Sunday Synopsis

Everlost by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Neal Shusterman never fails to come up with clever plots and alternate worlds. This book takes you into the ALMOST afterlife. In other words, you haven't quite made it to the afterlife yet. Souls are stuck in a kind of limbo between life and heaven, but it's not purgatory. Some may stay there forever, but you find out later that some move on. In the meantime, Everlost can be a dangerous place.

Nick and Allie mysteriously arrive in Everlost. It's almost the same world they came from, but with all the places that no longer exist in the real world. Bands of lost children run wild, and if you stay in one place too long, you will be sucked into the earth. There is also the terrible "McGill" to stay away from. They find "Mary," the unofficial leader of the shadow world. Nick is happy to stay with her and her groups of lost souls, but Allie has more adventurous ideas and wants to learn the art of haunting and skinjacking.

Shusterman is always imaginative, clever, and creative. There were one or two things that were rather predictable, but overall, it was a unique adventure fantasy. Everlost is the first in the Skinjacker trilogy. I don't know if I will get to the rest, but they would be worth my time.

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Happy New Year 2020!

I haven't been on the blog for a couple of weeks, as you may (or may not) have noticed.  It's been a whirlwind of activity!


I am officially retired from teaching as of December 20th.  It hasn't sunk in yet, even though everyone else has returned to school as of today.  I'm still working my part-time retail job, but I've requested some days off in the coming months, and if they can't accommodate me, then I will let that go, too.  I have MUCH to do!

My daughter became engaged December 19!  I'm so happy for her.  I knew it was coming, but it was still a wonderful surprise.   No date is set yet, but she is thinking Fall or Winter 2020.  He will be at boot camp for the Air Force Reserve beginning in April for about 8 weeks, then training for his job.  So, it will have to be after that.  Besides, we need time to plan!

I was able to create some one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts this year including throw pillows, a blanket, and some homemade bath salts (the kind you actually put in a bath.  Haha!).  It was all a hit!  I can't wait to sew or create my next project.  Soon!  Here's the fabric I used for one of the pillows and the blanket.  I forgot to take actual photos.

Our daughter and I are hosting a baby shower for her sister soon.  She's due March 2.  We won't know if it's a boy or girl until she gives birth as the couple doesn't want to know.  That seems to be a new trend now.  Maybe people are getting tired of "gender reveal" parties!  I am going to make a "diaper cake" and other decorations.  I can't wait! Here's an example of one thing I will be making.

We had a great New Year's Eve.  Went to the Rockets game, and they won.  Then stayed downtown. It was a blast!  I hope you had a great one, too!

Now this...

I've probably posted this before, but I just think it's hilarious!  Maybe because one of our daughters works for the Y.

And this one, if you're old enough to have grown up watching the TV show 20/20!  Cracks me up every time!

That's all for now!  Visit Stacy for more random fun!

Random Tuesday

Link up with Stacy for some random fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you have plans for feasting and fun!  I don't know exactly what my plans are yet, but it will involve family and turkey.

I've had my daughter here visiting the last few days, but she is leaving today.  I feel like I didn't get to spend much time with her, but at least we were able to go see the lights at Space Center Houston.  That was fun!

I went to see Last Christmas yesterday.  I had no idea what it was about when I agreed to go, and I was pleasantly surprised.  There was an unexpected twist so not a typical rom-com plot.  And the British accents were icing on the cake!  Emilia Clark and Henry Golding were fantastic.  I don't care what the critics say!

Will you go shopping on Black Friday?  I used to.  There isn't anything I want badly enough at super low prices.  If I were buying toys or electronics, it might be worth it.  I prefer cyber Monday, anyway.  Internet is the way to go!

And now...

Have a great week, and happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday Synopisis

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Having read about Rachel Scott who was killed during Columbine, and having read Jodi Piccoult's book 19 Minutes, and having read The Chamber by John Grisham, I just didn't find this book very compelling.

It is interesting that the book is written during the time frame of a school shooting, but it was mostly about relationships, all kinds, relationships among siblings, twins, friends, homesexual partners, and relationships with those people we don't like. I don't think the book covered the motive for the shooting very well, and definitely not the preparation the killer planned. It also did not expose the aftermath of a school shooting.

I don't feel like I really got to know the characters well enough. It is told from the perspectives of four different students, two of whom are stuck in the auditorium when the shooting begins. I'm not sad that I spent time reading this book, but I also wasn't intrigued as I expected to be. Unfortunately, this book will fall into a mental category of forgettable.

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Random Tuesday

Howdy!  It's been two weeks since my last confession blog post.  Link up with Stacy for some random fun!

Three things!

I gave my retirement letter to my principal.  I have five weeks until I'm free which translates to 19 school days.  Ever!  In the whole, wide world!  I can't believe it!  Now that my boss knows, I feel so free, and I also realize how little any of the things we teachers stress about matters. All the "extra" things they make teachers do, and believe me, there is a ton, doesn't even matter.  I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off me.

Second, I set up and used my new sewing machine for the first time!  I'm so excited!  I had a little help from DH reading a diagram, and a lot of help from YouTube, but I got everything set up and had a chance to practice.  What a great feeling!  I have so many ideas for projects.  Plus my scrapbooking.  My sister and I have booked our scrapbook retreat for early February, and DH paid for it for my Christmas present.

And the best of all is my sweet, beautiful daughter is  coming to visit this weekend!  I. CAN'T. WAIT!

All this just makes me so happy!

Have a great week!