Books, Babies and Becky Higgins

Deanna inspired me with this post.

My original 2012 reading goal was 60 books. I reached that goal sometime in November and D challenged me to go for 70.

Of course I'm never one to back down from a challenge so I changed my little widget on Goodreads (if you're not on Goodreads and you read books, please do so - it's such fun!) and started reading the next 10.

Well, I made it!

At about 10 am on New Year's Eve, I finished number 70 :) Such fun!

Reading goals really work for me because I have trouble relaxing. So if I "have" to read, it's the one way to make me stop working, organising, doing and just being.

Some screenshots for your viewing pleasure.

this right here is how I know I'm a nerd :) I love all the stats

My absolute favourite books from 2012 were What Alice Forgot - Liane Moriarty, and another Moriarty, Sinead Moriarty's books. ALL of them. Sinead is Irish (no kidding!) and I love the humour interspersed with seriousness. Get the ones I've read - they are all good. By the way, I don't give 5s so if a book gets 4, it's VERRRRRRRRY good.

I also loved this entire series of 4 books called the Sister Circle. Deanna, you will love it too.

On the other hand, please don't waste your money and get any Hea.ther War.dells on the Kindle. I got about 6 (I think they were on special) and I've now deleted 3 because they are cr*p.

What was your favourite 2012 read?

My reading goal for this year is 65, with 15 of those books being non-fiction. I've also set a little goal to read at least a third of those books from my (physical) bookshelves.

At this rate, I might finish the physical books in the year 2016 :)

This year I'm going to read

1. The Total Money Makeover
2. Nice Girls don't get rich
3. Grace for the good girl
4. Happier at Home

amongst others

What's on your 2013 to-read list?

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Nobody cried yesterday. Are you surprised?

The babies seemed to have a nice time at school. I say "seemed" because they didn't give me much detail!!!

D said two teachers said Connor was very helpful.

However this morning Kendra told me (in exactly the same tone that I use), "there are two options: either I go to Connor's class or I have to get another teacher"

There is nothing wrong with the teacher but she loves the one lady who was helping out in Connor's class yesterday because his real teacher is off sick.

We told her it was her choice to be in separate classes and now they have to live with it (unless things go pear-shaped but I don't think they will). Yes, I'm that kind of mother.

I wait to get the low-down on how today went.

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And finally, Becky Higgins.

Thank God I can stop stalking her blog and facebook page waiting for product updates.

Seafoam arrived (it's the kit pictured below), Roz pinged me on Whatsup to tell me (who's on whatsup? I want to chat with you there) and I ordered all my stuff.

Done.

My things should arrive in SA at the end of the month, just in time for my month in review. BTW, I'm so pleased I've inspired some of you.

But I've started talking to myself because you all know I'm a huge paper lover and I could so easily spend all my money ordering project life stuff, not for scrapbooking like normal people, but for making lists :) I'm sure the teachers appreciated a nice Project Life card with the kids' school supplies nicely listed and ticked off :)

Some of the questions from that post...

1. Where do I get the books from?

The books in my post - one is a normal, 24-page photo album (this is what I suggest for anyone starting for the first time).

I make mini-books so I made the 2012 one.

I would offer to make you one but people who are creative won't think very much of MY creativity. That said, I am happy to make it.

I like the made one because I personalised it with washi tape, paper I liked, etc. and the binder rings make it easy to put extra pages in.

2. The comment about printing photos

This is not meant to be a photo book. It's just a snapshot of 1 - 3 key pics representing that month. That's all.

I take about 600 pics a month, if not more. That's what is left after I delete all the duds. And I print 3 :)

I do print 100 everytime we go on a big holiday. I printed about 12 - 16 when we went to Sabie for 4 days though.

I love the tangibility of having an album to take out and show my friends everytime I see them.

Do you still print pics?

3. Brene's autograph

I mailed Lynette but in case others were interested, she invited people to get an autographed bookplate on one of her blog posts. I had both books so I responded and lo and behold, two weeks later I had a little lovely on my desk at work. She sent a bookmark too which was super cool :)

4. Time

You've all seen how I put "month in review" on my goals every month?

That's how I get it done. I schedule it and I do it. It takes me all of 30 mins, if that. I should blog my process.

I can't stress enough how easy it is once you get started. Just go buy a 24-page photo book from CNA and start keeping notes.

Please ask away if you have more questions!