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Day Zero Project Update: Weeks 84-90

Instead of daily posts, I thought it would be a lot easier for me and you if I did weekly update posts.  These will track my progress each week.  I will highlight what I’ve done, what I want to do, and any interesting tidbits.  Sometimes I’ll add pictures and/or links.  Hopefully these posts will keep me accountable to me list…

What I Did

5. Make a playlist of my favorite 101 songs (50/101)

20. Reread all of Jane Austen's novels (5/6) -- Just need to reread Pride and Prejudice and I'll complete this task.

24. Keep a journal for this project

27. Make a list of 101 inspirational quotes (89/101)

28. Blog 1001 times -- 59 blog posts this period  (1001/1001)

37. Pass 250,000 pages read for my 1,000,000 pages challenge -- another 3911 pages to add to the totals (136,041/250,000)

Overall Progress

29/101

tags: 101 in 1001
categories: Day Zero Project
Sunday 06.09.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

FF #16 Fit for a Queen

Fit for a Queen

What I would love to wear to a royal ball.  I had to go with a purple dress.  And that clutch is to die for!

Special occasion gown

etsy.com

KG Kurt Geiger platform heels

$120 - kurtgeiger.com

Box clutch

$1,945 - cultstatus.com.au

Rhodium plated jewelry

$29 - buckley-jewellery.com

categories: Fashion
Friday 06.07.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris

Title: Pride and Prescience (Mr. and Mrs. Darcy #1)

Author: Carrie Bebris

Publisher: Forge 2004

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 287

Rating:  3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Jane Austen; Women Authors; TBR Pile; Bingo - 3 from series

How I Got It: I own it

The lovely Caroline Bingley is engaged to marry a rich and charismatic American. Unfortunately, this windswept courtship is marred by many strange events-- nocturnal wanderings, spooked horses, carriage accidents, and even an apparent suicide attempt. Soon the whole Bingley family seems the target of a mysterious plot, with only the Darcys recognizing the danger.

I finally convinced myself to read one of the Jane Austen sequels. This one was a mystery story featuring the characters from Pride and Prejudice. Overall I found it a fairly decent mystery novel. The characters are true to their real Austen selfs. The mystery is intriguing. The setting in London and Netherfield is fairly fun. I was okay with the book until the last 30 pages. The ending to too unbelievable. I was very disappointed. Because of my thoughts those last few pages, I will not be continuing on in this series.

Mr. and Mrs. Darcy (DNFed series)

  1. Pride and Prescience
  2. Suspense and Sensibility
  3. North by Northanger
  4. The Matters at Mansfield
  5. The Intrigue at Highbury
  6. The Deception at Lyme
tags: 3 stars, Carrie Bebris, Jane Austen, mystery
categories: Book Reviews
Thursday 06.06.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Quote Wednesday -- Spanish Proverb

Friends and wine should be old. -- Spanish Proverb

categories: Quote Wednesday
Wednesday 06.05.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Top Ten Tuesday -- Featuring Travel

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join.  If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!

I love to travel.  I wish I could travel more.  Instead, I have read some great books that involve traveling.

Travel writing

1. No Touch Monkey by Ayun Holliday -- Hilarious lessons learned while traveling the far flung reaches of the world.  I feel like I need to reread this soon.

2. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes -- I like the book fine, but I think I like the book even more.  Either way we get some great travel writing

3. Journals of Lewis and Clark -- Loving the historical discoveries made by Lewis and Clark.

4. Stephen Fry in America -- Who doesn't love Stephen Fry?  I certainly love him and his writing.

Nonfiction involving travel

5. Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick -- A great account of the travels of the Pilgrims across the Atlantic to their new home.

Fiction involving travel

6. Blades of the Rose series by Zoe Archer -- These action adventure novels take us to all kinds of exotic places.  I especially loved the travel to Greece.  I want to go there now!

7. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne -- A classic action adventure travel book.  I know you can't travel to the center of the earth, but I do love the story.

8. The Odyssey by Homer -- Another classic travel story.

tags: Top Ten Tuesday, travel
categories: Books
Tuesday 06.04.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The Mistress by Susan Wiggs

Title: The Mistress (Chicago Fire #2)

Author: Susan Wiggs

Publisher: Mira 2010

Genre: Historical romance

Pages: 395

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Genre - Romance; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W23

How I Got It: I own it!

Most days Kathleen O'Leary is a penniless maid. But tonight she takes a risk and masquerades as a glamorous heiress, thanks to a borrowed gown and her friends' sense of adventure. To her surprise, the ruse succeeds—even Dylan Kennedy, Chicago's most eligible bachelor, seems enraptured.

But like Kathleen, Dylan isn't who he says he is. And before their true identities can be revealed to one another, fire erupts, sending rich and poor alike running for their lives. Now, though virtually strangers, Kathleen and Dylan must rely on each other for survival. And when the embers cool, they'll find that the greatest risk has been to their hearts….

I thought I would enjoy this book.  But it seems that I just couldn't get behind the characters at all.  Dylan was just so abrasive up until the very last page.  And Kathleen was just way too naive especially for someone who was around the upper crust all the time.  I didn't like how quickly she stooped to his level of honesty or her complete disregard for honor (even though she yelled about it the entire book).  I'm sad to say it just wasn't my cup of tea.  I'm going to finish the series hoping that the last book about Lucy has some better characters.

Chicago Fire:

  1. The Hostage
  2. The Mistress
  3. The Firebrand
tags: 3 stars, book series, historical fiction, romance, Susan Wiggs
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 06.04.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Weekly Crafting

I figured I should finally dedicate posts to my card crafting  and scrapbooking.  Over the past two weeks, I've done a lot of crafting.  My first task was to finish the boys' scrapbooks for last summer.  I am determined to be completely caught up before the baby comes in October.  I've ordered our pictures from last September to now; should get those in a few days.  Then I can get started on that section of pages to catch up.  I'm planning on switched to Project Life for the family album in October.  I want to start with a clean slate.  The baby will also start with a Project Life album.  The boys will stay the same, but I still want them all caught up. Now on to the card making...

Last month I snapped up the Round Array Bundle (Stampin' Up) with the stamp set and punch.  I couldn't wait to try it out.  I used a pretty dark pink paper as a card base with a light pink paper to stamp onto.  For the white paper, I used my swiss dot embossing folder and the Big Shot to give some dimensions.  I like the randomness to this card.

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A card class card.  The original design was different.  I messed up my designer paper piece, so I changed the design to work with what I had.  I like the simpleness of this card.  All supplies are from Stampin' Up.

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A new technique I was trying.  We made an awesome card at class using Versa mark and a brayer.  I bought some glossy paper and tried it out.  Unfortunately the color did not adhere evenly.  I want to try it again and see if I get different results.  I do kind of like the tie dye effect I attained by mistake.  (Looks better in person)

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Another class card.  I like the simplicity of this card.  The colors work well together to create a masculine multipurpose card.

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Class card.  We were focusing on retiring stamps.  I love the play of pattern with the designer paper and the embossed piece.

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I love the designer paper on this card.  The colors are bright and very cheery!  Class card.

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This card came from me grabbing some random supplies and working with what I got.  I'm not in love with this card, but something about the mix of patterns intrigues me.  After finishing the card, I went back to add the metallic jewels.  Without them, the card just looks plain.

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Another random supply card.  I would have loved to see a thicker font for better contrast.  But I do love the flower I constructed.  I layered different sizes and shades to create a better embellishment.

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Class card.  I never bought them, but the button stamps really grew on me in the last month or so.  Plus, I love the designer paper.

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Class card.  Love the mix of patterns on this one.

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Class card. I love the rock n roll technique to create two color stamps.  But overall I'm not a fan of the colors and stamps on this card.

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Class card.  Love, love, love this card.  I love the combo of purple, pink, and orange.  I love the simple sentiment.  

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The following two cards were part of my homework assignment for stamp club.  We had a general sketch.  I decided to play with the alignment of the card to make two different cards.  Both cards used Stampin' Up paper, stamps, and punches.  I just love the Print Poetry designer paper pack from the spring catalog.  I'm rationing the paper to make it last.

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Class card.  I love the 3D tie we created and it really wasn't that hard to do.  

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Class card.  I'm not a huge fan of the color/designer paper combo, but I loved work with the Shimmer paint and the coloring techniques.

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More random supply cards.  I'm on a mission to use a ton of my paper scraps.  This strips were leftovers from cards made a long time ago.  

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Class card.  Love, love, love the color and pattern combinations on this card.  I think this is my favorite card from this entire post.

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Class card.  I want to do a replica of this card with different colors.  I have all the stamps to do it!

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Very cute little card.  I didn't end up buying this stamp set, but I still like the look.

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Class card.  Like the layout, don't like the color combos that much.

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tags: card making
categories: Crafting
Monday 06.03.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Music Monday -- Favorite Covers III

While sifting through all our music, I came across a ton of songs (over 1000) that I wanted to add to my 101 Favorite Songs list.  I had to narrow it down.  As part of my narrowing, I decide to delete all covers from the list.  But those are some great songs, ones I really love.  So, I decided to give them their own series on Music Monday.  If you like covers, stay tuned for some good ones. Part I, Part II.

Michael W. Smith "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Original -- Simon and Garfunkel

Rufus Wainwright "Hallelujah"

Original -- Leonard Cohen

Ryan Adams "Wonderwall"

Original -- Oasis

John Mayer "Free Fallin"

Original -- Tom Petty

Dresden Dolls "Pretty in Pink"

Original -- Psychedelic Furs

tags: covers, John Mayer, Leonard Cohen, Michael W- Smith, Oasis, Psychedelic Furs, Rufus Wainwright, Ryan Adams, Simon and Garfunkel, The Dresden Dolls, Tom Petty
categories: Music
Monday 06.03.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Sunday Sunset #20

Listening To: Pandora mix at work.  But I haven't really had much time to do that even with all the meetings and interruptions.

Book finished: The Hostage; Emma; The Postman; MWF Seeking BFF

Reading: The Mistress by Susan Wiggs

On the Nightstand: The God Delusion by Dawkins; Lost by Maguire

MakingLists: Grocery list for next weekend's shopping.  I need to actually stock the fridge as the boys and I will be eating at home a lot.  That means, healthy easy meals and boys' snacks ready to go.

Around the house: For some reason, we got on a huge reorganization kick this past week.  J cleaned his half of the office, updated our media library, sorted the mail/papers littering the dining room table, and organized his clothes.  Wow!  I was not expecting that.  I suspect he was procrastinating from doing his actual work, but I'll take it!  Meanwhile, I focused on my random crap laying around and the boys' room.  Over the past few months, the boys' room has been a bit of a catch-all.  They will be arriving in exactly one week, so I thought I should make it their room again.  I tidied up and washed their bed sheets for the arrival.  Can't wait until they get here!

On the Job: These past two weeks have been very stressful and tiring.  it's nice to see our work expressed in the product, but nerve wracking as all the problems surface.  Some days I just to hide under my desk so no one can find me.  Hopefully things will start lightening up soon.

On the Web: Still attempting to get current with my blogroll.  It's never-ending, but I do love reading other bloggers.

Crafting: A few card classes.  A fun meet and greet today.  And the new Stampin' Up catalog is now live!  I love some of the new things.  I just need to narrow down my wish list into something more reasonable.  I'll be sharing a ton of my card creations in a separate post on Tuesday.

Watching: The Hangover III, In Bruges, Fast and the Furious 6, Now You See Me, Bullshit, Continuum, The Inbetweeners S3, Arrested Development S4, Star Trek: TNG and OS

Pregnancy Update: The usual.  I do have another ultrasound on Monday.  We'll see how everything goes after that.

Shopping Scores: Lots of Amazon buying.  I grabbed a few travel games/books for the boys.  And a fun new role playing game that N was begging me to buy over Spring Break.  I also added Andrew Jackson to my collection of President bobble heads.  He will join Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt on my desk at work.  Finally, I snapped up the Penguin clothbound edition of Pride and Prejudice.  So pretty!

Project: Securing the last of our vacation hotels and tickets.  I received our Disney tickets in the mail this weekend.  I also confirmed our hotel and tickets for Legoland.  Now I just need to finalize our Anaheim hotel reservations.  I'm also putting together a list of things to take on our road trip and things I still need to buy.  Mainly I just need to get the boys some new shoes, swim trunks, and possibly some shorts.  So excited for the end of June!

categories: Weekly Wrap-up
Sunday 06.02.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche

Title: MWF Seeking BFF: My Year Long Search for a New Best Friend

Author: Rachel Bertsche

Publisher: Ballantine Books 2012

Genre: Nonfiction - Memoir

Pages: 347

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nerdy Nonfiction - Relationships; Blogger Recommendations; Women Authors; Mount TBR

How I Got It: I won it

When Rachel Bertsche first moves to Chicago, she’s thrilled to finally share a zip code, let alone an apartment, with her boyfriend. But shortly after getting married, Bertsche realizes that her new life is missing one thing: friends. Sure, she has plenty of BFFs—in New York and San Francisco and Boston and Washington, D.C. Still, in her adopted hometown, there’s no one to call at the last minute for girl talk over brunch or a reality-TV marathon over a bottle of wine. Taking matters into her own hands, Bertsche develops a plan: She’ll go on fifty-two friend-dates, one per week for a year, in hopes of meeting her new Best Friend Forever.

I won this ARC over a year ago.  I kept meaning to read it, but somehow just never picked it up.  I finally did and found myself underwhelmed.  I thought the premise was interesting as I am in fairly the same boat Bertsche was.  But I quickly tired of the long drawn out observations and scientific research.  It made the entire endeavor feel a bit too forced.  I kept wanting to ask why Bertsche felt it necessary to reach the 150 total friends.  Why can't you be happy with a couple of great friends, a few casual friends, and some acquaintances?  I also tired of the comparisons to a Sex and City type friendship.  That was a television show, not real life.  Adult women with family and job responsibilities can't just lounge around all day for brunch or shopping.  We need to be more selective in how we use our time.  I just couldn't get behind the whole book.

tags: 3 stars, friends, memoir, Rachel Bertsche, relationships
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 06.01.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

May 2013 Wrap-Up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

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May's TBR Pile Recap: Books Read and Reviewed (11/17 books)

  1. The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper
  2. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
  3. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson
  4. The Walking Dead Book 5 (not pictured)
  5. The Walking Dead Book 6 (not pictured)
  6. The Walking Dead Book 7 (not pictured)
  7. The Walking Dead Volume 17 (not pictured)
  8. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs
  9. Emma by Jane Austen
  10. The Postman by David Brin (iPad)
  11. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (review pending)

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3911 pages
Pages Remaining: 882,144 pages

Current Read - The Mistress by Susan Wiggs

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed - None yet.  I failed the T4MC Part 11, but only by 1 book.  Hopefully I do better for Part 12.

Comments - A decent reading month.  I only read 11 books, but I read almost 4000 pages.  I'd say success!  The Bout of Books 7.0 readathon really helped me focus on my reading.  While I didn't do any of the challenges or participate in the Twitter chats, I had a lot of fun reading books and reading others' blog posts.  Can't wait for 8.0!

June's TBR Pile:

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  1. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (iPad)
  2. Lost by Gregory Maguire (iPad)
  3. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
  4. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs
  5. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
  6. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner
  7. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
  8. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
  9. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (iPad)
  10. The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs
  11. Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris
  12. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (iPad)
  13. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
categories: Monthly Wrap-Up
Saturday 06.01.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 
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