Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: Cuddle Time
© 2010, 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.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Tuesday Tangents: More Random Thoughts & Happenings
Doesn't a Brownie Batter Blizzard sound good right about now?
Thank you to all who sent me well wishes this past week. My wrists are returning to normal, more or less.
If I can pin my husband down, we will soon be clearing off the shelves of books we have read soon, sorting out ones we no longer want to keep and boxing up those we will take with us to the new house (still not date--but we did get a letter from the relocation counselor who is working with the city, saying he'd be contacting us "soon". Is the end in sight, I wonder?).
Once those shelves are cleared, I will be moving my TBR books onto them. I figure it'd be easier to sort them that way. Maybe even do a bit of organizing, so when the ones we're keeping are packed, they are all in order.
My dad is enjoying the boxes and boxes of books I sent home with them during their last visit. He jokingly told me that I must be a sadist after reading a couple of the Richard Montanari books. He did enjoy them, he said, but wouldn't be passing them on to my mother.
I was going to keep next year reading challenge free, unsure about where my reading would take me once the baby is born. A couple of the challenges though have caught my eye and are tempting me--kind of like that Brownie Batter Blizzard from Dairy Queen that I can't seem to get my hands on. I keep telling myself they're relatively relaxed challenges so not really challenges at all. If anything, the challenge will be actually reading books. We'll see. I still am undecided.
Despite my initial reservations (lack of experience, not really being a parent yet, and my concern over time constraints), my friend and fellow blogger, Caspette of The Narrative Causality, as well as my husband convinced me to join a new blog called Tales From the Toybox. It's made up by five women (me included) who are at varying stages of motherhood. There will be product reviews and tips (neither of which I'll offer a lot of at this point) as well as personal stories (you know how I like to ramble!) and questions. I'm excited about this opportunity and challenge. My first post will go up Friday.
I began my new schedule at work this past Thursday, which isn't saying much since I had Friday off. So, the next two weeks will be a good test at seeing how I like working the extra hour and having every Friday off. I have hour long lunches now instead of the half hour ones I was enjoying. Do you know what that means? More reading time! I completely forgot I was supposed to take a full hour last Thursday, but I did remember yesterday.
Remember that colleague of mine I encouraged to read last year? He is reading all the time now. I see him with a book just about every day.
I still want that Brownie Batter Blizzard.
What have you all been up to lately? Any Tuesday Tangents of your own you want to share?
Thank you to all who sent me well wishes this past week. My wrists are returning to normal, more or less.
If I can pin my husband down, we will soon be clearing off the shelves of books we have read soon, sorting out ones we no longer want to keep and boxing up those we will take with us to the new house (still not date--but we did get a letter from the relocation counselor who is working with the city, saying he'd be contacting us "soon". Is the end in sight, I wonder?).
Once those shelves are cleared, I will be moving my TBR books onto them. I figure it'd be easier to sort them that way. Maybe even do a bit of organizing, so when the ones we're keeping are packed, they are all in order.
My dad is enjoying the boxes and boxes of books I sent home with them during their last visit. He jokingly told me that I must be a sadist after reading a couple of the Richard Montanari books. He did enjoy them, he said, but wouldn't be passing them on to my mother.
I was going to keep next year reading challenge free, unsure about where my reading would take me once the baby is born. A couple of the challenges though have caught my eye and are tempting me--kind of like that Brownie Batter Blizzard from Dairy Queen that I can't seem to get my hands on. I keep telling myself they're relatively relaxed challenges so not really challenges at all. If anything, the challenge will be actually reading books. We'll see. I still am undecided.
Despite my initial reservations (lack of experience, not really being a parent yet, and my concern over time constraints), my friend and fellow blogger, Caspette of The Narrative Causality, as well as my husband convinced me to join a new blog called Tales From the Toybox. It's made up by five women (me included) who are at varying stages of motherhood. There will be product reviews and tips (neither of which I'll offer a lot of at this point) as well as personal stories (you know how I like to ramble!) and questions. I'm excited about this opportunity and challenge. My first post will go up Friday.
I began my new schedule at work this past Thursday, which isn't saying much since I had Friday off. So, the next two weeks will be a good test at seeing how I like working the extra hour and having every Friday off. I have hour long lunches now instead of the half hour ones I was enjoying. Do you know what that means? More reading time! I completely forgot I was supposed to take a full hour last Thursday, but I did remember yesterday.
Remember that colleague of mine I encouraged to read last year? He is reading all the time now. I see him with a book just about every day.
I still want that Brownie Batter Blizzard.
What have you all been up to lately? Any Tuesday Tangents of your own you want to share?
© 2010, 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.
Monday, December 06, 2010
It's Monday! What Are You Reading & A Mailbox Surprise
Hosted by Sheila of One Persons Journey Through a World of BooksWeekly meme where we discuss the books you've read
and those you plan to read in the coming week.
This past week I finished reading Starvation Lake by Bryan Gruley and began reading Tami Hoag's Deeper Than the Dead. Both books fall into the crime fiction category and so are filling that crime fiction craving I've been having the last few months.
I made the mistake of choosing sleep over review writing the night I finished Starvation Lake. I had all these ideas and discussion points I wanted to bring up, which I should have jotted down. Since then, I seem to be suffering from review writer's block. Hopefully I can whip something up for you for later this week.
Next up on the agenda is the sequel to Deeper Than the Dead novel, Secrets to the Grave, another crime fiction novel I can't wait to dive into. Those two will no doubt get me through the week.
What are you reading at the moment?
I made the mistake of choosing sleep over review writing the night I finished Starvation Lake. I had all these ideas and discussion points I wanted to bring up, which I should have jotted down. Since then, I seem to be suffering from review writer's block. Hopefully I can whip something up for you for later this week.
Next up on the agenda is the sequel to Deeper Than the Dead novel, Secrets to the Grave, another crime fiction novel I can't wait to dive into. Those two will no doubt get me through the week.
What are you reading at the moment?
is hosted by Jenny Q. of Let Them Read Books (December Host)We share what books that we found
in our mailboxes last week.
My mailbox has been full of books lately, although none meant for me. Books make the best gifts, don't you think? Especially this time of year. So, it was with much surprise and delight that I discovered a package waiting for me at my mailbox on Saturday that was meant just for me (and the baby). Inside was a book and two beautiful and intricately handcrafted snowflake ornaments, gifts from Kris from Not Enough Books (thank you, Kris!).
The Bookish Kitten's first book, Baby Einstein's Cats. And how fitting that it is about cats!What books have received in the mail recently?
This year I took part in the Book Bloggers Holiday Card Exchange hosted by Anastasia of Birdbrain[ed] Book Blog, in which book bloggers/readers are partnered with other book bloggers/readers to exchange holiday cards. The only stipulation was that each card sender had to include a little bookish note. I had a lot of fun coming up with what to write to the three people I sent cards to. And it is proving to be just as fun to read what others have to say!So far, I have received cards from Megan of write meg! who wrote about her reading year, including her favorites (books I definitely hope to one day read); and Lisa A., who is both a reader and an up and coming writer. Lisa shared quite a few book recommendations with me, many of which I am looking forward to reading as well. My wish list continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Thanks to both Megan and Lisa for the cards!
© 2010, 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.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Checking In: Still Unplugged
Being unplugged for a week can be quite refreshing, don't you think? I had to fight the urge to check my e-mail every few seconds, and I confess I wasn't completely unplugged the entire time. Hence my Twitter and Facebook activity (but even that was minimal). I spent a good deal of Friday avoiding sales and crowds and instead settled in front of the television for a Law and Order: Special Victim's Unit marathon while I addressed holiday cards, wrote personal notes, and prepared the cards for mailing. By bedtime I could tell I was in trouble.
You see, I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Most of the time it's manageable, with only minor flare ups here and there. Still, Saturday morning came and I was determined to finish those cards. One thing I learned about pregnancy early on was that it can exacerbate problems like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. And in the last few months, I have discovered that to be oh so true. Especially this weekend. So . . . My plan to come back after a week is being extended just a little longer. I appreciate your patience. Please do drop me a comment and let me know what you're reading, whether or not you'd recommend it or just to say hi!
You see, I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Most of the time it's manageable, with only minor flare ups here and there. Still, Saturday morning came and I was determined to finish those cards. One thing I learned about pregnancy early on was that it can exacerbate problems like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. And in the last few months, I have discovered that to be oh so true. Especially this weekend. So . . . My plan to come back after a week is being extended just a little longer. I appreciate your patience. Please do drop me a comment and let me know what you're reading, whether or not you'd recommend it or just to say hi!
© 2010, 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.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday Fill-In Fun (with a dash of rant and thankfulness thrown in)
Graphic courtesy of Tonya!*Click on the image above graphic to get to the Friday Fill-In headquarters, hosted by Janet!*
1. Why does it always seem like my colleagues disappear when it's my lunch time, which means I either can't go or have to put it off?
2. Our perceptions of ourselves and those around us affect how we see the world.
3. Thank you for all the support you have shown me over the years, both for my blog and personally.
4. Christmas is my favorite holiday because I love the decorations, music, and courteousness that often abounds. Except for those few exceptions who think shoving and elbowing to get to the front of the line at the store are acceptable behaviors. And the extra impatient drivers who swoop in and steal the parking spot you've been waiting for. Oh, add to that the people who make so much fuss over saying Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. Who cares?! The intention behind it is the same. Smile and say thank you.
5. I am feeling SO especially fat these days. I know it's par for the course when you're pregnant, but when your doctor tells you not to gain more than 10 pounds for the entire pregnancy, and you've already exceeded that . . . Well, it doesn't make a person feel at her best. At least not this person. And no, it's not all that comforting right now to know I'll lose a lot of weight once the baby is born and I'm breastfeeding.
6. The proverbial they say we can be whatever we make up our minds to be, and yet somehow I don't think I could be a walrus no matter how much I wanted to be. Maybe in my next life.
7. The weekend ahead is looking rather bland, but oh so heavenly from my standpoint. I have nothing significant planned. It's pretty much a free for all. I should enjoy it while I can, eh? Soon my time won't be my own. No matter, I am very much looking forward to those days too.
2. Our perceptions of ourselves and those around us affect how we see the world.
3. Thank you for all the support you have shown me over the years, both for my blog and personally.
4. Christmas is my favorite holiday because I love the decorations, music, and courteousness that often abounds. Except for those few exceptions who think shoving and elbowing to get to the front of the line at the store are acceptable behaviors. And the extra impatient drivers who swoop in and steal the parking spot you've been waiting for. Oh, add to that the people who make so much fuss over saying Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. Who cares?! The intention behind it is the same. Smile and say thank you.
5. I am feeling SO especially fat these days. I know it's par for the course when you're pregnant, but when your doctor tells you not to gain more than 10 pounds for the entire pregnancy, and you've already exceeded that . . . Well, it doesn't make a person feel at her best. At least not this person. And no, it's not all that comforting right now to know I'll lose a lot of weight once the baby is born and I'm breastfeeding.
6. The proverbial they say we can be whatever we make up our minds to be, and yet somehow I don't think I could be a walrus no matter how much I wanted to be. Maybe in my next life.
7. The weekend ahead is looking rather bland, but oh so heavenly from my standpoint. I have nothing significant planned. It's pretty much a free for all. I should enjoy it while I can, eh? Soon my time won't be my own. No matter, I am very much looking forward to those days too.
I should call this section my personal corner. It's where I sometimes ramble about the mundane--about what is going on in my life--or not going on as the case may be.
I had my 24-week prenatal appointment this past week and was able to hear the baby's heartbeat again. Such a wonderful sound! The doctor gave me thatnasty deliciously sweet concoction to take in about four weeks to make sure my body is doing what it should be with all that sugar I consume. I was so relieved when I saw how small the bottle was. Nothing can be as bad as drinking that gallon of salty dishwater solution I had to take for the colonoscopy. Anyhow, I am a little worried about how the test will turn out, given my penchant for sweets/carbs and the fact that I'm overweight.
This next Monday I am scheduled to meet with the specialist so we can get a good look at the baby's heart. I am looking forward to seeing the baby again. If only wombs had little windows we could peek into now and then without having to visit the doctor . . .
On the work front, it looks like my new schedule will begin the beginning of December. At first it was looking very likely I would have every Monday (along with the usual Saturdays and Sundays) off, but now I seem to be slated to have every Friday off instead. With the new assistant manager working Tuesday through Friday, and my manager in meetings all day Monday, she felt it would be better to have me there every Monday in case something came up. So, unless something happens between now and the next pay period, I can look forward to every weekend being a long one soon. It does make for a longer work day, but only by an hour. I wonder if I'll ever see my house in daylight again? Not this time of year, anyway.
I have just about resigned myself to the fact that our move will not happen before the baby comes. With my luck it will be right around the time the baby comes, in fact. The city cogs are turning ever so slowly . . . It does make preparing for the baby difficult. I haven't done anything really. I don't want to fix up the spare bedroom, not knowing if we'll be here or not--and for how long. So, I have been spending a lot of time researching and waiting, window shopping and waiting, and trying not to dwell on it too much. As someone who is a big planner, you can imagine it's been especially tough on me.
My next door neighbors haven't helped matters. I am even more ready to move than before. While cleaning the backyard, my husband discovered several different types of pills that had been tossed onto our side of the fence. A quick search online and we discovered they are psychotropic medications--for mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia and Bi-Polar Disorder. Riley is an indoor dog, but he does spend time in that backyard, and I immediately grew fearful and angry. What if he'd gotten into those pills? Not only could they make him sick, they could kill him. Neither my husband nor I think that anyone was trying to intentionally poison our dog, but it doesn't make the situation better. Unfortunately there is not much we can do. The police cannot do anything nor can we. So, we wait. And pray that moves come sooner than the baby. Please. Pretty please, with a hot fudge sundae, whipped cream, nuts and a cherry on top?
Next week many of you who are Americans will be gathering with your families and friends for a big feast. I will be joining the throngs of people at the movie theater and then heading over to the restaurant for my Thanksgiving dinner. I really appreciate that so many restaurants nowadays stay open for people like me on such big holidays--and don't think I forget the people who are working to make that happen! Big tips and extra kindness are about all I can offer, but we really do appreciate that these people have to take time away from their own families to serve us, the not so important (to them) people.
This season, I am also thankful to my wonderful husband who has been in my life for just over 19 years now (married for over 12 of those years). We've had such a rocky road this year, and yet he has been nothing but generous, supportive and loving. And although I haven't sent him out in bad weather or the middle of the night to get me a Dairy Queen blizzard (as if they'd be open!), I know he would go in a heartbeat if I asked.
I also want again to say how grateful I am to all of you. My blogging this year has been sporadic and my visits to other blogs even more so. I appreciate those who have stuck with me through the thick and thin of it. I cannot thank you enough for your friendship, advice, book recommendations, and support.
This next week will be quiet at Musings of a Bookish Kitty. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!
I had my 24-week prenatal appointment this past week and was able to hear the baby's heartbeat again. Such a wonderful sound! The doctor gave me that
This next Monday I am scheduled to meet with the specialist so we can get a good look at the baby's heart. I am looking forward to seeing the baby again. If only wombs had little windows we could peek into now and then without having to visit the doctor . . .
On the work front, it looks like my new schedule will begin the beginning of December. At first it was looking very likely I would have every Monday (along with the usual Saturdays and Sundays) off, but now I seem to be slated to have every Friday off instead. With the new assistant manager working Tuesday through Friday, and my manager in meetings all day Monday, she felt it would be better to have me there every Monday in case something came up. So, unless something happens between now and the next pay period, I can look forward to every weekend being a long one soon. It does make for a longer work day, but only by an hour. I wonder if I'll ever see my house in daylight again? Not this time of year, anyway.
I have just about resigned myself to the fact that our move will not happen before the baby comes. With my luck it will be right around the time the baby comes, in fact. The city cogs are turning ever so slowly . . . It does make preparing for the baby difficult. I haven't done anything really. I don't want to fix up the spare bedroom, not knowing if we'll be here or not--and for how long. So, I have been spending a lot of time researching and waiting, window shopping and waiting, and trying not to dwell on it too much. As someone who is a big planner, you can imagine it's been especially tough on me.
My next door neighbors haven't helped matters. I am even more ready to move than before. While cleaning the backyard, my husband discovered several different types of pills that had been tossed onto our side of the fence. A quick search online and we discovered they are psychotropic medications--for mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia and Bi-Polar Disorder. Riley is an indoor dog, but he does spend time in that backyard, and I immediately grew fearful and angry. What if he'd gotten into those pills? Not only could they make him sick, they could kill him. Neither my husband nor I think that anyone was trying to intentionally poison our dog, but it doesn't make the situation better. Unfortunately there is not much we can do. The police cannot do anything nor can we. So, we wait. And pray that moves come sooner than the baby. Please. Pretty please, with a hot fudge sundae, whipped cream, nuts and a cherry on top?
Next week many of you who are Americans will be gathering with your families and friends for a big feast. I will be joining the throngs of people at the movie theater and then heading over to the restaurant for my Thanksgiving dinner. I really appreciate that so many restaurants nowadays stay open for people like me on such big holidays--and don't think I forget the people who are working to make that happen! Big tips and extra kindness are about all I can offer, but we really do appreciate that these people have to take time away from their own families to serve us, the not so important (to them) people.
This season, I am also thankful to my wonderful husband who has been in my life for just over 19 years now (married for over 12 of those years). We've had such a rocky road this year, and yet he has been nothing but generous, supportive and loving. And although I haven't sent him out in bad weather or the middle of the night to get me a Dairy Queen blizzard (as if they'd be open!), I know he would go in a heartbeat if I asked.
I also want again to say how grateful I am to all of you. My blogging this year has been sporadic and my visits to other blogs even more so. I appreciate those who have stuck with me through the thick and thin of it. I cannot thank you enough for your friendship, advice, book recommendations, and support.
This next week will be quiet at Musings of a Bookish Kitty. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!
© 2010, 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.
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