The Last Thirteen Books I’ve Read 1. Nasty Girls by Eric S. Gray is an urban book tells the tale of 3 best girl friends, their life growning up in the Ghetto surrounded by drug dealers, gang-bangers, murder and betrayal. I really enjoyed this book. 2. Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger is a thriller/mystery. Wasn’t too bad, yet not one of my most favorites. 3. Chasing Destiny is another Urban style story, takes place in Los Angeles, CA. Eric Jerome Dickey tells the story of Billie, an independent, motorcycle riding woman who gets involved with a married man and all the drama that comes with that relationship. EXCELLENT book. Then again, EJD is one of my favorite authors. 4. Coming Out by Danielle Steele. This one tells the story of twin teenage girls who are invited to a “coming out” ball. One twin is all jazzed while the other twin is totally opposed to it and what it represents. It was a quick read, not her best and too predictable. I’m so done with DS books. I’ve read some really great DS books in the past, but the last couple were BIG disappointments. Buh-bye… 5. Beach Roadby James Patterson. A mystery/thriller. This one had a twist at the ending that I so did not see coming. Another good book from JP. 6. The Devil Wears Pradaby Lauren Weisberger. This is a VERY funny book. I ordered it before I even knew there was a movie being made. I really enjoyed this one and really laughed a lot. 7. The Other Woman is another novel written by Eric Jerome Dickey. This is the story of a woman who has no idea her world is about to crumble when the husband of her husbands lover calls to let her know that she is being cheated on. 8. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. by Gregory Maguire. This was such a boring book. I went into it with an open mind and a bit of excitement but was soon disappointed and couldn’t wait for the book to end. Its not one I’d recommend to any one. JMO. 9. The Secret Lives of Housewives by Joan Elizabeth Lloyd. A steamy little book about sex and the suburbs. Not too bad of a read, I enjoyed it. 10. Miracle by Danielle Steele. This was another disappointment, again too predictable. One of the books that have finally turned me off to any future DS books. 11. My Friend Leonard by James Frey. Recognize the name? Yeah, the same guy who wrote A Million Little Pieces This one is the sequel, if you will, to A Million LIttle Pieces. It tells about life for James after rehab, trying to live day by day, make a new life for himself while struggling to stay clean and dealing with Lilly’s death. Is it a work of fiction or autobiography? Doesn’t matter to me, it was a real good book that made me cry quite a bit. 12. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. This was a cute book about a woman who is living beyond her means and now is struggling to get out from under the pile of debt she has, yet continues to shop! 13. The 5th Horseman by James Patterson. This is the 5th (obviously) in his series with the Womans Murder Club. Another good JP book. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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It seems like I haven’t seen my ex-boyfriend in years. We don’t live too far from each other, still. So every now and then we might run into each other around town. When we do run into each other, it seems like things just happen between us. Like 9 years hasn’t passed us by. We’re able to pick up where we left off, with no problem. I know I’m married. I’m sure he does too, although he doesn’t ask. When we get together, sadly, I don’t think of my husband nor my kids.

The last time we bumped into each other was at a park. I wasn’t too familiar with the area, so I can’t give you much description. But as usual, our talking and catching up lead to a hand holding, hugging, snuggling and eventually kissing. No sex was involved, this time. I’m not sure if it was because we were outdoors or just didn’t have the time we had in the past.

Well before I know it we were laying in the grass, embracing each other, legs entwined, just mere inches from each other’s face, smiling and whispering the way lovers do. I felt a presence, or maybe I heard foot steps on the grass. Either way, when I pulled out of our kiss and opened my eyes I saw a pair of white New Balance tennis shoes in front of me. I didn’t even have to look up to see who it was, I already knew…it was my husband.

I don’t know how he found me, but he did. What did he do? What did he say? He just stood there and quietly asked me if I was ready to leave. I put my head down, in shame, quietly said I’m sorry, then I reached for his hand and he pulled me up off the grass and out of the embrace of my ex-lover.

Not once did he yell at me or cause a scene. He didn’t threaten him or anything like that. Once I was up on my feet he turned his back on me and walked away. That hurt more than if he were to have yanked me up by my hair.

When I looked back, Al was gone. No sign of him. He left quickly and quietly. When I faced forward again, I couldn’t see where my husband had once stood. I stopped and looked around, but nothing. Next thing I know, I’m hearing music in the distance and as I turn towards it my eyes open and I look around to find that I’m laying in bed between my husband and my 4 year old. A sigh of relief escapes me and I say to myself Thank God that was just a dream.

The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma
from complications due to repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly-greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities
in the food community turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs.
Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the
Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch.

The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemimah delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a
man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in
show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was
not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-
baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still was a crusty
old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough, two children, John Dough
and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his father, Pop Tart.

A funeral was held at 3:30 for about 20 minutes, or until done.

That is what life is like at home right now.

Saturday morning I woke Mister up around 9:00 and we got to spend a few hours together before he headed into work again. I was doing house work for a little bit when he decided to go run some errands. I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror and said Oh helll no! I put away all the cleaning supplies and hit the shower while he was out. By the time he got back the house wasn’t the mess it was before he left and I had showered, shaved my legs & pits, put on make up, perfume, did my hair and threw on shorts and a baby T-shirt! I only get so many hours with him (awake) on the weekend and I am not going to be seen all tore up looking! When he leaves to work I want him smelling like my perfume and smiling! I’ve got all week to scrub floors!

Sunday we packed up the cars and headed out to Bakersfield to scope out a new camping area for next years Memorial Day camping weekend. Again, it was real nice to have him around for more than 3 hours. We had a nice day out, we even took the dog with us!

So now he’s gone again and we’re back to emails and phone calls. I’m busy this weekend so we might get a couple of hours in passing, but that’s all. I do have to say his working nights has brought the girls’ and I much closer, so that’s a plus. But I miss him.

Well its time for me to become the bigger person and end my Family Strike. Its been about a month since I’ve seen and/or visited my grandparents. And 3 weeks since I’ve seen/visited my aunt and her family. A few incidents occured not too long ago and its put distance between us. Which, those of you who know me, is unusual.

Sis and I have REFUSED to have any part in the family right now, but its starting to bother/hurt my dad, we noticed that last night. So even though I’m still a bit annoyed with the family, I will, for him, go visit this Saturday. I’m doing this for my dad and my daughters. The girls have asked why we haven’t seen the rest of the family lately. And that struck a cord within me. They’ve noticed. Damn. I don’t want to distance my girls because of my own stubborness, so off we go on Saturday.

Its really hard for me because I hold SUCH a grudge when I’m upset. Time to suck it up an move on. Ugh, wish me luck…

My goodness, can you believe that August is almost gone? It seems like just yesterday I flipped the calendar page. Wait. I had to check and guess what? We have just over 30 summer days left. *sigh*

It seems like my girl had just been released for summer break. And now she’s back in school. What’s next? Back to school night–which is always a hoot {yeah right}. Pretty soon the kids’ll be asking about Halloween costumes and a visit to the pumpkin patch. Then the inevitable Christmas commercials will begin to taunt Mister. Now that always fun to watch!

I really can’t wait for Autumn to arrive. I enjoy cool evenings, wearing sweaters and jeans, sitting outside while we enjoy the comfort of the old fire pit. Aww, good memories. I have to say, I don’t mind the time change either. Most of all, I look forward to Black Friday and Mister’s return from that hellish schedule of working 6-7 days a week while on the night shift.

Tick. Tock. Let Summer end…

All of a sudden Monday’s are so damn hard for me. I hate them. I’m so unproductive at work. I sort of just sit and stare at my computer screen. I watch the clock to see how long before I can go veg out for lunch. I watch the clock to see how long before my afternoon break. Which, by the way, if no one is paying attention, I ususally extend way past 15 minutes. I just can’t stand Monday’s.

Oh yeah, we’re heading out for a little road trip tomorrow to sunny San Diego! Nothing in comparison to the usual 4 hour drive to Las Vegas that we try to make at least once a year, its only a two hour drive, but its still a road trip!

We’ll only be staying one night but it still feels good to get away alone. Tomorrow night we’re meeting up with my friend from Chicago. We’ve decided to have dinner at
Fred’s Mexican Cafe. Did you see they’ve got a Tequila Club! I see a party in the making! After dinner we’ll walk around The Gaslamp area to see what kind of trouble we can get ourselves into. Sounds like we might make a stop at The Whiskey Girl. That outta be fun.

Well, my next entry will most likely reflect the craziness of Saturday night, hopefully accompanied with all the photo proof needed!

Have a nice weekend!

Thirteen Things I love about Summer

1. Kids are out of school so mom gets to sleep in a bit!
2. BBQ cookouts and cold beer.
3. I usually buy a new pair of sandals.
4. My annual weekend trip with my best girlfriends!
5. Vacations and weekend getaways with the family.
6. Camping. Need I say more?
7. Ice cream. It always seems to taste better in the summer.
8. Longer days.
9. Warm nights.
10. Sleeping with the ceiling fan on.
11. Dirty kids! I love to see my kids playing hard and getting dirty.
12. Walking at the park in the evening.
13. Taking a day or two off from work just because its beautiful outside! Shhhh…

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants