I Survived!

The Holidays are over and I'm still here! Dinner after dinner to attend.. Family parties to go to! Cooked for the big family dinner then I cooked for 2 days for our own dinner and the crown and glory the attack on all the beautifully wrapped gifts( hahaha)  that I spent so long lovingly wrapping! All opened in a matter of minutes!! Bodies of opened presents and flung wrappings crumpled and tossed to the side without backward glances after two sets of little hands picked through them for any overlooked valuables before they are all disposed in the garbage. They spent the rest of the day playing with their new toys and I finished up the last bit of cooking and served our dinner, which turned out great. Its a few days after Christmas now and I hope the girls had a wonderful time.. Its always sad for my husband and I since we lost his mom. She was a huge part of my life and of course his. And his Dad and Grandmother being gone so it takes us a bit longer to get in the spirit.. tho this year was the first time I cooked Christmas dinner for just us I think It helped me a little get into the spirit. Now we are waiting on New Years.. me waiting impatiently lol.. the girls go back to school on Tuesday! Even tho they have a couple of new things to play with or read ect.. they have been driving me up the wall! Tho I survived Christmas I may not survive post Christmas. I never thought giving them the exact same thing only in different colors would cause such catastrophes as I have seen in the last few days.. or a simple game called hedbanz would make them completely nuts. I look forward to the quiet peace of when they go to school and have school to wear them out then they will miss their new toys, books ect so much they will go to their rooms and be quiet again!.. I'm dreaming I know.. but don't crush it I wont survive!! (big smiles) Its been fun watching my little one learn how to do her new leap pad and my oldest learn how to work her new Nook.. And the artistry on the doodle bears are usually funny. Though I sound cynical about Christmas it was wonderful.. except for my sister in law being sick. I got to see my sister and her family and the baby loved her presents. The kids had a blast running through her new house. We spent time with his family and had a nice dinner. We said our prayers for our family, friends, and everyone and said our thank yous to God for Jesus and all the good he brings us and all the lessons we have learned this year. Hearing my littlest one talk about it and understand it is a gift in its self. So this year was one of the best Christmases we have had since Mom passed even with the the bad moments and sad moments the rip my hair out moments.. It was just nice being with everyone and happy and loved. So until next time..

Books Books Books

Growing up the where I did and the way I did books were the perfect escape. I could fight alien invaders, solve mysteries, fall in love over and over, take trips to exotic places or to the future.. the list could go on and on.. I can devour most books in one day if I don't have distractions; because I tend to suck them in so fast I am able to reread them again without problems..My oldest daughter can read 3-4 books at once. I'm not sure how she can keep all those fact and people and places separate but she does. I couldn't do it. She can reread her books as well. I think I have a future reviewer on my hands.. you know after she is done sewing up sick animals and wiping the drool off my chin.. My youngest is just now learning to read so we will find out next year if she is going to be as an avid reader as her sister and me. I don't watch TV often and movies rarely. My sole entertainment is books.. It's where I get my drama, my SciFi, my romantic comedy.. Their are so many books to choose from I will never run out. I keep finding new authors and when I come across a new series which I love to read I devour them as fast as I can.. and end up having to reread them again because I went through them so fast! Some books are not that great but I finish them if I can.. I can't stand to start a book and not know how it ends. If I start a series I HAVE to read the others in that series.. It's like a book OCD lol. Some books you have to wade through the sex to get to the great story line.. and I have found this more often than not.. I usually read just the speaking text so I can get back to the story line without missing anything that could be important to that story during the steamy parts. Some books are so stuffed with the steamy parts I can't help but roll my eyes when I turn the page and there is another one! But even then they could have a great story line just too much sex.. and yes a book CAN have too much sex. Some of my favorite authors have a habit of lots of steamy scenes but they have great story lines and it keeps me coming back to there books. I am a firm believer the woman can fall in love, solve the mystery, save the world, defeat the bad guy, all without sleeping with the male in every other scene..Ha! contrary to what some may think! lol.. I review a lot of teen books and Young Adult books and I think my idea of what a teen and YA book is is a lot different from what others idea is. I am sure to put what I love about the book but what ages I think this book is meant for. If I wouldn't want my daughter reading it at age 10 but at maybe age 15 it would be OK or better.. then I would put that in my review. The Hunger Games are considered Teen or YA books.. and I wont let my daughter read it for several more years.. mostly because just because she has the ability to read on that level doesn't mean she should and secondly because I don't think she is able to deal with some of the emotional issues there. I could be wrong and over protective.. but that's me.. Their is NOTHING wrong with her being sheltered from grownup issues. She needs to be a little girl first.. then she can deal like the rest of us do. So if you have a few minutes and you love to read take the time.. it is calming and can take you away from a crazy day. Until next time...

The Sky

I know, funny thing to write about... but every morning on my way to take the kids to school I look at the clouds (if their are any) and I get to see the sunrise. Sadly I don't get to stop and take pictures because I have to be at school on time, but they are so rich in color lately. Even when their aren't any colors the clouds look so amazing. I don't know if many people take the time to look at the clouds, sunsets, sunrises, or even the stars. Do you remember when you were a kid and you would look up at the clouds and see shapes? Those days were so great.. Warm and sweet smelling and just laying back watching the clouds change shapes... I play that game with my girls now. I still love finding shapes in them. The girls find some of the funniest things in the clouds.. their imagination is wonderful! The sunrises are probably my favorite site.. a new day saying hello and the lights playing on the clouds if I'm lucky enough to have them. Yesterdays sunrise was amazing.. it looked like the sky was on fire and was lighting each cloud it touched with flames. I never wanted my camera so bad. I thank God for the beautiful sunrises and the beautiful clouds that capture me.. because I feel like he sent them to me as a hug and to let me know he is there. What better way to let a person know they are loved than to send them something so beautiful? Something that they already love? I cherish each one and even tho I don't have a camera with me to capture them all I hold them all in my mind and look through them when I need to. The sunsets are just as beautiful and captivating and a kiss goodnight. Some are more lovely than others. And when the Sun is gone the stars come out to greet you like old friends. On moonless nights they shine with all they have and millions of lights in the sky. We try to learn all the constellations.. and its not easy! We really get lost in them so many to look at. We are lucky where we live their aren't any light.. another good thing about living in the woods! I just cant describe the beauty of the stars.. like millions of raindrops sparkling on a spiderweb.. I guess what I'm trying to say in my chaotic way is take the time to see the clouds, sunrises, sunsets and look at the stars. Its a beautiful gift from God everyday for us to see and take with us if we wish to. So, until next time...

My Sister Sarah

My sister is one of the most important people in my life. She reminds me of this often whether unintentionally or very intentional as she did on Facebook today ( big smile ). So today's blog is dedicated solely to her. Sarah isn't my sister by birth, she was chosen by me and God given! The relationship we have is as close as sisters can get and even better in my mind because we didn't grow up with all the competition of siblings for parents attentions. We never had to fight over toys, boys, or magazines, ect.. And don't mistake that we are two of a kind! We are so different as to be night and day! I love to read and write and watch football, hockey and a couple of shows on TV.. but not really a TV watcher.. She reads a few books but would rather read magazines and watch NEWS (ICK) and Hallmark shows that are all mushy.. she likes college football but could care less about NFL.. I like them both.. she cant stand Hockey.. I know just wrong right? But their are so many things we love to do together. We enjoy going out and having dinner ( who wouldn't I know) but we usually get in trouble for being too loud. What can i say, we have a good time. We like to cook for each other and just be together. Ha! She is moving this weekend and I'm hopefully moving soon.. delays delays delays.. but God will get me in my new house on his time not mine. We will be giggling too much to help the guys move I'm afraid... but I think they are use to that. Chris (her Fiance) Has a huge yard to mow now, hehehe, but he also has a nice patio to grill for us with a roof over it so he wont get wet now when it rains. The kids have a nice big fenced in yard. My sister picked a great house... not any closer.. but its great. I'm very very happy for her. Like most sisters we have our disagreements.. but I know she will say what she wants to say and I will get over it and I will tell her what I want to say and she will get over it. We don't play games that friends often play to manipulate and mistreat each other. Which is something I just don't understand. If I had to choose another sister I couldn't pick anyone better than Sarah. She forgives when is needed.. and she asks for forgiveness when she knows she is wrong (even if it kills her). But she is the best friend I have and I love her with all my heart. I have had a few friends in my life but none of them have been like what I have now. I don't know if my age plays a role in how well we get along or if its because we just are perfect for each other, but my other friendships never worked out the way this one has. I never called them sister as I have done with this one. I never let my children call them Aunt before.. So she is stuck with me whether she likes it or not.. my kids are hers, hers are mine and we are a matched set. When we all get together it is a FULL house.. with her 3 kids, my 2 plus our men.. wow.. its a good thing we both moved into bigger homes! Here's to Sisters! No matter if the blood is the same or not if they are in your heart they belong to you. Until next time...

Welcome Home

If ever you need an uplift just watch a few videos from welcome home blog its on the left side of my page.. they will make you cry happy tears. The latest one of the little girl in school is my favorite one to date.. the look on her face choked me up when she seen her daddy. Ha! she did a double take but when it registered she was laid flat. That look is the look of pure love. Can you imagine how that soldier felt seeing such unschooled love on his babies face. I'm sure he will remember it always. Their are so many of these wonderful videos here, and I re watch them many times because they help me remember the ones who are still off fighting, still away from their families training, still off on missions. They do this for each one of us. I hope you can love this blog as much as I do and visit often. The ones with kids gets to me more. I couldn't imagine how it would be if my husband was still in the Navy. I would like to hope I would be strong enough for it and that my daughters would be strong enough for it. But a part of me wants to say no.. those soldiers families.. they have a hard job of keeping it together for themselves and for their children. They have to do everything when their soldier is off for our country and they have to do it with pride and joy for their soldier. These families have got to be the strongest people ever. I give them my prayers every night along with my prayers for their soldiers because they may not be out there fighting, training or on missions; they are still doing a hard and trying job and needs all the support they can get. Much love to the soldiers and their families and many prayers to you. I pray that you will be as close as possible at Christmas time and all be home to your families soon. God Bless. Until next time...

Winter! Love it!

Last night we had our first dusting of snow.. and when I say dusting I literally mean dusting. The snow was so thin it looked like I had sifted flour on to my deck. I'm hoping this cold lasts, we have had a few teaser cold spells and it would go back up to 70-80 degrees. But this light dusting of snow has given me hope! Winter makes me think of bonfires, smores, weenie roasts, hot cocoa and lots of family fun. I love winter time, I know everything looks dead, the trees bare of leaves, the grass brown, and the flowers asleep,. even in this their is beauty.. Ha! at least to me. When I walked outside this morning the sun was shining bright and it was about 34F (2C) it was beautiful. The sun was shining through diamond studded trees and we had 5-6 hawks calling high in the sky and in the trees. I'm not sure if they are finding mates this time of year and making nests or what but they were very vocal. I had to stand and listen to them for a while. Their is NOTHING like breathing in that cold clean smelling air. Makes a person want to go for a ramble in the woods. To add to all the great sounds and sensations of being outside the creek is full and the sounds are simply amazing. This video of my creek was taking last weekend. I mostly want you to listen to it. (smile) Pay no attention to the bad video. Just to let you know that water is seriously cold! I was looking for bear tracks when I shot this video. Not sure what I would do If I ever came across the actual bear.. probably something girly like scream and dial 911 from my cell. I found lots of other things to take pictures of. The little 'waterfall' that pours into my creek, rain drops on ceder tree needles.. I seen a lot of buck and doe prints.. and a couple of raccoon prints, but alas no bear, but I will keep looking! So Until next time..

Christmas Traditions

Homemade chili, hot chocolate, pudding, the movie Polar Express and my family. This is one of the traditions we had started a few years ago. I know everyone has their many different traditions some more traditional than others. My husband kicks off Christmas season on Thanksgiving day right after the meal by watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. He will watch this movie at LEAST once a week until Christmas Day and then put it away until next Thanksgiving. Me, I like to make chili, pudding and hot chocolate and sit around and watch Polar Express with everyone snuggled up on the sofas. The girls of course have to watch all the cartoon Christmas specials like Charlie Browns Christmas and Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman...The classics.. I would love to know your Christmas traditions.. the traditional and the not so traditional.. When I was growing up on Christmas Eve we use to open one present and had to wait til Christmas morning to open the rest. I remember how hard it was to leave those other presents alone, It was like a huge tease and torture! And the one present we got to open was always socks or undies.. Pretty sure they knew what present they were handing out ;-) So when I had my girls I decided I wouldn't be cruel and let them open anything on Christmas Eve only on Christmas morning.. To their mind it is all cruel knowing presents are there and they can only look but not touch! But the fun is in trying to rattle the boxes without my husband or I catching them (smile) We are also adding to our usual traditions. My daughters and I have started the tradition in the last 4 years to bake sugar cookies and decorate them. Santa of course gets the best cookie from one each. The rest of the cookies we give to family when we visit or save for when they visit us. It is fun and a lot of giggles can be heard from my kitchen. The most important tradition we have started is reading the story of Jesus every Christmas Eve after the story 'Night Before Christmas'. I want to make sure they understand why we are celebrating it and they wont forget why. I hope to hear of your Traditions, So until next time Merry Christmas!

My Geeky Life

I have many interests and love to do many things but my two favorite things most would consider geeky or nerdy. I love to read, but I also love to watch animal cams. Africam is by far may favorite and to chat about all the animals we see with others who like me love to watch. The video above is a couple years old but it's by far my favorite to show what Africam has to offer. I have made many .cyber friends and acquaintances on the Africam chat and several others chat rooms. Why would a person want to watch a water hole with a chance to see an animal you ask? My answer is because when that amazing animal shows up it is an amazing experience.. each time is exciting and feels new. It doesn't matter that I have seen lions many times each time they show up on camera I am just as excited as It was the first time. And when very rare animals like the African wild dogs come to the water holes or the servals show up the excitement in the chatroom is palpable! The first time I heard the hyena's singing a chorus I fell in love with them and they fast became my favorite African animal. The more I learned about them the more I was amazed by them. The giraffe drinking from the water hole is always exciting because they are not exactly rare but they are elusive. And the moments when we don't see much we have the chat to rely on to keep us entertained. The people I have met there can be as fun as watching the cameras. I can't forget the Africam Boma in the forum. I have met several people there that have helped me learn and are the greatest help! I have seen the southern cross at Tembe thanks to Howwa pulling up the stars there. And I have learned many birds from several others. Also on occasion the Nkorho lodge will do something special for the viewers, such as World Rhino Day the lodge ladies and the lodge men put on a short skit and they sang to help show support for WRD. And for New years and even for some Special birthdays they try to do special things. We have watched a wedding on Elephant plains together and seen so many amazing and beautiful animals. A person is quickly pulled in and its hard not to look in to see what is going on or to look in the days pictures to see what they missed. In fact it's time for my Africam fix (smile) so until next time.    

The Hunger Games movie

The Hunger Games movie will be coming out March 23, 2012, I had the opportunity to write a review on this book when it was in ARC (advanced reader copy). This is a great book  with some very strong emotional pull behind it.. It doesn't matter that it is considered a Teen novel, it will hold adults attention easily. The book makes the reader face hardships and the blind cruelty of post war North America now called Panem where nothing is left but the 12 Districts and the Capital. One district, district 13 had been wiped out when they rose up against the 'ruling' capital. As punishment the Capital invented the Hunger Games where 2 children, one boy and one girl from every district had to take part in this farce but they had no choice. The children played to the death. Last one standing 'won' and lived in comfort for the rest of their lives... until Peeta and Katnis.. Now all that said.. the book sounds ghoulish, kids killing kids.. yes it was a bit hard to read. But the killing wasn't the important part it was the resolve and anger it brought; the change and the strength that it wrought. It was an excellent book that to this day I still rave about and still find myself thinking about because it WAS so strong and brought out so many emotions.

I hope the creators of the new movie follow the book and don't try to over sensationalize it. Its sensational enough.. The characters aren't what I would have expected from the descriptions given in the book. I always pictured Katnis tall, thin, lean.. Peeta very handsome, Gale rugged and muscled with some good looks but not up to Peeta's standards. My first look at the Official trailer gave me pause because  the characters didn't mirror MY imagined characters. I can't wait to see the movie with a couple of my friends. My hope is that it is just as good as the first book is and leaves me wanting to watch the second movie as much as the first book left me wanting to read 'Catching Fire' the second book. If you are a Hunger Games Fan you can go to their official website with the countdown to movie opening here: http://www.thehungergames.co.uk/

Until next time

Introduction To Me

cha·ot·ic

 [key-ot-ik]

adjective

-completely confused or disordered: a chaotic mass of books and papers.

.. or in this case my mind (smile) Many times I have wondered what it would look like to put my mind in print. Would it look as scary as it seems in my head? I will find out. I normally write about books I have read and so to an extent I can't write freely or I write articles that deal in facts, so this will be a bit liberating...

  

   This time of season in its self is a bit chaotic along with all the changes I'm currently undertaking. Moving into a new home for one. I have discovered I hate packing up 15 years of my life.. and realizing most of it is useless junk! So decided to get rid of most of it and start fresh for the next 15 years. And on top of that are all the delays into actually MOVING into the new house! Christmas is right around the corner; will we be moved in time to put up our tree? I hope so. This will also be the first year I will be cooking Christmas dinner for my family all alone.. terrifying!!! So if you have some good recipes to impart please let me know.. especially a good turkey dressing (my fave). I actually know how to cook a turkey.. and I know how to make sweet potatoes.. yum... and green bean bundles are a must in this house.. but what else.. will have to give it thought and need lots of pointers.. look out chat!! I will be asking you there!! Ah what chat am I talking about?  Africam chat of course.. africam.com where we talk about 3 cameras in Sabi Sands South Africa.. dorky you say? To each her own.. I prefer to be called geeky. And to help with my Geeky persona.. I not only chat at the cams.. I take pictures of the animals I see AND I also post these pictures and chat on the Africam forum, I read literally about 5-8 books a week, I try to learn at least one new thing a week (whether or not I remember it later) and I try to learn the bird calls, animal calls and what each animal is that I see.. the list could go on and on.. The scary thing is.... IM NOT ALONE... their are many people just like me at Africam who love it just as much as me, my husband has started to call them my Geeps- Geeky Peeps :-) must say I really like that name. Now I think I have sufficiently introduced you to my chaotic mind; So until my next chaotic moment, I will bid you adieu.