Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
2013 Meme
1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Finally went to Cape Lookout and Ocracoke. Though we didn't get to spend much time in Ocracoke.
I had jury duty in December, but didn't actually have to be in any courtroom. I just sat in the jury room for hours without being picked, for which I was actually grateful.
I allowed my son to go on a trip to Kentucky for a few days with our church youth group, without me or his dad. It was really hard to let him go, but I knew it would be good for him. He had an awesome time.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make new year's resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of my husband's nieces had a baby girl.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
None, unfortunately. :-( I dream of visiting New Zealand and most of Europe.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
My husband and my brother and his family in church with me, Mom, and the kids.
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There are no dates that stand out.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Homeschooling my kids.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not praying or reading the Bible as much as I should.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Homeschool curriculum, groceries, a new printer/scanner/photo printer.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My son's. He loves going to church and worshipping God.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Appalled: A relative (by marriage) who's rude to everyone. Including me, my mom, and her own mom. Depressed: no one.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills and clothes.
15. What did you get really excited about?
Going to Southport in September and the decision to renew our vows and go on a second honeymoon (both of which we hope to do this year).
16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2013?
Several Indiana Bible College songs and some songs by Christ for the Nations.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder?
ii. Same.
iii. Thinner of fatter?
iv. Same.
v. richer or poorer?
vi. Same.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Praying, reading my Bible, and fasting. I don't think I fasted at all last year.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eating. Haha. Not that I was always overeating. I tend not to overeat. For spiritual reasons, I should've fasted some. Plus, I'd just like to eat less.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas at home with my husband and kids, as I do every year. My mom came by that evening after she got off work.
21. How many one-night stands?
None. Disgusting.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Amazing Race, Sons of Anarchy (though it seemed to be more gruesome than usual, which I didn't care for; and I hated the season finale), Copper, House Hunters, House Hunters International, Vikings, Say Yes to the Dress, Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, Who do You Think You Are?.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone.
24. What was the best book you read?
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, The Passage by Justin Cronin, The Twelve by Justin Cronin, and Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Christ for the Nations, Jesus Culture.
26. What did you want and get?
Clothes, more information about our ancestors, books, vacation.
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
28. What did you do on your birthday?
Nothing, I don't think. That was nearly a year ago, so I can't really remember. Kelly's birthday is the day after mine, so the focus is usually on her.
29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Modest, lady-like, pretty, with a few cool pieces thrown in (including a black leather skirt).
30. What kept you sane?
Thankfully, 2013 wasn't a year in which sanity was hard to find. There were few bumps in the road, for which I'm very grateful to God.
31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
As it's been since 2002, Orlando Bloom. I also "fancy" Jude Law and I'm beginning to "fancy" Tom Hiddleston.
32. What political issue stirred you the most?
Not so much stirred as annoyed. I guess probably the government sticking its nose where it doesn't belong, trying to control as much as they can.
33. Who did you miss?
I miss my grandparents sometimes and I miss my husband whenever he's out-of-state working for more than a few days.
34. Who was the best new person you met?
A lady from Florida who married one of the men at my church. She's sweet and loves God.
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
I can't think of anything. If I do later, I'll come back and edit this entry.
Finally went to Cape Lookout and Ocracoke. Though we didn't get to spend much time in Ocracoke.
I had jury duty in December, but didn't actually have to be in any courtroom. I just sat in the jury room for hours without being picked, for which I was actually grateful.
I allowed my son to go on a trip to Kentucky for a few days with our church youth group, without me or his dad. It was really hard to let him go, but I knew it would be good for him. He had an awesome time.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make new year's resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of my husband's nieces had a baby girl.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
None, unfortunately. :-( I dream of visiting New Zealand and most of Europe.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
My husband and my brother and his family in church with me, Mom, and the kids.
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There are no dates that stand out.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Homeschooling my kids.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not praying or reading the Bible as much as I should.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Homeschool curriculum, groceries, a new printer/scanner/photo printer.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My son's. He loves going to church and worshipping God.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Appalled: A relative (by marriage) who's rude to everyone. Including me, my mom, and her own mom. Depressed: no one.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills and clothes.
15. What did you get really excited about?
Going to Southport in September and the decision to renew our vows and go on a second honeymoon (both of which we hope to do this year).
16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2013?
Several Indiana Bible College songs and some songs by Christ for the Nations.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder?
ii. Same.
iii. Thinner of fatter?
iv. Same.
v. richer or poorer?
vi. Same.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Praying, reading my Bible, and fasting. I don't think I fasted at all last year.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eating. Haha. Not that I was always overeating. I tend not to overeat. For spiritual reasons, I should've fasted some. Plus, I'd just like to eat less.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas at home with my husband and kids, as I do every year. My mom came by that evening after she got off work.
21. How many one-night stands?
None. Disgusting.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Amazing Race, Sons of Anarchy (though it seemed to be more gruesome than usual, which I didn't care for; and I hated the season finale), Copper, House Hunters, House Hunters International, Vikings, Say Yes to the Dress, Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, Who do You Think You Are?.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone.
24. What was the best book you read?
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, The Passage by Justin Cronin, The Twelve by Justin Cronin, and Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Christ for the Nations, Jesus Culture.
26. What did you want and get?
Clothes, more information about our ancestors, books, vacation.
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
28. What did you do on your birthday?
Nothing, I don't think. That was nearly a year ago, so I can't really remember. Kelly's birthday is the day after mine, so the focus is usually on her.
29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Modest, lady-like, pretty, with a few cool pieces thrown in (including a black leather skirt).
30. What kept you sane?
Thankfully, 2013 wasn't a year in which sanity was hard to find. There were few bumps in the road, for which I'm very grateful to God.
31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
As it's been since 2002, Orlando Bloom. I also "fancy" Jude Law and I'm beginning to "fancy" Tom Hiddleston.
32. What political issue stirred you the most?
Not so much stirred as annoyed. I guess probably the government sticking its nose where it doesn't belong, trying to control as much as they can.
33. Who did you miss?
I miss my grandparents sometimes and I miss my husband whenever he's out-of-state working for more than a few days.
34. Who was the best new person you met?
A lady from Florida who married one of the men at my church. She's sweet and loves God.
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
I can't think of anything. If I do later, I'll come back and edit this entry.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Hopes for 2014
1. That my husband will get back in church with me and our kids.
2. That my husband and I will be able to take that trip to Hawaii we're hoping for this year.
3. Healing for my body.
4. To pray more and read my Bible more.
5. That the rest of my family who haven't given their lives to God yet will do so this year and that the ones who've walked away from God will come back.
6. That my kids will grow closer to God.
7. That this year will be a healthy, godly, and prosperous one for me and my family.
8. To read more books than I did last year.
2. That my husband and I will be able to take that trip to Hawaii we're hoping for this year.
3. Healing for my body.
4. To pray more and read my Bible more.
5. That the rest of my family who haven't given their lives to God yet will do so this year and that the ones who've walked away from God will come back.
6. That my kids will grow closer to God.
7. That this year will be a healthy, godly, and prosperous one for me and my family.
8. To read more books than I did last year.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Movies and Books of 2013
I saw 30 movies in 2013 that I hadn't seen before. Most of them were new movies. Of those 30 movies, these are my top 10 favorites:
1. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
2. Star Trek: Into Darkness
3. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
4. Warm Bodies
5. Thor: The Dark World (One word - Loki.)
6. Lincoln
7. The Impossible
8. World War Z
9. Frozen
10. Man of Steel
The Hobbit: DOS would've been 1st or 2nd if some things that were added hadn't been added. [[[SPOILERS to follow!!! You've been warned!!]]] I actually liked the invented character of Tauriel a lot, but I would've preferred if the relationship with Kili had been less romantic. I also would've liked it better if Kili hadn't been poisoned (so no glowy Tauriel healing scene) and left behind, along with Fili, Bofur, and another dwarf whose name escapes me at the moment (Oin?).
Other changes I didn't like: the whole running around Erebor, outsmarting Smaug (who's supposed to be a very intelligent dragon), melting the gold and covering Smaug with it. I thought that was kind of silly and pointless. Other than that (and the stuff mentioned in the previous paragraph), I thought it was a really good movie. As I said, I really liked Tauriel and I'm glad Legolas was there. In the book or not, it just makes sense that he would be there. I know some didn't like the barrel scene, especially Bombur bouncing around, but I loved it. Everytime that part ends, I wish I could rewind to when the Elves first appear (saving Bilbo and the Dwarves from the spiders) and watch all of the Mirkwood and barrel stuff again. I'm hoping there will be more Mirkwood in the extended Blu-Ray.
Honorable Mentions: Safe Haven (for the beauty of Southport) and The Book Thief.
Won't win any awards, but fun to watch: The Lone Ranger
These were okay: Anna Karenina, Epic, Hotel Transylvania, Iron Man 3, Life of Pi, Mud, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
Meh: After Earth, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Jack the Giant Slayer, Outlander (a Jim Caviezel movie), Oz the Great and Powerful, Red Dawn (Chris Hemsworth version), The Host, WarGames ('80s movie).
Boring: Quartet
I read 13 books last year. I will list them from favorite to least favorite.
1. Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein
2. The Passage, by Justin Cronin
3. The Twelve, by Justin Cronin
4. Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins
5. The Bronze Horseman, by Paullina Simons
6. The Scottish Prisoner, by Diana Gabaldon
7. Tatiana and Alexander, by Paullina Simons
8. Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell
9. How I Live Now, by Meg Rosoff
10. The Summer Garden, by Paullina Simons
11. Under the Same Sky, by Genevieve Graham
12. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
13. At Least You're in Tuscany, by Jennifer Criswell
The top 3 are awesome. Code Name Verity is at times beautiful and at other times gut-wrenching. The climax shocked me. I cried so hard when I read that part.
The Passage and The Twelve are the first two of a trilogy. (Military experiment gone horribly wrong. They accidentally create these vampire-like monsters called Virals, by experimenting on death-row inmates who have no families, who then escape and wipe out most of mankind, as well as create others like them. A 6-year-old girl with strange abilities may be the earth's only hope.) This didn't seem to be my kind of story at all, but it was highly recommended so I read them. I could not put them down! The 3rd book, City of Mirrors, should be coming out sometime this year. I can't wait to read it!
Anna and the French Kiss is a young adult book/teen romance. Yeah, yeah, I know. But it's really good! Another book I couldn't put down. The end was so good I cried from happiness. I don't think a book has ever made me cry from happiness before. lol
If you want to know about the rest, you can look them up at Amazon or GoodReads. It would take up too much space to write about each one. :-)
1. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
2. Star Trek: Into Darkness
3. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
4. Warm Bodies
5. Thor: The Dark World (One word - Loki.)
6. Lincoln
7. The Impossible
8. World War Z
9. Frozen
10. Man of Steel
The Hobbit: DOS would've been 1st or 2nd if some things that were added hadn't been added. [[[SPOILERS to follow!!! You've been warned!!]]] I actually liked the invented character of Tauriel a lot, but I would've preferred if the relationship with Kili had been less romantic. I also would've liked it better if Kili hadn't been poisoned (so no glowy Tauriel healing scene) and left behind, along with Fili, Bofur, and another dwarf whose name escapes me at the moment (Oin?).
Other changes I didn't like: the whole running around Erebor, outsmarting Smaug (who's supposed to be a very intelligent dragon), melting the gold and covering Smaug with it. I thought that was kind of silly and pointless. Other than that (and the stuff mentioned in the previous paragraph), I thought it was a really good movie. As I said, I really liked Tauriel and I'm glad Legolas was there. In the book or not, it just makes sense that he would be there. I know some didn't like the barrel scene, especially Bombur bouncing around, but I loved it. Everytime that part ends, I wish I could rewind to when the Elves first appear (saving Bilbo and the Dwarves from the spiders) and watch all of the Mirkwood and barrel stuff again. I'm hoping there will be more Mirkwood in the extended Blu-Ray.
Honorable Mentions: Safe Haven (for the beauty of Southport) and The Book Thief.
Won't win any awards, but fun to watch: The Lone Ranger
These were okay: Anna Karenina, Epic, Hotel Transylvania, Iron Man 3, Life of Pi, Mud, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
Meh: After Earth, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Jack the Giant Slayer, Outlander (a Jim Caviezel movie), Oz the Great and Powerful, Red Dawn (Chris Hemsworth version), The Host, WarGames ('80s movie).
Boring: Quartet
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I read 13 books last year. I will list them from favorite to least favorite.
1. Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein
2. The Passage, by Justin Cronin
3. The Twelve, by Justin Cronin
4. Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins
5. The Bronze Horseman, by Paullina Simons
6. The Scottish Prisoner, by Diana Gabaldon
7. Tatiana and Alexander, by Paullina Simons
8. Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell
9. How I Live Now, by Meg Rosoff
10. The Summer Garden, by Paullina Simons
11. Under the Same Sky, by Genevieve Graham
12. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
13. At Least You're in Tuscany, by Jennifer Criswell
The top 3 are awesome. Code Name Verity is at times beautiful and at other times gut-wrenching. The climax shocked me. I cried so hard when I read that part.
The Passage and The Twelve are the first two of a trilogy. (Military experiment gone horribly wrong. They accidentally create these vampire-like monsters called Virals, by experimenting on death-row inmates who have no families, who then escape and wipe out most of mankind, as well as create others like them. A 6-year-old girl with strange abilities may be the earth's only hope.) This didn't seem to be my kind of story at all, but it was highly recommended so I read them. I could not put them down! The 3rd book, City of Mirrors, should be coming out sometime this year. I can't wait to read it!
Anna and the French Kiss is a young adult book/teen romance. Yeah, yeah, I know. But it's really good! Another book I couldn't put down. The end was so good I cried from happiness. I don't think a book has ever made me cry from happiness before. lol
If you want to know about the rest, you can look them up at Amazon or GoodReads. It would take up too much space to write about each one. :-)
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