Book Review: Masquerade

Masquerade by Nancy Moser was great book and what made it even better was the originality of the plot.  It was not a story I have read a dozen times.

Here's the gist:  Lottie's society family in 1180's England has status, but no money.  Before word of their financial status gets out her parents decide to marry her off to a wealthy American.  Lottie is not happy but develops a plan when her mother is unable to make the journey with her because of illness.

Lottie and her maid, Dora, decided to switch places.  Dora will marry the wealthy American and Lottie will make her own way equipped with a sufficient amount of money.  Of course all does not go according to plan.  The girls both have heartache and love as they make their way in a new world.

I didn't know how the book would end the entire time and enjoyed the ending.  I would give the book 4 out of 5 stars.  A side note: I love that Moser included fashion from the late 1800's.  A bit of 'real' history is always fun!

I receive this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way.

From my bookshelf...

I generally read fiction because I like stories.  I especially like love stories.  Lately however I have been bored when I read, so I tried switching it up.  This is what I have read in the last couple weeks.

The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm

What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Sex by Ryan Howe, Richard Rupp, Stephen Simpson

Mountain Rain: A Biography of James O. Fraser by Eileen Fraser Crossman

Still to read...

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Hadassah: One Night With the King by Tommy Tenney

Give thanks for recovery

I am thankful that my house is in need of LOTS of work today.  I need to clean just about every room and do laundry.  I spent the weekend spending time with my Mom and Grammy, so I was not home to straighten.

Happy 30th Birthday to...

Andy!

Andy at the World Series a couple weeks ago.  It was his birthday gift!

My husband is 30 today!  I am so glad he was born. He is my best friend and he loves me unconditionally.  I have enjoyed spending the last 7 years with him and I look forward to 70 more!

Give Thanks for puking

I am thankful that Carmody woke up covered in vomit yesterday.  It made me realize that I am thankful she is generally healthy and being sick is a rarity.

You can see what other unlikely things I am thankful for this month!

Give Thanks for sore muscles

I am thankful for the sore muscles in my legs.  I am thankful that it hurts everytime I sit or stand.  This is because I have been blessed with legs and arms that work!  I can run and work my body hard!

Give Thanks for my kitchen

I am spending the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving practicing being thankful for things I would normally complain about.

Today I am thankful for my small, messy kitchen.  I am thankful for the dirty dishes and food stuck on the stove and the spills on the floor.  This means that I had food to eat and a family to enjoy it with!

Give Thanks for Tiredness

I am thankful that I am tired today.  My tiredness is a result of talking to my husband too late, rocking my daughter when she woke up in the middle of the night, and comforting my son when he had a bad dream early in the morning.  I am thankful that I have a family to care for.

You can also see what else I am thankful for!

Give Thanks

Sometimes it seems there are many things to complain about in our lives and not a lot to be thankful for.

NOT true!

Today is November 1.  Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and I want to have the right attitude as it as well as the Christmas approaches.  Over the next two months I will share what I am thankful for.  I hope you will let me know what things you have in your life to give thanks for!

I am thankful for the neverending laundry.  I am thankful for the pile of clothes covering my bed.  This means my family has clean clothes to wear each day.  It also means we have a wonderful working washer and dryer, the ability to buy laundry detergent, and are able to pay our electric bill every month.  What a blessing.

I appreciate Leigh Ann being thankful in her facebook status'.  I love the encouragement.

(photo credit)

To Do Today (or soon!)

I have a book review I have been meaning to write.  I finished the book a month ago.  I probably need to read it again now to refresh my memory.
I have another book I recieved several months ago.  I was excited to read it, but have yet to finish it.  It's boring.
I need to fufill my commitments.
It is my last night of swimming lessons for this session.
Laundry is NEVERending.
Granola needs to be made.  I love homemade granola!
I hope to find some good deals at the grocery store.

Salty or Sweet?

You know how after you eat something salty, you want something sweet?

And after you eat something sweet, you really need something salty, right?

This is a dilemma.  My solution: a handful of Dove chocolate with peanut butter and a bag of pepperoni.

Yes, I sat on the couch and read a book with both of these beside me.  Wonderful. (And pathetic.)

Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred: A Review

If one completes 30 consecutive days of Jillian's program you will be shredded, hence the name!  (or so she says...)  There are three levels that get progressively harder.  Each person should move up as he or she is able.  This is a SHORT workout.  Each one is about 20 minutes.  However it is hard.  You move and work the entire time.  There are no static stretches or weights.  The strength segments include cardio as well, because each incorporates upper and lower body and uses light weights with lots of reps.

Here is a breakdown of the video

2 minutes- warm up

3 minutes- strength #1

2 minutes- cardio #1

1 minute- abs #1

3 minutes- strength #2

2 minutes- cardio #2

1 minute- abs #2

3 minutes- strength #3

2 minutes- cardio #3

1 minute- abs #3

2 minutes- cool down/stretching

Total= 22 minutes and you're done!

Each level follows the same pattern.

Some Considerations

• You might want to do a bit more of a warm up and more stretching.  Jog or march in place while the video is going through ads and credits at the beginning.  When you are done, keep stretching!
• When this video ended I felt like I was just getting started.  Ideally I would like to run for 20-30 minutes after finishing it!  There was not enough endurance cardio for what I am wanting to do (run 5ks).
• The girls in the video use 5lb weights.  For some exercises this was great, but if you have heavier weights also they can be used for some sets.
• If you only have heavier weights, there are some exercises that can be done with one weight rather than two.  Also, feel free to not use weights on the later sets if you are getting sore!
• In level three the cardio activities (jump rope, butt kicks, jumping jacks, punches) are done with the weights in hand and going lighter might be good.  I'd like 3lb weights for this!
• Water!  Water!  WATER!  Drink it! You will sweat!
• I did not need shoes for the first level, but I did for the second and third.  These include mountain climbers and walking push-ups that rubbed my feet!
• Jillian tells you not to stop and to work at max level the whole time.  This is great IF you have worked out regularly and do not have joint problems.  Listen to your body!
• If you are like me and this was over too soon, do two (or even three) levels back to back for a more intense workout!
• If you are a beginner, take it slow!  Move at a slower pace than Jillian.  You can speed up as you build muscle and stamina.  Do less repetitions or use lighter (or no) weights.  Push yourself, but don't over do it.
• My triceps are weak and there is not an exercise that targets these, although they are worked in several of the chest exercises.
• Jillian uses language that I would not love for my children to hear a couple times throughout the video.  There is a menu option to turn off the talking and just have the music.

I am NOT a doctor or a professional trainer.  Do not do this program (or any other exercise regiment) without your physician's consent!

Fitness Junkies

Eli with his 'weights' working out!  He loves it!

I am planning to run two 5ks in November.  I have NEVER done one before!  Therefore, I must train.  I have not really worked out in about 4 years.  Before I got pregnant with my first child.  That is not to say I did NOTHING for the last 4 years.  I walked at least three times a week and I teach swimming lessons and the occasional water aerobics class.  However, that is different than running for a half hour or doing an hour-long boot camp class with Monica at the YMCA.

When Eli started preschool two morning a week in late August, I decided I would go to the YMCA and workout.  Boot Camp was not my choice.  It just happened to be the class that was going on while I was there.  I love it.  We do a lot of it outside (where there are not mirrors for me to see how uncoordinated I am) and run up hills, do push ups on the ground, jump rope, and many other things in our circuit interval training.

It turns out, two days a week is not enough for me.  I am into exercise!  I had been running once or twice a week.  Still not enough.  Exercise videos are the answer!  I borrowed A LOT from my friend Kim.  I will be posting reviews and commentary on how they are going as I work my way through her collection.

If you have any recommendations, let me know.  I might work my way there!

Markdown Specifics

If you missed it, you can read my tips for finding markdowns.

Here are some of the things I frequently find, the price I pay on average, and how I use them!

• bagged salad- $1 -lunch for me for the next 2-3 days or added to that evening's dinner
• yogurt- $.25 or less -snacks or breakfast for Andy or the kids.  Yogurt is generally good for 7 days past the sell-by date.  I usually get the bets deals on the multi-packs.
• milk- $1/gallon -I get organic or chocolate!  Chocolate milk is a great snack or dessert, with white milk I usually bake a large batch of waffles or pancakes to freeze.
• refrigerated salsa- $1 -lunch for me, snack for Andy and I, or side dish for mexican
• whipping cream- $.50 -rich baking or alfredo sauce
• bread- $2 or less -add to dinner
• sub-style foot long sandwich- $3 -picnic lunch for the family!
• juice- $.50 -take to morning Bible study for snacks
• cookies, muffins, other desserts- $2 or less -snacks for groups like potlucks and Bible study.

This is a great way to add variety or add in foods that are normally too expensive!

Have you found any great markdown groceries?  What do you use them for?  Share your best tips!

Grocery Markdowns

FREE!  That was the cost of my refrigerator salsa and yogurt drinks today.  Not bad!  However, I usually have to pay something for markdowns at the store, but it is a small fraction of the price.

Markdown Tips

1. Ask!  Not every store will mark things down.  Wal-mart suppliers give them a guaranteed sale on most items.  Some local or chain stores also can return out of date items to the company.  You never know unless you ask though.  Many stores are glad to!
2. Know what has a relatively short shelf life.  I routinely find yogurt, milk and other dairy products, salad and other prepackaged produce, bakery items, meats, refrigerated juice and dough.  There may be other things you use!
3. Look for things already marked down.  The meat and bakery departments in my local store are good about marking down items that are close to their sale by dates.  These often have brightly colored stickers that say managers special or bonus buy.
4. Check the dates.  If it is yesterday, today, or tomorrow I take it with me to the check out line and ask for a manager.  On occasion I have been told no or asked to pay more than I think the food is worth, so I don't get it.  No big deal.
5. Ask yourself if you have a use for this, soon!  For example, with a loaf of specialty bread I might decide to change tonight's menu to spaghetti and use the herb cheese bread for $1.

It takes a little time, but I have found it to be worth it. 

Another posts is coming soon with some specifics like what I find marked down and the price I expect!

Why?

Blogger has recently (in the last few months) added a feature that allows bloggers to check the 'Stats' of their blog.  How many hits each month, week, day, and hour receive.  You can also see the kind of operating system and browser each visitor used and what country they were in.  I can see what posts are most popular and what link a person click on to come to my blog.  So fun.  A little distracting.

Today I reflected on why I blog.  So I can have hundreds of visitors each month?  So every post has many comments?  So I know people are interested in what I have to say?  Um, it should NOT be any of those reasons.  Instead my motivation should be how another is encouraged, even if it is just one person.

Much thanks to my dear friend Brooke for reminding me because of her sweet comment!

Perfect

Well, Webster says that perfect means being without fault or defect.  The greek word means complete, or having all parts.  Those definitions are a little different, huh?  I will not, in this life, be without fault or defect, and there is no point in trying.  However, I can be complete or have all I need.  I am NOT there, nor do I think I will be there any time soon (like in the next decade), but I can take steps towards completeness.  There are things I can do everyday in a quest to being 'perfect'.

Today I will practice speaking kindly to my children.
Today I will practice spending my time wisely.  (And on that note, I have to get off the computer!)

What will you practice today?

Pumpkin Patch

I know just about EVERY mom who has a blog, has a post about her kids at the pumpkin patch, so bear with me. My kids are quite cute!

Heavy Whipping Cream

 I got this container of heavy whipping cream for a quarter and had to do something with it...

Homemade Alfredo sauce is oh-so-easy to make.  It is more expensive than buying a jar, but it is delicious.  However, we won't talk about the fat and calorie content.  I use Betty Crocker's recipe for many things and she says you need 1/2 C heavy cream, 1/2 C butter, 3/4 C Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.  Heat butter and cream in a 10 inch skillet until the butter is melted and the mixture starts to bubble.  Then turn the heat to low and simmer for 6 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in salt, pepper, and cheese.  Done.

I doubled the recipe and there was still over half of the cream left.  So, I made apple dump cake with cream on top instead of butter.  Yum.

More Free Books...

I really do love them!

So, here are some more ways to get free books.

My kids each get a book from Dolly Parton each month through her Imagination Library.  This program is not available in all areas, but it is worth checking!  If it is available in your area you can sign up your child if they are between birth and age 5.  Then a books is sent to you each month.  We have gotten a couple of repeats with the second child, but they switch them up frequently.  (Thanks to Amy for reminding me about this!)

Review books for a publisher.  Usually all you need is a blog, which are so easy to set up if you do not already have one.  I review for several Christian publishers, but I would suspect secular publishers would have similar programs.  Search their websites for 'book review' or 'media requests'.

Bethany House

Thomas Nelson

Tyndale

Garage sales and thrift stores are not free, but they are inexpensive and have many undiscovered treasures.  You can get a steal on a book that has barely been read.

Free Books

I like books.  It's true.  I am cheap.  Also true.  And books are expensive.  I review books so I can can get them for free.  However, there are other ways to get free books if you do not want to be obligated to review them.

Amazon routinely offers free books for Kindles.  Classics, like Frankenstein, Pride and Prejudice, and Little Women are always free, but there are other books that come and go.  The easiest way I have found to know what these are and not miss a good deal is www.ereaderiq.com  You can click on the 'Free Kindle Books' tab at the top of the page and see what books are currently free!  Amazon also has a list of the current top 100 free books.

You don't have a Kindle?  Because they cost $139 and up.  Yeah, me either.  Don't worry.  Amazon has free apps for your Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, or Android.  You download the app to your device and you can order books that are delivered to you wirelessly.

So easy and FREE!

Worthless

If anyone thinks himself (or herself) to be religious, and yet does not bridle his own tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.
James 1:26

Worthless means of no use, importance or value.  Good for nothing.
James is so straight forward.  He tells is like it is.  I. need. that.
When a believer does not 'walk the walk' they do NOTHING for God.  Sure, I'm still saved if I say unkind things to my friends or the clerk at the store or bank, but I am not helping them.  Worthless.  When I yell at my kids, worthless.  Telling my husband exactly what he did wrong, worthless.  Talking about my boss or coworkers behind their backs may not get me in trouble at work, but does it edify?  Nope.  Worthless.

James goes in to much more detail in Chapter 3.  What does he say about my tongue? Well, here is just a snippet.
The tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity, it cannot be tamed, it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.  Need I go on?  Sounds so positive...

So how do I make what I believe NOT worthless?  Ephesians 4:29!
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need at the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Serious Stuff

I have been privilaged to attend two wedding in the last month.  Our friend Nathan was blessed to marry a wonderful woman, Lindsay.  I get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside when I think of them because Lindsay is perfect for Nathan and I am excited!

The other wedding was very special to our family.  Andy's younger brother, Luke, married Bekah Blume!  We love Luke and Bekah tons and it is amazing to see them grow and learn in love!  Eli was the ringer bearer for them, making that day even more meaningful.

photo by Scott McEvlain

While I was watching the beautiful ceremonies both couples had, I was struck by the seriousness of marriage and the vows a husband and wife make to each other.  When a couple exchanges rings, they place the ring on the other person's finger while saying, "I wed thee in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."  That is intense!  Quite a group of witnesses!  In my vows to Andy I pledged to love him when it was hard and we had no money and I didn't feel good and I was tired and he was annoying.

I love being married to Andy, but am I living up to my vows?  Do I love him?  Unconditionally?

What to do with those crowns?

As I mentioned last week, I am doing Precepts Upon Precepts study of James and learning so much!  My 'nugget' this week?

CROWNS!

James 1:12 says when believers persevere under trial they will be approved and receive the crown of life that Jesus promised to those who love him.  Several other verses reference crowns that Christians can receive when the Lord comes back.
Believers receive an imperishable wreath when they run the race. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
The crown of righteousness is laid up for all those who loved Christ's appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)
Teachers will receive the crown of glory when the Chief Shepherd has appeared. (1 Peter 5:4)
The crown of exultation is for those who spread the good news. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)

The BEST part of what I learned came in Revelation 4:10-11!  Twenty-four elders are worshiping Jesus on His throne in Heaven and they throw their crowns, the ones they earned for being faithful, enduring trials, preaching and teaching God's word, at Jesus' feet!  The only right and proper and acceptable thing to do with those crowns is to give them back to the One who is worthy!

All I have ever had or will have comes from God and is because of God.  What is my reasonable act of worship?  the only thing that makes sense?  To give ALL I have to my Savior!  After all, it was His to begin with!

Unhindered Running

Hebrews 12:1 says "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race which is set before us."

My 3 year old son, Eli, goes to preschool.  He loves it.  Eli is a social butterfly.  He likes the kids and he loves his teachers.  When he walked into the room today he saw Ms. Becky, yelled hi, dropped his backpack off his shoulders in one swift motion and ran across the room to give her a hug.

Seeing him cast the burden of his backpack aside so he could get where he was going as quickly as possible made me think of Hebrews 12.  I need to be that single-minded in my pursuit of Christ.  Not letting anything stop me.

A child's joy reminds me to seek Christ.  That is a finer thing!

James- My new love

Yes, I have a new love, his name is James.  However, don't worry and call my husband, James lived 2000 years ago or so.  And I don't really love him, just his epistle to the church.

For Precepts this fall we are studying James and if that were not enough, I am also teaching a 5 week study on James for the ladies at my church.  I am loving it and I'm sure themes from James will arise throughout the next few months as I immerse myself in the book.

photo courtesy of Precepts Ministries International

The thought I have for today is from Kay Arthur's lesson on James 1 last week.  She said James is not about Ephesians 2:8-9, how a person can be saved, but rather it is about Ephesians 2:10, how to live once you are saved.  The book of James really is a 'how to' manual for Christian living!

Book Review: The Vigilante's Bride

I received this book from Bethany House Publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way.

I got two FICTION books to review the same day and I decided to start with The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris, because it looked less interesting than the other book.  I went into it expecting it to be run-of-the-mill Christian romance.

Plot Summary:  Orphaned girl, Emily, in a group home reaches marriagable age and is sent west to marry a older, wealthy rancher in exchange for a donation to the orphanage.  Turns out the guy, Mr. Axel, is a jerk; unfaithful, abusive and theiving to name a few.  Emily is kidnapped in a stage coach robbery by a vigilante, Luke.  A man who is part of a group who take justice for cattle rustlers into their own hands (there is no law in some parts of Montana in 1884).  After a variety of mishaps, and Luke's return to the Lord, the two realize they complete each other!

I expected the ending and did not fall in love with any of the characters, but was entertained while reading.  I would certainly read more books by Harris.

I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Applesauce

My Grammy gave me a bucket of apples from her backyard.  These are organic since she doesn't do anything to them ;) 

They are not real pretty, but Grammy told me they are great in pies.  I had seen a recipe for crockpot applesauce and wanted to try it.

In crockpot with cinnamon and a bit of sugar

It turned out wonderful!

Blended with the hand mixer

In jars, ready for snacks!

Book Review: The Devil in Pew Number Seven

Much thanks to Tyndale Publishers for sending me this book to review in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way.


The memories of a girl combined with her parents journals, eyewitness interviews, old newspaper clippings and court documents come together in an almost unbelievable true story.

This story was very interesting and easy to read.  The names of the small town folks did get confusing, but knowing exactly who everyone is, is not relevant to following the story.  While the book kept my attention, I am not convinced it is totally true.  These events took place decades ago, so memories may be skewed.  I do, however, certainly believe this family was harassed by a church member.

The moral of the story is remarkable.  The ability to forgive is divine.  When we forgive we become free.  That this family can forgive their tormentors is a wonderful example of God's love, grace and forgiveness to us.

SOCKS!

I was going a bit of laundry today, just a load of darks and a load of lights.  Nothing major.

While folding these loads I kept pulling out socks.  I just throw all the socks in a pile then match them when I finish folding everything else.  This is the pile of socks I ended with.

You will notice none of these socks belong to me or my young children.  Yes, that means they are Andy's.  It is a bit difficult to tell how many socks are there, so I matched each pair for you and counted.

14

That is the official pair count.

Then I found myself wondering, does Andy have any clean socks left?  Was I a bad wife who had neglected to take care of her husband?  I went to Andy's sock drawer and found this.

A still very full drawer.  Apparently I only need to wash Andy's socks once a month. :)

End of an Era

School starts tomorrow.  Yes, on August 12.  I know, what were they thinking???

Where did summer go?

Watching Eli feed ducks!

Feeding ducks!

We had much fun this summer, but I am sad it's over.

Eli's Birth Story: 3 Years Late

I wrote this in my journal for Eli shortly after he was born and have planned to blog it for over a year.  :)  Enjoy!

Eli Andrew Zsiga was born at 2:09 pm on Tuesday, July 9, 2007.  He was over 2 weeks past my due date, but can never use that as an excuse!  My pregnancy was pretty good.  I didn't get too sick and I wasn't miserable.

I was schedule for an induction on the morning of the 24th (my 2nd since I had gone in a week earlier and decided I wanted to wait for Eli to come on his own.).  I started bleeding about midnight and called the hospital at 3:15am when I was still bleeding.  They said to come on in a few hours early.  I was having mild contractions and was given Cytotec and hooked up to some fluids and antibiotics (for strep b) on the IV.  About 10:30am I got Pitocin to speed up labor,  I was dilated to 3cm all morning until noon when the doctor decided to break my water.  At 12:45 I was dilated to a 7.  I got up just before 2pm to go to the bathroom and when I came back I felt like I had to push.  The nurse had said to let her know if I did.

The doctor came back in, said I was ready and everyone rushed around getting things ready. (The rapid progression was not expected after it had taken hours to get past 3cm.) I tried to push during the first contraction and I had some trouble.  I couldn't figure out how to push.  I did some panicking and decided I was done.  :)  The nurses coached me and I did better on the second contraction.  On the third contraction I was told to push until the baby came (Eli's heart rate was dropping and they wanted him out.).  I pushed and pushed and pushed.

Then Eli came out in one swift motion and was skinny and not breathing.  His throat was stuff with birth stuff (you don't want to know ;).  The nurses took Eli and put a tube down his throat to suck the gunk out.  Then he was better and breathing!  Andy did not get to cut the umbilical cord because Eli was not breathing, which was sad, but it was more important to have a healthy baby!

weeks old

3 years old

You can read Carmody's birth story here!

Playing Preschool

Eli and I do school work several days a week.  He loves it and I think he may be learning something :)  Sometimes we do Hooked of Phonics Kindergarten curriculum (don't be impressed, he is just learning the alphabet right now!), we use flashcards to practice colors, shapes, and counting, a Kumon workbook that helps him learn to write and draw, it also is good for number practice.  We have a sticker workbook with a transportation theme.  Our newest activity is magazine cut and paste to learn colors and practice motor skills.  After we finish colors, on to letters and munbers!

Here Eli is getting ready to glue

Working hard!

Perfect placement is key!

Here is the finished product- YELLOW

Happy Birthday to Eli!

Eli's 3rd birthday was last weekend and he had a great time at the Track, riding go-karts, bumper boats and bumper cars and playing mini-golf!

Opening his helicopter from Uncle Luke

Bike from Grandpa and Nana, now to figure out how to pedal...




A Wii game from Papa and Grandma- Mario Cart and Toy Story!

Blowing out the candles on his dirt pudding birthday cake.

Eating a worm!