Saturday, April 07, 2018

Weekly Mews: Easter Loot & April's TBR List Poll

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by the wonderful Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where participants 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. I am also linking to Stacking the Shelves hosted by the great Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently. 

I hope April has gotten off to a good start for all of you! Mouse has been enjoying her spring break and spending time with her grandmother. We had to replace our garbage disposal this week, which wasn't quite as easy as it first looked like it might be. The old one took a lot of effort to finally remove. You never realize how reliant on modern conveniences you are until you cannot use them. The in-laws are in town this weekend to celebrate Mouse's birthday. It is a month late, but they had a prior commitment and with my mom's cancer treatment up in the air at the time, it just seemed better to postpone the family celebration. Mouse, of course, didn't mind once I explained to her that this meant her birthday would last all that much longer--and she'd get more party time.

My Kindle Paperwhite, Charlotte, had a little accident about a week and a half ago. My hairbrush fell on it and cracked the screen. It's a decent size crack, I'm afraid.  I can still read on it, but after much thought, I finally decided that it might be time to put those Amazon gift cards I have been hoarding to use. I love my Paperwhite and considered getting a new one, but ultimately decided to give the Oasis a try. So, in the next couple of weeks I should have it in hand. I am most excited about the ability to alternate between reading and listening to books. Ask me in a few months if I actually use the feature, will you? Now to think of a name!

Life should be getting back to normal here this next week, and then you will hopefully start seeing me around the blogosphere a bit more. That is the plan anyway.


New to My Shelves: 

Easter Bookish Loot:
Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation by Mindy Johnson
(Anjin's book) 

Sightwitch by Susan Dennard 
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

Gift Card E-Book Purchases:
Kindling the Moon (Arcadia Bell, #1) by Jenn Bennett

Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas, #1) by Zoraida Córdova

Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante (Maggie Hope, #6) by Susan Elia MacNeal

What I Am Reading: I dove into A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle earlier this week, and finished reading it Thursday night. I last read it when I was in elementary school, and so my memory of it was next to nothing. I have not yet seen the movie, but I want to. I hear it is different, which isn't surprising.


I have also been spending time catching up with Les Misérables and War and Peace (at least for the time being). I was trying to put my daughter to sleep one night and thought she might enjoy my reading a bit about Cosette as Cosette goes into the forest at night for water, and meets Jean Valjean for the first time.Three chapters later, she was still not sleepy, but I decidedly was. I haven't read further yet knowing she wants me to read more to her. I read a bit more of War and Peace to her as well. The part where Rostov comes home on leave from the war.  She keeps asking for more, and I hate to say no . . . I'm going to make a Classics reader out of her yet!

Next up I think I will start the classic The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge. It seems to be calling my name the loudest.

What I Am Watching: I had been watching the new American Idol season and am not all that impressed. Going back and forth between that and The Voice, I definitely know which show fits my tastes more. And so I am done with American Idol, I think.

I have not had a chance to watch this past Sunday's episode of The Walking Dead yet, so I have some catching up to do. I accidentally read a couple spoilers though, although I do not think they will impact my viewing of the episode when I get to it. I am anxious to see how the season will wrap up in the next couple weeks. I have heard rumors of Morgan moving to the Fear of the Walking Dead show, which I missed the second season of. I might have to give Fear another try just for that reason if it is true.

My daughter discovered My Babysitter is a Vampire, and so we have been watching that. The title still confuses me a bit. It's a cute show though.

What I Am Worried About: My mom will be having surgery this next week. Thank you for your continued good thoughts and prayers. It really does mean a lot. On a more minor note, my back is giving me trouble again. Hopefully a little extra caution and care will help with the pain, and I will be back to normal soon.

What I Am Looking Forward To: Life getting back to a somewhat more predictable pattern. And Disneyland, which is still upcoming.

What I Am Grateful For:  Family and such supportive friends (like you!) and coworkers. I am also grateful for Ghirardelli chocolate, especially the dark chocolate ones filled with raspberry, and ice cold water.



Tell me about what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week? Do you have anything planned for this coming week?

*

Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 




I had wanted to dive into Hazel Gaynor's historical fiction work long before having read her and Heather Webb's Last Christmas in Paris this past fall, but just haven't managed to. Now seems the perfect time! But which book should I start with? Please help me decide!


The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor
A voyage across the ocean becomes the odyssey of a lifetime for a young Irish woman...
Ireland, 1912 . . .

Fourteen members of a small village set sail on RMS Titanic, hoping to find a better life in America. For seventeen-year-old Maggie Murphy, the journey is bittersweet. Though her future lies in an unknown new place, her heart remains in Ireland with Séamus, the sweetheart she left behind. When disaster strikes, Maggie is one of the few passengers in steerage to survive. Waking up alone in a New York hospital, she vows never to speak of the terror and panic of that fateful night again.

Chicago, 1982 . . .

Adrift after the death of her father, Grace Butler struggles to decide what comes next. When her great-grandmother Maggie shares the painful secret about the Titanic that she's harbored for almost a lifetime, the revelation gives Grace new direction—and leads both her and Maggie to unexpected reunions with those they thought lost long ago.

Inspired by true events,
The Girl Who Came Home poignantly blends fact and fiction to explore the Titanic tragedy's impact and its lasting repercussions on survivors and their descendants. [Goodreads Summary]

A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor
In 1912, twenty-year-old Tilly Harper leaves the peace and beauty of her native Lake District for London, to become assistant housemother at Mr. Shaw’s Home for Watercress and Flower Girls. For years, the home has cared for London’s flower girls—orphaned and crippled children living on the grimy streets and selling posies of violets and watercress to survive.

Soon after she arrives, Tilly discovers a diary written by an orphan named Florrie—a young Irish flower girl who died of a broken heart after she and her sister, Rosie, were separated. Moved by Florrie’s pain and all she endured in her brief life, Tilly sets out to discover what happened to Rosie. But the search will not be easy. Full of twists and surprises, it leads the caring and determined young woman into unexpected places, including the depths of her own heart. [Goodreads Summary]


The Girl From the Savoy by Hazel Gaynor
Presenting a dazzling new historical novel … The Girl From The Savoy is as sparkling as champagne and as thrilling as the era itself.

Sometimes life gives you cotton stockings. Sometimes it gives you a Chanel gown …

Dolly Lane is a dreamer; a downtrodden maid who longs to dance on the London stage, but her life has been fractured by the Great War. Memories of the soldier she loved, of secret shame and profound loss, by turns pull her back and spur her on to make a better life.

When she finds employment as a chambermaid at London’s grandest hotel, The Savoy, Dolly takes a step closer to the glittering lives of the Bright Young Things who thrive on champagne, jazz and rebellion. Right now, she must exist on the fringes of power, wealth and glamor—she must remain invisible and unimportant.

But her fortunes take an unexpected turn when she responds to a struggling songwriter’s advertisement for a ‘muse’ and finds herself thrust into London’s exhilarating theatre scene and into the lives of celebrated actress, Loretta May, and her brother, Perry. Loretta and Perry may have the life Dolly aspires to, but they too are searching for something.

Now, at the precipice of the life she has and the one she longs for, the girl from The Savoy must make difficult choices: between two men; between two classes, between everything she knows and everything she dreams of. A brighter future is tantalizingly close—but can a girl like Dolly ever truly leave her past behind? [Goodreads Summary]



Thank you for voting! I hope you all have a wonderful April and Happy Reading!


© 2018, 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.

64 comments:

  1. I know Mouse will have a lot of fun continuing her birthday celebration.

    I just the Kindle app on my iPad but I know someone who swears by her Oasis. I hope you love yours too.

    I pray your mom's surgery goes well.

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    1. Kathy - I have a Kindle Fire, and reading on it is not nearly as good an experience as reading on the Paperwhite or the Oasis. The lighting is completely different and much easier on the eyes. I have a feeling I will love it. :-) It's got a lot more room for books too!

      Thank you for your prays for my mom!

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  2. I hope your back gets better soon and that your mom's surgery goes well!

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    1. Eustacia - Thank you! My mom is doing well. The pain is more intense today now that the hospital pain medications have worn off, but she says it is manageable.

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  3. Good to see your post, Wendy! First of all, my best wishes and prayers for your Mom and all of you with her upcoming surgery and treatment. Hoping this one will do the trick. I know it has been a long road and very frustrating for her. Good luck with your new Kindle. I have a Kindle Voyage, but have been looking at the Oasis lately. I'm not having any problems with mine, but I'm always checking out the latest just in case.

    I love the fact that you've been reading parts of your 'classics' to Mouse. The Babysitter vampire show sounds fun. And I hope you have such a good time at Disneyland and that your back discomfort eases. Take care!

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    1. Kay - Thank you so much for your prayers and good thoughts. She has a follow-up appointment this coming Wednesday and hopefully the news will be good. I considered the Kindle Voyage, but given how much I liked my Paperwhite, I figured if I were going to upgrade, the Oasis was a closer match. I'm like you though--I always have my eye out on the latest technology just in case. :-)

      I admit to being surprised Mouse is interested in the Classics, but as a friend pointed out, it's probably more about sharing the experience with me that she's interested in. I'll take that. :-) I do love reading with her.

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  4. You got a lot of awesome books!
    My Daughter is also watching My Babysitter is a vampire. She might have watched it a few times and also a zombie high school movie. Which she made my mom watch. lol

    The girl who came home looks fantastic so I voted for that one.
    I hope you have a great week, Wendy! Happy Reading! ox

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    1. Michelle - Thank you! I am looking forward to reading them. I haven't seen the Zombie High school movie. Probably better my daughter doesn't discover that one quite yet. LOL

      Thank you for voting!

      Delete
  5. Good luck with your mom's surgery. Hope all goes well. i have had Kindling the Moon on my Kindle forever. I need to get to it. I voted for The Girl From the Savoy bc of that beautiful cover. Enjoy the winner!

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    1. Grace - Thank you! Kindling the Moon has been on my wish list forever so I figured now was a good time to move it to my TBR collection. As if I need any more books on that mountain. Haha

      Thank you so much for voting!

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  6. I watched the first few episodes of American Idol and wasn't impressed either. I've never seen The Walking Dead although I've heard nothing but good things about it.

    I voted for The Girl Who Came Home because I've always been interested in the Titanic. Although, all three sound good and I hope you enjoy the winner.

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    1. Whitney - I think my husband is surprised I have stuck with The Walking Dead as long as I have. He gave up after the first season and didn't think it was a show I would like. You can never tell. Haha

      Thank you so much for voting!

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  7. Looks like you have some great options for My TBR List!

    Hope your mom's surgery goes well!

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  8. sorry about the Kindle, but enjoy the new e-reader. I do the same, I name mine too lol.
    Great new books, The Women of Walt Disney's Animation sounds so interesting!
    One of my co-workers son's best friends is on the Voice this season, Kelly picked him. Dylan something? I don't really watch but it sounds neat. I used to watch Idol and I'm surprised they are trying to bring it back.

    The Walking Dead is action packed lately with Rick and Negan at it. I saw that Morgan is on Fear The Walking Dead, I only watched season one of that one, I'd have to start it again to remember it all.
    Good luck to your mom and happy reading to you and the little one. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Naida - Thank you! I may have to borrow The Women of Walt Disney's Animation. It was much bigger than my husband or I were expecting, but it sure looks interesting.

      That is so cool that your coworker's son's best friend is on the Voice!

      I haven't had a chance to see the season finale yet, but I'm anxious to see how it all turns out.

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  9. Sorry about your Kindle’s accident, but I hope you love your new one. I hope your mom’s surgery goes well. Have a good week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. AJ - So far I am liking the new Kindle. :-) Thank you for the well wishes for my mom!

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  10. That's awesome that you named your Kindle! I think a lot of people do that? Sorry to hear about it cracking though- although the Oasis should be awesome! Sorry about the garbage disposal too- we had to have ours worked on not so long ago.

    Kindling the Moon looks fun! Love that cover.

    The Walking Dead has been so hit or miss, at least for me. Anxious to see how the season ends though! And I'm actually liking Fear the Walking Dead a lot more these days than the original!

    Good luck on your mom's surgery and prayers going forward! Hope you have a good week!

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    1. Greg - I think a lot of people name their Kindles too. Haha My phone even has a name. It's easier to identify on my blue tooth list. LOL

      Thank you for your well wishes and prayers for my mom!

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  11. I, too, name my devices...my Paperwhite is Pippa. I hope she lasts a long time, but if not, I may also be trying out an Oasis. I'll be curious about how you like yours (while still holding onto hope for Pippa's longevity).

    Sending good thoughts for your mother...

    A Wrinkle in Time sounds good...I've never read it. Love the doll posed next to your copy.

    Happy birthday to Mouse...and may she continue the celebration.

    Enjoy your week. I am eyeing Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante.

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I like the name of your Paperwhite. :-) I hope yours lasts a long time too. It should! Just don't drop a hairbrush on the screen. HaHa

      Thank you for your kind thoughts for my mother. And for the birthday wishes for Mouse. :-)

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  12. I wish your mom the best of luck with her surgery- it sounds difficult. Remember to take care of yourself too- back issues are what likely caused my dependence on my cane. I hope you both feel better soon!

    I voted for The Girl Who Came Home because I have that one on my TBR- I'm not sure if it's good or not, but it sure looks good!
    ~Litha Nelle

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    1. Litha Nelle - Thank you for your kind thoughts for my mom. It's been a long road for her, but she's staying positive.

      I'm trying to go easy on my back, but sometimes it is hard to remember. :-( Until it hurts again.

      Thank you so much for voting!

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  13. Ahhh nooooo! It sucks that you had to buy a new ereader, but hopefully you'll like this one even more. Have a good week! :)

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    1. Anna Knight - I hope I will like it more too. I do feel bad about my Paperwhite though as I was quite found of it.

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  14. I voted for The Girl from the Savoy, because I read it and loved it. Have a great week :)

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    1. Maree - Thank you for voting! I am glad you loved it as that means I will likely too!

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  15. I hope your mom's surgery goes well, Wendy. And I hope your back will get better soon. I'd had quite a bad back pain a few months ago until I couldn't stand it and had to see a TCM (it's a traditional Chinese medical practice) and my back got better after consuming a few weeks of their medicine.

    As for Hazel Gaynor's books, I voted for The Girl Who Came Home. Hope you've a great weekend! :)

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    1. Melody - Thank you for your kind thoughts. I am so sorry to hear about your back pain! I hope it is feeling much better now.

      Thank you for voting. I hope to read all of them at some point. :-)

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  16. I hope your mum's surgery is a success and your back improves soon.
    I voted for A Memory of Violets because it's such a pretty cover!

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    1. Stephanie Jane - Thank you for your kind thoughts! And thank you for voting. I love the cover of A Memory of Violets too!

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  17. Thinking of you and your mother - and wishing her all the very best for her upcoming surgery...
    And I'm sorry to hear of Charlotte's accident - reading with a crack in the screen can't be good for your eyes, apart from anything else. I'm interested to hear how you get on with being able to listen to audiobooks and read - and the name of your new Kindle - mine is called Fluffy...

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    1. Sarah - Thank you for your kind thoughts for my mom. I was thinking the same thing about reading with a cracked screen, which is why I decided to take the plunge and get a new e-reader. I love the name of your Kindle. Fluffy is perfect. :-)

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  18. That's sad about the Kindle :( but on the bright side, you'll get to try the Oasis and I guess you'll have a backup Kindle?

    Best of luck to your mother on her surgery!

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    1. Evelina - I am already liking the Oasis, although I've barely used it. :-)

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    1. Jenclair - I think so too! Hopefully my husband will loan it to me. :-)

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  20. Sounds like you have been busy. Glad your daughter is enjoying her extended birthday. I love that you are getting her into classic novels. I will be praying for your mom. And I hope your back pain goes away.

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    1. Ellen - I hope the summer will bring some relief! Thank you for your prayers for my mom!

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  21. I look forward to seeing what you think about the Oasis :) I've been thinking about upgrading my Paperwhite, but I'm not ready to just yet.

    I hope your Mom's surgery goes well, sending positive vibes your way <3

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    1. Wattle - Isn't the Paperwhite great? I don't think I've met anyone who has one who didn't love theirs. Thank you for the positive thoughts for my mom!

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  22. I hope that your back feels better and that your Mom's surgery goes well. Sending good thoughts out to you and your Mom.

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  23. Ugh, the death of a kindle is always painful. I use my current is a kindle voyage and it's pretty good but took some getting used to as my older one wasn't even a paperwhite... Good luck with the new one when it arrives!

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    1. Nicola - It's so similar to the Paperwhite except in size and shape. I think I will be able to adjust pretty quickly though. :-)

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  24. I love all your choices for your TBR this month. I've read 2 books by Hazel Gaynor and adored them and would really like to read more. I hope your mother's surgery goes well and that Mouse enjoys her 2nd birthday party! I'll be very curious to see what you think of the Oasis. I love my Paperwhite but periodically I think of trying a new one since I've had it for awhile. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - Thank you! I am anxious to read more by her and thought this was a great way to pick which one I should read. :-) Thank you too for your kind thoughts for my mom.

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  25. I voted for The Girl Who Came Home! I love historical fiction and the Titanic is always a good one :) Hope you enjoy the winning book and have a great week!

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    1. Lillian - Thank you for voting! I am really looking forward to reading The Girl Who Came Home!

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  26. My prayers for your Mum.
    I like the Roosevelt book. It sounds intriguing.

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    1. Mystica - Thank you so much for your prayers, Mystica. I really enjoy the Maggie Hope series. I am looking forward to the Roosevelt book. :-)

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  27. Sorry to hear about Charlotte. I had no clue the Oasis alternated between the two like that. It sounds like a pretty cool feature, but I don't know if I'd use it. LoL So I will be interested to know how that goes for you. :)
    Kristin @ Book Sniffers Anonymous

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    1. Kristin - It was definitely a selling point for me. I hope to try it out one of these days.

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  28. Lots of great books this week. Hope you mom feels better. I would like to get my hands on The Girl Who Came home. Sounds like a great book. Enjoy.

    Mary my #SundayRoundup #13!

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    1. Mary - Thank you! The surgery went well and my mom is hanging in there--staying positive and probably not resting as much as she should.

      Delete
  29. Oh no sorry to hear about you Kindle, you're going to love the Oasis. I have the 1st gen Oasis and it doesn't have the audio with it, I hope you enjoy it. You have a lot of great books tbr, enjoy them all and I'll be thinking about your mom. I hope her surgery goes well. Take care.

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    1. Jovita - Thank you! So far I like the Oasis, although I haven't put it to much use yet. I love the feel of it though! And it's a lot like the Paperwhite, so not too much of a difference in terms of adjustment, I think.

      Delete
  30. I voted for the Girl from the Savoy - looks great!

    Good luck with your mom's surgery, I hope all goes well. And your back too! When it rains it pours huh? Sending healing thoughts your way!

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    1. Berls - Thank you for voting! That one sounds like it will be very good. :-) Thank you too for the well wishes for my mom.

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  31. It was a bit hard to make a decision on your poll as all sounded good! You'll have to let us know what you think of your new Kindle. And, thank goodness for chocolate and friends right? Sending good thoughts for your mom's surgery!

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    1. Iliana - I couldn't decide either so decided you out to help. :-) Thanks for voting and the good thoughts for my mom.

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  32. Sending good thoughts for your mom's upcoming surgery!

    I hope you enjoy your new Oasis. It sounds great.

    I'm so impressed about your daughter getting into Les Miserables. Sounds like she's well on her way to becoming a fan of the Classics :)

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    1. Suzanne - Thank you for the good thoughts for my mom! I can't blame my daughter for being drawn to Cosette. Her story is quite compelling. :-)

      Delete

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