I Dare You...

Loving this Christmas gift...try crawling into these flannel beauties at night and NOT falling asleep warm and peaceful!

Living on the End...

This is one benefit of my married name. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks...we're always last in line. This comes in very handy when you go to pick up your new book at the library and it's the last one in the rows and rows of other on holds. Life's pretty good here at the end of the alphabet...

The IMAX Experience

Please excuse the large scarf...pulled a muscle in my neck and needed a buffer to hold my head up at the movies...totally ridiculous looking, but very worth it!

Nate's been dying to see Avatar since it came out and with every great review it received I found myself more and more pressured to go with him. Well, we finally broke down and went yesterday...IMAX style. The minute the 3D started I was worried I might get sick but after a few minutes my eyes were able to relax a bit. I didn't care for the movie it was a bit Sci-Fi for me until about halfway through when the plot got even better. I had NO problem sitting through it for the 3 hours and loved the last hour especially. Nate on the other hand would go back again tomorrow and every show after...

THIEF!

Bought the paper today...just for the darn coupons.

Got in the car and realized THERE WERE NO COUPONS!

Text a friend to verify the paper actually had coupons today. They did.

Went back to the grocery store. Got myself a new paper WITH coupons.

Store confirmed that many peeps just take the coupons and don't pay for the paper!

Ugh - Amazing what you've got to do to save some money around here!

Recent Read

After two recommendations from my sister-in-laws to read this I asked Nate to check it out from the library for me. I was so surprised when I opened it up and the first page was a letter, and the next page and the next. I had NO idea that the entire book was comprised of letters back and forth from people. I almost put the book down in defeat "I will never like this" but decided to move forward since the SIL's had both enjoyed it so much. Not only was the book created differently but it was based on life directly following WWII on an island near England. Again, not exactly my cup of tea. However, I found myself loving the relationships and stories that were created by simply reading letters. The book itself had a real Pride and Prejudice feel (starring Elizabeth Bennett and several possible Mr. Darcy's) and I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone that enjoyed that storyline or someone that needs to branch out in their reading!

FYI: You can read the first chapter of Emily Giffin's latest book, Heart of the Matter, due in May right here. I can't wait to get my hands on it...if you haven't read her books before I suggest you check them out today! She's an easy read but I've loved her since I first read Something Borrowed in 2005ish and haven't stopped since...

Naughty Words

Setting: My classroom during literacy. The children were working on weather words. One student walk up to me...

Student: I'm all finished.
Me: It looks great.
Student: Umm...Umm...isn't this a naughty word?
Me: No honey. That's the word hail, like the rain that freezes when it falls.
Student: Oh, okay.

Her mom has a pretty thick accent...if you couldn't tell!

Recent Read

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

I know, I just posted yesterday about a book. Well, let me tell you I read this baby in just a few days! It didn't hurt that I was off for winter break so I could be lazy and read in bed all night if I wanted. It also didn't hurt that I'd seen the preview for this movie when we saw Brothers and kicked myself for forgetting to read it way back when. So, a short wait after reserving it at the library and it was all mine...for two weeks anyway!

I loved a majority of the story. It's a classic Sparks book...North Carolina, mushy, gooshy and overall romantic. AND I LOVED IT. Well, mostly. I have to say the end was quite disappointing and I know that I will cry like a baby at the end of the movie just like I did when I finished the book. And no, it's not because of what you're thinking.

Anyone else enjoyed this little story yet?

Recent Read

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld

Wow. This book took FOREVER. It probably doesn't help that I read a book inbetween, moved to a new state (so had to return it to the library beforehand), waited a couple weeks before renewing my library card here in Charlotte and then started it again. Pheew. Lots of excuses. Ha!

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It didn't captivate me by any means (hence the fact that it took over three months to start and finish) but it was enjoyable. I would love to know just how much of this is based on Laura Bush. I enjoyed the portrayal of her in her 30's the best. I know many other readers that LOVED this, but I'd put it on my like shelf...and only if someone gifted me the book! :)

Did you read this? Did you find it lukewarm as well? Or did I just miss something...

Cookie Weekend 2009

I flew to Minneapolis the first weekend in December for the annual Zyduck Cookie Weekend. All of the Zyduck ladies gather and bake all weekend long.

After we stopped letting Libby make the cookie dough all went pretty well.



I loved this picture of Rissa and Frankie...one of my favorites from the weekend.



The picture was taken before I flew home. The rest of the gals baked even a few more batches after I left. Wowza!



We had really cute aprons this year. Bev monogrammed one for each of us! So cute!!!

Annnnnnnnnd it's 2010...

Our life has been incredibly hectic and yet altogether boring these past few weeks. Recaps coming soon to a computer new you covering:

Cookie Weekend
Christmas
Butterfly Cupcakes on New Year's
Sampson starring as the Drama Queen
Oh, and MY PARENTS CLOSING ON SELLING THEIR HOUSE...IT'S SOLD!

and many other boring stories in between.

See you soon!