Thursday, June 29, 2006

Those old Blogging Blues

I have them. Big time
I want to but I can't think of anything to write about. I've been reading quite a few books lately so hopefully I can blog about them but right now I think I have what Bev has. So in the meantime, I'll still be doing lots of visiting and like Bev waiting for inspiration.

'til later

Sunday, June 25, 2006

It was a glorious day

Well, for the most part. The game was long (3 1/2 hours) and boring and the Jays lost - but other than that it was wonderful.
When Ryan our youngest heard last night that we might not make it, he called and gave Ron the "are you nuts!!! Of course your going, I'll be by at 9:00 to pick you up" speech. Part of me was terrified but part of me cheered.
We left at 9:30 - Ryan drove - and it was a smooth ride down. He dropped us off at Rogers Centre (Sky Dome) so we didn't have to walk far. The seats were excellent!! Right at first base so we got to see Carlos Delgado. I always liked him and was most saddened when he left. It wasn't too crowded in the section we sat in and we had the front row. Once the sun hit where we were sitting, we moved back a few rows to the shade and it stayed shady. Before we left, I made him put on sun screen. He really didn't want to, but I said no sun screen, no game.
Ron had a large slice of pizza and a hot dog at the game. He hasn't been eating much so that was so encouraging. PLUS - he had a couple of beers. Costly they were, but again it was most encouraging. Both our sons also went; the oldest Brent came with a friend and Ryan brought his not his girlfriend, girlfriend (long story - they were going together, broke up and now it seems that they are back together although he denies they are anything but friends. I hope they are back together though 'cause I really like her). It's the first time I've been there since it changed names and I must say - I really liked the changes they made. They still should have kept the old name though.
Finally the game ended and we had to wait for a while before Ron's team took the field. When I saw him go out to coach first at the Roger's Centre (Skydome) it was good, it was very, very good. He only lasted 3 innings before he had to call it quits but that was enough. He was thrilled! We left at 9:30 am and didn't get home until 7:30 pm; a very long day for him, but for today we were able to forget and that was most glorious!!!!

Folks we have us a winner!

Crazy Love by Tara Janzen

Man oh man I love the Crazy series by Tara Janzen, and Crazy Love is no exception. All those who have read and enjoyed these ones probably know that this one is Skeeter Bang and Dylan Hunt’s story. Skeeter is one kick ass character and in this one she is even more kick assier then ever. Normally I’m not that big a fan of this kind of heroine – Eve Dallas excluded – but there is something so totally appealing about Skeeter. For one thing, she has the best name going. Skeeter Bang. Baby Bang. Ya gotta love it!

In a previous book we learn that Dylan Hunt, the uber cool boss of the Steele Street Special Forces has it bad for Skeeter, but refuses to give into his feelings. When the book opens he still has it bad and he’s still refusing to do anything about it. It’s the age difference don’t you know. Naturally she is just as hot for Dylan. In a hilarious scene in the previous book, he thinks of buying a soda machine for Skeeter and her friends. In this one he is still making the same dumb kind of decisions, his internal dialogue is such a hoot that it had me grinning and chuckling a number of times. I love a book where the hero is so gone, so wrecked for the heroine, he’s dumb with it.

Skeeter has learned a lot since the end of the last book and is ready to be a full-fledged member of the team. In fact, unbeknownst to Dylan she’s already gone on a couple of missions and done a bang up job. But Dylan doesn’t want her being anything more than the computer geek and numero uno ace mechanic. He (very, very) reluctantly agrees she can come on the mission he’s just been assigned; as a driver. The mission appears easy but of course it’s not and Skeeter gets to prove her worth. Past enemies are after Dylan and we go along with the thrill-a-minute adventures. Travis James plays a role in this one and one of the funniest moments in the book is his “very terrifying” ride in a Honda Civic. I think this is her funniest book yet although there is still lot’s of nail biting, high octane excitement.

Once again this book is pure escapism. If one were to sit down and analyze it, I’m sure there would be plot holes, but that’s not what this series is about. It’s about fast cars, hot sex, thrills and adventure. I had no sooner finished Crazy Love, when I went back and started it all over again – a rare thing. I inhaled it in one day. Now I need to go back and savour it. I’ve loved all of the Crazy books so far, but I’m thinking I love this one best of all. I have this "four books in a series and that’s it" rule, but rules are made to be broken and these books break it. I can hardly wait for the next one! And I don't often say that.

In a recent Romancing the Blog column, Katie MacAlister asked the question ‘do other people turn to reading in times of stress and is there a particular genre that works best’. For me Ms. Janzens books do a wonderful job and once again I read this one at exactly the right time! This one is a keeper.
Sorry Sybil – but it’s a special one *grin*


Grade: 5 out of 5

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Yet another opinion

AngieW asks a very good question in light of the latest outbreak.

So my question for authors is, do you feel as though you’re expected to sit on your hands these days? And readers, what is it exactly that you want from an author’s online presence? Do you expect they should sit on their hands, zip it and write the books. If you go to their blogs, what do you want to see? If you see them on a message board, what are you hoping their interactions will consist of?


Although I haven’t participated in the recent dust-up at Karen’s and other author/reader dust-ups, I have followed them. I’m answering the reader part of Angie’s question. As a reader, I very rarely visit author blogs. I can’t relate too many of them since I’m not a writer and with the growing number of reader blogs and a limited time to spend visiting them, I would rather spend my time visiting at other reader blogs. But when an author visits a reader’s blog, I think it would be in their best interest to visit as a reader rather than a writer. I mean after all, they would have to be reader first; before they became a writer. Of course there are times when a reader blogger will ask for opinions from authors. Then they can put on their author hat.
I expect authors who post on reader blogs to use some sense if they do decide to use their author persona. If they are upset at something they’ve read and they really can’t ignore it, then type out a reply first, read it over, go have a coffee and if it’s still an angry post then think about the consequences before they post it. Because whether it's fair or not, if it’s a real snippy answer, the author is going to piss some readers off. And trying to keep things in perspective is a real good idea. Long before there was Smart Bitches or Bam, there was Mrs. Giggles and I’ve seen some authors say it was almost a badge of honor to be snarked by her. Those authors I remember and when I see them handle it with class, I’m more than likely going to give them a try even if there books were snarked. On the flip side, there are some authors I have no interest in reading even if there books have gotten good reviews, because of their on-line antics. Just as authors may be defensive of other authors, readers are defensive of other readers. Now – having said that, I’ve also seen some downright nasty and uncalled for insults against some authors in the comments section of a couple of blogs. Totally totally classless.
It would be nice if we could all place nice and get along, but that's not going to happen with so many people with so many different opinions. But, the main thing is think first.

Anyway for what it’s worth, that’s my 2¢ worth.

‘til later

Thursday, June 22, 2006

It's late at night and I having one of those times when I don't want to go to bed because then I'll start thinking about things. I've been off work for a week now. Ron doesn't have much time left; I can tell. He mostly sleeps and when he isn't sleeping, we just sit quietly together. He's taking massive amounts of pain medication and it makes him very tired.
The baseball game is coming up on Sunday but I don't think we will be able to make it. I can't explain how my heart breaks for Ron that he probably can't go. He loves baseball and he loves the Jays. After the game, the team he has helped coach will be playing in Rogers Centre. This would be a dream come true for him. He's been a baseball coach for over 20 years now; coached both our boys for years, and for him to coach third - well it would be indescribable to him. But it's a 2 hour drive there and then the Jays and the Mets play. Then it's his teams turn to play and then a 2 hour drive home. It's an effort for him to even get dressed now. If we do go, I know that this will take everything he has left out of him.
I told the boys on Fathers day how little time there is left. I found out a while ago but Ron doesn't want to know. But I felt I had to tell them so they could spend time with him.
When I think about things, the pain is indescribable so for the most part I don't think. But every so often, like tonight, it catches me unawares.
I have loved this man for 32 years now. I fell in love with him the night I met him and that has never wavered. We've had rough times; I think every marriage has, we even split up for a year, but we worked through things.
He is my love and my friend and my anchor and I don't know what I'm going to do without him.

Blogging and reading are what's keeping me sane these days - and keeping my mind busy. I'm having a hard time with emails though. I just don't seem to have the words a lot of the times for those. So any that I owe - be patient. I read them all and they really do help so very much - but my replying part is a little tricky. Some days even breathing is hard.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

June's Challenge - Part 2


Title: Big Guns out of Uniform

Author: Sherilyn Kenyon, Liz Carlyle, Nicole Camden

Year published: 2004

Why did you get this book: My mind does not work like a steel trap anymore. It was either Jay or CW who really liked this one and I can’t remember who. Maybe it was both. I normally don't read anthologies, but this one was highly recommended so I thought I'd give it a try

Did you like the cover: not particularly

Did you enjoy the Book? It’s an anthology. Two of the stories I really enjoyed, the third one I found rather – well - stupid

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? I’ve read Kenyon and Carlyle before and I think this was Camden’s first book. Two of them I’ll continue to read – the third no.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? I think I’ll keep it.

Anything Else By now you’re probably wondering which ones I liked and which one I didn’t really care for. I thought Nicole Camden’s entry was grand! And this is why either CW or Jay recommended it. Last time I heard she hadn’t found a publisher and I’m thinking what is wrong with these publishers? This is a great story, a lot different from what I thought it would be when I read the storyline. I thought it would be kind of sad that the heroine couldn’t recognize faces and it would be a more poignant story. Instead the heroine was strong and the book was steamy. I didn’t even mind it being told in the first person.

I also thoroughly enjoyed Liz Carlyle’s entry. If she ever writes a full-length contemporary, I’ll be getting a copy.

And then we come to Sherilyn Kenyon’s story (this is the order I read them – back to front). I thought it was kind of – well – dorky and it didn’t impress me at all. Once yet again, I think she sacrificed the current story to set up characters for future books. I gave up both her personna’s a while ago, mainly for that reason and this one doesn’t make me want to go back.



'til later

Monday, June 19, 2006

I haven't done one of these for a while




You Are a Prophet Soul



You are a gentle soul, with good intentions toward everyone.

Selfless and kind, you have great faith in people.

Sometimes this faith can lead to disappoinment in the long run.

No matter what, you deal with everything in a calm and balanced way.



You are a good interpreter, very sensitive, intuitive, caring, and gentle.

Concerned about the world, you are good at predicting people's feelings.

A seeker of wisdom, you are a life long learner looking for purpose and meaning.

You are a great thinker and communicator, but not necessarily a doer.



Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul

Saturday, June 17, 2006

For fans of Kelly Armstrong

She's a local girl and thought this article might be interesting to those who love her work.
Looks like the movie deal is off the table though *heavy sigh*

'til later

More Recent Reads

Completely Irresistible by Sheridon Smythe.
I must admit to wanting try her previous books but the covers were just so darned bad. I don't know if this one is better or I was just in a "don't give a damn" what they think mode when I bought it, but I'm glad I did get it. Tara said this in one of her reviews “I always like when I discover a good book, not necessarily a great keeper, but a book I can enjoy in the moment.”
That's what this book is like for me. I wouldn't call it a keeper, but it was fun. This is a book chalk full of misunderstandings but since that’s the point, it’s quite fun. Wyatt Love becomes the caretaker for a trio of poodles when an old rich lady dies. Kasidy Evans thinks he’s her boy toy and even though she finds him very attractive and is drawn to him, she wants nothing to do with this gigolo. Wyatt’s twin brother Dillon becomes aware of this and decides to make Wyatt pay. Meanwhile she has her own secrets she’s trying to protect. As I said, this one is fun and had me chuckling in a number of places. I think I may just break down and get the previous ones because the secondary characters were a hoot too.
Grade 3 ½ out of 5


Over the Line by Cindy Gerard
I’ve read all the other books in this series and really enjoyed them, especially To the Brink so I was anticipating this one too. And joy of joys I wasn’t disappointed. Jason Wilson who made a brief appearance as a drunk in a previous book has decided to straighten out his life. He called his old Ranger captain and joined E.D.E.N. the detective agency his old comrade now runs. His first assignment is as a body guard to Sweet Baby Jane, a very popular rock singer who has acquired herself a stalker. Janey is surprised at the youthful appearance of her new bodyguard but attracted at the same time. I found the mystery in this one more in the forefront during the first half of this book than her previous ones, but then that was OK because it was a very good mystery! Normally I would be wanting more of the romance but since the suspense was so good that turned out to be not an issue at all for me. And the romance did kick in big time in the second part so this one is a very good, very complete romantic suspense!
Grade 4 ½ out of 5


Extreme Bachelor by Julie London
This one was DNF. I really liked it right up to a certain point and I may go back to it. Others who have read this one really liked it and I can see why, but at a certain point I just found myself rolling my eyes and putting it aside – for now. Years before Leah Klein was an up and coming actress. Life was perfect for her because she was also desperately in love with Michael Raney. But when he dumped her, life fell apart. Five years later she is reduced to tacky commercials. Then when cast in a movie, she runs into Michael again when he is the stunt coordinator. He never forgot Leah, loved her even back then, but thought with his job he just couldn’t give her the commitment she wanted and needed. Now after running into her again, he decides he wants her back but Leah, once burned and burned badly, wants nothing to do with him.
As I said, I found this one a mixed bag. Part of me loved it, but the whole soccer mom movie thing was just such a turn off. I can’t imagine anything worse than a movie about soccer moms who all turn on each other and get into physical battles. I finally stopped reading when the stunt team took all the actresses on a white water rafting trip as a reward and Leah fell in the water. Silly reason not to finish a book I was enjoying I know – but there you go. It happens.
Grade: DNF - for now


Parallel Attraction by Dierdre Knight
I got this one because it fit into my criteria; a new author and a futuristic. And Wowzers. This one is great!!!
The book opens when Jared Bennet a young exiled king from another world visits earth and runs into a young Kelsey Wells. Although they are both young, the attraction is immediate and intense. But then one of the elders from Jared’s world removes their memories of each other. The book picks up some years later. Jared is still hiding and planning on earth. One evening he takes his cruiser out and it is shot down. He runs into Kelsey who saves him. They don’t remember each other but there is something strong that draws them to each other.
What can I say – both Jared and Kelsey are wonderful character. Jared is a king who has given his all to his people. Now he wants a chance of happiness in his life. Kelsey is a great strong heroine who is completely in love with Jared despite his differences. This would be an unquestionable 5 except it takes a detour into a time warp continuum that I found a bit confusing. It was heartbreaking – it made me tear up and it’s a rare book that does that – but still I found myself going “yea but”. Still – I’m giving this one a very high grade. I loved their love story. Of note though; this is only the first of a series and as such it doesn’t really end. Rather it breaks until the next book comes out to continue the story. And I am already so there for the next installment. I love the futuristic genre and this is a very, very good addition to it.
Grade 4 ¾ out of 5

'til later

Friday, June 16, 2006

June's Challenge - Part 1


Title: Hope’s Captive

Author: Kate Lyon

Year published: 2005

Why did you get this book: It was one that Wendy really liked. I probably would have gotten it anyway as it meets my requirements
New or mid list author – check
Different Setting – check
But when Wendy liked it so much that sealed the deal

Did you like the cover: *wring hands * do I have to answer this one??? Oh please don’t make me! Oh all right – there is a small part of me that did kind of like it- but don’t tell anyone I said that because normally the answer would be a resounding HELL NO!

Did you enjoy the Book? Yes, yes I did very much. I loved the heroine Caroline Whitley. She was so tortured (literally) yet she didn’t let it get her down. We often see a tortured hero but not so much a tortured heroine so that was a change. I also loved the hero Zach McCallister. He saw past the outside and admired and loved the inner beauty of the heroine.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Yes she was and I already checked to see if she has a back list. I see she has 2 of them but one doesn’t look orderable for some reason but yes I plan on getting her other one

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Oh - I’m keeping this one.

Anything Else: I was impressed that the author really did her homework. She used real life characters and did an excellent job of merging the truth with her work. Those looking for something new and different in a romance should check this one out. I will certainly be keeping it in mind when it comes to best road romance of the year!




Title: A Hunger Like No Other

Author: Kresley Cole

Year published: 2006

Why did you get this book? Since this month it’s reading a book that was recommended, I got this one because both Cindy and Alyssa liked it so much. Since Cindy read one I rec’d, turn about is fair play

Do you like the cover? Ah – no. I mean really – who has hair like that?

Did you enjoy the book? It was OK. I didn’t like it nearly as much as either Cindy or Alyssa. I found Emmaline annoying. Lachlain was just way too much at the beginning. Yes – I know – he had issues. He did settle down though and I liked him much better later

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? It was the first book I’ve read of hers although I’m pretty sure I have at least on more earlier one in my TBR pile so I’ll certainly give them a read if and when I find them. I’ll probably try the next one too.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Since I have trouble letting go, I’ll keep if for now.

Anything else? Besides finding the heroine annoying, the problem I had with this one was there were just too many characters and not enough explanation as too who they were. It read like a series that had a number of previous books but as far as I know this is the first one. Also there were just too many otherworldly characters; vampires, furies, werewolves, witches, valkries, lions and tigers and bears oh my. I would prefer not quite as many different types of creatures.

aHa!!!!!

I was digging in a box in the basement this morning and I found a stash of books. Some treasures they were!

I shall be going on a rereading glom now.




First up - To Love a Dark Lord




Followed up with A Rose at Midnight




And finishing up with Shadowdance


Too bad though they are such horrible, yucky covers!!



'til later

Thursday, June 15, 2006

I can't believe I did this

But I did because Where's my Hero is so persuasive.........


And I wanted to give Sybil a laugh.........


And it was buy 3 get 1 free at Chapters - and I had a $20 gift certificate from Mother's Day.......


So I bought........


Are you ready?







Angel in my Bed by Melody Thomas (doesn't she also play Nikki in Y&R)
AUUUGGGGHHHHH - hell did not freeze over but my eyes, my eyes!!!! Half naked Mullet Man and Sleazy looking girl with odd droopy tits.


I also got myself


The Sea King by Jolie Mathis
because it's getting great reviews and it's a Viking Romance NOT a Regency and a new author



and


Squeeze Play by Kate Angell
because Tara liked it and it's a baseball book


and last but not least

Stuck in Shagri-la by Kasey Michaels
Because it looks cute and I loved her last ones - even though they were historicals


'til later

A few more I've never heard of

This is getting addicitive! I went to Amazon again to check my recommendations and they had a bunch more I've never heard of!! I was having a grand time - they have A LOT of recommendations for me. But then we got into Nora Roberts, Lavyrle Spencer, Elizabeth Lowell etc. When I hit the already own button then I get even more of them. But still - it's jolly good fun! Does anyone else ever check what Amazon recommends for them?


This one isn't too bad - considering there are no people.


Now I think this one is HOT!





As you can see by my side bar - I have her latest 2 sitting in my TBR pile - but looks like she's written a number of books. Now the girly girl in me has always liked pinks and mauves - but still is a mauve horse really necessary?


I like the looks of this one!



Boy this cover is awfully familiar though. I think there are about four almost identical ones out there.

'til later

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Some most excellent reviews

Mailyn of Imaginary Origin has reviews of some most excellent books posted. And yeppers - one for you know what (heh heh) .

And Cindy and Megan - guess who else?

'til later

Colour me confused - quick update

In the further adventures in ebook world - I didn't hear from Liquid Silver by e-mail - but much thanks to Tina Burns of Liquid Silver for her offer of help; I was most impressed! But - it seems the book just magically appeared. I have no idea how that happened but I was checking things out and there it was! I turned off the computer and turned it back on and it was still there. I don't know whether they sent it again or whether I saved it and didn't know it. I tell you, sometimes I'm afeered for me because yes indeed - I can be that clueless about some things.

'til later

Looking for opinions

I was checking out the list of recommendations I have at Amazon and they recommended a whole lot of books I've never heard of by authors I've never heard of. Some of them look pretty good so if any one has read any of these - what did you think? Would it be worth it?














These all appeal to me in one way or another, so I'm wondering if they are worth tracking down since I don't think any of them made it to the shelves here. Odd that I've never heard of any of these, yet at the same time almost scary how many of the ones Amazon recommended I already had.

'til later

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Well - call me stupid

And smack me on the head.

In my continuing adventures in ebook land I made a grevious mistake.

I didn't get around to saving my ebooks to my computer until today. (even though Nicole told me too - thus the call me stupid title). I went to the confirmation emails and saved The Fifth Favor, couldn't find one for Banner's Bonus and the link for Bone Deep expired. I sent an email off to Liquid Silver, explaining rather sheepishly my lack of knowledge (sense) in not saving it sooner. Hopefully they will send it to me again. I included all the order info.
Somewhat luckily for me, I read Bone Deep. Hopefully I can get it back because this is one I will want to read again (and again, and again).

Bam did such a wonderful review job on this book that I couldn't hope to do better except to say she is right on!! I loved this one! I also read Keishon's review and while I can see her points, I was able to ignore what is probably true and just enjoy this tender, warm-hearted book.
Grade: 4 1/2 out of 5

And this morning I happened to find a review for Banner's Bonus. You'll have to scroll down since I can't figure out how to link directly to the books. I reviewed the original story a while back, now I'm really looking forward to the new version.

'til later

Friday, June 09, 2006

My Continuing Adventures in Ebook Land

Well, I had myself a bit of a scare last night. I turned the computer off in the morning before I left for work and turned it on when I got home. I went and opened Microsoft Reader and two of my new books didn’t seem to be there!!!! ACCKK!! I couldn't find either The Fifth Favor nor Bone Deep. Now you have to know me to know how quickly I panic when I think I’ve lost something. My sisters know. They laugh. I don’t know how many times I’ve panicked over lost keys only to discover they were in my purse all along. I compensate for this by simply not looking for things. That’s why I haven’t looked for my prescription sunglasses for a month now; because if I can’t find them, then I'll figure they are lost and then I’ll panic. I know – doesn’t make sense but it works for me. Anyway, I tried not to panic when the two books weren’t there. Instead I calmly went to the confirmation emails I received from the publishers and they were both there for downloading in the emails so I “opened” both of them in Microsoft Reader. I am frighteningly clueless about stuff like this, but I have a feeling that once I turn the computer off, I’ll loose them again. Somehow I’ll have to figure out where/how to save them.
I had briefly started The Fifth Favor the night before and of course when they got ‘lost’, I lost my place. See, for those who are new to this, you can open Microsoft Reader where you last read. I still need to figure out how to bookmark the spot in ereaders. No one has mentioned that and I can see it being an issue if I’m about half way done a book. I started Bone Deep this morning before work and have to say – I did NOT want to stop reading. I didn’t turn the computer off either. I didn’t want to risk losing the book or my place in the book!

‘til later

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Taking on that Brave New World *The First Step*

Well, I did it! I tackled and conquered that brave new world of ebooks. Yep, I ordered not one, not two but three of them. Now I’ve been wanting to try an ebook for a while now. This from a reader who determined that nope – not gonna go there. I’ve been very happy with my hand held books thank you very much. But buzz works! So does not wanting to be left out of the ebook party. I think I mentioned that I was oh so close to getting an ereader in the fall but I had some unexpected expenses come up so I didn’t get one. So I decided to just load them on to my computer for now. Hopefully if I do take that next step and get a reader, I can move them over to it somehow.
I checked out quickly a couple of ebook sites and found Ellora’s Cave to be extremely helpful in explaining the different options and how the whole thing worked. So I downloaded Microsoft Reader in preparation. Or thought I did. I ran into a glitch when I tried (I thought) to open it and it wouldn’t open in Firefox. I kept trying and got all these pale icons all over the desktop; I think I had four of them at one time, but none of them opened. I have no idea what the pale icons are called; I’m sure some people who are more computer literate person than me are getting a chuckle right about now over my descriptions. Even Keishon tried to help – but it didn't seem to work. Anyway, in a fit of frustration I deleted them all. Then went “oh”. There was a full colour one and I thought “Houston, we seem to be good to go”. I decided to be a copy cat of the two Ja(y)nes and try ordering from three different publishers.



The first one I attempted was Banner’s Bonus from Fictionwise. This is a book I read years ago that the author had revamped and re-released as an ebook. I’ve been itching to try it for quite some time now. I went through all the ordering steps and waited and waited and waited.





While I was still waiting, I went to Ellora’s Cave – since they were so helpful in what I needed. Based on Keishon’s most excellent review, I ordered The Fifth Favor. It went very smoothly although I was amazed that somehow it downloaded straight into Microsoft Reader. For some reason I thought they would send it by email and I would have to download it myself. I don’t understand how their computer knew to send it to my computer, but then I don’t understand radio waves either. I checked back at Fictionwise and still nothing was happening.





Then I moved onto Liquid Silver for Bone Deep. Bam had given it such a glowing review. I didn’t find them quite as user friendly as Ellora’s Cave. I imagine they figured readers knew what they were doing. But, I still managed to upload it, again amazed that it went straight to my computer. Back I went to Fictionwise for the third book and still nothing had happened. Then I had another “oh” moment. I hadn’t hit submit. Once the light bulb went on, it uploaded fine too. So – three books, three successful downloads and I’m ready to start reading!!!



‘til later

Monday, June 05, 2006

Aha!!!!

I have found me another one! Just when the list was dwindling way down, another reader drops from out of nowhere.


'til later

My son moved out on Friday



And I think I'll be making a trip to IKEA very very soon. I like these ones!! Billy they are called. And if there is enough room, I can always add more



shelves.

I'm thinking 6 bookcases to start with. I think I'll need a lot more though!
Ooohhhh - just picture those babies filled with books. It's enough to give me shivers!
Now I'm going to have to borrow a camera and start taking the "before" pictures


'til later

Saturday, June 03, 2006

I decided yesterday to stop working. I haven't told Ron yet because I know he's going to try and talk me out of it - all along he has wanted me to keep working but it's been harder and harder to leave him in the morning. But that little voice inside me said "it's time". One thing that made it harder to reach this decision is that I'm only on contract where I work and I really like working there and I really like the job I'm doing; it's been my hope that they would hire me on full time at the end of my contract, but that has become less and less important. I talked to my supervisor there yesterday and told her that I'm thinking of leaving. She was very understanding and told me to take the rest of the day off - with pay. Later on I got a call from the agency and they said that the company I'm working for wants me back after - good little worker bee that I am. That really was a load off my mind. I don't have to worry about money - I am eligible for 'compasionate care' as the primary caregiver - all these new terms I'm learning. The agency will put a rush on my record of employment so I can start collecting sooner.
I'm still not sure how to tell Ron. I was with some friends last night and they all offered good advice. Another thing I can tell Ron as to why I've decided to stay home is to get my own health back again. I have high blood pressure (one of the wonderful things that comes with getting older). It's gone through the roof in the last little while - no real suprise there!
But I just want to spend as much time with Ron as I can now.
Of course the reader/blogger in me knows I'll have more time for that now since he sleeps a good part of the day.
I haven't had time off in over a year - you don't get paid if you are on contact and take time off - so just that alone will be nice. I've been in touch with Hospice London and they have all kinds of services for caretakes that are available from seminars to massage therapy. In fact I'm off shortly to meet with someone they "matched" me with whom I can talk too.
So - that's where I am now. I feel at piece about the decision; I know it's the right one. I just hope Ron accepts it when I tell him.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Just couldn't resist this link

Further to the Halle Berry new beau - I saw this article this morning when I checked this site that feeds my craving for trashy celebrity gossip.

'til later