Reading Lists

So my reading wish list has gotten out of control. My Amazon list is up to 136 or something crazy like that and I have MANY books on my shelves that I have not finished. Many GOOD books. Ranging from the last few pages of The World Without Us, to one of Gregory MacGuire's recent ones, to the Idiot, and on and on and on. I need to make a point of sitting down and reading more often. But of course, needing to exercise, finish house projects, and all of that get in the way. I WILL start reading and letting all of you know what I think again soon. For now, I'll review a book I'm ALMOST done with...c'mon I'm on 921 of 979 pages, it's taking me awhile, but I'm close.



The Stone of Tears by Terry Goodkind
Enjoying it a LOT. It's the sequel to The Wizard's First Rule (The basis for the television show Legend of the Seeker...which I have never watched). It's kind of the standard fantasy, journey epic, but not entirely predictable. It's not like the blatant rip-off of Tolkien that I discussed in the past (and won't bother to name again). This doesn't really involve other species (e.g. elves, trolls, the like), but does have a magical element, and is more political. Highly recommended for those of you that enjoy this sort of thing.

PUPPY BUTT!!!

So, our baby girl was born a week and 1/2 ago, and we just got pictures last night. We don't know which puppy is ours yet, so here's just a few pictures from the litter. They are TOO frickin cute. Eyes aren't open yet, but they're so BIG.

The Price We Pay

Well...the bathroom's not done. We hit more snags than anticipated. A pipe was in the way of the vanity, an outlet was behind the sink and mirror, the toilet seals...oh the toilet seals...the first one was missing the bolts, the second we screwed up, then the 3rd we got in...but I stepped on the 2nd one in the process, which is INCREDIBLY disgusting.

So...we've figured out the pipe situation, the outlet got moved (though we now have a patched drywall area that needs to be sanded and repainted), and the toilet can be used. The grout has been sealed, the room is VERY purple (yay! looks great!), and we're getting close. Still not the "done" we were hoping for, but close.

The price? I'd like to claim that I hurt my foot working, but I'm just a klutz. Fell up the stair between the family and dining rooms and cut it/bruised it badly. Looks nasty, and feels about the same, so I thought I'd share.

Congrats Quynh and Kyle!

So, last weekend we did something startling, amazing, write-on-the-calendar worthy...we did not work on the house. Well, not on Saturday (we did when we got home on Sunday, we're hopeless). We went out of town, and celebrated two fantastic people getting married. Quynh "what's in fun coke" and Kyle "that's what she said". Oh, I could go on and on with favorite moments from these lovebirds, but I probably want to keep them as friends. Maybe. Oh, alright, I'll give you another one from Quynh that she posted in her status message for awhile.

One night Quynh and I were walking back from a pub when we were living in Ireland, with but slightly ahead of a large group of people. Quynh, per the norm, had had a few drinks, and was wearing giant heels. Crossing the campus lawn, she WIPED out and fell flat on her face. She popped up, turned to me, and asked, "Did anyone see that?" ...And of course no one had. That's Quynh, embarrassing herself and getting away with it for 29 years.

She did NOT embarrass herself with choice of husband, however. Even if he became king of the dance floor (which we were not anticipating). Kyle is that poem "Love is patient, love is kind, etc..." He is the yin to Quynh's yang. Where Quynh is the cheerleader with the bullhorn, Kyle is the male cheerleader holding her up. Though slightly less flamboyant. And hopefully not looking up her skirt. That's just tacky.

Anyway, we had a great time at the wedding, and here are some pictures to prove it.

Tiling Queen

It's not grouted yet, but I'm very proud of my handiwork. And, yes, I laid 99% of the tile. Chris cut, but decided he did not like masonry. So, pretty much, I rock. And my nails are shot. Oh well.

Homegoods/Marriage Confessions giveaway!

Katie over at Marriage Confessions has a giveaway for a $100 Homegoods gift card going on. Now, we all know that Mrs. Hoekstra is a decorating goddess, and she HIGHLY recommends Homegoods to everyone she knows. She even got my mother to take me there when she was in Philly last time! And I didn't get lost driving there! (truly a miracle) So, head on over to Marriage Confessions, and join in the fun!

We have a family room!

Yay! It was painful completing the floor Friday night while I was sick, but we did it! And now the furniture's back in! And we can use it! Woo hoo! Bob's replacing the window's some time this week, so we're waiting on the last couple of rows and the molding, but close enough.

The bathroom is coming along. We've spackled everything once, and are sanding tonight. We've purchased the tiles for the floors, put up all the lights, and ordered the vanity, sink, cabinet, and mirror. So, most of the money that needs to be spent has been. At least that's a relief. We have some hope that we can finish it in the next couple of weeks and have people over for the Iowa game. It was great having Matt over on Saturday. It felt like a real house when we could entertain in it. Not just a disaster zone.