Another Milestone for the Raging Princess

My daughter, affectionately known as The Raging Princess, officially completed 8th grade last night.  She received her diploma, a certificate for being on the A, B honor roll, certificates for being in Newspaper club, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Library Club and the Presidential Silver Award for Academic Excellence!  I am so proud of the hard work she did.  She managed all A's and B's even with taking advanced math, reading, and writing.  I am happy for her, but a bit sad.  She is growing up so fast!

Harlequin Nocturne, March 2012

So Here are the March offerings in the Harlequin Nocturne series (available at Wal-Mart for less than list price).  I love this series, not because it is such great reading, but it is good light reading.  When I'm feeling overwhelmed by things and have too much on my mind to tackle other books, I can always pick-up on of these.  I also like to pick them up to keep on hand for those "oh no, I have nothing to read emergencies." 

I recommend them both.  I have read books in this series that I wasn't that thrilled with, but these were both pretty good. The Half-Breed Vampire is a werewolf/vampire story that took me a while to get into, but I thought it finished strong and Forever Claimed is 3rd in The Claiming Series.  I wasn't thrilled with the first book in this series, but books 2 and 3 were good.  There was a little bit of repeating the same info over and over, but for the most part a very enjoyable read.



Mother's Day is one of those holidays that has always seemed forced and insincere to me.  Despite that, I have always tried to make the day nice for my mother, but my kids were always too young to really do much.  I have received the cutest school made gifts and cards and, of course, sweet hugs and well wishes.  This year, however, my oldest is 14 and she took charge.  She asked what I wanted, figured out she could order it on Amazon, got my husband to order it, snuck the gift in the house before I got home from work, and wrapped it.  I love my gifts!

Thanks to the Raging Princess for taking charge.  Thanks also
to the Lego Hero and the Sports Nut for a great Mother's Day.  I love you all; you guys are the best!

Dark Desires After Dusk by Kresley Cole

Paranormal Romance
Book 5 in The Immortals After Dark Series

I am liking this series more and more.  Each book at least mentions previous characters, if not involves them in the story line, which is nice.  I like the continuity between books.  The author has thought up a multidimensional world full of lots of different creatures that make up the Lore.  There is the conflict of an upcoming Lore War and to top it all off, the romance is great! 

In this book Cadeon, a rage demon, after being a small character in several books, finally takes center stage.  He has found his one true mate, but is forbidden from being with her because she is human.  Meanwhile, the human, is turning into an immortal being that is suddenly being sought after by half of the Lore.  Cadeon has to choose help his mate or help his brother.  I loved this book, great action, great romance, great conflict, and what's a romance without a little heartbreak that is resolved in the end? 

UCC leader applauds Obama stance on marriage equality

UCC leader applauds Obama stance on marriage equality


I'm proud to be a member of a church that supports gay marriage.   Click the above link to read the story.

Monarch books 2012

In grade schools and libraries across Illinois you will find displays of Monarch Award books in the Children's section.  These are books voted as being notable for grades K-3.  The lists always contain a good variety of books; something everyone will like.  Schools make a special point to try to read books from the list to the children throughout the year, but the list contains 20 books and schools just can't read all the books to the kids.  The schools usually have a special recognition for those children who did read all 20 of the books.  The new lists come out in the spring.  The reading usually starts in the fall when the kids come back to school.  I just finished reading all 20 books to my son (2nd grade).  It took me longer than I had hoped, because I took breaks from the reading to read books to him that he really wanted me to. (If you have been reading this blog, you know some of those books were quite lengthy.)  I am so glad I made the effort.  They are great books!  While my son wasn't thrilled when I pulled out a Monarch book, he always liked them, some he even loved.  So when your kids go back to school grab a list (usually available at the library) and start reading!  You and your children will be glad you did.

Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

Book 12 in the Sookie Stackhouse Series

The author, Charlaine Harris, is winding down the series and reading the book, I could tell.  It was a bit depressing.  Nothing seemed to happen in this book.  There was a lot of Sookie being alone, getting ready for work, working, going home from work and very little else.  There were a few conversations with vampires, werepeople, and fae, but just short conversations with very little in depth or action going on.  I hope Ms. Harris has a few surprises up her sleeve, but I think I know where the series is going and I hope I'm wrong. 

                              

My daughter was confirmed on Sunday.  It was a wonderful ceremony and it meant so much to her.  We go to a United Church of Christ and the confirmation process started last year in 7th grade.  It has been a long road.  The kids, attended church services, attended Sunday school classes, preformed service for the church, planned and ran Wednesday night church services during lent, attended youth group meetings, did the 24 hour famine lock-in, went on many field trips to learn about other faiths and cultures, met with mentors every other week all year, met with the pastor once a month, went on a weekend retreat, read her faith statement during church service, and I think their were a few more things they did that my daughter wasn't able to do.  It was a lot of hard work, but in the end she learned a lot.  I think her faith grew and I am grateful to everyone involved for making it such a great experience for her.  That doesn't mean that is wasn't a grind, because it really was, but it was so worth it.  I think the experiences she has had are a great faith foundation that she will hopefully continue to build upon as she becomes older.  She learned a lot of great things about faith, tolerance, service to others, and diversity. 

Undead and Unworthy

by Mary Janice Davidson

Book 7 in the Betsy Taylor Vampire Queen Series

In this book Betsy and Sinclair have just Married.  Betsy, the unwitting Vampire Queen is still trying to figure how just what it means to be queen, what she must do as queen, and what her powers are and how to handle them.  He husband, Sinclair is King, only because he slept with her right after she defeated the old ruler.  They do come to love each other and have a human wedding, although Sinclair is a bit overprotective of Betsy. 

I liked this book better than the last few.  Betsy is finally accepting her responsibilities and is finally being less of a materialist twit.  I wish the author would go deeper into Betsy and the other characters, adding more romance and heartbreak.  It's good, but not one of my favorites, but really, how bad could a book with vampires be anyway? 

Wednesday Night Sucks!

For the most part, I try to be positive on this blog.  Although, my husband seems to think I am not positive enough--to that I say too bad.  This is my blog and I write in it what is on my mind and what is important to me.  I am not trying to make people laugh.  Not that I have many readers to worry about anyway. 

So tonight, I write what is annoying me.

*  Having only 1/2 hour at home before I have to leave to take the kids to choir practice.
*  Finally get home from errands and kids activities at 7:45
*  Having to stop at the allergists, the library, office max, and four trips to church in one night.
*  Only having 45 minutes to get a kid with ADHD (who's medication has long since worn off) to do 30 minutes of homework in 45 minutes.
*  Having to eat frozen dinners because I have no time to cook.

I just got home and was in such a bad mood that I decided to take a few minutes to relax and calm down.  So, instead of doing the right thing, I let my son go play his Wii instead of doing homework.  We may not even get to the home work.  To that I say, Oh Well (Imagine how Katy Perry says it in "Last Friday Night (t.g.i.f)," which I am listening to right now.)  Sometimes you have to let things go. 
I'm sure that yes, there are lots of people that have similar busy nights.  My questions is Why?  Why is a lifestyle like this necessary?  Why are we so busy?  I'm tired.  I have two kids, two dogs, three rabbits and a fish to take care of.