Book Club Friday: One Tuesday Morning

I've been so bad about writing my book reviews. I've read SO MANY good books so far this year. We will see if I can be better about posting reviews. Anyways, I mentioned that last weekend I visited my "honorary" grandparents, Meem and Pop. Meem is also a big reader and she sent me home with a TON of books. The first one I read was Book 1 of this series by an author named Karen Kingsbury. Okay, I'm gonna be honest, I had never heard of her before, BUT, after reading this book I'm on a mission to find other books by her. I've already read Book 2 of this series and am on Book 3. BUT, this review is about Book 1, One Tuesday Morning.

I actually didn't read a full description of the book before I started reading it. Meem told me it was fiction, but based on the events of 9/11. The only thing I read was the cover that said "Strangers with the same face. Only one will leave the Twin Towers alive." I knew ahead of time that this would be an emotional book (I was right). 

Here is the description from the author's website: 

"Karen Kingsbury wrote this novel as a way of grieving the events of September 11, 2001. It's an emotionally gripping story of a devoted firefighter, and a driven businessman, strangers from opposite sides of the country with the same face. They meet in the stairwell of the South Tower that fateful Tuesday morning, but only one of them will leave the building alive. Battling amnesia, the survivor must learn how to be the husband and father he never was, by living in the shoes of the man who no longer is. Ultimately he will only find his way home because of the love and faith of one very special woman."

First of all, Karen did such a good job of taking you back to September 11. I found myself remembering where I was and what I was doing when all of this happened. Granted, the characters are names Karen made up, but you know there were real people just like them. There were many firefighters who took the call to go to the towers that day who never made it out. There were businessmen who had traveled across the country for a Tuesday morning meeting in New York who never made it home. You knew as she was describing the horrific events taking place that day, that it wasn't just something in the imagination of an author, that really happened. I'll admit I cried more than once during this book. I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil the book for anyone who might read it. Some of the story is a little predictable, but it's not a distraction and it doesn't take away from the book. I can't recommend this book enough!

Happy weekend everyone!

XOXO!!

It's OK...

It's OK...

...that I redesigned my blog, but I'm not sure how I like it. We'll see if it grow on me. Any thoughts? Suggestions? I'm too cheap lazy to pay someone to do it, so I can only use what Blogger provides. I may or may not have worked on this during my lunch break so I was a little rushed.

...that I keep forgetting to tell people I'm now on Bloglovin'. Hey y'all, I'm now on Bloglovin'. Click here for my page.

...that I did some heavy duty stalking investigating to find out who the guy was on the "It's Not Complicated" AT&T commercials. Those are the ones that have the guy talking to the little kids. I love those commercials. I read an article that they have scripts, but most of the time, the kids come up with better stuff, so they use those in the commercials. If you haven't seen any, check out the videos below.

Beck Bennett

 

...that I'm gonna have to buy a new adapter for my laptop.

Yeah, this adapter has seen better days...

 ...that I NEVER knew this. Man, third grade math would have been so much simpler if I had. Actually, third grade was probably the last time I was any good in math! ;)

...that Ryan Gosling is taking a break from acting. My freezer is stocked up with ice cream to help me get through this time.

...that ever since my incident, I can't watch Criminal Minds at night. I record it and watch it later during the day. Don't judge.

...to be not so patiently waiting for my Amazon gift card that I ordered last week (courtesy of my company, I got it for my five year anniversary). I already have stuff waiting in my Amazon shopping cart, ready to purchase as soon as the gift card arrives!

 ...that I'm like a kid waiting on Christmas when it comes to Opening Day. 10 more days people, 10 more days!!

...that sometimes a phone call from my best friend is all I need to feel better.

Happy Thursday! For more It's OK posts, click here!

XOXO!

What I'm Loving & A Different Kind of March Madness

I'm loving...

That I'm finally back in the land of the living. I got sick Sunday night and have been locked up in my apartment all week. I decided to try and actually get back to work today. So far I haven't died (so that's a good sign)... :)

I'm loving...

That I have sweet friends who stopped by my apartment to bring me soup, Ginger Ale, and other food while I was sick.

I'm loving...

That I got to see some good friends last weekend on my quick trip to Austin (for those I didn't get to see, I'm sorry, I was only in town 24 hours. I'll be back hopefully soon!)

Me and "Pop", my honorary grandpa. He and his wife just moved back to the Austin area, I hadn't seen him or Meem in like six years. Meem didn't feel like having her picture taken. She promised next time!

The birthday girl Miss E!

Hugs and kisses for Aunt Rachel!

Me and my best friend of 25 years. Miss E's birthday party was actually held on the playground at our old elementary school. Let's not talk about how long it's been since we attended it!

I'm loving...

That I have social media to entertain me when I'm stuck in traffic NOT MOVING. Seriously, it took almost five hours to get home from my trip last weekend. It normally takes about three. I so hate I-35.

I gave a sneak peek last week at my "March Madness" brackets. I have another friend posting her own bracket later this week (at least that is what she's telling me). Yes, this is silly, but what the heck, right? If you've been following my blog for any amount of time, you know that I love sports. BUT I realize not all of my readers are sports fans, so I decided to spice up March Madness a little. For the record, yes I do have a "real" March Madness bracket. This is honestly the only time of year I really get into college basketball. I have a VERY scientific method for predicting my hoops brackets.....eenie, meenie, miney, mo. :) I love upsets, so I don't get too involved in picking my bracket.

Anyways, for those who missed it on Friday (and are too lazy to click back one post), here is my unique March Madness bracket.

Click for bigger picture

I realized that not everyone would be familiar with all the names, so I created a chart with pictures (just to give you an idea). If you want to know who the guy is, go to Google (I'm too lazy to post it all here). Here is how the first round matches up. Yes, I already have my picks selected, BUT, I'm curious who you would pick. Feel free to comment, tweet, or email me your selection. I can let you know how my picks matched up against y'all's. I'll post the first round results on Sunday or Monday.

No judging that Steven R. McQueen is only 24. (Just call me Mrs. Robinson). And yes, he is Steve McQueen's grandson.

Totally off topic, but I realized that Mark-Paul Gosselaar turns 40 next year. I feel so old!

I know, you are shocked so many Rangers are on this one!

Yes, I know, I know. With the exception of like three guys, these are all country singers. Deal with it. :)

Hope you are all having a great week!!

XOXO!!

Mobile Monday, Friday Edition...

I've been told I needed to update my blog, so I decided to give you "Mobile Monday" on a Friday (it's my blog, I can do what I want!) :) Pure laziness is the only reason I haven't updated my blog in a week. There has been something about going home and doing absolutely nothing that has been very appealing this week. Side note: I have gotten up early and worked out the past two weeks. I'm so proud of myself. I'll admit it's nice to get home from work and NOT have to worry about working out. Although getting up early is a beating. Maybe it will get easier.

So, here is what's on my iPhone this past week:

I decided to finally unpack the spare room at my new apartment last weekend. I call it my "study". This was the before picture.

I know, scary, right? I put a note on Facebook that if I was never heard from again I was lost somewhere in this room.

After working hard all afternoon on Friday, I finally had one corner organized. Yes, I have a lot of books. No, that is not all of them (there is another bookshelf not pictured).

That wall is where I have some of my "non sports" autographs. They include Dick Van Dyke, Bryan White (country singer that I met back in the 90s), Christian band MercyMe, and an actress named Deanne Bray.

Had lunch with some friends on Saturday. I was feeling cute that morning, so I took a picture. ;)

How you doing?

After lunch, I spent the rest of the day organizing my study (let's be honest, it's really a sports room). :) I literally spent about 6.5 hours getting it all put together. BUT, it's finally done (insert happy dance).

For those wondering, I got that "Thespians Do It On Stage" bumper sticker when I was in high school. I was in the drama club, they gave those to the seniors every year. We won't mention how old that bumper sticker is! :)

I tried to get a panoramic picture with my iPhone.

My bobbleheads. Looking forward to getting more at the Ballpark this year!

For those who didn't believe me, my Washington Senators pennant autographed by Ted Williams. Yes, it is one of my most prized possessions. :) And yes, that is a comic book with Steve Avery on the cover below the shelf. :)

My sister texted me this picture of five of my nephews at the park. I wish I would have been there with them! They are Aunt Rachel's sweet boys (well, most of the time)! ;)

Dove chocolate has a "fortune" inside each wrapper. Not sure how I felt about this one.

Look what came in the mail this week!! :)

And look who made a ticket!! ;)

My new cap finally came in. I bought it from the Broadway musical Mary Poppins. I think it sums me up quite nicely, don't you think? :)

I love my new weather app (and the temperatures we are having right now!)

I saw these online after the new Pope was selected. I have Catholic friends who found these funny, so I don't feel bad about laughing. Come on, God has a sense of humor too! :)

My poor sweet Tony Romo, always the butt of jokes around here.

Come on, this is funny!!

My niece Alice texted me this picture, I sighed laughed! :)

Okay, I promise to be better about updating next week. Sneak peek- I'll be conducting my own kind of "March Madness" bracket. ;) I can't believe I'm actually going to post it on my blog (it all started as a joke with some friends, BUT I've been convinced to put it on here. Yes, I'm a nerd (and so are my friends!) :)

Stay tuned next week....

Happy Friday!!

XOXO!

It's OK...

It's OK...

...that I have possibly been watching Dawson's Creek on Netflix (don't judge). My college roommate and I used to watch this show when it was on originally (back on the good ol' WB). Oh, the teen angst in this show makes it almost unbearable to watch, yet, I'm starting on season 3.

...that I'm a little bothered that due to copyright laws, the intro to the show on Netflix isn't the same as the original. I don't know what this bothers me, but it's just not the same.

Original theme song, "I Don't Wanna Wait"

Netflix intro, "Run Like Mad"

...that I've wasted space on my blog talking about Dawson's Creek.

...that my first thought when I see an ambulance outside my office is "Are the paramedics cute?" Oh, for the record, one of them was kinda cute- he walked by my office area as they were arriving. And for those wondering, the person they were called to check on is doing fine now. :)

...that Miss Kay was possibly my favorite character on the episode of Duck Dynasty last night. She cracks me up!

...that someone got my nephew C a Duck Commander shirt to wear on Duck Dynasty night!

I'll use any excuse to put a picture of one of my sweet boys on here! :)

...that I've had Luke Bryan's new CD on repeat in my car since I bought it yesterday. :)

I think the picture says it all. :) 24 days until Opening Day!

...to randomly put a picture of Craig Gentry on my blog (thank you Chance for texting it to me!)

 

 

...that I'm taking tomorrow off work to wait on Time Warner Cable (they installed the wrong DVR so they are coming back to replace it with the correct one). This might count as a strike against them, BUT, they did admit it was their mistake and (obviously) are not charging me for the visit. Hopefully I will use this time off to actually unpack and not sit on my butt watching Netflix (like I did last weekend). I've had a case of laziness lately. One of these days I'll get my apartment unpacked and decorated (and yes, I will post pictures). 

...that I'm proud of myself for getting up early every day this week and working out (thank you Turbo Jam). I'm trying hard to get my workout done in the morning so I can keep my evenings free for all the dates I'm going on all the TV I have to watch. I live SUCH an exciting life, right?

What's OK with you today??

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday...and How Pinteresting...

I'm loving...

My friends. I can't say enough about them. They always seem to know when I need a text, a phone call, or an email to make my day a little better. They also put up with me during my "anti-social" times when I just want to be at home, by myself, watching Netflix. Love you all!!

 
I'm loving...

Being silly with my friends.

Me and the lovely beks at her birthday party last weekend.

Me and my buddy Marcus. We've known each other since college. We won't get into how many years that has been! :)

Jorge was the ladies man of the evening.

Chilling with Curtis!

Marcus photo bombing the picture.

I'm loving...

That I got to have lunch last week with my favorite Twitter momma, Mama T. She even sent me home with some of her homemade hot chocolate!

I'm loving...

That I got my Audrey Wall decorated at my new apartment. It is quite possibly the only wall completely decorated at the moment (unpacking is going a little slow).

My new Audrey Wall!

I'm loving...

That spring is trying to break through. I actually had the windows open the other day it was so nice outside!

I'm loving...

The new CD that I bought today....

Hello there...

I'm loving...

The power of social media. I received terrible service at Walmart last week, so I sent out a tweet in anger. I actually got a response from someone. Moral of this story is...don't go to Walmart in the first place.

I'm loving...

That it is just a few more weeks until I see this cute little face in person!!

My sweet E.

Here is what I've pinned lately (I may or may not have been on a "pinning spree" the past few days). :)

My obsession with Luke Bryan has no boundaries.

I absolutely LOVE Uncle Si!!

True story.

This is awesome.

The longer you look, the funnier it gets.

Fact.

Okay BFF, you know your job!

XOXO!