Books and Authors

I like such a wide variety of genre's that some may think I'm a little bipolar.
One of my bookshelves is covered with Harry Potter, and Harry Potter related items.  Another contains the complete Lemony Sniket's series of unfortunate events. There is also Madeline L'Engle (a variety of her books including a wrinkle in time.), The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Ring series, Alice and Wonderland, through the looking glass, and a few toddler books for Colt.  A nice little collection of  young adult type books right? So most people would assume I enjoy books of whimsy, a little fantasy, and a touch of action adventure. They would be correct, but when you look on the other side of the shelf you would find Anne Rice, Stephen King, Charlaine Harris, Chuck Pahlaniuk, and a few others. Now I know that when I think of these authors, the key words that pop in my mind are, vampires, witches, horror, and OMFG. Big difference from the first set right? sigh. I know I'm weird. And to top it off I also have a few P.C. Cast young adult vampire books, and I have read lord knows how many Young Adult fantasies that my cousin has thrust in front of me, and have enjoyed them. I will also admit here that because of said cousin I have purchased the twilight series. Now I don't blame her, she just peaked my curiosty enough to go out and get them. I don't like going to libraries, so I just outright buy my books.
 My cousin, Jen, is like me, and would rather buy the books instead of borrow, and she frequents the book section more than I do, so she is my library. Everytime I go to her house she is thrusting books into my arms telling me how awesome they are and that I will love them. She is usually right, but most of these books are part of a series so there is usually a cliffhanger. When I finish the books she lends me I usually call her so we can discuss them. My opening line when she answers the phone is," I am going to Kill you! Now I am dying to see what happens next!" She never takes me seriously..sigh..Honestly I don't know what I would do without her, she is my best friend, on top of being my cousin, my library, and the only other person, besides myself, in our book club. Anywho, Jen likes the young adult fantasy books, Blue Bloods, Morganville, mortal instruments. You know vamps, werewolves, other supes , stuff like that. Now I am NOT knocking this genre'. I like them too. But where I am a bit all of the place, she is pretty fixed. She veers from time to time, but is pretty set. So when I lent her my copy of Chuck's Lullaby (one of my favs) , I didn't stop and think maybe it wasn't her cup of tea. She made it through the first chapter before she couldn't take anymore, then had to stop because it was a bit too much for her. (the plot has to do with SIDS, and  at the time I wasn't a mother, and she was, so where I wasn't bothered I see why she was so bothered now that I am a parent.) So now I I give her a plot synopsis before I lend her a book, and I don't bother with Chuck's books because I know they aren't for her. Most poeple wouldn't expect an average housewife to be a chuck fan, but different strokes, and all that.
SO my point to all of this rambling? I have decided to that I want to reflect on some of my favorite authors, and some of Jen's. Why we love them, what draws us to their books, and why we sometimes suffer through books that aren't that great just because we know the name. I will get a start on this probably next week. I want to chat with Jen and have her help me out. So until next time g'night

A little book review

I have been reading the Lynsay Sands Argeneau series for a while now. I scrape through the stacks of used book stores to try to find them. I love to read. It is one of my passions, but can be very pricey. Which is why I go to the used stores. As long as a book holds all of it's pages, what's the difference?
Anywho, on to this particular series of books. I am reading them out of the recomended ordwer, but that isn't an issue. All of the books tie in to each other, but each book is it's own story, so the reading them in order isn't neccessary, although it woudl be easier since the characters are mostly the same. I have just finished Vampire, interrupted and Tall, Dark, and Hungry. Two eager thumbs up! I cannot wait to get the rest of the series. I have 3 of the later books, and I am trying to get the first ones in the set. Slowly but surely I am collecting them. The characters are unique, and intense. There is everything to love about a good story. Lots of conflict, love, crisis, passion, and since these are considered romance novels, lots of steamy sex scenes. A girl can't help be a little jealous of the Herions in these books. Their lifemats are just that, perfect mates for life, and not in today's crappy sense of marriage. They love and they love deep. It's noty just passion it is so much more! As I read about these "Vampires" Ican't help but catch myself thinking " I wish my hubby were that attentive when I need it." or "I wish my hubby and I were so intuitive about each other." But I guess that's why people read romances, perfect couples can only be found on the pages of a fiction novel. I love my Husband dearly, but he, as am I, is only human, and by no means perfect. Who wouldn't want to live in a romance Novel for a week or so? Passionate love making, and being perfectly at ease, and completely involved with the one you love. No work, or bills, or crying three year olds.  But enough about my ideal vacation, back to the BOOKS!
I seriously recomend these novels. although they are romances, they is also a bit of fantasy, and suspense, and action! There is never a dull moment. Before these novels I wouldn't pick up a romance. These have turned me! Although they are the only romance series I read I love them. Of course my passion for vampires helped. Yes these vampires must drink blood to survive they, but they are not your typical blood suckers! I don't want to give it away, but a mini spoiler is: think of the highly advanced lost city of atlantis, and the possibilities of how they could be tied to vampires. You'll never guess! You will just have to go out and pick up one of Lynsay Sands awesome Argeneau books!

Poem

I got into an argument with the hubby the other day, and this dark poem popped into my head. Just felt like sharing and getting a little feedback on my rhyming skills. So COMMENT PEOPLE!!!! Everything in the poem is speaking metaphorically. It's about how I was feeling. I just wanted to clarify beforehand that I was not physically abused. My feeling were really hurt, and my heart felt crushed and this was just the imagry of a person with a vivid immagination, trying to put it into words, and succeeded in adding the exagerations to make this a pretty morbid piece. The fight is over we have made up and everything is okey dokey in Ballard home.
Anyway here it is :

Outside I'm crying, but inside I'm dying
You turn the knife with all of your lying
I can't take it anymore, my soul beaten and broken on the floor.
You kick me when I'm down, while my heart cannot be found.
The shattered fragments swept away, thrown out after the fray.
Still I wander through this maze, sometimes my mind filled by a haze, drifting swiftly through the days, yet my soul silently lays.
 Beaten and broken upon the floor, as I watch you walk out the door.
You always kick me when I'm down, my battered face can only frown.
No more smiles come from me, only sorrow do I see.
No matter how hard I fight, You will never fix my plight.
So from here on out, there will never be a doubt,
 that I will forever lay broken beyond repair, shrouded in despair,
never to return, from the fear and hate that burns.
 I cannot be saved, and will remain enslaved.
 Broken on the floor I'll stay, without a heart, remembering the fray.
On the outside forever crying, and inside slowly dying.
Always hoping for the day, all my pain will go away.

Oh Boy!

yesterday was colt's shared birthday party with two of his cousins. So yesterday, as any parent would know, was a day of loud kids, staying busy, and overall fun. I think everyone had a good time at the party, but by the end of the day I was pooped! I culdn't wait to get home and crash. Which I was able to do AFTER I unloaded two vehicles worth of food and gifts, put everything away, gave Colt his bath, and of course I just had to post the pics on Facebook. Then I woke up this morning to my clock reading ten AM. I completely forgot about the time change, and wondered how in the world I had managed to get an extra hour of sleep, but I guess I didn't need an hour since I had woken up on my own without Colt. Today was spent putting together his new club house, and helping Jeff build a platform for it. I came out of the day with a sore back, and mild sunburn. But Colt loved his stuff, and it was all worth it. I treated myself to some leftover dinosaur cake,(which I baked and decorated all on my own, fancy piping included!) and Icecream, and now colt is enjoying his Toy Story bubble bath. Once he is done playing, it will be my turn to relax, the good night All HAZAH!!
Colt's cake that I made!!!

Still Ill

I am still fighting off whatever illness I have. I guess it started as a flu, then became a sinus infection. I am miserable!! I do a Slumber party on the 19th, and it's not like I can just call in sick, so I instead showed up sick. It was a good party, lots of orders, and it was for my cousin, so that added to the fun. I love doing these patyies. I just wish more people would book. I've only done two, and that hasn't even covered the cost to get into it. Sigh. Hopefully things will pick up soon. I guess that's all for now. I think I'm going to go relax, and try to breathe through my nose!! Achoo!

Medicine

Today we went to the doctor. Colt has the FLU!!!! I hate this so much. I feel helpless, but I know I am doing my best. he is laying next to me asleep and will occasionally wake and say ,"ma, I sick." then go back to sleep. Today wasn't all bad though. He was feeling pretty good for a few hours and wouldn't take it easy. He insisted on chasing the dogs around. But oh the Doctor's visit!!! his fever was completely gone while we were at the office, and he was tottally alert and playful. His doctor was out, so we saw the nurse practioner. She has seen Colt before so I wasn't upset with having her and not the doc, BUT she prescribed my deary 4 different meds. One of which was plain old Motrin, that I already have at home. Another was an allergy med, which I didn't get because he already has allergy meds that his doctor had given him. The third and fourth were flu meds. One had to be ordered so I won't be getting it for a few days. The other I got today and with my insurance cost $40!! I couldn't believe this! The allergy med was the same price, so I was happy I had some at home and didn't NEED it, because there was no way I could have afforded all of these meds. I cannot believe how much these meds cost. I was so upset I cried most of the way home. Imagine if Colt would have despratly needed these meds, and I wouldn't have been able to get them. What is this world coming to where children can't be treated for basic illnesses for reasonable prices. I don't expect to get anything for free out of life, but sheesh! i could rant and rave about this all day, and I haven't even brought up that I had to wait over 20 minutes on the phone with the pharmacy just to see if they had recieved the e-prescription. I won't even go there tonight. I'm off to look after my little sicky who insists on kicking me. lol He is really worth all of this trouble and more. Night whoever reads this.
P.S. I would appreciate some feedback. I look forward to comments and have yet to get any. So feel free to post your opinions!

Sick and Tired

Well today is Valentine's Day, my son has a fever and runny nose, and my husband is working out of town. Blah on this day.
My poor little boy, has been running fever all day and feeling generally bad. His little nose won't stop running, and he has a slight cough. I have been doing as the doctor says and alternating between Motrin and Tylenol. My grandmother told me to put an onion in a bowl near the bed, and it will absorb the germs. She had never tried it herself, but I figured the worst that will happen is my room will smell like an onion for a bit. I also read online to put potato on the wrists and ankles to help reduce the fever. I'm trying this too. Of course there is the ever popular cool rag on the forehead, back of the neck and armpits. he will allow it on his forehead, but won't let me put it anywhere else, so the forehead is where it is. My poor child looks like a science experiment. But I want to do what I can to make him feel better. Tomorrow I'm taking him to his doctor, but that doesn't help him tonight. Anyone out there have any suggestions? old wives tales? Home remedies? I'll try just about anything so my little man will feel better. I also hate giving him so much medicine. Hopefully he will feel better soon.