Spring Break!

Wow, it's been a month since my last post...I was doing so good there for a while. lol.  The weeks have flown by.  So, so busy.  Work wise, I've been in the middle of a crazy AR reading contest which is thankfully over!  BTW, our school came out in FIRST place in the nation.  Then last week was Lutheran School Week which means a busy week of activities - fun but exhausting.  Now for a break.

There are a few things I want to do this week:
1.  Wash all the curtains in the house.
2.  Trap all animals to give them spring flea treatments.
3.  Scrapbook the photos taken thus far in 2011 (although I'm not feeling in the scrapbook mood yet)
4.  Finish the books I'm in the middle of.
5.  If the sun comes out, try to lessen the pasty white of a stay-at-home that I am right now.

So far, I've completed on book, and have seen two movies.  A trip to Corpus is planned for tomorrow - movie and a meeting for Allan.

Book Review:  Whiplash by Catherine Coulter.  This one took me about 3 weeks because as I said, life has been busy.  It was a great story, one of my favorites.  I love Sherlock and Savich, and they were great in this book.  They were working on two jobs at once, and a few new characters were introduced.  The new characters show potential for showing up in future stories.  Story #1 involved a US Senator who was seeing his late wife's ghost outside his window.  Savich's physic abilities helped to solve this mystery.  Story #2 involved a drug company, a murder, and Germans.  A really good read.  (A)

Movies:
Red Riding Hood - stinker.  Allan thought it was terrible, but I was a bit intrigued trying to figure out who the werewolf was.  (C-)

Adjustment Bureau - very intriguing.  We both enjoyed this movie.  Lots of thought provoking ideas about free will.  (A-)

On the list for tomorrow:  Cedar Rapids

MLK Day

This has been a fairly good Martin Luther King day.  If only Allan had been here to spend the day with it would have been perfect.

After seeing Allan off on his Circuit Counselors conference, I started my weekly cleaning (which I had no time to do on Saturday ).  Jacob and I had lunch together which was a nice treat.  I worked on my 2010 scrapbooking - completed October and have a start on November.  Two friends came over for dinner - chili and cornbread - and we talked wedding talk - Lizz is getting married in September.  Lastly, I've become totally stuck on 24.  Sarah was right.  I've watched the first three episodes and am having to force myself to go to bed.  Pretty good TV.  I have to stop after three and then talk Allan into watching because I think he'd really like it as well.

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich.  I finished reading this book last night.  It is supposed to be the first in a new series by Ms. Evanovich.  The main character, Deisel, has appeared in the previous between-the-numbers Stephanie Plum novels.  This time he teams up with a great character named Lizzy.  She is a master cupcake baker.  Her circle of wacky friends works in the bakery with her.  All in all a good read...maybe not quite as funny as the Stephanie Plum books, but certainly has potential.

Spring Break Part 2

Thursday is drawing to an end...my week almost complete. It has been a wonderful week, and frankly, even though there are only 10 weeks left, am not ready to go back to school. Totally in summer mode. Not a good sign.

I had a great St. Patty's day yesterday. Look here for a short history of St. Patrick. I ran some errands, cooked dessert and soup for church last night. I got in a short time to soak up some vitamin D, and finished this book:

"Blood Game" by Iris Johansen. I always enjoy her Eve Duncan books and this was no exception. It has been quite a while since I read the last one and this refers back to that book quite a bit. As always the story centers around Eve, Joe, Jane and their search for Eve's daughter's body. This book has a big paranormal...ghost...element to it. Also a character named Seth Caleb that seems familiar...must have shown up in another of her books...she likes to do that. It was a really good read, even if it did take me like 3 weeks to read it. Next up...Open Season by C. J. Box.

Finished off the day with a terrific soup dinner at church followed by another awesome Lenten service led by my favorite pastor. Voter's Meeting followed that. Seeing as how I am not a voter, several members thought that we should have our own voters meeting at the parsonage, which we did. Us girls had a great time with their kids, with Allan joining us after the meeting adjourned . A fun end to the day.

Today was a great day. I cleaned the kitchen...top to bottom...mopped the last of the floors. Then the three of us had lunch at Chili's. Then Allan and I went to Wally world and bought this. All I can say is WOW - do I ever love this vacuum! CanNOT believe what a great job it did. And EASY to push. love love LOVE it.

Short little cat nap, followed by the most amazing brats grilled outside by the most amazing grill-master (Allan of course) Served with Sour Kraut, potato salad, rye bread and pickles. Yummy. Then college basketball. Couldn't be better -unless my bracket wasn't already looking so bad:(

Spring Break Part 1

Boy do I love Spring Break. It's so nice to have time at home to do whatever...to NOT think about school or work. As day 2 is coming to an end, I have to say it's been wonderful.

First, spring cleaning chores completed: I have washed bedding and curtains in both our bedroom and Jacob's. I have cleaned both bathrooms, and hung a new and unmoldy shower curtain liner in Jacob's shower. Still need a new shower caddie - maybe tomorrow. I have dusted almost all the rooms, and cleaned windows in our bedroom and bathroom.

I have tanned once, exercised twice and almost finished reading a book I started weeks ago. We watched some excellent television, most notably episode one of "The Pacific." I thought this was excellent although Allan and Jacob didn't think it was as good as "Band of Brothers." Big Bang Theory was a repeat last night, but an excellent one with Wil Wheaton (which we know from a Family Guy episode - lol)

My most wonderful husband, who thinks he must keep me entertained even though it is his busiest time of year at work, has taken me to two - yes two - movies.

First,
Cop Out. Saw this yesterday. It was pretty entertaining. Bruce Willis can play this part with his eyes closed. There was lots of effing language, but oddly not in an offensive way. Several really funny scenes. It didn't always flow quite right, but was worth the viewing. There's a new Hispanic actress we haven't seen before that looks a lot like Selma Hayek. She was fun to watch. Sean William Scott was hilarious as always. Plus I think I saw Kelly Ripa's hubby in one scene.



Next,
She's out of My League. We saw this this afternoon. Actually was pleasantly surprised. Pretty funny. Jacob saw it Friday and thought it was hilarious, which usually means I won't like it because it will probably be disgusting. lol. I was expecting lots more crude humor and was pleasantly surprised. Allan says it is a total fantasy - that girl would NEVER be interested in that guy. She is gorgeous - like a younger Reece Witherspoon. And even though the guy looks like a young Tom Hanks in the poster, he looks nothing like him in the movie. All in all, likable group of actors and fairly amusing.

FYI - 1 minute is too long to heat a tablespoon of butter in the microwave to melt it without exploding it all over the microwave. sigh.

Wonderful Weekend

We just arrived home from a great weekend in San Antonio. It was a pre-anniversary getaway, and boy was it great! The weather was wonderfully cool (wore a sweater!). We walked on the river, at some great food. Shiloh's was terrific. Hotel was beautiful. They had a delicious breakfast buffet. Super nice to not have to go out to get something first thing. We slept late, napped, checked out downtown by evening and daylight. Super nice and relaxing weekend.

NOTE: There is not one place in downtown San Antonio to buy a book, magazine or newspaper. It almost became a quest. (Correction, we did find one place with basketball magazines and porn, but that wasn't really what we were looking for.) Maybe that's why they're one of the stupidest cities in America:)

Nobel Prize...huh

Charlie Bit Me

For my long awaited return, I've chosen this youtube video, which for some reason makes me chuckle. I wish I knew how to put the screen itself on, which many of you do, but I just don't have that much blog smarts.

I know it's been forever since my last post, it seems that way anyway. I just haven't been able to get motivated to blog. As I told my mother several weeks ago...things in our house have been outstanding, but it seems like once we step outside things fall apart. It's been a very busy, and often sad, time -- these last few months. It's hard to even know where to begin.

Our German friend Markus has safely returned home to Germany. His family and friends are thrilled to have him home. It was such a pleasure to get to know him, and have him share our home.

Jacob finished the year ranked 8th in his class. He went right to work the Monday after school was out. He is working as a cotton breeder. He and two other men keep the weeds out, cross pollinate the cotton plants, and later will harvest their hybrid cotton to obtain seeds for next year. He enjoys being outside, the nice hours (no weekends, 30-40 hrs/week), it's close to home (gas = $$), and the wage is good.

Our good friend who was battling cancer went to be with the Lord July 4th. She was such a blessing to our family, and the faith, bravery, and courage that she faced her illness with was incredible to see. Here is a picture of my great boys at her memorial service.
Our good friend, David, Jacob, and her grandson -- Jacob's best friend -- Paeton

Speaking of David, his mother is also very ill with cancer. She is out of town receiving treatment, and David is living with us. (Currently he is with her until school begins, and then he will return to our house.) He's an awesome young man, and now occupies Sarah's/Markus' room.

We took a quick trip to check out some colleges and also to visit our families in Ft. Worth. We walked around A&M, UTA, UNT, TCU, and UT. Jacob is still headed for Aggie-town unless something changes once school begins. We had a great visit with our families, Jacob checked out the July 4th fireworks, and was very impressed. His Grampy surprised him by putting together a complete Craftsmen tool set for his truck. Was he ever thrilled.

I've read several books while on vacation: Fearless Fourteen, by Janet Evanovich; Phantom Prey, by John Sandford; Nothing to Lose, by Lee Child; and Barefoot, by Elin Hilderbrand. Fearless Fourteen was terrific - introduced several new characters --A+. Barefoot was very well written. The subject matter hit a little too close to home, not a feel good summer read. The other two books were worth reading, since I love Lucas Davenport and Jack Reacher, but nothing spectacular about them.

We've been to see several movies: Indiana Jones; Wanted; Get Smart; Wall-E. All were good, but Get Smart was probably my favorite of the four. Watched Live Free or Die Hard last night - we've had this movie since Christmas and just watched it (you can tell how often we watch movies at home:) Loved it - definitely one of the better ones.

Our granddaughter had her first birthday. She is such an angel. Very beautiful and sweet. She took to us right away - very friendly and good tempered. Sarah had us over and she fixed the best meal: chicken Parmesan, pasta, salad, bread and of course birthday cake. Everything was so tasty - we were stuffed. It was great to get to see them all again.

I don't know what else to write. Maybe more later??

Post Austin...Various Reviews

We had a great time in Austin. The weather was a bit dreary, with clouds and some rain, so no pool time. Allan thought the speakers were awesome, and I enjoyed lazing around. I finished a book, watched a movie and took several very long naps. We walked around 6th Street on Tuesday night, ate at a terrific restaurant, and enjoyed the sights. We peeked in an almost empty Coyote Ugly bar, laughed at the Modeling agency/Chinese massage sign, took in the beautiful capital building at night and checked out all the groovy UT students walking around campus.

I finished reading "Home to Holly Springs" by Jan Karon. As always, her book about Father Tim returning to his home town was terrific. She is a wonderful storyteller. I often wonder if she is a PK, or what connection she has to pastors, because in all the books, she gets it just right. This is a terrific book. Tim goes back to his home town, looking for someone who wrote him a letter simply saying "Come Home." While there he meets new people, and finds old acquaintances. The story is filled with flashbacks of things that have happened to him as a child. Wonderful book! If you're not familiar with this author, start at the beginning and be prepared for wonderful stories.

While at the hotel, I brought a DVD of "The Guardian" with Kevin Costner and Aston Kutcher. I had wanted to see this when it first came out, and Jacob has watched it several times. I haven't liked Costner in a movie in years, but he was good in this movie. The movie had a "Heartbreak Ridge" feel about it for much of the movie. I thought it was a great movie, and am glad I finally watched it. Well worth the time spent at the desk.

Allan and I went to see "21" Friday night. Being a math wiener, I had to see this movie. In our local paper, it got 2 1/2 stars, but I thought it was much better than that. Here's a movie about Las Vegas - no nudity - amazing! It was really good and we had a good time watching it. Jacob went to see it last night and he liked it too. Check it out!

Markus went on a day trip to Mexico with other exchange students yesterday, and seemed to have a great time. He's had a bit of allergy problems, but hopefully he's on the mend.

Jacob spent yesterday at the local airshow - checked out the blue angels and all the other planes. That means that today he has spent doing all the homework he didn't do on Saturday:)

We do our achievement tests this week. I'm nervous. Maybe they'll do good...