My 2011 Reading List & Goal

I've always been a reader. When I was younger, I loved reading through my National Geographic Animal Encyclopedias and pretend I knew exactly what they were talking about. I didn't, but I learned a lot of new words and animal descriptions. As a young teenager, I loved fantasy adventures - anything that was make believe and I could travel there in my head and follow along with the characters. I swore I was there! Now as a young adult, I find myself drawn to more of the Dystopia genre. For those who don't know what in the word that is, it's more Science Fiction/New Age. A lot of books take place in the future and are the stories of creating a new world and society. I try not to read only this genre, but it's hard. I'm going to try and balance them out with some of the classics, since I never really got into those either.

I'm going to be updating this post as I go. I'll also be including some reviews of my favorite books in different posts! If you have any suggestions of books - any genre! - I will gladly consider them.

For 2011, I have created a reading goal. I decided that a pages goal is better than a book number goal.

This years goal is 10,000 pages.

Reads Books

{277} My Sisters Keeper by Bill Benners

{504} Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

{566} New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

{632} Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

{758} Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

{176} Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy

{337} Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

{249} The World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer

{331} The Dead and The Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

{321} Room by Emma Donoghue

{267}The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

{398} Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

{391} Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

{497} The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

{603} Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness

{520} The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

{163} Heaven if for Real by Todd Burpo

{336} Unwind by Neal Shusterman

{194} How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

TOTAL: 7,520

Last updated on June 12, 2011 

Melting Away

I'm finally beginning to feel better. Not too many more stomach problems and the sore throat and ear aches have disappeared, too. Maybe it was just allergies. Just in time for this blistering hot weather to show up. Now, I hate having to run my air conditioning. If it were only me in the house, the dogs and I would be sweating it out with all the windows open. Hubby loves the AC, but hates the bill. But this past week even I am cranking the AC up. It's miserable just to walk to the car into the house. YUCK. Thankfully, I spend most of my day in an air conditioned classroom or else I may melt away. In fact, sometimes I have to wear long sleeves in the summer because it gets that cold in our room. I love it.

This week at work we had our annual carnival. It's mostly for the older kids to enjoy, but there's two bounce houses, a slip n slide, lots of water play toys, popcorn, and snow cones.We got to take the infants in the stroller to watch the fun and excitement but it was also fun to see some of my infant graduate be big kids and play around outside. We survived about an hour outside before we had to retire back to the ice box.

Hubby had had to work all weekend, nights again. Friday night he called me and told me he thought he broke his finger, but didn't remember doing anything to it. I was half asleep and just thought maybe he jammed it. Then he sent me a picture of it. OW! It was swollen, bright red and pale white in places. It looked like he had hit it repeatedly with a hammer. So, they sent him to the emergency room. A few hours later he called back. He got bit my a Brown Recluse! WHAT? My poor Hubby. They had to poke and prod him but now he's better and his finger has returned to normal color and size. And thank goodness I was half asleep or else I would have panicked more!

We did go to the Farmers Market yesterday. It was so hot that we rushed through it and forgot some things. I really wanted to get some eggs, but I forgot! Boo. We did get some amazing new butter from the same lady. This time it's strawberry honey butter. AHH. It's like putting sweet butter and homemade strawberry jam on things. YUM. This lady works butter miracles. We're also going to order some local beef that is 100% grass fed. I can't wait to see how that comes about and also how it tastes.

Today, I am just laying around the house. I did some cleaning and organizing, but I'm feeling so lazy. I do know that I'm going to try and post at least every other day this week. I love my blog and love my readers! And I know when I get to 100 followers, I have an awesome giveaway planned.

Go check out some awesome blogs today!

The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011 Part III

Some of you may remember my posts about my experience at the Great Cloth Diaper Change this year. Well, the final tally has come through. Although I'm disappointed to see that they left out the most important part in this change.....the CLOTH part. But, I guess I'll take it.

5,0256!!! Awesome job to my host, Goldie at Butzie Covers and everyone else who participated or hosted!

Wordless(ish) Wednesday

 

For this Wordless Wednesday, I thought I would do a little throwback. This is me on my first Easter! AWW. Big old head with no hair! My child could only be so lucky. Thankfully Hubby had lots of blonde hair as a baby and toddler.

Weekend Adventure Lake Trip

The lack of posting going on here is making me sick. Can we fix that? Okay, so maybe it's not the lack of posting making me sick but something sure is. My, to put it nicely, stomach problems, is continuing for the past week now and I think the toilet may start growing to me. I'm not sure what is going on because I feel fine, not sickly at all, but then I must run to the bathroom, more than once. I've been following the BRATY diet - bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, and yogurt - but it's without fail that the dreaded feeling comes back. This diet is also making it hard for me to continue with my healthy eating, but I'm really trying. Although I've been cheating a little it, I'm happy for announce I've already lost 5lbs. Isn't that amazing? I'm pretty excited because that is motivation for me. 

 

Since I haven't been feeling too hot, Hubby took me this weekend to a great place a few hours from us in Kentucky, Lake Malone. It's posted that you can't swim, but apparently, that just means we said no swimming if you get caught, because everyone swims. I was a little chicken at first, I'll admit. The idea of hanging out in water that I can't see through it a little creepy to me. But it was so hot, that I gave it. And then I never came out. We brought Cupcake and PB Cup on separate days, and both of them enjoyed to water. I couldn't get pictures the second day because I......broke Hubby's camera. Yeah, I got a fancy waterproof case and everything. Then I slipped on the rocks and jammed to lens. ACK. He's not upset, but I am. Which proves to me I shouldn't chance my fancy camera by the water.

The first day with Cupcake was only her second time in the water. She was not so sure what to do. We have to pull her in most of the time. And she got shown up by a few other dogs who just jumped right in. But that's okay, because I love her anyways. She was SO hot that she ended up giving in a few times and just sitting in the water with me. 

 

I also met the Cicada's for the first time ever. We don't have these in California. And they're LOUD. Apparently these little suckers only come out every thirteen years, so I'm happy for that one. They were dive bombing the water and floating next to me. The ground was covered in them. Yuck.  This one especially loved my towel. Apparently they are "generally harmless." Unless of course they mistake your limb as a tree and try to bite you. It's painful to humans but not harmful. I just decided it was best to steer clear of them and then battle them out in thirteen more years.

 I've also decided after this swim trip I am going to get that bathing suit I've been wanting for a year now. It's expensive, but gorgeous. And if I haven't changed my mind yet, I should spoil myself and get it, right? Right!

Excuse the Dust...

If you looked at the blog and said to your self....hmmm...something looks different...you're right! I finally got my new layout! I'm also in the process of setting up the twitter, a facebook, adding some pages, and much more. So please excuse the messy dust for a few days! I'm trying to get it all under control to be prefect again!! =)

Celebration of Life

I didn't get to post much about our kitty, Frankie. Now I wish I had. As if feeling ill wasn't bad enough, Frankie passed away Friday morning. Unfortunately, it was one of our own dogs that did it. I guess you may need some background information before you understand the situation completely. We have to sets of dogs - Peanut Butter Cup and Two-Bit, and then Cupcake. All three of our girls used to get along just fine until one day they snapped. I guess it's common when you have all female dogs, but it's still heartbreaking for us. It has been over a year now and they still cannot be together. We work with them but it just seems to be something that has snapped inside of them. They fight. And they don't just fight they will fight to the death. It hurts my heart to know they will never get along again, but we love them all so much.

Que Frankie. Frankie showed up one night as a little kitten meowing his head off on our front porch. We brought him inside and I loved him, but knew we just couldn't keep him. We went around the neighborhood and asked if anyone knew who he belonged to, but no one knew. He had to have been someones pet because he was just too perfect. Him and Cupcake instantly got along. They slept together, played together, and ate together. They loved each other. He was so sweet, loved to play outside, but came inside to sleep with us at night. Hubby and I marveled over how lucky we got that this awesome cat chose us. Hubby had been wanting a kitten for some time, but I always put my foot down, saying Cupcake would not like a cat or we didn't have to room.

The night Frankie passed, he must've slipped right outside before we let the other two girls, PB Cup and Two-Bit, outside for their last trip before bed. That was it. The girls did what they naturally do as dogs and got Frankie before we could. It hurts inside to know our own animals did this, but I still love them. They didn't try to kill him on purpose, but Frankie had no chance. We buried him that morning in the back of our garden where he wouldn't be disturbed by any other animals. I've been crying for a long time over this. If you know me, you know that our animals are our babies. I love each and every one of them. And this situation was particularly hard for me to handle.

But now I'm trying not to be sad and try to celebrate the few months we got to have with him. We've already decided to get another kitten/cat for Cupcake. She knows something is not right. She sniffs all the spots he would hang out in and knows he's in the garden. When you know your animals well, you can tell. Frankie chose us and I couldn't thank him more for that. He gave us laughs and we gave him a loving home and lots of love. He showed Cupcake she could have another friend, even a cat. He is missed in our hearts and will be thought of often. But now, we have one more little kitten angel up there to greet us later on in life. We love you Frankenstein.

WHEW.

So no Wordless Wednesday yesterday and not a very long post today. Needless to say, I'm exhausted! I have more energy tonight than I did yesterday, but I still feel run down. Yesterday I had that drained feeling of when you sit out in the sun all day long, except, I wasn't in the sun at all. I didn't have a fever, but I feel asleep on the couch watching movies around 10. That's how tired I was, and sadly, that meant I didn't get my workout in. BUT I've been really good with not eating fast food for lunch. Yesterday for lunch I ate a onion pita pocket, a slice of reduced-fat colby jack cheese, some chipotle mayo, and a grilled veggie Boca Burger. It was so yummy! And today I have another chicken quesadilla. I can make it all the way to Monday, I think! Then I'm going to start all over again. I've been doing good with dinners, too, and trying to limit my snacking. I love snacks.

I have some really awesome things lined up for this weekend and next week. Yay! What do you guys do to keep your healthy motivation up after the first week?

And some blog hopping

Twitter....

I almost forgot to mention my new twitter account. If you want to follow me, you won't be sorry! 

@thehitchedlife

Meet My New Best Friend, Jillian Michaels

Hello. Have you met my friend Jillian? Oh you don't know her? She yells at me to work out through my TV screen. She's my new best friend forever! NOT! I recently got onto a scale and this has kicked my booty into gear about living healthier. It's not just about weight loss, it's about setting myself up for success. I know I could choose to make healthier choices.....I just choose not to. I've have Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred hanging around my house for a few months. I've done it once or twice, but I give up rather quickly. Not this time. The other teacher I work with and I were talking and I just feel this is something I need to do. I need to exercise. I need to eat healthy. I need to eat my veggies(YUCK). For me and only me. To make a healthy home for a future baby and to be healthier when my children grow up. I want them to be able to learn from my healthy choices and grow from them.

So, I've decided I'm going to take it week by week and not get down on myself if I lax. My one pledge for this week is I will not buy lunch all week and if we go out to eat for dinner, I will choose something healthier than my normal choice. So far so good. Today for lunch I brought a 100-calorie tortilla, some southwest grilled chicken, and some cheese and made my one quesadilla. I also had some broccoli with cheese and a organic strawberry milk. In fact, I only had one soda all day! GO ME! This is HUGE!

Yesterday I also set out on an adventure and made my first set of cloth wipes. I bought 1/2 yard of yellow terry cloth and 1/2 yard of yellow flannel. I already had orange thread and voila. I got myself eight pretty wipes! I used the scalloping stitch for the first time on my machine and I think I'm addicted. It's so pretty. I think next time I'm going to buy a nice towel to use as the terry cloth side that way I have more color options and I can choose some cute prints. By the time we have a baby, I should be stocked and ready!!

Now onto the blog hopping. Please go check out Staci at 7 On A Shoestring!! She is awesome over there so go check her out! She's got great deals and a few giveaways that are coming up. Thanks for loving me as much as I love you, Staci!

And go check out these lovely ladies, too. If you're a new follower, comment and let me know so I can follow you back!

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! I hope it's a happy one for you and not a day of sorrow, but of celebration of life. Before I married Hubby, Memorial Day was just an excuse to have an extra day off and BBQ like crazy. Now it's more to me than that. Hubby is a soldier and has served several deployments. He's my little hero. I have not known anyone personally who has given there life in this war, but Hubby has seen it first hand. He's had friends make the ultimate sacrifice, and although I don't know them or their families and may never speak to them, I want them to know that my love goes out to you. Hubby is the best man I know, and not because he's a soldier, but he's my husband. He works hard, does his best, and loves me(and all my craziness) more and more everyday. I knew what I was getting into when we got married, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I love my soldier, but I am thankful for the sacrifices others have mad, past and present, for us to be where we are today.

 

If you know someone who has served or maybe you have served yourself, please don't forget to take the time to say thank you. It shouldn't take a national holiday, but sometimes it does. I appreciate everything the military has done and the lives that were taken. God Bless.

Farmers Market Sunday

It's been scorching hot around these parts lately. Hubby is back on night shift for three months. That means two different sleep schedules! But he sacrificed his sleep yesterday to accompany me to the Farmers Market again. It was twice as big! Lots of new venders and that makes me one very happy lady. There was even a TON of produce, which makes me an even happier lady. The morning started off chilly but by the end of the day I think it was up to 90*. Today is even worse with record high temperatures of almost 100*. Helllooo southern weather! At least it's just dry heat and not humidity....yet. So what did we get?

 

We got a fancy granola bar(that was in no way healthy. 400 calories?? EEK), a head of cauliflower, two giant potatoes, two fried apple pies, and some strawberries. We also got some lemonade....but I drank it all! OOPS! First, I have to tell you about this sweet friend pie lady who we bought the amazing honey butter from last weekend. We didn't have enough for what we wanted, so I told her I would catch her with my extra dollar this week. When we got there she remember us(and PB Cup our dog), and said "You don't owe me anything. Here's another lemonade on the house!" What? Okay, I'll take it! Next week she says she's making some sweet cream honey butter but adding some organic cinnamon. I told her she better save one for us or else I'll hunt her down!

The cauliflower was apparently supposed to be a new hybrid that grows purple. The guy said that since it's so hot it just wasn't becoming the purple they were looking for....purple veggies that are supposed to be white scared me so I went with the purest looking one. Yikes. I have plans to make mashed cauliflower with these. Hiding in my veggies where I can get them since I'm trying so very hard to stay on the healthy track. Lately though veggies have just been a huge turn off for me. I've never been a picky eater but now I feel like a five-year-old. The only veggies I do like right now and smooshy peas and broccoli with cheese. Oh and avocados, but they're just not the same quality as they are in California. I got spoiled.

On my quest to be healthier I've tried to eat more wraps. I don't know what it is about the wraps I make but they never taste like the ones I buy pre-made. This one is a 100-calorie tortilla, half an avacado, 1 tbs chipotle mayo,  baby spinach, and some southwest grilled chicken. My biggest challenge with sticking to eating healthy(AKA, not eating fast food), is that I can't find anything I like that is easy to bring to work. We have a fridge and a freezer in our classroom, along with a microwave. So I have a lot of options. But I don't like anything. Fried food sounds so much better. I did find these awesome little frozen veggie singles in broccoli and cheese from Green Giant. It's only one weight watcher point and even though I'm not doing that program, I figure one point has to be okay, right? Anyone have any suggestions on what they like for a healthy lunch? I'm out of ideas! 

 

It's been a lazy Sunday around here. Cuppy has been nice enough to not leave me alone all day when it's so hot out. She always has to have some part of her body on me. She'll even come up if I'm sitting on the couch with my legs crossed and prop her head on my crossed foot that's in the air and fall asleep. Mommy's girl? I think so. Hubby is asleep and has to work tonight. Tomorrow he and I both have of and if it's not to hot we plan on going out to the Lake and going kayaking. Did you know at a slow pace kayaking can burn up to 400 calories an hour? Me either but I think that's enough inspiration to get my booty our there more. All I need is a cute swimsuit. I want this one. Anyone want to buy it for me? I'll take applications. If you buy it by tomorrow it's 15% off! You know you want to? I'll bribe you with cupcakes carrot sticks(healthy thoughts).

 

I'm also in the process of getting a new and improved layout. Lets just say it involves owls and is custom made. YAY. I also just got a twitter - @thehitchedlife. Follow us! If you're here from one of these lovely blog hops, let me know so I can follow you back. Happy Sunday.