Book Review: Scots on the Rocks By: Mary Daheim (A Bed and Breakfast Mystery)

Hoping to dispel the late winter gloom, inn-keeper Judith McMonigal Flynn flies off for a much-needed vacation to Scotland. Instead, she and prickly Cousin Renie find themselves marooned in an ancient castle perched high above the North Sea while their husbands go off on a fishing trip with a local police inspector. But when an explosion rocks Grimlock Castle, leaving a dead body in its fiery wake, an ever curious Judith is once again up to her neck in a murder investigation. The victim is a young man who seemed to have it all: marriage to a bonnie oil heiress, a baby son and a stately mansion. His lovely widow has an abysmal track record with men, all of whom have met with untimely ends. But is she merely unlucky in love... or adept at dealing with death.? The cousins have plenty of other suspects, not to mention some less than earthy voices that reverberate around the castle, lending credibility to spooky tales of a restless ghost sharing their royal quarters. Then there's Chuckie, a distillery owner's oddball son and heir, who's more interested in the castles dungeon and torture chamber than he is in his whiskey. The situation grows even murkier when the husbands and their Scotland Yard buddy go missing... The hunt is on for a killer through the bonnie braes and sea green glens of Scotland. And if Judith and Renie aren't careful, this could turn out to be their most dangerous and last Highland fling.

I'm pretty disappointed in this one. I don't know if its because this is my first time reading a "Bed and Breakfast" Mystery and I jumped right into the middle of the series or if it's the actual book itself?! I found it kinda boring and dull. I also had a hard time focusing on all the characters and what they mean to each other and how they relate to the plot. I was also kind of appalled to find that the main character makes her mother live in a converted tool shed! I mean... honestly... who does that?! It also became pretty predictable about half way through the book as well.

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Book 9: Lover Unleashed By: J.R. Ward

A fighter by nature, a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of the Chosen female, Payne is cut from the same warrior cloth as her brother. And that's before human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello gets sucked into her dangerous world. Although he's never believed in things that go bump in the night-like vampires-he's more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks him as her own. But as the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human an the vampire worlds collide... just as a centuries-old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

WOW! I amazed with the way this book turned out... I was kinda holding my breath till the last minute. I really had been fearing the worst (and by worst, I mean thrilling, nail-biting suspense!), you tend to do that if you've read some of the other books in the BDB series, so I was happy to read such a amazing ending or "ending's" if you will. Although having said that... I now can't wait for Torh's book to come out! Hurry March! I need to know what happens next! Bravo J.R. Ward... your books keep me enthralled!

Milspouse Friday Fill-In

1. What is your favorite winter memory?
I must have been about 6... it was March and we were on vacation in Germany. My mom and I were just walking home from the bakery shop about four blocks away from my grandparents house and it started to snow. That was the first time I had ever seen snow. I remember trying to catch snowflakes on my tongue as we walked over the bridge of the creek that runs along the street of where they lived. I can still vividly remember how it looks in my mind... but then again I remember so much about Germany, and I miss it.

2. What is your current favorite TV show?
It changes all the time since there are tons of shows I like to watch. Five seasons later and I still am hooked on the drama at the Jersey Shore. I loved Chuck and am sad that they are not making another season. I can't wait for Walking Dead to start up again in a week or two. I still watch Big Bang Theory religiously and continue to believe that Leonard is the hottest geek (next to my husband of course) And then of course there are all the reality shows I watch but it's not bachelor or survivor or that stuff... (JS is my only vice on that) its Ghost Hunters, The Collector, Disappeared, Scorned, Ru Pauls Drag Race, Son of Guns, Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters etc.

3. What was your favorite thing that happened in January?
Comic Con!!! It was last weekend, the last weekend in January! It was the BEST! Check out my post on it to read all about it ;)

4. What is the best sound in the world to you?
My daughter when she comes in my bedroom in the morning and whispers... "Good morning mommy, I love you" and then she snuggles with me for a few minutes... that is OUR time just me and her... she has done it since she was about 2 and even at 6 she still does it... I don't know what I'm going to do when she stops one day.

5. What is the biggest lesson you have learned as a MilSpouse (or significant other)?
Write your military friends addresses in pencil in your address book. Never take the airforce's time lines serious... there will ALWAYS be delays...because nothing is ever set in stone, and even if it is... wait five minutes because I'm sure they will change their mind again. Give it a chance, ye moving sucks, yes making new friends and leaving behind old ones suck... but give your new place, city and people around you all a fair chance... at least for the first 2-3 months... if after that you still hate it then I guess its safe to say you do but until then... take it slowly and go out and discover... you never know what you might find! Annnnnd... as hard as it is... MAKE friends! I don't know how many times I went to one of my fellow military wife friends needing help... a ride to the store because my car broke down, a trusted friend to watch my kid for a half hour while I go run my errands and regain my sanity, someone to have Thanksgiving or Christmas with when you can't be with your family or just a shoulder to cry on when you miss your husband. :) These tips I have learned over the years of being an Air Force wife and they have always helped me, I hope they help you too :) oooh, Oohhhh... also VERY important... NEVER let TMO pack up your garbage... it will stink like death warmed over by the time TMO delivers it and you will spend a week trying to figure out which box is the stinky box... I speak from personal experience LOL!

The McC's New Orleans Comic Con Adventure!

Last Saturday we spent the day in New Orleans at Comic Con and it was amazing! No... wait... it was awesome... No, wait... it was the experience of our lives! Why? Because we met some of the most coolest people ever! Like... STAN LEE (The Creator for Spider-Man) and Adam Baldwin (Col. John Casey on the show Chuck, or Serenity or Firefly) annnnnnd... The Boondock Saints; Norman Reedus (Murphy Macmanus or Daryl Dixon from Walking Dead), Sean Patrick Flannery (Conner Murphy or Indie from the Adventures of Young Indiana Jones) and David Della Rocco (Rocco)!!! We have autographs, we have pictures, we got to hang out with them and talk about movies and roles it was truly amazing! That is quite a bit that I can cross off my bucket list! LOL! Wanna see the pics?! Yeahhhhh I know you do... why... because if there's no pics... it didn't happen right?! LOL! Well here ya go... ;)

Here we are with Stan "The Man" Lee!!!

And again with Adam Baldwin... yep, that's right he even asked the munchkin if he could pick her up for the picture! Howwwwww sweeeeeet! He's even got his hand on my shoulder!!! Eeeeep!
Doesn't it look like it could be a family pic? Like he could be relate to my husband LOL! Yup... that's "Uncle Adam" LOL! Just kidding ;)

And of course me and my hubby with the Boondock Saints!!! OMG!!!

My Little Munchkin all geared up and ready to see Mr. Lee :)

Inside just hanging around the photo op area... we wanted to make sure we weren't last LOL!

Neo from Matrix... "Yes, these are the hats you are looking for." Bahahahaha!

Stan Lee got all excited... he heard the McC's were next in line to get his autograph on some of his comics ;)
Yup, that's Stan the Man and he's signing our comics! Spider-man 30th Anniversary Edition and The Amazing Spider-Man # 363 with Carnage!
That right there will be the munchkin's college fund!

Yup that is Lou Ferrigno... the original Incredible Hulk!

Just some of the amazing art that was for sale... we came home with some two... a Harley Quinn & Catwoman poster done by Terry Huddleston! Just Awesome!

A very cool Alien costume!

Home made rockin Star Screen Costume from Transformers!

My hubby and Chewy from Star Wars :)
The kiddo battling the evil Empire!

Best Aquaman and Aquawoman costumes ever! And made by hand by Aquawoman!

The kiddo and a very nice Deadpool :)

So as you can tell... we had a super geek-tastic time! We got to meet some of our favorite celebs, tons of free swag and let our geek flags fly proudly!

Book Review: Catching Fire (Book 2) By: Suzanne Collins

Sparks are Igniting. Flames are Spreading. And the Capitol wants Revenge!

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her long time friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol-a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

Oooooh so good! If you think the first one is great... wait till you read Catching Fire! The epic saga continues with Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch, Gale, Prim and all our friends from District 12 as well as our allies in the Capitol. This time, the tables have turned with the games! It's year of the Quarter Quell and that means the stakes have been raised even higher... along with all the lives of the ones we love! Read it!-- It's truly amazing! Ohhh and a word to the wise... be prepared to have Mockingjay (the last book) on hand... you will thank me when you get to the end of Catching Fire!

Sew Awesome Apron Top!

So I wouldn't say that I'm back to sewing and crafting just yet... but you just wait till hubby has to leave... I am SURE I will have to find SOMETHING to fill my time with... lol! ;)

In the mean time... here is what I whipped up yesterday on the sewing machine...

An apron top for my munchkin! I've been wanting to make one of these for a long time! I just never knew how to go about it... so I scoured the internet for a long time and finally found a nice tutorial... I made my own alterations of course to fit my child but, it's really so simple you could make it however you wanted to.


This is my favorite part... the back... I love it looks all laced together! The fabric is all cotton and VERY breathable! A few more of these and we will be all set to spend our summer in hot
South West Florida! What do you think?

Book Review: The Hunger Games (Book 1) By: Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capital is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

And just like that... I am hooked! I think its pretty much safe to say, I am going to love this series! Katniss is amazing! I can't wait to see what happens next! I seriously loved everything about this book! I don't want to reveal too much, but it IS such a great book, that you should not walk to the book store but run, in fact... ya know what... running is too slow... get a teleporter to the book store and get this book today! You won't be disappointed! It has has a bit of everything; adventure, danger, thrills, romance, friendship and humanity. Oh and may the record show... my heart beats for the boy with the bread. READ the book... and you'll know what I mean ;)

Rollerskating Weekend!

This past weekend was a fun filled Girl Scout dedicated weekend for my munchkin. Saturday her girl scout troop went to the movies and saw Beauty and the Beast on the big screen, which of course she loved. They got to go early and have the whole theater to themselves, including free popcorn and drinks! Now, that you can't beat! Saturday evening was our 100 years in Girl Scout celebration, all the troops from our service unit got together at the community center and played games, did crafts, pony rides, and had food and cake. Monday (since it was MLK day, and the kids were off of school) we went with our service unit again to the local skating rink! The munchkin got to roller skate for the first time! At first she was a little apprehensive about it but after a few times around the rink she was fine. She was amazed that her dad and I knew how to do it... and that mommy could go backwards! (Years, of practice people!) It was seriously so much fun though, I can't wait to taker her back and do it again, I even felt like a kid again! The place we went to also brought back soooooooo many memories for me. As a kid, I had my birthday part at the skating rink just about every year, and I looked forward to it, because it was just so much fun! Check out the pics! I even have a video for ya! ;)

Book Reivew: Hickory Smoked Homicide (A Memphis BBQ Mystery) By: Riley Adams

Welcome to Aunt Pat's barbeque restaurant-family run and located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee. Named in honor of Lulu Taylor's great aunt, the restaurant on Beale Street dishes out the best that barbeque has to offer. But sometimes even the best food can bring out the worst in people...

Since she runs the hottest barbeque joint in town, Lulu Taylor knows pretty much everyone in Memphis who loves their ribs sweet and their corn bread spicy. But one person she'd rather not know is Tristan Pembroke, a snooty pageant coach with a mean streak longer than a line outside Aunt Pat's. When she finds Tristan's dead body stuffed in a closet at a party, the police are suspicious-especially since Lulu's developed a taste for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Caught in a situation stickier than molasses, Lulu must clear her name, or risk getting fried!

With every book I read, I like this series more and more. This one really had me guessing till the end. There were so many good character's who could have "done it", and every time I thought I had someone pegged... there popped up another clue to make me wanna second guess someone else! Great thrilling and suspenseful ending as well. This is the third book in the Memphis BBQ Mystery Series by Riley Adams and I am growing to love the friends and family that gather around ole Aunt Pat's, I hope Riley Adams continues to write this series because now I am definitely hooked! :)

All about being a "Millie" Quiz

So I see this military spouse quiz has been floating around the blogging world for a few days now, I'm not sure where it origninated from but I am stealing it and doing it LOL! I stole this one from a friends & fellow "millie's" blog at NH Girl Displaced Check out her blog, she's pretty hilarious and shares my sense of humor :)

How did you and your spouse meet?

Well... actually I've known him most of my life... you see our mom's are friends and pretty much grew up together in Germany. They married our dads and came to the US in the 1970's. We were born in the early 80's and they kept in touch over the years, so him and I would see each other over the summers since we didn't live in the same city. It wasn't always so peachy though, we both were married before and it took us a while to "find" each other again after we grew up but never the less... here we are... happy :)

See... here we are watching tv together on his parents old 1907's couch... the photo is around 1987 I believe.

How old were you when you two met?

In the beginning? We were just babies... later in life when we met up again and started to date we were 22 & 24

How long have you been together?

Since 2006

Where are you and your spouse originally from?

Were both from Florida. He grew up in Jacksonville and I grew up in Ft. Myers.

How did you feel about him joining the military?

He was already enlisted but I needed a change after my marriage to my ex had ended and boy did I get one LOL! To be honest, I was excited... and proud and excited LOL!

Where did your spouse go to Basic Training?

At Lackland AFB where all the Airman go LOL!

Has your spouse ever been deployed?

Yes. Once, his second deployment is coming up soon.

Ever been to his promotion ceremony?

Yes, and I got to "tack" is stripes on... that means the Airforce allows me to actually punch my husband (don't worry, I didn't do it hard) it was pretty awesome! :)

How long have you been a military wife?

Officially... like registered with DEER's... its been 5 years.

Did you marry him before or after he joined?

After

How did your husband propose?

It wasn't really a proposal really... we were just sitting on the floor of our old house in Oklahoma right after the movers came and packed up all our stuff to move us to Georgia and he looked at me and said... "so do you have any plans next week?" and I said; "no, not that I can think of, why?" He said; "well then I think we should go get married" LOL! How romantic right? LOL! It totally caught me off guard ;)

Where did you get married?

Richmond County courthouse in Augusta Georgia :)

How old were you two when you got married?

I was 24 he was 26

Did he wear his uniform on your wedding day?

No, as I recall we both wore jeans t-shirts LOL! I think I even wore flip flops! LOL!

Where are you and your spouse currently stationed?

Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi

Do you live on base?

No, but we do live in Base Housing... if that makes sense...

How long were you married when you had to go through your first separation?

A week... and then he was gone to school for 2 months, it sucked... we had just moved to Georgia and hadn't even unpacked our first apartment (that was pretty much in the ghetto) I had no friends, no family and a 13 month old baby to take care of all by myself. I was pretty much scared out of my mind!

What is your favorite base so far?

I actually like them all for different reasons... mostly the friends we had and the good times we shared.

Does your spouse look good in his uniform?

Um YEAH! Duh! LOL! I like his ABU's better than his dress though ;)

Do you think military life is more advanced than civilian life?

I think life is a bit more challenging and complicated but it's life. Everyone has different things to overcome in their lives.

Do you like the benefits you receive as a military dependent?

Sure... commissary shopping is nice, gas on base is usually cheaper and the CFR does a good job of helping you out when your hubby is gone.

Do you have a lot of military wife friends?

No, other than my military friends on blogger I don't have many. I have a few here and I do mean a small few... it's mostly because the people I live around suck ass. They like to stir up trouble and gossip and I'm just not into that...

What is the hardest part of being a military wife?

I'd have to say the alone times, whither he's gone for two weeks or 6 months it never gets any easier... I always put it this way, if I didn't love you I wouldn't care that your leaving. It's not that I can't handle it on my own its just I prefer to go through life with the one I love by my side every day. Unfortunately being a military wife that is not always an option. The other part that sucks is living in the unknown... you just never know when you might have to move or when a deployment will come up... it kinda sucks. First rule as a mil wife... write down everything in pencil!

Do you own any military wife stuff?

He bought me a silver pendent right after we got married that says air force wife and there is a little silver dog tag that has a heart in the middle that is also on the same chain. I wear it from time to time...

Do you support your spouse as a member of the military?

Of course! Without a doubt! I am proud of my husband no matter what he does and I will always support him in everything he does.

The McC's go on a Geocaching Adventure!

Yesterday our base (Keesler AFB) and our Outdoor Rec. Center sponsored an awesome little geocaching hunt. The prize for the first person who finds the final clue box received a weekend voucher for a pontoon boat! Sadly we didn't win first prize but we did get a little prize from the box and most importantly we had fun just going out and "hunting for treasure!" oh so the munchkin likes to call it. Have any of you ever been geocaching before? I've done Letterboxing before and few geocaching, but this was the first time we did it as a family :)

Here's some of the pics from our adventure :)

Off to find our first clue! (It was at the pool house)

Look for the "smileys" for the clues!

A walk through the woods to the marina :)

Da Plane! Da Plane! The next clue is on the plane... just kidding ;)

The last box! Woohoo!

And that's all folks! :)

Comence Life!

The holidays are now over and I am starting to feel the normal rush of regular life take over (as usual) we are down to the "weeks" portion of hubby getting ready to leave for his big D. No, I will not say when, no I will not say where... remember OPSEC... sorry. So now we are kinda "mad-dashing" around trying to get everything in order. The paperwork is all done and the big arrangements have been made its just the little things now to worry about... like finding the write adapter, buying some extra clothes and boots, etcs...

I am on week five of my college class and I am holding down the fort with a A! I got my first essay grade last week and received an A on it as well (97.8). I'll tell you what though... I think writing in APA format is horrible and stupid! LOL! I am a little over the half way point with the class and should be ending it at the end of this month. Funny thing... my class ends the same day that I will be in NOLA with the munchkin seeing STAN Freakin LEE, for those of you who don't know who this awesome and amazing man is... he created Spider-man! Annnd... Adam Baldwin -- Mr. John Casey from the TV show Chuck! Yes, see I AM still a geek at heart! Oh man its gonna be so awesome!

Cookie sales will be starting soon, probably in the next week or so with Girl Scouts. I'm pretty excited seeing how its gonna be munchkin's first time doing a cookie sale! :) Soccer will also be starting up again for the season in about two weeks. It is going to be the munchkin's fourth year playing and her third year playing on the Keesler Youth Soccer League. She is very excited... me... I am terrified... why? Because I am COACHING! Yes... I am... I know... what did I get my self into right?! Well... I have been putting it off for weeks now, and the director has been bugging us parents by email saying that he needs a coach and an assistant coach for the team. I didn't really want to do it because I just have so much going on as it is with college and Girl Scouts and the nameless other projects I take on, I just didn't want to overload myself (especially since hubbers will be gone) But... the director sent out a final email yesterday saying he would have to refund the money to the parents of the kids who would have been on her team if someone didn't step forward to coach. They just didn't have any extra people to coach this year and the teams are already really full. I know how much she was looking forward to playing and with her dad being gone, the more distractions the better! So... what else could I do? So yeah... here I am coach Jess for Team Fire 5-6 year olds! LOL! Oy vey!

The Reading List

Well, with a new year... we have started a new challenge... chapter books! YAY! I'm so glad she is finally at the stage where she can focus a little longer in reading. I like that she is reading a level above what they are required also. She still has trouble with words and needs my help a lot but I know it will be for the best! I am so excited about the books she chose too! The boxcar children books were probably my favorite in 3rd grade! I can't beleive she can actually read them... she is so much smarter than I was at her age, but I guess that is the point... isn't it? To want your child to be better than you and excel at everything they do. I am so proud of her! Now, I just have to make my long but distinguished book list for this year, I completed my challenge of 30 books in 2011 and I hope to do at least that many this year as well. I still have one Black Dagger Brotherhood book to read, and a few mystery books in my collection left to read as well. I also want to try to read a few more of the "popular" books that will be coming out this year too. What will you be reading this year? Have you made your list yet?

My Simple New Year's Resolution

I have a very simple New Year's resolution this year, and I'm pretty excited about it also! Have you ever gotten a recite from a store and done a survey? Have you ever actually won whatever grand prize they have? I haven't... but then again, I haven't ALWAYS done the survey's on the receipt. I want to... I just usually stuff it in my purse and then forget about it. So this year, my resoultion is to do as many surveys as I can! I will do all the survey's that I get from my receipts from shopping and going out to eat. I want to see if I can actually win anything... it's worth a shot really... and what have I got to lose but just a few minutes?

I have already done four surveys so far today. We went out and about on our usual Sunday adventures which include Walmart and usually the mall. The munckin bought a book at Books-a-Million and I came home to enter into their survey of winning a $350.00 gift card. We also went to Petsmart where I did their online survey and I got an "instant reward", buy doing their survey I will save $3.50 on Ace's next grooming (which really does save since his nails cost about $9.00 to get done) so 2 minutes of my time for a $3.50 savings is worth it to me! I then went to dunkin donuts and bought two separate items so I got two receipts. Both receipts let me fill out a short survey and at the end I got a "instant reward" of any donut for free when I buy a medium or large beverage! Side Note: I bought the hazelnut K-Cups for my coffee maker tonight and they are freakin AWESOME! LOL!

The survey's are not hard and most of them take only 1-2 minutes. Out of all the survey's I filled out today, Books-a-Million was the most simple, it quite literally took me a minute! Probably would have took less, if I didn't write almost a paragraph on my awesome experience with my favorite sales associate. He's pretty awesome, and always in a very friendly mood. I seriously hope he gets sales associate of the year!