My little corner of the world

Wordless Wednesday

Ice cream cupcakes (or the reason my plan to eat healthy this week hasn't worked)

Happy Wednesday!

April 2012 Round-up

~~April is almost at an end...it's time for another round-up.~~
We're five days into May — time for my April round-up.

What I Read...

The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean: I enjoyed learning about the Soviet Union during World War II, but I really need to take a break from books that feature a character with Alzheimer's. It's getting a little depressing.
The Orchid House by Lucinda Riley: This book was rather blah. I enjoyed parts of the story but had to shake my head over some of the dialogue and plot points (someone's gay, now he's not; someone's dead, now he's not).

What I Watched...

The Hunger Games (twice): I finally went to see the movie with the whole family while I was home for Easter and saw it again in Austin a couple weeks later. It was good, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the book. The violence bothered me a lot more on the screen as well.
TV: I watched many of my regular shows this month, including Grey's Anatomy, Dancing with the Stars, Castle, Army Wives, and Ringer. I also enjoyed seeing the World Figure Skating Championships on TV at the beginning of this month.

What I Want to Remember...

Spending a few days in Austin with Dad. We ate dinner at Gloria's, picked up ice cream at Amy's, and then followed each other home on Friday.
Celebrating Easter with the family. We decorated eggs at the farm, attended church, and shared Easter dinner.
Moving to a bigger apartment.
Visiting the Hudson River School exhibit at the Blanton Museum.
Getting into the habit of working out at Curves.
Playing "I Love to Tell the Story" with the handbell choir at church.
Going to the Country Living Fair with Mom — it was a nice break from moving.

What I'd Like to Forget...

Moving into a new apartment that wasn't quite ready for me. From mold and smoky smells to dirt and water stains, it was not a pleasant experience.
Continuing to experience the mass exodus of writers at work.
Trying to get cable/satellite TV in my new apartment. Everything is resolved now, but it should not have been that difficult.

Pictures from April 2012...

Dyeing Easter eggs

Valley Springs Farm

Lunch at Panera

Easter picture

Pretty things

Sammy ♥s boxes

Square Cow Moovers

S'mores bars

For my other round-ups, please go here.

Yesterday I drove out to Warrenton to spend the day shopping with Mom and her friends. After a hard week at work, it was nice to be with my mom and look around the different booths for a few hours. The only downside was that it got very hot as the day went on -- almost into the 90s. It's way too early for that.

I was able to take a few pictures while I was at the show...

Tuba

My mom's friends and me

Road signs

Knobs in every color and size

Two very strange dolls

After I said goodbye to everyone, I drove over to Brenham to take pictures of the wildflowers. I had trouble finding a good spot at first but finally decided to stop along Hwy. 290. It was a little windy, so I couldn't take as many close-up shots as I would have liked, but I do like the ones I managed to take.

Red poppies

Field of bluebonnets

Springtime in Texas truly is the best time!

March 2012 Round-up

It's time for my March round-up.

What I Read...

My Life in France by Julia Child: I really, really wanted to like this book because I enjoyed the Julia Child parts from Julie and Julia so much. Unfortunately, I grew a little bored and irritated with Julia as the book went on.
The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons: This book was marketed toward fans of Downton Abbey, so of course I had to try it. The first two-thirds of the book were wonderful, but I felt it fizzled in the last third.
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult: Oh, Jodi -- you were once a can't-miss author for me. Now, not so much. Lone Wolf felt disjointed, and the characters unlikeable. I miss the author who wrote My Sister's Keeper and Plain Truth.

What I Watched...

W.E.: This movie focused on Wallis Simpson (W.) and King Edward (E.). I've been interested in their story since I saw The King's Speech, but this movie was a little disappointing. Once again, the modern-day story detracted from the more compelling past story (just like The Iron Lady). I hope they someday make a great movie about Wallis and Edward (yes, we're on a first-name basis now), but this is not it.
DVD: I rented Footloose last Saturday. It was cute, and I enjoyed the dancing.
Gymnastics: The 2012 Olympics are only a few months away, and NBC is doing its best to show as much gymnastics as possible (thank you, NBC!). I watched the American Cup earlier in the month and the Pacific Rim Championships two weeks later. The American women are doing well so far, and it's going to be difficult to see who doesn't make the team.
Figure skating: The World Championships took place this past week. Nothing has aired on TV yet (at least for me), but I've been able to catch a few things on my computer. And with Paul's help, I've been able to hook my computer up to the TV to see it on the big screen. Yay for skating and technology!
TV: Dancing with the Stars returned this month, and I've been pleasantly surprised with the dancing so far. Urkel's my favorite. :)

What I Want to Remember...

Experiencing another beautiful Texas spring. The wildflowers are absolutely beautiful this year.
Choosing the purple nail polish at my last pedicure
Participating in a direct mail workshop for two days this past week. I was the only one in my office participating, so it was a long two days of watching the Powerpoint and listening to the conversations on the phone. At least the information was useful!
Spending the second weekend of March at home. I was in desperate need of some "family time," and it felt wonderful just to relax and be with those I love.
Driving over to Warrenton to spend the day with Mom and her friends.
Playing Words with Friends. I'm good. :)
Celebrating Dad's birthday while I was home
Discovering Quarries Park one afternoon when I was looking for a place to take pictures
Visiting the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for the second year in a row

What I'd Like to Forget...

The last half of this week. :)
Putting the wrong contact solution into my eye one morning. Ouch!
Trying to solve the Great Apostrophe Caper of 2012. Let's just say apostrophes are my least favorite type of punctuation at the moment.
Driving home in the pouring rain. I almost thought about turning back when I could barely see the road a little outside of Austin.
Coming into work one day and discovering that I couldn't turn on my computer. I had to call our IT department, contact Dell, and have a repair person come out the next day. Nothing like having that happen when you're really busy.

A Few Pictures from March 2012...