Winter Book Challenge

 It's time for another book challenge!  I got a bit off track with the last one but I hope to do really well on this one!  The Semi-Charmed Winter 2014 Winter Book Challenge starts November 1, 2014 and ends February 28, 2015, which is definitely plenty of times.  These are the categories and the some of the books I've chosen for each (which may change).  I'm excited to start reading!!

5 points: Freebie! — We'll wait and see which non-challenge book I just can't resist
10 points: Read a book written by an author who has published at least 10 books. — First Love by James Patterson
10 points: Read a book of short stories. — Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen
10 points: Read a book with a food in the title. — The Chocolate Thief by Laura Florand
15 points: Read the first book in a series that is new to you. — Delirium by Lauren Oliver
15 points: Read a book that was originally written in a language that is not your native language. — Undecided
15 points: Read a book written by a local author. — My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares
20 points: Read a "bookish book." — The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
20 points: Read a book with a direction in the title. — Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden
25 points: Read a book from a genre you don't usually read. — Undecided
25 points: Read a book with a song lyric in the title. — Heart of the Matter by Emily Griffin (line in the song Feels So Real by Edens Edge).
30 points: Read two books with a different meal in each title. —  Uhhhh Undecided.

Blogtober: Pet Peeve Rant

Ok I am going to do short little rants about things that annoy me.  Some of these are going to probably offend people but I really don't care, it is how I feel.  A lot of these come from work and previous jobs.

The People Who Come into Applebee's and Can't Fit in the Booths:  No, our booths are not too small, you are too  fat and should probably take a look at what you are eating and maybe invest in a gym.  Either that or a grave plot because if you keep up your habits you are going to have a heart attack and die.  Sorry, truth hurts. Also, don't look at me like it is my fault, the booths are made for normal sized people and even slightly larger people, I did not make you fat.

There Are Definitely Stupid Questions:  I worked at Wawa many years ago and I had more than one person ask "how long are your two foot subs" ..... *crickets*  yes, this actually happens.  And some of them really wanted dimensions, not just a visual.   I can understand if you want to see it just to judge but when you really want to know how long it is .... seriously.

Cell Phones:  If you are at a restaurant and someone calls you, go outside.  If you are having dinner with your family or friends you really shouldn't have it on anyways.  Also, if you are at a checkout line somewhere and the cashier asks you a question, do not look at them like they are the ones being rude, put the phone down for five seconds until you are done checking out.   It bugs the crap out of me when families are out to dinner together and instead of talking to each other, they are all on their phones .... really?!?  I have a strict no phone rule when Josh and I are at dinner.

People Who Can't Control Their Kids in Public: I could rant for hours on this one.  I have even had a girl at work tell me that sometimes you just can't control your kids.  My response: if you were a good Mother, you'd be able to (she got a little mad).   If my kids were throwing food on the floor they'd have the food taken away until they stop acting out.   I am sorry but if you can't control your kids, don't take them out because they don't look bad, you do.  The people who work at the restaurants don't appreciate it and frankly neither do the other guest.   I have actually had people request to move due to children acting like freakin' spazzes.

People on Tours of Natural Places or Hallowed Places Who Are Disrespectful:  When we went to Luray Caverns, people kept wanting to touch the formations even though the guide told us and showed examples of, formations that people have touched that have stopped growing because of it.  Also, Sistine Chapel is supposed to be silent and no photography but of course it was really loud and people were taking flash photography.  Rude.  Also, I have seen pictures of people in front of the entrance to Auschwitz and other concentration camps smiling.  I'm pretty sure there is nothing to smile about there.

I think that is all I have for now :)  End Rant.

Blogtober: My Dream Trip

My dream vacation takes place over three months.  I am assuming I have that much time and money (yeah, right).

I would spend 6 weeks traveling through the UK (England, Scotland and Wales) and Ireland.  These countries are at the top of my list.  I simply have to go there and I want to be able to do some exploring and not feel totally rushed.  I love castles, so I would probably spend a good bit of time castle hunting.

Then, I would spend a good 4 weeks in Africa doing safari's.  I would like to visit Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda.  I have always dreamed of seeing the amazing animals of Africa in their natural habitats.  It would be a dream come true to explore these areas of Africa.

For the last 2 weeks, I would head to the western United States.  I would explore Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley and Salt Lake City.

Blogtober: My Happy List

Book Review: Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park

By: Rainbow Rowell
Pages: 328

Read: 9/26/14

"Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try."
{GoodReads}

 I don't know why but I went into this book with pretty low expectations.  While it didn't completely blow me away, I was pleasantly surprised and ended up liking it much more than I thought I would.  I really loved the characters; they are just so realistic and relatable.  I also love that their love story was slow building, it wasn't some unrealistic love at first sight kind of thing.  I wasn't a big fan of the ending though.  It's almost as if she got lazy and didn't feel like writing any more.  There is no real explanation about why Eleanor made the choice she made and their is kind of an unresolved ending.  The rest of the book was good enough that the ending didn't completely ruin it for me though.

  I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good YA book. 

I gave this book a 4/5 on my GoodReads

Living Cruelty-Free: Seventh Generation

Last time I talked about Method products which are definitely some of my favorite Cruelty-Free products.  Today, I want to share Seventh Generation, which is another favorite brand of mine.

I actually don't use this  hand soap at home but we do use it at work and it works really well.  We get a lot of dirt and grime on our hands if it's raining and this hand soap gets it right off. 

I don't really know what to say about the toilet paper.  I'm not picky when it comes to TP ... it works fine and isn't flakey.

We don't have much wood furniture but what we do have, I use this product to clean.  It does just as good a job as pledge or any other wood cleaner.  I've been using it for a few weeks now and love it.

I love these dish washer packs.  Josh bought the first ones we used in our house which were not cruelty-free and they sucked.  Half the time they didn't work and would still be in the dispenser thingy when the cycle was done.  I got fed up and switched to these and have not had any issues since.  Also, my glass comes out streak free, so I am one happy camper.

I love Seventh Generation Laundry detergent!  I think it smells amazing and does a great job of getting clothes clean.  Any detergent that can get Josh's disgusting work clothes clean gets and A+ from me!

Again, these are just the products that I have used and have had a good experience with.  Seventh Generation has so many products that I'm probably forgetting some that I've used.  They have tons of cleaning products, baby care products (which friends have used and loved), and beauty products.  This is another brand that I know target sells, so it's definitely not hard to find.  It is also in the local grocery stores here in MD so I'm sure it is in local grocery stores elsewhere.

If you need more convincing to shop cruelty-free, check out the latest Beagle Freedom Project rescue:

Blogtober: My Favorite Quote

My Favorite Quote:

I've always loved this quote. So much that I eventually want to get it tattooed on me.

I have a very overactive imagination and I always have.  It's part of why I read so much; reading gives me a way to channel that.  I am a person who can stare into space for long periods of time just daydreaming.  I saw this quote for the first time and fell in love with it.   Books and travel are my magic. 

I can create whole worlds in my head through books.  Harry Potter was incredible.  I was able to create the whole wizarding world in my head.  And when I travel I like to try to imagine what has happened in those places in the past.  I could almost see the gladiators in the Coliseum.

This is definitely my absolute favorite. I do have a few close seconds though