My Reads

Oh No, I'm a book behind!! With my much needed Spring Break trip to California I didn't get a chance to blog about the last book I read!  Hopefully I can remember what it was about!

The last book I finished was Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin.

Heart of the Matter is really a story about two women who are strangers living opposite lives but will be brought together by a tragic accident.  Valerie, a lawyer and single mom, and Tessa, a stay at home mom married to a pediatric surgeon, Nick.  Valerie's son, Charlie is in a tragic accident and Tessa's husband is Charlie's surgeon.  During Charlie's hospital stay, Valerie begins to have more than friendly feelings for Charlie's surgeon.  For Tessa, staying at home isn't all she thought it was going to be and she begins to feel her marriage falling apart. Will Valerie and Nick cross that line? Can Tessa ever forgive Nick for what he has done?

While I was reading Valerie's view of the story, I found myself rooting for her, rooting for her to be loved, rooting for what could be.  But then I read Tessa's side of the story and found myself rooting for her, hoping she can keep her marriage and family together, keep the love she has. I found myself thinking about myself in both their situations wondering what I would do.  Would I cross that line for love?  Would I ever be able to forgive my husband for his mistake?  Of course no one ever really knows what they would do until they are in that situation and hopefully no one ever has to be.

So what are you reading?  I'm needing to add to my MUST read list!! I've also been considering getting an electronic reader, but I LOVE books.  I love a good hardcover book!  I love to read them and collect them.  In my dream house I have a library.  The walls are lined floor to ceiling with shelves and shelves of books.  I have a comfy chair where I can sit by the fire and read all day with a cup of hot chocolate.  Do I really want to give up my book buying?  I'm not sure.  What are your feelings on electronic readers?  And which one do you like, the Kindle or Nook?

Happy 8th Birthday Peyton!!

It's Peyton's 8th Birthday today!! Happy Birthday Buddy!! We had a great time celebrating during Spring Break in California!

Spring Break-What I'm packin'! Part 1

Daisy Dukes, Bikinis on top, Cancun, beer, frat boys, one night stands, MTV, Girls Gone Wild.  Isn't that what you think of when you think of Spring Break?  Well, remember I'm 30, with 4 kids, going to nursing school. NOT what my Spring Break is gonna be! And you DON'T want to see me in a bikini.  Remember the 4 kids?  Those were all by c-section! NOT PRETTY!

My Spring Break is taking my older two boys, 9 and 8, to visit my mom and brother in San Diego. On our list to do is: Disneyland, Sea World, mini golf, the beach, In N Out and sushi!! Far from the MTV type Spring Breaks.

While I study, I like to eat!  So I've gained a "little" weight.  I have a closet full of clothes and can hardly wear any of them.  So I like to buy accessories because buying clothes depresses me. (But I did have to buy a few new things because I didn't think I could wear my sweats in California!) Here's a few things that I'm bringing with me:

Jersey Scarf Necklace with Rosettes in Hot Pink

DaniCalve on Etsy

Black, Hot Pink, and Zebra Fabric Flower Rosette Headband

Twenty Five Design on Etsy

modern pearl rosette statement necklace {fucshia}

Allora Handmade

PINK Chrysanthemum Flower Ring on Antiqued Silver band

LittleMissMomma on Etsy

tiny pouch - bloom in grey

The Pleated Poppy

posietint

Benefit Cosmetics

 Camu Camu Travel Tin Scentsy

Fit Flops 

 

 

 

Thirty-One Gifts Giveaway Winner

The winner of a Thirty-One Gifts personalized lunch tote of your choice from Mindy is.......Julie!

Congrats Julie!

Maddie's California Shutterfly Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

My Baby's 3!

Today my fourth baby, Mason, turns 3!!!

Love you buddy!!

Thirty-One Gifts Giveaway!

My friend Mindy just started selling Thirty-One Gifts.  I was her first party actually!! I first heard of Thirty-One Gifts when I started selling Scentsy and I was looking for something to put my book parties in.  A lot of the other consultants recommended Thirty-One Gifts. I couldn't find anyone in Iowa who sold it so I ordered a bag online. Mindy really liked the bag I had so I told her she should sell it. And she did!! I can't wait to get everything from my party!

Thirty-One Gifts has everything from purses, lunch totes, beach towels, cosmetic bags, flat iron cases, cards and a lot more.  Something for everyone from infants to adults. And there are several patterns to choose from and almost everything can be personalized! Thirty-One Gifts always has a monthly special for customers and the host! A girl can NEVER have too many Bags!!

To help Mindy kick off her business, she is giving away a FREE Personalized Lunch Tote of your pattern choice!!

Comes in the following 9 patterns (Sorry BAD picture, all I could get):

To Enter:

Mandatory: You must follow my blog using the Google Friend Connect. Go to Mindy's Thirty-One Gifts page and leave a comment here telling me what item you like.

For Extra Entries:
1. Like Mindy's Thirty-One Gifts Facebook Page.
2. Follow Mindy on Twitter.
3. Follow me on Twitter. 
3. Post on Facebook or Twitter about this giveaway!

You can use:
Enter to win a Thirty-One Gifts personalized Lunch tote from

@mgallagher1970 @hlkinsey http://smalltownliving-hlkinsey.blogspot.com/

Leave a SEPERATE comment for each things you do as that will be your entry.


Contest ends Monday 3/7 8:00 CST

P.S: Mindy is giving away another Lunch Tote when her Facebook page reaches 200!!

I LOVE to Shop!

I Love to shop!! I probably could be considered a shopaholic!  But living in Small Town, Iowa makes shopping a little hard.  We have one grocery store and it's closed on Sundays.  We have Pamida, which is like a smaller, more expensive version of Walmart.  There is Dollar General, which I live across the street from, so we frequent often.  The closest Walmart is 30 minutes away, closest Target is 45 minutes away and the closest mall that I like is an hour away!! So I do a lot of shopping online.

Right before Christmas, after I had my Christmas shopping done, I discovered Etsy.  If you haven't heard of Etsy, it is a place to buy and sell homemade goods and vintage items. I have found so many cute things on Etsy (and spent a lot of money!) I'd love to share some of the things I've purchased and LOVE from Etsy!  Maybe it will become one of your favorites, too.

My latest purchase is from Twenty Five Design.  I found her on twitter and visited her Etsy store.  I fell in love with her rosette headbands, bracelets and rings.  My favorite color combination is hot pink and black so I HAD to get these!!

Black, Hot Pink, and Zebra Fabric Flower Rosette Headband $7.00

Black Cuff Bracelet with Black, Zebra and Hot Pink Fabric Flower Rosettes $8.00

Black Fabric Flower Rosette Statement Ring $6.00

I was really impressed with the quality of her work. And she was offering a discount on Twitter when I ordered these! Even better! So head on over to her store, Twenty Five Design, and find something for yourself or for a gift!!