Books I Read in 2014

Another year in the books. Speaking of books, let's look at the books I enjoyed this past year shall we?

56 books total this year. That also puts my total for my 1,000 book challenge up to 397 in the last 9 years. I look forward to the upcoming year's book adventures.

What were some of your favorite books this past year?

{2013 List}

2015 Calendar

About the middle of December I start looking forward to one Christmas present in general. I have a tradition with my sister of getting each other a calendar for the upcoming year. Molly ALWAYS does such a good job of picking one out for me.

2014 I got to hang out with Jess and the gang from the show New Girl.

This year each month I will be inspired by the work of Kelly Rae Roberts!

Here is the calendar I got her for 2015

Do you have any Christmas traditions you do with your family?

What kind of calendar do you get each year?

Remember the Christmas We...

This last week during writing I wrote a story about a memorable holiday and we wrote about the Christmas where Molly and I opened all the presents without our parents. Here's what we wrote:

Christmas is a very memorable holiday for many people. One Christmas stands out to my family and my that most. I was eight years old, and my sister, Molly, was five years old. Our house was decorated with all the Christmas decorations a little kid could imagine, and we couldn't wait for Santa to arrive bearing presents.
We put out cookies and mile for Santa to munch on when he arrived and went to bed. I was so excited I almost exploded with anticipation! Finally, I fell asleep and dreamed of polar bears, Santa and presents galore.
Around four o'clock in the morning, Molly came into my room and woke me up. Santa had come! We quickly ran to the living room to explore the Winter Wonderland of Presents! Once we looked at everything, we ventured into our parents' room to see if we could open presents yet. They said that it was too early and that we needed to go back to bed. Molly and I misunderstood and thought they said we could go ahead and open them. (Go back to bed, go ahead, you hear it too right?)
So we did. In probably three minutes flat. My parents were so disappointed that they didn't get to see our joy when opening the gifts that were so carefully wrapped in love. I don't remember them being mad exactly, but we never did it again.

We laugh about it now and it still comes up every Christmas.

I enjoyed writing this essay with the students and getting their help. I can't wait to read their holiday stories this week!

Have you ever done this as a child or had one of your children do this?

Fictional Man Meat

This is me.

This is also me!

I guess I am pretty vocal about fictional characters that I love, because two separate people sent me these. Tonight, Cassie commented on my book wish list from Santa and that sparked a conversation for a blog post. I actually came up with a list of ten fictional characters that I wouldn't mind sitting on the porch swing watching the sun go down or meeting under the mistletoe.

The first boy I remember falling in love with was Travis Coates from Old Yeller. My fourth grade teacher read us Old Yeller and my friend Erik and I played Old Yeller at the park many times. I can't fully remember why I love him, I just knew that I did!

Shiloh Irons...be still my beating heart! A knight in shinning armor 100%. I know that I fell in love with Shiloh because he was always protecting Cheney Duvall. Tall, blonde and blue eyes and full of manlyness! I know he is the reason I kept reading the whole series and plan to reread it during Reread 2015.

James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser. Oh wow. So strong. So handsome. So EVERYTHING!  He fights for what he believes in and for what he loves. He too is a knight in shining armor and saves the day. I would love to have him whisper sweet nothings in my year every day of his life.

Peter Pevensie from Chronicles of Narnia. Peter is the leader. The one in charge of making sure his brother and sisters are safe. Does he screw up. Yeah, he does. He lets his responsibility go to his head (like all older siblings do. Sorry Molly) and he doesn't treat Edmund very well, which leads them all on their adventure. So without his power struggle, there wouldn't be a story. In the end, they unit as one and defeat the witch.

Donnigan Harrison is a lonely farmer/rancher who simply doesn't want to be alone. He orders a bride and then learns to love her after she arrives. He is a kind, gentle man but strong when he needs to be. It has been awhile since I have spent time with Donnigan, so I can't give too much reason as why I fell in love with him, just know that I did.

Michael Hosea. Oh Michael Hosea, you may take the prize for the most amazing man in fictional history. The love that Michael has for Sarah/Angel just melts your heart. Like the other men, he rescues his love, even when she doesn't want to be rescued. No matter how nasty she is to him, Michael keeps on loving her.

John Tyree from Dear John. Now, let it be known that I loved John before Channing Tatum played him in the movie. Although it didn't hurt his case any! Writing letter is something that I enjoy tremendously and I love to get letters. A man who writes letters? Yes please!

Elliot Stabler from Law and Order: SVU. Ok, he isn't from a book, but I love him just the same. He is angry, he is dedicated and he can take down a perp like a boss! I don't call the show Law and Order, I call it Elliot. My heart broke when he didn't return to the show a few years ago, but I still have hope for his return.

 

Nick Miller from New Girl. I. Love. Nick. Miller. I can't really tell you why on this one. I just do. He makes me laugh. I don't care if he is sometimes angry, makes a turtle face and can have the ambition of a wet mop. He has some real wisdom when it is needed and he loves Jess. 

Saved my best for last!
Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables.

Anne Shirley is a darn fool for taking so long to let Gilbert love her! He is the classic guy that your parents told you that if they tease you they like you kind of guy. Sadly, for him, he picked to tease Anne about her hair and she didn't talk to him for a long time, even after he said he was sorry. Yet, he didn't give up on her. He showed her true love when he gave up his teaching job so she could take it and be with Marilla. Some day, I will find my Gilbert and live in our house of dreams!

Wow! That was a lot harder than I thought it would be to write! I knew all the men, just writing the reasons was a struggle. I find it hard to say why I like something or dislike something. I just like it! Anyway, check some of these men out and let me know what you think!

*Hello Monday*

Hello Monday!  Here is what all I said hello to today!

Hello Snow Day

Yep, our first of the year! I got the call at 5:25 this morning. Funny thing was, I didn't think anything of it when the phone started ringing. I guess I didn't have much hope/faith it was going to happen. When I saw who it was, I knew right away!

This was taken from my front door. The snow is about half way up my door and the drift to the left is probably up to my hip. TED had to work hard to get out of the drive way!

Hello Massage

I don't care what the reason is, I love getting a massage! I find it amazing how well I feel when it is over. It cuts down my colds in half, makes me feel better and doggone it, it feels so good! I went this time because with all this coughing I have been doing, my back and neck were sore and out of place. That woman's hands have been blessed by God himself!

Hello Russian Tea

Probably one of my favorite drinks when I am not feeling well. It has such a soothing affect on my throat and the doctor said to drink warm stuff. I can do that! I bought this from a student who is selling them for her 4-H club.

Did you get a snow day today? What do you say hello to?

*Hello Monday*

Well hello Monday! Hard to believe that we meet again! The idea of "Hello Monday" seems to be helping with my attitude when it comes to Monday. Maybe that is the point.

This week I am saying hello to:

Secret Santa

This probably has to be one of my favorite weeks of school! My favorite part is seeing what everyone gets from their Secret Santa. We have some pretty creative people on staff and all the gifts are always so fun and cute! I like the secretive element also! I can never guess correctly who has me.

Trip to the salon

Since my mother gave me her gray hair gene, I visit my beauty magician about once a month. I always look forward to my time in the chair. Kendra and I spend the whole time laughing and I always walk out looking great with all my gray hairs gone!

25 Miles

I am working on my next badge with my fitbit, which is 500 miles. I am hoping to get 25 miles this week. Thanks to one special student, I get about a mile in each day during recess. One day I wasn't going to walk, but she made me. That's my kind of workout buddy!

And last, but not least...

Christmas Break Countdown Continued

Nine days to go! Still lots to do during those nine days, but fun will be had!

Happy new week my friends! What are you saying hello to this week? See what others are saying hello to at Lisa Leonard Designs

Santa Clause Might Be Coming to Visit

I think I heard a rumor that Santa might be coming to town soon. If this is the case, I would like to tell him again the top ten books I wouldn't mind him dropping off on his way over Wiggins (or where ever I will be sleeping that night!)
 Last year, I feel I gave him my list too late and none of them came to live in my house. You can check out that list here. I did manage to get my hands on A Painted Veil not too long ago through Paperback Swap and have it on my Reread 2015 book list.

This is the only one that is making the list again from last year. I kind of forgot about it until I reread last year's list. Still think it would be fun to have and useful for writing.

This happens to be one of my favorite movies EVER! Seeing it at Red Rocks was outstanding! (You can read about that here.) So of course I would want to read this book!

My dad gave me this book when I was young and I don't know where my copy is anymore. It still could be at my childhood home, but until it is found, I wouldn't mind a second copy.

Charles Martin is writing books faster than I can get them read! I have enjoyed all of the ones that I have read by him. Need to finish out my collection.

Meg Cabot cracks me up! I enjoyed her "Boy" series and will most likely like this one too!

Read about this one on a blog awhile ago and would like to read it. Hope to share it with my students also.

I love James Patterson's murder mystery books best, but I do like his romance ones also. It has been awhile since I have read one of his, so it might be time!

Have I mentioned that I am in love with Gilbert Blythe?

I think that is a pretty good list. I don't want Santa's bag to get too heavy! 
What book do you hope Santa brings you this year?