The Help

 I was home sick with the flu last week. For most people, being home sick means lots of movies and TV. For me, it's always meant time to read books.

I'm already on my fourth book of the year thanks to last week. I finished the third Nikki Heat/Castle book (my one word review: eh) and decided I should finally read "The Help" - mostly so I can return it to the friend I borrowed it from and get back the books she borrowed in return.

About 10 pages in, I started wondering why in the WORLD I waited so dang long to read this gem. I'm always a year ahead or two years behind the curve when it comes to what's trendy reading. I remember my mom flying through this book when she read it in anticipation of seeing the movie.

I did the same. I couldn't put it down. Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter were such compelling storytellers, and though I could not accurately gauge for you whether their voices were legitimate in the troubled South at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, I can tell you this - they made me want to soak in every last word and keep reading to find out what happened to them. They reminded me why I love southern literature so much.

They became my friends.

I'm a third of the way through my next book, but I'm still thinking about these women. I feel like I haven't left Jackson yet. It's one of those books that sticks with you. I can't wait to read it again.

My life lately...

Life lately according to my photos. Lots of good food, friends and football!

Fizzies Taste Test!

For Christmas, Santa left my brother, sister-in-law and I some fun retro candies in our stockings. Charms. Fizzies. Zotz, which are my personal fave. On Christmas night we decided to do a little taste test of Fizzies - an "instant sparkling drink!" Here's the results.

We followed the directions VERY closely.

First we tossed - yes, TOSSED as shown in the directions - our Fizzie tablets into eight ounces of water.

Then we carefully watched the Fizzies at counter-level. Here's an extremely exciting video of me tossing my Fizzies tablet in to my cup and watching as it fizzes:

They're DONE!

Enjoying! Justin had Blue Razz, Stacey had Cherry and I had Root Beer. Justin gave them one shrug and chugged his AND Stacey's.

Stacey and I on the other hand had very similar reactions. (And Stacey asks me to remove this picture in 3...2...1...) All three tasted pretty watered down and kind of metallic-y.

Verdict: taste definitely did not measure up to the novelty...but still fun to test out together.

Elf on the Shelf

So a few days into December I came home from work, went upstairs to my bedroom to change into my PJs for the night and felt like I was being watched. I looked all around for the prying eyes burning a hole through me and spotted this little guy:

He was literally an elf on my shelf. (And thankfully not that creepy trademarked Elf on the Shelf...) Growing up we had an elf that sat on top of our grandfather clock in the entry way - but he didn't move around and have night time adventures like today's EOTS. I think it's a fun tradition to have though, and I've enjoyed the blogs I've read about that person's elf's adventures.

I expressed my amusement at having an elf on MY shelf to my mother and said I sure hope he enjoyed his stay and exploring different parts of my room. HINT. HINT.

Well...it took *ahem* Elfie a few days to get his act together and play the game correctly, but once he did I found him in some fun spots:

My favorite one? Elfie spent quite a bit of time going through ALL my earrings and various "bling," so I didn't notice at first when he moved on to meet Clay. Last weekend I was laying on my bed catching up on TV shows via Hulu, and I heard something fall between my bed and the wall - with the faintest chime of a jingle bell. It startled me and I had ZERO clue what that sound might have been. I bounced around on my bed a few times, trying to recreate the sound to no avail. I shrugged it off.

My mother informed me a few days later she had to rescue Elfie when she heard his cries from being trapped. Poor Elfie...

Proof that even at 28.7 years old, Christmas can still be a little magical.

Things I Love Thursday

In light of everything that has happened in the past week, I'll keep it simple.

Today I love being alive and having all my friends and family here with me. I am beyond spoiled in this regard, and I never take a moment of time with any of them for granted. They make life worthwhile and fun. I'm lucky to have people like them in my life.