Sunday, 9/30/2012...

Good afternoon Friends,

It is not late enough in the day to have the sun setting but that is the picture I am posting to start!  This was at the beginning when the sky is just starting to get some color.  Last night with college football pre-empting the regular Saturday evening news I decided to grab the camera & hurry out to Healdsburg Ridge to see if I could catch the sunset!  I did!  Those pictures will eventually come to be posted here.  In fact, my timing was really perfect.  There was no one else out there that I could see but a house close to the entrance had a BBQ going in the back yard.  I could hear voices but couldn't tell what anyone was saying.  Anyway, it was a great time that I am glad I decided to do.  A lot of my shots were out of focus because my camera is hand held but I still got a few good pictures.  The one above is not from last night.  This one is from the balcony when I was cat sitting.  The sky is just starting to get some color.  I just loved the streak from that one cloud.  Again, I am so happy to have you all as an audience to share my efforts!!  Thanks for indulging me.

Well, if anyone, anywhere is a JET fan today there must be tears.  It wasn't a fun game to watch since it was so lopsided.  When one team makes no score, has an injured player it just doesn't make you want to cheer a lot!!  Anyway that is how I feel.  The Niners are home the next 3 weeks.  In college football Oregon beat Washington St., & Oregon St. beat Arizona.  So I am good in that department also!!!

Yesterday I completely forgot all about the news in regards to my son-in-law.  I don't think I have mentioned that he has a new job.  My grandson mentioned it in an email.  The next night my daughter & grandson called!  Always interesting having 3 people on a call!  Mark is now working for a company named Apollo.  He is project manager on a new construction job for an Apple Data Center in central Oregon.  Although he is still away from home he is much closer.  He can easily drive home on the weekends or the family can drive over to spend time with him.  The company has provided him with a truck, a iPad, a iPhone & possibly a laptop.  They also are putting him up in living quarters at Eagle Creek Resort which has a lot of amenities.  The company has two private planes which fly employees around to where they are needed.  He may have to fly down to Apple headquarters for a meeting.   I have no idea what size of planes but Apple headquarters is in the Silicon Valley area south of San Francisco.  It sounds liked he has landed in a good place.  I'm very happy for him & his family.  My daughter is much happier having him closer.  My daughter jokingly said with the amenities at Eagle Creek he won't want to come home!!  Here is one of those small world twists.  My cousin that I visit in Medford has a daughter that has a condo at Eagle Crest for weekend get aways!  My cousin has been there with her daughter several times.  It is very pretty in that area.  Also not far from my long time friends that live in Sisters.  He is doing okay with the recovery from his back surgery.  It is a slow process while nerves heal & become active again.

Last night I watched an old movie!  The name of it The Wackiest Ship in the Army with Jack Lemmon & Ricky Nelson.  It is still funny!  I saw it long ago when it played in movie theaters & wanted to see if it was still funny.  Ricky Nelson looks like he is barely old enough to shave, Jack Lemmon gave his usual good performance as did some of the others.  There were a few scenes that were a bit funky due to special effects.  They just did not have the technology we are use to seeing today.  It was still an enjoyable way to be entertained on a Saturday evening.

Margie, I am surprised that Gavin didn't like the animals.  Maybe because horses are such big animals he was a bit over whelmed due to their size.  I can see why the rides would not be running when schools are visiting.  I can imagine the nightmares that might create!!

This catches me up for now.  Here is another sunset picture to say good bye.  As you can see the sunset is progressing with more color.  It was nice watching it evolve.  I think we sometimes forget these wonderful moments.  This was still on the balcony.

I hope you All have had a good weekend.  Happy reading,
Donna M

Hi Everyone,

Cady,  Whan G was about two he started spinning in circles and my first thought was autism but he didn't have the other red flag issues.  He spins rarely now.  But I am understanding the symptoms of the sensory disorder can change.  I hope you enjoyed your day with Maggie and your friend.  Sounds like a nice girls time. 

Mary,  I've never read a book by Jodi Picoult but my good friend recently told me she really enjoys her books.  I assume that JP usually writes women's fiction more than romance since my friend reads her books and she avoids reading romance.   However, she loves fairy tales and collects them.  I'll have to ask her if she had read the book you mentioned.  So sorry about Don's pain. I hope using the light weights will help.  I'm glad you can resolve your issue with the IRS.  Seems like they always find things years later and those records are a must.  Glad you had what you needed to prove your case.

Trudy,  I'm so sorry to hear about the child passing.  That is just so sad.  I can't believe the value of your car went down so much in only 10 months.  Are you sure they are just not trying to take advantage of you if they know you need to sell?  I would get that checked somewhere else and check online to see what other cars your make and year are going for in your area.  Trudy, you must be doing something to be getting all the male attention!   Maybe it's your perfume or a new hair style and cloths? But joking aside, it certainly must be awkward that he made a move on you after loaning you the money.  I hope you can settle your debt with him asap.  Try to not get more stressed!  The finance issues are not worth your health. 

DonnaM, I love the grapes pic.  So pretty.  I sympathize on car repair costs.  Everytime I get something done, I wish I could do it myself.   I remember taking that orientation tour of the high school right before I became a freshman.  They took us through the auto body shop and I wanted so badly to take that class as an elective but I was so shy and didn't have the guts to go for it.  I even thought about taken classes as a mechanic at the junior college but still...to insecure and not comfortable being the only woman.  I wish I would have done it in high school.  I really think I would have been good at it.

We went to the fair on Friday and G was not really interested in looking at the animals.  He was a bit afraid of the horses.  What he really wanted to do was get on the rides but they did not have them on during the morning when all the school kids were there.  So, because we drove ourselves, we signed out a bit early and went home.  It was a nice warm day so he just got wet in the back yard and had a fun time.  I finally started sorting through the cloths and stuff in the garage to get ready for our yard sale.  We hope to do it next week but, if I'm not ready, we'll have to do it later in October. 

I started Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas.  Still got a ways to go but so far I am really enjoying it.  I hope you are all having a good weekend.

Margie :)

Saturday, 9/29/2012...

Good Afternoon Friends,

I just skimmed the posts which I read yesterday but never posted anything myself!  Thursday I spent a good portion of the day in Santa Rosa having the car serviced & then doing some other things.  Wow!  It seems there is always something with car maintenance.  A service, replacing the headlight & then I needed to have the brake fluid changed, that ended up costing me way more than what I thought!!  It has been that kind of year.

The above picture are grapes on an arbor where I cat sat last week.  There is a small balcony outside the master bedroom.  It is a great place to look out over the area.  The biggest problem is power lines every where!  It is a challenge to keep them out of the pictures.

Yesterday I was going to drive over to the coast but I just couldn't seem to get myself going so I ended up staying home.  It ended up being a cool day, although sunny & pretty so I am glad I did not head for the coast.  Today is warmer.  I'm probably going to head over Monday or Tuesday.  There is a portion of a trail I haven't hiked yet.  That is the plan now, subject to change!!  I did get out for a drive yesterday as I seem to have a bad case of cabin fever despite recent trips to San Francisco.  This is my favorite time of year to just go!  Wish I could afford to really go somewhere.

Trudy, your story about the two people "hitting" on you just makes me smile.  I'm not at all sure what my reaction would be to something like that!  Most of the historical books do not appeal to me to much but I do read one every once in awhile.  I prefer more recent history when I do.  Right now I am reading one of Charles Kuralt's "road" books which is history itself.  This one was published in 1990.  wow!  Your car lost a lot of value.  Mine is probably not much better as it is also now 10 years old.  Would love something newer but will probably never get another one unless I win some money!!  Fat chance of that!  I hope that all the medical tests help find something to make you feel better.

Cady, interesting that in your area the game Monday night was on ABC.  Here it was on NBC!  I didn't watch as you already know because I watched DWTS.  I mostly only watch the Niner's play.  So glad they got the referee strike settled.  The officiating has been bad.  Looks like you have been enjoying some good books.

Mary, it is never a good thing to hear from the IRS unless you are expecting a refund.  At least it seems you are not going to have pay anything, just the attorney.  The male part of a couple that are friends worked for the IRS.  He was a field agent that carried a gun & a badge, basically a law enforcement officer.  He told some interesting stories a few times.  He participated in some marijuana raids, arrested people that were evading taxes, went on stake outs.  He spent 30 years working for Uncle Sam first in the Army & then the IRA.  He also found time to get a college degree in Arizona at the college in Flagstaff.  Can't remember which one it is.  Books are always helpful when life throws curves in your direction.  Even though Don has to change his PT pace I hope it will continue to help him.

I've already mentioned what I'm currently reading, more on that after the book is finished.  Before that I read White Heat by Jill Shalvis.  It was a reread for me.  She wrote three books about firefighters.  This one was published in 2004.  I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time, didn't remember much about it just the gist of the story.  The H was a wild land firefighter that lost 12 friends in a fire in Idaho.  One of the crew had been his friend since kindergarten.  You can only imagine what he must have gone through as he felt he should have been able to prevent their deaths.  The sassy, pilot he meets help him heal.  The story has held up over time.  Jill is a favorite author.



This is all for now.  I will leave you with another picture.  This is the very beginning of the sunset from the same balcony where the picture of the grapes was taken.  It was a beautiful sunset!  More pictures in other posts.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.  Happy reading,
Donna M

Friday night

See, I told you that I'm back at last!  Wonderful things, those bookmarks on the toolbar!  Weather has returned to typical Florida summer weather!  Soon, soon!  The snowbirds are returning anyhow.

I went to the cardiologist this morning.  Really don't know why he said my EKG is abnormal; he never said.  He did want me to go for a cardiac cath but I talked him out of it and instead, I'm going for a echo stress test and a muscle blood test.  Both of us agree that the stress is playing a big part of this.

CarMax appraised my car at $700; ten months ago they appraised it $2000.  When I asked why, they said it was b/c now it's over 10 years old and they'd have to auction it off.  I wonder how my lawyer will take this news?

Who has an injured elbow?  I went back aways but didn't find it.  How painful!  I know hitting your "funny bone" is bad but hurting an elbow?

Thanks for telling me about LIS; I may try reading another one in that line again.  I've avoided LI b/c every one I've read before (and they sent me a LIH to review too) had the people praying before everything! I'm a religious person myself but it really was too much.  This story was just right.

I've gone back to HH again.  Like many of you, I don't like the straight romances anymore; I prefer something with a little more zip to it and in my case, I'd rather go back in time (degree in history here).  I've become especially attracted to medieval Scottish romances in the last few years and have learned a lot of history from them that I didn't learn in college.  I've been especially attracted recently to Monica McCarty's series "The Highland Guards" over the last year; the newest book, The Recruit, is out now but I haven't gotten it yet.  Currently, I'm reading a HH by Terrie Brisbin, The Highlander's Stolen Touch, which does take place in 14th century Scotland but isn't historically accurate as Monica McCarty's books are in that the story doesn't refer to specific historical events.  Still, the reader does learn about everyday life of that time.  Of course the catch is:  You have to like history!  It's also escape for me.

Oh, you know how the guy picked me up on the beach last week and he was 20 years younger than me?  Well, this week, my neighbor whom I've considered a very good friend and who has loaned me money for both the a/c debacle and the attny and who has a significant other who lives with him for many years, put the moves on me!  He's significantly older than I am too.  There's a lot more but you get the idea.  Now I am in a real pickle!   I go pretty much more than 20 years unnoticed and then, wham, twice in less than a week!

Tomorrow, I'm going to a funeral for a 3 year old from my church.  In March, Lola was an active 2 year old and then she started having continuous seizures which no one was able to stop.  She was even sent to the Cleveland Clinic but they couldn't help her.  She died a couple of weeks ago, shortly after her b-day and her family is devastated.  It wasn't epilepsy but I don't know what the final diagnosis was.  Such a shame!

Hope you all have a nice weekend.  Are your museums free tomorrow?  Ours are and I want to go to see them.

Trudy

Friday evening

Hi guys!

It has been a rough week in the Perry household. Thank goodness for good books and good buddies to talk to! Nothing earth-shattering but enough to cause me to have a tension headache I can't get rid of. I mentioned that Don's therapist told him he may not have 100% healing. Today she told him he should take a step back in his pt and use lighter weights. He is experiencing more pain again. He does have improvement in range of motion and that is a good thing. This is going to take longer than expected. The other big thing this week was a letter telling us we owe a considerable amount of back taxes to the IRS! Long story short, we went to our tax attorney today and he will handle everything. It was a mistake on the part of a bank and the IRS itself so we are not to blame and will have no financial responsibility. But you do have to go through the process of clearing things up and having an attorney adds more weight to the claim. All I can say is keep good records! We are feeling generally crappy and are taking the weekend to just do something fun.

Amanda--It is good to hear your eye is improving. That is great news! The weather turned yucky but hopefully will improve tomorrow.

Donna M--the area around Valley Forge Military Park and Wayne, PA is a really beautiful area. Karen and her family live within walking distance of the park. There are lots of very old trees in this area. Karen has a few on her property. It is pretty year around with the trees and the colonial type houses. I think fall is the best time to see it. I didn't watch DWTS on Tuesday but I figured Pamela would be voted off. I may check it out from time to time as the season continues. Good to hear you really enjoyed the Bullet Catchers.

Trudy--I have read several of the LIS books. Most of them have been good. The faith aspect is less than in the other LI books. Please let us know how your medical tests turn out.

Cady--I agree with you about getting tired of the straight romance books. I do from time to time like to read just romance but I always prefer either romantic suspense or mystery. I hear you about the LI books but as I told Trudy usually the LIS books are better.

Margie--I used to read Agatha Christie books. They were some of the first mysteries I read as a teen and young woman. I like the movies and series based on the books as well. I hope you get good news about Gavin.

I did read a lot this week. I finished Between the Lines, the book by Jodi Picoult and her daughter. Her daughter came up with the book concept and then they wrote it together. It is a fairy tale with a good twist about a prince in the story who wants out of the book to live in the real world and the young girl who falls in love with him and helps him. It was very good--enchanting and uplifting. The illustrations are beautiful as well.

I am now reading Hiding in the Shadows by Kay Hooper. This is a book in her Bishop series. I have read many of her books over the years. This one is good so far.

As I said this will be a fun weekend. The Steelers have a bye this week but we will catch some college and NFL games. And I will be reading and working on sewing a dress for Lauren.

I hope everyone has a good weekend. Happy reading!

Mary

Thursday

Happy Thursday

Margie - I think my girlfriend's daughter has Sensory Disorder.  I remember her taking her to a counselor, but also having a hard time getting a diagnosis.  I remember she use to twirl all the time.  Use to drive her mom crazy.  I think they did some counseling (had to pay on their own) and she has mainly grown out of it.  She is 9 now.  I agree with you about the Lost Night book by Jayne Castle.  I usually really like her books, this one seemed to try and have everything wrapped in a bow over a three day period.  Just felt too rushed, I didn't believe in the couple.  I have never read Agatha Christie.  I never really got into mysteries like I am previously. 

Trudy - I think my problem with the LI lines is that too often it is not just about 'God" but it seems to be a specific God.  I am okay with God, but when someone keeps hitting me over the head with him and this specific church that I need to believe in, it turns me away from the whole concept.  I am glad you found one you liked and I hope you feel better soon.

DonnaM - We weren't able to watch DWTS on Monday as the football game - Packers vs the Seahawks took over the ABC affliate.  We actually went to bed at halftime, so we didn't see the contraversial call - I am assuming everyone heard about the touchdown pass that should have been called an interception.  Boy, that caused an uproar here.  As I mentioned, I am not a Packer fan, so I didn't really care, but it was on every TV/radio/newspaper.  As for Pam getting kicked off, I was not disappointed.  I am not sure why they put her on it this year.  She wasn't that good the first time.

Amanda - I am glad that you got your bus situation taken care.  It always seems to be one thing or another with school stuff.  How is your daughter liking her dance class?  Hope you had a good Anniversary. 

Mary - I am sorry to hear about Don.  I imagine that you use your elbow a lot more that you think you do as it is such an automatic thing - at least it is until it stops working.  I hope he is able to get most of his mobility back.  As for the mysteries, I have been thinking about it.  As I have been reading so many of them - really done several big gloms.  I think I was getting bored with romance - too much of the same and the mysteries brought some fresh life to my reading.  Not sure what I am going to do now that I am almost done with the Gaslight series.  I still have some Elizabeth Peters books to read, but I guess I will be on the lookout for a new series.

I did some reading while I was away.  I tried to read

I ended up finishing it, but truthfully, I did not read it very throughly.  I just really disliked both characters.  It was definately 'Too New York Fiction" for me.  The ending did surprise me, not what I thought would happen.

Then I needed something to cleanese the palate so I read a quick Desire

It was a good book.  I think I am going to read the new Lisa Kleypas - Dream Lake next.  Since I read the romance, I think I am up for another. 

No huge plans for the weekend.  On Saturday, Mags and I are meeting a college friend of mine for lunch and some outlet shopping.  Nothing planned for Friday or Sunday, so hopefully just taking care of the house and getting ready for the next week.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday.

Cady

Hi Ladies

DonnaM, Your cat sitting makes me laugh.  I've known some cats who were super spoiled like that so I know what you mean.  They can be very demanding.  It sounds like your second trip to SF was fun. I really like all the pictures of the buildings. 

Mary/DonnaM, I also watched DWTS.  I did like it but it was different, maybe not as exciting, because most of them were so good so fast.  I thought the results show was very boring and just had it as background noise while I read.  Mary, I agree about Pamela Anderson.  She was not good and you are right about her attitude.  She looked grumply right from the start.  Good she is gone.

Amanda,  Belated Happy Anniversary wishes!  I didn't realize your eye was bothering you.   At least you got good news that it is getting better.   It is really crazy to have to wait so long for them to just peak at your eye and send you on your way.  Get this...years ago I took my mom to an eye doctor in San Jose and we would have to wait 3 to 4 hours (yes, hours) for her to be in there for 5 minutes!  It was driving me crazy sitting there with her.  I really felt like was going to have a nervous breakdown.  We couldn't be late or they wouldn't see her and he was the first doctor to actually give her some relief and help her with her dry eyes.  He actually helped get her diagnoised with Lupus so in the end it was worth it to know what was wrong with her.  He eventually transferred her to another doctor who could help her better and he is much quicker to see his patients. 

Cady,  Sorry to hear Maggie is still suffering from the headaches.  It is crazy how the waits in the clinics are so ridiculously long but at least you know she doesn't have the strep.  You've been reading a lot of mystery lately.  Have you ever read Agatha Christie?  I've never read her books but I do enjoy the films based on them.  I remember when I was a kid my cousin from Arizona came to live with us for the Summer.  He was probably about 17 and he had stacks of her books all over his bedroom.   Back then I hated to read and just couldn't imagine how anyone could have so many books and actually want to read them.

Trudy,  I hope you get the tyroid issue under control.  I also take meds for that but I think I may need some adjustments.  I'll find out soon as my yearly exam is not too far away. 

DonnaH, Dream Lake is up next for me after I finish my current book.  Glad to be hearing good things about it.  Sorry to hear your shoulder was troubling you.  The therapy is a pain but in the end it is worth it. 



Since last hear I did finish Lost Night by Jayne Castle.  It was okay.  I didn't enjoy it as much as the last few by her.  Maybe it was a bit slow or something.    Now I am reading the latest in Maya Banks KGI series.  I know she writes some books that are more erotic but these are more mainstream romance with suspense. 


I know some of you are curious about the sensory processessing disorder.  I found this site that really explains a lot about it and about the Sensory Seeking issues.  I'm going to try to put a link but I'm not sure it will work but if not just enter it into google.  http://www.child-behavior-guide.com/sensory-seeking.html. 

I have Friday off and my sister and I are joining Gavin's class to go to the county fair.  I have not been to the county fair since high school.  I guess with G in my life now, I will be going to these kinds of things again.

It is late so I'll be shutting down now.  Have a good Thursday.
Margie :)

Wed. night

Now you just aren't going to believe this but, the bookmark for this site has shown up somehow on the toolbar at the top of the page!  If I had tried to do this, I wouldn't have succeeded!  But I'm sooooo happy that it worked out that way!

I'm enjoying all the comments about school from everyone.  It's been so long for me and, what with me having no contact (5 years next month) with my grandkids, it helps bring it all back.  Also, I haven't worked for 9 years as of 9/17 now and that adds to it as well.

I just finished the FIRST Love Inspired book that I've ever enjoyed and it was given to me by a fellow Thunderhead (CT fan).  It's called "Duty to Protect" and is written by Roxanne Rustand and is from the Love Inspired Suspense line.  The heroine is on the run from a killer(s) and is the only one left of her family even after they were put into Witness Protection 14 years previously.  She hides in a horse trailer of a rancher at a bus stop when she's discovered there by the bad guy and Jake, the rancher, who is also a former cop, takes her back to his remote ranch in MT.  There, he convinces her to stay while he checks out her background and story (after he gets her to tell him) and, of course, trouble ends up finding her in the end.  Religion is there but it doesn't smack you across the face like it did in every other book I read in the Love Inspired line. If I can find other books like this one, I'd read more books in this line.  This book has a great story which kept your attention, it was very clean and religion didn't overwhelm you.

I went to my primary today b/c I've been feeling so poorly.  I talked her into doing a blood test for all possible thyroid problems after I read an article in our paper on thyroid disorders.  I have many symptoms which are also symptoms of other things and even though I'm on thyroid medication and the usual blood test comes back normal, there are other thyroid problems possible.  They took four tubes of blood.  My doctor is also sending me to a cardiologist on Friday for "atypical heart problems."  I'm pretty sure most of this is caused by the stress I'm under but still........

Tomorrow, the friend who took me on the trip and I are taking our cars to CarMax b/c she wants to sell one of her cars.  I'm going to get my car appraised as well b/c I need an appraisal for the bankruptcy.  CarMax is not close and my dealer is in the opposite direction so, I'm killing two birds with one stone so to speak.

We had a taste, just a tiney, tiny taste of fall this week!  The humidity was gone for 48 hours!  Now we're back to the soup but the high temps have dropped a couple of degrees.  Only about two more weeks and fall will arrive in FL!  At least my part of it; when I was on the east coast of FL last week, they said it wouldn't hit the 60's until about Nov. 4th, can you believe that?  I envy you your cooler weather but not sweater weather.

Trudy

Wednesday, 9/26/2012...

Good Afternoon Friends,

This morning I got to sleep!  It was about quarter to 8 when my eyes popped open.  It was so nice.  The cat I was taking care of starts early in the morning despite the fact that he can't go out until it is light out.  He was having problems fighting with another cat in the neighborhood & he was getting the bad end of it!  If you are lucky he doesn't start with the meowing until around 5 but usually it is earlier.  He is hard to ignore even when the door is shut!!  Oh well!  The money sure helps my economy!!

The picture above is of flowers that I find interesting.  I have no idea what they are.  They remind me of a lily but I'm pretty sure they are not.  Since I have no idea what they might be I don't even know how to find out!!

We are having fallish weather but headed to a warm up over the weekend.  I'm so wanting to get in the car & just go somewhere!!  I know, I was just in San Francisco last week.  It isn't like I haven't done anything.  The warmer weather is going to last through Monday so maybe I will head over to the coast for a day after I have the car serviced.  I hate to keep racking up the miles when it needs taken care of.  Nothing wrong, but I do like to keep up with the maintenance.

Amanda, glad to see you here.  It looks like you have been busy.  For your sake I do hope the bus issue with your daughter is solved.  What do you mean you are to old to walk from one end of the school to the other!!!  :-)  You are much younger than I am so I know it can't be to difficult!!!  Back to school night was always interesting.  Sometimes I miss it but not often as I really like having only myself to take care of.  It is also fun having my daughters & their families to enjoy.  I still haven't read the other Desire that Tell Harlequin sent.  Like Mary I think I will opt out as I rarely enjoy anything they send.  Keep us posted on what you are reading for book club.  Belated congratulations on your anniversary.  I saw the wedding pictures you posted on Facebook.

Mary, a day outside with family is always a good day in my opinion.  I'll have to check out the Valley Forge area online to have a look.  If I'm remembering correctly neither of our football teams came out ahead on Sunday.  This weekend the Niners are playing the Jets.  We will see how that goes.  It is early in the season yet which means much can change.  Sorry to hear that Don's problem may not go away completely.  It is difficult to take the limitations in stride as we get older!  So far I've been very fortunate with my health.  I loved all the Bullet Catcher books.  It has been awhile since I read any of them but I do know I always looked forward to the next one.  You said you are not sure if you will watch DWTS after this first week.  I enjoyed it.  Was happy (not nice, I know) to see Pamela Anderson the first one voted off!  I just never have cared for her.  I'm wondering what she is going to do on Broadway.  I was bummed to see Drew Lachey one of the ones in Jeopardy.   Because I wanted to see all of DWTS I missed the premier of NCIS being back with new programs.  I hate it when two shows I like are on at the same time.  I know the networks do it on purpose because they all want all of the audience.

I had to stop to move laundry from the washers to the dryers!  This is sheets & towels, my clothes I always wash when I pet sit!  It is a plus that I love when I'm taking care of someone's animals!

Yesterday was an interesting TV day for me.  The President & Mrs. Obama were on The View, Barbara Striesand was on Katie.  Then in the evening I watched DWTS & Private Practice.

Before this gets any more "chatty" I will close for now.  My stomach is demanding attention to have lunch!
Here is another picture from San Francisco the day I had time to kill while my neighbor was having her procedure.  This is more houses in the neighborhood where I was walking.  This picture is not my best effort!!

Everyone have a good day.  Happy reading,
Donna M

Tuesday night

Hello Ladies!

My first update is that Amelia's bus is running, and actually at the time it should be here - as of yesterday.  Amelia told me a letter came home stating the bus would be earlier, but of course, she didn't give the letter to me.  Shocking, I know:-0   We will see if that continues thru the rest of the year.

DonnaM - Love your pictures, as always.  Sorry the food wasn't so hot, but glad you had a good day otherwise.  No doubt, you will be happy to be home, after 10 days away.  Wish I could have been out shopping with you.  Always fun, even when you can't buy.

DonnaH -  The weiner roast sounded good.  Wish I was closer, would have been happy to join you - lol!  My eye dr appt went well, minus the wait (ugh!).  Seems unfair to wait so long for a 2 min appt.  But, the fluid is almost gone and that is good news.  Don't have to go back until January.  Will be there next month for the girls to have their yearly check up though.

Mary -  Great weather this weekend, for sure.  Was at the park on Sunday so Aurora could pick leaves for her horticultural class.  Had to pick from 25 different trees.  Good thing she didn't ask me for help, because she would lose there.  Didn't see any football on Sunday, but did catch some of the Penn State game on Saturday.  

Sandi -  I need you to motivate me to dejunk.  I am so slow at it.  Not because I always want to keep things, but just too lazy to move it elsewhere/get rid of.  How was book club?  My new one met last Wednesday.  There was only 3 of us, but it was fun.  Should be some more next month.  I can't remember the name of the new book - something about Two Notch.  Will have to look it up again.  And yes, we did get to the zoo a week ago Sunday.  Was an absolutely gorgeous day for it.  I didn't take an many pics this time, but will try to post a few that I did.

Trudy - Sorry the lawyer problem isn't over yet.  That many different docs is ugly.  Hope all is better soon.  Glad you had a good time with your friend.  I had to laugh when I saw you went to Pompano Beach.  My job has two locations in FL  -- Tampa and Pompano Beach.  So that just made me laugh.  Did you get a pic of the guy trying to pick you up?  You should have!  You could boast to all your friends:)

Margie - Check your computer.  I had two other browsers already set up on it.  Who knew?  I found the worst part is putting all my favs back in.  I could be doing the slow and not working thing though, so I'll take the minor inconvenience until I have everything saved again.

Cady - That's tough that Maggie is having headaches.  Amelia's bf has had migraines since they became friends in 2nd grade.  Sucky when you are an adult, and even worse if your a child.  A shame that the issues of some spoil things for everyone else.  It shouldn't be such a production to send your child to school with headache medicine.  I can relate to the dr room waiting, as I was just at the eye dr and was there 2 hours for a 2 min exam.  Ridiculous.

Lets see, what else have I been up to?  Had back to school for Aurora last week.  I always like to meet the teachers.  Saw a number of people I knew, some of whom I hadn't seen anytime recently so didn't know they had kids going to the tech school.  They try to kill us though, walking from one end to the other - ugh.  I am too old for that.  Sunday was our wedding anniversary.  Even though its only been 17 years, its seems like forever sometimes.  We went to dinner Saturday night w/o the girls.  It was good and I brought dessert home:)

Not much else happening.  Haven't read anything since finishing the TellH Desire I was reading last week.  Not sure what I will read next either.  Have plenty to chose from, so can't say there is lack of selection - lol!

Ok, should really get to bed.  Even though the girls are off tomorrow, sadly I am not.  Hope everyone is having a great week!

Amanda

Tuesday evening

Hi guys!

I took notes so I will try to comment on all the posts since I last posted. Before I forget I know Donna M and Margie mentioned tv stands. The one we bought (at BJs warehouse) was very reasonably priced around $100. It is a three-tier black stand so we were able to put the tv, vcr, cable box and cd player on the tiers and it looks very nice.

Don's pt is going well but today his therapist told him it might never be 100% again--his age and activites contribute to that. So he is continuing and hoping for the best. Elbow tendons are tricky so he will have to be careful.

We spent some time with Karen and her family on Sat. and as always that was fun. The weather was beautiful and we spent most of the time outdoors. Valley Forge area is one of the nicest in this part of PA and fall is always pretty there. Sunday we watched football.

Margie--I smiled reading about Gavin loving to run. My grandkids love to also. They run circles in the house and race each other outside. It is good exercise and burns up lots of energy.

Donna H--that shoulder thing does sound painful. I have started reading the Bullet Catcher books. I am going to have to continue if they are all as good as Kill Me Twice.

Donna M--it is always good to get back home! Taking care of spoiled pets does not sound like fun. I am enjoying the photos of the houses.

Sandi--your dejunking ideas are helpful. I actually have been doing some dejunking lately and making headway!

Trudy--I am glad you stopped in. It is always good to see you here.

Cady--you are way ahead of me with the Gaslight series. I am glad you are enjoying the books.

I read the first Bullet Catcher book by Roxanne St. Claire--Kill Me Twice and really enjoyed it. It only took me two days to read. I am now reading Between the Lines, a book that Jodi Picoult wrote with her daughter. It is targeted to young adults but can be read by adults also. I am enjoying it so far. It is quite different than any of her other books. It is a modern fairy tale with a twist. I watched DWTS last night and was not as impressed as I thought I would be. Pamela Anderson seems to have a bad attitude already and did not do well. I am not sure I will continue watching.

I hope everyone is having a good week.

Mary

Home again! 9/25/2012...

Good Afternoon to All,

Yes, I'm home from cat sitting!  I had a very busy morning but am just going to relax now while I enjoy being home.  I still have to finish unpacking, do some things but I can do it as I'm moved to do so!!!  No more accommodating a very spoiled cat!!  That is not meant as a complaint.  The picture above is another view of some of San Francisco's unique architecture.  I love seeing these houses down there.  I've never seen anything like them anywhere else but they may exist.  What I love is the detail, they certainly don't build places like this anymore.  These places are all treasures most of them well kept up so it is sad when you one that is the stages of decline.

Trudy, I'm always glad to see you here.  It doesn't sound like the lawyer's office is doing all that much to give you the help you need.  I hope that is all resolved soon.  You really made me laugh about the "man" that was trying to pick you up!!   Not that I don't think you are aren't worth being picked up.  Your take on Miami might be something like mine of San Diego!  Too much city, too many people, too much traffic!  Not inclined to want to rush down there again!!  I hope you did enjoy the rest of the trip.  It sounds like it would be a good break from the reality of life.

Cady,  always good to see you here.  Sounds like you had a good weekend.  The cheer leading for Maggie sounds like a good experience.  I got to do some at a relatively young age but was not on any official squad. I'm glad you have enjoyed the Gaslight series.  We have been having cool nights & mornings that feel a little like fall but here it is not time yet for the warmer clothes.  In fact, we are headed towards a warm up on Thursday with weather back into the 90's.  I'd much rather see it in the 60's!!

I can't remember if I mentioned reading In Seconds by Brenda Novak.  The story was good but one insanely crazy man killed a lot of people for no reason.  That part I did not care for.  Yesterday I finished reading a Blaze, One Man Rush by Joanne Rock.  I choose that because after the intensity of In Seconds I needed something that was much lighter.  This one filled the bill, the H is hockey player & the h a matchmaker trying to get him to meet a client.  Good story!



Now that I am back home I need to schedule a service for my car.  I also need to get the left headlight replaced then.  My car is just old enough now that it needs more attention!

Did anyone else watch Dancing With Stars last nigh?.  It is going to be a very interesting season.  Pamela Anderson still did not impress me one bit.  It is going to be tough deciding where to put my votes.

My brain is sort of functioning very slowly so I think I will say good bye for now.  Might be because I had to get up way to early today!  I will leave you with a picture of the same house but a close up of the design over the arch.

See you all soon.  Happy reading,
Donna M

Monday night

I know, I know, I've disappeared again!  It's been  very rough and I was in pretty bad shape mentally and emotionally from all the stress I've been under.  What I told you I was hoping would happen did and my cousin paid off my attny's fees for me (long story, tell you later) but it's far from over.  I trudged down to his office (17 mi. in traffic each way) three times in five days to be bullied by his secretary and still the paperwork isn't quite completed.  So I'm still under the gun there.

Of course what would stress be without some other problems too?  And I've had them as well.  Five specialists for five different reasons between the Fourth of July and Labor Day!  C'est la vie, n'est-ce pas?

Well, a former neighbor who sold her unit in my bldg and bought one in another assoc. here took me with her last week when she went to check out a time share in Pompano Beach, FL.  It had been arranged in advance and she paid for everything!  It was a suite so we each had our own room which was nice and a kitchen so we had breakfast there (each brought our own food).  We ate at fast-food places with BOGO coupons.  We went to Miami since I've had never been there and now I can say: been there, done that!  Did go to South Beach before the crazies came out and it was interesting with the restaurants lining the sidewalks on one side of the street and the beach on the other.  Oh, I got picked up on the beach at Pompano Beach by a guy who's 20 younger than me!  Kept telling me how beautiful I am (I knew that was a load of you know what b/c I had seen my face before we left the room and it was really drawn and haggard).  He is very good-looking, from CA originally, living in FL and soooo lonely and loving my bust!!!! 

I'm sorry to say that I didn't go very far back and read all the posts b/c I haven't posted for so long that I would have been sitting here until dawn.  From what I did read however though, you all seem to be doing OK.  I do agree with not sending advil to school w/kids since I was a teacher and they have really cracked down on kids bringing anything remotely resembling a drug to school.

I managed to finally bookmark this site so hopefully I won't be absent so long again.  Sorry!

Trudy

Hopefully, everyone had a good weekend.  Mike was gone for part of it, but the kids and I had a lot of fun.  On Friday, Mags did a lil' cheer thing at our high school football game.  She really enjoyed it.  Unfortunately, the team, which was 4-0, ended up losing pretty bad, so since it was cold, we left not too long after half-time.  Then on Saturday, we did some shopping, we needed to pick up a gift for a bday party on Sunday and the kids needed some cold weather clothes.  The weather here has dropped dramatically.  It was in the high 50s/low sixties this weekend.  Brrr.  Time to pull out sweaters and jeans.  On Sunday, I took Mags to the walk-in clinic to make sure she didn't have strep.  She has been fighting this headache all week.  No strep, so now I am thinking it is just a cold that is giving her a headache.  Annoying as it took us over 2 hours at the walk-in clinic - my fault for not wanting to take her on Monday - but she had three tests today and I didn't want her to miss them and I figured it wouldn't be that bad.  I didn't mind the wait to get in to the doctor, but the rapid test that takes 5 minutes took over 30 to do and another 10 to tell us the results.  grrr.  Oh, well, at least I know she is not contagious.  She has a dental appt today, so I am glad I know she doesn't have strep.

DonnaM - I totally understand about your TV cabinet.  I really liked ours and so the last tv we got to fit in it.  It was one of those huge cabinets, it worked great in our old house, but now I think I would like just a nice table with the TV, but that won't be happening for a bit.  I remember when we honeymooned in San Fran, I made Mike leave this really fun restaurant that we had apps at to go to Chinatown as I was sure it would be great food.  Not so much for us either, Mike still thinks we should have stayed at the other place. 

DonnaH - I hope your sholder is feeling better.  That sounded very painful.  I still have Dream Lake in the TBR, but it isn't due until October so I have a bit of time.

Margie - My son would like a running class too, but it is only for girls.  Good luck on Gavin's diagnosis.  I know a lot of parents say that you have to be their advocate during these evaluations.  I hope it goes well.

Sandi - I couldn't believe I had the receipts either, but I did remember when I bought the stuff, that I put them in an odd part of my wallet so I wouldn't lose them.  I guess I hadn't cleaned out the wallet since May - good thing or I would have likely thrown them out.  I haven't read Chelsea Cain, but I am not too big on the serial killer/thriller books as much as mysteries.  I will check her out though.

Mary - They require us to send snacks for the kids, which is good as Luke is not a breakfast eater, so some cheese and crackers or fruit helps him get through until lunch.  I am enjoying the Gaslight series.  They are fun fast reads, read

and

That has me almost caught up with the series.  I only have one left. 

I have several other books from the library, so up now will be Gone Girl, since I have Mags dentist appt and Luke's swim tonight, I should be able to get a good jump into it.

Hope everyone has a great Monday

Cady

Saturday, 9/22/2012...

Good afternoon my Friends,

Today isn't any better for time than the other days!  When I am away from home the computer time seems always rushed!  I've been shopping on line!!!  Dangerous but easy!  I had to add minutes to my Tracfone then I bought my annual calendar from the National Parks.  Most of the parks have an online bookstore that sell calendars this time of year.  The calendars are marvelous plus I'd rather spend the money at the National Parks bookstores than Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  The contribution may not be much but every bit helps.

The above picture is some of San Francisco's unique houses or apartments from the day I took my neighbor to the doctor in the city.  I walked around several blocks in the area snapping pictures.  There is more to come.  Then when I went to San Francisco with my daughter the other day I took more, lots more!

I did not take any notes on your posts.  Right now my brain is not thinking straight.  I will catch up eventually!!

Margie, I've never heard of the sensory problem that Gavin may have.  What you said did make sense.  I just hope that they decide he can have the help he needs.

Today I went to Farmer's Market, managed to squish two tomatoes that I bought bad enough that they had to be tossed, leaked all over my nice canvas bag & my clean shirt!!  I didn't notice what was happening until I felt all this moisture on the way back to my car!!  Bummer!!  After that I walked down to the Art Festival in the square.  There was some great art work, jewelery, photography, pottery, wine & a food booth.  I tried one of the sausage sandwiches with caramelized onions & sauerkraut with a smoked beer sausage.  Very yummy!!  You had your choice of the 2 toppings, those were my pick!  You put on your own condiments. The photographs made me envious & I saw some jewelery I would buy in a minute but no money to spend on such things now.  I need to get my car serviced & I'm still trying to pay off the credit card.  Sometimes being a responsible adult is just no fun!!  I can't remember if I mentioned I have a headlight out.  I so rarely drive at night that I have no idea how long it has been out.  I will have that taken care of when I get the car serviced next week.

Tuesday I will be back home.  I'm at the point where I am ready for that.  Having to put the cats needs over my coming & going is starting to get restrictive.  He has been in most of the day so by now he is probably ready to be out.  After all, they pay me to take care of him but they have him sooooo spoiled!!!  He is not deprived or ignored in any way when I am there.  Tomorrow is football!  I know we are somewhere in the east I just don't remember where.  Hope my team continues to do well.

Donna H, I hope your shoulder continues to be okay.  Your description sounds very painful.  Do take care not to over do anything.  Especially anything that undoes your therapy.

Everyone have a great weekend.  Here is another picture taken the day I took my neighbor to the city.  It was fun walking around the neighborhood.

Happy reading,
Donna M

Friday Evening

Hi Everyone!  {:-)

Margie, I finished Lisa Kleypas's Dream Lake.  At the end of it they had an exerpt from the next book in the series (said it's #3 of a trilogy) It's called Crystal Cove, and is Justine's story.  I'm going to request it now so I get it as soon as it comes out in March 2013. 

When you mention Sensory Processing Disorder, is that something like when he touches something he doesn't know how hard he's touching, for example?  I hope he can get the help he needs for all his problems!  I was just going to say that having to wait until Oct. to find out if he qualifies for help or not is awful, and then I realized that Oct. is in little more than a week.  {:-0 

Donna M, very nice fall picture even if it is from last year.  I'm glad you enjoyed the day with your daughter, even if the food was poor.  We'll be looking forward to the new pictures.

I need to go to bed pretty soon as I have to be in town by 7:30 tomorrow morning.  I'm going to a Ladies Retreat in Esterhazy (about a 90 drive from here).  It's only for one day, I'll be home again by suppertime.  The one-day retreats are easier to attend than the overnight ones used to be, but the longer ones were definitely more fun. 

I went to physio on Wed. a.m. and in the afternoon I stood at the kitchen sink for more than 2 hours peeling apples.  I have an apple peeler, but it still took me that long to peel the boxful of apples I had.  I woke up around 3:00 in the night in agony.  My shoulder had gone out of place (I must have slept on it) and I couldn't get it back in.  Finally around 6:00 I got up and got into the shower, let the hot water pour over my shoulder, and that finally loosened the muscles up enough so I could click it back into place.  Oh, what a wonderful sound that little tiny "knick" was.  Instant relief!!!  It still ached for most of the day, but at least it was moveable, and by Thurs evening it was fine again.  Wade (my physiotherapist) has given me a total of 10 exercises to do each day.  By themselves they're very mild, but by the time I finish all 10 of them 8 times each, I'm worn right out. 

I hear that my washer has stopped, so I'd better go put the stuff into the dryer or I'll be wearing wet jeans tomorrow. . .  UGG!!! 

I hope everyone has a good first day of fall!  {:-)

T.G.I.F., 9/21/2012...

Good Afternoon to Everyone,

This is just a quick flyby!  I'll come back later to catch up or maybe tomorrow!  This picture is from all the beautiful fall color in the vineyards last year.  This one is also close to Asti which is near Cloverdale, CA.  I hope we see this again this fall.  I haven't had a chance to get out & about due to the cat sitting.

I was gone all day yesterday with my daughter, Shannon.  We spent the day in San Francisco first in Chinatown & then out at Land's End.  Wait till I get pictures to post!  Spectacular views of the Golden Gate & other places!  Not all my pictures are spectacular!  It was a good day with my daughter.  We ate in Chinatown but I was less than impressed with the food or the restaurant!  Oh well, such is life!

Later All.  Enjoy the day & the weekend.  Happy reading,
Donna M

I have to watch the time as I have an appointment for a hair cut in about half an hour!

Hi Ladies

DonnaM, Sinde you love your t.v. cabinet and want to keep it, you will probably just have to downsize on the new t.v. size.  Most of the new t.v.'s are slimmer but that makes them longer too.  We have a big new t.v. I think it is 48 inches and it is on an older coffee table but I hate that because I have to have our DVR and VCR on a table to the side.  They were on the floor under the table but that was ugly.  It is still ugly but not as bad.  I've been looking at yard sales for something that will work.  We do have parks/rec dept but I've never heard of Track for Toddlers....they should do that!  G would love to run, run, run but I don't think he'd be able to really listen to the teacher.  During all this process with the speech issue we are finding he has other special needs.  I've done reasearch online and think he has Sensory Processing Disorder.  I think he's a sensory seeker.  Very interesting how so many of the quirks we just thought were unique to him are actually many symptoms of a sensory seeker.  He has some of the sensory avoider stuff too but not as much as a seeker. No diagonis...just my opinion of the things I've read.  A couple of thearapist kind of confirmed this when they mentioned he has some sensory issues but didn't elaborate. We have to wait till the end of Oct to see if he qualifies for the program of speech but I think he needs OT too for the sensory stuff.  We'll see.

DonnaH, I've only read two DP books and both were SIM books with suspence.  I really liked them.  I love Lisa Kleypas and have read all her Historicals.  I'm enjoying this new contemporary series.  I also have Dream Lake from the library to read.  Glad to hear you are enjoying it.  When LK wrote her first wrote contemp book Sugar Daddy, I was reluctant to read it because I loved her Historicals and didn't want to be disappointed.  Also, I didn't like the title.  Finally I broke down and read it.  I loved it.  I really enjoyed that entire series.  

Sandi,  Maybe I'll look into changing browser when I get my cousin to get over here to help me with my pics.  When we moved here, I had no intention of changing the faucet fixtures in the bathroom sinks right away.  They were ugly but funtional.  Then my good friend came by with two new ones.  Not expensive but very nice and with high arching faucets that swivel.  I loved that feature as you can move it to wash your face or anything. I've read some of CP books and enjoyed them.  But I like paranormal.  How'd the interview go?  Do the members that read the authors  books write questions?  How does that work?  Oh, I watched finally of BBrother and I'm glad Ian won.

I finished the Sabrina Jeffries books.  I read the final book in the Heiress series and didn't like it as much as the other books.  I also enjoyed the other series by her better.  Now I am reading the new Jayne Castle. 

Have a good day.
Margie

Playing Catch-up Again

Seems like I'm playing catch-up again today.  I came here about 2 days in a row, and no one had visited since my last comments.  Today my head was swimming with all the new posts. . .  {:-)  I did write down some notes.  Hope I didn't miss anyone.

Sandi, I keep starting to dejunk and then I get sidetracked, so by the time I start again, the stuff I did before needs to be done again.  It's a vicious circle. 

We have to be very careful what our kids take to school, too, but the kids will be given Tylenol with a phone call to the parents for permission -- that may have changed, I'd have to ask my daughters.

Your house is going to be great when all your renos are done.  You are very wise to be at home when someone is working on your house.  When we enlarged a closet and turned it into a (very small) second bathroom, we got everything ready, and the plumber came while we were gone.  He was our brother-in-law, so we felt confident that he wouldn't do anything he shouldn't.  Well, we got home, and the plumbing was done exactly as it was supposed to be, but he had run a wire for the new light, and added it into the electrical line from the livingroom.  We had planned on running a whole new line, adding a couple more lights in the basement onto it while we were at it.  So now I STILL have an extension cord and a trouble light in my craft room. . . 

Donna M, our entertainment centre is large, heavy, and full of stuff, too, so when we got our new TV, we simply sat it on top.  It's a little higher than it was, but I think I like it better.  I seem to be able to see it better while reclining on the couch with my book. . . 

Margie, I picked up all the Diane Pershing books my library had in their list.  I've never read her before, but someone somewhere recommended her.  I'll take them along to read while we're gone.  Right now I'm reading Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas -- it's a Friday Harbor novel as well.  It has a ghost in it, which I'm getting quite a kick out of.  {:-)  She mentions the characters from other books, and says that they did this or that before, which is a great help when it comes to remembering the other stories.  Which Lisa Kleypas book did you get? 

Our wiener roast went really well.  There was not a bit of wind, so we were able to sit around the fire talking until quite late.  It seemed later, but I think that was because it gets dark so much earlier already. 

HUMP DAY

Cady, sounds like you've been busy too! I'm glad you still had the receipts and could get repaid for your supplies. I wouldn't have had them! This weekend I was thinking I might get some dejunking done, but I forgot I have to go help at Fresh Fiction...we're reorganizing books there, and we thought we'd get some done a couple of days this week, but Monday we only got the new ones done, and Tuesday the person who was going to help me was sick, and so nothing got done! I also need to run my own dejunked books to Half Price and clear out my trunk, or I'm going to have trouble getting groceries on Sunday! Hopefully you got a good deal on the new running shoes. Brian needs new shoes, but he won't go look. I was able to buy him some new clothes recently. He was in need of shirts and jeans...I could get the jeans because he doesn't really care, but shirts he's fussy about. I took pictures with my phone, and sent him text messages of them. I did end up buying some he didn't have pictures of and had to return a couple, but it was a great way to shop for us! You're really on a mystery kick these days! Have you read Chelsea Cain? More thriller probably than mystery, but my book club is all raving about her since I suggested her for one of our chapter meetings.

Mary, and Cady you really have to be careful about sending things to school. Richard had Advil in his car when he was in high school, and the drug dog came sniffing and he got in trouble...even though it was outside and locked in his trunk, and in his bowling bag so no one knew he had it! I had to send advil for Brian in elementary school and had to have a dr note about it because of his growing pains. Here the week or two before school starts the buses start running. They do practice runs...no kids just the drivers. They do it early morning and afternoon...guess so that it happens in traffic patterns that they will be experiencing when school starts.

Mary, glad to hear that the PT is working! I've joined an email list about dejunking, and it's pretty inspiring. The important thing to remember...it didn't get dejunked in a few minutes or a hour, so it's goign to take awhile to get done. They really suggest getting routines going, and only working about 15 minutes and setting a timer to do so. I just set small goals...let's dejunk this drawer and then if it went well and I feel like I have time I do another, and if I feel like it after doing one I reward myself with a chapter or a few rounds of a video game, and then oh..I should dejunk this corner. Done..a chapter or two! and on and on!

Margie, I think using a new browser is really a matter of downloading it, and then voila there you go. I might be oversimplying this, but it really is easier than one might think!` The horrid part...moving all your favorites! Isn't it amazing the energy toddlers have! I too hope your faucet isn't an issue. Did I mention that we put new faucets in our bathroom sinks? We bought them, and our plumber installed them. I love them...they look great, and in our bathroom it also fixed the dribble of cold water we had, and now we get a good stream!

Donna, I think that E.L.James is popular because of it's start in Fan Fiction based on the Twilight series, and then it just exploded from there. The somewhat plain covers I think also help people not to be embarrased about what they're reading.

Tonight is book club. We're having cold cuts and I'm bringing the croissants. I love croissants! The phone in author is Caridad Pinero. I've not read her because her genre isn't really my thing, but I think several of the members have, and I know we'll have at least one new member tonight, maybe two!

Tomorrow I've decided to take a half day off. I need some time at home. I was thinking this morning I could do laundry, but I totally forgot...I can't! The reason I'm taking a half day is so I can be home when the contractor is rebuilding the laundry room! How funny is that...thinking I can do something in the same room that is being fixed! Oh well, plenty of other stuff to do...like go through the books I want to take to half price!

Trudy..I think I missed something about you not feeling well. Hope everything is cool by now!

Ooh...speaking of cool...we're cooling down, and I've been able to drive in with my sun roof open!

Hope everyone has a great hump day!

Sandi

Tuesday, 9/18/2012...

Hi Everyone,

Nice to see you all here posting.  Now if I can just remember!!!  A reminder that these fall pictures are all from last year!  It isn't looking like fall yet, still summer here!  This is out near a little place called Asti.  The winery there was at one time Italian Swiss Colony.  Does anyone remember the adds with the Little Ole Winemaker?  That was for Italian Swiss Colony.  It is near Cloverdale where I lived for 27 years.  You can see the color in the vineyards even going up into the hills.  It is so pretty.

Someone mentioned I may have to get a new TV cabinet for the newer TV's when I get around to having one!  Problem is I don't want a new one!!  This is is large, heavy, not easy to move but it not only is for the TV, there is storage for DVD's & a bookcase.  Yes, the book case if full!!  Anyway, once I spend money on the TV there won't be any for a new entertainment center, or TV stand!

Sandi, I hope your organizing & dejunking rubs off on me soon!  Once I am finished with my current pet sitting I would like to hit the road, even for only a day.  One of my friends is going to make plans with me but I'm not sure what she is interested in doing.  Your involvement with Fresh Fiction sounds interesting.  I'm not really interested in a book club but I do wish I had someone that likes books similar to what I read.  Our weather has cooled down enough that it is nice to be outside.  In fact the mornings have been cool enough that I haven't been out walking.  My schedule is all off kilter right now.  Not that I have a "real" schedule!!

Cady, sorry to hear that Maggie is having headaches.  I think you are smart to give her some Advil to help her.  When my oldest grandson was in high school he had problems with asthma.  I had to go pick him up a couple of times because he could not have an inhaler at school.  One time he had one stolen.  That was a pain as the things are not cheap.  He seems to have mostly outgrown the asthma which is a good thing.  Enjoy the weekend.  By the way, I can't be too sorry that the Lions lost on Sunday night.  It is great to see the 49'ers doing so well.  I hope your Lions do well the rest of the season.

Mary glad Don is continuing to do well.  My Dad had to have cortisone shots several times for problems he had.  It was a long time ago.  They seemed to help him a lot.  I like your family book club since you all read some of the same books.  The Niners are on the road the next two weeks.

Margie, sorry to hear about the problem with your shower.  The joys of being a home owner.  Hope there are no more unpleasant surprises down the road.  Gavin sounds pretty typical for a little boy.  Does your town have a Park & Recreation program?  There might be some class he could take through that.  I hope you remember to take some pictures when the fall colors start showing up in your area.  

Did anyone happen to see E.L. James on Katie yesterday?  I still don't understand why her 50 Shades books are so popular.  There are so many good books out there that I wonder why these particular ones caught on to become such a sensation.  She is obviously not real comfortable being on TV!  She did say she has a lot of characters running around in her head.

My latest read was That Thing Called Love by Susan Andersen.  It is the first book in her new series.  I liked it, am looking forward to the next one.  Not sure when that is coming out.



I hope I haven't left anyone out.  I need to close this down & get back over to let the cat out.  He is shut in when I am gone.

See you all next time. Happy reading,
Donna M

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a good weekend.  Mine was okay.  I spent my Saturday pulling weeds and cleaning up the yard.   Stayed out in the sun too long and got a bit sick so I slept all afternoon.  I felt better on Sunday but just rested all day.

I've been following the posts but just haven't had the time to comment so I've skimmed the posts again.

DonnaM, Sorry your trip to SF took so long but that was very nice of you to go with your friend.  I'm sure your trip with your daughter to Chinatown will be more enjoyable.  Last summer, I got to taste some Baklava.  We had gone to the wharf in Montery to get some clam chowder and they were having a Greek festival.  So we browsed the crafts and food.  My friend likes Baklava so she got some and gave us a piece but I didn't care for it.  I like your pictures of the white house and the yellow leaf tree. There is a Victorian home on one of our older streets in town.  It has this beautiful  tree in the front yard that is just like the one in your picture only it is probably three times bigger.  In the fall it is all yellow like that.  I'll really have to remember to get a picture of it when the leaves turn.  The site was used years ago when they made the t.v. miniseries East of Eden with Jane Seymore.  They also used the front of the high school in the movie.  It was fun to watch the movie and see familiar places.  Yay! Go Niners!  They have started off great. 

DonnaH, "Merry Christmas" Congratulations on the new t.v.  I'm glad you didn't get as sick as Hardy.  I see you got a lot of Diane Pershing books.  Is she an author you have read before.  I just mentioned reading one of her older SIM's in my last post and I really liked it.  I hope your second wieiner roast turned out well.  I'm hoping that by next summer we will be settled in here enough to have more get togethers in our back yard. 

Sandi,  So sorry that Richard lost his job. That is very hard to be given some hope like that to only be disappointed.  I also really enjoyed Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas.  For some reason, I could not remember much about Christmas at Friday Harbor either.  I know I liked it but couldn't remember the details.  I have the newest one from the library waiting to be read.   

Cady,  Maggie is one busy girl. Sorry she has been getting headaches. I think it is great that she has all these opportunities to try music and other things.  I always wanted to do stuff like that as a kid but parents didn't have the money for things like that.  I hope Maggie enjoys her running class.  Gavin is a runner too.  I wonder if they have toddler running classes because he would be great at it.  He is constantly running the loop around the hall.  It is so funny but there have been a few times that have concerned me because he just kept running too long.  One time I counted he ran around at least twenty times...and fast.   I had to grab him to stop him and his little heart was pounding away.   I just picked up the Jayne Castle book from the library. 

Trudy,  Ouch!  That does not sound like a very nice thing to have done to your nose.  That would just scare me but I guess bleeding all the time would scare me too.  I hope you are not feeling pain from the procedure.

Mary,  You must feel so relieved to know your heating and a/c are all taken care off.  Today my sister called me at work and said the pull thing on the faucet in the tub broke off.  Now we can't take a shower in there until we get a new fixture and call the handyman.  It just makes me nervous and I'm hoping there are not any hidden issues.  Sorry Don is still having pain in his elbow but that shot should help a lot. My aunt says they are painfull to get but they really help.

Amanda,  That is just crazy for the bus not to show up at all.  At least it sounds like they have got their act together now.  I'm glad your computer is working better for you.  My sister is always saying I need to use another browser but I don't know how to do that and I'm not sure I want to learn anything new!

So since last here I've read Let Sleeping Rogues Lie by Sabrina Jeffries.  I'm currently reading Don't Bargain With The Devil.




I mentioned before that I picking up the new Jayne Castle and the new Lisa Kleypas at the library.   I also got the newest in the Maya Banks KGI series.

It's really late and I'd better get to bed.  I hope you all have a great Tuesday. 
Margie :)

Monday evening

Hi guys!

Donna M--I love the pumpkin picture. Makes me think of fall and pumpkin pie and bread. I hope you don't have to make that trip to SF again. Glad too that your friend shouldn't need another procedure. I would like to get a tablet also but have to do more research. You most likely will need something new to put one of the new televisions on. We got rid of our old entertainment center and got a spiffy new three tier stand to use for our flat screen. It was not expensive but did take some time to put together.

Amanda--the weather has been beautiful. And we had a good sports weekend (except for the Phils.) Eagles, Steelers and Penn State all had wins. I hope the bus problem is solved by now. I can't believe they can't get it right from the start. Good luck with your eye appointment.

Donna H--so far Don's pt seems to be working. He likes his therapist and the program she has set up for him.

Sandi--You are an inspiration with your dejunking. I did some but it is never enough. I envy you your bookclubs. We really don't have any organized ones around here. Karen, Don and I read a lot of the same books so we have a family bookclub. :-)

Cady--I agree with Mike that the off the field stuff is ruining our enjoyment of football but I am fan and try to just watch the game and enjoy it. I don't look up to athletes as role models anyway. But I know kids do and that bothers me when they misbehave. I feel you are right giving Maggie the Advil for her headaches. I know it is different now in schools. When Karen was in elementary school she got headaches mid-morning because she was hungry. She got up early for school and lunch time was too long to wait. The principals secretary was a friend of mine and she let me send crackers in for Karen to come to her office and eat. I did have to get a note from her pediatrician. Nowadays everything is a problem. Are you enjoying the Gaslight mysteries?

I watched a lot of football this weekend so did not read as much as usual. I am reading When Gods Die by C.S. Harris and enjoying it.

I hope everyone has a good week and reads!

Mary

I swear I had posted again after Monday, but I guess I have just been reading.

DonnaM - Congrats on the new printer.  Did you watch the Katie show?  What did you think of it?  I liked her on Today, but didn't watch her much on CBS news (I watch ABC news usually).  As for the doctor's trip, were you at a hospital or just a clinic?  The reason I ask is a lot of hospital's have really good food, just a hint for next time.  If it was a clinic, then I guess it is just a good time to bring snacks.  :)

Trudy - Ouch on the nose.  My daughter use to get nose bleeds all the time, I talked to the doctor and he told me that was the only treatment, we decided to wait it out and it appears they are going away.  I hope things work out for you with the credit union.

DonnaH- Hope the wiener roast went well.  We had a community party at our park (we do it once a year) and after one of the families invited a group of us over to their house, which was very nice.  I hope the trip to your Mom's next week goes well.  How annoying for your daughter, I wonder why the doctor just didn't tell her that the test was inconclusive and they needed to run it again. 

Mary - I, too, am looking forward to football.  My husband and I use to love hanging out watching the games.  However, he has lost some of his interest.  I think all the off field stuff with the players just bothers him.  I tell him it is the same in all sports, but he is a bit grouchy about it now.  :)  I am glad Lauren is enjoying school.  I, too, have the newest Lisa Kleypas in the pile.  Hopefully, I can get it read this week.

Amanda - Did you make it to the zoo?  I just saw that a new baby panda was born in DC.  I would love to make it there to see that.  I hope your bus issues resolve soon.  It is a real problem here too, everyone wants cuts in their taxes, but it is causing real service issues. 

Sandi - Your dejunking inspired me and I spent a solid hour dejunking yesterday.  Still need lots more, but I am thinking if I can just spend one hour each week, it will get cleaned up.  You sound very busy, but at least portions of it sound fun.  Have a great time with your book club. 

As for us, Mags got a bad headache on Friday, so I had to go and pick her up from School.  We decided to be the bad parents and from now on, she is going to keep 2 advils in her bag.  We can't give them to the office as you have to do it problem specific.  However, she seems to be getting headaches more often (likely hormones, I got them too when I was her age) so hopefully this will help.  Saturday was our neighborhood picnic that went great.  Even better, I had forgotten I had bought some stuff for a neighborhood party last spring and the association was going to repay.  I forgot to fill out the form, luckily, I still had the receipts so that will be a nice bit that I had forgotten about.  Sunday, we had to go out and get new shoes for Maggie.  It was a killer as she is getting running shoes from the running program she is in, but not for a couple of weeks and hers had a hole in the toe, so we went out and got a pair.  (I guess there goes the money :) 

She has running tonight and Luke has swimming.   Since I watch him swim and there aren't many parents, this is always a good time for me to read.  The rest of the week is busy as well, Mike is traveling and we have a school meeting on Tuesday and I have work stuff Wednesday night and Thursday night and then Mags is cheerleading at the high school football game on Friday night.  (It is a fun program they do for the elementary school kids.)  But then, no plans right now for the weekend.  I did read another 2 Gaslight mysteries

 and

Now I am reading a different mystery book

It is part of a series about a husband and wife (although they are not married in this book).  It is okay, I am about halfway done.  I will likely read this one and the next one to give the series a chance.

Hope everyone has a good Monday.

Cady

Monday

Donna, sounds like quite an adventure going to and being at the hospital. I'm glad you might not have to make that trip any time soon again! Awhile back Fiona Brand was an author getting a lot of recommendations on the Romantic Times message boards. I tried her in both series and single title releases, and didn't really care for her. In fact I read a trilogy she was doing, and never did finish the trilogy. Opted out after book 2!

Amanda, how awful about the bus situation. That always worried me when Brian was riding the bus...would it show, would it be on time...and on and on. We even had an incident with the corner he was on, and the person who owned the house at that corner. I called the bus people and they agreed to move corners, so that was easily fixed! How is school going? What book is your book club reading. My book club is meeting Wednesday as well, and our phone in author is Caridad Pinero. I think we're going to be starting a new chapter of our book club in January. One of the people who I really like, but who can't come often has requested a chapter closer to where she lives, so we're investigating the possibility. If it comes to be I could be leading it.

Donna, how was the weinie roast? We used to have some bowling friends who had a nice house, and if we wanted to have a party as a group we'd ask them to have it at their house. All they had to do was supply the place, and the rest of us would supply everything else. I could get into a party like that, but my house isn't big enough! I am hosting book club in October, and really need to get my rear in gear to get it cleaned and dejunked.

Donna, your pictures are always a joy to look at! Don't be so rough on yourself! Here our trees are still green. I did get to ride around lately with my sun roof open which is heavenly! We've even had rain which is even better! For many years our bigger tv sat on top of our entertainment center because it wouldn't fit in the space that was originally built for a TV. Last year we finally caved and bought a new entertainment center...it's one of those electric fireplace ones. Not necessarily what I would have picked, but Mike was wanting it for a long long time! I was a bit concerned because of Travis, and the TV being unprotected, but he hasn't bothered it at all!

This weekend I spent a lot of time with the group from Fresh Fiction. Friday night we were at a German/Austrian restaurant for a birthday celebration. Saturday afternoon we spent about a hour at a sip and see for a member of the group. Sunday afternoon we went to a birthday brunch. It was so fun, but totally exhausting! In between all that I did manage to get some dejunking in my bedroom done. I'm really learning to be ruthless! I had one corner cleaned, but now it's stacked again, but a different corner is almost cleaned! It's really a matter of fine tuning a few things in those two corners, and I believe that side of the room will be done. I had cleared off the top of my dresser, but again it's cluttered, but I think it's a matter of finding places for it, or deciding it's not needed!

I went through two of my dresser drawers and dejunked. I really need to go through my sock drawer, but have decided that as I put them on if they're holey or fall down when I walk they're trash,and I'll dejunk it that way! That leaves 2 more drawers to dejunk and of course my closet!

Mike and I went to our storage unit and I loaded up my car, so I think we made a bit of space there. I know I brought home a bunch of stuff to dejunk, and Mike has one box that was work stuff, that I made him go through. I think most of it was trash, but I noticed this morning that he has somethings on my dejunked and cleaned entertainment center, so I shall ask about that later...he was still sleeping when I left.

Today, and tomorrow after work I'm going to Fresh Fiction to help with books. Wednesday is book club, and Thursday is the day they're going to rebuild my laundry room. Friday I have a readers and ritas meeting, and Saturday I'm going back to Fresh Fiction to help with books again. We're trying to reorganize the way we store books before they go to the reviewers, and revamp things so that when reviewers request books it's easier to find them. We'll see how our ideas work! You never know until you put the theory into practice!

Hope everyone has a great week! I'm reading something by Molly O'Keefe, but can't quite remember the title, and listening to Kill Me Twice by Chelseas Cain. I love her stuff, and this is the first time I have listened.

Sandi