One day closer

Ahhh. Tuesday. Wednesday. Flying to Orlando!!! Ahhhh.

I can't stop doing a happy dance. And singing Disney songs.

We got a few errands done this morning and we got some more cleaning done!! Just some laundry and packing left to do. I didn't do any packing today. I thought about it a lot though! Ha!

Brent made delicious homemade pizza for dinner!!




After dinner we went to Brent's parents' house so he could get his luggage out of storage. On the way home we passed this car wash...




It never fails that I will think of the end of Free Willy when they swing into the car wash to spray Willy down. Two homeless guys walk by and say, "nice whale," like it was an everyday occurrence to see a whale in the car wash. Every single time I pass that place at night, I think of that scene. One of the best movies ever!

And now I'm exhausted and in bed.

Squeaky Clean

Brent and I spent all afternoon and most of the evening cleaning. There are still a few things to knock out tomorrow but for the most part, the place is cleaner than its been in months!

It will be nice to come back from vacation to a clean house!!!

Tomorrow brings a long run for me and some last minute shopping. And also packing!! I will be done packing this time tomorrow - that's my goal!

I'm now tucked in bed. I found National Treasure playing on TV. I'll probably fall asleep before its over. I'm flat tuckered out!!

Short Run Sunday

Brinkley and I enjoyed an easy two mile run this morning.  He was just as excited as ever!! And prouder than punch when we got home.  This is Brinkley mid-stretch post-run.  As long as the vet said Brink can run short runs with me, I'll take advantage of them and not miss it for the world!




I've got to start cleaning.  I've put it off long enough!!  The sooner things are clean, the sooner I can pack!!

VACATION!

Yup, I'm officially on it!!

After I sleep-in tomorrow I'm sure I'll be rather gabby.  It's been a long week!!

Flashback Friday

April 30, 2007

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a .... SWAT helicopter?

A gunman on the loose always makes for an interesting run, yeah? Not that I was actually running from the gunman but they were still searching for him when I started pounding the pavement. Around a mile and half it was like a military fly over or something. Army choppers, SWAT choppers, and maybe even a news chopper flew past. It felt like I should have dropped to my stomach and spread eagle to prove I was unarmed. I had to bump up to running 2 minutes and walking 1 minute today. I had a lot on my mind this evening so it turned out to be a lot easier than I thought it would be. I didn't really start to fatigue until about the second mile.

When I finished running, I gobbled down a turkey sandwich (get it?...gobbled...oy, I crack myself up) and headed across town for volleyball. They were still searching for the gunman. We won all three games! Whoop, whoop. Spring champs or bust!! I'm pretty sure that they are still searching for the gunman, which would make most people rest uneasy, but I'm really too wiped to care.

Oh, and I started reading a new book last night. One that's not a textbook!!! My brain didn't quite know what to do about that!

<---- The New Book!

~ END ~

I remember this run still today.  Sure it's nice to have a blog post refresh my memory though.  It really was  crazy how the helicopters kept flying over.  And I remember that book too.  I learned that most of the secret service agents in Dallas were hungover the day JFK was assassinated.  Makes you wonder if history would have played out a little differently that day had they decided to be responsible secret service agents the night before.  I doubt it, but it makes me wonder.

When your running buddy has bad hips

Mr. Miles has bad hips.  And has had them most of his life, according to the vet.  Below is an iPhone photo of the x-ray.  Most concerning is the leg on the left, which is Brinkley's right hind leg.  If you look closely, there is no real ball or socket.  All the fuzziness that is where a ball and a socket would be is arthritis/hip dysplasia.  The bright light on the right side/left leg is unfortunately a reflection or something from taking the picture.  The left leg has a more visible leg neck, ball, and socket at the hip but with considerable visible fuzzy arthritis surrounding it all.





The vet was shocked to hear that Brinkley has been running 10-12 miles a week with the right hip in the condition it is.  She said that he probably compensates for it and tolerates it stoically, given that he loves to run with me.  However, she did say we should stop doing long runs and lower the amount of shorter runs we do together.  I'd lie if I said I didn't tear up.  My heart broke a little when she said that.

She did say that as long as he is willing we could do some shorter runs.  And I've been given some doggy aspirin, Rimadyl, to give him post-run, walk, or hike to help with any pain he may have.  She also suggested getting a glucosamine like supplement, Dasuquin, to help lube his joints a little and ease arthritic aches.  Supposedly, it's cheaper to order online so for today, I was just sent home with the Rimadyl.  And his ear wash and ear medicine.

The x-rays, sedative, two shots, pain reliever, ear wash, and ear medicine cost me $355.  While I'm sad and feeling incredibly bad for Brink, I'm somewhat relieved that it wasn't a torn ligament, which most often leads to a $2000+ surgery.  Brink is no where near an old and haggardly dog.  However, we will need to keep a closer watch on how much he exerts himself and manage his pain.  It was well worth the money spent to know exactly what is ailing him so that we can take the right steps to make his quality of life the best we can.

Brinkley was partially sedated for the x-ray so he's pretty mellow right now.  While standing at the front desk to check out he appeared to be drunk, slightly swaying and staring at one thing in hopes of keeping his world from spinning.  He's now sleeping on his doggy bed.

I could use a sedative myself.  It's been an emotionally draining day.

Running pains

Brinkley and I made a trip to the vet this morning. The good news is he is now up to date on his shots. The bad news is Brinkley is currently getting lightly sedated for X-rays.

I'm sitting in a nearby coffee shop waiting the hour they told me to before returning to pick him.

The vet played with his right hind leg and checked his range of motion. His right leg has very limited range of motion compared to his left. She explained that this could mean two things. He could have arthritic hips or he could have a torn ligament.

The diagnosis of one over the other would mean very different treatment. If it's the arthritis, we can keep running and we'll just plan for rest, doggy aspirin, maybe some stretching, and such to ease it all as it flares up and as he ages. If it's the torn ligament, the. We have to stop running, limit all of his movement and see if the ligament can repair itself. If not, there is always surgery. Either way, the ligament diagnosis sounds terrifying to me. I don't want to lose my running buddy.

Brinkley had also chunked out in the last year. He's now up to 76 pounds, which is 6 pounds heavier than last year. The vet thinks it's odd he would gain weight considering we've been running during the last year. She wants me to lighten his diet and see if he can lose some weight over the next couple of months.

For now, I wait. We should get a diagnosis today, which is good because worrying about the future and waiting on the unknown sucks.

Tuesday Tidbits

• I accomplished A LOT today.  And I did all before early afternoon.  I've been a bum ever since.  I ran errands like crazy.  But I've yet to start cleaning.  Brink has clean ears and new food.  Milo has more litter in stock.  I picked up some green thread to alter a tank top.  I picked up a four-wheeler manual Brent had ordered in to the local motorsports shop.  I dropped off recycling.  And stopped by the bank.  

• Brinkley and I ran four miles this morning.  It was a pretty good run.  It was still really hot and we're not quite adjusted to the warmer temperatures.  And by really hot, I mean 66 degrees.  It seems like only yesterday I was wimping out by the cold temperatures and dreaming of 66 degree runs.  

• Following the above mentioned run, Brinkley started limping.  I googled - I should never google anything that is related to human or dog health.  He's favoring his one hind leg.  He's done it a few times in the past - same leg.  He doesn't put much weight on it and has been favoring like crazy.  I know he's trying to act tough so it's hard to tell if he's in pain.  I have a feeling we will have a vet visit in the near future.

• On the same dog health related topic - I'm once again playing the "find Brinkley a decent food" game.  The one we have been using which seemed to agree with his allergies has been changed to a different formula.  Same damn bag but different food inside.  Thanks for nothing, Purina One.  Three things I've noticed with one bag of this food - he's not too thrilled about eating, he seems more lethargic, and his coat is no longer super soft.  So, here we go again searching for a better alternative.  

• I spent some more time browsing Disney World sites today.  We've got a rough schedule.  I tried to make reservations at the Norway restaurant for Brent and Me.  There were no available spots for dinner so we may be switching up our plans already.  

• I wheeled in my suitcases this afternoon.  Suitcases!! It's getting serious around here!  I feel like a high school senior all over again.  I hope my suitcases can hold all of my loot!  I'm looking for runDisney gear, a dog collar for Brink, and a Christmas ornament.  We'll also hit up the Downtown Disney Harley shop!  I'm going to try spreading my wings a little bit by limiting how many t-shirts I bring home.  I can do it!  I hope.

Good morning!

We're off to run soon! Let's see how much we can accomplish today. He looks well rested.

Let's Run

I mentioned we were going to go running. He became impatient.

Back in business

I was having Blogger withdrawals today.  Yesterday and through most of today I could not get on to Blogger.  I tried my phone and Brent's computer and received the same error messages when trying to open blogger.  Eventually I figured out how to log into our server thingy and check the firewall.  I moved the settings to a lower setting and then back to the higher setting.  And things are working just fine now.  i think I just got lucky.  I have no idea what I was actually doing.

I was pretty productive today.  I went through piles of mail and cleaned off the counter tops of trash and empty boxes.  I took out the trash and worked on laundry.  I also searched all of the Disney forums for the latest and greatest tips for Disney World.  And I watched The West Wing!

About 4:30 this afternoon Brinkley and I headed out for our run.  It was about 80 degrees outside.  We were only going two miles, which was good.  We were both hot and exhausted by the time we were done.  Tomorrow I'm waking up earlier and we're going for a run in the morning.

I have a long, long list of things to do tomorrow.  I have errands to run all over town and more cleaning to do.  I also have bills to pay and even more laundry to do.  It will be a fun-filled day!  If I'm really productive I may even get my car cleaned out!

For now though, I'm going to bed a little earlier the normal.  If I'm going to get up and run, I better be as prepared as I can be.

Finding my stride

I've been home for a few days now but I don't quite feel like I'm home. The past few days have been a blur. The work week flew by and I only accomplished a few things at home that needed to get done. And it will be flying time again soon - 11 days until Disney World!! ELEVEN!!!


Tomorrow I'm off to Denver for my Heidi's baby shower!! I'm very excited to see her and other friends! It should be a great afternoon. I can't believe one of us is finally having a kid!

I have a lengthy list of stuff to get done in the next week and I'm really hoping I can find my stride to be productive! Hopefully I can fit in some running, weightlifting, and cleaning in the middle of everything! For now I'm just going to get to bed so I can try to get started on a good nights rest!

Flashback Friday

April 29. 2007

It was a green thumb day.

As I was eating my Cheerios this morning I flipped the "Grandma's Words of Wisdom" daily calendar that I have sitting on my desk. It read, "April 29th - Try to have a garden wherever you live, even if it's a pot on the front step. Plants are good for you, and it's good to get your hands dirty now and then." I thought that was pretty fitting considering I had planned today to be my re-potting of the plants day. All day long I puttered around out on my patio playing in the dirt. It was nice. I wish spring were a little further along so that I could go get some other plants to putter around with. I was nice to the little creatures as well. My little red lantern bird feeder looks very welcoming hanging out on my patio. Hopefully the birds appreciate the effort!

No running today. My new shoes were calling my name though. I'm ready for tomorrow's run! As long as I keep preparing myself for the next run, I think I'll keep heading out the door. Tomorrow is volleyball too. Double trouble! At least I will sleep well.

~ END ~

I stopped using that red lantern bird feeder after one summer.  I quickly made the connection between bird seed on the ground and mice!  I never got any mice in my house but I did in my storage closet.  That was too close for comfort so I took down the feeder and the problem was solved.  I'll put the feeder up again some day but it will be far enough away from the house that the mice don't set up camp.

Book Review: The Book of Jonas

When I left for Idaho on Saturday morning I started a new book.  With my tray table up and my seatbelt on, I became consumed by The Book of Jonas by Stephen Dau.  I was sucked into the story immediately as Dau described how Younis, a war orphaned teenager, became Jonas while being flown to America after a sketchy U.S. military attack obliterates a village in an unnamed Muslim country.

The story unfolds in short bursts of memory from Jonas.  They explore his acclimation, or lack of, to America and his foster family, and his internal struggles with remembering the truth and hiding the truth.  Jonas is linked directly to a missing American soldier, Christopher.   Through multiple perspectives the reader learns what happened to Jonas and the soldier.  

The whole book explores so many themes that there is no way to explain everything in one short review.  Dau's writing is so tight and clean that the story moves fast and flawlessly.  He intertwines the views and emotions of more than his main character and really makes you think about war and its effects on the psyche of soldiers, their families, "enemies," and innocent victims.  It's not very often you can read a book and be empathetic towards every character.

I can't reiterate enough how awesome the writing is - Dau weaves together each persons story seamlessly.  He left just enough mystery and intrigue in each bit of memory that it kept me wanting more and more.  Had my flight not ended, I would have kept reading.  It's one of those books that I would have read from start to finish in one sitting had I not been forced to stop.  

The ultimate reveal and connection between Jonas and the soldier was predictable.  It was the way it was written that made it enjoyable.  The underlying symbolism could knock down an ox.  On that same note,  while the cover seems quite confusing at first, it makes complete and utter sense at the end. 

I don't think I would have picked this as a book to read just browsing books at the library or online.  I'm glad I did read it.  You should read it too if you're searching for a great book to read.  I highly recommend it - great story.  It will make you think!! 

Want a second opinion??  Check out the BlogHer Book Club for more reviews and discussions about The Book of Jonas.

Disclosure Statement: I received a free copy of The Book of Jonas from Penguin Group (USA) and was paid by Blog Her Book Club to review the book on my blog.  Was I paid to read a book?  Yes.  Was I paid to write a one-sided review?  Absolutely not.   I love books too much to lie about them or mislead a fellow bookworm.  Happy reading!

Morning Hunt

In the wee hours of the morning, Marshal and I donned our camo and headed for the hills. After only a short drive we reached the trailhead. By headlamp light, we marched down the trail and raced the rising sun to reach the turkeys we left roosting in the trees last night.

A quarter mile or so from our destination, we flipped off our lamps and entered stealth mode to get the sneak on the sleeping birds. With only a few hundred yards to go, Marshal spotted the turkeys. But to our surprise they weren't where we left them!!

The whole flock of turkeys was already out of the tree tops and in the field we were aiming to reach. We stopped and reassessed. Well, Marshal reassessed. I drank some water and tried to fill my lungs with air again.

Marshal set up some decoys and talked back and forth with the flock as it made its way up the hill opposite of us. They made tracks so Marshal and I started climbing up the back side of the mountain to see if we could meet up with them.

I took the photo above shortly after crossing that little creek pictured and before trucking up the pretty steep hill side to my back. We heard some clucking hens but they weren't interested in coming our way.

We hiked back out and battled the ticks, which are thick! They seem to like Marshal more than me today. Last night I got a few out of my hair. Eww!! I've had the heebie-jeebies ever since!

We've been lazy since we got back. We're headed out again this evening. I certainly am getting my exercise. I may not be able to move in the morning!

You say potato

I made it to DIA with only a minor hiccup - I couldn't find the Mt. Elbert shuttle parking lot so I'm parked in the regular outdoor parking. It will cost a little more but I wasn't going to make another loop around the airport just to look for signs that do not exist.

Security was slower than molasses thanks to a gaggle of old people and kids in strollers.

I made it to me gate and there was a Caribou Coffee right next to it. I took that as a sign that I deserved to treat myself for getting out of bed and on the road before the sun came up.




Delicious!

And now I will start reading a new book - The Book of Jonas.

Flashback Friday

April 28th, 2007

It's Like The New Car Smell, but better!!!

I love the smell of new shoes! It's definitely better than the smell of old shoes! I don't know what it is about them, but new shoes just make me feel like I'm running faster and with just a tad less effort. It's like the kid in The Sandlot that puts on a new pair of Converse shoes before taking on Hercules the dog. New shoes make me run faster, jump higher, and all those other various things real athletes can do...or not.

<----- My new shoes! Asics.

It's a good thing I got in my 30 minute run/walk today (plus 4 or 5 trips around the running store building) because I got to chow down like a fat man at a buffet tonight at my parent's house. It was Dorrito casserole night, a.k.a. Mom's surefire way to get the family together for dinner. It's good because tomorrow is a rest day on the training schedule but bad because it's my weigh day. At least if it doesn't move or go in the direction I would like, I could blame it on the Dorritos!

~ END ~

I LOVE NEW SHOES!  I especially love new running shoes.  They hold so much potential!  I was never a big fan of those Asics.  I still use them for walking shoes even though I ran in them for 300+ miles and walked in them for more years.  Perhaps it's time to say goodbye to them?  Nah.

My morning isn't going quite as planned.  I'm need to massively overhaul my routine (or lack of) as of late if I'm going to make it to vacation with any sanity.  I haven't been getting to sleep until late which makes me sleep later than usually, which throws off EVERYTHING for the day.  It's not been pretty lately.

I'm cutting my rambles short.  Off to run, shower, tan, finish packing, and get ready for work.  Ready, set, GO!

Spring

Brink and I went for a walk this morning. Spring has sprung!!




Work was exhausting today. I'm glad it's a short week. I've got lots to do in the morning so I'm off to bed.

Another day in dreary paradise

I'm dead tired this morning.  For some reason I was wide awake at 2 a.m.  I'm thinking the evening run played a part in my inability to sleep.  I also have the feeling of crud building in my chest.  It's all warm, hollow, and icky feeling inside my chest like my nose has been draining for a few days and it's reached the annoying stage.

It's cloudy and rainy.  I wish I could watch movies all day but I guess I'll go to work.  I think I can handle three work days this week.  I'm mostly packed for Idaho.  I have my bag out and my piles ready to stuff into it!  And it's not even the day before - woohoo!

I've watched the latest episodes of NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and The Good Wife this morning.  They were all very, very good!  The Good Wife was especially awesome!  I suppose I should get ready for work now.  I see the sun starting to peak out a little bit.  Perfect timing!

Yawn

Even the early bird isn't up yet!


Zzzzzzz.

Tuesday Tidbits

- Brink and I ran about two miles tonight. We returned from REI with my new water flasks to put on my running belt (my dog buddy belt) and I pulled the belt with leash off the hook to try them out. Brinkley went nuts with excitement thinking he was going for a run. I couldn't let him down so I changed, clipped on his flashing collar light and my flashing arm band and hit the road. Because it was dark, I ran without music. The weather was perfect and the rhythmic sound of my feet hitting the pavement was a great way to end the day!! Running is addicting!

- Brent and I spent a large junk of our morning at JCPenney's shopping for summer attire. Believe it or not I'm kind of between my "fat" and "skinny" sizes so stuff is either too big and falling off or so tight I can't sit down. Have no fear - Brent and I each got some shorts and tops to get us through the summer!! I'm branching out in style thanks to Brent. And now I won't have to put too much thought into packing!!

- Brent leaves tomorrow - boo! The past few weeks have flown by. And I'm not quite sure I'm ready for everything I have ahead of me the next few weeks. I will need to up my game if I'm going to get everything done while keeping up with my exercise and trying to get things cleaned and packed.

- In addition to the half marathon, Bryn and I are officially registered for Bolder Boulder too!! I'm so excited to have a running buddy!! It keeps me motivated knowing I have a race down the road (ha - pun intended).

- Remember that whole paying off the second mortgage by 2012 tax season?? Consider it done! I have the last chunk sitting in the bank. It's before the tax deadline so booyah!!! I'm not going to send it until after Disney World just so I'm not stressed. Maybe it will also help to keep my crazy Disney spending in check!!

Walt Disney World Half Marathon

Source

My friend Bryn and I did something completely crazy today.  We registered for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon... along with a few other ten thousand people.  Bryn is a half marathon newbie; it will be my second half marathon.

I will have to work some overtime shifts and maybe some archives shifts down in Denver to prepare for another trip to Florida.  It will be a long weekend trip not a ten day trip like the upcoming family trip!  If there are any cheerleaders out there who want to tag along just speak up.  It will be cheaper the more peeps we add to the hotel room!! Woohoo!

I'm really, REALLY looking forward to hitting the half marathon distance again!  I'm getting stronger and faster each week and I'll have more miles under me for this half marathon than my first one.  It should be a ton of fun and I've learned a lot about running recovery in the years since.  I won't be hobbling as bad in the days following and I won't be bordering on exhaustion by the end.  I'm not looking for personal record or anything but I do want to be so comfy and energized while running that it's FUN!

Another fun fact... it's the Disney Marathon Weekend 20th Anniversary mean we'll get a special edition finisher's medal!!

And now, I must go run!

Mellow Monday

So much stuff to do and so little time.  And I'm not motivated to do any of it!  All I want to do is eat cookies and candy.  I fell of the healthy eating wagon and it's been oh so nice.  The good news is that I won't be tempted much longer because I've eaten everything in sight!  

I ran three miles yesterday and three more today.  I may go for a streak and do three more tomorrow.  I can't help it because the weather has been so wonderful.  I get back from running and want to go again.  I guess I shouldn't feel too guilty about the cookies and candy! HA! I have all summer to burn them off!

I got out my traveling bag today so I can start packing for my Idaho trip.  And I picked up some things at Walmart today for the Disney World trip.  It will be here before we know it - 23 days, 21 hours to be exact!! AHHHHHH!!!!!  It makes me instantly happy every time I think about it.

Brent's making tacos for dinner!  It smells delicious!  And it's Castle Monday so this day pretty much rocks!

Saturday Morning Post

Insert a Normal Rockwell painting of a girl at her computer drinking coffee and petting a brittany spaniel curled up at her feet.  It's another lazy morning around here.  I'm getting good at lazy mornings.  My routine has gone out the window in the last week.

Rather than beat myself up over slacking off, I'm taking it as much needed rest.  I did ride the bike and do some burpees.  Burpees are the devil.  My butt has been hurting for days thank to burpees.  I was hoping I wouldn't be hobbling again today but I am.  The glute is huge muscle!!

I'm planning to be back in the swing of things tomorrow.

The upside to being a lazy bum in the exercise department is that I've been able to get a lot of other things accomplished.  None of those things has been cleaning though.  My dirty laundry is mounting and I have piles of stuff everywhere.  

At least I can avoid everything for one more day while I go to work.  Yah!

Flaskback Friday

April 27, 2007

Ferns, calzones and one melatonin hangover...

You'd think by the time the end of the semester rolled around that I would have figured out when NOT to take melatonin. It turns out that midnight is not a good time to take it. While I managed to get out of bed and make it to work on time, it felt like I was still drugged up and drowsy. Two cups of coffee kicked the melatonin hangover but no breakfast meant I was starving by 10. I need to buy groceries. I also need to get back into that mindset where food is fuel not just food. That would probably help with the whole not skipping breakfast thing. Anywho.... plant sale today on campus! I bought some new houseplants. A fern, a red thing, and some other thing. Hopefully none of them kill my cat.

I had a breaded chicken calzone for lunch. Yum! Probably not the healthiest of choices but it filled me up.  It should last me until I head off on my run/walk later. It's beautiful out and I wish I could go right now but noooooo, responsibility calls. Grrrr....

~ END ~

Ah, melatonin.  Now that brings back memories of late nights studying and drinking coffee.  Grad school almost killed me.  No sleep, no exercise, and poor diet.  It was a trying and painful experience but it was also a lot of fun burying myself in history all day long.  I can't wait until I can do that again some day.  History is entirely underrated.  People don't know what they are missing! 

Book Review: Born Wicked

It's time for a book review!  This is my first review for BlogHer and I am thrilled beyond words that I was selected for what turned out to be a pretty entertaining book.  Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood revolves around the three Cahill sisters, who happen to be witches.  At first they are determined to keep their magical abilities concealed from everyone, including their father.

The terror of witch trials, damnation, hard labor, and being sent to the insane asylum terrifies the eldest sister, Cate, who promised to keep her sisters safe following their mother's death.  As their magical powers get stronger and uncontrollable, The Sisterhood swoops into protect them from the priests of The Brotherhood, who are the controllers of women's virtue, fortune, and futures.

Complicating matters for Cate is a prophecy her mother failed to mention and society's expectation she pick a husband or a become a Sister by the time she turns 17.  While she has two suitors, one of which is a true love, she must make her decision based on what will protect her sisters the most.  Just when she (and the reader) thinks she has things figured, Cate finds out she's had it all wrong from the beginning forcing her to decide the unexpected.

I should have known the book was going to end cliffhanger style because the cover says The Cahill Witch Chronicles, implying there will be more than one.  I was surprised by the ending and initially felt it had been rushed because the rest of the book seemed to build the story slowly.  I hate the feeling of being rushed in the last twenty pages of a book.  Things happened so quickly that the walls of the story (figurative and literal) came tumbling down in an abrupt end.  But (and there's always a but) after thinking about the many twists and turns and the larger battle brewing, the ending is what it should be, a primer for the next book.

The second book will not be released until next year.  This must be one downside to reviewing recently released books.  I have to wait for the next one.  I have to sit and ruminate about what Spotswood left unanswered.  The ideas of The Sisterhood and The Brotherhood were so vague.  I wanted more details and depth for what are presented as powerful aspects of society.

The historian in me wanted to be able to place the story properly in the timeline of history.  The Cahill sisters are witches.  Their predecessors were terrorized previously a la The Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s and the sisters are now secretly practicing witchery in the Victorian Era.  The connection isn't made specifically, the reader is just left to assume.  It's an alternative history or "Historical Fantasy" of sorts.  I'm not always good with "what ifs" when it comes to history, especially when the connection to real history is blurred.

It's close to seeming realistic for that time period (strict and oppressive religion, strict gender roles, and an emerging feminism) but it needs more meat, a more specific connection to real history in order for the fantasy part to be more believable.  I think it would make the story that much more engrossing.

Considering Born Wicked is billed as a Young Adult novel, I guess it serves it's purpose of fantasy and intrigue.  I would recommend the book to anyone who is in the mood for a good, quick read.  But don't say I didn't warn you about wanting more once the last page is turned!  Not only did it leave me wanting more of the Cahill Sisters, it got me in a "good book" mood and left me searching for my next one!

Want a second opinion?  Check out the Blog Her Book Discussion on Born Wicked!


Disclosure Statement: I received a free copy of Born Wicked from Penguin Group (USA) and was paid by Blog Her Book Club to review the book on my blog.  Was I paid to read a book?  Yes.  Was I paid to write a one-sided review?  Absolutely not.   I love books too much to lie about them or mislead a fellow bookworm.  Happy reading!

A.M. Research

I was productive this morning. I emailed the Laramie Public Library a few questions about their local history resources. And I wrote a letter to the appropriate Feds regarding Daniel's service records. I'm crossing my fingers they weren't destroyed in the St. Louis fire. It makes my gut wrench just thinking about the possibility.

Disney World Countdown

Tomorrow marks 30 days and counting for the rest of my family and my adorable nephew.  30 days until the much anticipated trip to Disney World.  I delivered Moxon's countdown to him tonight.  Each day he can rip off a Mickey card and be one day closer to his trip.  On the back of each card is a little activity to keep him in the Disney spirit for 30 days.  The Mickey heads were made with my Cricut machine.






Some examples of what the cards say...

• Wear a Disney shirt today
• Practice your Oooo's and Awww's for the fireworks
• Sing Hakuna Matata today
• Call Grandma and practice asking for Mickey Ear ice cream
• Call Uncle Marshal and tell him how many days you have left
• Practice your roller coaster scream
• What happens if you get lost in Disney World?  Practice your phone numbers.
• Watch Disney cartoons
• Sleep with a Disney cuddely
• Practice shooting your laser for the Toy Story rides!

He was pretty excited.  And also pretty tired.  He gets to start tomorrow with #30 before he heads off to school.  Hopefully he'll find some entertainment in it and get more excited as the Mickey heads dwindle in number!

As for me, I spent most of the day playing on the Disney World site and Goodreads.  I've had the urge to read lately.  I'll explain more come Thursday.  For now, I'm off to get ready for bed as my work week starts tomorrow.  My weekend was perfectly lazy.  The only thing I accomplished this weekend is feature above!! 

I'm back!

Yeah, it's only been a few days but you've missed me and my rambles, don't lie.  

The past few days have been largely uneventful.  I broke my laziness streak and went for a two mile run on Saturday and again last night.  The weather has turned cold and uninviting so I plan to be lazy again today.  I think it's been good for me to rest more than usual.  My legs are feeling revived a little bit.  My run last night was pretty darn awesome.

I've spent most of the day researching online.  Well, I've attempted to do research online.  I've hit walls and "website failed to open" so many times that I want to march right up to Laramie, Wyoming and tell them to fix their damn websites!!

I'm back to Daniel again.  It comes and goes.  I'll get frustrated in my search for info and let off it for a while.  And then I'll get a surge to work on his story some more and find another crumb, another piece, to keep me interested.  I've found a handful of sources to check out but because of my website frustrations, I will have to make a trip to Laramie to do the research in-house.  I'm pretty sure the trip will have to wait until May or June though as April is looking mighty busy.