Random Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!  Come link up with Stacy for some random nonsense!

So much is happening around my house lately!  One daughter giving birth soon.  Another daughter getting married later this year.  A son looking for a job.  And I have a four-day scrapbook retreat coming up.  And don't forget my part-time job!

My daughter and I went to the bridal show this past weekend.  It was so much fun!  The main thing that was accomplished is that she and her fiance' set a specific date.  We watched a fashion show to get an idea of what she does and doesn't like.  She is challenging herself to stay on a slim budget for her dress.  She's always been frugal.  They know which church they are getting married at.  We still have so much to do, but thankfully, still plenty of time to do it.

The baby shower is this weekend!  I have been making decorations.  I made a diaper cake and some centerpieces.  I still need to print some signs, make a banner, and get the activities ready.  It has been so much fun!  She is going to be induced in late February if it doesn't happen on its own before then.  I don't know the reasoning behind that, but at least we know when to take off work.  And we will all find out if it's a boy or girl when she gives birth.  It's almost like torture not knowing!

And now...

Corny, I know.

Right?  "They" are listening!  "They" are always listening!

Hahaha!

Have a great week!

Sunday Synopsis

If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As sickening as this story is, it made for compelling reading. If You Tell is based on the true story of Shelly and Dave Knotek who abused their friends and children in unimaginable ways, although the abuse was instigated by Shelly. Dave just did what he was told to do when he was home. He was away a lot due to the nature of his job.

Shelly has three daughters, Nikki, Sami, and Tori. Dave is her second husband. They also take in Dave's nephew. Later still, they take in a friend, Kathy, and still later, another friend, Ron. Not everyone survives the ordeal with Shelly. At the hands of Shelly and Dave, and sometimes at the hands of their siblings as directed by their mother, the kids and houseguests endure horrible torture, degradation, humiliation, and pain.

I have to admit I got tired of the book because it just never ended. I'm amazed that Shelly was able to get away with her crimes as long as she did. I kept thinking, "Someone will speak up," but it took a catastrophic event to make that happen. I'm very interested in going back and reading some of the news sources on this case. It's just unreal. Olsen did a great job of describing things so that you can get images in mind as you read, but this may not be something you want to imagine.

If you enjoy the true crime genre, and you aren't easily sickened by descriptions of abuse, you will like this book.
View all my reviews

Sunday Synopsis

Everlost by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Neal Shusterman never fails to come up with clever plots and alternate worlds. This book takes you into the ALMOST afterlife. In other words, you haven't quite made it to the afterlife yet. Souls are stuck in a kind of limbo between life and heaven, but it's not purgatory. Some may stay there forever, but you find out later that some move on. In the meantime, Everlost can be a dangerous place.

Nick and Allie mysteriously arrive in Everlost. It's almost the same world they came from, but with all the places that no longer exist in the real world. Bands of lost children run wild, and if you stay in one place too long, you will be sucked into the earth. There is also the terrible "McGill" to stay away from. They find "Mary," the unofficial leader of the shadow world. Nick is happy to stay with her and her groups of lost souls, but Allie has more adventurous ideas and wants to learn the art of haunting and skinjacking.

Shusterman is always imaginative, clever, and creative. There were one or two things that were rather predictable, but overall, it was a unique adventure fantasy. Everlost is the first in the Skinjacker trilogy. I don't know if I will get to the rest, but they would be worth my time.

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Happy New Year 2020!

I haven't been on the blog for a couple of weeks, as you may (or may not) have noticed.  It's been a whirlwind of activity!


I am officially retired from teaching as of December 20th.  It hasn't sunk in yet, even though everyone else has returned to school as of today.  I'm still working my part-time retail job, but I've requested some days off in the coming months, and if they can't accommodate me, then I will let that go, too.  I have MUCH to do!

My daughter became engaged December 19!  I'm so happy for her.  I knew it was coming, but it was still a wonderful surprise.   No date is set yet, but she is thinking Fall or Winter 2020.  He will be at boot camp for the Air Force Reserve beginning in April for about 8 weeks, then training for his job.  So, it will have to be after that.  Besides, we need time to plan!

I was able to create some one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts this year including throw pillows, a blanket, and some homemade bath salts (the kind you actually put in a bath.  Haha!).  It was all a hit!  I can't wait to sew or create my next project.  Soon!  Here's the fabric I used for one of the pillows and the blanket.  I forgot to take actual photos.

Our daughter and I are hosting a baby shower for her sister soon.  She's due March 2.  We won't know if it's a boy or girl until she gives birth as the couple doesn't want to know.  That seems to be a new trend now.  Maybe people are getting tired of "gender reveal" parties!  I am going to make a "diaper cake" and other decorations.  I can't wait! Here's an example of one thing I will be making.

We had a great New Year's Eve.  Went to the Rockets game, and they won.  Then stayed downtown. It was a blast!  I hope you had a great one, too!

Now this...

I've probably posted this before, but I just think it's hilarious!  Maybe because one of our daughters works for the Y.

And this one, if you're old enough to have grown up watching the TV show 20/20!  Cracks me up every time!

That's all for now!  Visit Stacy for more random fun!