92. Salem Falls

I hesitate to say that I didn't like this book...because I did. But it definitely did not live up to her other books in any way. It did fit her typical writing pattern, and it is well written. It just seemed too predictable for me right from the start. I don't want to give anything away, so it's hard to do it justice. Lets just say for a tuned-in reader there are a couple of clues along the way that make the ending too predictable.

All in all, it was a good book, it just wasn't up to par with her others.

I think it's time for a break away from Jodi Picoult books though. I find when I read them back-to-back I get a little bored with them (but she's still one of my favorite authors). Do I sound like a walking contradiction?

Walgreens money maker!

Walgreens has a Register Reward on Excedrin Menstrual relief for $2.

It's also on sale this week for $2.50 (2/$5, but you only have to buy one). Print out this $2 off 1 coupon and you're only paying $0.50 + tax out of pocket. Then you get the $2 register reward for use on a future purchase.

Maine has 5% sales tax so I spent $0.63 out of pocket a few minutes ago and I have the register reward for use on other great bargains coming up!

92. Another book down

At the library on Saturday I found myself wandering around without a plan. This usually isn't a good thing for me because I'm not very creative with my book choices.

Case in point...last week I read Jodi Picoult and Anita Diamant. What did I check out this week? Another book from each author.

What a wonderful book this is! I haven't had a book suck me in like this in a long time. I started reading it last night and I finished it this afternoon. Such a wonderful story of friendship and being a woman.

This is a story of friendship, motherhood, being a wife, love and loss. It's just wonderful and I'd recommend this to any woman!

92. Two books down!

I have read quite a few of Jodi Picoult's books and I'm generally a huge fan. However, her books have a predictable pattern. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, it's just you know there's going to be some sort of unexpected twist at the end.

That being said, I did enjoy this book. As I do all of her books. It wasn't my favorite of hers (I think The Pact holds that honor), but still I enjoyed it. It's about a school shooting in a small town in New Hampshire and the aftermath. Very moving and thought provoking, which is one thing I love about her books.

I always recommend Jodi Picoult's books very highly.

The Red Tent was actually recommended to me by my boss and I was skeptical. However, it turned out to be a very enjoyable read and one that I would never have picked up on my own.

This is a historical novel of Dinah, the only daughter of Leah and Jacob in the Bible. This is the woman's perspective of that time and a story that hasn't been told. While we don't know how it "really" was, this book paints a believable picture.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction.

One movie down!

We seriously almost never go to the movie theater. I had no intentions of seeing Avatar because I really didn't get what the hype was all about. Then my parents went. I think the last movie they saw in a theater was Home Alone in 1990. I'm not kidding.

Once we heard their glowing review we had to go see it. We weren't sorry. Although I think the price tag on movies is pretty ridiculous, seeing Avatar in 3D was worth it.

Pat already wants to go see it again at the IMAX. I can't do IMAX because I have such bad motion sickness. In all reality, the 3D was kind of pushing it and I still have a slight headache.

Well I'm not going to review it. If you don't know what it's about by now you must have been living under the same rock I was.

101 things to do in 1,001 days

I have always loved lists and goals. That is not to say that I have always completed them, but I love them. I first saw this 'project' last year on a blog I read, Heather Drive and I was recently reminded of it on Megan's blog (a fellow nestie).

The project originates from Day Zero Project and the premise is simple enough. Choose 101 things to complete in 1,001 days. The items must be specific with a result that is measurable or clearly defined.

I am putting my list out here in order to be accountable to it and hopefully accomplish all of it!

In order to organize my list, I have broken it down into a few different categories. So, without further ado, here is my list:

Cooking:

1. Make my own salsa

2. Bake homemade bread

3. Make ice cream

4. Make a turkey dinner

5. Make baklava

6. Bake a pumpkin pie

7. Make 5 different chili recipes (0/5)

8. Make a lasagna with Mom

9. Make homemade enchiladas

10. Make girl scout cookies

11. Make a new recipe once a week for a month (0/4)

12. Try making 3 different Chinese dishes (0/3)

Day Trips:

13. Go apple picking

14. Play a round of golf

15. Go on a picnic

16. Go strawberry picking

17. Take a random road trip

18. Go to the Boston Aquarium

19. Visit the Maine Wildlife Park

20. Go for a boat ride

21. Go on a duck tour (Portland or Boston)

22. Go to the Portland Art Museum

23. Go to the Boston Science Museum

24. Fly a kite at Portland Headlight & spend the day there

Family & Friends:

25. Host a game night

26. Send Amy 10 cards

27. Take Mom out to breakfast at least twice

28. Have lunch with Deb at least 10 times

29. Send a nestie a care package

30. Send 10 people "just because" cards

31. Bring breakfast in for the office

32. Schedule a massage for Pat

Financial:

33. Pay off debt

34. Prepare wills

35. Contribute to a ROTH IRA

For Me/Creativity:
36. Get a massage

37. Get a pedicure

38. Create our wedding scrapbook

39. Create a photographic journal for 1 week & blog it

40. Send out homemade Christmas cards

41. Get a professional color & highlight

42. Redeem MyPoints for something fun

Health:

43. No fast food for one month

44. See a dermatologist

45. Eat vegetarian for a week

46. Give up soda for one month

47. Lose at least 30 pounds

48. Take FOCUSfactor every day for one month (0/30)

49. Take 101 walks (0/101)

House:

50. Paint the basement

51. Get a new bedroom set

52. Install a new front door or door seal

53. Plan, design & price out a front porch

54. Donate clothes to Goodwill

55. Make homemade laundry soap

56. Paint a canvas for my craft room

57. Organize master bedroom closet (buy shelving/storage)

58. Paint craft room

59. Buy a new bedding set

60. Replace two toilets

61. Finish snowman cross stitch

62. Attempt to grow tomatoes

63. Organize the garage with Pat.

Misc:

64. Feed the ducks with Pat

65. Shop at a farmer's market

66. Get a passport

67. Take pictures in a photo booth

68. Make a new 101 list

69. Go to a comedy show

70. Do a puzzle

71. Make a travel map

72. Get pictures/videos off old laptop

73. Go bowling

74. Play mini golf

75. Go to 5 local sporting events (0/5)

76. Eat dinner away from the tv for a week

77. Go to the drive-in 5 times (0/5)

78. Blog at least twice a month

79. Blog about everything on this list (0/101)

80. Try 5 new local restaurants (5/5)

81. Give blood 5 times (0/5)

82. Go to 5 movies *gasp* in a theater (1/5) {Avatar, 2/7}

83. Update/organize address book

84. Play Bingo

85. Do a photo shoot of Stryker

86. Play in an arcade

87. Attend a local play

88. Upload CDs into itunes

89. Get a chocolate website up

Personal growth:

90. Become CPR certified

91. Read a biography

92. Read 50 books (18/50)

93. Pass at least 2 sections of the CPA exam (0/2)

94. Read "Smart Parenting"

95. Go to church 15 times (0/15)

96. Read a travel book about a future vacation spot

97. Read a photography book

Travel:

98. Go to NYC

99. Go to Canada

100. Go on another cruise

101. Visit the in-laws in northern Maine

I'd love to have a link to your list if you're doing one and if you find that I'm not completing anything here feel free to remind me!

Cake balls for sale

I hesitate so much to even price these because I feel so uncomfortable selling them, but I know a few people are interested. I don't know why this bugs me...some mental hang-up I have.

So here's what I'm offering for cake flavors (what I find makes a good flavor combination):

Chocolate cake w/ chocolate frosting

Vanilla cake w/ vanilla frosting

Spice cake w/ cream cheese frosting

Red Velvet cake w/ cream cheese frosting

Strawberry cake w/ strawberry or cream cheese frosting

I will also take any special requests. I will sell in quantities of 6 and in any quantity above 6 you can mix and match your flavors (all in quantities of 6).

I have a pricing set in my head, but I don't want to post it. If you are interested in ordering some custom made cake balls, please email me at underwood92708@gmail.com. I will be creating these this weekend and shipping on Monday (February 8th) to ensure arrival for Valentine's day. I am open to all suggestions on decorating in addition to my standard ways.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.