Book reviews

I'm shocked to see that I haven't done book reviews in over six months.  I don't think I've been reading much, so here goes:

An Amish Christmas by Cynthia Keller

Fluff fiction; no need to review.


Debt-Free U: How I Paid for an Outstanding College Education Without Loans, Scholarships, or Mooching Off My Parents by Zac Bissonnette


Published in 2010, this book might be significantly improved if public college tuition indeed were $3,000 - $6,600 as the author used as examples throughout the book.  It would also be improved if the author didn't outright lie and make entirely outrageous claims.  But then I suppose he wouldn't have anything worthwhile to say, and the book would never have been written. . .

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Apparently, I've been reading a lot of books on my phone via my (free!) Kindle app.  Which is pretty much why I read them on my phone.  I don't have a Kindle, and yet the app was free. Also free are most of the books I've read on it. It's a little odd taking my phone to bed, but it's nice that it makes its own light, and it's easy to hold(!).


The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door by Jay Pathak

Meh. A great idea but nothing memorable.  

Glimpses by Renita Terrell

Hey!  Renita is a friend of mine, and this is a nice effort for her first published book!  Fun read!
 
Planning High School Courses by Lee Binz

Lee, also known as The Homescholar, is another friend and mentor.  I picked this up, thinking it might be helpful as I think of different options for Trevor. It's always good to have a plan for the next few years in my head, although I think this may be more helpful for those who haven't gone the high school route yet.

Chop, Chop by L.N. Cronk

The first in an eight-book series, this could very easily be considered Young Adult fiction. But as the series progresses, the characters age.  So far, I really liked it and am waiting to see if I can get the second book for even less than the posted $2.99 Kindle price.


What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst

I said yes to God and started an online Bible study group for this book.  While we enjoy Lysa's Proverbs 31 Ministries encouragements, this book began strong in the first two chapters but quickly fizzled out for all of us.  I think, though, that it was a blessing in that it spoke to us individually in several ways, and also started some great discussions among my group--not to mention we are our own little group now, which is definitely a good thing!

Made my own AMAZING mayonnaise!

And I don't know if I'll ever buy mayonnaise in a jar again!

1 egg
2 tsp. vinegar (you can use more)
1 cup oil
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. salt

Put egg, vinegar, seasonings, and 1/4 cup oil in the bowl of a food processor.  (It's easier to scoop out than a blender.)  Process for a minute or so. With the machine still running, steadily add the rest of the oil. Process for another minute or so. Scoop out the yummy mayo into a container and store in the fridge.

The taste of the finished product will vary depending on what kind of oil, vinegar and seasonings you add. I preferred cider vinegar over red wine vinegar.  I've heard that white vinegar is nasty.  I also preferred a blended oil over plain canola oil; you can also use extra light oil.  I used seasoning salt.

The taste was so very superior over jarred mayonnaise.  And it was a lot cheaper to make too.  I guess there's the issue of the raw egg, but I'm taking my chances.  I suppose I could use a pasteurized egg in a carton . . .

Holly and Kristine go to Fairfax

The Honors College at Mason had a big shindig last weekend. It was part of their "we love you, now love us back and come here" schpiel.  Holly's already committed; the event was for both committed and undecided students.  Holly and I drove up the day before, on Saturday.  It was drizzly and damp.  This is the second time I've Pricelined a hotel in Fairfax.  Decent rooms, decent prices, but both have had views of the hotel's lower level rooftop.  Well worth it, though.  And there's always construction in Fairfax (quiet on our weekend visit).

We had plenty of time to kill and had laid out several shopping stops.

Trader Joe's.  Our first visit. I was expecting something quite a bit more upscale.  Just to be sure, we even visited a second store.  A lot of the frozen food looked good, so maybe that's something to keep in mind for next time.

We stopped at TJ Maxx to look at purses.  At Nordstrom's The Rack, I found jeans, and Holly and I each bought a scarf.

We ate at Holly's favorite place, Wild Chicken.  We shared a whole chicken and fried yuca.  And we really ate the whole, amazing thing.

Foggy, misting driving to the Mall.

Back at the hotel.

On Sunday morning, the "Celebration of Excellence" began with light pastries, juice, and coffee.  As the students registered, they were given a packet of stuff, including a very nice writing notebook and a(nother) green Mason mini-backpack.  Holly now has three, and I'm thinking she can wallpaper her dorm with them eventually.

400 students and their parents crowded in, even going up in to the balcony.  We listened to several speakers and a panel of students.

We were split into two groups, and it was our turn to eat and check out some of the academic and student booths that had been set up for us.  The was a nice buffet spread out in the dining room, along with live music on stage.  It was quite amusing to see each of the students head for empty tables, one kid and parent per 8 seat table. Eventually, though, there were no empty tables, and they had to sit with other people. Overall, not a hugely social group.  :D

Holly had prearraged to meet her hopefully-new-because-they-requested-each-other roommate, Allie.  We found Allie and her mom and went on the tour together. It was a nothing-new tour, but it did give me yet another opportunity to become completely and utterly lost on campus. I even had a school map.  Thinking back on it, though, I should have used my phone to display a close up satellite map, and I bet that would have been perfect.

As soon as the ceremonial stuff was over, we bolted for the car in an effort to beat the mad rush.  Mission successful.

Getting on the highway to head home, we were surprised to see such a back up of traffic 25 miles out of DC heading into the city. On a Sunday afternoon.  

We had a pretty good drive home--blue sky, light traffic, although driving into the sun glare all afternoon became quite tiring.  An exciting weekend and lots of stuff to look forward to in the next six months or so.

Uncle Al

Allan J. Holtz, of Allentown, passed away on February 20, at the age of 72. He was the son of William and Grace (Sewards) Holtz. He would have been married to his loving wife Barbara (Motko) for 44 years this coming April. Allan graduated from Allentown High School in 1958 and then attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He served with the U.S. Army as a medical photographer, worked for the Morning Call, and then went on to be a photographer for PP&L for 30 years. He was a musician, playing with The High Society Ragtime Band and The Music Makers as well as many other groups. Allan was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Survivors: Wife, Barbara; two daughters, Marie Holtz and Laura Flynn and husband Ben; two brothers-in-law, Joseph and wife Kathy Motko and Michael and wife Sherry Motko; sister-in-law, Sister Loretta Motko. Services: A calling will be held on Tuesday, February 26, from 11 a.m., until a Blessing Service at 12:30 p.m., both will be at Weber Funeral Home, 1619 Hamilton St., Allentown.

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So glad that Holly and Trevor had the chance to get to know Uncle Al. We've visited several times since moving to Virginia.  A sweet, gentle, funny, and kind man, he was loved and will be greatly missed.

Animal House

Holly took these a few days ago. Lucky is old, 12, and hanging in there.

Pumpkin saw the suitcases out and knew something was up. She tries to look cute, perhaps hoping Holly will not leave. Or else bring her along.

Eye C U

Trevor has been concerned about his eyesight for the past few months.  I made him an appointment to visit the eye doctor.

He's always had excellent vision and did fine at the informal "tests" at the pediatrician's office when he was little. He's always been the "eagle eyes" of our family, and he's never been to a real eye doctor before.

Holly's been so many times that I can't believe Trevor has never gone along. Apparently not, though, as he wanted confirmation that he could keep his clothes on.

His appointment was this morning. It was very quick.  Yes, his right eye is worse than his left eye.  But he doesn't need glasses.  His right eye "only" normal, 20/20.  His left eye is still 20/10.

Always worth double checking through when it comes to your eyes. 

And now, for this message

I'm here.  I've just had a rough couple of months.  Came home after a great day at work today to find a long letter from Georgia's dad that makes me cry all over again.  Exhausted, tried laying alongside the Princess Dog, but I finally switched sides.  After I woke, I found a text from Trevor on my phone with this:

I guess turnabout's fair play!  I've posted enough silly pictures of him over the years, and this one makes me laugh. 

I asked Robert to come see it, and he replied, "Who do you think told him to take the picture?  Couldn't you hear Holly and Trevor shrieking with laughter?"   Well, no.  I was sleeping!

Anyway, a great laugh that I needed tonight.

Valentine's Day

Holly let me know well in advance what she wanted for Valentine's Day:  a giant stuffed animal, a bunch of candy, and an iTunes card.  Trevor said he also wanted a giant stuffed animal, but Rob and I weren't sure we believed him.  We got them both stuffed animals and candy--iTunes will have to wait.

I bought Robert candy also, and he bought me a lovely orchid--hot pink, of course!

TeenPact

On Monday, I dropped Holly and Trevor off in Richmond for TeenPact. I'm so glad they had the chance to go one last time together, especially since Trevor ended up coming home sick last year (his first time attending).

Robert and I had a quiet and quick week at home. I worked both full days that they were gone. The house stayed very clean and was almost too quiet. Actually, it was nice for a couple of days, but it would get old very fast!

Robert and I tried a new(ish) Vietnamese restaurant in town. I was asleep every night by 10pm and up each morning by 6 without my alarm. I liked going to bed early and waking up early--BUT I am glad I can stay up much later most nights with Holly and Trevor. I'll have p-l-e-n-t-y of time to sleep in about five years, and I'm sure I won't enjoy it nearly as much.

We drove up to get them on Thursday. I always enjoy the end of the TeenPact session. This was Robert's first time listening to the mock legislative session, hearing the wonderful speeches given by a handful of kids who won senate seats during the week's mock election, and watching the graduation ceremony.

So the kids went to TeenPact all dressed up, but they'd only let me take pictures -- well, they didn't let me take pictures, so I just have a few taken on the sly. From the back!