Archive for December, 2009

091231 – Last post(s) of the year

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

One of my resolutions this year is to try to keep track of what I’m reading. I’ve never done it before, so I have no idea how many books I’ve read or typically read in a year.

My tastes are eclectic, and often influenced by what I see my children moving toward (as well as what’s accumulated on the shelves through book sales, thrift stores, yard sales, and other “cheap book” opportunities). Oh yeah–and work. So I’ll start here and also try to track in Good Reads.

New Moon (Twilight, #2) New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Reading this ahead of Hannah. So far, she hasn’t shown any desire to read these, but many of the girls in her sixth grade class have. Definitely not impressed with the caliber of the writing, although I can see why this series appeals to so many.

View all my reviews >>

091221 – Short the third

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Since we bought our house in Las Vegas four years ago, the taxable value value of our home in Las Vegas has decreased by 47%. That’s just plain depressing. We can’t sell it, we can’t refinance it, and we don’t qualify for any federal assistance programs because we’re not living in it. Except that in order to keep working (like responsible American citizens) we moved here to California. Oh wells. I suppose Las Vegas really is a nice place to retire.

The three things that are cheering me up right now are 1.) an ecstatic boy who is 20 minutes from his big sleepover adventure at his friend’s house, 2.) finding three pairs of shoes for DD at less than $8 per pair (and they’re age appropriate, too!), and 3.) the fact that after today the days get longer again. I need the sunlight…

091221 – Short the second (Girding my loins)

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Remember that commercial for some SUV when the woman ends up driving her SUV to the top of a snow pile for a parking spot? I’ll be driving my truck, and I’m not afraid to use the steel bumpers at the mall when we go shopping on Wednesday.