Mon

Did everyone enjoy Super Bowl Sunday?  Did your team win?  What were your favorite commercials?
 We laughed at the Dorito ones, especially the dog and the bark collar and I just love the ETrade commercials with the little ones sitting in front of a computer...Adorable !!
  Now on to memes....One Persons Journey Through A World of Books is now hosting "Its Monday, What Are You Reading.....Thank You for hosting Sheila !!

 

Hosted by Just One More Page http://rebeccavoy.blogspot.com/
Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about a random book. I’ve seen several bloggers mention reading multiple books this week. Do you frequently read more than one book at a time? Do you try to limit this to a certain number? Do you have different books for different purposes/topics?
I always have, and still do, read just one book at a time.  I feel that once I start a book, especially those for pure enjoyment, I want to give that read my full attention.  I would be afraid that if I read more than one, I would have to reread pages to recall characters, plot, etc.  I want to thoroughly enjoy my current read.

Hosted by One Persons Journey Through A World Of Books
http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/
*Books Completed Last Week:

  Among Thieves by David Hosp (Rating 5)
*Books I Gave Up On:
  Doors Open by Ian Rankin (Rating 0..couldn't finish)
*Books I Am Currently Reading/Listening To:
  Death of a Valentine by M.C. Beaton (enjoying)
*Up Next:
  False Convictions by Tim Green
  Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan

Hosted by The Printed Page http://printedpage.us

  *7th heaven by James Patterson (won from Bookin' With Bingo...woohoo)
  *Mother Daze by Christine Carr (download from Publishing Works)
  *Sonnets For Sinners Everthing One Needs To Know About Illicit Love by  John Wareham (from The Book Trib)

Super Bowl

Happy Super Bowl Sunday !!!!!!  What are your plans today?  Do you enjoy football?
                                             
I am not a sports fan but I usually just watch for the new commercials.  Hubby is making his "famous chili and we will have other picky food.  In between the commercials I will be reading, eating and listening to my guys yelling at the tv.
                                             
I think I have most of kinks out of my Feedburner newsletter, at least I hope so.  I am not sure if you need to resubscribe as it might be a different code.
                                               
For those who aren't watching the game, then try to have a Relax and Read Sunday!  Happy Reading all!
                                              

Doors Open by Ian Rankin

Doors Open by Ian Rankin  (Rating 0)

Published by Reagan Arthur Books/Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 978-0-316-02478-5
At the request of The Hachette Book Club, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
  Synopsis:  (From the book's jacket) Three friends descend upon an art auction. Software mogul Mike Mackenzie wants something money can't buy. Banker Allan Cruickshank is burdened by a painful divorce. And Robert Gissing, an art professor, is frustrated by paintings hidden away in private hands. In a conversation over drinks, the three seize on an impossible, unthinkable, suddenly inevitable idea: steal the art. There has to be a way.
  My opinion and rating: This is my opinion and my opinion only. I was unable to finish this book. I read close to 75 pages and nothing pulled me in to the storyline. I had to keep rereading paragraphs due to fact that I found it to be boring. I am used to reading mysteries and/or suspense where there is something gripping within the first few chapters and that wasn't the case with this book. Mr. Rankin is a best selling author and I am sure that other's will have a different opinion of Doors Open but for this reader, it was not something I enjoyed.  (Rating 0)

Sat

First I want to say to those affected by this snow storm, please stay safe !!
I have my post-it ready for my "to do list Saturday".  Since I have CRS, I usually lose my list so when I came across this site for computer "post its" it had my name written all over it.
                                               
Today the level of pain, certain weather conditions intensifies my pain, is not a good day.  Between the pain, and trying once again to try and figure out why my newsletter subscription is not working, this may be me in a few hours.  LOL  I believe that if you find humor in every situation then it just isn't as bad as you thought. 
                                             
Hopefully later I will be in my reading chair, relaxing and enjoying my current read.
Happy Saturday all!!
                                                

Fri

Talk & Thoughts 
*Today my posts will be in red, as you see, for Womens' Heart Disease...GO RED DAY
*I had some comments that my feedburner subscrition is now working....not sure how that happened because I deleted and tried starting from scratch...I understand, however, that there are some glitches, which I will try to figure out later today.  To those bloggy friends...thank you for letting me know.
*So it finally happened yesterday...my luck ran out with reading good books, that are requested reviews.  I tried to push through the book but it just wasn't happening.  I thought that writing my 1st requested review was hard...but this upcoming review will take much thought.  How do you handle such reviews?  Do you feel bad telling the publisher/author that you just didn't enjoy their book?  I will do my best....
*I will be skipping "Friday Follow" today.  I need to spend time trying to fix and finish this feedburner set up.

Hosted by An Island Life http://islandlife808.com/
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!
My question is:
     What do you think is (are) your best trait(s)?
I would say listening and when someone confides in me and asks not to tell anybody, I don't, so I would also say loyalty.  Physically it would be my eyes.

http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/
And...here we go!

1. I know too much medically, and that is why I am so apprehensive about this upcoming surgery.
2. January is the longest month.
3. You can't help but thank you for asking.
4. Ice cream sundaes; bring it on!
5. Where have you looked for your glasses? (something that is said often to my hubby)
6. I think my newsletter is now available.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to our "quality" time with hubby, tomorrow my plans include waiting to see if we get this snow storm, laundry, computer time and reading and Sunday, I want to RELAX & READ!

Hosted by Storytime With Tonya and Friends http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/
Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link." along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
"So Annie liked to rebel?"    "She was a bit of a flirt."
        From my current read    "Death of a Valentine" by M.C. Beaton

Among Thieves

Among Thieves by David Hosp  (Rating 5)
Published by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 978-0-446-58015-1
At the request of The Book Group, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
  Synopsis: Portion from the front jacket...In the early morning hours of March 18, 1990, two men dressed as police officers entered Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, tied up the guards, and escaped with 500 million dollars' worth of paintings. The heist provoked a massive search for both the thieves and the lost masterpieces. But the paintings never surfaced and the mystery remained unsolved. Now, almost twenty years later, there case threatens to break wide open.
  My thoughts: Scott Finn, who has known the streets of Boston and the foster care system as a child, but was able to turn his life around and become an attorney. He is asked to take on a theft case from a former acquaintance of his earlier years. And accepting to defend Devon Malley, it thrusts Finn into a situation that is far from easy. Enter Boston's "mob" associates, murders, having to become care taker to Malley's 14 year old daughter, and a kidnapping. And how does this all tie into an unsolved 20 year cold case art heist?
  My opinion and rating:  (Rating 5) Once again, I was given the opportunity to read an extraordinary book. It was Grisham meets Parker. From the first chapter to the last page, the fast paced action never stopped, at times the reader forgets to breathe. The ending is a total surprise, one that this reader never saw coming. I could not put this one down. Bravo!!!!!

                                               

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

in exchange for my HONEST review.

No items that I receive

are ever sold...they are kept by me,

or given to family or friends.

Thurs

http://btt2.wordpress.com
Today's question:
The northern hemisphere, at least, is socked in by winter right now… So, on a cold, wintry day, when you want nothing more than to curl up with a good book on the couch … what kind of reading do you want to do?
  It would have to be a really good book from my favorite genre and that is mystery/suspense.  I also like a romance but has to have some mystery/suspense (example Nora Roberts).  And when this scenario plays out I have my afghan and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.  My family (sadly to report are not readers) are amazed how I can totally tune them out and become part of the book.  So much so that they have to call out my name a couple of times before hearing them.  I think the idyllic situation stated above has to be the next best thing to heaven.  Only a true reader can understand that!!

This is the 1st ever "Thursday Treasures" !!!!!!!!    OK...here goes.......

                                               
Hosted by CMash Loves To Read    http://cmashlovestoread.blogspot.com/
**Go to one of your book blogs you visit (each week visit another site)
**Click on their blog roll/blog lists.
**Find 1-5 blogs that are new to you from that list.
**Visit those new blogs (optional but would be nice...award them with the "Thursday Treasure" icon and become a follower)
**Post on your site the name of the blog you initially visited and the new site(s) you found.
**Leave a comment here with a link to your site(if you don't have a blog, list your finds here) so others may see the blogs you have found.
I found 3 new blogs and glad I did...they are great.  I have sent emails to let them know.
From Xmas Dolly web site (http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/) I found the following:
  A Reader's Journal   http://readfromatoz.blogspot.com/
  Lynne's Little Corner of the World   http://lynneslittlecorner.blogspot.com/
  Crazy Book Slut   http://5150bookslut.blogspot.com/

Talk & Thoughts:  
  The past couple of days I have been in a big reading slump.  I know why and it's the fact that there is so much on my mind that I am having difficulty concentrating and being focused.  My question is does this happen to you?  Do you feel guilty that it puts you behind on your schedule for "requested reviews'?  How do you make up that time?  So today I am giving myself a dead line to do what I need to do on the computer (I will check occasionally), then it will be off to my "reading chair" and try to catch up.  Happy Thursday Reading All !!!!

Wed

I thought I was done entering challenges for 2010 but this challenge is ongoing with the only criteria is to enjoy reading....which is what we all do so I am entering The Reagan Arthur Book Challenge.
                                               
It is being hosted by Bermudaonion (http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com) and Booking Mama (http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/   The following is on Bermudaonion's web site describing this challenge:
   "Have you heard about the great new imprint at Hachette Books? “Reagan Arthur Books is an imprint with a simple, single focus: great writing in the service of great stories.” When Julie of Booking Mama fame and I first heard about this imprint and some of its wonderful titles, we knew they were books we wanted to read. The more we talked about it, the more excited we got. Julie said someone should start a challenge, so we did! The Reagan Arthur Books Challenge is a perpetual challenge that is all about fun and enjoying good books, so you don’t have to commit to reading a certain number of titles. Since the imprint will be continually releasing books, there are no deadlines either. Just lots of fun with exciting giveaways and a few other surprises."
  I am currently reading Doors Open by Ian Rankin, which is on the list.  And see other books that I know I would be interested in.  If you think this might be a challenge you would like to enter, head on over to Bermudaonion or Booking Mama's websites.


Should Be Reading   http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/
What are you currently reading?
   Doors Open by Ian Rankin
What did you recently finish reading?
   Among Thieves by David Hosp
What do you think you’ll read next?
   Death of a Valentine by M.C. Beaton
                                              

Hosted by Bermudanonion's Weblog http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com
      ...strands of matted fiberglass hung in frozen drips, like toxic stalactites
   stalactites     a deposit of calcium carbonate (as calcite) resembling an icicle hanging from the roof or sides of a cave
   From Among Thieves by David Hosp
NEW MEME FOR THURSDAYS:
  I posted about this earlier this week, but for those who missed it, will explain now why I thought of it and the criteria.  I look forward to my daily memes(reason #1) and have at least 2 a day except for Thursday.  Also I am always looking for new book blogs..I read somewhere(not sure where...CRS syndrome) that "book blogs are popping up all over the internet"(reason #2).  I have decided, because of those 2 reasons, I will be hosting/particpating in "Thursday Treasures".  Now the criteria:
**Go to one of your book blogs you visit.
**Click on their blog roll/blog lists.
**Find 3-5 blogs that are new to you from that list.
**Visit those new blogs (optional but would be nice...award them with the "Thursday Treasure" icon and become a follower)
**Post on your site the name of the blog you initially visited and the 3 new sites you found.
**Leave a comment here with a link to your site(if you don't have a blog, list your finds here) so others may see the blogs you have found.
                                            
There will be 2 postings today...a book review will be listed later today.                                             

Hosted by Should Be Reading http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/
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!
My Teaser:
  "Up against that wall, all of you!  The visitors hesitated, thinking maybe some tasteless practical joke was being played.
    From Doors Open by Ian Rankin     page 170

Hosted By An Adventure In Reading   http://raidergirl3-anadventureinreading/
  I am traveling the world.  I just left Boston, MA and was helping Attorney Scott Finn locate his client's daughter, who was kidnapped.  Among Thieves by David Hosp (review later today) And I am now in Edinburgh, Scotland with Mike MacKenzie at an art exhibit.  Doors Open by Ian Rankin

  As most of you know, I am not computer savvy, so I am asking a question for those who have expertise and/or experience with FeedBurner.  I set everything up...at least I think so...approximately 2 weeks ago.  I know that some have signed up to receive my newsletter/post via email but there has been no delivery.  I was under the impression, once everything was checked off....time, style, etc etc....that it would be automatically sent.  Am I missing something?  Am I doing something wrong?  HELP !!!! (lol)  When I first understood a little about blogging, I would question those that didn't have a newsletter because I love my morning routine, which consists of my coffee and reading the newsletters....and I have to say because of those annoying emails I sent out....lol...some experienced bloggers started their own newsletter subscription.  And here I am not being able to get my postings out.  Would appreciate any help, suggestions, etc.  Thank you in advance.
MY JOURNEY  Update
  The surgeon's office called yesterday and as soon as I saw caller ID...good thing I had my reading glasses on.....to prepare myself for the next stage of this journey....the palpitations set in....I am thinking.. this is it...the journey is really starting!!  After stating who was calling...already knew.....the next question was..."You are definitely going to have this surgery...right", thats what you have decided because there is a lot of pre-op procedures that have to be booked and completed, OR needs to be booked (which she was booking after we hung up)....her question did not allay any feelings I was having at that point...matter of fact...it made the anxiety even worse....WTG booking secretary.  Good thing I had my steno pad close at hand...wrote a novella as to what has to be done.  And I thought...this is going to cut into my blogging time...lol...but will be able to read even more with all the pre-op appointments...EKG, lab work, physical and donating my own blood on a few visits.  One positive is that I will be starting the med Chantix later today after I see my PCP and getting a script...as I hang my head in admission and shame....I am a smoker......but after today that will change.  Oh yea...the item that caused the most palpitations...the dates of surgery...and the length of time I will be under anesthesia 2 days in a row....3-4 hours minimum each day....April 5th (Monday) and 6th (Tuesday)....geez....I am going to miss out on my daily memes that I look forward to......wonder if they will let me take my laptop into the OR to at least participate in my memes before they put me under...lol.   I am trying to find the positive and anything that I can find amusing in all of this to get me through.  But I am lucky and blessed as I have the support of family, friends, and even my new blogger friends...that is overwhelming and fills my heart.....all I can say is Thank you....  Oh, one more thing,  will send out an alert for breaking news...just like I get from CNN  lol.

Mon

Hosted by Just One More Page http://rebeccavoy.blogspot.com/
Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about a random book.
Go to your bookshelf and pick a random book. No cheating now, just reach out and pick one. Now tell us about it – where did you get it? Why? Was it a gift? Does it hold any special memories? Did someone recommend it to you? etc.
  I can't lie....I went to my semi-recent shelf of books to grab one due to "senior moments".   And I have to say I had forgotten that I had this one.  Its a good thing I didn't go to the shelf that has many older books because I wouldn't have remembered anything about it.  The one my hand went to was The Gate House by Nelson DeMille.  I won this a few months back from Vicki at ReadingAtTheBeach.com.  I know it was before the holidays because when it came in the mail I put it on the "recent shelf" and planned to read it for one of the 2010 challenges I had signed up for......Books Won Reading Challenge.  Since I started book blogging, I have tried to become a bit more organized with my books.  And as happened in the past, and know it will happen when I read this one, I think of the person behind the blog that I won it from.
                                              
                                              
 
Hosted by J.Kaye's Book Blog http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com
*Books Completed Last Week:
     Original Sin by Allison Brennan
*Books I Gave Up On:
     None
*Books I Am Currently Reading/Listening To:
     Among Thieves by David Hosp
*Books I Need To Write Reviews On:
     Caught Up
*Up Next:
     Doors Open by Ian Rankin
     Death of a Valentine by M.C. Beaton

Hosted by The Printed Page http://printedpage.us/
     A Note from an Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker (Pump Up Your Book)
                                                
      Starting Over by Andy Serwer (The Book Trib)
                                                            
   Planning on trying to start a new meme........
I am having so much fun with my daily memes, as you can see, on Mondays I joined 3 of them.  And on Fridays, 4 of them.  It is a great way to travel the blogasphere and find more great book blogs.  On Thursday I have only found one meme to enter that seems like fun.  This weekend I started thinking, which can be trouble at times (lol) but I remembered reading an article...don't remember where....that book blogs are popping up all over.  My blog roll is long but I enjoy reading about all of them either by email subscriptions or google reader and try to comment on at least 5 or more of them a day, if something catches my interest.  Which brings me to the point of this segment of my post.  My blog roll started by me stopping by a blog that I usually visit and then clicking on their blog roll and find more blogs, etc.  So what better way of finding more blogs, which I am always looking for.  I am going to be starting a meme for Thursdays.....called "Thursday's Treasures".  Where the criteria is to stop by a blog, find their blog roll and clicking on their list and find 3-5 new blogs that fit my interests.   I will then name the blog I visited and then the new blogs I have found.  By finding the new "treasure" blogs means a new list of blog rolls. I know that my list will grow even bigger but like "there is never too many books" the same goes for book blogs.  I also feel that this is paying it forward in finding new blogs.  Just a few months ago I had 2 followers and now the list is growing.  I will be working on this over the next few days and hope you join in.  If you feel that this sounds like another fun meme and want to join me, let me know and Welcome.                            

Sun

Once again...I am amazed and humbled.  I received another award, and again from an experienced blogger, which I am striving to become.  J.Kaye over a J.Kaye's Book Blog (http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/)  Thank you so much J.Kaye...it is greatly appreciated
                                                       
                                            
Hope everyone is having a great weekend !!!!!  This was going to be a very short posting.  I admit, this week I went into a reading slump...just couldn't concentrate with what was weighing on my mind.  I spent more time on the computer than I should have spent but it is what it is.  Now that the decision for surgery has been made (I do feel that one weight is off my shoulders), I plan on taking my own advice and spending today doing nothing more than Relaxing and Reading !!!!!!  I need to catch up.   Am off to my "reading chair".   Have a great Sunday !!!
                                              

Challenge Wrapups
  1.  Lisa Jackson Challenge   5/10
  2.  Awesome Author   0/3
  3.  RYOB   1/10
  4.  Romance Challenge   0/3
  5.  EBook Challenge   1/6
  6.  Reading From My Shelves   4/20
  7.  Suspense/Thriller   5/12
  8.  Books Won Reading   1/6
  9.  100+ Challenge   5/100
10.  FOMA   1/10
11.  A Buck A Book   5/100
I can't believe it is almost 3pm here in New England and I am just starting to post. I know I have decided that my weekends were going to be Relaxing and Reading. But today I seem to have one speed and it is reverse...going to try and at least go for neutral.


For those who have been following the blog segment that I started writing about as a cathartic means for me to cope with what I am physically facing, I made a decision yesterday.
MY JOURNEY
After processing all the pros and cons and discussing those with family and friends, the decision was made.  Ever since I looked at my x-rays, I knew, but on an emotional level didn't want to face.  I made the phone call yesterday to start the process of being prepared for surgery.  I will be getting more details this coming week but they told me that due to the doctor's surgical schedule and booking for the back to back surgery will probably not be until April.  There is also special criteria for the "2 day surgery" which I will also get details of.  So the decision has been made, the decision that I knew all along that was needed but frightened of.  When personal medical decisions of this proportion need to be made, being a nurse and having the knowledge, makes it so much harder.  So I am going to look on the bright side...that means a few more months of not being able to do much around the house and more time blogging and reading,  and now I know that there will be a light at the end of this painful tunnel.

Hope everyone has a great weekend !!!!!!!!!!!!!   And try to Relax and Read....it's fun !!!!!!

FRI #3 Another Award

OK...Did not expect that I would be posting again today but Beth at The Crazy Life of a Bookaholic Mom (http://bookaholicmom.blogspot.com) threw me a curve ball earlier today that I didn't see coming.  She commented in 2 segments of my posts.  One was for best wishes as I travel on my medical journey and then a 2nd comment to head over to "her place" to pick up an award.  I am AMAZED...2 awards in a week.....and this one entitled "Prolific Writer".  I was humbled when I saw who has received this award before me.....those experienced bloggers.....the ones I try to model and strive to be....I take this seriously....I won't let you down Beth.....and again Thank You for everything.
                                                           
And now the criteria:
Here are the rules for the award

1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers. Spread some love!
2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.
3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to This Post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award.
4. Every Prolific Blogger must visit this post and add his/her name in the Mr. Linky, so that we all can get to know the other winners. (hoping I can get Mr. Linky to work)

And according to the rules....the torch is being passed......ready?.......you sure?...........to: (in no particular order)
 1. Bermudaonion
 2. Shhh, Im reading
 3. Lesa's Book Critiques
 4. My Cozy BookNook
 5. Just One More Page
 6. Find Your Next Book Here
 7. Book Chick City
I have sent them an email and hoping they will enjoy their award as much as I have.

Fri #2

This is a day of fun filled Friday Memes and just found one more.  What a great way to spend Fridays (esp not being able to do much else if you read my 1st Friday post)  And today I am adding one more!!

Hosted by An Island Life http://islandlife808.com
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!
My question is:
  What did you want to be when you "grew up"  and did you choose that profession as an adult?
I would pretend I was a teacher and a doctor's secretary while sitting at my desk at home.  And as an adult I chose and went to school to become a licensed RN, which I miss working due to the back problems.

http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com
1. Wouldn't it be easy if we all had a robot maid like the one on the cartoon "The Jetsons".
2. My prayer will be that if I have surgery, life will be better than ever!
3. I love the taste of double chocolate ice cream with peanut butter and marshmallow toppings.
4. The tv is on and the dog is on the couch in the living room.
5. The first thing we're going to do is hopefully go on vacation to Aruba, after surgery recuperation.
6. Someone didn't fully turn off the faucet and all I hear is drip, drip, drip; and it is driveing me crazy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with hubby as we both have had a bad week and maybe even throwing in my comfort food, a sundae from Friendly's, tomorrow my plans include laundry, blogging, reading, relaxing and Sunday, I want to be a couch potato and read!
This is a new meme that I found via Vicki's blog ReadingAtTheBeach.com You can always find something great on her blog !!!!!  And her pictures are amazing.

Hosted by Storytime With Tonya and Friends   http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com
Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
Here's mine:
  The trick was keeping your sanity.  Prison was the safest place for him now.
From my current read Among Thieves by David Hosp

Hosted by Midday Escapades http://www.middayescapades.com/
Welcome to the third Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.
Here's how YOU can join the celebration:
* Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add to one blog linky.
* Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. We will follow you back.
* Follow as many blogs as you like
* Comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow
* Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow
 

Fri #1

First and more importantly, I want to thank those bloggy friends who have emailed me and asked what happened on Wednesday.  Bless you for your kindness !!!  I was planning on blogging about this  "personal journal" item that I created to help me travel down this road.  It is so overwhelming to me that my "new bloggy friends care so much" and are following this blog segment since it isn't "book" related.  Again...THANK YOU...there are no words to describe what and how your kindness and genuine caring means to me (so sorry...but am tearing up right now...been doing that a lot since Wednesday).  There will be 2 posts again today.  After I post about this very difficult decision that I am facing (worse than I thought), I will be doing what I enjoy most and that are the daily memes that I have joined and gives me the chance to find more great blogs and meet more nice people.  I will try to be as brief as I can with all the info I had to process.......so here goes:
MY JOURNEY
On Wednesday I traveled to Boston for a consult (I was lucky to be seen) as this doc sees patients from the entire U.S. and performs surgery on patients with complicated cases, which I fall under.  He is the 5th doc I have seen over the past few months (being a RN and knowing certain facts, I did not feel comfortable with what the previous 4 said).  I liked him from the minute he walked into the room, introduced himself, and said give me a sec to look at the films, which I have a library of and like my book, go everywhere with me.  However, the news went from good, bad, and absolutely terrifying.  After looking at all the films (CTscan, myelogram,x-rays). His next words were "the good news is I can help you" (thinking...so there is a possible light at the end of this tunnel but it wouldn't be for another 2-3 months...that's his surgical schedule).  His next sentence was "looking at you sitting here and then looking at these films, I would never believe the 2 go together.  You have very severe problems (ok....Oh God...its worse than I thought).  He then explained what needs to be done and stated a hospital stay of approx 5 days (thinking...5 days without reading my emails and blogging...my inbox will be overloaded and no blogging...oh no..wonder if I can bring my laptop....there are priorities in life lol) He also told me that if I didn't have surgery, my symptoms will be spiraling downward at a rapid rate due to what he sees on the films(ok..not good...can't imagine it getting any worse than it is now)  And then it hit me...what he just explained about what he would do if I chose surgery.  The 1st day he will be making a 5-6" abdominal incision to get at the front of my spine and injecting a protein gel that would create a false disc (for 5 levels) as there is no disc now, just bone on bone, vertebrae on vertebrae (forgot to ask the length of time I would be under anesthesia for this procedure..CRS moment), the next day...back on the OR table (did ask and was told at least 4 hrs and a large incision down my back due to where the damage is) removing the old hardware, try to remove some of the arthritis and scar tissue from last 3 operations, and placing a new rod and screws to the entire area of the lumbar spine.  So there it all is....a very big decision.  My brain is overloaded with all this but have put it in God's hands...he will help me decide what to do.  And once I know...you will know.....and again thank you for caring.......to be continued.........

ORIGINAL SIN

Original Sin by Allison Brennan (Rating--4.5)
Published by The Random House
ISBN 978-0-345-51167-6
At the request of The Book Trib, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
  Synopsis: Moira O'Donnell conceived, for the sole purpose to become a human sacrifice for the underworld, flees from her mother's grasp.  She finds refuge in the hills of Ireland learning the ways to stop this demonic state that her mother controls. She also learns and now knows the danger that mankind will experience if her mother isn't stopped  Moira spends seven years traveling the world to locate her mother.  There is only way to stop Fiona ODonnell, and that is murder.  Along her travels, she teams up with a demonologist and a trusting sheriff, in small town, USA.
  My Thoughts: I was very apprehensive when I first accepted this request as I have never read a book in the genre of paranormal. The author's imagination and writing style is nothing less than believable and at times I was questioning if there was some truth to this work of fiction. Add to that a fast paced action, mystery, love story and the war between good and evil. This was the first book that I had read of this author's but will not be my last.
  My Opinion and Rating: I gave this book a Level 4.5 rating. It took approximately 6 chapters for me to get involved with the characters and true basis of the story line. There was some disappointment with the ending. I am, however, aware that this is the first book in a series of seven deadly sins, and will hopefully have some of my questions answered in the next installment that I have already placed on my "to be read" list.

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

in exchange for my HONEST review.

No items that I receive

are ever sold...they are kept by me,

or given to family or friends.

THURS

There will be 2 postings today.  I will be posting a book review later today.  I have a lot to post about so need 2, maybe 3, installments.

My morning routine.  Boot up the laptop, grab my mug of coffee and read my newsletters/emails.  Sign into my blog, read my google reader and start commenting on sites that posted something that caught my attention.  Today, however, I woke with an unclear mind and dread as I am still trying to process all that was said at yesterday's orthopedic consult (more on that later).  And sorry to repeat but it is so true....my mantra that I live by is that “everything happens for a reason….and we don’t ask why…just know it is to be”.  Vicki over at Reading At The Beach (readingatthebeach.com) signed up for a 2010 challenge "365 Photo Project" where she posts a different picture every day.  The pictures that she is posting are phenomenal and I have been commenting almost every day because they are so beautiful.  Which is what I was going to do this morning.  So I head on over for a visit and before I got to her photo, I found another posting that FLOORED ME.  She has presented me with another award...and so fitting due to my mental state this morning.  She has been such a friend and mentor to me and then to receive another award is overwhelming.  The awad is the "HAPPY 101".  There is criteria that I will be posting on next.  But first....THANK YOU VICKI !!!!!  You are too kind !!!!!!
                                        
This is a two part award.
First I list ten things that make me happy and then pass this along to 10 blogs that make me happy.
What makes me happy:
1. My hubby
2. My 2 fantastic sons and their girlfriends, "my daughters".
3. All other members of our family
4. My friends
5. A great mystery
6. A large Friendly's 5 scoop sundae
7. The start of Spring and warm weather
8. Sitting by the pool and having "bonding reading time" with hubby
9. Vacations (which we are due)Cruise or Aruba
10.Book blogging and meeting so many awesome "new friends". 
So what blogs make me happy: (in no particular order)
1. J. Kayes Book Blog
2. Bookin' With Bingo
3. Xmas Dolly
4. Rundpinne
5. Bermudaonion
6. Book Reviews by Bobbie
7. My Cozy Booknook
8. Find Your Next Book Here
9. Bibliophile By The Sea
10. Lori's Reading Corner
I pass this on to you.  And thank you for having great blogs !!!!  I could only pick 10 but there are so many other blogs that make me happy.
I just decided.......today I am going to enjoy this award and make this my "Happy 101 Award" day and post about "My Medical Jouney" on a later post, which is probably better as there is so much to process.  My mantra, has done right by me again.  Thank you VICKI !!!!


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Today's question:
1. Do YOU like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings?
     My favorite genre is mystery/suspense so I love unexpected endings!!!  What I don't like are plots that are complicated and/or detailed espionage.  I lose interest with that type of book.
2. What book with a surprise ending is your favorite? Or your least favorite?
     I was given a book to read by my "Book Buddy" Jess, my son's gf because I had said that I had never read anything by Jodi Picoult.  She gave me My Sister's Keeper.  I have to say that this book, with its ending, I never saw coming.  This was definitely my favorite "surprise ending" read.  Highly recommend.