Mondays - 12/29/14

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Now Reading:
Deep Thoughts From A Hollywood Blonde (Jennie Garth)

Just Finished: 

Rainey Royal (Dylan Landis)

On Deck:

???

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Sunday Salon - 12/28/14

If you are interested in other Salon posts, visit the Facebook page to get links.

Life:

Wow, what a meal!!!  Merry Christm...

Uh, yeh. Not so much.

I spent the past week in bed (and the bathroom, I know TMI) fighting a stomach flu. It has not been fun and needless to point out, my holiday sucked. I tried to make light and posted on Facebook that I was playing the part of Macauley Caulkin, spending the day Home Alone (I certainly wasn't going to force hubby to spend the day in germ-central just because I was sick, so I sent him off to enjoy the day with family). I've never spent a holiday alone (to be fair, hubby and I did do some gift exchange in the morning...but I skipped breakfast, ha) and it's really sad and depressing. It was even harder being totally, absolutely (no kitty) alone. 

I truly feel my heart has been softened to others who find themselves in this situation regularly.

But, I survived...almost. On day six, I am still fighting off the final effects of this nasty bug. Positives of fighting a flu, you ask? Laying around watching mindless TV (especially when you've been carrying a heavy load at work for a month), hubby playing handmaid and even canceling rehearsals to take care of you, and a ten pound loss, 'nough said!

The last couple of days, I have spent more than a few hours looking up crock pot turkey recipes and watching cooking videos online. I am looking forward to recreating my own XMas dinner later this week. Thankfully, I'm on vacation for another week (boy, it's been a rough vacation year for me...I spent my summer vacation mourning and now this!) But I'm looking forward to cooking up a storm and then, next weekend, hubby and I will head to my parent's house to celebrate Christmas with them. So at least I will get some holiday cheer.

Hubby and I kept the gifts small this year, as we just bought a new fridge and stove this month. The fridge really was my gift, as the older fridge was in perfect shape...just small. I can now coupon more than one loaf of bread at a time and can finally fit the 2nd in our new freezer (literally, I'm not kidding). The stove was his gift, since he actually likes to cook, and the older one was over 30 years old, again literally (we bought the house from his 90+ year old great aunt, remember). But he also got me adorable red kitchen canisters for my slowly growing country-chic look and I got him Carol Burnette DVDs. So we're both feeling lucky. I also got a couple Amazon gift certificates, so I am set for a while!

Plans for New Years are minimal as always. Hubby hates to drive on New Years and refuses to ask friends or family to do so. We usually just watch the ball drop alone and then head to bed. Boring, but safe.

What are your plans? I need to live vicariously through you...

Blogging:

With just a few days left in the year, I am trying to hold off reading some juicy items that I am hoping to save for next year's challenges. I'm actually getting really excited about the new year and blogging. I'm planning ahead a bit, which I haven't done much before. I hope to be more focused and productive blogging, despite multiple jobs and all (which hopefully won't last too long). I won't go so far as to call it a New Year's resolution, but...

This week I've started to read a few things, just trying to keep myself entertained, but have had trouble finishing much. It's hard to focus with a temperature over 100!  But now that I am feeling a little clearer and cooler, I've started (and am loving) Jennie Garth's Deep Thoughts from a Hollywood Blonde. She is very entertaining and the book is just light enough to entertain me, but not require too many days to finish.

I intend to join Sheila over at Book Journey in the First Book of The Year: 2015 challenge, and have already picked my title! I've been waiting on this one for a while, though it's been out, and happily got it for XMas! Check me out on January 1st! And I will be posting my end of year/month and failed-challenges posts soon. 

Here's looking forward to reading and lots of new and exciting blogperiences in 2015!

Have a great week.

S

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First Book of The Year: 2015!!

I began 2014 reading a book about an 80's celebrity, and I get to do so again this year thanks to Helen over at My Novel Opinion!  My first pick of 2015 has been sitting around for a few weeks, since I received it for the TBTB Secret Santa...and it's been burning a proverbial hole in my bookshelf. I'm been looking forward to their one since it came out!!

Last Night at the Viper Room:

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WELCOME 2015!!!

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!

May Santa be good to you all!!

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Tuesday Tunes - 12/23/14

A good lyric is like a great book...

Happy XMas (War Is Over)
John Lennon, Artist
John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Writers



So this is Xmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Xmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas (war is over)
For weak and for strong (if you want it)
For rich and the poor ones (war is over)
The world is so wrong (if you want it)
And so happy Xmas (war is over)
For black and for white (if you want it)
For yellow and red ones (war is over)
Let's stop all the fight (now)

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas (war is over)
And what have we done (if you want it)
Another year over (war is over)
A new one just begun (if you want it)
And so happy Xmas (war is over)
We hope you have fun (if you want it)
The near and the dear one (war is over)
The old and the young (now)

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

War is over, if you want it
War is over now

Happy Xmas

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Monday's - 12/22/14

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Now Reading:
Rainey Royal (Dylan Landis)

Just Finished: 

Normally, This Would Be Cause For Concern (Danille Fishel)

On Deck:

Books I'm not saving for next year's challenges!

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Tuesday Tunes - 12/16/14

A good lyric is like a great book...

Left To Right
Michelle Citriun, Artist
William Levin, Writer



Tonight we light the Chanukah candles from left to right!

Our favorite time of year is here
The festival of lights,
We celebrate our victories
We celebrate our rights!

You take a single candle
And you start it with a spark,
Then you pass it all around the world
Bring light into the dark.

Tonight we light the Chanukah candles from left to right!
Tonight we light the Chanukah candles from left to right!

From the left, to the right
See the candles burning bright.
From the east, to the west
You just want to light the rest.

All around the world people gather on this day,
A miracle has happened so light and candle and say...

Tonight we light the Chanukah candles from left to right!
Tonight we light the Chanukah candles from left to right!

I said, tonight we light the Chanukah candles from left to right!
I said, tonight we light the Chanukah candles from left to right!



Happy Chanukah everyone!!

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Mondays - 12/15/14

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Now Reading: 
Normally, This Would be Cause for Concern: Tales of Calamity and Unrelenting Awkwardness (Danielle Fishel)

Just Finished: 

Nada

On Deck:

Too.Many.To. Decide.Brain.Frying.Get.The.Ketchup.!.

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Sunday Salon - 12/14/14

If you are interested in other Salon posts, visit the Facebook page to get links.

Life:

Ooff...so much busy!

As I mentioned, I got the new job at work and the plan to split my current job into two parts moves forward. I started the new job two weeks ago (I split my day between the two departments), but the agreement was that I would continue to serve my current department as well until September (or until they really don't need me anymore). We are starting the hiring process for my replacment, but that could takes months. In case it wasn't clear, that leaves me covering TWO full-time positions until further notice. No, my hours did not technically increase, just my workload. Thankfully my new boss if really understanding. And, I did mention that I had lost one of my assistants, right? So, yes, I am covering 2.6 full-time positions in my supposed 35 hours a week. Add planning and executing holiday parties and such end of year stuff to my list... I'm pooped!

On a good note, both bosses have ok'd my Christmas holiday vacation so I will leave Dec 23rd with the understanding that I don't have to be back until Jan 5th! Better than any holiday gift I could get.

I have yet to begin my XMas shopping, not that I have a lot to do, but I should really hop to it!

I had hoped that Christmas vacation would include the addition of a couple new kitties to our home...but it doesn't look like that will be happening. Hubby is still struggling with our loss (well, we both are, but I was perhaps a bit more prepared) and is worried about his allergies. I understand, but am missing it desperately. I guess I just have to wait to see...


Blogging:

I'm trying to keep up with blogging along with everything else. Apologies if pickin's are slim over the next few months.

I finally picked up my new glasses this past weekend, very cute. But I am definitely not used to wearing them yet. So, I am reading on my iPad rather than a book. I am reading Danielle Fishel's (Topanga on Boy Meets World) memoir. It is cute, funny and a really quick and easy read. Just right for my overwhelmed and exhausted brain!

Have a great week!

S

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Saturday Savings - 12/13/14

**DEAL OF THE WEEK**

Riesen Candies:

Regular price = $2.99

No sale...but, I had two Register Reward coupons for $3.00 that were going to expire.

So...

2 @ #$2.99 - $6.00 = $0.02 money maker

AND

2 Catalinas printed for more Riesen candies ($1.50 off two). I am holding these hoping they will go on sale in time to use them!

Remember that Couponing is always a work in progress - and that is OK! 

I once again reworked how I am organizing my coupons. At first, I cut and separated them into a binder by category. Then, I decided (as did many other long-timer couponers) that a lot of time was wasted managing that system!

Then, I started keeping the entire coupon flyers by week... But that leaves you carrying around a ton-crap (yes, that's the official term) of extra paper weight.  And, more importantly, good coupons get missed!  After cleaning out my expired coupons and tossing coupons for items I knew I had or would have bought, I was kicking myself!

So...

My new system is: 

Cut all coupons out weekly and toss extra paper. Separate/organize them by expiration date! Duh!

Most of the couponing sites that list deals also list the expiration date, so I can easily find them. Also, as the date nears...I can pull that envelope and flip through, pulling coupons for coupons that I don't want to waste, regardless of sale dates (for example Riceworks chips, no sales on these but I am going to buy them...they are awesome...and money saved is money saved, right?!). Also, removing expired coupons is super easy, rather than the hours it took previously! I still use my binder separators for printed coupons, as I only print ones I know I will use.

Is it perfect? No, there have been a couple situations where I knew I had a coupon for an item I wanted to buy but couldn't find it, requiring a fair amount of sifting through coupons. But that's rare and a small price to pay.

Again, I am working this system for a few months to see how it works. If it's not successful, I'll change again. But hopefully this will work better for me.  Couponing is definitely not one-size-fits-all. Do whatever works for you, whether its a big binder and lots of organizing or a small couponing envelope.

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5th Annual Broke & Bookish Secret Santa

Yippee!

I am super excited that it's Christmas time!! I love the music (within reason), love the decorations (but not decorating), and just love the feel of the season.

...clearly I have not yet begun my actual Christmas shopping, one day of that and

*poof*

all my "Christmas-cheer" is gone, gone, gone for another year! HA!

But Santa arrived early at my house this year! My Secret Santa that is. And boy-o-boy was she generous!! Look at this haul!  But of course I'll be waiting for Christmas day to actually open the presents...

NOT!!!

Every one of these books is on my TBR list!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Helen @ My Novel Opinion!

You were more than generous and I am super-duper excited to dig right in! Of course, perhaps I should finish the books I got last year, first? Nah! I'm chopping at the bit to get into Last Night At the Viper Room!

But first, I've got to go wrestle the Lindt chocolates out of Hubby's hands!


And keep your eyes out Secret Santa recipient... a package is on its way!

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November 2014 ReCap...

NOVEMBER 2014

Not much reading this month...

This month I read: 
Total Read: 1
YTD: 26
Adult: 1
YA/children's: 0
Abandoned: 0

Including:

Dirty Bombshell (Lorna Burnelle)


Abandoned: 
n/a


Favorite Book(s) of the Month:
n/a

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Tuesday Tunes - 12/9/14

A good lyric is like a great book...

All I Want for Christmas Is You
Mariah Carey, Artist
Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff, Writers



I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you, yeah.

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
And I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree

I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You, baby

Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
And I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe

I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click

'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do?
Baby, all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby

Oh, all the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air

And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need?
Won't you please bring my baby to me?

Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door

Oh, I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby, all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby

All I want for Christmas is you, baby
All I want for Christmas is you, baby
All I want for Christmas is you, baby
All I want for Christmas is you, baby

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Saturday Savings - 12/6/14

**DEAL OF THE WEEK**

Orange juice:

Regular price = $3.00-4.00 (not sure)

No sale...but Stop 'n Shop mailed customers a coupon as a loss leader this week, making it FREE!

Stacked with $1.00 coupon (wasn't sure this would work, but it did!)

So... $1.00 money maker!!

A "loss leader" are those items that stores put on sale, knowing they will loss money...but expecting the sale to bring shoppers in the door.

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Tuesday Tunes - 12/2/14

A good lyric is like a great book...

Do They Know Its Christmas Time? (1984)
BandAid, Artists
Midge Ure aand Bob Geldof, Writers

It's Christmastime; there's no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime

But say a prayer to pray for the other ones
At Christmastime
It's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears

And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime

The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Oh, where nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?

Here's to you, raise a glass for ev'ryone
Here's to them, underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?

Feed the world
Feed the world

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmastime again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmastime again

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Sunday Salon - 11/30/14 & Thankfully Reading Weekend Wrap Up

If you are interested in other Salon posts, visit the Facebook page to get links.

Life:

What a busy week it's been!

I was on vacation, so I got a lot of errands done while spending more than my fair share of time on Facebook!  One of my errands was to make an eye doctor appointment. They were able to fit me in due to my flexibility and, no surprise, I need glasses. Disappointing, but at fourty-four, I suppose it's about time. I chose cute frames and await their arrival.

Hubby and I spent a lovely holiday day with his family and then drove south to spend the evening with mine. We played a rousing game of Cards Against Humanity (have you heard of this, tons of fun...but a bit raunchy?!) and ate lots of great goodies! It was a terrific day.

I opted to avoid all Black Friday stress and avoided all shopping and couponing last week (I did go this weekend for a few necessities and a handful of deals, though). Instead, I opted to take part in this year's Thankfully Reading Weekend.

Blogging:

Unfortunately, I basically did very little reading this weekend...

Along with the obvious issue of needing glasses (I've been borrowing hubby's, but he's nearly blind...so his glasses give me a headache!), we somehow motivated and spent a good couple of days cleaning out the basement.  Four (or is it five?) years later, the space is truly getting there. We got some excerise equipment and can finally use it. There is room to do laundry, a small shop area, and hubby's music area. It's been a long time coming and very exciting! So, though I really wanted to read, I can't be too disappointed.

This afternoon I finally put my current read, In Cold Blood, aside and pulled out a book on my iPad which is easier to see. I started Danielle Fishel's memoir, Normally This Would Be Cause For Concern. I'll get back to Capote once my glasses come in and I can actually see the book pages!

I start my new job tomorrow...did I mention that I got the job I was going after? I will be splitting my time between my current job and the new one for a while, until we hire someone new for the department.  Should be interesting...but sadly, blogging time will be limited until things settle down.

See you on the flip side!

S

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Thankfully Reading weekend Kickoff

I have many, many things to be thankful for this holiday season...family, friends, the love of a good and honest man, a job (two, in fact, for the time being), a beautiful home, a new and reliable car, countless abilities that enable me to live as I do (sight, hearing, common sense), a sharp mind, a kick ass sense of humor, etc, etc. And, an incredible couponing stockpile that enables me to avoid shopping this crazy weekend! Though I do expect to be spending a few hours prepping Purely Vocals CDs for XMas presents, I plan on spending my weekend participating in the Thankfully Reading Weekend, hosted by Jenn's Bookshelves. 

Today will be a busy day of travel and gobble, gobbling my way into a turkey coma...but I hope to attack my current read, In Cold Blood, as soon as I wake up! 

If all goes well. I may toss something else in there to keep my interest up. I've got an ARC of Dancing With The Devil and a few other goodies on deck.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday and a reading-licious weekend!

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Happy Thanksgiving!!

May your day be filled with lots of reasons to be thankful... And may you GOBBLE up lots of goodies!!

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Dirty Bombshell: From Thyroid Cancer Back To Fabulous! - Brunelle

Title: Dirty Bombshell: From Thyroid Cancer Back To Fabulous!

Author: Lorna J. Brunelle

Published: Genre: Memoir
Rating: 3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.

Book Source: Purchased
 
Recommended if you like: Memoirs, Stories about illness, Survival stories



What Its About:  
Lorna J. Brunelle was only thirty-two years old that fall day when her doctor found a lump in her neck. As not only a young woman in her prime, but also a professional singer and performer, she was horrified. While the cancer was considered a "good" cancer, ie easier to heal, she was terrified of losing her voice, her livelihood and her passion. She underwent surgery to remove her thyroid, then experienced radiation therapy to treat any lingering cells. She now receives hormone treatments (which she will use the rest of her life), to keep her body functioning correctly.

The Bottom Line: 
This is a challenging book for me to review.  I know Lorna J. Brunelle.

We are not friends, never have been, and likely never will be. We attended high school together and we likely share friends on Facebook. While I have seriously tried not to allow my experiences with her to cloud my review, it's only fair that I be open about that. In fact, in the interest of assuring that my review was fair, after reading this memoir I compared my thoughts with some comments on Amazon...

Lots of folks (more than one of whom are, I happen to know, friends and family) said the book was awesome. Some didn't like it quite so much.

I cannot deny the detractors have a point. Some said the book was too whiny and "woe-is-me". Others said it was narcissistic.  Having no personal experience, thank the Lord, with thyroid or any other kind of cancer, I cannot speak for the medical issues. But it appears that more than one thyroid cancer survivor has commented similarly, that the cancer Brunelle had was minor (admittedly, even Brunelle calls it the "good cancer") and that Brunelle should suck it up and stop whining. To be clear, I feel that any cancer is major and frankly, all cancer patients/survivors have the right to whine and complain all they want! But I admittedly got tired of hearing that Mrs. Brunelle is a "full scholarship winner" to a prestigious music school (actually it seems the scholarship was from an organization from her hometown, not the actual school...which of course takes nothing away from that amazing honor or the skill required to secure it), a professional performer, and a casting specialist in Boston.

(interestingly, my computer demanded on replacing 'prestigious' with 'pretentious'...just sayin').

On the other hand, I don't disagree with her supporters either. Brunelle's book is quite funny and very entertaining. As others pointed out, Brunelle does a good job of pulling you into her story and making you feel as if you are living through it with her. She truly makes it feel as if you are chatting with a close friend. And, more importantly, she offers what are clearly meant to be valuable pieces of advise for others who might be struggling with a similar experience. She seems to strive to help others, and seems to carry this effort to help others into her professional life. Kudos.

Note however that the book is also...thorough. At 340 pages, this book is very, very (...did I mentioned very) long! Ultimately it is clear to me that Brunelle's work, while well worth sharing, would have greatly benefited from the heavy hand of a  professional editor. Along with fixing grammar and syntax errors, and perhaps focusing the work a bit more, a good editor would have cut this puppy down by about 100 pages!  

All said, this book was a really good first draft. It was a very deep and personal look into one woman's experiences with cancer and treatment. It was touching and funny.  And while I was entertained by and enjoyed reading this version, I would have really preferred reading the final  product.

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