Finally! A contest I can do.....

I have decided to join a book reading challenge called the 888. Basically it's read 8 books each in 8 self chosen categories during 2008. Since I read a heck of a lot anyway, why not make it official right? I found out about it while lurking around, ahem, I mean um... reading Wendy's blog. She is always doing something clever like this so I decided to crash um or er uh...join her party. yeah, that's it. Maybe, just maybe all this reading will make me a little more clever too and maybe I will be able to carry on some really interesting conversations during the year....for a change... sigh. So without further ado.......here is my list:

The next in the series:
1. Bryson City Secrets by Walt Larimore M.D.
2. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
3. Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
4. The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver
5. Stalemate by Iris Johansen
6. Absolute Fear by Lisa Jackson
7. Hide by Lisa Gardner
8. The Hollow by Nora Roberts
Alternate: Phantom Prey by John Sandford

Old Favorite Gal Authors:
1. Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper
2. Trace by Patricia Cornwell
3. Predator by Patricia Cornwell
4. Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell
5. Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen
6. Killer Dreams by Iris Johansen
7. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts
8. The Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts

Old Favorite Dude Authors:
1. Third Degree by Greg Iles
2. Invisible Prey by John Sandford
3. Dark of the Moon by John Sandford
4. The Stone Monkey by Jefferey Deaver
5. The Twelfth Card by Jeffery Deaver
6. The Cold Moon by Jeffery Deaver
7. Gone by Jonathan Kellerman
8. Rage by Jonathan Kellerman

Authors that are new to me:
1. Through Thick And Thin by Alison Pace
2. Locked Rooms by John Dikson Carr
3. Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews
4. Best Friends by Martha Moody
5. Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot
6. Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot
7. Where The Heart Is by Billie Letts
8. Peace Like A River by Leif Engerl
Alternate: In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner

Light and Quick Reads:
1. The Cat Who Robbed A Bank by Lilian Jackson Braun
2. The Cat Who Smelled A Rat by Lilian Jackson Braun
3. Cats Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown
4. Sour Puss by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown
5. Double Shot by Diane Mott Davidson
6. Dark Tort by Diane Mott Davidson
7. Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson
8. Plum Lovin by Janet Evanovich

Books by Jodi Picoult:
1. Harvesting The Heart
2. Picture Perfect
3. Keeping Faith
4. Salem Falls
5. The Tenth Circle
6. Change Of Heart
7. Songs Of The Humpback Whale
8. Love And Murder

Books by Terri Blackstock:
1. Private Justice
2. Shadow Of Doubt
3. Cape Refuge
4. Southern Storm
5. Rivers Edge
6. Breaker's Reef
7. Night Light
8. True Light
Alternate: Dawn's Light

Christian Authors:
1. Sugar And Grits by DiAnn Mills,Martha Rogers, Janice Thompson, Kathleen Y'borbo
2. Light From Heaven by Jan Karon
3. A Song I Know By Heart by Bret Lott
4. Presumed Guilty by James Scott Bell
5. Sins of the Fathers by James Scott Bell
6. The Postcard by Beverly Lewis
7. The Crossroad by Beverly Lewis
8. Christmas in My Heart by Joe L Wheeler

OK y'all. That's it. Oh, by the way, I am also re-reading the Bible this year. If I complete the challenge (which I hope to) and the Bible (which I am determined to) I will have completed my 64 books times 2 plus some!! That would be cool.......

Anyway, wish me luck. I will keep both of you posted on my progress. (I'm kinda pretending like you really care.....)

Happy New Year!

2007 re-visited.....

We have had a good year.

We are very blessed because I know there are a lot of people that aren't able to make that statement. I reflect back on this year and see so many that have suffered with so many different issues. Everything from loosing a loved one, to problems with kids not making good decisions, to health problems. Now don't get me wrong. We have had small doses of all those problems and more. The important word in that sentence was "small". When compared to some of the trials others have gone through this past year, well, let me just say that we were very fortunate. I know that won't always be the case. I hope and pray that whatever lies ahead for us, we will face it with courage and grace. That we continue to trust that God will be right here with us through it all and will always have his loving arms around us.

I am really looking forward to 2008. During this coming year we will have a boy turn 5, a teenager turn 16 (gasp) and a young man turn 20 *insert scream here*. We will continue to try to "train them up in the way". That may require some restriction, time out, butt kickin and wooden spoon wielding but I know for sure that the main requirements are lots of love, understanding and constant prayer. Pray that we keep on track with God's will for these boys. I know I have made many mistakes and I know I will make more, I just pray that I will not "damage" these children that God has blessed me with! I read a line in a book earlier this week that said that mothers don't have children, we receive them. How true! They really are gifts from God and although there are certainly times when I feel that one or more of them may have been a gag gift, they are a gift none the less!

I hope that you, all two of my loyal readers, have a "small issues" kind of year in 2008. For those that may have a "big issues" 2008, you will have my help and my prayers.

My prayer for today is that we are all able to lay that spiritual foundation that Curt talked about today. That no matter what 2008 brings, we will be prepared to get through it with God.

A safe and happy new year wish to both of you!!!