed up 4 garage sale boxes.

I really missed the girls. Apparently they've missed me too because they've been like glue.

Facebooked it.

Last night Bub's had a friend over and I was completely amazed and delighted when they came downstairs and said, "Wanna play scrabble?" Has my answer ever been no? No. We played one long game of scrabble- the two TEENAGERS, me and the hubs. It was so fun. Then they continued to sit at the kitchen table....................
I KNOW!!! and so I suggested Pit. We had so much fun it was incredible. At lunch today they came out of hiding and said we'll play again this evening. Who are these kids?

Stella craves our attention. If you are still for a moment she is sitting on your lap, behind your back, on your feet or anywhere she can get close to you. It's amazing. Little booger just wants to look at you. And for you to look at her.

Just for Today...

Just finished All Over but the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg. Sounds very familiar especially when his mother and aunt are speaking. Or speakin'.

Woke up to the smell of coffee.. .ahh the pleasure of traveling with early risers who drink coffee :) now add a little Cinnabon creamer and we're ready for the a day at the beach! — with GeorgeandLouisa Rise.

Weezy read me this me this morning... Just for Today

Just for today: I will try to live through this day only,
and not tackle all my problems at once.
I can do something for twelve hours that
would appall me if I felt that I had to
keep it up for a lifetime.
Just for today: I will be happy. This
assume to be true what Abraham Lincoln said,
*Most folks are as happy as they make up their
minds to be.*
Just for today: I will adjust myself to what is,
and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will
Take my *luck* as it comes, and fit myself into it
Just for today:I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study.
I will not be a mental loafer.
I will read something that requires effort.
Thought and concentration.
Just for today: I will exercise my soul
in three ways: it will do somebody a good turn
and not get found out; if anybody know of it, it
will not count. I will do at least two things I
don't want to do-- just for exercise. I will
not show anyone that my feelings are hurt: they may
be hurt but today I will not show it.
Just for today: I will be agreeable. I will
look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice
low,be courteous,criticize not one bit. I won't find
fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate
anybody else but myself.
Just for today: I will have a program.
I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it.
I will save myself from two pests: Hurry and Indecision's.
Just for today: I will have a quiet half
hour all by myself, and relax. During this half hour,
sometime I will try to get a better perspective of
my life.
Just for today: I will be un-afraid.
Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what
is beautiful,and to believe that as I give to the
world, so the world will give back to me. 

At Hilton Head and we are getting along swimmingly. 
The drive down here was easy and humorous. Yolanda drove the whole way and she made good time! I flipped through magazines and finished reading All Over But the Shoutin'. Then we listened to MetroGirl by Janet Evanovich together. Lovely.

We drove by my first teaching job location. Barbourville. I told the ladies about the student who came by my room and asked me to carry her home?!?!?! Took me awhile to realize she was just asking for a ride in my car. 

Yo threatened a local at the gas station! Lady didn't pull up to the first pump but just the first. Yo leaned out the window and shouted, "Did you not see the pump in front of you?" "No" "REALLY?" Then she whipped around got out and continued gripping VERY LOUDLY!

One of the fun parts of the ride down here was Yo and me telling Margy about growing up. Yo told her she used to prick me with the diaper safety pins (telling my age there) and making me cry then telling my mom I cry too much she should take me back. 

Last night we ate at Nick's Steak and Seafood. Grouper was panko encrusted. Good stuff. 

One of the mag articles mentioned Breck shampoo. My best childhood friend Christie's mom used it on us when I spending the night. The smell is heavenly.

Summertime. A time to forget what day it is. The date. The day of the week.
A time to forget what time it is. Lingering day... That's when I know it's summer and I'm in the groove!

So fresh coffee, green smoothie, an english muffin sandwich (made by Weezie) and what a wonderful morning served up wonderful.

Milton was our tour guide on the gullah tour. He was very knowledgeable and well received as we drove around the back roads and he pointed out houses, people, and history. Wonderful tour.

Margy had the first craft night and it was hilarious. She did not do the craft ahead of time and it was a total flop. It is absolutely amazing how something could go so wrong and we could have one of the funnest most memorable times ever!

We went to a local seafood place and I bought scallops and key lime pie. Both were good but the scallops were to die for in our pasta dish that night.

The three of us all wondered why Margy chose us to come to Hilton Head with her. An odd assortment of people. She said this was her wedding anniversary (she's getting a divorce) and she wanted to be surrounded by 3 strong women.

My (borrowed) laptop died while I was at HHI so I'm now trying to suss out my notes.
We each were assigned an evening to cook. We had Orzo chicken zucchini and thin spaghetti scallops and flounder among other things. It was delicious.

We watched The Descendants. It was fabulously quirky.

I can't really remember is our gullah guide was Milton or Irving. I jotted both names down. He recommended Chef David's roast chicken and cornbread. We'll go there next year.

He pointed out Broad Creek and a little community called Jarvis. That was my grandfather's name. I wonder if he was from here. He also pointed out Port Royal, a large gullah community.

Another first was clearing the beach because of lightening and trees falling on my head. Seriously. It was downright scary.

We left by 7 on Saturday morning and we were back by 8pm. That's not bad. 

Another notable event was the  Riesling incident. Really funny. And that's all I've got to say about that. 

We listened to Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich on the way down there, driving around there and on the way back. Favorite quote by the manly man main character. Something going on that the girl main character wanted him to do. His response was no way... 

I'd get my testicles repossessed.

Funny stuff.

Crazy Hot

This past week has been in the upper 90s and lower 100s. Crazy hot.

With Sam visiting Ginger came to visit too and we turned this beach into a doggy beach!

The girls know if they sit on my feet I won't move them.

3 dogs in a bed might be a little extreme.

Sam catches onto the foot sitting thingy.

Fast friends.

It's too hot on this dog day afternoon. Let us in!

Preparing for the Hilton Head Trip.

Even John and I took an evening swim.

A wedding. An opportunity to wear new shoes!

Bubs drove my parents, G and L and Me out for the fireworks on the lake.

I worked 12 hours yesterday to get some hours in before leaving for HHI Friday. M stopped by and we went to Ron's for lunch where Ron took our order. He said he has the best slaw in town. And he was right.

Went to Aroma's and back to school shopping with Mom and Bubs. It was a very enjoyable day.

The anticipation of a trip is half the fun

Yesterday was the fourth of July. Midsummer. I was home all day going through my summer pinterest board, making projects, moving some to my Hilton Head board for food, exercise, activities. Good stuff. Good times. M came over for awhile and brought her bags for the HHI trip and some mason jars! She said she just has too many! Who can have too many mason jars! So I'm splitting with Yo to spread the wealth. Lovely. Today will be more of the same. I like my goals sheet I made yesterday.


The anticipation of a trip is half the fun. Yesterday's pinning was exciting. I hope this turns into an annual trip of girls who get along and have a relaxing time.

Last week I went to Yo's pool for a pre Hilton Head meeting. Harley was happy to see me

 My girls really wanted to get in. Right away!

 After swimming and playing all day they crashed.

 OH happy day!

 A weekday brunch at Panera with the boys.

 M. is moving soon. Bubs is upset because he loves her pond. So I took him out to say goodbye.

 Mornings and evenings...

 Sam the man hangs out with us for a week.

 Big storms came through last Friday and nature cleaned house.

 I have three magnets that are drawn to wherever I am.

Pinterest Day

Yesterday G came to visit since I'm sequestered here with Sam. It was nice. She brought her dog Ginger and we took the dogs swimming. I was a little nervous Sam was going to take off swimming across the lake but he did ok. Actually he absolutely loved it!

Today is July 4th and I'm staying home. Again. With Sam. The boys went to town for the 4th of July festivities. I do hate to miss that. We see everybody and its quite nice.

Watched Sahara Monday. I think I've seen it before but not all the way through.
Also watched the first Pirates of the Caribbean.

Being home I've made some Pinterest projects lately...

 these are the mod podge shoes i actually made

 this is a scarf i used after realizing the one i saw on pinterest was sewn that way... same effect~

Boho bag from table cloths

Source: youtube.com via Asia on Pinterest

Taking the week off

This is gonna be a long week.

Sam probably shouldn't be left alone. He isn't very bright. He 'plays' with balls by pushing them under the couch, chair, desk- wherever- and then scratching till he can get it or you get it for him. Leave him outside you say? He doesn't recognize the garden. Or the chairs on the porch. He barks. Alot. And loudly.

So so far I've cleaned the fridge, food cabinets, sorted photos, worked on printing some things for the scrapbook, cleaning up a scrapbook, watched all my DVR shows, and some movies. It's not like I don't have tons to do so I just keep reminding myself there is a family going on their first vacation at the beach because we are keeping their dog.

Bub spent the night with a friend last night. He's gone more than he is here but I did get him for most of the weekend so not complaining.

Cleaned All. Day. Long. Seriously taking the rest of the week off.

Unplugged

Big storm came through Friday night...

No electric from 5pm Friday until noon on Saturday. If it weren't for the fridge and freezer I wouldn't be concerned. We finally took our fridge contents to a friend with a generator about 10pm. The freezer was fine for less than 12 hours. The more disturbing is how much I missed the internet/cable. No email or facebook or pinterest or blogging. I do this every morning in the summer. Soooo...

I cleaned out the fridge on Friday before the electric went out and the boys came home with groceries, of course, that's probably what triggered the storm :)
Saturday I cleaned out the food cabinets and spice drawer. Lots of expired food stuffs. Wiped it all down and put back.
I also sorted all my printed photos but I needed the internet to put them in order so I'm doing that today.
The boys and I watched I am Legend and Book of Eli.
At one point we all were outside, checking out the garden, brushing out the dogs... amazing what no cable/internet will do.

Sam has settled in and I'm getting tons done. I stayed home from church this morning because from what I've seen so far this guy will not be left alone outside or in. He is a rescue so I, of course, love him and I'm glad we are able to let this family go on their first family vacation. However, he is a rock head. Doesn't know commands. Doesn't recognize the garden. Or the carpet when his ball rolls under the couch. He is house trained so I can deal with the rest. He lays around 90% of the time. The other 10% he's a little neurotic. So 7 more days of being home on the porch, walking/swimming with the dogs, working on the house, scrapbooking etc. I don't mind being at home really. Just a little inconvienenced for church, the 4th and the wedding Saturday.