Wow, so it has been literally years since I was here blogging. My life has changed so much. I am no longer living where I was 8 years ago. It's just my mom and me now since my dad passed in 2017. I have a mutt but he takes some getting used to. He has been sick for the last couple of weeks, but he is doing so much better. Life can be very difficult and interesting at the same time. Maybe I'll get back to blogging, but for now...

Chat you later!

I so haven't been on here in a while.  I've been moving!  Closer to the beach- aahh-not my most favorite place but hey- it's the beach right?  I would rather move to the mountains but we found a house in which my brother and his family could move in with us.  That's different..lol.  Now there are literally 8 people living in my home.
On a much sadder note- we had to put my baby down a couple of months ago- I had a hard time with that- a real hard time.  He couldn't get around without help and he had a hard time seeing.  I couldn't stand to see him hurt but he was my baby and I had to scream it out. Literally-scream it out.  That's one of the reasons I haven't been blogging.
But I'm back and hopefully I can get back into the habit- also another habit I am trying to cultivate is couponing and buying only on sale....really hard for me...lol.
But onward and upward
Chat you later!
Mech

Man- it's been a while

Okay so I know that I haven't blogged in a while.....sorry- had to get used to a new grade level.  However, now I have to get used to another one- but Thank God this one is one I've had before!  I get to teach my heart- 6th grade Social Studies.  One of my degrees was Literature with a History minor.  My Elem degree was with a Social Studies and Literature concentration.  So I get to use my knowledge with my favorite grade level...*squeeee*
Not very mature I know but that's okay.

Also I have 2 life decisions to make also- Moving closer to the beach (which I am not the most fond of) and a new vehicle.
The move would save money in the long run so I think that it will be an easier decision than the vehicle. I don't like a lot of the new cars- and the ones I like- I can't afford.  Anyone want to give me money or a vehicle?  Yeah I didn't think so. *sigh*
So I'm looking at a Kia Soul+. (Want a Dodge Charger or Challenger) (really want a Mini Cooper S) but the Soul has a similar look to the Mini.  But I'm not sure if I'll be able to get it- Yeah I know...I pay my bills how can I not qualify right?  Wrong- you are forgetting about the Escape that someone had in my name and was turned in last year....yeah- exactly.  So I have to figure out if I can afford it or not.  So God Bless and Good thoughts.....

Christine Feehan has a new book out!

So CF has a new "Game" book out- you know- the series about the Ghostwalkers and the tough females that came before them...lol.  Well the next book in the series is called Samurai Game- and while I do have a kindle (finally) I bought the print version.  Because I have the complete series in print and I don't want to stop that now.  I am a fanatic about keeping my series in the same format as I start them.  So I am about to begining my first NEW BOOK of the summer.  This a book that just came out- not one that has been published and I just didn't have time to read the copy when it was published.  so *squeee* I get to read a new book at the same time as everyone else...and NO ONE GETS TO DO THE SPOILER THING!  YEAH!!!!...so ---- on to my book.hehehehe

Still haven't figured out how to put the extra posts on the Random Reads page but I will

Found a new author.....sort of..lol

I've found out that I really like author, Autumn Dawn and her series about Darklands.  But I have to say- I didn't think I would.  It has to been read in a sequence.  If you don't start with the first 2 books in the series you can become totally lost.  I'm one of those readers that likes to jump from book to book without having to spend time staying in sequence.  If I want to read the 5th book and not the 3rd then I expect to have whatever background knowledge written in that helps me to do that.  I don't get to read books in sequence that often because I'm at work from 7:00am til about 5:00pm.  So sometimes I just want to pick a book and go. 
While the Darklands series should be read in order- I didn't really do that- but I did read the first 2 books before beginning that series so I was able to pick up the different books out of sequence without having to fight a headache to figure out what was going on.
Just in case you like a heavy dose of scifi with our werewolves (called Haunts in this series) you need to pick up the first 2 books.  The Dark Lands: Coming Home  and The Charmer.  I read The Charmer first- I really recommend this book.  It was funny and here's the kicker- the men were considered to be VIRGINS ya'll.  I mean in this place- once you bed you were wed.  Men were allowed to kiss and tease but the bed was for serious relationship status.

Really need a break!

It's been really hot here lately- and I don't mean the men darlings!  On the other hand my nephew got to play some football with Michael Oher and other athletes this morning.  How cool is that!  But right now I am waiting for a cool front to hit the state...or at least my house...lol.  I will be back on a little later- have to do some work...I hate having to think when I'm hot...lol

It's been a while

Ok so I know that I haven't  been on here in a while but work has been very busy.  I really want to move to the mountains and that is the plan for next year.  I hope to open a B & B (a bed and breakfast for the great unwashed)...lol...I have fell in love with the lodge on Sheelah Clarkson's website.  If I could afford it...I would snap it up.  Before I forget...congratulate me!  I got a Kindle for Christmas- and I didn't have to buy it for myself...lol.  I know I'm behind the times but I put a lot of my time and my money on books for my students instead of myself. 
My dog has this habit of putting his nose on my feet.  That is a cold nose ya'll!  So I been giving some thought to actually dating again.  Don't know if I'll actually go through with it but I've thought about it.  Sad huh?..*smile....that's okay- I have my dog, my niece and nephew, and friends---not to mention 2 brothers, a mom, dad, and host of other family members..*grin*...even if I wish they would mind their own sometimes.  Oh well....right now I plan to curl up with my kindle and warm my feet back up... so ya'll have a great night....think of me...not..lol

Here's hoping this works!

I found another book to share ya'll.....The Search by Nora Roberts.  It was great.  I really liked the fact that the heroine was a survivor.  She survived being a victim of a serial killer and having her fiance killed.  She also created a job that helped her help others. The funny part is the guy she's interested in...doesn't want to be interested in her- key words here- want to be.  But he loves the fact that she is so strong- even while he hates the fact that she is strong enough to not really need him.  The characters are thought out and fun to "watch"- because to me- a book is a movie that is read.  I see these characters and their actions.  The better the storyline the author gives- the better my inner movie plays...and this was a great movie.  I've "watched" it 3 times since I bought the book.
The community can be a shelter as well as a cage.  Roberts did a fabulous job skating that line.  You knew the community wanted to protect her even while letting her live a life in which being a dog trainer/search and rescue was one to be admired.  I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a strong heroine and a guy that is strong enough to let her be the strong woman she is.

So I have new plans!!!!

I plan on moving next year.  My family and I ( a group of 8 people ya'll) agreed to move to the mountains.  Do you know how hard it is to get 8 people to agree on anything?  Well we all agreed to move next year.  We want the kids to be able to say goodbye and finish out the school year before moving.  I know what you're thinking- school hasn't started back yet- but guess what?  Soooo?  I teach and I made a promise to work this school year and I can't break my promise.  That goes against everything I believe in.  But...I will be starting to look for a new job as of next May.  I will be putting out applications and getting ready to start begging.  10 years of experience should count for something.  But I know it will be better for us all to get away for a while.  I am so ready for this!

a trio to read

Okay so I know I said that I had to go think about what to tell you to read....I have really eclectic taste in books okay!  But I have figured out what I want to talk about first so here it goes....a threesome!!!!!
LOL...I know it's a new concept for some and fantasy for others.  But just so you can understand my choice let me give you the titles. And if you have read them already and have a respectful comment to share- please feel free to do so.  I will try to respond back to the comments.
Please read them in order if you can.  It will help keep certain scenes better anchored in your mind.  Pack Challenge, Go Fetch!, and Here Kitty, Kitty by Shelly Laurenston.  The trio is about three best friends that have changes to adjust to, love, and fight (my favorite). In my opinion the more argumentative the book, the better the spicy scenes. In the first of the set is Pack Challenge in which the lead, Sara, is a shifter that doesn't know she's a shifter.  She had a grandmother that could have taught the devil lessons in meaness. So her sole reason for keeping a somewhat level head was the other two girls in her life. In comes a biker alpha-to-be, Zach, who "helps" her get into her "skin". 
The second part of the trio is Go Fetch! in which the lead female is Miki, a genius computer hacker that has a hard time getting her brain to calm down, so in comes Zach's best friend Conall- an extremely tall Viking shifter that believes in getting his man...umm mate...ummm genius woman.  (As you can tell I like this book better than the first.)  I happen to like books in which zesty spirit is shown.  Miki is a black woman that has no problem destroying anything that messes with the people she considers hers....literally.  And to tell you the truth- while I knew she was a black woman, Laurenston handled it in such a way that a 1/2 white/ 1/2 Indian chickie such as myself could lose the whole race scene.  Which to be honest was quite refreshing...I don't like being hit over the head with the whole "interracial couple" theme in some books.  It shouldn't matter if the woman is one race and the man is another.
And so we have come to the last book in the threesome!  Here Kitty, Kitty and I have to say...my personal favorite of the set....lol.  This is a latina woman,Angelina, that is use to men falling over her because of her beauty...but don't be fooled- remember who her best friends are (a feral shifter white woman and a genius hacker black woman.) So you know that she can kick butt if she has to....she just has to look good while doing it.  But what really impressed me was that the fact that Angelina didn't care about staying thin or dieting...She made the comment -"There's no same in having an X in front of that L."  Not to mention the cheeseburger, fries, real soda, and loads of ketchup she could eat without regret (and the ribs, fried chicken, sweet tea, and other normal fatty foods that normals like me eat.)  While I know she wasn't a size 18- she also wasn't a size 6 either.  She enjoyed being feminine, watching tv, music, and life.  But she also took care of business---hey someone has to hit a tiger in the head with the toplid of a toliet...even if the tiger was in his human skin at that point.  *Smile*  Like I said...the third one was my favorite-when it comes to leading ladies...but of the men- I'm torn...think on it...You have Zach- use to dealing with nuts-which these three ladies are (whipcord lean, deliciously hot), Conall- 7 ft tall and seems bulletin proof (muscles, able to handle short mad geniuses, patient, loves trying new positions), and Nik- southern boy charm, with brothers ya'll, takes care of his people, loves to tease (built but makes a suit look good, caramel on a stick). Who to choose.....so hard to decide...hey---all three!!!
Tell me what you think- did you enjoy them?  Did you find them lukewarm?  Were they not what you were looking for?  Too hot?  Not hot enough?
Comment people!..lol
For other random reads:
http://simpleloveofreading.blogspot.com/

Snowing!!!!!

So down here in Lumberton, NC we don't see a lot of snow....especially snow without a ton of ice.  But today we got a couple almost 4 inches. How awesome is that! Seriously, we have this week to enjoy the winter scene, so if it lingers around I won't mind.  I don't have to be back at work until next Monday.  The buses are not on the road because school is out- so it's fun for the kids and the dog!  So of course I plan on enjoying my winter wonderland this year.  This is the closest to a White Christmas for us since 1989.  I know that some people just don't know how to drive in the snow- an in my opinion they need to get someone else to do the driving for them.  Just so that those that don't live around here can understand what I am talking about- let me paint you a visual.
                   It starts to snow...just a few flurries....everyone heads to the grocery store for milk, bread, and eggs...don't ask me why...now we have about an inch (that will not be there later in the day mind you) and everything is closed down.  All the schools, churches, most of the businesses, all mom and pop places...and in the midst of this little bit of snow- Walmart, Food Lion, and Dob's gas station will stay open....lol.
So I hope that now you understand the reason that I am enjoying the fact that I can have my snow without having to make up a day teaching!..lol

Christmas!

I know that I haven't been blogging as much lately...and while I have good reason- that is not a good excuse.  I'll admit to having a little time between the Christmas play, School, Students, Family...you know- all the biggies.  I just didn't feel like blogging....I know- not cool.  *Smile* But that's okay.  Besides if you can see my house right now you would know that I haven't been doing anything but being lazy.  Upside- it's the Christmas break of my life...I get to clean, wash dishes (for stuff I didn't cook), wash clothes (that I didn't wear), and wash the dog (who really needs the bath).  But I am teaching my niece how to grill a ham and cheese sandwich on the stove.  I told my nephew I would teach him to grill a peanut butter and jelly if he wanted....he said "NO!" very emphatically.....wonder if he means he doesn't want to learn to grill a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?..lol...
I have bread I need to make for the next couple of days... I wanted to try a new receipe but I couldn't find one I liked.  Anyone have a good sweet bread receipe that I can make for a family with two diabetics?  Really need the help here.  I need to go help wrap presents..so I'll catch ya on the flip side!

Found a New Blog!!!

I like the do-it-yourself kind of blogs that tells all kinds of tips to fix small and sometimes big problems with organizing your life.  The one that I found...is called Infinity Goods blog.  I know...not the most interesting name out there but she has some cool tips...such as a kitchen colander in the bathroom to help with kiddie toys.  I really never thought about your a colander to help with the drainage and storage of those bath toys..but how cool is that.  Still I am on the lookout for more organizing ideas though.  ohohoh...forgot to tell you always make sure you come back and please tell me if you know of any other organizer blogs, tips, ideas, or anything that might help an under-paid school teacher out...lol

Okay so a new prize at BBB

They are having a new contest this time and the Prize: Rachel Caine is giving away an iPad!! She’s giving away the 16GB Wi-Fi edition ($499 value)......hey guys how can you  beat that. Come join the discussion and enter to win that iPad at
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=32545
and make sure that you visitor any other author's page that catches your eyes...can never have enough publicity..lol.

If you want to buy a copy of Rachel's new book...just click on the link and enjoy.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451231619?ie=UTF8&tag=bittenbybooks-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0451231619

BBB's newest contest and author

So once again I am back to providing you with my dazzling wit and snarky quips...lol. Bitten By Books is having another contest. J.K. Beck is the featured author and if you want to read her books or if you have no idea what they are about please go to http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=31430 and check it out.
You could win a kindle or other really good prizes. But get there before Monday Oct. 11th or you could miss out on a chance to win.

Back from Vacation

So I am back from Disney World....jealous huh?  Don't be...it was great but you can go too with a little secret that I found.  Save your change...I am serious!  My mom and I took my niece and nephew with us to Disney World.  Because we went with a group of more than 10 people- we got a discount on the rooms during peak time.  We also help car washes and dinners in order to help everyone afford the payments.  But the biggest help for us was saving our change.  Everyday we took the change out of our pockets and put it in a jar.  We didn't count it or even go in it (if we could help it).  Mama worked on this for about 8 months and I did it for about 5 months.  Mama kept putting daddy's change in there too...lol.  When we took it to the bank coin changer Mama had over $500 saved and I had over $200 saved.  I didn't keep as much change in my pocket b/c the vending machines at work didn't always take bills.  But that's okay because the last supplement check that I got (I teach and I get 2 a year) I had planned to use for DW.  So overall I think that we did really well....especially considering that we collected change (mostly pennies and dimes) and not dollars.  We plan to go back...in the winter next time so we have begun to save our change again.  This time I am adding whatever I have in my pockets- if possible.  This should be good....don't know if we'll take both of the kids back with us but I know that they want to go.  Hopefully it will turn out great.  Esp. since I will have to take off from school to go...lol...I think that my kids would enjoy having a sub---NOT...they get more work with a sub than without one...hahaha- bad teacher..lol

Bitten By Books Contests!

So Rachel is having another contest on her site today....for a kindle this time....come and get it.  Do a little commenting on Nicole Peeler's column and sign up.  Don't forget to check in on other's author's blogging and you might be pleasantly surprised!
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=26986

Eclipse to soon follow

So I plan to watch Eclipse tomorrow...would have like to watch it tonight but unlike some of my special friends.....I didn't get tickets for it....which is unfair.  They knew I'd want to watch...but I'm not upset..a little jealous- but not upset.  Have to say though....I am looking forward to watching this one as it is my favorite of the Twilight series.  I love the whole- I'm Switzerland" deal Belle has plus the teamwork that finally helped everyone get along- at least for a while.  Really looking foward to tomorrow...Wanna come?  Please do!

Running Hot....not so much

Okay so I read Running Hot...it was okay....not the best work I've read but for a quickie, it was decent.  I have to say that it could have been hotter.  Since it wasn't....on to more interesting topics......So I read Moira Roger's 1st book in the Red Rock Pass series....loved it.... will definitely have to get the rest.... I even downloaded Amazon's version of a kindle for it...yeah darlings...I used actual computer space for her book... Am I cool or what...I know- behind times but when I get the money to blow I will buy a Kindle for little ol' me...lol.....in the mean time....share your knowledge...tell me what book I should get next...catch ya on flip side.