The Fault in our Stars

The Fault In Our Stars

Hey all, I have finished my 12th book this year last night (2/25/2014) and all I have to say is, "Wow" with a capital-W.

So, let's get to the gist of it.  It's written in the point of view of a 16-year-old girl who has thyroid cancer and mets in her lungs, so she has to walk with an oxygen tank.  She is in love with a fictitious book, An Imperial Affliction (AIA), written by a fictitious author who goes by the name, Peter Van Houton.  This book revolves around AIA.  She meets a boy at support group, and AIA brings the two of them together.  This book doesn't have an ending and they don't like that.  So, she wants to go to Amsterdam and find out what happened to all these, characters in this book.  Boy makes it happen.  They fall in love.  And then the unimaginable happens.  When I say "unimaginable" I really mean, I knew this was going to happen, but for some reason was still taken aback by it.

As I'm reading and this lovey dovey teen couple is happy, I texted my friend and said, "I am going to be snot crying by the end of this book.  I just know it.".  "Snot, crying" is when you cry so much that you have snot running down your nose, it's not attractive, but we have all cried like that at one point or another.  I happen to do that a lot.  I'm kind of a crybaby.

Okay, so back to this book.  I knew, something bad was going to happen, so I tried to not get completely attached to these characters.  I didn't succeed. I was crying the whole last hour reading this.  Silently sobbing in my bed and wiping my snot on my sleeve.  It was gross.

The book is an easier read, definitely more appropriate for a teen rather than a twenty-something-year-old woman.  However, I did have to look up a few words as I read, which I get so excited when that happens.  But I would still recommend this to anyone.  Since it was coming from the mind of a 16-year-old, her point of view of being sick isn't what you would expect.  At least, I didn't expect it.  She has such an intellectual view on her cancer.  And it makes you kind of look at it differently as, well.  I don't have the big C or anything, but I know people who have, and it makes you wonder how they actually looked at it. I thoroughly enjoyed my adventure with Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters, and I do wish I could have had more time with them.  I think after a good day of recovery, I will be able to "move on" and start my next book.

I'm rated this book 4 stars on my goodreads account. I feel more people would have given it 5, but hey, I'm picky when it comes to "perfect".

Have any of you read this?  How did you like it?  Also, being a book worm, if you have read something that you liked, I am always open for suggestions.

Chocolate, strawberry, pudding cupcakes

Chocolate, Strawberry, Pudding Frosting Cupcakes

Absolutely delicious and EXTREMELY easy to do!!

Make chocolate pudding and let sit in the fridge. Use your favorite chocolate cupcake recipe.  Bake those bad boys up.  Wait for them to cool a little.  Then you want to core some of the middle out.  I thought using a spoon was pretty simple.  Now, make sure you keep the top part of the cored piece from the cupcake.  Add a fresh strawberry, replace the top of the removed cupcake, and put the pudding on top as frosting.

The only warnings I have are that they're messy and addicting.

Enjoy!!!

Toddler Fun

Toddler Fun

A little something that I like to do with Sam indoors, since it's ridiculous outside, is to play with some play-doh.  I bought a bag of, I think 20 small play-dohs for $5, thank you Five Below!  I place some wax paper on the table and let him have fun.

He does surprisingly well.  I was expecting it to be more of a disaster.  You know, him constantly eating it and the infamous baby mess.  But he does extremely well with it.

I also like to use that moment to teach him shapes, colors, letters, and to count.  He already likes to learn, you can see it in his face while he listens.  And that makes my job a lot easier!!

Homemade Paint

Toddler Friendly Homemade Paint

Springtime is just around the corner and I'm sure anyone dealing with the cold weather and the snow like I am couldn't agree more when I say "Thank freaking god!!!!"
This weather is relentless!!
So, for those of you with kiddies and on a budget, like almost the whole American population, I made homemade paint for my little nugget last summer and it was a SUCCESS!!!

Here's what you need.
1 cup flour
1 cup water
food coloring

That. Is. It!!

Mix water and flour until smooth, if you want, you can boil it to make it thinner, that is completely up to you. Separate into 4 different containers,  and add food coloring to get the color you want. If it starts to set, just stir it up again or add a little bit more water.  Depending on your child, determine where you would like this activity to take place.

I chose to use the little plastic tub and put it in the backyard.  And that worked out perfectly for me.  And he LOVED it!!

Enjoy fellow bloggers and readers. As always, feedback is completely welcome. Thanks! :) 

New Year

January 4, 2014

Now, I know this us a bit late, but I just started up this page.  Now, just a little insight on me, I have the WORST luck, and I am notorious for locking my keys in my car.  I was coming home the evening of January 4 from my boyfriend's house since we were looking at a polar vortex for the next couple days.  Good thinking, right?  I get home, and I see that the snow is a little high in my driveway, I drive a Dodge Stratus... 2 wheel drive, so what do I do?  Go for it, of course!!  Aaaannd, I'm unsuccessful, no surprise there.  I get stuck.  So, I walk into the garage, swearing under my breath, and get the shovel to start digging.  Things are looking good, so I put the shovel back, put my car in drive, aaaannnnd nothing.   Still stuck.  Go back to get the shovel, the swears have become a little louder, and I start to shovel more, really getting under the tires and under the car, to make sure I'm gonna get out.  I decided it was a great idea to put the shovel in my car just in case I needed it again.  Another genius idea of mine, I'm full of those.  I didn't budge.  So, I get out of my car, shovel in hand, and it's a bit difficult to get out of your car with a shovel.  I start working on the snow again and decide it HAS to be okay to drive now.  Put the shovel, handle up, in the deep snow, go to open my door and the door is locked.  Door is locked.  Car is running.  Spare is in my purse that is on the floor of my car.  Other spare is in my friend's car that is frozen shut.  And I see my phone on the dashboard.  I've done this before, had my keys locked in my running car, only that happened outside of a liquor store and I had my phone. Thank goodness I live with the family I work for, I go in crying (I'm a crybaby) and they are now out in the cold trying to break into my stupid car, his name is Jerome.  Jerome is being a jerk and not budging.  Finally, my one employer drives to the local FD, which I can see from my driveway, and they come to get my unlocked and helped push me free.  

Not even a week into 2014, and my luck has already showed its true colors.