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September 30, 2010

Giveaway "Dewey" 09/30/10 to 10/14/10 (posting 1 of 3)

DEWEY:
THE SMALL-TOWN LIBRARY
CAT WHO TOUCHED THE WORLD
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by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter

September 30th to October 14th
(bring Dewey home for the holidays)

Synopsis (borrowed from Barnes & Noble):
   How much of an impact can an animal have? How many lives can one cat touch? How is it possible for an abandoned kitten to transform a small library, save a classic American town, and eventually become famous around the world? You can't even begin to answer those questions until you hear the charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa.
   Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. Only a few weeks old, on the coldest night of the year, he was stuffed into the returned book slot at the Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director, Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next nineteen years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility, (for a cat) and, above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most.
   As his fame grew from town to town, then state to state, and finally, amazingly, worldwide, Dewey became more than just a friend; he became a source of pride for an extraordinary Heartland farming town pulling its way slowly back from the greatest crisis in its long history.
THANKS TO ANNA AND THE AWESOME
PEOPLE AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP
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I HAVE THREE (3) COPIES OF THIS GREAT BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE

DISCLAIMER
Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners via publisher, agent and/or author.
This blog hosts the giveaway on behalf of the above.  No items that I receive are ever sold...they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.


Booking Through Thursday (2 of 3)

THURSDAY

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Today's Question:
If you read series, do you ever find a series “jumping the shark?” How do you feel about that?

And, do you keep reading anyway?
My Answer:
First, I have to admit I have never heard that saying before.  Thank goodness for google.  Now that I know what it means and the fact that I haven't read a series in years, this question really doesn't apply to me.   However, years ago, Stephen King wrote novellas, can't even remember the name, where there were quite a few in a series and easily read in a few hours.  I was working at the time and some of my coworkers were like me, avid readers, and we would rotate as to who bought the book and then pass it around.  Since then, the majority of the books I read, stand alone.


September Wrap Up (3 of 3)

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September is coming to a close and it hasn't been kind, both in reading and personal.  But like real life, one has to take the good and the bad, learn from both and move on.  I debated even if I would do a monthly wrap up since I only read 1 book and couldn't finish 2.   As I sit here reflecting, I  realized how much we had to personally deal with and why I had so much difficulty and could not focus on reading.  All I can hope is that October is more productive, it couldn't get much worse.

September 29, 2010

And the winners are.........

........for The Tower, The Zoo and The Tortoise are

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Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

27     18

Timestamp: 2010-09-29 22:44:37 UTC

Victoria M. said... 27    I follow you on facebook

nfmgirl said... 18    I have your button:

An email has been sent and the winners have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or another winner will be chosen








W.W.W. Wednesdays

WEDNESDAY


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Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?





September 28, 2010

Giveaway 250 Business Cards (posting 1 of 4)


Can you relate to any of the following scenarios?  If the answer is yes, then here is your chance for a change !!   You run into someone and you have to rummage through your purse for pen and paper to exchange phone numbers.  Be honest...aren't you just a tad envious when someone hands you their business card, wishing you had one to give them?   Maybe you don't want to exchange your business card for personal use.  Maybe you have and/or are thinking of starting a business.  Or maybe you know someone that is.  Maybe you want to share your blog/logo in the form of a business card.  And not just your average business card, but custom business cards

UPrinting.com, a 24/7 Online Printing Company with many stationary items, has  generously offered to have one of my followers win the following:
  Giveaway Prize:

250 Die-Cut Business Cards for One (1) Winner
2 x 3.5”, 2 x 2” (square card) or 1.75 x 3.5” (slim card)
Die cutting options available: Rounded Corners, Leaf, Rounded One-Corner, Half-Circle Side, Circle
Paper Type: 14pt Cardstock Gloss, Matte, or High Gloss; 13pt Cardstock Uncoated
Color: 4Color Front, Blank Back; 4Color Front, Black Back; 4Color Both Sides
Limited to US residents only 18 years old and above

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE

DISCLOSURE IN ACCORDANCE TO FTC REGULATIONS:
I RECEIVED NO MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR THIS GIVEAWAY.
IN APPRECIATION FOR HOSTING THIS GIVEAWAY, I WILL BE RECEIVING
250 BUSINESS CARDS, FROM UPRINTING.COM, AT NO COST TO ME.



Teaser Tuesday (2 of 4)

TUESDAY

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Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


The Voices screamed, Turn left! Turn left! The rocks, the ocean. Dive in the ocean. The water will save you from the knife. No, she screamed, I'm not ready to die.

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page 94


I Have Been Tagged (3 of 4)


This is a first for me and seems like fun.  Mandy from Mandy's Escape, which is a new blog I found and so glad I did.  Stop by to see what a great blog she has.  She apparently wants to know more about me so I will answer the following questions, criteria for being tagged, and then I have to tag 4 other bloggers.  I never thought it would be so much fun to be part of this blogging community, when I stumbled onto a book blog around this time last year!!!!  So here goes
 4 Things in my Handbag
*wallet
*lipsticks
*cell phone
*my Dunkin Donuts holder for iced coffee

4 Things in/on my Desk
*my laptop
*lamp
*my new desk organizer that I reviewed
*my coffee mug

4 Favorite Things in my Bedroom
*my hubby
*picture of my boys when they were toddlers
*brass bed that was a wedding gift from my grandmother
*a Crucifix that was a wedding gift from my hubby's cousin who is a priest

4 Things I Always Wanted to Do (but haven't yet)
*a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise
*a family vacation to Italy
*visit Hawaii
*hire Merry Maids 

4 Things I Enjoy Very Much at the Moment
*reading
*blogging
*spending time with my sons, who live out of state
*not having to do housework per doctor's orders

4 Songs I Can't Get Out of My Head
*thank goodness there are none that are stuck there

4 Things you Don't Know About Me
*in 10th grade, I traveled to Spain and Africa
*in 11th grade, I traveled to Italy
*My first diamond ring was a Christmas present from my father, I was in 2nd grade.
*I am afraid of heights
Now, I will pass this on to: (in no particular order)
*Julie from Reading Without Restraint
*Dolly from Xmas Dolly
*Marce from Tea Time With Marce
Lori from Dollycas's Thoughts






TAG YOU'RE IT!

Fall Into Reading 2010 Challenge (4 of 4)

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Hosted by Katrina from Callapidder Days
Tuesday's Question:
What do you think is the biggest obstacle to your reading? What prevents you from reading as much as you’d like?

  Two words...Real life.  And since I am still under strict rescrictions, due to operations, of doing household chores, I can't even imagine how it is going to be when those are lifted.  I have often wondered how those that work outside the home, find the time to read, blog and the responsibilities of real life.
  Another reading stumbling block, that I have encountered, is the time it takes to keeping my blog updated, visiting other blogs, participating in memes, etc etc.  Sometimes, I find I spend more time on my laptop more than I do having a book in hand.  I need to reverse that. 

September 27, 2010

Musing Mondays (1 of 4)

MONDAY

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Due to the fact that I didn't get much reading done last week, I will not be particpating in It's Monday, What Are You Reading?  It would be a duplicate of last week.  Am hoping, that this will change for next week.
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Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
This Week's Question:
If your book group asked you to bring two (2) suggestions for group reads to your next meeting, what two books would you suggest? Why?
My Answer:
My suggestions would be by authors.  I signed up for a challenge, Awesome Author, and have not made any progress with it.  At the time, I thought requested reviews would be far and few between, and I was wrong.  Not only that but I think I am the only one on planet earth that has never read a book by these 2 popular authors.  So my suggestions would be any book by Nicholas Sparks and Sue Grafton.  


Mailbox Monday (2 of 4)

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Created by Marcia from The Printed Page
September Hostess has been Kathy from Bermudaonion Web Log
Before sharing my mailbox with everyone, I want to thank Kathy for hosting this month.  You have been a very gracious host and everything ran smoothly.  Awesome job!!

Now to my mailbox, I have made many friends through book blogging and how I wish we could meet for coffee.   Don't you find that a person's personality comes out in their blogging?  I think so!!  I met one such blogger that we clicked online but live on opposite sides of the U.S. so I guess coffee is out of the question lol.  We started our own little book swap...when we see a book that each other has read and want to read it, we tag it to be sent off to each other and send it across the land.  And this week I received 2 books from my book bloggy bff Julie P. from Reading Without Restraint.  Thanks bunches Julie!!




Meet Me On Monday (3 of 4)






Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old
From Java's blog:
"Meet Me On Monday!"
  Blogging is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is this person!?" I know them...but yet I don't know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to "meet" each other!
  Every Sunday I will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!
  "Its a great way to to meet new friends and for others to get to know me better....one Monday at a time!!!"....as quoted by the Chacogirl!!
Questions:

1. How many TV’s do you have in your home?
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We have 4 tvs and there is only 2 of us.

2. What is on your bedside table (nightstand)?
          My current read, reading glasses, lamp, telephone and a glass of water
3. How many pair of shoes do you own?
shoes
Too many!!!
4. Can you change a flat tire?
flat tire
No...that's why I have AAA
5. Do you prefer sweet treats or salty treats?
ice cream sundae
Definitely sweets!!!


RE: TABLE TALK TUESDAY (4 of 4)

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REGARDING TABLE TALK TUESDAY:
Due to low participation with this meme, I have decided to discontinue it.  For those who did participate, a HUGE thank you!!!!  
There are many memes out there and sometimes it gets out of hand with all the ones you want to take part in.  Some are time consuming that take away from reading time and some are the same in concept but with a bit of difference.  And since I have been in a month long reading slump, I need to catch up.  Again, thank you to those who participated.

September 26, 2010

And the winner is..................

.............for the $50.00 GC to Executive Gift Shoppe is

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Vicki said... 41 I love the SHERBROOKE II 16" ANTIQUE GLOBE BY REPLOGLE GLOBES

An email has been sent to the winner and she has 48 hours to respond with her mailing information or another winner will be chosen.




Slapdash Sunday Topic: BookCases and a question

SUNDAY


2 Slapdash Topics today:  
   Before I get to my Slapdash Topic, I would like to throw something out and see what you think.  I joined this meme months ago because I like the premise of it (please read the criteria that was posted from the site) and have enjoyed it ever since, reading about your thoughts, ideas, etc etc as to what the topic is.
   However, for the past few months, when I go to link up at the site, there is no link nor meme.  I have tried contacting the blogger to see if she is still hosting this meme but have not had a response.  So, I did another hmmmmmmmm?????   What do you think about the premise of this meme?  Would you be interested in participating in something similar?  But have a McLnky so that you can hop and see what topic other bloggers have.  
What are your thoughts on this meme?
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Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element
Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week 'leftovers.' Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn't worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

Yesterday I started loading some, just 3 boxes lol, of my books into my new bookcase.  I knew how I wanted some of the shelves organized, but not sure of the other shelves.  I put my review tbr books in order on the 1st shelf along with my signed copies (which I am proud of).  The next shelf was for the books that I have won since blogging but haven't read yet, along with my dark ages dictionary.....yes I know...there are dictionaries online but this may be an antique since its from my school days lol and a few personal favorites.  Then I got to the 3rd shelf and  had this moment:
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Should I alphabetize by author, title?  Should I double stack my PBs?  Should I mix it all up and just put them any which way?  I know that if someone other than a book blogger is reading this they would probably say "what's the difference?"  But I know you can understand how important our books are to us, so before I unload and reload, I was wondering.......How do you keep your books organized?  Are they by genre? Title? Author? Do you separate HC from PB?   Do you put them on the shelves by the size of the book or does that matter?  Maybe you don't organize them at all.
Would love to know about your bookcases!!!!  Maybe even get some tips from each other!!  So let's have a Slapdash Discussion!!!



September 25, 2010

A Bit Of Me

SATURDAY


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Hosted by Danielle at There's A Book
From Danielle's blog:
  We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.
This week's question:
Do you have a job you just couldn’t stand or possibly one that you were completely embarrassed by (ie. funny costume, etc.)? Tell us a little about it.
Read more: http://www.theresabook.com/category/a-bit-of-meme/#ixzz10UF5JCaB
I started working at 15 years of age during High School and all through college until I graduated with an A.D. in the field that I had chosen as my profession.  Before graduating, however, I worked 2 jobs in 2 very vastly different environments at the same time, which now that I am thinking back to those years, I find it extremely funny how they were definitely at the opposite ends of the spectrum.  Most people who met me, at that time in my life, couldn't believe that I would rather be doing what I was getting a degree in.  The other job definitely paid better but it just wasn't what I wanted to do.  Matter of fact, remembering it all now, I would be introduced as this is Cheryl, she is a____!  Ok..kept you in suspense long enough?.....lol.
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I was approached to be a model for runway, photo shoots and catalogue prints by a well known retailer.  I did this for approximately 7 years with the stipulation that I would only work in the New England area so that it would not interfere with my education and it had to be within driving distance, in case I was scheduled the next day for my other job.  Lights, glam, hair, makeup, latest fashions, runways at night...........................................bedpans in the morning lol.  Besides the modeling, I worked as a Nurse's Aide until I received my degree. 
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To many it was a choice they just couldn't understand, how could I not want to live that life, a no brainer in which to choose.  But for me, it was too superficial, which I am not and there was only one choice, becoming a RN, which I never regretted but solely miss.  I thought that being a nurse would be the ultimate job, but then I chose and took on the responsibilty of the most important job of all:
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Now you know a little bit more about me, my jobs resume and my passions.  What about you?  Want to share "A Little About You" (link provided above)


September 24, 2010

Aloha Friday (1 of 2)

FRIDAY


I will be blog hopping a little later today.  For those who stop by, thank you.  I will visit you as soon as we get back.  We are making another long trek for a post op visit.  While hubby is driving, after we make a visit to Dunkin Donuts for coffee, I am hoping to pass the time reading.  Have a fun day hopping, will join you, when we get home.  Which leads me to my Aloha Friday Question.

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From An Island Life:
  In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
  If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!
What are your plans for today?.


Friday Blog Hops x2 (posting 2 of 2)


Hi and Welcome to my blog.  Thank you for stopping hopping by!!  Hope you visit for a while and check out the 2 current giveaways I am hosting.  And would love if you leave a comment (link) so that I can find, visit you, and become a follower!!!!  Happy Hopping Friday!!!
 

Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old
From Java's site:
Are you a blogger over 40? Yeah, welcome to the club!
Please join in the fun and get to know your fellow bloggers!!

Book Blogger Hop
Hosted by Jennifer from CRAZY FOR BOOKS 
From Jennifer's site:
  In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!
  The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!!
  Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.
  If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know! Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added! And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!
This week's twist:
When you write reviews, do you write them as you are reading or wait until you have read the entire book?
My reviews are written as soon as I finish the book and before I start the next book.  Never know when those "senior moments" are going to kick in lol.  But while reading the book, I place a large lined post-it inside of the book's cover and will jot some notes/details that I think may be important and/or will help me with the review.  Because I am, and always was, a reading one book at a time person, it has carried over into writing my reviews.  What kind of reviewer are you?

September 23, 2010

Booking Thru Thursday (1 of 2)

THURSDAY



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Today's Question:
  What are you reading right now? What made you choose it? Are you enjoying it? Would you recommend it? (And, by all means, discuss everything, if you’re reading more than one thing!)
My Answer:
  My current read is The Chill Of Night by James Hayman.  It is a review book from Pump Up Your Book.  I read and reviewed his 1st novel,  The Cutting, earlier this year and gave it a 4.5/5 rating.  Full of mystery and suspense and thoroughly enjoyed.   So when the call went out about his latest book, I jumped at the chance to read it.  I'm finding this book is equally as good so far.
  Thus far with this book and his first, I would definitely recommend if you read in the genre of mystery/suspense.  Both books have the same main character but each book can stand alone.  Since I am a one book read person, the only thing else I am reading is the local newspaper lol.
  I have been in an awful reading slump these past few weeks, it definitely isn't the book causing it, I think it was real life interfering.  Knowing that I am joining a challenge today, I tried picking it up again, and YIPPEE, I read until I fell asleep.  I think my slump has come to an end.