Eat, Pray, Love

So I just finished another book last night (which makes me feel a little guilty, since I told Kevin, "I think its time for bed" and hung up with him, then stayed up another half hour to read) and I loooooved it.

Seriously, I know there was a lot of hype over this book, at least among my friends, and when I started to read it (in JUNE!), I have to say, I was sort of disappointed. I just couldn't get into it.

Turns out, I'm a little quick to judge. At the time, I was angry with the friend who gave it to me...we were having a little bit of difficulties because she couldn't understand how I could settle down and get married, and not put a trip to Hong Kong on my credit card and spend the next year paying it off...I mean, there is more to it, but that gives you an idea.

So when I started reading about this woman who was going through an awful divorce because she couldn't stand to be a wife anymore, and who decided to take a year off from life and travel to Italy, India and Indonesia, I was a little turned off.

But because my friends loved it so much, I kept reading. Even while I was reading other things, and even though I kept setting this aside, I kept coming back. They told me, "You HAVE to get to Indonesia." And I finally did.

And it was totally worth it, my friends. This book is beautifully written, and just an amazing read. I whole-heartedly recommend it, and if you thought you didn't like it and you set it down, please, try again. For serious.

Up next, another friend favorite that I have been hiding under a rock and avoiding: the Twilight series. In an effort to persuade me to read it, my friend Kelly who was visiting this weekend bought me the first book as a (very) early Christmas present. ((who knew all she would have to do is show me the movie preview! o.h.m.a.n my likey!))

Enjoy it!!

Reading Fiend

Last night I finished yet another book!! This one was called "It Had to Be You" by Sarah Webb, about 3 friends in a fictional Irish village. I really enjoyed it and it was an easy read (must have been, I just started it on Sunday). So that brings me to 3 books in the last 10 days. Watch out!

Today I had a one-on-one with my boss, as it has been about 6 months since I started this job. Seeing as tho I am easily distracted - you know, theknot, blogging, wedding nonsense - I was a little nervy. Actually, whenever I have to meet with a boss I am nervy. I know I have been a little distracted here lately, but that is not to say I am a bad employee. Just have a short attention span, and need something to keep me interested. BUT the point....

My boss <3's me. And told me she thinks I've been doing "an amazing job" and she got "nothing but great comments from others about what an improvement I am and how helpful"....score one, Meagan! At my old job, my boss and I were pretty tight and were friendly but this one is a little more distant, so I wasn't entirely sure what she had been thinking. So this was a wonderful compliment.

Tonight I am hanging out with Kara, my oldest friend. We have know each other since kindergarten - my mom has a home video of me telling her about my first day of school and she asks "Who did you sit with on the bus?" and I said "Today I sat with Julianne but tomorrow I am going to sit with my new friend Kara"... and thus the friendship was born. Its been tougher getting together lately, me with my jobs and her with her bf, but we are usually able to get together once a week or so. Which I love. Today, we are going to look for outfits for my shower - its only 10 days from today!!! For my mother-in-law and her friends and family.

Most of them live about an hour from where I do, and its easier for them to have one out that way. Best part - its at a place called Hawley's Lumberyard, which is actually a really nice restaurant (we've been there before) inside a renovated barn that's been there for approx 100 years. So my friends got the invites and were like, "Um, you shower is in a Lumberyard?!" - Kevin is from the country, so you never really know right? Too funny!!

Anyhow, shower outfits! I need something cute and fall-ish, and Kara is trying to revamp her wardrobe, one piece at a time. Let's see how it goes!

Enjoy it!

Good book

For once, a weekend that wasn't completely packed full...*sigh* it was loverly.

Friday night, I was mysteriously off from Wegmans (which NEVER happens on a Friday) so I wanted to go up to the apartment and hang out with Kevin. Of course, my parents were having massive issues with this as we are not married. And kept saying, "It's KEVIN's apartment" to which I reply "MY name is on the lease. And I paid the rent this month. And the cable! It's my apartment too." But whatever. My dad said there was a good possibility that my stuff would be at the curb when I came home on Sunday (which I knew wasn't true but I was a little concerned about the cut off from wedding funding). But I wanted to go this weekend, because now I won't be able to see Kevin until the weekend of Sept 27 - almost 3 weeks!!

Anyhow, I went to the apartment and it was fine. Kevin made me dinner (one of those pouches that you dump in a pot - chicken parm) and we just relaxed.

Saturday morning we went out to breakfast. Breakfast is my favorite meal and there is a fab diner by Kevin's house in the sticks that we love to go to, so now we have to find a place near the new apartment. Let me tell you, the place we went was NOT it. Not that it was horrible, it just wasn't our normal diner experience. BUT in the same plaza I also got to go look at the puppies. I need a puppy... everytime we go to a pet store, I pick out the one I like and give it a name. But we just can't have one right now. Sad face. Also on Saturday, we went looking for recliners. Kevin's been pining after one for a while now but grossly underestimated how much one would cost. We went one place and found one he liked and it was $1100 + $119 delivery fee. Holy crow! Also, we tried out a Mexican restaurant nearby - it was ok, I got chicken quesadilla (which is my fave) but it needed a little more flavor, perhaps some Franks hot sauce lol. And watched a movie. And grocery shopped so we could make breakfast the next day lol.

Sunday I made pancakes and we hung out for a while, enjoying the cool tv with the lovely digital cable and the extra lovely (and my favorite) DVR. Then I had to go home - I went straight to my grandmother's and helped her get ready for dinner and then everyone was over and we had some yummy-scrumbos pork chops and applesauce and potatoes. Delish! And my aunt was helping me knit. I like to knit but I am slow. I'm telling you, she could have finished my whole scarf in an hour. I'll finish it in 2 months.

BEST PART of this weekend - I read a book, a whole book in like 3 days. It was so so good. Called "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" by Elizabeth Berg. She is a wonderful writer if you like something sweet, with just a little bit of sad added in. I've read another one of her books called "Dream When You're Feeling Blue" set around WWII. Excellent! Seriously, if you're looking for an easy read, try these out. They are excellent.