Looking Back on May

For the month of May I focused on how to appreciate NATURE. I did set outside more and just enjoy the nice weather while reading with my mango iced tea. With that I was also able to cross things off my list that involved nature like flying a kite and taking myself on a picnic. Even though I had my little whoopsi accident with the ankle, with the help of some friends I was able to keep the grass and flowers looking good (as good as weeds can look!) I didn't get started with the planting of veggies or recycling but I need to look more into how to get all that done right, so it doesn't all blow away! In addition, I got started with being a Lemongrass Spa Product consultant which is all natural and I am absolutely loving it!

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For the Bucket List I crossed off four items. The ones I completed were: GO ON A PICNIC, FLY A KITE, SIDEWALK CHALK, and PAMPER SELF. I also tried to get in sunrise and sunset, but a storm got in the way. My ankle issue got in the way of the martial arts class, but I will try, try again! My dad ordered tickets for the Lion King Musical and could not be more excited!! Still working on all the others and next month will help take care of all the arts and crafts!

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This month I almost got back on track with 9 books: eight from my list and one extra. That means I have 2 more to catch up on! Yikes... I know I can do this!! So the list below is updated with the books I have read in bold, along with the dates I read them in. Once again, see my book review site to see what I thought about each read.

(The New) Variety Book Challenge 2012

Animals:
- Stay by Allie Larkin 1/09-1/11
- I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in this Relationship by Stephanie Klein
- The Purpose of Dogs by W. Bruce Cameron 2/01-2/22
- Cesar’s Way by Cesar Millan
- Walking in Circles Before Lying Down by Merrill Markoe

Celebrities:
- High Voltage Tattoo by Kat VonD 3/13
- Control the Crazy by Vinny Guadagnino 5/10-5/20
- The Fame Game by Lauren Conrad 4/16-4/19
- Sliding Into Home by Kendra Wilkinson 1/12-1/15
- Elixir by Hilary Duff

Comedians:
- Life As I Blow It by Sarah Calonna
- Don’t Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings by Tyler Perry
- Seriously, I’m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres 2/11-2/12
- I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell by Tucker Max 1/20-1/26
- Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey 1/04-1/07

Controversial:
- I am J by Cris Beam
- Unplanned by Abby Johnson
- The Chosen One by Carol Williams 2/05
- Tweak by Nic Sheff
- Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult 3/13-3/17

Cultural:
- Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Sold by Patricia McCormick 4/22
- The Secret Daughter by Shilipi Somaya Gowda
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie 1/04
- A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

Historical Fiction:
- True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy 1/07-1/08
- The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew
- Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
- Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
- One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

Inspirational:
- 5 Love Languages, Singles Edition by Gary Chapman
- How Did My Life Become a Game of Twister? by Mary Pierce
- 20 Someone by Craig Dunham & Doug Serven
- Worn Out Woman by Dr. Steve Stephens & Alice Gray
- Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst

Living Life:
- Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti
- No Regrets by Sarah Ivens 4/23-5/29- Life After College by Jenny Blake
- twentysomething by Margaret Feinberg
- Life is a Verb by Patti Digh

Memoirs:
- Year of Yes by Maria Dahvana Headley
- Sickened by Julie Gregory
- White Girl Problems by Babe Walker 2/16-2/20
- Save Karyn by Karyn Bosnak 2/23-2/27
- Happy Accidents by Jane Lynch

Overcoming Odds:
- The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon 2/20-2/26
- Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine 4/1-4/4
- Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
- A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
- Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten

Romance:
- There’s Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder 5/30-5/31- Overkill by Linda Castillo
- Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
- PS I Love You by Cecila Ahern 2/12-2/15
- What Came First by Carol Snow 5/2-5/7

Science:
- The Secret Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot 1/20-1/29
- Forensics and Fiction by D.P. Lyle, M.D.
- Babies by Design by Ronald M. Green
- Bonk by Mary Roach
- Death’s Acre by William M. Bass

Self-Help:
- Single by Jody Ford
- Why Mean Love Bitches by Sherry Argov
- Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey 3/19-4/30
- Make Peace with Your Thighs by Dr. Linda Mintle
- On My Own Two Feet by Manisha Thakor

Series:
- Women’s Murder Club by James Patterson
*4th of July* 3/18-3/19
*5th Horseman* 4/5-4/8
*6th Target* 4/20-4/22
*7th Heaven* 5/1-5/2
*8th Confession* 5/8-5/10
*9th Judgement* 5/21-5/24
*10 Anniversary* 5/25-5/29
- Chelsea Handler Comedy Books
*Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang* 1/17-1/19
- Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins FINISHED!
*Hunger Games* 2/08-2/11
*Catching Fire* 2/26-2/28
*Mockingjay* 3/7-3/13
- Kay Scarpettta Novels by Patricia Cornwell
*From Potter's Field* -1/03
*Cause of Death* 2/05-2/08
*Unnatural Exposure* 3/3-3/7
*Point of Origin* 3/19-3/22
*Black Notice* 4/09-4/15
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy by Stieg Larsson
*The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo* 3/4-3/27 AB
*The Girl who Played with Fire* 4/16-4/30 AB

Teaching:
- Choice Words by Peter H. Johnston
- Teaching with Love and Logic by Jim Fay & David Funk
- 32 Third Graders & One Class Bunny by Phillip Done
- 3 Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
- Freedom Writers by Erin Gruwell

Time/Realms:- My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares
- The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- 10 Best Days of My Life by Adena Halpern
- Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch
- Radiance by Alyson Noel 1/23-1/26

Extras:

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner 1/15-1/17
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 1/26-2/04
Unwind by Neal Shusterman 3/27-3/30
Defending Jacob by William Landay 5/12-5/16

 

Little bit of happiness: Today my best friend said YES to THE DRESS!! So excited for her!! We also found a bridesmaid dress that we all agreed on, so we will be moving forward with that soon. Can't wait for next April!

Daily quote: You be the anchor that keeps my feet on the ground. I'll be the wings that keep your heart in the clouds.

Cheers to Happiness,

Audra