2015 in 2015

So, I have struggled over many years with my weight. The last two years have been better than the rest after losing approximated 70 pounds. I found a new passion, running. Last February I had signed up for my first marathon and after not finishing the first one (more on that story later) I did succeed in another marathon, a month later.

Anyway, so this year I wanted to keep up with my running passion yet have a different goal. The marathon(s) about killed my knees and I'm only in my mid-30's. Yikes! However, I am still learning and after researching online and via books, I keep finding new stretches and strength training that I wasn't the greatest at trying before. I heard about this new challenge via a women's running club that I follow on Facebook.

It can be free to sign-up although I did pay some to get a t-shirt and a medal. Hey, it's become sort-of a habit but I think it's a good one, right? I think it's perfect for me and it will keep me motivated all year long. There is also a support group on Facebook and it's very motivational and helpful to see many others going through the same challenge.

I will keep my blog updated on my progress.

Coppertone Clearly Sheer Sunscreen

Another useful product for me to try out via BzzAgent. This time of year when the sun is shining (for the most part) and we are so happy that it isn't snowing in our part of the woods anymore, I received some samples of Coppertone Sunscreen AND coupons to try out only to spread my thoughts on the product. What a great deal!

I received a few different bottles of sunscreen to try out. One was a spray-on sunscreen, which I did like the best overall. It was easy to just spray on my child and there wasn't any mess to wipe off my hands after applying it. This was SPF50 which is a little higher than I'd usually use for my son, he's 10 years old and really doesn't burn too much. I put some on him before we went swimming at an outdoor pool. It was very sunny that day; I believe the UV index was very high, about 9 or so. We were outside for close to two hours and he didn't burn at all. He was in and out of the pool and running around. The product wasn't greasy when being applied, it didn't have an overwhelming smell and it seemed to have stayed in place even though he had gotten wet via pool water and sweating it out.

One of the other products I tried was a lightweight formula that was intended for your face. I have a very sensitive and acne-prone face. I was a little nervous in trying this out but wanted to see if it did indeed not break out my skin. I used it after I had done my skincare routine. The texture of the sunscreen was very nice, not too thick at all. I could tell that it was lightweight and it had a very nice outdoor smell. It's nothing like that smell that I used to smell when slathering on sunscreen in the past. I enjoyed using it on the days that I worked outdoors in the garden or doing yardwork, which always takes at least an hour. Plus, I sweat and our humidity in the summertime doesn't help. However, even with all of that the sunscreen stayed on, I didn't burn anywhere and the best part is that it didn't break out my skin! I am definitely sold on this product.

I probably wouldn't have tried this out had I not received samples to try first. This is the greatest thing about being a BzzAgent. If you haven't tried out for this company, it's a definite must. I have been lucky to receive so many different products and coupons. Check out this link on how to become a BzzAgent and start receiving your own free products.

Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck

Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If I wasn't a hopeless, sappy romantic I most likely wouldn't keep reading this series. That's what this series is all about. A young girl who constantly contradicts herself on who to be with. The only reason I'm still reading this is because I really do want to know who the author is going to have Kelsey end up with.

I wish I could say the adventures were interesting. They were way over-the-top. Completely insane. I realize this is fiction, but come on. Not everything ends up the way we want them to.

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Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck

Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This story starts out horribly childish. Boo, Kelsey runs away but finds magically that she has a huge condo, an expensive sports car, and all of her college courses + books, paid for. Yet, even though her immature decision of running away seems logical to her, She still pines for Ren. (Duh)

Of course, she finds approximately three men who also "fall in love" with her. Good grief. Then Ren decides to follow her back to her hometown and begs for her to "date" him as well as the others so she can make the right choice for her.

This all happens within the first 1/3 of the book. I feel like the author has always wanted to be this "Kelsey" in real life as she puts all her efforts into making this character beautiful and lovable and...perfect. Meh. I think if you want to create a wonderful and memorable character, you must show his/her flaws as well. I just don't see that happening....yet.

Then the book gets interesting after Ren is taken. She starts to get to know Kishan better. I like him. He has a past. He has had to make hard decisions and also is paying for his stupid past decisions. However, does he need to fall in love with Kelsey as well? I get the point now that I've finished the story, it just gets old.

The best part (and saddest) is the ending few chapters. THIS is the reason I gave the book 3 stars. It doesn't end like you totally expect. It wasn't a surprise to me that Ren loses his memories of Kelsey. We'll see where the next book takes us. Hopefully, Kelsey grows up a bit.

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Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This story was okay. Mostly, a disappointment though on how it was written. It just has such a childish feel to the whole story. It's almost too cheezy. I think that's why it took me a whole month to get through it.

It starts off on an interesting note; Kelsey finds a part-time job at a circus. She meets a mysterious tiger and forms a bond with him. A couple chapters later, an even more mysterious man shows up to buy the tiger and offers to take her to India (all expenses paid of course) to help take care of the tiger since she has such a connection with him. Naturally, she is drawn to this idea. What, no suspicions whatsoever? But you see, there is a curse on this tiger (as she finds out soon after that.)He then is able to change into a man for 24 minutes a day and he one day is able to do this for her. She falls for him. He falls for her. Blah, blah, blah. They have some "scary" adventure trying to break a curse that only she (apparently) can help with.

I could definitely tell that she was immature. I've met real 18 year olds that were more mature than this one. Another annoying factor is that the tiger is also a prince, naturally. He has all the money in the world, he's good looking, he's sweet and charming. He's just perfect. Sigh.

The book doesn't get decent until there is about 20 pages left. Now I have to read the next one to see what happens.


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