Normally, This Would be Cause for Concern - Fishel

Title: Normally, This Would be Cause for Concern: Tales of Calamity and Unrelenting Awkwardness

Author: Danielle Fishel

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

Book Source: Borrowed from the library
 
Recommended if you like: Celebrity memoirs, easy-going humor, 90's television

What Its About:
Not so much the "memoir" everyone seems to be touting it to be, Normally, The Would be Cause for Concern is more anecdotal and witty stories from the life and acting career of Danielle Fishel, Topanga Lawrence in 1990's Boy Meets World.  From first losing, and then getting a second chance at, her life changing role, to driving mishaps, to awkwardly tripping at a Hollywood party and being "saved" by an ever-attractive, but much younger, Ben Afleck, Fishel shares these stories with a casual and chatty style that shows her to be just as entertaining and down-to-earth as the beloved character she portrayed and has recently resurrected, albeit 20 years older.

The Bottom Line: 
Entertaining and fun, but not earth moving. Will be enjoyed by fans, but will mostly leave readers wanting...more. A quick read, that serves as filler between a couple of really good novels.

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Tuesday Tunes - 01/6/15

A good lyric is like a great book...

Moments
Emerson Drive, Artists
Sam Tate, Annie Tate and Dave Berg, Writers


I was coming to the end of a long, long walk
When a man crawled out of a cardboard box
Under the E. Street Bridge
Followed me on to it
I went out halfway across
With that homeless shadow tagging along
So I dug for some change
Wouldn't need it anyway
He took it lookin' just a bit ashamed
He said, You know, I haven't always been this way

I've had my moments, days in the sun
Moments I was second to none
Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do
Like that plane ride coming home from the war
That summer my son was born
And memories like a coat so warm
A cold wind can't get through
Lookin' at me now you might not know it
But I've had my moments

I stood there tryin' to find my nerve
Wondering if a single soul on Earth
Would care at all
Miss me when I'm gone
That old man just kept hanging around
Lookin' at me, lookin' down
I think he recognized
That look in my eyes
Standing with him there I felt ashamed
I said, You know, I haven't always been this way

I've had my moments, days in the sun
Moments I was second to none
Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do
Like the day I walked away from the wine
For a woman who became my wife
And a love that, when it was right,
Could always see me through
Lookin' at me now you might not know it
But I've had my moments

I know somewhere 'round a trashcan fire tonight
That old man tells his story one more time
He says

I've had my moments, days in the sun
Moments I was second to none
Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do
Like that cool night on the E. Street Bridge
When a young man almost ended it
I was right there, wasn't scared a bit
And I helped to pull him through
Lookin' at me now you might not know it
Oh, lookin' at me now you might not know it
But I've had my moments

I've had my moments
I've had my moments
I've had my moments

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Bout of Books 12 - Count Me In!

I think this is my first shot at this, but since I will be reading anyway...count me in!!!
 
For those that don't know what Bout of Books is...

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 5th and runs through Sunday, January 11th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 12 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

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Sunday Salon - 1/4/15

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

Life:

I woke up today at 6:30am (never happens!) and 3 hours later, it was 8 am.

Yeh, do the math... I'll wait.

Why does this never occur on work days?! Usually, you wake at 5am and five minutes later it's 7:30 and time to get up! And why is it only on the weekends that my body wants to wake up early? During the week, I always want another couple of hours of rest. Oh well, I guess since it is my last day of vacation, it's ok to force myself to stay awake...that way, I might actually be tired at a normal hour tonight, rather then sliding into bed at my regular 1am vacation bedtime.

I have finally, mercifully kicked my stomach bug. And, so far at least, hubby seems to have managed to avoid it. 2015 is already looking up! We ended up calling some local friends and inviting them over for New Years last minute, no pressure.  And even though they all had plans, they all managed to make it. So it was a pretty fun New Years after all. We got Chinese food and drank to our good fortune, some more than others, and watched the ball drop. All made it home safe and sound!

We then spent New Years Day with my family celebrating my missed Christmas, which was lovely. My family gave me awesome kitchen gifts (new pots and pans, a food chopper) too, and they were awesome. You know you're officially getting old when you actually enjoy that everyone gives you housewares!  And I did, in fact, cook myself that Christmas dinner...and then some. I was so hungry after being sick that I planned a ton of meals and have cooked all but one. I have already cooked and frozen:

Trisha Yearwood's Mac and cheese

A Middleeastern beef and green bean dish (for hubby)

Chicken and dumplings

Shephards pie

Turkey dinner, corn pudding and roasted red potatoes

No cook chocolate and peanut butter bars (Trisha again, so good!)

A pork loin with peas and potatoes

Spinach Lasagne

and Two Bacon quiches

Um, yeah...I was hungry!

Planning eggplant parm and three types of cookies...and banana bread soon. My freezer is plenty full and we will not be needing to cook dinner for a few weeks, at least!

I was hoping to finish off my first read of 2015 today, which I am absolutely loving. But something more pressing may have come up...

The other day, hubby suggested we pop over to Petsmart and pick up some new fishies for our dwindling tank. We did so and brought home a bunch of new friends. Of course, I couldn't help but pop over to the adoption center because I am drawn to cats and dogs like a moth to a flame!  One quick look and surprise, they had two young sisters awaiting a forever family. We just happened to be talking about exactly that, two sisters. And though they will never fill that aching whole left by our lost kitty, they would certainly find new places of joy and love in there.

We sent several emails and an application and this Saturday, we got to meet the two gorgeous little tortie babies (about 5 months - young enough to look like kittens, but old enough to be house trained and spayed). We put a save on them and await their checking our references. I expect my friends will overload them with positive comments. And I have a good record with our vet...so hopefully they will be our forever babies soon!  Yes, 2015 is certainly being good to us so far!!

So today, I spent the rainy, snow-covered day cleaning and preparing the house for potential kittens, which Sheeni was clearly not. I still have to look at each and every item on each and every surface with a fresh eye...could they knock it down, would it break, is everything they have access to safe, etc.?! Though I was not wanting to spend my last day of vacation cleaning, it's a labor of love well worth it!!

Blogging:

So along with trying to finish up my first read of the year, Last Night at the Viper Room, I was thinking about changes to the blog I would like to make. So I went in search of that weekend event when everyone updates their blogs...and could not (cannot) for the life of me remember it's name or when it is. Is it worth waiting or should I just dig right in now while I'm motivated? 

This made me realize that there is a need for a blogging calendar and perhaps a grand list of challenges for us book bloggers. Unless someone can point these out to me as preexisting, they may become part of my blog in the future! I also have some other ideas that will be be incorporated as soon as I can get everything else done...ha!

Enough for now! Have a great week.

S

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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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