I Caved!

I finally bought Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.  I am trying not to buy books since I own so many books that I have not read.  I plan on starting Twilight tonight - It will be the first pick for the 50 book challenge.  I have heard the book moves quickly and is captivating...we will see!  

2009 50 book challenge

In 2009 I am going to read more.  I am taking on a 50 book challenge, and given my busy schedule, it will be a great challenge! I estimate that I have about 2,000 books in my house - it is about time I start reading them!  Part of my challenge is that I cannot buy books to read for the challenge - I must read what I have or borrow books from the library or from friends.  I am working on putting together my list of books to read.  Right now it seems non-fiction heavy...so I need to find some fiction books to add to my list.  

Any suggestions?  

Year of Death & the Death Diet

I have always heard that death comes in 3's...but I am not so sure.  This year there have been 6 deaths in my family - my grandfather, my father, two great uncles, one great aunt, and a cousin - and the year isn't over.  We have had many more friends and acquaintances to die as well this year.  I also have several terminally ill friends and frail relatives that I don't expect to hang on much longer.  

  

I had hoped that there would be no more deaths this year...but I was wrong.  This morning my great aunt died.  My mother and I were planning on going to see her next week, but instead we will be going to her funeral.  I am so sick of funerals, death and sad tears.  When will it end? 

Several weeks ago someone noticed that I had lost weight - about 30 lbs.  They wanted to know how I had accomplished this great feat.  I simply said the "death diet."  They didn't know quite what to say to me.  It was the truth...death and grief have caused my mother and I to loose about 30 pounds each.  Although we have had a rough year, I can imagine that there are other people that have had an even more tragic year.  

It is my sincere hope that 2009 will have fewer deaths (I am not so naive as to wish for no deaths) and that my family and friends are happy and healthy.  

A Long Hiatus!

I have taken a little break from blogging...but now I am back!  I plan on posting several times a week (hopefully more). 

Last night (Christmas) my mother and I saw the move The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  I was really impressed - I hope to see it again soon, and I might even purchase the DVD. The movie touches on many subjects, which are important to us all - aging, death, happiness, destiny.  It is sad at times, but really touching.  It was very long and left feeling like I need to see the film again to see what I missed.  Cate and Brad did a great job with this one!

After I came home from the movie I got online to see if I could find the original short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  I found it, but it was very short and very different than the movie. Overall, I really liked the movie much better.  I was also inspired to learn more about buttons and button making.  Fitzgerald would be proud to have a movie inspired by his work in 2008!