Book Review: Explosive Eighteen

Yes, I finished this one quickly.  If you have ever read any of Janet Evanovich's "number" books, you'll know that they are quick, entertaining reads.

Explosive Eighteen was no exception.

Bumbling bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is at it again.  This time, she has not one, but three crazies after her.  Her arch nemesis Joyce Barnhardt is squatting in her apartment.  Her hair is inadvertently dyed "Route 1 Sunrise"- a vibrant mix of fire engine red and school bus yellow.  And, per usual, she's just trying to stay alive.

Her faithful sidekicks are ever present.  Lula gets indigestion and accidentally ingests a love potion.  Grandma is considering becoming a cougar.  And the men- Morelli and Ranger- well, the love triangle remains.

Explosive Eighteen was quintessential Janet Evanovich.  I laughed out loud several times- and I LOVE when a book can make me laugh out loud. 

Four stars out of five.

And for you Evanovich lovers- "One For The Money", starring Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum, hits theaters later this month.  Exciting stuff, no?

GREY'S! OMG!

No, not grey hairs.  (I've got plenty of those- nothing noteworthy there).  My time off afforded me the chance to catch up on Grey's Anatomy.  And OMG!

Once upon a time, I had given up on this show.  When Izzy started sleeping with dead Denny, I lost interest.  Too cuckoo for me.  Of course, I found out later that the craziness was due to a brain tumor.  Oops.  I had forsaken one of my favorite shows prematurely.

So I caught up.  Before the cancellation of cable, I watched reruns.  God bless Lifetime.  (And that season finale a few years back with the shooter on the loose?  Quite possibly the most dramatic thing I've seen on TV, EVER.  Whoa.)  Post-cancellation, I asked J to do some downloading for me.  There are probably a few episodes here and there that I've missed, but I've got the general idea of everything that has gone down at Seattle Grace over the years.

Last week, I caught up on the current season.  And by caught up, I mean watched all nine episodes that have aired this year.  And when I got to the end of the most current episode, and realized that I'd have to wait to find out what happened next?  I let out a loud "NOOOOOO!"  Seriously, out loud, in my living room, to no one in particular.  Well, maybe to the TV Gods.

***SPOILER ALERT***

How could Henry have died?????   AAAAHHHH!  I'm not a happy camper about this.  I need Scott Foley in my life.  (Remember that he played Noel on Felicity, and you all know that I loved Felicity.) Also, I liked happy Teddy.

And how can Meredith and Derek NOT be getting Zola back?  They desperately need to get that baby back and get back to being a happy couple, because I can't take much more of their angst.

AND, how can Meredith and Alex be stranded out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by dead people?  Okay, that one I can actually let slide, because I'm sure it's going to lead to some good TV that ends with both of them still alive.

Basically, I am just shy of peeing my pants with excitement over tonight's new episode.

OMG!

Resolutions

With all the craziness of the past few weeks, the new year sneaked up on me.  I was busy Christmasing, then party hostessing, and it never occurred to me to look ahead to 2012 with any resolutions in mind.

So I said to myself, "Self, what should your new year's resolutions be?"

And the answer that I came up with?  I don't wanna make any.  It seems like every year I come up with a list of things I'd like to accomplish in the coming year, and inevitably, I fail to meet my goals.  I set unreasonable expectations for myself.  So this year, I'm just not going to do it.  Instead, I will say that there are some general lifestyle choices that I would like to keep in mind. 

I think it would be good to try and live a healthier lifestyle.  Try to get a few more veggies on my plate, and be more active.  I WILL NOT resolve to give up dessert, to spend four hours a week on the elliptical, or to lose x number of pounds.  

I would like to make it a priority to spend quality time with my family.  I WILL NOT resolve to spend hours making sure that there is an exciting craft, outing, or activity planned for each weekend.  Sometimes, quality time can be playing on the floor with our boy, and watching a movie together after he goes to bed.

I would like to do a good job managing our money.  Ideally, this means spending responsibly, in such a way that there is some extra money to be saved at the end of each month.  I WILL NOT resolve to keep my grocery bill under $100 each week, to never eat at a restaurant again, or to live a spartan existence.  Responsibility is all I am asking of myself.

I'd like to read books, laugh often, build things with blocks, not sweat the small stuff, bake a terrific cake,  go on dates with my husband, make memories with my son. 

I want to love life.

Looking ahead to 2012 with these ideas in mind- not resolutions- makes me smile.  I am positive that the year 2012 will be a happy one. 

 

This Is What It's Come To

Overheard in my kindergarten class today:

"You can use that letter that looks like a candy cane to spell 'facebook'." 

Yes, friends.  He could not identify a lowercase f, or tell me what sound it makes, but he knew that it's the beginning letter in facebook.

Oy.

Book Review: The Shadow of Your Smile

Long ago, I was a Mary Higgins Clark super fan.  Every time she published a new book, I snatched it up and devoured it immediately.  (That was back in the days when I had the free time to devour a book immediately- now, I need some time.)  I loved her mysteries, mixed with just a touch of romance.  I liked the "whodunnits" that she came up with.

As a matter of fact, I read her books so frequently and so voraciously that I figured out her "formula."

I have always been impressed with my mom's ability to figure out who the bad guy was in books and movies.  But maybe this is how my mom does it- she figures out the formulas.  Turns out, I've picked that skill up, and it sucks.  It takes the fun out of reading a story when I already know the surprise ending.

MHC always writes a strong female main character.  She always has two love interests to decide between.  And you always like one just a little bit more than the other.  Turns out, this is a good thing, because that one you like a little bit less is the bad guy.  BAM!  Mystery solved.

After making this discovery, I gave up on MHC.  I didn't want to waste my time reading a mystery when I already knew whodunnit.

But recently, I found myself without a book to read, and the desire for something mindless.  (I realize that MHC's books will never be shelved with the classics.)  I decided to give her another try, and hope for the best.  So I downloaded "The Shadow of Your Smile" onto Katarina the Kindle.

 I am happy to report that in this particular book, MHC strayed from her formula.  Huzzah!  I managed to read the entire book, and be surprised at the surprise ending- well, kinda.

I did not figure out whodunnit.  But I also didn't really care by the time it was revealed who did.  The build-up to the end was entertaining, but the ending itself fizzled.  The declarations of never-ending love after one date were absurd.  The "woman scorned" routine was not exactly ground breaking.  And all of the packages tied up with neat little bows were boring.

But all in all?  I got what I was looking for: a mindless read.  If you have ever been a fan of MHC, I say give this one a shot.  But if you're looking for something truly exciting, thought-provoking, or intelligent?  Maybe skip this one.

Three stars out of five.

And just so you know how I roll?  After finishing up this mindless read, I've got two more on the docket.  I'll take a stab at some more serious literature once I finish "Explosive Eighteen" and "Kill Alex Cross."  Maybe. 

Back To The Grind

Whew!  These past two weeks off have been a complete whirlwind.  Celebrating three Christmases and a New Year was thoroughly exhausting, and I now need a vacation from my vacation.  Alas, work has beckoned, and return, I must.

I left my little man with the sitter this morning.

I must say that aside from the craziness that the holidays inevitably bring, I simply adored soaking up every minute that I could with my little sweet pea.  (As did his extended family.)  Did I suck a blogging?  Yes.  Did I instead spend that time playing on the floor with my boy?  Yes.  Regrets?  Not so much.

But, since I have been neglecting you, dear readers, let me catch you up on the goings-on of late.

The Nugget: Since his ten month post, he has completely given up on baby food (the real stuff is so much better!), begun standing up while playing, dancing, watching TV, or any other time he pleases, taken one step unassisted, and officially spoken his first word.  Mama?  No.  Dada?  Not it, either.  What could it possibly be, you ask?  No.  That little ginger of mine just might turn out to be the feisty type that redheads are rumored to be.  His first official word is NO.   

The Husband: J began a new job.  An opportunity for bigger and better things came along, and J seized it.  We are very excited about good things to come.  And as a side note, the company has free soda for their employees- need change for the vending machine?  Not J.  Coolness.

The Wife: I have been busy holding down the fort, playing the role of stay-at-home-mom and loving every second of it.  (But that's no surprise to any of you.) 

I think that about covers it.  You're officially caught up.  And now that we're all settling back into our routines, post-vacation, I'll bring back my blogging A-game.  Bring it, 2012.

Happy New Year!

Gabe is awfully excited about 2012- and this cool balloon.  Hope the new year brings nothing but joy and goodness to you all!