The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

I've got a problem...

And that problem is finding new books.

I find myself re-reading books zillions of times just because I know I'll like them again.

I've set a goal to at least try to get through a couple of new ones, so here's the first:

I saw this one reviewed on another blog, so I decided to try it out.

I found this book to be very interesting.

The book is written from the point-of-view of 15 year old autistic boy, Christopher Boone.

He discovers a neighborhood dog dead and decides that he is going to solve the murder.

Along the way he discovers some very upsetting news and has trouble handling it (not surprisingly)

Having worked with autistic children for about two years I can definitely relate to things mentioned in the story: the aggression, the confusion, the stemming behaviors,...

Likes:

That it's written from Chris's point-of-view

Very accurate

Engaging story line

Dislikes:

Definitely going to have to go with the language, the F word was used A LOT!

On the star system...I would say 3.5 our of 5

4 Whole Years!

On July 10, 2007 I was at Girl's Camp in Moscow, ID.
I was also anxiously awaiting the birth of my first niece in Rexburg, ID.
When we got the call I literally jumped over a bush that was in my way to tell all the girls in my camp about my new niece.

It's hard to believe that she's gone from this:

That's right my niece was awesome from the start! Hang loose!

To this:

Isn't she such a big girl?!

Gwen will always hold a special place in my heart as my first niece.

I love her.

Guess who's back!

BERT!

(Ignore the crappy parking job)

Seriously, my first thought was, "I never thought I would be so happy to see that car!"

He drives like a dream now! No joke. 

I said to myself, "Wow, this is what it's supposed to feel like to shift gears!"

Yay!

Cars...and why I hate them

Cars are quite possibly one of the greatest inventions of ever!
Without them we would still be rockin' the horse and buggy...

However, they are also a gigantic pain in the rear.
One minute they are absolutely perfectly fine and the next minute they are dead.
As in doornail, dead.

So there I am on my merry way to lunch yesterday...
Bert decides it would be really fun to just, well you know, DIE!
So he does, right there on Quinn road.
I pulled around the corner and called my daddy because that was my first instinct.
I called him when the engine light came on for the first time, when the coolant light wouldn't turn OFF, when Bert suddenly had an unquenchable thirst for power steering fluid...you get the picture.
We still don't know exactly what is wrong with Bert.


When I got home after having Bert towed and eating some sympathy frozen yogurt from the parentals I very kindly asked Derek if I could possibly borrow his car for the time being.
He was way too willing...something about owing him big time or something like that.

So this morning...I get into Derek's car. I started it and everything was just fine.
For about five seconds.
His car just magically STOPPED running.
So I started it again. Same story.
And again...
And again...
Then it just stopped turning over.

WHY???????

He hasn't had any troubles with it that I know of...
So why me and why today?
Maybe it's because the universe sensed that I'm in dire need of doing my laundry.
Yes, that must be it.

This is what I live for!

I had an amazing experience at work today!

I carried on a conversation with a nonverbal child!!!

Yes, NONVERBAL.


This conversation consisted of signs and words. (He mostly signs, but he did say one word).

It was amazing seeing that he really knew and understood what we were saying to each other.


I was so close to tears...and it makes me smile just thinking about it :)

This is what I live for and what I love doing!
Absolutely amazing.

Wanna Talk About Me

{one} do you watch the history channel? if so, what’s your favorite program?When I'm at home I do...and I LOVE Pawn Stars.And American Pickers.<3
{two} what is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?I would have to say go on a walk...Or stay inside and read a book
{three} what does your dream house look like?I have like 3 dream houses.One is an old haunted house looking houseAnother is a brand spanking new house with all the fixingsAnd the last one is kinda just to be funny, but a house with only laminate flooring and the only furniture would be rolling chairs. HOW AWESOME WOULD THAT BE?? Except I would get fat....er
{four} what state were you born in?Arizona, baby!
{five} do you have a change jar? if so, what do you use it for when it gets full?Yeah, but it will never get full because it is 1) Way to big and 2) I keep taking change out of it for laundry.
{six} what’s the first website you look at when you get on the computer?Facebook. :P And dearblankpleaseblank.comand grouchyrabbit.comand mylifeisaverage.com
I'm an 'entertain me' kind of person
{seven} what is your favorite breakfast?Pancakes. With buttermilk syrup.
{eight} what’s the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken?Definitely the trip to Washington DC.That trip still makes me smile after 3 years :)
{nine} do you prefer your coffee black or with cream/milk/sugar?I prefer my coffee to be hot chocolate...
{ten} have you ever done a professional photo shoot?Nope, Maci takes pictures of me and Carley sometimes :)

Origami :]

This was my first attempt at origami for a long long time, but folks...I have succeeded in making a fish!

And to think all it took were three sheets of origami paper and YouTube!