Witch Baby's Journey

Movie: Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer

2012-02-01T05:13:00.002-05:00

Director: Tim Story
Actors: Julian McMahon, Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba and Chris Evans
MPAA rating: PG
Running time: 92 mins

With Von Doom back in his homeland of Latveria the fantastic four have new troubles when Galactus has decided that Earth is his next target. When his henchman, The Silver Surfer, is sent to Earth he discovers that he's getting more than he bargained for when he encounters the Fantastic Four. But that's not all when Dr. Doom decides that after two years in the homeland he is ready to return.

I picked this movie because Sequel

What I liked the Most? Alicia made this movie for me!

What I liked the Least? WTH was Jessica Alba thinking when she went that blonde – it doesn’t look right

Review: I’m very happy that I am not I repeat NOT a comic book fan. I was able to enjoy the movie without yelling about the purity of anything. Julian McMahon is so freaking hot as the bad guy. I love love love the “I studied like a good little nerd” speech. I have sooooo felt this way multiple times in life.

The secondary characters carried this movie for me – Alicia & Frankie rock this movie! But the real star was The Surfer. Norrin Radd was perfect – injured nobility, predetermination, and at the end true magnetism. And for the comic book fans, dude, they change the characters all the freaking time, get over it!

Stan Lee as Stan Lee not-guest of the wedding

Recommended to: Fans of action/superhero movies

Best Quote: Treasure each moment with her and tell her she's right, we do have a choice.

Movie: Fantastic 4

2012-02-01T02:05:00.003-05:00

Director: Tim Story
Actors: Julian McMahon, Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans
MPAA rating: PG 13
Running time: 106 mins
Tagline: 4 times the action. 4 times the adventure. 4 times the fantastic.

Reed Richards, a brilliant but timid and bankrupt scientist, is convinced that evolution can be triggered by clouds of cosmic energy, and has calculated that Earth is going to pass one of these clouds soon. Together with his friend and partner, the gruff yet gentle astronaut muscle-man Ben Grimm, Reed convinces his conceited MIT classmate Dr. Victor Von Doom, now CEO of his own enterprise, to allow him access to his privately-owned space station. Von Doom agrees in exchange for control over the experiment and a majority of the profits from whatever benefits it brings. He thus brings aboard Susan Storm, his shy, though assertive chief genetics researcher and a former lover of Reed's with whom she had an acrimonious break-up, and her diametrically opposed brother Johnny, the maverick and hot-headed playboy pilot. The astronauts make it home intact; however, before long they begin to mutate.

I picked this movie because it was in EE’s box – plus gotta say I love Julian McMahon

What I liked the Most? Johnny Storm can light up my life any day!

What I liked the Least? Reed’s stupidity amazes me

Review: I’m so glad I’m not a comic book freak because I loved this movie. It was fun, extremely well put together & best of all – did not take itself seriously! And that is the biggest plus in my book. Evans rocks as the bad boy Johnny Storm! He leaves and breathes over the top thrill seeker lol, he was a complete natural. The Thing made you feel his pain & sense of loneliness but didn’t wallow in it. Jessica Alba could have done better. And Julian McMahon as Doom – perfect, I don’t think he’s done anything better since the Balthzaar. He is the perfect bad guy!!

Stan Lee is the mail man in Reed’s building.

Recommended to: Fans of adventure/superhero movies

Best Quote: Hey, now, being different isn’t always a bad thing.

Day 32: how many pictures do you have in your room

2012-02-01T00:46:00.000-05:00

Actual pictures – none. I have 3 stickers on the cabinets above my bed of witches. No I’m not 5 – I just don’t have much wall space.

When I get more room, I do have some pictures that will be put up in my room, but the only one I'm positive will go up is one of me dressed like a witch cause I just adore this picture. It will go on my love me altar because that was a very happy picture.

The Movie/TV List

2012-02-01T00:31:00.018-05:00

January

NCIS Season 8
Firefly (rewatch)
Gilmore Girls Season 2 (rewatch)
The Story of O
Lara Croft Tomb Raider
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life
Serenity
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Gilmore Girls Season 3 (no longer doing TV show updates)
Charmed Season 2
Gilmore Girls Season 4
Girls Next Door Season 1
Scooby-Doo! and the Reluctant Werewolf
Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of Mexico
Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School
Another Planet
Gilmore Girls Season 5
Criss Angel's Mindfreak Season 1
Gilmore Girls Season 6 **Sick days - in bed doing nothing but watching TV & reading lol***
Gilmore Girls Season 7

The Book List

2012-02-01T00:01:00.032-05:00

January

Vampire Academy ~ Richelle Mead
Siren Call ~ Kimberly Llewellyn
ABC ~ Dr Seuss
That Voodoo You Do ~ Jodi Redford
The Hunger Games ~ Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire ~ Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay ~ Suzanne Collins
Courting Darkness ~ Yasmine Galenorm
Hex Hall ~ Rachel Hawkins
Soul Search ~ Amber Scott
A Modern Witch ~ Debora Geary reread
A Confederacy of Dunces ~ John Kennedy Toole
A Hidden Witch ~ Debora Geary reread
Witches on Parole: Unlocked ~ Debora Geary reread
A Reckless Witch ~ Debora Geary reread
Necklace of Kisses ~ Francesca Lia Block
Love's Magic ~ Traci E Hall
51-50 ~ Kristen McGuiness
Would-Be Witch ~ Kimberly Frost
Marked ~ Kim Richardson
Throwaway ~ Heather Huffman
Oh, the Places You'll Go! ~ Dr Suess
Witch Week ~ Diana Wynne Jones
The False Princess ~ Eilis O'Neal
Witches Under Way ~ Debora Geary
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Book: Witches Under Way

2012-01-31T01:00:00.005-05:00

Debora Geary
Witchy
Fireweed / 2012
Kindle
Series WitchLight Trilogy #2
(Read between WitchLight Trilogy #1 & Modern Witch #3)

Lizard and Elsie are under way, but the WitchLight journey isn't an easy one.

There are bumps and obstacles inside their own hearts.

There are meddling witches, helpful knitters, and a fearsome duo with water pistols.

And there is the greatest challenge of all... the one they will pick for each other.

Witches Under Way is the sequel to Witches on Parole, and the book in the WitchLight spin-off trilogy, set in the world of the A Modern Witch series. The final book in the trilogy will be out in late March!

I picked this book up because Series!! It totally rocks

What I liked the Most? Lizard and her words are back!!!

What I liked the Least? Little less on the stomach issues since I read it while sick lol

Review: Deborah Geary is an amazing writer & grows so much with each and every single book. She has created a place that I love to escape too, I have the books on my Kindle & the Kindle app on my phone and every spare moment (and some when I should be sleeping) was spent reading this book (and the others in the series). I laughed, I cried, I cheered – and woke up my BF in the process lol.

Elsie & Lizard (with Nat, Jennie, and Lauren’s help) are back center stage, ready to take the next step in their journey. Lizard is taking her vocabulary back to school in a big way & Elsie is learning to play. I loved the growth that both young women undertook and felt that they are developing in a lovely fashion – 2 steps forward, 3 backward – just like everyone else on the planet lol.

There have been very few worlds that suck me in as thoroughly as this one Anne McCaffrey’s PERN, Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar, and JD Robb’s Futuristic NY to name them. I find myself caring so much about the characters that it’s like visiting an old friend.

I would like to know exactly what’s in the green gunk, not that I plan on getting a hang over anytime soon. And on a personal note – this series has gotten me knitting & I love it!!!

Recommended to: EVERYONE but especially Fans of Witchy Fiction

Best Quote: Sometimes change happens when you leasat expect it. She’s a bird in a cage, that one. The cage door’s open now, but the bars are still big and shiny. Contemplating the open door is work, and it can be done in a bed.

Day 31: a bit about your social life outside of social networking

2012-01-31T00:39:00.002-05:00

This week or the next lol

Well it really depends on what's going on, but most of my weekdays are filled with work and the family stuff (taking Mom & Grandma to the doctors, grocery shopping, bank deposits for dad, bento making for my nephew). I do try to get coffee with at least one friend during the week (mostly Jinx or Wheels) and lunch with my Bunny (BWW rocks).

I try once a month to have a girl's night out (but it usually turns into once every 2-3 months lol) usually it's for coffee. Dinner with the family one weekend night & dinner with the Bunny on the other.

I'm kinda boring, I guess, but it's my life and I love it.

Day 30: 5 favorite girls names, 5 favorite boys names

2012-01-30T01:06:00.000-05:00

Lilly (witchBaby's real name)
Topanga
Abigail
Luna
Rain

Adair
Logan
Neville (yes I'm a Harry Potter nerd)
Jacob
John (for my Daddy)

Day 29: a date you’d love for someone to take you on

2012-01-29T00:48:00.000-05:00

Wow this is a hard one - there are a couple

Hot Air Balloon Ride ~ cause I've always wanted to go on one.
Rock Climbing Wall ~ it sounds like it would be fun to do.
A Train Ride ~ I love love love riding the train. It is for me a truly blissful experience. I adore the sound and feel of the train running down the tracks. I would love to go on a date to no where and just ride the train down and back. Preferrably in a sleeper car cause I've never done that.
Scavenger Hunt ~ grab a list of nearly impossible items to find and just go for a drive (collect either item or picture)! I think it sounds like a really fun thing to do!
The Zoo ~ Because there are plenty of conversations starters are sure to keep the date flowing. Also you can pack a picnic lunch to have before or after (some zoos allow during but not the near by one), or get lunch there. There are educational shows to allow time to sit and listen - which leads to more conversation.
Note to anyone planning this date for me just be prepared to spend an hour or two near the otters lol
But my favorite date night is take out & a movie at home. I just love getting all cozy in my jammies and cuddling up with some yummy food and cheesy movie. And if the movie gets boring we can always pull out a board game.

8 Toxic Personalities to Avoid

2012-01-28T03:42:00.000-05:00

Although we like to think that the people in our lives are well-adjusted, happy, healthy minded individuals, we sometimes realize that it just isn't so. Personally, I've had moments where I'll be skipping through my day, happy as can be, thinking life is grand and BAM, I'll be blindsided by someone who manages to knock the happy wind out of my sails. Sometimes it is easy to write it off and other times, not so much.

Maybe you are a positive person, but when you are around a certain individual, you feel negative. Or, maybe you have an idealistic view of the world and when you are with certain people, you are made to feel silly, unrealistic or delusional. Or, maybe you pride yourself in being completely independent and in control of your life, but when you are around a certain family member, you regress into a state of childhood.

Some of these situations, and yes, these people, can have a tremendously negative impact on our lives. And, although we are all human and have our 'issues,' some 'issues' are quite frankly, toxic. They are toxic to our happiness. They are toxic to our mental outlook. They are toxic to our self-esteem. And they are toxic to our lives. They can suck the life out of us and even shorten our lifespan.

Here are the worst of the toxic personalities out there and how to spot them:

1. Manipulative Mary: These individuals are experts at manipulation tactics. Is a matter of fact, you may not even realize you have been manipulated until it is too late. These individuals figure out what your 'buttons' are, and push them to get what they want.

Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem. They find ways to make you do things that you don't necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation. The world all of a sudden becomes centered around their needs and their priorities.
2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them. They are often not as sly as the Manipulative Marys of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their needs met. You often want to say to them "It isn't always about you."

Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust. You are left disappointed and unfulfilled. Further, they zap your energy by getting you to focus so much on them, that you have nothing left for yourself.
3. Debbie Downers: These people can't appreciate the positive in life. If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending dreary forecast. If you tell them you aced a mid-term, they'll tell you about how difficult the final is going to be.

Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything. Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity. Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things with gray colored glasses yourself.
4. Judgmental Jims: When you see things as cute and quirky, they see things as strange and unattractive. If you find people's unique perspectives refreshing, they find them 'wrong'. If you like someone's eclectic taste, they find it 'disturbing' or 'bad'.

Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like Debbie Downers. In a world where freedom rings, judgment is sooo over. If the world was a homogeneous place, life would be pretty boring. Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.

5. Dream Killing Keiths: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can't do it. As you achieve, they try to pull you down. As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.

Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be. Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself. Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.
6. Insincere Illissas: You never quite feel that these people are being sincere. You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh. You feel depressed and sad and they give you a 'there, there' type response. You tell them you are excited about something and you get a very ho-hum response.

Why they are toxic: People who aren't sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria. This breeds shallow, meaningless relationships. When you are really in need of a friend, they won't be there. When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are. When you need support, they would rather see you fail or make a fool of yourself.
7. Disrespectful Dannys: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways. In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies. Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you. Maybe it is a family member who puts their busy-body nose into your affairs when it is none of their business. Or maybe, it is a colleague who says demeaning things to you.

Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don't respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy. These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.
8. Never Enough Nellies: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy. They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you. They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.

Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them, that you will end up losing yourself in the process. They will require all of your time and energy, leaving you worn out and your own needs sacrificed.
All of these personalities have several things in common. 1) the more these people get away with their behavior, the more they will continue. 2) Unfortunately, most of these people don't see that what they do is wrong and as a result, talking to them about it will fall on deaf ears, leaving you wondering if you are the crazy one. 3) Most of these people get worse with age, making their impact on you stronger with time.

Frankly, life is too short to spend your time dealing with toxicity. If you can, avoid spending mucho time with people who are indicative of these behaviors and you'll feel a lot happier.

Day 28: something you makes you really angry

2012-01-28T00:34:00.000-05:00

America taking care of the world before taking care of our own needs.

America is now a country where we have homeless people go without shelter because we no longer need them, children going to bed hungry because we don't care to feed them, the elderly go to nursing homes because they are old, the mentally ill go without treatment because we don't care. Yet as a nation, we supplied Haiti, Japan, Africa (the list could continue forever) with food, water, clothes, tents, doctors and medical supplies. We send troops to Korea, Japan, Iraq, Haiti to police these areas while crimes happen here. Hundreds of adoptable AMERICAN children are shoved aside to make room for the adoption of foreign orphans. There are tons of feed the world's hungry children ads on TV, but AMERICAN children are going to be hungry and cold.

I agree that we should help the needy throughout the world, but I believe the old saying, “Charity begins at home.” Take care of our problems first, then donate to the rest of the world. After all, a lot of those countries ultimately resent the USA anyway, pull out, take care of business at home!

Herbal preparations:

2012-01-27T16:09:00.000-05:00

There's no single best way of preparing an herb. Many factors are involved: do you want the water-soluble fraction, the oil-soluble fraction, or both? How good does it taste? How quickly will you use it up? Does it need to be portable? Are you in a hurry? (If you have a headache now, you don't want to wait two weeks for a tincture.) Is it for internal or external use? Is your herb supply fresh or dried?

Fresh herbs are considered better for most purposes, if they are available. Dried herbs may be preferred if spoilage during preparation is a problem (e.g. for weak tinctures such as skin toners or hair rinses.) In drying, an herb loses about 2/3 of its volume, but also 2/3 of its potency, so quantities of fresh vs. dried herbs in a recipe are usually the same.

For most herbs, measuring by volume is sufficient. Where more precise dosage is important, get a postage scale and weigh your herbs.

Use chemically inert containers and tools (glass, enamel, or teflon pans rather than metal) and pure ingredients (distilled or filtered water rather than tap or spring water; fresh cooking oil rather than bacon drippings). Store the products in clean containers labelled with the contents and date of manufacture. Keep records of every herbal preparation you make; note any variable that might be significant. What worked and what didn't? Why didn't this batch keep as long in the fridge as the last one did? Did using green beeswax make the ointment look pleasant, or ugly? You can learn something from even the worst flops.

Infusion: Crush but do not powder leafy herbs. Pour a measured quantity of boiling water over a measured quantity of herb. Steep covered for ten to twenty minutes, then strain. Extracts water-soluble fraction from leafy herbs. Keeps in refrigerator for two to six days.

Cold extract / cold infusion: Crush but do not powder leafy herbs. Chop up roots or woody herbs if possible. Pour a measured quantity of cold water over a measured quantity of herb. Stir or shake to mix. Cover. Soak at room temperature for 8 to 10 hours (longer if herb is woody rather than leafy). Shake or stir occasionally. Strain.

Extracts water-soluble fraction. Especially useful when active component is heat-sensitive. Keeps in refrigerator for two or three days.

Decoction: Crush but do not powder leafy herbs. Chop up roots or woody herbs if possible. Add measured quantity of herbs to measured quantity of boiling water; simmer covered for 20 minutes. Strain.

Extracts water-soluble fraction and some of oil-soluble fraction from leafy or woody herbs. Keeps in refrigerator for two to six days.

Capsule: Pack measured quantity of dried powdered herb into appropriate size of commercially available gelatin capsule. Slide other half of capsule into position.

Delivers whole herb without having to taste it. Keeps a year or longer.

Pill: Dissolve a little gum arabic or unflavoured gelatin in enough warm water to make a thick syrup. Add to measured quantity of dried powdered herb a little at a time, until you get a thick claylike texture. Don't make it too runny. Form into small balls; the number of balls should be some multiple of the number of doses in this quantity of herb. Press balls flat with knife blade or fingertip. Spread on mesh screen or wax paper to dry.

Same benefits as capsules; cheaper but more labour-intensive to make.

Tincture:

Dried herb: Fill tincturing bottle about 40% full with herb. Add enough ethyl alcohol (50% alcohol preferred; 40% is acceptable) to cover. Cap tightly and shake. As herb absorbs fluid during the first few hours, shake frequently and add more alcohol as necessary to cover herb. Shake twice daily for two weeks to a month. Strain, squeezing pulp to extract as much liquid as possible.

Fresh herb: Fill tincturing bottle with herb. Add enough ethyl alcohol (50% alcohol or stronger) to cover. Cap tightly. Shake twice daily for two weeks to a month. Strain, squeezing pulp to extract as much liquid as possible. Store in brown glass dropper bottles.

Extracts oil-soluble and water-soluble components. Keeps six months to a year.

If you cannot use alcohol even in these tiny quantities, tinctures of dried herbs can be made with vinegar (extracts oil-soluble and water-soluble fractions) or oil (extracts oil-soluble fraction only). These are less efficient than alcohol, and may need more time. If you want a stronger tincture, add more herb to the finished product and repeat the cycle. You will lose some volume on each cycle, so start with a larger volume of materials.

Syrup: To make sugar syrup base: Add measured quantity of white sugar to measured quantity of water. Heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Use at once, or store indefinitely until needed.

Honey or maple sugar can also be used as syrup bases.

To syrup base, add measured quantity of herbal infusion, decoction, or tincture. Correct volume by adding water if necessary.

Things to remember when planning quantities: The finished syrup will keep for six months to a year if the sugar content is 50% or higher. Otherwise, it will ferment within a couple of weeks. Start with a syrup that is stronger than 50%, so that there is room to add the medicinal ingredients.

The concentration of medicinal ingredients should be such that a single dose of the syrup is between one teaspoonful and three tablespoonsful.

Ointment: Use any fat or oil as a base. Warm over low heat in a saucepan or skillet. Add grated beeswax as a thickener and preservative. (How much beeswax? That depends on what kind of oil you started with, and how firm you want the ointment. Don't make it too stiff if it is to be rubbed onto burns or cuts.)

For fresh or dried herbs: Once beeswax is melted, stir in measured quantity of herbs. Heat, stirring frequently, until herb softens. Do not bring to a boil. Remove from heat and strain through cheesecloth or sieve, squeezing pulp to extract as much ointment as possible. Stir. Pour into jars before the mixture congeals.

For tinctured herbs: Once beeswax is melted, remove from heat. Stir in tincture. Pour into jars before mixture congeals.

Poultice: Pour a little hot water into bowl of dried herbs to form a thick paste. Or heat fresh herbs in a little water until soft; do not bring to a boil. Let cool until it is not painful to the touch (if the injury is a burn, cool to room temperature or lower), wrap in cloth, and place on affected area.

As an alternative, dip a clean cloth in a strong infusion or decoction of appropriate herbs, wring out just enough that it will not drip, and place on affected area.

The pulp remaining in the cheesecloth or strainer after making an ointment, decoction, or infusion also makes an excellent poultice.

Skin tonic or hair rinse: Add eight parts water to one part apple cider vinegar. Add infusion or tincture of appropriate herbs, or steep dried herbs in mixture for up to two weeks. Don't steep fresh herbs; they'll ferment. Strain out herbs. Bottle liquid.

After shave: To commercial witch hazel, or an isopropyl-water mix, add witch hazel leaf or some other herb containing tannin (to restore the tannin removed by distillation) and whatever other herbs seem appropriate for skin care and scent. Steep for two weeks, then strain and bottle. Or prepare the herbs as a tincture, then add to the commercial witch hazel base and bottle immediately.

Book: The False Princess

2012-01-27T06:35:00.002-05:00

Eilis O'Neal
Young Adult
EgmontUSA / 2011
Hard Back / 319 Pages

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance.

I picked this book up because I was looking for an O book lol

What I liked the Most? The friendship between Sinda & Kiernan

What I liked the Least? Sinda’s penchant to use Kiernan

Review: OMG – I loved this book. It is story telling, plain and simple. There are secrets, twists and turns, betrayal, love, laughter, and bad acting. The characters are unique individuals following their own paths. This book is definitely headed to the bound the be re-read pile!

I do have to say – shame on you King & Queen for using babies like that, you set yourself up for the whole big mess.

Recommended to: Fans of female lead fiction

Best Quote: “He watches you, Sinda. Like you're his best treasure, only he can't think of a way to slip you into is pocket. Hasn't he-of-the-throwing-daggers been brave enough to mention it?”

Book: Witch Week

2012-01-27T02:37:00.001-05:00

Diana Wynne Jones
Young Adult
Greenwillow / 2001
Hard Back / 288 Pages
Series Chrestomanci #3

Someone in 6B is a witch. And, in the alternate reality described in Diana Wynne Jones's Witch Week, that's not at all a good thing to be. Jones plunks her readers directly into the life of Larwood House, a school in a present-day England that's a lot like the world we know, except for one major difference: witches are everywhere, and they are ruthlessly hunted by inquisitors. With witty, erudite writing, Jones tells of the adventures of the class of 6B as they set about to discover who among them is a witch. Clearly it's not the popular Simon or the perfect Theresa. Could it be fat Nan or sluggish Charles? Mysterious Nirupam or shifty-eyed Brian?

Jones skillfully and seamlessly switches from one point of view to another, creating a comic companion piece to Lord of the Flies as she shows with perfect understanding the way children torment each other--and save each other. She neatly interweaves the dramatic plot with knowing descriptions of school life, as when lumpen Nan warily observes the popular girls: "At lessons, she discovered that Theresa and her friends had started a new craze. That was a bad sign. They were always more than usually pleased with themselves at the start of a craze... The craze was white knitting, white and clean and fluffy, which you kept wrapped in a towel so that it would stay clean. The classroom filled with mutters of, 'Two purl, one plain, twist two....'"

I picked this book up because It as about witches & I wanted a new book for the challenge

What I liked the Most? The results of the Simon Says spell had me laughing out loud.

What I liked the Least? Nothing really

Review: Well evidently this is a series (didn’t know that when I picked up the book) but I was able to follow along without any problem at all. Sign of a superb writer. It’s actually completely hysterical in parts and complete true in others. This could have turned out to be a dark gloomy book, but it wasn’t. Bravo!

Recommended to: Someone ready to laugh

Best Quote: “What makes you a real girl or boy is that no one laughs at you. If you are imitation or unreal, the rules give you a right to exist provided you do what the real ones or brutes say. What makes you into me or Charles Morgan is that the rules allow all the girls to be better than me and all the boys better than Charles Morgan.”

Day 27: a person you wished lived closer and why

2012-01-27T00:20:00.000-05:00

A few years ago this would have been the easiest question in the world to answer because there was only one person I wished lived closer. My bestie was down in Florida and I was in NC but time (and his girlfriend) has changed our relationship until it is completely gone.

Right now - I can't think of anyone I would like to be closer to. I love the drive to visit my friends & family. It's a part of my relaxation time.

Book: Oh, the Places You'll Go!

2012-01-26T06:27:00.003-05:00

Dr Suess
Children
Random House / 1990
Oversized Hardback / 56 Pages

In this joyous ode to life, Dr. Seuss addresses graduates of all ages, from nursery school to medical school, and gives them the get-up-and-go to move mountains with the unrivaled exuberance and charm that have made Dr. Seuss's books favorites for years.

I picked this book up because it’s Dr Suess (but recently read & reviewed because of Lucas)

What I liked the Most? The hope it offers

What I liked the Least? Some of the rhymes are a little difficult to do when reading outloud

Review: Yay!! I love this book (especially when I’m stuck in the waiting place or hit the Bang-ups & Hang-ups) because then it reminds me that everything is up to me. I am the one with brains in my head and feet in my shoes and I must decide the choices I chose.

If you haven’t read this book yet, you really should. (And if you can get a 5 year old sidekick to read it with you it’s even better because they giggle)

Recommended to: EVERYONE!!!!

Best Quote: "Will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed. (98 3/4 % guaranteed)"

Book: Throwaway

2012-01-26T05:32:00.003-05:00

Heather Huffman
Romance
Lulu / 2010
Mass Market / 274 Pages

When society deemed Jessie a throwaway, she didn't let it stop her from finding the sunshine in her world...
But that world is threatened when she finds herself undeniably drawn to the mischievous glint in the eyes of a man unlike any she's ever met before.
What starts as a simple crush will lead them both on a journey they could never have anticipated. From a vibrant St. Louis neighborhood known as Cherokee Street to a cave in the Ozark Mountains with a 120-year-old mystery to hide, Jessie fights organized crime, corruption and her own fears to reclaim her life and leave her mark on this world.

I picked this book up because I like the cowboy boots on the cover
What I liked the Most? She saves herself

What I liked the Least? the watered down “sanitized” version of being a prostitute

Review: Continuing the “least section” this book seems to sanitize whoredom (kinda like Pretty Woman did) – there is no reality to it. I’m gonna get up, go do yoga, have lunch with my hooker roommate (who is like 18), then I’m gonna go party in the club, oops time to go home. That is pretty much her “daily” life. There is even a section on human trafficking and that was pretty much summed up into “her eyes told me she hated me” and that was it. Now that may sound like a major complaint, but it isn’t – I choose to look at it in the Pretty Woman way – hooker with a heart of gold makes good.

I enjoyed the fast pace of the book after all hell breaks loose in the city.

Recommended to: This is a hard call – it’s not a standard romance, it’s not a standard suspense, it’s not really standard anything – read it or not, it’s gonna depend on your view point.

Best Quote: “Rolling hills that had been vibrant green just weeks ago were now muted in tone, as if they were taking a deep breath before bursting into the song of fall.”

Book: Marked

2012-01-26T03:12:00.003-05:00

Kim Richardson
Young Adult
Create Space / 2011
Mass Market / 290 Pages
Series Soul Guardians #1

Sixteen year-old Kara Nightingale’s ordinary life is suddenly turned upside-down when she dies in a freak accident, and she wakes up in a strange new world with a new career—as a rookie for the Guardian Angel Legion. Kara hurtles towards dangerous missions with the help of her Petty Officer and friend, David.

But when she discovers a Mark on her leg, the entire Legion accuses her of being a Demon spy. Angels are dying, and David begins to pull away from her. Can Kara prove her innocence as she becomes the Legion’s only hope?

It’s going to take a miracle to save the Legion, and Kara’s luck has just run out.

I picked this book up because Kindle freebie

What I liked the Most? Kara (while still a bit of a MS) is really cool most times

What I liked the Least? What is up with the monkeys!

Review: YAY! This book is a bit different than the biggest majority YA out right now. Kara has a back bone and kicks butt! I’m so fed up with the whole “my boyfriend left me let me throw myself off a cliff” or “I’m just a girl can you do it all?” My only complaint about this book is the hurry up/wait concept. OMG, the pacing is like drag drag drag – WTF did I just read? I love the whole elemental/angel/mom twisty at the end.

Recommended to: Fans of Angel fiction

Best Quote: “Whoa – this is the biggest feeling of déjà vu I’ve ever had!”

Staying True to Yourself

2012-01-26T02:49:00.000-05:00

Never be tempted to be something or someone you are not. Staying
true to yourself is one of the most fundamental tools in achieving a
lasting, loving relationship. Being loved for who we are is much
more satisfying than molding ourselves to what someone else wants us
to be. Try to resist this type of manipulation by casting the
following spell. It will help you to gain a true sense of who you
are and to keep that knowledge during your date.

What Do I Need?

A lock of your hair
Some of your nail clippings
A passport-size picture of yourself smiling
A favorite pen
A small piece of paper
Eight sunflower seeds still in their shells
A length of black cord or ribbon
A royal blue colored cloth bag, big enough to contain all of the
other spell components

When Should I Do This Spell?

Any time before a date

What Should I Do?

Put the lock of your hair, your nail clippings and your photograph
into the royal blue cloth bag. Sit comfortably in your favorite
room, chair or space. Have the little bag sitting in your lap.

With your pen, write down on the sheet of paper the positive
qualities that define who you are, such as good humor, optimism,
liveliness, or thoughtfulness. Also write down what you like and
dislike in a relationship.

Take time to put a really good list together. Fold the paper and
place it into the blue bag. Pour in the sunflower seeds, and then tie
the bag shut with the black cord.

Carry the bag with you on the date to remind you of your worth and
of who you really are.

Day 26: 5 things you’re looking forward to

2012-01-26T01:15:00.001-05:00

Going to bed, coffee with friends, moving, creating my dream home, planting a garden

Book: Would-Be Witch

2012-01-25T05:07:00.004-05:00

Kimberly Frost
Paranormal Romance
Berkley / 2009
Mass Market / 304 Pages
Series Southern Witch #1

The family magic seems to have skipped over Tammy Jo Trask. All she gets are a few untimely visits from long-dead, smart-mouthed family ghost Edie. But when her locket—an heirloom that happens to hold Edie's soul—is stolen in the midst of a town-wide crime spree, it's time for Tammy to find her inner witch.
After a few experiences with her dysfunctional magic, Tammy turns to the only person in small-town Duval, Texas, who can help: the very rich and highly magical Bryn Lyons. He might have all the answers—and a 007 savoir faire to boot—but the locket isn't the only heirloom passed down in Tammy's family. She also inherited a warning: stay away from Lyons.

I picked this book up because sounded cute
What I liked the Most? The laughter – I started laughing at the beginning of the book & didn’t stop

What I liked the Least? World building was really light

Review: OMG – this book is a little bit of a mixed up gem. I loved the helter-skelter fun pace, kinda like Stephanie Plum meets paranormal. I loved Tammy Jo (untrained, late-blooming witch) thrust into the trip from hell. You have to put your brain into suspended animation but for me it was well worth it, because I love a good laugh.

Recommended to: Fans of the absurd

Best Quote: “I heard you showed some backbone. I decided to visit in the vain hope that you might be turning interesting.”

Day 25: the last movie you watched

2012-01-25T01:15:00.001-05:00

In the Movie Theatre - Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Day 24: your favorite 10 people right now and why

2012-01-24T01:12:00.002-05:00

1) Momma Love - because she shows me daily that I need to remain strong.

2) Daddy-O - with out him I do not think I would be able to function, he gets me through everything.

3) Little Man - he is the joy in my life

4) Sissy - she shows me grace under pressure

5) Bunny - he shows me daily that I am worthy of love

6) Shining Star - you guide my steps during the darkest hours

7) Rosey Red - you put color in my life

8) Gallant Knight - I know you will be there to defend me no matter what

9) Butterfly - often times you float in when I need to know that my life is managable and the float back out on the breeze, but I often think of you

10) The Nuts on My Family Tree - I can't express the amount of times you guys have made me laugh

Day 23: a month/year of your life when you were happiest and why

2012-01-23T01:07:00.003-05:00

It is hard for me to answer this question because I tend to forget the happy moments once something has tainted it.

I was extremely happy when EE won the lottery, but his actions with that money made me very unhappy.

I was very happy when I quit smoking, but the cravings are killing me right now.

Incences

2012-01-22T02:58:00.000-05:00

Almond money, practicality, wisdom, aphrodisiac, compassion, fertility, love
Amber self-confidence, general wellness, settling, end to turmoil, peace
Ambergris animals, aphrodisiac, commanding, passion, increase power of spells
Apple Blossom love, healing, garden magic, immortality
Bayberry luck, tranquility, well-being, wealth, harmony, prosperity, material items
Black Cherry love, to attract, stimulate, divination, discovering/opening emotions
Carnation protections, strength, healing, energy, love
Cedar healing, purification, money, clairvoyance, consecration, divination, gain, strength
Chocolate soften hearts of foes, gentleness
Cinnamon spirituality, success, psychic powers, lust, meditation, good luck
Citronella attracts friends & customers, drives away evil
Clove protection, exorcism, love, money, memory, stops gossip, spellbreaking
Coconut purification, protection, chastity, beauty, fertility, gain
Cranberry protection, self-love, courage, survival, festivals of the Harvest
Eucalyptus healing, protection, renewal, consecration, opening of bronchial tubes
Frangipani attracts love, respect & admiration, others will tell you secrets
Frankincense protection, exorcism, spirituality, spellbreaking, wisdom, magic
Gardenia love, peace, healing, stops gossip, stops others from causing strife
Heliotrope exorcism, prophetic dreams, healing, wealth, invisibility, cheerfulness
High John money, love, success, happiness, mental abilities
Honeysuckle wealth, psychic powers, protection, fidelity, weddings, prevents theft
Jasmine love, money, dreams, rest, weddings, sensuality, aphrodisiac, fertility
Lavender longevity, keeps secrets, peace, luck, divination, purification
Lemon increase power of spells, strength, beauty, friendship, love, purification
Lilac exorcism, protection, recall past lives, memory enhancement, protection
Lily of the Valley mental powers, happiness, modesty, protection
Lotus protections, lock-opening, love, attraction
Musk commanding, confidence, courage, luck, passion, success, sensuality, aphrodisiac
Myrrh protection, exorcism, healing, spirituality, endings, magic, luck, spell-breaking
Nag Champa Temple incense to repel evil or negativity, cleanse the place
Narcissus calmness, harmony, peach of mind, sweet dreams
Orange divination, money, luck, highly magnetic for love, harmony, power
Orange Blossom weddings, brings proposals, love, luck, wealth, fertility, happiness
Orchid love, aphrodisiac, beauty, meditation, helps focus, memory
Patchouli money, fertility, lust, spell-breaking, magic, exorcism, increase power of spells
Pennyroyal strength, protection, peace, endings, harmony, release, love, tranquility
Peony protection, exorcism, luck, business, success, good fortune
Peppermint purification, sleep, love, healing, psychic powers, wealth, transformation
Pine healing, fertility, protection, exorcism, money, compassion, divination, magic
Pineapple luck, money, chastity, to draw back a lover
Plumeria love, makes people take notice
Poppy fertility, love, sleep, money, luck, dreams, wealth, prosperity, consolation
Rain lifts the spirits and softens sad memories, instills confidence
Rose beauty, compassion, luck, harmony, weddings, love, magic, peace
Sage to keep secrets, wisdom, protection, wishes, meditation, clear negative forces
Sandalwood protection, wishes, healing, exorcism, spirituality, meditation, success
Strawberry love, luck, beauty, clairvoyance, attraction, love, fertility
Sweet Pea friendship, chastity, courage, strength, attracts friends and lovers
Tangerine excites the senses and heightens one's sexual responses
Vanilla love, lust, mental powers, good fortune, happiness
Violet protection, luck, love, lust, wishes, peach, healing, fidelity, honesty, harmony
White Rose inner peace, serenity, personal & spiritual strength
Wintergreen protection, hex-breaking, healing, animals, luck, money
Wisteria attracts helpful spirits, knowledge, inspiration

Day 22: how you judge intelligence

2012-01-22T02:09:00.000-05:00

I judge intelligence on a person's ability to listen and then respond correctly. I get so fed up with people who just talk talk talk and never once think to themselves, perhaps I should listen to what was just said to me.

A Few Basic Coven Rules

2012-01-21T02:41:00.000-05:00

Thou shall not turn thy ex into a frog.

Thou shall not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for thou are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Thou shall not laugh at nekked snow sprites.

Thou shall not get drunk with thy Goddess's wine.

Thou shall not sacrifice thy little sister.

Thou shall not go running around proclaiming thy witchhood if thy are in times of burning.

Thou shall not question the word of thy High Priestess - She is God.

Thou shall not laugh at being nekked at coven - thou shall be killed.

Thou shall not commit to signing anything that declares any single person as thy lord and savior.

Thou shall not invoke thy Watchtowers only to say "never mind".

Thou shall not burn enough candles to burn thy house down.

Thou shall not have the magickal name "Sir Stinky Fartsalot".

Thou shall not call coven only for laughs.

Day 21: what does your favorite tshirt look like

2012-01-21T02:08:00.000-05:00

I don't have a favorite t-shirt. I have a mixture of fun funky jammies that I love love love, but most of my shirts are not t-shirts and the few that are I would never say they are my favorite anything.

Thai Chicken Curry

2012-01-20T13:16:00.000-05:00

INGREDIENTS
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-in. chunks
2 tsp curry powder
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 large bell pepper, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
1 can (8 oz) pineapple chunks in juice, not drained
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

Garnish: lime wedges and chopped cilantro and peanuts

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place chicken chunks on a sheet of wax paper, sprinkle with 1 tsp curry powder and set aside.

2. Heat 1 tsp oil in a large nonstick skillet, add the bell pepper and onion and sauté over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add remaining 1 tsp oil and the chicken chunks; sauté 2 minutes or until chicken is lightly browned.

3. Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute or until fragrant. Add remaining 1 tsp curry powder, the coconut milk, pineapple and juice, salt and crushed pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through.

Nutrition Facts 10pts
Yield 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 408
Total Fat 25 g
Saturated Fat 19 g
Cholesterol 66 mg
Sodium 673 mg
Total Carbohydrate 19 g
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Protein 30 g

Movie: Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School

2012-01-20T05:23:00.002-05:00

Director: Charles A. Nichols, Ray Patterson
Actors: Remy Auberjonois, Susan Blu and Hamilton Camp
MPAA rating: TV-G
Length: 90 mins
Tagline: Hey there, it's the ghoul school!

Scooby Doo and the gang visited a haunted school. After the girls are kidnapped, it's up to Scooby and the gang to save them.

I picked this movie because Guess! LOL.

What I liked the Most? Phantasma – there’s just something about her 80’s hair and leg warmers - lol

What I liked the Least? I missed the usual gang & the Mystery Machine

Review: It’s not perfect (that’s for sure) but it is cute and that is all that matters with a children’s movie. It was fun and entertaining. I loved all the classic comedy moments. Now mind you – this movie has its flaws (it’s slow and draggy in a lot of spots & Scrappy is in it) but it’s fun and fun loving.

Recommended to: Fans of Scooby

Best Quote: “I wish your Uncle Scooby would stop playing with Matches.”

Movie: Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of Mexico

2012-01-20T02:39:00.003-05:00

Director: Scott Jeralds
Actors: Casey Kasem, Frank Welker and Nicole Jaffe
MPAA rating: NR
Running time: 75 minutes

The gang heads south of the border for some well-earned rest and relaxation, but there's trouble in the town of Veracruz, where tourists are being frightened away by a terrifying creature who is ten feet tall, with huge, green-glowing eyes!

When Scooby-Doo and the gang discover that their friend may have to sell his hotel because of the creature, things get even more mysterious. Scooby-Doo, Shaggy and the gang must then tangle with everything from giant feathered serpents to ghoulish ghosts, as they race to solve this Mecican mystery before the creaure of Veracruz can strike again!

I picked this movie because Lucas’ doing lol

What I liked the Most? All the “knowledge” introduced in a way children can understand – fiesta, siesta, mocha, etc

What I liked the Least? Nothing really - it's a kid movie and it works

Review: This movie has a lot going for it – the cast, sound effects, and the animation make it feel more like the classic Scooby. I love the way Velma relates Mexican history and teaches a lesson or two. There is a plethora of Scooby/Shaggy comedy. This one was way better than some of the others I sat through cause I love my nephew.

Fred's language lessons need a lot of help - lol.

Recommended to: Scooby Fans all over

Best Quote: The answers to all your questions can be found in the past. Oh. And did I also mention you're in grave danger?

Day 20: what you think makes someone beautiful

2012-01-20T02:06:00.000-05:00

Spirit - spirit makes someone beautiful. You see that flash and that drives out the cold and harshness and turns someone beautiful.

Book: 51-50 The Magical Adventures of a Single Life

2012-01-20T02:04:00.003-05:00

Kristen McGuiness
Autobiography
Soft Skull Press / 2010
Quality Paperback / 320 Pages

That was the social experiment Kristen McGuiness-single, living in LA, and entering her thirties-embarked upon. Was she destined to be a sober secretary eating ice-cream sandwiches alone at night? She was determined not to be and decided that if the perfect guy wasn't going to walk into her life, she'd find him herself. Told in a poignant, witty, and engaging style that blends the dating life with a sense of spirituality and pathos, 51/50 is an uproarious adventure that will inspire others to follow Kristen's courageous search for love.

I picked this book up because when I was going through my separation/divorce – just never read

What I liked the Most? The style of writing

What I liked the Least? Some of the flash backs were a little intense

Review: This book isn't so much about the men she dates as it is about her getting to a place where she can deal with her issues and be ready for a long term relationship and I loved it. I was totally into the whole honesty aspect.

Recommended to: Fans of autobilogical style books

Best Quote: “That’s the thing, baby girl, God knows what the chessboard looks like. You don’t know why the rook isn’t being moved yet, Only God knows it’s to protect the queen.”

Movie: Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf

2012-01-20T00:29:00.003-05:00

Director: Ray Patterson
Actors: Don Messick, Casey Kasem and Hamilton Camp
MPAA rating: UR
Running time: 80 mins
Tagline:

Shaggy is turned into a werewolf, and it's up to Scooby, Scrappy and his girlfriend to help him win the contest.

I picked this movie because Lucas said I had to watch it (and get quizzed on it lol)

What I liked the Most? Werewolf Rock Rocks!!!

What I liked the Least? Uhm – where was the rest of the gang & who the heck is Googy?????

Review: Ok – my arm got a little twisted by my nephew in order to watch some Scooby-Doo tonight, but it was well worth a chuckle or two. I didn’t really care for the Girlfriend or Scrappy and I missed Mystery Inc and the Mystery Machine in this movie.

Despite looking cute and cuddly as a Werewolf, Shaggy doesn't want to race but Dracula promises to change him back to human if he wins. What follows is a Scooby Doo version of the Wacky Races as insane customized cars battle it out on an anything-goes Transylvanian race-course.

Recommended to: LOL – anyone who wants to watch it.

Best Quote: Monsters are not real, monsters are not real!

Book: Love's Magic

2012-01-19T23:57:00.005-05:00

Traci E Hall
Medieval Paranormal Romances
Medallion Press / 2008
Mass Market / 461 Pages
Series Boadicea #1

While her sisters are tall and beautiful, Celestia Montehue is the misfit in a royal family—petite, with one green and one blue eye. The only thing she has in common with her ancestors is her magical healing ability. Fearing no one will ever accept her, she vows never to marry. Meanwhile, Nicholas Le Blanc, a haunted man, was trained as a knight but his childhood has convinced him he is a bastard. He is captured while on crusade and eventually forced to kill for his freedom. An arranged marriage between the two does not bode happiness, nor does Celestia's new home—a broken-down keep haunted by the ghost of Nicholas' mother. Soon a curse is set upon them, and they must decide if their love will save them or, ultimately, doom them.

I picked this book up because it looked interesting

What I liked the Most? Celestia (‘Tia) rocks

What I liked the Least?

Review:OMG – what a touching and interesting story. I love quirky romances and I enjoyed taking time out of reality to enjoy some quality me time. The story itself kept me reading because it moves along at quite a nice pace, and there are plenty of events to keep the reader busy.

Recommended to: Fans of “cutesy” romances

Best Quote: “I should have ridden faster, hell, I never should have gone. I was selfish, and couldn’t think past my own hurt. I cannot lose her now, not when I know how much she means to me.”

Book: Necklace of Kisses

2012-01-19T03:17:00.001-05:00

Francesca Lia Block
Young Adult
HarperCollins / 2005
Hard Back / 240 Pages
Series Weetzie Bat #6

Where were the kisses? Weetzie Bat wondered. And so begins a magical journey of discovery. As she turns forty and the relationship with her secret-agent lover-man Max falls apart, Weetzie packs up her lime green and bright orange bikini, orange suede sneakers, and Pucci tunic, jumps in her '65 mint green Thunderbird, and leaves.
Weetzie finds herself at the enchanted pink hotel in sparkling Los Angeles, where she once shied away from a kiss that may have led her to the love of her life. Now she returns, perhaps in search of her lost passion, and meets an otherworldy cast of characters, among them a blue-skinned receptionist, an invisible cleaning lady, a seductive fawn, and a sushi-eating mermaid who gives her a kiss that sets the wheel of self-discovery in motion.
Block invests every scene with equal shots of magic and realism, rendering her heroine and supporting players in vivid, poetic detail. In Necklace of Kisses the fans that have grown up with Weetzie Bat will be able to meet her in adulthood and find that life is still no less trying and no less full of wonder.

I picked this book up because Series
What I liked the Most? Weetzie grew up

What I liked the Least? The fact that Max seems to be stuck in his head

Review:Necklace of Kisses is the sixth book in the series and yet is a book in and of itself and I am certain it will hold it’s own without disappointing. I loved the unique cast of characters that FLB creates and the magical kisses are truly inspired. I love the fact that it is actually the strangers that help solidify Weetzie’s desire to return to the family we know so well.

I for one I’m very glad I did not discover this series as a child because the magic is still there when I read it.

Recommended to: I totally recommend this book to all you dreamers out there.

Best Quote: “Find the goddess inside yourself instead of looking for the god in someone else.”

(Well to be honest every time I read this book I take away a new favorite quote and action that I incorporate into my daily life)

Day 19: your thoughts on your family

2012-01-19T01:47:00.000-05:00

Yep this sums it up

Weekday Correspondences

2012-01-18T03:22:00.000-05:00

*Monday~ Originally known as Moon's day. Cooking on Monday will improve magics for creativity, insight, maternal nature, and goddess-related efforts.

* Tuesday~ Tiw was a God of athletics, combat, and law. Consider meals to improve physical well-being, encourage justice, or increase strength and strategy.

* Wednesday~ Odin (Woden) was a god of the mystical, poetry, and resourcefulness. Meals prepared today can accent magics for improved focus on your spiritual path, artistic ability, or imagination.

* Thursday~ Thor, the god of strength and commitment, ruled over this day. Consider dishes prepared to enhance vigor, stamina, devotion and dedication.

* Friday~ From Frigg, the goddess of relationships and fertility. A good day to create foods for any lunar magics, love-related spells, and improved productivity.

* Saturday~ Saturn was a God of harvests and planting. A good weekday to consider combi! ning with harvest theme meals, or to sow any seeds to bring positive traits into your life.

* Sunday~ The Sun is the ruler of this day. Any solar magic, god-related foods, and foods for leadership, logic, study, etc. Are enhanced when prepared on this day.

Day 18: why I made my blog and why I still have it

2012-01-18T01:40:00.000-05:00

I created my blog to be a place that I could play around with the wording in different rituals. I would have a flash of poetry and write it down, but then forget about it when I went to write my next ritual. I created the first blog (Book of Shadows). Then I started adding other things that didn't fit the BOS life that I was creating on line, so I started a second blog for arts & crafts, reading, cooking, etc. Then that got confusing, so I spaced EVERYTHING out in it's own nice neat little blog (BOS, CookBook, Arts & Crafts, Book Reviews, Movie Reviews, etc) but then when I decided to make some serious lifestyle changes I realized that that wasn't me. I was a mish mash of all of these different things & I kinda liked being able to post all in one place - so Witch Baby's Journey was born.

I've done everything from weekly check in posts to measurement charts to rants/bitches and still do Book Reviews, Recipes, Witchy stuff. I don't know if I will continue to post or not, sometimes I feel like quitting (but so far I always come back) but I have this blog for my life's journey.

Day 17: your idol and why you look up to them

2012-01-17T01:19:00.002-05:00

I adore Marilyn Monroe because she was (and still is) the epitome of feminie beauty and grace. I love the fact that while she changed herself so much, she created the fantasy that she wanted to live with. And live it she does.

Betty White because she just keeps getting better with age. It's like she has defined the modern (older) woman as someone who is still vital and that is important for today's society.

Oprah Winfrey for being so daring and her perseverance in the pursuit of her goals.

Helena Bonham Carter for just being herself. Totally outrageous with such a beautiful spirit.

The fictional characters Weetzie Bat (love her style and belief that magic still exsists), WitchBaby (for being unafraid of what comes next), Hermione Granger (for being so intelligent and willing to fight back), Rikku (love love love her perkiness), Velma Dinkley (so damn smart!!), River Tam (kicks total and complete ass but absolutely insane it all balances out), and of course Luna Lovegood (not afraid of being different).

X-Men: First Class

2012-01-16T10:17:00.001-05:00

Movie:X-Men: First Class

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Actors: Kevin Bacon, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence
MPAA rating: PG 13
Running time: 132 mins
Tagline: Witness the origin

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-MEN.

I picked this movie because I’ve seen all the others & wanted to see the beginning

What I liked the Most? The mutants – I’ve always been a fan

What I liked the Least? Stay here and leave this to us

Review: I thought this one was going to be a slam dunk, but I was mistaken. I would have loved to see more of Professor X and building the school rather than the cold war fight. I understand the difference between Magneto & Professor X, I can handle that. This was something different and darker than I was expecting.

Recommended to: Fans of the series

Best Quote:If you're using half your concentration to look normal, then you're only half paying attention to whatever else you're doing. Just pointing out something that could save your life. You want society to accept you, but you can't even accept yourself.

Book: A Confederacy of Dunces

2012-01-16T02:40:00.002-05:00

John Kennedy Toole
Humor
Grove Press / 1994
Hard Back / 394 Pages

Meet Ignatius J. Reilly, the hero of John Kennedy Toole's tragicomic tale, A Confederacy of Dunces. This 30-year-old medievalist lives at home with his mother in New Orleans, pens his magnum opus on Big Chief writing pads he keeps hidden under his bed, and relays to anyone who will listen the traumatic experience he once had on a Greyhound Scenicruiser bound for Baton Rouge. ("Speeding along in that bus was like hurtling into the abyss.") But Ignatius's quiet life of tyrannizing his mother and writing his endless comparative history screeches to a halt when he is almost arrested by the overeager Patrolman Mancuso--who mistakes him for a vagrant--and then involved in a car accident with his tipsy mother behind the wheel. One thing leads to another, and before he knows it, Ignatius is out pounding the pavement in search of a job.

Over the next several hundred pages, our hero stumbles from one adventure to the next. His stint as a hotdog vendor is less than successful, and he soon turns his employers at the Levy Pants Company on their heads. Ignatius's path through the working world is populated by marvelous secondary characters: the stripper Darlene and her talented cockatoo; the septuagenarian secretary Miss Trixie, whose desperate attempts to retire are constantly, comically thwarted; gay blade Dorian Greene; sinister Miss Lee, proprietor of the Night of Joy nightclub; and Myrna Minkoff, the girl Ignatius loves to hate. The many subplots that weave through A Confederacy of Dunces are as complicated as anything you'll find in a Dickens novel, and just as beautifully tied together in the end. But it is Ignatius--selfish, domineering, and deluded, tragic and comic and larger than life--who carries the story. He is a modern-day Quixote beset by giants of the modern age. His fragility cracks the shell of comic bluster, revealing a deep streak of melancholy beneath the antic humor. John Kennedy Toole committed suicide in 1969 and never saw the publication of his novel. Ignatius Reilly is what he left behind, a fitting memorial to a talented and tormented life.

I picked this book up because Gilmore Girls & Reading the Recommended Reads of 2011

What I liked the Most? The characters are just that – 100% characters

What I liked the Least? OMG – the whining is endless

Review: OMG – I thought Edward was a tool but I have finally met his match in Ignatius J. Reilly. This book has been lauded as a truly great funny novel Americana and the only thing I can say is BULLSHIT. I don’t think I laughed a single time, but I did groan, try to claw my eyes out, and ultimately put the book down.

I’m pretty sure that the only reason this book is such a hit is that the people reading and praising it’s great intellect are all secret complainers and so indeed found a soul mate within Ignatius J. Reilly. The only thing that recommends this book is the fact that the hype around the author is cool. Basically he tried to get the book published, failed, killed himself, then his mom sends the manuscript off to yet another publisher with a note about how her son killed herself over not getting published and VIOLA published book.

Recommended to: No one

Best Quote: “I am at the moment writing a lengthy indictment against our century. When my brain begins to reel from my literary labors, I make an occasional cheese dip.”

Day 16: someone you trust

2012-01-16T01:02:00.003-05:00

Right now it is becoming very clear to me that the only person that I can trust is myself. I know that sounds very bad, but there is so much JUNK going on in my life right now that is how I feel.

Movie:Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

2012-01-15T23:50:00.001-05:00

Director: Guy Ritchie
Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Jared Harris
MPAA rating: PG 13
Running time: 129 mins (other wise know as a lifetime of boredom)

Sherlock Holmes and his longtime trusted associate, Doctor Watson, take on their arch-nemesis, Professor Moriarty, with the help of Holmes's older brother Mycroft Holmes and a gypsy named Sim.

I picked this movie because Bunny’s pick (and I’m still ticked off about it)

What I liked the Most? Robert Downey’s impression of a lunatic is dead on

What I liked the Least? The movie

Review: OMG – this was the longest most dreadful movie EVER. Okay, maybe not EVER, I mean I’ve seen some pretty bad B movies but come on – this was supposed to be a big blockbuster sequel not garbage. There is absolutely no true plot – just endless bouts of fights, travel, and mishmash bull. And hello – this movie should have been FULL of mystery but there wasn’t any.

All in all – save your money & redbox it when it hits DVD which should be in a month or two.

Recommended to: Fans of the first one

Best Quote: They're dangerous at both ends and... crafty in the middle. Why would I want anything with a mind of its own bobbing about between my legs?

Day 15: a song that makes you cry and why

2012-01-15T04:27:00.000-05:00

Current song I’m Gonna Love You Through It ~ Martina Mcbride, it just tears me up because this is how I felt during mom’s cancer scare.

On going song How Can I Help You Say Goodbye ~ Patty Loveless - Because I can just picture my mother asking me how she can help.

Day 14: write about something you believe in, anything at all

2012-01-14T04:23:00.000-05:00

I believe everyone has potential
I believe everyone deserves a chance, sometimes more than one.
I believe there is someone out there for you
I believe if we tried things we are scared of we would astound ourselves
I believe we judge others BECAUSE we are insecure with ourselves
I believe we take too much for granted
I believe it is important to be honest with yourself
I believe in the importance of family and friends
I believe it is important to dream, but more important to chase after those dreams
I believe we should tell our loved ones how much we care daily
I believe fear holds us back
I believe we are stronger than we could ever imagine
I believe you don’t know what you have until it’s gone
I believe we should forgive, but never forget
I believe we are afraid to love, because we are afraid of getting hurt
I believe that I can change the world
I believe everything happens for a reason ESPECIALLY when you don’t understand why.

Day 13: your favorite quote

2012-01-13T06:23:00.000-05:00

Lady Pixie Moondrip's Guide to Craft Names

2012-01-13T02:39:00.000-05:00

(Note:Someone sent this to me in an email - if anyone knows the actual person that wrote this - please send me a message letting me know who to credit)

Intro:
In the Olde Days, when our pagan ancestors were going through the persecutions we now invoke to justify various kinds of current silliness, witches took craft names to conceal their identities and avoid those annoying visits by the Inquisition. In the course of years, it was noticed that these aliases could also be used as a foundation for building up a magical personality, carrying out various kinds of transformative work on the self, and the like. It's clear, though, that these were mere distractions from the real purpose lying hidden within the craft name tradition. It took contact with other sources of ancient, mystic lore--such as the SCA, role-playing games, and assorted fantasy trilogies--to awaken the Craft to the innermost secret of craft names: they make really cool fashion statements.

It's in this spirit that Lady Pixie Moondrip offers the following guidelines to choosing your own craft name. Such a guide is long overdue; the point of fashion, after all, is that it allows you to express your own utterly unique individuality by doing exactly the same thing as everyone else. (Those who are particularly drawn to this element of the craft name tradition will find the Random Craft Name Generator near the end of this guide especially useful.)

The approaches given here can be used separately, or combined in a single name to produce any number of interesting effects. Given enough cleverness (and lack of taste), the possibilities are endless!

Starting Off Right:
Whatever else you do, you should certainly begin your craft name with "Lord" or "Lady". First of all, it's pretentious, and that's always a good way to start. Secondly, it makes an interesting statement about a religion that supposedly has its roots in the traditions of peasants and rural tribes-peoples. Thirdly, since most Craft groups use exactly these same words for the God and Goddess, this creates a (by no means inappropriate) confusion about just who it is we worship.

Divine Names:
Along the same lines, you can always take the name of a god, a goddess, a mythological being, or a legendary hero as your craft name, thus putting yourself on the same level as the powers you invoke. Having once watched two 15-year-old boys get into a fist-fight over which had the right to call himself "Lord Merlin", Lady Pixie has a high opinion of the possibilities of this approach. She notes, however, that there seems to be an unwritten law among those who have made use of this type of name already, and it's no doubt wisest to follow suit: the more grandiose the name that you choose, the more of a complete nebbish you should be. Nearly anyone can carry off, say, "Lady Niwalen", but it takes a special kind of person to handle a name like "Lord Jehovah God Almighty". Fortunately, there are those among us who are equal to the task.

Nonhumans:
A related approach involves taking a name that implies (or, better yet, states openly) that you are an elf, or some other kind of nonhuman magical being. This works best if you are willing to act the part obsessively, and to get really petulant when anyone fails to respond accordingly. Subtlety should be avoided; nobody will catch something like "Lord Elrandir" unless they know Tolkien inside and out. Try something more like "Lord Celeborn Pointears the Real Live Elf".

Fantasy Fiction:
The burgeoning field of fantasy fiction offers another source for fashionable craft names, and in many cases, for interesting complications as well. One popular approach is to choose the name of your favorite character; as with nonhumans, this works best if you play the part, and and throw a tantrum unless everyone else plays along. Given luck and a sense of the popular, you may be able to choose everyone else's favorite character, too, and end up tussling over a name with a dozen other people. (Mercedes Lackey is a good author to try if this is your goal.) Both this and the last category have the added advantage of making it clear that, as far as you are concerned,the Craft is simply a setting for make-believe games; this can help spare you the annoyance of actually having to learn something about it.

Inventing a Name From Scratch:
The best way to do this is to come up with something that sounds, say, vaguely Celtic, perhaps by mangling a couple of existing names together, and then resolutely avoid looking it up in a Welsh or Gaelic dictionary. Luck is an important factor here, but there is always the chance that you'll manage something striking. It took one person of Lady Pixie's acquaintance only a few minutes to blur together "Gwydion, son of Don" and "Girion, Lord of Dale" into the craft name "Lord Gwyrionin", and several months to find out that the name he had invented, and used throughout the local pagan scene, was also the Welsh word for "idiot".

Following a Grand Tradition:
Though the ink is barely dry on most of our modern pagan "traditions", there's at least one ancient European tradition that many people in the Craft follow: the tradition of stealing things from non-European peoples. Fake Native American craft names are always chic, especially if the closest thing to contact with Native American sprituality you've ever had is watching "Dances With Wolves" at a beer party. Better still, mix whatever Craft teachings you've absorbed with a few ideas you picked up from a Michael Harner book, break out the buckskings and the medicine pouches, and proclaim yourself a shaman. Mind you, there are people out there who have received real Native American medicine teachings, and they may just turn you into hamburger if you piss them off; still, that's the risk you run if you want to be really trendy.

The Random Craft Name Generator:
On the other hand, if you are individualistic (like everyone else), you may be looking for a name that expresses the uniqueness of your personality but still sounds like all the other craft names you've ever heard. Fortunately, this isn't too hard. Several years back, a gentleman of Lady Pixie's acquaintance told her that the best way to get laid at a pagan gathering was to have the PA system announce, "Will Morgan and Raven please come to the information booth?" Since the resulting crowd would include at least a third of the female attendees, he went on, it wouldn't be too hard to meet someone interesting. While Lady Pixie has not tried this herself, she has tested the principle behind it in a series of controlled double-blind experiments, and discovered a rule that she has modestly named Moondrip's Law: 80% of all craft names are made up of the same thirty words, combined in various (but not particularly imaginative) ways.

The discovery of this principle has allowed her to make the once-difficult task of creating craft names easy, by means of the Random Craft Name Generator, release 1.0. To use the RCNG, take either two or three of the following words (using any convenient randomizing method, including personal preference). If you take two, simply run them together; if you take three, one of the words becomes the first part of the name, and the other two are combined to form the second.

Wolf	Swan	Hawk	Raven	Eagle	Feather
Moon	Star	Sun	Night	Snow	Cloud
Silver	White	Black	Green	Red	Mist
Sky	Water	Wind	Fire	Sea	Storm
Song	Witch	Rowan	Tree	Thorn	Leaf

Try it out: "Rowan Moonstar", "Raven Blackthorn", "Silver Ravenw..."--uh, never mind. (Note that this list will change with shifts in fashion; Lady Pixie expects to bring out an upgrade, RCNG 2.0, in a year or two.)

For the expanded version (RCNG 1.01), come up with a name by any of the methods covered elsewhere in this guide, or take some Native American, Gaelic, or just an ordinary name, and add a two-word name produced by the RCNG to the end: "Gwydion Silvertree", "Sybil Moonwitch", "Squatting Buffalo Firewater". The possibilities are endless!

Conclusion:
It may be said by the narrow-minded (who are probably all covert Christians, anyway) that members of the Craft have better things to do with their time than the above guidelines would suggest. This shows a complete lack of insight. First of all, in an increasingly blase and tolerant culture, it's becoming hard for white middle-class Americans to get that rush of self-righteous gratification that comes from pretending to be members of a persecuted minority; we may not be able to get burned at the stake by calling ourselves silly names, but at least we can get laughed at, and that's something. Secondly, if we keep on treating craft names (and the Craft as a whole) as fashion statements, that spares us the unpleasant drudgery of actually learning magick and making it a part of our lives. Finally, if we're pretentious enough, those people who actually know enough to magick themselves out of a wet paper bag will roll their eyes and go somewhere else, and we can keep fighting our witch wars, casting vast astral whammies, and invoking powers we don't have a clue how to control--all in the serene certainty that no one is actually going to get hurt.

On the other hand, we could take the Craft seriously...but who wants to do that?

--Lady Pixie Moondrip

Day 12: the best advice you’ve ever heard, or ever been given

2012-01-12T04:22:00.000-05:00

Day 11: the worst advice you’ve ever heard, or ever been given

2012-01-11T11:40:00.000-05:00

The worst advice I ever got was, "be nice to family". I don't know about other families but I have some true grass snakes in mine. I've tried and tried to let by gones be by gones, but no more. I am ignoring the family that hurts me, and cherishing those that are there for me. After all, that is truly all that I can do at this point.

Close on the heels of "be nice to family" is "you should accept the fact that he is trying to change & support him" from the family counselor with the drug & alcohol rehab during the last year with EE. I was supposed to just accept on face value that he was trying to change, while he was free to continue using drugs & alcohol & screwing every brain dead bint in a skirt. Because when I said "past experience has lead me to be untrusting of his declarations of change" the counselor jumped all over me and said I was being unsupportive. Oops.

Book: Soul Search

2012-01-11T05:13:00.002-05:00

Amber Scott
Paranormal Romance
Tholden / 2011
Kindle

Three years ago, one horrific night changed his life forever. And now the wolf soul that was invoked to save him is taking over his body, day by day.

Can he master his animal instincts in time to discover who is stealing children's souls before the delicate balance we all depend upon is shattered?

Or will he reject the one woman who can help heal his body and his soul?

I picked this book up because Kindle Freebie
What I liked the Most? Jacob and the guardian angel bit

What I liked the Least? The book

Review: This book is a relative mess - badly written with logic gaps, bad prose, and even worse a romance that makes no sense. Yeah yeah yeah – I get it, new twist on shifter mythos, mediums, and a really bad guy. But OMG this book drug on and on – should I tell him, I can’t tell him, I should tell him, I promised my imaginary friend I would never reveal him. *ARGH* Do yourself a favor and skip it.

You got to be freaking kidding me – 4 & 5 stars for this drivel? Shoot me now.

Recommended to: Fans of absurd

Best Quote: "We will find her. You deserve to know if you fathered a child with her, and if so, to know that child"

Book: Hex Hall

2012-01-11T04:59:00.004-05:00

Rachel Hawkins
Young Adult
Hyperion Book / 2010
Hard Back / 323 Pages
Series Hex Hall #1

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

I picked this book up because 2011 Recommended Reads
What I liked the Most? The concept – Harry Potter from an older child’s perspective

What I liked the Least? The characters were really really flat

Review: Well there is no denying this is a YA book. Everything about it screams YA – from the opening gambit (let me help the looser) to the mean girls on campus to the breath-takingly good looking young man to the my teachers hate my guts. Add in Vamps, Weres, Shifters and Fae and voile you’ve got a “masterpiece” on your hands. Please note the sarcastic tone in which that statement was made.

It’s predictable and boring and down right mind numbing – but it is a fast read, good for killing an hour or so while waiting for something more interesting to come along.

Upside - Sophie made me laugh – she is useless, awkward, gawky, goofy, sarcastic but she comes off as real girl. And Jenna teen age lesbian vampire – priceless.

Recommended to: Fans of flat fiction

Best Quote: "Good luck explaining to God that you used to spank one of his heavenly beings."

Great Rite

2012-01-11T03:48:00.000-05:00

[This is the authentic Great Rite. If you are offended by sexuality, do not read this. This is only to be performed by adults.]

Preparation: the chalice should be filled with wine. A veil of at least a yard square is needed preferably of a Goddess color such as blue, green, silver, or white.
The Coven, except for the High Priestess and High Priest, arrange themselves around the perimeter of the circle, man and woman alternately as far as possible, facing the center.

The High Priestess and High Priest stand facing each other in the center of the circle, she with her back to the altar, he with his back to the South.
The High Priest kneels before the High Priestess and gives her the Five Fold Kiss; that is, he kisses her on both feet, both knees, womb, both breasts, and the lips, starting with the right of each pair. he says, as he does this:
"Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways. Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar.Blessed be thy womb, without which we would not be.Blessed be thy breasts, formed in beauty.Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names."
For the kiss on the lips, they embrace, length-to-length, with their feet touching each others. When he reaches the womb, she spreads her arms wide, and the same after the kiss on the lips.
The High Priestess then lays herself down, face upwards, with her arms and legs outstretched to form the Pentagram.
The High Priest fetches the veil and spreads it over the High Priestess's body, covering her from breasts to knees. He then kneels facing her, with his knees between her feet.
The High Priest delivers the invocation:
"Assist me to erect the ancient altar, at which in days past all worshipped;The altar of all things.For in old time, Woman was the altar.Thus was the altar made and placed,And the sacred place was the point within the center of the Circle. As we have of old been taught that the point within the center is the origin of all things,Therefore should we adore it;Therefore whom we adore we also invoke.O Circle of Stars,Whereof our father is but the younger brother,Marvel beyond imagination, soul of infinite space,Before whom time is ashamed, the mind bewildered, and the understanding dark,Not unto thee may we attain unless thine image be love.Therefore by seed and stem, root and bud,And leaf and flower and fruit do we invoke thee,O Queen of Space, O Jewel of Light,Continuous on of the heavens;Let it be ever thusThat men speak not of thee as One, but as None;And let them not speak of thee at all, since thou art continuous. For thou art the point within the Circle, which we adore;The point of life, without which we would not be.And in this way truly are erected the holy twin pillars;In beauty and strength were they erectedTo the wonder and glory of all men."
The Maiden fetches her athame from the altar and ritually opens a gate way in the Circle. The Coven file through and leave the room. The Maiden is the last one through and reseals the Circle. The High Priest removes the veil from the High Priestess's body.
The High Priestess rises and kneels facing the High Priest. The High Priest continues the invocation:
"Altar of mysteries manifold,The sacred Circle's secret pointThus do I sign thee as of old,With kisses of my lips anoint."
The High Priest kisses the High Priestess on the lips, and continues:
"Open for me the secret way,The pathway of intelligence,Beyond the gates of night and day,Beyond the bounds of time and sense.Behold the mystery arightThe five true points of fellowship""Here where Lance and Grail unite,And feet, and knees, and breast, and lip."
The High Priest and High Priestess now have intercourse. This is a private matter between them and none of the Coven can question them about it. When they are done, one of them ritually opens the Circle and calls the rest of the Coven. When they are back in the Circle, it is again sealed. The wine is now consecrated.
A male witch kneels in front of the altar before a female witch. He holds up a chalice of wine and she holds her athame point down and lowers the athame into the wine. The man says:
"As the athame is to the male, so the cup is to the female; and conjoined, they become one in truth."
The woman lays down her athame on the altar and kisses the man who remains kneeling and she accepts the chalice from him. She sips the wine, kisses him again and he sips, rises, and gives it to another woman with a kiss. The chalice is passed around the Coven, man to woman, with a kiss each time, until the entire Coven has sipped the wine. The chalice can be refilled and any one can drink from it without repeating the ritual once the chalice has gone around once.
To consecrate the cakes, the woman picks up her athame, and the man, kneeling before her, holds up the dish. The woman draws the Invoking Pentacle of Earth in the air above the plate while the man says:
"O Queen most secret, bless this food into our bodies; bestowing health, wealth, strength, joy and peace, and that fulfillment of love that is perfect happiness."
The woman lays down her athame and passes the cakes to the man with a kiss, he passes them back with a kiss and they are passed around the Coven the same way the wine was. Be sure to save some of the wine and some cake for an offering to the Earth and the Little Folk. After the meeting, leave the offering outside of the house if working indoors, or behind in the woods or field, when you leave if you are working outdoors.

Movie: Serenity

2012-01-11T00:39:00.003-05:00

Director: Joss Whedon
Actors: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres and Chiwetel Ejiofor
MPAA rating: PG 13
Running time: 119 mins
Tagline: This is one 'River' you do not want to cross.

In the future, a spaceship called Serenity is harboring a passenger with a deadly secret. Six rebels on the run. An assassin in pursuit. When the renegade crew of Serenity agrees to hide a fugitive on their ship, they find themselves in an awesome action-packed battle between the relentless military might of a totalitarian regime who will destroy anything - or anyone - to get the girl back and the bloodthirsty creatures who roam the uncharted areas of space. But, the greatest danger of all may be on their ship.

I picked this movie because Firefly wrap up

What I liked the Most? OMG – River rocks

What I liked the Least? The fact that it is indeed the end

Review: I love love love the way that everyone was introduced and the series set up for non-fans. After all, I must confess that I watched the movie before I watched the series & I was blown away!!! You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll gasp in shock, and you’ll walk away changed just a little. I don’t know what it is about this movie but it does tend to bring out the best in people.

Recommended to: Everyone!!!

Best Quote: Wahoo – so many to choose from

“The Alliance wanted to show me reason, they shouldn't have sent an assassin.”
“Shiny – Let’s be bad guys.”
“I won't get et! You shoot me if they take me! Well, don't shoot me first!”
“Love. You can learn all the math in the 'Verse, but you take a boat in the air that you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as a turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurtin' before she keels. Makes her a home.”
“People don't like to be meddled with. We tell them what to do, what to think, don't run, don't walk. We're in their homes and in their heads and we haven't the right. We're meddlesome.”
“This is the captain. We have a little problem with our entry sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and then - explode.
“Start with the part where Jayne gets knocked out by a 90-pound girl 'cause... I don't think that's ever getting old.”
“From here to the eyes and the ears of the 'Verse, that's my motto, or it might be if I start having a motto.
“I don't care what you believe in, just believe in it.”

Season 8

2012-01-11T00:37:00.000-05:00

Episode 1: Spider and the Fly 9-21-10
For months after Mexican drug cartel baroness Paloma Reynosa's failed attempt to kill Gibbs's dad, Jackson lingers under tight NCIS protection while McGee looks for her and retired agent Mike Franks in Canada, Ziva in Miami's Cuban community. In the West Virginian Blue Mountains, the home finds captain John McMahon and his passenger, Reynosa gang member Estaban Lopez, shot after their helicopter made an emergency landing. They were consolidating a new drug distribution line along the Atlantic. Alejandro turns up, officially for a Mexican cooperation offer, in fact planting a bug. After Mike turns up, the reunited team members all get death threats from Paloma. Gibbs sets a cruel trap.

Quote of the Show:

Sweet Paloma's got a hornet up her skirt. And her sights are set on revenge.

My Thoughts: Wow – what a season opener. This episode just had excitement galore! I loved the nasty baited trap at the end.

Episode 2: Worst Nightmare 9-28-10
A custom-made anesthetic gas released in a Quantico marine base high school and former arsenal's ventilation system made substitute English teacher Walter Carmichael's class faint, allowing the abduction of Navy brat pupil Rebecca Mason. During parents Navy officers Nick Jr. and Lisa's Persian Gulf tour, she stayed with doting and adored grandpa Nicolas Mason. He tricks the team so he can handle the ransom claimers himself, bloodily, apparently twice, but fails to get Becca. One of NCIS's internship kids helps Abby trace the gas to a pharmacy, which proves a cover for Nicholas's top-secret past.

Quote of the Show:

Building catches fire. Most people run away. Some people - run in.

My Thoughts: William Devane plays an awesome twisted agent, I loved the “end game”.

Episode 3: Short Fuse 10-5-10
Never-married Marine Sergeant Heather Dempsey, a bomb squad Afghanistan veteran, reports having shot an unidentified intruder at her base home. Elaborate forensics determine it's Glover Reese, a hired gun who removed his own fingerprints. He had a classified GI cellphone, which Fornell reveals traces to to FBI deputy director Gary Tolin, who seemed to be hiding an adulterous affair with Dempsey. She is nearly killed by a bomb aboard the USS Barry, moored on ceremonial duty. But an older family drama proves key to the case. Public Affairs Office Ron Sands tags along, as Tony is his choice as face of the new NCIS recruiting brochure.

Quote of the Show:

Hey. Check it out! Who's the face of NCIS? You're looking at it. Live with it, McEnvy. Get used to it.

My Thoughts: Wowser – gotta love the new brochure cover!! So handsome! Could have done without the “mystery” – it wasn’t that great.

Episode 4: Royals & Loyals 10-12-10
When the body of an American Petty Officer is connected to a British Navy vessel, murder turns into an international incident.

Quote of the Show:

I'm calling Sec Nav before the two of you get in a saber duel in the parking lot.

My thoughts: Daniel Gillies (who has to be one of the handsomest creatures ever to walk planet earth) as the British officer Malloy makes the episode.

Episode 5: Dead Air 10-19-10
While US Navy public affairs commander Walter Daniels was the guest in politics student Vincent Clark's small local radio station for a foreign policy debate with DJ Adam Gator, they and the engineer were suddenly shot by hunting gun just. He was to start his announced exposure of Military At Home, a group of listeners who want all security resources domestically deployed, a 'terrorist' excess of patriotism.

Quote of the Show:

Yeah, my father taught me.

My Thoughts: I get that people are crazy but this episode scares the piss out of me.

Episode 6: Cracked 10-26-10
Delving into the mind of a brilliant Naval Scientist, Abby becomes fixated on solving her murder, while DiNozzo's latest fling leads to an interesting Halloween

Quote of the Show:

I can see a kindred spirit in you. I mean, not that I can see your spirit, cause that would be weird. I guess not too weird because you're in here and you're... you know, you're - Um anyway, so what I'm trying to say is-is we communicate in the same way. I could tell the first time I saw all this. Everyone else saw chaos and I-I saw patterns right away. There were patterns in the chaos... So I... just wanted you to know that whatever it is... that you're trying to tell me, I promise you, I promise I'll understand.

My Thoughts: I’ve come to really love the Halloween episodes and this just kinda went ho-hum. Oh well. Brilliant mystery.

Episode 7: Broken Arrow 11-9-10
At Annapolis naval academy, retired Marine Commander Woodrow Iverson's corps is found in a dumpster by his puzzled friend Vice Admiral C. Clifford Chase, deputy director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who claims to ignore why he was asked to meet 'Woody' there. Woody arrived from billionaire Jonathan Royce's Swiss home to a Washington trade conference on the same plane as Tony's slick dad, who is presumably ruined. The team needs Anthony Senior's help to investigate Royce's possible involvement with a 'broken arrow', a missing hydrogen bomb.

Quote of the Show:

Yeah... I'm beginning to feel like a suspect. I don't expect special treatment because I'm junior's father. And I accept that we will never be friends, Gibbs. But I don't like your tone.

My Thoughts: This episode rocked – I love Senior, he makes the show when he guest spots. The mystery was a little on the light side, but having Robert Wagner playing senior citizen Bond, made up for it.

Episode 8: Enemies Foreign 11-16-10
Gibbs team ensures security for the Mossad delegation, including the director, Ziva's father Eli, in person, to a conference Vance hosts, including all people known to be involved in the disastrous Amsterdam 'Trident' operation. They soon link apparently unrelated cases in Washington and the Caribean to a Palestinian splinter group planning a heavily-armed attack on the NCIS conference premises. Despite dealing with the Palestinians, security is grossly breached.

Quote of the Show:

Don't shoot! It's just some clothes and, like, DVDs. I'll return them. What's NCIS?

My Thoughts: I liked the fact that Eli appeared again, but I’m still having trouble with the whole leaving Ziva to die in the desert thing.

Episode 9: Enemies Domestic 11-23-10
The team scrambles for answers after a shocking ambush reveals a new twist to their current investigation.

Quote of the Show:

When your whole country could be wiped away anyday, you don't take tomorrow for granted.

My Thoughts: Wow, what a twist. I was totally not expecting the path that this story took

Episode 10: False Witness 12-14-10
The NCIS team investigates the disappearance of a Navy petty officer who is the sole witness in an upcoming murder trial.

Quote of the Show:

You are... Tony DiNozzo. The class clown. That is why we love you.

My Thoughts: I love the fact that the murderer is the one who convinced the kid to get on with his life. And the return of the class clown was well worth suffering the serious DiNozzo.

Episode 11: Ships in the Night 1-11-11
Coast Guard Investigator Abigail Borin Marine called old acquaintance Gibbs having been the last to see alive highly decorated first lieutenant Jeremy Nolan. He was expertly shot twice, from a smaller boat, during a family dinner celebrating his safe return from Afghanistan, aboard the Potomac boat where Borin had a lousy date with Steve Mehlman, with socialite sister Kimberly 'Kim' Nolan, sole heir to the late self-made millionaire Jack, who disinherited Jeremy for refusing to succeed him in Nolan Radar Systems, now run by CFO Tom Adam, and their uncle, corporate lawyer Wayne Grossman. Jeremy's Princeton non-friend Devin Lodge, a socialite millionaire who bothered Kim, had a brawl with him three days earlier. A second body is fished out of the Potomac, violent ex-con Kyle Dansby, dumped and carrying the bullet type used to kill Jeremy, shot himself with another caliber.

Quote of the Show:

Borin: Never make excuses. It's rule number one. You should write that down.
Timothy: I would. But rule number one's already been taken - twice

My Thoughts: This case was a rocking one – I enjoyed watching Borin & Gibbs interaction together.

Episode 12: Recruited 1-18-11
Navy Petty Officer First Class Simon Craig is pushed down a staircase and finished off by crushing his skull with a workman's boot in the Maryland high-school where he counseled five potential recruits. Simon started a gay affair a month earlier with English teacher Glenn Block, whose viciously jealous wife Penny recently found out. 'Recruit' Paul Simmons never mentioned their contacts to his dad, unemployed drunk Lance, who can't believe Paul would even consider military discipline, but ignores a crucial secret. Meanwhile Ducky's predecessor, Doctor Walter Magnus, visits barely announced, suffering from Alzheimer.

Quote of the Show:

It's amazing that you guys didn't have all these computers and stuff, and you solved cases. I mean really complicated ones. I mean I know coroners weren't doing Forensic autopsies back then. But it wasn't until 1975 that the FBI installed their first automated fingerprint reader. That sort of revolutionized what I do - what we do.

My Thoughts: Is it possible for an episode to be one of your favorite while at the same time least favorite episode? If so, then this show ranks for both of those. I loved the human interest/character interaction while I felt the crime was truly reprehensible.

Episode 13: Freedom 2-1-11
Active reserve US Marine sergeant Travis Wooten's corpse is found in his backyard by dog-walkers Kyle Severin and Lauren Donnelly. Blood traces suggest his wife, gunnery sergeant Georgia, a tough close combat instructor, and their son Jacob seem kidnapped. In fact she's found AWOL in Maryland but shows no mourning. Indeed, she knew Travis cheated on her with Jancey Gilroy, who ignored about his marriage, in fellow veteran Len Feeney's pool club. Both spouses have excessive wounds and bruises. While more saucy background is unearthed, taunter Tony solves McGee's desperate $10,000 identity theft problem.

Quote of the Show:

I'm a United States Marine, Agent Gibbs. Steady is how I'm built. Steady is what my son needs right now. Steady... is all I've got. You're a Marine. You should understand that.

My Thoughts: Wow – this show hit home. I was in an abusive relationship before and this hurts my heart.

Episode 14: A Man Walks Into A Bar 2-8-11
Submarine USS Colonial's North Korea observation mission is frozen when its XO, commander Vincent Reynolds, not far from retirement, is found in his state room, fatally shot with a Russian gun. While Dr. Rachel Cranston follows each in turn, digging in their fears and frustrations as hated, long overdue 'routine' psychological evaluation, the team passes from three foreign journalists on board to Vincent's own hidden problems, such as as affair with Navy Admiral Wayne Hargrove's wife Nancy.

Quote of the Show:

Director Vance, spending time with your agents has been... enlightening to say the least. In clinical terms, they're a disaster. But their selfless disfunction is ultimately why it works. It's clear to me that we all react to life's challenges in different ways...

My Thoughts: I love the fact that Caitlin Todd’s sister comes in to shrink the team, and so many interesting little tidbits come out. I loved it!!

Episode 15: Defiance 2-15-11
Belgravian defense minister Andor Gorgova survives a bomb attack in his Balkans capital, thanks to his US Marines bodyguard, who is killed. The State Department therefore hosts the signing of a controversial treaty and offers protection to his party, assigning to NCIS his headstrong daughter Adriana, who keeps her identity secret except for study friend Judd Stern and diplomacy professor Carl Fleming. She seems to flirt with McGee after he saves her PC, but is kidnapped on his watch, and was in on the stunt to help prevent the treaty being signed. But the demands are changed, for a macabre reason. Gibbs conducts his own informal investigation besides the FBI, which his sole jurisdiction.

Quote of the Show:

Okay, what am I missing here, huh? We talking about the same guy - Timothy McGee? The Icabod Crane who speaks in algorythms. And looks like he has some kind of permanently frumpy expression on his face.

My Thoughts: Oh poor Timmy – he keeps getting the psycho chicks.

Episode 16: Kill Screen 2-22-11
USMC corporal Zach Anderson's severed finger - and toe tips are found in a different place than his corpse, which was stretched to death on a rack. His stolen credit-card traces to his ex Maxine 'Max Destruction', who dumped him for infidelity, claims she just 'paid off' his debt to her and gets on great with McGee as a fellow gamer, unlike Zach. She's shot at in his presence with the gun of martial arts instructor Lisa Bock, one of many victims of his elaborate fake rich guy act, but she has a double alibi. NCIS has computer problems and gets a visit for security firm consultant Blake Martin. Max's and Zach's computer were infiltrated by specific spy-ware, which also planted encrypted data. Reed Snyder, the crucial game's programmer, is missing and had dealings with dodgy Moroccan arms dealer Agah Bayar. Snyder is found tortured to death similarly, but a day before Armstrong and for a surprisingly military reason.

Quote of the Show:

WHOA! That's not my purse!

My Thoughts: Whoa – this episode had some serious twists and turns – I loved the video game ending!!!

Episode 17: One Last Score 3-1-11
Recently let-off temporary NCIS research assistant Oliver Froman is found on a parking, expertly cut open with several upward knife thrusts. He was working on the case of Leona Phelps, a fraudster who stole fortunes she was supposed to invest for many people and is offered a probation deal. More crimes follow, involving her victims and/or accomplices. Tony has mixed feelings towards the new agent in charge of a team reposted in DC from Spain, which he would have been hadn't he refused to transfer.

Quote of the Show:

I shower 3 times a week... like Brad Pitt. Preserves my natural aroma.

My Thoughts: It’s a cloudy episode – I’m not exactly happy with the barter that occurred.

Episode 18:Out of the Frying Pan 3-22-11
A teenage boy is accused of murdering his father, a retired marine, and Gibbs questions Vance's decision that Gibbs should cross-examine the young man.

Quote of the Show:

Gibbs: You swung an axe at a scared kid, Director Vance. One person on a jury finds coercion in that, he will walk!
Leon: His confession trumps your gut! I'm calling the US Attorney.
Gibbs: This wasn't a favor. This was an execution! And he didn't do it!

My Thoughts: Now this is the type of show I love to watch – Gibbs is truly a rocking leader & I loved him taking up for the innocent.

Episode 19: Tell All 3-29-11
NCIS connects a message in blood left by a murdered Navy commander to a manuscript that may contain classified military information.

Quote of the Show:

Well, I don't know if a head slap coming down the aisle is the ideal Kodak moment.

My Thoughts: I’ve seen this type of show before and I wasn’t impressed with it.

Episode 20: Two Faced 4-5-11
To Gibbs' displeasure, Special Agent E.J. Barrett returns to lead the investigation of a seaman's death that may be connected to a series of port-related murders. Meanwhile, Ziva finally introduces her boyfriend, Ray, to the team.

Quote of the Show:

Starting without me, Special Agent Barret?

My Thoughts: Okay so I may not like the way that Gibbs handled the usurper but she had it coming & in all actuality he’s right. Pin the current murder and work from there.

Episode 21: Dead Reflection 4-12-11
A Navy lieutenant's murder is caught on tape by a Pentagon security camera.

Quote of the Show:

I know what you're thinking. That I've lost focus. That I've taken my eye off the ball.

My Thoughts: A little too out there for me.

Episode 22: Baltimore 5-3-11
After Tony's ex-partner, Danny Price, appears to be the Port-to-Port Killer's latest victim, he revisits his days as a detective in Baltimore, including his first encounter with Gibbs.

Quote of the Show:

Everybody. I just want you to know that I'm a little disappointed. PCP addicts are Friday nights. It's Saturday night - which is Hooker night. Where are the hookers?

My Thoughts: I liked the look into Tony’s past.

Episode 23: Swan Song 5-10-11
After new evidence reveals that the Port-to-Port killer has infiltrated the agency, the NCIS teams chase every lead in a race to track him down.

Quote of the Show:

Think that's typical of most... bottom feeding mud suckers. Out of curiosity, your eyeball, we're holding on to it for you by the way, how come it opens up restricted areas at NCIS?

My Thoughts: Oh man – I truly hate the fact that he was killed, but I loved the way this episode was structured! He will be missed a great deal.

Episode 24: Pyramid 5-17-11
The lives of NCIS members are in jeopardy when they come face-to-face with the infamous Port-to-Port killer.

Quote of the Show:

Too many years of lighting up finally caught up with me, probie. For 3 decades, I outran every bullet aimed at me. Can't out run this - not with these lungs. Only got a few months left to go. And I plan to live 'em.

My Thoughts: This is yet another one of those the show was interesting but I couldn’t get into it. I did “enjoy” the funeral and the closure that it brought. And come on – give Ziva a break!!!!

Book: Courting Darkness

2012-01-11T00:11:00.003-05:00

Yasmine Galenorn
Paranormal Romance
Jove / 2011
Mass Market / 286 Pages
Series Sisters of the Moon #10

We're the D'Artigo sisters: sexy, savvy ex-operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But being half-human, half-Fae means our powers go haywire at all the wrong times. My sister Delilah is a Death Maiden and werecat who belongs to the Autumn Lord. My sister Menolly is a vampire who's dating a gorgeous werepuma, and the godfather of the undead-set. And me? I'm Camille, Priestess of the Moon Mother, married to a dragon, a youkai, and a Svartan. But my dragon father-in-law has decided that he doesn't like having me for a member of the family...

It's Winter Solstice, and Aeval welcomes me into her Court of Darkness. With Morio still dangerously weak from his injuries and Vanzir alive only thanks to my silence, the thought of training under Morgaine doesn't seem as daunting as it did. But then, Hyto returns to shatter my life. Captured and swept off to the Dragon Reaches, can I manage to stay alive long enough to escape, even as Smoky's father intends to break my spirit, then my body?

I picked this book up because Series

What I liked the Most? The characters are so bold and alive

What I liked the Least? WTF ~ Chase again? This could have been dropped with no problem

Review:It seems that Camille’s books are always based in and around sex. Not that that is a bad thing, it just gets a little old.

There were issues (above and beyond the rape scene) in this book, the whole Chase subplot seemed to be bad addition (oops I need 5 more pages to make it a good book), Menolly is mostly missing except when she’s staring longingly at Mario or him her (I get it that bond is there, but really?), and while I get the whole she’s so sexy & voluptuous – she is not a goddess and no one can compare to Marilyn Monroe feminine mystique (especially when you are currently logging more meat than a deli). All in all I was disappointed in this one, but then again I usually am when Camille is the lead.

And I get that you feel certain music lends itself to the story, but this playlist is outrageously long!!!

Recommended to: Fans of the series only

Best Quote: There it was-waiting for us. Home, with smoke drifting from the chimney, and clear sparkling lights surrounding the porch. From the driveway, the three story Victorian shimmered like a beacon, both on the physical and on the astral. Flares of energy shot up like sun spots. I leaned back in the car, smiling. Our home, our haven against the demons.
(it’s the opening of the book & I thought it was beautifully written)

Day 10: what you think when you hear the words “be yourself”

2012-01-10T23:35:00.002-05:00

What day of the week did I hear these words.

Mondays - I tend to be too tired from the Weekend to actually muster up much of anything, after all a 24 hour Friday & 24 hour Sunday usually make me really tired & I wanna curl up and sleep.

Tuesdays - Are my day to relax from being SuperGirl for my family and take a little bit of time to myself. I generally say "I am" on these days.

Wednesdays - Family errands are of all importance and "Be Yourself" translates to be a good southern girl, no matter how I may nash my teeth at the expression

Thursdays - "Be Yourself" in dreams - this is my sleepy day. LOL.

Fridays - This day is all me and hearing "Be Yourself" makes me wanna go and do and see and experience all that life has, because I don't know who I wanna be so I am exploring options.

Saturdays - Sometimes I feel like a butterly coming out of the cocoon, other days not so much.

Sundays - This is a family day, so I'm like "be a muted self"

If Everyone Cared

2012-01-10T14:15:00.000-05:00

From underneath the trees, we watch the sky
Confusing stars for satellites
I never dreamed that you'd be mine
But here we are, we're here tonight

Singing, "Amen I, I'm alive"
(I'm alive)
Singing, "Amen I, I'm alive"

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died

And I'm singing
Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive
Amen I, Amen I, Amen I
(I'm alive)

And in the air the fireflies
Our only light in paradise
We'll show the world they were wrong
And teach them all to sing along

Singing, "Amen I, I'm alive"
(I'm alive)
Singing, "Amen I, I'm alive"

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
When nobody died

And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died

We'd see the day, we'd see the day
(When nobody died)
We'd see the day, we'd see the day
(When nobody died)
We'd see the day
(When nobody died)

Day 9: things that make you happy

2012-01-09T02:53:00.003-05:00

Talking with a friend and realizing you've missed them
Stolen dates
Hearing the text message tone on my phone ~ knowing it's you
Lucas' laughter & hugs
Pedicures
Tickles (it's a game)
Enchanted (the movie)
Free stuff
Colored pencils
Learning something new

Movie:Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life

2012-01-09T02:46:00.002-05:00

Director: Jan de Bont
Actors: Angelina Jolie, Gerard Butler and Chris Barrie
MPAA rating: PG 13
Running time: 117 mins

Intrepid British archaeologist Lara Croft has made perhaps the most important archaeological discovery in history: an orb that leads to the mythical Pandora's Box. Unfortunately, the orb falls into the hands of Jonathan Reiss, an evil scientist who deals in killer viruses and hopes to sell the secrets of the box as the ultimate weapon. Recruited by British Intelligence to get the orb back from Reiss, Lara recruits Terry Sheridan, a British marine turned mercenary (and her former love interest) to help. The two embark on an adventure that spans continents in an attempt to regain the orb.

I picked this movie because I was in the mood for a girl power movie night

What I liked the Most? The journey

What I liked the Least? The destruction of priceless archeological finds

Review: Had to do a double feature since I have them both lol.

Ok, so this one makes me a little mad, from the very opening of the movie it shows that Lara Croft has no sense of history. She blatantly destroys or allows the destruction of many artifacts. Yes I realize it’s a movie and yes I know no real “finds” were destroyed, but it is the disposable way in which they are treated that aggravates me.

Now there are some really excellent points to this movie: Angelina’s body, side saddle shooting ride, the crisp clean look of all that fur at the dirty prison, Terry’s bad boy prose and pose, and of course all the action.

Recommended to: Fans of the female lead action

Best Quote: Nature is about balance. All the world comes in pairs. Yin and Yang. Right and Wrong. Men and Women. What's pleasure without pain.

Movie:Enchanted

2012-01-09T02:23:00.003-05:00

Director: Kevin Lima
Actors: Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon and Patrick Dempsey
MPAA rating: PG
Running time: 107 min
Tagline: This fairytale princess is about to meet a real Prince Charming.

The beautiful princess Giselle is banished by an evil queen from her magical, musical animated land and finds herself in the gritty reality of the streets of modern-day Manhattan. Shocked by this strange new environment that doesn't operate on a "happily ever after" basis, Giselle is now adrift in a chaotic world badly in need of enchantment. But when Giselle begins to fall in love with a charmingly flawed divorce lawyer who has come to her aid - even though she is already promised to a perfect fairy tale prince back home - she has to wonder: Can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?

I picked this movie because I’m a big fan of Disney princess movies LOL

What I liked the Most? How Does She Know

What I liked the Least? I can’t think of anything

Review: It is a wonderful Disney princess movie set in both the real world & the carton world.

The live-action portion of the movie feels like your watching animation. The way that Giselle infects those around her with her innocent "Princess-esque" demeanor is really at the heart of what makes the movie so great. It was a fun modernized Cinderella tale that includes wonderful musical numbers (my favorites being So Close & How Does She Know).

I’ve enjoyed looking for the hidden Disney references lol

Lady & The Tramp – the Italian restaurant
Mary Poppins – Feed the birds only a dollar a bag, dancer in in the “That’s How You Know”
Beauty & The Beast – Robert’s outfit at the ball, Lumiere in the “That’s How You Know”
The Little Mermaid – the fish tank scene, hair brushing in the opening scene, boat scene in the “That’s How You Know”
Snow White – Grumpy, 2 blue diamonds, poisoned apples, magic mirror
General – true love’s kiss, Bus driver’s hair do, multiple live cameo’s of past voice stars
And many many others

I adore the happy-go-lucky Andalasia mentality. I have watched it over and over – making the attempt to watch it at least once a month as it helps keep my spirits up.

Recommended to: EVERYONE!!!!

Best Quote: “I don't know. It's just that – it’s like you escaped from a Hallmark card or something.”

Movie:Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

2012-01-09T02:08:00.001-05:00

Director: Jan de Bont
Actors: Angelina Jolie, Gerard Butler and Chris Barrie
MPAA rating: PG 13
Running time: 117 mins

Intrepid British archaeologist Lara Croft has made perhaps the most important archaeological discovery in history: an orb that leads to the mythical Pandora's Box. Unfortunately, the orb falls into the hands of Jonathan Reiss, an evil scientist who deals in killer viruses and hopes to sell the secrets of the box as the ultimate weapon. Recruited by British Intelligence to get the orb back from Reiss, Lara recruits Terry Sheridan, a British marine turned mercenary (and her former love interest) to help. The two embark on an adventure that spans continents in an attempt to regain the orb.

A member of a rich British aristocratic family, Lara Croft is a "tomb raider" who enjoys collecting ancient artifacts from ruins of temples, cities, etc. worldwide, and doesn't mind going through death-defying dangers to get them. She is skilled in hand-to-hand combat, weapons training, and foreign languages - and does them all in tight outfits. Well, the planets of the solar system are going into planetary alignment (Which occurs every 5,000 years), and a secret society called the Illuminati is seeking an ancient talisman that gives its possessor the ability to control time. However, they need a certain clock/key to help them in their search, and they have to find the talisman in one week or wait until the next planetary alignment to find it again. Lara happens to find that key hidden in a wall of her mansion.

I picked this movie because I was in the mood for a girl power movie night

What I liked the Most? The action

What I liked the Least? The romantical path it took to get there

Review: This is a movie night miracle. It’s a fast paced no brains required trip into the absurd. The elaborate sets & props are very nearly awe-inspiring as you journey from Lara’s home to archeological set to frozen tundra. I loved watching the fight scenes, you can really tell when an actress (or actor) has worked hard to really nail a part and it was fantastic watching Angelina Jolie mold herself into Lara Croft.

The plot may be a little thin at times, but hey what do more do you want from a video game gone big scene.

Recommended to: Fans of the female lead action

Best Quote: I woke up this morning and I just hated everything.

Book:Mockingjay

2012-01-09T01:52:00.001-05:00

Suzanne Collins
Young Adult
Scholastic Press / 2010
Hard Back / 390 Pages
Series The Hunger Games #3

Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.

I picked this book up because Series

What I liked the Most? Well she killed the right person

What I liked the Least? Hmm every thing else in the book

Review:I now truly wish that I had stopped with the fist book. I can only feel annoyance and well disappointment. I hated the way the story wrapped in and around itself until it chocked the life out of itself.

Reading this it felt like Ms Collins was deliberately presenting EVERY single character in the worst possible way to wring the shock value from it.

Recommended to: Only someone who wants to take the story to the end

Best Quote: “Well, don't expect us to be too impressed. We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear.”

Day 8: things that make you sad

2012-01-08T00:25:00.000-05:00

Old people being alone
ASPCA commericials
Loosing friends but knowing it's for the best
Not hearing from someone on a holiday
Hearing that song on the radio
Finding out you lied to me
Clothes not fitting
Knowing that my family is divided but being unable to do anything about it
Seeing a beautiful stand of trees destroyed and left for kindling because the "project" ran out of money
Homelessness & hunger in America

Day 7: a show or a movie that has changed you, and how

2012-01-07T00:07:00.000-05:00

Enchanted starring Amy Adams & Patrick Dempsey

I don't know that it is life altering but it does alter my mood for at least a couple days after watching it. I feel lighter and happier and just able to take on anything that gets in my way - I just sing "Happy Working Song" (it's on the iPod for a reason) and let the music carry me away.

Book: Catching Fire

2012-01-06T05:40:00.003-05:00

Suzanne Collins
Young Adult
Scholastic Press / 2009
Hard Back / 391 Pages
Series The Hunger Games #2

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster children for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol...

I picked this book up because Series

What I liked the Most? The clock arena

What I liked the Least? President Snow – but you are supposed to hate him

Review: I was a bit disappointed in the second book of this trilogy – I get it – Government is bad, corrupt, evil, but COME ON give me something to work with. I was so amazed and excited by the first book I couldn’t wait to get into the second book, but all I got was hazy conspiracies and twisted reactions. I love the fact that Katniss seems to be so naïve but in all reality just gets it usually at the wrong moment. Yeah the love triangle is a bit much, but that’s what works in this series.

I must say that Cinna rocks & I truly hope he makes a come back!

Recommended to: Someone who’s read the first book (do not try to start with the second in this series you will get lost)

Best Quote: “I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever.”

When I

2012-01-06T03:00:00.000-05:00

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a "Witch".
When I stand up for those I love, they call me a Witch.
When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts, or do things my own way, they call me a Witch.

Witches are people who have a solid sense of personal and social responsibility

Who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in
Who love and respect themselves for the beautiful beings they are.

Being a witch means that I am free to be the wonderful creature I am,
With all my own intricacies, contradictions, quirks and beauty.
Being a witch means I won't compromise what's in my heart.
It means I live my life MY way. It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.

When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak up against it, I am defined as a witch.
The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone else's maid or when I act a little selfish.

I am proud to be a Witch! It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.

I am outspoken, opinionated and determined.
By Goddess, I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!

So, try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed.

And if that makes me a Witch, so be it. I embrace the title and am proud to bear it. I love this, I can call myself a witch now and not feel bad about it!

SO MOTE IT BE!

Day 6: something you would like to change about yourself

2012-01-06T02:56:00.002-05:00

I would massively like to change my weight. I am not happy being the weight that I am, truly I'm not. I don't like the fact that my clothes don't fit right & that pictures of me look like all belly. I'm working on making the changes in my life to foster a healthier lifestyle, but it is difficult.

Book:The Hunger Games

2012-01-06T01:39:00.004-05:00

Suzanne Collins
Young Adult
Scholastic / 2008
Hard Back / 374 Pages
Series The Hunger Games #1

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I picked this book up because 2011 Blogger Recommended

What I liked the Most? OMG – the surrealisticness of the book

What I liked the Least? The Hunger Games

Review: From the very beginning of the book I was hooked and I can’t believe how long it took me to read this. I’ve seen it on the shelves of every book store I’ve gone to and even some of the “regular” stores (aka Target, Wal-Mart, Harris Teeter) but I couldn’t bring myself to read a book that fractured America and turned it into a joke. Then I accepted (well since I didn’t sign up it’s probably not the right word but oh well) the challenge over at A Novel Challenge and it was the first book, and I am so glad I did.

I am amazed – truly amazed. At the end of the year I was having a talk with BF about some of my co-workers (and the TV shows they watch, conversations they have, yadda yadda) and I made the comment that to them every little twist in someone else’s life was fodder to their imaginations. I was talking about all the reality TV shows they watch and getting so charged about Real Housewives, BB or Survivor. I wonder how far is it to stretch to go from literally back stabbing your best friend on TV to really stabbing your enemy in the back for ratings. As scary as the thought it, it could happen.

This book is full of fantastic, wonderful, breathless and indeed brutal moments.

Recommended to: Someone who can handle darkness

Best Quote: “You don’t forget the face of the person who was your last hope.”

Day 5: something you would change about the world

2012-01-05T02:48:00.000-05:00

I would be more than happy to eliminate childhood hunger. It breaks my heart to know that there are hungry children in the world.

Book: That Voodoo You Do

2012-01-04T23:44:00.004-05:00

Jodi Redford
Paranormal Erotica
Samhain Publishing / 2010
Mass Market / 208 Pages
Series That Old Black Magic #1

Something dead this way comes-
That Old Black Magic, Book 1
For ten long years Griffin Trudeau has managed to keep his paws off Jemma Finnegan, best friend and leading star of his kinkiest fantasies. As her appointed cat familiar, indulging those fantasies with the delectable witch is strictly forbidden. But when Jemma shows up at his door with seduction in mind, control goes right out the window.
Too late he realizes making love to Jemma is the trigger that launches a zombie apocalypse.
Jemma's been dealt a double whammy: she's just discovered she's a witch. And Griff has been hiding whiskers and a tail. Oh, and if her life wasn't crazy enough, a dead voodoo queen needs her blood to raise a legion of zombies.
There's one plan that might work to increase Jemma's powers so she can put an end to the looming holocaust. A sexy threesome with Griff and Logan Scott, a werewolf familiar with a history of rubbing Griff's fur the wrong way. A cat and a wolf playing nice, much less sharing? It'll take a miracle.
Warning: A witch, tiger and wolf doing naughty things. A dead voodoo queen doing evil things. And zombies doing zombie things. Get your shovels ready.

I picked this book up because The cover looked interesting

What I liked the Most? The concept behind the story

What I liked the Least? At least have the decency to label it erotica

Review: I enjoyed the concept of the story & would have liked to read more of the background less sex. Yes I know – I’m not usually prudish when it comes to sex in the book, but this one just felt like the sexual scenes (as hot as they were) were only there to pad the story. A lot of the flirtatious comments could have been left out and there could have been more non sexual story. I guess it’s because I got excited about the witch/voodoo/shifter/zombie combo and forgot to read the rest of the blurb, but this one came at me out of left field.

Recommended to: ONLY fans of twisted erotic – M/F/M action

Best Quote: Warning: A witch, tiger and wolf doing naughty things. A dead voodoo queen doing evil things. And zombies doing zombie things. Get your shovels ready.

Book: Dr. Seuss's ABC

2012-01-04T03:17:00.004-05:00

Dr Seuss
Children
Random House / 1999
Hard Back / 72 Pages

With Dr. Seuss as your guide, learning the alphabet is as easy as A, B, C.

I picked this book up because Lucas

What I liked the Most? The fun we had reading the book

What I liked the Least? Nothing

Review: I loved the nonsense of this book, it entertains children so wonderfully. We laughed & laughed at the silly words and by the end of the book, Lucas knew most of his ABC’s. That make it one of the best teaching tools on the face of the planet.

Recommended to:Anyone with children

Best Quote: Lazy lion licks a lollipop.

Magical Ethics

2012-01-04T02:44:00.000-05:00

There is a saying among the contemporary Pagan community that "black magic is whatever works, white magic is anything else”. This stems in part from a misconception that black equals bad, white equals good, and that there are no gray areas at all. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. Let us look at the word black itself, and figure out why it connotates evil.

A big part of that is thanks to pop culture after all, in popular shows like Charmed or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the good people are the "white light" people. The bad people are surroundedby darkness. Another part of the whole black = bad concept is because of people who can't let go of their Christian upbringing, in which
those who are righteous are surrounded by the light of God, and those who are damned will dwell in darkness. The problem with this logic is that darkness in and of itself does not have to be bad at all. After all, how beautiful is a quiet night out in the country, miles away from the lights of a city? Have you ever walked in the woods at midnight, embracing the comfort of the shadows?

Darkness is what lies in the soil, below the earth, before a plant grows in the spring. It is the long nights of winter, when we are drawn into our homes to embrace
our families and count our good fortune. It is the inside of the womb, warm and nurturing. Even the darkness of the grave, of death itself, may be seen as welcoming. Once we accept, that dark is not very bad; it is a lot easier to look
at the concept of "black magic" vs. "white magic”. Even if we replace the words "black" with "negative" and "white" with "positive", we're still in a bit of a pickle, and here's why: because it is the intent that matters as much as the action. In other words, if someone performs magic that others might see as "negative”, but does it for what they believe is an honest and just reason, then is it really negative magic?

To do magic is to say that you want to bring about change in the Universe after all, if everything were perfect, there would be no need for magic at all. Any magic capable of causing change is also magic that can harm, simply by its very nature. Magic is not some Super Spooky Power that we have it is a tool we can use to precipitate changes. Any tool can be used for helping or harming if I have a
hammer, I can use it to build a house.

I can also use it to whack people in the head. It is not the hammer that's "negative", but what I choose to do with it. Case in point: in the early nineties, a serial rapist was terrorizing the women of a coastal city in the Carolinas. His reported victims, over two years, numbered at least two dozen, including a teenage girl who later committed suicide. A group of witches got together one night, and did a working calling for this man to be stopped by the Universe. A couple of weeks later, the prime suspect who was later convicted led police on a high-speed chase and wrecked his car, nearly dying from his injuries. He has lived since then severely handicapped, but he never raped another woman. Negative magic or no? There are people within the Wiccan and Pagan community who feel that any magic that affects other people at all is unethical, and they have
the right to not perform any magic on, against, or for others. However, there are an equal amount of people who believe that change brought about by magic is acceptable, just as change brought about by mundane methods is acceptable.

Chances are, the two camps will never agree, but what you can do, as an individual, is respect the beliefs of those who may disagree with you, whichever side you may happen to fall on. Look at magic as a way to improve your life. You can use it to bring love to you, to gain financial abundance, to eliminate problems from
your life.

You can use it as a method of growth and self-empowerment.

It can be used to help you fulfill your dreams, desires, and goals. Can you use magic to help other people? Sure! If they ask you to. If they have not asked or if they have specifically told you NOT to do anything on their behalf, and then do not. Ultimately, only you can decide which forms of magic fall into your personal system of ethics. If you feel a particular course of action is wrong, then avoid it. If you feel it is ethically acceptable, and you are willing to accept the results of your actions, then so be it. Just remember to harm none!

Book: Siren Call

2012-01-04T02:30:00.003-05:00

Kimberly Llewellyn
Paranormal Romance
CreateSpace / 2011
Mass Market / 352 Pages
Series Mermaid Catcher #1

Award-winning author Kimberly Llewellyn introduces a sexy new series with a tale of a woman discovering her special gift and an unsuspecting man whose life is on the line. Two souls whose dangerous attraction could seal the fate of mankind. Finally...the reason behind the man shortage. A beautiful soul with a seductive power... When Serina James, a popular swimwear designer, discovers ruthless mermaids stealing the eligible men in her seaside town, she learns of her own ancient aquatic ties to the sirens. And it’s no coincidence that the sudden carnal changes in her body coincide with the ocean tides. The sea awakens her desire, as does the hunky new man invading her life—the skeptical police detective, Alex Waters. A jaded cop destined to be the one... Detective Alex Waters considers Serina the prime suspect in her ex-boyfriend's disappearance. He should take her into custody, but he'd rather take her into his arms. He fights the passion she stirs deep inside him, keeping it on lockdown. Luckily, he has the moral firewall to resist such temptation. But a man can fight the siren's call for just so long.

I picked this book up because I wanted something a little different

What I liked the Most? Serina’s hard headness

What I liked the Least? Writing issue’s kept pulling me out

Review: Ok – so put aside the fact that the writing was a little hooky that kept intruding on the story line, it was a good read. I enjoyed the concept of the story a lot, mermaids forced to abducted mortal men in order to continue the species, what I didn’t like was the some what childish writing at times.

I was rather disappointed in the ending of the story, but it does set it up for future stories.

Recommended to: A fun beach read

Best Quote: Nothing stood out

Day 4: how you think your life would change if you achieved your dream

2012-01-04T02:10:00.000-05:00

I don't really think my life will change if I achieve my dream.

My dream is to be happy and that is a way of life not a goal.

Book: Vampire Academy

2012-01-04T01:17:00.003-05:00

Richelle Mead
Young Adult
Razorbill / 2007
Mass Market / 332 Pages
Series Vampire Academy #1

Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

I picked this book up because 2011 Blogger Recommendation

What I liked the Most? Rose – conceited and arrogant though she may be – makes the story

What I liked the Least? Random thoughts that intruded on the story line & rather wooden dialog

Review: Oh hell this book has it all – strong female characters, a great storyline, intriguing plot with loads of twists, mental instability, torture, betrayal, death, and (of course) true love. There are two types of vampire; the Moroi who are 'good' vampires and who are alive. They have the ability to use magic, wielding the four elements of air, water, earth and fire. The other type is a Strigoi, these are evil and although both types need blood, Strigoi kill while taking it.There are also Dhampirs who are half Moroi and half human.

Recommended to: Fans of Vamp Fiction

Best Quote: “Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies.”

Get Over Yourself!

2012-01-03T13:59:00.001-05:00

The things I'm ridding myself of in 2012!

Day 3: what you think your reason for being here is

2012-01-03T02:07:00.002-05:00

My reason for being here
(on a blog) is to share my opinions with anyone who wants to read it
(on the planet) to create my own little world lol

Bento 120: Beef and Broccoli

2012-01-02T21:50:00.002-05:00

Not too pretty to look at but oh so yummy to eat!

All the Books of Pern Challenge 2012

2012-01-02T06:48:00.003-05:00

Found this challenge over at A Novel Challenge and I figured hell yeah! I love this series and any chance to reread it sounds wonderful to me. I'm not officially signing up, but I'm adding the books to my TBR list, lol.

"The Survey: P.E.R.N."
Dragonsdawn
"The Dolphins' Bell"
"The Ford of Red Hanrahan"
"The Second Weyr"
"Rescue Run"
Dragonsblood
Red Star Rising (aka Dragons Eye)
Dragon's Kin
Dragon's Fire
Dragon Harper
Dragonheart
Dragonsblood
Dragongirl
Dragon's Time
Dragonrider (unpublished at this time)
Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern
Nerilka's Story
"Beyond Between"
The Masterharper of Pern
"Runner of Pern"
Dragonflight
"The Smallest Dragonboy"
Dragonquest
Dragonsong
Dragonsinger
Dragondrums
The White Dragon
"The Impression"
"The Girl Who Heard Dragons"
Renegades of Pern
All the Weyrs of Pern
The Dolphins of Pern
The Skies of Pern
"New Era Pern"
"Ever the Twain"

Day 2: something that’s illegal but you think it should be legal

2012-01-02T02:05:00.000-05:00

It's not illegal yet, but I think that talking on the phone with a blue tooth should be legal. I don't understand why people seem to think there is any difference between talking to a passenger & talking on the phone.

2012 Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge

2012-01-01T07:05:00.009-05:00

Found this challenge over at A Novel Challenge and since I know I'm gonna be reading them any ways why not have a seperate challenge list! I'm not officially signing up, but I'm always looking for new reads.

Some of the suggested books include:

Fiction:
Practical Magic - Alice Hoffman
Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen
Casting Spells (Sugar Maple, #1)- Barbara Bretton
A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy, #1) - Deborah Harkness
The Trouble With Magic (Bewitching Mysteries, No. 1) - Madeline Alt
The Book of Shadows (Herculine #1) - James Reese
New England Witch Chronicles - Chelsea Bellingeri
The Near Witch – Victoria Schwab
The Witches of East End (The Beauchamp Family, #1)– Melissa de la Cruz
Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles, #1)- Jessica Spotswood
Witchlanders by Lena Coakley
Second Hand Spirits (A Witchcraft Mystery, #1)- Juliet Blackwell
It Takes a Witch (A Wishcraft Mystery #1)- Heather Blake
Once a Witch (Witch #1) - Carolyn MacCullough
Book of Shadows (Wicca, #1) - Cate Tiernan
Random Magic - Sasha Soren
Witch Way to Murder (Ophelia & Abby, #1) - Shirley Damsgaard
Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1) - Rachel Hawkins
The Witching Hour (Lives of the Mayfair Witches #1) - Anne Rice
The Night Strangers - Chris Bohjalian
Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble (Jolie Wilkins #1) - HP Mallory

Non-Fiction:
Bucklands's Complete Book of Witchcraft - Raymond Buckland
Drawing Down the Moon - Margot Adler
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner - Scott Cunningham
Natural Witchery: Intuitive, Personal & Practical Magick - Ellen Dugan
Magick in Theory and Practice - Aleister Crowley
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
The Golden Bough - James Frazer
A Witch’s Bible: the Complete Witch’s Handbook - Janet & Stewart Farrar
Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life - Pauline Campanelli
Witch Crafting - Phyllis Curott
Witchcraft Today - Gerald Gardner
A History of Witchcraft - Jeffrey Russell

My List:

That Voodoo You Do ~ Jodi Redford
Courting Darkness ~ Yasmine Galenorm
Hex Hall ~ Rachel Hawkins
A Modern Witch ~ Debora Geary Reread
A Hidden Witch ~ Debora Geary reread
Witches on Parole: Unlocked ~ Debora Geary reread
A Reckless Witch ~ Debora Geary reread
Would-Be Witch ~ Kimberly Frost
Witch Week ~ Diana Wynne Jones
Witches Under Way ~ Debora Geary

Day 1: hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 366 days with a picture of yourself

2012-01-01T02:13:00.001-05:00

Hopes Dreams & Plans for the 2012
Well I hope to kick off the new year right with a firm step towards creating a safe happy home for Bunny, Divo & Me. I want us to move into this year with happiness. Celebrating everything that comes our way. I plan to increase my blogging, decrease my stress, and to most importantly enjoy life. Something I forget to do most days.

My Plan:
Create a happy Lamp for us to live in - with plenty of fresh food, clean drinking water, and the little luxories that make life worth living. This was achieved by cleaning everything up and setting up a cleaning schedule. With a new comfy mattress on the bed, big thick pillows, and fuzzy blankets we should make it through the cold season okay.
Sow a garden - in the spring I plan to create a small kitchen garden so that the fresh foods can continue to come into the home. We also plan to start shopping at farmer's markets for any local produce that we can.

A Year of Posts

2012-01-01T01:49:00.003-05:00

Picked this up over at Heck Yeah Challenges Gotta try it!

Day 1: hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days with a picture of yourself
Day 2: something that’s illegal but you think it should be legal
Day 3: what you think your reason for being here is
Day 4: how you think your life would change if you achieved your dream
Day 5: something you would change about the world
Day 6: something you would like to change about yourself
Day 7: a show or a movie that has changed you, and how
Day 8: things that make you sad
Day 9: things that make you happy
Day 10: what you think when you hear the words “be yourself”
Day 11: the worst advice you’ve ever heard, or ever been given
Day 12: the best advice you’ve ever heard, or ever been given
Day 13: your favorite quote
Day 14: write about something you believe in, anything at all
Day 15: a song that makes you cry and why
Day 16: someone you trust
Day 17: your idol and why you look up to them
Day 18: why you made your blog, why you still have it
Day 19: your thoughts on your family
Day 20: what you think makes someone beautiful
Day 21: what does your favorite tshirt look like
Day 22: how you judge intelligence
Day 23: a month/year of your life when you were happiest and why
Day 24: your favorite 10 people right now and why
Day 25: the last movie you watched
Day 26: 5 things you’re looking forward to
Day 27: a person you wished lived closer and why
Day 28: something you makes you really angry
Day 29: a date you’d love for someone to take you on
Day 30: 5 favorite girls names, 5 favorite boys names
Day 31: a bit about your social life outside of social networking
Day 32: how many pictures do you have in your room
Day 33: someone who really hurt you
Day 34: your horoscope for today and whether you think it’s accurate
Day 35: what is your favorite poptart flavor
Day 36: what do you think about your friends
Day 37: who are you
Day 38: thoughts on your generation
Day 39: why you think you’ve learned more from the good or the bad
Day 40: what are features you get complimented on a lot
Day 41: when was the last time you wrote a letter? to whom?
Day 42: what do you think of your driver’s license picture
Day 43: is it possible to lie without saying a word
Day 44: when was the last time you wore a dress
Day 45: when was the last time you tried something new
Day 46: what makes you smile
Day 47: what was your last Halloween costume
Day 48: your life story in three words
Day 49: are you a lover or a fighter
Day 50: why you are doing this challenge
Day 51: describe your future wedding
Day 52: if you didn’t have an age, how old would you think you were
Day 53: your day, in great detail
Day 54: your definition of love
Day 55: a passage from a book that has touched you
Day 56: something you did as a child that other people remember you for
Day 57: what is your definition of happiness
Day 58: places you want to visit, and why
Day 59: what color are your favorite pair of flip flops
Day 60: a YouTube video you absolutely love and describe why
Day 61: one of your most prized possessions
Day 62: how many keys are on your keyring
Day 63: the song with the most number of plays on your itunes
Day 64: favorite thing about last month
Day 65: one random fact about yourself
Day 66: if you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would it be
Day 67: how you found out about tumblr, and why you made one
Day 68: the best concert you have been to
Day 69: powerful song lyrics you love
Day 70: a celebrity you don’t necessarily enjoy, and why
Day 71: differences between you and your best friend
Day 72: list of everything you ate today
Day 73: what are your favorite pair of shoes
Day 74: how would you describe your style of clothing
Day 75: what is one of the best dreams you have ever had
Day 76: how do you feel about going green
Day 77: what gives you everyday inspiration
Day 78: would you rather people be honest with you, even if it’s something not good, or lie to you to make you feel good
Day 79: least favorite subject in school
Day 80: a picture from your childhood
Day 81: what is your biggest fear
Day 82: would you break the law to save a loved one
Day 83: if you had to teach something, what would you teach
Day 84: do you think crying is a sign of weakness or strength
Day 85: if you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be
Day 86: what is the difference between living and existing
Day 87: what are your views upon sex before marriage
Day 88: does money equal happiness
Day 89: are you self-aware
Day 90: write a letter to one of your close friends
Day 91: name a book you read in school that wasn’t entirely awful
Day 92: what have you learned just from attending your school
Day 93: what about the opposite sex can you not understand
Day 94: do you keep your thoughts to yourself
Day 95: describe the weather right now
Day 96: what do you love the most about your grandparents
Day 97: something you’ve always wondered
Day 98: what would be the hardest and most fearful thing you would ever have to face in your lifetime
Day 99: do you think it’s better to have a few close best friends or to have a lot of acquaintances
Day 100: what is the best thing about being your age
Day 101: would you like to travel abroad to learn about new things throughout the world
Day 102: lessons you’ve learned throughout life
Day 103: do you believe in god
Day 104: three words you can’t go a day without using
Day 105: describe your favorite place in the world
Day 106: someone you judged by the first impression
Day 107: the name of your pet
Day 108: is it easier to forgive or forget
Day 109: if you were a super hero, what kind of powers would you have
Day 110: something that makes you happy
Day 111: do you wish upon 11:11 even if it may not come true
Day 112: what is the most important part in a relationship, do you think
Day 113: do you believe that if you want something enough you’ll get it
Day 114: do you like when people are protective over you
Day 115: is it possible to be single and happy
Day 116: one guy who means a lot to you
Day 117: if you were to get a tattoo, what would it look like
Day 118: what people in your life inspire you the most
Day 119: something you hope you never have to do
Day 120: what is your zodiac sign and what do you think it means
Day 121: what do you think about stereotypes
Day 122: which activities make you lose track of time
Day 123: do you believe teenagers can fall in love
Day 124: have you ever had feelings for someone who was seeing someone else
Day 125: have you ever gone out of your way to make someone happy
Day 126: have you ever been betrayed by someone you trusted
Day 127: do you believe in second chances
Day 128: what is your life’s purpose
Day 129: favorite month of the year and why
Day 130: if you were deserted on an island, what would you bring
Day 131: what do you worry about
Day 132: do you believe ex’s can be friends
Day 133: if you had to choose between a million dollars or to be able to change a regret, what would you do
Day 134: do you have a reason to smile right now
Day 135: is change a good thing
Day 136: if you were 12 and looked at yourself in the future, would you be happy
Day 137: one of your wildest dreams
Day 138: one of the nicest things anyone has said to you
Day 139: something you can’t wait for
Day 140: how do you feel about people disrespecting their parents
Day 141: someone who fascinates you
Day 142: how have you changed in the past 2 years
Day 143: how important you think education is
Day 144: are you planning on having children one day
Day 145: is it easy to trust others
Day 146: is there someone that makes you happy every time you see them
Day 147: what do you think about ignorant people
Day 148: do you think more about the past, present, or future
Day 149: would you rather love one person or have many short relationships
Day 150: how is your heart lately
Day 151: would you move to a different country to be with the one you love
Day 152: what is one step of action you would take to change the world
Day 153: do you think the hardest thing is sometimes the easiest thing
Day 154: a moment you felt most satisfied in your life
Day 155: what is one achievement you are proud of
Day 156: what is a TV show you enjoy the most
Day 157: do you like to give or receive
Day 158: would you give up all of your presents one Christmas time to help others from other countries
Day 159: what is one thing you love about photography
Day 160: do you go by live, laugh, love
Day 161: why is it so much easier being a child, than an adult
Day 162: highs and lows of this month
Day 163: where is one place you would love to visit
Day 164: one thing many people don’t know about you
Day 165: favorite type of music
Day 166: have you ever had a teacher that changed your life
Day 167: funniest movie you have ever seen
Day 168: how do you feel about cyber bullying
Day 169: what is your life motto
Day 170: what is something you notice throughout high school
Day 171: one famous guy you would marry in an instant
Day 172: what kind of person attracts you
Day 173: is there something you laugh at every time it happens
Day 174: how do you think you’re going to act like in 10 years
Day 175: songs you listen to when you’re happy
Day 176: do you enjoy cooking
Day 177: something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 178: a goal you have this weekend
Day 179: how did you spend your last birthday?
Day 180: what is the most inspiring book you have read?
Day 181: A picture of your favorite memory
Day 182: A picture that makes you laugh
Day 183: you are told you have one week left to live, how do you spend it?
Day 184: when you think of your best friend, what is your first memory? How did you meet them, explain him/her.
Day 185: where will you be in ten years?
Day 186: have you ever made a time capsule? If yes, with who, do you remember what you put inside? If not, what would you put inside if you had to put something in right now?
Day 187: post a picture of yourself, taken today, and five random facts about yourself.
Day 188: what are you always carrying around with you?
Day 189: list everything you like about yourself, and explain why. What makes you unique?
Day 190: put your iPod or mp3 player on shuffle and list the first ten songs/artists.
Day 191: are you excited for anything right now?
Day 192: summer or winter? Why?
Day 193: what are you doing for the next big holiday? (i.e. Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Easter, Passover…)
Day 194: what did you do today?
Day 195: have you ever had braces/will you ever need braces?
Day 196: what is one thing you regret doing?
Day 197: do you have a set out path for your future yet?
Day 198: a picture taken over ten years ago
Day 199: what is the last book you read, why did you read it?
Day 200: whatever suits your fancy. (A picture, random facts, what you did today, your plans for tomorrow)
Day 201: what are your plans for tomorrow?
Day 202: what did you do last Saturday?
Day 203: what is the last thing you had to save your money for?
Day 204: do you have a job, if so, where?
Day 205: do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not?
Day 206: what’s your favorite band?
Day 207: have you ever cried in a movie? Which?
Day 208: tell us about your family.
Day 209: what do you remember most about last winter?
Day 210: in a nutshell, what is your daily routine?
Day 211: a picture of you and your best friend
Day 212: one person you know you can trust?
Day 213: the person closest to your heart. How do you know them?
Day 214: what are your feelings on gay marriage?
Day 215: a letter to your crush
Day 216: list of some of your favorite tumblrs
Day 217: a letter to someone who you used to be close to
Day 218: a letter to someone you judged by first impression
Day 219: a talent you have
Day 220: a picture that makes you smile
Day 221: a photography picture taken by you.
Day 222: what are you craving right now?
Day 223: bad habits of yours.
Day 224: A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 225: what is the most inspirational thing you have ever heard
Day 226: next present holiday wish list
Day 227: A picture that can always make you smile
Day 228: list ten people you would die for
Day 229: write a letter to the person you’re closest to
Day 230: what is your favorite memory from before the school age.
Day 231: what were your thoughts enter pre-school, kindergarten, middle school, and high school
Day 232: list the movies you’ll never get sick of watching
Day 233: what is the most quotable movie? List a few of your favorite quotes?
Day 234: favorite song as a ten year old?
Day 235: if your six-year-old self looked at you now, what would their reaction be?
Day 236: what was your most memorable summer
Day 237: who from full house do you relate to most?
Day 238: who/what can’t you live without?
Day 239: have you changed in the past 200 Days?
Day 240: what does your name mean according to urban dictionary? Were you named after anyone in your family, or does your name mean something special to your parents?
Day 241: what name would your parents have named you if you were the opposite sex? Did they have a list of names for you?
Day 242: 10 most significant events in your life
Day 243: what is the last thing you baked?
Day 244: a picture taken recently
Day 245: what is the compliment you get most, what is the compliment you give most?
Day 246: what is your favorite city?
Day 247: your opinion on drinking/drugs
Day 248: who do you text most
Day 249: if you died tomorrow, would you want to tell anyone anything?
Day 250: write a short love story.
Day 251: what inspires you to write?
Day 252: list five things that make you happy
Day 253: list five things that make you sad
Day 254: list your five favorite foods
Day 255: list your five favorite drinks
Day 256: list five things you want to say to ten different people at this moment
Day 257: list five good things about your life
Day 258: list five bad things about your life
Day 259: list your family members and how they help you daily
Day 260: list your five favorite songs
Day 261: list what you did/plan to do today
Day 262: list your favorite stores
Day 263: list how you did your make up today
Day 264: how are you wearing your hair
Day 265: post a picture of your outfit, or explain it
Day 266: an old song you still like
Day 267: when you’ve had a terrible day, how do you deal with it?
Day 268: an overused saying.
Day 269: how are you similar to and different from the majority of Tumblr users?
Day 270: what would your dream house/apartment/castle/tree house/loft/bungalow/etc. look like?
Day 271: who makes you happier than anyone else?
Day 272: what was the worst thing to happen to you in middle school?
Day 273: seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day 274: six things you love
Day 275: five songs you like.
Day 276: four things you wish you could say, but might never.
Day 277: three things you miss
Day 278: two things you want.
Day 279: one story of a memory you have.
Day 280: what was the last movie you watched, write about it
Day 281: someone you would switch lives with for a day and why
Day 282: if you were stranded on an Island, who would be with you and which limited 10 items would you two have?
Day 283: describe your perfect date
Day 284: write the differences between you and your best friend
Day 285: what got you into this challenge?
Day 286: a picture of what you wore today
Day 287: a silly picture of you/ you & your friends
Day 288: last post you made on Tumblr that doesn’t involve a challenge?
Day 289: write a letter to your followers
Day 290: a video you would usually watch on YouTube
Day 291: what did you eat today?
Day 292: recommend a few Tumblrs and write why you recommended them.
Day 293: when you look outside step outside your front door of the house, what do you see?
Day 294: something that inspires you
Day 295: things you’re looking forward to next week -month
Day 296: create a collage of your pictures you take in 1 Day and post them up.
Day 297: when did you start wearing makeup?
Day 298: do you like to dress up or dress down for school
Day 299: A picture of someone you miss
Day 300: A picture of something you wish you were better at
Day 301: who is your favorite actor/actress and why?
Day 302: A picture of yourself and a family member
Day 303: last time you were sick, what did you have?
Day 304: What is your favorite kind of soup?
Day 305: which grade was your favorite? Why?
Day 306: what are the most distinct memories from preschool age and younger?
Day 307: what are the memories you have when you think of kindergarten?
Day 308: Write 5 things that sum you up. Include a picture with 1 or more of these things.
Day 309: Write about your crush. Write anything: if you’re friends, don’t talk, it’s going great or it’s complicated.
Day 310: What’s the meaning behind your URL? Why did you make a Tumblr?
Day 311: Is there drama in your life just now with friends and/or family? Write about it.
Day 312: What are you grateful for?
Day 313: Write about how you do your makeup/hair. Why do you do it that way?
Day 314: Write about your ideal partner in detail. Does your crush match the criteria? If no, talk about that.
Day 315: What is your definition of the word hate? Talk about 3 things you hate.
Day 316: What is your definition of the word love? Talk about 3 things you love.
Day 317: Your fears?
Day 318: Are you happy with how you look?
Day 319: If you could, would you rather live in the early 1900’s?
Day 320: Favorite book. Explain why you like it
Day 321: Worst book you have read. Explain why it is the worst
Day 322: A book you are willing to read, why.
Day 323: Your favorite quote of any of the books you have read
Day 324: Which book you want-need to be made into a movie?
Day 325: Favorite character of any book.
Day 326: Have you read HP? Did you like it? Yes no why?
Day 327: Have you read the twilight saga? Did you like it? Yes, no why?
Day 328: A book you recommend? Why?
Day 329: Ten Things that make you angry
Day 330: Ten things that make you happy
Day 331: Your favorite music
Day 332: Your favorite movies
Day 333: Where you want to be in ten years
Day 334: What you want from a relationship
Day 335: Which fictional character are you most like?
Day 336: Describe the worst day of your life
Day 337: Describe the best day of your life
Day 338: Your opinion on gay marriage
Day 339: Five positive traits you have
Day 340: Five negative traits you have
Day 341: Your views on religion
Day 342: Describe your relationship status
Day 343: what is the most inspirational thing you’ve ever heard
Day 344: the last person you texted— how do you know them?
Day 345: post a picture of yourself today
Day 346: what are your favorite types of shoes? Why?
Day 347: are you getting bored of this challenge?
Day 348: what’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done lately?
Day 349: what’s the way to win your heart?
Day 350: do you have any hard, life-changing choices to make, anytime soon?
Day 351: are you addicted to Facebook?
Day 352: do you know anyone with an outie belly button? Who?
Day 353: what quote do you live by?
Day 354: last time you cried, why was it?
Day 355: honestly, do you know all the words to your countries national anthem?
Day 356: what is your dream job?
Day 357: as a kid did you want to be a ninja turtle and/or power ranger? Which color?
Day 358: are you as addicted to tumblr as you were a year ago?
Day 359: describe what you normally do on a weekly basis. A little bit about your social life outside of the internet.
Day 360: a picture of what you wore today
Day 361: If you won the lottery, honestly, how would you spend the money?
Day 362: what is the biggest lie you’ve ever told. Why’d you tell it?
Day 363: do you know what your first post on tumblr was?
Day 364: have you changed much in the past year?
Day 365: what one thing would you change from this past year?
Day 366: look back to your first post of this challenge, asking ‘Post a picture of yourself and tell us your hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 Days’ did you achieve any of these goals? And post a picture.

Around The Stack In How Many Ways

2012-01-01T01:14:00.003-05:00

Found this challenge over at A Novel Challenge.

I've been slowing incorporating "other" types of books into my reading list, but I needed a kick to the butt to get moving into other areas, so I'm adding her suggested list here and we will see what happens. LOL.

Adventure – Treasure Island, Jamrach’s Menagerie.
Classic – As it says on the tin, pick a classic book from Dickens to Haddon.
Comedy/Black Comedy – Michael Chabon, Nick Hornby.
A Confederacy of Dunces ~ John Kennedy Toole
Crime/Mystery – Sherlock Holmes, Rebus, Lincoln Rhyme.
Drama – Graham Swift, Ishiguro, The Help.
Dystopian – Never Let Me Go, Margaret Atwood.
The Hunger Games ~ Suzanne Collins
Fantasy – Can be anything from Lord Of The Rings to The Dark Tower.
That Voodoo You Do ~ Jodi Redford
Gothic – Poe is a perfect example.
Graphic Novel – Anything from Marvel and DC to Jonathan Cape stuff.
Historical Fiction – Wolf Hall, Conn Iggulden.
Horror/Ghost Story – Stephen King, Clive Barker, Susan Hill.
Kids – Harry Potter, Narnia.
ABC ~ Dr Seuss
Literary – Just look at the past Booker lists. Read a winner for bonus points.
Poetry – Research something that grabs you.
Romance – Anything that has a love story at its centre.
Siren Call ~ Kimberly Llewellyn
Sci-Fi – Space Opera, China Mieville, Gollancz Classics.
Steampunk – Boneshaker, Affinity Bridge.
Thriller – Lee Child, Dan Brown.
War – Birdsong, My Dear I Wanted To Tell You.
Young Adult – There’s plenty out there, scour your local bookstore.
Vampire Academy ~ Richelle Mead

2012 - The Posts

2012-01-01T01:12:00.000-05:00

This year I'm doing thing a little different, but don't expect a big blog overhaul cause it ain't happening.

Bentos ~ I'm going to start focusing on them a little bit more (so that means the cooking posts stand a chance of increasing too) Some will be for me (and will not be cute) but since I have been decorating a least a box a week for my nephew, I'm hopeful that I'll be able to continue the trend in 2012.

Book Reviews ~ I reread books constantly and this year I'm gonna keep track of the rereads too. The posts will be set up in the format of new books (or books that have not been reviewed) will still contain the link to the review. Rereads will either have no link or an updated link based on how I felt when I reread the story. There will be an ongoing list starting with Feb 1st.

Challenges ~ Other than challenging myself, I've enjoyed them in the past & I may just get back into them since I've started reading again. LOL.

Crafting/Hobbies ~ Bunny & I have discussed things and we've decided that this year we want to start making a few things ourselves. Scrapbook is a definate (I'll shoot the pages and perhaps the logic behind them), on the maybe list is knitting, sewing, woodworking, and home made bath/beauty products.

Letters I'll Never Send ~ Expect at least one a month, I've got some angst to get out of my system.

Movie Reviews ~ I may just start a movie list too, haven't really made a definative choice on this. Any movie I have not previously reviewed will still get a post - that hasn't changed, but I'm not limiting them to Mondays any more.

My Life ~ check ins and updates, at this time I'm considering a monthly post, but I may change my mind lol I always do.

Videos & Music posts ~ I'm not sure I'll continue these. Maybe I'll do an as the mood hits type of thing.

Witchy Stuff ~ Expect more on these labels - after all, I've got a potential handfasting to plan & gots lots of ideas for some other interesting posts

2012 - Reading the Recommended Reads of 2011

2012-01-01T01:10:00.008-05:00

Ones marked with a strikethrough were read & reviewed in 2011 - some of them may be reread this year.

12.21.12 by Killian McRae
A B C's by Dr. Seuss 1-1-12
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole 1-16-12
~~A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness~~
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
A Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
A Most Dangerous Profession by Karen Hawkins
Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
After The Night by Linda Howard
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
An abundance of Katherines by John Green
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes
Ashfall by Mike Mullin
Awaken by a Kiss by Lila DiPasqua
Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan
Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
Balthasar's Odyssey by Amin Maalouf
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Black Girl, White Girl by Joyce Carol Oates
Blood Oath by Christopher Farnesworth
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
Broken Wing by Judith James
Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder
Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery
Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Dance upon the Air by Nora Roberts
Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn by Kris Radish
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between by J.A. Saare
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Dibs in Search of Self by Virgina M. Axline
Divergent by Veroncia Roth
Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams
Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
Dying to Live by Kim Paffenroth
East of Eden - John Steinbeck
Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho
Enclave by Ann Aguirre
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy
Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey
Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
Fateful by Claudia Gray
Feed by Mira Grant
Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James
Fire by Kristin Cashore
First Love Cookie Club by Lori Wilde
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
Give Me A Texan by Linda L. Broday
Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Grayton Beach Affair by James Harvey
~~Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling~~
~~Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling~~
~~Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling~~
~~Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K Rowling~~
Hex Hall ~ Rachel Hawkins 1-11-12
House of sand and Fog by Andre Dubos III
How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
I am not a serial killer by Dan Wells
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
I heart you, You haunt me by Lisa Schroeder
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
Into the Dream by William Sleator
Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahnuik
Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jellicoe Road by Marlina Marchetta
Katherine by Anya Seton
Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters
Later at the Bar by Rebecca Barry
Legend by Marie Lu
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Looking For Alaska by John Green
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Lover Awakened by J R Ward
Matched by Ally Condie
Matilda's Last Waltz by Tamara McKinley
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Mercy Kill by Lori Armstrong
~~Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs~~
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
Mistress by Anita Nair
~~Naked in Death by JD Robb~~
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
No Mercy by Lori Armstrong
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Old Magic by Marianne Curley
On The Edge by Ilona Andrews
On The Road by Jack Kerouac
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
One Fine Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marques
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Outlaw Hearts by Rosanne Bittner
Paper Towns by John Green
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Peter Pan by JM Barrie
Poison by Chris Woodling
Poison Study by Maria V.Snyder
~~Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman~~
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Rage by Julie Anne Peters
Reckoning for the Dead by Jordan Dane
Ride the Fire by Pamela Clare
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
Sahara by Clive Cussler
Savor The Danger by Lori Foster
Scars by Cheryl Rainfield
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Shogun by James Clavell
Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
South of Broad by Pat Conroy
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
Stone Cold by David Baldacci
Stray by Rachel Vincent
Sweet as Sin by Inez Kelley
Tall, Dark, and Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
The Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor
The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton
The Best Christmas Pagent Ever by Barbara Robinson
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Juniot Diaz
The Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones
The Caverns of Socrates by Dennis l. Mckiernan
The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz
The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter
The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder
The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver
The Drawing of the Dark by Tim Powers
The Eye of the World, by Robert Jordan
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
The False Princess ~ Eilis O'Neal 1-27-12
The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O.Shea
The Hunger Games ~ Suzanne Collins 1-6-12
The Hungry Tide by Amitav Gosh
The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
The Ivory and The Horn by Charles deLint
The Judas Strain by James Rollins
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle
The Legend of Michael by Lisa Renee Jones
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Long Hard Road Out of Hell by Marilyn Manson
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
The Manufactured Identity by Heath Sommer
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
The Name Of The Rose by Umberto Eco
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The New Girls by Beth Gutcheon
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
The Passage by Justin Cronin
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan
The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Salbine Sisters by Sarah Ettritch
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Solitaire Mystery by Jostein Gaarder
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz
The Stand by Stephen King
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wrobleski
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Unbecomming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins
The Valkyries by Paulo Coelho
The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
The World According To Garp by John Irving
The Zahir by Paulo Coehlo
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Tom Jones, History of a Foundling by Henry Fielding
Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce
Turn it Up by Inez Kelley
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Twilight Phantasies by Maggie Shayne
Tyger Tyger, by Kersten Hamilton
Un Lun Dun by China Mieville
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead 1-4-12
Water for Elephants by Sare Gruen
We, the Drowned by Carsten Jensen
What the Earl Desires by Aliyah Burke
White Cat by Holly Black
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
Wintertide by Michael J. Sullivan
Witchfire by Lauren Maddison
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
XVI by Julia Karr
You Against Me by Jenny Downham

2012 A-Z Reading Challenge

2012-01-01T01:07:00.020-05:00

I had fun with this challenge a couple of years ago - so I am challenging myself to read 3 books for each letter (but I bombed in 2011) I'll try again lol.

The title starts with the letter
The authors last name starts with the letter
The location starts with the letter (this can be city, state, country or realm)

A

B

Berkeley CA ~ Witches Under Way ~ Debora Geary

C
Catching Fire ~ Suzanne Collins

D

E

F

G

Galenorm, Yasmine ~ Courting Darkness

H
The Hunger Games ~ Suzanne Collins
Hawkins, Rachel ~ Hex Hall

I

J

Jones, Diana Wynne ~ Witch Week

K

L
Love's Magic ~ Traci E Hall

M
Mockingjay ~ Suzanne Collins
McGuiness, Kristen ~ 51-50

N
Necklace of Kisses ~ Francesca Lia Block

O
Oh, the Places You'll Go! ~ Dr Suess
O'Neal, Eilis ~ The False Princess
Ozak Mountains ~ Throwaway ~ Heather Huffman

P

Q

R

Richardson, Kim ~ Marked

S
Siren Call ~ Kimberly Llewellyn
Scott, Amber ~ Soul Search

T
That Voodoo You Do ~ Jodi Redford
Toole, John Kennedy ~ A Confederacy of Dunces

U

V
Vampire Academy ~ Richelle Mead

W
Would-Be Witch ~ Kimberly Frost

X

Y

Z

Book List Wrap Up 2011

2011-12-31T23:59:00.014-05:00

2011 Wrap Up

2011-12-31T05:59:00.000-05:00

I will reduce my amount of credit card debt - Nailed it, I reduced CC debt quiet a bit this year
I will save $1,000 this year - not really
I will collect $50 from Jim for cell phone each month or turn off phone - phone was shut offf
I will collect $50 from Shawn for cell phone each month or turn off phone - he's been paying his bill
I will put together a support system of people to help me stay motivated & accountable - yes & no, still working on it
I will create a reward system for accomplishing my goals - yes & no, still working on it
I will reduce the amount of stress I have - hmmm no
I will start meditating & work up to 10mins twice a week - hmmm no
I will figure out the best way to track my daily habits - hmmm no
I will plan out how to reach my goals/focusing on weekly progress - hmmm no
I will record my measurements and vital statistics once a month - hell no
I will reduce the number of carbs in my diet - some days
I will eliminate most processed carbs - once again some days
I will increase water consumption to 137 ounces daily - did pretty good on this one
I will cook at home 4 nights a week - yay, managed this goal most weeks
I will pack 4 Bentos a week - most weeks
I will plan meals in 2 week intervals - nope
I will grocery shop for healthy meals - yep
I will start doing cardio for 30min intervals 3 times a week - nope
I will start taking 2 classes a week at the gym - nope
I will start using my resistance bands - nope
I will stop complaining about the little things - yep, I got really good at this, maybe too good
I will clean/organize my storage shed - yep, it's all organized, now to get rid of EE's stuff
I will clean the lean too - well Bunny did this one, cause his stuff is in it
I will repack all of Jim's things in plastic totes in the lean too - yep yep
I will start recycling - paper, plastic & glass - nope
I will blog daily gratitude post - for a month
I will read & review one fiction book a week - I think I did okay with this
I will read & review one non-fiction book a week - hehehe I forgot to read a nonfiction book a week
I will read & review one erotic book a month - most months
I will go one day a month/week without my phone - some months yes
I will style my hair at least once a week - yep
I will cut/color my hair at least once a month - nope
I will wear make up 3 times a week - not a snowball chance in hell

Book: Diva Runs Out Of Thyme

2011-12-31T05:43:00.001-05:00

Krista Davis
Mystery
Berkley Prime Crime / 2008
Mass Market / 292 Pages
Series Domestic Diva #1

Gracious living can be murder. First in an all-new mystery series— includes delicious recipes and great tips on entertaining!
Few can compete with Natasha Smith when it comes to entertaining, but her childhood rival, Sophie Winston, certainly tries. Natasha may have stolen the spotlight—and Sophie's husband—but Sophie is determined to rob her of the prize for the Stupendous Stuffing Shakedown. She just needs the right ingredient.
But Sophie's search for the perfect turkey takes a basting when she stumbles across a corpse. And when the police find her name and photo inside the victim's car, Sophie will have to set her trussing aside to solve the murder—or she'll be serving up prison grub.

I picked this book up because Cruising some of the lists on Good Reads
What I liked the Most? Everything really

What I liked the Least? Natasha – she is an imitation Martha Stewart. There is no one, including Martha, who could know so much about so many different things and if you have time to do all the stuff they suggest, you need to "get a life."

Review: I loved loved loved the freshness of this book. There was a really excellent mystery (with lots of different tangles and twisties), a little bit of romance, some family drama, interesting animal interaction and a yet to be seen but felt ghost. Yes it does have some of the feel of a Cat Who book or others of the ilk, but this book stands on it’s own as a good fun read.

Recommended to: Fans of cute mysteries

Best Quote: I’m not putting one of her tacky wreaths on my door. And I’m not planting topiary in urns, either.

Book: Lye in Wait

2011-12-30T05:49:00.001-05:00

Cricket McRae
Mystery
Midnight Ink / 2007
Mass Market / 336 Pages
Series Home Crafting #1

That's just what Sophie Mae Reynolds finds in her workroom: the corpse of Walter Hanover, the neighborhood handyman. He died from drinking lye, something she has in good supply. But the police don't suspect Sophie Mae, a thirty-something widow who makes and sells beauty products. Instead they call it a suicide. But why would a man with lottery cash and a loving fiancée kill himself?

No one can stop the impulsive Sophie Mae from answering this riddle, not her sensible best friend Meghan or Detective Ambrose, who incites annoyance as well as stomach flutters. Sophie Mae's big mouth and sharp nose lead her to a peppermint-scented trail of arson, bigamy, and a shocking family secret that reveals a personal connection to Walter . . . and his killer.

This crafty new series features real recipes and a blundering, yet lovable, amateur sleuth who brings a fresh face to cozy mysteries.

I picked this book up because Cruising some of the lists on Good Reads

What I liked the Most? the insights into home crafting cosmological

What I liked the Least? The name Sophia Mae – it drove me bonkers lol

Review: This one wasn’t as good as some of the others I read this year, but I’m willing to give the next one a go. It was an interesting book with really good characters and a solid story line. The “coincidences” were a bit over the top, but still decent.

Basically a nice cozy read – full of good coffee, tea, and a little romance.

Recommended to: fans of cute mysteries (not much depth)

Best Quote: “He gave me other ones too, I just thought they were plain old baseballs.”

Book: Spying in High Heels

2011-12-28T01:59:00.003-05:00

Gemma Halliday
Mystery
Making It / 2006
Mass Market / 324 Pages
Series High Heels Mystery #1

L.A. shoe designer, Maddie Springer, lives her life by three rules: Fashion. Fashion. Fashion. But when she stumbles upon the work of a brutal killer, her life takes an unexpected turn from Manolos to murder. And things only get worse when her boyfriend disappears - along with AUD20 million in embezzled funds - and her every move is suddenly under scrutiny by the LAPD's sexiest cop. With the help of her post-menopausal bridezilla of a mother, a 300 pound psychic and one seriously oversexed best friend, Maddie finds herself stepping out of her stilettos and onto the trail of a murderer. But can she catch a killer before the killer catches up to her...

I picked this book up because I was looking for something new to read

What I liked the Most? The fact that Maddie found herself

What I liked the Least? Valley Girl speak

Review: Well this was a bit better than I thought it would be, but not as good as I hoped. It’s a light fun hearted “beach” read, don’t expect anything more out of it. The characters were all very flat and it’s hard to care for them. But like cotton candy at the fair, it’s a good time if you let. It’s kinda like a west coast Stephanie Plum with out the interesting back ground characters.

Recommended to: Fans of the absurd

Best Quote: I’m way too strong to be sucked down by a guy like you. I can hold my own, but I can’t hold us both up.

The Power Of One

2011-12-27T14:09:00.000-05:00

What if it all depended on me
To change the world, to change the world?
What if my only responsibility was
To change the world, change the world?

Let me be the one to start a revolution
Let me sing my song to the people of the world

It all begins with one, the power of one
Joining the hundreds of millions of people believing
In one, the power of one
Don't hang around, stand up or sit down and believe

We can change the world together
We can change the world together

What kind of love can conquer disease?
And change the world, change the world?
What I can do to make poverty history
And change the world, change the world?

Let me be the one to start a revolution
Let me sing my song to the people of the world
To the children of the world

It all begins with one, the power of one
Joining the hundreds of millions of people believing
In one, the power of one
Don't hang around, stand up or sit down and believe

We can change the world together
We can change the world together

Please don't close your eyes, please don't turn away
Let your voices rise, put love on display
And make a difference now
I believe you and me can make a difference now

It all begins with one, the power of one
Joining the hundreds of millions of people believing
In one, the power of one
Don't hang around, stand up or sit down and believe

We can change the world together
We can change the world together
We can change the world together

It all begins with one
It all begins with one

You and me can make it, you and me can make it
You and me can make it better together
You and me can make it, you and me can make it
You and me can make it better together with one

Resolutions

2011-12-26T04:46:00.002-05:00

1. Are you making New Year's resolutions this year?

Probably

2. Did you make any resolutions last year? Did you stick to them?

Yes / Somewhat

3. What are the top 5 things you hope will happen to you this year?

1) Get out of debt
2) Move
3) Gain my healthy weight goal
4) Become an Aunt again this year
5) Get married

4. What are the 5 things you will remember most from 2011?

1) Divorce
2) Grandpas Passing
3) Family Drama
4) Family Illnesses
5) Riding an emotional roller coaster from Hell

5. How do you plan to spend New Year's Eve?

Quietly

Mary, Did You Know

2011-12-25T13:53:00.000-05:00

I'm not Christian but this song pulls my heart strings

Book: The Sex Club

2011-12-23T02:59:00.003-05:00

L J Sellers
Mystery
Spellbinder Press / 2007
Mass Market / 347 Pages
Series Detective Jackson Mystery

A pipe bomb explodes at a birth control clinic, then a young client turns up dead in a dumpster. Kera, the clinic nurse, discovers that the girl's Bible group is sharing more than the Good News. Confidentiality keeps her from telling the police, so she digs for the truth on her own-becoming the bomber's new target. Meanwhile, Detective Jackson races to find the killer, fearing that his own daughter could be next. But his investigation is blocked by power politics at every step. Can Jackson uncover the killer's shocking identity in time to stop the slaughter?(

I picked this book up because Interesting title & cover
What I liked the Most? The twists

What I liked the Least? The inconsistency

Review: This is a decent story but very inconsistent and I find that disturbing. I’m

Recommended to: I’m not 100% certain I would recommend this one

Best Quote: No sticking quotes

Tuning into Your Inner Buddy

2011-12-22T10:38:00.000-05:00

Tuning into Your Inner Buddy

Gotta hand it to the Oprah Life Classes – I’m having a blast using the website to further myself. I was using the exercises to help locate that innocent little voice.

1) WWBD: I am conflicted on my relationship with Bunny.
a. Take a break and recenter
b. Relax and let my true feelings show
c. Would hold my feelings in the highest regard
2) Nightmare Board/Wisdom Board
a. Create a nightmare vision board
b. Create a positive board dealing with the same issue
c. Shred or Burn the nightmare board
3) Vocab Rehab – Take 10 mins and write a description of your life (don’t judge, just write) – go over your description & locate all negative words and transform them into positivity.

My current life is one of ~~great personal conflict~~many choices. I am not happy with where I am at but I ~~feel incapable~~in control of making the changes that I need at this time. I am in a relationship that does not bring me happiness or peace but has the potential to be everything that I’ve ever wanted in a partner. I have failed to maintain my personal health goals & constantly choose “comfort” foods over healthy foods. I am a ~~fat unhealthy bag of emotional destitute craving redemption~~ Goddess worthy of love and devotion. Why do I get the feeling that this journal entry will not make it onto my blog. I’m just kinda trashing myself but that is what I feeling at the moment. I couldn’t get into Halloween my most favorite holiday – I’m not feeling the fall spirit – I’m afraid that my Scroogish Father & Grumpy BF will taint my feelings towards Christmas this year. I don’t know what to do about anything. Because I work at night & technically I am off during the day (should be sleeping ya know) my Dad seems to feel that I can take all the GM care off his shoulders and while I do not really care one way or the other – I feel like I am constantly being taken advantage of. No one ever says thank you or good job. Not in my personal life, not in my professional life, no where. A simple thank you would make me feel so much better about things. That is why I started making Lucas’ lunch boxes – I figured I would get a thank you from him, but I don’t.

Oh shit I just realized that I’m not going to have my sister here for Black Friday sales – that sucks ass and on that note I can’t do 10 mins – my brain won’t focus.

Season 4

2011-12-21T05:02:00.000-05:00

Episode 1: Shalom 9-19-06
Ziva witnesses a bombing and an old ally. The FBI, wants her for the bombing. She can't turn to new team leader, DiNozzo, Director Shepherd or her father. So she calls on the one person who can help her in this situation, Gibbs, who just recently retired.

Quote of the Show:

Hey! My team now. My rules. DiNozzo's rule number one, I don't sit on the sidelines while one of my people are in trouble.

Episode 2: Escaped 9-26-06
A man convicted of murder escapes; he goes to one of the people responsible for putting him in prison, FBI agent Fornell. He asks Fornell to reopen the case, while Fornell's daughter Emily is nearby. Fornell asks Gibbs to help track him down, since Gibbs helped get him the first time. Gibbs puts his retirement on hold to catch him. His former team is now being led.

Quote of the Show:

Don't talk to me. I think he should shoot you... Except he's never been a killer.

Episode 3: Singled Out 10-3-06
Navy computer programmer lieutenant Anne Sullivan's bloody car is found; she was kidnapped. She was gathering profiles of men -not criminals, from an Internet speed-dating service. Forensics finds the abduction and car theft are separate crimes, or at least committed by other criminals. Yet there is a link to another crime. Meanwhile Tony is discretely offered his own team now Gibbs is back for good, but hesitates whether to 'desert'.

Quote of the Show:

Oh trust me, when DiNozzo thinks he's ready for his own team, you'll know about it. Hell, the whole world will know about it!

Episode 4: Faking It 10-10-06
Chief petty officer Jack Vale hits a police car and while dying writes NCIS in his blood. The cops accidentally arrested a man with ID as John T. Stevens, who is identified by fingerprints as ex-Spetnaz Russian terrorist Nikolai Puchenko. Vale's last call was to report Puchenko? Ducky finds the bullet missing, but no exit hole. Vale has a CIA undercover past to chase arms dealers. Gibbs gets NCIS Agent Mike Franks, who investigated that case. Home Security agent Roy Carver demands Puchenko as his undercover operative. Accomplice Arkady Kobach is feared.

Quote of the Show:

"Actually, yes sweetheart, your butt looks as big as Alabama. Didn't want to say anything, but you've got the 'bama butt going on."

Episode 5: Dead and Unburied 10-17-06
A marine's body is found inside a new home. The body had been buried, then dug up, and put in the home. His 2 fiancées have been receiving letters from him for the past few months. Did one of them get wise?

Quote of the Show:

Looks like sisal. It's a naturally stiff fiber woven from the leaf of the cactus plant. It doesn't matt, trap dust, build static, makes it ideal for carpeting. Personally, I prefer a good shag.

Episode 6: Witch Hunt 10-31-06
It's Halloween and the NCIS team is busy investigating a ransom case. A Marine's daughter has been kidnapped after the kidnapper attacked a Marine in his home. The investigation leads them to a fact that the couple has been separated. They decide to focus on the wife's ex-boyfriend, after learning that the woman is the one who destroyed their marriage. Meanwhile, McGee and Tony are stunned by Abby's Halloween costume.

Quote of the Show:

"The sky is blue, the grass is green, may we have our Halloween?" That was how we used to say "Trick or treat" in Scotland.”

Episode 7: Sandblast 11-7-06
While marine colonel Frederick Cooper tells his son Josh he's leaving the US on another 18 months tour at the Army-Navy golf club, he hits a fatal bomb. The only trace is an anonymous CIA tip, which McGee hacks trough Home Security. That leads to a warehouse, where another bomb awaits NCIS. The tip came from friendly Muslim shopkeeper Mamoun Sharif. Tony turns surrogate-dad to talk Josh out of giving up Princeton to join the military for revenge. Gibbs seems to enjoy collaborating with Army Lt. Col. Hollis Mann.

Quote of the Show:

Josh: They killed my dad! What would you do?
Tony: I'd want justice. What you're looking for is revenge.
Josh: That's right. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Tony: See, that just leaves you with a bunch of toothless blind people.

Episode 8: Once A Hero 11-14-06
While Tony and Ziva guard the director at a security agencies DC summit, homeless marine vet sergeant Brian T. Wright nearly drops dead on top of her. The more likely target is the Defence Secretary. Congressman Frank Getz's aid testifies that he saw him jump. A recent Fujian (China)- immigrated peasant girl's murdered body is found in the hotel room Wright stood in front of. But did Wright kill her, and did he commit suicide? Fancy forensics -Abbey even sweet-talks her way to an expensive super-microscope- spirals to the truth about both deaths and another crime.

Quote of the Show:

No, but you're not a... Well, I mean, you're a woman. You're just not a... not a normal...

Episode 9: Twisted Sister 11-21-06
Mc'Gee's restless writing night turns nightmarish when his under-age sister Sara turns up, with bloody hands and a constantly changing story. She's drunk and never could hold her liquor, but is the part she murdered someone without remembering who or why also imagined, or a recollection from a 4 hours black-out? Alas, the fatally stabbed corpse which NCIS investigates on Waverly, her college campus, is that of USS Enterpise seaman Jeff Petty, who dumped Sara for a cheerleader a year earlier. Her cellphone on the corpse puts Gibbs on that trace, and betrays Tim's (dis)loyal silence. She flees, while clues pile up against her or an accident, then returns to the library and gives away Tim's murder novel-writing to the team. Tony has an uncharacteristic dating problem.

Quote of the Show:

No, but you're not a... Well, I mean, you're a woman. You're just not a... not a normal...

Episode 10: Smoked 11-28-06
Construction workers find a smoke-reserved body of a man in a Quantico USMC base high-school chimney. With great difficulty he's established to be the sole suspect in FBI Agent T.C. Fornell's serial killing case: 14 women, left toe cannibalized. He's identified as building inspector Charles Bright, reported missing 5 years ago by his wife, who maintains he wasn't bad at all. More bodies are found in his yard, same MO, and all resembling her.

Quote of the Show:

What was a toe doing in her husband's stomach?

Episode 11: Driven 12-12-06
When a highly classified robotic vehicle called "Otto" causes the death of a Navy Lieutenant, Gibbs and the team initially think the cause of death is suicide. But when Otto apparently malfunctions and puts Abby's life at risk, the team realizes that the vehicle had been sabotaged and the Lieutenant was murdered. Meanwhile, Ziva is concerned by Tony's secretive trips to the hospital.

Quote of the Show:

Tony: Curious to find out what follows "red light" behavior, Ziva?
Ziva: Uh... potential pregnancy?

Episode 12: Suspicion 1-16-07
When a high-level Marine intelligence officer is found murdered in a small motel room, the NCIS team must find the person who murdered her. After discovering that the person was dead for already three days, and that the town authorities already "investigated" the crime, Gibbs is determined to solve the case, which could be related to a terrorist cell, and not let the town authorities get in his way.

Quote of the Show:

Gibbs: Give me some good news, Abby.
Abby: I'm not pregnant.
Gibbs: Too much information.

Episode 13: Sharif Returns 1-23-07
Marine corps NBC preparedness liaison officer major John McGuire is found dead, locked up after a dose of BZ nerve gas. A camera traces the gas to terrorist Mamoun Sharif. Also on the case is the CIA, and to Gibbs's delight Army lieutenant colonel Hollis Mann while he gets charge. Ten kilos gas stolen from a lab which tests its effects legally, but with clever twists from both his accomplice and Sharif.

Quote of the Show:

But Gibbs, you know me better than anyone else. And when you're going to make a decision that's going to affect the rest of your life, you need the person around you that knows you best for guidance. Please!

Episode 14: Blowback 2-6-07
NCIS manages to kidnap Israeli arms smuggler Eli 'Goliath' Lissack, who saves his neck by betraying a big deal: the sale of top-secret Navy launch codes encryption system ARES. This proves to fit an operation only Tony was privy to, chasing the director's favorite pray, La Grenouille. However it becomes necessary to use the tech skills and- Ducky's British style to play the vending traitor.

Quote of the Show:

GIVE ME THE DIAMONDS!

Episode 15: Friends & Lovers 2-13-07
Petty officer Evan Davidson is found in an abandoned Georgetown home, dead for days after a heavy night drinking. What seemed alcohol OD is in fact oleander poisoning. In collaboration with two civilian Metro Police detectives, a series of clues leads to Scott Pell's exclusive and discrete night club, and a vagrant who stole Davidson's wallet. Deliberate clues only an expert could plant and strangely related other murders. Meanwhile Tony's date Jeanne Benoit must deal with her other relationship, which she's denying.

Quote of the Show:

I don't know where your SIG is, but I'm having trouble walking.

Episode 16: Dead Man Walking 2-20-07
Young Navy lieutenant Roy Sanders, who works on Mark Sadowski's team on International Atomic Energy Agency missions, asks NCIS to investigate 'his murder', having being radioactively poisoned. He keeps getting worse while the radiation source is hard to identify. Ziva works out she knows Roy from a common jogging trail, and falls for the hunky gentleman's charms. His colleagues are the only logical suspects.

Quote of the Show:

Can't die unless you see a lawyer.

Episode 17: Skeletons 2-27-07
Some maintenance workers open a crypt, and it explodes. They find some skeletons in what was supposed to be an empty unit. Ducky finds out there multiple skeleton parts, NCIS must track down a serial killer.
Quote of the Show:

No, Abby's un-Abby.

Episode 18: Iceman 3-20-07
Marine Corporal Liam Ryan O'Neill, communications specialist in a field hospital in Bagdad on leave, was found dead, frozen in a snow drift in a park. When Duckie prepares for his autopsy, he awakes, but goes on a ventilator in possibly terminal condition; he was held down violently by the head. Liam's car, jacket and wallet are found, not robbed; a restaurant ticket proves he made a private trip back to Bagdad, allegedly to visit a shot unit comrade; the pilot, Nick Taylor, noticed suspicious armed men awaited him at the airport. In hospital Liam is visited by Gibbs' acquaintance NIS Agent Mike Franks, who says to be Liam's father, but came too late to find out why Liam needed help, yet his prints are found in the car. There is also a trail to loan shark Jimmy Shaloub, who says he refused to lend Liam $25,000. Then someone kills Nick Taylor and three of his fright carrier Fast Flight's illegal passengers, all criminals..

Quote of the Show:

That's my point exacly. Tardiness is my middle name. In fact, it's expected of me. You, on the other hand, have become the poster girl for punctuality.

Episode 19: Grace Period 4-3-07
Cassidy's team gets a tip on a terrorist plot, when they investigate. The agents are killed by a suicide bomber. Cassidy teams with Gibbs' team to find out who set up her agents. Ducky and Abby find evidence that seems to contradict each other. Gibbs reveals a secret to his team that affects some of his agents.

Quote of the Show:

Say a prayer for your team, Cassidy. We'll do the heavy lifting.

Episode 20: Cover Story 4-10-07
While processing evidence from a crime scene, McGee is shocked when he discovers a link to his newest/unfinished novel. When the team finds 2 bodies, the race is on to find the killer and his link to McGee's work. McGee finally admits he based his characters off his co-workers.

Quote of the Show:

At the end of Deep Six, goth forensic specialist "Amy Sutton" broke up with her boyfriend because she was digging someone else. Who's the somebody else?

Episode 21: Brothers in Arms 4-24-07
When CSI director Jenny Shepard, such a bitch that everybody draws straws who has to go talk to her, personally meets with Trent Kort, a CIA informant on arms-dealer La Grenouille's activities, he is shot right there. Senior FBI Agent T.C. Fornell is assigned to liaison with Langley. Gibbs and his team still try hard to help her. Ducky finds Jenny irrationally obsessed with La Grenouille, and she shoots star-witness Elroy Webster. They follow a tip the only hit-man La Grenouille would have used is Andre Jones. Tony sweats more meeting his girl-friend Jeanne Benoit's divorced mother, Dr. Helen Berkley

Quote of the Show:

I know who you are, my daughter told me you'd be the one in the over-priced shoes.

Episode 22: In the Dark 5-1-07
Photographer Jackson Scott, who follows his other senses since he became blind, took a picture of a corpse everybody else passed by, Petty Officer Peter Lynn from military procurement, whose stomach content indicates the exact same last meal as the vomit left by the fatal stabber who probably only made it appear like a mobbing. Lynn was the object of a naval investigation for malversations. Lynn's colleague David Wong, whose car was at the restaurant where he last ate, is missing and gets found, hung by the neck: suicide or murder?

Quote of the Show:

I am gonna say something. You're making a mistake. You're gonna wake up in a week or a month and you're gonna realise that you threw away something good, and it's gonna be too late. You know, I realise that there are three billion men in the world and they don't all have to want me, but you should want me. The fact that you don't, it just makes me wonder why I ever wanted you in the first place.

Episode 23: Trojan Horse 5-8-07
While Director Shepherd enjoys being in Paris for an Interpol conference on fighting terrorism, Leroy Jethro Gibbs is designated as acting Director, but couldn't care less for the paperwork, so after only four days Gibbs rather spends his time heading the investigation into the death in a cab of a man on his way to NCIS. Ducky and Abby have a hard time finding the toxic death cause, but the victim is identified as Jemenite embassy gardener (a cover) Jamal Nahan from a list of seven names in his wallet, four of the others are already dead, just not Brown and Smith. The cab driver has a live secret to hide...

Quote of the Show:

I take it walking in my heels has presented a challenge.

Episode 24: Angel of Death 5-22-07
Director Shepard returns and finds evidence that someone from her past may still be alive. NCIS must undergo polygraph tests, ordered by Homeland Security. While Gibbs investigates who ordered the tests, Tony and Jeanne face a crisis together.

Quote of the Show:

If it's unethical I can't hear it.

Book: The Trouble With Spells

2011-12-21T04:08:00.003-05:00

Lacey Weatherford
Young Adult
Moonstruck Media / 2011
Mass Market / 244 Pages
Series Of Witches and Warlocks #1

Portia Mullins had always lived the life of a normal teenager, up until her sixteenth birthday. She is then informed by her grandma that she is actually a witch who is a descendant of a long line of witches and warlocks. After overcoming her disbelief she finds that being a member of the coven comes with one great perk in the form of the school's handsome bad boy, Vance Mangum. Vance and Portia have an immediate connection as a budding romance begins, only to be threatened by turbulent skies on the horizon as Vance's checkered past rears its ugly head to haunt them. Portia is forced to use her untried powers in defense of everything she loves in a desperate attempt to hold on to the one thing that really matters in her life.

I picked this book up because the blurb sounded interesting

What I liked the Most? Some of the spell work was cool

What I liked the Least? Trying to mainstream witches by turning them Christian

Review: OMG – I thought I was reading Twilight all over again and that book sucked as. I don’t see what is so romantic about a stalker and that is what Vance is – a stalker. During the two years between the opening of the book & the “meat” of the story, he spent time stalking Portia, spending time in front of her house & even her bedroom window.

On her 16th birthday Portia is told that she is a witch and giving the opportunity to join her family coven, where (dun-dun-duhn) Vance is there. What follows is a fast down ward spiral into kiddie sexual tension and overwhelming “need” to spend every moment together. Instant soul mate connection. Yeah right.

The writing was beautiful don’t get me wrong – I loved the pacing and the descriptive narrative, it’s just I couldn’t get past the nightmare of being hunted by the one who supposedly loves me.

Recommended to: Absolutely no one

Best Quote: “I made up my mind in that moment I wasn’t going to have sex until I was married. If I was married to someone, then it meant I’d be able to be in a real relationship with someone I really loved, not some poor one-night stand who happened to be an unfortunate victim of my circumstances.”