I'm baaaaaccckkkk!!! .... Black Friday Read a Thon #BFRaT

Yes!  I knowwwwww, it's been a long time since I last posted to this blog.  And I will not make promises about a frequency at this point, but what I did come to say and share is that THIS Friday I will be participating in a Black Friday Read a Thon hosted by Du Livre, Mocha Girls Read, and Books and Sensibility!

See full details HERE.

Synopsis:

Friday, November 24th from 12 a.m. - 11:59 p.m., there will be challenges throughout the day to win prizes, and you set your own reading criteria.

My GOALS for this Read a Thon:

1. Read, Read, Read :-)

2. To read from a hard copy book.

3. To "read" listen to an Audible book.

4. To read from an electronic book.

5. To enjoy some great quality tea.

6. ENJOY MYSELF!

I hesitate to make a specific number of hours as a goal, but I will focus on getting in as many hours as possible.  Do you want to take a guess at how many hours it will end up being?  Go ahead, guess in the comments below.  The closest guess within 2 hour range will win a prize.

What are you currently reading and/or recommend? 

ONE TEAM ONE MISSION to RUN 200 miles - RAGNAR DC 2016

ONE TEAM ONE MISSION to RUN 200 miles - RAGNAR DC 2016: 12 Ladies pushing past their fears! 12 Ladies pushing their physical limits! We, ONE TEAM, ONE MISSION, will embark upon a road race like none other - The Ragnar Relay Race Washington, DC (9/16/16 - 9/17/16). Spanning over the course of two days, one night and over 200 miles. Together we will...

Review: Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always enjoy bio's read by the author and this one definitely exceeded my expectations! !!

I've enjoyed Shonda Rhimes stories through television shows, but to hear HERstory in her own voice was awesome. (I'd never heard her speak before). The manner in which this story is told and narrated was beyond inviting. It gave us a very up close view of WHO Shonda Rhimes and Shonda Land are.

Hearing her WHY for how she wrote plots for her "tracks" was insightful, even if I don't agree with them, I respect her truth.

I highly recommend listening to the audio version as opposed to the paper version of for no other reason than to hear her live speeches at a couple of her events. I thought that was very clever to put into the audio instead of "re-reading" it from the book.

View all my reviews

S O L D I E R is #PeriSistersinChrist

The theme for this week in an incredible awesome Periscope Group I belong to, which goes by PeriSistersinChrist is "SOLDIER".  You can find us on Facebook by going to www.PeriSistersinChrist.com

 

S O L D I E R

1.  What does this mean to me?

2.  What does it represent.

Sisters Orderly Living, Daily, to Intentionally Experience Renewing in Christ

Sister - a female friend or protector regarded as a sister.

Orderly - methodically; regularly.
 
Daily -   every day; day by day

Intentionally -  done with intention or on purpose; intended:

Experience - the process or fact of personally observing, encountering, or undergoing something:

Renewing - to be restored to a former state; become new or as if new again.

in Christ 

The #PeriSistersinChrist  is an awesome group of women who chose to keep Christ first in their lives.  We gather together during scopes (live videos) to edify, motivate, encourage, pray, cry ....... you name it, we are doing it with and for one another as we glorify our Lord and savior. 

Summer Selfie Challenge - Virtual Run

Summer Selfie Challenge



A great way to stay the course for the month of July and increase consistency.  Join me!

Review: Mr. Fox

Mr. Fox by Helen Oyeyemi

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



HATED IT WITH A PASSION! Initially I thought the style and technique would make this an interesting read, but it was awful the way the "stories" kept jumping around. Basically, the main character of this book is an author, Mr. Fox, who is married to Daphane, but "appears" to be having an affair with a lady named Mary. You soon realize that "Mary" is actually a character in Mr. Foxes writing. I primarily listened to this book via the "text to speech" feature on my Kindle Fire. Perhaps this caused me to be LESS focused on the book than I should or else otherwise would have been if I were engage in actively "reading" it. Perhaps I just don't quite "get it"! I don't know for sure, but I know I didn't like it.

After completing the book and doing some digging into other reviews I did learn that this book is a sort of twisted spin on fairy tales and folklore, thus, if you aren't familiar with them, such as myself, you may find yourself just as confused as I was. So with that said, if fairy tales and folklore are your cup of tea, then you may well enjoy this book. As for me....NEXT.......OH, first I've got to participate in a book discussion with my girlfriends who forced me to read this book.





View all my reviews

Review: One More Winter: A Short Story

One More Winter: A Short Story by Rebecca K. O'Connor

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I "purchased" this book back in 2011. I selected it to read this year to meet book requirement for the number "1" in the "Mocha Girls 15" challenge.

I listened to this via my Kindle Fire while driving so a little necessary distraction, obviously, but I wasn't impressed with this book. My opinion may be slightly biased because while I don't dislike dogs, I don't consider myself a dog "lover" either. Additionally, it could be that the shortness of this book leaves a lot to be desired. Even as a short story I think if several additional pages were added this book would be better.

I'm going to re-read it so I may upgrade my rating later. :-)



View all my reviews

Reading Challenge: Mocha Girls Read

Every year I set a reading goal through GoodReads.com Reading Challenge. This year, in addition to my usual challenge, I've committed to completing the Mocha Girls Reading Challenge. The goal is to read books that spell out MOCHA GIRLS 15, by selecting books or authors that start with the corresponding letter and/or number.

I'm a bit of an FREE eBook fiend and tend to download a lot of books. Some that I want to read sooner, rather than later get added to my "to-read" list. Therefore this year I'll combine the MOCHA GIRLS 15 challenge with my attempt to get to some of these older books on my "to-read" list by only choosing books for the Mocha challenge from books already on my reading list (If possible. Currently I have 8 out of 12 that I can pull from my list.  The remaining will come from a pre-ordered March 2015 release and other books I have in inventory, but not on my "to-read" list yet).

Just as a planning measure I'm pre-selecting books from my list I plan to complete according the criteria set forth, but may change if needed. My overall reading goal for the year is twenty-five (25) books so this Mocha Girls Challenge will consume twelve (12) of those slots.

M - Believing God Day by Day: Growing Your Faith All Year Long by Beth Moore
O – Outside (Outside #1) by Shalini Boland (Goodreads Author)
C - Day-Day (Chop, Chop #2) by L.N. Cronk (Goodreads Author)
H - The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
A - The American Lady ((The Glassblower Trilogy Book 2)

G - Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine by Max Lucado
I - I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (Maybe, this is an extremely long book)
R -Retirement Planning Checklist: The Ultimate Guide by Natalie Johnson (Goodreads Author)
L - Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs 
      by Emerson   Eggerichs
S - The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois

1 - One More Winter: A Short Story by Rebecca K. O'Connor (Goodreads Author)
5 - Five Days in May by Ninie Hammon (Goodreads Author)

So there you have it! A sneak peak at some of the books I plan to read this year. I try to mix it up and not choose all the same type books. The remaining books will be chosen randomly and/or depending upon what "My Girls" and I decide to read this year for book discussion.

I'll be updating this post throughout the year so sign-up to Follow me to keep up with my progress and reviews I'll write.  :-)

What's on your reading list? Any great suggestions?

***********************************************

Review: A Life's Testimony

A Life's Testimony by Toyria C Bruhier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Updated my star rating because the book was more than "OK" as denoted by a 3-star rating on Amazon.com.

This was a very quick read (listen) via Kindle text-to-speech!

I was excited to read this book because it's focus was on my favorite scripture Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, Thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end". The books description goes on to say "Isn't it good to know that God thinks so much of us the He has already mapped out our life's path. Great news, right. Well, of course it is, however the road to each of our expected ends will have twist, turns, mountain high, and valley low experiences." To this point the author, Toyria Bruhier, does an excellent job at telling the abbreviated story of "Lana". I say abbreviated because the story goes from Lana's birth through adulthood and marriage.

At first I was a confused by the "third person" context the book is written in because based on the title I assumed it to be the author's testimony. I'm not so sure this is the case however. If it is the authors real life testimony I would have preferred it to be written in first person context as I think it would give the book a more inviting feel to be able to relate to the many trials, tribulations, victories and triumphs revealed in this story.

Nevertheless, the "testimony" in part and in whole is very gripping and relative to many today. The power of this book though is in how clearly the author related Lana's life to how God truly does have thoughts towards us. Thoughts of peace and not evil, which would ultimately bring us to an expected end. For God knows our beginning and ending and everything in between even before we were formed in our mother's womb. Lana endured some hardships in life that many people in her situation never seem to overcome, but Lana managed to develop a love and trust in God at a young age that carried her through the most tumultuous times in her life. She was always able to hear that "still small voice" from God lovingly guiding her back to Him. Lana demonstrates and shows every believer and backslider how, even through intentional decisions to sin or go against the will of God, God still loved her and accepted her back EVERY time.

I look forward to reading the next book which, according to the author, will focus on the process of love in marriage. I hope in the next book the author makes it clear if "Lana" is her or someone else, whether real or made-up, as I believe knowing this information makes the "Testimony" even more effective.

I would recommend this book to others to read.

IMAGE of book from Amazon.com: A Life's Testimony



View all my reviews

Review: A Life's Testimony

A Life's Testimony by Toyria C Bruhier

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This was a very quick read (listen) via Kindle text-to-speech!

I was excited to read this book because it's focus was on my favorite scripture Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, Thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end". The books description goes on to say "Isn't it good to know that God thinks so much of us the He has already mapped out our life's path. Great news, right. Well, of course it is, however the road to each of our expected ends will have twist, turns, mountain high, and valley low experiences." To this point the author, Toyria Bruhier, does an excellent job at telling the abbreviated story of "Lana". I say abbreviated because the story goes from Lana's birth through adulthood and marriage.

At first I was a confused by the "third person" context the book is written in because based on the title I assumed it to be the author's testimony. I'm not so sure this is the case however. If it is the authors real life testimony I would have preferred it to be written in first person context as I think it would give the book a more inviting feel to be able to relate to the many trials, tribulations, victories and triumphs revealed in this story.

Nevertheless, the "testimony" in part and in whole is very gripping and relative to many today. The power of this book though is in how clearly the author related Lana's life to how God truly does have thoughts towards us. Thoughts of peace and not evil, which would ultimately bring us to an expected end. For God knows our beginning and ending and everything in between even before we were formed in our mother's womb. Lana endured some hardships in life that many people in her situation never seem to overcome, but Lana managed to develop a love and trust in God at a young age that carried her through the most tumultuous times in her life. She was always able to hear that "still small voice" from God lovingly guiding her back to Him. Lana demonstrates and shows every believer and backslider how, even through intentional decisions to sin or go against the will of God, God still loved her and accepted her back EVERY time.

I look forward to reading the next book which, according to the author, will focus on the process of love in marriage. I hope in the next book the author makes it clear if "Lana" is her or someone else, whether real or made-up, as I believe knowing this information makes the "Testimony" even more effective.

I would recommend this book to others to read.


IMAGE of book from Amazon.com: A Life's Testimony


View all my reviews

Review: The Rented Mule

The Rented Mule by Bobby Cole

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



A well rounded mix of suspense, love, the dark side!

I grabbed this as my pick through the Kindle First program, but I would certainly purchase this book for $$!

As crazy as the story is, it actually has a feel of reality. The characters and story lines for each are relatable. I was rooting for Cooper!!! I was not expecting the dark side of this book at all. It was clear without being detailed and over the top about the actions committed by people, which is good for me because I don't like gory books or movies.

The epilogue make this book complete by giving an account of each of the surviving characters a year after the major events.

I could say more, but I avoid writing spoiler reviews. If the synopsis of the book catches your attention then know that you'll be making a good selection. Enjoy!



View all my reviews

Review: Clarity Is Divine

Clarity Is Divine by Kelsi Marie Arceneaux

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Truth spoken! The author of this book shares her real life story, the positive and the not-so-positive. She does this for our benefit though because oftentimes we don't want to face the truth until it slaps us in the face. This book will slap your face! I definitely saw some of ME in her story and thankful for the positive words of encouragement to keep pressing on even when you slip and fall (read as DIVE HEAD FIRST, lol). I appreciate Kelsi's honesty and boldness to share the truth in spite of what others may say about her in order to help those that are having a hard time finding their way out of that deep abyss they dove head first into thinking it was going to be all FUN, but quickly realized there is no light at the end. Use this book as a light to help guide you out and towards the love of Christ.

I used the text-to-speech option for the majority of this book as I listened on my commute to and from work. I plan to RE-READ because there are some points and truths that are important enough to read over and over again.



View all my reviews

Are You Washed....

Are You Washed In The Blood

Tonight as I was relaxing and meditating while watching Donnie McClurkin's "psalms, hymns & spiritual songs" on DVD this particular song stirred my Spirit.

Are your garments spotless?
We've strayed away from the fundamental basics of salvation, purity, and clean, Holy living. Today folks want to profess Christ as their Savior, but haven't allowed the Savior who shed his blood for YOU to make your garments spotless?  We will never be perfect, but don't let that be an excuse to continue living a lifestyle that continues to make your garments dirty. Romans Chapter 6 verses 1-4 says:

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Will you be ready when Jesus returns?
Sanctification is a process of being set apart for God's Holy use. It's dying to your old sinful habits so that God can use you to fulfill a Devine purpose in your life. You can't accomplish that Devine purpose if you are continuing to spend your time doing the same sinful acts, which take up your time and resources, that could be used for Him and fulfilling that Devine purpose He has for your life.
 
I don't judge people, but I can inspect the fruit you are producing. Hmmmm, are you cursing someone with that same tongue you should be blessing and speaking life with?  Out of the mouth the heart speaks.  (Matthew 15:18:  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.)   If darkness is coming out of your mouth, you haven't allowed the light to come in FULLY!  A heart full of light will reveal those dark areas that need to be cleaned.  Romans Chapter 6 goes on to say:

^"12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
¹³ Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."

In closing, consider the last verse of the song:

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;

There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,

O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

May God lead and guide you!

CFSCC presents: EAT THIS!: Baked Rosemary Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

I'm trying this recipe tonight minus the sweet potatoes.  It will be paired with some fresh collard greens and rice with some butter rolls on the side.  Dessert will be peach cobbler and homemade eggnog ice cream (purchased from Miller Farms).

CFSCC presents: EAT THIS!: Baked Rosemary Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes: This was so simple and yet so delicious. The chicken just fell off the bone and the potatoes were so herby and crispy. I truly recommend usi...

What are you having for dinner tonight?

The 10-Minute Manicure: imPRESS Press On Manicure

 From this.....................................To this!

BEFORE

AFTER

Once again I've had the pleasure of trying out the imPRESS Press On Manicure nails through the complimentary Influenster Vox Box program.  Here is a video of me fitting and applying the nails to my hands.  While the video is just over 12 minutes this manicure can be done in 10-minutes or less (videoing adds a little time to the process). 

Although I received this set of press-on nails free from Influenster I have purchased other sets personally also.  The only thing I would like to see changed about this product is for them to come in longer lengths.

Have you tried these yet?

If you're like me and can't keep polish on your nails I suggest you give these a try.  These even survived me eating crabs today so they are very durable.

***********************************************************************************

Information from the product page:

imPRESS Press-On Manicure

This changes everything!

Introducing imPress Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails, the revolutionary way to apply polish! Featuring advanced nail technology, you can get a salon-perfect manicure in seconds – simply peel off, press on, and you're done. There's no drying, a killer shine and a manicure that lasts up to a week! And, imPress is so easy to remove, you can change it up to match your mood as often as you want. Check out all 36 colors and patterns, including trendy brights, classic darks and animal prints. With imPress, your nails will always be your best accessory.

Where to Buy

You can find imPress Manicure at CVS, Rite Aid, Duane Reade, KMart, Walgreens, Walmart and more. For a full list of online and in-store retailers, visit imPressManicure.com, where you can download an exclusive coupon and virtually try on all the colors and patterns!

Suggested retail price: $5.99 for colors and $7.99 for patterns

Audiobooks: Are they really the same as reading?

Back in January I wrote the post "Reading Goal": Do Audiobooks Count?  Today I found this article from the Chicago Tribune that speaks on the subject as well and thought I'd share it.

Audiobooks: Are they really the same as reading?

I'm seriously considering re-signing up for an Audible.com account because I really enjoyed it. 

Do you have any audiobooks to recommend?

Do you have a favorite narrator?

The Resurrection/Easter Story in Videos

Today is the day the world celebrates "Easter", but is more appropriately titled----->>>>

Hear the story of Jesus' resurrection.

**********************

  

From: http://www.youtube.com/user/jwnetlive?feature=watch 

********************** 

 What's Easter?  Why does it matter?

 

*********************

  

From: http://www.youtube.com/user/ChipsandSalsaStudios/videos

******************** 

I am thankful for my Lord and Savior dying for ME and YOU and forever grateful that He ROSE with all power in His hands!

REVIEW: Venus & Olay Razor

Below is a video review of the Gillette Venus & Olay Razor I received compliments of the Influenster VoxBox program.  This was included in the Love VoxBox, which  was received near the end of February.

Google Reader: I'm addicted

I know Google Reader has been around for like FOREVER, but I've just recently begun using it on a daily basis to keep up with the ton of blogs I'm following. 

You know you are addicted to blog reading when you choose to do that over watching TV and/or you browse blogs while watching TV and have to pause the TV show to read a particularly good post.  Yes, I do that.  :-)

Still being fairly new to the blog world I was frustrated with how to best keep up with blogs I was following.  I used to go to my dashboard and click on individual blogs that were at the top of my list since those had the most recent updates.  That was too time consuming and didn't allow me to get through most of the updates. 

One day I happened to notice the "View in Google Reader" link and WHA-LA! My eyes were opened to a whole new method for tracking, reading and even sharing blogs with others.  I'm not sure if reading blogs in this manner allows the bloggers to know their blog has been read by recording it as a "page view" though.  So on post that are particularly interesting to me I will click on them and go to the actual page so that it's counted and oftentimes, those are the ones I leave comments on.  Hmmm...if only Google Reader would add "Leave a Comment" to the main reader page would be awesome!!!  

How do you track the blogs you are following?

Saturday House Cleaning :-(

Really!  Who LIKES to clean house on Saturday's.  Any day for that matter!

Like most people I enjoy having a clean house, but hate making the time to clean it.  Of particular annoyance to me is the dust accumulation on my hard wood and manufactured wood floors.  Typically I sweep the floor and within a short time the floors are dusty again.  

Today I thought about the fact that dust particles are sent airborne when you sweep and those particles end up back on the floor.  So, I said to myself "I need to do something different to keep the dust from flying".  It dawned on me that I should try spraying Endust on the bottom of the broom to keep the dust particles from going airborne.  IT WORKED LIKE A CHARM!  I will now instruct my family members to do the same.

After I was done I decided to do some internet searching to see what other "dusty floor" sweeping tips I could find and in particular to see if anyone else was doing the same as I had just done.  And of course I did!  I think I may have done this before, but forgotten about it.  Hopefully I'll remember from now on.

Today I don't have too many outside events/activities to attend so my goal is to get more house cleaning done in between reading three chapters for my class.

#1 Cleaning Tip

 

Delegate Cleaning Tasks: Why We LOVE Having Families!