Things To Know

Anne Stuart's book is in the house.

I'm good.

Saw J.R. Ward's latest at bookstore but no discount so I ordered online. Since I haven't read the one before this one, I'm not sure I'm doing myself a good deed or not.

I'm currently reading Untamed by Pamela Clare and by 'currently' I mean I just got to where the H/H meet. I'm going to finish it before pouncing on the Stuart.

Like I said, the Stuart is in the house so I'm good.

Today was a write off.

Anxious, weepy, bitchy, crazy.

Now a temple headache.

Full moon maybe?

The TBR Pile Rescue!

I read over at KristieJ's that her TBR pile is starting to cause anxiety.

Been there.

For a long while.

My TBR pile can be such a fickle bitch but I commented at Kristie's that this year it saved my ass big time.

I'll have to go back through my posts for this year but I'm pretty sure all the books I have been reading in 2009 have been from the TBR pile. When backed into the Slumpville corner the only thing I could finally do was face the pile and just start picking.

I started easy.

I decided those Harlequin books would help get my numbers up for reading this year and I knew it was part of my stumbling block. Once I got past a few books I was able to look at other ones in the pile that I had thought about or heard about for the past year or two.

It was like a reward for darting through more than 4 books for the year. Pressure was off, I had officially beat my horribly pathetic record from last year and now I could pick those odd books out of the pile that had been calling for a while.

Yep, looking at the my tag for Books Read 2009 I see that the first 4 books of the year were Harlequins. Diana Palmer and Jessica Bird.

Done.

It was then I decided a box needed to busted open so I went with a romantica. Once again, looking at the AAR Annual Poll I picked the title that won. Beth Kerry's Wicked Burn.

Sadly I just had to skim my own review to remember anything about this book. The good news is I didn't stop reading and I used my 'new super power' skimming over the blah stuff.

Side trip: Buckled up? Let's go!

Skimming for me is a painful way to read. I swear my brain sends out 'pain' impulses to stop my eyes from passing over words. I remember in high school they had a few lessons on how to speed read.

I tried all methods (looking at one word in a line of text and somehow the brain absorbs the rest *snort*, reading the first and last sentence of paragraphs etc) and discovered that I knew next to nothing about a story or essay when I got to the end.

And then there was the whole 'hurting' thing going on. Probably trying too hard.

Anyways, I have been honing the skill but I figure I do it differently than probably most people. If I'm antsy or board I will skip the descriptive scenes of a room or house or what ever. I have a pretty good imagination so I only need a few words for my brain to have it all figured out. Also anything about food, especially when it runs over long. Three paragraphs to describe a dinner table and I'm either yawning or putting the book down to hunt for some food in the pantry.

Hmm, so good question. What does skimming a book mean to you? Are your eyes still scanning every line (that's what I automatically think of when someone says they skimmed a book) or are you more like me in that you'll skip over paragraphs to get to dialogue or past drawn out descriptions?

Annnnnd, we're back!

After this book I wanted to read an author who had a good past with me and my attention was pulled to Kresley Cole.

There was a book in the pile by Kresley Cole (there are actually another 4 including this one) but I picked Kissed By A Demon King because it was published in 2009.

Huh, would definitely count for next years AAR Annual Poll and I would get a new number up there on my sidebar in a different category.

SOLD!

Then I hit that description of the hero that had me scratching my head and yearning to just drop the book and try something else. Only that's where my slumps begin. With stopping. So I waited and picked the book up here and there while running errands with my husband until it reached out and grabbed me and said 'Hey, pay attention! I'm awesome!'

And it was.

Yummmmm.

Onwards!

The next book wasn't from the pile. Nope. Nalini Singh had a new series out and I decided I was allowed a free pass.

Sadly, it was back to the TBR pile afterwards because the Singh wasn't what I expected and I needed a pick me up.

Jessica Bird was back up from the pile and on deck.

It was good.

Ah yes, now I remember. I was heading back to my massive and towering TBR pile to pick out the next Jessica Bird book I found.

Turns out I don't have the ones I was looking for. Which surprised me because I thought my massive and towering TBR pile had everything I would need!

Bad TBR pile.

So I kind of had to move on.

And there in the pile was Seduced By A Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt. It had been flashing it's pretty yellow cover at me for a while and I had shifted it back and forth not sure I was ready to read a historical again.

Turns out it was terrific. (I'm working on one of 'my' reviews)

And now I'm back at the well, picking through the pile knowing a good book is in there somewhere.

And my reading speed is A-okay with me for now so that's a positive.

I should admit though that the month of May has some new releases I'm really looking forward too. Hello Anne Stuart!

What's funny is that in reviewing what I've been reading this year I've discovered that most of the books were a disappointment.

Out of the 9 books I have now read, only two are keepers. Then there are an F and D review of Palmer books, three C reviews and two B reviews (which meant I must have enjoyed them). For me, C books aren't ones I enjoyed but I wouldn't say other people wouldn't find something in those books for themselves.

So there we have it.

Let's call this a 'first quarter review' cause Wow, I got wordy!

I Knew It When I Wrote It

Remind me to never, ever, EVER talk about illnesses not packing a punch.

I knew it when I typed it that I was probably signing myself up for some trouble.

So yeah, the cold called some of it's friends over and I feel yucky.

The past two days I have gotten up when Bob got home from work, had dinner and then crawled back into bed.

I'm exhausted tonight also but I couldn't fall asleep when I laid down again.

So I'm up.

Bob is walking without a cane for the moment. Now I can only hope he doesn't over do it when he goes to his brother's house tomorrow.

He's still hunched over. Poor guy.

For the past 4 mornings Bob has woke up and discovered I have put out all his clothes, made oatmeal and a piece of toast for his breakfast and put out his pills. I have also seen to the kitties (needles and dishes of cat food in separate rooms etc) I then make him a cup of tea and help him on with his socks.

I asked how he was enjoying the concierge service at this hotel.

He said it was excellent.

I said 'Great, you check out on Saturday.'

Hey, I've been sick too!

Saturday my brother is supposed to come see my mom. I don't know whether to inflict myself on them all or let them be. They are all 'you've been sick for a week, right? You can't be contagious anymore.'

Famous last words.

Since the Bunny Was Just Here - I'll Be Quick!

Quick update:

Bob threw his back out. Real Bad. Poor monkey. So lots of me helping him around and making sure other house stuff is done.

He goes to a chiropractor that jumps on his hip while curled in a fetal position on his side. All I hear is a groan when she does this.

Meanwhile, I go to move his leg and he lets out a primal scream.

I hadn't touched it yet.

Goof nut.


So he'll be going to the Chiro for the next week.

But I refuse to feel bad for that because he lets her hurt him without a peep.

Goofy nutball.

I'm reading Seduce A Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt and it is just wonderful. I'm really enjoying it so YAY for me.

I also have a cold but I seem to be leveling off to a few tylenol to keep headaches at bay and every thing else just annoys but doesn't pain.

I'll take it.

I hope you are all taking care and reading up a storm!

Busy Week From Hell - OVER!!

Yay, I'm done!

And I have a cold trying to worm it's way into my body.

I said GOOD DAY!

(okay, you would have to be a 70's Show freak to understand that one. I'll have to see if I can find a clip - huh, no clips of Fez yelling 'I said GOOD DAY!')

I have been watching movies and reading intermittently. I keep watching the clock which is never good for reading.

OMG - did I tell you I cooked dinner twice last week? Yes. Me and the stove decided to get together. THEN I actually BBQ'd.

I know.

I live a charmed life.

If only I could have a charmed body.

My aunt gave me a chocolate bunny for Easter and I tried my 'joke' out.

Me: I'm gonna bite his bum and sure it'll hurt but his butt will be smaller!

(yeah, I'm a witty one)

Mom: *in sing song voice* And yours will be bigger.

Touche.

Notice ouch is in that word.

Post Of Interest

I know some of my blogger buds are going to RWA in D.C. and thought this post would be of some interest. It's an insider's view of D.C. which could help with your planning.

The Rundown

1. My stomach has been horrible to me for about 4 straight nights. It's talking constantly but tonight I thought I was going to pass out. Bad tummy. Hopefully it's over - don't know whether it's a stress tummy (really, stress?) or just something food related. Ugh.

2. My doc referred me to another 'course' thingie for what I thought was anxiety.

I got the paper work the other day (after an 8 month wait) and it's a Mood Disorder Clinic. WTF? Lots of questions about booze and drugs.

Anyways, I got to the part that asks what I expect from the program.

Uh, normal.

I expect normal.

I want to get a job outside the house, I want to be able to travel, hell, I want to be free again!

I have a feeling there will be a talk about managing expectations.

3. After filling out that damn sheet I had bad dreams all day. I got a job in my dream only to be fired not even 5 minutes later. Let's not talk about the 'anxiety' over having to be somewhere at a certain time for a specific amount of time. That's right, I was anxious in my friggin dream.

I'm thinking I may tear off the answers to that question and just put 'nothing'.

The sad part is I really expect nothing from the course. There is no cure so why do I have to go?

4. I watched Twilight tonight. Excellent movie but wow, talk about emoting. I don't think I was able to breath for most of the movie because the H/H were constantly breathing all shallow. Anxiety peeps are shallow breathers and I think we watch other people and take cues from how they act. Half way through the movie I kept thinking 'Egads, are they ever going to breath normal?'

I have to say I was worried I would watch the movie and feel all old and stuff but I really enjoyed it and look forward to the rest of the movies.

There are going to be more, right?

5. I can't pick a book.

I know, I'm a pain in the arse but with Easter Weekend coming up I feel all pressured and stuff. I've been pulling books like crazy out of the TBR pile and then realize they would take me weeks to read.

Stupid internal pressure to read more books.

Just read!!

You know?

You know when you wake up and you figure it's like early but then you look at the clock and discover it's like 4 hours later than you thought?

Yeah. That was today.

So I got up because I had to deal with the florist thing and OMG I messed up a line on Bob's taxes which means we would get more money back but I can't do anything about that until I get an assessment which can take up to 6 weeks and then I'll have to file some paper thing which will probably result in me being audited.

And breathe.

All the same, I never leave money on the table so you bet your cute butt (yeah, I noticed) I'll be filling out that paper work and making it happen.

This took me maybe an hour.

I get up from the computer and glance out the window to see that the rainy snow has turned into great gobs of snow.

Yetch.

I sit in Bob's chair and figure I'll read or something but I get chilly and when I get chilly I get sleepy.

So I went back to bed.

I got up at 6pm.

Just a day ago I was up at 11am. How my body does it I don't know but I felt great after I got up the second time.

Sorry, I'm rubbing it in.

It's just my life.

You know?

Life is Definitely Weird

I'm working on a post about why a book isn't working for me and I'm thinking the reason is that I'm a snob or possibly an elitist. (Course, I'll have to look up elitist)

There is definitely something there in the post that I'm circling and not actually naming. Which makes me squirm because I'd like to think I'm not judging but I feel like I am.

Bad Cindy.

Anyways, I'm up during the day so far and had a nice weekend with Bob. Only I think I must have stolen his energy mojo cause he's been sleepy or dopey for the past few days. Poor monkey. He's working too hard.

I know I told you guys about Bob and bros helping out the 'youngsters' (although the reason they need help is because the oldest son is in trouble). For the next 2 months Bob will have to go to his brother's house probably about two nights a week and then at least one day every weekend. I see how tired he is right now from the business merger and I'm worried about how much he can give.

Another thing on my brain is finding out about a neighbour from our old house who died over the weekend from cancer. He was only 53 and a really sweet man. He didn't have an easy go of it. I don't know about his childhood but I know he fell into alcoholism and lost his job long before I met him. At least I thought he was an alcoholic but he may have been an agoraphobic like I once was. Only people wouldn't have known about that when he was younger and then of course, there is always self medication.

He never moved out of his mother's house and he lived in the basement with his live in love. He and his wife were smokers of the first order. I couldn't step into their house without starting to choke.

I remember talking with him years back and he had mentioned a problem with his liver but I don't remember him saying cancer.

So it was shock to hear he had passed and sad that his life won't be remembered with a funeral or service. I think of his wife (who wasn't) living in the basement of a woman who may no longer want her there. There were talks there a few years ago that the man's mother wasn't doing well but she has clearly outlived her own son.

I'm definitely off my rails when I start thinking too much.

Now I have to figure out if I can continue reading the book I have or just realize it's not for me and move on.

The Billionaire Next Door Jessica Bird

Bloody Hell. The things I learn after.

This book was the first in a series about three brothers. Guess what? No plans on the horizon to come back to it. I really wanted to read Mac's story. Ah well. I have a few more from Bird's back list yet.

Onwards!

The Billionaire Next Door is awesome.

It was just what I needed, a story with two people falling in love. Sure there were the misunderstandings waiting in the wings but I knew they were going to show up because He-llo, Silhouette Special Edition.

Cindy Blurb: Sean O'Banyon is rich, like the title says and has made his way up from nothing. He's used to the world he lives in and sees every one around him for what they are, sharks in suits.

What the world doesn't know about O'Banyon is that his father was an alcoholic and abused him and his brothers, Mac and Billy during most of their childhood. The brothers left that life behind and never spoke of it again.

Lizzie Bond is the downstairs neighbour of an old gruff man who has been her friend for a few years. It is a sad time for her when he dies of a heart attack and she is finally allowed to call a number for a son, Sean O'Banyon.

There are lots of hurdles here.

Lizzie is a nurse working two jobs to make ends meet and lives a fairly simple life helping out her upstairs neighbour. She is a great heroine who is able to see pain in people and recognize when to push and went to let go. To say Lizzie is living pay check to pay check is generous but she is not a person looking for handouts. I really enjoyed her mother in the story as well.

Sean, meanwhile, meets Lizzie and feels refreshed. She doesn't recognize him or want anything from him. She's just attracted to the man and Sean avoids telling her who he is or what his father did to him and his brothers.

Thinking on it, Sean got lucky cause not many people could forgive as much a Lizzie did.

Halfway through the story Sean finally tells her who he is and she is shocked and upset. Why did a rich man let his father languish all alone. Sensing more to it Lizzie lets her anger go and once again they start down the path of falling in love.

The revelations are left until almost the very end which did give the reader more time to see Lizzie and Sean fall in love instead of having to deal with things extremely heavy at the beginning of a relationship. In the end, I enjoyed the romance and the sexiness and I, of course, wanted to know more about the other two brothers. Okay, I want to know more about Mac.

B+

Books read for 2009 - Eight!!

Still Here!

Inspiration has been - well, lacking.

Things I can tell you:

1. My sleep is waging a war against me. Who will win is anyone's guess.

Okay, it'll kick my ass and take names but I figure now is as good a time as any to let my body ooze out any 'over' chemical stuff.

2. Our mattress has had it. There is a friggin' divot on my side of the bed and I wake up with aches and pains everywhere. Makes me sad because the bed used to rock! Bob doesn't want to have to put money out for a new mattress but waking up not feeling great is no way for me to carry on.

3. One of Bob's brother's is in a pickle which means for the next year at least we'll be giving him money out right. 5 Brothers have agreed to pick up the slack of one of the other brothers (the other, other brother lives in a home and we wouldn't think of burdening him with this). Thing is, Bob is not sure he can trust a certain member of his family to make good on his promise. Having just locked in our mortgage, getting a new 'bill' of 235 bucks a month was so not on my agenda.

I would rather pay the full amount and be done but Bob wants to try and do it from cash - I get it - no really I do, but it makes it a bit more complicated for me to keep all the damn squawking ducks in a row! Friggin' things keep running around and switching spots with each other. I'm always better once I get an idea of how the chips will fall. Then it's more about moving money where it needs to be and not worrying that I have lost a payment somewhere.

Okay, bad bitching from me. I like to be organized when it comes to money but too many changes this month have made me a grumpy bill payer. Eg. We also took the insurance off two vehicles so that savings it not a savings because it will go towards the 'bill' mentioned above.

4. I'm in a mood. I can't nail it down but Bob took one look at me and said 'you look lost' and that's exactly how I felt.

5. I have a Jessica Bird book being carried around with me so I can get my read back on. I have errands to do in about 12 different stores and when you wake up achy and more hungry than you should be, well, I'm not all happy sunshine.

6. Finally I was working on the AAR mini poll for the past few weeks but with all the aches and pains I found it hard to sit and do my normal work. So it all piled up to the last two days. I will not be doing that again!

Anyways, we'll see what I can get done today. Having easier to cook meals would help. I stood in the kitchen tonight with a dazed look on my face for about 15 minutes because I couldn't think of any thing I could make myself. Toast and peanut butter it was.

Okay, off to bed with me.

Bob and I now have a joke about the bed. I told him he's fine because he is sleeping on the 'hump' in the middle of the bed. So tonight he tried to snug in and said 'hey, you're sleeping on the hump!!

Yeah, now let's see how you feel after sleeping in a divot all night!

Yep.

Bad Cindy is definitely lurking.

And Then There Was Peace

It's early AM Wednesday morning and I'm awake which is fine as Bob goes back to work tomorrow.

We had a great time although C-Rex showed up at one point during the day. One thing about my Hubby is he can ask a person a million and one questions when thinking about buying something.

Story Time!

It sometimes takes me a while to figure things out and well just this year I realized my hubby can shop for something (like a stand up freezer) for like a year or two.

Now, at first, when I'm told we're going appliance shopping I would show up like a perky gazelle all excited about the shiny things. Ohhhhh, this one. (Bob: Nope, too deep) *gasp* this one! (Bob: uh, no, don't like it) and on and on. And I'm not stupid, shopping around does save you money so off we go.

Then a month later Bob will come home and tell me about the most perfect freezer he just saw and I must go with him now to see it. Now, if you tell me I have to see something I also believe I'm probably going to be buying it. Not so with Bob. There will be inventory checks, how long to order one in, does it come in stainless steel etc.

By this point I'm sick to death of freezer. I don't even want to set foot in a store that might contain an appliance. Seriously, I know which one I'm going to buy - it's a simple stand up freezer that only comes in white but it's in the pantry so who cares and it should fit.

This morning Bob starts saying how maybe he can make the spot for the freezer bigger.

WTF!? I've been asking about that and the answer has been 'No, not really.' But NOW, NOW you can do it?

Seriously, if I didn't know he loved me I would think he was trying to kill me.

Still here? How we doing? Need a break?

Too bad.

This morning my hubby (it's Bobby Birthday week - recession style (3 days - yep, you got me, I just needed it to be over!)) decides he wants to go to a warehouse store to look for a huge sink I want in our pantry. This story is very near Toronto which normally takes me some serious mojo working magic but I thought 'screw it', we'll go. This will be a sink for cleaning large pots and grills and defrosting turkeys and stuff. In my mind I want the designer sink but hey, 1400 dollars for a sink is crazy.

We get to the store which is very near the CN Tower which is a visual that can crank on the anxiety. Thankfully I was fine. We get inside and we finally get to the kitchen sinks (it's a huge ass showroom and I was taking it all in) So Bob is asking how about this sink? What about this one? You got your tape measure? Did you see this one?

Now, I'm exhausted, I'm awake during a time I'm normally sleeping.

I turn one way and Bob's in another section calling over 'Cindy, come here. I need to measure this ...' you get the picture (I bought a tiny measuring tape about 2 weeks ago to carry around because we are always looking for dimensions. Today I considered staple gunning the damn thing to Bob's forehead)

Anyways, I know what the sinks look like cause back when we originally thought about a sink I went online to look at them.

THEN, he gets a sales person involved.

Kill me now.

I actually had to walk away at one point because he was killing me.

I felt bad cause I kind of snapped and growled 'I have to leave, you're making me crazy' and I'm sure the salesperson heard that. Thankfully they had a chair I could sit in for a few minutes to think calm soothing thoughts that did not include tearing off people's arms and beating them with 'em.

Okay, I may have visualized the carnage for a few seconds but I managed to stuff the inclination back down.

So I go back to him and the sales lady and they have picked out all the gadgets and the sink and all the whatnots.

This is the sink we bought below - it's 33" wide and 22" depth - it's huge but you can't tell that from the picture.

I say to the lady, order it all.

I don't even flinch.

Bob's there sitting beside me, 'You know, we could just go with the sink at Lowe's for like 300 bucks or whatever.' and I'm thinking, this poor lady has spent a half hour with you, the least you can do is buy the stuff she's been working on!'

And it's a gorgeous sink and we bought the wire racks for the bottoms of the sink we have and the new one coming.

We're cashing out and I'm sitting in a chair again trying to not kill anyone and Bob turns and says 'Do you want to order the racks for your Mom's sink while we're here? You know she'll want them.'

OH.

MY.

GOD.

I have been in the store for what feels like days and the lady took a damn long time filling out the order we already had I wasn't going to go back and get her to add two more simple items (would have taken me 30 seconds but she was taking her sweet time) to the order.

I said to Bob - can you do that when you come pick the order up?

He nods.

Yep, I have unleashed my question asking, non-buying husband on another person for now.

(Sink up top on right is the one we already have but we bought the grates (the part on the left) for it. My mom bought the same sink after seeing mine so I'm sure she would like the grates also.)

I got better after we left and I started walking around another store. I'm just saying, when I'm done shopping I just want to order the one I wanted without the billion and one questions.

And I was done.

Bob commented in the car that I had obviously had a grand scheme to get him to buy the sink I wanted by dragging him out to the store today.

I let him live.

Okay, I was too tired to do any harm.

As my Gorgeous Cousin says - 'You married him.'

Yep, I did.

My Guy

I don't exactly know how I got so lucky.

Long sappy post about to commence. Run while you can!!

Still here? Hello?

'kay, just me. I do so love to talking to myself too though so onwards.

The Fiesta Party was Saturday starting a 2pm - house was rockin' Mexico Friday night by midnight. I'm telling you, Mexico (or everything stereotypical Mexico) was in our house. Oh, yes. I do have pics!!

The family that drives 4-5 hours to get here tells us at 10pm that they are not going to stay over night. WHAT!? I let them know they were definitely welcome, everyone was more than ready to party the weekend away but I understood the need to get back home. After all, Cousin J and her hubby have three little kids (OMG they are precious!!) and it was the last weekend of March Break and I think they wanted to be in their own home all day Sunday.

(In this picture you can see the garland had fallen but it was fixed before the party - it was either that or get hanged every ten seconds - or do a limbo contest! Oh and crafts were done with the 4 little ones in attendance so that table got nothing but WORSE!)

Anyways, again the house is done up something fierce. And the kitchen. Well, that's a whole story unto itself. Tacos were made, Chicken fajitas were made, Roast Pork Tenderloin was made, diced up everything was out and about and it was a serve your friggin' self kind of mess.

My brother helped me fry up 4 lbs of ground beef in my brand new cast iron skillet. The skillet is probably 5 lbs on it's own. If there is one thing I won't do is clean the damn thing because I have a porcelain sink and cracking that would be something I would end up doing.

To say the house looked like a circus had just come through with animals and all would be an understatement. I cleaned up as I went and had a load of dishes working. My mother at some point got up and cleaned the kitchen up while dessert was being served. Wow!

Still, I did mention the circus, right? (I bought like 4 giant Helium Balloons (a parrot, a giant fish with little fishies all around and a palm tree) that floated around the rooms that took up space also - this is just one of them)

So everyone leaves and I'm beat and Bob's beat and we head to bed.

Wake up on Sunday and it's my Bob's Birthday. He woke me about 4pm - bless him.

I come down stairs and everything is back to normal.

There is not a piece of confetti, paper napkin or stray balloon to be found. The house has been de-Mexicanized and Bob has sorted out things people have forgotten and put them in boxes to go back to the owners.

Bob's birthday and he's cleaned up the entire party by himself!

And he might have put up a wall or nailed up a piece of trim while he was at it.

Seriously.

Then because it's my Dad's last night in the country I ask if we can go and visit and of course my hubby says yes. I go out and get him his favourite Orange Cream Cake and we go to my parents sing Happy Birthday and play a game of Upwords.

Because of the work up to the party my Bobby gets Gift Cards from his wife and loving kitties. And he's happy. I feel so bad though because it's kind of a cop out for a wife to buy GC for the man she loves. I will do much better!

Side Note : I mean, really, it had to come sooner or later!

Bob decided (and I agreed) that we should lock in our mortgage and pay the bulk of it off over the next five years. This means a huge chunk of change that Bob and I used to go out and do stuff with is now paying off the house. Great news - absolutely! But the party and gift cost 300 bucks easy so that was money I would have normally spent on Bob. Poor Bob. I told him after the GC - You locked up into a mortgage and I didn't have a spare nickel to buy you a fancy thing-a-ma-bob.

He said knowing the mortgage will be paid off in 5 years (although not all) is a great gift.

I KNOW!

Blessed I be.

Okay, end of sappiness.

General attitude and grumpiness will commence next post.

Bob's Birthday!!

It's almost 3am here and about 2 hours ago I saw the final family members to the door for the end of the Retirement Fiesta. Fun was had, Tacos and Chicken Fajitas were eaten and the Aunt was totally surprised!

THEN, remember all the cleaning I've been doing? Also, poor Bob had to get a bed back upstairs and put to rights so that our second guest room would be ready for guests? Days of worrying about bathrooms and bedding and where people would sleep?

The family that traveled the 4 hours decided that they would drive back the same night - they left at 11pm so I'm figuring they are nearing home.

So, the house looks great.

Oh and since we didn't learn of these plans until late (hour before they left) we (cousin and I) thought we'd be seeing each other for breaky at my parents house. So even though she forgot the gift card she bought for me for Bob, she'd give it to me tomorrow.

Ugh. So she'll drop it in the mailbox for me *fingers crossed*

Then I need to go and buy Bobby his B-day cards. Gifts are fine but it's the cards that are important to Bob. Sweet man.

With it being the start of 'recession' Bobby Week I'm going to fill out that little meme going around a few weeks ago:

1. He’s sitting in front of the TV. What is on the screen?

NCIS, Hockey, any of 'our' TV shows until about 10 minutes in, then he's asleep.

2. You’re out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?

He always prefers Caesar Salad but he will sometimes order it without the dressing!

3. What’s one food he doesn’t like?

One? (He's picky like me) Left overs as a rule - Turkey, chicken - forget it. Pork chops (I miss them!!), homemade stew etc

Here's where I need to mention I took a sleeping pill and suddenly I can't remember the answers to these questions!

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order?

Tea if he's watching his pop intake. Pepsi with extra ice if it's one of those days.

5. Where did he go to high school?

Don't know. I've seen his primary school and his high school but I don't know the names

6. What size shoe does he wear?

9-10 depending on the shoe

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?

Yeah. King of collecting antique porcelain sings, unique kitchen tins - at the moment Kitchen Aid gadgets (which are really useless when cooking - the mixer rocks but the flippers and stuff? Ridiculous for the money.) And uh, tools.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?!

Toasted turkey and swiss cheese

9. What would this person eat every day if he could?

Pasta

10. What is his favorite cereal?

Shreddies

11. What would he never wear?

Bermuda shorts? Spandex. Wool.

12. What is his favorite sports team?

He grew up a Habs fan (Montreal Canadiens - Hockey) I'm not sure exactly what happened but I don't know if it was after the Twin Towers fell or something to do with going to war but before a Habs game the fans booed the American National Anthem. Bob was appalled. Told me he wanted nothing to do with the Habs and was going to become a Maple Leafs Fan (just so you know, they suck - no really, I know my hockey) Eight years later and Bob has slowly mended this fence. I don't think you can erase a lifetime of memories with your father and brothers cheering for the Habs. I told him it wasn't the players who acted wrong, it was the fans and now he tries to catch a game here or there.

13. Who did he vote for?

I never really know. We think we probably cancel each other out but we don't actually say the names of the people we have voted for. Instead he gets to see the Cindy Dance of Freedom and Duty and the gratitude on my face when I sit back and remember those who fought for my right to vote.

14. Who is his best friend?

Me. And then his best buddy Greg.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn’t do?

Nothing. I've asked any number of times over 14 years and he says I'm perfect. I like the answer so I don't push it.

16. What is his heritage?

We don't know but I have told him he must have American Indian in him. Dark all year and in the summer tans without burning. Although the amount of facial hair would exclude that?

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?

Orange Cream Cake

18. Did he play sports in high school?

Hockey - ice, ball whatever

19. What could he spend hours doing?

Renovating.

20. What is one unique talent he has?

Please. Like I would tell!

*snort*

On the positive side of things Bob hates all things political in the job. All the same, Bob has the patience and intelligence to hold information or to let something slide. He may not like politics in the work place but he is able to maneuver through the minefield. I've said many times how I would have said 'this' or 'that' and Bob just says 'no, I'm not worried about that, there are bigger things to worry about'

For a 'fly off the handle' kind of gal, that's HOT!

My Hubby

Okay, you know how I am.

YOU know how I am.

How is it BOB doesn't always know how I am!?!

He took tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday off from work!!

We have a friggin' party over this weekend and my sleep is a nightmare *ba-dum-tish* and he took time off work? So I can feel guilty whenever Sleepy Coma Cindy shows up?

You know what else?

It's Bob's Birthday on Sunday!

Have I bought him anything?

NO!

Not even a friggin' card because I'm a friggin horrible wife who is trying to keep my top (head) from exploding with stuff I don't really care about. I mopped the stupid floors, dusted all the surfaces and cleaned up the crap from the lower floor and still, I have a mountain of stuff to do AND I haven't given enough attention to Bob.

My wonderful husband.

No, I'm not sucking up because he never reads my blog so I'm just sitting here freaking out.

I'd like to say 'well at least the house looks good' but who cares!?

Bob's B-day and I have nothing special and sweet to give him.

I suck.

HUGE.

Time Keeps on Ticking

It's midnight and I shouldn't be awake. I was working my way around the clock cause of the weekend engagements.

Sunday around 3pm if you hear a giant 'WHOOF' that would be me falling into my lovely down comforter and pillow to fall into my sleep coma.

Until then I'm working on my crummy mood. I've been forgetting to take my pills.

Easy! Not what you think!

I have a pill dispenser (see I get smarter as I get older) so I remember on a daily basis to take my 2 silly pills for anxiety. Dang. And here's where I get dumber - if I don't have a drink already going when I take the pills out of the container I put them in my pocket cause we're usually heading out the door and when we get to dinner I'll take them.

You see where this is going right?

I've been finding the damn things in my pocket at night. I'm not quite sure how many days I've missed in the past week but I would say probably 3 out of 7. Would explain the headaches and now my feelings of just being a lump of meat sucking the life out of all those around me.

I'm a princess aren't I?

Turns out I'm missing that little job that no one else would care about but thankfully AAR has a poll running so that is keeping me busier than I was a week ago. With nothing to do. Nothing.

This stupid feeling then moves into every thing. I should vacuum - meh, tomorrow. I need to get the house clean before the party - meh, tomorrow and on and on. Well it's now Wednesday early AM and the party is Saturday. The house needs a general cleaning and then I need to buy all the food for the party and find my friggin' smile.

And get my sleep into a pattern that I won't be a hassle to deal with on Sat and Sun. No one likes a grumpy princess.

I'll be using my mantra that gets me through many things in life nowadays.

It's not about me.

This is a retirement party for my Aunt who has worked hard all her life to put a roof over her and her daughter's head, put said daughter through college and lived an independent life without financial help from anyone. She's accomplished so much and we're all so proud of her.

She's the reason for the party. It's about her and the new part of her life she is embarking on.

So screw my mood and my fears. It's not about me. I can just be in the background and watch the event unfold. I don't have to carry the party or worry that things will go wrong. If anyone knows about rolling with things it's my Aunt. Something goes wrong and she shrugs it off and says 'oh well, we tried'.

That's what I have to remember.

As to the other stuff prying at my brain - I don't have the time right now. You can sit on my chest and bitch at me next week. This week, I'm busy!

How Bored Am I?

Yep, I'm this bored.

I didn't even really have to try all that hard to change the template (usually lots of swearing, lost links, erased HTML etc).

I liked this one although I remember seeing one that took my breath away but meh, I'll look again later.

You're all off having wonderful lives and I'm here being all mopey.

I have a party here in one weeks time and well, I'm not exactly cleaning up a storm. Bad Cindy.

I'm guessing this is my February Blahs showing up in March.

I friggin' knew it!

Other than my boring self I can't wait for my fav shows this week. I'm worried however, as Battlestar Galactica's final show forever is this Friday. How they are going to answer all the questions is beyond me. I own all the seasons up to this one and I better be blown away cause these series rocked until the last few episodes which were maudlin and sappy without any movement towards a goal. Just my opinion of course but hey, I have one so I'm using it.

And I want my LOST fix already.

Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh

Holy crumb it took me forever to read this book.

My bad.

Or maybe it was the messy first half that had me scrambling.

I have to be honest and say I would have 'quit' this book much earlier if someone hadn't posted a small excerpt of Raphael and Elena's love scene. Seriously, I was reading to get to that scene and when it finally showed up?

Meh.

Cindy Blurb: Elena is a Hunter-Born which means she's like a hound dog and can sniff out vampires and track them. Why would this be something needed?

Not for the reason you are thinking of.

See there are angels in this world and they create vampires whenever the mood strikes them but these vamps have contracts with the angels that last the first hundred years. Well, I guess that's an awful long time so vamps run off and the angels need to have them back. Angels can't track I guess.

Then there are archangels. I guess they are the really powerful mofos. Raphael is one of these (there are 10) and he has a job that only Elena can help him with. Elena, not being a fan of super authority is fearful of the archangel (as everyone should be) and there is a dance between them.

There are secrets, immortals who have lost their humanity and a world that feels seriously off kilter.

Here's what I can tell you about this book. The first half needed to be cut or seriously edited. See Elena is a hunter and is contracted for a job that's pretty important in the 'holy crap end of the world' kind of way. Now it could be just me but if someone told me that I had to track a super killer cause he could end humanity as I knew it, I would probably buckle down and get my head in the game.

This doesn't happen.

Instead, Elena hides from Raphael cause he's scary and the reader is introduced to a bunch of people. Then Raphael finds Elena and the reader meets a bunch more people who are vampires and angels and archangels. There was a scene I have yet to understand in the grand scheme of the story. Raphael takes Elena to see vamps and humans intermingle. WTF?

How am I as a reader suppose to worry about the 'Big Bad' that's coming if the characters in the story are acting like nothing big is happening.

The spine of the book reads 'Urban Fantasy Romance' and yes, this is urban fantasy but it was schlocky and slow in the beginning. Actually, for most of the book, questions that I had were left unanswered. Why are there angels? Where did they come from? Why are 'hunters' born? The reason for why there are vampires is answered in the last few chapters.

Everything else?

Don't know.

Do Elena and Raphael fall in love? Apparently. But it's one of those stories where I don't get why they fall in love.

When the 'Big Bad' does finally show up on the scene I didn't care.

There was this sense by the vamps and angels that humans were expendable.

You know, just there. This feeling never leaves the story so when human characters besides Elena showed up it was like watching little ants on the scene. All I kept thinking was ' you have no way to protect yourself and you are only alive because you're not a nuisance'. For me, if you build up immortals to such great heights then what shot does a human have?

Immortals in most stories have a weakness and now I know why. If there is no weakness, if they can't be killed by anything other than their own kind, what's the point?

This one is tough to grade. I would have stopped reading if I hadn't already had a sneak peek at an excerpt, after I got to that scene I didn't want to finish the book but because I'm stomping out a slump I knew I had to finish it. The last few chapters were the best because there were some answers and stuff actually happens but is it a case of too little too late?

Okay, C-

I considered a D but after thinking about it D books make me crazy mad and this story just left me feeling nothing but meh.

That said, I love the Psy books and will definitely be buying the next one in July. This series though? I think I'll be reading reviews of the next one before making a decision.

Go here to read Rosario's review which as always, will tell you much more eloquently what this book is about.

I haven't read any other reviews yet so I'm off to see what others thought. I did glance through Rosario's review when I thought to myself 'where's the plot?' and yes, she mentions this in her review.

Bob's Home!

Bob's home so all is right in my world again. It's amazing how just knowing he's in the other room sleeping while I'm watching TV or reading is so comforting to me.

I made it through just fine although I have to admit I was probably a few hours away from getting weepy while watching lame commercials. I can't remember what it was exactly but I remember feeling that little burn in your eye that tells you you are about to lose a tear. I was all WTF? and then I remembered I wasn't getting my Bobby time.

Okay, I think I need you guys to whip me into shape to finish Angels' Blood by Singh. Yes, my parents are going to come home and things are going to get busy but I want to get it finished so I can start looking at the TBR pile again. I'm not slowing up my reading! I need to keep pace so I don't fall back into Slumpville. I think I'm much better and I love when I find time to read but I've been avoiding this book because it's not working for me. I have to finish it though because I do plan on reading the next in the series.

Other than that, nothing new. I know, I'm boring ya.

I'm sad LOST wasn't on tonight. Bad ABC! BAD!

But I'm going to go watch Life now. I love this show! I hope it survives.

I'm officially in love with the male lead character. Apparently people know him from Band of Brothers but I've never seen it. I just like the banter and the idiosyncrasies of the characters. I think they were going for a darker show in the beginning but it gets lighter as it moves along.

Also, my hubby bought me the first season of ... dangit that funeral show that used to run on HBO or Showtime (I keep thinking Dead Like Me but that's no---- Six Feet Under!! Right)

Anyone a fan of this show? I really like Dexter and don't want to ruin the character as I heard the actor was in SFU.

Also, are you reading a great 2009 romance?

Share!!

For Bookwormom

Bookwormom is sprucing up her bathroom and would love some input. So AFTER you read my ideas *snort* you can go over and give her your ideas also!

I've already commented on her post but wanted to get some pictures of what I was talking about.

Okay, this was what I was talking about with wainscoting. As a general thing I prefer wainscoting to be higher up on the wall than lower down.

Some people *cough*Bob*cough* think it must be at 36" from the ground. Uh, no. Wrong. I find it makes the room look short. You also cannot though put it at exactly the half way point between the floor and ceiling.

I like the height of this one on the left as I recognize it as a style and not a decoration (I swear I don't know where I come up with this stuff - short wainscoting reminds me of the 80's whereas taller 'scoting has a classic feel.)



Hmm, I can't blow this one up. Dang. In this one it's simply flat pieces of wood put up in a square and then painted out in the white topped with a chair rail. It's more traditional and maybe simpler to not only do but in upkeep - no grooves to catch, uh, stuff (and if you have little boys visit your house you know what I'm talking about!)

I like the freshness of this green and green is always in style cause it's the back drop of mother nature. Yes. My father tells me this but refuses to buy anything green to put in his own home. Silly man.


I wish I had been a picture taker back at the old house. Bob built our main bath from the ground up. We did the room in white ceramic tile with a border tile that only had the lightest blue in it. I then did a wallpaper in a light blue and white stripe. Even after 8 years there wasn't anything in the design I would have changed. I would have eventally taken out the 'formica' top but every thing else was classic in design. At least for me!

And finally I saw you would consider doing wallpaper. Apparently wallpaper is all the rage right now. Since I've had to scrape (blow torch) my share of wallpaper off walls, I'm not one to put it up. That said, there are some gorgeous ones out there now.

If you were to do wall paper I would suggest (and only suggest) you do the entire wall without any chair rail. Depending on the kind of pattern you choose, the paper itself may be more than enough for the room. Also, because the paint on the wall can start to run you may still have to prime the room with a high hide primer so your paper won't slide off the walls. (Bob and I have used Zinzer products before and they stink to high heaven but we've never had a problem with it covering stains or oil based paints.)

And if you can't tell I'm all about bathrooms being bright and streamlined. When it comes to fixed elements I stick to white and then a muted colour for the walls. Then I add colour with things that can be easily moved out when tired.

All that said, if you just love little duckies and must have them in your design then have at it. I'm a live and let live kind of gal ;)

I know, you're all wishing Bookwormom had never asked.

I do so love my design stuff!