Routine! Routine! Routine!

Wherefore art thou dear routine? I'm dangerously close to throwing in the towel. I sit at my desk typing this with almost 300 books in my tbr, 3 unread on my nightstand, a stack of October and November reads that haven't been put on my spreadsheet, no October, November and now December reading lists posted. I think I've read one book in December.

My life feels insane. I don't like it. I feel out of sorts. Either the end of this craziness is near or I'm going to go mad.

GG reminded me last night when I was whining these same old familiar woes of having no time for my blogging life that since early October my life has been nuts between work and home. Either I've been working weekends or had personal commitments that have kept me from blogging or keeping up with my blogging. I'm at the point now where I feel like I'll be starting all over. Do I sound as pathetic as I feel? I feel pathetic. Look away...I'm certifiable.

I do want to thank all of you for still stopping by and commenting. You've been so encouraging and wonderful. I swear this post isn't to garner your sympathetic comments, don't feel obliged to pull me up by my boot straps. I'm not going anywhere. I say that for Kristie who worries one of us could just disappear and we won't ever know what happened. I like all you crazies too much. I'm just blathering on because I don't seem to be able to carve any time for blogging. That *thud* you hear is me whacking my head against the desk. I'm thinking of deleting. No. Wait. Yep. I'm going to keep typing.

So let's see if I can close on a positive note. We took down our Christmas decorations today. I'm taking this as a sign that we are organized and ahead of the game and that life will return to some sort of normal and R O U T I N E next week. It has to. It does. I'm begging for a dreary and slow January so I can get caught up or what feels like caught up.

Just read an email that reminded me I missed my Access Romance blog post too. Never done that before. Guess that can happen when you haven't been on your home computer for close to a week. Aaargh!!!!

Ooops! Guess that wasn't too positive was it?

Do you hear what I hear?

Happiness and joy abound. I'm ready for Christmas. Mostly. I do have the food preparation for the holiday meals, and some pesky house cleaning to do.

OTOH, shopping is all done. Gifts are wrapped. Packages and cards are sent. And, baking is done. Although I've been thinking that I might make some more biscotti and chocolate chip cookies. They are very popular around here and what I've made will probably be gone before Christmas Eve.

I'd like to get caught up with all of you. I see I have 637 posts again in google reader. *very big sigh* I also have a post to write for Access Romance. You know what I'd really love? I'd really love to read. I don't see any of this happening any time soon though. With my family all coming over on Christmas Eve, sisters visiting from out of town, and the actual holiday itself, I think real catching up won't happen until the new year.

Which reminds me... Throw me a crumb and tell me what you are reading. I just picked up Feehan's MURDEROUS GAMES yesterday. I don't know if I'll get a chance to crack it anytime soon, but one can hope. So give a chickie a break and let me know what YOU are reading. I'll have to survive vicariously on your comments.

So, did you catch the 'sisters visiting from out of town' remark? Yep, the fabbo news I received last week, on my birthday no less, (random??? I think not!) my sister is coming out from Georgia on December 26th! My sister Mary, who sometimes comments on ye olde blog, will come down from central coast Cali to join us as well. You know how I love to spend time with my seees-ters. Can't wait for that. I plan to take a couple days off the week after Christmas to really enjoy the bimbos.

Except for missing all of you these past few weeks, Christmas has been pretty darn swell here at Nobody Asked Me central. I love Christmas season. Yes, I'm busy and there's lots to do, but I really don't mind. It means family gatherings, catching up with friends, and reminding myself of what's really important. Yep, I love it.

I hope things aren't too frantic or worrisome at your households. I hope you are safe, and warm and surrounded by those you love. And, I really hope that you are having a chance to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Got Snow?

I can't remember the last time it was like this. Sure we get the occasional snow flake, but not like this!

What a week!

Still plugging along with my Christmas list. My google reader is up to 488 again. Oy! I'm not even supposed to be writing this post. I'm supposed to be working on Christmas cards. However, I'm not in the mood.

The big-ass TV is now mounted on the wall. The wonderful piece of furniture I ordered to go under it is back ordered. They call 'em TV media consoles. Who knew? I DO know that I looked at about a gazillion before I found one I liked. I also found a dining room table I really liked. However, a dining room table wasn't on the shopping list. Bummer. Very big, very sad bummer. Dining room tables don't grow on trees, especially ones you really, really like.

I'm still lagging on a few Christmas gifts and have about half my wrapping to do yet. All the stuff that had to be shipped is gone baby gone! In fact I've had a couple reports that the recipients already have their packages. Ya-hooey!!!

I have piles of books on my desk to catch up my spreadsheet and October and November reading lists. No worries about December's list. It's dismal. Maybe two books? Although I did buy this book...

THE TREASURE by Iris Johansen. It's a quick read. It's a bit flawed. The dialogue was redundant. All the characters had the same voice and speech patterns. However, I am as fascinated as ever by Kadar. There could have been so much more done there. I don't regret buying it, even in hard cover, cuz, ya know I HAD to read it to see what happened. As you might recall this book is the follow up to LION'S BRIDE which came out in 1996.

I recently re-read LION'S BRIDE in anticipation of THE TREASURE release and was happy to find it held up pretty well. LION'S BRIDE has more layers and detail to it than THE TREASURE, but I did enjoy re-visiting these characters. I just wish the story wasn't stretched so thin. On the other hand, I'd love to see her do Vaden's book and there was enough foreshadowing in this one to believe there might just be one around the corner. One can hope.

So that's my week. Gotta go do my Christmas cards before GG figures out I'm enjoying myself elsewhere. He's a slave driver. (Not really, but I gotta blame somebody and he's handy) I'd rather read or surf my google reader, but alas duty calls. Hope you all aren't too busy and crazy out there. I'm thinking about you...

Update

Books read the past two weeks: ONE

Parties attended the past week: FOUR

Christmas decorations up: 75%...lots of lights but no ornaments on the tree

Google Reader posts unread: 259

Christmas packages to mail by end of week: THREE

Christmas cards completed: NONE

Christmas shopping completed: 75%

Mental health: Suprisingly cheerful despite lengthy 'To Do' list

Light at end of tunnel: Dim, but at least I see some

Par-tay!

Four days, four events. Is that crazy or what?! Ok, maybe your life is more exciting than mine and you don't think it's so wild and crazy. For GG and I it's a wild a crazy time.

I gotta tell ya, I can't remember another time when we've been so booked for non-family type events. It feels nice to be loved. Or maybe we're delusional. Whatever the case we are warm and happy in our departure from reality.

One event down...three to go.

Lampshade anyone?

November Reading List

November another busy month and another list put together in January 2009. I got on a Jodi Thomas glom and read several of her books. I still seem to be in a historical mood.

BE WITH ME by Maya Banks
Trio of guys love one woman who's a cop. Didn't work for me. Predictable and the plot was thin. I'm a fan of Banks, but not this time. C-

BRAZEN by Maya Banks
This time it's two brothers. I give Ms. Banks kudos for addressing the issues inherent and obvious in a relationship like this, but this still wasn't all it could be. C

A SOLDIER'S SECRET CHILD by Caridad Pineiro
This is a Silhouette Romantic Suspense title. I totally tried this because of the good things I've heard about this author with awards and reviews. I felt the story was kind of flat and generic and it just didn't work for me. C

FLAT OUT SEXY by Erin McCarthy
Our friendly neighborhood widow (of a race car driver) falls for a younger race car driver. While this book had it's moments and I still think Ms. McCarthy writes good romantic comedies, this book was only okay. I'm giving it a 'C'.

NEVER TOO MUCH by Lori Foster
This book originally came out in 2002. I couldn't find it in the house and didn't have a spread sheet back then so I bought it. In this book our hero, a bar owner finds himself drifting through life bored when the right woman comes into his bar. This was a good solid read for me. B

TEXAS PRINCESS by Jodi Thomas
This is a Whispering Mountain novel. This is Liberty and Tobin McMurray's book. I'm reading these books out of order. I actually read the third book in October and then this one which is the first one I believe. I've yet to find the second book and while this was okay I didn't like it as much as Teagen's story. B-

THE TEXAN WAGER by Jodi Thomas
I got on a Jodi Thomas glom. This is the first book in the wagon train trilogy. Three women are dumped by a wagon train and end up in a jail. The only way to get out of jail is a bride lottery. This book is Bailee and Carter's story and I liked it a lot. B

WHEN A TEXAN GAMBLES by Jodi Thomas
This is book two in the wagon train trilogy. This is Sarah and Sam's story and another solid read. B

HER MONTANA MAN by Cheryl St. John
Yet another western. I really got on a kick. This is a November Harlequin Historical release. Another solid installment by Ms. St. John. B-

TO SEDUCE A SINNER by Elizabeth Hoyt
This is the second book in a series about three British soldiers haunted by war in the colonies. I'm really enjoying this trilogy and can't wait for the next installment. This is Vale and Melisande's story. I love the way this one begins with Vale being stood up at the altar. Again. Very enjoyable read. B+

A good sign...

I'm actually blog hopping again. In fact I'm staying current and it feels great! I'm just too much a Nosy Nora to stay out of the loop for long. Hey... maybe that's why I got sick??? Too long out of the loop. Could be I'm thinkin'. (That was kind of dorky wasn't it.)

Late morning at home today because I have a doctor's appointment. Crossing my fingers for good news on my thyroid. Feelin' good, so should be.

Work is still a little crazy. After this week though the holiday slow down should hit. I might actually *whispers* catch up with everything. SHHHHH! Don't say anything about it. You'll jinx it.

I'm semi-organized for Christmas. Which is code for I have started my shopping, I have started my decorating, I have started my lists. Nothing is complete. It will all be in good order when I have my lists and everything planned out for which days. Don't mock. I sleep better with a list and a plan.

There was something else I felt compelled to tell you... Dang it! Can't 'member what it was. I hate when that happens because I know as soon as I hit the 'publish' button I'll remember.

Whatever... gotta get ready for the doc's office.

The Flu

I've been hit and hit hard with the flu. Now for certain I'm beginning to think that there's a plot against me completely catching up and posting my November and December reads. No need to post good wishes, although I love you for wanting to, I'm doing fine now. I just don't want to re-live this past weekend anytime soon.

I'm determined to 'get 'er done' this evening. Assuming, of course, I survive the day. How's that for melodrama?