How old are you?

I'm talking about my "real" age over at Access Romance. I've found a way to reverse the aging process. Go check out my theory.

BTW, one more thing, in my post I mention Beanie making an appearance on Big Bang Theory. The episode is scheduled to air this Thursday, December 16th. See if you can spot the "featured" extra in the Green Lantern costume. That's my Beanie!

Who needs heat when...

I'm going to see Tim McGraw tonight. Although you wouldn't catch me arguing if say the gas company service planning department finally decided to call so we could get going with this project already.

This just in...

1. We are taking tomorrow off since we will be up late at the concert tonight. We plan to start our Christmas shopping.

2. We bought a pre-lit Christmas tree. Finally found one with lots of lights that didn't cost the earth. While I've been known to string the tree lights myself, both GG and I are delighted that chore is history. When you are picky about how the lights look it takes forever to get the tree lights "just right".

3. Beanie has to work on Thanksgiving at the Magic Kingdom. Major bummer. We think we will be venturing to the OC Thanksgiving morning and take him out to eat mid-day before work then we'll trek back here and go to my sisters for dessert with the rest of the family. At least that's the plan today. We've never eaten out on Thanksgiving, but I can't imagine celebrating the holiday without both of my children. It may be coming in the near future, but not yet...

4. Speaking of Beanie, he got second place in the open mic contest at his school. He was over the moon because most of the contestants were musicians. He has another "gig" on November 22. Someone asked him to perform for a group of *ahem* mature women. He was asked to include some material on Jane Austen, and Napoleon & Josephine Buonaparte. He's doing research. Just his comments on doing historical research for a comedy bit is funny. Honestly I never know what he's going to do next.

5. Proud Mama moment. GG mentioned to me yesterday how amazing it is that in this economy both of our boys have two jobs. Beanie got hired back as seasonal help at his favorite place in the world, nope it's NOT D-Land, it's Toys R Us. Maybe all those dinner conversations about there's no replacing hard work to achieve your goals really worked???

6. Just finished reading THE MARRIAGE BED by LL Guhrke and before that I read A BRIDE IN THE BARGAIN by Deeanne Gist. I'd heard pretty good things about THE MARRIAGE BED and while good, it didn't change my world. Very well done character development though. The Gist surprised me. While privately I consider myself a spiritual person and certainly one of faith I've never read a book specifically labeled inspirational romance before. This also was a pretty good book and I enjoyed the story based on the real life brides brought to Washington Territory by Asa Mercer post Civil War. Anybody else old enough to remember the 70s TV show with Bobby Sherman, HERE COME THE BRIDES?

7. Got the most recent STAR TREK movie on blu-ray for the BA-TV for the "boys".

Well I think you are all caught up. Usually when I do these lists I think of two more things as soon as I hit "publish". Ain't life grand?

Lifetime & Nora Roberts or Duplicity & Julia Roberts

Did anybody watch NORTHERN LIGHTS on Lifetime over the weekend? We recorded it and I caught parts of it. LeAnn Rimes seemed okay, and you have to be comatose not to find Eddie Cibrian appealing. This isn't one of the NR books I'd read so it didn't get on my nerves like having Heather Locklear cast in ANGEL FALLS did last year.

I was out of the loop all weekend. Did anyone see DUPLICITY with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen? Well, spill... I'm intrigued. Was it any good?

In case you were wondering...

why I haven't been out and about much this week. I'm pooped. I've moved into my new office at work and it's been more time consuming than I expected. All the heavy lifting and cleaning are done. My new file cabinet arrives later today and then all I have to do is learn a bunch of new stuff to make sure they don't think they made a mistake. Heh.

Consequently, I've been so tired the past couple of nights I haven't been catching up much with all of you. Maybe tonight. We'll see.

Such sad news about Natasha Richardson isn't it? Two sons without a Mom. Too young. Just sad. Then I think of children all over the world without their mothers and th e little mouse on the wheel in my brain needs a rest from all the spinning.

I'm reading a very good book right now by Cate Noble called DEAD RIGHT. It was a total impulse buy and so far it's paying off very nicely. Before that I finished TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Kristan Higgins. I enjoyed it also, but for more than that you will have to wait until my month-end reading list.

One more update on Beanie, he got called to work as an extra yesterday. He worked a full day on ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL He had fun, but observed that movie making is a lot of standing around and waiting. The only star he saw was David Cross. Mr. Cross was also in the sitcom ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT whose character Tobias aspired to be in the Blue Man Group. Mr. Cross is a very funny guy.

While looking for all those links I saw that there is talk of a movie based on the ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT TV series tagged GET ARRESTED. I'm a fan of the show so this is news. Looks like most everyone has signed on to do it. Wa-hoo!

Should I be worried?

Shmoo has been absorbed into the collective called 'The Twilight Zone'. Not the old TV series created by Rod Serling. Nope. I'm talking about the Stephanie Meyers' books.

It all started when Shmoo got dragged to the movie by his current GF. She's been a fan of the books and was anxiously awaiting the movie release. Since then, last November, they've seen the movie 5 or 6 times that I know of.

Then, you may recall, we had to go on the search for Edward Cullen's peacoat. That's what Shmoo wanted for Christmas. Shmoo became fascinated with James Dean at the same time. Between the peacoat and pictures of James Dean I thought he was having a major identity crisis.

Fortunately, we found the coat... Thank God for American Eagle.

Now several months later, many movie viewings aside, Shmoo is totally immersed in the books. He's already read TWILIGHT and NEW MOON. He just started ECLIPSE. Like any good reader, he thinks the books are better than the movie, but really likes Robert Pattison as Edward Cullen. RP is who he imagines as Edward when he reads. Or so he says. He discusses these characters like they are real people. Can you imagine?

It is sort of cute to see he and his GF curled up on our big puffy sofa reading the books. They will read for hours together. Isn't that a little abnormal for 18 year-olds? Staying home to read? I know, I know, I shouldn't complain. Especially since this GF is the nicest, kindest, gentlest girl. You just wouldn't believe. A real sweetheart.

So, what do you think? Too obsessed? So asks the woman with tubs of books in her tbr and who will obsessively search to get all the back list of an author she really likes.

Waving the White Flag

Today is my 28th wedding anniversary. Twenty-eight years with the fabulous GG. Seriously. I know I gush about him from time to time (and whine too) but he's a great guy and I feel incredibly happy and blessed to have him in my life. Mostly.

We had pretty much decided not to buy anything for each other for our anniversary. Not out of any particular desire to tighten our belts or anything, but because there isn't anything we need or really want... *dun dun dun* Or so I thought.

I may have mentioned in the past that we got married on Thanksgiving weekend. It was a Saturday just like this year. We figured that with 4 days of the week being Thanksgiving and our anniversary so late in the month we have a 50-50 chance every single year that our anniversary is going to fall on the holiday weekend. So far, that's worked out pretty well for us.

The downside, if you can call it that, is the holiday. No, I'm not anti-Thanksgiving or anything, but it does have a tendency to put a crimp in travel plans, and forget about the shopping. We don't shop Thanksgiving weekend as a rule. Even with the great sales. We stay away because it cuts down on impulse buying and eliminates fighting the crowds for parking and sanity. So one might wonder how in the name of all that's holy did I end up out there with the throngs of shoppers yesterday? I can tell you this. Yesterday morning I didn't know what the day would bring when I innocently followed GG out the door to go swimming.

Can you guess what happened? If I told you they can now see the glow of my house from Mars would that help?

So, yesterday...we swam. We ate breakfast. We did some food shopping for Beanie. GG put up our outside Christmas lights. We waved Beanie and his GF off to go home. This is where the story takes a turn because the next thing I know we are standing in BEST BUY and signing for a big-ass TV to be delivered to our house. Huh? What? It was so faaaaast! How'd that happen?

Note to all of you newly wedded chickadees: You have to be vigilant! Those mans of ours conspire to catch us in a weak moment and the next thing you know your house resembles the electronics section of a major store chain. Oh, and they never own the, "I want it." Nope. The mans say "We need this.' They're tricky like that.

Anyway, back to my pathetic surrender. It's hazy, but I remember saying something to GG along the lines of, 'I don't know why we are getting such a big-ass TV when we hardly watch TV during the week'. As I said, it's all a blur when one is standing in the middle of BEST BUY with TVs, stereos, and Guitar Hero blaring all around you as a genial and fast talking sales person tells you why you can't live without a big-ass flat screen TV.

Knowing his wife well, GG reminded me that the TV purchase is all part of our plan to bribe the boys to come visit us in our dotage. *eye roll* As if a TV would make that much difference. Although... When we called to tell Beanie about the new TV he almost got in his car to come back home. WTF? He's already said he'll be home for the Super Bowl. Really? For a TV? What am I missing here?

Fortunately, GG had done his research about what TV to buy preparing for catching me in weak moment. The major stumbling block for me is that I think our living room is too small for the big-ass thing. Unfortunately we don't have a family room. *sigh* OTOH, the men in my life are over the moon. While I don't quite get it, it makes me happy to see them happy. So I've surrendered. Given in. It's done. We have a new family member.

Welcome big-ass Samsung LN52A650! Don't be a problem. Don't use too much electricity, and you better hope I don't regret having you around.

Oh, and babe? Happy Anniversary, birthday, Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter, 4th of July for the next 2 years...at least.

P.S. I'm supposed to let SL's Man know we got the bigger TV (thanks so much, dude!) because of your recommend to get the 120 hz thing-y. GG said you'd know what that means. Whatever! We have a big-ass TV in our LR!

Random Thoughts

HEROES, is one of the few TV shows I watch pretty regularly. Lordy it gets more confusing each week. Which begs the question...why am I still watching it?

All wrapped up. Snuggled. Spooned. How do you sleep with your significant other? GG and I are seasonal because he's always so dang hot. We haven't put the heat on yet but it's been a little chilly in the house in the early mornings and I go seeking the heat. In other words I send my foot out on expedition to find the warm and then scoot myself over there. In the summer time it's just the opposite. Since the person I sleep with is ALWAYS hot I go looking for the cooler spots in warm weather. Not very romantic, is it?

Having read some pretty good books lately I feel like I'm in a reading frenzy. It's all I want to do. The tbr beckons and taunts.

Is it weird that I'm anticipating the upcoming wedding like I used to anticipate Christmas as a kid? I just can't wait to see all my family and celebrate good times.

Speaking of celebrations... It dawns that in a month I will have been married for 28 years. 28 years! Hard to absorb. Let me just say I barely feel, despite how my outer shell looks, 28 years old let alone being married for 28 years. It continues to amaze me. Maybe I shouldn't tell GG that part.

Not a creature was stirring...

Apparently I'm not the only one who decided to take a break on Monday. I was surprised to come home Monday evening and only have 25 posts to read. Is everybody tired now that school, soccer, football and the new TV season are in full swing?

It looks like TRUE BLOOD is going to be a viewing staple on Sunday night in our household. Shmoo and GG both like it. I like it enough to try and track down a Sookie book because I'm curious how the characters play in the books. Inquiring minds and all that.

I have to get my TBR Challenge Review written or polished for Wednesday. Yep, it's that time of the month again. I think I started the review last month and was too pooped to finish it, even though I did finish the book. It was a Cindy Gerard book and I think I may read the next one in the series for my review next month. I dragged it out anyway.

Let's see what else... Work has been sort of weird. The pace has slowed somewhat, or I'm feeling so much better it doesn't seem as exhausting or overwhelming. Any way, it's better so that's good.

I have been wondering and fretting about some things. Like how people in Texas and the Gulf Coast are doing after the disastrous storms that have been through there. We are having just excellent weather right now in my neck of the woods. It is so hard to look at crystal blue skies and no wind (for once) and think about the devastation down south. They are certainly in my thoughts and prayers.

As are the folks who lost loved ones in the horrible Metrolink crash last Friday. It's like the Exxon Valdez tanker spill. I wonder if we are ever really going to know what happened. Was it the engineer's fault for running a red light or is he going to be a scape goat?

Did you see the Tina Fey and Amy Poehler spoof on SNL? I didn't watch the show but thanks to Jane and her heads up on Twitter I caught the full skit here. It really is good. GG really got a kick out of it. Of course the pre-requisite is a sense of humor about politics. If you don't have one it's probably not your cuppa.

I'm counting the days to Friday. Sees-teers coming to town from Santa Barbara county and Atlanta, Georgia. The aunties will be here to attend our niece's (and my god daughter) bridal shower. Italian aunties on both sides. This should be fun AND interesting especially since her mother calls the bride "a prude". There are no secrets, discretion, or much modesty with Italian aunts particularly when it comes to handing out unsolicited advice...about any thing and every thing. I'm sure I'll have more on that after the shower on Saturday.

Since I started off talking about breaks I'll leave you with a snippet from one of my all time favorite TV shows...

TRUE BLOOD

I've never read a Charlaine Harris book. I've most certainly heard of Sookie Stackhouse, but nope, never read a book. Now, out of curiosity I watched TRUE BLOOD on HBO last night.

Okay, it's not the greatest show I've ever seen, but I am intrigued. Sufficiently intrigued and interested to probably go read a Sookie book. Sufficiently curious enough to watch another episode.

Go over to the Boob Tube for their thoughts. At least Ames, who did the review, has read Sookie's books.

I don't know how this happened. I don't watch much TV and I don't read Sookie, but I was tuned in. I blame all of YOU out there who've been talking about this series. I'm putty in your hands. It's pitiful.

SpRiNg FeVeR!!

For all of you who still have snow, I send my sincerest sympathy. We've been having lovely weather. Well I'll amend that to say lovely weather when the darn wind isn't blowing. Easter Sunday was one of those picture perfect days weather wise. Anyway, I frequently say Fall is my favorite season. It is in many ways. But every year at the beginning of Spring I get a fever for heat. Yeah, H-E-A-T.

Feel free to remind me of this post when we are having 110 degree weather this summer and I'm begging for a respite. In the meantime I got a fever. Spring fever. Besides wanting to ditch work, do you know what else Spring Fever brings? To quote David Addison from the TV series "Moonlighting", "Do bees bee? Do bears bear?"

Or, as Michael Buble sings, 'what a lovely way to burn...'

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Yes, folks, I watched 2 hours and 45 minutes of John Adams last night on HBO so my head is still a bit in that time period.

Since I'm fascinated by the incredible confidence and strength of conviction of our founding fathers I'll continue watching the mini-series. However, if you are a viewer who needs "a little less talk and a lot more action" this series is probably not for you. It's a bit more cerebral than I was expecting and very realistic to the times. People look a bit grubby and worn around the edges as we can only imagine they actually were.

Stuff I didn't know: That John Adams was a lawyer. I knew he was a farmer. I knew he opposed slavery. I didn't know he practiced the law and revered it so.

Stuff that amazed me: Abigail Adams staying at home for months (and years) on end running the family farm and raising 4 children virtually alone. Can you imagine running a farm in the late 1770s? No slaves. The occasional hired hand. That's it. You and four children. Whenever I read about the lives of women in a prior time period I realize what a wimp I am when I complain. Abigail Adams was an incredible woman.

Standouts: Laura Linney as Abigail Adams.

Through the letters and diaries of both John and Abigail Adams we know what a close, passionate and truly devoted couple they were. A true partnership in every sense of the word. It is also evident how much John valued Abigail's opinion and intelligence. John a man before his times. I don't think there was a thought, opinion, or advice John Adams trusted more than Abigail's. Smart man. Abigail Adams was the wife and mother of a President. Boo-yah Barbara Bush!

So all in all it's a good mini-series. Full of historical fact and accuracy. A bit slow moving because it is mostly talk and re-creation of pivotal events in our nations formation. My prediction is that it will get mixed reviews. Who knows. Maybe as the series moves into the period of the Revolutionary War the action will pick up.

So...did you watch?

Okay, what did you watch last night? McMurtrys' cowboys? An Extreme Makeover?

Or, were you like me and watched the first installment of The Complete Jane Austen, Persuasion on Masterpiece Classics? What did you think? I quite liked Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Wentworth. Sally Hawkins was also good as Anne Elliot. They were both a lot less repressed than when Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds played the parts in the 1995 version. Although I've watched the 1995 version a few times and liked it quite a bit too. Sophie Thompson as Mary Musgrove in the 1995 version was stellar the whiney, hypochondriac sister of Anne. I just found out today reading her bio that she's Emma Thompson's younger sister.

BTW, did you see Giles (actor Anthony Head) from Buffy as Anne Elliot's insufferable father? Wasn't he good? Hard to believe his U.S. career started with coffee commercials isn't it? Take a look if you dare.






Next week is Northanger Abbey which I am not familiar with at all. I'm sort of excited to see it for the first time. I've never seen an adaptation or read the book. So I'm very curious about it.

A Butler and A Book

So, I dragged my dear sweet Baboo (code for GG) to see P.S. I Love You this weekend. The movie can be best characterized as sweet I think. It was a good movie. Not great, but good. That could be because I'm not Hilary Swank's greatest fan, I'm not sure. The scenes with Ms. Swank and Gerard Butler however were crackling. I only wish they had more screen time together because they really lit it up. Or, maybe I can be as blunt as the delightfully witty Denise Hennessey played by Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe of Friends fame) and talk about the yummy men in this movie.

Let's list the lucious male eye candy shall we? First off there's James Marsters (Buffy's Spike) a darling brunette chauffeur and best buddy to Gerard Butler's Gerry Kennedy.

Are you like me and a Rescue Me fan? If you are you will be happy to know that Dean Winters better known as Tommy Gavin's (Denis Leary) little brother on the show makes a small but memorable appearance.

Then the affable and always likable Harry Connick Jr. plays bartender Daniel Connelly who meets Holly (Hilary Swank) at her husband's wake. What a way to start a relationship, huh?

Intense, cute and dimpled Jeffrey Dean Morgan is in the movie. You might remember him as the rich guy who died and left Izzy (Grey's Anatomy) millions. He appears here as a hunky Irish pub singer, William.

I actually turned to my husband at least three times (it was probably six, but whose counting) and said inane things like "Oh my God look at those eyes." Who am I talking about? Why no other than ferocious King Leonidas (300), the tormented Phantom (Phantom of the Opera) himself, Gerard Butler.

Because I love you here's the trailer. Yeah, I gots me a new crush and his name is Gerard Butler.




Okay, I'm moving on, but it's not easy.

I read the Cheyenne McCray book, MOVING TARGET. Well, I should revise that to say I read it...sort of.

Remember how I said she was hit or miss for me? Well, this one was a miss. There's a pretty decent story premise here involving the Russian Mob and witness protection. I give her props for doing research on the Witness Security Program by the U.S. Marshal's office. Unfortunately, this book just lacked depth. There weren't enough layers to the story or the characters in my opinion. After reading about two-thirds of it page for page I ended up skimming the last third just to get to the end. I think this was my last try with Ms. McCray. Which sort of makes me sad because I like her...at least her online persona. So naturally, I want to like her books too. Not so this time. Bummer.

Birthdays, TV, and Questions

Just a quick check in. Sunday we worked at the Secret Santa for our local school kids at Wal-Mart for four hours. GG & I had our birthday on Monday. We both had the day off so that was cool. We did a little Christmas baking but mostly just enjoyed being together.

Yesterday, the 18th was my sister's birthday. Of course throw in some work, Shmoo taking his finals this week and the major holiday that's coming up in six days and you can see life's been pretty full. Not that I imagine it's been any less for all of you.

I have TEMPTED (by Megan Hart) sitting on my desk waiting for me to write the review. I hope to have that up. Tomorrow? Maybe?

Some quick questions for you.

1. Did anyone see the BIGGEST LOSER finale last night? Didn't Julie look awesome? Those twins kicked some booty didn't they? GG predicted they would both be the winners. Of course as soon as you saw them it was pretty obvious they'd done well. Sheesh. 51% of their body fat. They are literally half the person they used to be. Julie too. Neil looks like a completely different person. I bet people he used to know don't even recognize him.

2. Okay, how about ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS? I think they did a good job with the chipmunks. They were so cute. Of course stupid script, but we enjoyed it. We ended up going with our boys, both girlfriends and one other of Beanie's friends. That was lots of fun. Worth seeing for cute factor and nostalgia, but if you aren't into that...wait for the DVD.

3. Have you tried some new fantastic Christmas treat? I have! One of my co-workers brought in chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips. I've had other versions of this cookie before, but these were just the right amount of chocolate and not overwhelming with the peanut butter chips. Since I sit at the end of the cubicle row she wanted to leave them on my filing cabinet. Uh, yeah...NO! Way too much temptation.

My list of Twelve Books I Can't Wait for in 2008 is up at TGTBTU or Sybil's as I refer to it. Paranormals, historicals, westerns... Huh, imagine that. Of course it starts off with TEMPTED. Yeah, yeah, I'll post up my review. Really, I will.

Take care out there. It's busy and crazy.

Editorial Reply

It's been one of those kind of weeks.

Thinking, TV, brownies, but no reading...

Life is busy. Are you sick of my saying that? Well I'm sick of me saying that. Things just seem to be on fast forward all of a sudden. I haven't read since I posted on Monday. But I want to thank you all for your great suggestions, it got my curiosity sparked and I'm interested in a couple of things.

The possibilities are varied. My next possible reads:

BLOODFEVER by Karen Marie Moning

LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS by CL Wilson

THE HORSEMAN by Jillian Hart

MAD DASH by Patricia Gaffney

One of the books in my TBR by Karen Rose

I had a grand time making the rounds today. I laughed quite a bit. Here are some posts worth checking out if you haven't already:

Zeek's post had a cute Christmas message. Loved it. I only wish I could actually send it in a card. Lisabea's post answering Sarah McCarty's ice breaker questions from eHarlequin was great, witty, clever and funny. Sarah had some really, really great questions. I'd love to use them at a SoCal Blogger meet up.

I also really enjoyed and got a hoot out of Jennifer Crusie's post. When you get to the part about the commune...well just be prepared. And finally, I'm tooting my own horn a little bit here, because she refers to a conversation we had at lunch on Monday, but check out SL Wendy's post about how an oldie might not be a goodie any more.

While I haven't done any more reading since last I posted, I did catch HEROES on Monday night. Isn't it always the way? Right after I complain how the series has pretty much sucked this season the last two episodes have rocked. I always know the series is cooking when my family is discussing and debating theories two days later. Shmoo is completely disgusted with my thoughts (Adam is a bad guy and tricking Peter) and has quite a theory of his own. It's loaded with lots of conjecture and subplots. I can't believe how much time and conversation we've devoted to the topic.

I'm thinking some of my malaise might be due to only going swimming once last week. Once your body gets used to a regular workout and you stop I think the muscles are talking to the bones and the bones to the heart and the heart to the brain and they all want to know why the hell they aren't getting any exercise. GG and I are back on the bandwagon this week. Who knew one week off would make such a difference?

Final note. We watched BIGGEST LOSER last night. Before I continue, I want to point out this is NOT a TV show I would ordinarily seek out and watch. However, once you tune-in it is morbidly fascinating and compelling. Go figure. Which is really curious for me because for the most part I can't stand any of the reality shows. Anyway, show of hands...was anyone else as thrilled as we were to see Amy go last night? Halleluia!! Although kudos to her for her end of show 'how they are doing now' segment where it showed she lost 100 pounds. I give credit where it's due even to lying, scheming witches.

Remember my post on the fabulous brownies? Well, I've made them several more times and they are still fabulous and yummy. Why mention them now? I'm chewing chocolatey goodness as I type this.

My October Reading List and What the Cat Dragged In

Ummmm...yeah, we don't have a cat. Shmoo is allergic and GG doesn't like 'em so that title is just a tease and I'm a dork.

Later than usual I know, but here's my October reading list.

An Enchanted Season - An anthology with Maggie Shayne, Nalini Singh, Erin McCarthy, and Jean Johnson
Decadent - Shayla Black
Caine’s Reckoning - Sarah McCarty
Secrets Volume 9 Anthology - Kimberly Dean, Kathryn Dubois, Bonnie Hamre, and Lisa Marie Rice
Trouble - Sasha White
Return to Me - Julia Templeton
Evermore - Lynn Viehl
Dark Hunter - Christine Feehan (Manga Version)
Mine Til Midnight - Lisa Kleypas
Beauty and the Black Sheep - Jessica Bird
His Comfort and Joy - Jessica Bird
All About Men - Shannon McKenna Anthology
Forbidden - Suzanne Brockmann
Demon’s Captive - Stephanie Snow
Demons on Horseback:Nate - Beth Williamson
Bring It - Louisa Trent
Lord of the Fading Lands - CL Wilson
Ice Storm - Anne Stuart
Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night - Kresley Cole

Nineteen books read. Three of the books are e-books. For the first time in over a year I had several new-to-me authors. The new ones were Wilson, Williamson, Snow, Templeton, White and Black. I got one ARC and won a couple of other books. Overall October was a pretty darn good month. Favorite read of the month would have to be EVERMORE by Lynn Viehl. I can't wait for it to come out so we can all talk about it.

Now for the stuff the cat dragged in...I suppose since I'm writing this I'M the cat. Hmmm....food for thought that.

Work is crazy busy. Home is crazy busy. New tires yesterday on one car...new brakes today on another. Thank God we don't have car payments. Cars have been a real trial in 2007. Speaking of which, there is some good news relating to cars. We think we've finally gotten the settlement finalized with the insurance company handling Shmoo's car accident which was over 8 months ago. It's going to be a relief to not have to deal with it every month. Halleluia!

On the TV front: Finally! We had a half way decent HEROES episode last night. Praise be. Hopefully we will get a couple more good eppys in before they go on holiday hiatus.

Reading update: I just finished Suzanne Brockmann's ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT and am looking forward to starting A GENTLE RAIN by Deborah Smith. It came in the mail while we were out of town. I also picked up a couple of Jillian Hart westerns at the UBS after reading this review by SL Wendy a couple of weeks ago.

My sister emailed me her pictures from our trip to Las Vegas. The picture of the birthday people and the nieces and nephews have been replaced. Hers were much better. I'm leaving you with this photo. For some reason our family likes to take photos where we are either making weird faces, tickling one another, or in this case pinching each others arses. Check it out.

(click to see larger)

North and South - Part Deux

So the long awaited DVD arrived. NORTH AND SOUTH the BBC version was in my mailbox yesterday afternoon. Okay I exaggerate when I say long awaited because it was really only a week, but it seemed like a long time waiting and checking the mailbox. Of course I had to watch it right away. Which means dinner last night was comprised of sandwiches and fruit.

I enjoyed the 4-hour mini series greatly. My only wish was for Richard Armitage to have more screen time. Talk about brooding! Whew! I don't think there's a woman alive that wouldn't react to that intensity. I gotta go find what else he's been in.

Aside from the longing looks and subtle love story this is also a history lesson about the industrial revolution in England and the beginnings of changes in the class system. I'll be watching it again soon to catch stuff I might have missed the first time around.

If you like period pieces, costume drama, and romance you might like this one.

Final thought for Mondays...why am I still watching HEROES?

North and South

No not the American mini-series with Patrick Swayze based on the books by John Jakes. Although, if you like Civil War stories I recommend the books. GG and I both loved them when they came out some 18 years ago. Since they are historical they stand up pretty well.

No I'm talking about the BBC series. I just ordered the DVD from Amazon. KristieJ wrote about the series last week and it piqued my interest. Today I read her post insinuating that Richard Armitage, the male lead in the BBC North and South is her idea of Derek Craven from Lisa Kleypas' DREAMING OF YOU. You may have heard something about the current blogosphere debate about Derek versus Sebastian and who is the more fabulous of the two. Being firmly in the Sebastian St. Vincent from DEVIL IN WINTER camp Kristie's pictures and teasers nudged me to further check out this guy, Richard Armitage and the series. All of which lead me on a North and South google odyssey culminating in my ordering the darn thing. In the name of research people. It's in the name of research.

This long movie, or short mini series, looks very very good. Just how many times do you see a 5 star rating at Amazon when there are 216 reviews? Not many. About as often as I spend an afternoon googling and then providing more links in a single post than anyone would possibly bother with. Obsessions are a bitch aren't they? Or should I say curiosity killed the cat. Either way it isn't pretty.

Clueless in Cali

I think I've been watching TV. Scary that. You might wonder why I'm so unsure? Well, I frequently am snuggled up with GG while HE is watching TV and I'm reading. Most of the time I can tune things out. But, I've found it's not easy snuggling up to someone tensed up over an AB for Cabrera or Blake or Rodriguez... Or a guy wondering if Paul Byrd is going to be able to pitch 6 innings against the Red Sox.

What's scary about that is that I didn't know any of these names two weeks ago. But poor ole GG who grew up near Cleveland, Ohio, is a beleaguered fan of the Browns and the Indians.

Last night the Cleveland Indians clinched a trip to the World Series. Ordinarily this would not impact me or my life an iota. However, since I realized the tbr isn't shrinking, I'm still reading C.L. Wilson's THE LORD OF THE FADING LANDS I'm pretty certain I've had my eyes on the boob tube and not a book.

I'm either going to have to go into another room, a girl's gotta read after all, or give in to the torture of watching the World Series with the guy I live with. If they lose, it will be ugly, but if they win...

***ETA***

Thanks to Super Wendy my true cluelessness has been revealed. Apparently the Indians have NOT clinched a trip to the World Series yet. They have a day off today and will play the Red Sox again on Thursday where I hope for GG's sake they win their trip to the World Series. I must have been doing some reading in there after all.