This Book Club Reads Wine Labels Too

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I'm running out of ideas for books to review on here! I need to read some new ones!!! However, I do remember how much more wonderful I thought the book The Lovely Bones was over the movie. I am an advocate for reading a book before you see the movie. While this always proves to make me dislike the movie in comparison to the book, nothing can do justice to the details and plot lines a book holds that a movie usually cuts short. 

While this plot line reads horrible and sad, there really is some beauty and innocence in the story. Fourteen year old Susie Salmon is brutally raped and murdered by a serial killer in her neighborhood. The story follows Susie watching over her grieving family and following the police efforts to catch her killer. Susie reflects over all the things on earth she'll miss out on, and it covers how she moves on to accept the next part of her story. This is a sad but very wonderful story.

I'm all about reading a good series. In fact, I prefer to read them over stand alone books. I can't stand to lose my characters. I fall in love with them and their stories & then I just want to read more and more about them!

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So, for this week, I'm picking a trilogy that is heart wrenching but full of love and hope.

It's written by Lauren Oliver and called the Delirium series.

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This series is set in a dystopian world where love is a disease. Can you imagine living in a world where love is considered evil and you have a procedure on your 18th birthday as a cure for it? It's an interesting world that will make you feel more than you ever thought you could from reading a simple book. If you don't believe me, watch this video.

Now, go read the books and thank me later. Also, a good theme song for these books is "Both of Us" by B.O.B. featuring Taylor Swift. Grab some tissues though because it'll make you cry at the end of book one if you're listening to it!

For Beautiful Lips: Speak Only Words of Kindness

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I think there is something very truthful and elegant to this quote. Not everything we think we want is meant for us, and there is always a reason for that. It's best to let go and move past that. Every day should be a new day to choose to love and live in a meaningful way. As Cassie and I both like to remind ourselves, every day is a new day to start over. :)  

{via at home in love}

Now, if you grew up with a daddy like mine, you've probably heard something similar to this quote. Whenever anyone did something remotely foolish, he would chime in with a smile on his face, "Don't quit your day job!" Luckily, we knew he was just being a smart aleck and wanted to get a rise out of us.

But, the day I came across this quote, it really resonated with me. It gave me a sense of hope. I mean, everyone's got a daydream, right? Or, if you're like me, you've got several thousand...just ask my husband! So, who's to say you should just give up on it? With hard work, perseverance, faith, trust, and maybe some pixie dust, you can do anything you set your heart on!

{via walt disney world}

Chick Flicks - Never Been Kissed

Never Been Kissed

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This movie is classic Drew Barrymore, maybe not as classic as E.T., but as far as chick flicks go, it's pretty awesome. Drew Barrymore is Josie Gellar, a reporter for the newspaper looking for her big break. She gets assigned to go undercover as a high school student, the only problem is she couldn't pull off being cool back when she was actually in high school. A little help from her brother, David Arquette, and she makes her way into the cool crowd, but is that where she wants to be? 

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Oh, yea....one more key piece of information- Josie is 25 and has never been kissed!

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P.S. There's a gorgeous love interest, Michael Vartan, quite worth the eye candy. 

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Also, this movie has some good featured characters: Molly Shannon, John C. Reilly.

This chick flick is one worth checking out! 

A Book a Day Keeps Reality Away

{via GoodReads}

I love Sophie Kinsella's books, and she did not fail to entrap me in her story this time with Wedding Night. This story follows Lottie, who has every reason to believe her longtime boyfriend, Richard, is about to propose. When his "proposal" wasn't what she expected, Lottie flees into the arms of a past  summer romance from her youth, Ben. Ben more than welcomes the idea of marriage and a quick and rushed process. Rash decisions have attracted the concerns of Lottie's sister, Fliss and Ben's co-worker and friend, Lorcan. They try their best to stop this union. There is laughter and love, and a few twists. I hope you all enjoy it! 

 

{via barnes and noble}

This is a beautiful story about first loves getting a second chance. Inglath Cooper spins a wonderful tale about high school sweethearts that never quite got the chance to realize their full potential until later in life. The characters are flawed and interact in a real world environment that isn't fueled by heady romances and unbelievable scenarios. You will get to know these characters and fall in love with them. I was sad when the book ended because I wanted to live in their world of truth.

WARNING: this book will tug at your heart strings!!!

Sunday Social

1. What do you miss most about being a kid?
Mary: I miss spending lots of time with my parents and brothers. It was hectic but so much fun growing up in a big family.


Cassie: I miss the endless hours of free time and the lack of responsibility.

{via they all hate us}

2. Did you have a nickname growing up?
Mary: Mae/Marymo

Cassie: Cass & Cass Cass plus my name is already a nickname

3. What was your favorite thing to do at recess?
Mary: I played a mean game of kickball.... I also loved 4-square.

Cassie: I loved the swings and just hanging out with my girls.

4. What did you want to be when you grew up?
Mary: I always just wanted/want to be a mom. My backup choice was a professional singer.

Cassie: Too many things to name!!! I had a big imagination & still do.

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5. Did you participate in any school activities?
Mary: I was in a few plays, in academic clubs (Beta club, spanish club), was class officers for a few different years. I also played soccer, basketball, and tennis.

Cassie: I was a cheerleader, in all the school plays & musicals, played volleyball, member of the NHS and the Spanish NHS, and participated in choir.

Happies & Crappies

Happies

Cassie was told at her temp job to look for full-time long term employment within the library system because of her stellar performance!
{Yay, Cass!-Mary}

Cassie met a girl at work that she went to a youth retreat with in high school!

Mary applied for 4 new jobs this week!

Mary gets to see her niece and nephews in 6 days!

Mary has a great college friend visiting Sunday!

Mary cooked and baked all day! Very happy with the results: honeycomb brittle, pumpkin butterscotch muffins, salsa, and a breaded chicken with a white wine cream sauce and noodles

Cassie found this awesomely terrible song called Crush that everyone should know about it. She thinks it's comparable to Rebecca Black's "Friday" song.

Crappies 

Cassie's photo shoot last weekend was postponed since the field was wet and muddy.

Mary & Cassie haven't read any books in almost two weeks! :(

Mary doesn't like that it's been raining the past two days straight! Where's her summer sunshine!

Mary's skin is burning from making salsa with jalapeños!-prepare with caution!

Words To Live By

Here are our insights for this week!

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I will forever believe that all of life's answers can be found in Boy Meets World. It is one of those shows that will never grow old, will always make me laugh, and still maintains morals while addressing life issues. Most of us grew up with the wise words of George Feeny. :) So, my words to live by, are Fee-hee-hee-nnnys! Love is precious and rare and deserves to be cherished.

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I used to have to remind myself of this every day when I was employed.

My job would drive me absolutely nutty.

It's becoming easier to realize that it's just a bad day now that I'm not fully employed.

I'm finding peace with my life and loving it more and more every day!

Sunday Social

1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Mary: I wanted to be a mom. That was the main thing. I also remember wanting to be a professional singer...that didn't pan out.


Cassie: What didn't I want to be? A singer, a ballerina, a gymnast, a veterinarian, a Disney Princess...

2. What was your favorite way to kill time as a kid?
Mary: I was doing anything I could to fit in with my brothers....playing soccer, climbing trees, watching Rocky.


Cassie: I played dress up and Barbies. I watched Disney Princess movies. I did pretty much any girly thing you can think of!

3. When did you get your first cell phone?
Mary: I was 15, also a sophomore in high school.


Cassie: I was a sophomore in high school & only had 8 minutes a day that I could use.

4. What is your favorite magazine to read?
Mary: I love Cosmo. It's a guilty pleasure.

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Cassie: Real Simple & Self, if I read any at all

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5. What is the one random object people would be surprised to find in your purse?
Mary: I carry a rosary and a prayer book with the prayer cards from my grandma and uncle's funerals.

Cassie: an iPhone, an iPad, a Kindle, and a book so that I can always read!

 {via the publish books}

8 Years Ago...

8 years ago Cassie and I met at Belmont Abbey College.

I can't recall the first specific time we spoke, and neither can Cassie...horrible memories, we have. 

I do remember that she was in my First Year Symposium class, one which was a class of 15 women (mostly pre-elementary educators).

Cassie was involved in the theater department (such a lovely actress) and I volunteered to help as stage crew for the first Fall play. We lived in the same building a few halls down from each other. It was a small school and we were destined to meet. At some point we did-wish I remember when. Haha... We started hanging with the same friends as well.

We started a Facebook group call the SusieHomemakers, because we were convinced that there was no other fate for us than to be quickly wifed up and start popping out babies! Life has a funny way of not turning out quite as planned...although at least Cassie got the wifed up part down. :)

Throughout our four years at college, Cassie and I were suite mates, and one summer roommates. I was honored to be one of her bridesmaids on her wedding day. She was a beautiful bride.

So now today we find ourselves in the same life situation, stuck and unpleased with the career world (or lack thereof). I'm glad we both agreed to do this blog together. It has brought us closer from far away, and it has brought both of us some hope.