Spring is on it's way

but not nearly quick enough for me. The bulbs we planted last year are starting to pop up so I know it's coming but these 40 degree and windy days are making me stir crazy. It's better than 8 degrees that we had last month at this time but really IT IS time for Spring. I am not a cold weather gal. I need the sun and warmth. One of these days we will make our dream of moving to a warmer climate come true. Chicago weather is terrible and depressing.

Books I've read in the past and enjoyed

The following are books I've read in the past and enjoyed - some more than others. I'll add more to the list later.

Angry Housewives Eating BonBons
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345442822/sr=8-1/qid=1142973860/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1931202-7891033?%5Fencoding=UTF8
One of my favorite fun books. I recommend it a lot.

The Next Big Thing
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425200280/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_1/103-1931202-7891033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

White Oleander
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0316284955/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_2/103-1931202-7891033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

Jemima J Jane Green
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0767905180/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_3/103-1931202-7891033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance
I've read evey book by her and have liked most of them.


Confessions of a Shopaholic Sophie Kinsella
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385335482/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_7/103-1931202-7891033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance
I've read all the books in the Shopaholic series as well as Can you Keep a Secret? and the Undomestic Goddess. I liked them all.

Little Earthquakes Jennifer Weiner
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743470095/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_11/103-1931202-7891033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance
I love Jennifer Weiner's books. Highly recommended.

Prep
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1400062314/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_14/103-1931202-7891033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385730586/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_1/103-1931202-7891033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance
I loved all three of these books. As an adult, I would love to read about their mothers. She should write those for adults!

Bridget Jones Diary
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140298479/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_13/103-1931202-7891033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance
The first and the second book are great.

The Nanny Diaries
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0312291639/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_6/103-1931202-7891033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance
Sometimes a bit much but an entertaining read.

Books I've read this year...

The Dive From Clausen's Pier
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0375412824/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-1931202-7891033#reader-link
Pretty good - the main character got a bit frustrating at times but I'm glad I read it.

The Mommy Club
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0345460111/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-1931202-7891033#reader-link
Ok book. I really had to push myself through it. The main character's obsession with a former boyfriend drove me crazy. Fun look at pregnancy.

Tales from the Crib
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0758209827/ref=pd_ys_ir_all_27/103-1931202-7891033?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance
Fun and entertaining. Interesting situation. great ending.

The Nanny Diaries
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0312291639/qid=1142972320/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-1931202-7891033?v=glance&s=books
At times really a bit much but entertaining. Not sure it's as great as everyone said a few years back but I found it at a Borders Outlet for $3.99. For that price it was definately worth my time.


Prep
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1400062314/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-1931202-7891033#reader-link
I really liked this book. It was interesting, fun, and sometimes frustrating.


The Ivy Chronicles
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0670033812/qid=1142972273/sr=2-3/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_3/103-1931202-7891033?v=glance&s=books
I liked this book. It was entertaining and the main character really learned a lot about herself, others and what she was willing to give up to have the life she really wanted.

I'm going to have to work on the links later.

Story Coding

Found this interesting website today. It's supposed to give you recommendations based on how you rate books you read. I'm still playing with it right now but it is worth looking into.

Praise

I'm such a nut...really. I posted a couple lo's over at 2 Peas there other day. I looked at them today and I'm in shock. I got tons of praise on one of them. Well, I think it's tons. Anyway, for the most part, my scrapbooking is for me and for our family. I have tried submitting to magazines a few times with no luck which can get a bit sad. So this morning when I saw that there are people who really liked what I put together...well, I was so happy. It's silly but sometimes getting some validation from others is really inspiring.
So here they are... feel free to make my day again. heehee!

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=805203

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=805210

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=805219

I just realized that on the Halloween one the ribbon scrunched up in the scanner. The ribbon is supposed to run to the bottom. I have to scan that one again.