Morning Meanderings… The Sunday “Whaz Up”

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Good morning!  Welcome to Sunday.  Because we are in a cold weather warning I took care of all of my running yesterday.  I went to church last night, and have left today open in case it was hard to go anywhere.  The Governor of Minnesota closed the schools state-wide for this Monday, the first time that has happened since 1997.  While yes it is cold, it does not seem (at least at this time) to be as cold as they were anticipating.  I think they were expecting wind chills and maybe that is still to come but as of right now… its pretty mellow out there.

 

So here is my Sunday update:

Time:  8:51 am

Place:  That awesome recliner in the living room. I the recliner.

Food or drink:  I am having a mocha espresso right now, not as tasty as I had hoped.  Will be having plain old coffee soon. 🙂

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Reading: Flowers In The Attic (page 97), not reading as quickly as I had hoped but then again, really haven’t been home much this week to read. 😀  Also had started Reconstructing Amelia which I put down for the first book of the year (FITA) but hope to get back to that one if not today, then tomorrow.

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Watching:  We found the first half of Season 4 Walking Dead on tv and we (hubby and I) are super stoked as we have watched all the three previous seasons on DVD and have been hoping to find the first half of season 4 before the second half starts on February 9th.

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Cooking:  Not sure yet.  Navy Son is coming over for dinner tonight.  I want it to be tasty but not a lot of work.  I think I went soup or chili the last two times he was here so I am trying to get “out of the bowl”

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Whats Ahead:  A pretty full week actually.  Today I am invited to an open house at a friend’s home.  I am hoping to make an appearance.  Tomorrow morning (Monday) the Friends of the Library are meeting to take down the Christmas decorations at the library and then have our monthly meeting.  Wednesday we are working with the students again after the holiday break.  Thursday I have dinner plans with my cousins.  Friday I am going to meet up with a group of friends for dinner.  Saturday we (me and three friends) leave for Fargo where we will be seeing PINK in concert that night, staying over night and coming home on Sunday.  Yup…. bust week 😀

 

So that is what is happening here 😀  Whats on your agenda for today and the upcoming week?

 

Brainerd, MN
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Where Were You When Dumbledore Died?

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It was book 6, The Half Blood Prince; so much was going on… Sirius had died,the Order of The Phoenix was a mess, and Dumbledore had taken Harry under his protective wing, sharing secrets of Tom Riddle.  This is the book where we learn of the Horcrux’s.  And this is the book… when Dumbledore dies and my heart breaks a little….forever.

It would take me 8 years before I realized this was my favorite book of the series.

~Sheila

I dont know why but this question has been in my head for a few weeks now and finally has made it to the blog.  It is one of those pivotal fiction moments that is embedded in me forever.  

I was at the YMCA on the treadmill.  I had just read through the whole chapter of Harry and Dumbledore searching for a horcrux and they had just made it back to Hogwarts, Dumbledore being in a weakened state.  It is Malfoy who approaches Dumbledore first and Harry is hiding below the staircase where he can see it all as it plays out.  Soon Belatrix arrives with her sister and they are shouting at Malfoy to do it, just kill him… but here is where you see that Malfoy is not as evil and dark as he wished he was.  It is then that Snape comes up the stairs quietly past Harry and you think that Snape will save the day….  but he doesn’t.  He instead kills Dumbledore and the pages become a massive blur of smear as I try to keep reading and understanding believing it must be a joke… it has to be really great magic …. it can’t be….

but it is.

That July day in 2005 I was at the YMCA on a treadmill with tears rolling down my face reading a big hard cover book that was hard to hold on the treadmill but it didn’t matter.

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It is amazing that even as I write this I have to pause and take a deep breath because it all comes rushing back.

I write this post because much like the loss of a beloved relative or friend or famous actor, we tend to remember forever where we were when we first heard… first knew… it amazes me that in a really incredible read, that can happen as well.

For you maybe it wasn’t the death of Dumbledore… maybe there was another beloved character out there that even when you think of them today tears can come forward or your heart takes that little extra beat of sorrow. 

I would love to know who that character was for you and from what book.  Sure, for me there have been others, but Dumbledore was the one that really taught us all lessons (not only the students) through the years of the books leading up to book 6.  I still hold his wisdom true today and occasionally quote him the way some would quote Yoda. 😉

Please add in the comments either the answer to the BIG question, where were you when Dumbledore died, or where you were when that character you loved and cherished ceased to be.

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*Oh and just in case anyone calls “Spoiler alert” to my description of the death scene…. I am sorry but…. REALLY?  I think the statute of limitations on spoilers in a book like this ran out a long time ago.  If you have not read this or any of the Harry Potter books you are truly missing out on the books that changed fantasy writing forever. 

Saturday Snapshot – The 1st 5k Of The Year and in MINNESOTA!

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Happy Saturday!  Is it sad that I have been looking forward to this day since last weekend?  No work today, no big commitments other than lunch with a friend which will be fun…. Saturdays are my favorite day of the week. 🙂

For Saturday Snapshot today I wanted to post the pictures from the Polar Dash my friend Amy and I ran on January 1st of this year.  I could not think of a better way to kick off the year than with something fun and good for me all rolled into one.

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Here we are up close pre-run. We had actually just arrived and got out of the car. 🙂

 

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This is at the start.  The temp was -6 below zero.

 

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Those that had chosen to run the longer runs – there was a 10K and a 14K option that started earlier than our 5k, were a little frosty.

 

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Of course I dont think any of us were as cold as this guy had to be and he ran the 10K (6.4 miles!)

 

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My number and medal. Since I signed up for the monster series this will by number for the 2014 year with the Ortho runs.

 

Now before you all say “You sooooo crazy girl!”, know that 5,000 other crazy people ran the Polar Dash with me (including my friends Belinda, Sheila W, Ryan, and April).  Yup.  5,0000 crazies…. all together in the same area.  🙂  AND the money raised went to the Shriner s Children’s Hospital.  We like that.

Check out what other people are taking pictures of this COLD January morning at the Saturday Snapshot host blog, West Metro Mommy Reads.  In Minnesota it is about to get really cold.  The wind chill starting late this afternoon and will be 40 to 55 below zero with wind chill through Tuesday. We are in a severe weather warning through the weekend and the Governor has already cancelled school for the entire state on Monday.

Someone Elses Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson

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Shandi Pearson has enough on her plate with college, divorced parents, and her three year old son Nathan.  Nathan (Natty) is her everything and considering the way he came about, she really is not looking for a man in her life.. too much… everything.

But as well all know, life never turns out quite the way we plan and suddenly Shandi is finding herself and Natty in a gas station stick up.  As if that wasn’t enough to call it a day – there’s the guy who stepped between Natty and the gunman that for some reason, Shandi can not get out of her mind.  But the man who Shandi can not stop thinking about comes with his own set of  issues opportunities and they certainly do not involve a relationship.

Of course, as I said, life never turns out quite the way we plan…

 

 

If you have not read Joshilyn Jackson you need to stop everything and pick up any of her books.  Yes any of them.  They are southern fun on a stick and so witty good you will be sorry you waited so long to read her.  I have listened to everything Joshilyn has written on audio, except this one.  This one I read.  It was just as delightful as her others.  Shandi makes a typical southern protagonist as Joshilyn likes to use in her books, funny and silly but whip smart when it gets right down to taking care of those she cares about.

Seriously treat yourself to Someone Else’s Love Story… you need to get on this level.

Morning Meanderings… Day 3 and back to Straight Up Hard Core Coffee

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Good morning!  January 3 already!  The first two days were a blur of activity. Yesterday I worked 12 1/2 hours for our annual meeting at work.  It was a lot of fun, but yeah a LONG day. 🙂  Today will be a shorter one, I will work until about 1 or 1:30 and then I am going to the Library to assist with the author SKPE in of Lauren Oliver. 

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Lauren and I in New York at BEA 2010

I am so excited – meeting Lauren was awesome!  She is the author of Before I Fall, Deliruim, Pandemonium, Requium, and soon *SQQUUUEEEE!* – Panic!  I have read them all 😀

On the bookish front…. yeah, I am a little behind but hope to make up some reading time this weekend and tonight. 😀

Morning Meanderings…. Day Two… Nine Bloggers Reading!

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Good morning and Happy January 2!  We made it to 2014 and mental high fives all the way around!  🙂

Yesterday I posted the book lovers who sent me pictures of what they were reading on January 1st.  If you have not checked that out, please do… its kind of awesome to see all these book bloggers and book lovers reading that first book – AND you can see what that first book was.  I had a few that came in after I put the post up so please let me add them now:

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Isn’t that so fun?  LOVE it!  On yesterdays post they were able to link up their first book of the year posts so if you have time, grab a second (third?) cup of coffee and go check them out.  It was really fun to read them last night and I still have more to get to.

Today is a LONG DAY.  It is our annual meeting at work today and I am in charge of the details details details… I will probably be there from 8 this morning until about 8:30 or 9 tonight.  *sigh*  But it is ok, it fun – good fun 🙂

Have an awesome day everyone!  Yes I ran my first 5k of the year yesterday in -6 degree weather… pictures will be up on Saturday for that fun event to kick off 2014.

Happy New Year! 1st Book Of The Year!

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Happy New Year everyone!  2014!!!  AWESOME!!!

This is the first book of the year post and I have to say how excited I was to see that over 80 other book lovers signed on to either write a post about their first book of the year, send a picture of the first book they will be reading, or both!  As pictures came in from all over the world I loved seeing the first book choices!  The enthusiasm of readers in contagious!

The following are the pictures sent in from bloggers and book lovers you may very well know.  Later when I get home from that first run of the year (WOO WOO!) I will add the blog names below, unfortunately I just ran out of time this morning after hanging out with friends last night and getting home after midnight.  😉

In the meantime, check their posts out by seeing who linked up their First Book Of The Year post – and if it was you who wrote one, please add yours to the linky below the pics where it says click here.  When I get home I will be happy to check out your posts!

*Please note, if I missed your picture let me know – the collages auto fill and I hope everyone was captured.  I know I had one picture sent to me I could not open so if a few more trickle in today I will add then later. 😀

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Thanks everyone for participating and LOVE the book choices.  You can now (if you can find me in the collage 😉 ) see that I am starting the year with V C Andrews, Flowers In The Attic.  I read this as probably a “tween”.  It was a great read then, and now it has been re-released with a sweet new cover.  Right now, I am leaving to do my first 5K of the year, The Polar Dash in St Paul Minnesota.  Late this afternoon though, I will be curled up with this book. 🙂

Happy New Year everyone!!!!!  Share what your first book of the year is going to be either by creating a post and linking it here or by telling me in the comments 🙂

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Morning Meanderings.. Books coming into the New Year

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Good morning!  I am drinking COFFEE!  Yes, COFFEE.  Why the big deal?  I After being sick I didn’t touch coffee for 5 days.  Finally (Finally!) my tummy is ready to handle it again… so yeah!  YAY!

This is the post I wanted to put up Sunday morning and then didn’t so instead… here are some items that came in the mail this past week that are book room worthy:

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10 copies of Labor Day by Joyce Maynard came for my book club!  We won a contest along with other book clubs to read the book, and then they are sending us movie tickets to see the movie and a $100 gift card to buy some goodies for our get together.  How super fun is that?  Way cool Harper Collins!!!

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I won this fun pack of swag and this awesome looking read! 

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And as this in New Years Eve (I know right???  How did that happen?) I have to share the Challenge I am joining that I thought would be fun (its one I need to do anyway as some EPIC last in the series reads are coming out this year!  Now I am not so organized that I can name the ones for sure other than the last book in the Mortal Instrument Series *sigh*and…well you get the point.

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And it is the last to sign up and get in on the fun that the First Book Of The Year is going to bring.  I am soooo excited about this!  We now have over 80 book lovers signed up to participate in showing off the book they will be reading to kick off the New Year!  It’s easy, there are no trap doors or hoops to jump through, I just think it is super cool to see up reading all over the world!  I will announce my first book of the year in the morning. 🙂

You may still sign up here:

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and then a final plug for The WHERE Are You Reading Challenge... always a good time… and seriously, who doesn’t like to travel?  And if not in a plane, then from the comfort of your chair?

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That is all. 🙂  I work today, and not sure what we are doing tonight yet but I think laying low may be the plan.  I leave early in the morning for the first run of the year in the cities.  🙂 

Movie Review: JOBS

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Always fascinated with movies about people who have done amazing things (IE.  I am a huge geek for the Social Network movie about the creation of Facebook), I had to see the movie Jobs.

Jobs is the story of Steve Jobs and his creation (yes yes… I am aware he didn’t do it alone) of Apple computers.  This is a fascinating story because much like what Mark Zuckerberg did for social networking, Jobs did for computers and putting them into our homes – as well as I Tunes, I Pod, I Pad, I Phones…

I feel Ashton Kutcher did an amazing job as Jobs.  If you see the movie (and I hope you do) watch Kutcher’s walk… he has it right down as Steve.

I enjoyed the movie thoroughly was fascinated by the early years how Apple came to be and while Steve was not necessarily the brain that put it all together, he was (and is) the heart and sole of Apple and what I believe made it what it is today.

I listened to Steve Jobs on audio a while back and really enjoyed it.  I have to say I got more out of the audio then I did the movie.  The movie, sadly seems to be unfinished.  Towards the end everything seems to rush together, you see him with his daughter but you have no idea how that came to be… there is a woman in his life and I am not sure who she is, he walks back into Apple makes some big changes and before we even get into I Tunes, the personal computer, I Pod…. it is over.  Ending on a cliff of what is next.  Sure, most of us know what happened next but still…I feel Steve’s story was incomplete and they do not even elude to his death or the cause.

This one probably about a C- rating from me and for that… I am sad.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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Hey there!  Welcome to It’s Monday, What Are You Reading!

I love being a part of this and I hope you do too!  As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. Fair warning… this meme tends to add to your reading list!

What a Crazy Awesome week!  First I worked two 12 hour days Monday and Tuesday to have the rest of the week off.  And thank goodness I did as I spent Wednesday, Christmas Day projectile vomiting (think Exorcist)…. yeah, sorry to be so graphic but i was SICK.  And I was sick Thursday.  AND I was sick Friday… and Saturday I ran a fever but was moving around.  Today was my first solid food since Christmas, BUT I did get to have both my kids here AND I am feeling much better today except for a headache (yes yes I am pounding the liquids). 

SO… despite my disgusting intro.. here is what I posted this week:

Tell The Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt  (powerful read!)

My 2013 blog review year with best books and audio

Highlights of 2013 in picture collage (the trips, the rides, the snow, the mud….)

Parkland by Vincent Bugliosi ( the 4 days surrounding the Kennedy assassination)

Where’d You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple  (what a funny quirky book!)

and shameless plugs for two fun challenges coming up….

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It’s not even really a challenge its more of a “join in!” – I am inviting everyone to pick out that awesome first book that will be in your hands on January 1st and join in on welcoming in the new Year together bookish style.  Check out the post here, 58 people are already signed up… I hope you will consider as well 🙂

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Its my 4th year hosting the WHERE Are You Reading Challenge and this one is fun and easy!  You just keep track of what states/countries your books are mainly set in and try to hit all the states in a year.  It really is fun!  Here’s the link with details 🙂

as for this week this is what is on tap going into the New Year:

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Kate’s in the middle of the biggest meeting of her career when she gets the telephone call from Grace Hall, her daughter’s exclusive private school in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Amelia has been suspended, effective immediately, and Kate must come get her daughter—now. But Kate’s stress over leaving work quickly turns to panic when she arrives at the school and finds it surrounded by police officers, fire trucks, and an ambulance. By then it’s already too late for Amelia. And for Kate.

An academic overachiever despondent over getting caught cheating has jumped to her death. At least that’s the story Grace Hall tells Kate. And clouded as she is by her guilt and grief, it is the one she forces herself to believe. Until she gets an anonymous text: She didn’t jump.

Reconstructing Amelia is about secret first loves, old friendships, and an all-girls club steeped in tradition. But, most of all, it’s the story of how far a mother will go to vindicate the memory of a daughter whose life she couldn’t save.

EEP!  Right???  This may be the one I choose to be my first read of the year.  It is also our Book Club choice for January.

 

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If Elizabeth Bennet had the washing of her own petticoats, Sarah often thought, she’d most likely be a sight more careful with them.
 
In this irresistibly imagined below stairs answer to Pride and Prejudice, the servants take center stage. Sarah, the orphaned housemaid, spends her days scrubbing the laundry, polishing the floors, and emptying the chamber pots for the Bennet household. But there is just as much romance, heartbreak, and intrigue downstairs at Longbourn as there is upstairs. When a mysterious new footman arrives, the orderly realm of the servants’ hall threatens to be completely, perhaps irrevocably, upended.

Mmm hmmm… right?  You know you want to read it!  Thanks to Candice’s review at Beth Fish Reads for this one hitting the TBR.

 

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It begins with a boy. Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don’t know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his unbearable longing for his mother, he clings to one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art.

As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love – and at the center of a narrowing, ever-more-dangerous circle.

The Goldfinch is a novel of shocking narrative energy and power. It combines unforgettably vivid characters, mesmerizing language, and breathtaking suspense, while plumbing with a philosopher’s calm the deepest mysteries of love, identity, and art. It is a beautiful, stay-up-all-night and tell-all-your-friends triumph, an old-fashioned story of loss and obsession, survival and self-invention, and the ruthless machinations of fate.

Another one I have heard the raves about… I cautiously approach this one it.  It is 32 hours on audio.  32 hours.  Yikes.

 

I suppose that is all… at least as far as I know 😉  I am anxious to see what you will be reading into the New Year.  Please add your link to your Its Monday post below where it says click here.  I am going to try to get around to everyone this week to check in.

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For those of you that read mainly middle grade and children’s books, be sure to also link to the younger version of It’s Monday by using the link below!

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