Book 2 "House Rules" Start

Everyone ready for the next book? I know we are still getting the feel of this so if you have any changes you think might work better, please let me know! I think we're still going to do check-ins on Thursdays. It seemed to work well for everyone. We are going to take 5 weeks this time since it's a bit bigger of a book.

We are starting the reading today (next week will be our first check in). So if you're new and you want to join us, please do! The more the merrier! We have rules posted over to the right on my blog "About the BBC". Read the rules and join in!

Here is the reading list of pages/chapters. It's a little difficult to explain due to how it's written so those on E-readers feel free to message me if this makes no sense. You might understand better once you start reading though.

Week 1- Read pages 1-106 (for e-readers stop when you get to (3-Theo)
Week 2- Read pages 106-210 (for e-readers stop when you get to (5-Jacob)
Week 3- Read pages 210-319 (for e-readers stop when you get to (7-2nd Emma. it's doesn't say 2nd but it's the second time you get to a chapter of hers in 7)
Week 4- Read pages 319-422 (for e-readers stop when you get to (9-Rich)
Week 5- Read pages 422-the end.

I know I said it in the rules, but you are more then welcome to read ahead. But please, don't spoil the book. Jodi Picoult books have a lot to them and it could be ruined easily. I just jot down what has happened when I reach my stopping point for that week, then I go on. That way I don't give away major details.

Happy Reading!

BBC "The Last Song" Week 4 (final week!)

We're done! WooooHooooo. On to book number 2!

I couldn't put the book down the last 100 pages.

If you didn't read with us and you want to read the next book we are starting Jodi Picoults "House Rules" today! First check in is next week!

Also, this post has MAJOR spoilers for this book, please don't read it then get mad because you wanted to see the movie/read the book and we ruined it, I gave you fair warning.

Week 4 Prompt: What didn't you see coming in the last 100 pages? Also, as always how did you like these 100 pages? Same as how you've felt about the whole book or did it change your opinion?

My answers- I saw the cancer coming a mile away. I called it from the get go in the first few chapters. I didn't see the Blaze stuff coming though. The accident or the theft stuff. I love what Will did for her, it gave me a whole new view of him. I like that she came around and fixed everything with Ronnie......but a little thing that bugged me was how she changed how she dressed, it just seemed a little over-the-top unreal to me. lol.

I really liked the book. Once again it wasn't the best I've ever read and I don't think I will read it again, but it was good. The end really pulled me in and I couldn't put it down this week.



So excited to start the new book! I will post up tomorrow on what pages/chapters to read each week. I have it all mapped out, but I don't want to add it here and make this post longer then it needs to be.

Big Y

I'm blessed to be a stay at home mom. I love that I get to spend so much time with Landon and now with him in school I love that I get the chance to help out in his class and I love that he knows that I'm always going to go on the field trips with them.

Last month they were supposed to go on a field trip to Big Y (the grocery store over here) but that was the day it flooded in New England, so it was canceled along with school that day. Anyway, they just got around to rescheduling it.

I had so much fun with him. They got to see a pizza being made, a cake being decorated, they got to pet a lobster and scan a piece of candy at the register. After, they went back to class and got to eat the pizza and the cake.

I'm so glad I got to go with them. I know Landon loves it just as much as I do.

We *heart* the drive-in movies!

J got home a little after noon on Friday so we decided that we would go to the drive-in move theater. We love going, but since it's about an hour away it doesn't always work out (and with J being deployed every summer since we've been here.....it's hard to make happen).

Anyway. We packed up my car with the futon mattress and a ton of pillows and blankets, headed over to the mini NEX for snacks, got subway for dinner (it's a must when we go to the drive-in) and we were on our way. We like to get there about an hour early to set everything up, eat and play around a little bit.

Landon and Justin played soccer while I got the car all set up (we like to all lay in the back and watch...so much more fun and the futon mattress fits perfect in the back of my car). We ate just in time for the movies to start and J went to get us our popcorn and nachos (once again, a must for the movies).

We had a really great time and like always I was the only one awake when the last movie was over.

Here is what we saw!

"How to train your dragon"

It was so cute. We all loved it. I didn't quite know what to expect so I was surprised with how much we all enjoyed it. It was great for all ages.
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"Bounty Hunter"
I really wanted to see this one. It looked so funny in the previews. I have to say it wasn't what I expected. I thought it was going to be a mass funny comedy and while it was funny it was more of a comedy/drama. Really good movie though. I love both of the main actors in it so that always helps. But all in all it was really good. J fell asleep about half way into it and was bummed that he missed it. lol.

Home...for now.

J is home again. We missed him so much while he was gone. We had gotten so used to him being home and not being gone for more then a week that this was quite a shock to Landon and I. Even more so because Lan was on spring break! So the other day we went and had coffee with a bunch of the boat ladies (sooooo much fun) and then chased the boat in.

He was topside again as they were pulling in and I caught him looking at me with the binoculars a few times. lol. I can't even begin to explain how neat it is to see him up there working. In Michael's words "It's just really hawt!".

I do have to say that watching my husband walk down the pier to me is the most amazing feeling. I had butterflies all morning and they vanished as soon as our eyes met. After almost a decade together he still makes me melt.

The last picture is Nate (Michael's hubby) and J up top working, looking at me as I was snapping pictures.

Aquarium & a picnic!

While on spring break last week we tried to stay very busy! That weekend we didn't have the best weather so we couldn't really play outside, so since Hannah & Emily were going to head over to the Aquarium so we decided to tag along. We had the best time! We had a lot of fun hanging out with them so much over break it was amazing!

Pictures from top left-

• Landon watching the Beluga Whales. They were so graceful in their tank. I could have watched them forever.
• Landon with the penguins. This little guy stayed right next to the glass the whole time! It was so cute and Landon loved it!
• Landon's favorite part was getting to pet the sharks. He loved it and could have stayed there forever.
• Petting the shark!
• The nemo tank. It had a little eel looking thing that kept popping out and spitting sand, we stood there and laughed for quite some time.
• (I Think this is my new favorite picture of Landon). We went to the picnic area after to eat our lunch. The picnic area isn't amazing, but it works. They had about 10 tables to pick from.

I hope everyone is doing great! We have been super busy and I hope to put quite a few pictures and such up within the next week or so!

This is a fun place to picnic before you go in(or after you get done) they have a few picnic tables set out and while it's not the most amazing place to picnic it is nice that you have the choice to eat outside.

BBC please read.

I added a page over to the right with the BBC "rules" please go over and read them.

Nothing too in your face, but as people join I want them to have a place to get the idea of what the BBC is all about.

BBC "The Last Song" Week 3

Hey everyone! I hope the reading is going well! I'm excited for the next book! Once again if you have a book you want me to put on the next vote list, please let me know! It's hard finding books that I think everyone will like if no one lets me know!

Week 3 Prompt: Do you think in true love story fashion that Ronnie & Will will end up together in the end? And as always, how are you liking the book now that we are this far into it? Better? Worse?

My answers- I think They will end up together. I wish that they made you think that maybe they wouldn't....but it's an overly predictable book. I like this book, not love. It's an easy, fast read but it doesn't have much to it. I do have to say that Will's mom doesn't sit right with me. I understand that after losing a child you become more protective, but she makes it seem like it's all about the money, and I hate that in people! Intrested to see what happens in the last 100 pages....

Like always. Link up and tell us what you think! If you want to join in for the first time, please do! You can do it now or wait for the nest book which will be starting in a few weeks.

BBC Book 2. House Rules.

With 44% of the votes......

The next book up is......

This looks like a really good book. It's a bit longer then the one we are reading now so we are going to take 5 weeks to finish it. I have the weeks mapped out already, but it's going to be a little different since the chapters don't really have numbers for those on e-readers (I think I have it all figured out though).

If you want to recommend a book to go on the list for the next vote, please let me know. I am going to be putting the other two that got a lot of votes on the next poll also.

Some Nights.....

• Are harder than others.
• I don't want to sleep alone.
• All I do is toss and turn.
• I can't sleep till the morning comes.
• I just want to cry.
• Are easier than others.
• I can almost pretend that he's there with me.

It always seems that the end of an underway is when it gets the hardest. It's when I want him here the most. And knowing that deployment is coming sooner rather than later makes it even worse.

I was talking to a wife the other day about how I'm so Okay with this life. I want people to know that being away from my husband is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I love that man with all of my heart and it never gets easy saying goodbye, but we are lucky and we are grateful for this life. I never want someone to think that he doesn't mean the world to me just because I know how to put on a happy face and make the best of everything. My world is a world of understanding. I love him, and this life is hard, but I can do anything if I'm doing it with him.

BBC "The Last Song" Week 2

Hey! I hope the reading is going well. If you haven't voted for next months book, go now! Also if you have a book you want us to put on the voting list for next time, let me know.

Week 2 Prompt: Have you guessed the ending yet? I sure have. Lol. Kidding. Just let me know what you think of the book. Feel the same as you did last week?

My answers- I still like the book. I have a good feeling I know the end, and I hate that. But oh well. This book for me is nothing like his (Nicholas Sparks) other books, it's a little watered down. I like it, but it's not his best. I'm glad Ronnie gave up the attitude problem, it was getting old. I think the book jumps to their (Will & Ronnie) relationship being "so in love" rather quick, but hey it's a book and it would drag if it didn't move fast.

I'm torn between watching the movie or waiting till is comes out on DVD.

Lets vote!

Lets start voting for the next book. I want to give everyone time to order it if they don't like buying them in store (I like buying used books, and I bet other people do to). If you have any suggestions on a book you want me to put on the voting list for the next vote, please let me know.

If you didn't read the last book with us, you can start now with this next one! You don't need to do anything but read the book and come back here to talk about it!

Here are four books I thought might be good to read. I haven't read them so I don't know if they are good or not.

Vote for which book you would like to read on the left hand side.

House Rules

Eighteen-year old Jacob Hunt has Asperger's syndrome, and his devoted single mother, Emma, has built their family's life around Jacob's needs, sacrificing her career to act as his caregiver and all but ignoring a younger son, Theo. But when Jacob is accused of murder, that carefully crafted life comes apart, and all of the hallmarks of Jacob's diagnosis begin to make him look guilty. Emma hires a young attorney whose attachment to Jacob brings him close to the family as he struggles to mount a defense for Jacob, whose inability to read social cues makes him less than an ideal client. While Picoult's research is impeccable and she deals intelligently with charged questions about autism and Asperger's, the whodunit is stretched sitcom-thin and handled poorly, with characters withholding information from the reader throughout. Picoult's writing, line by line, is as smooth as ever, and she does a great job of getting into Jacob's head, but the wobbly plotting is a massive detriment.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

An American classic resplendent with the charm, grace, and grit of all good southern literature, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is Fannie Flagg’s enduring tale of the beloved folks who live in a small Alabama town. At its center are some truly remarkable women, connected by a place and a generosity of spirit grounded in family, good friends, and good food.

The story begins in 1985 with the friendship between shy, middle-aged Evelyn Couch, sadly aware she’s gotten “lost along the way,” and Ninny Threadgoode, an eighty-seven-year-old resident of the Rose Terrace Nursing Home in Birmingham. Evelyn soaks up the older woman’s stories of Whistle Stop, Alabama, where Ninny’s irrepressible sister-in-law Idgie and Idgie’s friend Ruth ran a cafe–the center of life in this small town. Indeed, it is the story of wild, wonderful Idgie, and her big sense of humor and bigger heart, that give Evelyn the courage to find her own happiness.

The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story

When Germany invaded Poland, Stuka bombers devastated Warsaw—and the city's zoo along with it. With most of their animals dead, zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski began smuggling Jews into empty cages. Another dozen "guests" hid inside the Zabinskis' villa, emerging after dark for dinner, socializing, and, during rare moments of calm, piano concerts. Jan, active in the Polish resistance, kept ammunition buried in the elephant enclosure and stashed explosives in the animal hospital. Meanwhile, Antonina kept her unusual household afloat, caring for both its human and its animal inhabitants—otters, a badger, hyena pups, lynxes.

With her exuberant prose and exquisite sensitivity to the natural world, Diane Ackerman engages us viscerally in the lives of the zoo animals, their keepers, and their hidden visitors. She shows us how Antonina refused to give in to the penetrating fear of discovery, keeping alive an atmosphere of play and innocence even as Europe crumbled around her

Thanks for the Memories

How is it possible to know someone you've never met?

With her marriage already in pieces, Joyce Conway nearly lost everything else. But she survived the terrible accident that left her hospitalized—and now, inxplicably, she can remember faces she has never seen, cobblestone Parisian streets she's never visited. A sudden, overwhelming sense of déjà vu has Joyce feeling as if her life is not her own.

Justin Hitchcock's decision to donate blood was the first thing to come straight from his heart in a long time. He chased his ex-wife and daughter from Chicago to London—and now, restless and lonely, he lectures to bored college students in Dublin. But everything is about to change with the arrival of a basket of muffins with a thank-you note enclosed—the first in a series of anonymous presents that will launch Justin into the heart of a mystery...and alter two lives forever.

Food Quest: Thai Sawasdee

I've never had Thai food so I was really excited when someone told Mandy & I that we needed to put it on our quest. The decor was nice and modern and a little romantic....but it smelled. BAD. We decided it smelled like an old folks home that had cats. Thank goodness you can get it to go.
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Thai Sawasdee

What we ordered:

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Shared- Summer Roll (2). Fresh soft rice skin wrapped in shrimp, minced chicken, noodles and vegetable served with clear peanut sauce (so I said I would try new things on this quest. I've never had shrimp before, and I'm glad I started with this since I couldn't really get the texture. This was alright. The rice skin was too think and made me gag a few times and the "peanut sauce" was mostly just vinegar with peanuts floating on the top)

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K- Satay (Chicken or Beef) (6). Grilled marinated your choice of meat on a skewer served with peanut sauce and cucumber salad (the "cucumber salad" was a joke. It was some salad floating in vinegar) But the chicken was good and the peanut sauce was decent (AZU's was way better if you ask us).

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M- She got some soup (no idea what it's called since they just brought it) the soup was bad. It was cabbage flavored water. We each tried it and then it sat on the table. Red Curry. Red curry paste with coconut milk, bamboo shoots, bell pepper, snow pea, basil and your choice of meat (she got chicken). This was soooo good. I think this dish made the whole thing worth while. I will for sure be getting this next time I order from there. The coconut milk makes it amazing.

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Pros:

Nice atmosphere

Good prices

Good amount of food

They do orders to go

Child friendly(no children's menu)

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Cons:

Smelled of a strange kind of funk

Not the best food (hit or miss)

Did I mention the smell?

Not dead, just busy.

I'm still kickin'.

I've been sooo busy this past week. I've gotten a lot done but haven't had much computer time. Lan is now on spring break so that means we will be super busy. I hope to have a few posts up tomorrow or the next day!

Hope the reading is going well! You are more then welcome to join in now! Voting for the next book will be at the end of this next week!

BBC "The Last Song" Week 1

Hey everyone! I hope everyone got their reading done! If you're not quite done, don't worry! Try to finish and come back and add your link as soon as you can!

Here's how it's gonna work. I'm going to write a prompt. You then go to your blog, answer the prompt in a post and link back(on your blog and on Mr. Linky) on here so everyone can read what you wrote. Try to visit a few peoples blogs and comment just so we can spread the BBC (blog book club...lol like it...original right?) love. IF you don't have a blog, just answer the prompt in my comments below.

Week 1 prompt: What do you think of the relationships Ronnie has with everyone so far? AND how are you liking the book so far?

My answers- I have a slight problem with the "snarky-I hate everyone" attitude. She treats her parents like crap for no reason.....I can't seem to be okay with it. She does have a soft spot that you are starting to see more and more of, mostly with her little brother and the little kid on the pier. It's strange how she wants to fit in with the "bad" kids but isn't really anything like them, it's almost like it's all for show.

So far I'm liking the book, I'm surprised by it to tell you the truth. But I do have to say that I think Miley isn't who I would pick to play the role of Ronnie.....just doesn't fit for me.

Ok I have to add. This book was FIRST written as a screenplay for Miley Cyrus then made into a book. It's not quite like his other books, but still follows his writing. If this is your first Nicholas sparks book, don't judge yet, you might like his other ones.

Food Quest: AZU Restaurant and Bar

Mandy took me out to this restaurant for our first girls night. I have to say that it's not child friendly (I would say maybe 10-12 and up would be fine....but not geared towards kids at all). Its a great date place. lol. Dim lighting and tables for two (that can be pushed together for larger parties). The food was so amazing I think about it often. They call their menu eclectic American, and I think it's a great choice of words. They do have a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu though we only went for dinner.

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AZU

What we ordered:

Shared- Field Greens salad. Apples, gorgonzola, walnuts, oranges, sun dried cranberries & balsamic dressing(I was surprised how well this tasted. Mandy ordered all the food that night since she had been there before and I hadn't). Chicken & Beef Satay. Chili glazed with peanut sauce and ginger dressing (This is the dish I think about often. It was the most amazing thing I have ever eaten.....no joke).

M & K- Lobster Mac & Cheese (Wow. Sounds not so good, but I swear it was amazing!)

We will be going back within the next few months and I will try to get picture then and update this!

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Pros:

Amazing food

Great date place

Good atmosphere

Good food selection

Decent amount of seating (but could have a wait time)

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Cons:

Not child friendly

Pricey(but worth it)

Some(read: one chick) of the staff wasn't the most friendly

Easter Part 4

Ok I'm done after this I swear! Here are the pictures from our egg dying and little backyard egg hunt. We don't eat much eggs here so I have no idea whats going to happen to these little guys, but Landon and I had a lot of fun so I guess that's all that counts. We even made one for daddy.

Landon is obsessed with hiding and finding eggs now. As we speak he's hiding them around the house and pretending like he doesn't know where they are. I love that kid.

It's been so beautiful the past few days, but they say it's going to rain again tomorrow so we are getting as much sun as we can before the clouds come out.

Easter Part 3

Last night Landon and I decorated sugar cookies (I HATE sugar cookies, no idea why, but I do. So I don't like to make them just to go through all that work and not eat them...then have them go in the trash) so I bought a little kit this year. It was so cute, cuter then I expected by far. They had gummy ears and teeth that you could put on them and Landon LOVED that.

He wanted to make his a one eyed bunny.....only my kid I swear! He is so random. Then our kissy face for daddy (don't judge it was before bedtime and I A- had no makeup on and B-am fried from our hike the other day....I know I don't look my best here and I don't care). We had a lot of fun making them together and Hundley was watching us like a hawk just waiting for one to drop!

After we made cookies we did a glow-n-the dark egg hunt in the livingroom. I tried to take pictures but it was too dark. lol.

Easter Part 2

It was just Landon and I today for Easter....again. I don't mind it and J is sweet enough to pick something out to go in the basket every time he can't be here. So we made due and sent Daddy an e-mail telling him we wished he was here.

When I was growing up we always had to hunt for our baskets on Easter morning. I loved it! It was always so much fun trying to find your basket...and I hated when I could find both my sisters but could never find mine! haha.

Last night Casey sat and watched me put together Landon's basket. I had a ton of things to put in there. Then I hid it......under the kitchen sink (it took him a while to find it). Then Landon dug in. He played with his new castle for hours today. I think Easter was a toy hit this year (we did read a few books on the real reason for Easter but I don't think he really gets it yet).


Pictures from top left over...First round of stuff in the basket (mini etch-a-sketch, tons of candy, eggs and oobie eyes). Rock-em-sock-em robots minis he loves them! Stuff from the Grandparents (coloring book, candy and a webkin(next picture)). The whole basket (so much stuff! it was crazy!) He found it under the sink and laughed so hard....I loved it. Then Landon checking out his loot.

I have more pictures from our little egg hunt and stuff but I will add those tomorrow.

I hope everyone had an amazing day!

Easter Part 1

Yesterday we went to the Base Easter egg hunt. 15,000 eggs and about 500+ kids. It was nuts. I don't know what the people in the back of the pack did, we were in the front and it was kinda hard to get eggs. But Landon had a great time. Mandy went with us....she does everything with us when J is gone...poor Mandy.

When we were leaving we ran into Jessi and her son Adrian (who gets along so well with Landon!) so we talked for a bit and took a few pictures. It was a ton of fun, but next year I think we will look for other egg hunts to go to.

And someone needs to tell that mom that socks should NOT be worn with ballet flats. ALSO If you are dressed in a nice sun dress and your hubby is in a button down shirt, please don't have your kids in their PJ's it makes you look like you are more about how you look then how your kids do.

Bluff Point

Landon and I went on a hike yesterday with Mandy and her pup Kodah. We hiked about 4 miles and had a great time! I got massively burnt and I'm feeling it today.....it hurts.

Bluff Point has a ton of trails you can hike, but due to the floods, we hike the high trail (and it was still covered with HUGE puddles and mud). We found a nice little spot with a bench by the beach and two swans decided to come say hi. It was well worth the hike to get to this spot(picture of it below). I was surprised that Landon didn't get tired or whine, he did say that his feet were starting to hurt when we were done, but he did great!

We had a really great time and I look forward to going back this summer.

Book 1 (The Last Song) Start

Hello! Today the book club starts!

Week 1- Chapters 1-10(end before starting 11)
Week 2- Chapters 11-18(end before starting 19)
Week 3- Chapters 19-28 (end before starting 29)
Week 4- Chapters 29-Finish!

Each Thursday we will get on here(post on your blog, or just comment on mine if you don't have a blog, if you have a blog and you post on there you can also comment to what I've written on my post.....did I explain that right?) and talk about the chapters we have read. I will put a linky up so we can go to each others pages to see what everyone else thinks! Lets try to comment on AT LEAST two other blogs so we can spread the book love around.

After this book we can talk about what to change and what works with this and what doesn't.

I'm looking forward to reading with everyone!!