I stopped writing because I ran out of things to say and the time to compose my thoughts.
Should I get this thing back up and running again? Let's set a goal to write once a week. Think I can do it?
Monday, September 10, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
11K in 2011 - A final tally
Let me add the final 2 books to the list.
The Back of the Book:
For twelve years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts... he's at Hogwarts." Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.
The Bibliography:
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. New York, New York: Scholastic, Inc, 1999.
You can find it here. Or at your local public library. Support the libraries!!!!!
Total Pages: 435
Total Pages in 2011: 10,923
Total Pages Remaining: 77!!!
And the final book of 2011-
The Back of the Book:
(Actually, it's the description from Amazon... The book cover is upstairs.)
For One More Day is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one? As a child, Charley "Chick" Benetto was told by his father, "You can be a mama's boy or a daddy's boy, but you can't be both." So he chooses his father, only to see the man disappear when Charley is on the verge of adolescence. Decades later, Charley is a broken man. His life has been crumbled by alcohol and regret. He loses his job. He leaves his family. He hits bottom after discovering his only daughter has shut him out of her wedding. And he decides to take his own life. He makes a midnight ride to his small hometown, with plans to do himself in. But upon failing even to do that, he staggers back to his old house, only to make an astonishing discovery. His mother--who died eight years earlier–-is still living there, and welcomes him home as if nothing ever happened. What follows is the one "ordinary" day so many of us yearn for, a chance to make good with a lost parent, to explain the family secrets, and to seek forgiveness. Somewhere between this life and the next, Charley learns the astonishing things he never knew about his mother and her sacrifices. And he tries, with her tender guidance, to put the crumbled pieces of his life back together.
Albom, Mitch. For One More Day. New York, New York: Hyperion, 2006.
You can find it here. Or at your local public library. Support the libraries!!!!
Total Pages: 197
Total Pages for 2011 FINAL TALLY: 11,120
Goal accomplished? Hells ya. HELLS ya. Sure, I re-read some of my favorites, but I read those over and over all the time, so it wasn't like it was out of the norm. And you know what? This total doesn't count the numerous blogs and online articles I've read. Nor does it count the pages from the 2 books I started but never finished, nor the pages from the endless resource books I've buried myself with, looking for answers to endless pregnancy and baby questions. I only counted the books I actually finished.
And next year, I plan to do it all over again. Happy New Years, everyone.
The Back of the Book:
For twelve years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts... he's at Hogwarts." Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.
The Bibliography:
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. New York, New York: Scholastic, Inc, 1999.
You can find it here. Or at your local public library. Support the libraries!!!!!
Total Pages: 435
Total Pages in 2011: 10,923
Total Pages Remaining: 77!!!
And the final book of 2011-
The Back of the Book:
(Actually, it's the description from Amazon... The book cover is upstairs.)
For One More Day is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one? As a child, Charley "Chick" Benetto was told by his father, "You can be a mama's boy or a daddy's boy, but you can't be both." So he chooses his father, only to see the man disappear when Charley is on the verge of adolescence. Decades later, Charley is a broken man. His life has been crumbled by alcohol and regret. He loses his job. He leaves his family. He hits bottom after discovering his only daughter has shut him out of her wedding. And he decides to take his own life. He makes a midnight ride to his small hometown, with plans to do himself in. But upon failing even to do that, he staggers back to his old house, only to make an astonishing discovery. His mother--who died eight years earlier–-is still living there, and welcomes him home as if nothing ever happened. What follows is the one "ordinary" day so many of us yearn for, a chance to make good with a lost parent, to explain the family secrets, and to seek forgiveness. Somewhere between this life and the next, Charley learns the astonishing things he never knew about his mother and her sacrifices. And he tries, with her tender guidance, to put the crumbled pieces of his life back together.
Albom, Mitch. For One More Day. New York, New York: Hyperion, 2006.
You can find it here. Or at your local public library. Support the libraries!!!!
Total Pages: 197
Total Pages for 2011 FINAL TALLY: 11,120
Goal accomplished? Hells ya. HELLS ya. Sure, I re-read some of my favorites, but I read those over and over all the time, so it wasn't like it was out of the norm. And you know what? This total doesn't count the numerous blogs and online articles I've read. Nor does it count the pages from the 2 books I started but never finished, nor the pages from the endless resource books I've buried myself with, looking for answers to endless pregnancy and baby questions. I only counted the books I actually finished.
And next year, I plan to do it all over again. Happy New Years, everyone.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
11K in 2011 - Harry Potter
I WILL hit my goal of 11,000 pages by the end of this year! I may have just over a week, but it's GOING to happen!!!!
The Back of the Book:
The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike. And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny. But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone- or something- starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects... Harry Potter himself!
The Bibliography:
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York, New York: Scholastic Press, 1999.
You can find it here, or at your local library. Support the libraries!!!!!
Total Pages: 341
Total Pages for 2011: 10,488
Total Pages Remaining: 512 or 52 pages per day. I can do this!!!!
The back of the Book:
Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility. All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley- a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years. But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry- and anyone who reads about him- will find unforgettable. For it's there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter.
The Bibliography:
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York, New York: Scholastic Press, 1997.
You can find it here, or at your public library. Support the libraries!!!
Total Pages: 309
Total Pages read in 2011: 10,147
Total Pages Remaining: 853
The Back of the Book:
The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike. And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny. But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone- or something- starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects... Harry Potter himself!
The Bibliography:
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York, New York: Scholastic Press, 1999.
You can find it here, or at your local library. Support the libraries!!!!!
Total Pages: 341
Total Pages for 2011: 10,488
Total Pages Remaining: 512 or 52 pages per day. I can do this!!!!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Did I Mention that I Had a Baby?
As I'm typing this my poor husband is trying to soothe a tired 2 month old so that she just might go to sleep early tonight.
Wow, she's 2 months old. She'll be 10 weeks on Wednesday, and in less than 3 weeks I return to work. Which makes me want to puke, but I will write more on that later.
So let's see... she's growing like crazy, and is truly a fun little firecracker most of the time. She has a gorgeous little smile that melts your heart. She's very strong.
I am constantly stunned at just how little I can get done during the day. It's even worse since we're having trouble with naps. As in, she doesn't nap unless she is sleeping ON ME. This is obviously a big problem. If anyone has any advice, please let me know.
For example, there are 3 loads of laundry that have been washed, but not folded. I was happy that we were able to get out and pick up the Christmas cards that I ordered online. Might I mention that it's only 2 weeks until Christmas?
Romeo has been a champ. He hasn't yet acted out, although he might be a little clingy. He loves Maddie. He gets upset when she's particularly upset. He cuddles with us when we're napping. He holds it when he's gotta go but she's nursing. He has even learned which toys are hers and not his. :)
At the beginning of January I will be returning to work, which means Maddie will be starting daycare. I'm utterly terrified. I'm second guessing my choice of care, even though I know I looked at several before choosing. I'm worried that she won't adjust easily, that she'll be left crying when she has a hard time sleeping. She's been well loved, and won't be used to being put down a lot. I'm really hoping it works out well.
We've made it over 2 months breastfeeding!!! :) And it's going very well. So well that before I had considered not pumping and giving her formula while I work. Now I'm actually going to attempt pumping. Heaven help me. My employer is very willing to let me and even help me do this. My actual job, however... we'll see. I work hard. LUNCH was a challenge. Lunch and pumping twice a day? It's gonna be interesting, that's for sure.
Wow, she's 2 months old. She'll be 10 weeks on Wednesday, and in less than 3 weeks I return to work. Which makes me want to puke, but I will write more on that later.
So let's see... she's growing like crazy, and is truly a fun little firecracker most of the time. She has a gorgeous little smile that melts your heart. She's very strong.
I am constantly stunned at just how little I can get done during the day. It's even worse since we're having trouble with naps. As in, she doesn't nap unless she is sleeping ON ME. This is obviously a big problem. If anyone has any advice, please let me know.
For example, there are 3 loads of laundry that have been washed, but not folded. I was happy that we were able to get out and pick up the Christmas cards that I ordered online. Might I mention that it's only 2 weeks until Christmas?
Romeo has been a champ. He hasn't yet acted out, although he might be a little clingy. He loves Maddie. He gets upset when she's particularly upset. He cuddles with us when we're napping. He holds it when he's gotta go but she's nursing. He has even learned which toys are hers and not his. :)
At the beginning of January I will be returning to work, which means Maddie will be starting daycare. I'm utterly terrified. I'm second guessing my choice of care, even though I know I looked at several before choosing. I'm worried that she won't adjust easily, that she'll be left crying when she has a hard time sleeping. She's been well loved, and won't be used to being put down a lot. I'm really hoping it works out well.
We've made it over 2 months breastfeeding!!! :) And it's going very well. So well that before I had considered not pumping and giving her formula while I work. Now I'm actually going to attempt pumping. Heaven help me. My employer is very willing to let me and even help me do this. My actual job, however... we'll see. I work hard. LUNCH was a challenge. Lunch and pumping twice a day? It's gonna be interesting, that's for sure.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
11K in 2011 - Destined
SPOILER ALERT!!!
This book is the next book in the House of Night Series. The back of the book gives away what has happened in previous books.
The Back of the Book:
"Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side and preparing to face off against Neferet - which would be a whole lot easier if the High Council saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together - if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.
But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia's handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there's the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more- or possibly less- than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his sould that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there's something strangely familiar about him...
Will Neferet's true nature be revealed before she succeeds at extinguishing Light? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox's humanity in time to protect them all? Find out what's Destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series."
Cast, P. C. and Kristin. Destined. New York, New York: St Martins Press, 2011.
Total Pages: 325
Total read in 2011: 9,838
Total pages remaining: 1,162 or 59 pages per day
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