More on the Great Move

This update is a little late in coming and long overdue, but I promise it is all good news.

First of all, the cat seems to be mostly her old cranky self and is quite settled in at the new home. The new environment seems to have had an impact on her purring and meowing. Her purrs are much louder now, and she is much more chatty. Her meows are so loud they are startling at times. I'm not complaining, I love hearing her purr. I am a crazy cat lady, so I'm thrilled she meows at me when I talk to her. She is fueling my crazy now.

Second, we are officially free of the old home. After a seriously frustrating process, where we found ourselves wondering repeatedly who exactly our realtor was working for, the sale on the old home closed and we were able to close the door on our old home town. I won't lie, part of me was sad to let go because of all the memories and things associated with that home. But now that there has been some time away, and we are settling into our new routines I find I am looking forward to making new memories for our now home to hold. 

Third, David's new workshop space is now ready for him to move in to and set up. We had to replace the flooring (carpet floor for wood working is not a good idea), and were finally able to do so. Now he as the daunting task of setting up and unpacking, but it is going to be amazing when it's all done. I can't wait for him to be able to start working on some of the projects he's been waiting to do.

Fourth, we are mostly unpacked! There are still some boxes, like David's workshop is all still in boxes and I have some knick-knacks, photos, and candles I haven't unpacked. But all the important home stuff is officially unpacked. 

Now we get to really enjoy our new home and our new town. We have had some people over and David has cooked some amazing food. We have also found some great places to dine, including a McMenamins really close and a really tasty Thai place. There is a book store not even 4 minutes from our house which we have yet to set foot in because that's just inviting trouble. The only problem is there is a disturbing lack of easy to access Starbucks for us in the mornings. There is one, but the volume of people is so much higher here that the wait time is longer and it is just less convenient to swing by in the morning for a cup of I'm too lazy to brew at home. I hold on to the dream that they are still taking over and there is going to be one opening up on a closer corner any day now.

Taking Stock.

I have been really bad about blogging. I wish I could say it was all because we have been so busy doing amazing things-which is partially true. The sad reality is, after work the last thing I've wanted to do is come home and do anything on my computer, after spending all day reading/typing/relying on my work computer. I'll try to work my way back and share some stories about female impersonators, and amazing food (not related to each other in any way). For now, her I am taking stock.

Making:  It from day to day. Work is pretty draining. I'm sure I'll blog about it soon.

Cooking:  I haven't done any cooking, but in our new kitchen David has made some very amazing meals. He made some Irish Soda Bread and a Beef and Barely Stew that were amazing.

Drinking:  My lunch. I'm sipping on a Creamy Tomato Campbell's soup on the go cup.

Reading:  I've been doing a bunch of reading, and I think I've given up about blogging what I'm behind on. I just finished reading Brandon Sanderson's Warbreaker. Of course it's book one of more than one. Still trying to decide what to read next. I'd like to read the Dexter books, but there is also a new Lisbeth Salander book that I'd like to read as well. We'll see.

Looking:  At the clock wishing my lunch wouldn't go by so fast.

Playing:  Nothing. :(

Wasting:  Time being worn out.

Sewing:  Nothing right now. But I would like to get started on a project-if I could figure out what I want to do.

Wishing:  I could be more laid back about things. I don't deal well with lots of things coming at me, and it's wiping me out.

Enjoying:  The new house with my wonderful husband.

Waiting:  To have people over for a house warming because I'm just not ready to deal with that.

Liking:  Booze. Seriously, best part of being an adult.

Wondering:  When I'm going to feel like "I get it."

Loving:  My husband, always, and my Sisters.

Hoping:  That I'll get this job thing figured out.

Marveling:  At how tired I am even after all the sleep I got this weekend.

Needing:  To go home.

Smelling:  My soup.

Wearing:  Work clothes :(

Following:  Texts with my husband.

Noticing:  That my answers are getting shorter and my brain is telling me it wants to be done thinking.

Feeling:  Exhausted.

Opening:  Some crackers to go with my soup.

The Great Move

I know it's been awhile, but we've been dealing with the insanity that is moving. Thankfully, we are all moved in to the new place-including having a fair number of boxes unpacked. It actually feels like home! We've also been dealing with getting the old house officially done, and on the market-which happened and now we are going through the selling process (a whole other blog post). It feels like we've been constantly doing doing doing, and haven't had a chance to catch our breath and enjoy our new location. While that's mostly true, it isn't entirely. But let me tell you about the move first.

We were able to schedule things when we had a three day weekend. David took the whole week off to deal with packing and scheduling of various services (and cancelling various services). We had done a fair amount of the packing before the guys came to pack us up. The day of the move, we loaded up my car with all it could hold-including the precious cargo that is our cat. The weeks leading up to the move were pretty stressful for her. Things kept disappearing, there were boxes everywhere. She knew something was up and she was not happy. That morning, as we stuffed her into her kitty carrier and put her in the car she let us know what was happening was not acceptable, under any terms. I left with the cat before the movers got there. I stopped quickly for gas and then hit the road. Just as I was heading down the ramp to merge onto I-5 David called me. He was hoping I was still getting gas because in my haste to get on the road I had forgotten to pack her food and water bowls. It was too late, I was going to have to figure something else out. She meowed the first 5-10 minutes but then stopped and resorted to hanging out in the far back corner of her carrier and glaring at me with all her might.

The drive was uneventful and we made it to the new place in good time. I was able to pull into the garage so I could unload what I brought up-starting with anger bag of course. I took her up to the second floor and set her carrier in a spot I knew she would keep cool (it was a really hot day). I left her in the carrier while she settled down, and so I could unload without worrying where she may have run off to, and so she wouldn't get out of the new home. The unloading went quick, and once I knew I was going to be there for a bit (still had to figure out food and water bowls) I opened the door to her carrier so she could come out on her own terms. I texted a few people who lived nearby to see if anyone could hook me up with some bowls for the cat. My friend Angela was able to help me out, and would head over and be the cat's hero for the day. Meanwhile, the cat is still in the back corner of her carrier and freaked out. Since I was about to add more stress to the mix, I decided to take her up and put her in our bedroom-she was going to be put in our bathroom when the movers arrived so it seemed like a good idea. I carried her potty and a blanket up and put them in the bathroom. I closed the bedroom door so she couldn't explore too much and opened her carrier door once again. She came right out, let out a huge meow and promptly went into our closet where she stood and meowed for five minutes. I went over and picked her up, she let me carry her around the third floor while I took her into each room and had her sniff things. After that, I put her in the bathroom and closed the door, since Angela would arrive soon. We'd be able to come up with food and water for her and hopefully she would be set while the moving insanity took place.

Angela arrived and saved the day. I got to give Angela a quick tour, and then we took food and water up for Riley. When I opened the bathroom door, there was no cat to be seen, and her blanket it had moved from one corner to in front of her potty. I gently touched the blanket and it made a little "mew" sound. I lifted up a corner and there was my terrified kitty, who in turn tried to burrow back under the blanket. I carefully moved the blanket back, and she scuttled back under it. I put down her food and water and tried to talk soothingly to her. Angela and I let her alone because she was clearly not interested in any comfort from us, and there were still things to be done.

Scared kitty

I had to move my car out of the garage, because we were going to be unloading the moving truck into the garage and then moving things into the house. I was able to find a parking spot and as I was getting out I had a missed calls from David. I called him back, they were on their way, could I stop at the bank for more tip money (we had last minute added a second moving truck because all our stuff wouldn't fit in one, we were going to have to schedule another day or figure something else out but then at the last minute a second truck freed up and we took advantage of it), and some lunch. I was unsure of the area, and a little nervous about losing the parking spot so Angela drove me around (thankfully it was all pretty close) and we got the quick errands done. When we pulled in David was there waiting for the first truck to arrive. The crazy was really about to begin.

Did I mention we did this on one of the first hottest days of the summer? The next many many hours were spent with David trying to direct the movers where to put things. Then, the poor lads, had to run up and down the stairs with objects varying in weight. Of course a big chunk of the really heavy stuff was going up to the third floor. These guys hustled up and down those stairs. The once empty new house became a maze of boxes-daunting to look at let alone thinking about where to start with the unpacking. It took a few hours to unload the first truck, then the second truck backed in and it took a few hours to unload that one. At the end of the day, everything we were moving to the new house was there-including some things we thought we'd have to move ourselves. And we didn't have to haul the heavy items up and down the stairs ourselves. Best. Money. Spent. Ever.

Everyone left, and we found ourselves finally in our new home completely overwhelmed with where to start. Then Angela saved the day (again) by suggesting we meet up for dinner. We got cleaned up and met her, her hubby and daughter at The Cedar Hills McMenamins and had a fantastic dinner! It was the perfect way to spend our first evening in our now town and our new home.

A much happier kitty

Currently.

Doing:  Lunch break at work-trying to find my motivation/sanity.

Thinking about:  The weekend. I know I'm always thinking about the weekend, but weekends right now are a big deal. Last weekend we moved, now we get to learn our area and set up our new home. We also have to take care of the old home and getting it on the market. Yeah, lots going on!

Watching:  So You Think You Can Dance. We are also re-watching The Sopranos because some times you just need to go there.

Looking forward to:  The time when we are all unpacked and settled in at the new home, and the old home is sold.

Reading:  I have read so many books that I need to blog about.  I'm currently re-reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Loving:  My husband.

Sorry I haven't been bloggy lately. I will get back into posting and sharing, just have been way to busy and tired. Just know we are still around, we are well, and life is insane as always!

Yup. My Monkeys, My Circus!

I've been meaning to blog an update about all the crazy things going on but every time I start something else comes up, or the last thing I want to do is sit at a computer and type.  This means I'm really behind on book reviews and general sharing of things with those of you who take the time to come here and check.  It will get better, or I will go insane.

As some of you may already know I started a new job last week.  For those of you who didn't know, after working at my previous job for 6 years I decided (with love and support from David) that it was time for a change.  We decided it was time for a whole boatload of changes actually.  We talked about it for a while; I was having a  hard time imagining things different.  I don't deal the best with big changes.  But after realizing I was unhappy and bored at my current employment and seeing how it was affecting me (and David) I realized it was time to listen to him and be willing to make some changes.  I spent some time getting things organized, and wrote a guide for my prior job.  Then, with some amazing help, I created a resume and cover letter and began the process of applying for a new job.  A few days after sending out a handful of applications I got a call that resulted in an interview a few days later, which resulted in a job offer a few hours later, which I accepted the following morning after discussing it with David.  Accepting this job meant some really big changes.  I put in my notice, and two weeks later I started my new job.

The new job also meant relocating.  While I was making a job change, it seemed like a location change was a good idea as well.  We've been wanting to move out of the town we were in and get closer to family and friends, better shopping, and more activities.  So after I gave notice, we started the incredibly stressful process of house hunting.  Let me tell you, the job interview was easy compared to house hunting.  We would find a place we wanted to see, and even before we would have a chance it would be off the market-sometimes only hours after being listed.  Hopefully we'll be so lucky when it comes to selling our current home.  After lots of frustration about missing out on what looked like some really cute places, and seeing some not so great places, we found a place in an area we wanted to be in.  David did a guest post about this here.  It's really perfect for us-and I'm still afraid to call it ours until we have closed and we have keys in hand.  The process of buying a home has to be one of the seven levels of hell-shared with buying a car and selling a house.

So, here we are.  We are in the process of buying the new place, which David has been taking care of and I couldn't be more thankful because it has been crazy.  I'm commuting back and forth to my new job- I'm not complaining, I'm lucky to have found a job so quick and it's easy to get to and from (from current home and future home) so it's not a big deal for a longer drive short term.  Gives me time to sing, unwind, and think about all the fun places we will be able to go after we have moved.  It's still going to be a crazy couple of months (hopefully we will be able to sell the soon to be former home quickly), but I know we are making the right choice for us.  As long as we stick together and support each other (one of the things we are best at) we are going to come though this just fine.

Guest Post: Lucky and Thankful, by David

You've all heard the news that Emily has found a new job in a new place a fair distance from home, and that we're planning to relocate. What's new is that we've found a house and are in the process of purchasing it. This happened yesterday; much sooner than we'd anticipated and quite contrary to our expectations given the state of the real estate market here in northern Oregon.

It's a lovely place--truly a dream home--in a very nice, new development in Beaverton, OR (I will learn to stop giggling about that... maybe). I call it a townhouse, because it reminds me of some of the old brownstone communities in NY and NJ, but the house is fully-detached, meaning we're responsible for all of it, but the only land we own is that which forms the footprint/foundation of the new home. We're giving up a yard (and the maintenance thereof... fist pump) and maybe a bit of privacy, although not much. But what we're gaining is a thriving area chockablock full of variety and culture, something sadly missing in our current area. We'll be closer to (weird in wonderful ways) Portland and Emily's family. And we'll be closer to being able to live the kind of lives we'd always wanted to lead.

Here are some pictures.

These pictures are accurate, but the actual home we purchased is in a different location on the property. Otherwise, if you can imagine it sans furnishings, it's nearly identical to what we're in the process of buying.

I'm feeling lucky and thankful for all kinds of reasons, but today, it's because I have a great partner in my wife and best friend, Emily, who is always willing to share (or, as in this case, initiating) these adventures; I have a really good job, which let's me do crazy things like purchase a new home when I still own my current home (we'll be getting it ready to go on the market in the coming months); and I have some wonderful friends and family who embrace our crazy and share in our passions.

We're having a gathering at our home in Salem this coming Memorial Day weekend, a fitting day to host the last hurrah in our current home. It's an appropriate holiday to say goodbye to the past, to express our gratitude for a truly good life, some of which was borne on the backs of those who have come and gone before us, and to usher in a bright future in a new place, full of promise and adventure.

I am lucky (it wasn't always so) and I am thankful for all that I have and for what the future will bring.

~David

Changes, They Really Are Coming!

It's been awhile since I've posted anything that isn't a cryptic Taking Stock, a book review or even a music recommendation.  That's because there were some things being discussed and some decisions being made, and it was better to get things set into motion before making them public knowledge. Things have started moving forward and now I feel like it's okay to share what's going on.

The short version, we are moving.

The longer version, seriously, we are moving!  For those of you who know me this probably comes as a big surprise.  Me, changing something?  Yup!  This has been a long time coming.  While there are things we like about the area we are living in now, there are lots of things we don't like.  Lately, the things we don't like column has been growing.  Realizing that, and seeing that it didn't look like that was going to change meant it was time for us to make a change.  It wasn't an easy decision.  I do not do well with change, and it's because of me that we've remained here as long as we have.  But even I could see we needed to do this.

The decision was made, then there was a process to follow.  For practical reasons, I would need to find a new job and have that lined up before we even looked for a new place.  Having a job lined up would be security moving forward, and it would also give us a starting area to hunt for a new place to hang our (viking) hats.  We would also begin getting our current house ready to put up on the market.

Well, the new job has been obtained.  That was a crazy experience I am sure I will blog about at another time.  It happened a little faster than I think either of us anticipated, but it worked out.  I'll be commuting for a while while we start looking for a place now.  That's going to take some time, but one thing I've learned about my husband is he knows a lot of stuff, including how to do all this.  Moving is going to be daunting, the whole process of hunting and getting our home ready to sell.  There is also the whole having to go through and get rid of 15 years worth of stuff.  I have a tendency to hold on to stuff, and I'm going to have to let some of that go.  It will be good for us to downsize some.  The cat is going to have to learn to live her life a little bit closer to us.  It's going to be nice to be closer to family, friends, food (as in better grocery shopping), restaurants (as in not just crappy chain restaurants), and other things that are important to use.

I know this hasn't been easy on David.  I've been freaking out at pretty epic levels.  He has been incredibly patient and kind.  He is my rock.  I need to pull my crap together and make sure I'm his rock too.  There is a lot of pressure on him as things continue to move forward, and I appreciate everything he is doing/stressing about/planning/scheduling to make this happen.  I know once everything is done, and we are relaxing in our new place, eating some amazing food because we will have such a better grocery shopping selection, it will all have been worth it.  More to come as things progress!

Taking Stock.

Making:  Plans.

Cooking:  I made tacos a few nights ago, but other than that it's all been the magic of David.  Have I mentioned how much I love his cooking?

Drinking:  Coffee in the mornings, always.  David recreated these lovely cucumber gimlets we had at Tidal Raves when we were at the coast last, and we've been enjoying those.  They are a great warmer weather drink.  (Recipe here)

Reading:  I finally started The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan.  This is the first book in the trilogy.  I don't know why, because I always complain when I read a book and watch the TV show it is based upon.

Looking:  Forward to the weekend, as always.  I'm also looking forward to the road ahead, while it's going to be a bit stressful I think we are making some changes for the better.

Playing: Not much of anything, I've been a bit stressed.

Wasting:  Energy on things that don't deserve it-but I am working on that.

Sewing:  Nothing right now.  I really need to talk to my mom about the fall leaf pattern I want to turn into quilt squares.

Wishing:  Change wasn't so hard, of that I dealt with it better.

Enjoying:  The comfort my relationship with my husband gives me.  No matter what, we approach things as a team.  I know he has my back, just like he knows I have his.

Waiting:  To see how the pieces come together

Liking:  Booze.  Seriously, best part of being an adult.

Wondering:  When the pieces will come together.

Loving:  My husband, always, and my Sisters.

Hoping:  UNSURE

Marveling:  At the sounds of nature outside.  The weather has been warmer, not warm enough for air conditioning, but warm enough to have the windows open.  At night I love listening to the frogs as I fall asleep.  I wish the birds didn't get up so early in the morning, but I still love them too.

Needing:  To remember to inhale and exhale.

Smelling:  The heavenly aroma of dinner-chicken with hints of lemon and rosemary, and potatoes

Wearing:  Pajamas-because I'm done with pants.  I am home and the work day is over and I'm not leaving the couch.

Following:  Some texts with family and friends.

Noticing:  That while I'm still stressed and anxious, I'm feeling a little better about some things.  So I have hope that everything else is going to work out-I know it's not going to be that easy.  But I do have an excellent partner and with him I know we can make it.

Feeling:  Optimistic.

Opening:  A new chapter in our life.  It's time.  This is a good thing-even though right now it's a crazy stressful thing.

Thankful

I am always thankful for my husband and the relationship we have.  He makes me feel loved and appreciated, and I do my best to make him feel the same.  Sometimes I fall short, and then I get a reminder about how lucky I am and I can't help but want to smoother him with my joy and relief that we have what we have together.

Today is one of those days.  Everything about being an adult is hard.  I'm not saying I want to be a kid again, because that had a whole other set of problems I don't miss.  And to be honest, I really like wine and booze.  David makes the best drinks, he's been making us some really lovely cucumber gimlets-to die for.  I digress.  Being an adult is hard.  Sharing every aspect of your life with another person can be hard.  But if you find the right person, it's not as hard, and it's worth the work.  Yes, there is work involved.  No one has the perfect relationship; no one is perfect.  I think it comes down to talking, listening, and not keeping secrets.  I know I can tell David anything, and I mean anything.  And he knows he can do the same.  We don't lie to each other and we don't keep secrets.

I'm not perfect, I freak out sometimes about really dumb stuff.  I get mad at irrational things.  Just because I get a little insane, irrational, and mad doesn't mean I ever stop loving David.  We are different people, we react to things differently.  It's the respect, and the love we have for one another that is our foundation.  We know how to talk through things.  We know how to give each other space and then listen when we come back together and work things out.  I should apologize more.  I should listen better.  I'm not perfect but I know David loves me and will be there for me.

I am so thankful for this relationship.  I know we can get through anything because we have each other.  Thank you David for being my partner in all things.  I'll stop there before I get too mushy.

Book: The Last Colony by John Scalzi

The Last Colony is the third book in the Old Man's War universe by John Scalzi.  We follow John Perry and Jane Sagan in their new life together after finishing their time with the CDF.  They have adopted Zoe Boutin, the daughter of Charles Boutin (from The Ghost Brigades).  They are offered a chance to be leaders in a new colony, and after some deliberation they decide to accept.  Zoe's Obin protectors, Hickory and Dickory, warn Perry that things may be amiss.  Hickory and Dickory very diligently protect Zoe.  They hold her as very special due to the gift of consciousness her father gave them.  Perry can trust that they would not do anything to put Zoe in harm.  They proceed to Roanoke.  When they get to Roanoke they learn something was indeed amiss.  A specially modified member of the CDF special forces is waiting for them, I kind of envisioned him as a talking space turtle.  He tells them they were sent to this location because the real Roanoke location was known to a group that is fighting colonization, the Conclave.  He also tells them they can't go back, the ship has been rigged not to be able to return, and they can't use their electronic devices because they may be detected that way.  Needless to say that caused a whole set of problems they expect to have to deal with.  Thankfully, some of the settlers that came with them are "Amish" and used things that did not embrace modern technology.  They were able to help the colony start farming, and taking care of the livestock.  There was more political stuff in this book, and if you remember from my last review how I feel about that then you can probably guess how felt in this book.  The group Perry and the settlers were "hiding" from find Roanoke.  The leader for the Conclave, General Gau, visits Perry on the planet and gives him his options-which are basically join the Conclave and they will let them go home or to another planet, or don't and the Conclave will blow up the settlement.  Through his interaction with Gau, Perry has more questions about what is really going on with the Conclave and the CDF.  Once again, Perry feels like someone is hiding the truth and he tries to get to the bottom of things.  And apparently there is a really mean werewolf type species on the planet that it terrorizing the colony.  I'm sorry for the crappy review, I just had a hard time getting into this and staying interested.   I really liked the first book in this series. but lost interest in the second and third and have no desire to read the fourth (which is essentially The Last Colony but told from Zoe's point of view).

Music: Aoife O'Donovan

I've been posting a lot of book posts and have been neglecting music posts.  My husband, David, has wonderfully eclectic taste in music and pretty much listens to whatever moves him or inspires him.  It is one of the many things I love about him.  Right now we are on a bit of a bluegrass/newgrass (also called progressive bluegrass but I like newgrass better) kick.  There is some really amazing talent out there and I love everything he's been playing for me.  You are going to get a bunch of newgrass artists from me in my next few music posts.  Even if this isn't your choice of music, at least give them a listen.  It will restore my faith in humanity.  Do it for me.

Today I'm going to talk about Aoife O'Donovan.  This is the first song David played for me (I'm pretty sure):

(Aoife O'Donovan & Sarah Jarosz - "Some Tyrant") (I love YouTube)

Yeah, I wanted (needed) to hear more!  Her voice pulls at my heartstrings.  One of the albums David bought  after finding Aoife was her solo album, Fossils.  Listening to the album I hear hints of Joni Mitchell and Edie Brickell.  Aoife is backed by Ryan Scott on guitar, Jacob Silver on bass, Robin MacMillan on drums, Charlie Rose on pedal steel guitar, and Rob Burger on various keyboards and accordion.  Oh yeah, I said accordion.  The way her voice haunting blends with the instruments is just beautiful.  Just listen to this:

("Red & White & Blue & Gold" from Fossils)

She lends her voice to some projects as well, one David just introduced me to this week.  Crooked Still.   The album is called Some Strange Country and the talented artists on the album are:  Aoife on vocals, Corey DiMario on bass, Gregory Liszt on banjo, Tristan Clarridge on cello, and Brittany Haas on fiddle.  They all complement one another so beautifully, listen to this:

("Half of What We Know" from Some Strange Country)

And the last project of hers that I am going to mention is I'm With Her.  I'm With Her is Aoife on vocals and guitar, Sara Watkins on vocals and fiddle, and Sarah Jarosz on vocals, banjo, and guitar.  Those three voices together are magical to me.  Their first album together comes out May 8, 2015 and below is a track from that album:

("Crossing Muddy Waters") 

This is just a taste of what Aoife has out there in the musical world.  She plays in music festivals and plays with several other artists.  I love the way her voice just seems to fit with whatever she wants it to do.  This is just an introduction, if you love her voice as much as I do go out there and find more.  I'd love to hear what tickles your fancy!  

Book: The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi

The Ghost Brigades is the second book in the Old Man's War world, by John Scalzi.  This book did not pick up where I expected, and I think that made it difficult for me to get into this book.  Instead of following the familiar voice of Perry, we are introduced to a new set of characters and an aspect of the CDF that was secretive in the first book - the Special Forces, also called the Ghost Brigades.  The Special Forces are CDF soldiers created from DNA sources where the donor is no longer living (hence the Ghost Brigades).  When a person signs up to be a recruit with the CDF, they provide a DNA sample.  Due to the age of the recruits some don't actually make it to transporting off the planet but the CDF still has their DNA.  And as with big secretive corporations, waste not want not.  The CDF uses this DNA to create recruits that they can test new technologies on before introducing them to all recruits.  Because of their abilities, advanced technology, and secrecy the Special Forces are sent on missions normal recruits are not capable of.  In this book we are introduced to Charles Boutin, a top scientist who carries a grudge.  He has formed an alliance with the Rraey, Eneshan, and Obin, and is causing trouble for the CDF.  Boutin's body is found, and it is discovered he stored some of his consciousness on a computer, so the CDF decides to grow a body with Boutin's DNA and see if they can transfer the consciousness into the new body.  The wake the body, and transfer the consciousness but nothing seems to happen.  Again, waste not want not, they decide to let him join the newest group of Special Forces.  They name him Jared Dirac, and Jane Sagan is one of the people tasked to watch Dirac to see if Boutin's consciousnesses surfaces.  It was interesting to follow Dirac through his training, which was very different from the process Perry went through.  The Special Forces learn faster, and have advantages when it comes to communicating with each other via the BrainPal because of their enhancements.  It was also interesting to get to know Sagan's character better.  She began to have questions about what the CDF was really up to, like Perry in the previous book.  I'm not going to lie, I tend to get bored with some of the political stuff and I find that I don't pay as much attention as I should to things going on.  I'm sure I missed some important things in this story.

Once I got into this book I did enjoy it.  It was interesting to learn about the Ghost Brigades, and what made them so different and special.  I really liked Dirac and following him on his journey as he struggled with being himself while struggling with the other identity inside him and what that meant.  It will be interesting to see what tale the next book has to tell!

Distracted

That's pretty much how I've been feeling lately.  Lately I feel like my mind has been all over the place and I might be going a little insane.  I try to sit down to do something and I get restless and think about something else I should be doing.  That's why there hasn't been much posting lately.  I am very behind on some book posts and I'm trying to remedy that.  I'm also hoping to get back into writing non-book related posts as well.  My hope is that getting some of the crazy things on my mind done (like going through my piles of stuff) will help me be able to sit down and focus a little better.

Every couple of years or so we try to purge junk in our home.  We've been in the house for almost 15 years, there are a lot of places to tuck stuff.  Trust me, I am excellent and tucking things away.  I just found a box of wedding invitations that I thought I had tossed or lost 14 years ago.  I'm also a scrapbook/stamper and I have a lot of paper and paper scraps lying around.  I tried to get rid of some of the scraps last night but I keep thinking "I could use that for something."  And that, I believe, is how a hoarder is born.  Just thinking that makes me want to go and throw everything away.  I try not to be wasteful, but I also try not to be a crazy keeper of things.  Clearly it's time for me to purge, I just need to focus and run with it.

Or maybe something like the above will happen.  Clearly with me it can go either way.  I'll keep you posted on the great purge (or wine dancing).  Thanks for listening to me!

Book: Old Man's War by John Scalzi

This is my first time reading anything by John Scalzi, and I have to say I really enjoyed this book.  Old Man's War is the first book in the Old Man's War universe, I believe there are four books out currently with at least one more in the works.  The story is told through the voice of John Perry, a 75 year old widower, who has made the choice to join the Colonial Defense Forces (CDF).  He and his wife, Kathy, had planned to join together but she passed away before she could.  Perry made the choice to enlist anyway.  With his wife gone, and his son grown, he didn't think there was anything left to keep him on earth.  He joins the CDF with the plan of putting in his time fighting in the war and hopefully retiring with a younger body on a new planet.  We follow Perry through the transformation process all the recruits undergo, and the friends he makes as he becomes a CDF soldier.  The transformation they go through to become a soldier is like something out of X-Files episode, they move the consciousness from one boy to another.  The new body is not just any ordinary body; it is modified to be a stronger, better body.  There is nanobot technology that improves everything, and a thing called a BrainPal that allows for communication through thought, as well as training and information sharing.  It's like having a smart phone in your brain, but better.  We learn more about the new abilities and technology as we follow Perry through his training and eventual combat.  Perry learns more about the organization he is fighting for and begins to question the motives behind the fighting.  In the Battle for Coral the CDF is fighting the Rraey for possession of the planet Coral.  Perry is part of an assault that goes bad.  The Rraey were able to detect the incoming ships and pretty much thwarted the assault before it happened.  Perry's ship is the only one that makes it through, but despite best efforts Perry was the lone survivor.  He sustained injuries in the landing, and was near unconscious when he was rescued by one of the Ghost Brigade squads.  Perry is in and out of consciousness, and believes he sees the ghost of his wife.  Once he is healed, he tries to get some answers but has a hard time as doors to information seem to be closed at every turn.  

Clearly there is a lot more to the book, but I really don't want to give anything away.  I enjoyed discovering what being a recruit entailed, and the whole process of getting a new body and learning to use it.  The idea of getting to re-live your life on a new planet is a neat idea.  Some of the technology talked about in the book is really interesting too, especially the nanobots.  They made me think of that episode of Star Trek:  The Next Generation where Wesley is studying nanobots and some escape and start causing trouble on the ship (Season 3, Episode 1 - Evolution).  I should say I didn't think of that episode because anything like that happened in the book.  I just thought of it because of the nanobots.  I look forward to following Perry to see what happens with his ghost, and if he gets to retire on a new world with his younger body!

Currently.

Doing:  Fighting off a headache.  Fretting.  I can't seem to shut my mind off at night so I have't been sleeping well.  I blame the headache on that.

Thinking about:  The weekend.  The husband and I have a getaway planned, a much needed one.  I'm hoping I can let go and just relax with him and not worry about the things I have no control over.  Clutter, I'm thinking about that too and how I need to work on that.  I'm thinking about how far behind I am in posting about the book I've read.  Also, I'm wishing I had flat-ironed my hair this morning.

Watching:  The last episodes of Mad Men just started to air last Sunday, so we were all over that.  We've also been watching the second season of Broadchurch (BBC-not US), and I'm enjoying it.  Game of Thrones, Deadliest Catch and I think Orphan Black all start soon, so I'm looking forward to those returning!  Lots to watch, feels like there just isn't enough time some nights.

Looking forward to:  Time with my husband where it's just the two of us.

Reading:  I just read Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson, I'm on the second book in the series now, Firefight.  Reviews to come... someday.

Loving:  My husband.

Revisiting My 2015 Goals (Again)

I felt like it was a good time to revisit my 2015 goals (again).  I also feel like, as this year is progressing, I should add some new goals or perhaps modify some of the existing ones.  Here goes.

• Blog More.  I'm still feeling good about this.  I'd like to be more consistent, but I'm also going to be happy with what I've been doing so far.  I'd still like to do more than book reviews, so I'll be trying to work on that more as this year unfolds.
• Gym.  So... that's been pretty much an epic fail.  I really do need to be taking better care of myself-this is not just getting exercise and eating better.  We have been cooking more (David made this fantastic roast chicken last Sunday and a pork roast I just don't have the words for a few nights ago) which makes me feel better about what we are eating.  I also feel like I need to be taking better care of my skin.  So, I'm going to change this gym goal to a general health and wellbeing goal.  
• Quality time with my husband.  We've been enjoying some really lovely home cooked dinners, and quality time.  We have a getaway coming up that I'm really looking forward to.  It's nice to be able to go to a place where we both are able to relax and have some really good one on one time.
• Quilt with my mom.  This is still something I need to work on.  I need to be better at reaching out to my parents period.  I don't know why this is so hard for me, or why I have such a wall.  But I really do want to do projects with my mom and get to know her better now.
• Embroidery/Cross-Stitching.  This actually kind of goes with the above.  Also, I need to feel less restless.  

I want to do more of this

• Hang out with my sisters more.  We actually just had a really lovely sister weekend!  I meant to blog about it (and still may, ha ha!) but we ended up not taking may pictures.  We just hung out in the room and giggled and enjoyed each others company.  The weekend went to fast.  We need to plan some more sister time!
• Play games/watch games with friends.  Still working on this, but do have something in the works.  
• Read More.  I think I'm doing well with this goal, and have been reading some great stuff!
• Correspond more.  Still need to work on this.
• Find my music.  I've been making some progress with this, I actually should be blogging about some of that.  Coming soon I guess!

So I already modified the gym goal.  I want to add a few more.

• De-clutter.  I need to make time and go through my stuff.  I have a lot of stuff I should just get rid of.  It's taking space and in a way it's holding me back and weighing me down.  I have to work on letting go.
• Focus.  I have goals, now I need to focus and work on meeting those goals or making them happen.  I get overwhelmed and freaked out and I need to remind myself to step back, focus on one thing and see it through.  I can do this.

I. Can. Do. This.

Happy in My Own Skin

I knew before I even started down the path, that having tattoos I was going to get all kinds of responses to them.  The people around me, or who had to look at me every day, are nothing but supportive.  I put thought into any tattoo before I get it done, it is going to be with me forever.  I also made sure whatever I have done I can cover with a sweater-because you know, work.  As a result, I haven't really received any negative feedback.  I tend to run cold, so I wear sweaters more often than not, so tattoos and work have not been an issue.  The only people close to me that were not thrilled were my parents.  I expected that reaction from them.  But, they love me and want me to be happy and have mostly come around.

Yesterday was a different experience.  While buying some important items at Bi-Mart (peanuts for our murder of crows) a lady came up to me and said something like "Aren't you going to feel bad ruining your friends and families pictures with you tattoos?"  I guess maybe I was asking for it somewhat, I wasn't wearing my sweater.  It was a really nice day and I was too warm with it on.  At any rate, I was really surprised by the comment.  If it had been "sharkweek" I probably would have been more bitchy in my response, but I kept my cool.  I said something like "Not that it's any of your business, but I surround myself with supportive people who just want me to by happy and don't care what I look like."  I walked away before she could say anything else, or before I could.

Why do people feel like they can say things like that?  What about me said "Hey, ask me a potentially hurtful question?"  I understand that it's just part of the choice I made.  People are either really accepting, or really judgmental.  Thankfully I've been pretty lucky in my encounters, and really I am surrounded by a great group of family and friends.  I am more happy in my skin than I have ever been-which says a lot since I've always been a shy chunky girl.  I love the art that is now a part of me, and I love finally feeling happy in my own skin.

Yup, its me.  That lovely bird is just under a week old!

Book: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

I am a big fan of Brandon Sanderson, I have re-read his Mistborn Trilogy several times now, and just recently finished the first two books in his newest series, The Stormlight Archive.  I love his rich worlds full of strong women, cheeky men, creative magical systems, and new creatures.  His writing style is smart but not overly-wordy, always a enjoyable read.It seemed like it was time I read the first book he published, Elantris.   It is currently a stand alone book, but there are plans to release two more books in this world years after this story takes place.

Elantris is told through three main characters:  Raoden, the prince of Arelon; Sarene, princess of Toed and betrothed to Raoden; and Hrathen, a high ranking priest in the Shu Dereth religion.  Sarene is on her way to her official wedding, she left a week early in order to spend time getting to know Raoden before the ceremony.  Before she gets there, Raoden wakes to find he has been cursed by the Shoad.  It is like being dead without actually being dead.  Your skin is discolored and dried out, if your are injured it never heals and is incredibly painful, and you are always painfully hungry.  Raoden is condemned to Elantris, once the city of the Gods, the home to those cursed by the Shoad.  When Sarene arrives in Arelon she learns she is a widow.  The marriage contract considered her and Raoden already wed.  She finds herself in a strange city, a member of the most powerful family, and without a husband.  She also finds out she is not alone.  Sarene has a head for politics, and finds her way into a group of wealthy land owners brought together by Raoden that are trying to change the broken ways of Arelon.  Meanwhile Raoden is trying to make the best of his situation by trying to change the way of things in Elantris.  After doing some reading, and based on his knowledge of Elantris before it fell, Raoden believes the key to restoring Elantris and hopefully the inhabitants, is restoring power to the Aons.  Aons, are drawn images that when given power were able to do amazing things like heal people.  But something happened and the Aons were no longer able to draw the power the needed.  Will Raoden figure out how to repair things?  And then there is Hrathen, hell bent on converting the people to his religion, and using whatever means possible to do it.  He has a horrible minion that seems to one up and undermine Hrathen whenever possible.  His story line was not my favorite, but it was important to the other two.

Usually the chapter per character thing bothers me, but for some reason it doesn't bother me as much with Sanderson.  He has a way of not ending a chapter just as it starts to get good, but also I found I just didn't mind because I cared about what was going on with each character-even Hrathen.  I enjoy the way he unfolds the magic systems he creates, and the interactions between the characters and how their relationships unfold (or fall apart).  The only complaint I had about this book was that it ended.   I'm looking forward to seeing where he takes it, and where things are in the world years from when Elantris took place.  I love having books to look forward to!

Book: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Allegiant, the third and final book in the Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth,  A whole new layer has been revealed, and more damage has been done to the faction system and the world Tris knew.  With Jeanine no longer in charge, the new leadership in charge is the factionless group led by Evelyn.  They want people to live as equal, factionless people.  There is another group, the Allegiant, who want to return to their former way of life.  Tris uncovers a secret that only leads to more questions and chaos between the new groups.  To find answers to these questions Tris, Four, Christina, Cara, Uriah, Tori, Peter and Caleb leave to city to see what answers lie beyond their known borders.  There is some trouble getting out of the city, but once they do they find the Bureau of Genetic Welfare.  The group learns the truth behind their society and the factions.  They were one of many projects ultimately designed to fix people's bad genes.  Bad genes were believed to be the problem with society, and to fix things they set up these experiments with the hope of raising genetically pure (GP) individuals to fix the genetic damage left behind from the purity war.  Tris is also given information about her parents (sorry, that's all I'm saying).  There is conflict within the Bureau between the GP, and the genetically damaged (GD).  Tris and Four find themselves in the midst of another rebellion, and in the process more insight on the GP/GD situation.  I want to say more, but I really don't want to give things away because it's a good read and I don't want to give anyone an excuse not to read it.

I enjoyed the book, but I did find it harder to read as we went from following Tris and her point of view, to alternating between Tris chapters and chapters following Four.  I had a hard time going back and forth between the two.  The change in point of view was distracting for me.  I don't want to say to much more about the issues I had with this book because, again, I don't want to give anything away.  Read it, and then email me and we can share thoughts.  Actually that would be super awesome, do that!

Taking Stock

Making:  Nothing.

Cooking:  I haven't really done much cooking lately.  I've been uninspired in the kitchen.  I am kind of craving tacos.  May have to fix that at some point this week (or next).

Drinking:  Coffee, hopefully followed by wine (after work that is)

Reading:  Old Man's War but John Scalzi.  I've been enjoying reading, and I've been reading a lot.  I have some blog posts I need to finish and share but it's so hard to put down the book sometimes!

Looking:  Forward to the weekend.  I either want to go through some of my junk, or just have some quality down time with my sweetie.

Playing: World of Warcraft, although not as much.  Letting a tattoo heal, and am enjoying staring blankly at the TV after work.  (It requires less thought)  Can't seem to get into running around and doing stuff, but maybe that will change as my arm is starting to feel less funny.

Wasting:  Time.

Sewing:  Nothing right now.  I really need to talk to my mom about the fall leaf pattern I want to turn into quilt squares.

Wishing:  It was the weekend.  For some reason, work has just been work.  Overwhelming and frustrating.

Enjoying:  The cooler weather, and the fact that it's green and lovely outside.

Waiting:  For this week to be over.  I know, it's only Thursday, but it's been kind of a wonky week that I could do without.

Liking:  The Chef Soundtrack.  I have been wanting it and finally caved yesterday and bought it.  I do not regret it one bit!

Wondering:  When this year is going to get better-it's been kind of a downer.

Loving:  My husband, always, and my Sisters.

Hoping:  That this year will get better.

Marveling:  That I'm suffering from allergies.  It's all green and blooming here, while meanwhile in the mid-west/east coast people are buried in snow.  I feel bad complaining but I have concerns what the real allergy season is going to be like!

Needing:  More time with my husband.  It's time to plan another weekend getaway, but I'll take cuddle movie time and be just as happy!

Smelling:  Coffee, my mug is close at hand and the coffee is still hot and fresh.

Wearing:  Not the PJ's I wish I was still in.  I'm in appropriate adult work attire. /sigh

Following:  Work email-always so much going on and I'm having trouble staying current (I blame allergies)

Noticing:  That I've been REALLY (really) grumpy lately.  I don't know if I'm just feeling not myself, or what.  But yeah, I've been a grump.

Feeling:  Sleepy and hungry.  I could also go for some chocolate or a nice scone with my coffee.

Opening:  The office, time to end this and get ready to start the work day.

Book: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent, the second book in the Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth, continues to follow Tris.  She and her friends have survived the events in the first book and are trying to figure out how deal with what happened and what to do next. Tris travels with Four, Christina, Caleb, and Marcus to see if they can get aid from Amity.  Before they can really get what they wanted they are forced to run from the Dauntless and Erudite traitors who are looking for them.  While fleeing they find themselves in an unexpected meeting with a spokesperson from the factionless, those who were cast out of or did not belong with any faction.  She wants Four to convince what is left of Dauntless to join with the factionless.  The group spends some time with the factionless, and learns more about them including that their numbers are great.  The group breaks up to go different ways.  Tris and Four continue on to Candor headquarters, where they are arrested and interrogated while under the Candor truth serum.  No one can lie while under the effects of the serum, and Tris and Four share some things they would rather have kept to themselves.  The power struggles from the first book result in breaks in faction in this book.  Does one follow Jeanine's Erudite leadership, or do they follow their own faction?  We watch Tris make her choices and follow the path she believes is the right one, and all the things that happen as a result of those choices.  There are so many things you learn in this book, it's really hard not to give anything away.

I enjoyed that Tris grew stronger, and more confident in herself.  I didn't always agree with the choices she made but I respected that once she made the choice she followed through with it.  Relationships, intimate and peer, seem like a really hard thing for her to let happen so it was nice to see some of that development continue.  I look forward to her continued journey in the last book.

Revisiting My 2015 Goals

It's almost the end of February and I thought I'd check in with my 2015 goals and see if I was actually accomplishing them, or trying to do the things I want to do.

• Blog More.  I feel like this is happening, even if it is just book reviews right now.  I'll try to work on some non-book related posts in the future.
• Gym.  Yeah, lets not talk about that one right now.
• Quality time with my husband.  We had a lovely get away, and are planning more.
• Quilt with my mom.  Having been sick most of January and part of February I haven't been real eager to get together with people and make them sick.  This will happen.
• Embroidery.  Nothing yet, but I still want to do this.
• Hang out with my sisters more.  Working on that one-that would be a good blog post!
• Play games/watch games with friends.  Need to work on this too-but not being sick is a step in the right direction.
• Read more.  I have actually been reading a lot.  I have finished a few trilogies now, need to finish blogging about the last one.  I'm already on to a new book.  
• Correspond more.  I would like to be doing better with this one, I need to make time for that.
• Find my music.  Also need to work on this more.

So I still have some things to work on, but I do feel pretty good about the things I have been able to accomplish.  It's still early, there is still time.  Hopefully David and I are done being sick, and we can start doing some fun stuff!   

Book: Divergent by Veronica Roth

I was a little hesitant to read the Divergent Trilogy (Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant by Veronica Roth), or watch the movie.  I watched Hunger Games and was more upset by it than I thought I would be, to be fair I didn't have a complete handle on what I was in store for.  I was afraid I would feel the same way about Divergent.  I have not read the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins, I did read the Wikipedia summaries because after the first movie I felt like I needed to see if it was more of the same before I invested my precious reading time into it.  Thanks to Wikipedia I have a pretty good understanding of what happens over the three books.  That's not to say I may not watch the movies, or eventually read the books because I have friends that liked them, and I have no doubt they are well written.  I know, right now, it's just not what I want to be reading.  My sister, Melanie, is an avid reader and happens to have similar taste as I do when it comes to books.  She said I should give the Divergent Trilogy a try.  I usually like to read the book first, and then watch the movie but I ended up watching the movie first.  Then I had concerns I wouldn't enjoy the book or the books would ruin the movies for me.  Melanie assured me that would not be an issue.  She knows me.  I trust her.  She was right.

There may be spoilers, but I will do my best to not share all the good stuff.

Divergent, the first book in the trilogy, is a young-adult (although at times it didn't feel very young-adult) novel set in a post apocalyptic version of Chicago.  People are designated into five factions:  Abnegation for the selfless, Amity for the peaceful, Candor for the honest, Dauntless for the brave, and Erudite for the intellectual.  The story follows Beatrice "Tris" Prior through the process of  testing, choosing, and initiation into a faction.  Tris grew up Abnegation, but always felt like she didn't fit the faction.  When her test to determine what faction she was best suited for came back with more than one possibility she realizes there is something different about her.  The test administrator warns her not to tell anyone about her results, because if anyone else found out she was Divergent her life would be at risk.  Because of her ability to fit in with more than one groups way of thinking, she shows independent thoughts and is a threat to the social structure of the factions.  She is told it is her choice what faction she wants to join, but is told what ever she choices she has to be careful.  With the motto "Faction before blood" ingrained, she has to choose between her family and where she thinks she belongs.  At the choosing ceremony she is surprised when her brother, Caleb, chooses Erudite.  I think his choice may have made her choice to change factions a little harder, but she does and chooses Dauntless.  As she struggles through the initiation process, which is pretty brutal, she learns a little about herself and about the factions.  The structure of the five factions is starting to crack and Tris finds herself fighting a battle she didn't see coming.  She makes friends, and some enemies.  I enjoyed watching her start to come out from her "Stiff" up bringing.  I hope we see her friendships continue to grow and develop, especially her friendship with Christina, a former Candor who seems to have no filter whatsoever, and her instructor, Four.

I have to say I enjoyed the book (I had trouble putting it down), and even though I had watched the movie first I didn't have any of those moments where I was mad about something being changed or omitted.  The book went more in depth on some things, but the movie did not leave out anything crucial,  It was one of the better adaptations I have seen, and am looking forward to the next installment.

Book: Cibola Burn by James S. A. Corey

I wrote posts about the Expanse Series, a space opera by James S. A. Corey.  The posts were about Leviathan Wakes, Caliban's War and Abaddon's Gate.  This one is about the fourth book, Cibola Burn.

Now there is a race to travel through the gate and find a new planet to colonize.  A group of settlers from Ganymede has traveled though the gate and landed on a planet they call Illus which they make their home.  The problem is a corporation wants to make the planet, they call it New Terra, their property.  The settlers, including Basia who we met in the second book, strike out against the Royal Charter Energy (RCE) people who are come to lay claim to the planet for the corporation.  The settlers believe the planet is already theirs.  RCE has brought in scientists and security people to study and take control of New Terra.  The conflict between the settlers and RCE gets enough attention that Avasarala recruits Holden to go mediate the situation.  Things do not go as planned.  Not only is there tension on New Terra, it carries to the ships hanging out in New Terra's orbit.  Holden finds himself in trouble on the ground with the spokes person from RCE, Murty (a real jerk), and on a planet that seems intent on killing everyone.  Naomi and the crew of the Rocinante have their hands full with the RCE crew trying to assert their control from above, as directed by Murty of course,  Once I finally got into this book it was hard to put down.  There was a lot of tension, and me wondering how they were going to get out of the different situations that just kept coming.

One thing I really could have done without in this book were the interlude chapters.  I pretty much hated them.  The were strange, they didn't make sense, and after sort of reading the first one I didn't read any of the others because they didn't seem to matter.

Also, as I was reading this book I wondered what Cibola Burn was referring to.  I don't remember seeing the name Cibola anywhere.  And then I realized none of the other titles really made sense either.  It doesn't really matter, I didn't think about it until now.  Maybe it is something that will just make sense as the series develops.  There are going to be nine books total, the fifth one is supposed to be coming out in June of this year.  The authors have created a pretty big world to work with, I can't wait to see where they end up next, and what trouble Holden has to get himself out of!  Until then, on to the next series!

Book: Abaddon's Gate by James S. A. Corey

I wrote posts about the series I'm currently reading, the Expanse Series, a space opera by James S. A. Corey.  The posts were about Leviathan Wakes and Caliban's War.  This one is about the third book, Abaddon's Gate.

Something happens on Venus that is going to change the way the frontier has been defined.  A gate has been discovered, and the race is on to find out what it is, what it does, and where it goes.  Holden and the crew of the Rocinante find themselves in a heap of trouble between trying to get away with their ship and being the target of a revenge plot.  Holden can't seem to get a break.  While trying to keep his ship in the air and his crew safe he finds himself headed to the one place he didn't intend to go-the gate.  So many things happen in this book it's hard to say anything without feeling like I'm giving something away.  We see some return characters and of course meet some new ones.  One of the groups headed to the gate is a ship full of different religious leaders and pastors like Anna.  I liked the character interactions as the story unfolded, some of it was expected and some of it was not.

Really things are starting to get crazy.  As story lines merge, new ones bloom.  I have no idea where things are headed, or how long the series is going to go on but I'm looking forward to the fourth book.  Sorry this is so short, but really I don't want to say too much and give anything away.  You are just going to have to read them for yourself-it's worth it!

Music: The Avett Brothers and Sarah Jarosz

David and I were watching Austin City Limits on PBS because Nickel Creek was going to be on.  We had been reading about the show for a while so we were just waiting for the episode to air.  It turned out their segment was the second half of the program, up first was a group we had not heard of before, The Avett Brothers.  I was fixing dinner while they were playing and found the first song they played to be really catchy, it was "Down With the Shine."  Any song where they sing about moonshine gets my thumbs up!  Thankfully dinner was a quick fix, and I was able to give them my full attention.  The sound was familiar but new.  It made me think of Mumford and Sons (I love them).  Their musical arrangements were beautiful-they have a cello player who was doing things with a cello I have never seen before.  By the time they were into their last song, "Morning Song" I had tears in my eyes and knew I wanted to hear more.  Nickel Creek's performance seemed glum and pained in comparison which was a disappointment because we had been really looking forward to their part of the show.  After the episode was over, David went through some of The Avvet Brother's music on iTunes (I love iTunes previews).  I had to have "Morning Song" which is on their album "Magpie and the Dandelion."  I downloaded it a few days later, I'm one of those people that ponders things before I purchase them, and have been enjoying it since.

Another artist I've recently gotten into is Sarah Jarosz.  Our household has been on kind of a banjo kick lately, so lots of Steve Marin, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and Tony Trischka (just to name a few) have been playing.  I've been really enjoying it!  As David was looking around at artists you might like if you listened to such and such (I love iTunes), Sarah Jarosz was one of those that popped up.  She has a haunting, lovely, folksy voice that was hard to forget once she got in my ear.  Her voice reminds me a little of Sarah McLachlan or Jonatha Brooke.  David played the song, "Annabelle Lee" and I was hooked.  She has a few albums out, but the one I have been unable to stop playing is "Follow Me Down."  It has the "Annabelle Lee" track, but there is another song on it that is just beautiful, "Ring Them Bells."

I have not been disappointed, and am looking forward to building up my library with these two new finds.  Who knows what they will lead me to next.  I'm also open to suggestions, so if you have an artist you think I should check out please let me know!

Book: Caliban's War by James S. A. Corey

I wrote a post about the series I'm currently reading, the Expanse Series, a space opera by James S. A. Corey.  The post was about the first book Leviathan Wakes.  This post will focus on the second book, Caliban's War.

Holden and his crew find themselves on the recently damaged planet Ganymede.  Ganymede was a planet that was responsible for growing much of the food for the surrounding colonized planets, and it was also a planet of research and development in agriculture and medicine.  A new kind of super solider was unleashed on the gentle planet causing mass destruction.  Holden, while doing some investigating on the planet, stumbles upon one of Ganymede's survivors, a scientist named Prax who is starving and hell bent on finding his missing daughter.  As the story continues we met a martian soldier, Bobbie, who was on Ganymede and witnessed the super soldiers in action.  We follow her journey as she tries to make it right and finds herself allied with people she would have never expected, including a politician, Avasarala, from earth who is busy trying to keep a war for igniting over what happened on Ganymede.  How does the story unfold?  What about the protomolecule? You are just going to have to read the book to see what happens.

Some of my issues from the last book carried over, like the pronoun confusion.  I think it's just going to be that way in this series for me.  I think my favorite characters are Holden and his crew (Naomi, Amos and Alex).  I enjoy the relationships between them and the general dynamic.  I'm hoping that will continue through the series.  This book left a few loose ends I'm hoping will be addressed or revealed in later books, like what happened with Mei (Prax's daughter).  I will do my best to be patient.  More to come!

Currently

Doing:  Fretting about things I can't control.  So many stupid things in my head, including being frustrated that I've been sick for what feels like the last two months.

Thinking about:  Some fun things that happen this month (assuming I'm not a succubus of the plague).

Watching:  I feel so lost.  I just said good by to two shows I loved very much-The Newsroom and very recently Parenthood.  I distracted myself this weekend by watching all of Downton Abbey, Season 5, which was wonderful!  But now that's done until next season.  Thankfully The Walking Dead comes back this Sunday, and Better Call Saul debuts then as well.  Grey's Anatomy is also back so I have that to look forward to (and catch up on).  Some other guilty pleasures include Moonshiners (they crack me up) and Big Giant Swords (because there are not enough of those).

Looking forward to:  Some time at the beach, and not being sick anymore.  There are things we want to do, and not being sick is kind of important.

Reading:  I'm finishing up the last book (well, the last one that is currently out) in the Expanse Series by James S. A. Corey.  I'm trying to blog about it too, so if you are a follower you already knew this!

Loving:  My husband, my family, and the flat whites from Starbucks.  And peanut butter.

Book: Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

Two of my 2015 goals were to read more, and to blog more.  I'm hoping to start doing so by blogging about what I've read.  Last month I started reading the Expanse Series, a space opera by James S. A. Corey.  I finished the first two books (there are four so far-more coming), Leviathan Wakes and Caliban's War, and am reading the third book.  I thought I better try to get this written before I do that thing where I blend a series all into one book.  I do that a lot.

Leviathan Wakes obviously takes place in space.  Humans have branched out from earth and have colonized a fair chunk of the solar system inhabiting planets, moons and the asteroid belt.  Along with this they have learned to live in different gravities, and cope with the strain of space travel. although still with some complications.  There are new governments, including Earth's United Nations, the Outer Plants Alliance (OPA), and other political and corporate based groups, and although humans have learned how to travel through space they still haven't learned how to get along and play nice.  You see the power struggle between planets, political groups, and corporations to get their hand on anything that gives them the upper hand.

The story is told through two main characters, Miller and Holden.  Miller, a police detective, finds himself on a job to find a missing girl.  Holden, an executive pilot of an ice freighter, and his crew eventually find themselves tangled up in what Miller is investigating.  I feel like once that happened the story really took off, and I had a hard time putting the book down.  I wanted to know if Miller found his girl, and why were some people acting so shady.  And there is also the protomolecule.  Once I got used to the story telling style, and saw how things were coming together I was hooked.  I liked that while you could see how things fit together, there were still things you didn't see coming.  I don't want to give anything away so I'll leave it at that.

The only complaints I have are mostly my own issues.  I am not a huge fan of the story being told by a different character each chapter.  It's less of a bother now that it was years ago, but for some reason I have a hard time switching back and forth between the different views.  I guess I'm a fan of the story being told from one person.  The other problem I had were pronoun issues.  There were a few passages I had to reread several times because I was confused which pronoun was correct.  It's not a big deal, but it's one of those things my brain really gets hung up on.  I like to visualize the characters in my mind and if I'm unsure about the gender that would make it hard for me to visualize.  Clearly I got over my issues because I devoured the next book, and am continuing to do so on the third.  More to come!

**edited 01-30-15 to correct a typo-thanks Mez!

Taking Stock

Making:  Nothing.  I hope to remedy that, I enjoy sewing when I'm watching TV.  I would like to start making quilt squares.

Cooking:  I made some baked chicken over the weekend, will probably have leftover that tonight.

Drinking:  Coffee.  Followed by water.  I'm going beverage crazy!

Reading:  The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey.  I'm on the second book, Caliban's War.  I need to blog about Leviathan Wakes, the first book in the series.

Looking:  Forward to next month, we have some fun things planned!

Playing:  World of Warcraft (not right now, but some in the evenings and weekends).  I have a cute little panda hunter really close to level 100.

Wasting:  Time.

Sewing:  Nothing right now.  I really need to talk to my mom about the fall leaf pattern I want to turn into quilt squares.

Wishing:  I was at the beach.  I could use some nice ocean air.

Enjoying:  The cooler weather and the crazy rain we had the last few days.

Waiting:  To wake up, I'm groggy.

Liking:  The cooler weather.  I really hate hot days and nights.

Wondering:  What's coming next in the book I'm reading.

Loving:  My husband, always.  My sisters sisters, I miss them when there are gaps in our sister chats,

Hoping:  That this year will be kinder than last year ended up being.  Last year kind of left me feeling a little bruised.

Marveling:  That it's sunny out right now.

Needing:  A nice weekend getaway with David.

Smelling:  Coffee.

Wearing:  Not the PJ's I wish I was still in.  I'm in appropriate adult work attire. /sigh

Following:  Several texts with friends and family.

Noticing:  I'm still not 100% over the cough I had last year.  I'm thankful I didn't get the horrible flu that was going around, I got the cold that seems to stick for a month.

Feeling:  Sleepy, but I could also go for some chocolate or a nice scone with my coffee.

Opening:  The office, time to end this and get ready to start the work day.

Blogstipated

Ugh.  I'm blogstipated.  Is that a thing or did I just make it up?  I think it's a thing.  I'm making it a thing, it's a thing.  I told my friend that earlier, that I was blogstipated.  She laughed, and told me I should blog about that.  I told her it would be short post.  But, after some thought, I guess a short post is better than no post.  So here goes, be ready for a really rambly read.

I've been trying to write a book review, because two of my goals this year are to read more and blog more.  I thought it would be a good way to show I'm doing the reading, and hopefully it would help with the blogging.  Every time I sit down to work on it I feel like I'm writing a book report.  I hated writing book reports in school.  So, there is a lot of sitting and staring at the blinking cursor and a mostly empty post page.

I'm sure part of my problem today is I am a husk of Emily.  I didn't get much sleep last night.  David is out of town for a few nights and I just could not fall asleep.  For once the house wasn't making weird noises, the cat wasn't acting strange (well, she was unusually sweet and photogenic), and I was mellow.  Ended up not falling asleep until 2 am.  I think I slept through my first alarm that went off at 5:30 am.  Maybe I rolled over and shut it off, if I did I have no memory.  I vaguely remember the second alarm going off at 6:30 am.  David called me not long after, thankfully, so then I was awake.  But I'm dragging today.  I have a bit of a lack of sleep headache, and I'm just not feeling fully functional.

our pretty girl

Hopefully I'll sleep better tonight, so I can be more complete tomorrow.

2015 Goals

I had this whole post about how badly the end of 2014 left me feeling, but it made me want to scream so I decided to try again.  It was a rough time, but it's over.  Now is the recovery and rebuilding time.  Rather than resolutions, I thought I'd post some goals.  If I'm lucky enough to accomplish a goal I've listed then I'll have to blog about it.  So with that, here is my list:

• Blog more.  I really do feel better when I post something, even if it's just one of those form things where I share what I'm doing that moment.
• Go to the gym.  I asked for a gym membership for Christmas.  I need to get healthy because I want more years with my husband, my family, and my friends.  Exercise is a big step in doing that.
• Bask in quality time with David.  It's really easy to get bogged down with work stuff, and health stuff and just every day STUFF.  I love those moments where we get away together and it's just us and we don't have to worry about all the STUFF for a day or two.  
• Team up with my mom and make a quilt.  I have an idea for the squares I want to sew, I just need her help in actually making the quilt-I'm not ready to dive into the quilt making myself just yet.
• Lean to do embroidery.  I kind of know how, but I want to do it for real.  I'd like to team up with my mom on lots of quilts and I would like to do pretty squares.
• Hang out with my sisters more.  They are cool people, and there is lots of giggling involved when we all (sisters, spouses, kids) get together.
• Hang out and play games (or watch said games be played) with friends.  My husband likes games.  I will play some, but I'm not as into it as he is.  It would be nice though to have a game night with some friends every month or two.
• Read more.  I've been getting back into books, but I would like to have something that I'm reading every night.  I'd be happy finishing a book a month, but I'm a fast enough reader if I was really serious I could probably finish up to 3 a month.
• Correspond more.  I don't have a big friend base, those friends I do have are people that I value and believe are worth the energy it takes to maintain a friendship.  I want to reach out better, or at least more than I have been.  I want to write letters rather than send texts.
• Find my music.  I used to be very into music.  I played instruments, I listened to music all the time.  It was always on, I was always listening to something.  I feel like that has slipped away and I want to reclaim that again.  

I think that's a pretty good start.  I'm sure there are other things I'd like to work on for this year, but this will just have to do.  I wish everyone success on their own goals for the coming year!