Christmas for Adults

Welcome Advent Adventurers, hope you have been enjoying all the sights, sounds and recipes that have been shared! (I sure have!)

This post will be something a little different.

See, in our family, there are no children. Our youngest on Christmas is 24 years old now and the rest of us aren't exactly 'needing' anything nowadays. We've got the appliances and towels and blankets and a few years ago it became obvious that there wasn't anything any of us needed.

Christmas shopping became a horrid chore.

No really.

What do you buy for the people who have everything? (Okay, we don't have everything but I'm not buying anyone a sports car and how many years in a row do I need to buy my mother slippers!)

So Bob and I changed a few things up.

First time we realized it wasn't so much the gift as the novelty was when Bob built a wooden box around a gift for my Dad. He was able to build looking holes that went all the way through the box and others that had a little sign inside that said 'no peeking!'.

My father had to get a crowbar out to open the gift and in the end it wasn't the garden bell in the gift that had the family buzzing, it was the few days before, the curiosity of what it could possibly be that made the gift so much fun.

And that's when in almost a sigh of relief the entire family let the stress of gifting go. There was no meeting or discussion, it just happened.

Now it's about seeing a huge smile or a flat out belly laugh when one of us opens a gift.

For me, it's monkeys. I make monkey noises I get excited and name the monkey the minute I see it. I'm not sure how it is they can still get a reaction out of me but every year a silly monkey shows up and makes me laugh. (You can't see it but the baby monkeys all have goofy grins on their faces - this special bookend keeps me smiling to this day!)

For my father it's Owls and Eagles. This year we found an owl tea pot, an outrageous owl plaque and yes, a pencil with a silly owl on the top.

My Aunt was everything Mexican and I outdid myself when I bought her a giant purple Mexican sombrero.

For my hubby, it's anything 50's inspired or diner inspired. One year a few great minds thought alike and he ended up with two hot dog roller cookers (much to my chagrin).

So in the end, it wasn't about the gift for us anymore. It was about getting a reaction from the person getting the present. As my Dad notably said, 'I don't care if you get rid of it tomorrow, your reaction was enough for me'. And in the end, it seems the family agrees with him.

So if you just can't come up with an idea for that one person maybe play it outside of the box. Who knows you just might discover another side of your friends and family!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas indeed!

For more fun visit:

Lexi @ The Amazing Adulthood of Alexis
Lesley @ A Life in Books
Kim @ Page After Page

Uh Houston - yeah, you know.

Problem?

I strung up all the lights on our freshly cut Christmas tree (let me tell you, this tree doesn't have a soft spot anywhere and getting the lights up was like playing with a porcupine).

Every time I plug the tree in 2/3 of the tree blows out.

We've discovered a bulb that acts like a fuse and it blows out instead of maybe an entire string blowing out. We've changed that bulb a few times but the darn thing keeps tripping.

In all honesty, I so don't want to have to unravel all the lights off the tree as Bob has suggested.

So I'm wondering if there is anyone out there that has had a similar problem?

I'm wondering if I should put in another extension cord and run half the lights off a separate plug. Hey, it's all I got and I'm not sure the lights were made to have all 800 run off one circuit.

Wish me luck.

If you hear a roar sometime tomorrow it will be me, unraveling the darn strings off the tree.

Figures this season wouldn't start out easy.

Grrrr!!

The Kittens

Yep, I'm the crazy cat lady.

One look at the bed in the first video and you know why I'm not reading, blogging or in general, sleeping.

But the kitties managed a few milestones today so I'm sharing.



Later in the evening Pixie got even closer!



Yep, I do voices for the cats.

But you knew I wasn't all there in the noggin'

Hope you all had a great weekend! Bob was off on Friday so we got a lot done, were able to go visit friends and got the tree up (not decorated).

In a couple days I will be blogging for the Virtual Advent Tour - you can click on the avatar at the top right hand corner to visit other blogs and read how other people are celebrating the holidays!

Okay, I've been up since 5am.

I know!

It's now 9pm and I'm beat. Off to bed soon!

December Already!?

I tell ya, I have no clue where Oct/Nov went but BAM it's December!

Anxiety has decided to take me head on and I'm not sure what it's beef is but fun it ain't. I've caught myself a few times just wanting to head back home because I wasn't 'feeling right'. Realizing a bit late it was anxiety kept me from making bad decisions and I kept on heading in the right direction. Eg. going to breakfast with my BF on Monday morning instead of calling her back 20 minutes before we were to meet to say 'can't' and knowing she would understand. Also thinking about how far from home one of my destinations was today and not turning the car around when the anxiety hit.

So I'm winning but I wish it'd just back off me already.

Then there is the sleep.

All torqued up and knowing that I don't really operate the same during daylight hours doesn't help. That said, I'm getting some of the errands off the list. I'm also hoping to get most if not all my Christmas shopping done this week.

My biggest problem (and maybe why I'm anxious) this year is I have not one clue for Bob. I don't want to spend gobs of money and at the same time I don't want to buy him clothes and stuff (which I do normally buy for him).

Bob, bless him, keeps saying the fence and the renos he's been doing are his present. And really, they should be, cause - wow.

But that's not the point of Christmas so I'm going to have to put the thinking cap on and get on it.

I've decided this time of year is useless for me and reading.

Add Bob and his plaster dust to the equation and my entire (and yes, entire) house needs to be cleaned from top to bottom. Thing is I only want to have to do it once. So I've been waiting to see what else Bob's going to decide on doing before Christmas.

My Gorgeous Cousin has already commented about the last time we hosted Christmas and how Bob had still been working on the bathroom on the Eve.

I didn't throw anything at her.

And on a 'bloody hell' note, her boyfriend is still around.

Makes my skin crawl but I guess I have to let her live her own life.

So that's the weekly update. Hopefully I'll watch a great movie or something and my blogging mojo will re-emerge.

Bob's New Lament

It's also my new lament.

WTF!? Why are we hearing about a green Christmas yet again!!

See, Bob and I get to host Christmas once every three years. This year it's our year (and boy do I need to get cracking but that's for another post) and we are hearing that snow will probably not be in the forecast.

3 years ago there was no snow. In fact, it was a beautiful balmy day that had us wearing T-shirts outdoors. Green, green, green.

The last 2 years have been white in the extreme. Bob and I have traveled in some seriously bad weather but hey, it's Christmas and I'll turn will come around again.

Bah.

Maybe new tradition this year. Christmas day swim. Too bad we closed the pool already.

Ah well.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our American Friends! I wish you all great heath and comfort and try not to head out shopping on that black Friday day (or maybe it's another colour) - just stay safe!

How Time Flies!

Sorry!

I've been a touch busy and by busy I mean I procrastinated all week while trying to write up Mini-poll results.

Bad Cindy.

They should be out next week sometime.

Okay, so where were we?

Right.

I'm all good. NyQuil is worth every dime let me tell ya. I didn't feel great Friday but by Sunday morning right as rain. Yay!

Tuesday (I think it was Tues or maybe Wed) I went and stood in the public line up for the H1N1 shot. It was finally opened to everyone. Bout friggin' time. Meanwhile, the people in the line were the elderly and kids. So, where you people been for the 3 weeks you could have had the line to yourself!? It was an 1 1/2 wait but I brought a book and people were envious of my intelligence for not showing up with nothing but the clothes on my back. Duh.

For those wanting to know the book - Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh (haven't had time to get back to it but I have enjoyed the start!)

The rest of the week is a bit of a blur.

So get this. I'm now addicted to the treadmill. I can't go a night without getting on the damn thing. I was up to 50 minutes every night.

Now, last night I kinda hurt myself. See, I walk on the treadmill in the dark.

No!! I can explain!

The room the treadmill is in has had it's shades removed (BOB!!!!) and if I put on the light during the night people can see in. Normally no big deal except my neighbour comes home at all different hours of the night so I don't want anyone seeing me in my sweaty clothes with my droopy pony-tail. Yes. I know the world doesn't revolve around me but hey, people don't need a mental imagine of me sweating to whatever I got playing on my iPod.

So yeah, the dark. The only light in the room is from my iPod and I'll flash it at the information board every once in a while to see how long I've been on or what my speed is.

Well, last night I was doing the speed of the treadmill by touch. I would push the 'speed up' button twice which should have meant I was at a comfortable 2.8. So I'm walking along.

And I'm walking.

And I'm puffing.

Okay, I don't normally sweat like this!?

I feel faint.

And I'm walking.

Finally I flash the light on the information panel to check the time and I've just hit 30 minutes - OMG, I'm dying.

I then notice the speed.

Ooops.

I had been hoofin' it at 3 for like 10 minutes (I haven't walked at 3 yet since starting because I get exhausted faster)

I take it back to 2.8 only my legs feel like rubber.

Gah.

I made it to 42 minutes before I had to stop.

I don't like to feel like puking after exercising so last night was not a big win for me.

Tonight I've been avoiding the room.

Nuts.

I'll get on the treadmill after I post this.

The bad news is Bob is sick. Yep. Thursday night he woke up and told me he throat felt horrible.

Now. If it had been me, NyQuil. No question.

Bob insisted he had to go to work on Friday. (I love him but seriously, dumbass)

So no NyQuil for Bobby.

Friday night he's not feeling so great but it's not going to keep him down.

Saturday.

I knew he was feeling really bad when he crawled back to bed at 10am. He slept till 1pm. He then crawled back in a 4pm.

I feel bad for him but hey, NyQuil. I'm just saying.

Oh and H1N1 shot.

Bob's not sure he wants the shot.

Boo-yah baby. Being sick sucks! I'll take the damn shot and be glad of it.

Meanwhile, the rest of my family is waiting to see if I'll grow fins or something.

Hope you are all well!!

*sigh* Off to walk on the treadmill.

Update: Bob is feeling much better after I drugged him up. Sunday he spent renovating in the room next to our bed. Where I was trying to sleep with sledgehammering, saws and drills going off for hours. But I'm glad he's feeling better! I did get on the treadmill and I did again tonight - actually hit 58 minutes. Killer shocked.

Alive and Well

Yep. All good here at Smith central.

Superfluous pic of kitten - you're welcome.

Bob has been on vacation since Wednesday hence the radio silence. It's Sunday early morning and I've finally got a minute to myself.

Get this, went to Toronto on Thursday without any anxiety. It was like Anxiety forgot I existed.

Anxiety however, showed up on Friday night.

Showy bugger.

Basically Friday 1am I get a sore throat and a booming headache - also, I've been achy all week but I assumed it was from the treadmill (yep, I'm trying out daily exercise). I get it in my head that I now have the flu and pull my Hail Mary pass with a ginormous swig of NyQuil.

Friday best bud and son are coming out and Bob is not home. Usually no problem but because I have it in my head that the 'flu' might be in my body, I have anxiety about going out for dinner. I gulped down 2 anxiety pills and made it through. Couple of 'dizzy' moments but I didn't run screaming from the restaurant and hey, that's a win.

Bob's in full demo mode.

Best bud posted on her Facebook on Friday that it was 'random acts of kindness day' - when she got to the door I told her her random act of kindness was to NOT say 'OMG, you LIVE here!?

Kids would love it here. You can spell stuff on the furniture. Every single piece.

I felt bad that I didn't dust before best bud came over but oy, am I ever glad I didn't waste the energy. I woke up to more drywall dust as Bob carved out new doors. *cough, hack, cough*

I vacuumed on Tuesday and the house looks like it was last cleaned in the 80s.

The kitten doesn't know what to make of the big guy lugging stuff all through the house. For Emma, it's all old news. For me, it's just getting old.

Let's see, what else?

Right. I've been walking on the treadmill 5 days a week (I haven't made it to every day) and can do 40 minutes now without puking up a lung. The other night I did 50 minutes but I paid for it the next day.

I sleep better, I have more energy when I'm up and about and maybe it's keeping me healthy.

I'm also taking a multi-vitamin, Vitamin D and Vitamin C every morning. For the first week or two my body just laid it back out. Now I think some of it is getting absorbed into the blood stream.

So yeah. I'm trying to take some good care of myself because the winter months can slay me. I've decided they aren't allowed to take me out anymore!

On Monday I'm hoping to get to Nalini Singh's latest. (I returned the Anthology after Wendy let me know it was a re-print - just another reason for me to dislike trade backs.)

Oh! Final note.

If you buy gift certificates for peeps, keep the receipt and give it with the GC. Discovered one of my birthday GC for 25$ for books was never activated. Bob and my mom always give me the receipts but there was a desk move in between my B-day and now so I lost them.

Out 25 bucks!! Super sucks!

Bob couldn't figure out how someone could 'steal' the GC money because it would be in the computer. Simple slight of hand with another card I'm sure. Or, one of my friends pulled a 'ooops' and didn't load the card.

Okay, off to play a bit longer before hitting the sack.

Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Kleypas

I haven't been hopping around blogland much but I don't recall seeing too many people talking about this book.

I'm loving it!!

I have the last few chapters to read but I can't see where it can go wrong. Unless the H/H die then I'm all good.

Harry is such a SOB and I love him! I think he's giving Sebastian a run for his money but then I never read the book where Sebastian was the villain.

I love it when you get characters that just don't fit any expectations.

Harry isn't a hero although I can't help but get all mushy about him now. I do think there is more that we could have known. He's not exactly forthcoming even in his own thoughts. He just knows what he wants and grabs it.

I would have liked to see him thinking about his hobby while working through something. I think there is a lot assumed about who he is (and I don't doubt he's every thing imparted) but it's not shown in his thoughts or actions for the most part. I think people who have active minds can't help but get distracted by seeing something new or interesting to them.

I guess it's just that Poppy is the new and shiny.

I can't wait to get to Beatrix's story although I imagine Leo will get his HEA before she does.

Okay, I didn't see the time creeping up on me and bedtime is calling!

But I can definitely call this one a KEEPER, KEEPER, KEEPER, KEEPER, KEEPER!!!

For Tara Marie

For Tara Marie - thanks so much for sharing the things that make your tummy go south. I know it's no fun to talk about but I'm so glad you told me something I can actually look at and have tested in the future.

Every time I eat right now I think of you. I know. I'm a huge goof.

So here is a virtual hug because the real hug would be something that would make you squirm.

The 30 second mark where you start to pat my back in that 'there there way' and wonder if I'm going to let go. The three minute mark where you check your watch and think 'Good Gravy' and by the seven minute mark you would just relax into it and continue on with whatever you were doing before I tackle hugged you.

I would let go on minute 10 because after that, it would be awkward.

Like seriously.

Foiled Again!

I have such plans that spiral about in my brain that when reality strikes, I'm sufficiently depleted.

Doc's appointment was today. I was ready to embark on a food allergy quest. What in the world are the foods that wreak such havoc on my tummy. I was going to discover the little monsters that could destroy my digestive system for weeks on end and banish them from my diet.

Mission was a disaster.

Apparently there is no 'basis' of food allergies - there is no set of criminals they can check for and eliminate. Nope.

Food Allergists are there for the extreme food allergies. The ones where life and death are concerned.

Okay, from what I understand, if I had broken out in hives they could have had somewhere to start but because the only thing that is happening is in the tummy, there are no tests that can really help.

Sure, lactose intolerance testing. Been there, done that. I was told I wasn't lactose intolerant. I still won't drink milk to this day. I even tried lactose free milk and forget it. So basically my Doc asked what would change with a lactose intolerance test and my response was nothing. Whether it's positive or negative, I know I can't drink milk. I know real cream (and more and more that edible oil stuff called Cool Whip) can cause such pain that fainting has become a very real possibility.

But then, where does Pizza Hut pizza fit in? Can't eat a piece of that stuff without destroying the digestive system for months. That said, I can eat pizza from other places without any harm (discovered this by being out at friends and having pizza brought in - not wanting to upset the hosts, I ate a piece of pizza and knew in a few hours I would be in major trouble. Only I wasn't.)

Discovered cashews can cause some trouble but I have to eat many of them at one time and it's not the horror show that real cream creates.

Still, I know to avoid these things now.

That damn salad dressing there in the summer that created the hell that followed? Haven't the foggiest notion why I had the gut reaction I did - brutal just touches on the pain.

It turns out I can't identify only one thing and allergists need that 'one thing' to test. I understand what the doc said, long story and all that but basically, my tummy will react to food however it feels.

So that pretty landscape I built in my brain, the one where I know what it is that will cause me such hardship has crumbled.

I'm blind again.

And so the tummy has played it's trump card.

I Bought Books!

I'm easily swayed by other readers. Actually, it doesn't take much to get me to buy a book. Heck, Rosie hasn't even reviewed it yet but she used my favourite descriptor - dark!

So Bob can blam-thank Rosie!

Ava Gray - never heard of her but I love her first name. I'm not trying to be a snot - just hadn't heard her name before but she's also Ann Aguirre who I haven't read yet either.

Anyways, Rosie mentioned the book on her blog and how she thought it was great and oh by the way, it's dark but great.

I clicked over to Chapters from her blog.

I'm that easy.

Huh, look at that - I think it's a paranormal! Awesome. It also looks like it'll be the first in a series. No comment.


Since I mentioned this book earlier in the week I'm thinking you won't be surprised that I ordered Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh.

What I didn't know was an Anthology called An Enchanted Season was also due November 3rd and oh look! Singh is in that one too!

I love when that happens.

And I can't remember now who it was that told me Elizabeth Hoyt has a new title out on the 3rd also. Had to get that!

To Desire a Devil by Hoyt added to order.

That's it for the book order. I hope it shows up this week but we'll see.

As to life - I managed to get my Health Card renewed (it expired on my birthday over 2 months ago - Bad Cindy) AND applied for a passport this morning.

It's amazing the stuff I can get done during 'normal' business hours.

Bob's away until tomorrow night which is normally fine but for some reason my anxiety has kicked it up a notch. I will decide to do something and then hesitate and then avoid.

Avoidance is not a good way to deal with anxiety.

Still, I gave myself a pass today. Sure I went and did a bunch of stuff in the city and didn't bat an eyelash. Went to call my mother to ask her to lunch and hung up before the dialing finished. Whoops. Not sure where that anxiety nugget was hiding but I let it win for today.

On a completely different note I haven't heard Boo from my Gorgeous Cousin. Bob thinks she's mad at us. I'm trying not to think at all.

Crap. Just realized as I was typing that sentence, that not thinking about it is typical avoidance. Double Crap.

I tell ya what, let's end on the fun of opening up the mailbox to find a box of brand new shiny books.

Yeah, that works.

Just a few Videos for the Weekend

You should take note of the water level in the bowl.



Can you see the water level in this one?



Poor Put Upon Emma - but look at her fur!!

I'm Around

I wish I was getting around!

I swear my body has decided on early Hibernation. Except for the upset tummy part. Can a person's body be a masochist. I'm saying yes. Nothing like the brain being ruled by the non-brain stomach.

It's been a bit of a week here at Smith Central.

Bob had to let go of a long term employee today and I swear I had the rot gut for them both. Bob came home and the first words he said were 'I'm glad you love me cause everyone else hates me'. I feel so bad for him but like I said - anyone gripping can give up their jobs to have this guy come back. That made Bob smile. 'Nope, no one offered to do that'. My heart bleeds for the man who was let go because there is no cause - just a cutback. I also know he will find a job once the shock of this has worn off. He's a fixture in the industry and I know he'll land on his feet.

Just a tough day all around for Bob and those he's responsible for.

Some tough breaks are heading our way also but we've made it this far through the mess, other cuts could come but right now, blessed we are.

Pixie is off snuggled up with Bob - she makes him laugh. Makes me laugh too but I know he needed that tonight.

Phew - let's let go of that for now!

Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh is going to be out Nov 3rd!! On that note I need to check the inventories of my locals and see if they already have it. Sometimes being distracted makes it more exciting when you look and see an author you love whose book is literally a few days out. If I had known the whole month of October I would have stalked the locals and made a few enemies. Bad Cindy.

Just in case, I have no uh, damn, don't know the word - basically it's no skin off my nose if you buy Singh's book or not. I'm buying!

I am a touch worried because I think one of the H/H are human and the last human book gave me a head ache and I put it down. Singh is an author who writes a KEEPER, KEEPER, KEEPER or a wall-banger for me. How that's possible I don't know but I love it when I get another KEEPER!!

Okay, what are you guys looking for this month?

What's Your Book Buying Type?

Wendy of Super Librarian fame has asked her fellow book lovers what their book buying habits are. Go here to see other people's methods of getting their hot little hands on a book they just have to have.

Back in the day (and yes, I think I may actually be at the age that I 'experienced' a day) I was fairly broad in my book 'getting' ways. I had less money and more free time which meant I was reading at a pace I certainly could not afford to uphold. So the library was the go-to-spot. As were used bookstores.

That was then - Let's talk about the here and now:

New Books - I'm at basically 100 % new books. As Wendy calls them 'dead tree' books. I love to read obviously but I also love books. I love the way they look, their covers, they way they sit on a shelf. I get a little thrill in my tummy whenever I go into a bookstore. Especially the big box ones. I have said many times that when I win the lottery there won't be a book I don't own. Yes, it'll be the mega millions or something like that.

Just last night hubby and I were uh, hammering things out and I commented that we just have way too much crap. For me it's easy, my books and my cats. After that, let's just start biffing. Bob thought that was funny but in reality everything else is just gravy. The books and my critters (along with Bob) are my necessities.

Oh, right. A great bed covered in sumptuous down pillows and soft linens.

Wait, where were we?

Right! Buying habits continued!

I will try and find the best price for hardcover books (usually buy online with free shipping) but I don't worry if I really want the book and I have to pay full price.

I have to admit though that trade-sized paperbacks stick in my craw. I rarely buy them unless it's a book I have to have. Annie don't publish in trade-size so for the most part it's good. I'm not sure why I have that mental block but I do. I guess I've always thought of trade-size books as a money grab by publishers and getting past that hasn't really happened for me. I have bought a few books in TS but they fill one bookshelf and I usually don't get them read before they are re-published in the cheaper paperback.

Library Books - not now because I don't need to and I have a real problem remembering to return things. Just ask Blockbuster. I think I'm probably on a do not lend sheet somewhere. Also, we live in a town so our library is teeny tiny and romance books are not all that important to them.

That said, anything happens that I am in need of books and without the coinage to buy them you better believe I'll re-discover my local library.

Used Books: Rare, rare, rare. A few years ago I discovered my latest quirk. I don't like reading books that have already been read by someone other than me. I figured this out when my best bud started to borrow books from my TBR pile. It just never dawned on me that I would get the books back and miss their glossy newness. I'm sure there are meds somewhere for this new disorder but for now, I'm okay with buying my books new. When I need to, I'll deal with the quirk but since it's not really a problem today I don't worry about it. I also don't lend my books out to many people anymore.

Confession! I have been known to go out and re-buy a book that was brand new until I loaned it to someone cause I sometimes have a hard time saying no to people. And really, my best bud isn't hard on books it's just my hang up that has me doing things that would make normal people smack me in the back of the head and tell me to get a grip.

ARCs/Freebies: I have won a few contests thrown by both authors and blogger buddies but I don't solicit ARCs (I have enough anxiety about my TBR pile). Contests are just fun and I will enter!

E-books: Sadly no. Like I said, I love 'dead tree' books. Love them. And I know there are plenty of people out there who love e-books and who have all the ways it's really easy to learn all the techno stuff but my first experience with a reader was a nightmare and an 8 hour ordeal because I can't let technology beat me. It seriously slapped me around and 16 bucks later I learned a painful lesson.

I bought air.

No really.

I found my credit card down 16 bucks and nothing but a file that I couldn't open or transfer sitting on my computer.

Now that the Kindle is out I've toyed with the idea but once again, I would need to have the paper copy of a book that I loved. Cause no matter what they say, that little digital thingie in that little device can disappear into thin air. Drop the thing and it's broke. Hit the wrong button and the file gets smoked. Either way, I'm purchasing something that has no mass and I'm not sure I get it.

And yes, saying that makes me feel like an old fuddy duddy.

But I'm not an organized person so if there is something I need to keep to prove I actually purchased something the odds are it'll vanish in one of my rare cleaning spurts.

I don't even know if I have a copy of mine and Bob's marriage certificate which I bloody well need to get a passport. That's some serious paper work and I have no clue where it is.

The receipt for an e-book? Not even on my radar!

Audiobooks - expensive and abbreviated. Colour me shocked years ago when I put in a romance book and was a touch worried about how I would react to a sex scene being read to me. My senses need not have been bothered and I learned that abbreviated meant no sex. And then the other book I had on tape (yes, tape) wouldn't flip to side B so I never learned how the story ended. It wasn't a romance but it was an intriguing story - just not intriguing enough for me to pick up the book.

Good thing I brought this to my blog as I would have crashed Wendy's place!

Books? If Only!!

I haven't been chatty lately. Not sure why. Think it has to do with the kitten. If she decides to lay down on my legs when I'm watching TV I'll stay there until she decides to get up - and she sleeps like I do!

And then she kind of hogs the monitor as you can see here. Can you see the pointer thing? Dead center of her nose. She tries to catch it. I know!! How cute can she be!!

Onwards!

Then, things are getting interesting around the house. By this I mean it's only a matter of time before something pops in my brain and I burn the damn thing down. Kidding.

Bob took a wall out last night and further more tonight.

Bob did not drape plastic or in any way prep the area so that the horrid speck that is plaster dust didn't end up in every nook and cranny of our home. Nope. It was like sleeping on sandpaper today and I admit, I can feel anything on a mattress and yes I'm sure others could have slept just fine in the bed with the layer of dust - but uh, not me!

Then tonight, he opened another section.

It smells like Kermit the Frog died in our bedroom now.

Seriously.

There is a swamp smell that is in no way conducive to me sleeping in there tomorrow during the day.

Bob can't smell it.

Figures.

Did I mention the additional dust that is now on my pillows!

To top it all off, Bob and I aren't exactly on the same page when it comes to how we're going to do this renovation. Tonight there was a debate on where the 'new' wall would be. Bob actually said something so out of bounds that I asked him if he was ready. Yep. C-Rex came out and told him how it was. Good thing C-Rex was laughing and Bob realized he was WRONG while laughing. The stuff guys will tell their wives so they don't have to do what the woman wants.

All I can really say is that my house is a renovation in progress. I've never seen a house is so much disarray. In the last house we could only do a room at a time but then Bob loved the rooms as they were and didn't really want me to change things. But I'm persistent.

This house?

Bob likes the windows.

So I have a kitchen partially done but I have to admit that we are bargain hunters and I only splurge on certain parts like the back splash tile that goes up the whole wall and my fancy stainless steel stove hood. Everything else was bought as we could afford it. So my kitchen has been changing over the past two years. We're closing in on a finish but the most expensive parts are up next. Counters (I'll be doing a stone of some sort) and floors (hardwood but it'll go through the entire first floor so uh, not yet).

My entry way has been plywood for so long I actually don't know how I'll get used to a real floor. I ordered the tiles (gorgeous stone) because it is a small area and we finally found a stone we agreed on and hey, don't pay for a year. They arrived 2 weeks ago and Bob has yet to pick them up. See, he doesn't have a place for them yet.

But the upper floor of my home?

Disaster!

And when I bring up the small hallway I want tiled Bob just smiles and moves along.

Ugh.

So I'm locking myself in the book room tomorrow (course it's bogged down with a bunch of stuff) and sleeping in there.

Hold the fort! I have a battle on the home front to deal with for now.

Light Speed

I may have mentioned that this year Bob and I will be hosting Christmas.

It's the middle of October and I'm already figuring out how the house will be by then.

It'll be a mess.

See, I live with this man who today decided that our master bedroom/bathroom/closet need to be re-modeled.

Seriously.

Our house is plaster. The dust will be epic and OMG the mess will make me nutty. Bob has moved all his clothes to this tiny closet in the yellow room. He beat me to it. But then he has a job and needs to keep his clothes tidy. He has asked me to empty my closet. And where am I supposed to put my stuff (all closets except yellow room closet will be gone)? On the yellow room bed.

On the friggin' bed!

Now, I don't mind renovation stuff but creating a mess that will probably be there until Christmas Eve is enough to have C-Rex ready to bust out. Why this is happening now is beyond me. Bob's mentioned heat loss from the attic to outside so we need insulation but now he's going with the flat stuff instead of blowing it in. So, do we really need to build that wall and move all electrical if he still has access to the attic?

NO!!

The whole reason he was going to go gangbusters was because once he had insulation blown in he didn't ever want to go in the attic again. Putting down the batting stuff? No problem - access is still available.

I think if I lay that one on him his head will explode and I'll be the one taking the brunt of it.

In between all this 'prep' I have drawn out how I want the master/bath/closet to turn out. Bob's immediate reaction was 'can't be done'. Uh, yeah it can so get your ass on board! He's telling me how our bathroom and closet will turn out and I'm thinking 'uh, no, can I have some input!?' Bob has done too many reno homes and now his brother's basement with no input from anyone and don't think he's not loving it.

The man's heading for a smack down. The other day I actually told him to just stop talking. We don't fight very much but I was ready to knock him upside the head.

Jack nut.

In fairness, I had no clue how this post was going to go.

Sorry. Should have put a warning at the top.

I need to read and get out of my head for a while!

Pixie - Yep, Even More

I'm sure you're unaware so I'll just spell it out.

Bob and I are smitten with our kitten.

Now, if only we could get Em to be smitten but instead she's still spittin'

Books? Yay Baby!!

Drama is finding me something awful but screw it, I bought books tonight and want to share.

Oops, just remembered what one of them was and I'm thinking a huge 'BOOOOO' from the crowd might happen.

Also, is the new Kleypas sexy? I need something dreamy and lovely and sexy and I'm going to go with Tempt Me At Twilight. At least, I'm going to try but I'm hoping it has some heat. Course, she normally brings it so why am I worrying?

Onwards!

I remember who it was exactly who finally got me to put this book on my TBB list.

Ames!!

She loved the way the series was going and I do love a great series so I decided to buy the first book. I'm excited and antsy as I'm not overly knowledgeable about succubus creatures but hey, I'm IN!

The next book also has a person attached to it.

My Book Twin ReneeW!

Even while trudging through homework (ugh, how you guys do it is beyond me) she was able to hop online and recommend a book she really enjoyed. Since it's rare we disagree, this book was put on the TBB list because I knew there would be no way I would actually remember the title or author's name on my own.

And I'm not normally one of those women who gets all gooey about men on covers but I really enjoy this one. It looks like an action shot but the more I look I see tiger stripes. Still, I'm ready, willing and wanting!


We got a THREE-FER!!

For those of you wondering about blogger word of mouth, it's alive and well and if you haven't heard of this book then you haven't met Kristie(J)!

I haven't read the first book yet but I own it and know I'll get to it and then flog myself for waiting so long to pick it up.

But I'm wondering if I should run a bit of a test. Read this before I read the first one. What do you think? Will I then prefer the second book to the first? You know how we as readers never know if it's the 'first book read love' that holds us to a single hero or title of a new author or if the book really is just 'the one'?

Kristie(J) loved Highland Rebel almost as much as Broken Wing and we do so love similar books. Course, she knows it's all about Sebastian for me and her love is all about Derek. (Kleypas heroes) Another little rivalry perhaps?


Huh, this book was also recommended to me and I wouldn't have picked it up without the nod. Laurie Gold recommended this book on her Facebook account referring to MaryJanice Davidson and a few other authors I enjoy. So Soulless was put on the TBB list.

Since the cover creeps me out I wouldn't have been drawn to this book. Also, I'm not sure what genre it's from so that would definitely work against it also.

So there's another book bought because of word of mouth.

What else?

Okay, from here on out, these are books I would have bought if I was in the bookstore and saw them.

I had no clue that Ward was working on another series. Not one whiff of an idea.

I know now because AAR reviewed this book and I was all 'What? Another Brother book I didn't know of?'. Clicked on the review and nope, this isn't a Brother book. Although it probably could be.

That said, I'm hoping to find some magic here so I got weaseled in and hey, it's a paperback at a paperback price. I'll buy!

Stop boo-ing. It happened, I'm not proud, but I'm a book ho!


And yet another book I didn't know was coming out! Or my memory is dancing around playing games again but seriously, I don't remember knowing about this book.

I'm a little bummed that it's - well, would this be a novella? Maybe it is a full length story. I'll just have to wait and see but I am excited to try Gena Showalter. I think I have a book by her in my TBR stack but I'm also convinced I don't have a book by her.

See how my mind messes with me?

Anyways, a shout out to Amazon.com for 'recommending' books to me. I would have also bought the Elizabeth Hoyt book it recommended except it's not out until November and I want my books now and shipped free. So I'll have to wait till later for that one.

Wait, did I mention the cover on the Cole/Showalter? I really, really like it. Wonder if that means I'm ready for the snow.

NOOOOOOOOO!

So for those of you fuddling or muddling through your book reviews thinking no one really cares, well, guess what, they do. I do! And I'm not as abnormal as people think. At least, not as a reader. As a person, yeah, way off normal but as a reader, I'm thinking I run with the pack.

Okay, maybe I run on the outer edges but I'm part of the pack. And us readers do love to visit and pick your brain on your latest 'best eva' book and your 'OMG, a tree died for THIS!?' book.

We love them all so keep 'em coming!

From Now Till -

We had Thanksgiving Weekend this past weekend so yes, Turkey was consumed and it was yummy. The rest of the time things were tense for me.

Anxiety? Nope. Not even a flinch. Guess I had too many other things on my brain and I was kind of exhausted.

My dad was home from Malaysia so from Wednesday night to Monday night Bob and I were go, go, go and all my time spent with just my Mom and Dad was great. The small amount of time I got to spend with just Bob, the best. The rest? Ow.

So you know about my gorgeous cousin and her cheating boyfriend. If not, you can catch up below but short version is on Thursday night Bob and I picked up my GC and broke the news to her that her long time boyfriend was a cheating piece of dog meat. My GC decided to not deal with it right away because of my Dad being home and it was, after all, Thanksgiving.

Now, I don't know how my GC could look him in the eye and not want to do many evil things to him. Hell, I don't know how she didn't burst into tears the minute she laid eyes on him. That said, Bob and I had to lay eyes on him on Sunday night and I have to say I just didn't want to deal with him at all. I didn't want to talk to him, see him, anything but I did it for my cousin. Once again though, I think my GC might need some tough love and Bob and I will have to talk to her about losing this guy already. Ugh, yuck, drama!

To heap on that - I got a call Saturday night before heading to my parents for a family visit with my brother and his crew. His crew being his long time live with girlfriend (seriously, after 8 years is that the term?) and her two kids. LTG will be the short form for the rest of the story.

Guess who is on the phone? LTG.

LTG lives over an hour away and should already be at my parent's house.

LTG is sobbing on the phone.

LTG tells me about my brother and how he's a ginormous asshole.

I'm talking out of the ballpark with assholery.

Whenever I would go to say something the response was 'He's YOUR brother'. Uh, yeah, I know who we are talking about but it's not my fault. Like she said, he's my brother and I learned eons ago that beating my head against a wall till I blacked out all bloody and raw was easier and less painful than actually having a conversation with him.

I love my brother and want him to have a great life but I'm not so sure that's happening. LTG told me how he's paying for nothing (brother lost his job a year ago and is now in school for the next year) and is a huge mean ass. She thinks he will leave her in a year. So me, being me replied 'then kick his ass out. If you really think he'll leave you in a year then what have you got to lose now?'

I mean really, what did she want me to say? She tells me I can't tell my brother she has called and I'm sooo not getting into a conversation with my brother about his relationship right now. I would imagine things are tough and maybe she just needed to vent and tell me how my brother told her he didn't want her and the kids to come to my parents. But OMG!!! Don't hand me a grenade and then tell me I can't throw it!

I was on the phone for an hour trying to get LTG to calm down and stop sobbing. Then I can't even do anything about it.

Yes, I left it alone and didn't bring it up to my brother or my parents - maybe she wanted me to say something but when someone says I can't then I can't!

Sunday night was dinner and I lasted maybe 3 hours. I was exhausted and I felt horrible that I had to finally just get away from everyone and get in my jammas with my hubby and be alone with him. Bob totally understood but I'm sure my Dad wondered why we left so soon after dinner. We're usually there until midnight - I was gone by 8:30pm.

We made it up to my Dad by going the following day for an afternoon visit and a few games.

Well, the weekend is over and I'm recovering bit by bit. My brain is still trying to flay me alive and my tummy is still sending warning shots but it's much better. The tummy meltdown Saturday night was killer but it's settling down.

And this year Bob and I are hosting Christmas.

Do you think that means someone else will get the phone calls and the bad news?

I'm evil enough to say 'God, I hope so!!'

Drama Free Christmas.

That's the plan.

Worse Thing I've Ever Had To Do

I'm sitting here wondering if I've ever had to do something as bad as I had to today and really I can't remember anything this terrible.

My Gorgeous Cousin was blind sided by the news and it was just all that was horrid. I broke my baby girl's heart and in reality it is bigger than that. I realized after wards that I had really changed the way her life is heading.

God, she was happy and thought that her boyfriend had been really sweet to her recently. They hadn't been fighting as much and things were getting better for them.

A part of me broke tonight. Hearing her cry and knowing I could do nothing but hold onto her and cry with her. The worst was how she listened to what I said. I held her hand, told her how much we loved her but that we had bad news. She listened and then murmured that she was sorry when she started crying. She apologized for crying! My brave, wonderful cousin didn't want to have to cry in front of us.

I reached out for her and she collapsed - we were in the backseat of our car with Bob driving. It was when she said 'I just love him so much' that I broke down and cried with her. It tore me apart. I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about it.

She wanted to see what had been written we drove to our house and we logged on here. I rubbed her back as she read what her boyfriend had written to another girl. And we left her to have some privacy while it all sank in.

She doesn't know what she's going to do. That was hard. Bob and I have definite ideas of what she should do but we let her know that any decision she made would be supported by us.

As of now, she doesn't plan on confronting him because it's the long weekend up here and she doesn't want to ruin her Thanksgiving. And here I am, wishing that I had waited until after Thanksgiving now. Bob said it would have just been harder if I had waited to say anything. I don't know. I broke down after we left her alone for a bit in the den - we went into the living room and I started to sob. I asked Bob if there was a special place in hell for what I had just done. Bob, loving me the way he does, got mad and told me to never say anything like that again. But I wonder.

I changed the course of my Gorgeous Cousins life tonight armed with only love and hugs. I don't know that that was enough.

This One's Personal

I have to write this out as I'm getting worked up the more I sit with it.

This is personal crap so pull the rip cord if you aren't ready. Truly, I'll understand.

I have a Gorgeous Cousin. I call her 'My Baby Girl' and I'm sure I've confused a few people with that reference over the years but I can't seem to stop calling her that even though she is now 23 years old. The good news is she loves her 'crazy' cousin Cindy.

She has truly grown into a remarkable woman. I don't want to say too much about her just in case. I know many people say how wonderful a certain person is but seriously, this young woman is all that is great.

She met a guy when she was young. I'm going to say she was around 17. This young guy was 2-3 years older than her and I have to say he is quirky to say the least. Hey, first love and all that. Only, first love has lasted through the years.

A year ago he broke up with my Gorgeous Cousin and Bob and I were ready to break limbs. Basically GC caught him texting another girl etc. GC was hurt but instead of dealing with stuff the guy dumped her. There were many other things that were going on and the trust issues were enormous.

I'll be honest and say, that although I was broken-hearted for my GC I knew it was going to be a good thing. Within weeks my GC was coming out of her shell, she was more active, going out more and everything. Then she met a hunky guy. Hunky guy chewed her up and spit her out. I tried to tell her not to worry, he was just a rebound and it was going to be okay.

Then the old boyfriend showed back up saying how he made a mistake and saying all the things GC needed to hear. She was nervous to tell us they were back together but once again, we love her and we'll support her so back in our lives he came.

It's now one year later.

I'm praying that something has happened that my GC just didn't want to tell Bob and I about. I'm on my knees people!

The thing about my family members is they play their cards close to their chests. Where I will blurt out anything that happens to me moment afterwards, the rest of my family seems to keep major life changes to themselves. Bob has said on more than one occasion, 'call your mother and make sure your Dad landed safely. Lord knows he be dead and buried before she thought to call us'. Yes, it's dark but it's very close to the mark.

So I'm hoping my GC showed her boyfriend the door. Cause if she hasn't I'm going to have to break her heart. And I'm sick about it.

Facebook can be all that is good but boy, you better know what you are doing. I'm going to call the boyfriend 'asshat' for the rest of this post.

Asshat plays a game I play called Yoville. There is a whole other level of things in Yoville with gifts and messages being left in your apartment (it's like a mini world where you work, shop, decorate (this is where the game snagged me). There is also the other aspect of the game having to do with 'rares' and trading. I have been sucked into the buy/sell parts of the game and have ended up with some stuff that other players just haven't seen before because they are no longer available in the game.

So Asshat comments about 'where do find such neat stuff!?' and I explain only he's family so I was looking out for a few things that were different and cheap.

Tonight I found something and with happiness I zapped into his apartment (people don't have to be online, your avatar stays active in the game) and gifted it to him. Then I wanted to leave a little message about it so I opened his message board and saw a message that was not in the least platonic.

WTF?

So I clicked on this girl's name and went to her apartment in Yoville and clicked on her message board and YOWZA!!

By this time I can barely breathe. Bob's not home from his business meeting yet and I call him immediately. I start all flustered and upset and Bob suggests this 'girl' is just another name for GC. Uh, no. I know it's not but I decide, sure I'll follow that logic. So I dig a little further and it's not good. It's really not good.

I think it started in May/June and this girl (I'm using the word girl for a reason) is not exactly a woman. So I'm also freaking out about that but she is legal as far as I can tell. (Thank God for small favours!)

In a nut shell, I have to talk to my GC. Once again, I'm on my knees begging that she gave him the boot and just hasn't wanted to tell us. We were with her 2 weekends ago and he wasn't there and I probed a bit but he's lost his job and money is tight and he lives in another city. So, it was logical that he wouldn't be there.

Gah!!

My Dad just got home for a 10 day visit, it's Canada's Thanksgiving this weekend and I have to find time to break my baby girl's heart. I asked Bob if we should wait until after the weekend and Bob asked me what I would do if she showed up with Asshat.

Yeah.

I know Bob would try and hold me back but then he'd also be trying not to beat the crap out of him. We're not violent people so know it's just what we want to do and not what we would do. We're just so mad.

That said, my GC doesn't deserve this. She really is beautiful (she got a bit of Liv Tyler in her and last month Bob opened US Weekly and saw a picture of Kate (the woman Prince William is engaged to) and it was as if it was a picture of my GC). Add to that, what she does for living, the love she has for the people in her life, the time she takes to make gifts for all of us and yes, that fun humour that my family has that others don't always appreciate.

She deserves a man. A grown man who has ambition and priorities.

I once told her she just hadn't found her 'Bob' and that I knew he was out there for her, she just had to find him.

So I guess that answers one of those questions people sometimes ask.

If you know someone is cheating on someone you love, do you tell them.

Yeah, I do. Even though it's going to suck and be horrible.

But maybe, just maybe, we aren't in the loop and things will turn out just fine.

Bob and I will be going out to see her on Thursday night. How I hope and I pray.

Thanks for reading this. I was hoping I would be able to calm down through writing this but I haven't and I can't.

If I'm lucky, I can take the 'Asshat' name back but uh, yeah, he was still dating my GC when he was messaging this girl.

Blergh

My Bad!

Sorry!

I keep meaning to post and then think 'I'm not reading anything so maybe I shouldn't'.

Too bad. I'm here to post now!

1. I'm not reading. I'm currently head long into a gaming addiction that I really thought I had cracked. Now I'm in deep again although I do spend less time on the game than I have in the past.

2. Kitten is too cute not to play, cuddle or sleep with.

3. Kitten had her second set of shots and got a clean bill of health on Thursday. Emma was not well and since she is diabetic they wanted to see her right away.

4. Friday I took Emma to the vet worried sick. Turns out her diabetes is in remission (that can happen with cats) and every thing else came back normal. I think she had either a tummy flu so she didn't eat for 4 days straight or maybe she got in the kitten food and that made her ill. The good news is - no more needles for Em!!

5. Em's still not super happy and hides in basement where the kitten can't pounce on her tail.

6. My Dad came home on Friday night from Malaysia but got ill Saturday morning. Poor guy. He only gets to stay home until after Thanksgiving (this coming weekend up here in Canada) 10 days in total. He is on the mend which is great news but my 'germ squirm' side it kicking up a fuss and may make my anxiety come roaring out. Stupid anxiety.

7. Bob's got a business trip so he'll be gone only one over night but I still got myself a case of the blues this afternoon that I'm having a hard time shaking. Few things but major one is we're not really getting a Fall. I think I may drag out my SAD light. Then I remember the kitten makes me laugh and go 'awwwww'. So does Emma but again, she's in deep hide mode.

Oh wait!! I did buy Kathy Griffin's new book - can't remember the title but she's the comedian from the D-list. I think she's hilarious and I've read the first few pages while waiting at the vets.

Still, I seem blase about TV, can't even think about hiding in a book and am a touch miserable about the weather.

And Bob may have had too much fun over the summer with his Rona/Lowes/Depot cards which means I, as the bill payer, have to actually see the amounts we owe while Bob goes on his merry way.

Okay, he did just say yesterday I had scared him so we won't be putting in 10 grand worth of hardwood floors before Christmas (we're hosting this year). There's the 'phew' reaction I'm having mixed with the 'awwww, darn' feeling. I know, I'm a complex woman.

Anyways, I'll just have to keep him in check in all the other 'little' projects he thinks cost just a few bucks here and there.

Bob's definition of a 'few bucks' is a lot like his sense of time. A project that he says is 'pfft, easy, maybe a few weekends' translates into 3 months of full time work. The fence took him all summer and cost as much to put in as it would have to have it professional put it. Still, Bob is an Aries and demands perfection and I'm betting the fence people wouldn't have done the kind of quality of work that Bob does.

We discovered this when my Mom had a new porcelain floor put in her kitchen. Knowing what I know now (my Gorgeous Cousin will listen to Bob and I talk for a few minutes and then lean over and say 'I didn't understand one word of that conversation'. What's funny, is before Bob I wouldn't have had a clue either.), I can see where the 'professional' tiler cut corners and didn't put in the floor like I would have at least tried and that I know Bob would have done without question.

Live and learn.

Ooops. This post got long!!

As a reward - kitten!

Loving Hands

How do you handle your books?

Nath asked about the two ways I hold a book so yeah, I took some pics.

The first is the one handed hold. So it's the thumb and the pinkie holding the pages open with the index, second and third fingers supporting the back.

I read this way for years. I remember I would lay on my side in my double bed as a young adult with my arm stretched out on the bed and my wrist would be up holding the book open. My wrist would slowly drop after the 8 hour mark as I tried hard not to fall asleep.

Not only that but I was so adept that I could turn the page with my pinkie finger. Can't do that now. Now I'm too impatient and need my other hand to turn pages.

Oh, and the BF asked the other day if I read before going to bed.

Uh, NO!

I'm one of those people who will continue reading with a broken arm and bleeding eyes if I'm engaged in the story. I swear I became nocturnal from my earlier reading days. I would start a book thinking 'oh, I'll just read for an hour before I go to bed' only to never turn out my light and go to sleep.

I know better now but still fall into the trap when I want to read a book I've been dying for. I'm pretty sure the last Ice book from Anne Stuart kept me up 8 hours later than when I normally go to sleep.

And then this is the two handed way I hold a book. I think this is fairly normal and as I get older I need both hands to keep the book open so I can read closer to the interior margin. I swear the print is smaller but then I realize I'm probably showing my age. And now after about 6 hours of reading everything is a blur. I will continue to read through the blur if once again, I can't put the book down but I'm sure I look funny adjusting the book so I can see the text.

If I am reading with the one handed method I find my arm falls asleep much sooner than it did when I was younger. After 8 hours of reading you would expect your hand to fall asleep. Now, an hour in and my poor arm is crapping from holding my book.

So there you go.

Two delicate ways of holding a book.

Now I'm curious to know how others hold their books. My friend tried to show me but I cried out in fear when she reached for my book.

Grabbed the Bull

And managed not to get gored by the horns.

Yay, me!!

So first, Godson is back to school and on his way to living a bit of a different life. Diet needs to change, there will probably be changes in pets and hopefully the mom is serious about the smoking. It's all I can ask at this time.

BIL - haven't heard but when hubby went to visit him in the hospital on Saturday he looked great and had quite the set up going. TV, internet, games and they bring him food. As my Godson said when he was in the hospital - "I get free food!"

Sleep is kicking my arse but then, what's new.

All that said, I didn't cave!!

You, my book loving pals will be happy to know I stood my ground.

BF: I've been reading lots of books lately.

Me: Uh, huh.

BF: Seriously, I'm reading a lot.

Me: You get a library card?

BF: *snort* I guess that means you won't be giving me any books?

Me: *looks at ceiling*

BF: What!? You aren't going to lend me books!?

Me: YOU'RE A BOOK MURDERER!!!!

BF: What!?

Me: YOU KILL BOOKS!!

BF: Oh, come on, I'm not that bad.

Me: Yes, you are!

*sees newest book bought in a bag near my feet and grabs it*

Me: Look, this is how I hold a book when I'm reading. *shows her the two handed method of holding a book*

BF: *goes to pull book out of my hand*

Me: *hugs book to chest* NO!! You'll kill it!!

BF: I won't kill it, give it! *holds book up delicate like and opens it like I did* You're telling me you can read like this.

Me: Uh, YEA!

*grabs book back and shows her the one hand method of holding a book*

BF: OMG!! Are you kidding me!? I've never seen that!

Me: You don't hold a book in one hand?

BF: No! I -

Me: I know what you do, you grab each cover and rip the book apart!!

BF: I do not!

Me: Yes, you do! Book murderer!

Yes, we laughed through it but she didn't leave with any books. She was all 'I feel like shit now' and I said 'don't feel like shit, just borrow someone else's books!'

Yep, I like to pass the buck.

Hell, I think the library might ban her from borrowing if they saw how she handled books.

Poor man-handled pages.

The books will never be the same.

Blind Sided

I may have got all the ugly out while whining to my best bud but Lord knows how my brain works so strapping in is always an option.

Things here are a bit mucky.

Ear infection is getting better - best day yet and the need to drive a pencil into my ear and twirl it madly has eased off. I understand the pain, why the damn itch!

Youngest Godson had a 'crisis' with his asthma.

Okay, wait, I need a moment.

In a nutshell, my BF decided that my Godson had outgrown asthma so she stopped giving him his daily meds. I had heard about this a month ago and wondered if she knew what she was doing. Stupid me stayed mum cause I don't have kids and have no stinking clue.

No kid. No get to lecture people with kids. Even though you know you are right and they need an intervention.

That's a whole other rant for another day.

Godson gets a cough on Friday and the sniffles on Saturday. By Sunday night he can't speak an entire sentence without losing his breath.

His mother thinks she has mad skills driving to the ER. (Yeah, okay, what about earlier in the day? *cough*)

Gets to the ER and told her son is very, very sick. Colour her shocked. I'm thinking she got a lecture but she's not the type of person that stuff works on. Common sense is very foreign to her.

1. She will never ever smoke in the house again.

Bob and I have already called bullshit. Bob actually said it would last maybe 2 days. I will tell you now that I see her even try and I'll freakin let loose like you've never seen. Hell, C-Rex would hide from the creature I'd release.

2. They have 3 cats and Josh is allergic. Allergies don't help with asthma. Suddenly I'm looking at being the possible recipient of a 6 year old cat who pees in his litter occasionally. Not happening. The other 2 cats are 16 and I told her she had to keep them. Jet I can see finding a home for but the other two should get to live out their life with the family. And Josh loves all creatures far and wide. It's hard for him to remember not to bury his face in their fur.

3. There is a three only I can't remember what it is. Just another thing that I heard and shrugged about because - no kids.

Great news (maybe) is he's back home now and on a 'plan'. I think the doctor must have written line by line what has to be done. Lord have mercy.

That's just one part of my BF's life that is not going well at all. The past few years it's been hard to be around her with her self destructive ways - there's more but I won't mention it in this post.

THEN, we get the call that Bob's eldest brother was found in a diabetic coma. He has complained of other things since getting to the hospital so they are doing CAT scans and such. Apparently he's been hallucinating lately. Scary stuff to say the least.

Good news is the other brothers say he sounds much better (I'm betting he'll be home tomorrow unless they find something huge) and he's been told that he has to make his own food and not wait for people to call him for meals. Yes. He didn't eat or take his pills on time because he didn't realize that the other two brothers who live with him are now on afternoon shifts and don't make his meals anymore.

Yes. You may now bang your head against the wall. I'm just glad he doesn't live with Bob and I *knocks on wood*.

So yeah, not much happening at the moment. Trying to get the kitties to play nice but then Pixie ruins it by grabbing Emma's tail and beating the crap out of it.

Good times.

So what books are out now. End of September hit fast! I bet there are books I want to buy out there somewhere!!

And OMG I love this silly video - it's long so don't feel like you have to watch it. Crazy cats and all that. Pixie decided that day that Emma was all she wanted in the world. They can sit nose to nose now but Emma still hisses but it's gently.

Uhm, Still Here!

Sorry!

I have to say it hasn't been the greatest of weeks health wise and I've been sadly dragging my butt around. I didn't even pay the bills on time at mid-month which is so not like me.

The highlight of course is a precious kitty and her need to be loved by the big black and white creature that lurks around the house. I have video but didn't want to become the scary cat woman so soon.

Basically, I'm mourning the summer and missing the pool life. Then I needed to catch up with my sleep which resulted in two days with 24 hours of awake time followed by 12 hours sleep and then 22 hours awake. Crazy week to say the least.

Now I have an ear infection in my left ear! (The last infection was in my right ear) Good news was I didn't wait a second to get in to the docs and called the on call doc yesterday morning instead of waiting until Monday morning.

Course now I'm all worried about my immune system. I had ear infections when I was a kid so Bob's trying to play down the worry but I know he doesn't like to hear me talk about the coming flu. Bought new vitamins and plan on a few additions to the diet like orange juice (easy but something I rarely if ever drink).

My plan is to read a given. Jayne Ann Krentz has a Castle book out that I think I'll start carrying with me. I haven't read a bad Castle yet and it'll be an easy read that will hopefully get me back in the reading saddle.

Until then, welcome to Cat Lady Palace!

To The Victor Goes the ---- WTF!?

So the main root of us people reading the blog is that we are readers.

Romance readers.

We've taken the flack, the stupid looks, the rolled eyes and the friggin judgement.

I've walked miles in my shoes and damn they are cozy and all broken in and you can say whatever you want about my reading and I won't even flinch.

I just smile that smile that only real romance readers know is a 'fuck you' smile.

Cause they have no clue.

Well, my favourite peeps, I've discovered a few converts in the last number of days.

My best bud admitted just a few weeks ago that she will no longer read books that don't have a romantic thread.

Yeah!!! Take that, you literature, depression freaks!

Sure, she's been reading for years but she's finally come to the dark side. I even mocked her just a bit cause she's a big girl and can take it. After all, there were many guffaws over my book stacks.

Then another friend who isn't a reader asked to borrow a few books. So I went easy on her. Gave her books that are more epic in scope - those Robyn Carr books. Then she wanted more. Uh, okay. So I threw together a jumble of books that I won't re-read cause in reality she is tough on books. My poor books don't know what hit them! I told her tonight to get a library card cause I wasn't going to lend her my keepers. She was surprised.

What books did I lend her? I threw in Karen Rose (haven't read but thought she would like) a Lori Foster, Lisa Kleypas Blue-Eyed Devil, Sara Paretsky (have no clue but it's on my shelf) and a Susan Donovan.

Guess what?

Lori Foster.

Yep, she's all about the Lori Foster.

Why?

Cause her book was hot. *sigh*

So I gave her the rest of the Lori Fosters I could find in my TBR pile. I know I'm missing a few but can't remember where I would have put them.

She didn't read either the Rose or Paretsky.

Yeah, so how do ya like them apples.

I was trying to think if this was a victory. Should I be doing a victory lap?

And then I realize they are raiding MY books!

Nope. Not having it.

Get your own TBR pile!

Mine is 20 years old dammit.

Did I mention my friend cracks the spines in multiples? I mean, I'm no sissy when it comes to my books but they look like she ran them through a washing machine.

Please thank your sponsor for this post - Midol - if you can't take the pain, throw down a few of these. Bitchiness, weepiness, blatant militarism and stupidity can not be helped. Those take miracles and Midol is only a pill.

Oui, Oui? Oh HELL NO!

Somebody wee wee'd on my bed tonight.

Not. Happy.

Little kitten may have some learning to do yet the little monkey.

Then again, there is no proof it was her.

I said to Bob that maybe Emma did it (she once peed on a person staying at our house when we were gone - she was lying there and wham - peed on)

Bob doesn't think Emma can get up on the bed.

I'm thinking she could absolutely get up on the bed.

So no evidence except for the water mark. And the lack of odour. Which would reek of a new kitten with no ammonia in the urine.

Aren't you glad you came here today?

Where else would you get your wee wee fix?

Bob's gotta go away for a few days so I'll try not to get too deep or weepy over the next few days.

You're welcome.

Are We There Yet Again?

I guess all the younguns are back to school and life as we know it will soon go back to normal. Summer fun felt continuous this year and getting a good sleep seemed to come in last place and I'm normally feral when it comes to sleeping.

I'm hoping next week I'll get whatever monkey is playing with my sleep schedule to back off and let things be for a while. This means full stop on meds to help me sleep which can be scary and anxiety inducing but Bob won't be home for 4 days so he won't have to 'deal' with me and my strange ways while I re-boot the body.

Kitty Update - We are soooo in love with this kitty! She has made everything feel new again. The way she watches every move you make to see if you are about to play, the way she can't stop herself from investigating that spooky sound coming from the other room.. She's just hilarious. (Edited: I've actually played with her for hours at a time and tonight I wore her out and she's sleeping on the lazy boy while I play online - too cute!!)

And trust me, Emma is getting plenty of love also. She's not thrilled but tonight they got within a foot of each other for about 5 minutes without any hissing or growling. Silly kitten wants to be friends now and doesn't know why the 'giant' is giving her attitude.

Cats.

Books.

I don't think I told you all what I got for my birthday! Among many things I got 120 in gift cards for books. YUM!! So I'm filling my basket at Chapters online very carefully. I keep remembering 'Oh!, this one' and will go back in and update.

Okay, I'm off for now - holy cow, Bob gets up in a half an hour! It's 5am! Where did the night go?

And because I'm a massive dork and we all know it, another video! It's not too loud in the beginning but my laugh near the end might blow your speakers so careful if at work!

Meet Pixie!

Hhhhhhheres Pixie!

Isn't she just sweet!

We didn't wait long to get a new kitty in the house. In reality we would have gotten a new one long before now but because Amber was blind we didn't want to upset her with a new scent that she couldn't identify.

Emma however, is more than ready for a new friend.

Tonight, the house doesn't feel quite a lonely as it did this past week.

Pixie was adopted from a shelter run by volunteers. She only cost 150 dollars which includes all her shots and her 'fixing' when the time comes. That's crazy cheap as a vet visit alone is 70 bucks.

I have to see if I can get a few shots of her sleepy eyes. Bob fell for her instantly because she has these slumberous eyes. He said she reminded him of me.

For the next few days she will reside in our bedroom. We introduced Em to Pix and I was baffled by the fact that Emma didn't seem to 'see' her. She sniffed around and knew something was different but it was like Pixie was invisible to her. Pixie was tired so she didn't really move, just stared at Em.

The next visit I put Em much closer to Pixie. Emma was softly meowing as if to say hello but the kitten hissed and growled. This got Em's back up and she started growling too. I feel bad for Em because I think she just wants to be friends with the little creature she has found on her mom and dad's bed.

And yes, I'm dorky enough to have already shot video. Pix is obviously sleeping like she owns the joint already while Emma sits off further down the bed purring. I can't wait for the two of them to curl up around each other and sleep together for the first time.

I know.

Patience.

I just want them both to be happy!