Saturday 9: Monday, Monday

I came across this Saturday meme and thought it would be fun to participate. Here's how it works: each Saturday there's a list of 9 questions for you to answer. Sometimes the questions revolve around a theme, other times they are just random. Post your answers on your blog and then visit Saturday 9 to link up and visit other participants.

Saturday 9: Monday, Monday


1. How does your day usually go on Monday? - Mondays are usually good for me; I like getting back into the weekday routine...the kids are back to school and my husband is usually working. I can usually use Mondays to spend some quiet time at home on the computer and/or catching up on housework.



2. Who was the last band you saw live? - 3 Doors Down (many years ago)


3. When was the last time you purchased something over $50? - Yesterday...I filled up my gas tank


4. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? - Yes, a little

5. Do you wish you were someplace else right now? - No, not really


6. Tell us about the last wedding that you attended. - I cannot even remember the last wedding I attended


7. What's annoying you right now? - My 17 year old son's lack of motivation towards school


8. What is your best skill/ability? Why? - I'm kind-hearted. I want the best for everyone and truly feel concern when others are in need.


9. If someone asked a friend of yours, "Hey, what is one thing your friend is exceptional at?", what would they say about you? Why? - They would say that I'm exceptional at being organized. I'm pretty compulsive about everything having it's own place and keeping things in order.

Aloha Friday - Gas Prices

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday, hosted by Kailani over at An Island Life. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So, on Fridays we can take it easy on blog posting, too.

I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer - nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life where you can link up with your own question and also visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

What are gas prices in your area right now?

I filled up my vehicle yesterday and paid $3.19 per gallon.

CSN Stores Product Review - Mirror Tray

CSN Stores is the online shopping site that gives you access to 200+ stores all in one place. Their prices, selection, and service can't be beat. If you've never given them a look, I encourage you to check out all they have to offer. Not only do they have a huge selection of products, but many are offered with free shipping. They are a terrific online shopping source!

I'm happy to once again have the opportunity to work with CSN Stores. They recently invited me to shop their site and then share a product review with my blog readers. I have been wanting to spruce up our master bathroom and decided to look for a small vanity tray. I chose this Venetian Gems Petri Small Mirror Tray. Here it is on my bathroom counter, displaying some fragrance bottles. I don't keep a lot of items displayed on my counter, so this is the perfect size for what I need. It's also a great spot to place my rings each night when I take them off before bed. This pretty little mirror tray is hand etched, cut, beveled, and polished using old techniques copied from Venice, Italy. It's really quite pretty and I love the floral etching design. The mirror tray makes a nice little addition to our master bathroom. I'm also once again pleased with my shopping experience at CSNStores.com. This fragile item was extremely well packaged and shipped to me for free.

Disclaimer:
CSNStores.com provided me with a gift code to use at their online shopping site. I used the gift code to purchase the above mentioned product. All opinions are my own.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - The Boys Are Back

From Netflix:
Following the sudden death of his wife, Australian sportswriter Joe Warr (Clive Owen) struggles to cope with his grief and comfort his young son (Nicholas McAnulty). Being a single father gets even trickier when Joe's rebellious teenage son from a previous marriage (George MacKay) moves in. Director Scott Hicks helms this touching -- and often hilarious -- tale of a family in flux, based on a memoir by Simon Carr.

Moving. Heartbreaking. Lovely.

Rated PG-13 - Some sexual language and thematic elements

I Think It's Time To Buy Some New Flip Flops

Even though I'm a winter and cold-weather person, it's still always nice when the signs of spring start to show up. Spring means warmer temperatures and birds singing and blue skies and...cute spring clothes. My favorite warm-weather item to wear? My flip flops. Truth be told, I wear my flip flops year round (of course I don't wear them in public during the winter, but I have been known to slip on my flip flops and trek out in the snow to check the mail or take out the trash). I wear these flip flops instead of slippers.

These are my flip flops. My very favorite pair that I've had for several years. They are ratty and old looking and I should be ashamed to wear them. But, they are so comfortable, perfectly broken in. I bought them at Target (Moss brand) and the thing I love most about them is that the strap is really soft. They're not made out of that rubbery material that you see with a lot of flip flops. I haven't been able to find any more like this at Target in the last few years. So, I've just continued to wear these, even though they look pretty bad. They do look pretty bad, don't they? I think it's definitely time to buy some new flip flops!

Aloha Friday - Fill In The Blank

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday, hosted by Kailani over at An Island Life. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So, on Fridays we can take it easy on blog posting, too.

I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer - nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life where you can link up with your own question and also visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

Fill in the blank:

 I have a bad habit of ________________________________

Grey Walls

On a whim, hubby agreed to paint our kitchen for me last week. We were laying on the couch one day and he said he needed to find something to do so that he wouldn't spend the entire day laying on the couch. I jokingly said, "well you could paint the kitchen" (never thinking he would agree) but he did. So, then I was scrambling, trying to decide on a paint color right there on the spot. I love grey and had been thinking about using it somewhere in the house. There's so many tones of grey, it was a hard choice to make. The first color I picked ended up being too light, so he went back to the paint store and had it darkened. I really love it!

It's a little difficult to really see the colors in these photos, but, here's a "before" and "after".

Before - our kitchen was a very, very pale seafoam-ish green (really it was so pale, it almost appears white).

After - it's now a medium shade of grey.

This was right after he finished painting, so the kitchen is not really put back together yet (no pictures or decor in place). Of course, now that the walls are a new color, I find myself wanting new light fixtures, new window treatments, and new rugs. My husband just sighed and said, "I knew this was gonna cost me more than just one day of painting."

While we're on the subject of the color grey, I thought I would share some beautiful grey rooms I've come across on the web. Aren't they lovely?

Dining Rooms Designs

InspireandDelight.com

Courtney Giles of Atlanta

BHG

House Beautiful

Abbott Houston

Coco + Kelley

Book Review - Dreaming Anastasia: A Novel of Love, Magic, and the Power of Dreams

Dreaming Anastasia: A Novel of Love, Magic, and the Power of Dreams

by Joy Preble

The Past

Anastasia Romanov was a daughter of the last Tsar of Russia. History tells us that the entire Romanov family was brutally massacred. But, in a strange and magical series of events, Anastasia is alive. Held captive by the evil witch Baba Yaga in an unknown hut that's in an unknown forest, she is trapped in a timeless prison where she doesn't age and cannot escape. She knows that somewhere in the future, a girl will be found that holds the key to her freedom.

The Present

Anne is a teenager living in Chicago. She goes to school, takes ballet lessons, and likes to hang out with her best friend - pretty normal stuff. But, when she begins having strange dreams of a girl whose family is murdered, things suddenly don't seem so normal any more. The dreams are so real and she feels a true bond to the girl. Then a mysterious (and really good-looking) guy named Ethan shows up out of nowhere. He and Anne seem to be drawn to each other but she doesn't know why. It soon becomes clear that Anne, Ethan, and Anastasia are all somehow connected.

The Past and The Present

Ethan is 18 with piercing blue eyes...his real name is Etanovich and he lived in Russia during the time of Anastasia Romanov and her family. Long ago in Russia, Ethan belonged to a secret brotherhood. As a member of this brotherhood, he took part in a magical plan that was meant to ultimately save Anastasia. He was granted immortality so that he could search through time to find the one girl that will be able to help him free Anastasia. When he meets Anne, he knows that he has finally found his partner. Now Ethan must find a way to convince her of her destiny. As Ethan and Anne begin to work together, it quickly becomes clear that they are in great danger and that things may not be going as planned.

My Thoughts
I loved this story! It has all my favorite elements - historical fiction, the young adult genre, and magical/paranormal components. The chapters are told in the alternating voices of Anastasia, Anne, and Ethan. I thought this was a wonderful way to let the story unfold. It really lets you get into the heads of each character and feel like you know more about them. I immediately fell in love with Ethan; he is this beautiful young man who wants to do the right thing. He's an old soul who just happens to be young and hot. The story moves along at a nice pace, much of which keeps you on the edge of your seat. There's lots of action and mystery. I truly never felt like there was a dull moment in the entire book. I love when a story isn't predictable and keeps you guessing on what is going to happen next. The magical folk-tale aspect of the story was so clever and different. I'm a big fan of historical fiction and I really enjoyed the tie-in of the evil witch, Baba Yaga, with the Russian Romanov family. I did not want this book to end, but I will say that I was totally happy with the way it ended. The author wrote a fantastic tale that had me totally hooked from page one and kept me mesmerized until the very last page. Loved it!

Note: Be sure and look for Haunted, the sequel to Dreaming Anastasia.

Aloha Friday - Sleeping Preferences

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday, hosted by Kailani over at An Island Life. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So, on Fridays we can take it easy on blog posting, too.

I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer - nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life where you can link up with your own question and also visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!


Do you always sleep on the same side of the bed?

Do you sleep on your back, side, stomach, or are you able to sleep in any position?

How many pillows do you sleep with?

I always sleep on the same side of the bed (on the left next to the alarm clock). I can only sleep on my side and I always sleep with two pillows under my head.

Lovely Laundry Rooms

I haven't been doing much of anything this week. Except for laundry. And more laundry. It's just never-ending, you know? Anyway, my modest laundry space is basically a laundry closet, with only room for the washer and dryer. So, I usually end up carrying my piles of clothes to the living room so that I can fold them while watching tv. I'll also tell you that it sometimes takes several days for my folded stacks of laundry to make it from the living room ottoman to their proper storage places. When one of the kids shouts, "Mom, where's some clean socks?" it's not uncommon for me to say "on the ottoman." It's not ideal but what can I say. I dream of someday having a huge, beautiful laundry room, full of lots of cabinet and counter space. Actually, I want a big mudroom/laundry room where we can enter the house and drop off our shoes and coats. Until then, how about I share a few pictures of some really lovely laundry rooms...

-image source unknown

-image source unknown
(oh, how I would love to have two sets of washer/dryers *sigh*)

-SpaceEnvy.com

-The Inspired Room

-Hampton Design

-Aesthetic Outburst Blog

-Natural Interior Design

-Great Interior Design

Movie Trailer Tuesday - 3:10 To Yuma

I told you the other week ago that I like westerns. Here's another one of my favorites. It's a remake and stars Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Ben Foster, Peter Fonda, Logan Lerman, and Gretchen Mol.

In an effort to restore his self-worth and gain some respect with his son, rancher Dan Evans agrees to escort captured outlaw Ben Wade to the nearest train station. Once they reach the station, Wade will be put on the train and on his way to court to answer for his crimes. Wade's gang is hot on their trail and determined to free the outlaw at any cost. Great film! I found myself rooting for the good guy as well as the bad guy. (And, did I mention it stars Russell Crowe;o))

Rated R for violence and language

Aloha Friday - First Job

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday, hosted by Kailani over at An Island Life. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So, on Fridays we can take it easy on blog posting, too.

I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer - nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life where you can link up with your own question and also visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!


What was your first job?

Technically, my very first job was as a babysitter. I babysat all through high school and used my earnings to buy school clothes. As soon as I graduated high school, I got a job in our local hospital. I worked as a file clerk in the medical records office and later as a student nurse tech in the emergency department. That's where I worked until I graduated nursing school and became an RN.

A List Of Rules I've Broken

I'm pretty much a by-the-book kind of person. I try to do the right thing and behave how I'm expected, blah blah blah. But, there are a few "rules" I've broken. Here they are:

1)  I have had snacks right before dinner, thus "ruining my dinner"
2)  I've had dessert BEFORE my meal
3)  I have exceeded the speed limit
4)  I have not turned off my cell phone in a "blasting zone"
5)  I have chewed gum in school
6)  I have talked and used my cell phone at the theater during the movie
7)  I have put my elbows on the table
8)  I have disobeyed the "3-second rule"
9)  I have worn white after Labor Day
10) I have lip synced "Happy Birthday To You" only pretending to sing
11) I have went to bed mad
12) I have left the house forgetting to brush my teeth
13) I have peeked at my Christmas present
14) I have talked with my mouth full
15) I have colored outside the lines
16) I have failed to "clean my plate"
17) I have machine-washed when the label said dry-clean only

You didn't know I was such a rebel, did you?  What are some everyday unspoken rules that you have broken?

Gifts That I Would Like To Give

Wouldn't it be great if money were no object and I could surprise some of my closest family and friends with special gifts? I think that would be one of the best parts of having a lot of money - the joy of helping and giving to others. Of course, don't get me wrong, I would certainly find many ways to enjoy the money myself (I'm thinking shopping sprees, exotic vacations, building a huge new house, etc). But, back to the giving part...here are a few gifts that I would love to be able to give:

1) To Anna, who has been my best friend since kindergarten - I would surprise her with a family trip to Florida to visit the beach and Disney World. She's a single mama to four kids and I know for a fact that they have never had the opportunity to take a vacation. Her children have never even seen the ocean. It would be so much fun to make that happen for them.

2) To my sister - I would give a brand new car. Some type of small to mid-size SUV with 4-wheel drive and all the bells and whistles. She is one of the most kind and giving people I know. She has certainly always spoiled my children and me, remembering us on every single birthday, holiday, or other special occasion. It would be wonderful to give her something extravagant.

3) To my friend, Jennifer - I would hire a full-time housekeeper and chef. She and her husband both work full-time plus stay super busy with extra-curricular activities for their three kids. Having someone to keep their house clean and organized, their laundry done, and their meals prepared each day would relieve a lot of stress for her and give her more free time to relax and enjoy herself.

4) To random strangers - how much fun would it be to surprise random strangers with random gifts...pay for the groceries of the person in front of you at the supermarket, hand someone some cash at the gas pump to fill up their vehicle, pick up the tab for the person behind you in the drive-thru line. These little surprises would surely brighten someone's day.

What about you? What gift would you like to give if money were no object?

Movie Trailer Tuesday - The Forsyte Saga Series 1 and Series 2

Here's what I've been watching from Netflix. It's a BBC miniseries consisting of Series 1 and Series 2 (5 discs total). Wonderful period piece that is full of drama, passion, love, hate, lies and secrets. I didn't want it to end!

From Netflix

Series 1: An epic television miniseries, this BBC production is a literary adaptation that follows the Victorian pride of the Forsyte family through the scandals and mistakes of the patriarch, Soames (Damian Lewis). His ways change when he sees his cherished daughter grow up to be a captivating young woman (Emma Griffiths Malin) who carries on the family pride. Based on James Galworthy's Nobel Prize-winning novel.

Series 2: The adaptation of John Galsworthy's fabled Forsyte family continues with the next generation. Fleur (Emma Griffiths Malin), the daughter of Soames (Damian Lewis) and Annette (Beatriz Batarda), and Jon (Lee Williams), the son of Irene (Gina McKee) and Jolyon (Rupert Graves), first met as youngsters. Ten years later, they reunite and fall completely, disastrously in love, as the privileged Forsyte saga unfolds amid the fun and turmoil of the 1920s.

It's listed as a TV-PG rating. There are a few instances of sexuality, therefore, I would not let my children under 16 watch. Just my personal opinion.