Forever Book Review

   If you've been following my blog you've seen my review of the first two books in this series.  The recap: loved the first - didn't care for the second.  I went into the third hoping the author was going to redeem the trilogy and tie up all the loose ends in the third...no suck luck :-( 
     For me, the book moved way to slow for the fact that, just like in the second, nothing really happened until the very end.  By the time something did happen I was so over the main characters that I couldn't dig up enough emotion to care what finally happened to them.
    We also got very little closure on the Isabel and Cole scene too.  It seemed like both characters grew up in the third book and became real people, but then Cole's actions at the very very end made him seem like the same self-centered jerk all over again.
    I also may be over critical on this point again, but I also really didn't like the red font.  Other than going with the dust jacket I don't really see the point of changing the color and straining your eyes for so long.
   Long and short...read the first and skip the other two. 

Bath and Body Works Vs. Perfume

     I always like the name brand perfume, but thought $60 per bottle - Yikes!  I then went and bought Bath and Body Works thinking the $10 or $12 products were saving me money.  After they discontinued my favorite scents, yet again,  I gave it some thought.  Was I really saving any money??

Lost Sock Video

Just a quick organization tip so you don't have any more lost socks...at least for the little ones in your home.

Anniversary Page

At the end of February I did a page from our first family vacation. The first day also happened to be our sixth anniversary so this page is the 2nd of that pair.  My parents entertained M while we took a few hours to have an adult meal, and by adult I mean...was still hot and didn't involved any spit up...haha.  I'm not very good at ensuring I'm in the pictures so here's a rare one of me! 

Since I've been trying to use some new techniques I used a tucked away tag for my journalling. I think for having so many pictures (something also not normal for me) it was the perfect way to include a little note for M. 

Up next in my scrapbook life is some pictures of Pop using two new things for me.  Stay tuned.

Linger Book Reveiew

     After really enjoying Shiver (you can see my review here) I decided to continue on with the trilogy.  The second book was Linger, and I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as the first.  It was pretty much a whole lot of nothing to get to the plot (which you knew in the first ten minutes anyway) during the last 3 pages. 
     I continued to like Sam and feel indifferent about Grace.  I did however really dislike the turn the book took with her parents.  They go from the carefree, never home types to grounding her, taking about her cell phone and forbidding her to see Sam every again.  It came across very contrived. 
     I did however like the introduction of Isabel and Cole's point of view, but the conflict with them went nowhere and really left you hanging.  Don't get me wrong, I know an author has to leave loose ends to get you to read the next book, but for me this wasn't loose ends...it was more of get you involved with the characters and then completely drop you.  I really hope to see this resolved in book three.
     I also disliked the green type.  I'm using it here to stay with the theme, but I found it hard to read in more than small doses.  I will read book three only to see if something gets resolved, but I have to say I don't really have high hopes at this point for liking it.

First March Challenge

     I enjoyed the challenge I did last month with the About A Boy Scrapbook Challenge Blog so much that I've decided to try to keep up with them.  They do challenges twice a month on the 1st and 15th.  
    The challenge for the 1st was Hoarders.  You were to make your page(s) using items you've had for at least a year.  Given how many supplies I have I figured this wouldn't be very hard. 
    The first page of my layout is using a pre-made page from Ez Laser Designs.  I purchased this when I was still pregnant...Michael is now 30 months old!  It's very hard to tell, but the background paper is a subtly shimmering shades of aqua.  It looks very much like lapping waves.  

     
     To complete the two pages I used some wave paper that I've had for so long I can't remember when it's from.  Michael loved the beach for his first time (as all the smiles indicate), and it thankfully worn him out.  He was a very bad napper in his first year of life, and this trip was really the first time he willingly went down.  

Hope you enjoyed going to the beach with us!  Stay tuned to see what I complete next.

Shiver Book Review

     I recently finished reading Shiver (the Wolves of Mercy Falls #1) by Maggie Stiefvater, and have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. I didn't have high expectations since it was a teen drama book, but wanted something light to fill my lunch break.  This was perfect.
     I would imagine this is what Twilight would have been if about Jacob and Bella rather than Bella and Edward.  I rather liked the main male character Sam as you really can feel that he wants to be a better person, and tries to do what's right. 
     I did feel about Grace the same way as I do about Bella though...ugh!  Sam wants to be a better person...to learn...to do the right thing.  Grace only wants Sam.  I'd really like to see a teen heroine that can stand on her own two feet, and have a boyfriend!
I'm interested to see where the series goes though as this really could have ended with just this book.  I'll keep you posted on my thoughts about Linger and Forever, and I'd love to hear what you're reading right now.