Book Review: Books 22-26

 

Book 22

Gone to Green

By Judy Christie

As I've mentioned many times I LOVE FREE books!  This entire series I downloaded from Inspirerdreads.com over the course of several months all for FREE!  Honestly though, having now read the whole series, it would be worth paying for. When I realized I had all of the books in the series I decided to make it my goal to read the series during spring break. I started on Friday, after school let out last week, and finished the last book this past Saturday.

 

The series focuses on the life of Lois Barker, a successful journalist in Dayton, Ohio who is approaching her late 30s. She's beginning to wonder if she is headed in the right direction.  When a promotion at work opens up, due to the untimely death of her mentor Ed, she decides maybe it is time to move on in her job.  Ed must have thought so too, as he leaves her a newspaper in Green, Louisiana in his will.  She loved Ed, and all he taught her, and while it was his dream to own and run this small town newspaper, she isn't sure it is really what she should be doing.  To honor his memory she decides to move to Green for a year and give it a try.  Her plan is at the end of the year she will sell the newspaper and be able to go back to her successful journalism career.

 

There is only one problem with her plan.  Green, Louisiana is not what she expected it to be.  Soon she finds herself drawn to the people and their issues.  This independent woman can't just let things go when she realizes there is more to the situation then meets the eye and through the newspaper she begins to see the town differently.  Will she really sell at the end of the year? Will she throw away the friendships she has made?



 

   Book 23 Goodness Gracious Green

Lois has found that leaving Green, at least right now is not an option.  She has uncovered serious allegations and must fight to keep the paper and herself alive during the aftermath.  When fires begin to surround her, she finds herself turning to her new friends, and her recovered faith to pull her through. She also finds herself falling in love, which she never planned on happening.  Will all of these changes keep her in Green, or will she be swept away, back to Dayton where life was simpler?

 

Book 24 The Glory of Green

 

From the cover alone, it's obvious that someone is getting married.  Most people dream of their weddings starting out wonderfully, and would never in their wildest dreams imagine them to start off the way Lois' does.  Now that another major storm has entered her life, she is forced with deciding how she will survive it.  Leaning on friends and now family to make it through helps.  Will the town survive as well?  Lois' strong personality and independent nature helps her to keep going.  The town turns to her to help them decide which way to go.  Loss surrounds them, but with faith and love they too can rebuild.

 

 

Book 25

Rally Round Green

What is a town without a school?  Why is the Mayor's ex husband in town?  All of these questions, and more must be answered by journalist/newspaper owner Lois Barker Craig as she lives through the next issue in Green.  She is in it for the long haul, but will the battle be worth it? Can she help Molly and Katy, 2 of her young journalists survive the storms of growing up, on top of the storms the city keeps facing.  What is next?  There always seems to be one more problem then she can handle.  Will this battle finally push her over the edge?

  





The only problem with reviewing books is trying not to give too much away!  Book 26, the final book in the series was also filled with new found problems.  Problems that small towns across America face all the time, how to survive.  Lois is fighting not only for her small town now, but also for her newspaper and her family.  Who will come out on top?  Guess to really find out all the answers you'll have to read the whole series!  

 

 

I would give the entire series 5 stars! Happy Reading

 

Up Next...Finishing Crazy Love by Frances Chan, and then I'm not sure yet where my Kindle will take me!

 

Book Review: Books 20 and 21

Book 20

Falling In Love

Seasons of the Heart Series

by Susette Williams

 

 

I downloaded this book to my Kindle for free awhile back.  Honestly, I downloaded it based solely on the cover picture.  It seemed from the picture that it would be a nice light romance novel, and it lived up to that expectation.  It took me about 2 hours total to read.  The characters drew you in quickly.  Katie is a student working on her Veterinarian degree, who works at an animal hospital with Wade. He is the doctor at the clinic where she works, and has quickly become her friend and study partner for her classes. 

She is concern that someone as wonderful as Wade, should be married already.  Naturally, she decides to start setting him up with people she knows. What she doesn't realize is that Wade, isn't married because he is only interested in one person.  Her!  While the book was short, the story was still believable and enjoyable.

 

I give this book 5 stars. 

 

I was sad to see such a good book come to an end.  I started to glance at the extra chapter from Season of the Heart Series book 2 which was at the end of the book, when I realized I had downloaded that one too, for free on my Kindle. 

 Book 21

Winter Chill

Seasons of the Heart Series book 2

by Susette Williams

 

This book too was short and took only about 2 hours to read.  Sasha is the main female character in the book.  She was introduced in Falling in Love, when Katie tries to set her up on a date with Wade. A date that goes horribly wrong.  Sasha is scared of men, and I found myself wondering why, when reading the first book in the series.  In book 2 her past is revealed and her reasons for being scared become completely understandable.  Forrest, the other main character literally bumps into Sasha at the beginning of the story.  Their paths cross again, and suddenly he is drawn into the search for why Sasha seems so scared all the time.  Will he be able to help her overcome her fear? 
It will only take about 2 hours to answer that question, and to be drawn in to their story.

I give this book 5 stars as well. I'm looking forward to her next book Spring Break which will be out this spring.


Book Review: Book 19

Book 19

God Has Better Things to Do Than My Laundry

And Other Obsercations from an Overly Dramatic Mom

by Heather Nestleroad

 

 

I have actually been reading this book on and off since January.  It is light hearted, and full of funny situations that all too often I have found myself in as well.  It's has short chapters that make it a good book to pick up and read when you only have a few minutes here and there.  I used this book in that way, which is why it took  me so long to read. In the book Heather reflects on her life as a wife and mom and the funny sitations that we find ourselves in.  It was easy to identify with, and helped me to not take things so seriously at times.

 

I would give this book 4 stars.  

Book Review: Book 18

Book 18

Patio and Kitchen Herb Gardens

A Beginner's Guide to 21 Herbs You Can Grow At Home

by Julia Winchester

 

 

This was a great book, filled with practical information.  It contained lots of tips about what to look for as far as location for your plants, as well as listed plants according to how easy they are to grow.  The book pointed out common mistakes people make in growing herbs.  I have tried for years to grow herbs in the kitchen, and last summer tried outside.  The problem last year was we had so much rain that it was hard to keep the plants alive.  After finishing the book I picked up some potting soil, some new herb seeds and a container that will look great in the sunniest window in the house.  I'm hoping to get these planted next week with the kids while they are on spring break.

 

I give this book 5 stars.  Full of useful information!



Book Review: Book 17

 Book 17:

Body Sculpting Exercises for Women Over 40

By Andy Charalambous

 

This was an informative book with several good ideas about getting fit when you are over 40. It was a collection of ideas from various sources, with a variety of backgrounds.  One of the best quotes from the book was "That we age, if we are lucky enough to do it, is a given...but how we age is up to us". How true that is.  The book inspired me to look for ways to be more fit, just in lifestyle changes such as taking the steps, or getting up from my desk and moving around a little every 20 minutes or so.  It also is helping me thing about getting back on track with paying attention to what my family is eating, and trying to serve more non processed items. 

 

I plan on referring back to the chapter that contained weight lifting exercises with pictures to help those of us who are visual learners see exactly what to do.

I give this book 4 stars.  

March Challenge: Craft Room Organizing

I committed to becoming more organized in 2013, and so far it's going well...ok! To be honest, if I looked at myself through the eyes of many of my friends they would tell me to get a grip and stop thinking I need to be organized, as no offense to many of them, but I'm slightly, how shall I put it...TYPE A! Yes, I can admit it, just as I can admit that I am addicted to organization books, and organizational tips on pintrest posts. As I spent the last few hours going through my office I've come to the conclusion that the reason why I'm addicted is that I want my home to run smoothly.  For me smoothly involves a place for everything, and everything in it's place.  When this happens, I don't end up running to the store for that extra craft item the kids need or another folder, when I have a full drawer of folders the kids can choose from.  There are certainly areas of my life that stay organized better than others.

Last month the focus was photos. This is one area, that I continually have organized.  I thank Creative Memories for that, which you can read about in previous posts should you choose too. This month the challenge on Delightful Order, somewhat changed.  The writer of this blog determined that she needs to step back from all she is doing and focus on her family as they are growing up too fast.  I applaud her! One of the reasons why things are taking longer for me to get done, is I'm trying to do the same, to spend time with my kids and husband, and not be so "busy" with things that honestly can wait.  Instead of a new challenge posted each week she has posted the entire year, with the information under each tab.  This month is Craft Room organizing. For me, that means my office as my office is my craft room as well.

The first step in organizing my office was rearranging it.  It was functioning before, but was beginning to feel closed in.  By changing some things around, including turning a shelf on it's side, I've been able to find more useful storage space.  In January, I had organized my files so organizing the 2 other drawers in my desk didn't take much time.  I purged old pens, pencils and markers, and used a drawer organizer I had purchased at Ikea to maintain the top drawer.  Next up was my desk surface itself.  The  more stuff we have on a surface, honestly the more messy it can seem.  My desk top is down to my printer/scanner topped with a basket where I place my to do items, forms to fill out, or things I need to respond to.  Each Sunday, I clear it out of anything I didn't take care of during the week.  By having the items I need to take care of in this basket, it's easy to grab a couple of things to put in my purse to take with me for working on in the car, or during a break at work.  The other items on my desk are a stapler, adding machine, and a mug with a few pens, pencils and a pair of scissors, plus of course my computer. That is all.  The white space that I have open around me, makes me feel less closed in, and more productive. 

Step two for me, was my craft desk.  I got rid of those things that I set aside thinking I would use someday, and haven't yet used. Again, I focused on making sure everything that was there had a place and if it didn't belong it moved on, either to the garbage, to it's actual home in the house, or to the bin in my laundry room to donate.   From there I reorganized my paper, stickers, and other scrapbook materials.  Again, I looked at everything from the perspective of will I honestly ever use this stuff.  Funny, how the desk, craft desk and my scrapbooking things were the easy part of the process. What I worked on today was all the rest.

The rest is all those things you may need for school projects, construction paper, Styrofoam balls, pipe cleaners, envelopes for mailing things, or for projects waiting to be accomplished.  The stuff that simply is necessary, but not pretty to look at.  I looked around the house first for containers that were not being used and moved them into the office.  Then the sorting began.  I put computer type items and office supplies near my desk, and craft supplies were grouped together as well.  As I went I  made note of things that I need on my grocery list, such as business envelopes.  Here is how I grouped things:

On the shelf

Sewing machine, and sewing kit
Sewing machine parts, knitting items and cross stitch went into their own bin.
Business items for my Creative Memories business
Office items: I filed in a box, stamps, note cards, and address labels.
Projects currently being worked on have their own shelf now
Books and extra office supplies.
Markers, Crayons, Craft books
Construction paper, stencils and stickers

In a cabinet
Paint, Glue gun and glue sticks
Extra school craft supplies: glitter, Styrofoam, pipe cleaners etc
Frames to be reused
Computer related items
Camera related items

I'm thrilled it is done, as it was my topic for the month.  I still want to go back and label the shelves and items, but I like to wait for a week to make sure it is actually working for me, like I think it will before I do that.

February Challange: Organizing Printed Photos

Organizing Photos can certainly be overwhelming if you have not attempted it before, and you like most people have lots of photos in your home.  This is one of my favorite aspects of being a Creative Memories consultant.  I simply love to organize, and helping people get organized with their photos is a great way to get them started in getting their photos into their lives.


 First of all, if you are organizing printed photos, not in albums, you need a safe place to put them.  Creative Memories Power Sort boxes are perfect for this.  There are a LOT of products out there, the biggest problem is that many are made of card board, or plastic.  While they may claim to be acid free, they are not chemical free and over time chemicals from these products will leak in and damage your photos.  Creative Memories tests all of it's products in a time vault that can simulate hundreds of years later.  This allows us to be clear about what will happen to your photos over time.

As far as how to organize that will depend on what you wish to someday do with your photos. Chronological is a great way to organize.  I do keep my photos organized in this way, as well as by child, school, sports, and other potential albums I might like to create.  Album making does not have to be scrapbooking.  Using Memory Manager software I created a Picfolio album layout for my 2013 photos.  At the end of the month as I was going through the photos from the month I just moved them into the layout part of the software, and put them in order.  I sent them off to print at Walgreen's, and in 30 minutes slid 125 photos into their correct spot in the album. I am waiting for the journaling paper I ordered to arrive, but once it does I will have completed pages for all of January and February of 2013, in a total of about 2 hours time.  That is over the course of multiple days, and 15 minute increments here and there.  As, none of us have 2 hours these days to just sit down and work on a project.
 This is the picfolio I am using for 2013, and the pages that fit into it.

I also quarterly print out photos to put in various frames in our house. I think it's important to update them, in order to keep special moments in your life yearly.  I do this quarterly, so that I keep up with it, but also so that it isn't a constant job.

Once you have your photos organized, and stored somewhere working on albums, frames and other projects with them becomes so much easier.

Here are some more tips:

-Do use acid free storage- acid can discolor your photos over time, make sure to use products tested and not just listed as acid free. Look for ISO# that means these products are up to International Standards. 
-Photos need to live where you do, not in a hot attic or damp basement!
-Don't use plastic bags, or the cardboard sleeves the photos come back from the store in to organize your photo's.
-Don't use post it notes. After time, the adhesive will stick to your photo.
-Don't use pencil or ink on the back of your photos. If you are not having them printed with information on them, then use a photo marking pencil. Yes, Creative Memories has these!


Now Get started!
- create a large space to work
- realize it is a process
-decide how you wish to organize and create post it note labels to put above the stacks as you sort them
-decide what you will store them in
-sort and file
-give yourself permission to throw out those photos that are horrible (over exposed, or just plain bad!)
-once you get everything you have organized, create a space to always put those that need to be filed, if you are not filing them right away.
-keep up with it, like paper if you don't stick to it, it will pile up.

I've been working on several photo projects lately and my file of photos to put away has gotten pretty full, so I'll be getting those put back into their boxes this weekend.

I'm grateful for the tips shared on http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2013/02/february-challenge-organizing-photos_19.html?spref=tw  I'm hoping next month's challage is one that involves a place I haven't given much thought, to keep me motivated for getting my home even more organized.

Book Review: Book 16

 Book 16: Always Looking Up, The adventures of an incurable optimist

By Michael J. Fox

 

 

I've always enjoyed reading and learning about people. Which is why when I saw this book on sale for $2.99 at Amazon, I quickly bought it.  It's not that I was disappointed really, I mean how can you say you are disappointed with someones own story of their life.  I just expected it to be different.  I can't even imagine all that he has had to go through in his life.  Being a celebrity is not always easy I'm sure.  Then to be diagnosed with Parkinson's is a huge trial.  I like the fact that he talks about in the book, having to look at what is happening now, and deal with it, not worrying about what is happening in the future.  The book mainly described his journey in getting his non profit organization up and running.  His fight along the campaign trail for funding for stem cell research, and then briefly what life is like for him now with his family.

 

The book is good, don't get me wrong. I just picked it up thinking it would be more about his family life than his non profit organization, and his life in this new role.

 

 

I give this book 3 stars.  Many will love it, it just wasn't quite for me.



February Challenge: Organizing Photos (Back Up)

This month the theme is organizing photos.  Something I'm thankful that I already have a system for.  True sometimes I get behind on keeping that system going but, just the same I have a system in place.

While it would be ideal to sit down every time I take photos and to go through them that is just not in my time table.  Instead I go through them about once a month, sometimes more if I have the chance.  As I mentioned in a previous post I use and LOVE Creative Memories Memory Manager software. I could not live without it in organizing photos. So as not to repeat myself, see the previous post if you want more information on this product.

To start my monthly organization I take my camera, iphone, and ask my husband to email me, any photos that he has taken, and load them into Memory Manager. 

Next, I sort through them and delete the ones that are really not any good. When sorting I try to rate the ones that I really like, with the star rating system that is in the program.  I sort them into various folders, which is great because 1 photo, does not need to be saved 5 times to be located in the various folders.  For example a picture of all of my family goes in the year folder, and each of our individual folders.  From there if I need to find a picture I can just search based on what I am looking for.

As I come across photos that I would like to share, I can quickly email them to the person I want to share them with, post them on Facebook, or print them out.

Finally, and this is the challenge for the week, I back up all of my photos to a DVD.  Once they are backed up, I delete them from my phone and camera so that I have more space on both of those devices.  At the end of the year, I also back up the entire year to our external drive. 

I store the DVD's currently in my home, but have been thinking about how important it is to move them to another home or location.  The reason for this is I would like to think we will never have a fire, but should it happen, I'd like to be able to get to my photos again.  I think for me this will be the challenge step, to find a safe container to store them in, label and then find the person who would be willing to keep that container in their home.

Don't forget to back up your photos! Computers are great, but we all know the horror stories of people losing everything.  Memory Manager reminds you periodically to back up your photos too, which is also wonderful, because sometimes on our own we'd forget.

Book review: Books 13, 14, 15 I couldn't STOP reading!!

 Book 13: Ready or Not by Chautona Havig

This book was simply captivating.  The writing was clever, and pulled you into the story. The story is about a young girl named Aggie whose family endures a devastating loss of her sister and her brother-in-law in a car accident, followed by a terrible mistake at the hospital.  With both parents now deceased Aggie finds herself inheriting the couples 8 children.  Aggie, just out of college is thrown into the role of Aunt Mommy, and all that goes with it. 

Thinking about my own 2 children it's hard to imagine how difficult being thrown into the role of raising 2 would be let alone 8.  She is alone, as her parents can't help even though they would love to as her Mother suffers from a heart condition and can't be over stimulated.  Her sister and brother-in-law also had been  wise in their planning for an emergency such as this, because they knew that the mother-in-law, was to put it mildly...CRAZY!  This can be evident as you find Aggie going through trying to undo the damage she caused by telling the children they could not cry after the loss of their parents as it wouldn't be appropriate to display such emotion.

Quickly she realizes that the home she also inherited is not going to be conducive to raising the children, so finding a new one becomes a priority.  She finds herself finding a wonderful home, further out in a small town, that is ideal.  Ideal aside from the fact that it is a complete fixer upper!  She begins to tackle the job with the help of Luke, her car dealer Zeke's nephew who turns homes for a living.  Project after project begins, and in the midst of renovations illness, schooling and life must continue on.  The author did a great job of making all of these events seem real, and remind you of similar events in your life. 

Does Aggie survive the GIL (Grandmother-in-law), renovations and becoming the Aunt Mommy?  Reading the book is the only way to truly tell, or reading the rest of this book review since I couldn't STOP reading!

Having finished book 1 of the series I quickly found myself screaming (silently of course) WAIT... you didn't finish the story!  Will Aggie make friends with those in the new community, will she finish the renovations, how will she survive the next step of child rearing?!  Luckily, a quick scroll down my list of books I had downloaded as they came up as FREE choices for my Kindle revealed book 2!!

 For Keeps (book 2) by Chautona Havig

Aggie has survived the move, some dealings with the GIL and now is about done with the home renovations, thanks to Luke, Luke's Uncle Zeke and his family, as well as her good friend Tina that has come to help her survive life as a Mom of 8. Yet, just like Motherhood the adventure does not stop there.  Now she is facing even more issues with the GIL, as well as realizing that getting 5 children out the door to school, especially now that they are dealing with a chicken pox nightmare is just not going to happen.  The most logical thing, especially since she did major in education in college, is to home school.  I know many people have more than 2 children, and home school, but personally I can't even imagine trying to run a household with 8 small children, home school them, and feed, clothe, and stay sane all without help.  While Aggie has friends, that have come along side her, it still isn't the same. 

 

Then a surprise letter arrives giving her another option.  Will she jump at it, and throw admit that she can't continue on the way she has, or will she look for her own option. Her one friend, William, an over protective policeman from the small town that she has moved to, decides he knows the solution. He tells, well I guess offers, to marry her.  What?!?  Not only can she not believe it herself, she is shocked as he seems to always be the one to tell her how she is doing everything wrong.  On top of that, he has a secret when it comes to the house, that she finds herself trying to unravel.

 

Aggie is doing her best, and thankfully Luke, the handyman, turned good friend, is there to remind her to be who she is and keep plugging away.  What will happen to their relationship....frantically flipping through the list of books on my Kindle I discovered that luckily I had previously downloaded

 

 

 

 Book 3 Here We Come

 

Luke and Aggie have become great friends in the first two books.  Now it's time for Luke's secret. He loves Aggie. During the end of book 2 he finds himself being forced to tell her, to hopefully save her from making a mistake.  Will she love him back. One look at the cover and you probably can guess the answer. Yet, again is there time with 8 kids to learn how to love someone.  Isn't it hard enough to learn how to survive?

 

As she falls in love with Luke, they begin to learn how to make it through wedding preparations, broken bones, homeschooling dilemma's and of course Christmas.  Will they be able to survive the biggest nightmare of all?  I would love to say what that nightmare is, and if they survive it or not together, but I should leave you with some mysteries, especially if you are willing to start reading the first book.  If you do pick it up, be prepared, you could end up like me, trying to find bits and pieces of time to keep reading!

 

Chautona Havig, has a gift of storytelling.  All 3 books, if I had time to read straight through would have only taken me a few days to read.  Not having that kind of time they took about 13 days to finish.  I realize for 3 novels that is still pretty fast, but it certainly helps when you spend a lot of time sitting in line to pick up kids, or unfortunately at the doctor's office with a child.  They were all easy reads, and well worth the time.  The stories not only were captivating they reminded me, like Aggie we all feel the need to give up at times.  To think "I can't do this", but God has other plans.  With Him we can do anything, and when we focus on Him, it becomes much easier to do just that, make it through anything.

 

I would give the whole series 5 stars. 

 

Next up on my reading list:

Always Looking Up The Adventures of the Incurable Optimist by Micheal J. Fox

February Organization Challange: Organizing Photos (Digital Photos)

I was so excited to start this new month's challenge with http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2013/02/february-challenge-organizing-photos.html, until I saw what it was.  This month's focus is on photos. It isn't that I'm not excited about organizing my photos, it's just...well I already do it!  If you know me, you know that I am a Creative Memories Consultant, who LOVES photos!  The reason I became a consultant was because I have a ton of photos, and wanted to get my products at cost.  Back 7 years ago, Happy Anniversary to me this month, it was all about the albums.  Yet, times have changed, my life has changed, and now it's about the software, and easy projects.  My life is so busy I don't have time for much else, but I FIRMLY believe that you need to get your photos in your life, if you are going to take photos during your life.

So, this month it's time to get them organized. That is another reason why I'm a consultant, so if you need help, here is my shameless plug...call me, text me, message me, it's really not difficult to get those photos organized, even if it's a few a day. I have some tips below, but if you need more help, please let me know.

Tips for Organizing Digital Photos
1. Find a system you like. Personally, being a consultant time for another shameless plug,  I could not live without Creative Memories Memory Manager

http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/kropwithkathy/Content/Shop/Catalog.aspx?pr=BrowseCategory&s=/Hierarchy/Digital%20Solutions/Software/Software&dpr=BrowseCategory&ds=/Hierarchy/Digital%20Solutions/Software

This software allows you to pull in photos from your camera, phone, computer, flash drive, etc and easily organize them by categories. Unlike organizing them simply on your computer, with this software you can organize them in multiple folders at once, so that if you are ever looking for photos of a certain subject, for example photos of your kids together in the year 2013, you can click on the year 2013 folder, and your kids folder and ask it to show you only pictures that are in both folders. With 2 clicks  you would be able to find what you were looking for, instead of scrolling endlessly through photos. You can also rate your photos to narrow the search to those you absolutely love-5 stars, to those you kind of love-3 stars.  You set up your own folders, so the categories can be as broad as you want or, for me, type A crazy person that I am, as narrow as you want. Sharing to Facebook, or emailing is only a click away too.  On top of that you can get rid of the dreaded red eyes, or if you take lots of pictures that seem to dark or too bright you can change that as well.

2. Once you have a system, take time to use it.  I make a habit of monthly pulling all the pictures off of my phone, and camera cards.  I sort the photos into my folders and then BACK THEM UP on a dvd. 

3. Back up your photos!!!!  Once you've pulled them from a card or phone you need to back them up.  Computers are not safe, back up those photos! Memory Manager gives you periodical reminders to do just that, and is very easy to follow when you are ready to back up.

4. Once you back up, clear your camera cards, or phones of pictures you don't need access to all the time.  Camera cards were not designed to hold photos forever, and on the phone they take up space. Once they are safely stored in your file system, back them up and the delete them from the extra place they are.  Again, I do this monthly.

5. Finally, share them! On Facebook, via email, and PRINT some!  Put them on the fridge, in frames or in albums.  If you took the time to take them, take the time to share them.

I have a feeling a future photo organization tip will be about getting these photos in your life, so I'll save the rest of my ranting until then!

I LOVE photos, and I'm truly not trying to annoy anyone, but Memory Manager is so simple to use, and makes everything so organized, you really do need to check it out. www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy
Look for the tutorial/demo. It will be worth your time.

Book Review: Book 12

Book 12

Unforgetable

My Love Has Come Along

 by Ann Marie Bryan

 

This book was...I guess the best thing would be to say it wasn't for me.  I'm sure many people would enjoy the romance, and faith based aspects of this book.  I feel very strongly about  my faith, and agree that it should be the center of my life.  This book, just was a bit over the top with the mentioning of faith.  It made me feel as if I'm completely lacking in the faith that I have. 

 

To be honest I ended up doing more skimming than actual reading. I did finish the whole book, I have a hard time stopping reading something unless it is absolutely horrible, but I just never really got into it.  I didn't start the "skimming" reading until I was 78% done with the book though, so it was not that I didn't give it a try.

The main story is about Anna and Orane and their meeting, friendship and the love they find together.  Orane lives in Jamaica and Anna, whose family lives in Jamaica, now lives in Florida.  Will they be able to get together, and spend the time they need with each other to form a lasting relationship?  This may be the biggest test of their faith that they have ever faced.

 

For the right reader, this book I'm sure would be enjoyed. I give it 1 star, because it simply wasn't for me.

 

 

Up next on my Kindle:

Body Sculpting Exercises for Women Over 40

and

Ready or Not by Chautona Havig

 

 

Book Review: Book 11

Book 11

Getting More Things Done

Simple Secrets to Become Focused and Organized in a Productive Stress Free Way

by Michelle Evans

 

This book was a really quick read. I think it took me about an hour. The book was trying to help people become more organized with their time, which in turn will create less stress in ones life.  The main point was that "People who want to be more productive in their lives need to realize that in order for them to manage their time better, writing their goals down somewhere will make all the difference in being able to achieve those goals."  This truth is what has helped me in so many ways. 

 

The book discusses different ways to begin writing things down, but stresses that finding what works for you is the best idea. For me, personally, I use cozicentral.com as my primary list making area. It allows me to text lists to my husband and children when I make a list for them, as well as manage the lists on my computer, Kindle, and Iphone.  It is easy to use, and with it being with me where ever I go, it makes it easy for me to remember to use it.  It also can be FREE if you use the version with ads.  So far I haven't found a need to use the paid version.  The main system that the author suggests using is google calendar. I also use this app for my calendar, and it is able to sync with everyone in my family and again, it's FREE!

 

If you are struggling with getting things done, and need tips for figuring out a system that works for you, this quick read is a great place to start.

 

I give this book 5 stars.



Book Review: Book 10

Book 10: Restorations by Bonnie Blythe

 

This book was a delightful read. It's romance aspect was not sticky sweet, it was not perfect, and kept you hoping the main characters would figure it out. It was also clean, which is refreshing to read in a romance.

 

The story was about Sara, who has inherited her Grandfather's farmhouse.  She comes to discover her old boyfriend Brian, not only living in town, but living on her property.  He is a builder in need of a job, can she trust him and her heart to do the job she now has to do?   Sara's Aunt tries to help her along her journey, but sometimes, just like Sara, we have to learn to do things on our own.  This was such an enjoyable book, I don't want to give to much away.

 

I give this quick and light read 5 stars!



Book Review: Book 9

Book 9: Young Teens

Teenage Behaviour

A Parents Guide to Dealing with Communication

by Elizabeth Goodchild

 

 

I really don't like starting off saying DON'T READ this BOOK, but that's what I have to say.  I strongly believe that my job is not to be my child's best friend, and to support EVERYTHING they do.  My role is to be their parent, to guide them, to love them unconditionally, and to stand by them when they are doing well, as well as when they fail.  I will not support every decision they make, as they are going to make bad decisions.  I did when I was their age, and I will at my age.  Does that mean I won't be by their side if their bad decision leads to punishment?  No, I will be by their side, to lovingly guide them in their mistakes. 

 

Parents today are doing a disservice to their kids by being their friend at an early age.  If that upsets you, I can not apologize for it.  Our role as parents is to be the mature decision  maker, the director.  Sure, there are moments when we do things that are more "friend based", for example our date nights with our kids.  However, my kids know that while I hope to someday be their friend, as Mom I can't be just like their friends.  I need to stand a part as someone that will help them to become more responsible, educated, and aware of the world around them and what we believe, and why we believe it. Our kids know that they can talk to us about anything, and that they have permission to say "please listen calmly".  They know that we will listen, discuss and advise.  As they get older their choice to listen to that advice is more for them to decide, it comes with releasing them into the world.  They also know that we will not share what they have told us with anyone, without permission, with the exception of if they are in immediate danger, physically, mentally, or emotionally.  Due to this, they do talk to us.

 

I agree with the author that communication is important, and that we need to ask questions beyond "how was your day".  Those types of questions lead to the 1 word answer of "fine" which really doesn't tell us much about our kids.  I also agree with the author that we need to actually STOP and listen to our kids. Turn off the tv, turn the cell phone upside down and ignore it, turn the radio off.  We need to show them that they are valued and what they say matters.  Those were about the only things I agreed with in this book.

 

Moral choices are being taken for granted these days.  There used to be moral absolutes, right and wrong.  Now we are told to teach tolerance as if whatever choice you  make is fine, because it feels good to you.  I do not believe in teaching tolerance.  I believe in teaching respect, and loving people the way God loves them, which is by seeing them as people first.  All people, including me, and my kids will make mistakes. While I can be loved and respected through my mistake, it shouldn't be tolerated.  If a person gets behind the wheel of a car drunk, their action should not be tolerate.  Every choice is not ok.  I'm sure if you have a differing opinion you are not tolerating me right now, and you know what, that is fine!  You can still respect that we are people, and that we have different views, without agreeing with my views.  That does not mean that you should roll over and say "whatever you feel is fine!" BECAUSE IT IS NOT!!! There are moral absolutes, and since I'm on my soapbox, which considering this is my blog I'm allowed to be on, the #1 problem with the world today is that we no longer believe in right and wrong! 

 

The author has her opinion, I'm sure she has a background degree that makes her credible.  I can respect that she believes and agrees with what she wrote.  I can not however, suggest that the advice in her book be followed blindly.  She did have some valid points, and the book was a very quick read, I believe 30 minutes.  That is the best I can say.

 

I give this book 0 stars. 

January Organization Challange: Organizing Papers Week 5: Organizing Children's Papers and Paint Swatches

The month is almost over, which seems really hard to believe. The older I get the faster the time seems to slip away.  I feel pretty good about the organization that has taken place this month.  Some of that comes from the fact that I already have some paper organization systems in place, which has led me to not have too much "organizing paper" homework.

Organizing Children's papers certainly can be a chore, considering how much paper they use.  In fact, if I had more time in my life I'd probably start a campaign to get all schools to give kids Ipad's do do all their work on so as to stop the huge about of paper that is copied and then thrown out in some way after it has been used.  Yet, since I don't have that kind of time, I use the recycling bin at our house faithfully with kids papers.

Once again, the challenge organizer has some great tips for you to use on her blog about organizing Children's papers. 
http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-challenge-organizing-papers_25.html#

Since I already have a plan in place here is what I do:
1. Birth certificates, SS cards, Passports are kept in a fire safe box
2. In my desk I keep a file marked with both of my kids names for papers that I need access too on a fairly regular basis. For example: shot record, current school schedule, my copy of any Dr notes that have been sent to school, current sports card information
3. In my kitchen I also have a file for each child. When they bring papers home from school they go in that file for about a month. That way I can make sure that their teacher has logged the grade.  Sometimes grades get missed and it's helpful to have that information.
4. At the end of the month those papers get sorted either into the recycling bin or into their papers to keep box which I keep on a shelf in my laundry room for easy access.
5. Once a year we go back through the papers to keep box to see if the papers in there are really ones that after a year we still care about.
6. I have a clip for each child on the side of the refrigerator for important papers that we need to refer to often.  Current newsletter, HW assignment information, etc. I go through those monthly too and recycle what we are done with.


Children's Art Work is a whole different beast of it's own. It gradually decreases, which is a little bit sad when you realize how much they've grown up.  I used to hang it all on a closet door and once a month take a picture of it.  I'd put the picture in their School Year's scrapbook, and then keep only those things that were really important to me.  As the art started to decrease I have framed, with Target frames, artwork from each of my kids that they were really proud of and have it hanging in various places in the house, as our home's art. 

I do scrapbook their school years, in their own albums so I have a file in my office, scrapbook area for school programs and ticket stubs or fliers that I may want for the album. I scrapbook their school year, each year, in June when school is over for the year.  It's a good way to be able to put all of the information together at one time. 

The big thing with children's paperwork, or any paperwork for that matter is pitch/recycle what you don't need. You really don't need to keep every spelling test, or math paper your child has ever completed.


Organizing Paint Swatches is something I haven't thought much about, however sounds like a good idea.  I don't really have any I need to organize at the moment, but do plan on adding a file folder to my desk labeled house information where I will place information about colors for the home, so should I need to purchase paint, or other items I will be able to access it.  I plan on seeing how the file folder works for me, before I consider purchasing a binder.

January Organization Challange: Organizing Papers Week 4: Coupon and Receipts

Week 4 of the Organization Challenge for the month of January is tackling coupons and receipts. These much needed, much space taker uppers can be a hassle to organize and a hassle to maintain, unless you have a system.  On the blog http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-challenge-organizing-paper.html she talks about using binders to organize both items.  I too use binders to organize coupons and receipts.

Starting with coupons.  I have used the little accordion pocket organizer in the past, but never seemed to be able to maintain a system.  About a year ago a friend mentioned that they used a binder with baseball card holders for the pages.  It took a little bit of time to get set up, but I have found this method works great for me as well.
Here are the steps I've taken:
1. Find a binder in a color you like
2. Purchase 1 pack of clear baseball card sleeves (can be found near baseball cards at least at Walmart)
3. Put the sleeves into the binder and use a labeling system of some kind, (I used post it note strips and scotch tape) to divide the binder into the various types of coupons. For example, breakfast foods, beverages, snacks, cans, meat, paper products, beauty products etc.  If you shop primarily at one store I suggest keeping the sections in order of the store aisle.
4. I use the front pocket of the binder for restaurant coupons and the back pocket for store specific coupons (Bed, Bath, Beyond etc)
5. Set up a place to put coupon fliers as they come into the house. Mine is a Tupperware container in my kitchen cabinet with my recipe books
6. Set a time to cut coupons (tv time, day of the week, etc)
7. File coupons when you cut them into the pockets of the baseball card sleeves
8. Once a month go through the binder and pitch expired coupons
9. Keep the binder where it is easy to access if you are at a store. My binder stays in the car. I just grab it out when I need to file coupons and put it right back so it is ready to go to the store with me.
10. For more information you can google search coupon binder, and find various ways to set one up
11. DON'T BUY THINGS YOU WILL NEVER USE!!!!  I know coupons are great, but is it really a deal if you don't use it, dislike it, or would never buy it without a coupon?  Just something to consider

Receipts are a whole different stack of paper that seems to be taking up space. I use a binder for receipts as well.
My set up looks like this:
1. Front pocket for paid bills: once I get the next statement showing the previous month has been accounted for I shred the already paid bill, and replace it with the bill I am paying for that month
2. Pocket for Large Item purchases
3. Pocket for Christmas Receipts
4. Pocket for Internet orders that do not charge tax (have to account for these on taxes)
5. Pockets for each month
I file the receipts as they come in after I've logged them in my Money Matters software.
I also shred anything that I don't need to keep, for example the Caribou Coffee receipt is no needed once logged, as I'm not going to be returning the coffee! Use a shredder and only keep what is necessary!!!

With my coupons and receipts filed, there is a lot less extra paper lying around.  I also have a accordion folder with a file marked receipts, where we place all receipts, bills or deposits coming into the house before they are logged, paid or taken to be deposited.  That way the financial stuff is always taken care of.

Happy Organizing!

Book Reviews: Book 8

 Book 8:

My Year with Eleanor by Noelle Hancock

 

This was the eighth book I've read this year, and the first one that, I'm sorry to say, I didn't really like all that much.  It had funny moments, and insightful moments, but some of it was just troubling.  The story is a memoir of Noelle's life having lost her job and trying to figure out what to do next.  She stumbles upon books about Eleanor Roosevelt and becomes intrigued on all that she overcome to be the person she was in the end.  The fact that Eleanor had a horrible childhood, and became a model for successful women is wonderful.  However, some details about her life that were shared in the book were troubling. I don't wish to share them here, as I have not researched to see if they are true or not, nor do I want to.  I'd honestly rather not know any more than I do about Eleanor.

 

I don't feel justified in saying that this was a bad story, afterall it was the author's life experience. How can I judge someone's life to be a bad story, as it is their story?  The events were told in a creative way, and I can certainly see how losing one's job would send a person into a time of trying to figure out what is next, and who they want to be.  I did finish the book, I have a hard time not finishing something unless it is horrible, and I would not by any means call this book horrible.  I'm sure many would find it a great book, and truly enjoyable.  I did find it on Kindle for very cheap, and had heard good things about it, which is what inspired me to actual purchase this one. I think I paid $1.99. 

 

 

I would suggest that if you are going to read it, you look for it at the library.

 

I would give this book 2.5 stars.





Organizational Thoughts for Digital Paper Piles

I'm convinced that a lot of people who are organized think that they aren't, just as lots of thin people think they are not at the right weight. Something weird is in our brains that makes us feel this way. If there is a good thing from this weird connection that is going on up there it's that we keep looking for ways to get more organized. Or, as we read all those organizational tips we read we think, maybe I'm already organized.

Regardless, I have openly admitted that I am one of those people that can't stop reading about being more organized.  On pinterest, I jump at the organizational pins, I've accepted the Organizational Challenge for 2013 on the Delightful Order Blog, and my non fiction books on my Kindle mainly deal with organization.  So, it would come to no surprise that when I opened up All You Magazines February issue and read the caption "Get Ahead, Organizing Papers" I couldn't wait to read the article.  Considering this lines up with the months challenge I was even more excited.

The magazine outlines 4 steps that they feel should be taken with paper organization.
1. Clear the clutter- they talk about not keeping physical junk mail, as well as not keeping digital junk mail.

 2. Sort documents- this was the magazines second tip.  Again, part of this month's challenge. They did include a place to go for a list of things to save/shred. http://www.allyou.com/budget-home/organizing-cleaning/

3. Maintain your inbox- suggestion is to take 10 minutes a day to organize this.  Don't have 10 minutes?  If you have a smart phone this can be done while waiting in line anywhere.  Use your time wisely.

If you follow my blog, you know that I've already posted this month about handling mail, but what about the digital mail that we get bogged down with. I try to get rid of things in my inbox as fast as I can. If it's junk email I just delete it as soon as I see it. If it's important and I need to take action of some kind on it, I flag it, and leave it in the inbox until I've done what I need to on it. If it is something that I might need to refer to later, I move it to a file marked with labels such as finances, school, hockey, diving and so on. Here's the big step though that we forget to do. Go back through those files too at some point down the road and delete unnecessary emails we still have. With January being about reorganizing files I've begun sorting through the digital wasteland again. Each time I check email, I have been taking 5 minutes to go through one of my digital files and delete things I know longer need. I know that digital files aren't making a mess on my desk, but for this organizational crazy person, it feels good to delete a file I know longer need.

I'm also doing this for the other digital forms of papers on my computer. I have a file for both of my kids for their school work, as well as a file for home, hockey, PTA, etc. When I save a document, I take the extra time, of 3 seconds, to save it to the correct file. Again, going back periodically and purging those as well.

4. Make a plan They suggest, as does anyone who ever has written about organization, that you have to have a plan and stick with it.  Find one that works for you. What I do, might help, but it also might be too much, or too little depending on who you are and what you consider important.  Pick and choose ideas from what you read, or hear about and go for it.  It's about you, not someone else.  We are all different, and need to find what works for us, or we won't stick to it at all.


Good luck, and Happy Organizing!!

January Organization Challange: Organizing Papers Week 3 Organizing Papers (Inspiration)

This week, or last week as the case is at this moment, was about organizing the papers that we collect because they inspire us in some way.  These papers come from magazines, or websites that we've printed off information for.  While the challenge suggests using binders, my amount of inspirational papers don't take up that much space. I simply have a file folder in my "misc." category in my file drawer labeled magazine clippings.  If something in a magazine jumps out at me, I pull it out and stick it in there.  Occasionally, I go through this file and see if I'm still feeling inspired by it.

I also use pinterst http://pinterest.com/kathrandolph/ Feel free to follow me.  I think, if nothing else this is a great way to organize all those great ideas without having piles of physical paper stacking up on you in your home.  Periodically, I look at my boards and delete, or rearrange as I feel necessary. 

For recipes I use a website called http://saymmm.com/ you can copy recipes from pinterest there as well as from other sites.  You can also type in recipes, which means you really don't need to rip them out of your magazines, just take a minute or two to type them in. This site is also great for menu planning!

I also have a accordion file where I keep ticket stubs, or programs that I might want to use for scrapbooking purposes.  The file is organized by topic, school, sports etc, as well as months for things that would only go in our family albums. I really try to use the rule of thumb of "only touch it once" for all paper types.  Touch it once from the mailbox to the office, or from the school music event to the file for programs.  This way things stay organized without the pile up before it gets to it's final destination.

My biggest suggestion for this week's challenge is only save what you really need.  You don't need the whole magazine, if you are only interested in one article.  You can always scan and keep the article on your computer in a file and then pass the magazine onto a friend, or simply rip out the article and recycle the rest. 

Happy Organization!!

Book Review: Book 7

Book 7:

The Mother Daughter Book Club Wish You Were Eyre by Heather Vogel Frederick

 

I stumbled upon this series of books last year when I was looking for a way to get my daughter to be more interested in reading. As it happened she wasn't all that interested in starting this series.  Not because the books didn't appeal to her, but rather because she found herself hooked on a different series shortly after I started reading these books.  I read the other 5 in 2012, and found them to be addictive.  The books are based on a group of Mothers who decide to start a book club with their daughters. A club that at the beginning the daughters really aren't interested in. These middle school age girls aren't all friends, and certainly don't want to be friends. Through the series though a friendship is developed during interesting circumstances, and soon these girls find themselves to be true friends.  They also find themselves reading and learning about authors and seeing life through the eyes of the characters they are reading about.

 

In this latest adventure, the girls are reading Jane Eyre and learning about the life of Charlotte Bronte. They realize that Jane took bold steps in her life in the book Jane Eyre, and that sometimes you have to, as the girls put it "get your Jane on" and be bold enough to speak up for what you are feeling and thinking.  Not always an easy task for teenagers, or adults for that matter.

 

 

I know this book is geared towards the teen market, but I found the books to be enjoyable as well.  The characters were real, people you could truly find yourself meeting in schools across the world.  I would recommend these books for Mothers as well as Daughters.  I even found myself reading the books that were read in the book.  Some of which I haven't read since I was a teen, and others that I have never read before.  I'm pretty sure I will be encouraging my daughter to read these in the future. 

 

While this book is available on Kindle, I borrowed it from the library.

 

I'm giving this book 5 stars!  







Book Review: Book 6

 

 

Book 6:

Tell Your Time: How to Manage Your Schedule So You Can Live Free

 by Amy Lynn Andrews

 

 

This book was an extremely quick read.  The author was very concise in what she was saying, not wanting to use much of your time for you to read it. (sorry, there had to be a time joke involved!) She starts by saying "if you want to manage your time, the sum total hours of your daily activities should be less than twenty-four."  Most of us would respond to saying "well, duh!" when we read that, but most of us also schedule way more into twenty-four hours than will ever realistically fit in that time frame. It really is a simple formula for managing time, the problem is we don't think of time the way we do of money, or calories, when we are trying to control either of them.  We just keep using it up, not giving it much thought until it is depleted, and we are are desperately trying to find more of it.

 

She suggests that we look at time in two ways and that we adopt both of these principles. The first one: Envelopes of time.  Like money and paying bills we can only use as much time as we have.  We were only given twenty-four hours in a day, so trying to use twenty-six or more will never work. (unless you live on Bajor-google it, if you don't understand). The idea is that we should list the number of activities we want to accomplish in a day and then divvy up the activities in the frame of the twenty-four hours. If there isn't enough time for one of the activities, then we have to either take time away from a different activity, or give up that activity that we ran out of time for.  Of course we are masters of giving up the activity we ran out of time for, usually at the expense of our sleep, personal time, or exercise time.

 

The second principle: Freedom within boundaries. The author suggests that we are wired and function better within boundaries. That too  much freedom can cause chaos, and too little can also be harmful.  The trick is to find the balance.  As a teacher, I find it interesting that the classes and students that tell me over and over again that they like when I'm their sub, are the same classes that I won't  let get away with anything.  The reason I keep coming back to is that I set very clear boundaries for these classes, as do their classroom teachers, and when they function within these boundaries they tend to feel more freedom to make good choices as they are clear on what is expected of them.  Time management really is the same scenario.  When we set boundaries for what we are trying to accomplish in a day, we are able to feel freedom to make choices as we go.  Somethings might have to get moved, but with the boundaries of time working for us, it is easier to adjust when things need to be shuffled around.

 

The author said that "stress associated with too-full a schedule has little to do with time at all; it has everything to do with our choices." and that we need to "take control. Tell time how to work for you. Don't be subject to it".

Yet, how do we do that.  She quoted Annie Dillard " How we live our days, of course, is how we live our lives".  I've heard it said if you take out your checkbook and look at who gets your money you would soon see what you value in life. The same really can be said, as Annie did, about our time.  Who or what are we investing in.  Obviously, there are some things that we have to do. Yet, why are we doing those things.  When we start by deciding what matters in our lives, and what we want to invest our time in doing, we will be more productive in our tasks.

 

We must find purpose.  Don't tune out now, I know that it can be overwhelming to think about our purpose in life. Still, what are the reasons we exist?  If someone was to look back on my life, what would they say I accomplished? What really matters?  In the book she says we need to start by looking at our roles.  Our first role should be "self" and we shouldn't feel bad about that. Guilt is a huge deal for people, and I think especially women.  We need to put our selves at the top of our list in roles, as if we are not healthy and functioning well, the rest of our roles suffer.  From there we should list our other roles, and also within those roles what our primary job is. After we do this we are then able to focus on how we want to get those jobs, that are needed for our role, accomplished.

 

It sounds like a lot of work, but really it isn't.  Stop for just a minute and think about your role as, for instance a spouse.  What is your primary job in that role?  What kind of person do you want to be in that role?

 

Primary job in that role for me, is to love and respect my husband, and to be his help mate.  How can I do that?  By making sure I take time to spend with him.  On a daily basis, spending time with him can be as simple as eating dinner together, sending brief texts throughout the day, and finding time to talk before going to bed.  On a larger scale, planning and sticking to date nights. 

 

Once roles and jobs for those roles are established it's time to plot them out into your day. She uses what she calls the grid.  Stating that all jobs fall into a couple of categories. Nonnegotiable or Negotiable, and also within both of those categories you have flexible or fixed time.  Things that would be nonnegotiable would be things that we will do, some of them are set in fixed times, such as our jobs, others are set in more flexible times, such as how many hours we sleep.  Then there are the things we might do, again either fixed in a time, such as my son's hockey schedule, or have a more flexible time frame, such as going out for an evening to a movie, or a coffee shop.

 

All things we do fit into these categories. Once we place them in the grid we then put them on our schedule by listing out the number of hours in the day and blocking in first the nonnegotiable and then the negotiable items.

 

I know I took a lot of "time" to write my thoughts down on the book.  I feel it had some great suggestions.  I try to manage my time by looking at what is really important, and this year already feel as if I've given myself more "freedom" in my schedule by not planning to many things for one day.  I would recommend this book for anyone, whether they are struggling to manage their time or not as it gives a fresh perspective for everyone to consider.

 

When we get to the end of the day, the week, month, year, or our lives, will we be able to say we invested ourselves into what matters?  Relationships are usually what is most important to us, and while I'm not suggesting we never dust the house, or vacuum again as we need to spend more "time" on those relationships, I am suggesting that we think about whether we are too busy doing those things in a frantic way that we aren't allowing ourselves time for the things that really matter.

 

I would give the book 5 stars.  Check it out on Amazon, as this was another one of my "free" books for my Kindle.

 

Happy Reading, hope you can find the time!

Book Review: Book 5

Book 5 is The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts

the 3rd book of the Boonsboro Trilogy

 

 

When I finished typing up my review for Book 4, also from this trilogy, I went to our library website and ordered the last book in the series. I was shocked when I went up to the library later that afteroon and the book was already there. When it comes to reading my biggest problem is, once I've started a book, especially if I am enjoying it, I have a hard time putting the book down.  This book was that type of book.

 

The Perfect Hope focuses mainly on the characters of Hope and Ryder.  Hope is the Inn Keeper, and Ryder the head of the construction aspect of the Montgomery brothers team.  They are as different as can be, and having read the other 2 books in the series, destine to be together.  The problem is, whether or not they will figure out that they truly belong together. 

 

All three books also contain a character named Lizzy, who is the inns resident ghost.  Throughout the series the reader learns more about Lizzy's story, and what she is looking for.  Book 3 wraps up her story, with an interesting twist. Love, is the underlying theme in all 3 of the books, and Nora Roberts did a good job of keeping the story moving along, the reader engaged, with only occassional adult themed material.  Having read some of her other books back in college, she has really toned down her romance material, which is much appreciated, as I like a good romance book without the imagery that it sometimes can go to far with.

 

I would recommend this whole series.  As the last words were read, I was regretting the fact that this book was a part of a trilogy, as it would be nice to follow the characters beyond this book.

 

I would give this book 5 stars.

 

Up next: Wish You Were Eyre from the Mother Daughter Book Club Series, as my fiction choice,  Crazy Love- an on going book I'm reading along with my small group Bible Study, and Tell Your Time: How to Manage Your Schedule so You Can Live Free

 



Quick Grocery Shopping Tips

Organization is something I haven't always had a good sense of control over. Trust me if you asked my Mom, my room was never clean enough or organized enough. I was for a long time a person who would tell you, "Don't touch it, I know exactly what pile it is in!" I'm really not sure what changed, other that getting addicted to organizational books, and finding that I needed to take control of my time, or it would get away from me.

Grocery shopping is one of those necessary evils.  I haven't met too many people who really enjoy going grocery shopping.  I think some of the issue is, it takes time to make a list, gather the groceries, remember the coupons and then load them from the cart to the belt, from the belt to the cart and back to the car.  Then to top it off, you have put them away.  I have found a few tricks in the last few years that really help with all of those issues.

First, let's start with the list.  In order to make the list, at least for me, I have to have menus established. I need to know what I'm planning on cooking and what ingredients I'm going to need. I discovered http://saymmm.com/.  This site allows you to plan a month, a day, a week.  There is an area where you can save links to create a recipe database, which if you are using Pintrest is wonderful! You can also create your grocery list on this site, however I don't use that feature.  It typically takes me about 15 minutes to plan a weeks worth of menus.  While planning menus I keep an eye on my google calendar.  This allows me to realize which nights we are going to need quick meals, and which nights I have more time to prepare.  We eat dinner together.  I know families find this hard, but we have made it work.  Some nights it means eating earlier some times later, but this is family time and with very few exceptions we make it happen.

Once menus are planned I go to http://www.ourgroceries.com , to enter my list.  I look through my menus and enter what I need to get.  Ourgroceries,  allows you to make multiple lists. We have a Target list, a grocery list, a Home Depot list, and I've also done school supplies, or trip lists on this too.  I love that I can access it on a computer, and type things in quickly, but also can fully access it on my phone.  In addition once I enter it, the item appears not only on my phone, but Phil's so if one of us ends up at a store we can look at the list, pick up the items and cross them off the list.

Once I finish entering the items I double check the pantry, fridge and freezer and cross off anything I added that we still have. From there it is off to the store.  I keep my coupon binder in my van, as well as my reusable shopping bags. So once at the store I simply grab both and head inside.

When I get to the checkout line I have discovered that I can quickly organize the groceries on the belt with my shopping bags. I put a bag down, then put the items I want in it behind it. I continue this process with all the items in my cart.  I organize them by what is going in my kitchen, outside fridge, or pantry. By having my groceries packed this way, I save time when I get home.  The reusable grocery bags also stand up better in the car, so my groceries are safer then when they were in the plastic bags.

Once at home I simply carry the bag to the area it was packed for, put the items away, fold the bags and stick them back in my car. I fold them, then stick them in one bag that I hang from the back seat rest.

Usually, the whole process from start to finish only takes about 90 minutes.  Menus/List/Store/Put away. 

Hope these tips help!

Book Review: Book 4

 Book 4 for 2013

The Last Boyfriend

by Nora Roberts

This is the 2nd book in the Boonsboro Trilogy, and should be read after the Next Always, which sets the characters and story in motion.

 

The book centers around Owen Montgomery and Avery MacTavish. Both characters have known each other for years, but perhaps something is changing in their relationship.  Owen is in charge of his families contracting business and is busy taking care of the final details of the opening of the Boonsboro Inn.  Avery is the owner of Vesta, a pizza parlor, and hoping to open a new restaurant/pup combination connected to the Inn. While Owen is very organized, detailed and scheduled, Avery is more carefree.  She is organized in her business and has laid out a brilliant plan, but will Owen be able to see it beyond what running practically 3 businesses will do to their beginning relationship.  Only time, and actually reading the book will tell. 

 

The theme of friendship, love, and trust run throughout the book.  I'm looking forward to reading the last book in the trilogy Perfect Hope as well.  I checked this book out at the library, although I'm sure it is available for digital download through Amazon. 

 

I would give this book 5 stars.