Santa

At the end of September, the painting chapter had a special seminar taught by Peggy. It's a Shara Reiner design, and is so cute. There are a few more embellishments to add, but I just had to share him now.

Easter Eggs

In March and April, the Heart of Texas Tolers painting project was a set of adorable Easter eggs. I managed to paint two of them in the spring, but finished them up this month. They are just adorable.

999 Challenge--September Reading Update

I read 17 books in September, and really made a lot of progress in my challenge. Unfortunately, I need to focus on reading more for work and for the most part will have to give up trying to finish my challenge by the end of the year.

I really struggled to find any adult science fiction I could get into, and do hope to keep trying in this category. I did read a lot of adult fantasy, but didn't count the Dresden files series or any vampire books because I wanted to push myself to read new authors. I enjoy historical fiction, but found it and the classics and award winner categories just too heavy right now. Hopefully next year I will try this challenge again and will come closer to completing it!

Here's my semi-final status by category:
Award Winners: Adult 0, Youth 3
Bio/Memoir: Adult 9, Youth 7
Classics: Adult 0, Youth 3
Historical Fiction: Adult 1, Youth 4
Graphic Novels: Adult 8, Youth 9
Mystery Adult: 9, Youth 6
Science Fiction: Adult 0, Youth 2
Fantasy Adult: 2, Youth 10
Catchall Adult: 10, Youth 13

Biography/memoir Youth--Frida, The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau, The Wall
Historical Fiction Youth--Astonsishing Life of Octavian Nothing (18th C), Winnie's War (20th C), Sammy and Julianna in Hollywood (20th C)
Fantasy Youth--Creature of the Night, Forest of Hands and Teeth, The Gravity Keeper, Wolves in the Walls, Dragonbreath, Summer Spell
Graphic Novels Youth--The Eternal Smile
Mystery Youth--Half Moon Investigations
Award Winners Youth--At Night, Los Gatos Black on Halloween
Misc Youth: Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature

Eva Montage

I show the kids at work how to do different things with photos and I always use Eva as my example. I've been wanting to put it all together in a slideshow for awhile. Animoto was so easy and fun.

August Reading Status

I'm definitely not going to make the September deadline for the 999 challenge, but I think I do stand a chance for the end of the year! I've read about 78 books this year, and 10 books this month. I've shuffled a few books into other categories. Here's my status by category:
Award Winners: Adult 0, Youth 1
Bio/Memoir: Adult 9, Youth 3
Classics: Adult 0, Youth 3
Historical Fiction: Adult 1, Youth 1
Graphic Novels: Adult 8, Youth 8
Mystery Adult: 9, Youth 5
Science Fiction: Adult 0, Youth 2
Fantasy Adult: 2, Youth 4
Catchall Adult: 10, Youth 12

Biography/memoir Adult FINISHED--My Life in France, Split
Historical Fiction Adult--1916 (20th C)
Historical Fiction Youth--Luxe (19th C)
Mystery Youth (In Adult I'm reading mysteries from different countries, but it's too difficult to find for youth, so I'm just reading any mystery)--Case of the Left Handed Lady, Last Shot, I am the Messenger (pushing it in the mystery category, but I'm desperate!)
Fantasy Youth--Sabriel, Silverwing
Misc Youth--Dark Dude

July Reading

I got a bit more reading done for my 999 challenge in July. I'm not sure if I'll make it for finishing my challenge by September. I've only finished adult mysteries, and need one more book each for adult and youth graphic novels, and need one more for adult biography/memoir after I finish reading My Life in France.

Biography/memoir (adult)--The life and times of the thunderbolt kid, Girl on the couch
Classics (youth)--Are you there God, It's me Margaret?
Graphic Novel (youth)--Tales from outer suburbia
Mystery (adult)Finished!--Wild Indigo (New Mexico), Finger Lickin' Fifteen (New Jersey)
Misc. (Youth)--Being, Chosen, Right Behind You, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks

Eva

Eva's taken to lying on her back either on the bed with me or on the floor. Sometimes her tongue hangs out a little, which just makes me laugh. She seems to be settling in quiet well to the new apartment.