My Latest Distraction

I've been too busy using my new Cricut to update this blog.  I bought it President's Day weekend on SUPER Sale.  I actually got almost 60% off of everything I bought!  Any Crafter knows that Cricut products almost NEVER go on sale, and those amazing 40% off coupons never apply to them.  I saved twice what I spent!!  Call me Ms. Master Saver!

So I bought the original small Cricut, my crafter friend said it was a good one to get started with.  I also got two cartridges: Lyrical Letters, and Everyday Paper Dolls.  I've made the cutest pages! I'll scan a few and update this post with them.  This thing is so addicting though! So easy to use too!  I had my non-crafty girlfriend using it within a half hour.  She loved it so much she now has her own crafting envelope at my house - she's even talking about buying her own stack of paper to leave here and buying the next cutting mat!

In order to improve my crafting experience, I claimed a corner of the office as my craft corner.  Unfortunately the office is so small that this means putting a table IN FRONT of the closet door, but we hardly use the closet right now anyway,  after I make sure this addiction sticks I'll make a better, more permanent spot for my crafts.

My Cricut addiction brought on another new addiction: EBAY.  I haven't eBay'ed (yes I'm making that a word) since high school.  I've bought two new cartridges (still waiting for them to be delivered) - Storybook and Dress Up Paper Dolls.  The Storybook one is great for embellishments, swirls, corner decorations, etc - I played with it at my friend's house.  The new paperdolls one has outfits for the dolls - cowboy, cat, dog, etc - I figure its a good investment as all my friends are having kids.  I'm actually planning on making a storybook for Boyfriend's goddaughter - I don't have any nieces or nephews of my own (and my friends' kids are all really little) so she gets to be spoiled, she's so sweet that she's worth it.  If it goes well, I might make more for my friends' kids as they get older, or make them and sell them on eBay - see I can make an addiction pay!

Be prepared for craft ideas to come!

The valentines that almost wasn't

We celebrated valentines last weekend (early because I had a conflict on the actual day).  Another day of one thing after another.

1. Special Skin Treatment
I decided to go all out!  I used my special oxidizing rejuvenating facial cream. It tingles and cleans out the pores and brightens up your whole face.  It takes 10 minutes, so I decided to do my legs and eyebrows while I waited.  When I washed the cream off, my skin was glowing and rosy.  A little TOO rosy.  Time for lots of foundation to even out my now blotchy skin.

2. I can see! NOT
When I went to put in contacts, I realized I'm all out.  So glasses it is.  So not the look I wanted.  Oh well, the date must go on.

3. The dress
Boyfriend bought me a dress after Christmas from my favorite store (White House Black Market).  The dress just wasn't right for me.  There was an abstract bow on one side, with gathering to it.  It's a nice dress, my best friend has it and it looks good on her - not me though.  It emphasizes all the wrong parts.  So the day before, I went with a friend and exchanged it for a little black dress unlike any other I've ever had.  Short, with sparkle and embroidery in a band down the middle.  So not like me, perfect for Vday!  New pair of shoes to go with it too.  Unfortunately, although my friend and the saleswomen and I all loved it in the store, day of, I had second thoughts.  Just had to go with it though.

Next year, I will check my contacts a week early, use any skin treatment a day early (or at least a few hours), and ALWAYS have a backup dress!

EA Active 2 for PS3 - Review

I'm an average woman, which means I want to get in better shape.  I figure, I'm in my 20s, if I'm not in shape now, I never will be.  Plus I have some dresses I'd love to look better in...like my Valentine's dress.  So when I bought Boyfriend the Move, I picked up the EA Active 2 for myself.

You start out by designing yourself, wish there were more options on hair colors but still kinda cool.  You then pick a workout program or pick as you go individual workouts.  I decided to start the 9-week program, and chose the woman for my trainer - the woman is better for aerobics and the guy is better for pushing yourself according to the cd book. 

I did the first workout today.  Man, that trainer is mean!  She kept yelling at me to push harder.  Squats, skipping rope, MOUNTAIN CLIMBING (running, squatting, and jumping when prompted), even arm curls with a provided resistance band (or substitute your own hand weights).  The planks almost did me in.  A couple times, I wasn't sure if I wanted to hurl or cry, and I know I did more flailing when running than "pumping" my arms.

Riley seemed to enjoy watching mommy panting and jumping all around.  During the planks and the cool down stretching, Riley seemed to think it was play time and kept getting into my face.  We'll see if I loose any weight, I also ordered some magic supplement from Vitamin Shoppe that's supposed to help me "make the most" of my efforts.

PS3 MOVE, Little Big Planet 2

For valentine's day, I bought Boyfriend the Move for PS3...did a lot of research before I bought it.  Our parents have wii's so we are familiar with those, but we already have his PS3 and my Xbox360 so we wanted to get one of those.  The PS3 was better rated (especially for our smaller living room), and less expensive ($99 for the starter bundle compared to $150 for Kinect)

I bought him the bundle (which comes with the motion camera, one wand, and a sports game) and an extra wand so I can play too.  We decided to not buy any navigation controls because the games we got didn't require it, and we figured we could get one later.

It took a little bit to set up (due to blond moments on our parts), but once it did it was pretty easy to figure out.  It is WAY more responsive than wii.  I will say that I recommend buying a flat screen mount adapter for the camera if you are tall or have a smaller living room (will be picking one up soon).  We've played table tennis, boccie, and volley ball.  A lot of fun, and we both worked up a little sweat while playing!

He also got himself Little Big Planet 2, we'd played it at a friend's house and he really enjoyed it.  I find the multi-player part of the game frustrating at times.  If you get separated from your team you "die" and have to wait for a resurrection portal to play again.  Very annoying.  Though Boyfriend and I can be very competitive when we play against each other, which doesn't help...there was much muttering and gnashing of teeth.  Riley slept through the whole thing.  In a few hours we completed the first section of the game and will continue on together soon.

Tomorrow I'm going to start a new workout plan.  I have a shakeweight, the palate's zone (both as-seen-on-tv products) and I picked up the Active 2 workout system for PS3 as well.  We'll see if I can get in shape by my May 6th graduation!  I want to try to wear the same dress I wore for my middle school AND high school graduation!  Lofty goal huh?

The chicken disaster

So I gave in to the urgings of my girlfriends and made "Engagement Chicken" for dinner.  For anyone who doesn't know what this is, its a recipe that appears in Glamor Magazine every so often, which consists of a roasted chicken that you shove a couple lemons up its rear.  So why is it called "Engagement Chicken"?  The dish is supposed to have magical properties!  Make this for your boyfriend, and within two months he will be your fiancee.  There have been over 22 reported successes with this dish, including the girlfriend of the proclaimed bachelor Howard Stern.  Figured why not give it a whirl, if nothing else I could successfully roast my first chicken!

So you take a roughly 3 pound bird.  Wash it out in and out, drown it in lemon juice (inside and out), salt and pepper, then shove 2 medium lemons up its butt.  Roast in a 350 deg oven BREAST DOWN for 15 min, then FLIP IT OVER! and roast for 35 more min.  I know what your thinking; you think I dropped it on the floor when I flipped it over...WRONG! That is not the disaster of this story!

First issue: I don't need to rely on timing, I have a thermometer timer that Boyfriend bought me.  Just select the meat, insert the probe, and wait for it to beep when the meat is at the safe temperature.  Well...as I put the chicken in the oven - with probe inserted - the timer part of the piece falls off the counter, hits the floor, and dies!  The thing won't turn back on.  Ok, guess I'll do it the old fashioned way and just time it.

Second Issue:   Ok, 35 minutes breast up, should be done.  Slice by the thigh, blood gushing out.  NOT DONE...ok put back in.

...Ten Minutes later...

Use non digital stick in thermometer....150 ok still not done
....Ten Minutes later...."Honey, is dinner done yet??" grrrr...Cut the breast...still pink...throw it back in....five minutes later....pull it out, carve it up...well SOME of it is edible... Half the breast is cooked, half isn't, one thigh is done, one isn't.  Throw carcass back in oven and serve what I can.  We eat what we can off of that dish and nuke the rest when Boyfriend wants seconds.

Third Issue:  When I went to get the wish bone...it was already broken.

I'm taking this as a sign...I have no luck or wishes to come true...and I'm not going to get engaged any time soon....which was confirmed at valentines dinner when Boyfriend said he didn't see us getting married until at least 2013

Maybe he's trying to keep me on my toes again?  Seriously doubt it though!

Blogging Bug

This blogging business is dangerous.  Its really addicting just putting your thoughts out there; you can say what you want and not have to look people in the eye while doing it!  Perfect for anyone who is too shy to speak up all the time.

I've really gotten into forums too.  Well one.  If you go to the Blackveil page on Amazon.com and go to the discussion board "Plot Shock...", the three posts that are by "Bethany" are all me.  One person even referenced me in one of the follow up posts! So exciting...so sad that it's that exciting...

I'm happy to report though that there is someone who is very delusional regarding the plot of the series, but another poster and myself are trying to put her in her place!

How do these, basically public online diaries start?  How do they catch on?  Why do we all get caught up on the most meaningless things!  This one discussion thread on Amazon has 90 posts over 8 days....most of them in the last couple of days.  Over 10 posts a day on ONE book, one not even vastly popular book!  Yet my forum for science fair project help has ZERO posts over a few months!  Wouldn't you think help on a school assignment or learning project skills that will help over your life time would be more popular or more important than a sci/fi novel?

Then again, I bet there are a million times more high school students who have seen "Numa Numa" on YouTube than have read Jane Eyre.  And there I will stop, because I'm starting to sound like my mother.

Peanut Butter Cups

On Friday, I made peanut butter cups from scratch - they are Boyfriend's favorite, and we're doing low-cost valentines day this year (though he already broke that by buying diamond bracelets for me...so pretty)

I followed these directions,*NOT* as easy as they look.  Making the initial shell took some practice.  I'd recommend using foil mini cupcake holders, or maybe actual candy molds.  I used V-day themed mini cupcake from the craft store - VERY THIN.  I ended up having to hold the liner in my hand and smooshing around the edges with the spoon, practically folding the thing in on itself in the process.  The final chocolate cap was a lot easier and more fun.  I also got pink melting chocolate to put little hearts on top or to differentiate different fillings - but the one filling was hard enough that I didn't want to try another batch so I didn't use it.  In the end, very worth it.  They  are delicious!  The filling tastes just like Reese's (I used "Great Value" reduced fat smooth), and I prefer the richness of the semi-sweet chocolate over the milk chocolate.  We've been eating them out of the refrigerator, which occasionally hurts the teeth, but, again, SO WORTH IT.

Blackveil - The Review

The book finally came at 7pm on Tuesday....so I waited to start it Wednesday morning because I knew once I started I wouldn't want to stop.  Read all day Wed, had to stop to go to class, and then half the day Thursday.

Wednesday at 8:32am
     page 1 of 663 :-)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 12:15pm
     page 178....so freaking good...dog finally passed out and stopped bugging me
Wednesday at 4:13pm:
     REALLY  doesn't want to go to class...why couldn't the book have come 
     YESTERDAY  when it was supposed to and I didn't have class??? 
     on page 393...i  better not bring this to class with me...
Thursday at 7:23am:
     page 416...hopefully Riley isn't sick all day so I don't have to 
     keep stopping
Thursday at 11:04 am:
     hopefully there will be no more interruptions! page 524...NO CLUE 
     how they're going to wrap any of this up in 140 pages!
Thursday at 12:04 pm:
     page 663....no comment...

I find myself very unsure of how I feel about the book - I probably won't know until after a long discussion with my best friend who also reads the series.  It definitely draws you in.  I was so engrossed that I laughed, cried, and fumed right along with the characters.  Also, I about jumped out of my skins a couple times when someone knocked on the door or the dog jumped on me.

The book is not being received well by the fans of the series though.  As of this morning, there are 22 reviews on Amazon, and even the best are less than positive, and the worst are SCATHING:  "too little too late." Many are yelling that they will not "waste" their money on buying the next books in the series.  All are less than thrilled about the long wait between books, as Kristen Britain averages 3-4 years between books.  According to Ms. Britain's blog, she is already at work on book 5, so I'm hopeful it will only be 2 years.  The last book was released 3 years and 4 months after its predecessor, so if she can shave 9 months off her process again (especially since she started writing 5 before 4 was published), then hopefully in 2013 we'll find out what happens.

I will agree with the other reviewers that it feels a little unfinished, that it was definitely not a lighthearted read like some of the past books.  In a lot of ways, it reminds me of Harry Potter book 6 - a lot of character development, a lot of things you don't want to happen, and a set-up book.

I disagree that "nothing happened."  I know many would have preferred an all action book, but its hard to have plot and character development with nothing but swashbuckling action.  I found many questions from past novels answered, and many of my predictions fulfilled.  Also, for all the "it wasn't happy, I want happy-go-lucky" unfortunately, not all stories go the way you want.  Even though I had a way to fix everything perfectly during the book, in hindsight, if that had happened, I bet just as many people would be angry.  If everything went perfectly, it would feel empty and pointless.  The characters need to suffer a little to feel real, and coming from ME - the queen of happy plots all tied up in pretty bows - that's saying A LOT. 

Hmm...what to read or cook next...I'm supposed to make peanut butter cups for Boyfriend for valentines day...and I was thinking of working on my long-standing DIY project - refinishing the bathroom - only the floor is left to do!

Green Rider ...countdown to Blackveil

9:00 AM
It's 9 AM...been up since 6:30...though in my defense, I was up to make Boyfriend breakfast before he went off to work.  Just finished Book 1: Green Rider.  For some reason I had the brilliant idea to read the books in reverse order.  Its been about 3-4 years since book 3 came out, so I wanted to re-read all of them again.  Originally, I was going to read them in chronological order, but my parents had just left after a long Christmas visit, Boyfriend was on a trip, and work wasn't going well, so I was impatient and Book 1 wasn't holding my attention on the 5th read, so I decided to skip to Book 3: High King's Tomb. About half way through, I realized I didn't remember Book 2: First Rider's Call as well as I thought, so I read that next, then finished up with Book 1.  As crazy as it sounds, I'm really glad I read it this way.  It made the character development, inter-character relationships, and plot twists more interesting and deeper some how.  For Book 5 though, I'll probably read in the correct order - and make a map and full character log!  How is there no map for a book where the main character is constantly traveling across the country!?

There is already a review up on Amazon for Blackveil. I'm hoping the person is either a critic and got an advanced copy or went to a 24 hour store at midnight - because reading 720 pages in an hour or two would just be insane.  He/She gave it a 5 star review and said they couldn't put it down.  Lots of plot twists, character interactions/development...can't wait.  Here are my predictions:
SPOILERS (if you haven't read books 1-3)!

1. The telescope scene from Book 1, where Kari sees an older Zachary begging her to not take a dangerous mission because he needs her will occur at the beginning of this book.  The previous vision of facing Immerez occurred in Book 3, so it only makes sense that this vision is next.  True, it's only been about three or four years tops since Kari first met Zachary and "future Zachary" is supposed to be older looking with worry lines and such, but look how much crap has happened in the four years! He was supposed to be already slightly aged by the end of the first book.  Kristen never gives exact ages, but Kari should be about 21/22 and that makes Zachary mid to late 30s...it could be time
2. The whole Kari/Zachary/Estora triangle will come closer to a head.  Obviously it will not be resolved, this is definitely not the last book in the series.  If Estora doesn't have SOME clue of what is going on, she's an idiot and shouldn't be Queen anyway.  I have a feeling Lord Coutre will give Estora the option to get out of the engagement due to her kidnapping, but this might be wishful thinking.
3. Amilton will reappear. He *might* volunteer to go on the suicide mission to Blackveil, what with his new "responsibilities" from the ring of power....not sure
4. Alton gets less annoying...ok this is just a wish...SO SICK of his plot thread...though I enjoy Merdigrim's dialog immensely, and at least one of my favorite Green Riders is stationed at the wall now!
5. Kari has a much needed discussion with her Father

My Hopes:

• Mapstone has an open conversation with Zachary and/or Kari about their relationship instead of just lying to both of them and sabotaging the relationship.  Geesh, have some faith in them!  They both know it probably can't happen (though I'm in denial!) and both put the country's security and well being before their own.  Stop making them more miserable!
• Stevric and Mapstone...advance...their relationship....maybe if Mapstone gets some romance she won't be such a hater...yup I said it...hater.
• Estora maintains a backbone.
• More training with Drent before the crazy mission begins. 
• More Fastion!  I love that guy!  Maybe Zachary will send him with Kari.  If I was sending a bunch of my best people (including the woman I loved) into an evil enchanted forest that's been walled up for a thousand years with some elves I don't really trust, who better to send with them than a bad-ass Weapon!  especially since 1 weapon is equal to like 6 regular soldiers...less people to send to their deaths right!

Click to show/hide.


Well... UPS says its still on the truck to be delivered...guess I'll get some real work done while I wait...then start the trips to the mailbox right before lunch...this is worse than a 5 year old waiting for Santa to come...

1:00 PM
Still no book...I checked 50 minutes ago...getting ready to check again...next time I think I'll just drive to the store...though when I ordered it I didn't think I'd be home today....Seriously though about going out and buying it and then returning the Amazon copy to the store...but that seemed wrong

3:00 PM
Still no book...I've checked 3 times.  The first time I took the dog and he tried to get in a fight...this last time I met a couple neighbors also checking for the mail, they all said the mail usually comes between 11 and 12...why does the universe hate me???  Got a meeting at 6...better pick up the Redbull because it is going to be a late night now.  At least there is still only ONE review on Amazon so its not taunting me as much that other people are reading it and I'm not.

3:04 PM
....just realized the book is coming UPS not USPS....so its not coming to the mailbox...at the community center...that I've walked to 3 times...its coming to my house...sometime between now and 6 pm....FML
I really hope the don't do extended hours around V-day like they do around Christmas....

5:00 PM
REALLY!? still not here... I jump to the window with every car sound...Hopefully Boyfriend gets home before I have to leave for the meeting so that I can ask him to wait to go out until AFTER the package gets here, don't want it outside...Even if it comes in the next five minutes I'm going to wait until after I make Chicken Picaitta for Boyfriend...don't want to get too deeply into the book and burn dinner...