Birthday

It was late one night in early September when Don told me he had to go over to his mom's house to help her with her TV. Pretty soon it was way past my bedtime and Rebekah didn't look like she was going to bed any time soon. I tried to call Don for an estimate but he didn't answer. I then checked his location but he had turned it off. At that point Rebekah checked her location and assured me he was okay. All of this was a little fishy, but eventually Don called and told me he was finishing up and he'll be home in about 20 minutes. I should go to bed he said. But when he called, it sounded like he was in the car. At this point I knew something was going on. But it was late and so I went to bed. 

A few minutes later Don came in and got me out of bed. He had a surprise he said. Turns out he flew my brother in for my birthday. Best birthday present ever. 

However, I was horrified the upstairs was such a mess. But Don took care of that too and quickly showed me a picture of the upstairs room he had cleaned for the occasion. Second best birthday present ever. 

At this point it's close to midnight, but I get Joseph's bed made and everything set up for him, then try to go back to bed, knowing my brother is at my house!!! 

The next morning came too quick. We were all so tired, but I got Rebekah to school. Joseph was still asleep when I left for my doctor. I stopped at Costco on the way home and got a bunch of food so we could eat well. 

I got home and Jo was still asleep. But he eventually woke up and we made food and talked and I don't think I stopped talking the entire time he was here. Poor guy. But he didn't look even the slightest bit annoyed or anything. What a good brother! 

Eventually we called mom. Or rather he called mom from my phone. It was fun to watch the confusion. I told mom I would take pictures but I was too caught up in the Jo-ness of the weekend to do much picture taking. 

But I did take a few. 

My brother's here!

Our first meal of fish tacos. I was making a meal for a friend of mine so this was already planned. It was so fun to share it with Jo who said he loved it. 

Love this view. Could look at it all day. 

We went for a walk in the park. Rebekah walked us to the bridge. 

Flowers on the walk.

They wanted to try the tunnel. Me, not so much. But when in Rome.... 

Rebekah

A nice stranger took this one so I could be in it. 

We decided to make White Bean Chicken Chili. So good. And again, Jo ate it and said he loved it. 

I asked Rebekah to make some fancy chocolate covered peanut butter animal crackers. They were so good. She made some for him to take back to Utah. 

And one final picture. Jo came with me to find this jacket. My old one was falling apart. He suggested we look for another one. The man went shopping with me. Brother of the year award! 

Some cards I got for my birthday. I also got a card from mom Walker as well as some money I'm planning on using for shoes and possibly clothes, depending how far I can make it go. 

Spencer and his family sent me a polo. I screenshot it for this picture. 

My friend Courtney sent me gigantic cookies! So good. I've been eating them little by little. When no one else is home.... 

September Books

Historical fiction about three women in WWII (yes, I know - I'm suppose to be through with this genre - but BOOKS!) However, I should have left it alone. It was okay. Someone who hasn't over-read the genre would probably like it a lot more than I did. Jennifer Ryan is an author I'm familiar with, but this wasn't her best. 

I wanted to like this historical fiction but it was heavy and just not enjoyable. I don't feel the information I gleaned from the read was worth wading through the book. 

Second time with this Sanderson fantasy. This was one of the first I read. In later Cosmere books I really like the sword so I wanted to go back and read his origins. The sword takes on more character in the Stormlight Chronicles. But still I love Lightsong the Brave. I'd read it for him.  

Book 6 in Rebekah's recommended series. 3rd child boy gets caught in a battle and taken in as one of the population police. There he stays and tries to figure out life and work against the population police from within. It was okay. 

Kind of a confusing historical fiction about early slavery (late 1700's) in North Carolina. There was love, painting, runaways, and punishment. Not the best thing I've ever read. 

Fiction with historical elements (the main character was on the Titanic). It was actually a good read and I'd gladly recommend it to anyone looking for a period drama complete with life reboot.  

Historical read about those who stayed in Germany and tried to fight from within. It's a rough read. 

The newest Sanderson to add to my list. It was a great read, very quick, and very informative to the Cosmere world. Almost every page was like a list of who's who and how they related. Very fun. I can see several more series with this main cast. 

I chose to read this historical fiction, even though it was based on the WWII era, because reviews and summaries said it focused on art forgeries and so forth. Unfortunately I had a rough time with the way the author wrote. The plot was pretty predictable and the artistic reference throughout the book - for example describing a character with the use of color pallets and painting techniques - it was just too much.  

Modern Russian literature. It was a rough read. Very dark and left me feeling pretty foul. Ended up leaving the book half way through and reading a summary instead. 

Historical fiction about Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, a female African American vocalist in the early 1800's. It's pretty amazing to read some of the things she was able to do in the time period in which she lived. Worthwhile.

I found this political book overly preachy. If you as the reader didn't agree with the author at all times then you're part of the problem. Was hoping it would deal in facts and let the reader come to their own conclusions.  

Fiction about a family living on a small island off of Antartica. And murder. It was dark. Somewhat wild. If I remember correctly I sped things up at the end to get through it faster. Not as worthwhile as the reviews would have you believe. 

I decided to read this again seeing that it was on the shorter side and I still had a few weeks. I picked up more the second time around. 

Historical fiction about Jesse Redman Fauset who was an early civil rights activist, working closely with W. E. B. Du Bois A good, informative read. 

Complete Chic Lit - total fluff, but I really enjoyed the first book I read of Adams, connecting with the main character in an almost complete way, so I thought I'd try another. I couldn't get into this one. I didn't connect with the main character and found the constant argumentative relationship problematic at best. Not enjoyable. 

I actually loved this adult fiction. A woman who has had multiple interactions with death at a young age learns to cope by helping others through the dying process. It had some rough moments but on the whole I connected to the characters and rooted for the heroine. Even recommended this to my cousin. 

YA fiction with magical elements. Upfront I'll admit to not finishing it. High school age kids wanted by the government to use their "natural abilities" to solve crime. In reality I didn't get that far into it before I knew I couldn't take much more. A bit too cliche for my tastes. 

Historical fiction concerning a Native American family in the 1950's. Another hard read and although the GoodRead reviews boast of humor and lightness, I found it rather heavy. 

Memoir about a young boy's journey (illegal) to America. Not an easy read but worthwhile. 

Historical fiction about a code breaker named Elizabeth Smith Friedman, however she is called "Grace" throughout the book. It was well written, entertaining and informative. Highly recommendable. 

This was a GoodRead's recommendation which actually turned out rather well. It's a YA fiction with a magical twist. Main characters were graduating from high school. Kind of a "grass is always greener" story but it works in this YA high school book. 

Rebekah's Marching Experiences, September

Marching Band highlights:

Finding her sign on the high school wall across from the band room.  Really hope she gets to keep it. 

Practices I attended. She's on the far right. 

More practice. Extra points if you can find her. 

Far left.

Closer up. 

This is a picture the Bee took. Thought it was pretty artistic. 

She's on the top far left. They didn't actually use this formation. Very sad. 

This is a picture the band Facebook page posted. What the Bee looks like when I'm not around. 

More practice. 

Her first Invitational. Look at how hard she's working! 

First invitational - whole band. I circled the Bee in yellow. 

The moon on the way home. "...That's no moon...." 

This this one was the Brownsburg Invitational. Getting ready to take the field. 

Push! 

Job well done. 

Whole band. 

Yet another Invitational.  They did two that day. I didn't take pictures during the first one - wanted to get the full experience. 

But I did take pictures during the 2nd at Noblesville. Ready to take the field.

The Bee with her prop.

Ready for the show: 

Don and I both took videos. Mine was the whole crew, Don's was staring Rebekah. I'll put them both in here so you die hard fans can compare. 

Whole Crew

Staring the Bee

We ordered a yard sign to show our support for the band and the Bee. Unfortunately it was spelt incorrectly. 

After some time we received the correct one. 

Then there was an Invitational I didn't go to because of my back. I sincerely regret it and will do better in the future. But Rebekah sent me the following link.

Carroll Invitational