Good Girls and Boy

We must have been good in this household. Santa treated all of us well. The girls were cuter than ever with their hair all curly.

Christmas Eve was a busy night. We had fun at Aunt Pat and Uncle Dave's house. Although, we did have to leave after a rousing game of Farkle. then we went to Aunt Pynki and Mike's house. We arrived after a lot of people had already left for the night. But we did get a family photo together.

Then we came home and went to sleep. During that time Santa was busy leaving us all of those presents.

And of course you cannot go wrong with SpongeBob Legos in this household.

This my new favorite commercial for this Holiday season.



And on of my new favorite shows and music.

Christmas Lights in MC

We took the girls to a local park to see the lights that were set up. The girls were pretty amazed by the lights. I don't know why we haven't taken them in the past. The pictures are not the best, but not bad for a little pocket camera.

Myself I preferred the lighthouse and the grist mill. Melodye liked the grist mill. Brooke was happy with anything that had to do with Santa of was moving.

Strange and Curious

Obviously I have taken a blogging break. I wasn't feeling the blogging spirit for awhile, hence the lack of posts and the type of posts that the last ones were. I think about blogging, but I haven't. The curious part is that my visit stats have skyrocketed. I really don't know why they would. I know I wouldn't want to come visit my blog with the way it has been lately. The searches haven't shown anything unusual. In fact it shows that most people are coming from the "next blog button on blogger." Strange and curious that this has just started happening.

Now that I am on Christmas Break, I am thinking of blogging again. What do you think I should go back to blogging about? Off to Melodye's basketball game now. We have to leave early due to the snow that is still falling, but looks beautiful.

A Prairie Tale review

Prairie Tale: A Memoir by Melissa Gilbert


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
If I hadn't been such a big fan of Little House on the Prairie when I was young, I probably wouldn't have finished the book. But I did finish it. My biggest problem with the book was that there seemed to be a lot of name dropping. Sometimes to me names were used that didn't really matter if they were there or not. I know Melissa knew lots of famous people, but do we really need to know every person her parents or grandparents hung out with or every person who attended the same party that she did? Now I did find myself surprised at some of the actors (older) that tried to hit on her while she was underage considering Melissa was young looking for her age. I also don't think that the book really showed why Melissa felt that she had alcohol or substance problems. They seemed to be glanced over as yes I have a problem so this is what happened after.

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Untamed Blood Promise

Untamed by P.C. Cast


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I don't know what happened with this book, but some of the characters seemed a little flat and stereotypical. In fact, I found it annoying that it was thrown in my face over and over what the characters are supposed to be like. But don't get me wrong I still can't wait for the next book to find out what happens.

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Blood Promise by Richelle Mead


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I couldn't put this book down because I had to find out what would happen with Rose. But at the same time I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the others. There is quite a twist at the end that does make me want to read the next book.

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Hot Pursuit review

Hot Pursuit by Suzanne Brockmann


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I always enjoy the Troubleshooters series and I did this time. Some of my favorite characters returned for this story. The returning characters over and over are a big part of why I enjoy this series so much. The book ended with some characters futures undecided so of course I can't wait for the next book, but in the Author's Note Suzanne said that she will do one more book in the series and then take a break to work on something else. Disappointing, but I know she will do something else that I will find enjoyable.

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Alex Cross's Trial and Shadow Kiss

Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, James Patterson hit a homerun out of the ballpark. This book was amazing. I had to stop, process, and think about what I was reading. The book was about Alex Cross's great uncle, a Washington DC lawyer, and Teddy Roosevelt. The way the race relations were written about really made me examine what I see around me.

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Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) by Richelle Mead


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Amazing, I didn't want to stop reading. Rose is going through so many changes that do not make sense. At one point, I had to stop reading because I was so emotionally effected by what I had just read. I can't say what effected me because it is at the end of the story and super super important. I wish I had already ordered the next book so that I could read it now.

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Chosen (House of Night)

Chosen by P.C. Cast


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Zoey is learning that the choices she makes effect others and they may not like that she is hiding those choices from them. Zoey's boyfriend problem is solved, but not in a way that she wanted. Zoey's relationship with her mom escalates. The situations with Aphrodite and Stevie Rae change in ways that no one could ever expect.

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Frostbite Review

Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2) by Richelle Mead


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, the last couple of chapters were amazing. I was shocked, I cried, and I think the ending was wonderful. Rose goes through a lot of emotions in this book. She knows that she needs to stay away from Dimitri, but has trouble fighting her feelings until he starts a relationship with someone else. Mason enters the scene at this time. But will Mason keep Rose happy? Rose is also in really grumpy moods especially when her mother shows up on the scene. On top of all of that, the Strigoi are working in groups which is unheard of and killing large groups of Moroi that were protected by Damphirs.

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Labor Day Pipe Dreams Revisited

Now I knew I wouldn't meet all of the goals that I set for myself for this weekend. But I did meet some of them. After I eat at my parents this evening I still have a chance to meet a couple of the small ones. I mostly worked on the large goals and here are the results:

• I met 50% of the goals for around the house.
• I met 44% of the goals for school.

I think I did pretty good since I do tend to make my list way beyond what I could ever accomplish in the time period that I have.

Latest Goodreads Update

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
At first I wasn't sure if I would finish this book. But then about 1/4 of the way into the book, I really got into it. At first it was hard to remember the differences between the different type of characters. But the author explained the differences throughout the book. Sometimes while reading this book it seemed as if there was a book previous to this one. I even checked to see if I had mistakenly picked up a second book instead of the first. But as the book went on things were explained that had been referenced as already happened.

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Marked by P.C. Cast


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am so glad that this is a series. I really want to see what happens with Zoey Redbird. Zoey's grandmother is such a likeable person. It's too bad that her mother couldn't be that kind of person for her.

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Betrayed by P.C. Cast


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Zoey is having difficulties with her new responsibilities as the leader of the Dark Daughters. On top of that humans that Zoey knows are ending up dead next to the Academy. Zoey with the help of friends has to figure out what is the cause of all of these deaths and why.

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Labor Day Pipe Dreams

I don't know about other teachers. But for me, Labor Day is viewed as a chance to get things done at home and for my classroom that I do not normally have time for. Oh picnics are nice and wonderful, but I dream of whole days getting things done because everyone else has plans and then use Monday as a day to do stuff at home that I enjoy. Now this pipe dream never comes completely into fruition. But I can always hope and dream because that always makes my day better if I keep hope alive.

Here are some example of things I would like to accomplish:

• I would like to go through Brooke's closet and dresser to pull out all of the clothes that she has completely outgrown which is most of them. She has outgrown clothes that were bought at the beginning of summer. GRRRRR stop growing so fast!!!!! (You are supposed to be my baby not my amazon girl.)
• Clean Brooke's room so that she has no excuse as to why she can't keep it clean.
• Go through Melodye's closet and dresser. Give Brooke any clothes that will fit her that Melodye still hasn't worn and has tags on it. Get any skorts that are too short for her out of her room. She thinks if there is still room in the waist they fit. But she is so skinny they never fit in the waist, her butt hangs out instead and no just because there are shorts under there does not make it okay.
• Organize Mel's room so that there is no reason why she can't keep it clean.
• Go through my clothes.
• Transfer all pictures off the cameras (I have to find the little one first). Label and order all of these pictures. Back up the pictures.
• Cut and file coupons. (I am so behind it is not funny.)
• Go through organize and label boxes for school. I had help packing last year and all of the boxes didn't get labeled.

Now that was just home stuff. For school, I would like to:

• Get Tommy to make dividers for my big book rack. The ones I have will not hold up the books.
• The boxes for school also need to be listed here.
• Make homework packets.
• Redo my lesson plan form.
• Set up my grade book.
  
• Update my grade book.
• Get some decorative things for classroom done.
• Make some center for next week. (I need to start looking further ahead to see what I need.)
• Some other stuff in my bag that I can't remember off the top of my head.

Once I get necessary stuff done. I would like to:

• Scrapbook
• Read
• Sew
• Just enjoy myself
• Go to Lopez family picnic on Sunday.
• Watch the first disc of Veronica Mars Season 1.

Of course, I won't get all of this done, but I do like to have those pipe dreams and hope that I can become a super hero and finish all of this. I also would like to start blogging again. I am missing it.

The Titan Sisters Series

Straight from the Hip by Susan Mallery


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This series is really fun to read. I can't wait to read the fourth one.

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Lip Service by Susan Mallery


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I accidentally read this one first, but that really didn't make a difference in the series.

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Under Her Skin by Susan Mallery


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I like that the love interest isn't the typical caucasian. I love that Cruz is from the wrong side of the tracks but in a good way. Everything he has done has been to protect those he loves even if it doesn't seem that way from the outside.

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Reading Must Have Websites In My Opinion

I did not read that much lately and I am not so sure why not. These are some books that I did enjoy recently. If anyone is a member of Good Reads add me on as a friend. I believe I can be found under jlniksich. If you like to read and have not joined Good Reads, I would definitely recommend it. Good Reads is a wonderful way to keep track of what you read and to find recommendations from others.

One other recommendation I would make is for Dear Reader. A lady named Suzanne made this wonderful service. You sign up for what type of books that you like to read. Then you will get emails Monday through Friday with short excerpts from a book. By the end of the week you will have 5 emails that equal to approximately the first two chapters of a book. Just enough of the book is given to you to know if you are interested in getting the book or not. As a bonus Suzanne writes something in each email. Suzanne is a lovely person and a wonderful writer. She leaves you feeling as if you had just sat down with tea and cookies together. I really wish I had her talent for written expression.

Vision in White by Nora Roberts


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Took me a little bit to get into the book. I am glad that I gave it a chance. I will read the next ones in the series as they come out.

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Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hilarious, couldn't stop laughing. The last couple of Stephanie Plum books weren't as funny and I was worried that Janet Evanovich was losing her touch. But this took those worries away. There were times I was laughing so hard that I could not breathe. This is definitely a must read.

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Swimsuit by James Patterson


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book is a true James Patterson book ... short chapters, chapters end with you wanting to know more, twists, and leaves you at the end of the book questioning what you know about your own little world and safety. I don't know how he comes up with all of these ideas. Amazing. There is an excerpt of the next book that really sounds interesting.

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E-Bates Really Works

I was referred to e-bates as a way to make a little extra cash doing what I already do. I didn't want to post about this until I knew that it really worked. Well it does! I just received my first check for $10.59. Now that doesn't seem like that much, but that is from doing my normal shopping online in a couple of months time. By doing what I normally do I received extra money to use, a nice little bonus. E-bates gives you $5.00 in your account to start off when you register. 

Twin of Ice, Twin of Fire, and Dead and Gone

Twin of Ice/Twin of Fire: Two Classic Novels by Jude Deveraux


 

My review

  rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love these two books. They are from only a handful of books that I have read over and over. I really enjoy reading the same story, but from different perspectives. Houston and Chandler are enjoyable characters that you can connect too easily. Now I cannot decide if I like Kane or Leander better. It really depends which story I am reading at that time.
 

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Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris


 

My review

  rating: 4 of 5 stars
Now what am I going to do without any more Sookie Stackhouse books to read. While reading this one, I couldn't help, but wonder what more can Sookie withstand. The girl has been put through so much, but she can handle it. I am really interested in seeing where the future of this series is going.
 

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Living Room Redo

We have been super busy around the house. Here is a list of things we have been doing;

• Both girls are taking tumbling.
• Melodye is volunteering at the library.
• Melodye and Brooke attends two different summer reading program.
• We have been to Six Flags a few times.
• The living room, hallway, and foyer have been painted.
• We tore up carpet in the living room and hallway.
• We replaced the carpet with bamboo (It is gorgeous!!)
• We bought new living room furniture.
• Brooke is obsessed with Super Heroes like Batman, X-Men, Robin, Spiderman, etc.

Here are some pictures showing these things.

 

Bamboo flooring is from Costco, wall color is Classic Taupe by Behr from Home Depot, furniture is from Harlem Furniture. I love how it came together. 

Next on our list includes the flooring for the three bedroom, painting the kitchen, and putting in a backsplash in the kitchen. time and energy consuming projects, but will be worth it when we are finished.

Today Is The Day!

Tonight I will be at the New Kids On The Block Concert. I am dragging the girls and Tommy with me. This is one of the things I asked for my birthday. Even though Melodye and Tommy don't really want to go, they are because it will make me happy.

 

And they don't realize it, but they are required to have fun and not complain one time.

Really Not Enough Time In My Day, Week, or Month

I am not in hiding. I have been busy with school ending and needing to completely pack up my classroom due to being laid off and the school also closing. We also had Melodye's 9th birthday and party which meant a lot of time cleaning to get ready for the party. Tommy graduated and asked for season passes to Six Flags. We have already been to six flags three times. I discovered Sorority Life game on Facebook. Whoa Boy is that a time sucker, but fun. The girls' are doing tumbling and storytime programs every week. Those are about two hours each time. Melodye is also volunteering at the library during Brooke's story time. We also painted the living room, foyer, and hallway. Needless to say we have been busy so far this summer and somehow this blog got pushed to the wayside. But I have found time to read, as you will see below this.

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I could not put this book down. I had it finished in less than one day. The characters were easy to relate to.


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The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a wonderful series!!! I wish number three was out already.


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Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am definitely a Sookie Stackhouse fan! I keep going back and forth between who Sookie should be with. There are so many good male choices....Sam, Quinn, Eric.


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All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Definite tense situations in this book. What else can happen?


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The Passerby by Thomas Ray Crowel

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
The style of this book is not one that I am used to reading. but at the same time I had to keep reading. I needed to know what happened to the little girl Trudie. I put off reading this book, because I can not stand when children are hurt. But this book did not focus on the actual details of the murder. It focused on the cover up and final investigation.


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Dead to the World

Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am thoroughly enjoying the Sookie Stackhouse books. My only problem with this one was that I read #5 before #4. Since I did that, I was a little impatient to find out things that I already knew were going to happen. I can't decide who I want Sookie to be with: Bill, Sam, or Alcide. All good choices in my book.


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The 8th Confession

8th Confession by James Patterson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
James Patterson rules when it comes to series mysteries. The deaths that occur have an unexpected twist to them. There is also a chapter showing that a certain character will be back with a vengeance. That chapter left me curious what the future plans are for that character. As always, I would recommend James Patterson's books.


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Weird

I do not know why the New Moon trailer is so big. It wasn't that way when I first posted it.

Tomorrow is the last day for the kids at school. We'll see how many actually show up.

New Moon Trailer

I can't wait to see this. The special effects when Jacob jumps were just awesome. I actually exclaimed out loud.

My last day of school is Friday. I am so excited. I will post more frequently then. Hopefully I will be able to post even before then.

Thanks, somewhat

A  friend introduced me to Sorority Life on Facebook. Wow is that a time sucker!! Melodye didn't want to go to bed because she was watching me play. So now I don't know if I should thank the friend or curse her.

Club Dead

Club Dead by Charlaine Harris


 

My review

  rating: 4 of 5 stars
Read this all in one day. I brought it to Great America and read it while waiting in line. Really enjoyed this. Boy do I really wish I had the next one from the library already. There is something about Sookie's sense of humor that I really like.
 

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Living Dead in Dallas

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris


 

My review

  rating: 4 of 5 stars
So easy to become attached and care about Sookie. She is such a likeable character. I can't wait to read the next one.
 

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Ipod Touch Question

I have an Ipod Touch as I posted previously. But I am having problems with charging it. Anytime I use my car charger or my dock I get a message that "Charging is not supported by this device". Is this normal? Does the Ipod Touch require something different for charging? Does anyone know the answer to this?

Somtimes I Am Just Lucky

Sometime I am just lucky when I take pictures. My pictures are usually taken on automatic or sports mode. Even while doing this, I will sometimes get a wonderful picture like this one.

 

Anymore, I ask Brooke "How did you get to be so beautiful?" She always answers " Because I love you." She must really love me because this picture show how beautiful she is. I also ask her, "How did I get so lucky to have you?" and she answers " Because I was a baby." Too cute.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris


 

My review

  rating: 4 of 5 stars
Glad I was introduced to these. Wish I hadn't read number 5 first, but I will read the rest in order.
 

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Lavender Morning: A Novel by Jude Deveraux


 

My review

  rating: 4 of 5 stars
I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book. To my surprise, I really enjoyed and connected to the characters. I can't wait to read the future books. It was easy to connect to all the characters, even the minor ones.
 

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Accidentally Yours by Susan Mallery


 

My review

  rating: 2 of 5 stars
This book was a little predictable. I did like the twist of the son being sick from a disease without a cure, but research being close to finding a cure. But I did feel that when it came towards the end of the book I didn't connect as a mom like I did throughout the rest of the book.
 

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