Reading, Baseball, A New Adventure, Knotts Scary Farm, HEAs, & Swimming

I finally started my ARC of EVERMORE by Lynn Viehl today. I'm 60 pages in and loving it. Boy that woman can write. This is another series that has stayed high in quality, remained consistent and still manages to have something new to add to the mix with each book. Feels great. I'm smiling typing this and can't wait to get back to reading it.

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So the Cleveland Indians have to keep things interesting by NOT clinching a trip to the World Series at home and traveling back to Boston. Good thing we had swimming tonight because GG was strung tight as a drum when we left at the end of the 4th inning. The score was 2 to 1 Boston. When we got home the game was over and Cleveland had lost 7-1. I think I'll be in a different room on Saturday when they play again. Beanie is working the night shift and he was making phone calls and texting to check on the score. God help us all...okay ME...if the Indians don't manage to win one more game and move on.

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A new adventure awaits over the horizon for me. I was recently asked to be a monthly contributor to the Readers Gab blog over at Access Romance. I will join the illustrious ranks of Kristie, Robin, Tara, and JMC sometime in November. I'm extremely flattered and want to do a good job for them. Besides I count on you all to let me know how I'm doing. You wouldn't let me make a monkey of myself...would you?

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If you saw the title to this post you saw KNOTTS SCARY FARM. I'm sure you will be shocked to learn that Shmoo decided that GG & I could drive he and GF #1 to Knotts tonight. Of course this was one of the compromises offered earlier in the week that he initially turned down. Have I mentioned the kid drives us nuts? Anyway, all's well that ends well. I actually went over to GF #1's house and met her parents today. Very nice people. Since Shmoo and GF #1 seem to have patched things up and he's annoyed with GF #2 I'm thinking meeting her parents is a good thing. Or maybe I'm just happy because there's been no drama this week. Praise be.

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I was over at Bam's yesterday and read this post about HEA's of our favorite romance couples. In her remarks Bam mentioned one of my all time favorite couples Roanna and Webb from SHADES OF TWILIGHT by Linda Howard. Those of you who visit here frequently know that this is one of my most beloved romance novels. It is also one of the few I've read more than once, or twice for that matter. Anyway, I couldn't resist posting my thoughts on what I think happened to them after the book ends... You're dying to know aren't you? To save you a click here's what I said.

Webb and Roanna are one of my very fave couples. Since this is one of the few books I’ve read more than once I have given their future some thought.

Of course they have two little Tallants which Webb is thrilled about because he has a little Webb to raise to take over the family dynasty. Although Roanna has her horses as a diversion she gets distressed as Webb begins to drift further and further away as he obsesses over business. It isn’t until he realizes that Roanna is spending a lot of time with the new trainer and taking trips entering the horses in high stakes races that Webb wakes up and begins to court and woo her like she deserved to be the first time around.

I blame my mother for this. She's the one who'd sit with us and people watch and make up stories and HEAs about people all the time. It's why I don't particularly like epilogues in books. I'd rather think up my own future for the characters.

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Last and certainly not least. Swimming. We've been steadily increasing the number of lengths of the pool we swim each week. One length is 25 meters for all of you with inquiring minds. Anyway, I used to be just wiped out after doing 10 lengths waaaaay back on June 4th when we started lap swimming. Now we are up to 40 lengths of the pool. FORTY people. It takes GG and I about 30 to 35 minutes of steady swimming to do this.

Anyway, tonight for some reason I started wheezing and having a tough time breathing. This happened one time before and I wrote it off as a fluke. I pushed myself and got 32 lengths in tonight. GG, of course, did his 40. All of which is irrelevant to my question for all your bright people out there. Has anyone ever had something like that happen? Wheezing starts and then labored breathing? It just exhausted me and I was pretty wiped out when swimming usually energizes me. We have a lot of asthma in my family and my Dad didn't get his until his 60s. You think it could be asthma? I know maybe I should go see my doctor, but I figure third time's the charm. I'll go if it happens again...or one of you gives me a diagnosis. So? What do you think?

This...That...and the Other...

I'm just dropping in to catch up with everyone. I'm still having internet problems and still looking for a new provider. *insert shrieking shrew* I haven't had time to return calls and schedule anything with possible new providers because it's been one of those extra busy weeks. What with everybody working, fewer cars and more
shuttling around town things have been hectic.

So Beanie's without a car. The insurance company decided his car is a total loss. *groan* I doubt the settlement will be enough to get what I would consider a decent and safe car. Beanie saved and bought this last one all on his own. He'll be doing that again but will probably save for a few months to add to the insurance kitty before making another used car purchase. Four people, four divergent schedules and two cars. Should be interesting around here the next couple of months. I'm praying there's no blood shed.

My father-in-law and his wife will be here for the weekend. They are absolutely delightful and we are anxious to see them. Keeping the house clean and the laundry caught up AND trying to decide what to feed them when it's so dang hot outside is another story. If anyone has a relatively easy meal for hot weather that requires little to no actual cooking, please post it or email me the recipe. The last thing I want to do when it's 102 degrees out is turn on the stove or oven.

Between work, helping Beanie with his insurance stuff (being his first accident and all), preparing for this visit and the *expletive deleted* internet problems it's been a bit of a busy week. It also means I haven't had much time to make the rounds or comment. I'm doing my best to keep up with most of your posts, but I'll have to hold off on commenting until things slow down around here.

I'm reading TIED TO THE TRACKS by Rosina Lippi and enjoying it very much. I remember vaguely someone mentioning the book before, but it was Marg's review and link to the excerpt that sold me. Thanks Marg! I didn't catch it the first time through but your follow up in June finally clicked. Seeing as how I'm so darn tired, I haven't had that much time for reading either. But I'm looking forward to things slowing down and returning to a somewhat normal routine next week. I only read 15 books in July. I read 20 in June. As each month in 2007 passes I seem to be buying more books and reading less. A bit out of kilter for me. Although I'm thinking the slow down is just the nature of my life right now so I'm going with it as the reason. It's a lot less stress that way and has the added plus of being something I don't have to worry about.

My friend Steadman lives in Minnesota. When I saw the news yesterday about the bridge I sent off an email to her. Fortunately she and all her family are all fine. Her son and daughter, who both live on their own, travel across that bridge daily. Her daughter made some other plans yesterday or she would have been in the rush hour traffic on her way home with all the other drivers on that bridge. This has been much on my mind. I love the water. I love swimming in it. However, I would not like being trapped in my car under water. I wonder if I could keep my head and be able to get out. There was one gentleman interviewed who said most people panic. He demonstrated for the newscaster what one should do in that circumstance and used an acronym, POGO. Which is basically Pop the window; roll it down if you can, if you can't roll it, break it out; Out of the car; and GO, which is swim away. Could you do it? Could you keep a cool head as you car fills with water?

While making my rounds I found this important link on Giselle's blog today. Take a second and go check it out. It's worth your time, effort and energy. It's about you, me, our sisters, our mothers, our friends. It's about people we know and love like our own fabulous Jenster.

Well, I'm dead tired. I'd better get this posted and drag myself off to bed. I will probably be scarce over the weekend since we'll be busy with our guests. Take it easy out there and stay cool. I leave you with this because it just ain't summer without a trip to the beach!

Ponderin'

PINKY & THE BRAIN
ANIMANIACS
Warner Brothers & Steven Spielberg


16 May 98 - Brain Food
"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
(Pinky) Whoof, oh, I'd have to say the odds of that are terribly slim Brain.
(Brain) True.
(Pinky) I mean, really, when have I ever been pondering what you've been pondering?
(Brain) To my knowledge, never.
(Pinky) Exactly. So, what are the chances that this time, I'm pondering what you're pondering?
(Brain) Next to nil.
(Pinky) Well, that's exactly what I'm thinking, too.
(Brain) Therefore, you *are* pondering what I'm pondering.
(Pinky) Poit, I guess I am!

I have no expectations that people are pondering what I'm pondering at any given time or on any given day. However, here's what's been racing around my gray matter the past few days.

GRIEF
As I've mentioned before when some tragedy happens in the world. It is sometimes pretty unbearable to watch or read the news about those happenings. However, I feel the least we can do is bear witness as citizens of the world and do what we can within our small sphere of influence to change things.

Today I'm full of grief for the family and friends of the people who were murdered at Virginia Tech yesterday. I grieve for my country that refuses to make the changes we need to with regard to gun laws. The Bill of Rights giving us the "right to bear arms" is over 230 years old. We live in a different time and century. We have to do something to stop the violence. Is it more important to perserve the right to carry a gun than to have a free, safe and open society?

PRIDE
Sometimes I shake my head and lack the understanding for the fights and muckraking out here in the blogosphere. Conversely I'm pretty proud to be a part of a community that has taken on the tough subject and discussions that have been raised recently with the rape/forced sex issue brought up with the current release of CLAIMING THE COURTESAN by Anna Campbell. Yes, there are as many opinions as there are people, but most of what I've read while put in strong terms has been a free and open dialogue without personalizing it or name calling. If for some reason you have seen where the conversation broke down and got nasty, please don't link or mention it here. I've been happy to see the topic discussed intelligently without deteriorating to generalities and snark. Some of the sites where I've seen good posts and discussion are: Dear Author, Wendy aka Super Librarian and Argh Ink (Jennifer Crusie).

SOMETIMES
How many times have I put clothes from the washing machine to the dryer? I've been married 26 years. I have one husband and two children. I do laundry a couple of times a week. So how many times? Sometimes I'm shaking and tossing clothes into the dryer with impatience, sometimes resentment, and sometimes with a joyful thanks that I have these people to do laundry for. Sometimes, like today I feel connected to all the women of the world who are beating their clothes against rocks, walking miles to get water to do wash, carting clothes to a laundry mat, or like me walking out into their garage laundry room to wash their family's clothes. As different as we are, we are also the same.

REVIEWS
In my blog travels today Marg mentioned she was caught up with her reviews. I asked her if she had review deadlines, was reviewing for other publications or organizations or if she reviewed everything she read. She answered that she reviews everything she reads. Holy crap!! Was my thought when I read her reply. I have no where near the patience, talent or perseverance to review every book I read. In fact the thought of doing that is overwhelming. My current book count for the year is 113. There have been 107 days in 2007 and I've read 113 books. Yes, I had a truly slothful January and read like crazy. Yes, there are some shorty ebooks in there, but as you can see this comes to more than a book a day. I can't imagine trying to review them all. Kudos, to you Miss Marg. I admire you greatly for your steadfastness and your reviews. I love reading your reviews and other readers who are as prolific in their book reviews. Sadly, I will never be among your ranks.

However, I am going to be posting my thoughts on Linda Howard's latest Silhouette Nocturne in the next couple of days. I read it over the weekend. Anybody else had a chance to read it yet?

That about covers this series of ponderings. God knows what it will be next.

Achtung Baby!

No I'm not going to talk about music, or U2 in particular. Just a few things on my mind today.

On Reading. So I've been clipping along reading like mad and all the sudden two days ago, Friday to be exact, I can't get into a book. I've probably picked up about 10 different books trying to get into something and I got nuthin'. No spark of interest at all. So maybe I just need a breather.

On Bridget Jones. I'm one of those people who liked the Bridget Jones movies. Certainly I didn't enjoy the second installment as much as the first, but what's not to like about Colin Firth and Hugh Grant? I remember feeling after the second movie a vague sense of dissatisfaction with it. So it was quite nice the other night to see it on TV and start to sort of get into it. Instead of starting to watch it in the middle I put in my DVD and watched the whole thing. I quite enjoyed it. Maybe I was just in the right mood to get into it this time, or maybe I had too high expectations when it had its theatrical release. At any rate, I sure liked it this time around.

On Book Buying. I was looking over my list of books releasing in the next couple of months and three books popped out at me:

April 3rd
Ice Blue - Anne Stuart

May 1st
Night Lost - Lynn Viehl
Rainbow Inferno (Sil Nocturne) - Linda Howard

Home Alone. Unexpectedly today TGILW and I will be home...together...in our very own house...ALL BY OURSELVES! My oldest son has to work and my younger son went to the beach with his cousins. Even with only two kids we rarely have the house to ourselves. I have lots of family in the area, my kids have lots of friends. It just seems like there is always something going on. We are pretty excited to be alone but I'm not supposed to say anything out loud because TGILW is afraid we will jinx it.

Time to ta-tah if I'm going to get some quality together time with the guy I live with.

I'm Alive!

Have you ever gone some where for Christmas? You know, pack up the kids, the presents and gone out of town for Christmas? We haven't done it for years mostly because when we did try it years ago, when the kids were small, it wasn't fun. They missed being home and having Christmas in their own house. Now they are older and really excited about going to northern California to celebrate Christmas with my brother and his family and extended family by way of in-laws. We love it up there and I have to say I'm looking forward to it too.

This means however that normal Christmas routine has been sped up a bit in order for us to leave here on December 22nd. Normally the 22nd is about the time I start dropping Christmas gifts off to places like my drycleaners, my hair stylist, etc. Usually everything is pretty paced and I get a chance to really enjoy the whole holiday season, but this year has just been a whirlwind. Instead of watching the parade I feel like I'm in it!

I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel though and anxious to catch up with all of you. You will probably see me start popping in and commenting again. It will probably be after the holidays before I'm back in my groove with book reviews though. I did finally finish DROP DEAD GORGEOUS and enjoyed it. Currently I'm reading EYE OF HEAVEN by Marjorie Liu. So far, so good.

I even made it inside a bookstore for the first time in two weeks yesterday and purchased a couple of books. I picked up Nora Roberts' Circle Trilogy for my son's girlfriend. I already got her a Christmas present, but she's scrounging for something to read and I thought I'd surprise her. We are planning a trip to the UBS during her Christmas break...that should be fun. Another reader to share the addiction with!

Thanks for all your comments. It's remarkable how cheering it is when I receive a comment in my email from one of you. Kristie, I have switched to beta and I'm sorry you are having such a tough time commenting. I hope it gets better.

I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season! See you around campus.

I'm Schizo

NOBODY ASKED ME, but here are some of the many things rattling around in my head this morning:

Books, books, and more books. I have to say, and this is pretty incredible, but I am drowning in more books than I ever have at any other time in my life. I've been busy with real life events and I can't remember the last time I went a WHOLE WEEK without reading. Yes, you read that right -- one whole week! Pretty weird. Since I've read over 100 books since July that comes to some 5 to 6 books a week. Going on two weeks without much reading, I figure I'm about 9 books behind. All of which adds up to a horrendous stack of books next to my bed. Time to sort and organize...I can't stand the chaos. Of course, that didn't stop me from making a few purchases last night.

1. DROP DEAD GORGEOUS by Linda Howard. I've actually started this one and I'm into it.

2. EYE OF HEAVEN by Marjorie M. Liu. I've really enjoyed her books and am anxious to read this latest installment in the Dirk & Steele series.

3. The Nightwalkers: JACOB by Jacquelyn Frank. I've heard so many different things about this book and debated buying it after the review at Dear Author, but at the end of the day decided I wanted to read and see for myself.

4. PLEASURE FOR PLEASURE by Eloisa James. I was irked after the last book The Taming of the Duke, but I have enjoyed her books for the most part and couldn't NOT read this last installment of this current series.


Birthday Party. How cool is it that we are invited to my son's girlfriend's birthday? Makes me happy. I've mentioned a time or two that she's one great young woman (a reader!!). My son just recently told me...are you ready for this?...she reads Harlequin Blaze books but hides them from her friends. Sound familiar? Anyway, I told him she can borrow from my library any time she wants because she's only 17 and saving for college so she's got a pretty limited book budget. Of course, there are some limits to what I'd feel comfortable with her borrowing. Although, her Mom seems alot like mine was and doesn't appear to sensor her reading. What do you think? Let her have carte blanche or make recommendations?


Baby in the microwave. If you are sick of this topic skip reading this, but I've found I just cannot stop thinking about this. That happens to me sometimes. This mother who allegedly microwaved her one month old baby was just indicted this week a year after the infant's death. The news article I read said they had scientific proof that proved this woman, who brought the baby to an ER with a high body temperature, had put the baby in a microwave.

I have so many questions about this whole incident. Sometimes things come up in the news that I just get obsessed with. This woman has three other children. What made her snap with this infant? She was out to dinner earlier in the evening with the baby's father (husband?), why is she being charged? Maybe Dad did it. No, not more palatable, but why are they charging Mom? And finally, what scientific proof do you have that a one month old was in a microwave? Freaky, scary and while I'm wondering...I don't REALLY want to know. Know what I mean?


Procrastinating. This is not usually me. In fact, I'm a person who wants to get the list done so I'm free to do what I want, like READ. Recently I've found myself procrastinating. I'm blaming it on lots of things, but think it's really about fear. You know, putting off something because one is afraid they are going to fail or suck at something. Unfamiliar territory for me, the procrastinating, not the fear. Fear and worry are very good friends of mine. Sometimes I kick their butts and sometimes they kick mine.


Okay, speaking of procrastinating I have laundry and dust bunnies telling me to get my butt out of this desk chair and get to work.

Trying to Catch Up

I've got a stack of books to add to my book journal. I still haven't tagged all my older posts, and I'd like to write a few reviews of the books I've read recently, but I'm beating off the natives for a chance to use the computer these days. Bear with me as I try to keep up with you all and also try to get a new post up every now and again. Hopefully once the kids get this ration of papers completed I can return to the regularly scheduled programming.

Who's still watching HEROES? Is that show not getting more intriguing or what? We've taken to saying "Save the cheerleader. Save the world." around here. Hey CindyS my younger son is ready to bash in the TV every time they break for commercials. We think there are too damn many. Has anybody Tivo'd it yet so you can tell us what the show's actual running time is without commercials? I'd be curious to know without actually having to do it myself.

I'm off to bed right now as it is 3:11 a.m. because after midnight was the first time Monday (yes, I know it's really Tuesday now) that I could get on the computer. Below is my 'GRAB THAT BOOK' contribution. The posts have been fun to see and read. So if you haven't done it...to steal Ames' line, consider yourself tagged!

Etc. Etc. Etc.

Hey everyone, long time no blog. Yeah I know it's only Saturday and I have a post from Wednesday but that is one hellacious long time in the blogosphere. How do I know? Because I've spent the better part of the day trying to get to all my usual haunts and catch up with what you all have been doing. Reading three days worth of posts on the 30 some odd blogs I regularly visit not to mention the links and news and email I get distracted by, well let's just say it's been a daunting task.

Right now my sons are giving me all kinds of crap for monopolizing my computer. Puh-leeze. It's so hard not to go off on a parental riff from my past, but then if I did that I would be channeling my parents ::shudder:: that I just can't bring myself to do. I just told number one son to come back in twenty minutes when I have my post done and he just sighed and shook his head. They treat me like a crack cocaine addict and I haven't been on the damn computer for three and a half days. I'm bravely staring at the screen and continuing to type and staying silent and stoic. Heeeheee...it worked, he's stormed out of the room.

Which brings me to the next subject which is the new family member, one little puppy named Emily. Okay the dog is not even my full responsibility, son number two has taken to calling her "my dog" and does a credible job of handling most of the doggie duties, but he does go to school and yesterday they were both at Disneyland from dawn until dawn again. When numero dos isn't TGILW and I share the puppy sitting duties. Let me just say a baby puppy is exhausting! She's sweet, she's cute, but she needs an awful lot of attention and damn it I have things to do. One big point in her favor? She'll lay quietly next to me for an hour at a time and doze or just cuddle while I read. Yes, one smart little puppy. We've also made two trips to PetsMart in two days and bought more stuff for this dog... We're pathetic really.

I have been doing some reading. I just finished Emma Holly's PRINCE OF ICE. With people breathing down my neck to get on the computer I'm not providing any links and will hopefully try to review it in the next couple of days. It will also give me a chance to let my thoughts simmer for a while.

I can't believe it is already less than two weeks until Thanksgiving and about six weeks until Christmas!! Yikes, not THAT calls for some major list making. I've just gotten into the habit of writing 2006 instead of 2005 and in no time will have to try and remember it is 2007!

On Book Bitches blog I stumbled on the happy news that Susan Elizabeth Phillips will have a new release on February 6, 2007. That's just around the corner. I saved the link for the excerpt because I was going to send it to my sister, another big SEP fan, but decided she can find it here because I'm too lazy at this point to send her an email.

Hopefully there will be no fallout since I switched to Beta today. I have my fingers crossed all goes well and I don't regret it. I've always longed to have tags to help me search for info I have in previous posts. I will probably take a page out of Marg's book and go back through my posts and tag everything. I love lists and files...

I'm counting on this next week to be better than this last one and I'll be back on track which means I'll get back on my schedule. New puppies, parties, and job snafus wreak havoc with life. I haven't done any yoga for three days and THAT my friends is not good. A schedule of sorts let's me do all the things I want to without turning me into a raving maniac or a zombie.

Lastly, remember a while ago when I blogged about a special friend and mentioned it was time for us to get together? Not only has Steadman finally commented on my blog (I'm still in shock), but I'm going to be seeing her in Las Vegas next weekend!!! Woo Hoo! Thank God our husbands get along well because we will probably have an alcoholic beverage or three and talk our heads off. I can't wait! Just couples, no kids.

Of course, this could throw off the whole week's schedule...but what's that saying? Oh yeah...BUT WHAT A WAY TO GO!

ONE

My family are supporters of One.org. We joined last year when we went to the U2 concert because Bono was one of the organizers. I really liked their new promotion. Take a look if you haven't seen it already.

I'll be busy this weekend because it's my son's birthday on Saturday and we are having a birthday and Halloween party. Mostly my son's friends and some family too, but I worked today, so I'll be busy getting ready tomorrow.

Jodi tagged me to do the Five Truths meme. I'll try to get to it sometime tomorrow or Saturday.

Everything but the kitchen sink...

John Mayer and Sheryl Crow were fabulous! They both performed great. One of my biggest peeves is when a performer sounds like crap live. I’ve gotten better as I’ve gotten older when listening to the music on CD how much of it’s “canned” and so know to not to expect much in a live performance.

Both of these performers are so reliant on their voices and the music itself. They also come across as very sincere in their performance and interaction with the audience. It must be true because the review in the LA Times this morning agreed with me! *G*

Sheryl looked great and performed mostly her hits which had the crowd standing and singing along. John’s show was a mixture of hits and stuff from his new CONTINUUM CD. I think he has been working on his singing because it seems like his voice range has increased. Of course, the big thing for my two sons is his guitar playing. I know I sound like his mother I’m gushing so much, but for 28 years old that young man is seriously talented.

I can’t help myself…I’m putting in another John Mayer song COME BACK TO BED. It's a fav of the guy I live with. What can I say? I’m on a JM high.

The last book reviews I posted are from books I read about a week and a half ago. With the exception of HOT NIGHT which I reviewed from my new stash, I’m sort of in a reading funk. You know where nothing is connecting. Kind of like Kristie(J) was talking about recently. There are books I want to read in my TBR, but nothing grabbing me.

I’m letting you all know that I’ll be posting another AOL Gold Rush blog…probably tomorrow. I’m in the process of letting AOL know to take me off their blog list because I have so many people coming to my blog looking for help with the game. Crikeys those college kids are bunching together in groups to solve the challenges and you can’t believe the traffic I’m getting. I’m imagining some engineering geek from MIT coming to my site for Gold Rush tips and a romance cover loading. Then again, some of those geeky guys should get a clue and read a romance. While most romance novels hardly reflect “real” life, they sure can give any guy an idea of what women want.

100th Blog Post & Other Random Thoughts

I've noticed alot of people posting random thoughts lately. Is it because our attention span is short waiting for Spring to start? I don't really know, but here I am jumping on the band wagon.

This is my 101st blog! I've already written 100 of them. I still feel like I just started. Of course, I want to jazz up my blog site too, but keep procrastinating. I'm kind of bored with the pink stuff. Hmmm...so why haven't I changed?

Although I didn't have to even wear an overcoat until February, I'm sick of winter. I'm sick of wind and rain. Winter can just go pound sand. Preferably nice warm and tropical sand with lots of sunshine.

Right about now my sister who lives in Montana is shrieking at this post and probably giving me the cyber equivalent of "the finger". She lives with snow for 6 (or more) months of the year. Snow with three boys 8 years and under who have be bundled head to toe multiple times a day to go outside. Yeah, no sympathy from that quarter about sucky winter weather. Or from my pal Steadman who lives in cheery MINNIE-SO-TAH either.

Do you think Jimmy Smits (as Matt Santos) is going to be elected President on WEST WING? Who is going to be Vice Prez since the actor John Spencer who plays Leo McGarry died? Maybe you don't care, but this program is one of two (HBO'S DEADWOOD being the other) that the guy I live with really likes. Of course, he is a purist and doesn't think the show has been the same since Aaron Sorkin quit producing and writing it...no snap and crackle to the dialogue. However, it is still a show he watches faithfully. So Jimmy Smits or Alan Alda? Wouldn't it be great to actually have candidates like that to chose from? All real politicians seem so slimey. Have they always been that way, or am I just getting more cynical as I get older?

Boy it seems like everybody is blogging book reviews these days. I've found I don't say too much about the books I read unless I really enjoy one. I also realized that I can't do a decent review when I try to write about a book I didn't like. First of all I never can get much beyond: Book Title A by Author X really blows!

It seems I have a hard time putting my finger on what exactly made me not like it. Which brings me to another point. I really enjoy reading other reader reviews where they are very honest and forthright in their reviews whether it is favorable or not. The best ones are able to tell you, usually in a clever way, why they like or dislike a book without either annhilating or gushing over an author. I really appreciate that kind of skill because I don't have it. I revel when a reviewer can capture exactly my thoughts and feelings about a book.

Now in person in the bookstore, just ask me what is a good read and then stand back. I've steered countless unsuspecting women on to Linda Howard, Iris Johansen, Janet Evanovich, Suzanne Brockmann, JD Robb, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, and many, many more. When someone approaches me (I must have one of those "ask me about a good book" faces) I just ask a few questions about what sort of books appeal to them and then point them in the direction of an author I think they'd like. I should get a commission from my local Barnes and Noble!

I actually had one women stop and thank me later for turning her on to Linda Howard. You kidding me? If my house caught fire I'd save my Linda Howard books first...and Sarah McCarty's...and if I had time I'd also save...well lots of other books too but those books for sure. Of course I'd only save the books after I got the guy I live with and the kids out of house first! *g*

I also steer some young women on limited budgets to my favorite used bookstore to find back lists. It's what I did when I was younger with limited cash for books. Now I have a monthly book budget that would feed a family of four...and I buy lots of new books. So I figure I've more than made up for what I bought used.

So much for random thoughts. I kind of got wound up with the whole book review thing didn't I?

The book I'm most anticipating reading? DON'T LOOK DOWN by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer due out April 4th. They are calling it a romantic adventure. It doesn't matter what tag they put on it. I've been so entertained by their writing process and their blog HE WROTE, SHE WROTE that I'm anxious to see what they do when they write a whole book together. Mayhem should ensue. I can't wait!

My youngest son is going to be 16 on April 16th. Does that mean I'm old? No? Okay good,I didn't think so. Poor kid. This is the 3rd time his birthday has fallen on Easter Sunday. He hates that. Maybe we should do something particularly sacriligeous instead. Did I just say that?

This and That

Happy Birthday Annette Michele!





Dull, dreary, worn, depresssing. Blech! Back at work. That's all I'm saying on that subject.

Our Thanksgiving trip was great. Now I'm looking forward to Christmas season. We got our outside Christmas lights up on Sunday. I love seeing the brightly colored lights out. Isn't great seeing houses all lit up?

Now I have lots to do, Christmas shopping and cards. I'm not your bah-humbug type. I love most things about the holidays. Family, shopping, keeping in touch, wrapping gifts, baking. I think the key is not to over-do. Buy and do what you can afford. I just try to remember it is one day of the year and doesn't have to be the day on which the whole year hinges. It really is true that family and friends are the most important part of the holiday. Christmas always reminds me how lucky I am in my friends and family.

Tomorrow is my 25th wedding anniversary. I can hardly believe it. The time has flown by. More importantly, I still not only love my husband, I really like him...well most of the time. ; )

Now the guy I live with made me promise that I would keep our pact and not go buy him some little thing for our anniversary since we are splurging on a new bedroom suite for ourselves. Then he goes and buys me a diamond bracelet!!! Isn't he just the sweetest most wonderful man in the world? Well, he is in MY world that's for sure...and that was before he bought the bracelet. You know I always am amazed at our good fortune in finding one another. Who knew? We were 25 and 27 and thought we knew what we were doing, but you never know what life is going to throw at you. I know I wasn't THAT smart when I was 25 to know that this man was going to be all that he has been the last 25 years. I'm soooooo damn lucky to be with him and well, so happy.

Crap! He is going to read this (eventually) and get a swelled head. Oh well...I guess I can't keep him in the dark forever.

Happy Anniversary Babe! Here's to us and 25 more great years!!!

The best thing about not working...Day One

The best thing about not working...you can still be in your pjs at 2 p.m. even after you took one son to school at 6 a.m. and another son to work at 10 a.m.! So you gotta know I'm loving it...right!

I read a whole e-book this morning. Found a new writer that I like Scottie Barrett. She has a book at Liquid Silver and one at Venus Press.
Her bio says she has a thing for bad boys. Yeah...yeah...yeah, don't we all! The stories were pretty good. CARNAL DECEPTIONS which is the book available at Venus Press is the one I read this morning. The books need a little more meat to 'em but she's great with character and sexual tension. I think she will only get better as she goes along.

Amazingly, I also got two loads of laundry done, balanced the check book, finished shredding our 1997 tax documents and receipts, read a book, did the two kid drop off and pick up AND got my hair cut and colored. What a great first day off!

Of course the plan tomorrow is to sleep, maybe read a little more and then sleep some more. It's somebody else's turn to take the child unit to high school at 6 a.m.

I like having people over...

From the time I was in high school I remember wanting to have a home where people gathered. Friends, family, co-workers, my children's playmates. I wanted my home to be the place where people felt comfortable and at ease. Where my kids could and would invite their friends over.

I've realized recently that this is still an important component of my life. I like nothing better than to have my house filled with people. When I was in my 20's I had to worry about money. When I was in my 30's I had small children and didn't have the time or the energy to have lots of people around. But in the last 10 years I've learned not to worry so much about formal gatherings, matching tablecloths, appropriate centerpieces, etc.

Now I just try to have my home open. A place my nearest and dearest can stop by at any time and be welcomed. I try to have stuff to eat and drink on hand for such occasions. But if I don't, I don't freak out and worry. I remind myself that the people are what makes the moment special, not food you serve.

In any case I really enjoy the spontaneous gatherings to catch up on events and happenings in their lives or just to watch a movie together. I feel lucky to able to look back on a dream that was just an abstract thought in my youth and know that it is a reality in my life today.