The Mortal Instruments

If you are into the vampire/werewolf genre, check out the Mortal Instruments series. Had started this series a while back and was just loaned the fourth and fifth in the series. Just completed book four: City of Fallen Angels. A decent read. Took me a while to get reconnected with the characters, but once I did I enjoyed the story.

30 Day Challenge: Day 25

Something I am currently worrying about.

Money. Always money. Sigh. I think I have come to the realization that our savings account will never be what I wish it to be and that I should just be glad we have anything in our savings account! I know I will never retire and I will keep dreaming of the day (about 20 more years) when I no longer have those monthly student loan payments (only another year and a half or so until the first one is paid off!). The simple nature of my job means I will likely always have this worry. Client doesn't show- I don't get paid. Makes it hard to budget things out when you  never know what your paycheck is going to look like...

30 Day Challenge: Day 24

Five words or phrases that make me laugh.

1. We're in a fight. (Well, it at least makes me smile.)
2. Spicy butt. (I don't want to talk about it!)
3. Pretty truck. (Sigh.)
4. Pond scum. (Always wins!)
5. Stottlemyer. (Shoehorn anyone?)

30 Day Challenge: Day 23

23. Something I miss.

There are lots of things I miss, but I'm not sure I would really want them back given the chance. I miss the simplicity of childhood, but love being a mother. I miss my first car, the death trap on wheels, but feel much safer in what I drive now. I miss camp, but could I go back to peanut butter and jelly everyday? (Okay, that one is a little weak. I know things are different now, and part of what made it so great were the other people there at the time.)I miss being in school and do want to further my education, but am so over dorm rooms! I miss not having to make sure every last scrap of food is put away, but endlessly entertained by my devil cats. I miss having a nice amount in my savings account, but I have a house (with deck), car, child.

It seems to me that we aren't meant to have everything forever and that's what makes those things special.

Friday Funday Fill-In

Each week, Hilary at Feeling Beachie lists four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, email hilary@feelingbeachie.com. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop! This week’s co-host is Beckey from the really, really, real housewives – she came up with the last two statements!

This week’s statements:

1. ___in the ___ is the ___
2. __is my____
3. I like to think ____; but I know _____.
4. If I just ______, then I could ______.

My answers:

1. Chocolate in the middle is the best surprise? (I had a little trouble with this one!)

2. A good book is my weakness!

3. I like to think I'm smart; but I know lots of smarter people.

4. If I just won the lottery, then I could go back to school.  (Are you sensing a theme yet?)

30 Day Challenge: Day 22

22. My academics.

Oh geez. I was a student for 21 years (I think that's right). And I WILL go back (someday). I know, I know, I'm insane. But I thirst for knowledge.

30 Day Challenge: Day 21

21. How I hope my future will be like

That is a horribly phrased prompt. What I hope my future will be like is full of happiness and good health. I hope for many opportunities to make memories with my family (both immediate and extended). I hope to (someday) go back to school. I hope to (someday) not have to work so hard. I hope to (someday) spend more time traveling to visit friends and family in far off places...I hope to (someday) add to our family. I hope to (someday) find time to write my novella or even just a novelette....

The list is endless!

30 Day Challenge: Day 20

20. My fears.

Major, chronic, serious, life-threatening illness or untimely death of the huz or the daughter.

And blood. While I do not think of it as a fear, technically I believe it meets the criteria for a phobia with the whole passing out thing...

30 Day Challenge: Day 19

19. Five items I lust after.

1. Four door Jeep Wrangler.
2. The perfect purse. The one that is big enough without being too big. Dressy/professional enough for work, but casual enough for everyday life. Has lots of pockets and closes completely at the top. And is incredibly durable, inside and out- handles/straps included. Someday I will find this purse. Until then I will keep trying impostors and donating them to goodwill when they fail to meet my expectations. Oh, did I mention it has to be reasonably priced, cause I hate spending money in handbags that never seem to please.
3. Books. Lots of books.
4. A room devoted to all those books with soft lighting, warm blankets, and comfy seating.
5. Comfortable shoes.

Lame. I know. I don't need much when it comes to material things.

30 Day Challenge: Day 18

Back to the 30 day challenge with random blog post prompts.

18. A problem I've had.

I'm having a "problem" with this prompt. Is it a problem I am having now? A problem from the past that has been resolved? What do you want from me?!

How do I choose just one problem? Which one do I feel I can share with the World Wide Web? (Huh, apparently autocorrect thinks World Wide Web should be capitalized. Who knew!)

Okay, how about this one. For many years I have had a problem with sleeping. Insomnia, I suppose would not be inaccurate. An intermittent problem, as at times I sleep well. It seems to be getting better with age...and parenthood. Sometimes I simply cannot "turn it off" and go to sleep. Other times I fall into dreamland with ease only to wake up every hour or so. And then there are the times I sleep like a log until oh, say 4:30am and cannot go back to sleep.

I've tried lots of "sure fire" sleep remedies. Exercise, but not before bed. Don't eat before bed, but don't go to bed hungry. Lavender. Melatonin. Yadda yadda yadda.

I don't want to say nothing works. But I haven't found my magic cure yet. It's manageable. I might have several bad nights, but then I get several good nights. And the bad nights are getting fewer and farther between. Maybe when we finally spring for a new mattress (get it? Spring? Mattress?) that will take care of those remaining few bad nights...

A girl can dream...