My little corner of the world: December 2011

About a month ago, I saw a great idea about doing a monthly "round-up" on the last day of each month on Ali Edwards' blog (the idea came from guest blogger Katie Nelson). In the round-up, you record the books you've read, the movies you've seen, the moments you'd like to remember, etc. during the last month. I thought it would be neat to try so I'm starting tonight. (And yes, it does bother me a little that I'm beginning this in December, but I wanted to get started now.)

What I Read...

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins: Yes, I'm hooked, and yes, I'm ready for the first movie in March. (I actually read the first one over Thanksgiving break.)
Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery: This is a childhood favorite that I decided to reread for the first time in 10 years. It's still wonderful.
The Breaking Wave by Nevil Shute: I finished this book a few days ago. While I didn't enjoy it quite as much as A Town Like Alice, it kept my interest throughout.

What I Saw:

New Year's Eve: I wanted something light and amusing, and New Year's Eve delivered.
My Week with Marilyn: I saw this movie this afternoon. It was good but not great. Of course, I don't know that much about Marilyn Monroe so I'm not sure how accurate Michelle Williams' portrayal was.
I also watched The Help; Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows, Part 2; Elf; Love Actually; and It's a Wonderful Life on DVD or TV.

What I Want to Remember:

Watching Esther graduate from the University of Houston.
Playing handbells at Arden Courts.
Attending the Christmas Eve service at church.
Taking Christmas photos for the Gozurs.
Helping serve food at the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission with my family on Christmas Eve.
Watching Sammy play with his new toy at Christmas (and then drowning it in his water bowl when he got back home).
Sharing present time with my family (it was Esther's first Christmas with us).
Enjoying the first cookie exchange party at the office.
Seeing the Longhorns defeat the Cal Bears in the Holiday Bowl.
Finding many of my lost photos on Paul's hard drive.
Laughing as Mom found her "special" gift from Santa in her stocking.
Watching The Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet for the second year in a row.

What I'd Like to Forget:

Having car trouble on the same day I decided to wear a skirt and heels. And it was cold and drizzly. And we were taking our team Christmas picture that day. Fun times.
Getting sick a few days later. It was my first real cold in more than a year, and I did not cope well.
Watching Sammy climb out of his carrier about 10 miles outside of Henderson on the way home and proceed to explore the entire car — including the dashboard.

I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting, but I can't think of anything else right now. Here's to a wonderful 2012!