Maximum Ride: Saving The World & Other Extreme Sports Book Review

Ok, I have to admit that I have never read an adult James Patterson novel.  I hesitate using the word "novel" because in my mind that word is reserved for some loftier genre of literature other than mystery or romance, but I have no idea what, if any, difference there is between a book and a novel.

Anyway, this was a first for me.  Of course it's classified as Young Adult since I can't seem to pull myself away from that genre of books.  In fact, tonight I am planning on going to the library with Hubby & I am 99% sure that the Young Adult section will be the only one I venture into while there.  Although I did buy the book "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson, I haven't started reading it yet.  This week I have read "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins, "Trickster's Queen" by Tamora Pierce, & of course "Maximum Ride" by James Patterson.  No, I don't read like a speed demon...I just read multiple books at once & I tend to subconsciously pace myself so I finish them all about the same time.  No idea why. I am also almost done with a fourth ("As Sure As The Dawn" by Francine Rivers).

Anyway, I promise I am going to review this book in this post.  I loved it!  Which surprised me.  I read a lot of books (duh), but I don't love a lot of books.  In fact, I only love probably 5-10% of the books I read.  It was simple of course.  It was extremely light reading...I started & finished it today...even while taking care of a 12-week-old!  Who will be waking up any minute now so I better hurry!  But there is just something about these bird kids that I loved.  They have sass & they have heart.  The good news is that this was the 3rd book in a series of 7...so far!  I have no idea how many Mr. Patterson plans on writing, but I plan on reading them.  They may not stay good...you know how normally the more books or movies are made, the less satisfying they are (except with trilogies...3 can be a magical number).  

I wouldn't recommend these books to everybody because like I said they are very light reads.  But I'll tell you what, James Patterson can write!  He had me flipping those pages so fast! He kind of lost my interest a little tiny bit at the end...things maybe worked out a little bit too cleanly if you know what I mean, but overall a very fun read!  I am very interested in reading one of his adult novels to see if he "beefs" them up at all.  If he doesn't, I think I will be disappointed because if these were written for adults, I would not have liked them so much.  I think it's normal to alter your expectations when you consider the audience. 

For example, I saw "The Last Airbender" with Hubby & I just hope that the movie was M. Night Shymalan's attempt at a movie geared to a younger audience.  If not, then I have to say that other than awesome special affects, it wasn't very good.  But thinking it was made for children makes it a much better movie.  I have no idea what his intentions were, by the way, I'm just sayin'. 

Also, they are supposedly making Maximum Ride into a movie which could be pretty cool.  The concept of flying kids is unique right now (unlike, say, vampires!!!) & it could actually be a very pretty movie.  I mean, wings are gorgeous, right??  I think I would have to read the original Maximum Ride book to see what I think about a movie cuz I'm sure that's the one they would turn into a movie. 

Alrighty, that's all I got.
Happy Reading!!

I'm off to re-read the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
You know they are awesome because I am RE-reading them.  I just bought them all in hardback & can't wait to indulge in the fiction decadence!!

Moment by Moment

"Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event, but a moment by moment experience".  So says Catherine Martin. 
Bill Bright agrees with her.  He writes, "Every day can be an exciting adventure for the Christian who has discovered the key to supernatural living, for such a person knows the reality of being filled with the Holy Spirit and lives constantly, moment by moment, under His gracious guidance and love". 

It is so simple too.  Just ask.  Well, first confess any sin & then ask.  Bill Bright calls this spiritual breathing (exhale the sin, inhale the Holy Spirit).  I tried it a few minutes ago.  I really tried to think of sin & a few things came to mind, but I know I sin constantly & not that much came to mind.  Being lazy is always a biggie for me.  Also not believing the best in people...which if I'm being honest I think very few people in this world do that one very well.  I'm happy to report that my husband is the only person I know that does that with any consistency.  It's just too easy to point our fingers and say "It's your fault & you should know better". 
Anyway, back on topic.  I tried spiritual breathing & I'm hoping to keep it up.  I don't feel any different, but at least for today I communicated with God for a few minutes which is more than I did yesterday.  I like this moment by moment concept because it's not a big mountain to climb.  It's just seems simple to me.  Me & simple get along.

One other thing that Bill Bright wrote struck me.  He writes, "The Holy Spirit has come to give us a supernatural life more wonderful than the human mind can conceive or comprehend". 

Umm, yeah, I want that please.

Baby Chubb

I can't get this baby weight off of me.  Now, I have gained weight before.  Lots of weight.  I gained 40 pounds my freshmen year of college (I blame the beer for that one!).  40 pounds in one year (one school year-9 months)!  To me, that is a lot.  But then I lost it.  I have gained & lost weight my entire life.  It doesn't take much to gain it & it doesn't take much to lose it.  Until now.  This baby chubb is sticking to me like glue.  I am breastfeeding which must be helping because everyone says it does.  The problem is not so much the number on the scale because it is almost to my pre-baby number (about 4 pounds over is all).  The problem is that even though I am losing weight, I am not losing baby chubb.  I don't know where I am losing it but it is not my gut.  My gut.  Even when I was 40 pounds overweight, I did not have a gut quite like this.  I hate it!! It is one of those guts that people will say "What gut? You dont have a gut! Shut up about it already".  But the thing is for me, it is a gut that I have never had before.  Yes, a T-shirt will cover it up, but I can still see it in the shower & my husband still sees it & it makes me feel bad so I will whine about it if I want to thank you very much. 

So, now the problem remains how to deal with the gut.  Let me tell you why this is a problem.  I do not like working out.  Cutting calories?  No problem.  Eat less?  No problem.  Since those actions aren't working, I am forced to consider exercise.  Which I don't like.  Actually, hate is a more acurate word.  Really, I'm not kidding.  I don't even like carrying in groceries from the car because I have to use my arm muscles! I am the queen of lazy.  Kind of embarassing, but there you have it.

Lucky me, I talked to one of my favorite people yesterday, Ms. Nutrition, & she has motivated my butt.  You can go to exercisetv.com & do free exercise videos.  I did one yesterday! It was a dance one & it wasn't too bad.  I also bought Dr. Roizen & Dr. Oz's book "You on a Diet" which was $26.99!! Yikes! But I had a 33% off coupon & $5 in Borders Bucks so I only paid $13.  Still pretty expensive, but when I think about all the food I waste money on (one meal in a restaurant is like 30 bucks) I think something that I can read & reread & keep for years is probably worth more than something that is here today, gone tomorrow.

So, just to lay it out.  Ms. Nutrition is getting married in October & I am a Bridesmaid.  It is my goal to be a size 8.  I was smaller than that when I got married 2 years ago, but I am taking things one day at time. I don't just want to fit into a size 8, I want to be a size 8.  I want my stomach & my thighs to be a size 8.  So, wish me luck! Here we go!

Saturday fun

I love Saturday mornings.  Not because I got to sleep in (because I didn't), not because Hubby isn't working (because he is), & not because we have weekend plans (because we don't).  Nope, I love Saturday mornings because of Saturday morning cartoons!! I LOVE them! I watch Qubo.  My favorite cartoon is "Jane & the Dragon", my second favortie is "Willa's Wild Life", & my third favortie is "3-2-1 Penguins" :)

Even when I was working full-time (which included weekends), every Saturday I had off I made sure I got up early enough to watch my cartoons.  Hubby watches them with me when he can.  They are really good!!

I can't wait until Baby Girl is big enough to watch them with me. I just know it will be a favorite family tradition. Along with Sunday afternoon naps :) I love her age right now (10 weeks).  She is very easy to manage (as long as she is happy!) & she takes regular naps so I still have a lot of time to do things I want to do.  But I do think about when she is older & how much fun we will have playing tea party & coloring & playing in the baby pool.  I will have someone to play with-how fun! I look forward to having conversations with her & teaching her about things she doesn't understand & making cookies with her.  Sounds fun!

I shouldn't say I "can't wait" because I can.  I don't want to wish away her baby stage because it is precious & fleeting.  I want to remember the times when she wakes up & wants to snuggle.  I want to remember when her feet were too little to wear all the cute shoes she has in her closet.  I want to remember having to hold her little head up because she can't hold it up herself.  I even want to remember those special middle of the night feedings when it's just the two of us & it's quiet & intimate.  Even Bella stays in her bed at 4am! :)

I want to remember this:

True to form

Well, my unproductive self has been staying true to form this week.  Four days of opportunity have only yielded one day of any actual action on  my part.  What is my problem??  Hubby made a to-do list for me (it helps me) so on Monday I was super hyped up to get stuff done.  I paid the bills, made the bed, did the dishes, studied my Bible, & did laundry.  Wow-that was a good day (a REALLY REALLY good day if you are me!).  Then on Tuesday, I made the bed.  Yes-that's all.  Then on Wednesday, I took a walk.  Yes-that's all.  Then today, I have done nothing.  Yes-seriously nothing.


The funny thing is that Baby Girl's room is anally organized.  Her clothes are SUPER organized as in no one better move anything because I have a system & I like it, her blankets stay folded & put away, her socks all match each other, her stuffed animals sit in a nice little row, her books sit in a nice little basket, & if there is ever anything on her floor, I pick it up.  (I know-picking stuff up off the floor-what a concept!) It is like there is a secret part of me that is released when it comes to her.  I definitely think it is a good thing...I just wish it bleed over onto other areas of my life.  Areas like the kitchen & the living room :)


Today, I will vacuum or die.