Book Review: Shades of Blue

Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received this book free from the author. It wasn't a promotional thing, rather I won it via a Twitter contest. I recently discovered Karen Kingsbury, and wasn't sure what to expect. I enjoyed her 9/11 series, and figured I'd enjoy this one, too. I had little idea what was coming when I began. But, pretty early on I was kinda able to guess what was coming. And, oh, the pain. Karen Kingsbury handles a very difficult subject very well. I am impressed. This is a heart-wrenching story - in a MUCH different way than her 9/11 series stories. Where that's about a horrible tragedy no one brought on themselves, this is about the repercussions to the choices we make. I am sorry to leave this so vague, but I don't wanna spoil this for anyone. I couldn't put this book down - couldn't wait to see how everything played out. My heart breaks thinking that there are people out there who struggle with this very thing, and I can only imagine how those without Christ can make it through.

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Click here for your own copy of Shades of Blue - and yes, if you purchase it by following this link, I do get commission from Amazon. Full disclosure! ;-)

It's Official

I have officially lost 10 pounds since starting to watch what I eat! I am thrilled beyond measure - but also discouraged as it can be tough to maintain complete self control (especially right after Halloween). But, 10 pounds - to me - is a HUGE milestone. I have been begging God for weeks to just let me get to that one milestone so I can feel like I'm accomplishing something. So I can know that my efforts are paying off! I have FINALLY hit it! And really, it's not so bad - it took me about two months to do it. That's really not bad. (Too bad I know that maintaining this rate of loss isn't something I'm likely going to do, but so long as I keep losing I won't complain!)

Looking at this particular first milestone made me realize that I need to reassess my goals. For those who missed my first post on this subject, go here to read the whole story. For the rest of you, here is what I posted as my goals, with updated info in purple.

• I want to wear my wedding and engagement rings again.  Mission accomplished! I have been wearing them for about a month now! I can't get them off easily, but that's OK. I don't want them off! ;-)
  
• I want to look good again. Unfortunately, I feel like I've a long way to go to accomplish this one. But, that's to be expected.
  
• I want to feel good about myself. I wouldn't say I feel good about myself yet, but I do feel better about myself. It helps that my current pants are starting to feel loose. (I'll feel better when I can COMFORTABLY wear the next size down!)
  
• I never want to be embarrassed by my size again. Not there yet, but hope to be soon.
  
• I want to wear normal clothes - no more plus sizes. I am getting there. The loose pants are VERY encouraging!
  
• I want to be healthy. I think once I figure out a consistent exercise routine, I'll see this come to pass.
  
• I want to be a good example for my children - especially my girls. Abby told me the other day that when she's grown up she's going to eat healthy foods and exercise a lot so she can stay skinny. I hope that one day – preferably in the not-too-distant future – she'll be able to see the difference in me.
  
• I want to please my husband - and make him proud of me. He has said that losing 10 pounds is impressive. Hopefully he'll soon be telling me he can see a difference and feel a difference (like when he hugs me).
  

I feel like I'm making decent progress. The impatient side of me, though, wants to see more visible results SOONER! Patience is a virtue, right? Someone says that. And I know they're right. I just don't wanna wait to look better – and to feel better about myself!

Friend Makin' Mondays: Hobbies

This week's Friend Makin' Monday is all about hobbies! We have two questions this week:

1. What are your hobbies?
2. What do you wish you knew how to do?

These are pretty thought-provoking! Firstly, what do I enjoy enough to even consider calling a hobby? Then, what else would I like to be able to do? And, yes, I'm probably over thinking this. Just remember I have a degree in English - analytical thinking is what I do! ;-) I have decided to add a third question to the mix: What have I done that I'd like to get back into?

What are your hobbies?

1. Reading.
2. Singing/listening to music.
3. Watching TV.
4. Computer-related stuff, including running my own Web site.

What do you wish you could do?

1. Web and graphic design.
2. Creative writing, but I'm no good at it! LOL
3. Play piano.
4. Knitting.
5. Sewing. (I have VERY basic knowledge, but not enough to make much of anything!)
   

What would I like to get back into?

1.  Baking.
2.  Playing the violin. (I developed tendinitis in my left wrist, so I'm not sure how feasible this is!)
3. Scrapbooking.
4. Yoga.
   

I'm sure I could fill out the second and third lists if I sat here long enough! LOL There are so many things I'd love to be able to do.

So, how about you? What are your hobbies? Please share!

Book Review: Last Night in Twisted River

Last Night in Twisted River: A Novel by John Irving

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Last Night in Twisted River was a book that took me awhile to get into. But, once I got a few chapters in, I found myself enjoying it. It's not one of the best books I've ever read, but I would recommend it to others. I like how circular the book is, but found the weaving in and out of past and present a bit difficult to follow a times. (I think that is why it took me awhile to get into the book - it was hard to follow until I got used to the style.)

I loved the characters - pretty much all of them, which is unusual. My favorite is probably Ketchum. He cracked me up - his outbursts and chosen phrases, as well as his spin on things, were quite interesting. Danny and Dominic were also great characters. My only problem with the characters was Ketchum's political affiliation. With how into guns/knives/hunting he is, I found it a bit hard to swallow that he'd be such a die-hard Democrat!

Speaking of politics, I felt this book was overly political. Do we really have to bemoan the Bush presidency and bash Republicans as uneducated fools? I really don't think any of that was necessary. There could have been some alluding to it without it being so plentiful toward the end.

That said, I overall really liked the book. I hadn't read anything by John Irving before, although I had heard of him. I will be looking for more of his books.

Last Night in Twisted River will be on sale on Oct. 27. To pre-order, click here.


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FMM: I MUST have it!

It's Friend Makin' Monday time again! :-) This week's topic is an easy one for me. It's all about what I need. So, here goes.

List a few things you cannot live without.

I'm taking this list to mean extras - things other than food, water, oxygen, etc. So, here are my must-haves:

My family

(This picture was taken last October.)

Books

Dr Pepper

Jesus

Music

My computer/Internet

So, how about you? What your must-haves?