52 Weeks of my girls {Week 4}

They got a couple new games on their iPods that they can't seem to stop playing!

So, it's not lying when they ask of these are going on Facebook and I say no even though they are going on my blog, right?  Totally different thing! 

52 Weeks of my girls {Week 3}

I told her to "go get your sister" and she came back with her in her arms!  They take everything so literally.  This was taken with my iPhone.  I cheated yesterday and used it for my instagram 366 project on my phone as well as my weekly photo of the girls. 

You can see all my 366 photos online on webstagram here: lynnsphotos  Or find me on the instagram app on your phone, username: lynnsphotos. 

Working Girl

Well, it's been just over a year and a half since I quit my part time job.  At the time it was what I needed.  I was sick of it.  I had things to tend to at home and with family.  I just needed the break. 

Over the past few months, maybe longer, I've been contemplating going back to work part time again.  I want to keep it part time because I still want to put some time into photography in my smugmug gallery and my online store at zazzle.  But I feel I need something to keep active and get out of the house once in awhile.  Something to bring in a little extra spending money and to just feel like I'm contributing something around here.

I know, I know being a stay at home mom is a job in itself but it doesn't pay for my lunch with an old friend or a trip to the casino with my gambling buddies (don't worry I go maybe once a year!).  I know I shouldn't feel guilty, but I do.  My husband was and still is OK with the decision I had made to quit.  But it's time to get back into the working world.

I've applied for a few jobs over the past few months.  I've been being kind of picky because I want something that fits in with my kids schedule and I do not want retail again.  I've gone on a couple interviews and been completely disappointed when two of the jobs I thought would be perfect for me didn't work out. 

I guess those two just weren't meant to be because today I was offered the job I applied for at our local library.  It's perfect.  Only a few minutes from home, a couple hours a day, no weekends and best of all NO RETAIL. 

I start tomorrow.

I can't wait!

52 Weeks of My Girls {Week 2}

Had to get kitty in the photo this week!

2012 Reading list

After reaching my goal of reading at least 12 books in 2011, (I read a whole 13 thankyouverymuch!) I've decided to do another list for 2012.   Let's see if I can make it past the 13 mark, I set my goal at 15 books.

I'm still on Goodreads if you want to hook up over there.  You can join in on the 2012 Reading Challenge and keep track of how many books you read throughout the year.  I just would like to also keep a list going over here too. 

So far I'm over half way done with my first book.  Quite the head start on last year where I didn't finish my first until mid February. 

So I'll continue to update this post and put a link to it over on my side bar and see how I do!

January:
The Lucky One , Nicholas Sparks (started 1/1/12, finished 1/6/12)  This is my first Nicholas Sparks book.  Shame on me I have not read the Notebook or seen the movie.  It's on my list though. I started this one because I saw that it's being released as a movie this year and the trailer looks good!
I loved this book!  For some reason I never thought I'd like Nicholas Sparks and had therefore never picked up one of is books.  I'm glad the movie trailer finally prompted me to as I will be reading more. 

Seriously...I'm Kidding, Ellen Degeneres (started 1/18/12, finished 1/24/12) I love Ellen!  Funny book.  Just a bunch of random stories and thoughts but it works!

Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse #11), Charlaine Harris (started 1/25/12, finished 2/25/12)  It's now December 2012 as I update this.  I seriously don't remember much except that as the series goes on the books are losing steam for me.  They just aren't as good as the early ones. 

The Notebook, Nicholas Sparks (started 2/23/12, finished 2/27/12)  Another one I really liked!  Then I of course, had to watch the movie.

Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices #1), Cassandra Clare (started 2/28/12, finished 3/27/12) Another great series about the shadow hunters from Cassandra Clare.  Again, I'm updating this list in December as I have been away from my blog for quite some time and as I sit here (tired) I'm starting to confuse the two series!  LOL So I will refrain from commenting about the book specifically.

Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices #2), Cassandra Clare (started 3/28/12, finished 4/19/12)  See previous book....I will say they both get a thumbs up from me though!

Stories I Only Tell My Friends, Rob Lowe (started 5/10/12, finished 8/2/12)  Yes, it took me a long time to read this one.  But not because I didn't like it!  I was going through some personal crap at the time and I just did not feel like reading, much less anything else.  But once I finally started reading I enjoyed it.  I've got quite a few more biographies on my to read list now.  This also prompted me to read The Outsiders after reading all about the filming of the movie. 

City of Lost Souls (Mortal Instruments #5), Cassandra Clare (started 8/4/12, finished 9/2/12) Still loving the series!  Even got my mom started on it. 

The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton (started 9/7/12, finished 9/16/12)  Can't believe I never read this since the movie was big when I was a teen.  Can't believe I never saw the movie either.  I had all the stars pics on my wall!  Time to get that watched.  Anyway, I did enjoy the book. 

Unbearable Lightness, Portia de Rossi (9/18/12, finished 10/24/12)  I'm a big fan of Ellen so of course was curious about Portia's story.  It was amazing to read what she went through and how much effort she put into losing weight but the writing was kind of slow and repetitive so I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. 

Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse #12), Charlaine Harris (10/26/12, finished 11/7/12)  This one was a bit better than the past few. 

Message in a Bottle, Nicholas Sparks (started 11/7/12, finished 12/19/12)  I was sad and disappointed in the ending of course (you know what I'm talking about if you read it), but enjoyed it nonetheless.  I currently have the DVD at home waiting to be watched. 


Currently Reading:

Playing for Pizza, John Grisham (started 12/21/12, )  Continuing on my quest to read all of Grisham's books. 

12/31/12  Well, I did not make my goal of 15 books this year.  It just was not year for me emotionally/mentally so most of the time had no desire to be reading.  But that's not going to stop me from trying again in 2013.  I will create a blog post shortly for my 2013 list. 

Happy List 1/3/12

Linking up with Mamarazzi today for my first Happy Post of the year. 

This week I'm happy for all the time our family spent together over the holidays.  Both the girls were off of school starting the Friday before Christmas until yesterday.  My husband had the last two weeks of December off because of a plant shut down.  Not great for the wallet but still happy to have the time with him.

We spent most of the week just lounging around at home, playing games, watching movies and reading.  But those are some of the best days! 

52 Weeks of my girls {week 1}

HAPPY NEW YEAR!



Had to get out there and get started right away!

Looking forward to having fun with them this year and getting lots of great pics!