Downtime? Yes, plenty of it.

Well, since it appears I will continue to have the entire summer with plenty of downtime, I have certainly been relaxing quite a bit.  I have been reading an average of one book every two days, spending hours upon hours at the pool, and have been cooking fabulous meals for the family.  Tonight was homemade lasagna with yummy homemade bread.  My youngest child must have devoured five pieces of the bread!

I had picked up a good 20 (or so) books at the annual library book sale (mucho cheapo!), and have read almost all of them so far.  I just finished reading "Next" by Michael Crichton today.  Halfway through the book, I realized that I've read it a few years ago.  Oh well!  No loss!  Next book is going to be "Picture Perfect" by Jodi Piccoult.  I also ordered a handful of books from Amazon today.  Gotta keep the supply of books fresh!

I picked up a copy of "Sunday Morning, Shamwana" by Linda Robinson.  A definite must read for midwives, student midwives, mothers, women, nurses, etc!  Linda is a midwife who worked with Doctors Without Borders for a year in the Congo.  She kept a diary of sorts, of her emails and written entries about her year serving women and families in the Congo.  What an amazing, scary, funny, and often times sad and frustrating year.  I just could not begin to imagine what it would be like to work in a 3rd world country.  Where death is almost expected or anticipated during childbirth or in the first year of a child's life.   How ridiculously spoiled we are in this country, the land of epidurals and elective inductions for social reasons.  But I digress.....just read the book.  You'll pick up some french when you read it as well (Linda learns french as she spends her year in the Congo).

I'm off to go read some more........good night all!

50 Shades...love it or hate it?

Let's talk about 50 Shades of Grey -- the trilogy.

Love it?  Hate it?  Somewhere in between?

I just finished reading the final book in the trilogy.  I have to admit, when I first started reading it, I was thinking several things: Christian is abusive, he's 50 shades f-cked up, and Ana is just a wuss.  The writing needs some big time improvement because repeating the same phrases over and over gets annoying.

But -- the sex scenes -- holy crap!  Awesome!  Definitely "mommy porn" material.  Nothing like what you read in other romance novels.

Reading these books was like watching the scene of an accident: you just can't turn away.  I found myself disgusted by how abusive he was towards her, yet, wanting to keep reading more.

Ironically, after reading the last book in the series, I am now wanting the author to write the story from Christian's perspective.  I wonder if the original books were written from BOTH characters perspectives, it may have been a better series.  To truly understand WHY Christian is the way he is.......instead of this crap about Ana's "inner goddess" and her lip biting.  Seriously.  Enough with that crap.

Oh, and both orgasming at the same time with each and every sex act?  Totally not realistic.

Your thoughts?

Creativity? Nope.

I was trying to delve back into some sketching this week, but I just wasn't "feeling it" after a while. Usually, I start up some kind of creative streak, have a run of painting, sketching, working with my hands, when I get this urge. But not yesterday. I was really hoping to do some artwork while I have the time to do it between school terms! Maybe it will hit me again before I start back up in January with my classes. I did manage to do three little sketches. I was playing with color/shading techniques as well.

I need my inspiration!!! Where did it go??

PS - I have been relaxing while on my school break. I am working on reading book #5 just for fun. Let's see, I've read: mystery, paranormal/thriller, romance, and am now back to a thriller.

List o' books

What have you read lately? What are you currently reading? What's on your "to read" list?

Most recent:

Flynn Brothers Trilogy by Heather Graham














Nightwalker by Heather Graham









Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich















Currently reading:

Storm Cycle by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen















My pharmacology textbook - yippie!!



Up next:

More from my pharmacology textbook.

One more day until....

My lovely spring break from school is almost over. Tomorrow marks the first day of the spring term for my courses. This time I'll be taking "Nursing Theory" and "Decision Making for Primary Care". Sounds exciting, right?

While on break, I certainly did live it up with some fun and relaxation! I'm almost finished reading the 3rd book in a series of (so far) four books taking place 12th century England. Ariana Franklin is the author.

Book #1: Mistress of the Art of Death
Book #2: The Serpent's Tale
Book #3: Grave Goods

I also took several hikes on some old and new (to me) hiking trails. I did some photography along the way.

I have another trip planned for hiking and photography, and hopefully, I'll get to go do that this upcoming week. Hint: it's wildflower season!!!

A-CHOOOOOO!!!!!

Am I crazy? Yes, I must be crazy

My classes start in 3 days, and just what did this crazy nurse/student/woman do? I started reading "Under the Dome" by Steven King.

Have I mentioned that the book is over 1000 pages long?