Snoopy Dance!

Shopping After Christmas - Yay!

Boy, oh, boy did I have fun shopping after Christmas this year! I got more money than I'd expected, and then my two sisters and I did a "Sisters Shopping Day" yesterday!

Here's what I got:
- 3 prs nylons
- makeup
- Old Navy jeans ($10!!!)
- 3 Old Navy tank tops
- a rose-colored 3/4-sleeve top
- a black shrug
- an A-line, ankle-length denim skirt
- a belt
- 2 picture frames
- hand lotion
- a calendar (Charles Wysocki!)
- 2 melamine, stackable bookshelves (one with a door)
- 7 books!!!

The books were all from Chapters, one of which I got in the store, and the rest I got online via a Gift Card I bought for myself. ;-)

They are:
* "THE LAZARUS TRAP" by T. Davis Bunn (bought in-store)
* "THE BARBARIAN WAY" by Erwin Raphael McManus
* "LOST CHRISTIANITIES" by Bart D. Ehrman
* "A HISTORY OF READING" by Alberto Manguel
* "A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING" by Bill Bryson
* "PRINCESS" by Gaelen Foley
* "ONCE UPON A TIME" by J. Randy Taraborrelli (for only $4.99!!!)

I also got books from the money I got for my Birthday, recently, too!

* "EVERY WOMAN'S BATTLE" - Shannon Ethridge
* "VELVET ELVIS" - Rob Bell
* "PREPARING YOUR SON FOR EVERY MAN'S BATTLE" - Stephen Arterburn

I'm one VERY happy camper! Books, books, books, and shelves to put them on, too! :o) Yay! And, the cool thing? Most of these books were on my wishlist (some for over 3 years!)

2005 Reading Overview & New Years' Planning

I've been thinking a lot, lately, about the New Year. It's quickly approaching -- seems like I could blink and it would all-of-a-sudden be February! LOL

I've already made up my Top 10 Reads for 2005 list. Also, while I'm thinking of it, I'll have a NEW website next year! Check it out here!

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I've also decided on some READING GOALS for 2006:

** Read ONLY my own books -- except for f2f choices (they're the exception). Library books are NOT allowed, otherwise! I really need to make a dent in my collection, now that it's over 1000 titles long! ;-D

** Read 55 books total (I've cut back my usual goal because I'll be getting a job outside of the home come September 2006).

** Don't buy as many books (no more than 1 a month).

** Continue to review books for BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS and HARPER-COLLINS CANADA.

** Once again keep a book journal (I still need to go out and buy one for next year! I like the little notebooks that come with those stationary gift sets -- the sets that include a notebook/journal, address book, and 2 pencils in a small holder/stand).

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I'm up to 54 books so far this year. My goal was set for 60. I don't think I'll make that goal, but I can probably fit in one more, to bring my total to 55. That's about my average, anyway, so I'm okay with that.

It's been a really good reading-year for me! Most of my titles have been rated A or B ("Excellent--Highly recommended!", or "Enjoyable"). Wanna see the list?

My current read is "THE CONSTANT PRINCESS" by Philippa Gregory. I only just started it today, though, so I don't yet have an opinion of it.

Last book finished was "ALL SHE EVER WANTED" by Lynn Austin. Click here to read my review!

My next-up read is scheduled to be "GONE WITH THE WIND" by Margaret Mitchell. It's a group read for The Book Spot group on Yahoo!

Countdown to my birthday: 5 days
Countdown to Christmas: 10 days

Rambling ...

I often find myself wishing I were a little smarter. I love to read books that expand my mind -- ones that challenge me to really pay attention to what I'm reading -- because it makes me *feel* smarter. For example, I bought myself a copy of Steven Pinker's "THE BLANK SLATE". Much as I've not read it yet, I've read bits of it, and a lot of it goes over my head. But, I like that as I feel like maybe I'll be able to hold more intelligent conversations for having read it.
I like to have "lofty" conversations, too, as it makes me feel profound and intelligent. I think that that's one of the things that drew me to my husband back when we were dating. He's very intelligent, and tends to ramble on about things that are -- more often than not -- over my head. But, to have conversations like that with him, even if I don't understand everything, makes me feel like I'm important. Is that silly? Maybe so. Maybe I'm making a fool of myself by admitting this all here. LOL. But, it is what it is.
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I was having a discussion with a friend, on the weekend, about Christianity and religions. He was telling me about the history of the Southern Baptists, and about the start of some things in Canadian history. I sat there wishing that I was more knowledgeable about things like that, because I really don't know anything about that sort of thing. I really don't have a lot of interest in history -- never have -- so that kind of thing is beyond me. People can talk about it, but I have nothing to contribute to the conversation. That frustrates me. I try to read about stuff like that, and then I end up getting soooo bored because history isn't my thing. :o? And, it's not as if the conversation with my friend bored me! Far from it -- I was fascinated! But, I just can't seem to *read* on the subject without getting bored.
:-/
I wonder if there's another, more interesting way to learn about the history of things without having to immerse myself in books that bore me to tears? Any suggestions?

Christmas Party

This weekend was the annual CDCP at my DH's friend's place. Always a blast.

I beat my record this year -- I started out (4 years ago) only staying up until 1am. After having kids, my ability to stay up all night has dwindled....or, so I thought. Last year, I stayed up until 3:30am. I was so proud of myself! LOL. So, you can just imagine how thrilled I am to report that I was able, this year, to stay up until 6am! :oP

Most of my night/morning was spent playing "PHASE 10" (a card game) with two friends. Halfway through our game, though, the conversation turned to that of religions and Christianity, and so we didn't really pay a lot of attention to the game. In fact, we didn't even finish it because, come 4am, one went to bed, and the other and I just called it quits. I watched my DH play a game of Pool, and then I, too, crashed.

There is talk of this annual party being resumed in July as a "Christmas-in-July" type thing -- it'd give everyone an opportunity to see each other TWICE a year instead of once, and I think that's a bonus! I love the idea, and I hope it's implemented! I have no qualms with tenting in the backyard for a night. ;-P

And so, another year tucked under my belt. On to the rest of the festivities of the season! :o)