I have just finished Stephenie Meyer's 3rd book, "Eclipse". As soon as I completed the Epilogue I walked toward Kaitlin & Breana's bookshelf to grab the 4th book, "Breaking Dawn" completely convinced that the first 3 books could have been condensed to one nicely impact book - same amount of pages - but just one...not three...one.

Now that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the books. I did get lost in some of the writing and appreciated the content, too...but the neediness and lack of life outside of one's boyfriend was a bore to me - although I know, I know, their relationship was what the book pivoted around. It was frightening, too. I would not want any of the young Ladies in my life to live their lives like a lost puppy who needed to be rescued and then never left alone for fear - even if it were just a few hours or even just for the evening - to be abandoned [oh dear!] But because I was told by my 14 old niece and 13 yr old daughter that I must not skip any parts - no matter what - I read through pages of goo-gooing & gaa-gaaing from cover to cover. It was melodramaticness at its best!

It was a perfect catalyst to talk to my girls about unnecessary "wanting" and "needing" and the strong desire to be self-reliant and being self-confidant.

I do appreciate many facets of the books. One in particular is Edward. I especially appreciate his cavalier and gentlemanly attributes - that is most appealing to me.

I started "Breaking Dawn" in the evening but left it at the dining table for the morning. I'm actually curious about that book so intend on finishing right away. Kaitlin tells me it's the best of the four.

So there, "Breaking Dawn" comes highly recommended!

Stepping forward

It's embarassing how I haven't kept up with this blog. Embarrassing because I've created holes in this Journal due to partial neglect and partial lack of creativity. I have started many projects but somehow get side-tracked and have ended up with baskets upon baskets upon bags of unfinished projects - needles still attached...and I often wonder where all my needles have gone!

My creative space is still stocked high with stuff and still can only be called nothing more than a storage space - wasted space, it is...it is such a shame.

I'm trying to motivate myself to start 2009 with finished projects and a true art studio. How wonderful that would be!

I challenge myself to pull it together. Enough wishing - enough talking about it - enough, enough, enough!

Once I've accomplish that, I can reap the rewards, right?

Blissfulness

I have lists of finished books under my belt and full days to try to recount but now one completed project to share.

I have started knitting two sweaters for 2 babies intended for their Showers but now they're 2 months old...hopefully I decided to knit sweaters for 6-9 months and not 3-6 months!

I have an unfinished knitted bag from last spring break begging to be finished...

I also have many knitting patterns that I'm drooling over and piles of unwanted clothes but desired material waiting to be recycled...

but for now, I'll focus on this family of mine and this glorious summer...

"Witch Catcher"

Breana turned me on to "Witch Catcher" by Mary Downing Hahn. She borrowed it from the library and brought it along on our Spring Break trip. It's a fun fantasy adventure. We so happen to have a glass round ornament made from an old coke bottle that resembles a witch catcher. This glass ball hangs at the kitchen sink window. It doesn't have a cork at the end but we pretend it's a 'witch' catcher :)

"The Giver"

My niece, Kylie, is a voracious reader (quite common in my family). I comb through her stacks of books often to see what's up in the teen-world. She highly recommended "The Giver" so when I found myself without a book and a few hours of sitting & waiting, I grabbed the book and fell in...to the point of no return. 5 hours later, under the shade of the side of the house amidst the spring blooms, I finished and was intrigued. Definitely a must-read. Now remember I am still caught up in reading books alongside my Middle School aged daughters and am finding it worthwhile. It's nice to be able to 'bookclub' it with these wonderful young ones in my life.

My recent experience around my home somewhat correlated with the book - in the sense of being in a controlled atmosphere of sameness and daring to seek beyond...but the book dives in deeper into this concept of sameness and controlling, much deeper.

I've found myself including the backyard into my daily 'grind' - I'm reading outside more, cutting flowers more (which leads to dead-heading...) and putzing around outside during lunch. I've been absorbed in the colors that are blossoming all over and breathing in the freshness & newness of it all.

I've vowed to not let myself fall into the routine of letting the yard be Dan's thing and being only concerned with the interior of the house. I've been opening all my senses and committing the sights all to memory!

I've vowed not to be trapped inside now knowing what's going on in my own backyard! I've discovered that I tend to enjoy the yard only when Dan calls me outside! I've found that I pull into the garage and close the door behind me which inhibits me from inhaling the goodness of our front yard! While I open up window & sliders, I've been enjoying the outside from the comforts of the inside!

I've vowed not to get sucked into the 'sameness' where it seems safe yet so harmful in many way. Touch! Smell! So vital in life!