Reading is Fun

I would not typically classify myself as a great reader like many of my friends/family who commonly ready 3-4 books a month. I've always known that I like to read, but I'm not passionate about it. I'm passionate about Movies. Painting. Eating. Horseback riding. TV Shows. Hiking. I would start a movie club LONG before I would start a book club. Anyway, I'm starting a metamorphasis to becoming a great reader-or at least a reader. I have read, count them nearly 5 books in the last month! Well, I haven't finished five. I've finished three and am in the middle of two. But, wow, I think that's a record for me. Here are the books I have read/am reading and LOVING. I would love to discuss any of these at any time with you.

The Hunger Games Trilogy-FANTASTIC. Thrilling. Well written. Unique, thought provoking political/social themes that are applicable to world today. Romantic. I heart Peeta Mellark. I know, it's a horrible name.

Jane Eyre-SLOW MOVING. Although I think she is a brilliant writer, she is a bit like James Fenimore Cooper, who wrote Last of the Mohicans. It is VERY slow. Very detail oriented. So much so that it's often cumbersome to read. After 1.5 years of bathtime reading, I am finally getting to the part where she goes to work as a governess. I'm hoping it will speed up now.

Eragon-EXCITING. Author really knows how to transport you into another world. I love the connection between Eragon and Saphira his dragon. I love seeing the progression of Eragon from boy to warrior. You really want him to succeed and are all the way on his side. Can't wait to finish and keep reading the series.

Imagine Dragons

I am going to introduce you to a new band that I am in love with. It's been in my cd player non-stop for about three weeks. About a month and a half ago, my friend Dianna told me about a show at the Hard Rock Cafe. There were about four bands there and ID was not the headlining band. However, I thought they were the best performers and had amazing songs. They are catchy enough to be mainstream, but have lots of funky keyboards and synthesizers that make them unique. Their sound is the Killers meets Coldplay, meets...can't think of someone w/ keyboards like them. Help me out...Anyway, they are a local band and some of the members, including lead singer are in Dianna's ward. Love to see lds people succeed in our community.

http://www.myspace.com/imaginedragons

GO TO THEIR MYSPACE TO HEAR SOME OF THEIR SONGS

**I recommend watching the America music video. Thought it was really cool.

No Time

Sorry, haven't made time to do a proper post, but I wanted to put up some recent pics from my life and especially say thank you to the Dryden clan for making my stay utterly delightful! (remember these are very random, and in random order)

Twist, my horse, not a great pic of him, he is actually quite muscular and gorgeous

Lucky, their calf w/ a broken leg, so cute!

Ok, here are the pics from Phili-I LOVED all of the old doors there-yes I am wearing stretchy pants too. Laura told me it was ok to show off my assets, b/c "you're not in the land of skinny any more"

Valley Forge, This (and the Drydens) is what made me want to immediately pack my bags and move to Phili

So peaceful

Fashion Show, courtesy of the younger Drydens, check out the book title and lip ring :)

Thomas ?? (thought he looked like a Taliban hostage)

The girls recital

Just about the cutest thing I've ever seen

Accidentally took the bridge to Jersey-we came back w/ Jersey accents

Me and Faith in front of Christ's Church

Scarlett Alley-so fitting for our Ms. Scarlett

AND, Sassafrass Market, we had to stop for a photo opp

Got a cheesesteak from the cheesesteak Nazi-I hesitated when I had to pay and I swear he almost sent me to the back of the line

Thomas' baseball game

Buggy ride in Amish country

Beautiful Laura

Took a tour of a historic mansion and their English gardens

Ok, back to random-I helped Gracie get ready for her first formal dance-doesn't she look beautiful?!

Anyway, thanks for looking. I'll post somethin good soon!

Look What I Have

I finally got one! After months and months of plotting and planning and finally just deciding that didn't have the man power and couldn't afford the materials, my friends and I decided to use the extra pavers on my retaining wall to make one. And so a fire pit was built in about five minutes. I have had two successful bon-fires in it since then. Yay!

I'm Turning Into A Hippie (more music recommendations)

A long time ago, Heather and I were driving around in her car listening to someone I had never heard of-Simon & Garfunkel. They were everything I didn't like-they were too mellow, too 70's, too hippie for me. But, slowly, Heather's persistence paid off. She introduced me to such classics as, The Sounds of Silence, Kathy's Song and Mrs. Robinson. I started to realize that I like those songs-and not just like them. In fact, I LOVE them. Their soft clear voices, beautiful lyrics and general positivity really resonate with me. I have expanded my love of hippie music to John Denver, Elton John, CCR, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, The Carpenters & Peter, Paul and Mary. So, color me hippie, I guess. Enrich your life, bring back memories (for some of you who are mature enough to remember) and have a listen at these classics:

The Wedding Song, Peter Paul and Mary (I know, he kind of looks like a terrorist in this video, just go with it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKdUpgI-8Kk

Never Going Back Again, Fleetwood Mac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzqik8wUqbY

Kathy's Song, Simon & Garfunkel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q60YKfPKdjQ

Country Roads, John Denver (really pretty video too)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k49paH8plfY

Songs Called Gravity

So, I have a couple song recommendations for anyone who cares to read this. They are both called Gravity. One by John Mayer (yes, I know he's turned out to be a creep in real life, but I can't help but love his music-it really speaks to my soul) and the other by Sara Bareilles. Two totally different topics, but are respectively A-MAZING. Have a listen:

Gravity, John Mayer

I can be having a horrible day- one of those days where you can literally feel your blood pressure rising, and all I gotta do is put this ditty on and I MELT. ps, I know this is a stupid video, but the only link I could find to the studio version of the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VBex8zbDRs

Gravity, Sara Bareilles

I think the words to this are so beautiful and haunting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mULa8WxTa4&feature=fvst

Obsessions-I have many

Ok, do you ever see or hear about something, think it's cool or fascinating or even just hard to look away from, like a car wreck, and start obsessing over it? A little ashamedly, I admit that I do. Here are some of my latest obsessions:

1. Fire Pits:

The last few months, I have really been on a mission to clean up my yard and make some nice changes which will allow me to actually use that space instead of letting my dogs have the run of it. The major addition I would like to add is a Fire Pit. It sounds so nice to have a seating area surrounding a cozy fire pit where we can roast hot-dogs or marshmellows and talk and have fun. I have spent hours researching what kind of fire pit I would like, what shape, material, cost, location, time to build and the list goes on. I have watched DIY You Tube videos on how to build them myself, found out how to mix mortar, I have contacted stone salesman a-plenty here in vegas. And for all of my hours of research, guess what I still don't have in my backyard...

2. Heidi Montag:

Ok, I really am embarrassed about this one. But, it seriously is like a car wreck for me. In case you are out of the loop, Heidi Montag is only famous because she was (maybe still is??) on an MTV reality show called the Hills about a group of extremely superficial Cali girls starting their adult lives/careers. She was a very naturally thin, 23 yr old beautiful blonde originally from Colorado (don't ask me how I know that) who recently underwent 10, count them TEN plastic surgeries in one day. I've included before and after pictures for your reference. It's something I seriously have a hard time passing by if I see her in a magazine or a recent interview with her. I just don't know why she did that!

before

and after

3. Shipping Container Homes:

Have you ever heard of 'em? Well, a few years ago, I saw a blurb about them on some HGTV show about unusual homes. A few months ago, I saw an article on MSN about them and it reignited my interest in them. Here is a link to a video about them. They are easily assembled, cheap and sturdy. Just think they are plain cool. Would love to live in one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65C9OLvmjpI&feature=player_embedded

4. Birth Videos:

I know this is another weird one. I went through a phase the last few weeks where I seriously watched probably 20 birth videos. I think it all sprang from watching Jim and Pam's (from the Office, come on people, get with it) birth episode. I suddenly had the realization that I'm an adult woman and this is something that I really hope to go through some day and that I had never actually seen one...probably still weird. But, I have been throuroughly traumatized.

(I will spare sending you the links that I watched)

So, what are your quirky/embarrassing obsessions?