Sigh.

This week has been a very intense one for me. The first time yet that I felt so absorbed and wrapped up in the world of literary fiction. I couldn't put into words how much it captured me - there are simply none. I have read the whole Twilight series 3 times in only 5 days. I know, right. Fanatic is a huge understatement. It just pulled me in like a magnet to steel and there was no way to fight that. The connection was too strong that after having finished all four books the first time, I went over to Mike and hugged him for a long time and sobbed heavily as he cradled me in his arms. I knew that if I even try to pull away, I will not be able to function well so I succumbed to it until I was sure that I was ready to face reality again.

So, yeah, I'm back.

Sigh.

I just checked out apple.com/trailers and saw that they made a film adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's book, Ballet Shoes. I've read this book years ago. In fact, I have a copy of it so I'm going to re-read it. Have you read it?

Emma Watson stars in this movie. I like her. <3

Check the trailer here.

I am almost near the end of Jane Austen's book, Persuasion. I have come to read the part of the letter. I am writing now with the book on my lap, excited and looking forward to the next few pages that will tell the outcome of this love story. There is no spoiler in this post. I don't write such, not yet anyway. I just want to say that I am a sucker for anything romantic and Jane Austen novels never disappoint. I will write more about this book at the end of the month.

I recently joined an online Jane Austen Book Club which is hosted by the talented author, Miss Jo, of wits and nuts. This is my first ever book club and I couldn't be more happy to have started with this book.

If you wish to join us, you are very welcome! Just head over to her site and sign up. :)

Now, let's see how this book ends!

We stayed home.

Yes folks, we didn't go out. We didn't join the crowd of people scouring the streets hunting for second-hand treasures because we have the weather to blame. It's been wet and gray the whole day, just as foretold by the weather people. However, the sun paid a short surprise visit after five. We were seriously not in the mood to go out any more, not even to go to the cinema. I am tired. Sleepy and tired, in fact. Why?

Here's why:

1. We cleaned the whole apartment.

2. We threw away more crap. (I'm pretty sure there are more to throw away.)

3. We hauled our old bed and leftover wooden panels we had left standing on the upstairs' landing four floors down. What a workout that was!

4. Planned the bedroom makeovers. Painting starts tomorrow!

5. I ran the laundry and folded clothes. Looking at the basket full of un-ironed clothes is tiring enough. I'm dreading the ironing part! (I have a love and hate relationship with ironing.)

I tried to get some crafting done but the only thing I could manage was crochet as it allowed me to laze on the couch with lots of pillows on my back while my fingers did the job. Odette got me into starting the pincushion project but I couldn't find my felt fabrics so, until then, I'll stick to crocheting more squares and some little presents that I will show once the packages are sent + received. Don't want to spoil the surprise. :)



Whilst cleaning our bedroom, I saw these piles of books on the floor on my side of the bed. These were my April reads. Some of them are new and some I was in the mood to re-read. I need new books! Any suggestions?

The Japanese magazines from Ivy arrived in my mailbox two days after Christmas. I couldn't stop drooling over the gorgeous pictures and the number of projects I'm looking forward to make. I'm literally itching to start the year with crafting but for now, I'm going to sit back, relax, and enjoy the remaining days of 2007.

The other book came in the mailbox sometime ago which was something I have been curious about since I've read about it in the craft blogs I frequent. I must have mentioned it a couple of times during dinner or on our usual conversations because Mike ordered it online with the intention of surprising me. I don't know why or how, but when I saw the package that he so happily handed over after he emptied the mailbox that day, I knew it was that book. Disappointment was plastered all over his face when I said "oh, it's the Crafter's Companion!" without even opening the package and he was hoping that I would be surprised since he kept mum for a week about it. But I was surprised. It was totally unexpected. Just that when I saw the package I knew what it was and I have no idea why.

We just got home from a yummilicious sushi dinner downtown, and afterwards, we did a little bit of book shopping. I'm kind of sushied-out. For now anyway. I could go for more sushi tomorrow if Mike is up for it which I highly doubt because he can't eat the same thing two days in a row. Unless, of course, it's ice cream or any sugar-rich foods.

So we got to the bookstore and I headed directly towards the magazine section. I spent quite some time there, scanning through home and hobby magazines, the usual good stuff. I bought a couple of christmas magazines which I've been waiting for for weeks but Country Living still isn't out. That bummed me out for a while but then I decided to check out the sale section on the top floor and I can't believe my luck for finding a brand new Caroline Zoob's book, Speelgoed & Cadeautjes, (Childhood Treasures) for a much cheaper price than what it is being sold for second-hand. Then I also saw the Sfeer Maken (Sew Pretty Homestyle) by Tone Finnanger which I couldn't get the heart to return to the shelf so Mike bought it for me as an advance sinterklaas cadeau. Hee-hee! They both have very nice inspiring photographs and patterns for cute projects for the little one and for the house.

Looks like I'll be pulling an all-nighter again tonight.