lagging behind...

Finally finished my second book for the Once Upon a Time Challenge. As I said before, there's no way I'm going to finish in time. But that's okay...I'm committed to finish my list sometime. I'm so glad I joined in the fun anyway. Fantasy has never really been my thing, but I've found that I truly enjoy it!

Now, as for The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards. I chose this book both because I just loved the title and because Annie read it back in first grade and adored it. I have to say that it was not the best written book I've ever read. Certainly won't make my all-time favorite reads list. And yet I did enjoy it. It was a fairly fast read, being only 271 pages and of a light manner. The story was cute, but not exceptionally "deep". Still, I loved the whole focus on the miracles wrought by imagination.

At one point, the lovable, eccentric Professor Savant tells the children, "...I don't want you ever again to take something at face value--to take things for granted. Let your curiosity run away with you. Know that beyond every ordinary explanation there is a deeper and more exciting discovery to be made." I absolutely love that advice!

So, overall, I think it would be a delightful book to read with younger children...I would love to read it to the boys, but it's not really up their alley. But as for adults who just love children's/YA lit, I'd say there are plenty of better choices out there.

challenged update

Let me just say that my reading challenges are not coming along so well. We're down to 3 weeks in both the Spring Reading Thing Challenge and the Once Upon a Time Challenge. Four books to go in each. Time to concede defeat. Not that I won't eventually read those books, but I figure if I want to have any chance of keeping up with my other four reading challenges, which as of today, have now all started, I'd better move on...

As for the 10:4 Challenge, well, I seem to have got a little help. Today's weigh-in day. Down another 3 pounds. But that's only because I got sick with one totally bizarre infection. I woke up at 2:30 yesterday morning with the most awful sore throat of my life. It was horrible! I simply couldn't sleep because of it. And it was weird, I could swear there was something in my throat. By about 8:00 yesterday morning, I was in near panic. Whatever was in my throat was getting bigger. It hurt horrendously and at times it nearly felt like I was choking. I made Rich look...and sure enough there was "something" there. He said it was about the size of a big marble. He wanted to take me to the ER, because he was afraid it was going to obstruct my airway completely. But I called my doctor and got right in. Turns out it's some kind of infection that has my uvula incredibly swollen. Anyway, this has led to a liquid diet, which I'm sure is what led me to lose these 3 extra pounds. So that's 7 pounds for May (but I really must remember that some of those are "cheater pounds").

all those pesky challenges

Just thought I'd post an update on the quadrillions of challenges I can't seem to stop myself from signing up for. Why? Because I'm so thrilled to say my first challenge--The 30 Day Organizational Challenge--is now behind me! Hooray! I did it! Can you tell I'm pleased with myself? I'll even show you the proof...click here, if you're interested in seeing the photos of my transformation. (Had to answer some questions for the challenge, but if you scroll down a tiny bit you'll get to the "before" and "after" shots.) Yep, I not only got it organized, but I painted the room and made curtains, too.

As for the 10:4 Challenge that I signed up for yesterday, I've decided that twice a month I'm going to try to adopt one new small healthy change. Nothing major...I know myself too well to expect miracles here. But I figure that lots of little changes is better than nothing at all. So my first change is to stop skipping breakfast. I'm just never hungry in the morning. But when I don't have breakfast, by lunch time I'm starving, and in the process of fixing the munchkins lunch I nibble down 3 times as many calories as I would have if I just had a small, sensible breakfast. So that's small change #1.

And as for the multiple book challenges...well, I guess only 3 of them are currently underway: Once Upon a Time Challenge--I'm one book down, 4 to go (by June 21), The Spring Reading Thing Challenge--I'm one book down, 5 to go (by June 21), and The Non-Fiction Five Challenge--0 books down, 5 to go (by Sept. 30). Hmmm...maybe I should go hole up in my new clean little craft room with a big pile of books, huh?

enchanting...

I finally finished Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. (Forgive the photo of Annie's beat-up well-loved copy, but I don't know how to post those cute little pictures of books like everyone else.) I don't know why it took me so long to finish this book...probably just that whole proverbial chicken thing, trying to do too many things at once and finishing none of them. Anyway, it certainly wasn't because I didn't enjoy the book. Quite the opposite, in fact...I loved every single page of it. And now, I guess, it's time to write a short book review. Something I hate to do. It's not so much the actual writing that I mind. It's more that I don't feel worthy. I think I need to come up with a little warning thing to post with my book reviews. Maybe something like this...

WARNING: The book review you are about to read was NOT written by a professional. The author has no literary training, and I'm sure in the opinion of many, no taste. She in no way wishes to influence your decision on whether or not to read the following book.

I don't know...I suppose I could perfect the wording a bit, but hopefully you get the idea.

So, anyway...Inkheart.

This book was a pure delight! Every page was magical. And it wasn't simply because the story was so enchanting, but also because Funke has magic in her pen. There were times when I simply had to re-read passages, not because I didn't understand something, but just to enjoy the beauty of the words again.

But don't get me wrong, this book was not all sunshines and roses. The story had its fair share of evil. Capricorn, the head honcho of evilness, was truly a frightful character. And, personally, I found some of the other characters even more terrifying in some down-to-earth manner. Basta and his knife scared me right to the end, and I found the Magpie equally unsettling.

Other characters were marvelously endearing. Meggie, the brave heroine at age 12, and her father, Mo, devoted father and book doctor extraordinaire. Dustfinger, tragic soul. Elinor, mother to an enormous collection of books, grew on me with each passing page. Yes, a simply delightful mix of characters.

And at the heart of the entire story is books. Books, books, beloved books...and all the magic in the words and worlds they hold.

The story was enchanting, and clever, and suspenseful, and engrossing! I enjoyed every minute of this book...but remember, that's just my opinion.

I really want to say a big thank you to Carl for hosting the Once Upon a Time Challenge. Though Inkheart has been on my "to read" list since my daughter read it a couple years ago, I doubt I would have gotten around to it for quite some had it not been for his challenge.

busy weekend ahead...

Busy, but not particularly fun. It is my goal to get my little craft room painted (for the 30 Day Organizational Challenge). We're nearing the end of the challenge, but I fear I am no where close to nearing the end of my work! I still have an awful lot of emptying out before I can begin the painting process. But that is one of my goals for the weekend.

I also have quite a bit of prep work for the school week ahead. And I hope that Annie and I can find time this weekend to make Boston Brown Bread and to "churn" some butter. (Not really churning, just shaking the living crap out of some whipping cream in a jar.) It's really funny...Annie never used to like to cook. The boys love it, but never Annie. Until we started homeschooling, that is. For some reason, when it's somehow related to "school", she absolutely loves it!

I'd also really like to finish Inkheart. I have yet to finish a book for the Once Upon a Time Reading Challenge. I'd also like to finish Annie's scarf, though that's not likely. And I'd like to finish a page for our 2006 vacation album (which shouldn't be all that hard...I'm just following my plan throughout the album...it's just a matter of finding time to execute the plan).

On a totally unrelated note, does anyone out there belong to Paperback Swap? Probably should have asked this question before I went and joined yesterday, but I just couldn't resist signing up. I think it's just a fabulous concept! Being able to "trade" your books with thousands and thousands of other people. Just signed up yesterday, and already had 2 of the books I posted requested. Nice to know the books will be going to someone who really wants them! And we now have credits to get 5 books (3 for signing up and 2 for mailing out the requested books). Such fun...another little addiction for me!

Well, I suppose to have any hope whatsoever of accomplishing my to-dos, I'd better get off this computer. Now.

you can't keep a bookworm down

I asked Annie to help me pick out the books for the The Once Upon a Time Reading Challenge. After all, they are all her books that I'll be reading. And she's read them all, so she knew which to recommend. We had a great time coming up with my list.

Of course, this whole idea of a reading challenge got her all excited! She asked if she could join in, too. I thought it was fantastic idea. So I told her about the Spring Reading Thing, as well. She is beside herself with excitement!

She wanted me to post her lists on my blog. But I decided it would be better if she just posted her lists, and then her reviews on "her blog".

She is going to put me to complete shame! But I am so grateful for her undeniable love of reading!

once upon a time reading challenge

The Once Upon a Time Reading Challenge.

Okay...what on earth am I thinking?!! I do not have time for another book challenge! Especially one that is so out of my realm of normal reading. But that's actually the reason I chose it...to expand my reading experience. Annie has dozens upon dozens of books on her shelves that would work for this challenge (fantasy is definitely one of her favorite genres). And I actually have been wanting to read several of them. So here's my chance, right?

This is running concurrently with the Spring Reading Thing. But, unfortunately, none of my books will overlap.

Anyway, here is my list for the Once Upon a Time Reading Challenge:
1. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
2. Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
3. The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards
4. The Prophecy of the Stones by Flavia Bujor
5. The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman
Bonus read: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Oh my, I hope I'm not setting myself up for failure.