Category: Meanderings

Good morning!  😀

I spent the last two nights staying overnight with the homeless in our community and just got home this morning to start laundry, cook some eggs, and of course reach for COFFEE CUP.

Ahh….. its good to be home.  😀

I am not a big holiday fan, I of course enjoy them when they involve a day off, but that is about the extent of it.  Yesterday I had no plan, both sons are currently in town for a few days but had plans with their friends.  I reluctantly went with hubby to the parade mainly because we have a group of friends that secure a nice location each year where they camp and grill.  About 50 of us showed up for this event, and while I was originally tired and not feeling like hanging out with people…. as I finally relaxed sitting in the sun I think the stress of the past few days melted off me too.

Last night while driving back to where I would be staying overnight, the fireworks were going strong ending the days festivities.  As I drove through town I seen people standing in their yards and outside businesses watching the sky.  I had to smile at the thought of how this tradition of lighting up the sky to celebrate the fourth really brought people together. 

I don’t have a lot of personal or family traditions… things I must do or experience that I carry with me year to year.  Things really changed for us when my mom and step dad died and I had to develop my own ways of doing things while the kids were growing up.  I admire those of you who do have the traditions that go from generation to generation…. family gatherings at certain times of year, holiday happenings, yearly events… 

What traditions do you have for your own family, or that  have come from your families? 

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Fourth Of July!

Good morning! 

Excuse me a moment.

*yawn*  *Stretch*

Ok.

GOOD MORNING!  😛

WOW.  yesterday was a whirlwind of activity!  I made it through the picnic, and made it home by 7:15 pm.  After 10 hours of activity prepping, doing, and then cleaning up…. I was in bed by 10 pm.

Today I have the morning and afternoon to chill and spend time with College son who was driving in to town last night from Mankato.  I am so excited – I have not seen him since May and I still have his birthday gift, the signed Rick Riordin book, from BEA! 

SO…. this I am looking forward to.

Later, I stay overnight tonight with my friend Jennifer for our week of staying with those without homes in our community.  We will have supper there and hang out and take the families to the day center tomorrow at 8 am….

and then….

TWO DAYS OFF.

YUP.  😛

I took the fourth and fifth off of work and right now it seems like an illusion, but I know it is true.  TWO DAYS! 

Whatever will I do with myself?  😀 

I can tell you one thing I have some awesome reviews coming up!  I am finishing up listening to Casino Royale, Bloody Jack, and Candy Freak and I have to tell you I am liking them all very much.  I am also reading (yes…. I read too :razz:) Escape From Zobadak, which is also turning out to be AWESOME! 

All I am saying is stay tuned because each of these will be finishing between today and Tuesday :D.

Have an awesome start to your day – weather is remaining in the 80’s here in Minnesota and this is the first day that I get to sit outside and enjoy it.  😀

Good morning!

So…..  in case you wondered why a happy jolly morning post on Wednesday as usual and then….

crickets…

Ok… lets see… lately I have just been in love with sleeping.  I have been waking up later than usual leaving me little time to write my morning post, and in the evenings I am too tired to write my reviews. 

Thursday morning I woke up and did not even have time to look at Lap Top as I had to get to work, and while I did plan on writing when I got home…. I just did not have the energy.  GAH.

Whats zapping my super powers?  June has been a HUGE month.  I had a 40 mile bike ride the first weekend, the second weekend was the MS150 and I had my accident at mile 71, part of my job at work is Special Events Coordinator and we have had an event each week for the last three weeks and now this coming Saturday is our annual potluck picnic that I am in charge of organizing for 300 people.  I have been shopping and prepping in my spare time.  Then this coming Sunday is our serving week with the homeless which is a passion of mine so yeah… I organize the food, the overnighters, etc, for that.  Yup.  Looking forward to July 10… that’s all I am saying. 😛

Any hoo…. besides a typical crazy life style here are some positive things happening:

• Brad – Navy son is home for two weeks!  WOO HOO!!!  His “friend hang out schedule” keeps him busy but next weekend we are going to the cabin for a day and a half.
• I am taking Monday and Tuesday off from work and can not wait!!!
• I am going back to the gym tomorrow to ease back into working out.
• Justin (College Son) comes into town on Monday – Thursday next week, both boys in town at the same time!  😀

And finally in bookish news I completely changed my audio plan when I read a review of Candy Freak by Steve Almond on Jill’s blog, Fizzy Thoughts.  For some reason I was drawn to the story… fascinated about a book all about candy and within seconds I had it from audible.com.   Ummmm…. can anyone say audio addict?  😯

and finally – the Literary blog hop winners, which wow.  You gave me some interesting answers to my book question… I almost want to gather up those coveted reads and check them all out!  😀  Our winners of the two $10 Amazon gift cards using Random.Org are:

Chloe Hopper (#76)

Sarah Sparrow (#112)

Congratulations!!!  Your gift cards will arrive by email!  😀

Minnesota is finally HOT.  92 degrees yesterday and suppose to hang through the weekend! 

Good morning!  Quite the lovely weather in Minnesota currently and hopefully staying that way through the weekend.  I am in charge of special events where I work and this Saturday is our annual picnic, approximately 300 people with children and we are using a new camp for this event so I do have a wee bit of anxiety that it all goes off without a hitch 😛

This morning I was taking a quick read through my morning Shelf Awareness email and came across a small article about The Grey Zone by Daphna Edwards Ziman.  I seen this book at the Book Blogger Convention in May and was not overly drawn to it.  YET – during the Speed Dating session of BBC, this was a session where bloggers and authors met for 10 minutes to let the author discuss their book and the bloggers to ask questions and then you would get a new author to chat with.  BRILLIANT IDEA.  But I digress….

Daphne was at our table with her book, The Grey Zone which is about a 6 year old child, Kelly,  who witnessed her other murdered and her father wrongfully accused.  Through foster homes she is neglected, abused, and involved in human trafficing….

As I sat and talked with Daphne, still not sure I wanted to read this, we started connecting on child endangerment.  When I told her about my working with street kids in Honduras, we had hit a connection.  Suddenly – we were both sharing experiences at once and Daphne told me how she was worked to ensure child protection in foster care… wow. 

Suddenly Daphne’s book took on a whole new meaning… and now that I knew the passion behind the book.  I wanted to read it.

I have not read the book yet, but I do have it with my BEA books, given to me by Daphne. 

Have you ever had a book that you almost passed on but then for whatever reason, you found yourself drawn to it later, either by a friend, review, hearing the author…. I would love to hear your stories!  😀

Good morning!  A little short on time this morning so I will get right to the point 😛

Yesterday I had my third doctor appointment for my hand.  I was again hopeful for a smaller cast…

and I was again denied.

In fact I found out yesterday that while I am healing well (yay super powers!!!) I do have to wear this cast for another 4 weeks.

Stupid, faulty, super powers.  😯

HOWEVER…

Not one to remain down in spirits (that really is a downer…) I went into our local nail shop.  The guy asked me how can I help you and I responded, “I would like a pedicure and half a manicure.”

When he looked at me I held up my hands.

So that is what I did. 

Have an AWESOME day!

Good morning errrr… afternoon! 

I have had a pretty nice end to my week.  I had a day off on Friday (woo hoo – seriously woo hoo!!!) a nice package arrived, and a successful road trip yesterday.

Last week I read and reviewed Jerusalem Maiden by Talia Carner.  I had met Talia in New York this year and enjoyed talking with her.  When I wrote my review I mentioned that I was interested in hearing that Talia had written two other books that I would like to read some day.  Soon after, Talia contacted me saying she would be delighted to send me the other two books.  (*someone pinch me – these book happenings often feel like a dream!*)  Of course I said I would love that.  😀

On Friday, Talia’s package arrived:

And then yesterday I went to my closest Barnes and Noble in St Cloud, Minnesota to see the NOOK representatives and they were SO NICE!  The lady (I wish I would have caught her name) was so kind to me!  I know very little about the powers of my NOOK and she walked me through some of the magic of the NOOK and upgraded my NOOK and hooked me up with a free book.  I left feeling very satisfied with the help I was given.

Did I leave empty-handed?

Of course not…. that has never happened.  😛

There it is…. a great weekend that really makes me appreciate the book relations in my life 😀

Good morning!  😀  I am late but it is still morning here in Minnesota.

Today is my first full day off, no commitment day in over two weeks.  I am beyond giddy and thus the late post.  I slept in… I took my time getting ready for my day…  I had my coffee on the deck and cereal too (I never take time to do this!!!) 

The day is gorgeous and as soon as I am done here… I will be out there, book in hand… taking in the rays that I have not yet had time for in 2011.  You will find me:

Or…

Or…

Or…

No matter what I choose I am getting some outdoor time!  😛

And as for the news, my awesome friend Alison at Alison’s Book Marks had mentioned the news on Pottermore yesterday and I about sssqqqqquuueeeedddddd with excitement.  Ok…. not “about”…. I did.  😛

Good Morning.

*GAH*

I have been sitting here thinking about the last month and my lack there of my regular scheduled work outs.  I can not even really blame the bike injury as it started weeks before then… actually mid May.

Prior to BEA (New York) I was too busy with regular work stuff and meetings to do my kick boxing and group power lifting… back from New York I was recovering from New York (does this happen to anyone else?  Where you need to recover from the vacation?  Just wondering…)… that weekend I had a 40 mile bike ride…. woo hoo…. bit of exercise….

then nothing until the MS 150 the following weekend where I crashed at mile 71 and have done nothing since….  😯

So – pity party aside… 

here is my game plan of what I CAN DO…

I CAN still roller blade.  I have a deep gash on my right ankle but I think if I cover it I will be ok.

I CAN walk and jog on the tread mill

I CAN use the elliptical

I CAN take my dogs for walks in the nearby park… something I always plan to do… but never do…

I CAN bike…. (yes, I can!) and today I get my bike back – woo hoo!!!

So there is the “plan B” in my life… I do not have to be inactive, and I need to get moving in a stronger more positive direction.  😀

LAPTOP made it home yesterday and is working fine!  My bike (which I call Opportunity Drive) will be home this afternoon.  I WILL make a full recovery from this injury and move forward starting today. 

Ok… no idea where all that came from other than I am tired of sitting around with the TV on.  Back to the books and the fun.  😀

Work out with me this weekend…. share your ideas for getting a little exercise while having fun doing it.  I would love to know!