"To be an artist is to believe in life." -- Henry Moore
I don't usually like abstract modern art, but something about Moore's scupltures intrigue me. I'm leaning toward form...
My Years Reflection 2001
It's my 30th birthday year. As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life. To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life. For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year. I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.
2001: Life at college is sweet!
Page 1: The ladies of Schmidt-Wilson 7th floor know how to have a good time. Like our impromptu hall picnics, or dancing in the rain, or Chinese and movie nights, or weekly Dawson's Creek viewing parties. We had such a good time our first year at college.
Page 2: Noon -- Beth and I are listening to K105 driving through town. We here an announcement for a free Rascal Flatts concert that night and a signing at one of the Walmarts. 2pm -- We head to Walmart, meet the guys, and get pics. 6pm -- We line up outside the outdoor theater hoping to get in. We get in, get seats, and see a great concert. 10pm -- Beth and I both head to our 3rd shift jobs. The best day of the summer!
Page 3: In August, I moved out of the dorms and into an off-campus apartment with three roommates. It was fun, but a lot of work. We got a taste of freedom and all the hassles that come with it.
Page 4: By Christmas, I was spending the holidays with the family and meeting my new little sister (well, sorta sister) Annika Jo. She's now 10-years-old! I can't believe it!
Top Ten Tuesday - Spring TBR
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We’d love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!
I have got a huge spring TBR list, but I will try to pare it done for my readers. For the most part, these are books that I had scheduled to read in January and yet somehow they fell by the wayside. I am committing to knocking these out and soon.
1. Required monthly reads: Shakespeare and Harry Potter -- Two of my reading challenges have me reading one Shakespeare play and one HP book per month. I have kept on track so far. I'm not dreading these, I really love reading them. I just have to remind myself to pick them up before month's end. My upcoming requirements:
- March -- Henry V and The Prisoner of Azkaban
- April -- Much Ado About Nothing and The Goblet of Fire
2. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by McNees -- This was going into my contest pile but somehow I haven't read it yet. I really think I should.
3. Triangles by Ellen Hopkins -- Contest read
4. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger -- Contest read
5. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zufon -- Contest read
6. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer -- Another contest read. I really do have a few of these to read before April 8th...
7. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson -- My March Random Reads. I've been wanting to read this one for years. Random Reads picked this for me. I guess this is the universe's way of saying to read it sooner rather than later.
8. The Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine -- I finally acquired the entire series. I think it's time to start reading them now.
9. Morrigan's Cross trilogy by Nora Roberts -- An Indiana friend recommended these to me last summer. I found all three for under $10, put them on my shelf, and there they have sat. I really need to plunge in and get them read.
10. Library Pile -- I have about 15 books checked out from the library. I need to read those and them put myself on a library ban until I read at least one tub of books. Wish me luck!
My Years Reflection 2000
It's my 30th birthday year. As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life. To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life. For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year. I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.
2000: I graduated high school and entered college. I became a legal adult. Such changes abound!
Page 1: My eighteenth birthday parties with the family and with friends at Joe's Crab Shack. I even had to stand on a chair and spell my name while doing a cheer. So embarrassing, but at least the food was good.
Page 2: Senior prom. My friend Kassi and my dates both ditched us days before, so we just went with friends. Check out my pink dress... never thought I would wear pink to prom.
Page 3: Graduation, finally! Now off to bigger and better things.
Page 4: Some new friends at Ball State University. I loved our hall decorations!
Timeless by Gail Carriger
Title: Timeless (The Parasol Protectorate #5)
Author: Gail Carriger
Publisher: Orbit 2012
Genre: Steampunjk Paranormal
Pages: 416
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Fantasy; A to Z -- T; Mount TBR
How I Got It: I own it!
Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?
I am in love with each and every one of the characters in this series. I love them all equally. I really cannot decided who is my favorite. Ms. Carriger has made me want to live in her version of Victorian England. I want to be best friends with Alexia. I want to run into Lord Akeldama and his drones at social gatherings. I want to see the productions of the Tunstells. I want to buy a hat from Biffy. I want to peruse Madame Lefoux's gadgets. And I want to marvel at the dirigbles and ballon travels and general wonderment. This series is one of my favorites in a very long time.
Alexia Tarabotti
Eat Slay Love by Jesse Petersen
Title: Eat Slay Love (Living with the Dead #3)
Author: Jesse Petersen
Publisher: Orbit 2011
Genre: Zombies
Pages: 288
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Zombies; Support Your Local Library; Read Your Name -- E
How I Got It: Library Loan
Sarah and David have survived the zombie apocalypse. They stood side by side and fought the undead, mad scientists, and even bionic monsters until the unthinkable happened. A zombie bite. But not even that could stop them. Now, with a possible cure in hand, they're headed east, looking for a safe zone behind the rumored "Wall." They're feeling pretty optimistic.That is until Dave stops sleeping and starts lifting huge objects.
Eat. Slay. Love.
Because they haven't got a prayer.
The conclusion to the trilogy. I fell in love with David and Sarah with the first book. I really hoped their story would end happily, but with zombie books you just never know. I love how these books are romantic comedies with zombies. Love it! This series has been my go-to books when I am in the mood for light zombie books. I started to get a little concerned about halfway through the books with the inclusion of a new character that I really didn't like. But the dymanic evolved well. By the end of the book I was racing through the pages to find out what happened. Thank goodness I had a two-hour plane ride to use.
Living with the Dead
- #1 Married with Zombies
- #2 Flip This Zombie
- #3 Eat, Slay, Love
- #3.5 Shambling with the Stars
- #4 The Zombie Whisperer
My Years Reflection 1999
It's my 30th birthday year. As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life. To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life. For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year. I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.
1999: My seventeenth year! Near the end of high school and still finding my way.
Page 1: Check out my amazing birthday tiara... Love it! My friend Shannon threw my birthday party at her house We had party hats, cake, presents, and tons of gummi bears.
Page 2: Toward the end of the spring semester, the English/Social Studies students traveled to Stratford and Toronto, Canada to visit the sites and see some plays. These pictures were taken at the top of the CN Tower. Note the crazy winds!
Page 3: Another school dance, this time winter Semi-Formal. I went with Jenny, her boyfriend Thomas, and friend Corey. I loved my gray shiny dress. And you can't see, but I wore some awesome 4 inch shiny grey mules.
Page 4: Christmas vacation. Some friends and I spent the night at Beth's house making cookies and engaging in general silliness.
Music Monday -- 2003
As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years. Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100. Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.
Year: 2003
Book: Unknown
Music Selections:
- Linkin Park "Numb" -- This album came out right after the boys were born. I just loved this song so much.
- Dave Matthews "Gravedigger" -- I've liked Dave Matthews Band since "Ants Marching" and Dave's solo album is wonderful. I actually think I like the electric version of this song more than the acoustic. Usually that isn't the case, but this time it works.
- Justin Timberlake "Cry Me a River" -- I do like me some Justin TImberlake. It just gets stuck in your head and never leaves.
- Evanescence "Bring Me To Life" -- Amy Lee's voice is to die for. I can't get over this song.
- The White Stripes "Seven Nation Army" -- My introduction to The White Stripes and it is an amazing one. Enjoy!
My Years Reflection 1998
It's my 30th birthday year. As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life. To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life. For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year. I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.
1998: I enjoyed this year... branching out into my own.
Page 1: I was invited to travel with fellow English/Social Studies students to Washington, D.C. I loved every minute of it. We saw some great sights. We momentarily got lost (but found our way back by using the Washington Monument). We had some fun adventures.
Page 2: Sweet sixteen party. We had karaoke, food, and presents. Great friends came and helped me celebrate.
Page 3: Every year, the Snider theater department held a year-end drama banquet. It was a time to have a bit of fun, complete with roasting of the seniors and cake. Everyone loves cake!
Page 4: Another summer stock production. This time I was strictly back stage crew. At the end of the production, we took a one day trip to Chicago to see The Phantom of the Opera and Sheer Madness (improv). We had a great time and I got a Headband Buddy!
My Years Reflection 1997
It's my 30th birthday year. As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life. To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life. For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year. I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.
1997: Overall a really great year. Great friends, great events.
Page 1: Just a few of the friends I made freshman year of high school. So goofy!
Page 2: I passed driver's ed and here are the certificates to prove it. I even mastered those stupid 1950s driving simulators... didn't think it was possible.
Page 3: I participated in my first theatre production during the summer of 1997. I played a chorus member in Oklahoma right along side my friend Beth. After that, I decided that back stage was more fun than front stage.
Page 4: I also attended my first school dance. I went to Semi Formal with a group of friends including Jenny, Crystal, and Rachel.
My Years Reflection 1996
It's my 30th birthday year. As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life. To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life. For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year. I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.
1996: Eighth grade to high school. A year of adjustments and new beginnings.
Page 1: My fourteenth birthday at Bear Creek Farms. I always loved dinner and a show for my parties.
Page 2: I joined the first ever Lane Middle School Pom Pom squad and loved it! We learned routines and then performed at half-time of the basketball games. I can even remember at least half of the routine for the school song. The only thing I wasn't a fan of... those short cheerleader skirts. So drafty!
Rise Again by Ben Tripp
Title: Rise Again (Rise Again #1)
Author: Ben Tripp
Publisher: Gallery Books 2010
Genre: Zombie
Pages: 384
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Zombie; Support Your Local Library; Read Your Name -- T
How I Got It: Library loan
Forest Peak, California. Fourth of July. Sheriff Danielle Adelman, a troubled war veteran, thinks she has all the problems she can handle in this all-American town after her kid sister runs away from home. But when a disease-stricken horde of panicked refugees fleeing the fall of Los Angeles swarms her small mountain community, Danny realizes her problems have only just begun—starting with what might very well be the end of the world. Danny thought she had seen humanity at its worst in war-torn Iraq, but nothing could prepare her for the remorseless struggle to survive in a dying world being overrun by the reanimated dead and men turned monster. Obsessed with finding her missing sister against all odds, Danny’s epic and dangerous journey across the California desert will challenge her spirit . . . and bring her to the precipice of sanity itself. . . .
This is a story of survival, plain and simple. In my opinion, it's the best kind of zombie story out there. We're not trying to do anything clever with the story or with the zombies. It's dirty. It's gross. It's heartbreaking. It's angering. And it's even a bit of hopeful. I loved this book.
It took me a bit of time to really get into but that was because of the main character, Danny. Initially I couldn't connect with her. I hated her for how she treated her sister. But then I started to understand her. Her history, her lack of future, her sheer determination to survive. And I really started to love Danny and root for her. I didn't want to see her die. Of course, there are some other great characters, but Danny is the one I really got into. Her story keep me reading. The action was great. The creep out factor was great. The gross out factor was great. I whole heartedly recommend this book to all the zombie lovers out there.
Rise Again
- #1 Rise Again
- #2 Rise Again: Below Zero
My Years Reflection 1995
It's my 30th birthday year. As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life. To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life. For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year. I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.
1995: Seventh to eighth grade. Such a tumultuous time in my life. I can definitely say that this wasn't one my favorite years, but I had some great friends to lean on.
Page 1: Lots of crazy friends. I'm still in touch with a few of them even today.
Page 2: Scenes from the last day of seventh grade. We were definitely a crazy bunch.
Page 3: Spending Christmas with my brother and sister. They are getting so big!
Quote Wednesday - Provost
Cross out every sentence until you come to one you cannot do without. That is your beginning. -- Gary Provost
I wish it was that easy... or maybe it is and I just stress too much about my writing. Speaking of, I really really really need to get back on that horse.
My Years Reflection 1994
It's my 30th birthday year. As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life. To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life. For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year. I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.
1984: Twelve years old. Sixth to seventh grade. Parents got divorced. Mom and I moved to a new house. Uncle Curt moved in with us. We all moved back to Indiana at the end of the year. Crazy crazy year!
Page 1: Here is our little house in St. Petersburg. I loved my large room, the cute little living room, and our covered back porch. Plus, I made a friend in Becky my next door neighbor.
Page 2: As the fall semester ended, we made the decision to move back to Indiana. I had to get pics and addresses of all my friends before I left.
Page 3: Back in Indiana for Christmas. I reconnected with my friend Angie. I got a new apartment to live in. And my dog, Milkdud was right there with me. But we had to give him up... Our apartment was too small and he was alone too much. Fortunately a nice farm family adopted him.
My Years Reflection 1993
It's my 30th birthday year. As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life. To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life. For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year. I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.
1993: This was a life-changing year. I entered middle school and moved states away.
Page 1: My father's job transferred him to Florida. We moved at the end of my fifth grade year to St. Petersburg, Florida. Such an adventure.
Page 2: Scenes from my life in Florida. Notice the tans and the pelicans. The St. Petersburg pier was full of pelicans.
Page 3: One of favorite places to visit in Florida was Busch Gardens. I loved the rides and the animals, especially the Clydesdale horses. Such beautiful creatures.
Music Monday -- 1999
As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years. Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100. Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.
Year: 1999
Book: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Music Selections: Overall this year was really electic when it came to music. I went to see Korn and Rob Zombie in concert, but I also listened to stuff like Sarah McLachlan. I was all over the place musically!
- Dixie Chicks "Ready to Run" -- Most country I don't like, but for some reason I really got into the Dixie Chicks. I still listen to them every once in a while.
- Lenny Kravitz "American Woman" -- I can't help but see Heather Graham as Felicity Shagwell writhing around on a car for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. Hee hee!
- Sarah McLachlan "I Will Remember You" -- Such a great song. I can't help but remember listening to this all the time.
- Santana and Rob Thomas "Smooth" -- Big hit of the summer. The perfect summer song to sing along to.
- The Offspring "The Kids aren't Alright" -- Love The Offspring. Smash was one permanent rotation in my car throughout most of the year. And then Americana was released and I had a whole new batch of songs. Including this amazing anthem. There's one particular reference in here that reminds me of one of my ex-boyfriends.
My Years Reflection 1992
It's my 30th birthday year. As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life. To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life. For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year. I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.
1992: 10 Years Old! Finally I did double digits. This was a big year for me. I started branching out of my little family life and into the big world.
Page 1: In the summer, I attended my first sleep-away camp: Camp Potawotamie. It wasn't the best experience in my life, but I mostly enjoyed my stay there. I took gymnastics, arts and crafts, and archery. I stayed in the Shawnee cabin with four other girls and high school aged counselor. I braved the leech filled lake and dirty communal bathrooms. I enjoyed the bug juice at breakfast each morning. I even lived through two tornado scares that damaged buildings in the town closest to camp. It was an interesting week.
Page 2: Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. Throughout elementary school, my family would host a big weenie roast the night of. One of the adults (usually my dad) would take the kids around the neighborhood. Then we would all come back for hot cider, hot dogs, and candy. For this year, my great grandma made me an awesome poodle skirt that I accessorized with a pink cat sweatshirp, saddle shoes, and a pink ribbon.Loved it!
Page 3: Somehow I never mentioned that I have a half-brother and half-sister. I found these pics of these and love how they coordinate with the paper and embellishements. Cole and Mallory are 5 and 8 years younger than me. I don't see much of them as I live 10 hours away, but we get together when I'm in town.
The Sunday Salon #5
Listening To: Random cds from the basement. I have a huge pile of cds just sitting in the basement waiting to be put into our server. This week I randomly grabbed The Dresden Dolls and Flogging Molly. Haven't heard these cds in awhile. Bonus note: we bought tickets to Flogging Molly on June 1st! Very excited!
Book finished: Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean -- only one finished this week and it was a bit of a struggle.
Reading: Rise Again by Ben Tripp -- Back to zombies
Making Lists: Stampin' Up March order. We have our meeting this coming Wednesday, and I have no idea what I want.
Around the house: I feel like I got so much done today. Laundry, dishwashing, clothes organizing, Goodwill collecting. Today I was very productive. I just wish I had this type of motivation every day.
From the kitchen: Made sour cream cornbread muffins and poppy-seed pound cake muffins to add to the freezer haul. I finished making our meal plans through vacation. We should just about empty the freezer by then.
On the Web: I am in love with a few new blogs: The Mary Sues and GeekMom. Lots of fun going through their archives. Plus, the big announcement was the release of the iPad 3 gen. Of course, J ordered his and it will be here on Friday. That means that I get the iPad 1 for e-reading. Very exciting.
Weekly Quote: "This is just the switchboard, I can not tell you called you." You don't even know how many times I say this every day at work.
Crafting: No actual crafting, but I did reorganized my scrapbook supply explosion. I got it under control and in a few neat piles on the floor by the dining room table. Looking forward to Stampin' Up class on Wednesday.
Work Observations: Somedays I really wonder about the future of our country... I see and hear way too many depressing stories at work.
Watching: Stargate Sg-1 (we're into season 4 now), James Bond movies (into Pierce Bronson), The Vampire Diaries (finally caught up), The Daily Show, and Logan's Run. What? You've never heard or seen Logan's Run? Crazy talk! It is one of the best 70s scifi movies ever. Trust me. And it was my 30th birthday on Monday and it was required watching.
Wondering: When my new sandals will be delivered...
From Nature: The temperatures have been great. And this week's forecast is in the 70s. I pulled out the spring/summer clothes bin to start the transition.
Shopping Scores: I got an Old Navy gift card for my bday and bought some cute summery clothes. I just love finding good deals. Unfortunately, I did not find any brown shoes or brown pants. Darn it!
Project: No biggie, just spring cleaning and organizing.
Picture: Completely forgot to take a picture this week. I really need to put reminders for this.
Extra notes: If you love books, make sure to check out my month long birthday giveaway. I'm really itching to giveaway some great books to deserving people. Also, I was invited to join a book club from someone at work. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend March's meeting as we will be on our road trip. But I will be joining in April.
My Years Reflection 1991
It's my 30th birthday year. As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life. To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life. For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year. I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.
1991: Nine years old... I'm almost to preteen status. I got into more extracurriculars this year and even picked the ones I wanted. My twin boys will be nine this year. I hope they have as great of a year as I did.
Page 1: Every year my great-grandma's neighbor Iola would let my cousin Nelson and I decorate her tree with Easter eggs. It was our little ritual. After decorating, we usually got candy and pop for troubles. It was a great trade for a nine year old.
Page 2: I did poms and baton with one of the local schools. I loved learning the routines. These are pictures from one of our recitals. My favorite song to perform was Rock Around the Clock. So much fun! The trophies were for participation and a solo I performed to New Kids on the Block. That's right I liked 1980s boys bands!