In an effort to reduce the clutter in my bedroom and life prior to moving out, I am pledging to throw out 50 things. I’ll blog about it in stages as I go along and find things that I really don’t need anymore. And if I can find a better home for the items, I will donate them (i.e. old clothes, books, toys, magazines, etc.).

I’m sure that everyone can glance around whatever room they’re in, and see a few things that they don’t need/want anymore. Half-finished crafts, seven different types of wood glue, those chipped plates you’re saving “just in case”. So, if anyone would like to join in with me, please sign the Mister Linky!

ETA: Forgot to specify a “deadline”. Let do January 1st, 2009 — aim to start the new year with a little less clutter! And remember, if you can donate your items, please do! Your unused items may be someone else’s treasure/pleasure!

ETA2: Have a button!! (please remember to save to your own server)

[Challenge inspired by the title of Gail Blanke's book: Throw Out 50 Things... however, I have not yet read it, so I don't want to claim it is like the book... just that I was inspired by it.]

I thought knew exactly what I was getting into when I picked up Nicholas Sparks’ novel, The Lucky One: be prepared with the tissues, the waterworks are about to start. However, I was kept guessing; I kept trying to predict “oh this is the next part… and it’s gonna be horribly sad.” But I was wrong — pleasantly surprised though!

The Lucky One follows the story of Logan Thibault, a retired marine who has “a lucky charm”, only she doesn’t know it yet. When he was in Iraq, Thibault found a laminated photo at base camp, and when no one claimed it from the common board, he kept it. He wasn’t sure why he kept it, but he was soon known around the marines for having uncanny brushes with death; some even whispered he’d made “deals with the devil” to stay alive. Thibault’s friend Victor had a different theory: the photo was Thibault’s “lucky charm” and the woman in the photo has some part to play in Thibault’s destiny.

After three tours in Iraq, Thibault is honourably discharged from the marines, but he has difficulty finding his place in the world. Seemingly randomly, Thibault decides to walk across the country to find the mystery woman in the photograph, but finds more than he bargained for.

I definitely liked how the chapters were named for the character to whose point of view we were switching into. It helped to orient the book quickly, as chapter titles/numbers weren’t too necessary. I liked the characters, while fictional, they definitely had a believable human quality about them; for example, Beth, like many women, had low self-esteem when it came to other people’s opinion of her (after having bad luck dating). All-in-all, it was an enjoyable read. Quick, easy, and satisfying.