"Ransom"

Ransom by Julie Garwood


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


View all my reviews >>

The Wedding by Julie Garwood

The Wedding by Julie Garwood

My rating: 5 of 5 stars I really loved this book. Its the first Julie Garwood novel that I have read and I will definitely be looking into a few more. I purchased the book on recommendation of a friend, and also because I have a soft spot for Scottish Highlanders. The only disappointment in this book for me was that it ended. I felt I hadn't finished with the characters and wanted to read a little bit more into their lives. A test of a good book for me is when I'm still thinking about the characters after I've long put the book down. I'm sure I'll read it again before long. View all my reviews >>

New Year

Well its the start of another New Year.

Very quiet celebrations last night, I always think its a celebration when I actually am awake at midnight to welcome the New Year in. That's new for me because previously with small babies in the house sleep was always the priority and welcoming the New Year was not.

We had my niece Shanti for a sleepover as New Year's is also my younger brother's birthday and they were celebrating with friends, many drinks and lots of noise, which just don't fit into a baby's schedule.

Nanny Sheila also came for a sleepover with us, because she thought it would be nicer than seeing the New Year in by yourself.

We had homemade pizzas and sorbet on the menu, very simple but very tasty and enjoyable.

We had a few wines, but not too many that I wasn't in control of myself, something I am not keen to repeat, because I think I'm getting too old and like to be in control when I have kids under my care.

I really appreciated this morning that I wasn't suffering a hangover, even though I was tired.

I've started the year with an arm injury due to some pretty serious Wii Resort sword fighting with my husband.

It is so much fun.

Heather and Merv joined us again this year, I have a feeling that it may now be tradition to see the New Year in with a bit of Nintendo Wii challenges.

But I wouldn't mind that, I think its fitting to start the New Year with a few laughs. I hope the upcoming year is full of them.

Most people I know say their New Year's Resolution is to not make any resolutions, whereas I like the idea of having a few goals to achieve. I won't try to make them outrageously unattainable, but its nice to have something to reach for. So here goes, I will try and come up with 10.

1. Lose weight. Not sure if this one should be lose weight as such, or rather look after my body a bit more. Make better choices with my eating and fit in exercise where I can.

2. I think then that no. 2 should be to make exercise more of a priority, if I wait until I have everything in order first, then it just doesn't fit in.

3. I think 3 should then be to learn to accept that I won't get everything done and in order every single day. Take smaller steps, start with the top of my list and things that just have to be done, ie feed the kids and get them to school. I need to have a little less pressure and anxiety when it comes to those things.

4. When asked I have told people this is my resolution, so maybe it should be no. 1, but I really want to be able to manage my time more efficiently and I think some of my other resolutions will be able to fall into place. I chase my tail a lot of the time, end up doing things 2 or 3 times because I've picked a poor time to complete that job. ie. Tidy all the kids rooms on a Saturday morning, when my 2 year old really isn't going to keep it that way all weekend.

5. Be more consistent with it comes to disciplining my children. A lot of times I don't follow through with the rules and boundaries I have made for my children and I think that is confusing for them. I need to be very clear what the boundaries and rules are and what the consequences are if they break those rules. I need to be able to follow through on them. Its hard when I'm here with them a lot on my own, an extra pair of hands makes the world of difference.

6. I want to be more accepting of my husband's responsibilities at work and the hours that he does work. That's the deal, that's how he works and it isn't about to change any time soon. I think I need to appreciate more how lucky I am to be in a position to be able to stay home and be here for my children, that in these current times, that is a real privilege and I'm very lucky. I think if I make life at home at little easier it will take some of the stress away from Geoff, and hopefully he will enjoy his time at home a little more.

7. I want to spend more time with my mother, just having a cuppa, or taking her somewhere she would like to go. I would like to be able to look after her a little more rather than just seeing her when needing her to look after the kids whilst I rush off and run an errand.

8. This one really needs to be further up the list, but if I am going to try and achieve all 10 of my resolutions then it really doesn't matter what order they come in. Try and get my health in order a little more. Make sure I take my medication at the right times and EVERY DAY. I'll need to come up with a better system, because I really can't remember if and when I take them. I need to make sure I have my blood tests regularly and on time and I need to make sure I go and see my GP regularly and on time. Then I will get a better picture of my levels etc. Fingers crossed if I can get that sorted, then my good eating plan and exercise will make a world of difference.

9. Make better use of what I have in my scrapping materials. I have a bucket load of stuff and if it just sits in boxes then its just a plain waste of money, and there is no need for me to be spending money on new things when I have loads I haven't used yet.

10. Try and stay out of other people's issues. I don't want to get involved in it and I don't want to try and fix it for them, always comes back to slap me in the face. That sounds a little harsh the way that I have put that. I would like to be a little more relaxed when there are dramas (other people's) swirling around me. I tend to get very caught up in them and try to smooth things out for everyone, and you just can't do it. It makes me sick to my stomach, I had conflict and just don't want it in my life.

....well now I could just keep going, but I've said 10 and I think I should stick to 10.

Who knows the list may change a little as we venture into the New Year.

But here's hoping for a wonderful 2010, filled with good health and happiness, with those 2 things everything else should just fall into place.

Northern Lights by Nora Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars After having read the Jewels of the Sun series and thinking they were just ok, I wasn't sure what I was going to think of my next Nora Roberts book. I was thinking maybe she just wasn't my style. A friend of mine had loaned me this book some time ago and thought it better be the next book I read so that I could return it. I am so glad I did, because I really did enjoy this story much more than any of her other books I had read. I found that I really liked the characters, the town and the suspense of "who dunnit?". I found that I just couldn't put it down and was picking the book up every spare minute I had and having to force myself at night to put it down and get some sleep. I would recommend this book as worth reading. I'm new to reviewing books so I am a little nervous about how to write too much without giving spoilers. View all my reviews >>

I have been really slack with my blogging, but I can never resist these questionnaires.

1. First thing you wash in the shower?
My hair.

2. What colour is your favourite hoodie?
I bought a silver Sportscraft jacket earlier this year. I was looking for a jacket for my mum to take overseas with her, and instead found something for myself.

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
For sure, it was my eldest son. I give him a kiss everyday.

4. Do you plan outfits every day?
Depends what my plans are but generally no. It is whatever fits, is clean and ironed.

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?
Tired and a little tense, my 2 year is very whingy and won't go to bed.

6. What's the closest thing to you that's red?

My pj's.

7. The last dream you remember having?
I don't get enough sleep to dream!

8. Did you meet anybody new today?
Saleslady at Myers, had to go and pick up my new vacuum cleaner nozzle.

9. What are you craving right now?
Sleep and a bit of quiet time.

10. Do you floss?
No.

11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?
Bacon. My mum always made a really nice cabbage dish that had bacon in it.

12. Are you emotional?
Yes, often.

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000?
Not that I can remember.

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?
If its in a cone I like it, otherwise I just shovel it in.

15. Do you like your hair?
No, it never co-operates.

16. Do you like yourself?
Not really.

17. Would you go out to eat with George Bush?
Sure, if he asked and he was paying.

18. What are you listening to right now?
The tv and the dishwasher.

19. Are your parents strict?
My father was when I was living at home.

20. Would you go sky diving?

21. Do you like cottage cheese?
No.

22. Have you ever met a celebrity?
No. Can think of a few that I'd like to run into though.

23. Do you rent movies often?
Never

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in?
No.

25. How many countries have you visited?
Sadly only 2.

26. Have you made a prank phone call?
No.

27. Ever been on a train?
Yes, most recently in Sydney to go to shopping and to the football. My fav. train trip was from Doncaster in the UK to Edinburgh in Scotland. I would love to do that trip again.

28. Brown or white eggs?
Either.

29. Do you have a cell-phone?
Yes although I often lose it.

30. Do you use chap stick?
Not often enough, usually when my lips have wind burn.

31. Do you own a gun?
No.

32. Can you use chop sticks?
No.

33. Who are you going to be with tonight?
My kids (who are all currently asleep).

34. Are you too forgiving?
Possibly

35. Ever been in love?
Yes.

36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow?
No idea.

37. Ever have cream puffs?
Yes.

38. Last time you cried?
Most days, although not today.

39. What was the last question you asked?
I asked my daughter to get into bed and stay in bed?

40. Favorite time of the year?
Christmas.

41. Do you have any tattoos?
No.

42. Are you sarcastic?
Sometimes.

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?
Is that a movie?

44. Ever walked into a wall?
Frequently

45. Favorite color?
Blue.

46. Have you ever slapped someone?
No.

47. Is your hair curly?
Its wild.

48. What was the last CD you bought?
I just bought the New Moon soundtrack today.

49. Do looks matter?
Yes.

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater?
Depends on the circumstances.

51. Is your phone bill sky high?
No.

52. Do you like your life right now?
There are a few things I would like to be different.

53. Do you sleep with the TV on?
Have never had a TV in my bedroom.

No.

54. Can you handle the truth?
Sometimes it hurts.

55. Do you have good vision?
No.

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?
I could probably think of 3 I dislike a little.

57. How often do you talk on the phone?
Usually daily, although not for long because its too hard with small children. I ring my mother every day.

58. The last person you held hands with?
My daughter.

59. What are you wearing?
Pj's and a dressing gown.

60.What is your favorite animal?
German Shepherds. I am also quite fond of our chickens.

61. Where was your default picture taken at?
Mackay.

62. Can you hula hoop?
Haven't in a while.

63. Do you have a job?
Not one that pays well.

64. What was the most recent thing you bought?
My eldest son 2 t-shirts and 2 pairs of shorts.

65. Have you ever crawled through a window?
Yes.

Waiting Waiting Waiting

Yes, I know I am hopeless when it comes to blogging. I think about it all the time and have loads of posts that go through my head....I just need that technology where it goes straight from my head onto my blog. Although in times of stress can you imagine what those blog posts would read.....there would be too many expletives.

School holidays have started and I have a terrible head cold and am feeling very unlucky about that.

It is my goal to try and make the holidays enjoyable for the kids and not the usual me running around like a lunatic trying to get my house in order and keep on top of things. I wish I was more of a relaxed kind of person.

Currently something that is occupying my mind a lot is the new chapter of Jamie and Claire Fraser's adventures, An Echo in the Bone. It has now been released and I just can't wait for my copy to arrive on my doorstep.

Although then the trick will be to find time to read it, I can't afford to be up until 3am reading it like I was the last time, my sleep deprivation is bad enough as it is.

So for now I will just keep stalking my postman and am sure will be doing cartwheels when it finally arrives.

Thinking About Blogging

You know I often think about blogging in my daily life.  Every day I look at the blogs that I subscribe to and really enjoy going through them and seeing what is going on in other people's lives.  Mostly I subscribe to scrapbooking blogs.  There is one I love looking at because she makes gorgeous cards.  

I think about things I can write on my blog, things that may be of interest to others.  However, by the time I finally get to sit and night, I either can't really remember what it was I was thinking of posting, or I can't think of something interesting.

Terrible I know.

My day to day life just seems so busy.  Not with anything of particular interest.  The usual, getting the kids ready for school, cleaning, tidying, washing, ironing, preparing meals, and then tidying etc all over again.

I constantly think of the things I would like to do when I get time...I just never seem to get the time.

I have enjoyed reading in recent times.  I particularly loved the Twilight sage, so much so that I actually read the books twice.

Then I read the Charlaine Harris series about Sookie Stackhouse which I enjoyed.  I am enjoying even more the tv series based on the books, True Blood.  At bed time I sometimes take my Macbook to bed and watch an episode.  

I have just started a series of Nora Roberts books, they are set in Ireland, I haven't read too much but so far I am enjoying them.

I have quite a stockpile of books ready to read.  I love to read.  I really enjoy reading Alaine and Sheree's blogs with their fabulous book reviews.  A few of my purchases have been based on their recommendations.

I have some knitting that I have started that is taking way too long.  If I had audio books I would be able to listen and knit at the same time.  They are expensive though and my husband has strong views about pirating illegal copies of things like that.

The only other thing I do in my spare time is play on my Macbook, I love it and still am very excited by the fact that I have my very own.  I can put it on the kitchen bench when I am cooking dinner, and sometimes it is the only way I have to communicate with my friends.  There is no time to pick up the phone for a leisurely chat.  Usually when I attempt this it sends off some kind of radar to my kids and they will instantly be at my feet with all sorts of requests and noise.

I keep a handwritten journal beside my bed and I can't think of the last time I took the time to write something.

So whilst I have good intentions of keeping an updated blog, it seems to fall behind.

I will try and be more committed and spend time each week trying to put into words what is going on in our life.