Muse song--Glorious

   This is for me and Muse fans. :) and I love to make those closest to me roll their eyes when I post Muse. hahaha.

   That one night when I couldn't sleep I was looking up Muse clips on youtube, and I found the B side tracks. For me it was like opening a new present filled with new toys for me to play with.  Me, having never heard of B tracks, did some digging and found that you find them when you buy the singles. A lot of these songs I have never heard of, and I LOVE them. Here is one that I loved so much that I went on itunes and downloaded it! (that and just a few other Muse b tracks) I listen to some of them and I wonder why were these ever B tracks! Anyway, listen! I'm hoping to eventually turn some of you to loving Muse as much as I do.

   And if you liked this one, here are a few other song titles of B tracks you can look up on youtube and listen! (too many to post vids here, and I would probably never hear the end of it from my husband--who makes me turn off Muse if it's on.)  Easily, Eternally Missed, Crying Shame, and Nishe (this is only instrumental).

Movie Review: The American

The American. rated R

This should be quick. Really all I want to say was this movie was misrepresented.  My expectations were for a more intense, fast paced movie--Clooney is no Bourne, but still looking for something more. Moved very slow, one guy on our row actually fell asleep. Very artsy, the cinematography was good, just not what I was in the mood for.

The American is about an assassin looking to get out of the business, finishing one last job. But he makes the mistake of making a couple of friends.The background is set in a beautiful picturesque town in Italy. If you're still interested, wait until it's a dollar, don't waste your time seeing it in the theatre. 3/10 stars

(the best part of tonight was actually going on a date with my husband! definitely been awhile. Maybe I shouldn't pick the movies...) :)

Book Review: One Day by David Nicholls

One Day by David Nicholls

Recommend 3.5/5 stars

Did not know what to expect when I picked up this book from a recommendation. Basically, the story takes place during a single day each year for almost two decades in the lives of Dex and Emma. The first chapter starts July 15, 1988, the morning after they both graduate from university. They have barely met, going separate ways in life, but they can not stop thinking about each other. A deep relationship builds between them, and even though their lives are very different from what they once dreamed, they remain friends.

I like how the back of the book describes it, "over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day -- July 15th--of each year.  Dex and Emma face fights, hopes, missed opportunities, laughter, and tears." That really sums it up. Hard to describe this book.  Love Story? the ups and downs sometimes faced between friends? This was a book where you wanted to know 'what's going to happen next?' with these characters. Almost didn't want the book to end, I wanted to know more. Loved it and hated it.  :)

Kindergarten.

Once again I'm up, and thought I'd share the latest. My oldest started Kindergarten! She was counting down the days. Can we say excited? me too. My daughter only started to get nervous when we arrived at the school.  We walked her into class, found where she puts her backpack, and then she was out the door to play on the playground--not nervous anymore. :)

Honestly, didn't have a lot of time to do anything before I had to pick her up again. She loved it. When we picked her up, all she could remember was playing on the playground, singing songs, and coloring a Queen paper. We'll see how things go next week..  And if you're curious how the little one did while her big sister was at school? don't think she really noticed. ;)

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Not very often are we kid free when spending time with family, so last night we decided to have an adult dinner for my dads bday!  Well.....our husbands would disagree, they thought my sister and I were acting like children at dinner. haha. What else were they expecting when they put us across from eachother at the table? Anyway, dinner was yummy...chinese.

Karaoke night!

Another late night! hope this doesn't become a habit..

This will be quick, but I had to share!  I'm the type of person that sings in the car, in the shower, singing along with friends, you name it, but not by myself in front of strangers. I'll sing in a group, that's easy, but tonight I did it!!! I walked on stage and sang karaoke...by. myself. Can we say shaking like a leaf?? May not be a big deal, but for me it kinda was. I'm actually glad my friends coerced me into doing it. One of those..I want to, but I don't want to, what if I'm off key? then I remind myself that almost everyone is off key when they sing karaoke. Anyway, I've now done it at least once, maybe I'll try it again the next time?

cause I can't sleep....

If you know me, I love piano music. As I was browsing Muse clips on youtube, I came across this piece. Just Matt playing the piano. I've been trying to find a clip of him playing this song, but no luck. At least you can listen if you're interested. I think it's beautiful. :)

Book Review: MockingJay by Suzanne Collins

MockingJay by Suzanne Collins

Recommend reading the series.
5/5 stars for Hunger Games and Catching Fire, but only 3/5 for MockingJay

   I promise not to give away any spoilers from the book. At first I didn't want to write this review, but maybe some of you are curious on my take of the book.  Many people, including myself, have been anxiously waiting for the last book in this series. Maybe I had too high expectations?

   My initial reaction after I finished the book was a little disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book, but I did not love it the way I really love the other books. The book/ending is definitely bittersweet, but that's not what bothered me.  In my opinion, MockingJay was missing the tension, and the fast paced energy that the 1st 2 books shared. Mockingjay is different, almost depressing.  Believe it or not, the last book is more bloody, more heartbreaking, and sinister than the others. Now that the Hunger Games are over, this book focuses on the war to take over the Capital, and how devastating it can be during and after. The main character, Katniss, is pushed to her limits throughout the book, and I really can't share anymore or I'll give it away.

   Read it, I know of others that absolutely love this book more than the other two books. I'm interested in what you thought of the book...

Sharing photos.

Remember my last post on the terrential pownpour in the valley? A neighbor 2 blocks away posted these pictures on her facebook. I had to share. :) These pictures will give you an idea on how much rain fell in such a short amount of time, and this was just in our area.  Amazing.  The road looks like a river! They were all taken just outside her house facing one of the busier streets in our neighborhood.

isn't this crazy!

yup that's water up over the sidewalk,

covering the sidewalk and  up to her grass.

the water main in the road was overflowing.

Who would have guessed that a couple hours later the sky was blue, and not a cloud in sight. You can never prepare for the weather here. haha. 10 minutes later is could be totally different. :)

Today's Weather

Chance of scattered rain storms, cloudy, and windy......??



Nothing like sitting in your house when all of a sudden your roof is being hammered by hail and heavy rain. love love this August weather.  ok, maybe a little over the top, but still, I love the rain. Here are a few pictures.

*just heard on the news that we haven't had this much rain in such a little time in over 60 years! it really felt like a torrential downpour..


(you can click on the pictures for a larger photo)

The back deck covered in hail. You might be able to see how hard it is coming down. The noise on the roof was really loud. My girls and I just turned everything off and listened, and watched the storm outside.

The front. Can you see on the left how it looks like a waterfall of water coming down from the roof? the hail collected by the plants, and it was coming down so hard that the washed out some of our mulch. oh I wish you could see how much rain was pooled on the cement. I just wanted to go puddle jumping!!

Another view of the front yard. Got to admit, the weather makes for great outdoor photos.

Loved the storm.