tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86144222467287677102024-02-07T03:32:49.197-05:00Stretched Too Thin...Just give me a cup of coffee and a book, then back away slowly.SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.comBlogger286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-91264812010472440012015-02-06T12:46:00.001-05:002015-02-06T12:46:59.114-05:00Review: Outlander<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10964'><img alt='Outlander' border='0' src='http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402600310m/10964.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10964'>Outlander</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3617'>Diana Gabaldon</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1186796385'>4 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> Why did I wait so long to read this? Maybe I judged a book by its cover, or found the premise overdone. Maybe I kept skimming it over for quick, instant-gratification reads that never quite satisfied. I may never know, but I'm glad that this series has now come into my life.<br /><br />I love the characters. I love the mystery. I love the realistic way that old love fades and new love builds. I just love it all, is that so wrong?<br /><br />As I'm on a self-induced book buying hiatus at the moment I'm wringing my hands on the e-book hold list with my local library. If whomever is reading it currently sees this could you, pretty please with a Highlander on top, read faster? Okaythanksbye!<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1186796385'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-59333446055406473852014-05-29T00:26:00.001-04:002014-05-29T00:26:47.855-04:00Review: I've Got Your Number<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12033455'><img alt='I've Got Your Number' border='0' src='http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327956732m/12033455.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12033455'>I've Got Your Number</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6160'>Sophie Kinsella</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/951203579'>4 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> I snagged this book last night, while suffering from insomnia and desperate for a good read. I didn't expect much, to be honest. Color me surprised when it turned out to be absolutely delightful! This was a wonderful story, and I'm very glad that I stumbled upon it. <br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/951203579'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-82100460998824387522014-05-10T10:47:00.001-04:002014-05-10T10:47:21.471-04:00Review: The Ring of Morgana<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18662949'><img alt='The Ring of Morgana' border='0' src='http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392765447m/18662949.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18662949'>The Ring of Morgana</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6153661'>Donna Hosie</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/806630696'>5 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> *Review originally appeared on Amazon*<br /><br />There are books that leave you feeling pensive. There are those that leave you confused, and maybe even a little crazy. And then there are the special ones. The ones you find yourself thinking of when you first wake up. The ones that make you scour the internet, hoping to find even the tiniest morsel letting you know when you can get your grabby hands on the next one.<br /><br />"The Ring of Morgana" is one of the special books. From start to finish it captivates the reader, whisking them away to a magical place with infinite possibilities. It tells a story that is as sweet and poignant as it is adventurous and daring...leading readers through a thousand year span in such a manner that they never doubt the possibility of time travel.<br /><br />Two days after finishing this book random snippets keep popping into my mind, never failing to make me smile. And last night, on the way home from a late baseball game with my youngest son, I'm pretty sure I heard the trees whispering to me...<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/806630696'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-51091918779187399062013-12-31T19:40:00.001-05:002013-12-31T19:40:03.137-05:00Review: Touched<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12676907'><img alt='Touched' border='0' src='http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1316532933m/12676907.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12676907'>Touched</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4986073'>Allegra Skye</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/806619960'>1 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> Just because I didn't self-punish enough with the first one I gave the second one a try. Now I need brain bleach.<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/806619960'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-63307334407315716762013-12-31T19:38:00.001-05:002013-12-31T19:38:24.959-05:00Review: Saved<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12676872'><img alt='Saved' border='0' src='http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1316532728m/12676872.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12676872'>Saved</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4986073'>Allegra Skye</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/805698094'>1 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> Ever finished a book scratching your head and wondering what on earth you just read? Yeah, it was something like that...okay, it was EXACTLY like that.<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/805698094'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-71883849709640970062013-12-07T19:40:00.001-05:002013-12-07T19:40:22.572-05:00Review: Takedown Twenty<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17908462'><img alt='Takedown Twenty' border='0' src='http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1373758461m/17908462.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17908462'>Takedown Twenty</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384'>Janet Evanovich</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/777565029'>2 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> <br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/777565029'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-81962743583759764542013-10-07T13:59:00.001-04:002013-10-07T13:59:31.264-04:00Review: The Icing on the Cupcake<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7361886'><img alt='The Icing on the Cupcake' border='0' src='http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320499654m/7361886.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7361886'>The Icing on the Cupcake</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2976616'>Jennifer Ross</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/736207604'>3 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> <br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/736207604'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-41736556398403111112013-10-07T13:55:00.001-04:002013-10-07T13:55:31.851-04:00Review: Heist Society<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6574102'><img alt='Heist Society' border='0' src='http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1359254479m/6574102.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6574102'>Heist Society</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56224'>Ally Carter</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/733927393'>3 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> <br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/733927393'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-35603024123978436752013-10-04T07:40:00.001-04:002013-10-04T07:40:48.127-04:00Review: Incarnate<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8573642'><img alt='Incarnate' border='0' src='http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358271343m/8573642.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8573642'>Incarnate</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4116488'>Jodi Meadows</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/733911168'>4 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> I'm not usually a fan of AU books; however, <i>Incarnate</i> proved to be an exception to this rule. It's a solid story with believable characters, and twists that aren't apparent until they're revealed. At times sheer confusion kept me turning the pages...I just had to find out what was going on! I'll most definitely be looking into the rest of this series.<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/733911168'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-53329149385587759432013-09-28T20:42:00.001-04:002013-09-28T20:42:21.838-04:00Review: Halfway to the Grave<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1421990'><img alt='Halfway to the Grave' border='0' src='http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1373855613m/1421990.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1421990'>Halfway to the Grave</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/669810'>Jeaniene Frost</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/720693979'>5 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> Oh. Wow. What a <b>fantastic</b> book! I checked out the Kindle version from my library's website, but will now be buying the series A.S.A.P., as this is the type of book just begging for rainy day rereads.<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/720693979'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-81230535733057536212013-09-15T21:16:00.001-04:002013-09-15T21:16:32.099-04:00Review: A Midsummer's Magic<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2573786'><img alt='A Midsummer's Magic' border='0' src='http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1375832483m/2573786.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2573786'>A Midsummer's Magic</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1137370'>Mary Chase Comstock</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/720671333'>4 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> I loved this book! The writing style was very Austen-esque, and the tie-in of the paranormal was fabulous. An engaging read, and one I would've loved to see become a series.<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/720671333'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-65713328874568494742013-09-15T21:05:00.001-04:002013-09-15T21:05:47.738-04:00Review: The Goddess Test<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9681214'><img alt='The Goddess Test' border='0' src='http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327891211m/9681214.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9681214'>The Goddess Test</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/767317'>Aimee Carter</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/720663428'>4 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> A good story, with an interesting twist on stereotypical Greek mythology. Great for those "soak in the tub" reads!<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/720663428'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-25571833935779874512013-09-03T22:30:00.000-04:002013-09-03T22:30:28.492-04:00Just a random thought...I was sending The Hubster a return text tonight, telling him to have a good evening at work. As I was ending the text with our standard, "I love you", I inadvertently typed "live", rather than love. I corrected it and sent it on it's merry way; yet, hours later, I find myself thinking about it still.<br />
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You see, I <b>do</b> "live" him. What else would you call it? Our individual lives are melded into one. I oftentimes pick up after him, much like one of our children. I care for him when he's sick. I listen to him when he needs to vent over a current frustration. I prepare his meals, clean his dirty laundry, and make sure he wakes up with his alarm. Raise and care for his children. I trip over his shoes on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night, and grumble about the washing machine full of loose change that I always find when he tries to help me by doing some of his own laundry.<br />
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Along the same lines, when something is upsetting me, he is the one I turn to. I always know that he will be even more upset than me; my very own Champion of Justice. He tolerates my incessant desire to decorate our home - even jumping right in up to his armpits and helping when I'm sure he'd much rather be golfing. He takes the time to go grocery shopping with me, telling me that it's not fair for me to have to do it by myself and that there's nowhere else he'd rather be. When I'm having a girly, "fat", day he pulls me in his arms, kisses my head, and tells me that he thinks I'm beautiful. Even when I'm wearing his baggy sweatpants and a t-shirt three sizes too large. He tries, in his own manly way, to care for me when I don't feel well...and takes it on the chin when I whine because the cheeseburger he brought me is <b>not</b> my idea of a cure for the flu.<br />
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You see, way back when...almost two decades ago...we were "in love". I still love him, but it's transcended now. Now I'm in LIFE with him...and from where I stand it just doesn't get much better.SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-9630644971104570602013-09-02T21:55:00.000-04:002013-09-02T21:55:52.804-04:00Haiku, anyone?Rain. Pounding. Driving.<br />
Cup of tea and book in hand.<br />
Sleep shall come easy.SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0Sod, WV 25564, USA38.2787772 -81.89890838.0792952 -82.2216315 38.478259200000004 -81.576184500000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-70277616970155345372013-08-06T22:33:00.000-04:002013-08-06T22:33:52.927-04:00And so it begins...The Great Kitchen Redo of 2013. In true Super Mom fashion I have, yet again, decided to begin a remodel right on the cusp of football season AND school starting. My life is not for the faint of heart.<br />
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Last Wednesday The Hubster stopped on his way home from work and bought me something I'd been wanting for YEARS...half inch thick bricks. That's right, I'm doing a real brick wall on the ENTIRE back wall of our kitchen and dining room! Before they go up, however, there is a ton of work to get through. Namely:<br />
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<li>Removing all of the cabinets and appliances on that wall. This includes the oven, the microwave, the sink, and the dishwasher.</li>
<li>Ripping out the sheet rock, which was damaged beyond repair by a tiny mouse chewing through our dishwasher hose last winter. (Ah, the joys of living in the woods!)</li>
<li>Replacing the insulation, and sealing up any cracks with spray insulation.</li>
<li>Replacing the water-logged sheet rock with plywood, to hold the weight of the brick.</li>
<li>Reattaching the electrical boxes on the new plywood walls.</li>
<li>Marking the brick and mortar lines for future placement.</li>
<li>Rehanging and/or attaching the cabinets.</li>
<li>Putting the cabinets back in place.</li>
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Of course, that's not counting repainting the kitchen, finding new canisters and accessories, refinishing my table and chairs (they don't match my new color scheme, but I LOVE them and don't want to get rid of them!), and putting in a new floor (which is going to wait until next spring).</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/012505/012505500961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Item #: 22196 | Model #: LGEF3033KB" border="0" height="200" src="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/012505/012505500961.jpg" title="Frigidaire Gallery 3033 Series 30-in Smooth Surface Freestanding 5-Element 5.7 cu ft Self-Cleaning Convection Electric Range" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just look at it! Isn't it beautiful?</td></tr>
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Once The Hubster got the bricks home, he pulled another surprise out of his hat for me. He informed me that, though our old one was in full working order, he wanted me to pick out a new oven for our "new" kitchen. He really had to twist my arm, let me tell you! By Friday morning I had picked out and ordered my shiny new cooking device from <a href="http://www.lowes.com/" target="_blank">Lowe's</a>. I went ahead and ordered all of the brick laying supplies, plywood, screws, adhesives, etc., that we would need for the entire project along with it, taking advantage of a 6 months same as cash deal, and it will all be delivered around the 30th of this month. That gives me a tad over 3 weeks to accomplish SO much pre-project work! </div>
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I jumped right in this morning. I stripped the wallpaper off of the walls, and since I had the appliances pulled off anyways I went ahead and scrubbed under them. Do me a favor. If I EVER start talking about papering a wall on this blog again? Tell me NO! I use a scorer, a solution of 1 gallon of water with 1/2 a cup of white vinegar, and 10 drops each of lavender, rosemary, and tea tree oils, and a scraper. It removes the wallpaper very well, but it is SUCH a chore.</div>
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I also started preparing for being ovenless while the plywood was going up. I figure it'll only be a couple of days, but I need to plan for a week...just in case. Y'all know as well as I do that there is ALWAYS a delay-causing problem when you're redoing a kitchen or bathroom. I got 5 freezer crock pot meals prepared and frozen. I need a couple of ingredients to prepare the final 2...even though I swear I remember buying them this weekend at the store. I can't find them anywhere...maybe I have gnomes!?!</div>
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If I'm not too sore to move tomorrow, thanks to today's heavy lifting, I'm planning on removing moldings and cleaning cabinet tops (a.k.a. Paint Prep Day 1). Of course, I also have to take The Hubster to his favorite hardware store (he can't be left unattended in it, or else the kitchen remodel budget will disappear in a cloud of, "But Jenn, I NEEDED an arc welder!") so he can get what he needs to rehang some trim in my bathroom for me. If he gets that done, the trim will need painted, the tub surround will need a new coat of paint to match the trim, and the shower curtain rod and curtains will need rehung once the paint dries. The laundry is reproducing like Gremlins caught in a rainstorm, so that will need remedied. There are 3 orders from my Etsy store that have to be shipped, and I'm thinking the guys would appreciate some dinner, as well. I swear, if I live through it, I am so rewarding myself with a trip to the theater on Thursday to see <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1854564/?ref_=sr_1" target="_blank">Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters</a>. Kiddo and I have been looking forward to that flick FOREVER!</div>
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SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0Sod, WV 25564, USA38.2787772 -81.89890838.0782172 -82.2230045 38.4793372 -81.57481150000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-700440349823812272013-07-12T13:10:00.001-04:002013-07-12T13:10:59.510-04:00Review: Doom with a View<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6356180'><img alt='Doom with a View' border='0' src='http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348746008m/6356180.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6356180'>Doom with a View</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/74488'>Victoria Laurie</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/524804495'>3 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> I love this series, and want so much to give it a 4-star rating. The main character, however, just isn't evolving enough. Her life changes around her, but she just stays kind of stagnant. Hopefully this will improve in later books, because it's starting to get a little monotonous.<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/524804495'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-81566171014386669212013-07-05T00:18:00.000-04:002013-07-05T00:18:52.662-04:00Sometimes a gal just has to give in to the evil...Case in point, tonight in our little cottage. I've had a muscle cramp under my shoulder blade for three days that is PAINFUL. Thinking I'd soak it out I ran a hot bath, turned on my favorite Pandora station and relaxed. A little while later The Hubster poked his head in the bathroom to ask me a question ('cause, you know, taking a bath <i>alone</i> when you're the sole female of a household does NOT happen. Ever.), and mentioned that he liked the song that was playing.<br />
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I should have resisted, I know.</div>
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Good girls just don't DO bad things like this.</div>
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I knew how mean it was.</div>
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In the end; however, I couldn't hold myself back. Without missing a beat I got a confused look on my face and said, "Honey? Umm...what song? There's no music playing."</div>
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Did I mention that The Hubster has a tendency to get spooked easily when it comes to the paranormal. His eyes got saucer-sized, and that head popped back out of the bathroom as quickly as it had appeared. Of course, no before he heard my raucous laughter and realized that I'd made a monkey out of him.</div>
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Oh, and in case you were wondering? The song that caused the moment of panic is below. Enjoy!</div>
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SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0Sod, WV 25564, USA38.2787772 -81.89890838.0792952 -82.2216315 38.478259200000004 -81.576184500000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-38441914028890972202013-07-01T11:07:00.001-04:002013-07-01T11:07:46.730-04:00Music Monday!Tom Petty? Oh, heck yes, Tom Petty...and some Heartbreakers, too! ;)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uNgt7U9QrFQ" width="459"></iframe>SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-57414369880823399172013-01-15T07:32:00.000-05:002013-01-15T07:32:13.332-05:00Dear Son,Contrary to popular belief I <b>do not</b> enjoy punishing you. I am neither trying to ruin your life, nor make it hard. When you choose to rage against the rules you are given, however, you leave me no choice.<br />
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Contrary to popular belief I <b>do</b> love you. Unconditionally and irrevocably. It is infinite, without beginning or end, and continues to grow as I watch you begin to morph into the man you will become.<br />
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Contrary to popular belief, as your mother, I am even more upset than you right now that you had to be punished. You may be on a school bus, grumping and grumbling over your evil witch of a mother (and, yes, I'm aware you're possibly using harsher language than that...but allow me this tiny bit of delusion, okay?); however, I'm trying to function through a mountain of work while nursing a broken heart. Broken because I was forced to break yours. Broken because being a good parent means you have to do the hardest thing in the world (i.e., cause your child heartache) in order to help your child learn right from wrong.<br />
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One day, far from now, you will understand the difficulties and intricacies of being a parent. You'll know that it is both the best and worst job in the world. Most importantly, however, you'll know that every grounding, every punishment was something far greater than Mom being mean and evil. It was Mom whispering, "I love you more than myself. I love you enough to cause you a little pain now, to prevent you from suffering great pain in your future. I love you enough to stand my ground, to teach you to follow the rules. I will gladly cry for hours after punishing you, if it means that you will be better for it. I will suffer through a thousand heartbreaks if it prevents one from coming your way in the future because of what I should have done."<br />
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Always & Forever,<br />
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MomSuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0Sod, WV 25564, USA38.2787772 -81.89890838.0792942 -82.2216315 38.4782602 -81.576184500000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-38951515229474485482013-01-09T12:24:00.001-05:002013-01-09T12:24:42.894-05:00Review: Shakespeare's Christmas<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32513'><img alt='Shakespeare's Christmas' border='0' src='http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345722531m/32513.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32513'>Shakespeare's Christmas</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17061'>Charlaine Harris</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/498364717'>3 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> I flew through <i>Shakespeare's Christmas</i>. This story was written at a much faster pace than the previous two in the series, and the leap forward in Lily's healing made for a much more enjoyable reading experience!<br /><br />Jack is still around, and still hanging tough. I love that he doesn't take Lily's passive aggressive behavior as lightly as everyone else in her life...the man fights back! Her family, however, tend to sit around like whipped puppy dogs every time she has a "moment". I can't help but feel that if they didn't tolerate her shoving them away she may just quit doing it!<br /><br />Since I'm reading the Kindle versions of these books available through my library's website, and they only have the first three in this format, I've had to place holds on the last two books in the series in a traditional book format. This is fine...I do sometimes miss the feel of a real book in my hands; however, I now have to wait to finish reading the series. What a bummer! I think I'll make it, though.<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/498364717'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-45392424960064703432013-01-09T12:03:00.001-05:002013-01-09T12:03:27.070-05:00Review: Shakespeare's Champion<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5986737'><img alt='Shakespeare's Champion' border='0' src='http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328309111m/5986737.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5986737'>Shakespeare's Champion</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17061'>Charlaine Harris</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/498364694'>3 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> <i>Shakespeare's Champion</i> is a decent follow-up to Ms. Harris' first book in the series, <i>Shakespeare's Landlord</i>. Lily is a trouble-magnet, as usual...as well as a guy magnet. Apparently the poor woman just can't help it! <br /><br />I enjoy the quickness of this series. A reader can get the books them fast, as there isn't a ton of back story to drag them out. Rather, the story is written much like Lily's character...blunt and straight forward. There is a ton of action, and a fair amount of realistic romance. No fluff at all.<br /><br />My only real problem with this book is with Lily, herself. There comes a point and time where it's prudent to quit wallowing and using your inner pain as an excuse to be rude to everyone. Quit pushing everyone away. Sure I can still see that Lily is healing, but I also can't help but feel that until she forces herself to open up more to the world around her the healing that needs to take place won't be able to find a foot hold. I was also very upset with the immature way she ended things with Marshall. Of course, I was just as upset with Marshall for his treatment of Lily. Calling her "cold" every time she didn't react the way he thought appropriate was just plain ol' mean-spirited! As I finished the story I found myself hoping that Jack, the new love interest, is the one who can make Lily feel again.<br /><br />I'm moving on to the third book now, <i>Shakespeare's Christmas</i>, in the hopes that I'll see some headway in Lily's emotional capactiy!<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/498364694'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-14657262545255243792013-01-07T15:31:00.001-05:002013-01-07T15:31:42.754-05:00Review: Shakespeare's Landlord<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45020'><img alt='Shakespeare's Landlord' border='0' src='http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309209314m/45020.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45020'>Shakespeare's Landlord</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17061'>Charlaine Harris</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/498363075'>3 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> I didn't want to like this book. I mean, come ON! The last thing I need is another series to keep up with, right? It seems like any book I pick up recently is part of one, and I just know that some of them that I meant to continue with are falling through the cracks of my mind. At first I was right on track to not like Ms. Harris' heroine for this story. She seemed quite abrasive. There was some allusion to a past that caused this abrasiveness; however, with no back story to fill the reader in it was easy to write Lily off as one nasty piece of work.<br /><br />Then Lily is forced to tell her tale, and what a tale it is! Suddenly the reader can see her without the author's filter. Suddenly the reader understands just where Lily's attitude comes from. The times, they are a changin' for our dear heroine in this story, and Ms. Harris does an exemplary job at jumping Lily over the hurdles of her return to real life at a very realistic pace. Add into this a mix of murder, vicious attacks, and a cast of suspicious characters and the reader is given a very thick and juicy plot to gnaw on to their heart's content.<br /><br />The book concludes nicely and, other than the obligatory love triangle, could be a stand alone piece. This particular reader, however, is now officially hooked on another series and is already a third of the way through <i>Shakespeare's Champion</i>, the second book in the series.<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/498363075'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-1316129947314093122013-01-06T22:30:00.001-05:002013-01-06T22:30:02.990-05:00Review: Once Upon a Ghost<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16125790'><img alt='Once Upon a Ghost' border='0' src='http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1351964966m/16125790.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16125790'>Once Upon a Ghost</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4988'>Day Leclaire</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/496925369'>3 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> After finishing yesterday's heart breaker, I found myself needing a cute little fluff piece to brighten my outlook. Ms. Leclaire's <i> Once Upon A Ghost</i> filled that bill admirably.<br /><br />Be forewarned: the heroine is something of a dingbat and the hero has a sudden, inexplicable, change in his core beliefs in order for the stereotypical HEA to occur. There isn't real depth to the plot. To be fair, however, I knew that when I chose this book. As a matter of fact, that is the <b>reason</b> I chose this book. Sometimes a girl just needs to lose herself in a highly improbable story where the good guys always win and the girl always get her feller!<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/496925369'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-13414899323893876042013-01-05T20:50:00.001-05:002013-01-05T20:50:17.448-05:00Review: Dream Smashers<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10711032'><img alt='Dream Smashers' border='0' src='http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1299443949m/10711032.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10711032'>Dream Smashers</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4699787'>Angela Carlie</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/495835196'>3 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> <i>Dream Smashers</i>, to sum it up in one word, is heartbreaking. A sad story of a girl trying to overcome the stigma of being an addict's child. Trying to figure out how to love, how to have faith, in a world that had denied her those very things.<br /><br />The writing was solid, the pacing was decent, and the plot was deep. I enjoyed the story; however, the emotions that I have upon finishing this work are not so enjoyable. I'm an emotional basket case, feeling as though I'm on the verge of tears. As if I should cry for Autumn, just because she doesn't have anyone else to care enough to shed tears for her.<br /><br />I wouldn't recommend this book if you're an empathetic soul, as I am. For those who can remain detached from the stories they read, however, I feel comfortable in telling you that it's not a book you will regret having read.<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/495835196'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8614422246728767710.post-55587872378984046342013-01-05T12:20:00.001-05:002013-01-05T12:20:21.639-05:00Review: The Fire of Merlin<br /> <a style='float: left; padding-right: 20px' href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16064438'><img alt='The Fire of Merlin' border='0' src='http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1351717602m/16064438.jpg'/></a><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16064438'>The Fire of Merlin</a> by <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6153661'>Donna Hosie</a><br/><br /> My rating: <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/494257652'>4 of 5 stars</a><br /> <br/><br/><br /> This sequel to Ms. Hosie's <i>Searching for Arthur</i> is just as worthy of a read as it's predecessor. <i>The Fire of Merlin</i> picks up where the first book left off, and takes the reader through another whirlwind adventure. The original characters stay true, and the new ones that come along are just as well-developed and likable. The pacing is, once again, wonderful. The plot is filled with the same action, intrigue and mystery that captivated me from the start, with the perfect amount of romance thrown in to keep the reader in touch with their softer side.<br /><br />Ms. Hosie has become a bit more descriptive in her introductions of new characters in this book, and although some were not for those with the weakest of stomachs - "grey matted hair", "brown stained teeth", and "The fingers were long and deathly page but the rest was covered in that horrible, glistening, dark green mould..." are but a few examples - I found them to be accurate portrayals of how a 17-year old girl would think to describe the new people who have entered her life.<br /><br />This books brings with it falls from ivory towers, as well as new ones being erected for characters who would have never thought themselves to be heroes. There are battles, there is loss, there are new, oft-frightening, experiences had by all. It is a story of overcoming. Of striving to set things to rights. All culminating in a cliff hanger that left me slack-jawed and mentally screaming, "She ended it HERE?!?!"<br /><br /><i>The Spirit of Nimue</i> is due for release this spring, as I've been informed, and you can bet that as soon as it is available my itching grabby hands will be holding it!<br /> <br/><br/><br /> <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/494257652'>View all my reviews</a><br /> SuperJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218937959939742450noreply@blogger.com0