SOAP journaling

A friend of mine posted a scripture from her daily devotional on Facebook that many of us responded to.  Some asked what devotional she was using and others suggested their own devotionals. One person suggested the Life Journal and SOAP journal.  She sent a link that got me interested and I went in search of more links on SOAP journaling!  These are the ones I found helpful...

http://www.enewhope.org/firststeps/journaling/
http://www.shbctul.com/files/soapwebguide.pdf
http://www.livingroom.org.au/blog/archives/soap_life_journaling.php
http://www.aplaceofhope.org.au/SOAP%20Life%20Journal%20Booklet.pdf 

Escentually, SOAP journaling is a way to delve deeper into your daily Bible Reading.  You choose your passage (or read one that is provided for you), ask that God let one scripture in particular speak to you), then get to journaling.
S-Scripture
Copy down the specific verse(s) that spoke to you
O-Observation
What did this verse say to you?  What was God trying to tell us/you?
A-Application
How can you apply this knowledge to your life?
P-Prayer
Pray for God to help you use this scripture in your life.

Because I am using the The Daily Bible: In Chronological Order 365 Daily Readings, it is difficult to always say exactly what passages I have read each day as the authors have "cut and pasted" from the different scriptures to put the events in chronological order. I love this Bible as a way to read through the Bible in a year. It is helping me put a new perspective on all of the Bible stories and when they took place. Therefore, instead of telling what the chapters/verses I have read, I'll have to instead tell you the stories.

Today I read several stories because I am quite a bit behind in my daily readings. I have had a tumultuous few months and have not been as vigilant on my reading as I should have been. Hopefully I can improve that by journaling.

So, yesterday, I started my first SOAP journal.

I read about the stories of Jephthah (Judges 10 - 12), Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1-4), Sampson the Strong Man (Judges 13-16), Micah and the Danites (Judges 17- 18), and Civil War with Benjamin (Judges 19 -21).

S - Scripture:
The scripture that most spoke to me in all of this reading is Judges 14:1-4
¹ Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. ² When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”
³ His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”
But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” ⁴ (His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)
O-Observation:
Even though his parents probably didn't like the idea of Sampson marrying a Philistine woman, they trusted that God was at work in his life. They trusted the feeling that Sampson had that told him this woman was the one. Even though she later turned out to betray him, it was all in God's plan.
A-Application:
I'm having a difficult time in my own marriage right now and many people in my life (including many strong Christian friends/family members) are yelling "DIVORCE!" saying that I even have Biblical back-up supporting that decision. However, in my heart of hearts, I don't believe that God is ready for me to give up on this union just yet. It is difficult to go against what those who love me believe to be the best course of action, but I have to believe that, like with Sampson, God may use a difficult and trying experience to make a greater change for the positive in my life as well as that of my husband.
P-Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the fantastic things you are doing in my life. Please grant me the wisdom to see the path that you have set forth for me and the strength and courage to travel along it. Soften the hearts of those who would stand in the way of Your will in my life and lead them to know your wonderful grace as well. Amen.

New Years Resolutions

I haven't been able to write much lately - being the working mom of a 1 year old has it perks...but lots of free time isn't one of them!

However, I did want to quickly record my resolutions for this year for the world to see so that hopefully it will give me a bit of accountability

1. Read through the Bible using "The Daily Bible: New International Version: With Devotional Insights to Guide You Through God's Word."  I've started several "read the Bible in one year" plans before but this Bible has it all laid out for me with commentary after each reading to help me to understand what it is I just read.  It is also arranged so that the reading are put into chronological order so it will be easier for me to follow the whole path of the Bible.  If this is the only goal I make this year, then it will be a good year.2. 100 Days Challenge with John "The Penguin" Bingham.  Intentionally move (exercise) for at least 30 minutes DAILY for 100 days in a row
3. Complete the 200 sit-ups and 200 squats programs.  I've attempted these before and failed to complete them.

This is going to be a rough year for me.  Hubby deploys again soon, leaving Baby Girl and I to fend for ourselves.  Hopefully the daily Bible devotions and exercise will help keep the stress down!

I think I did OK with last year's goals.  I managed to run a half marathon so I am in fact physically ready to train for a full marathon...however... with the above mentioned deployment as well that that cute little one-year-old, I don't know that I will have the TIME to train for a full marathon in 2011 (this is why it isn't a goal for this year - but I will keep running and perhaps do a few halves).  I also think I am better at asking for and accepting help from others.  I've made a conscious effort to not let myself get overwhelmed and frustrated when help is just a phone call/doorway/e-mail/etc away.

Tuesday Teaser - Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer

Image via Wikipedia

Today's teaser comes from the book that my Sunday School class is currently reading and studying.  It is a fantastic book that really makes you examine the way you think about things and explains that you mind is a battlefield; the devil is desperately trying to take control of your mind and then your actions.  We have been SLOOOOOOOWLY going through it because it is so inspiring that we tend to stop and discuss it at length, thoroughly enjoying the thoughts and sparks of conversation it inspires.

Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer

"My husband on the other hand, never worried.  There was a time when I would get angry at him because he would not worry with me - and join me in talking about all the gloomy possibilities if God did not come through and meet our needs." pg 128 Chapter 12 "An Anxious and Worried Mind"

(Please note, the building at the top of the blog is the Baslow Methodist Church. It was formerly the Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School and has an 1822 date stone.  It is not the church that I attend, although I do attend a Methodist Church.  I just thought it was a really cool old church...1822...WOW!)

Teaser Tuesday (errr...Thursday)

With all the excitement of a new school year starting, I forgot to do my Tuesday Teaser!  So Sorry!

This week's teaser comes from my favorite genre: Historical Fiction.  Specifically Historical fiction in the King Henry VIII and Elizabeth periods.  "Murder Most Royal" by Jean Plaidy is from exactly this era.  Two cousins, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, marry the same man (King Henry VII) and come to the same fate - execution. And no I did not just give a spoiler, anyone who knows the history of the era knows that these were the two Queens that Henry disposed of via beheading.

"The thought took ahold of Henry, haunting his mind.  He thought of the days before Anne came to Suffolk House; they had a piquancy, a charm, since the excitement of adventure is in its unexpectedness."  pg 223

Related articles by Zemanta

• Anne Boleyn: Drama Queen (independent.co.uk)
• Book Review: The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory (seattlepi.com)

Tuesday Teaser - Boys in Crisis (possibly controversial)

I haven't done one of these in a while so I thought I would try to get back into it.  However, I'm reading several books at one time so I'm not getting very far in any of them very quickly. I think I'll try to "tease" one each week for a few weeks perhaps.  Maybe this will tease myself into reading them more!  LOL

Today's tease is from a professional book, but if you have sons it would be worth a look as well.  I'm a teacher so this is quite relevant to me.

HEAR OUR CRY: BOYS IN CRISIS is all about how to reach boys and young men in a meaningful and relevant way.  Here are my two sentences from a random page (I just started reading it so I think the book automatically fell open to a page close to the beginning):

"Statistics on boys and men reflect the results of a society that has ignored the social and emotional life of boys.  To disregard the impact of these myths on young males is to put them in a decidedly weakened position to succeed personally, professionally, and emotionally (not to mention life expectancy: U.S. women on average outlive U.S. men by about five years). "  pg. 3

In my county, school starts back on August 9th. I would love to have read a good portion of this book by then in order to see what strategies I can implement to reach all of my students; male and female, exceptional ed and general ed, high achieving and low.

What are your thoughts?  Are our boys in a crisis?  The author states that they are being stereotyped as women were in the past as they are expected to hide their emotions, be tough, and "be a man"?  He also states that more fathers show up to support their sons in sporting events than school evens (such as Honor Roll ceremonies) giving them the impression that it is more important for males to be athletic than smart.  Do you agree that our boys are in crisis? Do you agree with this quote from the book? (Remember, if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all! Discussion and respectully disagreeing is fine, insults are not)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Let it open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Our male identity crisis: What will happen to men? (psychologytoday.com)

Monday Meal Plan

Well, my menu plan for last week pretty much went by the wayside.

Here was the plan....

Monday - I'm going to put my hubby to work and make him grill something yummy- his choice! Maybe I'll make some Roasted Broccoli or Herb Roasted Vegetables to go with whatever he makes. Rain made this idea fall to the side.  Instead we just ate some Tuna Salad sandwiches.
Tuesday - Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad We did manage to have this on the correct night. 
Wednesday -My favorite meatloaf, shells and cheese, leftover roasted broccoli (if there is any!) Hubby had to go to work early so it was just going to be me, and I ate some leftovers that were in the fridge.  A bit of a CORN night.
Thursday - Rehearsal Dinner for a wedding that my husband is in. The groom's parents had lasagna, salad, breadsticks...and quatro leche cake...FOUR milks...YUMMO
Friday - Wedding Day! Reception will be our dinner! Mmmmm  Herb Roasted Chicken, Veggies, Mashed Potatos, and White Chocolate Mousse Wedding Cake.
Saturday - Cheesy Crock pot Chicken, green beans Got home later than we planned...Driving all day to get home, too sleepy to cook!
Sunday - Hubby treated me to my favorite -- OLIVE GARDEN!!  :)

Perhaps we'll do better this week! I shouldn't have to do much grocery shopping as I have most of what I planned for last week!

Monday: My Favorite Meatloaf, green beans
Tuesday:  Cheesy Crock Pot Chicken, green beans
Wednesday: CORN/fend for yourself
Thursday: Broccoli, Ham, and Cheese casserole
Friday: Breakfast for dinner - omlets, english muffins, turkey bacon
Saturday: Zesty BBQ Chicken sandwiches, baked beans
Sunday: Hamburgers, Cucumber salad

Tuesday Teaser

Here's the deal: I open my current read to a random page and find two interesting (consecutive) sentences to share with you.

This week's read is an old one that has been read numerous times; Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I'm compulsive. I admit it. Everytime a new book or movie came out I went back to book 1 and read them ALL all over again. The next movie is coming out this summer so here I am, starting over again and giving myself plenty of time to get through them all before the movie comes out, because well... I do have a life after all!

So here are my teaser sentences from page 201:

"'I've heard of those," he said in a hushed voice, dropping the box of Every Flavor Beans he'd gotten from Hermione. "If that's what I think it is - they're really rare, and really valuable.'"

Tuesday Teaser - Peter and the Shadow Thieves

Here's the deal: I open my current read to a random page and find two interesting (consecutive) sentences to share with you.

Today's teaser comes from the sequel to Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves. It is a very interesting twist on the Peter Pan stories! According to the publisher, it is great for ages 10 and up. I read Peter and the Starcatchers to a group of students a few years ago so when I saw this, I had to read more of the story! These teaser sentences come from page 178 (of 556):

" 'We can't fly away,' he whispered. 'People don't fly in London.' "

Tuesday Teaser

Well, I'm crashing. Last week at this time I was jonesing, then I got my books and I was on a high again, now I'm done with the series and I'm crashing :( Now what? LOL I feel so lost! I guess I could head over to Stephanie Meyer's website and read all the outtakes and the first few chapters of her unfinished book Midnight Sun that some inconsiderate fool put out on the web before she was ready for it to be published (She is now unsure if she will ever finish it, but knows that curiosity will kill the cat so re-published the already leaked portions on her webpage).

Just before I finished reading the final book, I saw Lisa in the hallway.

me: "A ___________?!?!? What is that all about??" (not wanting to give away too much here >wink<)
her: "haha! You're already to that point?"
me: Laughing "Yeah, you sucked me in, it's all your fault, ya know."
her: "Yep! Has ________ left yet?" (Again, not spoiling it all here)
me: Frowning "Yes"
her: giggle
me: "It's killing me to not ask you what's going on with that."
her: "I wouldn't tell you anyway, Mrs. A!"

UGH, I've taught her too well! :)

Here are the teasers for the 3rd and 4th books in the Twilight Series.

From page 377 of Eclipse:

" She looked right at me as soon as I called her name, despite the thudding bass that should have drowned my voice. I waved eagerly, and watched her face as she took in the three werewolves leaning over me."


From page 376 of Breaking Dawn:

"The fire blazed hotter and I wanted to scream. To beg for someone to kill me now before I lived one more second in this pain. But I couldn't move my lips."

To see my review of the move based on Twilight, go here. Careful though, there are spoilers!!

Twilight - CAUTION - MOVIE SPOILERS!

*** If you haven't read the book OR seen the movie and don't want to know what is going to happen STOP READING!***

Hubby and I went to see Twilight last night, opening night of the movie here. I've finally finished reading all four of the books (just in time for the movie), so even though I warned him that this would probably be a teen-girl movie and all the teenage girls would be all over squealing, laughing, and giggling, Hubby agreed to go.

Before I left for the theater, I looked up some of the reviews. Overall, from what I saw, it received 3 out of 5 stars, a solid C. While reading the reviews I realized that several of the reviewers were put off by the teenage-girl style of the move while other were bothered by he vampires themselves (one even said they were more like fairies than vampires). Overall, I figured that the first one was a middle aged man who just didn't get the romantic gushy-stuff and the later hadn't read the book and didn't realize that Stephanie Meyer's vampires (or at least this family of them) aren't scary human hunting vampires.

We got there just in time, literally. As soon as I sat down and looked up, the lights dimmed and the previews began...to lots of screaming and squealing by the teenage girls.

Last warning...STOP NOW if you don't want to know how the book is different from the movie...You've been warned.....

Most of the important parts from the book were in the movie, just in a different situation. For example, Bella's truck isn't sitting in the driveway when she gets there, Billy and Jacob bring it to her a little while after she gets there. That is the first time Bella and Jacob meet rather than at the beach at La Push.

Another difference is that Jocob never outright tells Bella that the Cullens are vampires, only that his tribe is decedent from wolves and the Cullens are apparently descended of something "opposing" but wouldn't say exactly what. While in Pot Angeles with the girls, Bella does in fact go into the bookstore to find a book about the Quileutes' legends. Since she isn't sure yet when Edward rescues her from the would-be rapists, that conversation happens later rather than on the ride home.

That night she reads through the book and finds references to vampires with cold skin, speed, and beauty, all which point to the Cullens being vampires. She catches Edward's eye the next day at school and leads him into the woods where she confronts him with what she knows, or believes she knows. That is when the truth comes out, there in the woods. He picks her up and runs her to the top of the mountain above the cloud break where the sun is shining and she can really see what he is in the sun. There was no pretending to go to Seattle, in fact there was no girl's choice dance at all...only prom.

The chase with James didn't last near as long nor did it seem nearly as frightening at is did in the book. It was over all too quickly and they made no reference to the fact that Alice didn't remember being human or that James knew what had happened. In fact, Bella and Alice seem to barely know each other, much less become close friends like they did in the book.

Overall, it was an OK/better than decent movie, not great mind you, but a solid "pretty good." I didn't expect the movie to be quite as good as the book, they rarely are. I had hoped there to be more feeling for the characters, but it moved quite slowly and it never seemed to create too much depth into the characters. It did however, seem to set the scene for the next book to also be created into a movie!

Anyone else see it? What are your thoughts??

Tuesday Teaser

Well, I got sucked in. This must be what a drug addic or an alcholic feels like. Where is my air? Why can't I function straight? What is this!!!???

I finally finished Brisingr and one of my students talked me into begining the Twilight series by Stephanie Mayer. Day one- I start the first book, Twilight. I get one chapter in before heading to work. I'm hooked. It's like the first free sample that they know is going to get ya to come back. I stuck the book in my school bag and went off to work. 8:00 rolls around, sixth graders are coming in, and here comes Lisa.

her: "Did you read it, yet?"

me: "I just started this morning, I got through the first chapter, she's just finished her first day of school."

her: "Did you get to the van yet?"

me: "What van?"

her: "Guess not."

me: "So if Edward is a vampire, which he is because it says so on the back cover, how is he out in the daytime?"

her: >smirk< "Mrs. A., I'm not telling you, you have to read it yourself!"

So I did. On my lunch break, on my planning, after school when the kids left but before teachers are allowed to go. Luckily I'm all caught up with my paperwork by some miraculous miracle. By the morning of day 2, I'm 1/2 way through the book. I would have gotten more done but I had things to do that night that couldn't be changed or avoided so not much reading. But, again, I can't seem to get enough of it! So I read every spare second I had on Day 2. By the time I went to bed, I was done not only with book 1, but also with book 2, New Moon, as well! I didn't like book 2 as much as book 1 but I read it quickly because I was anxiously waiting for the one event to happen that I knew HAD to happen for me to like the book again...and of course it did happen. In fact, Stephanie Meyer suggests on her website that readers should read New Moon twice, because apparently many people do the same thing I did and rush through so much of the first part of the book trying to find out when "it" happens. She suggests reading it twice because the second time, you know how it is resolved and can take in more of that beginning.

But now, I don't have books 3 and 4! ACK What do I do??? I HAVE to know what happens next! I need my "fix!" I'm wondering if I can make it to Wal-mart to get them without being late to work...

Here are my teasers for both books one and two:

From page 376 of Twilight:

"Their sharp eyes carefully took in the more polished, urbane stance of Carlisle, who, flanked by Emmett and Jasper, stepped guardedly forward to meet them. Without any seeming communication between them, they each straightened into a more casual, erect bearing."

and from page 295 of New Moon, more than 2 sentences but they are short sentences and are needed for comprehension:

"There was no cult. There had never been a cult, never been a gang. No, it was much worse than that. It was a pack."

Tuesday Teaser (on Wednesday!!)

Even though I have homework, I still find ways to sneak in "me time" now and then!

I'm still working on making my way through Brisingr and The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide For Women and since I've already "teased" these books, the only other book I'm reading is my textbook. sigh. I'm sure it's not the most interesting book in the world but I have to admit it is WAY better than the research class I just finished!

So today's 2 sentence teaser may not interest too many people but it is relevant to my life as a Special Education teacher. From page 146 of Understanding Reading Problems: Assessment and Instruction (7th ed.) by J.W. Gillet, C. Temple, and A. Crawford,

"Second, formal reading tests typically do not assess reading in authentic ways. In real life, comprehension is often demonstrated by doing something with the information that is gained."

Even though we aren't at this point in the book yet, I couldn't agree with this statement more! When I read, I read for enjoyment most of the time, however, when I read for information, it is because I am going to DO something with the information. Only in school do I ever read something because I know that I will have to answer questions about it.

Also, in real life, if I am reading for information, I don't have a time limit on it. I can take my time, read slowly and re-read if I need to for clarification. Children who are being tested don't have that luxury, well most don't anyway. Unless a child has an IEP or a 504 plan due to some disability or medical issue with testing accommodations, he or she has to read the passage and answer questions within a limited amount of time. Even in college, I rarely had a real time limit that was measured in minutes rather than days. The information was to be read prior to going to sit for the test rather than having to read cold (new) material during the testing.

What are we doing to our kids? Are we actually preparing them for adulthood and life after school, or are we just collecting test data? Thoughts??

Teaser Tuesday

Although I haven't finished reading Brisingr yet, I am also reading The Non-Runners Marathon Guide For Women, Get Off Your Butt and On With Your Training by Dawn Dais. It is a hysterically funny look on one woman's race to become a marathon runner. It is a must-read for anyone trying or thinking about trying to run those 26.2 miles of hell that only us crazy people do. My teaser sentences come from page 64.

"Chipper Jen had told me to look for a multivitamin and a vitamin by the name of 'glucosamine,' which is supposed to help my knees and other joints. Instead of glucosamine, I've always used the popular 'sit-on-my-ass-amine' vitamin, and my knees have never hurt."

Teaser Tuesday, hosted by Should Be Reading, asks you to grab your current read, open to a random page and post 2 sentences between lines 7 and 12, avoiding spoilers and posting the title and author as well. I don't often participate, but the last two Tuesday's I've had something to share so I played along! :) I'd love to hear about what you are reading, even if I don't have time to read much right now!

Teaser Tuesday

"Books should go where they will be the most appreciated, and not sit unread, gathering dust on a forgotten shelf, don't you agree?"

That is a line I just read on page 289 of "Brisingr" by Christopher Paolini.

I'm working on my Master's Degree in Reading Instruction (yes, I'm still a nerd!) so I don't get to actually read much anymore. No, I take that back. I am reading... a lot, it just isn't what I choose to read! However, My hubby bought me the third and final book in the Inheritance Trilogy by Christopher Paolini the other day so I have been sneaking in pages here and there trying to read it without sacrifice to my homework.

One of the blogs I visit hosts something called Teaser Tuesdays where the deal is to let your current book fall open to a random page and share two sentences (without giving spoilers). Since I haven't been reading, I haven't been participating but after having just read the above line, I decided I not only wanted to share that little tidbit but do a real Teaser Tuesday too so here goes, from pg 196 of the same book:

"The conversation lapsed, and then Eragon said, 'Do you think about it much, what you went through in Gil'ead?' When she did not respond, he added, 'You never really talk about it.'"

I would of course, suggest reading the first two books ("Eragon" and "Eldest") before beginning "Brisingr" or else you may get a bit lost!

RUNRAVEL

As a Special Education teacher, I often see students who struggle with longer reading passages which have comprehension questions which they must answer. Students who struggle with the very act of reading don't know how to attack a passage and be successful with it. Here is a strategy called RUNRAVEL that I have used with both special education students as well as basic ed. students:

R read through the questions first.
U underline the title and look at the pictures.
N now predict.
R run through and number the paragraphs.
A are the important words circled?
V venture through the story.
E eliminate obvious wrong answers.
L let's prove our answers.

The first things the students need to do is to flip to the back and read the questions first. The main reasons they need to read the questions before ever reading the story is so that they know what to look for while reading. Good readers attack reading differently when they are reading for pleasure than when they are reading for information. If you are reading for information, you need to know what information it is that you are looking for. Reading the questions first will let the students know what information they will need in order to answer the questions.

After they have read the questions, students underline the title. This is mainly to get the students to actually read the title. Many times students jump right into the story and never even look at the title which often gives many clues to what the story is about. After they have read and underlined the title, they quickly flip through and look at all the pictures.

The title and the pictures should give them plenty of info to make a prediction on what they think the story will be about. This can be done either orally, written in the margin or however you want. Predicting is an important skill that students will need to know how to do as they progress through school.

The students should number the paragraphs so that later on when they are proving their answers, they can quickly and easily list what paragraph they found the answer in.

Important words can be names, dates, numbers, places, etc. that seem like they may be important in the story. Students should quickly skim and either circle or underline words that they think may be important. Often students need to be taught how to skim because they don't know how to quickly run their eyes over a passage without actually (slowly) reading it. As with predicting, this will get the student's brain ready to read.

When students venture through the passage, they actually read it. Rather than jumping right to this step, all the previous steps makes students slow down a bit and prepares their brain to comprehend what they are reading.

After they have finally read the passage, as they are answering questions, students should be taught how to identify and "throw out" any obvious wring answers. For example, in a multiple choice question, there are typically 1 or 2 answer choices that are way off base. If students can mentally toss those out, they are left with only two possible answers leaving them a better chance of figuring out the correct one.

Proving answers means the students go back into the story and actually FIND the answers rather than guess at answers they think they remember. The answer, or the clues used to come up with the answer can be underlined in the text with the question number circled next to it. The paragraph number can be placed next to the question so that you can easily find their proof. By making them prove their answers, they are less likely to get questions wrong, and you can easily see why they may have chosen the answer that they did.

This strategy has worked very well for students of all abilities and walks of life. It has worked so well that I thought I would pass it along to anyone who may be interested in helping a child with reading homework!

I got sucked in.... again!

"Hello, My name is Cole, and I am a Harry Potter Addict."

The other day someone asked me a question about something that happened in the 6th Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince...and I couldn't remember! A professed Potter-nut-case, who ha read any of the given HP books at least 4 times (four being the least, the newer ones, the older ones I have probably read more around 9 or 10 times.) I was so boggled by the fact that I couldn't remember that I, of course, had to sit down and start reading HBP again. Well, as fate would have it, HBP turned into also reading Deathly Hallows and then starting over again with book one. I'm now most of the way through book two (Chamber of Secrets) with no end in sight! I know me, will go all the way through to the end of Deathly Hallows again before I stop :)

By the way...an update on my ankle: I still haven't tried to run on it again, part worry that it still twinges a bit and part laziness. I'm am going to attempt to get my lazy butt outta bed tomorrow morning and go for a jog. No promises but I'll TRY ;)