A One Line Vent...

I feel like the red head step-child of my family that no one wants.








Edit to add: I'll explain later when I'm not too upset that I say something I'll regret.

Oh How I Love To Read!

I really do love to read.

So much that when I was younger my parents would take away my books when I was grounded.

I could sit in my rooms for hours on end and just read.

I honestly haven't done much reading lately though.

When I started college my personal reading took a seat on the back burner.

Now that I am taking a break this semester I have decided to pick it back up again.

I just picked up two books on Saturday from Target.

Look Again by Lisa Scottoline and A Lucky Child by Thomas Buergenthal.

When reporter Ellen Gleeson gets a "Have You Seen This Child?" flyer in the mail, she almost throws it away. But something about it makes her look again, and her heart stops—the child in the photo is identical to her adopted son, Will. Her every instinct tells her to deny the similarity between the boys, because she knows her adoption was lawful. But she’s a journalist and won’t be able to stop thinking about the photo until she figures out the truth. And she can’t shake the question: if Will rightfully belongs to someone else, should she keep him or give him up? She investigates, uncovering clues no one was meant to discover, and when she digs too deep, she risks losing her own life—and that of the son she loves. Lisa Scottoline breaks new ground in Look Again, a thriller that’s both heart-stopping and heart-breaking, and sure to have new fans and book clubs buzzing.

(Book Summary)

Thomas Buergenthal, now a Judge in the International Court of Justice in The Hague, tells his astonishing experiences as a young boy in his memoir A Lucky Child. He arrived at Auschwitz at age 10 after surviving two ghettos and a labor camp. Separated first from his mother and then his father, Buergenthal managed by his wits and some remarkable strokes of luck to survive on his own. Almost two years after his liberation, Buergenthal was miraculously reunited with his mother and in 1951 arrived in the U.S. to start a new life. Now dedicated to helping those subjected to tyranny throughout the world, Buergenthal writes his story with a simple clarity that highlights the stark details of unimaginable hardship. 

(Book Summary)

I've only gotten into the second chapter of Look Again but so far it's good.

After I get done reading it I'll be sure to let you know how I liked it.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #29

I haven't done this in forever! So I thought I would give it a go again.

1. Since most of the country has had nasty weather, what has your weather been like this week?

It's been awful! Way too cold! We got sleet and then snow last night. People were so crazy on the roads today. They were slipping and sliding everywhere. There were a couple of times where our tires just kept spinning and we weren't going anywhere. It's funny that it took a week to get here but it took a couple of hours to melt.

2. What is/are your best money saving tip(s)?

We plan our meals before we go shopping. Everyday there isn't a day where I don't have something to cook. It's really cut down on our grocery bill. We aren't going in there blind wondering what we should and shouldn't be getting.

3. What was your favorite vehicle you’ve ever owned??

It would most definitely be my current vehicle! My 2011 Honda Civic. I've had it for three and a half weeks now.

4. What is a question you’d like to see asked in a future fill-in? (Your question & blog just may appear one week!)

What has been your favorite duty station and why?

(Sorry if this question has already been asked!)

5. Fill in the blank: You might be a MilSpouse if….

Hearing noises from the gunneries and artillery at home don't phase you anymore.



CSN Store Review!

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I was recently contacted by CSN Stores to do a review on one of their products.

I am so excited to have been given this opportunity!

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores. Yes, you read that correctly. Over 200 stores where you can find anything you need whether it be swingsets, cookware and even nice home furniture!

Here are a couple of items that are available.

CSN Stores has offered to give me $25 toward any one item to do a review on. I am not quite sure yet what I will be choosing. I need to look around some more and see what I would like to review. If you want to see something specific, please let me know.

Disclaimer: I was asked by CSN Stores to include a link for a "swingset" as part of the agreement of the review. By doing that, I am receiving $25 in compensation for advertising their store. Therefore, I am receiving an item from CSN Stores to review. I entered into this agreement by my choice and the compensation will not in any way affect my review.

Blizzard Bloghop

I've never participated in a Blog Hop before so I apologize if I am doing this wrong.

Hi! Welcome to Life Is A {Beautiful} Mess. My name is Katelyn.

I am currently engaged {have been for almost 7 months} to a wonderful man named Jon.

He is a Soldier in the United States Army.

The Army only has his soul him for another year.

We have three fur-babies who we adore.

 Top left is Thumper. Top right is Jake. Bottom is Maci.

I started this blog as a way to express how I was feeling.

Since then it has definitely changed.

My blog is all over the place and I wouldn't have it any other way.

As of right now I do not have a wedding date. Crazy, I know!

We are kind of just taking it day by day right now.

I was a full time student and nanny. I am taking a break this semester though.

Sorry you had to find out this way, Mom!

For the time being, I am just a full time nanny.

I carry my Nikon with me everywhere.

I love photography but I don't call myself a photographer, for now anyways.

I've been studying and reading up on it as much as I can so maybe I can call myself a photographer one day.

I love trying new recipes. Do I love cooking? Not always.

Reading is another passion of mine.

If I sit down with a good enough book chances are I'll finish it within a day.

I unfortunately was born in California.

Only lived there for two years of my life so I don't remember a bit about it.

Texas is where I am from. I am a southern girl at heart and always will be.

Want to join?

Blizzard Bloghop

I'm really looking forward to meeting new people and finding new blogs!

This Is Way Overdue!

Remember this post about the Marc Jacobs perfume I won?

I received it....

Over a week ago.

I feel awful that I'm just now sitting down to write this.

My apologies, Jen!

I took a picture of my winnings and thought I would show ya'll!

I love love love this perfume!

I had a little roller ball of it but it was almost out so I am very happy to have won this!

Buyer's Remorse?

I had it for maybe half a second when I bought this!

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I always have that feeling though when I buy big items.

After that half second was done, I was over the moon with my purchase!

I would show you pictures of my actual car but it's been raining ever since I got it and it now needs a bath.

I've had it for exactly two weeks now.

I still get all excited when I get to drive it.

The kind of excitement where you squeal out of delight.

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This is my first brand new car.

My last car was "new" but it was used.

The car before that was given to me as a graduation gift.

And then the car before that was a hand-me-down when I turned 16.

Three cars in four years is no good.

It was time to have one that is going to last me for years to come.

I still don't have a name for her.

Am I the only one who names my cars?

I sure hope not.