Slapdash Sunday Topic: Christmas

SUNDAY

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!
Today's Topic:  Christmas
I double checked the calendar twice the other day.  As I have said in the past, I always have the TV on, tuned in to one of the cable news channels, with the volume low, just in case of breaking news (habit I have had since 9/11)  Sorry...getting back to what I was saying.  I was on the computer, my back to the TV and I did a double take when I heard the music, think I even caused a mild whiplash that I turned around so fast.  And there on the TV, a Christmas commercial!!!  Knowing that I tend to suffer from senior moments, I checked the calendar, twice.  Thinking I may have missed something, as in time, but NO, there on my calendar it was October still!!!  So it got me thinking.........

Am I the only one that thinks it is a little too early for Christmas commercials, displays in stores, music on the radio?  We haven't even celebrated Halloween or Thanksgiving!!  However or for whatever reason you celebrate Christmas, do you think its too early to start with commercials?  Do you think it takes away from the real meaning?  Do you think it causes more stress on some people?  When do you think it should make its retail debut?

Would love to know your thoughts!!  Let's have a Slapdash Discussion!!

A Bit Of Me

SATURDAY

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 assignment: What are three adjectives which describe you?
Oh my...there are so many adjectives I can come up with and I can guarantee, my sons can come up with a lot more lol so I will not be asking them.  I did ask hubby and he mentioned one.  So I will be posting my 2 and his 1st word that came to mind.
From hubby...thank you!!!!

EMOTIONAL/PASSIONATE

I feel that these 2 words describe me best, they go hand in hand for my personality.

I am an emotional person all the time, but even more so right now due to some personal issues that I am presently dealing with.  I cry at the drop of a hat be it for something sad, a touching moment, a memory, something I see on TV, you name it.  But on the other side, I will defend people and things I believe in to the end and can have a temper if provoked when it comes to family and/or friends being hurt or disrespected.   I think these traits are part of my makeup because of situations I lived and witnessed growing up as a child.

COMPASSIONATE

This may go along with my hubby's adjective but I can easily empathize with others.   People have told me that I am a good listener and will confide in me knowing that I will never repeat anything that is said. Again, I think this comes from incidents that formed my personality while growing up.  It may also be why I chose the profession of nursing, which I sadly had to retire from due to my back problems.

O.K.  Your turn.  What adjectives describe you?

Aloha Friday (1 of 3)

FRIDAY

(check out yesterday's review)

Hosted by An Island Life

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!

Now that the weather is starting to get chilly........

My Question:

Favorite type soup?

My Answer:
Homemade chicken soup

2 Friday Blog Hops (2 of 3)

Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old

From Java's blog:
Are you a blogger over 40? Yeah, welcome to the club!
Please join in the fun and get to know your fellow bloggers!!

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:
"Where is your favorite place to read?  Curled up on the sofa, in bed, in the garden?"
My answer:
It depends on the time of year.  Now that it is getting cold, it would be in my recliner wrapped in an afghan in my new, but not completely finished, office/library.  During the summer it is sitting by or on a float in the pool.

Friday Fill-Ins (3 of 3)

http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/

So...here we go!

1. One of my strongest beliefs is my faith.
2. That's huge!
3. The sky is cloudy with a threat of rain and wind and cold, so the bones will be aching.
4. Sounds of my family laughing is comforting to me.
5. I always thought I'd be healthy.
6. I heard a noise and then I went outside to look at the full moon.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing with hubby, tomorrow my plans include computer to-dos, laundry and Sunday, I want to go visit my son!

Review "Love Always, Hobby and Jessie" by Sara Robinson

Love Always, Hobby and Jessie by Sara Robinson
Published by PathBinder Publishing, LLC
ISBN 978-0-9842496-0-2
At the request of the Author, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
   Synopsis (borrowed from back of book): Even the most difficult of marriages can survive a lifetime through commitment, acceptance, and work. In Love Always, Hobby and Jessie, the improbable bond that was the marriage of Hobby and Jessie Robinson showcases one example of a rocky marriage that eventually finds its footing.
  Defined by their heritage and their experiences, Hobby and Jessie met, merged,-and split many times as they unknowingly defined their unique relationship. The conditions implemented to keep peace forged an eventual lifelong truce and acceptance. Those outside of their marriage would have been puzzled by the solutions that Hobby and Jessie found. As unconventional as they were to each other, their attempts at brokering their special treaties mirrored their individual styles. Couples who settle on the edges of their relationship often find themselves at the very center of it.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I usually don't post my review of a book that I am currently hosting a giveaway of said book, just in case it is not a positive review and/or giving away spoilers. I am breaking my own rules in the case of this book only because of the giveaway, but, I will not include any spoilers. No matter your age, please enter this giveaway. If you are a baby boomer, memories of your childhood will be triggered and if you are younger, then you have an idea of your grandparents' lives. Sara Robinson invites the reader into her life and her parent's marriage, both the good and bad, funny and sad, and traditions long forgotten. For a debut author, Ms. Robinson has the unique ability to transport the reader back in time whereas this reader had everything else tuned out, triggers for my own personal memories, even sharing similar experiences and events of my childhood. The writing style so descriptive that when she writes about how certain smells trigger her memories, I found myself able to create and conjure up those scents. I found that the flow of her words allowed me to produce a mini home movie in my mind. This memoir is a quick read and contains many pictures of years past, that will resemble your own photo albums from years ago of your parents and/or grandparents. Well written and, for me, I couldn't wait to pick it back up and continue reading. Kudos Ms. Robinson!!!! I hope you have more books in the future.
  On a personal note, I am on the latter end of baby boomers and presently dealing with being the sole caretaker and responsible party for an aging parent, who was born around the same time as the author's parents, this book triggered so many memories and was a bittersweet read for me. The pictures resembled pictures I am now finding, some so similar it could have come from my families' photos. The way of life of that era that Ms. Robinson shared, could have been written about my relatives. Thank you for sharing Sara Robinson!!.

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 and/or friends.

Booking Through Thursday (1 of 2)

THURSDAY

http://btt2.wordpress.com

(fyi...I was a bit bored the other day and was cleaning out some files, arranging others and had this idea that I would make a new BTT image for today...what do you think?  As I learn new things about the computer, I tend to want to test it out and that's why I did this.

Today's Question:

Name a book (or books) from a country other than your own that you love. Or aren’t there any?

My Answer:

Not sure if my interpretation of the question is right but, this is the first answer that popped into my mind when reading it.  The only book that came to mind, and it's because of the original origins and that is the Bible.

Enquiring Minds (2 of 2)

Hosted by Lori from Dollycas's Thoughts

From Lori's site:
  It struck me recently how much time I spend on this computer every day, blogging, chatting or playing games on Facebook, emailing friends and relatives, making cards and calendars, etc. etc. etc.
  We depend on each other for book reviews, giveaways, encouragement, friendship, but how well do we really know each other?
  So that is what this meme is all about, getting to know each other.
  Each Thursday I will post 3 questions for you to answer that you can copy and post on your blog with your answers.
So here are the Week 8 Questions

1. Do you ever feel like no one is reading your blog?
        No because those that are reading them are also taking the time to comment, so I know some friends are visiting.  What amazes me, is that they are visiting lol.
2. Would this meme work better for you if it was offered on a different day?
        I like it on Thursday's because I only have one other meme that I participate in on Thursdays.
3. Do you think there are already too many similar memes out in the blogisphere and I should stop this one?
        There are many memes just like there are many blogs yet discovered.  I think it really is up to the host because it does take time.
Sorry extra question this week.
4. If I were to continue with Enquiring Minds do you have any advice or changes you would like to see.
        Not yet!! lol

Guest Author Samantha Bee (posting 1 of 2)

Today I am happy to introduce you to this very witty author, who is stopping by to tell us about her new book. So please help me welcome, Samantha Bee !!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

  SAMANTHA BEE joined the cast of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in 2003 and now holds the title Most Senior Correspondent, having systematically eliminated all those before her. She was born and raised in Toronto, and when she is not working, she enjoys walking her toddlers in circles around her tiny apartment and correcting spelling errors on menus. Samantha and her husband, fellow Daily Show correspondent Jason Jones, live in New York City with their two children.
  “ I was the living definition of the term indoor kid. I wasn’t technically allergic to the sun or to fresh air, but stepped outside infrequently and gingerly anyway, like a baby vampire learning to survive in the civilian world. I had the complexion of Powder and the muscle tone of a pile of flubber.” - Samantha Bee

  As the Most Senior Correspondent on The Daily Show, Samantha Bee has built a career out of coaxing people into caricaturing themselves. Now in her first book, I KNOW I AM, BUT WHAT ARE YOU? (Gallery Books; on-sale June 1, 2010; Hardcover; $25.00) Samantha turns the spotlight toward her own imperfect life as relentlessly as she skewers her hapless interview subjects.
  Critics have called her “sweet, adorable, and vicious.” But there is so much more to be said about Samantha Bee. For one, she’s Canadian. Whatever that means. And now, she opens up for the very first time about her checkered Canadian past. With charming candor, she admits to her Lennie from Of Mice and Men– style love of baby animals, her teenage crime spree as one half of a car-thieving couple (Bonnie and Clyde in Bermuda shorts and braces), and the fact that strangers seem compelled to show her their genitals. She also details her intriguing career history, which includes stints working in a frame store, at a penis clinic, and as a Japanese anime character in a touring children’s show – sounds like a great ride, eh?
  Samantha delves into all these topics and many more in this thoroughly hilarious, unabashedly frank collection of personal essays. Whether detailing the creepiness that ensues when strangers assume that your mom is your lesbian lover, or recalling her girlhood crush on Jesus (who looked like Kris Kristofferson and sang like Kenny Loggins), Samantha leaves no stone unturned. She shares her unique point of view on a variety of subjects as wide-ranging as her deep affinity for old people and her hatred of hot ham. It’s all here, in irresistible prose that will leave you in stitches and eager for more.

I will be posting my review within the coming weeks!

W.W.W. Wednesdays (2 of 2)

WEDNESDAY





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?

Review "Red Hook Road" by Ayelet Waldman

Red Hook Road Ayelet Waldman
Published by Doubleday
ISBN 978-0-385-51786-7
At the request of Doubleday, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed by book's jacket): Becca Copaken and John Tetherly are young and in love, and the future looks as bright as the day of their marriage. Becca's family is well-to-do and summers in Red Hook, Maine, where John's mother, Jane, runs a housecleaning service for clients like the Copakens. The only thing that binds the two families is the love the elated couple share but it's enough to bring them together for the occasion.
  Until the unthinkable happens: Becca and John's limousine collides with another vehicle mere minutes after the wedding, killing them instantly. Joy gives way to grief, and the rifts between Becca's mother, Iris and Jane grow, from the funeral arrangements to Iris's strong.-willed interest in the musical career of Jane's niece to a new romance that buds between the surviving children, Ruthie and Matt. Time's healing powers prove elusive for Iris and Jane: Iris' thirty-year marriage disintegrates, while Jane's bitterness threatens to ruin her relationship with Matt. Only when a powerful, blinding storm hits Red Hook do the families begin to see what really matters most.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Days before reading this book, we had attended a wedding, that was a beautiful and fun celebration, so parts of the story were easy to relate to. Thankfully there was a different outcome in the real life wedding. I was able to feel the emotions and gaiety of Becca and John's wedding day through the author's written words. And then the shock, disbelief, and despair when the news is announced to the family and friends, that are waiting for the newlyweds at the reception. From that point on, my thoughts of the book fluctuated. There was a lot of genealogy of the families', which I felt was important to understand the dynamics of the characters involved. But at times, and this is my opinion only, there was too much information that it became boring and took away from the story. The novel was a serious,somber and depressing read but at the same time the families' dynamics were so profound that I needed to continue reading. Not only were there difference in classes, as described in the synopsis, but also religions and beliefs of the families' that also divided them. Ms. Waldman's writing style and descriptive wording allowed me to feel the emotions that each character was feeling and how they dealt with their very individual way of grieving and how that grief affected their lives. This is not the type of book if you are looking for a fast paced or uplifting read, but a book to be read if you want a thought provoking and the need to understand family dynamics and individual differences. Filled with many life's metaphors.

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 and/or friends.

Teaser Tuesday (1 of 2)

TUESDAY

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!

At six o'clock in the morning on the second day after the accident, Jane unlocked the door to the Unitarian church and hesitated on the topmost step, steeling herself against what she knew awaited her inside.

page 67

Fall Into Reading 2010 Question #4 (2 of 2)

Hosted by Katrina from Callapidder Days

Today's Question:
Now for this week’s question…

Do you ever dog-ear the corners of book pages to mark your spot? Or are you a faithful bookmark user, refusing to damage the pages of your books? OR do you have another way to keep track of where you are in a book?
My Answer:
Bookmark!!!  Dog-ear never!!  However, I do have 2 sets of bookmarks, some for in the house reading and some for when reading in public.  The "house" bookmarks are random ones without anything special associated to them.  They are the ones that get used the most and it shows, so I don't feel bad when I have to discard them.  But then there are the special bookmarks that are only used when reading in public and would feel awful if they were damaged in any way.  Which happened with one of them but can not throw it away.  One of my favorite prayers is Footprints and I have a bookmark with that prayer.  My son's dog got at it and now it has teeth marks in it but there is no way I can throw it away.  I also have some that were given as gifts, those are very special to me.  Two of my favorite bookmarks were given to me, one from my book bloggy friend Julie from Reading Without Restraint, which is a bookmark with a picture and logo of her blog.  Great idea don't you think?  And the other,  which was given to me from another friend, is a 3D bookmark of roses.  Warning: can make you a little dizzy if you look at it from the wrong angle.  FYI: donations of bookmarks are accepted at this blog and greatly appreciated  LOL.

Musing Mondays (1 of 3)

MONDAY

 

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today's Question:
Do you prefer hardcovers, trade paperbacks (the bigger ones), or mass market paperbacks (the smaller ones)? Why?

My Response:
This is a difficult question and hard to answer concisely unless I leave it at "it depends".  I am ambivalent on all types of books.  HC:  I prefer holding and reading them while sitting in my reading spots (except for the pool), the way they look in my bookcases and think they are easier to handle when reading in bed but on the other hand, they are a nuisance to carry around, usually can't fit in pocketbook, take up a lot of room, in the summer won't read one while sitting on a float in the pool, would never think of dog earring a page and most importantly, the price.  PBs: (trade) like the look and size of the book, even though it is usually can't fit in purse for on the go but find it very hard to read in bed and don't like the price.  PBs: (mass market).  A little easier to shove in purse, will read while in the pool, and the price is a little bit better.  Don't like how they look in a bookcase after reading and find it harder to read while in bed.  Since I have an EReader will add the pros and cons.  Easy to transport, the price!!!!!!, accessing a book within seconds, easy to handle in any reading spot especially when reading in bed.  The only cons, I think at least with mine, is no backlight and because at the time I spend reading, I need to recharge the battery often.
With all the choices on types of books and including all the good and bad features, I would say that overall my favorite is my EReader.

Mailbox Monday (2 of 2)

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”

October's host is Avis from She Reads and Reads

The following were received over the past 2 weeks (due to "real life" I was unable to post last week.

                                                      10/05                                 10/11

                                 From Phenix & Phenix        EBook purchased by me

                                                    10/11                                     10/12

                                       From Doubleday                EBook from Author



Slapdash Sunday Topic: The Chilean Miners' Rescue

SUNDAY

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!

This week I think everyone either saw, heard of or read about the successful rescue of 33 Chilean miners.  I watched it in between blogging and reading, since my TV is on a cable news station at all times ever since 9/11.  And in this day and age of instant everything, the WORLD was watching this historic rescue.  Think about it.....a small community in Chile where 33 miners went to work one morning, like they do every day, ordinary people making a living, and then becoming a world wide news story and WATCHED by the WORLD, as they reemerged from the mine in real time (once again I may be dating myself).


The other night at supper, hubby and I had, what I thought to be, a thought provoking discussion.  So much so, that I thought I would ask the questions today.  He had been listening to Talk Radio on his drive home from work and the discussion was...

Do you think that the rescue was so successful because of divine intervention, technology or something else?

We then started discussing how these 33 ordinary men, who became WORLD known because they survived 69 days, that their personal lives also became WORLD known.  Should a line have been drawn between TV ratings and respect for these men?  Is that also part of the "instant gratification" syndrome.   Did the WORLD need to know the facts of their lives, that some had personal problems, their medical history, what their family consisted of, etc etc.  Think about it, one morning you wake up and start your daily routine, in your little corner of the world and then you are thrown into a traumatic situation, not knowing the outcome between life and death, and then the joy of knowing you will be saved, but then realizing that the WORLD knows everything about you and your life?

Should personal information of these 33 men have been broadcasted?
Can you even begin to imagine going through this trauma?
How do you think you would react if you were one of these courageous men?

Would love to hear your thoughts!!!  Lets have a Slapdash Discussion!!

A Bit Of Me (1 of 2)

SATURDAY

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:
Which song makes your toes tap?

Read more: http://www.theresabook.com/category/a-bit-of-meme/#ixzz12MCnQLjl
My Answer:

For me it's not one particular song, but many, by the same group.  My oldest son and his gf saw them in concert along with Chicago and said it was the BEST concert he had ever been to.  So when he found out that they were once again in concert near us, he knew what to get us as a Christmas gift.  And I must say, it was awesome.  The group is from "my days" and are as good today as they were then.  I am talking about Earth, Wind and Fire !!

Our son warned us to wear comfortable shoes, because even though we had good seats, we would be standing up a lot dancing along to the music.  They put on a phenomenal performance with such energy that you just couldn't stay seated.  Hubby and I had a great time!! (Ironically friends of ours' also had tickets).  We had booked a room at the casino where they were performing, went up early, ate dinner, attended the concert and then met our friends for a drink.  What a great time!! 

Tagged!!!

Bev from My Reader's Block has tagged me !!!!  Before I tell you the criteria I would like for you to know Bev.  She is an English major with a love for the classics.  Her reviews are written as well or better than those of professional journalists.  If you haven't visited, please do, tell her that I said hi and you might find that you will want to follow her postings.

Now for the rules of the game:
Accept the tag and link to the tagger at the beginning of your post.
Answer the questions honestly in your post by listing four things.
Pass on the love by picking four other people to tag and listing them at the bottom of your post. Notify them that you tagged them.

4 Things That Are In My Handbag:
~Before leaving the house, my current read
~wallet
~keys
~glasses

4 Favorite Things In My Bedroom:
~hubby
~brass bed, which was a wedding present from my grandmother
~now that it is getting chilly, our flannel sheets
~the book pile on my nightstand

4 Things On My Desk:
~Yankee candle (burning right now is Cinnamon Roll)
~laptop
~picture of my boys when they were younger
~stature from Italy of Patron Saint, Mary, Mystical Rose (in front of vase with 3 different color silk roses

4 Things I've Always Wanted To Do (but haven't yet):
~Vacation on Nantucket Island
~a 7 day Caribbean family vacation
~complete a Read-A-Thon with no interruptions
~become computer literate

4 Things I Enjoy Very Much At the Moment
~Spending time with hubby now that we are empty nesters
~Spending time with sons since they both now live out of state
~Reading
~Blogging


4 Songs I Can't Get Out Of My Head:
Luckily, I don't have any stuck in my head at the moment.

4 Things You Don't Know About Me:
~Can't sing but wish I could.
~Hubby's sister and I have the same exact name....first, middle last...gets confusing at times.
~Hate winter but love to get all comfy and cozy and read during a snow storm
~Besides books, I am also addicted to buying Yankee Candles every month.

4 Bloggers I am Tagging: (in no particular order)
Gina from Hott Books
Carol from Dizzy C's Little Book Blog
Darlyn from Darlyn & Books
Dolly from Xmas Dolly

Raise your hand if.....

.............you love to shop online?

That's what I thought...you can all put your hands down now.  And whats even better, is being able to go to one site and buy anything and everything.  From beautiful nightstands, rugs, luggage, 

fitness, baby items, even something for the family pets.  Not only is it a one site shopping, but has quality merchandise.   Where is this site?  It's the CSN.com Stores.  Available to you are the 200+ stores and over 1 million products to choose from!!!

I know!!   We purchased an Ergonomic Executive Desk Chair for me and will be ordering another one for hubby's computer area.  From our experience, ordering was simple, delivery was within days and assembly was easy and took very little time.  The holidays are right around the corner so this is the perfect time to check out CSN.com, and get some, or most, of your shopping done early.

DISCLAIMER

Review based on personal experience of

item purchased.  No monetary compensation exchanged.