New Year's Resolutions

I always think it's better to talk about the new year's resolutions from the year before then to talk about the new ones. So let's recap last years resolutions and if I made it. Tommorrow I might share my new resolutions with you, but for now I feel like looking back. This is New Year's Eve (also known as my anniversary) and I have less than an hour untilt he year is over. I made two big goals for 2009. Yes goals, not resolutions, I have already explained the difference, and will again later I'm sure, but not now.
Goal #1: Where makeup and do my hair Every time I leave the house.
Ok, so I didn't totally make this one. Running to the store when I'm sick, and even a few social outings were conducted sans makeup! And doing my hair sometimes meant I washed and brushed it before taking Sophy to school. So not a total success, but still a valent effort. I would say that I did myself up more then I didn't. I felt great about myself which helped with the weight loss. I have enjoyed this goal and plan to continue next year!
Goal #2: Read 100 books in this year.
Ok, so this goal had me sweating a few times this year. There was stress, and money spent, and things given up, but I still loved it. I had a side goal of 80% of those books being ones I'd never read before. I did not make my side goal, but I am happy to announce that I went over my 100 book goal this year! I know I have posted a partial list, but I plan on listing it in it's entirety here. I really like have a list of the books I read this year. I think I'll try to keep a record of my reading list each year. Now I know I re-read several books on the list (and no making fun of twilight Emily...at least not here) but several where for a writing project I did in Novemeber, and Well the Twilight movie came out and I'm a sucker for that series.
Books I've read in 2009:
1. The Warrior Heir by: Cinda Williams Chima
2. The Wizard Heir by: Cinda Williams Chima
3. The Dragon Heir by: Cinda Williams Chima
4. Pride and Prejudice by: Jane Austin
5. Mansfield Park by: Jane Austin
6. The Hunger Games by: Suzanne Collins
7. Confessions of a Shopaholic by: Sophie Kinsella
8. Shopaholic takes Manhattan by: Sophie Kinsella
9. Shopaholic Ties the Knot by: Sophie Kinsella
10. Shopaholic and Sister by: Sophie Kinsella
11. Shopaholic and Baby by: Sophie Kinsella
12. Persuasion by: Jane Austin
13. The Princess Academy by: Shannon Hale
14. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by: E. L. Konigsburg
15. Shadow Spinner by: Susan Fletcher
16. The House of the Scorpion by: Nancy Farmer
17. Ingraine the Brave by: Cornilia Funke
18. Leven Thumps: The gateway to Foo by: Obert Skye
19. Leven Thumps: The whispered secret by: Obert Skye
20. Leven Thumps: The eyes of the want by: Obert Skye
21. Leven Thumps: The wrath of Ezra by: Obert Skye
22. God's Tomorrow by: Aaron Pogue
23. Ghost Targets- Expectations by: Aaron Pogue
24. The Mysterious Benedict Society by: Trenton Lee Stewart
25. Strange Happenings by: Avi
26. The Shakespeare Stealer by: Gary Blackwood
27. Twilight by: Stephanie Meyer *
28. New Moon by: Stephanie Meyer *
29. Eclipse by: Stephanie Meyer *
30. Breaking Dawn by: Stephanie Meyer *
31. The Lighting Thief by: Rick Riordan
32. Sea of Monsters by: Rick Riordan
33. The Titan's Curse by: Rick Riordan
34. The Battle of the Labyrinth by: Rick Riordan
35. The Last Olympian by: Rick Riordan
36. Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher by: Bruce Coville
37. The War with Grandpa by: Robert Kimmel Smith
38. The Lacemaker and the Princess by: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
39. The Dragon of Lonely Island by: Rebecca Rupp
40. The Dragon Rider by: Cornilia Funke
41. The Naming by: Alison Croggon
42. The Riddle by: Alison Croggon
43. The Crow by: Alison Croggon
44. The Singing by: Alison Croggon
45. Secrets of my Hollywood Life by: Jen Calonita
46. On Location by: Jen Calonita
47. Family Affairs by: Jen Calonita
48. Paparazzi Princess by: Jen Calonita
49. Darcy's Story by: Janet Aylmer
50. Princess Diaries by: Meg Cabot *
51. Princess in the spotlight by: Meg Cabot *
52. Princess in Love by: Meg Cabot *
53. Princess in Waiting by: Meg Cabot *
54. Princess in Pink by: Meg Cabot *
55. Princess in Training by: Meg Cabot *
56. Party Princess by: Meg Cabot *
57. Princess on the Brink by: Meg Cabot
58. Princess Mia by: Meg Cabot
59. Forever Princess by: Meg Cabot
60. Walk Two Moons by: Sharon Creech
61. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by: Trenton Lee Stewart
62. The Return of Calico Bright by: David Winkler
63. The Catalog of the Universe by: Margaret Mahy
64. Beowulf: A new Telling by: Robert Nye
65. Never Slow dance with a Zombie by: E Van Lowe
66. False Colors by: Georgette Heyer *
67. Howl's Moving Castle by: Diana Wynne Jones
68. Castle in the Air by: Diana Wynne Jones
69. Catching Fire by: Suzanne Collins
70. The Fire Within by:Chris D'Lacey
71. Icefire by:Chris D'Lacey
72. Fire Star by:Chris D'Lacey
73. The Fire Eternal by:Chris D'Lacey
74. Wolf Tower by: Tanith Lee
75. Wolf Star by: Tanith Lee
76. Wolf Queen by: Tanith Lee
77. Bewitching Season by: Marissa Doyle
78. The Book of 100 Truths by: Julie Schumacher
79. Devil's Cub by: Georgette Heyer *
80. Arabella by: Georgette Heyer *
81. Dreamhunter by: Elizabeth Knox
82. Dreamquake by: Elizabeth Knox
83. The 21 Balloons by: William Pène du Bois
84. The Grand Sophy by: Georgette Heyer *
85. Princess Mia by: Meg Cabot *
86. Forever Princess by: Meg Cabot *
87. Pillage by: Obert Skye
88. City of Bones by: Cassandra Clare
89. City of Ashes by: Cassandra Clare
90. City of Glass by: Cassandra Clare
91. Secrets of my Hollywood Life by: Jen Calonita *
92. On Location by: Jen Calonita *
93. Family Affairs by: Jen Calonita *
94. Twilight by: Stephanie Meyer *
95. New Moon by: Stephanie Meyer *
96. Eclipse by: Stephanie Meyer *
97. Breaking Dawn by: Stephanie Meyer *
98. New Moon by: Stephanie Meyer *
99. Eclipse by: Stephanie Meyer *
100. Breaking Dawn by: Stephanie Meyer *
101. Talent by: Zoey Dean
102. A Girl Like Moi by: Lisa Barham
103. Cindy Ella by: Robin Palmer
104. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by: Elizabeth Speare *
105. A Bride for Donnigan by: Janette Oke *
106. Old Magic by: Marianne Curley
107. Fairy Tale by: Cyn Balog

The books with Stars (*) are ones I'd read before. I was only a little off my 80% goal. Of this list there are several I would recommend, or even loan out, but there are more that I would tell you not to bother with! Feel free to ask about any for my honest opinion.
Of these I HIGHLY recommend (as in they are one of my favorites):
#6, #16, #22 & #23, #27- #35, #41- #44, #67, #79, #81 & #82, #104

Christmas picture

Merry Christmas!
From our crazy house to yours!

Visit with Santa

We went to see Santa yesterday. Both girls were very excited! It was our best year ever! They sat and talked with Santa, then smiled for the picture like perfect angels! I'm so proud of my growing girls!

Playing in the leaves

While on the way home from Georgia we decided to stop and stay a night in Little Rock with my parents. It's a long drive and we were all looking forward to a break from the car. Mostly we just stop and sleep then go home the next day, but this time was a little different.
For weeks now Sophy has been asking me when the leaves will fall in our yard. I patiently take the time to explain that leaves won't fall in our yard each time she asks. "Why mommy?" Is always her response, and "Because we don't have any trees." is always my answer. Each time she looks so sad and will tell me again how Fall is about leaves and playing in them with her 'I'm so proud of my preschool knowledge' voice. It killed me that I couldn't give her the simple pleasure of playing in the leaves. I even thought of stealing a full bag of leaves someone had left on the curb, spreading them across my lawn in the night and telling Sophy in the morning, "Look the leaves finally fell!". Jeff was adverse to this plan, so it was never carried out.
On our trip back home however my mom came to me early in the morning before we had loaded up to go home and asked me if the girls could play in the leaves with their cousins before we left. I of course jumped at the chance to fulfill my daughters desire. "Oh and bring out your camera", she threw over her shoulder before taking them out.
I am so grateful for parents with a TON of leaves in their yard, an awesome leaf blower to make piles with, and the amazing pictures that came out of that mornings play.

Trip to Georgia

At the beginning of November Jeff and I took a trip to Georgia. While there Jeff worked and I wrote and played. It was a nice relaxing week without the kids (who were with Nanna).
On the drive down Jeff and I ended up behind this car. We kept thinking "what is that in the car?" . It was obvious that it was lots of the same thing...but what. I told Jeff, "Drive faster, lets check it out". The result? A car full, and I mean so full I'm not sure how the driver could drive since the windows were all blocked, or Toilet paper. Most were in packages, but some were loose rolls crammed here and there among all the packages. So I ask you, why would ANYONE need so much TP?

The Lady and Sons

While we were in Georgia I was about two hours away from Savannah. Knowing how close I was and not knowing when I'd get another chance I decided to take a day to drive over. My object? The Lady and Sons Restaurant. For anyone that doesn't know (and the only people this will apply to would be people who found me online and have never actually met me in person) I LOVE Paula Dean. Although I choose to avoid all her seafood recipes, I still think the food is divine. So you see why it would be worth driving two hours just for lunch.
While there I also checked out the Paula Dean store. I was a good girl and didn't spend big bucks like I wanted to, but man I wanted so much! I loved the apron that said "Country Cookin' Makes You Good Lookin'"!
All in all it was a pleasant drive and I'm glad I did it. I had the chicken salad sandwich and soup. The soup was wonderful! I wish I took a picture of the Chocolate Mousse Pie, but I ate it too fast. Oops.

Post on Posts

When I pulled up my bloglines list today I had a happy surprise. In the midst of the literary agents, editors, and twilight news blogs that I read daily I actually had a few friend blog posts. I was so excited. It's like going to the mail box and sifting through the magazines and junk mail to find an actually written letter with your name on it! How exciting!
I hurried to read all the funny and quippy things that my blog friends were talking about in their lives. Of course I was even more excited that my favorite funny mom was posting today! With facebook it seems like more and more of my friend leave one line updates, that althought funny too, just isn't the same as reading a well composed post on someone's blog. I myself am horrible about remembering to post and even worse at my composition, but today I felt the need. I thought you know there are two whole people who have subscribed to my blog on bloglines (it conveniently tells you how many, but now who. I'm afraid I might be counted as one of those two which actually only leaves me with one subscribed reader...sigh) and it might be nice if i gave them something nice on their list too... So here it is. My insightful post about posts.

Fall Fest

There is a fall festival that The Village puts on every year in the park across from Trish's house. We went last year and the kids loved it. This year was the same! I think they liked it more if possible because Lola and Annabelle were older and able to enjoy more. There was a petting zoo, a train, and bouncey things to play in. We spent all day playing and the kids slept SO well after wards. I'm so glad that we took the time to go again this year.

More Halloween Fun

Lots and lots of Pictures! On thursday we went to Oklahoma Christian to Trick or Treat in the dorms. It was a lot of fun, it is one of our favorite things to do each year!
Today started the Halloween day hoopla! We went to a carnival at church, Jeff was a farmer (hey it's the best I could get out of him) and I was a witch. It's funny, growing up I was never allowed to be anything "scary". And I hold my kids to the same rule. Yet dressing as a witch this year I still felt like I was being naughty and would get in trouble! Sophy was quick to point out to people that I was a "good" witch.
After the church festival which had lots of fun games, we went to Northpark for indoor trick or treating. We do this every year too, but it was the first time Jeff went. It was good and went by quickly. My heels were killing my feet though by the time I was finished though.
After Northpark we went home for dinner before trick or treating in the neighborhood. That was a lot of fun! We get to see our neighbors and even ran into our friend Lisa and Alex! We spent some time hanging out with her and she helped us pass out candy at home.
All in all a very exciting year!

Halloween Pictures

I took the girls to get their pictures taken in their costumes a few weeks ago and we were finally well enough to go pick them up! I was thrilled with how cute they turned out! Happy Halloween everyone!

Book Update

I am currently on book #80 in my quest to read 100 books this year. So I'm getting close tot he end, which is good since it's October! Man where did the year go?
I'd give an update of what I've been reading lately, but I figure I'll just post the full list at the end of the year. Then I'll have lots of recommendations for everyone! I was really hoping that my brother would finish book 3 in his Ghost Targets series before the end of the year so it could be on the list with the other two, well that and i just want to read it, but I haven't seen a copy yet....hint hint.
Reading books makes me think of all the books I've read in the past, good and bad. By far I have more favorites then books I hated. And lots in between. I have many faves on my shelf here at home. I recently read a book that combines young adult and Georgette Heyer style romance! Loved it!
There is one book in my life that I can't seem to forget. It was a classic story about a well-off girl who moves in with a farm family. They tell her she has to carry her weight and keep trying her out on family chores. She is terrible at all but one, spinning silk. Its a sweet story, and honestly I don't remember much more of the story. I found the book in 5th grade at the school library near the Laura Ingalls Wilder books on the shelf. I don't know the name and haven't found it since. I wish I could re-read it, but that would mean finding out what it is first!
Oh well.
Are there any stories in your life that you want to find but don't know the name of?

Boomer Sooner!

Today I had the privilege of taking my nephew Alexander's New Born Portraits! I'm sure you'll see a lot of him around the blog, him being so handsome and all, but I thought I'd give you a little sneak peek of the the cuteness.
Also while I was there I took an OU family Portrait! I have never gotten to do one of those, which is odd around here. I think it turned out really cute!

The Great cookie Debate or Save the Cookies

Today I started the great cookie debate on facebook. Why? Well it all started like this:
Lola was being REALLY good today. So I decided to give her a cookie as a reward. Only, Gasp!, there were no cookies in the house! SO I made a quick call to Trish asking for a bakery in Edmond that might sell cookies cheaper than going to the Mall. She told me of a cute little place off 33rd and Blvd.
Lola was all smiles as she gazed at the brightly iced cookies on the shelf and I was happy with the selection and prices. We bought some and headed out to pick up Sophy (yes she got a cookie too).
After arriving home I posted my fabulous find on facebook. I realized most people around here would know of the place, but it's odd how I am almost always the last to know about these things. The post quickly recieved a reply that Eileen's cookies on Danforth and Sante Fe where by far better cookies. "Oh really?" I thought to myself. So after nap-time we loaded up the car and headed to this Eileen's cookies to check them out. They did cost a little more, but were much bigger cookies. Sophy and Lola thought it was a holiday or something to get two special treats in one day AND one for no reason other than waking up!
I like sugar cookies that are a little softer, and these were, however they used cake icing on them instead of cookie icing. A small difference I know, but for me it was too much. The girls loved that they could choose from Halloween ones, rainbows, flowers, even Elmo cookies! The icing made a huge mess though!
I have yet to try Eileen's other flavors and I was given a tip on buying them cheaper, so that will help. I mean I will just have to force myself to try the others for research purposes.
After all the comments I decided to write it all up in a note on facebook and get the opinion of other Edmond residents. It was amazing how quickly the responses came in! Although I still disagree with most of them, it is fun to know people's preferences.
So I encourage everyone int he area to go try them out and let me know what you think. Don't live in the Edmond/OKC area you say? Find a small bakery near you and try their cookies. I visit most of your cities anyway, so I'd LOVE to know where to find the good cookies. Besides, shouldn't we all be trying to support small local business in this economy? Protect the cookies, go buy one today!

Books

For those of you wondering I am still reading faithfully. I am currently reading book #72 on my list of 100. I am doing my best to limit it to Young Adult or Middle Grade books. I figure I can count it as research for my next novel this way. Then I don't feel so bad about reading so much and leaving my writing by the wayside. I have decided on my next project. The more I think about it the more I like it even. I still have a few bumps to work out, but by the time I hit my 100 book goal (or fail miserably on new years eve) I will be all ready to sit and write happily along.
In my reading I'm on the 3rd in a series of 4 books. I went to the bookstore today to pick up the 4th one so I'd have it when I finished. I walked along the beautiful rows of books wishing I had an endless supply of gift cards to get books. Oh well, dreams and all, but wouldn't that be grand? It did get me thinking about the books I want and the ones I need to fill holes in my collections.
I borrowed several books (and by several I mean a large box full) from my mom to help me to my 100 goal earlier this year. It gets expensive buying books so borrowing them sure helps. Only several of the series I got from her were missing one or two books. After I got home from the bookstore I finally sat down and made a complete list of the books I still need/want.
It took a while, but I finally figured out an easy way to access google docs from my iPhone. This is handy since I keep most my lists in google docs. I updated my list of books I want to include the ones to fill the holes, then went so far as making a complete list of all the Georgette Heyer and Christopher Stasheff books I own ( the two authors that I am always searching for in used bookstores). They each got their own google doc for the purpose! I even looked up complete lists of works for each author and added that being sure to copy over any I was missing to my "Books I Want" document. I love feeling organized, even if it is a huge ploy to avoid the laundry!
So now I need to make a pilgrimage to a used bookstore. The one I liked here in Edmond closed! Do you know of any good Used Bookstores nearby?

Baby Alexander!

Welcome Alexander Pogue!
Leading up to Trish's shower I kept teasing her to keep that baby in until after the shower was over. She would laugh and say it'd be a while until he came. I knew the due date was October, but I just had a feeling he would make his appearance in September. Of course I was thinking end of September, not the 17th!
I was happily surprised to get a call that he was coming on Thursday! Born three weeks early he's a little small, but perfect! I took the girls up to meet their new cousin right away. Sophy wanted to take him home and both have been talking about Aunt Trish's baby ever since. Boy is he a cutie!

Trish's Shower!

On sunday of our crazy week was Trish's Shower. With a lot of help from friends I was able to get everything ready in time. Jeff got home on Saturday night so he was sent off on Sunday with the girls to keep them out of the way for the day.
I made a small polka dot cake with candy animals and matching cupcakes for the shower. They seemed to be a big hit.
I personally thought the watermelon carriage that Rebecca made was the hit of the food table though!
We had an animal theme and lots of presents! I was impressed with the turn out and glad everything went off so well.

Grandma Ada's Birthday

As many know last week was the craziest I've had in a while. Jeff was out of town for work and I had two big parties on the weekend with a cake for each! The first party was for our friend Daniel's Grandma's 93rd birthday. I made a 4 tier Chocolate cake with White chocolate fudge filling and Milk Chocolate Fudge (yes real fudge) for frosting. I topped it off with white chocolate trim and chocolate dipped strawberries! It was yummy!
The second cake was for Trish's shower...more coming on that.

Sophy's First Day of School

Sophy started big girl school this year. She is in the Public School Preschool Program this year. She goes half day everyday. It was hard on her to go to school everyday at first. It was a big change from once a week to 5 days a week.
She had to be woken up, she likes to sleep in, then there was the first day of school outfit! She really likes her teacher and her new friends. There is one other Sophy in class, but Sophy seems to love the fact that she has a friend with her name.

Christmas Carol Train Tour!

When we heard that The Disney Train Tour for "A Christmas Carol" was coming to OKC, Diana and Trish and I decided to go. We loaded up and headed to the train station downtown.
It was really neat. They park the train and you get to tour through it to see how the movie was made and lots of costumes and props and things from this.
After the train you get to see a movie clip and short show about the movie. It was so neat. I have to admit that it was much more interesting that I thought it would be. The girls really liked it a lot too. I'm really looking forward tot he movie coming out now.

Wichita!

The church I went to through Jr. High and half of High School had a 50th anniversary and reunion. Since we were both planning on going Trish and I decided to go a little early and show the kiddos to the zoo and children's museum there in Wichita before the reunion.
It went really well. I loved seeing the zoo again and being in Wichita after ten years was weird! Aaron and Jeff drove up for the weekend events and I was able to show Jeff our old house and my high school. It was a good weekend.