Interesting

I just had an interesting experience that made me realize something about myself. At church today the choir began to sing the National Anthem. I normally stand, but a quick glance around the room showed me I would be the only one to do so and to my shame I didn't stand immediately. It took an older couple to stand first before I reacted. It made me realize that at church I've turned into a follower, not a leader that I've always said I wanted to be. I need to not worry about what others think and just do what I know and believe to be correct, letting the consequences follow as they may. Thank you to that couple that helped me remember and showed me I should worry, just do.

Also, this week, my sister found out she is having a boy also! Yeah for boys! That makes six grandsons for my parents. Maybe someday they'll end up with a granddaughter. :)

My husband has been at Scout Camp all week and I planned on finishing another revision of the second part to Encoded Secrets. Well, that didn't quite happen. It became overwhelming (and way too hot) to deal with all the animals and plants that needed watering, by myself, for the second week in a row. I have to admit I was blessed though. The past several mornings have been just cool enough to get everything done without dying. I thank my Heavenly Father for that.

I also managed to finish a book. I'm shocked it has taken me this long (I blame the heat, being tired, and slightly depressed with everyone being gone without me) but I did it. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I've heard so many great things about this book and had to check it out for myself. Fascinating. Written in the style of letters to different people, the story of an island in the English Channel during World War II unfolds. I loved the history that was shared and the characters that became friends. I was amazed at all that happened during the German Occupancy of that island. I quite enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone, however, there are some descriptive parts of what happened to people in concentration camps that may be hard for younger readers to take.

Life

Ever feel like boycotting life in general. I think that's where I'm at right now. I haven't even finished reading a book in almost two weeks. Pretty sad. I'll get back into it though. I've been doing a lot of work on my writing, which I feel good about, but even that's slowed down.

Here's one bit of news I'm not sure has made it's way around. We found out last we're having a boy! Lots of fun there! :)

Just had to write a quick note. I just finished the third draft to the second part of my WIP (work in progress) Encoded Secrets. I'm really excited about it and am ready to really get into the revisions and start the third part! Just had to share. ;)

This Week

Wow. I just realized I didn't finish a book this week. I think that's a first in a long time. However I got some great revising done on my sequel to Encoded Secrets. I'm really excited about that. I have been reading Posterity by Dorie McCullough Lawson which is fascinating, it's just taking me longer than expected. I'll let you know when I'm done.

Yesterday I watched the World Cup while doing house work. Paraguay and Spain played. After about 84 minutes, Spain finally scored. It was an incredible game. It's games like that, that make it hard to have a loser. Both teams played hard, Paraguay had incredible defense and it could have gone either way. Congrats to the Paraguay team for a game well played and I'm excited to see Spain faceoff Germany next.

So You Think You Can Dance Kudos

OMGOSH! I just watched one of the most incredible things tonight. On the show So You Think You Can Dance, Alex Wong-who's specific genre is ballet-perform and incredible Hip Hop routine with one of the best Hip Hop dancers around. It was an incredible routine and to see someone come so far out of their genre and do such a great job is amazing! Kudos to the hard work put into the performance. I've already watched it again, several times, and am amazed each time. Take a look here and let me know what you think!

Summer Treasure Hunt Winner!

The winner of the Mary Kay set is Cheryl Snyder of Pennsylvania. Congrats Cheryl and thanks for participating in the contest! It's still going on if you haven't joined the fun, you should! The link is to the left under other people's contests. :)

And here's another contest you may want to take a look at. You can win a $40 gift certificate valid to use at over 200 online stores. Take a look here and see what you think!

Kudos and Book Reviews

First off, a big congrats to the US Soccer Team. I haven't been an avid watcher of the World Cup, more of an off and on watcher, but I happened to watch the game on Saturday. It was well played and they fought hard. Congrats!



Here are two books that were quick easy reads that I didn't plan on reading. The first is Stephenie Meyer's The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. I found it free on-line and took a look. It will be up until July 5th so if you don't want to wait in line at the library it's a good way to read it. Anyway, I enjoyed it. A lot of it was repeative information that we, as readers, already knew but Bree did not. I liked the new characters introduced and it gave us an insight into the Volutri. I happened to watch part of the Jimmy Kimmel Eclipse special the other day and they showed a brief clip that immediately reminded me of the book. I think once we see the entire movie, we'll understand more why Bree's life was important to have.



The second is a surprise addition to the Peter and the Starcatchers series, Peter and the Sword of Mercy by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. This fun series is about how Peter Pan became Peter Pan and the adventures he had before there was Wendy. This particular book introduces Peter and Wendy. It's a great story involving some of legends dating back to Charlemene. I really enjoyed this quick, easy read and would recommend it to everyone.