Monday, December 30, 2013

Top 10 Reads of 2013


I can't believe how many books I read for 2013. In total I read 51 books. That's crazy. Then again I read about 6 in one weekend. Whew. Anyways, I thought I would share what my top ten reads from this were.


1. Boneshaker by: 
I was surprised by this book. The story stayed with me after I finished. I really hope there is another one. Plus I really like that the author wrote a note at the end about trying to be historical correct but in the end, it's just a story. I think many historical authors forget that it's a story and get caught in details.

2. Ascend by: Amanda Hocking 
I loved the whole series. It was a different approach to changelings. The last is my favorite because I love how the series was wrapped up.

3. The Sliver Lining Playbook by: Matthew Quick
If you haven't read this, you should--period. I loved it! The characters were realistic and witty. The whole story was great!

4. Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles 2) by: Marissa Meyer
I was pretty weirded out by the first series when I realized that this has to do with "aliens" but the author did a great job. I really like how the classic fairy tales are presented in the series and I can't wait for the next one, cress to come out. =]

5.Grounded by: Angela Correll
This was given to me for review and surprised me. This book was very well written. Every detail was accounted for and the end was nice and wrapped. It was a great feel good book. 

6. The Wishing List by: Lisa Van Allen
This was surprised me as well. I received this book from Netgallery. There were some details that didn't connect for me but overall it was good book. 

7. Splintered by:  
I have a serious love for all "Alice in Wonderland" things. This book is no different, although it's the grown up version. I mean this was an amazing twisted to the tale and I really look forward to the next book.

8. Winterling bySarah Prineas 
I picked this up from a book fair and it was really good. It was classic and overall good. I even ordered the next book in series from the library. 

9. The Caged Grave by: Dianne K. Salerni
When I read this I was about done with book but this one was great. It was a tale created around a historical site and I think the author did an amazing job.

10. Archibald Zwick and the Eight Towers by 
This was sent to me for review as well and it was surprising really good. It was really detailed with descriptions but the author provided pictures so it was much easier for me. I really enjoyed the story and how it all came around. 


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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas 2013





Merry Christmas everyone!

I can't believe its Christmas already. Not in the sense that the year is ending but that I don't feel like its Christmas. It could be that I missed Cracker Christmas, or that missed the Christmas parade or the lack of snow, or that I'm sick. Whatever the reason it doesn't feel like Christmas. Yet I hope you guys are having a jolly filled one. :)



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Monday, December 23, 2013

Donation Change



Merry Christmas Eves Eve. I'm not the only one to celebrated this am I? Anyways...

I know many of you remember my Angel Tree Giveaway. I was planning on going to Publix or Walmart two weeks ago to pick out the lucky child. Well that week my foot was operated on and I didn't get out at all. Yet, I figured I would be able to go the next weekend. Over this weekend  I went out and searched all the grocery stores and no one had an angel tree. I am pretty bumped out but I am determined to give back this year.

I am thinking about donating the money to the hospital that my brother stayed at. He was there for 8 weeks and they did all they could to make him feel better. I believe donating to them would mean even more because of the reason. I want to apologize to those that donated to me in hopes of helping an angel tree this year, however you will be helping children. I am going to call the hospital within the week to see if I can find out information about donating. If donating is allowed, I will take a trip with my brother and we will donate in person. He will be happy to be able to help children.

If donation of any kind are not allowed then I will be sending the money to St Jude. That way I can give back and be able to help out all those children.


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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

2013 Year In Review Linkup // My Answers



1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I made several goals for new years. I really thought that I would get them all done but I didn't. However I did accomplish the best one which was to restart college. I can't wait to share the next chapter of this journey in college with you guys. =] 


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Although we are "close" I did have a friend in the blogosphere give birth to a beautiful girl, Kaitlyn from Wifessional. I think she took her birth story down but it was really sweet and wish you guys could have read it. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?
There were several deaths this year. There were four from my old church. I wasn't that close with them but it was really sad. Then on Friday, James gets the call that his Uncle (on his mom side) passed. He and his mom were startled but they both know where he is. Plus they knew that he was going to be passing soon because he had a really bad heart. They said that he was lucky to get an extra 16 years after the Doctors told him about his heart.
I wish that James and his mom could go to the funeral but his family lives all the way in Chicago and tickets to go are WAY expensive. They are each morning in their own way.

5. What countries did you visit?

Ah, funny. Just this one and I didn't do much for exploring of it either. 

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?

More organization. I feel like I was really disorientated this semester and all year. But if we want to talk about material value then I would like a better and slimmer camera but I am happy with what I have.

7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory?

Unfair question. I am really really bad with dates. I forget my anniversary with James, even though it's the same as his Birthday. I mean I forget my bday most of the time but to be honest I do remember my birthday this year. James and I went out for Breakfast at Hardees. Then we had a unplanned and totally fun trip to Andretties Thrill Park. We are hopping to go again before the end of the year. 


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
There's alot. Other the what I answered for number 2 and getting As all while traveling is good but I started several hobbies, I opened a business, and my foot is healing. I think that's enough. haha 

9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't think of "failures" as failures but lessons. Still I learned that's okay to miss out. I learned that it is okay to be stressed and it's okay to let go of being perfect. =]

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I always get sick but this year I had a true injury, my foot. I won't go into detail but you can read about it. 

11. What was the best thing you bought?
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

13. Where did most of your money go?
Bills. Awhile back ago James and I took out credit cards to make it through the rough parts. We are finally through and have paid back all our debt. Yay.

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I was really really really excited about a couple of things but since I was so busy with school I missed them. Big sadface but it's alright. 

15. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Song? uh. 

16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
-Happier or sadder?
-Thinner or fatter?
-Richer or poorer?


17. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I practiced my cooking more. I did bake alot but I would have love to really get to know the stove better. 

18. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I wish I spent less. Although I was broke for most of the semester I did however get a loan. Although almost all went to bills I spent some too. I wish that I didn't. Not that I don't love what I bought but I should have saved to use the money on something bigger like a trip somewhere. 

19. How will you be spending Christmas?
I will be spending Christmas this year probably like last year. Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my brother and mother and then in the afternoon James will pick me up so I can spend time with his family. It works out great that way.

20. Did you fall in love in 2013?
I fall in love everyday, I fall for James over and over and over. I fall in love with God and the earth he created. I fall in love everyday with little moments. 

21. How many one-night stands?
What really? ew. Why is that question even in here....

22. Who were your best friends?
I made several best blogging buddies this year. =]

23. What thing did you do that was meaningful to others?
I did alot or tried. I have hung flyers when I didn't have to, helped out the Dance Club when I could, posted about 13 ways to give more this season and have adopted an angel tree child. 

24. What were your favorite TV programs?
I hardly watch TV but so far James and I are watching Gilmore Girls. I really should have blogged about it course now we are almost done. We need a new show. We were thinking Game of Thrones or Sparta. Something more manly haha. jk

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I have come to really dislike my church that I was attending. They have done alot this year to show they don't mean to truely follow God's will. Then I am no longer bff with someone that I have been for over 3

26. What was the best book you read in 2013?
Best book I read in 2013 was either the Lundar Chronicles or Trylle Trilogy

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Greatest musical discovery is that I can still dance and that I love doing it. 

28. What did you want and get?
I wanted to buy some new under clothes and I did. I haven't bought any in about three years so mine were and are falling apart. I still have some more to buy. 

29. What did you want but did NOT get?
I did not get to go to the Zoo, Cracker Christmas or the Prade but I was really busy with school. I am hopping I can make up for missing them during my break or next year. 

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I haven't watched it yet but Hobbit or Catching Fire. I don't need to see to know I love them. =]

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
See answer 7.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing. I try not to regret. 

33. What kept you sane?
One person, James. He was there for everything. 

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?35. What political issue stirred you the most?36. Who did you miss?37. Who was the best new person you met this year?38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.39. Quote that sums up your year:


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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

2013 Year In Review Linkup // Introduction

Displaying 2013yearinreview.jpg
Does anyone remember where the year went? Seriously? Anyways, with the year ending I thought I would finally share what Nichole from Three 31 ask me. She sent me an email back in July asking to join in her link up. I of course said yes. Below is the questions that she has asked us to share our answers and the link up. However, I am saving my answers for tomorrow. Join me at noon est to find out my answers.


  1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
  2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
  3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
  4. Did anyone close to you die?
  5. What countries did you visit?
  6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
  7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory?
  8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
  9. What was your biggest failure?
  10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
  11. What was the best thing you bought?
  12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
  13. Where did most of your money go?
  14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
  15. What song will always remind you of 2013?
  16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
  17. Happier or sadder?
  18. Thinner or fatter?
  19. Richer or poorer?
  20. What do you wish you’d done more of?
  21. What do you wish you’d done less of?
  22. How will you be spending Christmas?
  23. Did you fall in love in 2013?
  24. How many one-night stands?
  25. Who were your best friends?
  26. What thing did you do that was meaningful to others?
  27. What were your favorite TV programs?
  28. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
  29. What was the best book you read in 2013?
  30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
  31. What did you want and get?
  32. What did you want but did NOT get?
  33. What was your favorite film of this year?
  34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
  35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
  36. What kept you sane?
  37. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
  38. What political issue stirred you the most?
  39. Who did you miss?
  40. Who was the best new person you met this year?
  41. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
  42. Quote that sums up your year:


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