Making the Time for Reading

I have always loved to read. When I was younger I could always be found with a book in hand. I could read in the car, with TV on in the background, with music on, while people were talking...literally, anytime. I feel as I have gotten older, I have been reading less and I want that to change. It seems like I can always find an excuse not to read. Throughout college there were always college texts to be read and now there is laundry to be done, dishes to be scrubbed, dust to be wiped, a bathroom to be cleaned, groceries to be bought, dinner to make, that one show to watch and sleep to be had! I hate that I can always talk myself out of sitting down with a book.

The other problem with me and reading is that once I am engrossed in a book, that's it. I am into it so don't talk to me and don't expect me to do anything until I finish that book. It's addicting! Maybe I could just plan reading time everyday. That sounds so silly but I feel like for things that are important, it is okay to make sure I have time for them. After all, work is scheduled, appointments are scheduled, dates with friends, dates with Hub--why not schedule time to read?

I am reading:

and even though I heard from some that it was a little hard to get into at first, it really picks up and is a great book, I have seriously loved it from the start. Larsson's writing style took a little getting used to in the beginning but now it is quite a page-turner for me. 

So, on top of some of the goals I talked about before, I also intend to bring back my love of reading. I am also a firm believer that being a reader results in one being a better writer so hopefully that works for me too! I simply detest how as we get older so many things we used to have time for just fall by the wayside.

When do you find time to read? Do you feel guilty while you're reading thinking about others tasks? What are you reading right now?

So What Wednesday

"Mama Dew" has designated Wednesdays to be the day to say "So What" so I thought I would link up today.

So What...

...If on a dreary, rainy day I just curl up on the couch with my book after I get off work instead of completing chores.

...If even though I got some great Christmas presents, I have seen some sale items I really want.

...If I like Saturdays to be a day of seclusion for Hub and I.

...If I don't sweep up dog hair as often as I should.

...If I wish I had been the WA lottery winner.

...If Sometimes I want to throw the coffee at customers because they can be so rude when I try to be so nice.

...If I just want it to hurry up and be sunny already.

...If sometimes I also wish it would just snow already!

...If I change my mind a billion times on which house project I want to tackle next so that it takes me forever to actually start one.

What are you saying "So What" to today? Head over to Life After I "Dew" to link up!

My Kinda Shoppin'

As I spoke about retail therapy here and about finding deals here, I am now brought to the next topic of freebies! Nothing like heading over to the parent's house to use their elliptical machine only to find my mother elbow deep in piles of her Christmas decor, grandmother-hand-knit-sweaters and old knick-knacks. I don't know if you've heard the old saying but "one man's  woman's trash is another man's  woman's treasure." I love looking at some of the stuff they have over there and now and then, I score:

Here we have a puzzle {which Hub and I have been itching to tackle one}, some snowmen {that just may not get put right away, I mean it is still wintertime}, a Hull Pottery piece, a grandma-knitted sweater and some dishtowels that I plan on making into napkins. I mean, come on, how can I pass on these treasures?! Hub kind of gives an eye-roll when I come home from the parent's because it really goes without fail that I ever some home empty handed. Here are my answers: I am still decorating our house. I can never have enough snowmen. We have been wanting a puzzle, why would I go buy one if the parents have one just sitting around?! Why would I go buy fabric if I don't have to? What a nice cozy, winter sweater that is to keep the winter chill away.

Do you find treasures at your parents? What do you think about keeping snowmen out just a little longer than Christmas decor? 

"Reality" TV

Ok, ok, ok, OK! Even after every season of the Bachelor or Bachelorette when I swear to not tune in next season because it was too unrealistic, didn't like who the end result was, swore I wasn't going to like the Bachelor/Bachelorette...I keep coming back for more! 

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Seriously, when I started hearing the mumblings of Brad Womack  being the next Bachelor after leaving two women with no rose or ring on his last season, I snubbed my nose and proclaimed I wouldn't watch. Where did I find myself last night right when I got home from work? Glued to the DVR hanging on every eager lady's word and of course criticizing and judging every single one. What is wrong with me? Why can't I get away from it? Oh, because I like to be entertained and let me tell you, that is exactly what this show is. Whether all or none of it or some of it is staged, acted out, re-enacted or what-have-you, I soak it up to the last drop. When those previews for the next week start rollin' I count the days until next week's episode. Honestly, I do not look at it as realistic for these crazies to find "true love" I just find it highly entertaining television.

He claims he has changed, is "in it for the right reasons" this time, wants the women to trust him but we shall see. Can't wait to see what ABC  has in store for us and to get my sick fill of "reality TV." {It is a sickness. Just ask Hub.}

What do you think of Brad? Did you watch his last season? Do you think this just is just absurd and can't stand the idea of it?

The Best Deal

Does anyone else out there get overwhelmed by getting the best price possible on items? I mean, don't get me wrong, I love a good deal just as much as the next person however, sometimes it is a little exhausting to research, research and research. There are so many websites these days with coupons, still the trusty ol' newspaper comes out with coupons, there are manufacturer's coupons, rebates, etc. I get daily emails from Groupon, Rue La La {not really that interesting to me anymore. In fact, I've never even purchased anything from there.} and look forward weekly to the grocery store ads that come my way. I am actually fortunate of the fact that I have three grocery stores within three miles of our house and one more within about ten miles. Getting the best deal from a grocery store is actually kind of a game for me. I enjoy perusing the ads and then jetting to the proper store to receive the best deal. I have even taken a look at The Krazy Coupon Lady in hopes that someday I could be even a quarter of the discount shopper these pros are.

It can almost get to the point sometimes of talking myself out of buying things because I think there will be a better deal at certain times. Sometimes-yes, sometimes-no. When I see others getting these great deals on things it makes me envious that I didn't get it or find it. I know it all takes time and a little effort but hey, I think it pays off when I am sitting with satisfaction in the fact that I got what I think to be a "good deal."

In the next few months, we are in the market for a new camera, carpet, and various home improvement purchases and you can bet we will be searching and searching and....searching some more to get those "deals."

What ideas do you have for seeking out deals? Any special websites you prefer to print coupons from?

The Start of a New Year

There really isn't anything like ringing in a new year and the sense of promise of change and improvement that it brings. Everyone makes resolutions, sets goals or makes promises. It's funny because sometimes I feel like fall is the start of a new year (I guess from so many years of school) but maybe it is good to have two times in a year to feel as though we can start fresh.

Anyway, I am feeling very motivated to get back on track with exercising, eating right, organizing, purging and giving away items we don't use, and tackling some crafting and home improvement projects! A lot of these things come with a price so I am also going to be more mindful of spending and seeking out some screamin' deals.

I have been pouring over some blogs and have a couple of projects I am interested in:

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I came across this on Made it on Monday and it seems like another good beginning sewing project. I learned how to do the ruffle on my pillows, I am sure I can come up with an old pair of pants and what a creative way to not have to go buy fabric. I am learning when I go to the fabric store to actually head straight to the "remnants" pile and start digging because I apparently head straight to the expensive stuff only to cause my eyeballs to bulge straight out of my skull when I get to the register! Oopsie, beginner's mistake.

I am absolutely in love with this beautiful wreath and can't wait to tackle it. I think I have some sort of secret obsession with wreaths that I can't really explain or didn't even really know I had until I see ones I love:

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This cheery gem comes from Tatertots and Jello and appears to be quick and simple as well. I am waiting to see what my mom pulls out of her fabric collection to see what I can pilfer. Since I am taking down the Christmas season wreath today it will be nice to replace it with something to brighten the front door during the rest of the wintery months.

Onto the next hobby: Cooking! I received four cookbooks for Christmas and can't wait to get started. Hub commented last night that I have all these cookbooks and what do I cook out of them? Well, I have my standby:

However, I do have quite a few books on the shelf that don't always get opened too often. The excitement of a new cookbook chalk full of new recipes is always so much more exciting than the dusty ones on the shelf. I want to get out of that mentality. I want to use the books I have: 400 Soups, Better Home and Gardens: Our Best Recipes, and now to include the newbies: The Pioneer Woman Cooks, and Texas Treasury of Dutch Oven Cooking . 

I am also excited that my back is feeling better and it is time to get back into the workout routine with my new heart rate monitor:

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As well as some sleek, new Nike running pants.

Sounds like I have a busy year ahead and a lot of goals to accomplish! I guess the first place to start will be to take down the Christmas decorations....

What are some of your goals/resolutions/promises? Any Christmas gifts proving to be highly motivating for you?

The End of 2010

What a year it has been!

Continuing on as newlyweds and celebrating our first anniversary.

Surviving another one of Hub's busy seasons.

San Antonio, San Fransisco, San Diego and San Antonio. The year of the "San's."

My first Christmas away from my family and with my in-laws.

Hub's first Christmas home to SA in 2 years.

Sick family members.

Many healthy family members.

Friends moving closer and friends being long distance.

Working out, not working out.

Saving money, spending money.

Eating right, not eating right.

Injury and forging on.

No matter how we look at it, this was a year of lessons, supporting each other, strengthening out marriage--and a year of happiness. SO thankful to be where we are life and love and can't wait to ring in the new year and see what is in store for the Riemenschneiders in 2011!

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