Hello... Anybody Home?!

I feel like I've been absent from my blog lately.  Oh, I've been making posts, mostly close up nature photography posts.  I feel like I've been having an affair with my new lover lens that I seriously can't get over!

I haven't posted anything new at my exercise blog since, well, sometime last week.  My good intentions are there, I'm just not following through.  I've even lost weight, but haven't taken the time to figure out how much... Somewhere around 3 pounds in 2 weeks.  I've been working out everyday and I joined Curves yesterday; I've started 2 a day workouts.  (That makes me sound like an NFL player!)  I'm baffled as to why I haven't blogged about all of this over at Truckin'.

What I've been doing instead of mindful blogging is reading.  Since the beginning of May I've read 8 books.  Here's a list with a very quick evaluation:

• Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by JK Rowling - A+
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling - A++
• Innocent in Death by JD Robb (otherwise known as Nora Roberts) - A    The In Death series are my go to books.  I always read one after I read something epic that I have a hard time letting go of.  I always have trouble getting Harry Potter out of my system.  I think I'm defective that way.
• Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates - C   This book was a strange one for me.  I didn't really enjoy it, but I couldn't stop reading it.  I had to know what happened with the characters.
• Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult - B   I enjoyed this book.  There were interesting twists and turns that kept me guessing.  I will definitely read more of her stuff.
• Revenge of a Middle Aged Woman by Elizabeth Buchan - C  I can barely remember what this book was about, but I do remember that I finished it.
• The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards - A  This was mostly a heartbreaking story, but I enjoyed it very much.
• Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen - A+  I just finished this book (hence the blog post with actual writing!) and loved it so much.  It was one of those books where I didn't want to sit down and read unless I knew I was going to get at least an hour of uninterrupted time.  I'm recommending this for a summer must read! 
  

I don't usually read so many books in such a short time, but I've been craving the books lately so I've been going with it.

There has been a butt load of stuff going on that would have been fun to blog about if I hadn't been reading so much.  Here is just a sample:

Handy Man has been refinishing the kitchen cabinets and they look beautiful.  No I haven't taken pictures.

As of yesterday school is over for the summer.  There was a BBQ at Dancing Daughter's school.  It was really hard for me for many reasons.  I organized the BBQ and had to get everything set up, that kind of thing always stresses me out.  It was time for DD and I to say good bye to the school, students, teachers and parents we've come to really like.  I've been involved with that school for 5 years being a major volunteer, 3 with SWS and 2 with DD.  It was an ending for me and I don't do well with those.  No I didn't take pictures at the BBQ.

SWS had a ceremony at school where the Juniors become Seniors at a special assembly.  He said it was very emotional saying good bye to the Seniors, but totally awesome to get to "take over" the Senior bleachers.

Our friends Chrissy and Mark purchased airline tickets and are coming to visit us from Boston at the end of July.  I am so excited about this!

The grand opening of the new county library in our city was the weekend of DD Dance Show, so I wasn't able to attend, however I did go check it out the following weekend and loved it!  It's so new and shiny and fancy.  Even though I still had a pile of books to read at home I checked out a book.  *sigh*

We are doing something tonight that is causing both Handy Man and I to have to take time off work tomorrow....

We are all thrilled about this... The whole family is going, plus 3 other teens.  I know it's dinner time right now, but I'm going to go make some coffee...  It will be late tomorrow before I make contact with any of my bloggy friends!

Comments

[The Incredible Woody]

I think we all have this type of inattention during the warm weather. I know outside just calls my name. So computer time takes a back burner:(

But don't feel bad. We miss you but would rather you be out enjoying your life. Just don't forget about us!!

[Mental P Mama]

Fun stuff! I want to read Water for Elephants...I never read fiction, but I think I'll put this on my list. Nice to catch up;)

[Asthmagirl]

So that's what you've been up to!
I've missed you, but I know you've been busy. TOG and I were at the pub the day the library opened. Several patrons had gone and said it was lovely.
Are we still on for taking the baroness to the pub on the 15th?
Take more pictures!

[noble pig]

Yeah the Harry Potter books you can't put down! Enjoy your time and good for you on weight loss!

[Daryl]

Loved Water for Elephants .. have you read Time Traveler's Wife or The Magician's Assistant .. you should

[deb]

You have been a reading fool! and yes, you have put me to shame...I'm reading two books now, Deception Code by Dan Brown and a Nora Roberts book, Vision in White. I need to get on the ball now! Thanks for the inspiration!
I read Elephants for Water...really a good book and surprise ending.

[Snooty Primadona]

You do sound terribly busy! But just remember how dull it will be when the kids are all gone. Enjoy them while ye may!

I'm still trying to finish Twilight, lol.

Just remember that we're all busier in the summer months. It's okay. We'll be here when you are ready to make a comeback...

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

I love Revolutionary Road--I thought it was an indication of how good the writing was that I could relate, in a small way, to people that I am soooo not like.

I belonged to Curves for a while when I was first starting to work out and it was really good to get me in the habit of exercise. Now I have the exercise habit, but the eating thing is totally off the rails. Any weight lost is a good thing--keep it up.

[Meg]

Really like Memory Keeper's Daughter. You're right, heartbreaking but good. And Water For Elephants...oh my...that book is still in my heart.