My reading goal for 2015 was to read twice as much non-fiction as fiction. And I did! I read a total of 76 books, 53 non-fiction and 23 fiction. (Yes, I read fast. Yes, I love to read. Yes, you make time for what you really want to do! And I really enjoy reading!)
Here are some of the best:
Non-fiction:
The Bible...of course, I think it's the best book! And I really did read it through twice in 2015. The first time was with my everyday translation, The Holman - pretty much beginning to end, but did skip around a little. The second time I read it through I use the Message and I read chronologically.
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
Outliers - by Malcolm Gladwell
Women of the Word by JennWilkin
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nebeel Qureshi
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
The Billion Dollar Spy by David E Hoffman
How Dante Can Save Your Life by Rod Dreher
7 Men and Their Secret of Greatness by Eric Mataxas
Fiction:
Two really stood out to me this year:
The Martian by Andy Wier - and I enjoyed the movie...I mainly read it because of the movie version. I'm very glad I did!! I will give a warning though: the language is salty!!! Like a sailor!! But not in a vulgar way...sadly, the main character spoke like many people do today. But the amount of science in this fiction book? Amazing! My whole family enjoyed the movie as well....might even try to see it again.
The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah - she is probably the top fiction author for me. I think I have read everything she has published and have enjoyed each one. This one to me is her best work. This would make a GREAT movie as well!
For 2016:
In looking ahead to this New Year one of my reading goals is to re-read some children classics. I'm looking forward to diving back into The Narnia Chronicles as well as The Borrowers. I, also, have my eye on some of Madeleine L'Engle books. Some of these I read as a child and others I read with or to my children. I think it'll be refreshing to re-read these classics. I'm, also, looking into reading a few books that will be released as movies this year. (And yes, I know. The book is always better!)
What did YOU read in 2015?? What do you want to read in 2016???
Monday, January 4, 2016
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Stories From Our Holiday Season
Melissa has a personnal space issue. As in she doesn't really like it when people invade it.
And by people, I mean her family.
The boys in the family like to help her get over this issue. Or maybe they just like to irritate her...Elevators are great place for some therapy.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Christmas Has Come!!
I
Last night Drew wanted to play games. So, we did a family slide contest before we broke out the cards. William won (posted his video on FB), but we all had fun....and while I fell on my 2nd slide no one got hurt!
Saturday, December 19, 2015
A Scrappy Quilt
A little bit of this fabric....little of that...sew them into strips...and then sew the strips together. While its not straight at places, I think it turned out nice still. This one went to a friend who is adopting a foster child. He'll move in over the Christmas holidays.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Christmas Ponderings....
One of the things I have been pondering this Christmas is how can singers sing some of our beautiful Christmas hymns about Christ, but yet not believe in Christ. Sort of has me befuddled... Also, what exactly are non-Christians celebrating when they celebrate Christmas?? Do they really just see it as a time to give and get gifts?? That just seems so shallow and pointless to me....Christ gives meaning to so much in my life and especially during this time of the year. I can't imagine Christmas without Christ.
This has come about by us watching an interview of James Taylor. In it he states that he was raised in a home that did not attend any church. We have a Christmas music CD of his that we listen to when we are in Drew's car. Some of the songs he sings are so heartfelt! But yet in the interview he talks of being "spiritual", but that's not the same as being a Christian with a saving belief in Jesus.
He's not the only one. One just has to listen to the radio (or Pandora or iTunes or Spotify) to hear just about any famous (and many not-so famous) people recording Christmas songs. And like James Taylor most seem very heartfelt. But then you look at their lives or read more of them and you just wonder....how do you sing of the Birth of a Savior and not believe in the words you are singing???
This has come about by us watching an interview of James Taylor. In it he states that he was raised in a home that did not attend any church. We have a Christmas music CD of his that we listen to when we are in Drew's car. Some of the songs he sings are so heartfelt! But yet in the interview he talks of being "spiritual", but that's not the same as being a Christian with a saving belief in Jesus.
He's not the only one. One just has to listen to the radio (or Pandora or iTunes or Spotify) to hear just about any famous (and many not-so famous) people recording Christmas songs. And like James Taylor most seem very heartfelt. But then you look at their lives or read more of them and you just wonder....how do you sing of the Birth of a Savior and not believe in the words you are singing???
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
What Not To Wear
During this past summer my friend Cheryl and I were talking about clothes. I said I needed someone to play Stacy and Clinton from TLC's What Not To Wear and go through my closet. Well, she said she would! Last week we finally both had free time.
And she through out most of my clothes....probably about half... But this being first world, I still have a lot of clothes - plenty! - to wear. She pointed out which clothes are the wrong color for me - which I'm not good at all! She, also, helped me get rid of some items that were too big....but I still wear. There were several shirts that I didn't wear a much - mainly, because I really didn't like them. What am I keeping them then?? TIME TO LET THEM GO!!!
While she would love for me to get rid of more pants, I had to keep them so I would have something to wear! I think she only liked one pair of jeans and one pair of capris....no other pants! I just have a hard time finding pants that really fit, so I just don't shop for pants much. The end result it that I wear pants that are too big and just wear a belt.
We did not have time to go through my skirts or shorts...maybe another day. I do want her to go shopping with me when I start to replace these items...especially, pants!!! And I need to write down what colors she said looks best on me....like purples need to be more wine not grape....no grays....See. I can't even remember!!
But it was fun afternoon!! We laughed so much!! Another friend was with us, Tonya. Now, Tonya doesn't care one wit about clothes! She usually just wears tee shirts. After it was all over, Tonya said - "Cheryl is NEVER getting close to MY closet!"
Soooo looking forward to shopping with Cheryl!!
And she through out most of my clothes....probably about half... But this being first world, I still have a lot of clothes - plenty! - to wear. She pointed out which clothes are the wrong color for me - which I'm not good at all! She, also, helped me get rid of some items that were too big....but I still wear. There were several shirts that I didn't wear a much - mainly, because I really didn't like them. What am I keeping them then?? TIME TO LET THEM GO!!!
While she would love for me to get rid of more pants, I had to keep them so I would have something to wear! I think she only liked one pair of jeans and one pair of capris....no other pants! I just have a hard time finding pants that really fit, so I just don't shop for pants much. The end result it that I wear pants that are too big and just wear a belt.
We did not have time to go through my skirts or shorts...maybe another day. I do want her to go shopping with me when I start to replace these items...especially, pants!!! And I need to write down what colors she said looks best on me....like purples need to be more wine not grape....no grays....See. I can't even remember!!
But it was fun afternoon!! We laughed so much!! Another friend was with us, Tonya. Now, Tonya doesn't care one wit about clothes! She usually just wears tee shirts. After it was all over, Tonya said - "Cheryl is NEVER getting close to MY closet!"
Soooo looking forward to shopping with Cheryl!!
Monday, December 14, 2015
Shocking...A New Post
Ok. Shocking some of you, but here's a new post as to what's going on in our life....
William - he had a great first quarter at college - three A's and one B. The B was in English - no surprise there. This quarter he's taking another calculous class, a physics, and two engineering classes (if I'm remembering right). He'll be home at some point this weekend for Christmas break .He's still having the time of his life! And not really missing us at all...well...maybe missing Melissa...and he plays on-line video games with Ben, so they talk often, but he's not missing mom or dad!
Melissa - is disappointed that the scores for the PSAT are not being released in early December as promised. It's now has a release date of early January. She took the ACT again this past weekend. She currently has a 29 score, but wants a 33 to beat her older brother and to get eligible for a "full-ride" scholarship to Ole Miss. She's doing okay in school this semester....a little worried about her grades in college math and in her college biology class....not sure if she'll be able to pull out an A in these....she's had a high B/low A all semester.... These two classes are much harder than she thought they would be. But she's studying!! Giving it her all!!
Right now one of her favorite things is to volunteer at Teen Court. She in a program through the school where she had to visit several programs of the parish and one being Teen Court. She loved it!! She helps the defense lawyer. She's now thinking about law school. (Remember: she has a history of changing her mind every six months or so....but still. A lawyer? She would rock it!) I think she gets a kick out of seeing which kids from her school had to show up for Teen Court as punishment not volunteer work!
Benjamin - high school soccer is keeping him busy. He's on the junior varsity team and gets to play about 15-20 minutes each game. Not really as much as he wants to...he would love to play the whole game, of course! If he stays on track these last few days of the semester, he'll have all A's this time around. He's taking PE, geometry honors, English honors, and world geography. He, also, took the ACT this past weekend. We'll know in the next few weeks to a month the scores.
The big news for both Melissa and Ben was our wonderful youth minister at our church is switching over to college and single ministry. While Drew and I weren't too surprised (only some at the timing), this was out of the blue for them... Melissa was very upset. As the days go by, I think she understands a little more, but just needs a little time to adjust to the changes. I'm not sure how long it'll take to hire a new minister....he'll have big shoes to fill that's for sure!
Drew is still loving his job...traveling some now and then. Last month he and I went to Dallas for the weekend for a marriage conference. It was a good weekend. Our church host a marriage retreat each summer, but we have never gone (for several reasons). One of the things we enjoyed was that we knew NO ONE on this trip. We didn't have to worry about being social or anything other than just us. It was very nice to get away for a few days. (And of course, being in Dallas, I enjoyed going to Trader Joe's!!)
I'm still loving my job. Keeps be buys enough, but not too busy. And still loving that I don't have to deal with other people's teenagers.
William - he had a great first quarter at college - three A's and one B. The B was in English - no surprise there. This quarter he's taking another calculous class, a physics, and two engineering classes (if I'm remembering right). He'll be home at some point this weekend for Christmas break .He's still having the time of his life! And not really missing us at all...well...maybe missing Melissa...and he plays on-line video games with Ben, so they talk often, but he's not missing mom or dad!
Melissa - is disappointed that the scores for the PSAT are not being released in early December as promised. It's now has a release date of early January. She took the ACT again this past weekend. She currently has a 29 score, but wants a 33 to beat her older brother and to get eligible for a "full-ride" scholarship to Ole Miss. She's doing okay in school this semester....a little worried about her grades in college math and in her college biology class....not sure if she'll be able to pull out an A in these....she's had a high B/low A all semester.... These two classes are much harder than she thought they would be. But she's studying!! Giving it her all!!
Right now one of her favorite things is to volunteer at Teen Court. She in a program through the school where she had to visit several programs of the parish and one being Teen Court. She loved it!! She helps the defense lawyer. She's now thinking about law school. (Remember: she has a history of changing her mind every six months or so....but still. A lawyer? She would rock it!) I think she gets a kick out of seeing which kids from her school had to show up for Teen Court as punishment not volunteer work!
Benjamin - high school soccer is keeping him busy. He's on the junior varsity team and gets to play about 15-20 minutes each game. Not really as much as he wants to...he would love to play the whole game, of course! If he stays on track these last few days of the semester, he'll have all A's this time around. He's taking PE, geometry honors, English honors, and world geography. He, also, took the ACT this past weekend. We'll know in the next few weeks to a month the scores.
The big news for both Melissa and Ben was our wonderful youth minister at our church is switching over to college and single ministry. While Drew and I weren't too surprised (only some at the timing), this was out of the blue for them... Melissa was very upset. As the days go by, I think she understands a little more, but just needs a little time to adjust to the changes. I'm not sure how long it'll take to hire a new minister....he'll have big shoes to fill that's for sure!
Drew is still loving his job...traveling some now and then. Last month he and I went to Dallas for the weekend for a marriage conference. It was a good weekend. Our church host a marriage retreat each summer, but we have never gone (for several reasons). One of the things we enjoyed was that we knew NO ONE on this trip. We didn't have to worry about being social or anything other than just us. It was very nice to get away for a few days. (And of course, being in Dallas, I enjoyed going to Trader Joe's!!)
I'm still loving my job. Keeps be buys enough, but not too busy. And still loving that I don't have to deal with other people's teenagers.
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