The Sunday Post #34 (Football Mania)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme"

Morning!  Sundays are fast becoming my favorite day of the week.  Football, good food, and lots of time to relax.....what more could a girl ask for?  Not much new happened this week besides the usual.  My youngest had his best flag football game of the season so far this year scoring two touchdowns (one by intercepting the ball).  He was thrilled and it was a really fun game to watch.  It was homecoming week for my oldest son which is always fun.  He plays for both JV (junior varsity) and the freshmen teams so we spent Friday and Saturday watching his teams play.  I love every minute of it!

Somehow I also managed to finish not one but two books this week!  I was pretty impressed with myself if I do say so!  Now I need to really work on catching up with the reviews for the books that I've been reading lately.  Next week looks just as busy (I feel like I say that every week but it is the truth) as this one was.  Added to all of the football games though is the fact that my daughter has a softball tournament.  I love watching her play so it will be a fun change of pace after watching football to then go watch some softball.  I probably won't be posting next week as Sunday is when the bracket play really begins and we will hopefully be at the softball fields all day.  Don't worry, I'll have my book with me for in between innings and games.  LOL!  But on to the books.  Here are the books that I finished this week:

I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton - It was SO great to get back to this series!  I flew through the pages of this book, and was almost sad when it ended as it was so great reading about Kinsey's adventures again.  I won't be waiting as long before I continue on with the next book in one of my favorite mystery series!

Beneath the Skin by Caroline England - This was a compelling but unexpected read.  It is being billed as a psychological thriller but I don't know that I would necessarily agree.  Instead it was more of a drama relating to these different families that were entangled with one another in different ways.  There were a few unexpected twists which is maybe where the thriller label is coming from but I actually thought that this book was more than that.  It was one I won't be forgetting about any time soon!

I'm now currently reading the following books:

Asylum by Jeannette De Beauvoir is my current print read.  Friday night I was trying to figure out what to read next as I had finished the above two books.  I had a stack of books laying out on my bed and made my husband (not a reader) choose.  He chose this one based off the title alone.  Ha!  I'm about 100 pages in and enjoying it so far.  Death Among the Doilies by Mollie Cox Bryan is my new kindle read.  I've been in the mood for a cozy mystery and this is the beginning to a new to me series.  I haven't actually begun reading this one yet but have it ready to begin.

Plans for today include enjoying the peace and quiet.  My little two have gone to a friend's house for the afternoon which is a nice change of pace after having sleepovers here the past two nights.  I see a lot of laundry in my future.  Blogging and reading as much as possible.  Definitely relaxing as much as possible while still getting ready for the upcoming week.  No rest for the wicked and all that!  I'm off to work on some reviews.

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading! 

The Sunday Post #30 (Summer Fun Edition)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme"

Happy Sunday everyone!  It has been awhile yet again but let's ignore that fact and catch up.  I'm working on this post later than usual as we just picked up the kiddos from their five day stay with my parents.  It was a quiet week with them gone and it is nice to have everyone home again.  They had tons of fun though swimming and boating the entire time.  My husband and I managed to watch the entire first season of American Horror Story while they were gone.  It is a very weird, dark, but strangely addictive show.  I'm sure that we will start watching the next season soon.

I don't know what my deal is this year but my reading sure is suffering.  I feel like I say this every post but I just haven't been reading (or blogging obviously) like I used to.  It doesn't stop me from going to the library and checking out huge stacks of books though.  LOL!  Some things never change on that front.  I decided though that I just need to get back into the habit of blogging and hopefully that will get my blogging mojo started up again.  I'm not sure if it will work but it is worth the shot!  I don't have much of a reading update but here is what I've recently been reading/finished:

 Dark Saturday by Nicci French - I loved this one!  Absolutely couldn't put this one down which is saying a lot as I just haven't been reading lately.  I found myself completely hooked by it all even though I started right in the middle of this series.  The best part about that is now I can go back and catch up with all of those other books.  I'm going to be writing up my thoughts on this one later today but expect lots of gushing to be involved.



I'm currently reading the following books:

The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels & Other Gentlemen by Victoria Alexander - This is my current kindle read and it is okay so far.  I'm not hating it by any means but I'm just not sure it is what I'm in the mood for.  I'm supposed to have been reading it for a blog tour but I'm way late at this point.  I'm definitely going to work on getting some quality reading time in with it this week.

The Lost Ones by Sheena Kamal is my current print read that I just started earlier this morning.  I can already tell that I'm going to enjoy this one as I sat reading in bed for way longer than I intended.  It was exactly what I needed if I'm being honest and I'm looking forward to continuing on reading this afternoon. 

Other books that I need to share my thoughts on in the near future include:

Looks like my spotty blogging has helped to create a little backlog in the review department.  I'll slowly work on catching up and getting back into the blogging groove.  Now I'm off to work on my laundry piles and also get some quality reading time in.  I'll be by reading all of your blogs later this evening! 

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Wordless Wednesday (Our New Furbaby)

Because being a puppy is hard work!

The Sunday Post # 24 (Missing Blogger Edition)

"The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme"

Wow!  It has been awhile since my last post a little over a month ago.  And even before that last post my blogging has been sporadic at best.  What happened you may ask?  Summer happened to start.  I went from posting on a pretty regular basis to almost nothing at all.  With three kids all in sports, life just got hectic and blogging had to move down the list a bit.  Not that I haven't been reading blogs (I have) but I haven't been commenting like I usually do are any of that fun stuff.  Today though that is going to change.  We are actually home on this beautiful Sunday enjoying a relaxing weekend.  I'm ready to blog and chat with you all about books once again.  That isn't to say that life has slowed down as in fact it hasn't.  But I'm going to work a bit harder to try and fit blogging in on my down times.  That is the plan at least!

So what have I been up to lately?  The usual fun stuff like work (actually lots of work as we have been on mandatory overtime for months now).  The kids are back in school which means lots of homework help and everything that goes along with that.  My oldest is in eighth grade this year which makes me sad to think about.  Next year will be that first year in high school and I'm not sure I'm ready.  Ha!  He is also playing football which keeps us busy but is so much fun to watch.  My daughter is in third grade this year.  She has also started playing travel softball.  Coming from just playing little league to moving into a girl's traveling softball team has been an experience.  She is loving it so far though so all of the time commitment is completely worth it.  The youngest is in first grade which just seems too crazy.  He is the baby and I can't get over how fast he is growing.  He is playing his first year of flag football which is such fun to watch.  Quite a difference from watching serious football games to flag where half of the kids don't even know where the ball is.  But such a joy to watch as he just begins to learn this game that his brother already loves.  In between all of the practices and games I just try to fit everything else in.  It is crazy pants some nights and the rare night where we don't have anything going on is treasured.  It is worth it though just for my kids and my husband and I don't complain too much!  LOL!

I have been reading though if you can believe that.  I've taken to reading on my phone during practices, at nights right before bed if I haven't fallen asleep first, or wherever else I might fit it in.  My reading pace has gone down drastically but that is okay.  I'm just chugging along reading as much as I can when I can.  What have I finished lately??  I can't even remember the books that I last shared with you so I'm going to start fresh with the last two books I've finished.  They are:

The Kill Box by Nichole Christoff- I picked this one up after being approved for the 4th book in this series on NetGalley and realizing that I had never read this one which is book number three.  I've enjoyed each of the books in this series and I think that this was my favorite yet.  I'm going to try and write up a review for this one later today.

Beautiful Maids All in a Row by Jennifer Harlow- I've been in the mood for dark and thrilling reads thanks to Carl's RIP Challenge (which I haven't yet officially signed up for but of course I am participating in).  This was a perfect read for this challenge.  Dark, creepy - in the afterwords of this book the author says that this was her first book that she had ever written which is just now being published.  Say what??  This was so good and I am just hoping that she will write more books in this series.  I should try to write up my thoughts on this one today as well.

I'm now currently reading the following books:

I don't usually have three books on the go at once but I currently do.  Hold Tight by Harlan Coben is my print read.  Coben is one of those writers whose books I find myself unable to put down so I'm really looking forward to this one although I've just barely begun it.  The House at Seas End by Elly Griffiths is book three in one of my favorite mystery series.  This is my current kindle read and I'm already sucked into it.  Mystery fans really need to check this series out if they haven't had the chance yet.  Finally, on my phone I am currently reading Ammie, Come Home by Barbara Michaels.  Usually I read the same book on both my kindle and phone but for whatever reason I was having issues opening the Griffiths book on my phone.  I decided to download this book onto my phone instead as this was a book that I was reading (and enjoying) but then for whatever reason it got set aside and never finished.  It has been so long that I'm going to have to go back and start at the beginning but I'm looking forward to finally reading and finishing it.

Plans for today are just to enjoy this quiet Sunday.  I'm working on laundry and my house is relatively clean thanks to a marathon cleaning session yesterday.  I'm going to try and write up a review or two- maybe reply to some comments, and other fun stuff like that.  I'm going to watch a ridiculous amount of football and enjoy every minute of it.  I'm just going to enjoy being at home with the family.  I'm off to enjoy some yummy snacks but here is to getting back to blogging and talking books!!

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Spring Fun (Or What I Have Been Doing This Weekend)

 

This was Friday evening.  First fire of the year with the kids (and ice cream bars of course).  Nevermind that it was bit cold and we were all wrapped up in blankets.  It was the first day of spring and we enjoyed it!

Yesterday afternoon was spent soaking up the sunshine with a picnic at a local park.  I cannot get enough of this beautiful weather!  (Especially since they are now predicting snow/thunderstorms for later tonight. Yuck!)

Today's plans involve reading to my heart's content from one of these three.  Most likely it will be on my kindle as I am halfway through Angela Marson's Silent Scream which I can't seem to set down. 

What have you been up to this weekend?  I'm off to get the day started and laundry going but tell me: what book (or books) are you planning on reading today?

What I'm Doing On This Cold Sunday...

Watching the snow falling outside....I wasn't quite ready for winter but here it is.

Enjoying a warm cup of coffee (or two).  Because hot coffee on a cold day is a must!

Spending lots of time immersed in my current reads.  It is currently very hard to put down!

And snuggling with these three....when they are actually inside that is.  This was taken last night when the snow had just begun to fall. 

Summer Fun (Or What Else I have Been Doing Besides Reading)

 

Spent lots of time at the river swimming and having fun.

 

Fishing....and more fishing!

 

Watching lots of ball games.

And finally fun at fairs or other various summer activities.

Tomorrow school starts and summer is officially over.  It feels like it went way too fast but there were lots of great memories made.  And when summer gives way it becomes my favorite time of the year!  Fall!

Wordless Wednesday (New Year's Fun)

 

Bahahahaha! The second picture is priceless because it just shows my youngest two's personalities perfectly.  We had a quiet beginning to 2014 filled with movies, snacks, and The Walking Dead once the littles crashed out.  What a perfect way to start the new year!

What I'm Spending My Sunday Doing...

 

Watching the snow fall outside while blogging...

Watching season 1 of one of my favorite shows (which is an early Christmas gift) and reading...

While sipping on a warm cup of hot chocolate since I've had my quota of coffee for the day.

Life is very good!  Plans for the rest of the day include taking the kids outside to play in said snow while we shovel, laundry (as always on Sundays), and then hopefully the chance to finish up BOTH of the books that I'm currently reading (I'm so close).  After that maybe even more Impractical Jokers.....or just one more episode of the Walking Dead since we are officially on season 3.  Have I told you guys how much I love Sundays lately?

Wordless Wednesday (First Days)

 

 

I'm a bit late sharing but it was a lot of firsts this year.  First day of junior high for my oldest and first day of kindergarten for my Nay Nay!  I'll admit that I cried but just a little (and with a smile on my face).  My babies are getting so big :)

Sweatshirts in July?? and other Rambles

(My family and I this past weekend up at the boat cookout with my parents.)

• We spent this past weekend up on my parent's houseboat for their annual marina cookout.  It is always lots of fun and this year was no exception.  Good food, music, activities for the kids, and a few adult beverages were the way I spent my weekend so I have absolutely no complaints.  

• Except for the fact that I wore a sweatshirt almost all weekend long!  In July???  This is unheard of.  I'm 98% sure that this was the coldest weekend that we've ever spent up on the boat in what is supposed to be the dog days of summer.  Since we are going up again this weekend I have hopes that it gets a bit warmer before Friday.

• It's official: I have both a fifth grader and a kindergartener this year :/  Where did the time go?  No seriously, where did it go?  I'm not ready for my baby girl to be in kindergarten but boy is she ready.  She is super excited although her focus is on making friends and not all of the fun stuff that she will be learning.  This doesn't really surprise me so we will see what I'm in for :)

• Not only have I registered the older two for school but I've also signed them up for football/soccer.  Soccer will be the first sport that my daughter has ever participated in so she is super excited.  And this is the first year when my oldest plays with the "big boys" in tackle.  He played tackle last year but it was a different age group (and probably not quite as serious).  This year should be lots of fun to watch!

• In bookish news my reading slowed down to a dribble last week.  Obviously I've got a lot going on but really.....no books finished??  Luckily I finished up Crimson Wind yesterday which was a super good follow up to Bitter Night.  But the ending was a cliff hanger and now I need to get to book three as soon as possible!!

• I'm undecided still on whether or not to finish reading The Last Victim by Karen Robards.  For now I think that I'm going to let it go back to the library unfinished.  I'm just not sure if I will ever go back to it or not but if I'm being honest then probably not.  Since it is rare for me to not finish a book I've even been considering writing up a DNF post.  We will see...

That's enough rambles out of me for one evening.  I'm probably going to be kind of quiet this week due to lots of overtime AND my stepdaughter will be in town.  Yay!  We get her for two weeks so we will be on the go for most of it.  I will try to keep in touch as I can but I probably won't be posting regularly for a bit.  I hope you all have a great rest of your week!

Monday Madness (or Family Fun)

I seem to be only posting on Mondays lately.  Such is the end of baseball season where they seem to cram all of the games in at once.  Busy, busy doesn't even really begin to cover it but the end is in sight and soon my evenings during the week will be my own again.  I AM excited!  In other good news, I passed my certification period!!!  Woohoo!  I'm super excited and am ready to develop my own rhythm/routine for at work.  The best part was that we got to spend this past weekend up on the houseboat relaxing and having fun.  The kids had a blast (they always do) and they were even brave enough to go swimming in the ice cold water.  It was fun and I snapped up a bunch of pictures to share with you all.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Haha! I could barely get him to stop smiling so that he wouldn't get water in his mouth.  Wouldn't you know I would snap the picture with his eyes closed?

 I think this is the best picture that I took with all three of them even though I snapped a zillion others.

 My daughter wore this hat off and on all weekend.  Too funny!

This picture isn't from this weekend but it is of my son pitching for the very 1st time ever.  He did an AMAZING job and I was so proud!

The big boys went fishing for Father's day so my Mom and I took the "littles" to the park.  Lots of fun and a great way to keep them entertained!

More park fun!  It never fails to amaze me how big she is getting so fast :)

It was a great weekend and one of my favorite ways to spend the summer!  Now I just need to get all of these pictures I keep taking off of my camera and printed off.  Happy Monday!

Monday Rambles

 

• This pictures cracks me up every time that I look at it.  He really wanted his picture taken.  I think I should make it my profile pic on Facebook but I haven't taken the time yet  :)  

• I've decided on a post of just randomness because I don't have a lot to say.  My reading has been kinda slow as of lately.  I'm pretty okay with that.  (And I'm borrowing the format of this post from the lovely Trish).

• I love a good thunderstorm!  I've decided that we haven't gotten nearly enough of them lately.  But it is really nice to be sitting here on a Sunday evening listening to the thunder....now where's all of the rain???

• I spent part of the weekend with family and friends.  It was really nice and I couldn't have asked for a better weekend right before the start of "hell week" at work.  Four months of training at my new job culminates in a two week certification period.  Stress levels are high to say the least.  Yep, the next two weeks are NOT going to be fun.  I may not be around much.  I may not be fun to talk to.  I haven't quite decided yet.  

• I'm planning on spending next weekend up on the boat with my family.  It will be a good way to end the first "hell week".  I think that I will just try not to think about the part two thing.

• I'm currently reading The Truth of All Things by Kiernan Shields.  It is pretty good so far but I just haven't been reading all that much.  I'm hoping to make a bit more progress on it this week but we will see how it goes.

• I'm also working on When Blood Calls by J.K. Beck.  I was reading this one awhile ago and just kind of stopped.  I decided to go back so I reread the beginning and have continued on.  It is also pretty good and I'm starting to wonder how everything is going to all play out.  I'm definitely intrigued!

• The rain is finally here!!  I've decided bullet points are kind of dangerous...I could just keep going and going.  But I think instead I'm going to curl up under a blanket with the "littles"  since they seem to have decided they are scared of storms and read my book.  Since I'm posting this tomorrow I will wish you all a great week!  Happy Monday!

What I've Been Doing (Besides Reading)

I had big plans for the past two weeks with getting lots of reading done.  Instead I've been doing pretty much everything BUT reading.  What have I been doing you might ask???  Well, pretty much the following:

Running around chasing these two and making sure they don't cause too much chaos (and yes, he is wearing a Spiderman mask if you are wondering. If it was up to him he would have worn the entire costume to the baseball diamonds.)

 Taking this one to practice.

And then watching his games.  He was three for three last night which was pretty exciting for all of us :)
The best part is he still jumps up and down when he is excited.  It always makes me laugh!

Snuggling with my Pickle baby during the rare moments when he actually sits still.  It usually lasts for a total of thirty seconds but I will take what I can.

And in general spending as much time outdoors with my babies as possible.  I've got no complaints...even when my books sit unread.  Life is good!  TGIF!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend :)