Sunday Salon: Holiday Busyness

Good morning friends! I come to you from a unseasonably cold Florida, and it doesn't seem to be thinking about leaving any time soon. Although I'd like to complain, it is better than going into the holidays with 80 degree weather. I'll bundle up and like it!

This past week was beyond insane with busyness. Two book clubs, one to discuss "The Book Thief" and the other to discuss "Cane River". I snuck in a few mornings of walking and almost froze my nose off. I had my first meeting with the Adult Literacy League, planning for our big fund-raising event next spring. A thrilling meeting with my son's teachers to discuss how he can live up to his potential (!?). Our Barnes & Noble book fair, which KICKED ALL KINDS OF BUTT. Thanks to anyone who supported our effort! Visiting a friend in the hospital, and a nice variety of errands.

In the middle of all the running around like a nut, my iPod pooped out on me. I got a mysterious message when syncing (to pull in Sarah Vowell's Assassination Vacation!!) and everything on my iPod disappeared. Major freak out, day was ruined. I did finally get it back in working order, but in the meantime I had to borrow my mom's Walkman (yes they actually still do exist) to listen to the one audiobook I had on hand - "The Island" by Elin Hildenbrand.

Before the crisis, I did manage to finish the audio of "Ape House" by Sara Gruen, and I was really disappointed. I really don't know what she was thinking with that plot, but I just had to shake my head. If it hadn't been a book club read, I would have DNF'd it. I've also been working on Alice Sebold's "Lucky" in print to finish off a reading challenge. This is a biography of the author, and now I better understand how she could have written The Lovely Bones. That poor woman.

I am attempting to write my "Best Of" lists, to be published that last week of December. I am struggling to crank out all those posts, plus try to catch up on my reviews. And I'm also failing to keep up with all of the blogs. I really am sorry. I am trying but this time of year is getting the best of me. I've not abandoned you, I've just checked out for a little while, all alone in my little happy place!

So on Friday, in the mail, surprise surprise! I got a package from my secret santa in the Book Blogger Swap! I put it under the tree, but on Saturday morning I decided I couldn't wait and opened it. Here is what I received:

Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls, Matched by Ally Condie, and a bag of Ghiradelli chocolate! Yay! All received from Michelle of See Michelle Read! I'd never visited Michelle's blog, but now I have. It is exciting to find a new friend. Thank you Michelle!

So more busyness next week. Doctor's appointments, hair appointments, Christmas pageant, Christmas party for my golfing group, BUT the last week of school for the kids before a two week vacation. Then maybe perhaps I can get my act together. Ha!

I hope you all have a relaxing cozy Sunday. What are you all up to? I am hoping to wrap up the rest of my Xmas shopping, and maybe sneak in a little time for reading!