Recent Reads

{picture found here}

I am a reader. I've always been a reader {which is probably why I majored in English Education in college}. I get it from my dad. He is the most voracious reader I know...and could open his own used book store, seriously. When my sister and I were little, he would take us to the library and let us pick out as many books as we wanted. Thanks, dad, for giving us a love of reading and books.

Lately, I've been re-discovering how much I LOVE the library. All of the books I've read in the last six months have come from our local library. Here are some my recent reads...maybe it should be a goal of mine to read a book a month {since that seems to be where I'm headed anyway}.

1. The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd.

Perfect beach read {which is where I read it}. I enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as Secret Life of Bees.

2. American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld

Loosely based on the life of Laura Bush. I had to remind myself that it was fiction.

3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

This book was so good and a fun read. I'm a big fan of Southern lit. Set in the 1960s, this book portrays the life of several house keepers in the Deep South. I highly recommend this book.

4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson

After hearing a lot of buzz about these books, I finally decided to pick one up. And...I couldn't put it down. A well-written mystery novel for anyone who likes that genre. {Disclaimer: this book has some graphic and disturbing details about serial killings}.

5. The Girl who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson

The second book of the trilogy. We learn more about Lisbeth Salander and her past. Another great page-turner. {Not nearly as graphic as the first novel}.

What have you been reading lately?

P.S. Mike, I promise that our bookshelves won't look like the ones in this picture...at least not until we have a bigger house.

Fill in the Blank Friday

I thought I would do something a little different today and participate in Fill in the Blank Friday.
{Disclaimer: I got this idea from Abby}.

1. The most spontaneous thing I've ever done was get my nose pierced. I had wanted to do it for several years, but never got enough guts to do it. Then, my friend Pam took me as a Christmas present. Thanks, Pammie!

2. The best gift I've ever received was a free car. Yes, an anonymous donor gave me the car I drive a couple of years ago. It's been a blessing and miracle. :)

3. A time that I was truly and genuinely surprised was when Mike first told me he was crazy about me. {Maybe I'll write more about this story another time}

4. I can't leave the house without my phone and keys {boring, I know}.

5. My favorite day of the week is Tuesday because it's the night that the hubster and I are both home together. We've been making an effort to do stuff we love to do together {exercising, watching TV, cooking together} on these nights.

6. Something that can always make me laugh is Mike's impersonations. Seriously, have you seen or heard him imitate someone? He's really good at it.

7. My perfect day would include waking up a little late, brunch at Big City Bread with Miguel, Yoga-X, pedicures & shopping at Queen of Hearts with my BFF, dinner at Cali N Titos. Then, a game night with friends at my house or something.

Little Corner of the World

I have so much to say these days, and really not a lot of time to process it all. We've been busy! I just need to own it because that's where we are. Mike and I both are working two jobs each, which has made for little time to see each other and for our social lives. {On a side note, I really hate it when I say I'm too busy. Busy doesn't always = productivity.}


Here's a little of what's been happening in our little corner of the world:

• My good friend {and former roommate} Shelby got married and I was a bridesmaid! The wedding was absolutely beautiful. She was beautiful and calm.
  
• We went to the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta...and stayed with our friend's Laura Sue and Adam. Thanks, friends, for putting us up!
  
• We carved pumpkins with our InterVarsity students.
• Work has been really, really busy and really challenging lately. I've had to step up my leadership and initiative. It's been good...but still hard {Maybe more on this later}.
  
• Trader Joe's opened in Athens-town!
• We went to L.A. to visit M's sister and brother-in-law...and to meet our brand new, sweet niece.
• We went with some of our IV students to "The 40." The 40 is InterVarsity's Fall Conference for all the IV chapters in the state of Georgia. It was a super fun and encouraging time with them.
• And, I squeezed in a visit to see by BFF for a night. She lives right next to the 400 Outlets, and it was tough not to go shopping. We had a great time hanging out, and it was SO GOOD to see her and her family.
• We paid off our ministry deficit - $29,000 in 10 months! {Definitely more on this soon...prepare yourselves, it will be a lot of rambling}.
  

As I look at this list, I am so thankful to the Lord. He's been constant and good to us - even when I couldn't see it for myself. I am excited to say I will be posting more in the days to come!