Sunday Salon: The Fantasy

 Let me share with you my latest fantasy.  (Don't worry, this isn't TMI.) The fantasy is that I lay burrowed in my bed, all day.  No shower.  No cleaning, cooking, shopping, acting as a psychiatrist, resolving disputes, arguing.  I'm mentally and physically drained!  I'm not sure that a day in bed would solve anything, but it sounds so good.  But that's not going to happen.  The best I can hope for is a quick afternoon nap.  I also have occasional fantasies about living in an apartment, too, by the way.

How are all the holiday festivities going for everyone?  I have probably 85% of my shopping done.  The things left to do are primarily gift cards, which I can do online.  I still have to sit down (probably today) and plan out various holiday meals and come up with a grocery list.

Next week is mid-term week for my daughter.  What this means (besides stress, foul attitudes, tears and emotional outbursts) is that there is no day next week with a clear schedule.  Tests are at 8:00 and 10:00, but not necessarily both times every day.  So basically this is an on-call week.  Plus we have my son's Christmas program (the SAME PROGRAM I've been watching for the last 12 years, Jesus give me strength), and another Confirmation class.   I'm definitely not feeling the spirit yet.  Maybe later.

We had a book club meeting this week, discussing "The Silent Wife".  This was one of those books that we all read ravenously, but hated all the characters.  We had a good discussion.  At January's meeting we will be discussing "The Rosie Project".  We will see who shows up...we have a lot of pregnant women coming due.

I saw in EW they had an online bracket game determining the best YA book ever.  The winner of course was Harry Potter.  But I was just as delighted with the runner ups...To Kill a Mockingbird, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.  That is a damned fine lineup, and I'm feeling pretty self-satisfied that I've read them all!

All the "Best of" lists are starting to appear everywhere, and it is so much fun.  It just makes me wish I could read faster.  Or maybe it just makes me wish I could read, period.  Anyway, even though I'm not officially blogging anymore, I will be doing my "Best of" lists this week.  On Monday, my favorite audios.  Tuesday will be my favorite Fiction reads, and Wednesday Young Adult.  I've been working hard!

But not reading unfortunately.  Still reading "Death of the Black-Haired Girl", and people, this is only a 280 page book.  My library due date is coming up soon.  I need to get cracking.  I HAVE been listening to audio this week though..."Police" by Jo Nesbo to be exact.  I need to take a moment and express my frustration with this man.  He freaking messed me up with "Ghost", then came back with this installment and is manipulating me some more.  I am nearly enraged.  I won't go into details, but you can't trust a thing he says, and he kills people I love.  Damn him.

Today my daughter and I will do a little kitten therapy at the animal shelter.  Beyond that, maybe we will see a movie.  Hobbit?  Out of the Furnace?  Dallas Buyers Club?  Such choices!  But first, a nap.

  

Sunday Salon: Holiday crud

Good morning friends!  I'm a little foggy this morning - an after-effect of a very busy week.  By all accounts, the week should not have been so crazy but it is holidays.  The holidays demand our exhaustion.

My daughter brought her crud up to the beach last week for Thanksgiving, and my son and I effectively caught it.  It was a particularly bad strain, to the point that even now, after a week, we are still feeling its effects.  My son actually only missed a full day of school, and otherwise I drugged him up and brought him in a little late so that he didn't get behind.  So I was feeling crappy, but there is so much to do!    

After some struggling and crud-induced emotion, I got all of our inside lights and tree up (the outside is my husband's job).  What is the deal with pre-lit trees and the strings of lights that last one season???  Gah!  I did some yard work, cleaned the house, and went golfing.  (I played like hell, but I figured fresh air would be good for me).  I took my daughter shopping at the mall FOR SIX HOURS on Saturday.  The mall was a mess and my nerves were shot, but she loves this tradition we have and I was happy to spend the time with her.

It is the season for all the good, potentially Oscar-worthy movies to come out.  So last Sunday my mom and I went to see "12 Years a Slave", and then we all piled into the car on Friday night to see "Captain Phillips".  Both excellent movies...well-acted and based on true stories.  I'm HOPING that we might get out to see The Book Thief today, but we will see how things roll.
Last night was my husband's annual holiday party.  Also known as "the event where my feet kill me, I talk and drink too much and don't eat enough".  After being at the mall all day, I totally did not feel like partying but I did my wifely duty and made my rounds and visited with everyone.

So as you can imagine, after all that, I'm averaging about 5 pages a day in my print reading.  I started "The Watch That Ends the Night" about the Titanic, but I couldn't get invested.  It really is good, I just need to read it at a time when I'm not so distracted.  So I started "Death of the Black-Haired Girl" by Robert  Stone that I got from the library.  My husband told me this is supposed to be THE book to read these days, according to some source.  Crazy good writing, but again, I can't get into anything.  It's that time of year.

On audio I finished "Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell.  I can't even begin to verbalize how much I love Rainbow Rowell.  I hope you know what it means when I tell you that she is right up there with Tana French and Mo Hayder, for a million different reasons obviously.  Girlfriend has some serious talent and makes the literary world a better place.  *sigh*  Now I'm fairly close to finishing the hilarious David Sedaris in "Let's Explore Diabetes in Owls".  He makes me laugh.  You can always count on him for that.

Today's agenda:  Shuttle my daughter to the shelter and back for her six hour volunteer day.  Run a few errands.  Encourage my husband to get his rear end to Costco and put up the outside lights.  Maybe see The Book Thief.  Flog kids to get their chores and homework done.  Plan dinners for the week.  Read for 10 minutes (heh heh).  Hope you all have a wonderful day filled with holiday stuff!  

  

Sunday Salon: Giving Thanks

 Good morning friends!  I'm a little late in posting this morning because we were having Internet issues.  I was all bug-eyed over this, and was accused of being obsessed.  Guilty as charged.

We just got back from the beach late yesterday afternoon, which gave me a sad.  But I do need to remember to be thankful we were able to go.  Time spent in St. George recharges me, and I know that we will go again.

Not that I cared, but the weather up there was DAMN COLD!  In the 30's at night, with a howling wind and some rain.  But we still managed to get our bike riding in, some shopping, and beach walking.  And reading of course.  We had a great time putting away oysters, shrimp, clams, crab, grouper, you name it.  Hours fresh.  We also prepared some yummy comfort food for Thanksgiving.  Here are some pictures I took when I wasn't being blown away.
  

I rarely touched my computer while I was at the beach.  I know I've said this a few times in the last month or so, but I feel liberated.  I don't feel any kind of commitment or pressure and it is nice!

As much relaxing as I've done in the last week, I didn't really set the world on fire with the reading.  It is hard to concentrate on much of that when you are surrounded with family, but Thanksgiving is all about family, so I'm OK with that.  I did finish Mo Hayder's "Pig Island" which was creepy and twisty, and deliciously ambiguous and open at the end.  She is really good at this leaving-the-reader-hanging thing, and I admire her for it.  I expect to pick up "The Watch That Ends the Night" by Allan Wolf today at some point.

On audio I also finished "The Cuckoo's Calling".  My opinion has not changed since last week.  Sort of a pedestrian, plodding mystery but the characters were excellently drawn and the audio performance was perfection.  I'm now a couple of discs into Rainbow Rowell's "Fangirl" (LOVE HER).

My parents are down now for the winter, so we will be doing stuff with them today.  My dad and husband want to go to the annual car show to touch all the pretty toys, and I think my  mom and I and maybe a kid are going to the movies.  Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving week, and I look forward to catching up with all of you and see what is going on. 

Sunday Salon: Happy Place

 I'm coming to you today from my happy place.  Most of you that come by here have been around long enough to have heard about this place before.  Sorry to be a broken record.  St. George Island is in the Florida Panhandle, just off the coast from Apalachicola (known as the Oyster Capital of the World).  The island is a laid-back place with no high rises...just a bunch of houses on stilts.  A few restaurants and shops.  And miles and miles of beach, dunes and sea oats.  Sorry no pictures today but Google it - it is gorgeous.  We've been coming up here for 13 years, mostly over the Thanksgiving week.

So my son and I got up here yesterday.  My parents will arrive today.  Unfortunately my daughter and husband have to stay back until Tuesday night because of sadistic teachers that give tests on Monday and Tuesday.

We promptly rented some bicycles, went for a long ride over the island, then bought some shrimp from the fisherman guy that sells out of his truck.  That is for lunch today.  It turned cold last night (it is 52 degrees right now).  But you know how much I bitch about the heat so this is awesome.

On the reading front I finished Mo Hayder's "Hanging Hill" on audio.  This was not one of her best books, but was still entertaining with a deliciously ambiguous ending that would make Tana French proud.  I'm now 3/4 of the way through "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) and I love it.  The mystery itself is kind of plodding but she creates such great characters, is such a colorful storyteller, I don't mind.  Plus I have to add that the narrator is incredible.  He will most definitely add a star to my rating for his performance.

In print I finished "The Sea of Tranquility" by Katja Millay based on the very high recommendation of Jill, and I was completely smitten.  She and I don't always see eye to eye on YA novels (I'm a cynical poop and generally fed up with teen angst), but the book swept me away.   A must read.  Now I'm about halfway through Mo Hayder's standalone novel "Pig Island".  It is insane.  This is why I love her.  It is also my last Mo Hayder by the way, until she adds on to her Jack Caffrey series.  With all the books I want to read, I think it definitely says something when I become so besotted with an author that I plow through everything she has written in less than six months.

I've been meaning to mention that our C.B. James (Ready When You Are C.B.) is once again hosting the Triple Dog Dare starting January 1st and lasting through the end of March.  Yes it is a challenge but one that I would never miss.  You just have to read from your shelves.  Sounds simple but its not.  I always go on a Kindle-buying binge on December 31st, then rarely end up even reading those books.  But it's good fun and I have to support James always because he was my very first follower five years ago when I started blogging!

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family and yummy food.  What plans does everyone have?  Have you started your shopping?  I promise I'll take pictures and see you back here next Sunday!

Sunday Salon: The Apple

 Good morning!  I'm sliding my post in here with a fuzzy head and blurry eyes.  My son and I just flew back into town last night from our field trip to New York City, and our butts are dragging.  They ran us like crazy rats, from morning until night, but we crammed a lot of activity into three days.  We saw the 9/11 memorial, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Empire State Building observation deck at night, the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular (wow), the Broadway show "Newsies", Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.  The kids were also taken on a study tour of the United Nations and Wall Street.  Whew!  Our weather was gorgeous, at least for New York...clear skies and in the 50's.  It was a little bittersweet because this will be the last big field trip for this school, as he heads out to high school next year.

So now we focus on Thanksgiving!  We will be leaving our kitties in the hands of our house-sitter on Saturday and heading up to St. George Island for a week.  I will definitely include some pictures next Sunday.  Turkey on the beach is an amazing thing.

I can't even remember what else I did this week.  Who knows. I read the GN "V for Vendetta" and really enjoyed it.  It wasn't easy reading, as most graphic novels are.  It was complicated and chaotic, but I loved it.  Now my son and I want to watch the movie.  I then started "The Sea of Tranquility" by Katja Millay on the Kindle, which was a MUST READ recommendation from Rhapsody Jill.  I have no choice in these matters, but in this case it was warranted.  I'm about halfway through, and it is soooo good.

On audio I'm still listening to Mo Hayder's "Hanging Hill" (no listening time in NYC).  I should wrap that up in the next day or so.  It is good stuff...all her books are.  But it isn't quite as mind-blowing to me as the Jack Caffrey series.  I'm excited to see how she wraps this one up.

I think today is probably just going to be spent getting my act together for next week.  We're off to church in a minute, then my son has an end-of-the-season football thing and my daughter has to be shuttled to the animal shelter.  I have to think about groceries and a dirty house.  Hope you all have a relaxed Sunday!  

Sunday Salon: (Semi) Easy Street

Good morning friends!  As I sat pondering my past week, I decided that for the most part, it was relatively easy compared to the norm.  We were in our last week of cross country practice (and most of that was moot because my daughter was out sick for a few days).  No sports for the boy.  Kids had Monday off (aka "Doctor Appointment Day").  Husband was in town.  I actually felt like I a had a grip.  So much that I actually got my Christmas cards done, the Christmas letter done, and my Shutterfly calendars made for family gifts.  Bam!

Offsetting the glow of easy street were three horrid workouts from Andre...I think he was trying to kill me, because for the first time in a long time, I could barely move.  Also we had our annual, obligatory conference with my son's teachers.  I wasn't surprised.  We have had these things since he was in 2nd or 3rd grade...the by-product of having a spirited, too-smart-for-his-own-good child.  I hate these meetings.  I always feel like I'm going to throw up.  But it is done and all is well.

It seems I am addicted to a game called "Cubis".  Just be warned.  I've almost finished it though, with only one level left that I haven't gotten a three-star rating.  Damn these games.  They plague me.

Later next week, my son and I leave for a short, whirlwind school field trip to New York City.  In the past we have gone to DC and surrounding attractions, Philadelphia, and Boston.  These are great trips but they are exhausting.  They pack in a huge amount of activities, and this time around we will see St. Patricks Cathedral, Empire State Building, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Statue of Liberty, United Nations, and see "Newsies" on Broadway.  And maybe more I'm not remembering.

I had some good reading this week.  I finished "Benediction" on audio and really liked it.  It didn't blow me away, but it was solid writing, had solid themes, and was packed a powerful punch.  I also listened to Joshilyn Jackson's novella that is a prequel to her upcoming new book called "My Own Miraculous".  She is just so talented.  She makes my heart happy.  I am now about halfway through one of Mo Hayder's standalone novels called "Hanging Hill".  It is good, but so far not as in-my-face as her series.  Will see how it wraps up.

In print I finished "The Shining Girls" which originally got a huge amount of hype when it came out.  Again, didn't blow my mind but I really liked it, not only for the fun of time traveling serial murderation, but for the historic Chicago references.  Now, at the behest of my son, I am reading the "V for Vendetta" graphic novel, soon to be followed up with the movie.  My son has really been digging GNs as fast as he can.  I cackle maniacally at all the fun I'm going to have shopping for him for Christmas THIS year.  Woo hoo!

On the agenda today is church, shuttling the daughter to and from school to work an Open House event (community service hours!), maybe a restored car show, maybe a movie (12 Years a Slave).  Reading?  Probably not.       

Sunday Salon: Transitions

 Hey, here we are, another Sunday in front of us.  We are falling back with our time, which is never a bad thing.  This was the first week when my son had NOTHING GOING ON (except homework) and it was wonderful.  My daughter on the other hand is still running Cross Country.  Her team placed in the top five teams for Regionals this weekend, which means they are going to States.  Which means another week of practices, and a trip to Tallahassee in the near future.  Once everyone is free and clear of extracurriculars, I think we may be visiting the Angel of Death, Andre, in the evenings for some "enjoyable, voluntary" workouts.  But that is at least a week away.

My husband was back in town, which was a nice change.  Hey, I'm happy to make dinner in exchange for another set of wheels to get the kids where they need to go.  And someone to make me a concoction when I have a bad day.

So, I didn't say much about it at the time but I wrote my last bloggy book review this past week.  From here on out, it is my plan to write informal bookish thoughts on Goodreads (which get pulled into Facebook).  I hope this works out but so far is giving me the freedom to spend the time I need with my family.  I love blogging, but requires a huge amount of time for NO money and little benefit.  I fully intend to visit blogs and stay in touch with those I love.  I'm just hoping this gives me the balance I've been looking for.

One horrible thing that happened this week was that a woman who was messing with her cell phone inadvertently swerved across a country road, and t-boned my father in his truck. Although both cars were totaled, everyone walked away, which was a miracle.  But it just reinforces how freaking INSANE IT IS TO DRIVE WHILE DISTRACTED BY A CELLPHONE.  Put it away people.  And if someone is trying to get in touch, pull over.  A blogger friend (who is no longer blogging today) lost her granddaughter in an automobile accident caused by a texter.  This is really serious stuff.  If this woman, her little boy, and my dad hadn't been in big safe vehicles, someone would have died.  So.

On the reading front, I finished "The Woman Upstairs" by Claire Massud on audio.  And I did not like it.  It had a jarring little ending, but I hated the protagonist and felt like she got what she deserved.  I shant be reading any more of her novels, thank you.  I now am about halfway through Kent Haruf's "Benediction" which is quiet but powerful stuff.

In print, I finished "Eleanor and Park" on the Kindle, and I AM IN LOVE WITH RAINBOW ROWELL.  What a perfect book.  So much that it is hard to move on.  Seriously, if you have not read any of her books, you need to.  I am now about halfway through "The Shining Girls" by Lauren Beukes, a story about a time-traveling serial killer (YES!) that is really provocative.  I recently have received a Mo Hayder stand-alone novel in print and a whole mess of audios, all from the library, so I am really excited about the short-term reading future!

I have no idea what we are going to do today besides church.  My daughter has to work at the animal shelter from 9 to 3, so I will have to attend to that.  There is a Renaissance Festival going on, as well as some great movies out, but the boy has got the crud this weekend so we will see.  The great news is that neither of the kids has school on Monday, so we will be getting an extra day off.

Hope you are all having a wonderful, restful Sunday!