My Current and Most Recent Reading List

The following books I have read this month:
1. The Traveller by John Twelve Hawks
Great book about "The Vast Machine" and how a group of "Brethren" also known as the "Tabula" want to take over the world by making everyone afraid of terrorism. They want everyone to believe they are always being watched so they will continue to believe they are always watched. With this, they really don't have to be watched to be under the Tabula's control (panopticon - one guard for 100 prisoners). VERY interesting read. This book also has "Travellers" which have the ability to travel (the light in their bodies) from one realm to another. Travellers are protected by "Harlequin's". This is the first book in a trilogy. I'm also reading the second book at this moment. A MUST read.
2. No Choice But Seduction by Johanna Lindsey
She's always been one of my favorite authors. I have every single book of hers that I've read and I've read them multiple times. All of her books make me laugh out loud, cry, and chuckle.
3. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
Another one of my favorite authors. I also have every book of hers I've ever read. She makes me laugh out loud and snort. Stephanie's torn between two men and has a grandmother that carries a gun in her purse (to the chagrin of her daughter - Stephanie's mom). Grandma shot a turkey while it was on the dinner table (Thanksgiving Dinner). Cracks me up.
4. Janeology by Karen Harrington
Great read! Asks the age old question about Nature vs. Nurture. In this story, a mom has drowned her little boy. Don't worry...the story does not go into a lot of detail about this part. The book is mostly about delving into Jane's past and finding out why she is the way she is and why she cracked. Nature vs. Nurture is the defense that the attorney representing Jane's husband is using because he is on trial for being partially responsible for the murder even though he was no where near the murder or had any clue that she was going to crack the way she did.

The books currently on my reading list (and these are only a few) are as follows:
1. The Dark River by John Twelve Hawks (book 2 of the trilogy)
2. Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen
3. Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor by Max Allan Collins
4. The Immortal Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
5. Scavenger by David Morrell
6. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
7. The Lost Constitution by William Martin

These are the books I am working on now and will be reading in the next month. I have MANY others like Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. So, yeah, I may read romance novels by Johanna Lindsey, Nora Roberts, and Janet Evanovich; but I am interested in so many other subjects as well and have no problem stretching my horizons and learning new things. I LOVE to learn. I don't even care what the subject is, I just love learning.

So, those are the books on my recent and current reading lists. What are you reading? Have you read any of these?

Until later...
k

Happy Hump Day!!

Okay, I'm just checking in. Today is going to be hectic. I'm already at work and I'm not planning on leaving this place until close to 9:00 tonight. That's 13 hours, people! At least I get comp time for anything over 7.5 hours (unlike our event planners). WooHoo!

Ty's Girl, I read books multiple times. I'm sorry I missed that question in your comment. I have books I've read as many as 6 times (maybe even more). I don't really count how many times I read a book. I just read it for enjoyment. If it's a book I love, I will go back to it again and again (like Johanna Lindsey, Nora Roberts, and Janet Evanovich). I can't tell you how many times I've read some of their books. They all make me cry and laugh out loud - which to me is the sign of a great book.

I hope y'all have a great hump day. As I said, mine will probably be pretty busy (especially after all the tables and chairs arrive).

While I'm here, I'm gonna bitch about something that aggravates the shit out of me. It's my blog - I'm allowed.

I don't mind people asking when we're going to have kids. What aggravates me to no end are the people that won't drop it when I say we can't. We were at a friend's home two weeks ago and they had another couple there. This couple asked when we were having kids.

ME: We're not - we can't.
HIM: Oh, well, we didn't think we could either but after 6 years and the doctor's being wrong, we had little Johnny. Hooray for you!
ME: It's medically impossible
HIM: That's what we were told, too, but God can perform miracles and here's our child as proof.
ME:

I had nothing to say. It's not his business that when I say medically impossible, I mean, we lack the swimmers (and it's none of your damn business). No, there aren't even a few swimmers that they can catch and put in a petrie dish to mix around with my gals. Due to an incompetent doctor (who snipped where he shouldn't have) THERE ARE NONE! Leave me the fuck alone!

I'm so happy for those that can, but I have to admit, there are times that I'm jealous. There are times that I wish it were me (even with the morning sickness - sometimes I'm glad it's not me, too). There are times I've asked WHY can't it be me. Maybe because of everything I've been through with my family, grandfather, past, yada yada yada; maybe it's a good thing I can't. I won't be able to pass any of that crap on to an innocent. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't have wanted to love a child and have one of my own.

For those of you that are pregnant or have just had a child, I'm so happy for you and excited for you and love sharing this experience with you; but there will be times that even though I will read your blog, I may not be able to comment on some of them. Sometimes I just don't know what to say, sometimes I get overwhelmed with emotion, sometimes I just can't; besides it's YOUR blog. It's not about me. I'm okay with that. I LOVE that y'all are able to have children and are sharing them with the rest of us. I feel close to them and to you. I have no problem with that. It's the people that won't shut up about "God can do miracles" "You need to have faith". No, Fucker! I need to have swimmers! Leave me alone!

Sorry, I've been fuming about that for two weeks and unable to put it into words without crying or getting pissed until today. Happy Hump Day!!! I feel better now.

I forgot to mention...H got us tickets to see Wicked in Chicago in August. WooHoo! This was a GREAT book. I'll read this again. I can't wait to see the musical.

Until later...
k

Where I Store my Books (and more)

So, Amanda asked where I store all of my books. My answer: all over the house!

Actually, I have 5 bookcases full of books. Some shelves have books on them stacked horizontally instead of vertically so I can get more on the shelf. I also have some shelves that have books stacked in front of other books (almost two full rows of books on one shelf).

I also have 2 bookcases that we haven't put together yet. Once we do, it will help alleviate the double stacks on some of the shelves. At the moment, I have a stack of books on my desk that I'm in the process of reading. I've finished two of the three books I was working on earlier this week.

One book I just finished is Janeology. This is a fantastic book that asks the question which has a bigger influence on a person's life nature or nurture. It was a VERY interesting read. I loved it and recommend it. This book kept me at the edge of my seat and I was late going back to the office during lunch because I just HAD to finish the chapter I was reading (a couple of times).

I also finished reading Janet Evanovich's new book Fearless Fourteen. This author always makes me laugh.out.loud. I love her books and own every one I've ever read.

I'm still doing well on the Wii Fit. I've been on the machine now for over eight hours. Can you believe it? Me! Working out for eight hours! No forkin' way, Pal! I'm so proud of myself. WooHoo!!!

I hope you all have a great week. Until later...
k

My Name is Kari and I'm a Book-a-holic

Yep! I'm standing in the circle hoping the twelve step program will help me. Are you kidding me! If my worst vice is that I can't walk away from a book, I think I'm doing pretty well.

Yeah, um, I can't walk to ANY store without looking at their book section. I have at least 20 books at home I haven't read yet. I walked into Walgreens today and walked out with 3 books. THREE!!! I'm currently reading three. Yes, that wasn't a typo. I'm currently reading 3 books. I have one in the car to read during lunch. I have two that I'm reading at home (my mood determines which one I'll pick up each night). I also have two books that I'm waiting to receive from the UPS dude. They'll be sent out on the 24th along with another book I just purchased earlier this week.

Stop the insanity! I need to get off this rollercoaster ride. NOT! I don't care! I LOVE books and I LOVE reading. Its been a part of my life since my mom read to me as a little girl. Reading is just a part of me - a HUGE part!

By the way, TGIF!!!

Until later...
k

Update on life...

Work is pretty good. I have only one complaint and since it's only one, I can live with it. I get to go home every day at 4:30, I earn a vacation and a sick day every month, and I don't think about work once I leave the joint; so it can't be too bad. It's just one of my co-workers. Sadly, there are only 7 of us in the whole office, so I see her pretty often. I don't mind seeing her and most days she's fine; but there are days that she's a real bitch and those days I could do without. Sadly, she's only that way with me and the other secretary. She comes across very gruffly all the time to myself and the other secretary as well as the man in our office. You guessed it, it's SUB. LOL

The way I look at it is this...she's the only stress I have in my job (besides when I may make an error - hey, I'm human, it happens). I can live through anything for 7.5 hours (which is as long as my day lasts at work). Most days, I don't even have any interaction with her, so I'm GREAT!

I think my bosses are trying to get me into the event planning side of our office. I don't want to plan events. I enjoy and love what I do. I'm good at what I do. I'm great on the phone, I'm great with people, and I'm extremely organized. That's what I'm ALWAYS hired for. It's what I do. It's what I love. That's just me. I don't have to have a higher paying job. Hell! With the higher pay comes higher stress and longer work hours. With the higher pay, I'd be worried and thinking about work when I'm at home. Been there. Done that. Bought the t-shirt...and BURNED it! I'm done with all that crap. I don't need it. I don't want it. I love my life the way it is. I love that my stress level is pretty non-existent. It's taken me 39 years to get to this point and I'm here to stay. Screw the higher pay. Life, family, and peace of mind are so much more important to me than a bigger paycheck.

Regarding weight...I've finally broken through my plateau. Actually, I've finally found something I love to do that is considered exercise. I'm finally off my lazy ass and moving my body. I actually look forward to working out now. It's amazing. This wonderful equipment is the Nintendo Wii Fit.

My husband's work gives them $300 each year toward the purchase of a gym membership or piece of home gym equipment. One of the guys he works with sent in his receipts for the wii and wii fit and received the $300 back. If it's good enough for an insurance company to be counted as in-home gym equipment, it's good enough for me.

I started using the Wii Fit on the 7th of this month. I have already lost 3 pounds. I've already used the Wii Fit for 6 hours and 12 minutes. Amazing. That's the most exercise I have done since I was on sports teams in high school. WooHoo! I actually do look forward to working out each day. I look forward to it all during work. I LOVE the Wii Fit. I've been looking for an exercise that is easy enough for me to do even on days that my arthritis is acting up; but I also wanted something that would hold my interest. Usually, exercises start to bore me after doing them just two or three times. The Wii Fit is the BEST exercise machine EVER!!!

K and K2 are doing great. K2 seems to think that everyone is her personal jungle gym. She crawls over all of us. All.The.Time. She's also under the assumption that if she's awake, everyone else should be, too. If she sees that someone near her is sleeping, she'll crawl over and slap them in the face. HARD. If that doesn't work, she'll pull your hair. HARD. She's adorable. She still smiles all the time! Absolutely amazing!

Dickens is still the spoiled dog he ever was. He knows he's loved and, to us, that's the most important thing. Not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I fully believe that we saved Dickens. There was an ad in the paper stating that they had poodles on sale for $50. First of all, he is NOT a poodle. He is a Bichon Frise. They stubbed his tail so they could pass him off as a poodle. I knew he wasn't a full poodle because I had one when I was a kid. They also told us that he was champagne colored. Once we gave him a bath, he was white as a ghost. They definitely did not take good care of these dogs.

When we got him, he wouldn't let any man get anywhere near him (including H). He growled and barked at everything. He wouldn't go near anyone but me. Nine years later, he is a completely different dog (even my dad says he's nothing like he was when we first got him). He will now go up to just about anyone and nudge them until they start petting him. He's a sweetie. The only problem now is that he always thinks he has to guard me, but I totally understand it. I was the first person that showed this poor animal some love. The day we first got him, we stopped at a pet store to get a bowl, bed, leash, collar, and all the things a new dog needs. I stayed outside with him while H went into the store. dickens obviously had never had a collar on before the one those idiots put on him for us to take him home. They named him Fred, by the way. How boring. My first teddy bear was named Fred (yes after the Flintstones, I was 4). Anyway, poor Dickens got his paw stuck in the collar. When I tried to help him get it out, he bit me. He didn't break skin or draw blood, but it freaked me out and scared me a bit. I looked at him and said, "Fine, you can sit there until Daddy comes out of the store." He hobbled around on three paws until H came out of the store and got it out.

From that day on, Dickens was mine. He hasn't been far away from me ever since. I am the one he feels he has to guard. At.All.Times. By the way, I had the name picked (after the author) long before I had the dog. He's my baby and always will be.

I hope you're all having a great week. Until later...

Unfortunately

Unfortunately, we do NOT have custody of K1 and K2. They have loving parents that take exceptionally good care of them. Their grandparents also live in the same house and these children are doted upon by everyone.

They are the closest that H and I will ever come to having children of our own and in the Laotian culture it really is a village that raises the children. K1 and K2's parents know that we love their children as if they were are own and they couldn't be happier. They know their children our loved beyond words.

K will go nowhere without his daddy. We asked him if he wanted to spend Saturday night at our house and he just said "no". LOL We look forward to the day that he is ready to spend the night. We already have a closet full of board games that I can't wait to teach him. We hope above all that K and K2 feel loved and never doubt that they are loved. We hope that if they ever have a time where they need someone to talk to and don't feel that they can talk to their parents that they will know, and choose, to talk to us. That is our ultimate goal for these two children - to be their safety net, to let them know that we will NEVER judge them, to let them know that we will ALWAYS be there for them for ANYTHING. No matter what!

So, nope, we don't have custody, but they control our hearts. Until later...
Oh...I almost forgot my most important news for the day. I LOST 2 pounds this week. I knew I just needed to exercise. This past week, I walked about 5 miles and played Wii Fit for 2 1/2 hours. My goal is to do the Wii Fit for 30 minutes a day. We just opened the box on Saturday and I did an hour on Saturday and an hour on Sunday. Last night, I just did 32 minutes; but I am so proud of myself. I have finally found an exercise that I can do on a daily/weekly basis. WooHoo! It's been almost 4 months since I have lost any weight. I actually gained about 8 pounds back, so I'm so excited to finally be on the losing track again.

Until later...
k