Saturday, October 15, 2016

Sunday Post: An Afternoon at Hogwarts

I had one of those weeks. On a particularly bad day, my husband texted me to ask if I needed anything from the store, and I replied, "A big bottle of wine." Which, says something since I do not drink alcohol. The evening continued to be a bad one. Mouse was in a mood, which did nothing to help mine. Then my husband came home and handed me the bottle--and it made everything better. Nothing cures a bad day like Martinelli's Sparkling Cider. 


New to My Shelves:

My October My Lit Box arrived in the mail late last week. It's another good one!


The Story of a Brief Marriage by Anuk Arudpragasam
and
QA A Day 5 Year Journal


What I Am Reading: I have barely cracked open my book all week (or last week for that matter), but I swear it wasn't the book's fault. I finally was able to finish Amy Stewart's Lady Cop Makes Trouble inside the mall of all places. I talked my husband and daughter into leaving me on a bench outside the Jump 'n Jammin play area while they went inside for some fun, where I could watch the bags (I swear my daughter goes through shoes and pants like there is no tomorrow--she really wears them out!) and read. This Sunday I plan to start A Dark and Stormy Murder by Julia Buckley, my October TBR List Poll winner.


What I Am Listening To: The week before last, I listened to Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates, narrated by Johanna Parker. It was the perfect selection for this time of year--light and funny, mixed with murder and magic in Savannah, Georgia.  I took a darker turn this past week and am now listening to a thriller, Tim Johnston's Descent, narrated by Xe Sands and R.C. Bray.


What's Going On Off the Blog: Work has been crazy busy. Some major changes came down last week that were quite unexpected, even for those directly involved. More changes are coming, but that's the name of the game. Nothing is ever static for long in my agency.

My absentee ballot came in the mail this past week. My husband and I are planning to sit down and vote. By the time you are reading this, maybe we already have. Now if only the political calls and ads would stop . . .


Mouse and I attended her school's Fall Festival the Friday before last. She had a blast. We ran into several of her school friends, which made her evening. We enjoyed games, snow cones, balloon animals, and arts and crafts.

My brother and his wife were visiting last week, and we had a nice time together. They recently suffered a big loss and this trip was much needed. They were able to see one of Mouse's soccer games and we spent an afternoon at Universal Studios in Hollywood. The park has grown so much since we were last there, some twenty years ago. We barely touched the surface of it. One thing we did make sure to do, however, was visit Hogsmeade. What fun! We had a wonderful time. Mouse even got to meet students from the Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. The Butterbeer was quite tasty. My brother and his wife each had two!


 Where are we headed next?

 Beauxbatons Academy of Magic Performers

 Durmstrang Institute Performers

Hogwarts Express 


 Hogwarts

 The Sorting Hat

Inside the Halls and Stairways of Hogwarts


The Past Two Weeks In Reading Mews:

Around the Blogosphere:

What are you up to this weekend? Are you reading anything you would recommend? 

I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!



The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. 


© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

70 comments:

  1. It sounds as if you've had some lovely family time recently and how nice you were able to do things with your brother and his wife given their recent loss.

    I had to laugh at your comment re alcohol. So does the cider have alcohol? Did you become incredibly drunk from just one glass?

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    1. Deborah - It is always nice to spend time with my brother and sister-in-law. We don't see each other very often, I'm afraid.

      The cider does not have any alcohol in it, actually. So, no getting drunk for me. Haha

      Thank you for visiting, Deborah!

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  2. Aww, I'm sorry you had such a bad day :-/ But the school festival and the trip to Universal sound like they were fun! I went to the Harry Potter thing at Universal in Orlando once, but that was over 5 years ago. It was so cool though seeing everything brought to life like that.

    My absentee ballot came too. I think if ever there were a time when every vote counted... I'll probably be filling mine out tomorrow :-) Have a great week!

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    1. Kristen - Those of us on the West Coast are excited to finally have the Harry Potter world on our side of the country. :-) It was fun seeing everything come to life like that, I agree.

      I'm with you. This is such an important election to vote in. I'm ready for it to be over--if only it were that simple. I hope you have a great week too, Kristen!

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  3. Ha ha there are just some days when wine is required. Or at least helpful. :) Nice pic with the kitty by the way. A Dark and Stormy Murder sounds great, hope it's a good one. :)

    Looks like a fun time at Universal! I've never been to a Universal but one of these days... didn't make it there my last time in Florida as other parks took up all the time.

    Hope you have avery nice week!

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    1. Greg - So far I am enjoying A Dark and Stormy Murder. It's overcast with a little rain today and it seems the perfect weather to spend reading. Alas, work must come first.

      There wasn't quite so much at Universal Studios Hollywood last time we were there. They are trying to compete with Disneyland in Anaheim, I think. I would love to visit both Disney and Universal on Florida someday.

      Thanks for visiting, Greg! I hope you have a nice week too!

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  4. Awe, your hubby is a sweetie. I hope things have been better. Ah lovely change at work..grr, but you are right it happens on the daily. I work for myself, and even I need to adapt to change. Hope your week is amazing!

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    1. Kim - He is pretty great. :-) I had a nice weekend and am hoping this week will be better. It's still too early to tell yet . . . I think change is inevitable no matter what. All we can do is hold on for the ride and adapt where we need to.

      I hope you have a great week too, Kim!

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  5. Wow, the Lit Box looks pretty interesting! Hopefully the changes at your agency are for good, not for the worse!

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    1. Eustacia - Doesn't it? I thought so too! I'm always so excited to get that particular lit box. I have not been disappointed yet.

      I hope you are right about the changes. I'm trying to remain optimistic. :-)

      Thanks for visiting, Eustacia!

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  6. I have always wanted to go to Universal now that they have all the HP stuff!! I haven't been there in YEARS!

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    1. Samantha - My husband wanted to go to the park as soon as the Harry Potter exhibit/world opened, but I argued against it because of the crowds. It worked out well for the time we went. It got crowded very fast though as the day progressed.

      Thanks for stopping by, Samantha!

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  7. Aww sorry to hear that you had such a bad day, but yay for having such a sweet husband to come to the rescue with some sparkling cider. I love all of your Hogwarts pictures! My husband and I went a couple years ago and I already can't wait to go back. It was so much fun. I hope this week goes better for you!

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    1. Julie - Thank you. That was very nice of him. He knows how to put a smile on my face. :-) I've heard the Harry Potter world in Florida is even bigger and better. Someday I'll make it to that one.

      Thanks for visiting!

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  8. What a sweet husband! Your time with your family sounds wonderful. We're not getting political calls and ads - no one worries about South Carolina once our primaries are over.

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    1. Kathy - There are a number of propositions on our ballot this year and so most of the ads and calls coming in are about those. I haven't really seen any ads for presidential candidates--but California is known for being a blue state, so the candidates don't bother with us too much.

      Thanks for visiting, Kathy!

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  9. How awesome of your husband! Sorry your wasn't very good, I hope this week is better!
    I really need to get to the Wizarding World, I haven't gone yet. Next trip to florida that is on my list, I really want to get a wand! :)

    Have a great week, Wendy! Happy Reading! ox

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    1. Michelle - That was very nice of him to do. :-) I am hoping this week is better too. We have a Girl Scout's Meeting tonight, so I'm hoping my daughter is able to get most of her work done at the after school program today. We'll seel.

      I wanted to get a wand, but I ended up getting a T-shirt that says "9 3/4th" on it instead. :-) Next time . . .

      I hope you have a great week too, Michelle!

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  10. Glad your husband was able to make your day better! I have long wanted one of those Q&A journals. I think it would be fun!

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    1. Kelly - I am debating whether I want to start the Q&A book now or wait until the beginning of the new year. I did peek at the first question and will need to think on it awhile . . . So not yet, obviously. :-)

      Thanks for visiting, Kelly!

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  11. I haven't had sparkling apple cider in a long time. Looks like you had fun with your family. I wish all the political stuff would stop too. Happy reading and Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Shandy Jo - I'm not one for hot cider, but I do enjoy apple cider when it's chilled. :-) We had a nice visit. We only see each other about once a year, but we get along well. I was thinking now would be a good time to take a break from Facebook given the political posts are getting worse. I block or mute a lot, but it seems like that's all there is these days. At least mostly. :-(

      I hope you have a great week too, Shandy Jo!

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  12. Looks like you had a fantastic time at Hogwarts and Hogsmeade!

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    1. Darren - We had a blast! I hope we can go again. There's still so much to see! Thanks for visiting, Darren.

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  13. Sorry you had a rough week, but yay for family, husbands that bring home sparkling cider, and Harry Potter! I hope all that positive outweighed the tough :) Thanks for the shout out! Have a great week!

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    1. Berls - Harry Potter and sparkling cider and considerate husband's can make any week better. :-) I hope you have a great week too!

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  14. Too bad about the bad week! We've all had them but it doesn't make it any easier... best wishes for the days ahead. I really want to get to Harry Potter World at Universal! We put off because we knew it would be overcrowded in the beginning and now we don't have the extra income for the handful of tickets. But maybe in a few months :)

    I read and really enjoyed A Dark and Stormy Murder (and chose that for you). I hope you like it as much as I did. It's nothing earth-shattering, just a pleasant way to pass the time and having a mystery author angle in a mystery is a fun idea.

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    1. Rita - Bad weeks come and go. Hopefully this one is better. So far it's been mixed. At least the weekend was good.

      We probably would have put off going to Universal a little bit longer had it not been for my brother and his wife really wanting to go while they were visiting. I'm glad we went--although I feel like they got short shafted money wise. The park closed early the day we went because of some Halloween even they were having. And we got there late because Mouse had a soccer game earlier in the day. My husband decided though to get the three of us at least the season passes that are good through June, I think. I guess the Southern California passes weren't too much higher per person than the one day tickets. So, we'll probably be going again before the year is out.

      I'm really enjoying A Dark and Stormy Murder so far. It was a good choice. :-)

      Thanks for visiting, Rita!

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  15. Sorry it's been a grotty week:(. It looks like you had an amazing time at Hogsmeade, though - what fun! Hope the changes at work aren't too disrupting and that this coming week is less lumpy. Take care.

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    1. Sarah - Maybe I had too much fun at Hogsmeade and that's why the rest of the week went south. Haha Hopefully this week will be better. Thanks for visiting, Sarah!

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  16. Sounds like a rough day but I do love a good sparkling cider! What a fun visit to Universal. We went to the one in Orlando years and years ago and I really want to go back as I know there's tons of changes - especially in Hogwarts. Love the box! Those Q&A journals have been tempting me and I'm all about getting fun things in the mail! Have a great week - I hope it's calmer.

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    1. Katherine - I love getting fun stuff in the mail too. Unfortunately it usually costs me money to get it. Haha! I hope you had a good week and enjoy the weekend.

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  17. Sometimes all it takes is a thoughtful person's actions (like your hubby's) to make a bad day better.

    I love your photos of the family fun...enjoy the new week, and I will be glad when the election ads (and in-fighting) are over, too.

    I'm curious about A Dark and Stormy Night. Enjoy you new books!

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. Laurel-Rain - Yes, he certainly made my day better. :-) I'm glad the weekend has come around again. What a busy week it's been. I hope you had a great week and enjoy the weekend!

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  18. At least there were some bright spots to offset the negatives. I'd love a visit to Hogsmeade! I'd even take a child with me. :)

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    1. Jenclair - Yes, the week wasn't a total loss. I think my sister-in-law would have liked to explore the shops in Hogsmeade more, but with a five year old present, it was a bit rushed. It was fun though. :-)

      Thanks for visiting, Jenclair!

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  19. Your Hogwarts visit sounds terrific! I'd love to go someday. And good for your husband for bringing home the sparkling cider -- a perfect pick-me-up for the time of year. I'm sorry you've been having such a rough week, though. I hope the coming week goes better for you. Cheers, and enjoy your books!

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    1. Lark - It was such fun. :-) I hope you are able to go someday too. This week was a little better, but had some major bumps. It's the weekend though and I hope to put this week and the week before it behind me. Have a great weekend!

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  20. Yay! Glad you had a great time at Universal Studios!!!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Catch you over @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and check out my new book meme Book Photo Sundays!

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    1. Ronyell - We had a great time! I look forward to going again.

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  21. Sorry to hear that you had a bad week at work but, what a sweet husband for trying to brighten your day. Hope this week is better for all of you.

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    1. Diane - I have a great husband. :-) Take care, Diane! Thanks for visiting.

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  22. I have never been in the least bit interested in visiting the Disney theme parks, or any others. But Hogsmeade...if I'm ever in Florida, I'm making that happen!

    I like how your orange kitty joined the fall photo op!

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    1. Wendy - We're hoping Diagon Alley will make its way to California one of these days. I've never been to Florida. I have heard the theme parks there put ours in California to shame.

      Parker can't stay away when I'm trying to take a photo. Haha

      Thanks for visiting, Wendy!

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  23. What an awful week. I don't drink either, for a number of reasons, but there are some days that make me want to eat all the French fries. That's my alcohol equivalent. I hope things get better at work as these changes roll out. Your husband is so sweet and knows you so well!

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    1. Charlie - My husband would probably agree with you about French fries. Ice cream is my alcohol equivalent and I'm supposed to cut back on that. LOL

      Thanks for visiting, Charlie!

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  24. I don't drink either, so I can relate to your big bottle of sparkling cider. ;) Universal looked like fun, but I hope next week is better for you- at least you're going to have your voting done! I am waiting until November to cast my ballot, even though my mind is set. We don't have many ads here, but the news is enough politicking to warrant stress eating on my part.
    ~Litha Nelle

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    1. Litha - I've been avoiding the news like the plague. Just one more week to go . . . Of course, the problems won't really end there, unfortunately.

      I hope you have a good week!

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  25. Oh that sparkling cider is good! I don't drink very often at all and I know when I want a glass of wine it must have been a crazy week. Hope work and everything else is a bit more calm this week for you. Glad you guys had a good time with your family!

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    1. Iliana - Yeah, for me to want wine is a sign it must be bad. Haha. I'm looking forward to the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday if for nothing else than I get a week off from work.

      Thanks for visiting, Iliana!

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  26. OMG, OMG. OMG!!!! You guys went to the Harry Potter World at Universal Studios?! You LUCKY people!!! There's one here in Orlando, Florida, too, but I haven't gone there yet....BOO-HOO.... I hope to be able to do so before this year is out. Hope I can convince hubby to drive us up there. We would have to make several rest stops along the way, though, as such a long drive would strain his back...and I haven't been driving for several years now...

    LOVE all the pics you took! And Mouse looks SO cute as she pores over that map!

    Oops, my phone battery is dying out (I'm writing this on my Android, and do not have my charger with me, as I'm not at home), so I will have to come back later to comment further!

    Thanks for all the sharing!! Hugs!! <3. : )

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    1. Maria - If it hadn't been for my brother and his wife, we likely would have put off going awhile longer. Mouse is still too small to go on the main ride through Hogwarts, unfortunately. We did get to do a walk through though, and that was fun. We'll likely be going back again in the near future. They had a Southern California deal on season passes that was just a bit over a one day pass, so we went for that deal. We just have to find a good time to go again.

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  27. Hope this week will be better, Wendy. That trip to Universal Studios sounds like so much fun! I know I want to visit there one day.

    Hope you enjoy A Dark and Stormy Murder and I look forward to your review.

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    1. Melody - Thank you. The month went out on a better note, although stresses are still high. A Dark and stormy Murder was really good! I should be posting my review soon. :-)

      Thanks for visiting, Melody!

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  28. Okay, I'm back home now, and sitting at my laptop, so no problem with the charging! Lol. On to the rest of your Sunday post!

    Sorry to hear you had a bad week, but I'm happy that Martinelli's Sparkling Cider made things better! I'll have to look that one up at our local supermarket. Never heard of it before. I drink the occasional Merlot. LOVE the picture, by the way, especially with the cat staring into the camera. Is that your girl? If so, I think she knows how PRETTY she is! Lol.

    I see that "A Dark and Stormy Murder" won out for your TBR read. Well, any of those selections would have been perfect, I think. I just couldn't select one.

    I need to find out more about "Brownies and Broomsticks". It does sound like the PERFECT read for the season!

    In regards to voting, I've been getting messages from UTD, the teachers' union here in Miami, to register to vote by mail. But I'm not at all enthused about voting, this time around....I don't like either of the two presidential candidates. Recently, I heard about an Independent candidate named Evan McMullin. Have you heard of him? I don't know anything about him. But third-party candidates rarely, if ever win. So I might only vote for those seeking Senate and House seats, plus local amendments, etc. Our voting place is less than a block away, in one of the condo complex buildings, so it's no hassle getting there.

    How nice that you guys attended the Fall Festival at Mouse's school, and that she had such a GREAT time!! And it's also wonderful that your brother and his wife were able to see her soccer game! I'm so sorry for their loss, too....

    How AWESOME that you all got to go to HOGWARTS!!! I can't wait to visit Hogsmeade myself, at the Orlando park!!

    I'm really glad your week ended on a VERY positive note, Wendy! I also hope that the week ahead will be a really GOOD one for you and your family!!

    Thanks for sharing all of your "mews"!! HUGS!!!! <3 :)


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    1. Maria - Usually we save Martinelli's Sparking Cider for New Year's as a champagne substitute. That way my daughter can enjoy a glass too. :-)

      The cat in my photo is my senior cat, Parker. He loves photo bombing my photos. Haha

      I haven't voted in person in many years now. I became a permanent absentee ballot voter when I was living in an area that required mail in ballots. There just weren't enough registered voters to justify having a polling place in the neighborhood. It works for us. We can take our time studying the ballot issues and vote at our leisure. The Registrar's office is near by work and so dropping off our ballots is easy too, if we don't want to mail them in. I'm just glad to have the voting behind me. It wasn't too difficult a decision for me, who to vote for. I struggled more on some of the propositions.

      The Fall Festival was a lot of fun. And we enjoyed going to see the Wizarding World at Universal Studios in Hollywood.

      Thanks for visiting, Maria! I hope you have a great week.

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  29. You've been a busy, busy lady. I admire that you CAN read and still stay so connected with life. This week I was getting ready for and hosting (yesterday) our own little reading marathon and culmination party. Also this was the week to collect and grade mid-term papers ( I never have planned my due dates and other activities well!) which were very disappointing. So disappointing, in fact, that my plans for the second half of the semester have changed to include lots of re-teaching. Boooo. Oh well, life goes on, and I have some good "escape reads" that should get me through.

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    1. Rae - I hope your reading marathon and culmination party was a success! Better than those mid-terms, at the very least. That must have been frustrating.

      My reading and blogging has fallen by the wayside recently. Too much other stuff getting in the way. It's always a juggle to find a good balance.

      I hope you have a great week. Thanks for visiting, Rae.

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  30. I think my voter stuff was stolen. I never got the absentee form. My son didn't get his either. I did see your Hogwart's pics though. Looks like you picked a good day to go. Not too crowded? We haven't been yet.

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    1. Ti - Oh no! Are you going to try to get another ballot?

      It wasn't too crowded at Universal Studios when we went--at least not until the evening. I think it was because they were closing early for a Halloween event and the crowds came for that instead.

      Thanks for visiting, Ti!

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  31. Sorry that your week has been rough. Ugh. Hopefully, things are better this week! Sending some positive thoughts your way.

    I didn't realize that there's a Hogsmeade in the LA Universal Studios as well! I've been to the one in Orlando. Now I have to visit that one too.

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    1. Athira - Thank you. I'm counting down until Thanksgiving week, when I have a few days off. Just need to get there first. :-)

      The Hogsmeade at Hollywood Universal Studios just opened this past spring. It's been a big hit so far. Someday I might make it to the one in Florida.

      Thanks for visiting, Athira!

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  32. We went to The Wizarding World of HP in Florida last February and I STILL haven't written up a post about it, but we had a blast! You got a much better picture of the portrait wall in Hogwarts than I did, by the way. Whenever they build the Diagon Alley park in California (I presume they're planning to?), you should go back -- one of my favorite things was visiting Knockturn Alley!

    We have our absentee ballots sitting in the letter box and I know we need to get them sent in soon, but I'm not sure I can bring myself to vote for either candidate. UGH!

    What a busy, crazy week you had! I hope things were slower and happier the past couple days. :)

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    1. Lindsay - I bet the one on Florida is amazing. If ever there was a reason I would want to go to Florida, it would be for that. :-) I hope they do build a Diagon Alley in California. They need to figure out what to sacrifice in its place, I'm afraid. They're hurting for space in Hollywood.

      I hope you enjoy your week, Lindsay! Thanks for visiting.

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  33. Oh my gosh, the trip to Universal Studios looks like fun! I've been wanting to visit the HP park since forever. Great pics!!
    Hope you have a nice week :) Happy reading, A Dark and Stormy Murder sounds perfect for this time of year.

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    1. Naida - I hope we are able to go again and see more of the park. I need another butterbeer. Haha!

      I hope you have a great week, Naida!

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  34. I often leave work thinking "I need a big drink when I get home" but the truth is that sparkling cider would probably be more likely to get used. Not that I don't drink alcohol, but if I drink it in the evening, I get so tired all I want to do is sleep. Your visit to Hogsmeade looks like great fun!

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    1. Lisa - All I want to do when I get home from work anyway is want to go to sleep, so I imagine alcohol would only make it worse. LOL I hope you have a great week, Lisa! Thanks for visiting.

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  35. I have that Q&A Journal! I love stuff like that...and you are right, nothing better than sparkling cider. I hope that this last week has been better than this one was for you.

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    1. Debbie - It's been awhile since I last kept a journal like this. I think it will be fun. :-) Thanks for visiting, Debbie!

      Delete

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