Happy Birthday, Mom!

I celebrate today!

It's more than the end
Of another year through
More than a party
Ringing in new

On this special day
Some years ago
Inspiration was born
In a time filled with woe

The world has been blessed
By this humble spirit
Strong and creative
Perfection or near it

My mother has made it
Through many hard trials
And no matter what
She brings me her smiles

So here's to my mom
Enjoy your birthday!
You deserve happiness!
Do it your way!

Are you satisfied? 2

I forgot to ask about your gifts! Did you get what you wanted? Did your kids show proper appreciation?

The kids were good and happy for most part, aside from a little jealousy from one. And we are going through what they have this weekend to donate. As for me, I mentioned my books yesterday. Excited to start reading them! Other highlights: I got a surprise gift, a lovely necklace from my mother in law. And my parents got me an awesome study bible that I will use for my bible class - chock full of historic info and definitions, very interesting! But my best gift was my "date in a box" - my Hub got creative! He put pics & GCs for dinner at a restaurant I like, movie theater & Sherlock Holmes ad (can't wait to see!) and cash for a sitter. I was so impressed!

As we round out this holiday season,
May your travels be safe and your returns few!

Are you satisfied?

I don't do resolutions. And way back in January of this year, I was still just starting out with my blog and learning the ins and outs of writing. As I found more friends, I saw many great year long challenges - thanks for something every day, 52 weeks of lists, a number of books to read, etc. My friend Marcy read 29 books - that's a lot! And I know others that read a book or two a week! I am a picky reader. I have started twice as many books as I have finished. I can tell within the first 50 pages if I can finish a book or not. And some I get far into and almost give up, but finish eventually because I've already invested so much time in.

So anyway, I put together a list of the books I read in 2011. It's a nice walk down memory lane for me, as I remember what I was doing at the time too =)

1. NUMB by Sean Ferrell
2. HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins
3. DUMA KEY by Stephen King
4. CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins
5. MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins
6. DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth
7. A NIGHT OF BLACKER DARKNESS by Dan Wells
8. THREE DAVES by Nicki Elson
9. FULL DARK, NO STARS by Stephen King
10. VARIANT by Robison Wells

That is impressive for this slow reader. But an awesome book I will gobble up in a week. It's finding the awesome books that's the challenge!

I have high hopes for 2012. For Christmas I got NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern, THE PERICLES COMMISSION by Gary Corby, and UNDER THE DOME by Stephen King (it's MAMMOTH!!!) and I can't wait to read them! Plus my mom leant me THE WOODS by Harlan Coben - a great thriller that is helping me with editing my book! That's the problem with ebooks - you can't lend them to a friend!

I'm excited to read more books in 2012. How about 20 - I'm actually putting a number on it... but I won't stress if it doesn't happen.

Did you set goals for 2011? Did you meet them?