To be honest . . . . .

1. I haven't posted a recap of the shower because I'm disappointed with the lack of pictures I got.
2. I'm doing a half marathon training program for the one here in early November, but I'm so afraid to actually sign up for the race out of fear that I will jinx myself about being able to finish the program.
3. I'm really ready for fall to be here already, the heat is really getting to me.  I'm looking forward to cool crisp days.  Light weight sweaters and jeans vs. what's the most work appropriate coolest thing I can wear.  (Any recommendations for some new flats, I'm struggling to find some.)
   
4. Softball and Soccer are starting up soon, through October we have something every Mon, Tues, and Wed and KC has something on Thurs nights.  Holy moly we're going to be busy, and it makes time fly!
   
5. I'm really excited for football season so that it can be time for fantasy football.  I love Sundays in the fall, sitting around, watching football and checking out my team!
   
6. I'm feeling the need to do some painting and house organization, but it feels like money is flying out of the bank account and not back in as quickly so I might have to just do it with what's on hand.  No trips to the container store for me.
   
7. I've changed my blog design weekly lately.  I just need to man up and find someone to do it for me, I'm just being cheap! (Though I know they all do great work and I'm sure they're worth the $$)  I want to make sure I'm set on a blog name first though.
   
8. I bought fabric for my first quilt, but I'm terrified to start, I don't want to mess it up.  I've laid out the strips and paired them so far.  My goal is to start sewing this week.  Eek!
   
9. Tomorrow's my 100th post and just *might* feature my Pay It Forward post (hint, hint).
   
10. I bought 2 of each of these shirts this weekend in different colors and really just want to go back and get them in the remaining colors.  How many is too many of the same shirt in different colors?
    
11. All these new comments and followers have made me really excited about blogging lately!

Hope you're having a great day!

Book Beginnings and Bookends - CeeCee Wilkes - Chapters 1-10

I thought the book club would be a great way to motivate me read a book in a timely matter and it definitely was.. . . . I'm done with this book already.  :-)  I'm going to try and answer the questions along with the rest of the bookclub and hopefully I can do it without giving anything away and still remember everything!

You can link up here if you have read the book too!

1. What was your first impression of Tim?
   At first reading about Tim, I thought he was a nice guy, but was rather skeptical of him, I thought it was odd that he left her large tips and always came into the diner.  At some point it became a little bit too much and I didn't trust him.
2. If you were in CeeCee’s position, would you be willing to help your boyfriend in the way that she is willing to help Tim?
   Absolutely not.  I know she was young and 'in-love' but there is no way that I would help him out.  At the point where he became more distracted by the 'project' I think I would have hit the road running.
3. Why do you think CeeCee is so eager to please Tim?
   Maybe this is a bit cliche' but, I think that not having a male influence in her life is part of the reason for the type of relationship that they had.  CeeCee was looking for someone to take care of her and he was more than willing to do so.
4. Who do you think has it harder? Tim or CeeCee?
   That's tough, in a nutshell both of them are on their own.  Tim's brother Marty is just too far gone to be there for him and CeeCee has been on her own since her mother passed away.
   
   I think that CeeCee has it a little harder than Tim, she has no idea what is going on or what Marty and Tim's plan is.  She hasn't been involved in the situation from the beginning so she is just hearing it all for the first time from Tim.  She doesn't know the other people involved and is just trying to be there for Tim.
5. What character trait(s) about CeeCee stuck out the most to you in these first ten chapters?
   Even though it's not upfront, her loyalty to Tim makes me feel like she has the desire to feel needed/wanted and to please the people around her.  She is a smart girl but she is just trying to make people happy and not let anyone down.
6. Do you think CeeCee is as mature as she seems?
   I think CeeCee is mature in some areas and not in others.  She is mature enough to know how to make a living and what is best for her future.  Emotionally though, i do not think that she is mature and in this case, her emotions are taking her over.

Other Notes:

There are a few things that drew me into this book.  

• One being that it started out in present day with Corinne and then went back in time made me want to keep on reading.  
• Another thing was that it was set in a location that I knew and could actually pick out on a map.  It really drew me into the storyline as I searched for more 'location' references, help me to relate in some ways.
• CeeCee's attitude reminded me of myself in someways.  The desire to feel that someone needed you.  The organizing/cleaning of the house, as strange as it sounds, that is definitely something I can picture myself doing.

Happy Birthday to my husband!

Happy birthday to my husband!

Every day I am more thankful that we get to spend our lives together.

A great doggy- dad,

 brother/brother-in-law,

 son/son-in-law,

friend,

and most of all, husband

Love you babe!  Hope you have a fantastic birthday!

Book Reviews

A lot of people asked about Eat, Pray, Love, so I thought I would do a quick recap of the last few books that I've read.  I'm not going to giveaway any details, no worries, just a few thoughts.


The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes

This is the book for the Book Beginnings and Bookends book club and I had heard a recommendation for it before so I thought I'd give it a try.  I started reading it on Sunday night and I finished it yesterday.  I read it during lunch, every night before bed, I couldn't put it down.  I absolutely loved it!  The story was captivating and the fact that the first part of it was set in an area that I know rather well, I loved reading about streets and places I knew.  I would definitely recommend it!


Eat, Pray, Love

My main motivation for reading this book is that I wanted to see the movie and I wanted to read the book beforehand to compare the two.  I'm not sure if it was just me, but it took me a long time to read this book, it really just didn't hold my interest.  I forced myself to sit down and finish it.  I think that it was interesting to read about the places and the different things she did, but there was something about it that just kinda felt a little boring to me.  With that said I still want to go see the movie to compare.


Heart of the Matter

I loved all of the prior Emily Griffin books so this was on the top of my list to read when it came out.  I have mixed feelings about the book.  It's definitely not my favorite one of her books to read, but I do enjoy her writing, I would say that the first two were the best.  The storyline was a little controversial to me, but I also know that it is something that does happen and to see how people handle this type of situation despite how upsetting it was to see people struggle in their marriages. 


Good Things

I read this book on a whim.  I had just finished Heart of the Matter and thought that it looked pretty good.  It was a pretty easy read and was similar to most 'chick-lit' but I liked it, and would recommend it.  It was a fairly quick read and was funny too.


The Help

When I saw this going around the web I was a little skeptical.  This was just not my kind of book to read.  A co-worker lent it to me and I was so grateful that I read it.  It took me the first Chapter or 2 to get into it but after that I loved it and couldn't put it down.  To hear about what it was like living in that Era was a real eye-opener and I anticipate that if I come across similar types of books, I will read them.


I read Nanny Returns and The Last Song as well earlier in the year.  And liked

I've had these 2 different books started for some time now and I just can't seem to get through them.  I'm going to make myself finish them and hopefully I will start to like them better.


I've been keeping track of other books I've read in an Amazon wishlist so I don't repeat.  So far I'm right on with my goal for the year I think.  If I can get somewhere with the 2 I'm reading, I'll be ahead.


So now the question is, what do I read next.  I've seen a suggestion for the Time Travelers Wife, but I didn't like the movie, is the book different?  What's on your nightstand?   Did you like any of the ones I've read or can you recommend any?  Have you read:   Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison or Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah?


*All images from Amazon*

Getting to know you!

Ok, while I struggle to get this post up about the shower, I thought I'd do something fun.  I've seen this around blog land recently and I thought I do it too.  I've seen so many new people leaving comments and visiting and that makes me really happy!  So, comment below and tell me a little bit more about yourself.  I would love to hear things like:

• Age
• Location/Hometown
• Marital status/Children
• Likes or dislikes
• How you found me
• Anything else you think I should know

Don't forget to leave your blog if it's not linked to your ID so that I can check it out as well!

For all the new readers, I'll start myself:

I'm Lauren, and I just turned 27 (ok, so 2 months ago isn't just but I still like to think it is).  I live in the south now but I'm originally from upstate NY.  KC and I have been happily married for 1 year and we have one fur baby that just turned 4.  No kids yet, but we've been talking about starting a family in the near future.  I work in a technology field and spend most of my time with guys who do the same.  I've recently started running, completing a 10K training program and am in my 3rd week of half marathon training.  I'm big into crafts, Stampin' Up, paper crafting and recently started sewing.  I'm a sports lovin' girl and love my country music.   I'm pretty quiet and laid back when you first meet me, it takes me some time to warm-up to people.  I've only been blogging for 6 months and I'm really having a lot of fun doing it and meeting new people.

And, what's a post with a picture, here's a picture of KC and I from the shower.

Your turn!