who knew?

Who knew "Chuck" could sing?? You look at him and all you see is a cute nerd, but boy can this guy sing!! His voice is amazing and gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it. I used to tease a friend of mine who used to say she wanted to marry Micheal Buble's voice but, if I could, I would marry Zachery Levi's voice! Sigh. I want him to come sing me a lullaby every night. Think he would? That would be awesome.

reading rainbow

When I was younger I watched "Reading Rainbow" every day. I think this is partly where my love of reading and books came from. I love the adventure that comes from reading. When you pick up a book you are instantly transported into another world and are introduced to new friends. I always wanted to be one of the kids that got to be on the show giving a book report about an awesome book they had just read. I always thought it would be so cool to be able to be on that show.

Since that show isn't on anymore and I can't fulfil my childhood dream of giving a book report on TV, I'll just have to settle with giving my book report here on my blog. Ready? Here we go!

Hi! My name is Cheryl and I just read this book: "The Kiss of a Stranger" by Sarah M. Eden. I started reading this book yesterday and finished it in about 5 hours. I couldn't put it down! The main characters: Crispin and Catherine are as different as they come at first meeting, and because of a misunderstanding are forced into a quick marriage. More misunderstandings abound as these two are thrown together and have to navigate the gossiping social elite. Crispin learns his new bride hasn't had a very easy life and tries to help her overcome the pain in her past while helping to introduce her to the ways of society. While doing this feelings begin to develop but can these two strangers become friends or, even more, learn to love each other? Besides the fact that the main character's name (Crispin) makes me giggle, this book has some of the most delicious kisses and tender and intimate moments written between a man and a woman. This fantastically written, Jane Austen-esque romance is one you won't regret!

the kiss of a stranger

Since I finished my Master's degree program last week (go me!) I now have a lot more time to devote to one of my true loves: reading. Having come to this realization today I decided to go to the bookstore and peruse the shelves in hopes of finding something to pique my interest and occupy my time (at least for the next day or two). In my search I found: "The Kiss of a Stranger" by Sarah Eden. The title alone was enought to catch my attention (I mean, come on....who doesn't want to be kissed by a stranger?!) so I picked it up and read the back. Scandalous kisses in a garden, a hurried and forced marriage, two people learning to live with and like each other, and the possibility of true love at the end?? Sign me up!! And so, tonight I am escaping into this fantasy land--curled up on my couch under a snuggly blanket with some M&M's--in search of some romance (since I can't seem to find any for myself here in reality). I shall let you know what I think of the book once I'm through. :)

christmas 2010

Christmas 2010: a success! Time with family, lots of good food, playing games, watching movies, and 4 days off work. Friday night (Christmas Eve) we started our celebration with a family "Festive Headwear Dinner" (see picture above) and a very nice program put together by Steven and Kristen. Then we opened up our sibling gifts. I received the "Eclipse" Board Game and a gift certificate to "Fasion Bug" from Steven. I gave J.R. an awesome silk knit tie and a "Robot Wars" kit. I made a gluten-free Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Cream Cheese frosting and a Cherry-Walnut Crumb Cake for dessert. Both were yummy but my personal favorite was the Pumpkin Spice Cake. Santa came and Saturday was spent opening presents, eating more good food, playing games (I got "Boxers or Briefs"..a very funny game) and driving out to say hi and Merry Christmas to Grandma and Grandpa McLaws.

Sunday I went to church with Mom and Dad and the girls and played a piano duet with Mom. The rest of Sunday was jsut a nice day spent relaxing at home. Monday I went shopping with Faith (I got a dress, a skirt, a sweater, and three T-shirt), then Faith, Julia, and I went to see Tangled. I heart Flynn Rider!!

disappointed

I've watched Bones since the beginning. I'm disappointed in this season. That is all.

i am thankful for...

I am thankful for the miracle of modern medicine. I had minor surgery on my thumb in April and my nephew had open heart surgery in October. Although you can't compare having a thumbnail removed to having your heart operated on, I am grateful for doctors and medicine and the miraculous procedure that has made it so my nephew will have a heathly, happy life.

I am thankful for best friends who get me and put up with my idosyncacies and faults. I know I'm not often the easiest person to love or live with but I appreciate all of the wonderful friends I have in my life who love me and who I know are there for me whenever I need them.

I am thankful for my family. I know that I am extremely blessed to have been given the family I have and I try very hard not to take any of them for granted. We may not always get along and we may not always see eye-to-eye on things, but I love them and I don't know what I would do without them in my life. They are some of my best friends.

I am thankful for my house. The last 5 months of home ownership have been interesting. More bills, more responsibilites, and more stress but it's worth it. I love my house and I feel very blessed for being led to it and for being able to buy it. I know that this is where I am supposed to be right now and I'm happy.

I am thankful for popcorn. It's one of life's little joys.

I am thankful for Mint M&M's. They only come out this time of year and they make me happy.

I am thankful for music. This past year I've been able to go to three concerts: Honor Society with my sisters, Backstreet Boys with Kristy, and Train with Katy. Each concert was great for different reasons and because of the people I got to share them with. I was also able to purchase a piano this year which has allowed me to once more play the music I love.

I am thankful for education. I started my Master's degree program a year ago March and I will be done Decmeber 20th! It has been an interesting, frustrating, stressful, insightful experience but my journey isn't over. This is just the first step. Next year will begin step two and I will keep you all informed as the process unfolds.

I am thankful for so many other things, but these are the big ones that stuck out to me as I was reviewing this past year. I am thankful for each of you in my life and I hope this holiday season and the upcoming New Year will bring you peace, hope, and love.

wind damage

Yesterday an unexpected microburst/hail storm moved through the Valley of the Sun. Caught all of us desert rats by surprised and did some significant damage in places. There are even rumors of a funnel cloud or two that were spotted in the area. The drive home was exciting as the majority of the people who live here in Arizona have no idea how to drive in the rain, giving those of us who do (I took Driver's Ed and learned how to drive while living up in Portland, Oregon) something to laugh about. It was also very entertaining watching the 10 o'clock news last night and hearing about everyone's "near-death" experiences with the hail and how they "weren't sure they were going to survive" the three feet of water that they decided to drive their car into on the freeway. No joke, one guy last night said he didn't know what he was going to do because it was "ice cold water." O_o

Uhm...do you know how to swim? No, strike that. Do you know how to WADE? It's water!!!

Unfortunately, we were not spared over here on Boston St. I came home to find my shed tipped over in the backyard and half of my neighbor's back porch awning hanging over the porch and into my yard.



Katy and I were able to get the shed back upright, but the neighbor's roof is still hanging over the fence. The pool was FULL of leaves and Wall-E (that's what my niece named my pool vacuum) is out there working overtime right now as I am typing this. Also, I'm not sure if the tree that was hit by the roof is going to make it. We'll have to see.

I am thankful that the damage wasn't any worse than it was.