2013 Book List

I have a HUGE book list to read this year. I'm sure it will take me well into next year. Again, it is full of a lot of series books and a lot of books made into movies. It's a mixture of fantasy, adventure, sci-fi, and young-adult. So without further ado, here is my 2013 book list.

1) City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau - This is the first of a 4 book series called (what else) The Books of Ember. It was recommended by none other than my husband. It's a children's book, so it should be a fairly quick, easy read. It's also a movie, which I will watch after reading it.

2) Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Johnathon Safran Foer - This book is about a post-9/11 family that lost their husband/dad/son. I have not seen the movie yet, but I do love books that are made into movies. So, when I saw this I added it to my list!

3) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - This is the first of a 6 book series call The Immortal Instruments. It was recommended by a co-worker and it's also on several must-read lists I've seen. It is a sci-fi/fantasy type book about people that hunt demons called "shadowhunters" and a girl that gets thrown into their world.

4) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - This was recommended by a friend. She really loved it, however, I have another friend who just thought it was okay. So, we will see. It's about a man whose wife gets killed and he is under investigation for her murder.

5) Divergent by Veronica Roth - This book was recommended by the same friend who recommended Gone Girl. Another young adult fantasy/adventure type book. It is the first book of a trilogy called the Divergent series (only the first 2 books have been released).

6) Beastly by Alex Flinn - This was on a must-read list that I came across. It is supposedly a modern-day Beauty and the Beast story. I also recently found out it was a movie, so that made me excited!

7) The Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - Who didn't recommend this book to me? That's the easier question. This is a sci-fi fantasy series of 7 books (only 5 of which have been released) called the Songs of Fire and Ice series. They are really big books, I sense some procrastination here on my part..... It's also an HBO series that I don't watch. Who knows, maybe I will after reading the books!

8) The Giver by Lois Lowry - This is another book that Chad recommended to me. He read it in high school and loved it. Surprisingly, to everyone that I've talked to that's read this book, it is the first book in a 4 book series called The Giver Quartet. Obviously, it's not a book that leaves you needing to read the next book. It's a young adult fantasy book about a boy that receives special training from "the giver".

9) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl - This is a recently released movie. Chad heard from women at his work that it is a good book, so I added it to my list. It's a sci-fi book about a young witch that falls in love with a mortal boy. (Twilight anyone?) It is the first book in a 4 book series called, none other than, The Beautiful Creatures series.

There you have it, my 2013 book list. I have my work cut out for me. It's only 9 books long, but that's only if I can keep myself from reading all the sequels, which is unlikely. If I include all the sequels its almost 30 books, which is not gonna happen! I am shooting for a book a month and so far I'm on track (even a little ahead of schedule). I'll let you know what I thought of the first couple I've already read this year, so, stay tuned!

Let me know if you have read any of these books and what you thought! Also let me know of any of your recommendations I should add to my list (because my list isn't long enough #sarcasm)!

Basement Renovation: Electric

There was a lot of decision making to do this week. We had to decide basically where we want EVERYTHING to go. We started out, like I mentioned last week, laying out the bar and entertainment area with tape. Once we had that laid out, we framed in the bar. This is necessary because the bar counter top has to have something to sit on. 

Then, in order to finish up the plumbing, we ran the water lines to the sinks and toilet. 

Above is the water lines that will feed the bar sink and below is the water lines that will feed the toilet and bathroom sink. (Don't mind the garbage can I forgot to move out of the picture...)

This was the last of the plumbing left to do! Yay, one thing we can check off the list. The next decisions that needed to be made was where all the lights were to go. We decided on 5 lights in the spare room/play room. 

One of which will be a fan/light, and the other 4 are can lights. There is also a light in the closet in this room and one in the HVAC room.

In the bar area there will be 3 can lights directly above each bar stool (below). Also, there will be 2 smaller can lights above our bar shelving and lights on each shelf.  

In the middle area, there will be 5 can lights, as well as lighting in the built-in shelves (below).

In the entertainment area, there will be 5 can lights, 4 smaller can lights (2 will light up the built-in shelves and 2 will accent the TV). We also may do some ceiling lighting around the perimeter. (below) 

There is also lighting in the bathroom (1 mirror light and 1 light/exhaust fan), storage room (2 lights), hallway (2 lights), and under the stairs (1 light). We also ran about a million outlets and switches (below). 

We used over 500 feet of wire and there will be at least 4 new circuits. The can lights use a lot of "juice" so there can't be too many on one circuit. We spent all day Saturday "pulling" wire from the electric box to each outlet, switch and light. We started out by drilling holes in nearly every stud for the wires to go through.

It was a lot of wiring!  We have NEARLY all the wires "pulled" and NEARLY all the lights hung. It will definitely be BRIGHT!

Once all the lights are hung and pulled, they all have to be wired together and hooked up to the circuit breaker. Then all the lights that we have currently (the ones you see lit-up in all my pictures) have to be taken down and moved into the storage areas (we are reusing them). Also, we have to run all the cable (for the TVs). Once all that is done we will be finished with electric for the time being. 

This Weeks Costs

5 Small can lights - $118

Electric work boxes -  $44

17 Large can lights - $102

8 Copper pipes - $ 72

5 Copper caps - $5

1 Bag copper connectors - $8

Straps (for tying down the pipes) - $23

Wing nuts - $9

540 feet indoor wire - $119

Cable connectors - $16

4 GE breakers - $23

Bathroom exhaust fan/light - $ 33

Returns

54 studs - $146

PVC pipe - $17

Iron pipe - $22

4 treated 2x4 - $21

5 untreated 2x4 - $22

Free Things that were we already had

Nail gun

Nails

Cable

Some wire

Drill & bits

Hammer

Wire Staples

Tape Measure 

Labor

This weeks total - $572

Returns -  $228

Project total - $2,310

Things I learned this week -  How to run wire and hang can lights. It takes a long time and you don't feel like much got done for the amount of time it took.

To do list from last week:

1) We have to prepare for dry wall. This requires nailing in blocks (small pieces of wood) on corners and ceilings so the dry wall has something to be nailed to. 

2) Return all the extra wood we have. This requires carrying it all BACK up the stairs... 

3) Start running electric (lights and outlets). 

4) Run the two heat ducts. 

5) Run the water lines that will go to the toilet, sink and bar. 

6) Decide on our plan/design for the secret bookshelf-door and frame it. 

7) Anchor the new copper pipes and the a/c line so they don't rattle. 

Add ons: 

8) Finish the electric

9) Buy the electric fireplace

I am not a professional and all my advice and tips are purely from my own experiences. 

Meal Planning & Menu Board {tutorial}

I decided about 6 months ago to start meal planning in an effort to save money at the grocery store (and loose weight!). It also keeps us from eating out too often. When we know what we are having for dinner and something is planned, there isn't temptation to just grab something quick out. Here, I will share my process for how I meal plan.

First, I went through the mess that was my "recipe cabinet". I got all my cookbooks, ripped-out-magazine pages, recipes I have scribbled down, etc. and I wrote down the recipes that we liked/looked good on index cards. It took a lot of time and several hand cramps to get everything down, but now I have a nice stash of recipes that are easy to look through and uniform. (Have I ever mentioned I'm an organization junkie? No?) Now everytime I get a recipe, I write it down on a index card and stash it in the recipe box and everything is in one place. No more looking through books, papers and pages for good recipes. There were a few things we like to eat that don't require a recipe (tacos, breakfast, ect) and for these I just wrote them down on a colored card stock.

Now that I had all my recipes in one place, it was easier to decide what we want for dinners every week. I do all of my grocery shopping on Sundays. So, Sunday morning Chad and I go through the recipe cards and choose what we want to have for dinner that week.

Then, I make my grocery list based on our meals. I have all the ingredients written on the index cards. I go through my pantry and fridge and then whatever I don't have goes on the list.

I take the index cards and put them on my awesome Menu Board that I made (see below). I don't necessarily plan what we are having each night specifically. That night, depending on what is thawed out, any time constraints and what we feel like, I decide what to make.

Menu Board:

In January, I saw this really cute menu board on pinterest and decided it would fit perfectly into my menu planning. It was super simple to make and it's adorable. Here's how I made it.

Supplies:

1)1 piece of canvas (or anything large and flat: cookie sheet, piece of wood, etc)
2) Hot glue gun
3) 7 Clothes pins
4) Markers
5) 1 piece of fabric large enough to fit over the canvas
6) Nails (to hang)
7) Card stock

Steps:

1. Hot glue the fabric to the canvas.

2. Cut out your card stock and write your days of the week on them and make a cute "menu" title.

3. Hot glue the clothes pins evenly down the side of the canvas.

4. Hot glue the card stock letters to the clothes pins

5. I covered a small box in card stock and hot glued the box to the board to keep pens and misc papers in.

6. Glue the "menu" title on.

Enjoy!

I love having this in the kitchen. I can just look at the board and see what's for dinner that night and it's decorative!

Basement Renovation: Windows and Framing

This week we tightened up and finished off a lot of loose ends. We started out by moving all of the water lines from the middle of the room, where they were below the ceiling, to inside the drop. We were able to reuse some of the old copper but also had to buy new for a few places. 

As you can see, no more pipes in the middle of our ceiling! Yay!

We also had to move the a/c line into the drop. We were thankful that when we unscrewed the bracket holding the a/c line in place it moved on its own far enough to fit under the drop. This meant that we didn't have to hire someone to move the line for us, which saved us money!

The last line to move was the gas line. In order to do this, we had to turn our gas off. Trust me, you work fast with no heat when it's 40 degrees outside! Instead of re-running the gas lines to fit under the drop we just decided to run the line through the floor boards in the ceiling. I found out you are able to cut holes in the MIDDLE of these boards but not in the BOTTOM, that would compromise the integrity of the ceiling.

Moving the gas line required buying new iron lines and also re-threading old ones that we were able to reuse. Re-threading the line requires a special tool (threader) that my dad had. It's a tough job that took two people with strong muscles! After they were reconnected and sealed (with iron cement), we turned the gas back on. We placed a mixture of soap and water around each place the pipes connected to see if it was leaking. Bubbles would form if there were any leaks. I thought this was clever!

We unexpectedly realized that one of our pipes was in the middle of the window so we had to move that, too (below). 

After everything was moved to it's proper place it was time for the new windows to be installed. We decided on block windows. These are typical for basement windows because they are very save. They do not open, although there is the option to buy block windows with a vent that will allow fresh air in. We didn't get any with a vent, just regular block style windows. 

The windows that we used to have were extremely...flimsy...for lack of a better word. They would pop in and out from the inside or outside which was extremely unsafe. When the installers came to put in the new windows, he was telling us that he does so many homes that have been broken into with the same "flimsy" windows we had. Anyways, the new windows are much more attractive than the old ones and they were installed with concrete. So, no one is getting in our basement! Also, I think they let in a lot more natural light. 

Once all of this was done we were able to finish all of our framing. We finished framing the drop, the two side walls, the HVAC room and the door for the playroom. As well as framed in all the (new) windows. Then I cleaned, which involved a lot of dust-sweeping and coughing. It wasn't fun...

Here is a lovely montage of all the completed framing. 

(Above) If you can see the bump out to the right, that is going to be some built-in glass shelving and wine racks. 

(Above) The drop that extends the length of the basement. 

(Above) The HVAC room and a little of the hallway.

(Above) The door to the playroom.

(Above) This is the playroom (and all the extra wood we are returning, yay). The closet is in the middle-left of this picture and the very left is the other door. 

(Above) This is also the playroom (different angle). You can see (from left to right), the door to the bar area, the HVAC access & the door to the stairs.

(Above) The stairs with the new landing.

(Above) The hallway.

Although this week was about finishing up everything, it took longer than I thought. It was a good 2 full days of work to get all that done. It's really exciting that it is actually looking like the individual rooms now! 

The last thing we did this weekend was tape off where the bar will go and where our couches will go. This was so we could decide where we want the lights and outlets to go. We were told to put more lights in than we think we need. You can always turn them off, but if you don't put them in you can't make it brighter. Most of our lighting, we decided, will be can lights. Also, the playroom will be wired for a fan/light, just in case we decide later we want a fan in there. The only other lighting will be a track light in the bar area, some stair lighting, and some small lights in the built-ins and near the TV.

This Weeks Costs

PVC - $45

Copper pipes  - $74

Gas line pipes, unions & couplings -  $85

Solder (welds the copper pipes together) - $30

4 Glass block windows & installation - $376

Free Things that were we already had

Nail gun

Nails

Table saw

Hand saw

Level

Square

Threader

Vice grips

Drill & bits

Hammer

Some  of the Copper pipes

Tape Measure 

Sledge hammer

Labor

This weeks total - $610

Project total - $1,966

Things I learned this week - When you turn your gas off, you also turn your hot water heater's pilot light off. When you turn your gas back on, the pilot light needs to be re-lit. If you don't re-light it, and then you need to take a quick shower to get ready to go out, the water will be cold and it doesn't get warm quickly. This means that you take a very cold shower, trust me, it was painful! It takes a good 4-5 hours for the hot water heater to start producing hot water again. So, plan accordingly.

This weeks plans: This is more like the plan for the next two (or three?) weeks.... 1) We have to prepare for dry wall. This requires nailing in blocks (small pieces of wood) on corners and ceilings so the dry wall has something to be nailed to. 2) Return all the extra wood we have. This requires carrying it all BACK up the stairs... I can't wait. #sarcasm 3) Start running electric (lights and outlets). 4) Run the two heat ducts we are putting in. 5) Run the water lines that will go to the toilet, sink and bar. 6) Decide on our plan/design for the secret bookshelf-door and frame it. 7) Anchor the new copper pipes and the a/c line so they don't rattle.

I am not a professional and all my advice and tips are purely from my own experiences. 

2012 Book List: Recap

If you know anything about me, you know I love to read. So I thought I would share, for those who are looking for a good book (or one to stay away from). Today I'm going to post the books I read in 2012 with a small review. For 2013 I will try to post the reviews as I finish the books. I have a HUGE book list for 2013. And although I'm so excited to read them all that I can't decide what to read next, it can be a little overwhelming with all those books on my shelf! So having this little forum will keep me motivated and reading!

I read 11 books last year (that I can remember). As you will see, I love series books. Especially ones that were made into movies. Don't worry there are NO SPOILERS!

(Not pictured: Bossypants by Tina Fey)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

   This book was recommended to my by a couple of friends and with the movie It is a mystery novel, originally written in Swedish. I was absolutely consumed by the story and read the book in nearly 4 days. Although confusing at times, (a friend of mine actually took notes so she could remember who everyone was), this was an amazing book. There are many characters to keep straight, many with confusing and unusual names (again it is originally a Swedish book). If you can get past the hard to pronounce names and places, the story line is riveting! The story line: A journalist (Mikael) gets commissioned to investigate a rich man's family mystery. Along the way he meets a woman (Lisbeth) and they develop an unusual relationship while delving deeper into the mystery of a missing girl. You literally can't put it down, you need to know what happens next.

Overall: highly recommend

The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

This is the sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I was anxious to read this book after reading the first one and loving it. Again, you have to get past the hard to pronounce names and places. I did like this book. However, it was my least favorite book of the trilogy. This book involved a lot of back story that is needed for the third book. There wasn't much action until the very end of the book. You finally get to the climax of the book and it ends! Although it involves the same characters as the first book, it is a completely new story. Storyline: Lisbeth is suspected of murder and she goes on the run. Mikael believes her innocent and works to prove it. In the meantime, he uncovers some secrets about Lisbeth's past. It is a very well written book and like I said it's necessary for the series. It keeps you on your toes, although there is not much action, you can't put it down waiting to find out what will happen next.

Overall: Recommended

The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

Obviously, this is the third book in the trilogy. This was also my FAVORITE book of the series. As mentioned before, the names and places are confusing and hard to keep track of, but by now you've come up with nicknames for them all (Mike and Liz?). The entire book has you on the edge of your seat and the end is A-MAZ-ING! The story line: This book picks up where the last one leaves off. Mikael works with police and secret services to prove Lisbeth is innocent and also bring down a corrupt government agency. It keeps you reading and you are so in love with the characters you are rooting for them the whole time!  It is chalked full of action, suspense and MANY surprises!
Overall: Highly recommend

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Are you sensing a theme that I like books that are made into movies? This book was actually recommended to me by a friend and I didn't know it was made into a movie until I bought the book (actually a Christmas gift) and saw the cover. This was such a sweet book. Its a romance/drama but nothing like those grocery store romances. Storyline: A boy runs away from veterinary school (Jacob) and joins the circus where he meets Marlena. They have to train a new elephant that the circus has acquired. Jacob, being a vet student, is required to take care of the animal. Marlena is the talent. He and Marlena try to hide their romance from her abusive husband. The narrator is elderly Jacob. It often flashes back and forth between him as an old man in a nursing home and his younger self. It's a really cute story and well written.

Overall: Highly recommend 

I am Legend by Richard Matheson

This is one of the few books that I read AFTER seeing the movie. Only because I didn't know it was a book until recently. I absolutely LOVE the movie. Therefore, I could not get through this book. I, honestly, don't know how they could say the movie was based on the book when they are NOTHING alike. I got about 5 chapters in and I couldn't go any further. I probably didn't read enough to give this a review but I did not like it. The vampires are like real people, they talk and interact with the main character (Dr. Neville). The women vampires even seduce him. It was all very weird. I probably couldn't get into it because I liked the movie so much and wanted it to be like that. (See this is why I like to read the book first!) Storyline: Dr. Neville is the last remaining human after disease turns everyone into a vampire.

Overall: I didn't get more than 5 chapters in before I knew I didn't like it.

 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The next series that I decided to read was the Hunger Games. The upcoming (at the time) movie release also prompted me to read this. So, I hurried to read this one before it came out in theatres, too. The story line in this series is a little difficult to swallow. It's set in future America (called Panem) where wars have torn the country apart. It is now separated into the Capital where all the well off people live and The Districts where those that caused the unrest live in poverty. Every year, 1 boy and 1 girl are selected from each district to compete in the Hunger Games, which is a fight to the death. It is put on TV where all of the country can watch, as a lesson to the Districts. The premise is hard to get past if you really think about it (kids killing kids on live TV). But, if you can get past it and look at it as purely fiction, it is a great book. You can't help but root for Katniss and Peeta as they play out their fate in "the games". You find yourself feeling all the emotions that Katniss feels.

Overall: Highly recommend

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

This is the second installment in the Hunger Games series. Catching Fire picks up where The Hunger Games left off.  This was probably my favorite book of the series. I read this book in about 4 days while on vacation. Storyline: On the verge of another uprising, Katniss is challenged with another Hunger Games appearance. Here she meets all kinds of new people. Katniss is more knowledgeable about what actually goes on in The Capital and the districts now. She struggles with wanting to be apart of the uprising and knowing that that would cause harm to her family and friends. This novel is full of action and strategy and surprises! You have to keep reading to find out what happens next, so you can't put it down.
Overall: Highly recommend

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Obviously this is the last book in the Hunger Games trilogy. This was my least favorite book. I didn't care for how it ended. Storyline: Katniss and Peeta have been separated. He was taken by the Capital, while Katniss was rescued other rebels. Katniss tries to rescue Peeta while The Capital is trying to plot Peeta against Katniss. There is a battle/fight scene and some action. All in all I was underwhelmed and I hated the ending. It definitely kept you reading because you needed to know what happens next but then you get there and your disappointed (at least I was). Overall: You have to read it to finish the trilogy but you should just make up your own ending and be happier! =)

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

I was really excited to read this books in hopes of seeing the musical someday. I have heard amazing things about the musical and I love the songs (that I've heard on Glee). So, I started this book with high expectations. I was seriously disappointed. Storyline: Extremely boring Life story of the wicked witch. Don't get me wrong it's written well. But it drags on and on. There is no action what so ever. I read about 3/4 of the book and I literally couldn't keep my eyes open, so I put it back on the shelf. I read some other reviews of this book and most people felt the way that I did. There were a few that liked it based on how well it was written. But, for me if it's not at least a little interesting, I don't care how well it's written.

Overall: Really boring

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This book (another book made into a movie) was recommended by several friends. It was a quick read. It's very inspirational and definitely a story about the underdog. The characters are witty and fun to learn about. Storyline: A journalist (Skeeter) in Mississippi in the 60s is trying to get a job at a big NYC journal. She is told to write about what she knows. So, she decides to interview the help (the black women that the white families hire to watch their children and clean their house). She uncovers the real people behind the help and works toward justice for them during a time of injustice. It's definitely a feel good story. Overall: Highly Recommend

Bossypants by Tina Fey

I love Tina Fey. I think she is hilarious! This is a semi-life story/semi-advice book she wrote. It is super funny. Full of one liners and good humored advice. It's also a kind-of biography which is cool to learn her background. It's good for a laugh or two. I'll leave you with this quote: "Now every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits. The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes."

Overall: Read it, it's funny!

So my taste in books varies from mystery, inspirational, teen-drama, non-fiction and biography. I really will try anything (except grocery store romances, vomit). It just has to be able to keep my attention or I will give up and not want to read it. I have started reading my 2013 books! I'm really into the one I'm reading now, you'll have to wait for that post to find out! Yay for books! Let me know if you read any of the books above, and what you thought. Or if you have any book suggestions for me! =)