Gisela
More about this to come!







Gisela
I chose my latest read because it was the sequel to my book #10- The Trophy Wives Club. I have to say, I did not enjoy this book as much as the first in the series. This book did not focus on the same main character as the original. Instead, Back to Life was told by two characters- Lindsey and Jane, both who had been married to the same man, Ron. Lindsey is Ron's widow, however, after his death his ex-wife Jane appears because she is in charge of his will. The story goes back and forth between Lindsey and Jane, their relationship with Ron, and the similaries and differences between the women.

To be honest, I was really a bit bored with the story overall. The book did have a stronger ending than the first in the series, but Back to Life moved slowly and was just lacking in excitement for me.

Gisela
So, as I mentioned in my previous post I have broken a bone. To be more accurate, I've broken several. Each arm twice and a stress fracture on my hip. The first three arm breaks were within a four month period. Yes, three breaks in four months- first was my left arm (I fell down roller skating), then my right arm (fell from a pile of logs), and then the week after I got that cast off I broke it again (fell off my bike). I was five years old and in kindergarten. I wondered if DYFS was ever called, but my mom says that school just asked me a bunch of questions. Apparently I was able to explain that I'm just klutzy!



The next break was a few years later when I was eight. Once again, I was roller skating. Same skating rink. Broke the same arm. I think my orthopedic doctor really liked me. I'm sure my parents wanted to put me in a bubble! The stress fracture on my hip was when I was in high school. NOT pleasant at all, and that hip still irritates me at times. I joke that I'll need a hip replacement by the time I'm forty.



I have had plenty of other klutzy moments. I tripped over a curb and busted my chin open...had to get a few stitches. I've slipped on a patch of black ice and sprained my arm- although had to get X-Rays for that, because it was swollen and hurt like heck. When I took gym in ninth grade I managed to get hurt playing every sport...hit in the face with a basketball (yes, I was a basketball player, too), had a lacrosse stick hit me across the nose (lovely black eye), and heck, I even managed to cut my thumb open on a badminton racquet. Seriously, WHO gets hurt playing badminton? Yours truly!



I do klutzy things on a fairly regular basis, and most don't involve serious physical injury. I walk into walls, fall down AND up stairs, trip over my own feet. I'm a mess sometimes! I sure do hope my kids do NOT inherit my klutziness. And I sure hope they don't have nearly as many broken bones as I have had! Personally, I could do without any!



Gisela
I saw this posted on another blog, and I thought it might be interesting. In completing this I think I have gathered some ideas for some future posts. But feel free to ask questions about any of these. And when all is said and done, you may find some interesting things out about me.



Instructions: The post is a list of 99 random things. Bold the ones that you yourself have done (I highlighted mine in red). And for some I added my own little commentary.

1. Started your own blog (I suppose you already knew this if you're here though)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (I played the clarinet in middle school)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disney World (going again in June, CAN'T WAIT!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (ok...nowhere exotic, but I've been on the Spirit of Baltimore and Spirit of Philadelphia!)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (visited Germany in 1995 and I cannot wait until I have the opportunity to go back)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Learned a new language (I learned Spanish and forgot most of it. When my 3 year old son asked me how to say 'goodbye' in Spanish I had to Google it. No lie.)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (Cozumel, Mexico- absolutely amazing!)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (I took Tae Kwon Do as a kid.)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (I've actually broken several bones. Including 3 broken arms in a period of 4 months. Yes, I am quite klutzy!)
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car (And we still have that car! I no longer drive it on a regular basis, but I love it!)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (fishing counts, right?)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo (when I was 19, about a month before I met my husband. He doesn't like tattoos though, so no more for me.)
94. Had a baby (Two of them actually!)
95. Seen the Alamo in person (I'd love to go back to San Antonio...I love Texas!)
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee (Yes, including in the corner of my eye and inside my mouth. Fortunately I am not allergic, and bees really don't bother me. Don't tell, but my husband is terrified of them!)

Gisela
My little Irish boys (they get their Irish from their daddy...not me!) sporting their green!



Gisela

My latest read was Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline. This was a chick-lit, mystery/thriller type story...in other words, right up my alley! In this story the main character, Mary, is trying to find her high school rival, Trish, who has gone missing after coming to Mary (a lawyer) for help because she fears her Mob boyfriend is going to kill her. The story takes place in Philly, and I later found out Scottoline is a Philadelphia native- WOOHOO! While the book wasn't super believable, it was still an enjoyable read. I look forward to checking out more of Scottoline's books.

Gisela

One Saturday night as I was walking through Barnes & Noble, sipping my Cinnamon Dolce Latte, I was looking for some new books and stumbled upon The Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck. I had never heard of Billerbeck, but after reading the back of the book (and being happy with the discounted price tag on the cover) I decided to bring the book home. I'm definitely glad I made that decision!

Billerbeck writes Christian Chick Lit. I did not even know that Christian Chick Lit was a genre! The story is about a woman living in Los Angeles who is suddenly kicked out of her home by her producer husband, who now wants a divorce. She eventually meets a support group at church (The Trophy Wives Club) who help her move on and start her new life. The book moved at a great pace and was an enjoyable read! In fact, I've already ordered the next book in the series!

Gisela
What a WONDERFUL weekend! Has spring actually arrived?!?! If this weekend was any indication, then it certainly has! Abundant sunshine brought our family outdoors! On Saturday afternoon we all hung out in the backyard getting some fresh air and exercise. Throwing, kicking, and hitting balls, playing hockey, riding bikes and cars- you name it and we did it!

Saturday night was a night out for Ken and I. A LONG overdue night out! We went downtown and had dinner at Butcher and Singer with his cousin and her husband. The food was outstanding and we really liked the atmosphere. It had a very "old Hollywood" feel to it. I discovered a new (old) drink- Sidecar. And I also enjoyed possibly the best steak I've ever eaten. I definitely recommend the place!


On Sunday morning after church and breakfast the whole family decided to take advantage of the nice weather and headed to the zoo! Erik actually walked most of the time- he certainly is Mr. Independent! Nicholas loved checking all the animals out and could not tell us enough what a great time he had. I'm glad that he appreciated it! Of course I did forget my camera at home, so the few pictures I have are from my cell phone!












Gisela
A few weeks ago I was wandering through blogs and various book review sites, where I stumbled upon The Gospel According to Lost, by Chris Seay. I immediately knew I would be buying this book. I am a Lost junkie. It is one of the few things on television that my husband and I watch together. (The only other things we watch together are sporting events- baseball games, hockey games, and football games.) ANYWAY, I bought this book on Saturday night. I finished the book on Sunday morning.
My thoughts on the book- it was good, but I have to say I didn't LOVE it. The author looks into the character conflicts and relationships on the show and how faith and religion play a role in the show. This book was written after last season, and personally I wish the author would have waited until after this final season. The book was a quick read, and if you are a Lost junkie and have a chance to read it I'd definitely say to pick it up, but don't have high expectations.
Gisela

Yes, as I mentioned previously...I'm a big James Patterson fan. I don't know what it is about his books, but they suck me in! For those unfamiliar with his books, let me try to explain.


His chapters are SHORT. I'm talking they are two to four pages. This, in my opinion, is a blessing and a curse. A blessing, because if I quickly need to stop and put my book down I can easily do that and not be stuck in the middle of a chapter. (I HATE when that happens!) The curse- well...I like to read at night in bed. And I find myself reading Patterson's books and saying to myself, "Just one more chapter. Ok, just one more. Well, just another quick one." Next thing I know I've read another 100 pages and it is 2:00 in the morning. And remember, I have two young, EARLY RISING, boys. Reading until 2:00 is just NOT a good idea! Well, ok...I do complain about my lack of sleep, but I really do love reading alone at night. It is MY quiet time!


Enough of my rambling here. I thoroughly enjoyed Mary Mary. This is one of the Alex Cross novels, and this one takes place in Los Angeles where there is a serial killer on the loose killing famous stars...specifically mothers. I always try to figure out who the killer is in Patterson's crime novels, but I never seem to! There is always a wrench thrown in! I LOVE IT! It keeps me coming back for more!