Saturday, yea! 6/30/2012...

Happy Saturday Friends,

The last day of June, the month just flew by for me.  Probably because I was gone a portion of it!

The picture at the beginning is another trail at Healdsburg Ridge.  The light & shadows was interesting to me.
Maybe tomorrow I will start posting pictures from the hike with my grandson!

Margie, I was surprised to learn that there was a black sand beach in Marin County.  You will see it when I post the pictures.  There was a sign posted about rip currents so no one was in the water!  Thank heavens, because every year we have deaths along our coastline due to the fact that people ignore the signs & do not pay attention.  Mother Nature can be a nasty b@#$h!!  It sounds like Gavin had a good day.  What fun being able to watch him enjoy himself on a video.  Enjoy your easy Saturday, that is what they are for!  I'm mostly reading today also.

I did go to Farmer's Market this morning.  There is always so good things to entice you to buy too much!  I got cherries (yummy), apricots, lettuce, small yellow crookneck squash to enjoy.  After that I went to Safeway to get the ingredients I did not have for potato salad, milk & some other items I can't get at Farmer's Market.    Yesterday was a mostly quiet day for me.  I did do laundry, read, got the dishes done but mostly took it easy.  Something I do well!!   :-)

Another picture from Healdsburg Ridge...  These maybe weeds but there is something cool & inviting about all that green!

I hope you all are enjoying your Saturday.  Happy reading,
Donna M

Happy Saturday,

Sandi, Happy Anniversary.  Thirty years is a long time. 

Amanda, Enjoy your trip. 

Donna, It sounds like you had a nice hike.  I didn't know there was black sand anywhere around here.  I thought that it was only in Hawaii.  My sister had the day off the other day and took Gavin to the aquarium with our cousins.  After they walked down to an area were the waves were just lapping at the sand and the water was really clear that day.  I was surprised how calm it was in that spot.  G could walk to waste deep without any currents. I saw the video on her camera and he was in heaven. 

I finished The Witness and really enjoyed that one a lot.  Now I am finally reading my Father book but I know I will not finish it in June.  This book is so fat.  There are 572 pages.  I don't have any plans today so I'll just read a bunch.  I could go out and pull some weeds but I'm too lazy.  At least I moped the house and cleaned a bit so now I will just veg out.

Have a Happy Saturday!
Margie

T.G.I.F. 6/29/2012

Good Morning Friends,

Another week that flew by!  The above picture is overlooking Russian River Valley from Healdsburg Ridge. The light green in the center where it is level is all vineyards.

Congratulations Sandi & Mike on 30 years.  Certainly something to be celebrated.  I'm sorry to hear work continues to be frustrating.  Sorry to hear about your heat.  I hate cooking when it gets hot.  Lucky me, I can just fix a good salad & be happy.  Or maybe heat up some leftovers.

It is Friday Amanda, you made it through the week!!  Have fun on your trip.  What is your destination?  I hope you make it to the west coast someday.  There is so much to see & do.  Remember to let me know if it ever happens because I love showing people my corner of the world.

It has been a great week for me.  First, my early morning jaunt on Healdsburg Ridge to take pictures then yesterday I spent the day with my oldest grandson.  We went for a hike in Marin County.  The trail we took is a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  It was an easy hike but a good destination as it ended at a black sand beach with the waves rolling in.  We saw quite a few people taking advantage of the trail & some down on the beach.  It was a wonderful day, sunny, breezy, great company.  I love spending time with any or all of my grand kids.  After the hike, which was about 4 miles round trip, we went to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory.  It is one of the few chain restaurants that I like.  I had a yummy salad then we got cheesecake to go because we were to full to enjoy it then.  I had half of it last night & will indulge in the rest today.  The portions are very generous.  Dustin treated me to lunch also coffee in the morning when we started out.  I was a little sore this morning when I climbed out of bed as it has been awhile since I did 4 miles but as I have moved around all the aches have eased!

Surprise, surprise!  Think sarcastic tone...Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes have split up.  'Nuff said!!

I'm still reading Chasing Fire, it is so good but yesterday I read very little.  Once it is finished I have those 4 library books waiting for me.  Guess what I will do this weekend!!  I hope you all enjoy whatever you do this weekend.

Here is another picture from Healdsburg Ridge.  This is one of the trails.  This is where I was when I took the picture above.

Stay cool or dry whatever fits for wherever you are!  :-) Happy reading,
Donna M

Wednesday night

Happy Hump Day!

Sandi --  Happy 30th anniversary!  That is a long time and don't let anyone tell you different.  Hope you do something fun that keeps you out of the heat.  I've been watching the news with all the heat in the midwest.  Totally ugly.  Sorry your weekend with Brian wasn't better.  Aurora is bowling a summer league and I was there last night.  She finally showed up in the last game with a 211:) 

DonnaM --  As always, the pictures are great!  Makes me want to see them in person, not that that is feasible - sigh.  I can't believe its July next week either.  This year is just flying by (except when I want the work day to end - lol).   Sorry about your boo-boo knee.  Nothing worse than wacking a bone on something.  I usually end up doing that to my toes.  My mom has broke every toe she has (some more than once) like that.

Mary -- Glad your ankle is feeling better.  I think mine is going to be slightly swollen permanently.  It was nice to open the window.  Sure won't be for the next week:(  I think my new plan for the Phils is to not watch.  They seem to win more that way.  Any bets on if Cliff Lee gets a win this year?

Trudy -- So, this guy wanted you to sign a paper because he isn't certified?  Are you getting someone else?  You don't seem to catch a break.  I will click into your site on fb to check out your picks.  FB hasn't let me in yet tonight.

Margie -- Hope you get to use the Disney tixs before the price goes up.  Sorry no one has been nice enough to put up the swing set.  My girls couldn't have one due to living in the mobile park.  I use to take them to the park all the time.  I still love swings.  Hoping to one day buy a swing chair for out front.  Just think of all the books I could read sitting on it:)

So, its been a busy week at work.  Why couldn't they want me to order the chemicals they needed this week last week?  Instead, they come in everyday wanting something ordered to be delivered next day (which can usually happen).  Drives me nuts.  I don't have any plans for the 4th, since we are going away on the 5th.  The week will be too quick, no doubt.

I started reading Tall, Dark and Dead by Tate Hallaway.  It appears to be a first in a series.  Interesting in that the main character, Garnet Lacey, has an inner Goddess in her, that tends to be a bit on the violent side.  Not far into it, but not bad so far.  Its on the humorous side (note the cartoon cover if you look it up).  Has anyone else read her or this series?

Ok, off to do some ironing, as all my shorts are wrinkled and its going to be 92 tomorrow.  Hope everyone has a good rest of the week.

Amanda

Wednesday

HI!  Today after a very frustrating day at work I went and got a haircut.  Came home and started some laundry.  I haven't done any since last week and my hamper shows it!

Donna asked if anyone had plans for the 4th. I don't think we do, but it is our anniversary.  We will be married for 30 years!  I'm sure that's not as long as Mary and her Hubby, but it's pretty darn long!  There have been some days lately where I wonder if we'll make it to that day!  LOL!!!

Ok... Time to check laundry and start dinner.  It's really too hot to cook, but it needs to be done!  I'm going to make turkey legs.

Sandi

Wednesday, 6/27/2012...

Good morning Friends,

There is really not much morning left!!  The above picture is another shot from my early morning hike yesterday.  There were a lot of thistles in some areas.  This picture caught my attention!  Even weeds can look good.   :-)

It doesn't seem possible that the month is almost over & the 4th of July will be staring us in the face.  Does anyone have plans?

Yesterday I went to the library to pick up books that I had requested.  I thought there were 3 but when I got there 4 were on the shelf waiting for me!!  Not sure how soon I will get them all read.  I had already started reading Chasing Fire which is going to take awhile.  I think I mentioned that the print is smaller than I like.  My eyes notice!!  I probably won't read The Witness until it is out in paperback.

Sandi, it doesn't sound like the weekend trip with Brian was much fun.  Sorry you had to spend time in the hotel room.  That is never somewhere I like to spend much time.  Maybe you had a chance to rest up.  Sorry to hear that you are in the "heat season".  A friend of mine headed off to Chicago to see her oldest grandson graduate from Naval Basic Training (or whatever the Navy calls it!).  She was concerned about what to take as they were predicting some storms but I reminded her that back there the humidity is bad.  We don't get a lot of that here, thank heavens.  Do you think work will ever smooth out?

Margie, how fun to have one of those wooden swing sets for Gavin.  I hope one of your friends will be able to set it up soon so Gavin can play on it.  In our area there are people that do "honey do" jobs maybe that might be an option to look into in your area.  It will need to be done right so it is safe.  I hope the Disneyland trip all works out okay.

I checked out Trudy's pictures on Facebook yesterday.  They have a lot of water in her area.  I have another friend that lives fairly close to where Trudy is but I haven't heard from her.  When I saw the news last night it looked like the storm is finally moving more to the east but very slowly.  She emailed me last night that she was okay.

It is warming up here today.  In fact when I went on my walk this morning it was already warmer than I like! At least for walking.  Tomorrow I am getting together with my grandson that lives nearby.  We are probably heading to the coast, not sure yet.  Just spending time with him is fun no matter what we do.  I'm ready for a decent hike or walk & he is always up for that.

I'm curious, is anyone here in our group on Pinterest?  I think it is another website that can eat up a lot of your time.  I investigated it once, might check it out again.

To say good bye, here is another picture from my photography session yesterday.  This is more of Fox Pond.  Maybe the cool blue water will help to keep you all cool.

 Enjoy the day.  Happy reading,
Donna M

Tuesday

Sorry I've been absent!  Brian and I went to San Antonio for the weekend.  He had a youth bowling tournament.  We went, we saw, we didn't conquer!  In fact, during the nine games of the tournament Brian didn't bowl his average even once!  Oh well.  He's also different than Richard in that he doesn't want to get out and do anything, so I spent a lot of time in the hotel room, but just didn't feel like reading, even though I had more than enough time to do so!

Work, is totally frustrating, but we won't even go into those details!

The heat has hit Texas!  We are going to be hot from now until doomsday I think!

Margie, my boys had a wood swing set for a bit.  It was actually our second set.  For the longest time after we took it down the back yard looked so weird!  Some of the other kids in our neighborhood also had wooden swing sets, and their dogs would climb the slides and lay in the fort.  My boys wanted that, but our dog Fred was too old to be trained to do it.  Sally, didn't like being outside, so she wouldn't do it.  So alas no dogs in our fort!  I bet if we had that set now Travis would have climbed the slide.

Mary, glad you're feeling better.  How did the library go?

Donna I haven't read Chasing Fire, but I did read The Witness.  Loved Loved Loved The Witness.

Trudy, is this guy going to be able to fix the AC or not?  Did you need a permit?

I'll try to do better about getting here on a timely manner!

Sandi

Hi Everyone

Trudy,  I'm sorry about your friend.  I hope she does not suffer and goes quickly.  It is interesting how there are just some people we instantly click with and it really doesn't matter our age or nationality.  I hope you are safe from the floods.  I was watching on t.v. all the damage.  Stay safe!

DonnaM, That Smith River is absolutly beautiful.  So blue it looks like a pool.  It's just lovely.  No wonder it was on Sunset. 

Mary, I'm glad you are feeling better.  Gavin has a swing set my sister bought over last summer.  It never got put up at the rental because he gave us notice and now it is in the back but needs someone to put it together.  It's one of those wooden ones.  There have been a couple of people that said they'd do it but haven't followed through.  Even his dad.  So sad.

Amanda, Have fun at shut down time.  Our plan is to go to Disneyland during out shutdown time but my sister got called in at her work and they might not give her those days after all.   We already bought our tickets and if we don't use them withing 21 days of the day we are suppose to pick them up (will call) the price goes up on them. 

DonnaH, I do Valerie posted for a little while on WAYRN.   I don't mind her having my email. Any bit of advise is welcome.

I'm not positive but I think my the first thing I looked up online when I got my first computer was probably Amazon.  But I am certain my second was eHarlequin.  I remember getting really excited that they had an online reads library.  I'd read a story nearly everyday.  I explored all the tabs at the top of the homepage except Community.  I had no clue what a community was and I'm not sure why I didn't click it.  It was a whole month before I got curious to what that meant.  I was so excited to find other readers interested in similar books.  I remember it was part of The Village and shortly after it wsa just eHarlequin.  This is where I first met Sandi, Cady, and KathyD.  I wonder how KathyD is doing.  I have an address but I remember she was selling.  Anyway, I really appreciate eHarlequin this is where I met all of you.

I finished the last in Shiloh Walker's trilogy.  They were good but book three surprised me when it had more details and thoughts by the killer since book two didn't.  Now I've started The Witness by Nora and it is so good.  I'm over halfway through it.  I'm picking up some books today.  Nalini Singhs latest Psy/Changeling book and Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward.

Have a good evening.
Margie :)

Tuesday post, 6/26/2012

Good Afternoon my Friends,

Here is one last picture from my Oregon trip.  This is on the northern California coast looking south.  It was such a beautiful day.  I never get tired of the coast or taking pictures along the way.  Remember I have going up & down this road for over 40 years since I moved to California.  There is always something to see no matter the season.  There is so much beauty provided by Mother Nature.  It takes me longer to drive this way but I am a firm believer that you should enjoy the journey as well as the destination.  Enough philosophy for today!!

Trudy, I hope the moth balls keep the snakes away also.  That gives me chills just thinking about it!  I hope you aren't flooded out.  I'll check your pictures on Facebook if I can find you!!

Mary, I'm so glad to hear you are no longer having pain in your ankle.  What causes gout?  I've seen the ads on TV but I'm still not sure.  Do you have to take medication to prevent it?  Like you, I still like to swing but rarely do anymore!  The grand kids are all beyond the age of going to the playground.  There are a couple not far from me but I usually just walk through.

Last night I finished my Blaze book then started on a Nora Roberts book I have had sitting on the TBR shelf waiting patiently for me!  I like to pick up her books when I can sit to read a good portion of time as I usually get all wrapped up in the story.  The print in this one is going to tax my eyes if I read for long periods of time.  The Blaze was Caught off Guard by Kira Sinclcair.  It was an okay read.  Some parts of the book I liked, other parts were so so!  I won the book so I feel bad that I am not more enthusiastic.  The Nora book is Chasing Fire.  More on that when I get done!

Here is a story on myself!  I am usually up during the night at least once, twice is not uncommon to make a trip to the bathroom.  I function while trying not to wake up much!  Last night for some reason I manage to ram my knee into the footboard at the bottom of the bed!!  No it has not moved, but I apparently didn't know where I was going.  I never turn on lights as there is enough outside light to see & I know the way!!  Anyway, it hurt a lot, enough that I said bad words & woke up more than I like.  :-)  Imagine my surprise this morning to find I hit my knee hard enough to draw blood!  Yep!  I was totally oblivious to the fact.  I am happy to say it did not run down my leg just sort of came to the surface.  I cleaned it with peroxide, put a band aid on, called it good.  It is more of a scratch than anything.

I woke up early!  Couldn't go back to sleep so finally shoved myself up & out into the early morning to go take pictures.  Why waste the early morning light!!  Anyway I just went up on Healdsburg Ridge & managed to snap away for an hour or so.  It was pretty, peaceful, quiet just birds & a couple of other early morning hikers.  When I was going back to the car a crew was going up to work on trails and improvements is my guess.  I will end this looooong post with a picture from my walk.  I did not walk far but enjoyed the excursion.  This is Fox Pond with reflections.  Pretty, I think.

Have a great day, happy reading,
Donna M

Monday night

Well, Debby is a wash-out literally.  Flooding as I've never seen in my 22 years living here occurred yesterday!  The street and parking spaces were completely flooded and we've pulled our cars onto the sidewalks in order to protect the engines.  Jurassic Park, or the wooded area behind me, flooded also up to about 25 ft from my place; I hope that the moth balls were sufficient to keep the snakes away.  Many tornadoes, high winds, heavy rains, t-storms.  Today it's been mostly high winds, very high winds.  They still don't know what Debby will do.  I posted pics on my FB page which is under my name if you're interested.

The a/c isn't fixed yet either.  He handed me a paper to sign saying that I recognized that he was only a HAVAC certified technician and then I asked him if I needed a permit.  He snatched the paper back and that was that.  So we'll try for this Sat.

I'm reading historicals.  I wonder why?  Finished two Hannah Howells; love her medieval Scottish historicals.  Now I'm reading "Chained by the Barbarian" by Carol Townend but it's taking a very long time to get to the point of the story.

If you're watching America's Got Talent, one of the contestants is from my church.  She does acrobatic ballet and the judges were quite taken with her during the auditions.

Trudy

Monday evening

Hi guys!

Donna M--I think you do a wonderful job with you photography! I loved the river pictures. Liked the one of the rhododendrons too. We have those here. They bloomed early this year. I have a large white one out front but it is getting old and doesn't bloom as nicely anymore. I also purchased Karen Rose's newest book.

Donna H--yep you can get gout in your ankles. The most common place is the large toe which I have never had but my brothers have and it is very painful. I believe kids will never tire of swing sets. I know I still  enjoy getting on a swing! One of the joys of hanging out with your grandkids!

Amanda--the weather was nice the last couple days. We turned our a/c off and opened the windows. All I can say about the Phils is sigh... What book are you reading for your bookclub?

I am slowly getting back to normal. I still have some swelling in the ankle but no pain. I ventured out to KMart on Friday. Then Sunday we went to Karen's for a visit and to check out the new swing set. We had a nice time.

I haven't done a lot of reading the past few days. I am reading an older book that has been in my tbr for years. It is called Wolf Winter by Clare Francis. I have read another of her books. It is very good but long. It has a little of everything--romance, suspense, history, spys. It is set in the 60s in Norway.

I hope everyone has a good week. I am hoping to get back to the library for my volunteering. I have missed three weeks.

Mary

Monday AM, 6/25/2012...

Good Morning Friends,

I hope you all had a good weekend.  I'm surprised to see so few posts here.  That is not meant to be a criticism!  Just a comment.  I'm guessing you are all out having a good time.  Trudy, hope you are not getting rained out with Debby.

The picture above is my last one of the Smith River from my trip to Oregon.  I wish I was a better photographer & had more time to play around.  I was on my way to my friends & did not have that far to go.  Pretty soon I am going back to pictures of my trip last fall to National Parks.  I thank all of you for the comments.  This has developed into such a fun hobby for me & I love that I can share my pictures here with all of you.

Yesterday I got bored with my own company after reading the newspaper & just taking it easy!!  I called a friend of mine & we had a long visit by phone.  Sometime this week I am going to venture out to see where the road will lead me!!  That "cabin fever" feeling is settling in.  I left my oldest grandson a message the other day.  I'm hoping he calls back soon so that we can maybe get together to do something.

I've been reading a Blaze that I won!  It is pretty good, not my favorite but it is almost done.  There are 3 library books in that I must go pick up tomorrow.  Our libraries here in Sonoma county are closed on Monday due to budget cuts!  Over the weekend I watched another of the DVD'S on Planet Earth.  There are some wonderful, interesting parts of the world that I will never see this lets me have a peek in to those places.  I think the narrator is boring but other than that it is an interesting series.  I did not see the series when it aired on TV as I do not get that channel.

This is all for now!  I'll leave you with this picture of a rather large fishing boat just off the coast by Crescent City Ca.,   In my lifetime this poor little coastal town has been hit twice by a tsunami.  Way back in our posts   I posted a picture of a lighthouse there that is only accessible when the tide is out.  Or by boat!!

Have a wonderful Monday & a good week.

Happy Reading,
Donna M

Sunday afternoon

Good afternoon ladies!

Cady --  I love that summer school deal.  Which we had that here:(  Maggie will be getting braces around her b'day?  Reminds me of when I had mine.  Happy 10th b'day to me, as they were put on 3-4 days prior too.  I wasn't very happy about it.  Have a good family reunion.

DonnaM --  Love the pics, as always.  The weather was just a bit hot here the end of the week - high 90's and humid - ugh!  I did read some of the book club book, but it just isn't for me.  Too many sad things and not the most likable characters.  You would like our bc, we don't analyze the books too much.  Probably because most of us aren't into the "critic" deal.  We make it into a fun get-together after we talk about the book we read:)

DonnaH -- I did have Amelia take swim lessons the year after that incident, since it happened a couple days before Labor day weekend, which is the end of the swim year here.  The Red Cross does lessons at the high school, so it worked out well.  She is definitely a water bug.  On Blaze, the one I just finished had only a couple of sex scenes, so it definitely just depends on the book.  I have read them where they were like you mentioned, or like the one I just read and everything in-between.  It is better if there is a storyline involved

Trudy --  Sorry the a/c's still broke but glad you have someone to fix it, albeit costing more than you would like.  Hope you get thru to your lawyer, but I would look for a new one.  And no, I didn't see the beginning of the game Tuesday.  A bummer.

Margie -- Its such a sin how no one ever wants to help kids out.  Always quick to say they aren't qualified, or to diagnose without further testing.  I can't believe they wouldn't want him to talk correctly.  I took speech in school from K thru 5th grade, every week.  Did every letter and combo of letters.  It sure doesn't correct itself overnight, that is for sure.  Amelia had a happy b'day - thanks:)

Mary -- So the weather was just a bit hot last week, eh?  Glad I was inside.  This week is suppose to be cooler and this weekend was beautiful.  The Phils are still doing the up and down deal - sigh.  Hoping tonights is better than this afternoon's game.

On the homefront, I did take Amelia and two of her friends to see MadgIII on Friday night.  I liked the movie.  I can't compare to the other two because I haven't seen them.  The girls all slept at my house and probably didn't go to sleep until after 3.  I know I could still hear them after two.  We had my niece's graduation party Saturday afternoon.  Was a beautiful day for it.  Everyone had a good time and the girls then all slept at Sarah's house (yeah me!)  Amelia got home an hour ago.  David has tomorrow off from work (no work - will be a vaca day) and he's thinking of taking the girls to the zoo.  I will be at work - ugh.  Good news is shut down is next week, so i only have to make it to Friday:) 

Haven't read much.  Did start my book club book, but just wasn't into it.  Not sure what I'll pick up next.  Something though, so I have a book to read at lunch this week.  Friday afternoon won't be here soon enough!!

Hope everyone has a great week.

Amanda

Sunday, 6/24/2012...

Good afternoon Friends,

Where is everyone?  You all must be busy having a good time, at least I hope you are having a good time. :-)  Here is another picture of the Smith River just to help keep you cool if it is hot where you are.

Trudy, I saw on the news last night that the gulf is getting hit with Debby.  I hope you are okay in your little patch of Florida.  It didn't sound like it would make landfall there but was headed toward Texas.  Is that affecting you Sandi?  We have sunshine but not heat.  Today is suppose to be in the low 70's which I can enjoy.

Cady, I think you & the family have headed toward your family reunion.  Hope all has gone smoothly & you are having a lot of fun.

Yesterday I read another of the stories in More Than Words, Volume 7.  I enjoy these stories a great deal as they are based on a true story about an organization that was founded to fill a need.  There is one more for me to read in this issue.  I also like that the money from the sales of these books goes to a charity.  Hooray to Harlequin for that.  I have to confess I picked this one up at a library sale so that doesn't make a donation but it does help the library!



In the last message I wrote I mentioned reading the above book but forgot to post a cover.  It was such an excellent story some of it a bit difficult to read but it ended very HEA.  I love her books, this one is an historical romance in the late 1800's.  All her books take place in the west mostly in Oregon, a state I happen to know quite well!!

Everyone enjoy the day.  I'm so proud I remembered how to post a book cover!!!   :-)

Happy reading,
Donna M

Yea, it is Friday! 6/22/2012

Happy Friday Friends,

When I went north to Oregon the rhododendrons were so beautiful I had to take some pictures.  I don't think I posted any of them before!  If I get repetitive just remind me!!

Trudy, if you get to hot just go back to look at some of my pictures with snow!!  Or I could email you some.   I'm so sorry to hear the fix a leak did not work for your air conditioner.  It sounds like the man you have now is being helpful, what a good thing.  When this is all over it will be such a relief & you will have cool air!

We've got cool air thanks to Mother Nature.  Yesterday was much cooler but today it feels more like an early spring day or late winter.  Partly because there is no sun & partly due to the fact that we are going to get some showers.  When I went to pick up my mail it was a light drizzle.  Just enough to get the car wet & mess up my new car wash job!!  I had to have it washed to get all the grime off it from the trip!  It never lasts long  since my car is always outside & the nearby trees are always dropping something!!

Remember my excitement over seeing my friend that now lives in Vermont?  I got the nicest note from her today.  It is such a thrill to get something in the mail beside bills & adds!  She doesn't like using the computer which leads to her using the U.S. Mail service.  I always enjoy hearing from a friend or family by mail.   It is a special treat because people rarely take the time to write anymore.

Well!!!  I finished the book yesterday for Tell Harlequin.  It was not bad but, not something I would have read if I were making the choice.  I don't know if I will get around to the other one, ever!  I did go to review the one I read. I needed a really good read for my next book so I started Coming Up Roses by Catherine Anderson.  So far I am having a hard time putting it down.  I do love her books.  Up next might be a library book that I need to pick up.  If I don't go out today I will get it tomorrow.  I think they hold them for 10 days but I don't wait that long.  

There is nothing much new to share so I will close with another picture of the beautiful Smith River.  Trudy, it can help keep you cool as I'm sure the river is mostly fed by snow melt!  I took a picture of this deep hole because it would be a good place to swim if you can safely not get swept away by the current.  As you can see from the pictures it is moving at a good clip!

Everyone enjoy the weekend & happy reading,
Donna M

Thursday night

Well, fix-a-leak didn't work; this time the freon only lasted 10 days.  So, Sat., I'm getting my new chase line.  The man says that he's done many of these before and he doesn't mind working in the rain (tropical downpours).  He can re-capture most of the 2 lbs. of freon he put in today and re-use it so I won't have to pay for it again and he can recycle the copper that he takes out and re-coup some of his costs.  He can also remove and re-install my water heater at half the cost of the plumber.  Still, it'll be around $1000 when it's done providing nothing goes wrong.

I went onto the Pinellas County Court website and, yes, a judgement has been filed against me by Suncoast Schools credit union but I haven't received official notification yet.  I've called my lawyer twice this week but she isn't returning my phone calls, probably because of the letter she received from the Florida Bar Association.  You'd think that she'd do all in her power to help me so I didn't file a formal complaint against her, wouldn't you?  A complaint goes against her license.  Duh!

The lady next door with whom I've been having lunch for the last several weeks was taken to the hospital last night.  She's the one who doesn't speak English and I don't speak Spanish and we are good friends.  She has a tumor on her uterus and they aren't going to do anything because of her age, 91.  So I guess she'll slowly bleed to death.  Her daughter expects her to come home tomorrow.

DonnaH~~Congratulations on all the awards for your grandkids.  You are most definitely proud!

Mary~~Sorry that you have gout.  I didn't think you could get it in the ankle either but I know it's painful.

Sandi~~I love the story of buying the books!  Now that's my kind of purchase and it's for the kids too!

Amanda and Mary~~Did either of you watch the Phillies game on Tuesday night?  The man who sang the national anthem was Paul Byrom, formerly of Celtic Thunder and he can really sing it correctly!  He sings it a lot at the Celtics home game and was asked to sing it Tuesday because it was Irish night at the Phillies.  He dedicated it to Ryan Kelly, who is still hospitalized in Ireland but who is now on the road to recovery, slowly.  Paul is a class act.

Sorry it's so hot up North!  When it's hot there, it's worse than when it's hot here, I swear, and it's hot here now.

Well, got to go and eat now.  Talk to you later.  Celtic Thunder will be in Atlantic City at Harrah's the last week of June and the first week of July in case I can convert any of you; they say the music will be a fun Irish summer!

Trudy

P.S.

Hi again!

Donna H, you posted while I was still composing my post.  I just wanted to acknowledge that I saw your post!

I thought of you when I posted the picture of the house with the mountain in the background.  I use all of you for a good excuse to take lots of pictures!!  It is a way to show you some of my world.  There is a lot I need to work on in regards to taking picture & learning more about using some of the features on my camera.

Good bye again!  I still need to get dressed!

Donna M

Thursday, 6/21/2012...

Hello Friends,

Good morning.  The sun is just breaking through the morning fog.  Thank heavens it is going to be much cooler today.  Yesterday, the first day of summer, lived up to summer heat!  It was in the mid 90's & I was out running errands.  Much to hot but I needed to do the shopping.  I found a new book by Karen Rose a little bonus.  :-)  I don't know if I have dropped off her newsletter list or just had forgotten.  I think the book was out previously in hard back but not sure.  I love her writing, the crimes are devastating but the love story makes up for it, at least in her previous books.  Guess I will have to check out her website.

The river in the picture above is the Smith River where I took pictures during my March trip but then there was snow!  It is a beautiful place all along the river.  Luckily there are enough places to pull over so I can indulge in taking pictures.  There is one spot I've never been able to photograph but maybe someday I'll figure out where to stop to do that!  Two branches of the river come together & it is so pretty.  That spot was on the cover of Sunset Magazine a few years ago & I knew exactly where it was the minute I saw it!!

I am almost finished reading one of the Tell Harlequin books.  It is okay!  I should finish it later today as I think there are only about 20 pages or so left.  After that I am going to choose one of the many books on my TBR shelf that I am itching to read!!!  It has been kind of a dry spell with traveling, library books, Tell Harlequin!!  I'm more than ready to sink my teeth into something.  When I say "dry spell" I did do some reading but the books would not maybe have been my first choice.  There are more books coming out that I want to acquire!!

Well, I need to go get something accomplished!  It is 11:24 am in my time zone & I have yet to get dressed!!  After a busy couple of days, guess I am just taking it easy.  I did get out for a good walk this morning in the foggy coolness.  To me that is the best time to walk.  This time of year I get too hot to easy to walk later in the day.  I mentioned the heat yesterday, today is suppose to be about 22 degrees cooler!  That is our summer here, up & then down!!   Amanda & Mary, I hope your heat spell isn't to bad or lasts to long.

Cady, have fun on your vacation.  I would love to see that part of the states.  Do you drive the 18 hours all in one swoop?  I just never have traveled that way!  Let us know how it goes.  The summer school available to your kids sounds great.  Since California is in such deep doo-doo financially the schools here are suffering.  I think down the line it is going to be very hard for many of the students due to this.

Margie, I think your nephew sounds like a typical 3 year old boy.  Full of vim & vigor, mischief, curiosity & more energy than any of us can imagine.   :-)  My mom always said when my girls were young that she wished she could bottle it & sell it.  We could have made a fortune!!!

Mary, I am so glad to hear your ankle is much, much better.  Having no pain makes life so much easier & better.

Sandi, naps are the best.  I find that I frequently doze off in the afternoon when I sit down to read.  The day after I got home from my trip it was super hot & I just could not keep my eyes open.  I think it was a combination of the heat plus being tired from my travels.  Now I am ready to get out to do something fun!!  My grand kids will be down sometime in July but I can't wait until then.


 Amanda!  Did you get your book club choice read?  Let us know.  Are your enjoying the book club?  I'm not good at analyzing a book.  I just know I liked it or not!! 

This is about all for now.  I've babbled on long enough!  Here is another picture of the Smith River.  I love hearing the water.  Same at the ocean, just listening to it is enjoyable.

Everyone have a wonderful day.  Find time to read,
Donna M

WOW!

Did I ever have a whack-load of posts to read!  I haven't been here since last week some time.  I did take notes, so some responses might seem out of place since they're referring to posts that are a whole week old.

Sandi, naps are good.  There are days when I would just about kill for a nap.  Cool on getting all that good stuff for your school for $50.  I hope they reimbursed you.  I think I've got some Beverly Barton books, at least the name sounds familiar.  Didn't know that she was no longer with us, though. 

Thanks for the congrats for my grandkids.  My buttons are bursting.  On one of my granddaughter's certificates (the piano one, I think) it says "Highest Honors with Distinction".  Whoo hoo.  I sure never got that on any certificate I ever got.  Come to think of it, I never got any certificates, either.  {:-o 

ATV's can have 3 wheels, 4 wheels or more, or even tracks.  They can carry from 1 to 4 people, and be enclosed or not.  You can buy a little old second-hand trike for a couple hundred dollars, or spend several (many) thousand for a great big top-of-the-line new one.  ATV simply means "all terrain vehicle".  {;-) 

Hmmm, I never thought of getting my cover pictures from Fresh Fiction.  When I was reading for Pink Heart Society the books I was sent that weren't Harlequins I had to get the covers from Amazon, and then the picture was always way smaller than the ones from Harl. 

Mary, sore ankle?  I didn't know you could get gout in your ankle.  But I'm glad it's better now. 

I haven't gotten a new book from Tell H recently.  Seems I'm always several weeks behind when everyone else gets theirs.  I often wonder how they choose which books they send, as they sure don't send me books I'd pay $$ for, either.  My guess would be they send out the ones that no one orders in the hopes that a review of them will help sell some. 

Our kids had a swing set growing up, too.  Seems kids never get too big to swing.

Margie, I'm with you on the "Born in -- " series.  Now that I've finished them all, I can say that I liked the first one best, and the last one least, too. 

Four of my grandkids left just this morning on a school overnight campout.  But the little ones aren't allowed to go.  You can't go until you're in grade 5, so by the time the little ones have heard the hype for 4 years they're ready and waiting. . . 

Thanks for the congrats to my grandkids.  They sure didn't get it from me.

I've been going to eHarlequin for 15 years, ever since I first got a computer.  They were the first website I visited with my new computer.  At first they really cared when I was there, and if I missed a few days, someone was wondering where I was.  Now I can miss weeks, and no one even notices I wasn't there. 

Do you remember Valerie (Lots of Cats) from eH?  Her oldest daughter, Sylvia, has speech problems, and goes to "school" for it.  She's 3.  She might have some ideas of things you could try that might work.  May I give her your email address?

Cady, I enjoyed swimming lessons as a kid, but I'm so out of shape now that it's all I can do to keep myself afloat.  That and piano lessons is all we did as kids because $$ was very tight.  My dad was working plus going to school, so that's where most of our extra cash went.  There were 4 kids to feed and clothe, too. 

Summer school?  Oh.  That sounds like a really smart way to keep kids out of trouble for the summer.  Our teachers are way too lazy to do something like that here, though.  (My niece is a teacher, and I'll still say that) 

We drive 18 hours every time we go visit Hardy's family in BC.  We took the kids a couple of times, but never when any of them were really small.  We took my in-laws a couple of times, too, when Opa could no longer drive.  I think that was worse than having 5 kids in the car. . .

I'm still waiting for the library to get me Witness.  Last time I checked I was 154th on the list.  But that was a couple of weeks ago.  Maybe I should check again. 

Trudy, if your a/c's still working this long, maybe it'll last through the summer, and you can save up what you'll need before you actually need it.  Will pray that's what happens.  Our youngest daughter, Joy (actually Joy-Anne, but we call her Jo), is having terrible problems with her roof.  It's leaking in just about every room in the house.  They thought they needed to shingle, but just can't afford it.  Hardy went up to check their roof on Monday, and discovered that the flashing in the valleys was not installed properly, nor around the chimney, and that's where it's leaking.  So he got a couple cans of this spray tar stuff -- problem solved, at least until they can save up some money to have it done properly. 

I'd think if there was any kind of lawsuit against you, they'd have to let you know first.  One wouldn't imagine that people are expected to go around checking to see if there's a lawsuit against them.  But if it was me, I guess I'd be calling my lawyer to find out, too.  I can't believe that it's anything serious, though.  I thought you got all that stuff cleared up from the other year. 

Amanda, I'd have had a heart attack, too, if one of my kids had leaped into the pool like that, too.  My middle daughter, Lynda, (actually Lynda-Gayle, but we call her Lyn) had her kids in private swimming lessons from the time they were about 1 year old.  She had to go in the pool with them for the first couple of years.  Now just the younger ones take lessons, the two older ones actually have their lifeguard certificates already, and don't take lessons any more.  I think everyone should learn to swim, the earlier the better, if at all possible. 

Do Blazes still have so much sex in them?  I read a few when they first came out with that line, and a couple of them were okay, but most of them had so much sex in that there was no room for a story line.  It was basically in bed by page 3, and stay there till the end of the book.  So I stopped reading them.  I'm not a prude, I love a good sex scene as much as the next person,  but there was so much of it that your eyes just kind of glazed over after a while. 

Donna M, your brother's place is beautiful!  We lived 3 1/2 miles out of town for 28 years, and I'd live there still if the house hadn't been falling down around our ears.  We'd sold the land, but still lived there.  Didn't pay any rent, so couldn't ask the guy to fix the house, and weren't about to put any of our own $$ into something we didn't own, so we moved into town.  We're right on the edge of town, and have an acre and a half, which makes it seem as if we're still on the farm. 

I used to know how to post book covers here.  I could probably re-learn it pretty fast, but just don't have the time to go looking for them. 

Thanks for the congrats for my grandkids.  I was lucky if I passed a class, never mind get honors with distinction in it. . .

Cool house pictures!  I love old places like that.

LOL on finding books in the trunk.  That's always a good thing, to find books you'd forgotten about.  {:-) 

(Me) Wow, this is a long post.  Didn't realize I had that much to say. . .  {;-) 

We have to pay for things like crutches, neck  braces, etc, but everything else is paid for.  A stay in the hospital is covered by the government.  There are a few things that aren't covered, like plastic surgery for implants, etc, but all necessary stuff is free.  There are people who take advantage of it, like sometimes older people who live alone and are lonely, they'll go to the ER just to have someone to talk to.

Ah, you guys, all complaining about the heat.  We're still below normal, haven't had a hot day yet.  So I don't know where the idea came from that we're having a hot, dry summer.  Haven't seen it yet. . .

So many kids get labels that they don't deserve, and sometimes it just because the teacher can't be bothered to take the necessary time to interact with the kid. 

Well, I hope all this wandering from topic to topic makes sense. 

Hardy just got home from having his ear syringed out.  And our car is now fixed, too.  Didn't ask him how much it cost, though.  Now he wants lunch. . .

Wednesday evening

Hi everyone!

Thank you all for your good wishes about my foot. It is much improved. The pain is gone and the swelling is almost gone as well. I took my last Aleve last night. I hope that is it for awhile now. If this is gout ( and even the specialist I saw 2 years ago wasn't sure) it could go away forever or come again. You just never know. I am glad to be getting back to my normal routine.

Margie--I will second everyone else about the swim lessons. Lauren and Jacob have been taking them since they were babies and they love the water and the lessons. Jacob especially. He is so excited because he can move up to the same class as Lauren now that he is 3. Makes it easier on Karen too. In this class they get in by themselves (without mom or dad.) It took a few different classes for Lauren because the first teacher she just didn't like. I never took lessons but I can swim a little. I love the water. I still love going to the Jersey shore and going into the ocean. I can't believe Gavin has autism. Too many experts want to pin that label on kids. You should push for the speech therapy though. Mostly for his self-esteem. I liked Crystal Gardens and the SW trilogy. Hope you enjoy If You know Her.

Sandi--good for you getting to leave work early. I am a big believer in naps! About hospital payments. The hospital we use here will let you set up a payment plan. It is very helpful for the patient and ensures that the hospital will get paid.

Amanda--I don't like the heat but hopefully it will be out of here after a couple of days. Phils had a good game last night. I hope it continues.

Cady--I will have to do some research on the pain patches but hopefully I won't be needing one anytime soon. I agree with you and Donna about Tell Harlequin. Most of the books I would not have bought on my own. Enjoy your vacation to NC--one of my favorite places! I haven't been there for years. That is a long trip. I thought it was long from here which takes about 8 hours.

 Trudy--sending prayers and hugs your way. Sounds strange about the credit union bringing a suit against you. Thinking about you.

Donna M--love the pictures as always. It is easy to unsubscribe to Tell Harlequin. I'm with you the books are not ones I would have chosen myself.

I finished reading Fever by Joan Swan. It was very good--romantic suspense with just a hint of paranormal. It is the first book in a series. There were alot of characters to keep straight but she was setting the stage for later books. I liked the h/H relationship but it was hard sell at first. He was a prison escapee who took her hostage. But it developed believably and had a good ending. I am not sure what I will read next but I do have a lot to choose from on my tbr piles.

Have a good rest of the week!

Mary

It is a really beautiful day today.  Just right temp and a nice breeze. 

DonnaM, Those are really pretty pics of the house.  Love the one with the mountain.  I love the library that I go to because they have nearly all the books I want.  Sometimes it takes a month after new release to finally get the new ones in but they get them.  The ones I want that they don't really get are harlequin.  They get some but not authors I read.

Donna/Sandi,  I am the same with regards to swimming.  I was taken to lessons but as an older child so I was timid about the water.  Learned to float and can paddle my way to the edge in an emergency...if I were to fall in!  My sister learned fast.  Like a fish.  Then my parent put a pool in when she was in 2nd or 3rd grade so she would swim all the time.  Too bad my parents lost there home recently or she could have access to it for Gavin. 

Sandi,  Gavin was getting therapy for speech for only about 2 months just before he turned 3 in February.  They would come to the house to do it.  Then they had to stop at his birthday and he had to be evaluated further by special education department.  Well, they said he didn't qualify.  He is below average in speech and a couple other things but not low enough to be put in speech classes!  What?  He was having so hard of a time being understood.   They said he doesn't appear to have autism but if my sister wanted she could have him tested by someone for that.  He can be reevaluated for speech in 6 months so my sister is going to do that in August.  He is very bright and funny, lovable, mischevious, etc.  I don't think he has autism but I know there are levels of that.  He understands everything and he is talking much more now but not anywhere near like he should.  Most of the time we understand him but there are times we can't and he gets so frustated.  I hope they take him in this time because we are concerned he will fall so far behind. 
I loved book 1 of the Blackdagger books.  Also love book 2 and 3 then was disappointed in 4 but still good.  Now there are 8 books and so much happening I'm surprised I am keeping up.  Your weekend sounds fun...books at cheap prices and a meal you didn't cook or pay for is always good!

Amanda,  Yikes, that must have been so scary.  That is what I know G will do...just jump right in.  I can't believe the "lifeguard" told you to save her.  Happy Birthday to Amelia!

I've started reading If You Know Her by Shiloh Walker.  This is the final books so I'll find out who the killer is but I think I know.

Have a good Wednesday night.
Margie :)

Amanda - Summer School here is highly promoted for all the kids, there is no homework, but it does keep the kids brains from going to mush.  It is split into 2 - 3 week sessions with three classes per session (only half a day), I make the kids take one reading/history type class and one math/science class and then the last class can be fun.  I hope you enjoy Madgascar.  We want to see that one and Brave, but I am not sure when we will get a chance to see them.

DonnaM - I am with you and Mary on the Tell Harlequin, it is often a struggle to read the books.  This time, I just didn't have time to read them.  As for vacation, it is our family reunion, we do it every other year.  This year we are going to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.  We are driving, which will be an adventure - furthest we have ever traveled with the kids - 18 hours.  It should be fun though.  I just went to Walmart and picked up a bunch of stuff for the car - food, books, magazines and a new movie for the kids. 

Margie - Has your sister thought of taking lessons with Gavin?  If they are doing private lessons, it might be worthwhile and could help her as well.  I hope  you enjoy Witness.  I thought it was really good.

Trudy - I am not sure why you wouldn't know if someone was sueing you, sounds odd.  I would stay on your attorney to get an answer. 

Read an interesting book the other night - it was called - We rode on the Orphan Train, it was a non-fiction book about children from orphanages out east that were sent on orphan trains out west to farm families and others.  Very interesting.  I had no idea about that time in our history.  Not much else happening here, went to the dentist to find out about Maggie's braces, looks like we will be moving forward with them - likely in August.  Happy Birthday to Maggie, I guess.  I offered to do it after School Pics, but she wants to get the braces first.  Hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

Cady

Tuesday night

Hi Ladies!

Had lots to read, no notes - shame on me:(  Of course, I was reading this while watching What Not to Wear - lol!

Trudy -- Praying the a/c stays working now.   So sorry about the credit & lawyer problems.  Be persistant and call often.  Its the only way to get to them, unfortunately.  I'd say I'd wave to CT for you, but I'll be in Knoebels that weekend:)

DonnaH --  Congrats to the gandkids!  Gotta love all the days off, huh?  For me, the bad months were Nov and April.  Seems they aren't in school those months.  Now that I'm out of elementary school, those months won't be as bad.

DonnaM --  Love the pics, especially that house.  Glad you had a good vaca.  Finding books in the truck is a definite plus!!

Sandi --  Glad you are able to take advantage of leaving early at work.  That is always a plus.  I have the JB book you read, but didn't realize it was a series (obviously still in tbr pile).  I picked it up because that cover caught my eye!  David was like "you want me to look like that?"  Hell yeah!  Not going to happen, of course.  But then, I'm not going to look like a Playmate anytime soon, so its even.

Margie --  Definitely have him take swim lessons.  Amelia once was swimming and got out to go potty, and when she came back out, I said "put the life jacket back on".  She looked at me and jumped in the pool - minus the jacket!  Had a total heart attack:0  There I was jumping in after here (not the deep end, thank god), clothes and all.  This happened while the life guard shouted at me "get her, get her".  Afterward I was like, isn't that your job?  Obviously not.  I did complain to the office (the pool is part of the mobile park community I live in) and he wasn't back the next year.  After that experience though, lessons it was!

Mary --  Sorry about your ankle.  Hope it is better soon.  Ready for the heat coming our way?  I sooooo am not!  Who wants to go from mid-80's to 98 and humid?  UGH.  I've been watching the Phillies, but they are just not having a good year.  Maybe it will improve after the all-star game.

Cady -- Glad Maggie enjoyed camp.  I use to love camping when I was in scouts.  Aurora was in scouts for a few years and Amelia never wanted to, so I haven't done any camping chaperoning - bummer.  I have to tell you, when you said the kids were in "summer school", it threw me off.  Summer school here is when you flunk a class/grade and have to do it over the summer.  So, no summer school for my girls - lol!

Haven't been doing a lot of anything, other than work.  We spent Father's Day without the girls.  They slept over at my gf Denise's parents house, as her daughter is up for the month of June.   Nice to have an evening to ourselves.  Don't get that too often.  This weekend we have my niece's graduation party.  Its a pool party, which will be good with this heat.  Amelia's birthday is Friday, so I will be taking her and two friends to see Madgascar III.  I haven't seen the other two (she has), but love the "circus afro" part they show in the commercial all the time.  Cracks me up!

I am reading another Blaze at the moment - Just One Kiss by Isabel Sharpe.  This is a first in a series of four college friends who all own a business in the same building.  Our h, Angela, owns a bakery - yum-O.  Almost done and its been sweet, easy read.  Not sure when the next one comes out (this one came out in April).  I still have to read my book club book, as we are meeting next weekend.   It hasn't pulled me in, so not sure I'll get it finished or not.  But hey, going dancing after bc - should be fun.

Ok, off to get a few things done before bed.  Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Amanda

Tuesday Night

Donna, what a great picture, and so close to Flag Day!  My sister and brother both have acreages as well.  My brother’s is 10 acres near Santa Cruz…I can never remember the exact town without having to look it up.  My sister’s is 20 acres in southern Illinois.  I’ve never been to my brother’s, but I have been to my sister’s a couple of times.  The last time her husband took me out on some sort of all terrain thing, but not an ATV and I got to see parts of the land that I’ve not seen before.

As for posting book covers if you need help let me know.  I get my covers from Fresh Fiction of course!

Donna, reading your swimming experience is like reading my own!  I never learned the crawl with taking the breath thing either!  I can float, but absolutely refuse to get in water that I know will be over my head when standing.

Trudy continuing to send you good thoughts and prayers!  Hope you can get the lawyer thing worked out.  I called our lawyer and had to leave a message and haven’t heard back yet.  Guess tomorrow I’ll try again.  Then again…no news is better than bad news!  LOL!!

Margie I hope you enjoy your father book.  Several years back I read the first two in that series.  I totally loved Dark Lover, but I didn’t really enjoy the second book, so I never moved forward, because it’s not really my favorite genre.  Is Gavin getting any early intervention for his speech?  The public school system has to give him services if he qualifies and is at least three years of age.   Could be worth checking into if he’s not school age by the fall.  If he is school age in the fall, push for assessment early, because otherwise he could fall through the cracks.

Donna, love the old house pictures! 

Since it’s summer I’ve been getting to leave early.   I know I need to hang out at work, but I’m taking full advantage of getting to leave early!   Over the weekend a friend and I went to a library book sale.  It was buy a box of books for $6.  I got 8 boxes of children’s books.  My friend drove, and the boxes were weak, so I told her if I could leave the boxes in her car I would treat to lunch.  Well, when I told Ellen about that she offered to buy us lunch if we didn’t go someplace too expensive.  When Erica got there with the boxes, John, Ellen’s husband helped us unload the boxes and told us to go to Benihana, so we did.  Ellen paid!  We were gone about a hour or so, and then when I got back to work I worked another hour and then got to leave!

Today when I got to leave I went and got the oil changed in my car.  Brian and I are headed to a bowling tournament this weekend.  Mike was supposed to go to, but he keeps getting work thrown at him, and he can’t afford the time off right now.  He’s on project deadline!  After the oil change I stopped at BN and read for a bit on my nook.

 I’m reading Tan Lines by Kate Angell.  It’s my first book by her, and I’m not totally thrilled, and today the editing annoyed me.  It said something to the effect that she had a keurig, and after they brewed the coffee they poured it into a cup.  Well, I have a Keurig and you brew it directly into the cup you’re going to be drinking it out of…there is no carafe!

I’m also reading Don’t Say A Word by Beverly Barton, The Cowboy and the Princess by Lori Wilde, and listening to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Sandi

Tuesday, 6/19/2012...

Good Morning Friends,


No that is not my brothers house!!!   :-)  This is an historic home with Mt. Pitt, actually Mt. McLoughlin, in the background.  I have forgotten why the locals call it Mt. Pitt!  The house was beginning to fall down but some group stepped in to save it from being bulldozed.  It is a nice little roadside stop now with flowers, etc. planted around.  It makes a nice picture with the mountain in the back ground.  I believe it is now on the historical register but not sure.  I pass by on the way to see my brother & his wife.

Not much new here for me.  I have laundry going, need to run the vacuum & do some sprucing up around here!!  Nothing I get excited about.  I'd much rather play on the computer, look at beautiful pictures, read or do something fun.

Trudy, you seem to have more than your share of problems.  I can't imagine why a credit union, or the company you mentioned, would be suing you, but know these days there are so many frivolous lawsuits.  I hope you hear from the bar association or someone very soon.  Do keep us posted.

I finished my library book yesterday.  Now I have started on one of the books that Tell Harlequin sent me but I don't think I will be finished in time to post my opinions on it!  After reading Mary's comments about with drawing from that I am giving it some thought to do the same.  The books they send for review are not usually something I would choose to read.  Right now I have a ton of books needing to be read & more that I want!!!  Crazy but the library doesn't have most of what I read.  A few!

Since I don't seem to have anything much to post about I will leave you all with another picture I took on my trip.  This one shows more of the house pictured above.  As you can see from the two pictures here it is a very picturesque spot.  I have one that shows more but I could not keep all the overhead electrical wires out of the picture!

Happy reading,
Donna M