The Happiest Place on Earth

…is maybe not the happiest place on Earth, at least not for my particular family. But I'll get to that. ;0)

This is my first week back after vacation, and it's been rough, man. I need a vacation to recover from my vacation! But I wanted to share a little of what we did before I start forgetting the details. I'm including some pictures, too, which you may have already seen if you follow me on Instagram, but I haven't had a chance to upload the pictures from my good camera yet so I couldn't share any of those. :(

When my older sister Kat found out we were going to Universal Studios, she wanted in. She figured this was going to be her only chance to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as she has no kids of her own and no Potterheads as friends. (I know!) So, while we drove the 16+ hour drive to Florida, she met us there after a quick plane trip.

Since we were driving, we took it easy on the way down (over?) to Florida, and made a few stops along the way before stopping for a couple nights in Pensacola. I'd read somewhere that Pensacola Beach is rumored to have the whitest sand in the world, and my goodness, it was definitely pretty. Much more picturesque than my last visit to a beach, that's for sure.

It wasn't very warm yet in Pensacola, only in the mid-60s, so it was a little too chilly to play in the ocean for long. And even though the hotel had a heated pool, the heater wasn't working while we were there, so that wasn't gonna happen. But that's okay because Katie had a blast playing in the sand and splashing around in the Gulf for a bit. We spent some time building sand castles and Katie buried herself in the sand and made volcanoes in the sand. We've only been to the ocean once before, when Katie was four, but I think she was even more fascinated by it this time around. She just stood there as the waves crashed to shore and stared out at it, entranced. I'm sure I got a shot of that on my other camera. :)

We left Pensacola on Monday morning and had to pick up Auntie Kat from the airport as soon as we got into Orlando, so we didn't have much time to explore when we got there. But we were less than two miles form Universal Studios, so we could see it from our hotel room, which was kind of awesome. I'm not going to lie…the biggest draw for us at this amusement park was definitely the Harry Potter-related attractions. We could not wait to get there and get our wands and drink our first butter beer.

We spent our first day at Universal mostly exploring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visiting Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade and casting spells using our interactive wands. Katie got totally outfitted as Hermione, complete with her wand, and we rode the Hogwart's Express between the two parks, which was fun but a tad disappointing. For some reason, I had it in my head that I'd see majestic hills and travel over bridges like they do in the movies. It was entertaining, though, especially considering my unreal expectations. :P

Katie and Kat both also really enjoyed Seuss Landing, too, both being fans of the silly books. Fun Fact: Kat's birthday was actually on March 2nd, which also happens to be Dr. Seuss's birthday. :) Jerrod's favorite part of the park was probably Superhero World or whatever it was called. He doesn't really like rides, but he enjoyed the Transformers and Spiderman 4D rides quite a bit.

Which was another reason I was glad Kat was on the trip with us…she likes roller coasters as much as I do. We rode the Dragon Challenge twice in a row because we lucked out and there was, like, ZERO line either time. Plus, the fact that you get to pick either a Chinese Fireball dragon or a Hungarian Horntail meant we had to try out both. I think the Fireball was better, but that might be because I rode it first and in the very front. Kat said she thought they were the same. *shrugs*

Our second day at Universal was pretty much dedicated to rides. We rode every ride we could fit in plus some that just had really short lines and ended up being pretty fun anyway. Kat and I also rode The Hulk, which was even more intense than the hanging Dragon Challenge. Kat and I both agreed there was no way we were riding that one twice in a row, lol. No clank-clank-clank up to the top for that ride…it just shoots you outta there! So freaking exhilarating!

When we asked Katie which park she wanted to go to first, she picked "Harry Potter", and so that's what we did since this was technically her birthday trip. (It was sooo nice how everyone -- and I mean everyone -- told her happy birthday when they saw her pin. :D) Which meant that left Disney World's Magic Kingdom for our last full day in Orlando.

Here's the thing. We didn't hate it. It's just…when you come from the awesome that was Universal Studios and go to Disney, where people were less courteous, much pushier, less friendly and there were generally just more people, it's a bit of a disappointment. The wait times for rides there were double or triple what they were at Universal. And the big kicker: they don't serve alcoholic beverages in Magic Kingdom. I don't know why we were so surprised at that, but since Universal did, I guess we kind of just expected that Disney would. Not that we have to have beer to have a good time, but we were on vacation and we were cabbing it all the way.

Once we got past our initial disappointment, though, we had a good time. We rode the rides we could tolerate to wait for. No Seven Dwarves Runaway Mine Train, though…that line never got down to less than an hour-and-a-half wait. We kept forgetting to set up our Express Pass rides, and by the time we remembered, that one was full-up. :(

Disney is mostly about the kiddos, though, so we let Katie navigate for the most part. She wanted to ride the teacups every time we passed them. We flew around in Dumbo. We saw Ariel under the sea. And I had to basically tell Kat the story because she's never seen The Little Mermaid.

We had time to relax when we got back to the hotel after Disney, so we had some pool time and played some board games, but we had to get Kat to the airport early the next day and head back to Texas ourselves, so we called it an earlier night than we had the rest of the week. :) We were going to stop and grab a hotel in whatever city we were in when we got too tired to go any further on our way back, but we got a fire lit under our asses to get back to our own beds, so we ended up driving straight home.

We didn't get here until 4am, at which point we immediately crashed. But it was worth it. The hotel beds weren't bad, but they didn't compare to that expensive ass bed we bought at the fair last year. :P And we made it without incident, so there's that. :)

I feel like there was so much more I wanted to tell you about our trip, but as I said, I'm still recuperating from our travels. I may do a second part to this post with more details and more pictures after I get them all uploaded to my computer. Just depends. ;0)

If you've never been to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I suggest you add it to your Bucket List if you've enjoyed any part of the franchise. It's such an immersive experience, like you're truly walking the streets of Diagon Alley. I can't wait to go back, and I hope they just keep adding to the attraction so I can experience more of Harry's world.

April's taking the same trip in May, and I can't wait to compare stories and pictures with her. I really wish we could've worked it out so we'd be there at the same time. :( Regardless, we had a great time and I'm sure April and her family will love the new additions since they were last there. :)

Happy reading & safe travels! :D

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Labels: disney world, happy birthday, harry potter, katiebug, resolutions, road trip, spring break, universal studios, Vacation

Top Ten Tuesday: Goals and Resolutions for 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the awesome ladies at The Broke and the Bookish. Apparently, they are overly fond of list-making and love to share their bookish lists with the rest of us book nerds.  =) We're game.

This week's topic is the Top Ten Goals/Resolutions For 2015 -- bookish, blogging or otherwise!

April's Goals & Resolutions:

Last year when I made goals for my own blog, I knew that I would never accomplish any. I was so ready to just throw in the towel but 2014 ended up being pretty awesome as far as blogging goes. I'm glad I was able to transfer my goals into helping Jen with hers. And now they are ours. <3 It's been a great year and I think 2015 will be as well.


Jen's Goals & Resolutions:

First up, here's how I did with last year's blogging goals:

I carried out the more important items from my list, I think. Sort of. I mean, April and I created the review archive...but it needs a lot of work. As in, all of our reviews still need to be added. Which is why this is still one of my goals for 2015. o_O I was better at being social earlier in the year, but then I got behind on reading, blogging, and all things real life, so my social presence has suffered a bit. Hoping that now that the holidays are pretty much behind us, I'll have more time to catch up with everyone. Also, I am a perpetual book-hoarder. I don't know if I'll ever be able to stop. But I can at least attempt it.

Oh, and for #3, I just ended up asking April to blog with me because it became apparent that my sister was never going to have time for blogging. Probably the best blogging decision I ever made. =)

And now, here are my goals for 2015:

As you'll see, some of my resolutions remain on this list from year to year because I still haven't gotten any better at them or I'm still that far from completing the goal. Here's hoping this year is stress- and drama-free and that we all accomplish whatever we set out to do this year! :D


What are you hoping to accomplish in 2015? Be sure to share a link to your TTT post so we can visit!

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Labels: blogging goals, resolutions, top ten tuesday

The Making of a Library

I think it's safe to say that all of us book nerd types desire to one day own a library of our very own, complete with rolling ladder and comfy reading nook.  I know I do.  But I also dream of the organization of a library, the ease of use.

I find myself reorganizing my bookshelves with the seasons or with my moods, and because of this, they're all mixed together now, and I don't have a running list of what I still need to read. And I daresay that at least a third of the books on my shelves are unread.  I'm a spontaneous book buyer. If I see it and I want it, I usually buy it, funds willing.

I also can't say no to a good sale.  Or Half Price Books.  Or review copies.  But I digress.

I really want to make my dream library a reality.  And being the organized person I am, I want to catalog ALL THE BOOKS. Looking at my shelves, I can tell you what I haven't read at a glance.  But when I'm trying to decide on my next read, I want to have choices...I want to know all my options.  I'd also like to know which books I've passed on more than a few times so I can find a better home for them.

Ideally, I'd create a card catalog and have every single books' identifying information listed.  But that's a pipe dream.  Instead -- and also because I am a total spreadsheet nerd -- I'm going to use my awesome spreadsheet skills and organize an entire workbook around cataloging all of my books, present and future acquisitions.  It's worked so well with my review schedule and really helped me keep track of what I'm reading and need to be reading for review purposes.  It can't fail.  And maybe, one day, all of that info can be transcribed to a real card catalog of my own making.  One day...*sighs*

This also means I'll be reorganizing my bookshelves again in the very near future.  I keep changing it up...alphabetical order, favorites, read vs. not read.  I sort of want to color-code my shelves, but then I'd never be able to find anything.  Okay, that's not entirely true.  I kind of have a photographic memory and can easily recall the covers of books I've read or am at least somewhat familiar with.  But still.  That's not really organized, and it would end up peeving me rather quickly, resulting in another weekend spent organizing.

I want to get all of this done in the next few weeks -- at least the reorganizing part -- because I want to show off my shelves.  I've had a request or two for a bookshelf tour, and though I doubt I could ever gather enough courage to appear in such a video, I'd be more than happy to share my shelves with you guys.  Also, I've never counted my books, so I'll finally know just how many books I own.  (I'm currently giving away three boxes - which equates to 22 books -- if you're interested.)

This is kind of a big undertaking, and I probably should have made it one of my resolutions so that when I finish, I can say I've accomplished something off that list.  Either way, I'm pretty excited about this endeavor.  And if nothing else, it'll help me with Resolution #1, which was to read more for pleasure.  Which, for me, means hitting up some of those books that are sitting on my shelf collecting dust and feeling unloved.  :(  And all books need a little love...

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Labels: 2014, blogging goals, book love, home library, reading goals, resolutions, the making of a library

2014 Blogging Resolutions & Goals

Last year around this time, I took a page out of many others' books and set myself to task with some book blogging resolutions.  I'm going to do that again this year because unlike in my life outside of book blogging, I actually found this exercise really helpful.  I'm not the best blogger out there, nor do I aspire to be so, but I definitely think I'm better than I was due to the changes I made to my blogging style over the course of 2013.

But before I get to my resolutions and goals for this year, I'd like to take a look back at those goals I set for myself last year and evaluate how I did, what I implemented, what I found didn't work for me...that kind of thing.  It just makes sense to review last year first and see if any of those same things still need work because, as in real life, I'm sure I didn't meet 100% of my expectations.  I'm a perfectionist, but I'm not that good.  =)

So, here are last year's resolutions:

1. Take better notes
2. Schedule more posts
3. Post less promotional spots (book blitz, excerpts, tours)
4. Review books immediately upon completion - eh, at least it doesn't normally take me a month anymore!
5. No new memes
6. Create an archive of reviews for the blog
7. Update blog at least 2x per week
8. Attend more book signings & conferences
9. Visit/comment on other blogs & return blog comments
10. Keep track of blog stats

Okay, so, I see some room for work there, but that's to be expected.  #1 is kind of null now because I've been better at #4 and because I'm actually using my Kindle's highlight and note features.  I am definitely way better at scheduling posts, though it may only be a day or two ahead of schedule.  Still...progress is progress, right?  I've also been better at only posting promotional material for books that really spoke to me as a reader, or that I was very much looking forward to.  I did only a handful of cover reveals and excerpts, and usually only for authors whose work I already knew and enjoyed.  I think I participated in less than ten blog tours, and the same goes for those.  No new memes...hmm...I think I quit doing one at the beginning of the year or maybe at the end of 2012, but I do occasionally participate in Top Ten Tuesday now, which I never did prior to this year.  Oops. But I really like that one.  And don't those two cancel each other out, anyway?

Unfortunately, I still have not completed -- or even started -- my review archive yet.  That probably should have been something I worked on over vacation/the holidays, but I've been sick, so nothin' doin'.  I am much better at updating my sidebar and menu bar items, so there's that.  And I do plan to work on my archive soon.  I have so many things I want to add to the blog.  2014 is my year y'all!

Oh, I attended the Maggie Stiefvater signing for The Dream Thieves tour and had her sign every Maggie book I owned...which was all of them except the anthologies.  And I attended Victoria Scott's signing/release party for The Collector at the beginning of the year.  Still didn't make it to any conferences, though. I wanted to, and I kind of had the opportunity, but I'm shy and had no one to go with, so...

For awhile there, I was very social, commenting and visiting everyone daily, but in the summer, work got a little chaotic, and that severely cut into not only my social time but also my blogging and reading time.  Still not sure how I managed to read over 200 books, but I did.  Imagine how many I would have read if work had been great!

As for keeping tack of blog statistics, I think I meant in the reading sense, not traffic-wise or anything like that.  I don't really do this for the traffic...I do it for myself and for those who love to read the same stuff I do. Traffic's nice, but I'd keep doing it anyway.  Back to my point, though...I definitely stepped it up in this respect.  I had a spreadsheet I used in 2012 to keep track of what I'd read, what I had to read, etc., but I think I added another ten columns to that sucker and it has really helped with my stress level.  You just wait till you see the charts and graphs because of it!

I'm just going to go back up to my little list and mark out the ones I feel I've mastered.  Hang on a sec. Okay, done.  And now on to 2014.

So, here goes.  My 2014 book blogging resolutions...and probably some confessions because that's what I do:

1.  Read more for pleasure - This is self-explanatory, but I think 98% of the books I read last year were for review.  Of the ones I listened to, probably 85% were actually for pleasure, but that's because I receive exponentially less audio for review.

2.  Create a review archive - For real this time. Like I said before, I search for my own reviews sometimes looking for this or that, and I have the darndest time sometimes trying to find what I'm looking for. So, this resolution is as much for me as it is for you.

3.  Force my co-blogger to actually do some blogging - Yeah, Mendy got busy with real life and forgot all about me...I mean, us.  A commitment is a commitment, am I right? Okay, I'm sorta kidding...I understand completely, but I miss having her brand of humor and review style on the blog.  It's so different from mine and I liked what it brought to the blog.

4.  Add a schedule tab on the menu bar - I stopped participating in challenges. I didn't sign up for any new ones this year, and the only one I kept track of was the Goodreads challenge.  And that's probably only because GR does it for me for the most part.  So, I don't need a Challenges tab.  I've been brainstorming what to put in its place, and I think having my reading schedule on my blog would come in handy.  Others can see what I'm going to be reading soon, maybe we can schedule buddy reads and what-not.  I don't know, I just think it'll make me feel even more accountable than I already do having the spreadsheet sitting on my computer.

5.  Stop focusing on reading "deadlines" - I know this is counterproductive to what I'm doing here, but I've usually been conservative?...cautious?...when posting reviews.  Meaning, I try to keep it within the six weeks surrounding a new release (three weeks prior/three weeks following).  But I see so many reading what I desperately want to read NOW and then immediately reviewing it with little consequence that I can tell.  The benefit to me is that I won't have everyone else's opinions clouding my judgment when the book finally does pop up on my schedule and I finally get to read it for myself.

6.  Be more social - I was better in 2013, but I wasn't stellar, by any means, at being social and approachable, whether it was on Twitter or Goodreads or even here on the blog.  I need to make myself available, put myself out there.  In real life, too...I really need to make an effort to get over my introverted-self and meet some of you beautiful book bloggers, you.  But also, I need to make time in my busy schedule to visit you all on your own blogs and spend time each week returning the comments left for me.  I feel like I've lost a few good friends over the last couple of years because I wasn't able to do this.  You get what you give, am I right?

7.  Start using Overdrive - I managed to really cut back on how many physical books I bought this year, but I ended up giving Audible all of that money instead.  I have a membership, but my purchases on that site are probably unrivaled by  most due to sales, new releases, and trying to catch up on back-listed titles I missed.  But people keep reminding me of Overdrive, which can be accessed through your local library.  I've yet to try it out, but I have to or I'm going to go broke with my audiobook addiction.

8.  Stop hoarding books - Especially those that probably won't ever see a re-read.  Like, I bought each of the Matched books by Ally Condie as they were released because that's what I did back then.  But I highly doubt I'm ever going to read those books again.  I need to start donating more books to the library and giving them away here on the blog.  I'm constantly running out of room, and I can't fit another book shelf in my office.  There really is nowhere else to put one.  (P.S. I'm participating in the Clear Your Shelf Giveaway that technically starts on the 4th, so check back for that soon!)

9.  Cross-post reviews - I already do this to Goodreads and obviously to Netgalley and Edelweiss, but I often neglect adding reviews to Amazon and Audible, where applicable.  I just wish there was an easier way to do it than cutting and pasting everywhere.  Like, a button on Blogger that said "post to Amazon", etc.

10.  Post more discussions - These seem to be the posts that get the most attention, but that's not why I want to do more of them.  I just really like seeing what everyone else has to say.  I like to speak my peace and then listen to everyone else chime in.  It's interesting to see how varied we all our on different topics and I think it keeps this space fresh.  It can't all be memes and reviews, right?  I am definitely open to suggestions for topics, too.  I already have a couple in mind:  do you even care about memes anymore, or is that just for us book bloggers?  Are there any plain ole readers out there anymore, or did we all turn into bloggers along the way?  Things like that.  ;0)

And that about does it.  I have other goals for 2014, but those are the major ones.  I feel hopeful about my ability to conquer these feats of book blogging, too, especially seeing what kind of progress I made on last year's resolutions.

So, what are some of your resolutions for 2014?  Bookish or not.  We ain't picky around here.  =)  Seriously, though, I wish you all the love and support you need to accomplish whatever goals you've set for yourself in the coming year.  We all need a good support team.

Thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate each and every one of my readers, and I wish you all a prosperous and happy new year!

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Labels: 2014, blogging goals, holidays, resolutions

2013 Book Blogger Resolutions & Goals

Okay, so I thought I'd start off 2013 right.  My friend Jen over at YA Romantics posted a really, really fascinating statistical analysis of her 2012 reads, breaking it down by genre, publisher, how she received the book, etc.  I like to think of myself as pretty organized, but my current Excel workbook doesn't incorporate even half of this info, and being the Type A personality that I am, I must now rethink the whole endeavor.  I might even start from scratch.  Honestly, I really want to take a peek at her spreadsheet, especially after seeing all of those charts and graphs.  It's amazing!!!

And in keeping with the crazy organization that keeps me sane, I came up with some resolutions for 2013 that I hope will make this blogging thing less time-consuming so I can spend more time with my books...and my family, of course.  =)  If you've decided to keep reading, you'll also observe that I tend to confess a lot in justification of these resolutions.

So, here goes.  My 2013 book blogging resolutions...and some confessions:

1.  Take better notes - My notes these days consist of scribbled page numbers and the first few words of quotes I like.  Or:  "This is cheesy."  Like I said, take better notes.

2.  Schedule, schedule, schedule - I find that the weeks when I have all of my posts prepared ahead of schedule, I feel amazingly less stressed and more accomplished.  I have a calendar.  I have spreadsheets.  Now to compile all of the spreadsheet data onto the calendar.

3.  Post less promotional spots (book blitz, excerpts, tours) - I did a lot of this at the end of the year.  I thought I was doing the authors a great service, but I feel like ultimately, I just provided a great disservice to myself and to my readers, especially upon finding the same generic posts all over the book blogosphere.  I'll continue to promote books through reviews and giveaways and join on the tours that really, really grab my attention or are for books that I am just dying to read.  But for the most part, I'd like to spend more time reading and less time copying and pasting info from a tour host into a post that won't garner me much traffic or credibility.  You guys deserve much better from me.  And I owe it to myself not to cop out like that.

4.  Review every book as soon as it's been read (or at least before starting the next one) - I get sooooo behind on reviews because I go into a "my book just ended and I feel all the feels" depression.  I've found it rather cathartic to get those feels out in review form as soon as possible, but I get distracted by a shiny new book more often than not.  So, I am going to get myself caught up on the, ahem, 14 reviews currently in my queue.  I've got words saved up in my head...I just need to get them down on paper, or rather typed out.

5.  NOT start any new memes this year - I don't even remember if I did any memes in the six months or so that I was blogging in 2011, but I picked up a ton in 2012.  I'll stick with the ones I've got, and if I find one that I just HAVE to do each week, I'll either switch it with ones currently in rotation or I'll swap them out completely.

6.  Create an alphabetical listing of reviews, by author and by title - I search for my own reviews sometimes looking for this or that, and I have the darndest time sometimes trying to find what I'm looking for.  So, this resolution is as much for me as it is for you.

7.  Update my blog at least twice a week - This applies to the tabs at the top, mostly, but also to my sidebar items, as I am finding more recently that these are way out-dated or not linked correctly at all.  This is so not me.  I am usually the picture of perfection -- I don't think I'm perfect, but I strive for perfection at every opportunity -- so all of these little random things not working or being behind schedule is really driving me bonkers.

8.  Attend a book signing (or two) and hopefully TLA in April - I'm an introvert.  Maybe most of us book bloggers are, but it doesn't appear that way from all of the posts around the blogosphere.  I'm quite content behind my computer, but I'd also like to work out of my comfort zone some and meet some new authors and book bloggers.  Thus far in my book blogging career, I've been to one book signing and one book conference.  I'd like to branch out this year and attend at least one of each.  I'm also going to attempt to befriend the librarians and staff at my local library.  It's small...I live in a town of less than 3,000, but maybe I can help make the two-city community library better.  Maybe I'll even have time to volunteer there if I succeed in reducing my book-blogging time this year!

9.  Comment more on other blogs and return comments on my blog - I sometimes feel like I'm the only book blogger with a full-time job and family because it seems like everyone else easily finds the time to post, comment, tweet, Facebook, Tumbl, etc., all over the place.  I know we're all busy.  And I'm probably no busier than the rest of you.  But I am going to make a serious effort to be the kind of book blogging friend you all deserve.

10.  Keep better track of my stats and figures - This is all Jen's doing.  I am resolving to do an end-of-2013 post like hers for 2012, and in order to do so, I must log everything.  I want pretty charts and graphs to account for all of my hard work this year.  Sure, this is a hobby.  But it's also kind of become an obsession.  I want to see the numbers, dammit!

Alright you guys, I managed to trim my list down to my top ten resolutions and goals.  I want you to give me grief when I start slipping.  I want to be nagged and nitpicked.  I'm already going to have two relentless drill sergeants in my personal life as I try to lose some weight.  Now I need you on my side to help me be a better book blogger...and a better mommy.

Because, you see, a lot of these resolutions pertain to my family's declarations that I spend too much time blogging and not enough time with them.  To them, blogging has become a second job for me, one that takes precedence over them.  I hate that.  I want it to go back to being something I love to do, not that I feel like I have to do.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy every minute of it.  But sometimes you need to draw a line, ya know?

Whew, it seriously is like Bookaholics Anonymous in here, but I feel so much better after getting some of these things off my chest.  :D

So, what are some of your resolutions for 2013?  Bookish or not.  I don't care.  Lay 'em on me.  We could all use the support, right?




Thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate each and every one of my readers, and I wish you all a prosperous and happy new year!

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Labels: 2013, blogging goals, holidays, resolutions