Review: Helen Warner's RSVP

Helen Warner’s “RSVP” is a delightful read. The cast of characters is small enough that you can really get to know everyone, but large enough to offer a variety of personalities and plots. The book uses 4 different female view points. There is Anna, who found “The One” in college, but after a huge misunderstanding, they break up and, 10 years later, she still hasn’t gotten over Toby. Claire is Anna’s best friend and roommate, and as such does her best to help Anna move on with her life and in the process ends up in a tangle herself. Ella is the girl who finds joy in taking other women’s boyfriends- until she ends up not so happily married to an older man who alienated his family for her and is left to find another way to fulfillment. Rachel is marrying Anna’s old flame- but can’t seem to shake the doubts she’s been having ever since learning about Anna and Toby- especially since Anna will be attending the wedding. And, it’s certainly a wedding none of them will ever forget.

The characters are believable- as is the plot. Warner makes it easy to empathize with each of her characters, even though they are decidedly different. The plot, while in some ways a bit too much to be believable is revealed piece by piece in the way that life happens and is thus much easier to swallow. It is important to note that the book is not entirely chronological and does use flashbacks to show the past, but every flashback is labeled with the date and is easy to follow.

Sometimes I find the plots to chick lit novels cliché, but with “RSVP”, I was constantly surprised by how original it all was. Certain aspects of it have certainly been done before, but the way each sub plot is woven together gives RSVP a few enjoyable twists. That being said, it was not the most riveting novel I’ve ever read, but it was enjoyable. It made me laugh, it made me think, it made me hope for the characters. 

I definitely loved the ending and how everything comes together. If you believe in “the one” (or even if you don’t), or if you enjoy brides on motorcycles, and weddings that take place when all the guests have left, this book may be for your “To Read” list.

Birth Announcements

I've always liked Shutterfly- I'm glad we could do the announcements through them- I think they look great!

Swiss Dots Blue Baby Announcements

For hundreds of birth announcement designs, click here.

View the entire collection of cards.

November in a nut shell

November was a busy crazy month for us (well, October was too!)...
October 30-31st, we headed up to Killeen to celebrate our nephew's 3rd birthday, and stayed for Halloween. The next couple weeks were spent trying to finish the baby registry and making a gift for my parents.com due date club secret santa (as well as all the eating and sleeping and other things that are normal for a pregnant woman, plus occasional cleaning!). My Secret Santa LOVED her gift- a crocheted Zebra and a monkey hat and through her thoughtful words and the posting of her pictures, she managed to get me some business! I'm so excited that I have orders!
 November 21st was my first shower, thrown by a couple of church friends, with my sister helping a bit. It wasn't a very big shower, but everyone had fun and I'm really thankful for all the love and support as well as the gifts! My mom is planning on throwing an absentee shower for me up in NY, but I haven't had a chance to talk to her to see if they came up with a date yet! I hope so- since I'm due in 6 weeks!
  Then, November 23d I had my most recent appointment- It was in the afternoon so Tom took off the second half of the day and after the appointment we went down to the radio station to pick up the Panera Gift card I had won in one of their contests! We proceeded directly to Panera, where we picked up some dinner (I simply love their tomato soup, but unfortunately they forgot my croutons in it and we took it to go, so I didn't realize until it was too late). We took it over to Zilker Park to eat- our first time there ever- but due to the bees that seemed to really like our food, we ended up heading back to the car to finish eating and then got out for a bit of a wander around the park until we had to leave. Definitely worth going to again when we have more time! Tom was helping with the sound system at church for worship practice, as he does each Tuesday night, so we headed up to church for that (Though we got to church a little later than we hoped because traffic was horrendous!). Then home to rest!
 Wednesday I spent cooking and baking for Thanksgiving. I was so thankful for being near my sister this year- as all I needed to make were 2 pumpkin pies, 2 loaves of graham bread (a family tradition), and a tray of deviled eggs. Thursday we spent with my sister and her family, plus 4 of the other military guys who didn't have family or anywhere else to go for the holiday. It was a nice relaxing day, and I'm so glad I was able to go- I'm restricted from travel as of yesterday (Just reached 34 weeks and travel isn't recommended after that point), so it's great that we had a chance to travel for Thanksgiving- even though it's only an hour away. They'll be hopefully coming down for Christmas (or possibly early Christmas) to celebrate with us.
  This week is a little more relaxed, but since I ended up winning tickets to Tran-Siberian Orchestra (from the same radio station!), we have dinner and concert plans, just the 2 (3?) of us on Friday. I'm very excited! I've always loved TSO and this is a perfect December date night!
  Not sure exactly what the rest of this year will bring, but as the birth of our son gets closer and closer, I'm nervous and excited and all sort of emotions. I'm sure this will be a winter never to forget!

Well, I've been a slacker on this blog lately! I got very discouraged with lack of sales on my Etsy shop and kind of gave up. I kept creating items, because it is my passion, but my listings all expired and the business side of things just didn't appeal as much, and I let things fall apart. But I'm back and I'm more determined than ever!

This time, I have true motivation! In May, we found out we're expecting our first child in January- 1/11/11 to be exact! And, as I've always hoped to stay home for at least a couple of years with our children, my Etsy shop is something that can bring in a little extra income while I stay home to take care of my family.

So, I'm here and determined to stay. Let me know if you have any ideas for what you'd like to see!

Cheap flight tickets!

Well, I feel pretty good. After searching and watching the prices of flight tickets fluctuate but never low enough for the last month or two, I finally stumbled across some tickets into Newark for $202 a piece (Thats including all taxes and fees but baggage!). Newark wasn't our first choice but with the difference in ticket prices being $100-150 a ticket higher in Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, Buffalo, and even more in any other remotely close airports, I decided to jump on these when we had the chance. I'm blessed with a wonderful mother who, despite abhorring cities - NYC in particular- agreed to come get us in Newark to bring us back to Vestal in June!

It's not an optional trip- it's for my husband's little brother's wedding, (whose birthday also happens to be today!), so no matter what we were going to be going up because we really wouldn't want to miss it, plus Tom is a groomsman and probably going to be doing a reading as well- it's just good to know we were able to get a deal and save probably as much as possible.

I'm also excited that my long time friend is going to be having a baby shower while I'm up, which I sort of helped plan the timing on while commenting to her status on facebook (what a world we live in, eh?). So I'm going to be busy. I've been working on a diaper bag (though not for her, for sale), and lost interest in it, but I'm going to be in the spare room in a sewing fury! I have this diaper bag to finish, a dress to make for myself for the wedding, a gift for Iris' shower, and maybe even Tom's other shirt if I have a chance. and just 2 months to get everything done.

Plus, we've been looking at houses. If we can get the financing to work (hitting some snags there...) we'll be putting an offer on a house we saw the other day. I fell in love with the big and plenty windows and Tom liked it too. It'll need some work, but not necessarily major, and it's livable until we have the chance to work on it, so it'll all depend on how financing and offering goes- then the inspection...and of course, my worst fear right now is that someone else will buy it out from under us...but it'll be ok if that happens. We'll figure things out- we always do!

Flirty Aprons GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

I came across this giveaway at Grosgrain- and these aprons are just adorable! What better way to get in the spring mood than a bright, sexy fun apron like these ones? My only difficulty is choosing a favorite- I like them all! Follow the link to enter:

Flirty Aprons GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!