October's Reading List

This has been a busy month, new job, sister's baby shower, tutoring, and let's not forget....reading.  Here are the books I read this month (and one from September that I forgot to list),

September's forgotten book...

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
First, a confession...I saw the movie first.  Gasp! I know I try not to ever do that, but this was one of those instances.  They are both very similar, but I did enjoy the book better.  It's the story of Liz and her one year journey to discover who she is.  She goes through a terrible divorce, finds another guy, falls in love, breaks up, gets back together, breaks up, etc.  She comes to a point when she says enough is enough and has decided to go to Italy, India and Indonesia to look within herselfand find her self-worth.  I admire Elizabeth Gilbert for taking the leap into the unknown about herself (which can be very scary).  It has inspired me to learn Italian (made it to the bucket list).

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
I have a love/hate relationship with Nick.  I have enjoyed reading his books, sometimes they are just so sad at the end.  Tear, tear.  This one added a point to the love column.  I started it not realizing it is a sequel to The Notebook. Swoon.  You need to read The Notebook (swoon) if you have only watched the movie, since they do differ. Hey! I watched the movie first with this one too!!  Maybe I do this more often than I think.  Anyway, The Wedding is the story of one of Noah and Allie's daughters and her husband.  Written from the perspective of the husband, Wilson. He begins the book by telling the readers that he forgot his 29th anniversary.  Completely! We go through the next year of his journey trying to save his marriage.  It is a very sweet book that most ladies will love.  One more for the road...swoon.

Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
I bought both of these Nicholas Sparks books at a garage sale (one of my many weaknesses when it comes to book buying).  After I started this one I realized I had already read it, but remembered liking it so I reread it.  This one adds to the love/hate relationship with a point for both sides.  I do like Nick's writing style and he tells a good story, but there are times when I want to change the endings of his books.  This is one of those stories.  This book tells the story of Adrienne Willis and her love affair that began at an Inn.  Adrienne's daughter recently lost her husband to cancer and is having a rough time dealing with the loss.  Adrienne decides it is time to share the story of the love of her life with her daughter.  Another swoon is in order. Swoon.  If you enjoy reading the romantic love stories, this is a good read. 

51/50 The Magical Adventures of a Single Life  by Kristen McGuiness
I was given this book for my birthday last month.  Thanks, friend!  A interesting book about Kristen's adventures in the dating world. I started this book with the notion that it would be a light read with some funny stories.  At times I was right, but not as often as I thought I would be.  Kristen tells it all: her former life as a dug and alcohol addict, her current life of sobriety, her seemingly good relationships, her detrimental ones and the on-the-mend relationship with her dad. An interesting adventure indeed. 

 The Hunger Games  by Suzanne Collins
Another confession, this is the second time I have read this book.  I absolutely LOVE this book.  I am also pretty excited that they are currently making the Hunger Games movie! This book is the first of a trilogy that tells the story of one Katniss Everdeen and her experience in the Hunger Games. Set sometime in the future in "what was once known as North America".  Katniss lives in District 12 and it is the day of the reaping.  The reaping is the annual nationwide event when every District holds a lottery and selects one male and female tribute that is 12-18 years old.  They each travel to the Capitol to fight to the death with the other tributes.  I don't want to give anything away, but Katniss ends up going to compete in these "games".  BEWARE: This is a page turner for sure.  I stayed up to 4 o'clock in the morning when I read it the first time.  There is a lot of violence in the book, so I recommend for high school and older.  You don't have to be in high school to enjoy this book though.  P.S. I have Hunger Games fever so you will be seeing more posts about these books and the movie in the future.

Let me know what you think about these books!

Jenny Dictionary: Book Love

In anticipation for October's Reading list post that will be posted on Monday, I would like to share with you something called book love.  A good friend of mine told me about book love, but in actuality she was just putting into words what I have felt many-a-time when reading. She has given me permission to put Book Love in the Jenny Dictionary.

Book Love: n. The relationship one forms whilst reading a book. This can be in form of a one night stand or a long-lasting relationship. ~ Julie

If you know me at all, you know that I. LOVE. to. read.

I share a few reasons why in the September Reading List post.  There are many times that I become so engrossed in a book (especially a series) that I feel that I know the characters. So much in fact, that when I'm done reading the book I "miss" them.  I feel like something is missing now that I don't get to catch up with them and see what's going on in their life.  This seems hard to explain, unless you've too felt this way.

Some books give the satisfaction of a long caring relationship. One example off the top of my head would be Pride and Prejudice by the brilliant Jane Austin.   P&P took me a bit to finish it, and during that time there were some great bonding moments. Ahhhh. Mr. Darcy.

Ok back to Book Love.  Other books provide a one night stand. A book such as this tears through your life quickly and leaves you wanting more.  Watch out for these, sometimes they come in the disguise of a series. You think they will provide for you the caring relationship you want, but noooo.  The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and The Mockingjay all by Suzanne Collins were the one night stands disguised in long-lasting relationship dust jackets.  I zipped right through those babies and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next one. And then I was done. 

Now don't get me wrong whether it is a one night stand or a long-lasting relationship, I love them both.

What are some of your one night stands???

Unbalanced

I have come to the realization that there is an underwhelming amount of single men in my circles.  There have been two major instances that happened this past week that helped me realize this depressing fact:

1) New Job
2) A friend's wedding

Situation #1.  I had training this past week for my new job.  We were a small group of 10, where the guy to girl ratio was 1:9.  The single guy to single girl ratio was 0:2.  Depressing.  I went to my first staff meeting this past week as well with just the peeps in my department.  Guy/girl ratio, 3:28.  You guessed it...the guys were all married. 

Situation #2. I love weddings and I hate weddings. I love seeing my friends happy and getting the chance to celebrate with them. Absolutely LOVE!  And being a sanguine I love the party, too.  The only time I have a hate moment is during the dreaded bouquet toss.  This particular wedding they had all the single ladies and then gents play musical chairs, instead of the traditional toss.  I actually had some fun, mostly because I got a little competitive. :)  Anyway.... Again the guy:girl ratio was way skewed.  About 15 or so ladies to the 7 or so guys.  And even though the guys were "single" most of them are dating the "single" ladies. 

This my friends is the sad truth of my world.

I recently finished reading a book that will be on the October Reading List post that will be coming your way next week. The book was about the journey of a single lady in California who went on 51 dates in 50 weeks.  She admits that it was quite the challenge finding guys to go out with at times.  She relied on friends of friends at first, and when those resources were exhausted she turned to finding guys through online dating sites. 

At least I know it's not just me.  I find this a little on the ridiculous side.

According to an article on National Atlas.gov, in Ohio there were about 300,000 more females than males in the year 2000.  I don't think that number is too outrageous, but I'm beginning to think that the extra 300,000 all live by me. Also, 45 out of 52 areas (includes 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico) had a larger female population in the year 2000.  Now this study is a little dated, but it still validates the point that we are unbalanced. 

Boooooo!

Courtney

She's a teenager.  She is temperamental, but has been for awhile.  She is cute.  She is annoying.  And I get to deal with her everyday, since I live with her.

Here's a picture....

Oh yeah....Courtney is a dog.  Don't get me wrong, I love this dog, she can be very sweet.  Sometimes she is crazy.  Dogs can be like that at times I think.  Courtney (also called muffin and dog) loves when the family comes over.  When she hears one of our cars she jumps up, gives out a couple barks of announcement, starts wagging her tail and waits by the door until they come in.  Or one of us will tell her "Jackie's here!" "Jerry's here!" and off to the door she'll run.  It's rather cute.

There are also times when she hears something (don't ask me what because I have no idea) and she will bark and bark. and bark. and bark. No matter how many times I tell her "No one's there" she wont stop until I do this....

And she proceeds to look outside to see what's up.

Then she will usually quiet down and everything is ok again.

The other day it dawned on me, what if she thinks that "no one" is a person coming to visit her.  I mean we say it in the same way when we announce a visitor.  Maybe she keeps barking because she is expecting "no one" to walk through the door.  Then I laughed for about 10 minutes because the thought that that could be the case is one of the funniest things ever.

Ok I still laugh.  And now I tease her....Courtney, no one is here!!!

Ha ha ha ha!!!!

My Bad

I've been neglecting you of late, and I'm sorry.  I have no good excuses.  Well, maybe I do.

My not so good excuses:

1) I am in the midsts of planning my sister's baby shower.  (It's a girl!!!  So excited)

2) I am constantly searching pinterest looking for ideas for said shower that I can steal pretend I made up use.

3) I started a new job yesterday, and trying to make sure I had everything in order before I started has been a small chore. No really it was just a small chore.

4) I've been reading again.  I've told you what happens when I start reading.

5) Things have been a little quiet in the boy department.  Maybe I can find excuses for that too....

6) I ran out of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies....for a day...then I found some in the freezer.

7) It has been Really REALLY nice outside.  We're talking 80 degrees!  For Ohio in october that's amazing. So yeah, I've been outside a lot.  Even got a mini burn.  :)

8) I keep getting sidetracked by Facebook the 7 million other things I need to do online.

9) Steve Jobs died.  It is sad.  And so I couldn't write because....I'm still working on why that is a valid excuse.

10) I blame plain ol' writers block.  There I said it.

The last week or so has been busy and yet dull all at the same time.  I figure why would you want to read about someone else's normal day.  Unless maybe you have a had a crazy day!  Ooo Ooo tell me about your crazy day!

Grrrrrrr....the silly things that annoy me

I got a magazine in the mail yesterday, and while I love getting them in the mail there is a part I don't like....the little cards that are stuck inside to send in for a subscription.  Hello! I already have a subscription why do I need 5 million cards.  Can I get a witness? ......chirp....chirp.....maybe it's just me.  Here are some other things that drive me a little batty.

• Time left on the microwave

• A collection of DVD's scattered around the TV

• Security stickers left on the case of a DVD or CD after it's been opened (have been to a friends house and took all those stickers off)

• I tend to be late at times, but I HATE being late for a wedding.

• Not getting a phone call or email by the time a person says they will call or email. I'm pretty sure I'm guilty of this as well. oops.

• The grocery carts that have a mind of their own

• The use of double negatives in a sentence

• The use of double comparisons (more better)

• People that drive 10mph or more under the speed limit

• Getting an email that obviously hasn't been proofed

• Slow internet/computers....I have no patience when it comes to this one

Those are all the ones I can think of off the top of my head.  I'm sure there are more. Do we share some of the same annoyances?  Add one to the list.

I claim the whole month

So last month I celebrated my birthday.  I say month because I really do celebrate the whole month!  I still enjoy celebrating my birthday, and I feel that one day just isn't enough time to fully experience this special day.  One year it just kinda worked out that my birthday celebrations were spread out over 2 1/2 weeks...lightbulb!  If it works for a couple of weeks, why not the whole month!!  And there was the beginning of the month long birthday.   So how do you get started??

I signed up with some awesome companies that give out free items to help me celebrate.

Totally free mini make-up!  Last year was the best with an eye shadow, eye liner pencil and mini mascara.  Go to their website and at the top of the page you will see Sign up for Sephora.  Join the club and for your birthday you'll receive an email on how to get your prize!

I didn't even realize I signed up for this one, but it pays to sign up with stores when they ask for your info.  Because I got this in the mail:

SCORE!!  Got to love getting "money" in the mail.

My most recent sign up this magical card...

Free burger during my birthday month and you also get a free appetizer reward when you sign up for the card.  Yummm!

I also know Menards does something for birthdays.  My dad has gotten gifts, maybe because he has a store card with them??? 

The last big free gift I get is from Swagbucks.  They send me $50...of course it is virtual, but I am saving up for a wii or something awesome like that.  Email me at menmoneyandme@gmail.com and I'll send you an invite.

There you have it...the first step to making your birthday last the whole month. 

Happy birthday!  :)