What I've been reading lately

So, I'm cleaning up this weekend and sorting through all the books I've piled up that I've read recently to decide whether to save 'em or send 'em to the used book store. I realized I had quite a stash accumulated in the process. I thought I'd share a quick review of this latest group. You're getting bare bones here. I'm too tired and lazy to get links or covers.

1. Kathy Love - A trilogy GETTING WHAT YOU WANT; WANTING WHAT YOU GET; and WANTING SOMETHING MORE. I probably would not have read all three of these if I was waiting for them to come out individually. However, this was one of those rare instances when a cover caught my eye and all three of the books were out already. Reading them one after the other was great. They aren't the sort of read I would rave about, but were an enjoyable way to spend a weekend. Straight up contemporary romance about three misfit sisters and how they manage to make a life for themselves when the "grow up".

2. Michele Albert - HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT. I have all of her books...even those as Michele Jerott. I like her voice. Considering some of the unsavory and unpleasant things the protagonist has in his past it would have been more interesting to be a little more in his psyche. Grif Laughton is a complicated guy. I liked the book though. Fast paced enough, even if I would have liked seeing more of the dark side of Grif.

3. Kresley Cole - A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER. If you know anything about me you know I'm a complete pushover for werewolves and vampires. While I'm partial to these two kinds of stories, I do have standards. I like intensity and new twists to the same old legends. I liked this book alot because probably the only thing I'm more of a sucker (no pun intended) for then weres and vamps is a tortured hero. This book has that all wrapped up in one guy. Of course, I can't over look his single minded focus to find and keep his mate. Yeah...my guilty secret a man's intense focus of energy on one woman. It gives me shivers. I'm curious to read a second book of Ms. Cole's to see if this was a one time thing or not.

4. Lucy Monroe - READY; WILLING; AND ABLE. This is actually three individual books. This is another trio I've been ignoring but started reading part of the second book in the store and got hooked enough to give them a whirl. I read all three back to back. Again, I don't know if I had read the first one all by itself if it would have stood out in my mind long enough for me to buy the second and third books, but all together they were very satisfying. The guys are mercernaries which always intrigues me. It's interesting to me when an author tries to give us a reason why a man would choose that sort of life...it's pretty hard to justify selling yourself to the highest bidder. Of course, these guys belong to a "good guy" merc group doing good for the world. There are some far fetched scenarios, but I don't read romance for a dose of reality...I get that from CNN. So all in all they were a fun read.

5. Lucy Monroe - TEMPT ME. So I liked the contemporaries enough to give this regency of Ms. Monroe's a try. I wasn't as captivated by it as I was the contemporaries, but if you are the mood for a decently written regency, this one is pretty good.


6. Eloisa James - THE TAMING OF THE DUKE. I've enjoyed this series and was disappointed in this installment. It was predictable and I had trouble finishing it. I've enjoyed several of Ms. James books very much, but this one made me feel like she wasn't sure what she wanted to write. It was too tepid for the build up we've had of these two characters.

7. Emma Holly - ALL U CAN EAT. I liked this book, but not as much as some of Ms. Holly's books. I loved both of the main characters and was very invested in both of them. But this is another one of those occasions when a book was missing something for me and I can't put my finger on what it is. Satisfying ending though. Even though Frankie Smith has a boyfriend when the story starts, I can't think why she wasn't flirting her ya-ya's off with Police Chief Jack West. He's a memorable guy...kind of like Patrick in Ms. Holly's VELVET GLOVE. Both these guys make their individual books worth reading. All that intensity and focus (again!) just makes a chick shiver!

8. Katie MacAlister - EVEN VAMPIRES GET THE BLUES. This was an enjoyable addition to this series of Ms. MacAlister's. By itself it wouldn't be a recommend for me though. Her earlier books are much better I think. I would have liked more of Paen's background explained. Also, it's hard to be too invested in soul saving when the person whose soul is at risk never makes an appearance in the book. Yeah, that was weird. Even so, if you liked her other vampire books and enjoy this series, you'll like this one too.

9. Sarah McCarty - CONCEPTION: THE OTHERS. I just re-read this book because I bought it in print. You know I'm so taken with her PROMISE series that I didn't remember how much I liked this particular book. What can I say? *G* I'm a huge fan of Ms. McCarty's. I am anxious now to read more of this series. (Bohdan's story if you must know). Character, character, character...she writes them with so much depth and accessibility. Even when writing about the supernatural, like she is here, she is one of those writers that make her characters seem so real. Good, good book. If you haven't read it, you really should.

With the exception of Ms. McCarty's book, none of the other books are something I would stop someone in the romance section and tell them to read. However, none of them made me go screaming into the night either.

Psst...Sarah...what's the latest with UNCHAINED: ZACH'S OBSESSION ?

His Kiss - Part Two

She came to a stop directly in front of him. Looking into the smoky depths of her eyes he again reassured her with his own intent blue gaze. He felt his body react to the ripe fullness of her breasts beneath the white tank top that was clinging to her curves and tucked neatly into her jeans. He watched and stirred uncomfortably as her nipples hardened from his intent study. He could see their ripeness and need for the soothing attention only his lips and tongue could give them. His eyes continued their inventory of her curves captured in jeans and appreciated the snug fit around her hips.

His fists clenched and he pressed his knuckles into the rough wood bench at his side. He resisted the urge to reach out and touch her. Calling on his well-known control, a control unknown to her, he opened his fists and placed his open hands, palm down on his knees. All the while he kept his eyes locked on hers, making him as much a prisoner of her regard as she was of his.

She took a deep breath, almost a shudder. Her eyes on his, she slowly wet her lips and then with the uncertainty of the intense emotions and reaction arcing between them, she began biting her lower lip. Without realizing what she was doing she took a step back from the bench. A step away from him and whatever was happening between them.

Pillow Talk

Have you ever been snuggled with your lover and talked quietly in the dark? You know on those nights when you aren't shagging, or so comatose you fall asleep the moment your head touches the pillow. In the many years I've been with the guy I live with we've had many evenings when we have done those things.

Sometimes when we are snuggling, talking and laughing together in the dark he asks, "Have you read any good books lately?" This is his invitation to tell him about a book that affected me strongly. Of course, he's a guy so he's usually hoping for something sexy and wicked, but every once in a while we have a conversation that really reveals something about ourselves to the other.

Once such time we had this discussion on fantasys. TGILW says he has no fantasys. Yeah, that quickly turned into a conversation that involved raised voices and the lights getting turned back on. Eventually, he let loose with some of his fantasys and a story I wrote...for him...called His Kiss was born.

So when I ran across it yesterday, I gave it a quick read. I hadn't looked at it in literally years. Reading it instantly put me back into that conversation in the dark when we really DID talk about our fantasys. It changed things...forever. That was a good thing.

His Kiss - Part One

Lounging against the back of the park bench feet kicked out in front of him and crossed at the ankles, he watched as the sultry beauty walked toward him. He smiled to himself thinking how perfectly she fit his dream. The sun seemed to light her long silky hair. The rich dark chocolate length lovingly caressed her smooth, dusky skin with every step and graceful sway of her hips. He was breathless taking in the living picture of his fantasy woman. She was perfect.

As she drew closer and he could take in the details of her eyes and figure, her pace began to slow. He sat up on the bench now, alert and intent, watching her. Willing her to come to him. She halted as she met his gaze fully for the first time. Eyes the color of smoky topaz seemed to be asking him . . .

It's okay . . . his eyes told her. Come to me. He willed her forward with his gaze. She began walking toward him again.

Will you marry me?

I was over at McVane's site and reading a post about marriage proposals. It brought back memories of my marriage proposal. No fanfare that romantic guy I live with. *sigh* He's become much more of a planner over the years, but not so much back then.

We'd been dating for about 4 months and were at a Memorial Day party with a bunch of mixed singles. I got miffed at TGILW salivating over two bimbos with barely there shorts and bandaid bikini tops. These two hos wanted to join in our volleyball game. Disgusted at the behavior of the males who began to act like they'd never seen a set of silicone breasts before I decided to go inside and join a game of quarters where I proceeded to get happily and thoroughly sloshed which in turn lead to me flirting like a tart with the rent due.

At this point TGILW comes in and attempts to get my attention several times...which I ignore due to said drooling over fake boobs. Now the guy I live with is nothing if not stubborn and persistent. He waits until I have to go to the bathroom and he drags me into one of the bedrooms of the house where the party is and says..."if we are going to get married you can't behave like this!"

Yeah, I know...pretty f*cking ballsy of him wasn't it? Anyway, I'm loudly and vehemently defending my right to flirt with everything in pants when it finally dawns on me what he'd said. After I recover from the shock, we *ahem* make up.

About a month later I get a formal proposal over dinner. But that argument is what I always consider my real proposal. It's a better story, don't ya think? We were married 6 months later and have stayed happily so for almost 26 years.

Dixie Chicks

It's out in stores now! Yes, I'm a fan and Natalie's comment about President Bush didn't affect my feelings about what great musicians these three women are. Amazing how lots of other people feel ashamed about Bush being our president now, isn't it?

Anyway, this isn't about a political debate. Nope, this is my sheer joy that they have a new album out and my anticipation to hear it. I have it locked and loaded in my car.

Real Life

Once again my pesky real life is interfering with my cyber life. It's so aggravating to have only 24 hours in a day and on top of that have to sleep!!

I'm hoping to have more time in the next day or two. While I have made time to stop by some of my favorite haunts, I haven't even taken the time to comment. Horrors!

Do you feel like the NBA playoffs have been going on forever?

So my Dad met a woman in a bar...

Does that make her a "ho"? Inquiring minds want to know. I mean I haven't met her yet, but he's 74 and she's 54...he thinks. That's only a few years older than me for cripes sakes! That's kinda weird. Anyway, none of the progeny have met "Pearl" yet.

So if your Dad meets a woman in a bar and he's 74 and she's 54 does this mean your Dad is dating a harlot? Tart? Trollop? What do you think? The family consensus seems to be that her biggest flaw is that she likes Dad. Okay, I know that's a pretty shitty thing to say about one's Dad, but truthfully it's what I've been thinking and MAY have repeated to one or two or three of my sibs. My bad?

Of course Dad doesn't like me to mention how close Pearl is in age to me. I mentioned recently that we could have gone to high school together. He didn't like that much and went on to say something like, "Don't say that! Besides, she seems older because she's got LOTS more life experience than you do."

Huh? Say what? Life experience doing what exactly? The man actually thinks these little tidbits he shares with us will make us like Pearl better. *sigh* He's so clueless sometimes.

Mary wrote a bit about this. Go check it out, it's pretty funny. She's the sister in Montana. The post starts off about an adventure she had taking her dogs to the groomers, but she goes on to talk about Dad and Pearl.

Anyway, since Dad is in Montana right now Mary will meet Pearl first. In fact when I spoke to my Dad yesterday afternoon, he said he may be seeing Mary tonight. He's hoping they will be able to go to dinner together so Mary can meet Pearl. Of course in a family as large as ours is, the phone calls will be fast and furious. I expect Mary will be getting calls starting mid-afternoon and will carry on for days. Poor Mary. I almost feel sorry for her. Hehehe! The torture she will have to endure from her nosy siblings will almost wipe out all the "gimmes" she had by being the baby. *kiss,kiss* Sorry chica!

In case you were wondering, Pearl isn't Dad's first girlfriend. In the two short years since my Mom died there have been several. A couple of times he has speculated that women who rejected him were lesbians because they weren't interested in being intimate. Can you freaking believe that men still say that shit even when they are 75 years old? I almost came unhinged when he said that to me recently. Men can be such complete shits sometimes. Anyway, Dad has supposedly given up his harem for Pearl. Believe me, that ain't no little thing.

I hope it doesn't sound like we don't want Dad to have a girlfriend. 'Cause that's not true...well for most of us that isn't true. We aren't demon spawn. We all want our Dad to be happy. If Pearl floats his boat...good for him. I just hope she doesn't sink his boat or worse sail away in it and he has to come and live with me. Oops...that wasn't being very nice again, was it? Hell, who knows if he'd even want to live with me...he's got 8 kids to chose from. But you can see where I might be worried can't you?

So my Dad met this woman named Pearl in a bar. He's 74 and she's 54. I wonder what's going to happen next. Poor Mary, she gets to meet her first. I hope she leaves her cell phone at home.

Hmmmm...was it something I said?

It never fails to fascinate me how people come to visit my page. I don't get a lot of visitors, but I sure get an interesting and wide variety of guests. Some of the searches that bring people to my site...unbelievable, I'm telling you!! Especially when I go to check the sites out and the page is written in Felipino or German, or French. I've had all three. Imagine my frustration trying to figure out why they came a-calling. Oy! I get alot of very religious visitors as well. Now there's a head scratcher for sure. Why would a nun visit my site? I like erotic romance novels and one never knows when I'm going to let the profanity fly. Aside from berating the Catholic church, I don't remember being particularly spiritual or "holy" in any of my posts.

Naturally, I was ready to pop the champagne when I had 23 new callers today. I love company. I DID blog about that once...I think. Well I'm pretty sure. Anyway...like any red-blooded nosey person, I had to check out who these people were and where they came from. Just call me Gladys Kravitz. If you don't get the reference, then I'm older than I thought. But I digress. Again! When I checked out where the newbies came from I found that most of them came from KarenS page. Based on that little tidbit I have a couple of theories about why I got so much attention.

On Monday KarenS posted that she had written an article for All About Romance titled 'To Blazes with RITA' which makes reference to the RITA awards given out by RWA. If you are interested use my link in this post to Karen's site and she has the links to the articles and message boards there.

Anyway, I read the article and commented and Karen emailed and asked me to post my comment at AAR board because mostly authors were posting and she thought it would be good to get some reader feed back. Like the good little Karen groupie I am (she has LEGIONS of groupies...trust me) I dutifully posted at AAR boards. I haven't checked to see if anyone commented on what I said. I'll be brave and go check that out when I finish here.

So, I don't know if that is what has brought so many people to my site; or, if it was Karen's post a few days earlier commenting on my new page design and telling people to go check it out.

In either case, I got company, which as I said before, I really like and is really cool. So, whoever you are and for whatever the reason, thanks for stopping by!

Inquiring minds want to know...

Well, that's not completely true. Not that many people have asked, but a few people HAVE wondered what the kanji writing on my page means. Or, more correctly, if I knew what it meant. Puh-leeze! Like I'd put something on my page and NOT know what it was? C'mon now...really.

GemmaK, the oh so awesome page designer, sent me stuff to look at for ideas for the page. I fell in love with the symbol as soon as I saw the meaning. The mouse click and choice was a total impulse, but the look and the words just grabbed me. Know what I mean?


SPIRIT, MIND, FORCE

I was watching a late night re-run of a recent interview of Kristen Armstrong, Lance Armstrong's ex, on Oprah just a while ago. She spoke about losing herself in her marriage.

It made me think of my blog page and my reading. Things I do just for myself. My spirit, my mind, my force. There have been times I've felt lost to myself. Where I felt like a stranger in my own body. It still happens sometimes.

One true thing...women have to fight much harder than men do to be themselves and not lose themselves to their jobs, their marriage and their children. We willingly give so much of ourselves away that we frequently have little of the person that we truly are or wish to be left.

What is one thing you want to do or love to do that is just for you?

It's Mother's Day and...

The men in my life are trying not to kill each other in the kitchen as they prepare me a Sunday morning feast. It smells good. Waffles and chicken/apple sausages. They are grilling the sausages, my favorite.

So Happy Mother's Day to all! I'm going to take a look at my TBR and pick something out to read this afternoon.

OHMMMMM...OHMMMM...OHMMMMM

Meditating and free associating...I have to admit I love doing this. It can be so relaxing. This morning for instance.

Mmmmmm...I'm glad our sex life doesn't seem too affected by my RA. God that would really suck if you had to make accomodations and couldn't...those poor women who have mastectomies...I wonder if I didn't have breasts if it would bother G...would he tell me?...I should really lose weight...this meditation position is starting to hurt my butt...*smile* that position didn't hurt this morning...I wonder if G thinks he's good at sex?...have I ever told him he's good?...maybe the orgasms give him a clue...do all people think they are good at sex...is it like that philosopher Goethe says about love...what was that saying? everyone believes their love is the first and only love?...I wonder what the correct prounounciation of Goethe is?...I should really read more scholarly stuff...yeah, right like that will happen...am I a sex addict because of the books I read?...those Smart Bitches are really smart!...crap! my butt hurts...does my hip hurt too?...I'm such a wimp sometimes...I wonder how long I've been sitting here...I'm not feeling relaxed...I felt more relaxed when I was thinking about sex...what made me think about that anyway?...that dream about those prints and giving them as gifts was weird...I wonder what it meant that the prints were wrapped in gift paper...that was weird...who wraps something that big?...why was one of the prints teal colored and why is that the only print I remember?...I have to tell G about that one...I wonder where he is...I was supposed to keep my mind a blank...and relax...hmmm...am I relaxed? do I feel relaxed?...I might feel more relaxed if I lost some weight...I'm NOT going to think about that...or my job...I should think about sex more...I wonder how many times a week people my age have sex...I bet not as much as we do...humpf...just like that Goethe thing again...I'm going to look that quote up...I better do it as soon as I get up or I'll forget all about it...I'm done...maybe I should start using a pillow...I don't think you have to keep your mind a blank...I feel better...this counts as meditating...doesn't it?...oh quit beating yourself up...I wonder if that Goethe quote is in my quotation book or if I should google it...

Pull up a pillow...

C'mon and sit down and check out my new digs! Isn't it cool? I love it !! While I wanted something a bit more colorful I also wanted it to reflect my tastes and philosophies in life. I want my blog to be like my home...a place a visitor feels welcome and comfortable.

I have a new link to POST SECRET over there too. If you've never visited this site check it out. I shamelessly stole it from my sister's blog. It certainly got my wheels turning about what sort of post card I'd write.

Thanks GemmaK for the pretty place to play!

Things I'm looking foward to...

Sometimes when I'm having a crap day I focus my little self on things I have to look forward to so I can distract myself from the crap day.

Here's a current list:

1. New blog page! Can't wait. I'm very excited and very grateful to GemmaK for giving me a new look.

2. Vacation. My vacation is 6 weeks away.

3. Book Releases. Now this is something I'm always excited about. There are some great books to look forward Linda Howard has a new book out June 27th, so does Christine Feehan. Lynn Viehl has a Darkyn book out on...are you ready? 6/6/06! Pretty cool, huh? Just around the corner on May 30th both Sherrilyn Kenyon and Iris Johansen have books coming out. June 20th another one of my favorite authors, Janet Evanovich has her 12th Stephanie Plum book coming out...I always enjoy those.

4. Summer. While I appreciate and love other seasons for different reasons. Summer is great because I have always loved when my boys are out of school and our lives seem to take on a more leisurely pace.

So all in all some good stuff in the next several weeks. What about you? What are you looking forward to?

M:I:3

Imagine my surprise when I found myself hopelessly attracted to the the trailers of the latest Mission Impossible movie. Especially if one factors in how often over the last couple of years I've wanted to hit Tom Cruise with a mallet and yell, "Snap out of it!" TC aside I can honestly say alot of my interest in the flick was due to Philip Seymour Hoffman. I'm a great fan of his. Check him out in FLAWLESS. Wow!

Ummm...where was I...oh yeah M:i:3. So I was genuinely surprised at my interest in seeing the movie. OTOH, the testosterone brigade I live with had no hesitation or issues with Mr. Cruise and were hell bent on checking out the movie. So off we went on a Saturday night family outing to the movies.

The first thing to remember when I'm reviewing any sort of action, adventure or scary movie is that my preferred reading material are romances with HEAs. So keeping that in mind when I go to a movie I don't generally like being on the edge of my seat, scared or inundated with violence.

From the opening scenes the viewer is asking questions. Why is this happening? Who is that girl? WHAT is going on?!! The movie sort of takes off from there. M:i:3 has enough script to give it legs between action sequences. Philip Seymour Hoffman is a deliciously despicable bad guy. There are new IMF team members and Laurence Fishburne makes an interesting appearance as IMF Director. Ving Rhames returns to reprise his previous role in the franchise. All in all I have to say M:i:3 was like a good roller coaster ride. You never know what's around the next corner and some moments leave you breathless. In what I assure you is an unlikely and unusual occurence, all four of the members of my family really liked the movie.

So if you aren't too put off by Tom's obnoxious, sanctimonious, priggish, superior persona in real life and you like a good action flick, go see M:i:3. Philip Seymour Hoffman alone makes is worth the ticket price.

Saturday Working Stiff Talks Books

Every once in a while I have to work a Saturday. Today is one of them. Argh!! So, even though I'm just a regular working stiff this Saturday, I'm not going to let it stop me from giving you the review of MEGAN'S MARK by Lora Leigh that I've been talking about.

I must start by saying that I'm a big fan of Ms. Leigh. She is one of the first erotic romance or romantica authors I read. I found her and Ellora's Cave quite by accident. Truth be told I had never purchased a menage book until I took a chance and bought MARLY'S CHOICE. Whew, but those August brothers are some kind of alpha...who wouldn't love 'em? But I never thought I'd read a book about a menage a trois that didn't have me rolling my eyes or gagging. Somehow she made it work, at least she did for me.

Anyway, those books aren't what I'm here to talk about. I also enjoy her Breed books. In fact, WOLFE'S HOPE was the first e-book of hers I read and the first breed book.

I found the premise of experiments conducted for genetic enhancement by using animal DNA in humans not only intriguing, but a likely experiment that could happen considering how much we dabble in genetics and cloning these days. While there are single titles in this multi-layered series that are really great reads, I wasn't as interested or drawn in with MEGAN'S MARK as I have been with some of her others.

If you are a fan, you'll be satisfied to see all of the expected LL elements are in the story. Before you think my lukewarm reaction is because she may have watered down for an NYC publisher, you can toss that notion out with the garbage. I don't believe Ms. Leigh had to or was asked to compromise her story telling at all. All the same language and spice she has always used is still there.

I enjoyed the progression of the breed story line with the context of this book. Fleshing out the elements about the testing and pairing of mates that is taking place within the breed community and how they are coping with the world's opinion of them was very welcome. I LOVED the introduction of the character Jonas Wyatt. I think introducing the idea of the compromises one might have to make for the good of the whole is a great idea for readers to cut their teeth on and have them salivating for the next installment. I know I can't wait for Jonas' story. The hint of Megan's three uncles who are former SEALS since I, like many others, am fascinated with military men, was an interesting tidbit to dangle before us as well.

However, I did not feel particularly engaged by the H/H in MEGAN'S MARK. While I view this reading material primarily as pure escapism, I do like to find elements in the story I can identify with. That involves being interested in the characters and what happens to them. While sometimes mixing contrasting or complex elements in a character can really grab me, for most of this story I was wondering whether Megan was strong and tragic, or plucky and kick ass. It got to be a distraction and at times annoying. When the guy, Braden, a feline breed, has to point out to the gal that she's being a pussy and running away from her problems instead of dealing with them...things have run amok for me. It made me want to smack her.

So while there were many things I liked about the book, and it wouldn't stop me from auto-buying LL's next book. I was a bit disappointed in her big NYC debut. Actually, I enjoyed her last e-book LOVING LIES at Samhain Publishing a lot more. It was vintage Leigh and a straight forward erotic romp. I so appreciate a story that is so unapologetically out there flaunting what it is...an erotic romance with a HEA. Sometimes after a hard day at the office, it's just what I need to escape the travails of real life.

Ms. Leigh is certainly one of romantica's best writers. While she does repeat certain themes in her stories I wouldn't call her books formulaic. I hope she is able to keep progressing the breed story and I'd love to see her continue with her Legacy series. I think she has a lot to say and has a very strong writing voice. I hope she's scribbling stories for us for a very long time.

AH-CHOO!

One box of kleenex, half jar of methalatum rub, 48 pain reliever tabs, half bottle (yech!) cough syrup, 3 gallons of water...and counting!

Day 14 TA-DAH!

Yippee skippy doo-dah day! I made it 14 days and I think I only missed posting one day. I refuse to go back and count and check because I'm feelin' pretty proud of myself right now...except for the flippin' cold I have.

I'm suspicious too. My sister in Montana was really sick last week and lost her voice. I don't know how she sent the germs, but I got 'em. I have one of those sniffy, sneezing, achy, I'm going to bed colds. Aaaa-choo!!!

I'm thinking this calls for a day at home in bed snuggled down with a good book. Right now that sounds soooooo appealing. I have Katie MacAllister's new one EVEN VAMPIRES GET THE BLUES. I just finished MEGAN'S MARK by Lora Leigh. I'll tell you about it tomorrow when I'm not so wasted on cold medicine.

Sandal Season

So it's here once again. Warm weather and sandals. If you are reading this then you have been online long enough to have received one of the many funny and scary emails about feet and sandals.

Just so we are clear, I get a pedicure about every 10 days to two weeks. It is one of my self indulgent perks because I'm working. So in the spirit of the season and in celebration of some fabulously warm weather, I got a pedi on Saturday and did some sandal shopping on Sunday.

A sure sign you are getting older? None of the new styles appeal to you. Geez there a lot of ugly sandals out there! While I know there are all kinds of feet out there looking for the perfect sandal and comfy fit, I just gotta say again, there are some UG-LEEEE sandals out this season.

Okay, so I have a few requirements about the new sandals. They have to be brown to match an outfit I purchased. They can't have too much of a heal; and narrow is out...my feet are boney (arthritis) and wide. While I like something jazzy I don't mean put so much crap on the shoe that you need help to lift your foot. Is it so unreasonable to want a nice light weight sandal with some arch to it that doesn't have glitter, shells, fringe or charms dangling from them?

So, after much searching and deliberation I find the sandals. Brown, some beading on the toe split (my sons forbid from using the word "thong" when referring to footwear)arched and the foot surface is covered in a brown fabric. Yeah they sound ugly and plain, but they were cute. Only $20 too. Can't beat it, so I bought 'em.

Wore 'em today to work. I'm looking at them now sitting so beignly beside me. They turned out to be torture traps. In almost every possible way they hurt my feet. I'm wondering weather to burn them first or just chuck 'em!. Those puppies hurt my feet like a mother huncher. So bad that on my way to meet the guy I live with and my son for dinner tonight I stopped and bought another pair of sandals. Total impulse buy. These babies cost $37 but they feel awesome. Light weight. I swear after the torture of the first pair of sandals I could hear my feet sigh with each step "thank you, thank you, thank you..."

Not a great start to summer I have to say. Expensive too. Finding a black pair has to be easier...right?

Isn't life funny?

I love to read. Sometimes I forget that is how I started writing this blog in the first place. Surfing other reader and author blog sites piqued my interest to have one of my own. Yeah, nobody asked me, but...well you get the drift.

Anyway, books have been my dearest companions and friends many times over the years. I know, it sounds kind of corny, but it's true. Well, in anticipation of getting a new look on my blog site I've been going back through some of my early posts. I wasn't surprised to see that in the beginning I said lots about the books I was reading. I still read alot but don't write about it as much. So, I got to thinking about that...always a dangerous thing...and came to a few conclusions.

My work life has taken over a lot of my time since the first of the year. I realize that when I compare the early posts to ones I've written more recently. I seem more angsty and tightly wound. Yuck patooey!

For instance, I can't wait for Sarah McCarty to release Zach's story. It's probably my most anticipated read. Normally I'd be blathering on about waiting for it. BTW, Sarah, I'm trying to be patient but when you find TV a vast wasteland a good book can save your life. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge.

Thank God Lora Leigh has Megan's Mark coming out tomorrow. Katie MacAllister has a new vamp book due out as well. Those should both be good to read.

I digress, as usual, but you get my point here, right? I haven't been wanking about waiting for a new release, or rhapsodizing about a good book I read, or lamenting a sucky one. All of which is surprising since reading is such a big part of my life. As far back as 5th and 6th grade I can remember participating in reading programs at our library on the air force base where we lived in Japan. To this day reading is what I spend the majority of my leisure time doing. Reading 3 to 5 books in a week used to be nothing. Now between the long work hours and my RA I'm a wee bit more tired in the evenings and my reading time has been sharply curtailed. I have to say I miss it. Since I read mostly romances the escape is great. Romance reading has been fabulous for other stuff too. Just ask the guy I live with. He may not talk much but he always has a smile on his face. *g*

So going back and reading those posts has kind of energized me and reminded me to write about the things that make me happy. Browsing the web today I visited some sites that have bloggers who do needle work, like cross stitching. I used to cross-stitch and really enjoyed it. It will be more challenging with my hands now, but I'm going to look through my craft box of stitching stuff and see if I have an easy project to try and get back into it.

I'm also pretty happy with the blogging challenge I gave myself. I've enjoyed stretching those writing muscles again. It's like getting back to your daily exercise. It's a bitch to get started but once you get in the groove you wonder why you waited so long! Life's funny that way.