Snuggle Up With A Good Book!!

Sink Reflections aka The Fly Lady by Marla Cilley

In her debut book, Cilley, a.k.a. "The FlyLady" to the thousands who log onto her FlyLady.net Web site, reaches into the everywoman's home to help make her housecleaning more fun and her life more organized. Beginning with "Shiny Sink 101," Cilley explains how a spotless kitchen sink can direct even the most discouraged housekeeper onto the path of well-ordered domesticity. Through several straightforward routines, including the 27 Fling Boogie (the cut-throat practice of quick junk disposal), the Five-Minute Room Rescue ("another step on the road to clutter recovery") and the Hot Spot Fire Drill (for an area that, like a forest fire, takes over your home), Cilley advises her "FlyBabies" on how to overcome clutter and CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). Filled with testimonials from online followers, the book aims to help readers establish manageable daily and weekly habits by incorporating spirituality and family into the program. Detailed and direct, this is a guidebook for the stay-at-home or working woman who wants to have it all, including her sanity. Marla Cilley

1022 Evergreen Place by:Debbie Macomber
Dear Reader,
Guess what? I'm falling in love! With Mack McAfee.
My baby daughter, Noelle, and I have been living next door to Mack since the spring. I'm still a little wary about our relationship, because I haven't always made good decisions when it comes to men. My baby's father, David Rhodes, is testament to that. I'm so worried he might sue for custody.
In the meantime, the World War II letters I found are a wonderful distraction. Both Mack and I are trying to learn what happened to the soldier who wrote them and the woman he loved.
Come by sometime for a glass of iced tea and I'll show you the letters. Plus I'll tell you the latest about Grace and Olivia, my brother Linc and his wife, Lori (who tied the knot about five minutes after they met!), and all our other mutual friends. Oh, and maybe Mack can join us….
Mary Jo Wyse
Debbie Macomber

Vanishing Acts by:Jodi Picoult
Vanishing Acts is about Delia, a woman who searches for missing people, but whose life has so far seemed idyllic. Then one day Delia has a memory that seems out of place with her life. Suddenly the missing person she is searching for is herself -- she must found out what truly happened in her past and who she is. Jodi Picoult

90 Minutes In Heaven by: Don Piper
90 Minutes in Heaven is the runaway bestseller about one man's experience with death and life. As Baptist minister Don Piper drove home from a conference, his car collided with a semi-truck that had crossed into his lane. Piper was pronounced dead at the scene. For the next 90 minutes, he experienced the glories of heaven, where he was greeted by those who had influenced him spiritually, and he experienced true peace. Back on earth, a passing minister who had also been at the conference felt led to pray for the accident victim even though he was told Piper was dead. Miraculously, Piper came back to life, and the pleasure of heaven was replaced by a long and painful recovery. For years Don Piper kept his heavenly experience to himself. Finally, friends and family convinced him to share his remarkable story. An inspiring and encouraging account, 90 Minutes in Heaven continues to touch and comfort millions of people around the world as it offers a glimpse of inexpressible heavenly bliss. Don Piper

Summer Reading

Since the girls have been out of school, we have spent a lot of time at the library! I have been very impressed with the little library here in Holliday!

The girls have signed up for the summer reading program. They read so many books and earn prizes. I have really enjoyed spending time with them & watching the books that they select. Emily has picked a few that have been to hard for her, but I help her & Nattie likes to sit & listen too.

Even though I don't earn any prizes, I have really found some good books to read too!


The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner is the riveting story of Bree Tanner, a newborn vampire
first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the world she inhabits. The novella chronicles the newborn vampire army’s journey as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.


On the anniversary of his beloved wife’s death, Dr. Michael Everett receives a letter Hannah had written him. In it she reminds him of her love and makes one final request. An impossible request. I want you to marry again. She tells him he shouldn’t spend the years he has left grieving her. And to that end she’s chosen three women she asks him to consider. During the months that follow, he spends time with Winter, Leanne, and Macy, learning more about each of them . . . and about himself. Learning what Hannah already knew. He’s a man who needs the completeness only love can offer. And Hannah’s list leads him to the woman who can help him find it.


It is the story of a teenage girl who, after being raped and murdered, watches from heaven as her family and friends go on with their lives, while she herself comes to terms with her own death.


When a diverse group of women get together to chat via e-mail, they have no idea how God's going to change their lives! As they write, their conversations get "too hot," and they decide to meet in person. Ruffled feathers are soothed, and even super-Christian Jodi Baxter learns that we're all sinners, saved by grace!

Navy Brat #3 & Navy Woman #4

The Navy Brat was wonderful! The whole time I was reading it, I pictured it as a movie!

I had actually finished the book a few weeks ago, but never got a chance to post it.

The navy daughter would never be a navy wife!

Erin MacNamera had one hard and fast rule: Never, never, never fall for a navy man. But, from the heart-stopping moment her eyes met Lieutenant Brandon Davis's across a crowded lounge, Erin knew life would never be the same. Sexy, tender and strong, Brandon was all she'd ever dreamed of in a man, but he was also navy- and as a navy brat from way back, she knew better than to give her heart to a seafaring man.

When an old friend asked Brandon to look up his eldest daughter, he never dreamed Erin would turn out to be a stubborn beauty who resisted him at every turn. Couldn't she see that they were meant for each other? When Brand was called to duty, it gave him the perfect opportunity to teach his sweet Irish rose a thing or two about navy men- and love...

Navy Woman, what can I say!?! This book had a whole lot of lovin'!! It too was really good!

Could she choose between the Navy and love?

Busy attorney Catherine Fredrickson loved her job at a submarine base in Washington, but her new boss, Royce Nyland, had her spirits sinking fast. The icy widower was distant, demanding... and incredibly attractive. And though he kept her at arm's Lent, he aroused a stormy passion in Catherine that was impossible to deny.

Already struggling to keep afloat while caring for his energetic daughter, Royce didn't need any more distractions- especially not in the form of an appealing woman! Though the laws of the sea deemed naval fraternizing strictly taboo, how long could Royce resist romance when just the sight of Catherine capsized his vulnerable heart?

I have already started # 5, Navy Baby ! So far, so good!

Navy Blues #2

Oh My Goodness!! Since the 1st Navy book was soooo good, I couldn't help but race through the 2nd one!! It revolved around the same characters as Navy Wife, & expanded on two other characters.

This book was Navy Blues. Here is a little about the story:

Despite her ex-husband's bullheadedness, Carol Kyle knew he'd be the perfect man to father the child she so desperately wanted. Yet she also realized that the strong, honorable man would never allow his child to be raised without a father. So Carol needed to plot, to plan, to maneuver, to seduce Steve into her bed for one last time...

And then once more.

Still, the passion when they were together was never the problem- it was the absences that tore them apart. Had they grown enough to chance trying again- especially when Carol's plan seemed to work.

I am looking forward to starting #3! It is a whole new set of characters!! Let the reading begin!

Navy Wife #1

The 1st book I read by Debbie Macomber, was given to me by a dear friend, Leigh Giglio. Leigh gave me the 1st three books of a series titled Blossom Street. From then, I have gone on to currently own over 75 Debbie Macomber books. Some of them have been very hard to find! So I am very proud of my collection! Thank you Leigh for getting me started!

I have just completed the 1st of 6 in the Debbie Macomber Navy Series.

Navy Wife, was wonderful!!!

Here is a little piece of the story:

Impulsive, wounded, vulnerable, Lindy Kyle was unprepared for a roommate like Rush Callaghan. Strong, sensitive and sexy, the temporarily dry-docked naval officer was everything she'd ever dreamed of in a man... in a husband.

But Rush placed duty to his country above all else. Though he and Lindy were swept away on a tide of passion, he was called back to sea. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder- but will their marriage survive their partings?

I have always been intrigued by the lives of military families. My Mom comes from a military family. Her father served in the Air Force until he died. When my Nanny remarried to my PaPa, he too was in the Air Force until he retired. I have a few friends who are military & my stepsister Missy is also military. I find their lives very interesting, the places they travel & the people they meet. I think it takes a special person to live this kind of life!

Shades of Grace

First of all I would like to thank Grandmaw Elwanda for providing me with another good read!! Thank You!! Thank You!!

I loved reading this book!
It was like looking into the personal life of Dear Abby!

I also loved it, because it was about a 61 year old woman suffering from AD,(Alzheimer's Disease). 61, that is so young!! The youngest AD resident I worked with was 59. It was so heart breaking!

Here is the set up for the book:
Shades of Grace
By: Barbara Delinsky

An End Offers Hope Of New Beginnings

Grace Dorian is a national treasure. She is The Confidante, America's favorite advice columnist. Her wisdom and guidance over to generations have helped millions, including her daughter Francine and granddaughter Sophie, who both manage the vast Dorian empire and oversee the thousands of details in Grace's life.

But suddenly, Grace does not seem right. Her razor-sharp mind is showing strain; her columns wander. Now, in addition to worrying about Grace, Francine must step in to fill her legendary mother's shoes. But Francine must also live her own life- which includes her confusion over her feelings for Grace's handsome doctor and her worry about her tempestuous daughter Sophie, who needs as much guidance as Grace's public does.

Shades of Grace is a poignant and heartfelt story, in which love, devotion, and romance are put to the ultimate test.

At First Sight

At First Sight
by: Nicholas Sparks

This book is a continuation of True Believer.

The love between Jeremy Marsh & Lexie Darnell is being tested.

As we all know, life has a tendency to throw curve balls when we least expect it.
Every couple has ups and downs, every couple argues, and every couple can't function without trust.

Lexie has a wise Grandmother (Doris) whose advice we can all take to heart.

When it comes to men, they can be rip-roaring mad or frustrated or worried about work or life, but in the end, they're pretty simple to figure out if you know what makes them take. And one of the things that makes them tick is an almost desperate need to feel appreciated and admired.

Hello Grandma Doris!!! I could have used that info. along time ago!!!!

More wisdom from Grandma Doris:

A man promises to do things to keep you happy in the hopes that you too, will do things that keep him happy. Men have certain needs, women have different needs; that's the way it was hundreds of years ago, and that's the way it's going to be hundreds of years from now. And part of that is trust.

I love it!! Thank you Grandma Doris!!!

This book brought me to tears!!! I was devastated at the way it ended!!
It is definitely a book I would recommend!

Don't forget:
1st read True Believer
2nd read At First Sight

Dear John

Dear John
by: Nicholas Sparks

I wanted to read this book since I knew that the movie was coming out.
Well, the movie is out & I have heard nothing but wonderful things about it.

Now, if I can only get my husband to take me to see it!?!?

I must say, this is another great read!!

Here is the storyline:

When Savannah Lynn Curtis comes into his life, John Tyree knows he is ready to turn over a new leaf. An angry rebel, he had enlisted in the army after high school, not knowing what else to do. Then, during a furlough, he meets Savannah, the girl of his dreams. The attraction is mutual and quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah vowing to wait for John while he finishes his tour of duty. But neither can foresee that 9/11 is about to change the world. Like so many proud men and women, John must choose between love and country. Now, when he finally returns to North Carolina, John will discover that loving Savannah will force him to make the hardest decision of his life.

My favorite part of the entire book is a very important life lesson!!

Savannah and John are having a conversation:
She tells him, " My dad always said that when you're struggling with something, look at all the people around you and realize that every single person you see is struggling with something, and to them, it's just as hard as what you're going through."

I enjoyed this book, and can't wait to see the movie!!

The Deep End of the Ocean

Grandmaw Elwanda let me borrow this book:
The Deep End of the Ocean
by: Jacquelyn Mitchard

This is a new author to me.
I struggled getting into the book, because of the storyline.
Elwanda said it was about a mom with 3 kids & one of them is kidnapped.
I thought I can't read this!

I knew going into it would be a difficult subject to tackle,
but by the end of the 1st chapter I was hooked!!

It was really good & by the end I had so many mixed emotions!!

So here is a little bit of the story:

It happened in a flash.
One minute Beth Cappadora was the happily married mother of three children.
The next minute, one of them, her favorite child, three-year-old Ben, was missing.
No one knew, and as minutes lengthened into hours, days, weeks, months, years, even the woman police officer obsessed with the case gave up hope.

So began the slow-motion nightmare for Beth, for her family, for everyone involved in the ultimate testing of the ties that bind people together and the wounds that tear them apart.
But suddenly something so unexpected happens, it changes everything.

This book has also been made into a movie.
It stars Michelle Pfeiffer.
I haven't seen the movie, but I am anxious to see how it compares to the book!

Thank you Grandmaw Elwanda for the good read!!!

True Believer

As some of you know, I love to read!!

I am not able to get much reading done at home.
There is always someone needing something.

I always keep a book in the car.
I read while waiting for the girls to get out of school.
You would be surprised how far you can get when you have no interruptions.

One of my resolutions for the New Year is to keep track of the books I read.

The 1st book of the New Year:

True Believer
by: Nicholas Sparks

His other books are:
The Notebook & The Wedding
Message in a Bottle
A Walk to Remember
The Rescue
A Bend in the Road
Nights in Rodanthe
The Guardian
Dear John
The Last Song

I have read all of them & they are all wonderful!
Most of his books have been turned into movies.
The movies are good, but the books are always better!

Back to True Believer!
A little bit about the book:

Jeremy Marsh is from New York.He is a columnist who writes about supernatural encounters.
Lexie Darnell is from a small town in North Carolina. She is a librarian at the local library.

Jeremy travels to the small town where Lexie lives to investigate about ghostly lights that appear in a cemetery.
He gets to know her as he spends time at the library doing research.
She wants to trust him, but struggles due to past experiences.

It's a story about taking chances & following your heart.

I was shocked at the ending!
Nicholas Sparks is an awesome author!