Nose to the grindstone... and in books

Do you know how work can sometimes be slow and you have plenty of time to get your work done (plus a little time for blogging and Facebook)? Then, how all of a sudden you get slammed and have little to no time to breathe at work? Yea... well this has been my life the last few days. I've been a little sparing with my blogging due to an influx - no, let's say tidal wave - of work. I am in no way shape or form complaining though. I love to be busy and needed at work. I think the tidal is over and now I'm just dealing with a steady high tide of work. Which leaves me a little time to catch up with you....

I have been reading a lot lately. I read John Grisham's The Appeal last week. It was a great read and dealt with a favorite issue of mine: political corruption. There is indeed so much. Let me ask you a question: why do we elect judges in this country? That is so out of line with their calling. Plus, they are busy convicting our criminals... do you think they have time to campaign? I'll answer that for you - NO, they do not. Yet they are forced to neglect their duties to be able to hold their own seat. AND - they have to pander to the very people they must rule over. Who do you think funds their campaigns? Many states have gone away from this practice but a lot of states (especially southern states... we like our corruption down here) are still heavily steeped in this practice. Sooo... I'll get off my giant soapbox that most people don't care about. But it does affect you. You can go here to learn how your state selects judges. Take a look at Alabama while you are there. Sad.

As you may remember, I won a giveaway from Sydney not too long ago. I finished reading The Appeal and was really in the mood to keep reading. In her box of goodies, I received Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. How I made it through all my schooling and honors literature courses without having to read this is a wonder. I read it over the weekend. Lucas says I'm a dork for reading Pride and Prejudice for leisure in two days.... but what does he know.. and well maybe I am. Anyway, it is a-ma-zing. I love it!! What an awesome love story. Thank you, Sydney, for delivering a classic to my doorstep and opening my eyes to the world of Jane Austen. I think I'll go pick up Sense and Sensibility from the library soon.

I'll save some more of my updates for a later date. Until then I'll be working and getting to your blogs as often as I possibly can. If I have missed something important or really interesting in the last few days please let me know so I can fast track it to your blog!

Countdown: one week to Mexico!!!

2 Down, 2 To Go

So I just finished reading New Moon. The plan was to read it over Thanksgiving break. That didn't happen. We talked and shopped (and watched a good football game) and left no time for reading. I picked it up a little on the ride home and have read bits and pieces here and there to finish it up.

I must say - I did not care for this one as much. I'm afraid to tell you why because I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't read it yet. I still love the characters and can't wait to dig into the next book and find out what will happen to everyone. BUT - I think I could've done without half the book. I guess you can say I am firmly on 'TEAM EDWARD'.

Lucas has now decided he is on 'TEAM JACOB' even though he hasn't even read it. I just tell him briefly what's going on and he rolls his eyes and disagrees with whatever I say. Haha! Typical Man! So we are a split household! I need one of those license plates like they have for Auburn and Alabama families but ours will be for Jacob and Edward.

(Sometimes I swear I can feel the geekiness oozing out of me! Or maybe that's just the blisters on the bottom of my feet. Gross! I know. Marathon - yes, I'm killing myself running 26 miles - in 9 days!)

The Movie Review in Pictures & a Video (no spoiling for those of you who haven't seen it yet)

Lucas and I went to see it last night. You know what it is. See....

(Don't I look like I belong?...... Don't answer that. I was trying to be all serious.)

So - without further ado - Lucas's review:

Not so shining.... but what does he know?

And my review:

Oh, yea. It was good.

The movie didn't follow the book directly - I guess because there wouldn't have been enough time to cover it scene by scene. It threw me off just a little. I would say.... 'no... that's not how it happened'. And there were some things added that weren't in the book (I, of course, like the book version better). BUT - it was still an incredible movie. AND I like Robert as Edward more after seeing it.

I leave you with this..... it gives me chills.... and is my new favorite song. :)

Special Delivery

What could it be?

I think I recognize this smile.


Could it be?


I think it is!!!
For the MIL...

And for me! Does that say $83? Pshh.. yeah right! We pay full price for nothing!


Sweet!!!
And now if you'll excuse me....

No, for real. I have to work. Plus I'm saving it for Thanksgiving. 2nd book for Thanksgiving, 3rd and 4th book for Christmas in Colombia.... if I have enough self-restraint.

Guess What I Just Bought?!?

The Box Set, Baby!!

I also bought this to take to my MIL during Christmas.


Twilight in Spanish. Pretty neat, huh?

My View the Last 4 Mornings

There on that very sand was where I read and finished my new love - Twilight. What an outstanding read! Now I'm looking out for deals online to buy the next three.

And the way it ended - makes me wonder....... what will happen in the second book??? Don't tell me! I guess I'll have to read to find out. Edward is such a tantalizing character, although I picture him much hotter than the character in the movie. I guess he's alright looking.


I am definitely looking forward to seeing the movie and comparing the two. Bella seems kind of crazy but I guess young love is like that - just not really like that. Anyway, I look forward to reading other Twilight post now that I know a quarter of what is going on. I was trying to space out the books: read the second one on my Thanksgiving trip back to the beach and take the third and fourth books with me to Colombia to read during our over 2-week vacation. I even thought about bringing Lucas's mom a Spanish version of the book to see what she thinks. I just don't know if I can't wait that long to dig in to the next book!

While at the beach I did play some tennis - 6 matches to be exact. Our Friday night match got rained out so I ended up playing 3 matches on Saturday. That is definitely too much tennis for one day! We had a great time. On even better news, my teammate won one of the door prizes - which just happened to be the best one. A 3-day, 2-night stay at The Beach Club! And - she is taking our team for a 'team-bonding' trip! She is so generous!! She has to use it before March 1st so I'm not sure if I'll get to go since I have so many trips planned between now and then: the beach again, Colombia, and Cabo san Lucas. I think I am getting spoiled with all these trips!

Also, it seems my body did not react well to all of the late nights, climate changes, and tennis matches and now I have a cold. :( I don't feel good but it isn't all that awful - just painful red nose from blowing it all day, sore throat, weird-sounding voice. My boss keeps telling me to go home but I don't want to go home when I have a tennis match to play tonight. That wouldn't be very logical: "Sorry, I was too sick to sit at my desk behind a computer but I was fine to go play a match at 7:30 at night in the freezing cold." So now, I'm trying to convince myself that I'm fine to play tennis tonight. My husband is not very happy with this decision at all. I have asked for a sub tonight but if no one can play for me I'll have to play because there is no way I'll make my team default a court on my behalf. Ugh!

Lots to come

I'm at the beach. I read the book. I need the 2nd one for the ride home. What a great vacation I'm having but I miss my husband and puppy. Can't wait to talk Twilight with you girls!

You Win!

You win, blogging ladies who talk about nothing but Twilight. I am no longer able to function in the blogosphere without reading this series. So I bought the first book yesterday when I was grocery shopping. My work is going to wind down next week and I am taking a trip to the beach. It seems like a good time to start.

Also, I bought 2 pumpkins for my campaign-o-lanterns. And I forgot to put the link up so you can carve your pumpkins, too. Here you go. (I realize everyone else has probably already carved their pumpkins but cut me some slack. I will get it done in due time, hopefully before Friday.)