I loved this book

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones tells the story of Alex: a rich, former NFL player, playboy and Lucy: a woman who grew up poor, and now runs a home for girls who have aged out of foster care. When the company that Alex's family owns cuts the home's funding in half, Lucy knows that her project is in big trouble. Determined to do what it takes, she accepts a proposal of which she is unsure. Alex and Lucy begin a wild ride that keeps the reader's attention throughout the book.

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down, and when I just had to, I was constantly thinking about it until I could get back to it. I think the lessons in this book are what drew me in so strongly. For years, Lucy had believed the lies that Satan told her about not being good enough. This really resonated with me, and I enjoyed watching Lucy overcome. I was also drawn to "Saving Grace" the home that Lucy started for foster kids. The aging out process is so difficult for these children, that many of them live on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. The book intertwines the stories from a couple of the residents into the overall theme. I very rarely reread a book, however, this may be one I pick up again.

This book was provided for review by BookSneeze.

wal-mart

I remember the first time I ever walked into a Wal-Mart. It wasn't even in Augusta yet, we had to drive plum cross the river to get to it--the Savannah River, that is. A friend told another friend and I about it, and that we just HAD to go....so, we went. We thought we had died and gone to shopping heaven....HEAVEN, I say! I remember that one of my friends couldn't remember the name of the store and she called it Warbucks, which I thought was hilarious. We were so.darned.excited. to actually get our own store once it arrived in Augusta.

However, I ask you......where has the Wal-Mart of old gone?
Where's the store that hires employees that actually care if you are shopping there or not?
Where's the store where the aisles are clean and clutter free so that you can walk without fear of tripping?
Where's the store that had actual clearance sales?
Where's the store that I could actually walk around in for a little peace?

I miss those days of old.

To me, WM has become nothing more than a place of necessity; a place I HATE!

So, suffice it to say that WM and me are on the outs......I've found a new love.....Target, of course!

the doc called

So, Dr. McDonough called yesterday. Of course, my phone is broken and I didn't get the message until this morning so Steve called them back while I was at my leadership conference.

Good news: not cancer

Bad news: autoimmune disease-- there are like 100 of these so now I go to see another specialist and start figuring out which one it is. Boo Hoo. I don't know what that will entail, but whatever it is, me and MY GOD will manage! He already knows the answer and is probably working to heal me right now! Yeah, me!! I serve a BIG GOD....................


I totally had to jump back on here and leave these two links for you!!

My friend Janet has an etsy site which you can find here.

You must go and read this blogpost which is hilarious!

linkies!

I have quite a few new websites that I like and thought I'd share! But first, WHO'S READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL????? I know a lot of my friends and Tracy (my SIL) all are! I went to a great leadership conference today so I got to be back in the land of the living--I was getting a little stir-crazy!

Here's my list:

1saleaday  Find interesting deals on stuff. I haven't actually bought anything yet, but I feel sure that I will soon.

daily steal  Another one of those places with stuff that is interesting one day and not so much the next.

shoebuy  I love, love, love this site. It has thousands of shoes to pick from. The prices aren't bad (especially when they have a sale), shipping is free all the time, no tax, and IF it doesn't fit, is the wrong color, or you just don't like it, they pay for you to ship it back! You just can't beat that!

Jenny  This young lady came by my blog and left a comment on a review I had done. I clicked on her and found her blog. She is very well-spoken through her blog and has some definite ideas about she can share her faith and what it means to her, a teenager. I think you will find the time you spend over there well worth it!

I am also becoming a BIG fan of the shopping online. Something I thought I would never like because I like to look and touch things, but wow! what a transformation this has made for me! Some of my favorites ( I still like the stores, too!)

aerie

cjbanks

amazon  My word where you can find EVERYTHING!


These are just some things I've found recently with all of my free time what with the ice and everything! Have fun surfing!

Haiti- one year later

As you may recall, last year on January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, devastating much of Port-au-Prince.

More than 230,000 people were killed, 300,000 were injured, and nearly 1,000,000 made homeless.

Although much assistance has been provided and many improvements have been made over the past year, the needs in Haiti are still great.

Please join us in lifting up the people of Haiti in prayer today.

Following are some of the specific needs for Haiti that you can pray for:
~ Pray for stability and integrity of the Haitian government
~ Pray for ongoing relief and rebuilding efforts for the Christian church in Haiti
~ Pray for the children of Haiti

Invasion

I originally picked  the book Invasion because it looked from the cover like something my teenage son would enjoy. He reads non-stop, and I thought this would be a good chance for him to find a new author that he could enjoy. This was in no way a book that I thought I would enjoy since sci-fi is not my idea of a good read. However, the book is not that interesting for a mom, but it is obviously written for boys; and as a librarian, I commend that!

The book is about Colt, a teenage boy who tragically loses his parents in a car accident. He is determined to find the truth about his parents' death, and finds himself involved in a battle against way more that just a corporation. Colt is a comic book fan, and his fantasies become a reality as he deals with flying motorcycles, jet packs, and mind control. He embarks on a journey that takes him places he could have only imagined to be real.

Overall, the book is packed with action. I would highly recommend it to preteen/tween boys who love to read or for parents of those boys who don't necessarily like to read but who could get into this kind of action.

This book was provided by Thomas Nelson for review.

the pirate queen--a review

Sephora is a nurturing character who stayed far too long with a philandering husband. When she finally begins to leave, she is given news that rocks her. Her husband is dying, and he wants her with him. This is a story that deals with many "hot" topics of today and how she deals with them. It is also the story of her family and neighbors and how they begin to explore who God really is.

This book will keep you guessing until the very last page. It is engaging and page-turning. It is emotional and thought-provoking which is a good thing because a great story should keep you thinking long after it is over. I had never read any books by Patricia Hickman, but will going forward. I love finding an author that can keep my attention with an intriguing storyline.

disclaimer: This book was provided to me by Waterbrook Multnomah Blogging for Books program. I was not compensated for this review nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review.

medical update

I went to see a hematologist/oncologist today. I was so happy that God led me to this guy. He reminded me a lot of "the other man in my life" otherwise known as Dr. Godfrey. Not the way he looked, but in his demeanor. He spent a good deal of time with me asking questions and poking around, and I wasn't nervous at all! I could REALLY feel the prayers of God's people and I thank you so much for that!

He took 6 vials of blood to do a lot of tests! I go back in 3 weeks to get the results, but he thinks that it is probably an autoimmune problem. We'll just keep praying!!

hello, 2011

I cannot believe that the new year is already upon us. 2010 was a good year, but I certainly expect even better from this new one. I am not making new year's resolutions this year because, seriously, who ever keeps those things. My calendar is already full for January, and who knows where this year will lead so how can I make a vow to do something when I don't even know what I'll be doing!

I do hope this new year brings me energy. As I look to being a year older in about 4 weeks, I want the next half of my life to be the BEST half...and that's going to require a few things. I'll explain that after my doctor's appointment on Wed.

I do wish all of you a Happy New Year filled with joy and prosperity!