Happy Tuesday!

I know, I know... I've been gone for almost a week and you thought I was going to bail on this blogging thing again. I know. The reality is that I've had an eye infection of some sort and could not see out of my left eye for the past few days. The other days? I don't really have an excuse for those except I've been focusing on my schoolwork and trying to maintain my 4.0 GPA. This quarter is proving to be the most difficult so far, but I'm still managing straight A's - it just takes me a little longer than usual.

Add to all of this that I have now received 3 books to review and a fourth one is on the way. I need to crack down on these as well since I asked for them. I have to be able to see, however. My eye is much better today, but I still look like I've been crying for about a MONTH! Between the eye drops, ointment and allergy medication, I'm hoping to be better in a couple more days. The accompanying headache has been pretty killer as well. I missed class last night because I was blind and nauseated because of my eye. UGH!!!

OK, I'm off to go discuss this boyfriend thing with the hubster. The boyfriend's mother seems to adore Ciara so far and want her to come to dinner. She's 14. I don't know how I feel about that. Pray for us please... especially for Ciara!! lol

In His Love,

Melissa

Planning Our Escape... from the snow!!

As many mid-westerners know, we have had a horrible winter so far. With snow and ice and rain... I'm in a constant fog from sinus and allergy problems and barometric pressure changes.  I really just want to move away. Like yesterday. So... I've been spending some time researching Arizona. I have read many articles and relocation websites that explain the weather, dry heat, shopping, job market, tourist attractions and just about anything else you can think of regarding this desert state.  The site I've spent the MOST time on, however, is www.realtor.com.  I love this site. You can set all the parameters of the area, type of house, square footage, school districts (which won't matter since my last kid will graduate before we actually move), and external features like SWIMMING POOLS!!! I have perused houses in my perception of our budget at that time (haha) and then I have perused houses in my dream budget. The reality of it all is that when it's time to move it will most likely be just me and the hubster since Ciara plans to go to college here and Brianna will be married by then (and most definitely NOT living with us!!). So maybe we don't really need a big house with all the bells and whistles - just a really nice kitchen, master bedroom/bathroom and a pool.  Yeah... that will be satisfactory. lol

Stay warm and enjoy your loved ones!!

In His Love,
Melissa

Official Book Reviewer

Hello my dear friends! I just wanted to share the news that I have been accepted into several book reviewer programs in the past couple of days.  I am awaiting the arrival of 3 books from three different programs. I am working on getting all of the links posted to the side over there so you can check these sites out as well. You should know, I am only signing up with Christian based programs because I have no interest in reading lusty, sex-filled, foul-language laden books. The books I have requested all promise to be full-filling and inspiring.

On a separate note, please pray for my hubster. He's on day 3 of a migraine that has had him nauseated, dizzy and excessively tired. He's bugging me a LOT too!! Making me absolutely. :-) Just kidding, I really don't mind taking care of him. I don't like to see him sick.

Have a great day everyone!

In His Love,

Melissa

Snow Day... sort of

Today is 1-11-11 - my baby sister's 36th birthday. Happy Birthday Shell!! Guess that means I'm going to turn 40 in July. Ugh. That sounds so OLD to me! lol Anyway, she posted on FaceBook earlier that she got exactly what she wanted... SNOW. She must have hit her head. I despise snow and have not left my house today because of it. :-)

On a good note, my hubster stayed home with me today! We spent most of our time on the couch together watching Criminal Minds Season 5 on DVD. We really love that show and have every season so far. Even the current season is sitting in our DVR storage - every single episode. We really do love that show. It's the only show that we ever plan our life around. Other than Colts football, of course. lol

Tonight, I'm making some wonderful winter comfort food - homemade shepherd's pie. YUMMO! It smells so good while it's bubbling away. Can't wait to eat dinner!! I've been getting braver in trying new recipes lately. Maybe I'll start posting some of them here for everyone to share. How about leaving me a comment below and let me know if you're interested? That would be awesome.

Something else fun I've started doing as of today is book reviewing.  I signed up with two companies and got my acceptance emails today. They send me a book, I read it, and then I write a review for it. The best part... I get to read books that I'm interested in and keep them for FREE! And, they get help spreading the word about their authors and book products when people read my blog. Even trade in my opinion.

I'll be looking for other sites to sign up with to review plus I'll write about my recipes, craft projects, school progress and whatever crazy stuff happens in my life. I might even include some pictures in my future posts.

I hope that everyone is safe and warm tonight in spite of all the snow. And if you're in a warm state... please know that I am extremely jealous of you right now!! lol

In His Love,
Melissa

Happy New Year!

OK, so it's actually the 10th, but who's counting? It's still a new year and this is my first blog of the year. OK, it's my first blog since March of last year because I have failed at my previous attempts to be a blogger. This time, however, I'd like to use my blog to promote book reviews, music reviews, fun recipes, and other stuff that I find along the way.

For those of you who have read all of my previous posts... No. I have not worked on that book one single bit. How sad is that? I've thought about it often and had some ideas pop up in my brain, but never did anything with it. I'm praying that this will be the year I get off my arse and get it done. Please pray with me...


Something new in my life is that I have returned to school full-time. Without a job, what else am I supposed to do? Clean? I think not!! lol  Anyway, I'm studying to earn my Bachelor's degree in Accounting. So far I have an overall GPA of 3.97 and have been on the Dean's list both quarters.  I have just started my third quarter and find that I'm actually enjoying most of the work. Who knew? I actually have class tonight and they like to pick on me in there because I demand straight A's out of myself. If I'm not going to put my full effort into it... why bother? They call me an over-achiever in there which is funny because I've always been such an under-achiever. I'll get just good enough at something to quit. Not this time. I will finish my degree this time and it will be with all, or mostly, A's!!

So, subscribe and check back often (I've set reminders on my iPhone that I love so much to blog!) to see what's going on in my life and what I'm reading or listening to or cooking or, maybe, even sewing!! :-)


In His Love,

Mel