and Lily said to Lumina...

Bye Bye Nissan... I'll miss you...

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:52:30 GMT

Official word from the insurance brokers came via phone call this afternoon. My Nissan Sentra is declared scrap.

:(

I have the rental until January 05, 2010. Hopefully I'll be able to find something by then.

My Head is Spinning and I Miss My Car

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:04:48 GMT

1) Work has been really busy, what with all the holidays and companies having parties. They are ordering a lot of food! That's great for business, but I don't have the energy to do anything else when I come home.

2) This afternoon I got the vaccine for the flu. Now I am tired, my head feels a little heavy and sometimes it's like there is pressure on side. My arm is OK, though I feel a pinch now and then when I move it too quickly.

3) News about the car: Please go to my previous post and read the reply I sent my friend. I wrote all the details there.

*sigh*

I'm Without a Ride....

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:15:40 GMT

My car didn't start this morning. I thought maybe my dad left the lights on last night when he moved it but nope... the battery boost worked up until we disconnected the cables. Then the car went dead. We tried it a second time and let it run. Disconnected the cables and it went dead... again. The automatic door locks did not work and neither did the security lock. :(

Called and got it towed... $50
Most likely it's the alternator... $200+
Also needs a wheel alignment... $50

so.... no more extra Christmas spending now. *sniff*

A Christmas Carol

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:46:37 GMT

Thank you Audible.com! All members are given a free download of:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. This one is an original performance by Tim Curry. I spent the afternoon listening to it and enjoyed in immensely :D

So! If you have a membership at Audible.com, go in and download your copy, if you are interested, of course.

Royal Exile by Fiona McIntosh

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:23:17 GMT

Book One of the Valisar Trilogy was an enjoyable read. I took a little longer than usual to get "into" it but once the story was really moving I kept reading without too many breaks.

War comes to the kingdoms of the Set. The ruler of the Steppes, Loethar, is ruthless and will stop only when he controls all. The Valisar heir, Leonel, flees to safety after the barbarian horde storms the city. While loyal servants try to help in any capacity, Leonel must evade capture and ensure that he lives to take back the throne. Believing he is the only Valisar left alive, he travels north with his friend and protector, Gavriel, to find the outlaws that may help with the rebellion.

There is magic in the kingdoms and Loethar wants that which is said to be only in the bloodline of the Valisars. With it he will be unstoppable. His companions, a half-brother, a lover and soon to be wife, and his mother, all hold grudges against the Valisars, as well. They all help the barbarian in his quest.

I like fantasy stories that take me far away. This trilogy has all the elements of a majestic saga and I am looking forward to reading book #2.

Winter Wonderland it is!

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:51:49 GMT

A heartfelt thank you to my friends oxoniensis and wive for the snowflake cookie v-gifts :D

They look delish!

Winter is now officially here, with the city bracing for the first snow storm of the season. I am not looking forward to getting up and out tomorrow morning to shovel the car out of the snow... maybe I can guilt one of the men to do it for me... hehe

Yeah, I Love It

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:18:59 GMT

CASTLE, that's it! I really, really like this show and am so very happy it's back this season. Just watched last night's episode.

:)

Reading List of 2009 - May, June, July, August, and Sept.

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:47:31 GMT

These past five months I have read:

75. Bewitching Mystery #1: The Trouble with Magic - Madelyn Alt
74. Meredith Gentry #2: A Caress of Twilight - Laurell K. Hamilton
73. Bloodfever - Karen Marie Moning*
72. Westmark - Lloyd Alexander
71. The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle - Jim Butcher (graphic novel)*
70. Carrie's Story - Molly Weatherfield*
69. Meredith Gentry #1: A Kiss of Shadows - Laurell K. Hamilton
68. Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return - Marjane Satrapi (memoir) (graphic novel) (bookring)
67. Jane Yellowrock #1: Skinwalker - Faith Hunter*
66. Sookie Stackhouse #5: Dead as a Doornail - Charlaine Harris
65. Kate Connor #4: Deja Demon - Julie Kenner
64. One Hex of a Wedding - Yasmine Galenorn*
63. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J. K. Rowling
62. Rachel Morgan #7: White Witch, Black Curse - Kim Harrison
61. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J. K. Rowling
60. Weddings from Hell - Maggie Shayne, Jeaniene Frost, Terri Garey, Kathryn Smith*
59. Women of the Otherworld #5: Haunted - Kelley Armstrong
58. Kate Connor #3: Demons are Forever - Julie Kenner*
57. Kate Connor #1: Carpe Demon - Julie Kenner**
56. A Harvest of Bones - Yasmine Galenorn
55. The Erotic Secrets of a French Maid - Lisa Cach*
54. The Heartbreaker - Carly Phillips (Chandler Brothers #3)*
53. The Playboy - Carly Phillips (Chandler Brothers #2)*
52. The Bachelor - Carly Phillips (Chandler Brothers #1)*
51. Ghost Hunter Mystery #1: What's a Ghoul to Do? - Victoria Laurie*
50. Talk Me Down - Victoria Dahl
49. Black Dagger Brotherhood #6: Lover Enshrined - J. R. Ward*
48. Falling for Gracie - Susan Mallery
47. Harlot's Sauce - Patricia Volonakis Davis (memoir)*
46. Black Dagger Brotherhood #5: Lover Unbound - J. R. Ward*
45. Black Dagger Brotherhood #4: Lover Revealed - J. R. Ward*
44. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J. K. Rowling
43. Black Dagger Brotherhood #3: Lover Awakened - J. R. Ward*
42. Black Dagger Brotherhood #2: Lover Eternal- J. R. Ward*
41. Bound to Please - Lilli Feisty
40. Women of the Otherworld #4: Industrial Magic - Kelley Armstrong
39. The Brief History of the Dead - Kevin Brockmeier*
38. Sookie Stackhouse #4: Dead to the World - Charlaine Harris*
37. Demon's Delight - MaryJanice Davidson, Emma Holly, Vickie Taylor, Catherine Spangler*
36. The Door Through Space - Marion Zimmer Bradley*
35. Seekers of the Chalice - Brian Cullen*
34. Women of the Otherworld #3: Dime Store Magic - Kelley Armstrong
33. Rachel Morgan #6: The Outlaw Demon Wails - Kim Harrison
32. Rachel Morgan #5: For a Few Demons More - Kim Harrison
31. Star Trek TNG #8: The Captains' Honor - David and Daniel Dvorkin
30. Fire Me - Libby Malin*
29. Shadowdwellers #1: Ecstasy - Jacquelyn Frank*
28. Rachel Morgan #4: A Fistful of Charms - Kim Harrison

All books with 1 * are going to bookobsessors/bookcrossers. All books with 2 * are going to BookMoochers. Bookrings and audiobooks are just that. :)

My goal for 2009 is to read 100 books. I might just make it!

Historical Romance Book Giveaway...

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:13:10 GMT

and shameless pimpage on my part....

My friend terra hosts a great blog with awesome authors and interviews as well as book giveaways. On July 10th she'll give away 5 copies of Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory. This is a debut novel and the first in a medieval series. For more info, and to participate in the contest, please go to:

yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/2009/06/knight-of-desire-by-margaret-mallory.html

Good luck!

Writer's Block: Space Wars

Tue, 19 May 2009 22:20:09 GMT

Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Serenity, Alien, 2001—there is a long list of movies and TV shows that take place in space. Which is your favorite?

View 501 Answers

Stargate Atlantis!!! Oh Ronon! I do miss you :(

I'll have to say that for television I will put Firefly and Babylon 5 tied in second place. As for movies, would you all kill me if I said The Fifth Element?

Smile!

Thu, 14 May 2009 17:49:32 GMT

My friend has added a 'flair' button to her board on facebook:

Stupid Book: I need to sleep but I can't stop reading you!

*snort* *grin*

LOST finale tonight

Thu, 14 May 2009 02:35:16 GMT

and I won't see it for at least a week because I am 5 episodes behind. I am spoiler free (so far...) and hopefully I'll be able to keep it that way.

One Night Left and Then....

Sun, 10 May 2009 21:22:19 GMT

Castle season finale!

Does anyone know if the show is renewed?????????

Sammy and Dean have a fight...

Sat, 09 May 2009 03:14:53 GMT

Woe is me!

*falls on knees and wails*

My heart can't take much more of this....

Spring is Beautiful

Sun, 03 May 2009 16:22:47 GMT

and so I take photos of flowers because I like them :)
I sent this photo of a Magnolia Tree reaching for the sky to a local television station. They choose photos and feature them on the Evening News right before the weather broadcast, (they call it WeatherPix) and I'm happy to announce that it was indeed chosen!

Reading List of 2009 - Jan., Feb., March, and April

Sun, 03 May 2009 16:14:03 GMT

So far this year I have read:

27. The Tree Shepherd's Daughter - Gillian Summers*
26. Rachel Morgan #3: Every Which Way But Dead - Kim Harrison
25. Too Hot to Handle - Robin Kaye
24. Blood Bound - Patricia Briggs*
23. Rachel Morgan #2: The Good, the Bad, and the Undead - Kim Harrison
22. Hotter than Hell - Various Authors*
21. Deadly Morsels - Takis & Judy Iakovou, Steven F. Havill, Jane Rubino, Peter Abresch*
20. More Than Words: Stories of Strength - Carla Neggers, Susan Mallery, Karen Harper*
19. Sookie Stackhouse #3: Club Dead - Charlaine Harris*
18. Wake - Lisa McMann*
17. Rogue Angel #5: Forbidden City by Alex Archer*
16. The Deception of the Emerald Ring - Lauren Willig (audiobook)*
15. Forged by Fire - Janine Cross*
14. Truth or Dare - Lori Foster*
13. A Babe in Ghostland - Lisa Cach*
12. Od Magic - Patricia A. McKillip*
11. Hope's Folly - Linnea Sinclair
10. Black Lace: Quickies 2 - Various Authors*
09. Wolfskin - Juliet Marillier*
08. The Maltese Falcon - Dashiell Hammet
07. Hex and the Single Girl - Valerie Frankel*
06. Any Given Doomsday - Lori Handeland*
05. Ghost of a Chance - Yasmine Galenorn*
04. Ironside - Holly Black*
03. Valiant - Holly Black*
02. Tithe - Holly Black*
01. Stargate Atlantis #9: Mirror, Mirror - Sabine C. Bauer

All books with 1 * are going to bookobsessors/bookcrossers. All books with 2 * are going to BookMoochers. Bookrings/audiobooks are just that :)

My goal for 2009 is to read at least 100 books.

Shameless Pimping :)

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 03:14:40 GMT

OK, so my very good friend blogs, and she does wonderful reviews of Romance novels. All kinds of Romance novels. Last weekend she had an accident and I now I am 'subbing' for her until she's back on her feet and at work. Her blog is called Yankee Romance Reviewers, (I have mentioned it in the past) and one of the fun things happening on there is the special guest bloggers: authors of Romance novels :)

Well, on Tuesday, Feb. 10, we are having author Susan Grant write a special blog for us. She'll tell us about her newest, The Warlord's Daughter, and she will be giving away a copy of her book, Moonstruck, to one lucky person. Please come by and leave a comment. You'll see Terra's blog, and you'll see me trying to be as good *grin* as she.

yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/

cheers!

The Key Meme

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:26:10 GMT

Why am I stealing lots from deadendmind all of a sudden? :D

If you're reading this (and I know you are!) then please post a picture of your keys! Keys are so personal, we have them with us everyday. I'd like to see yours. Please?

OK. So these are my keys: car, home and work. The stick keyring says Aloha Hawaii on it. I couldn't get a good photo of it, though.

Presents, Anyone????

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:05:06 GMT

I'm stealing this from deadendmind (and copying word for word because I'm lazy...) because I really liked this idea :)

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

# I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
# What I create will be with you in mind.
# It'll be done this year.
# You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be wood. Possibly metal. Perhaps a picture. Something written. I might sew you something. Or, I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
# I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you put this in your journal as well. We all can make stuff.

It Was Magic

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 04:44:52 GMT

I loved... loooooved the latest episode of Supernatural. It was super. The magic was well incorporated and I was really trying to figure out what they were working up to. Very cool, boys.

Oh, and did I mention Dean strung up? Mmmrawr!

SGA may have finished (we will NOT go there.... I'm not over that yet...) but Sammy and Dean are keeping me lots of company (and with a really good smile on my face!)

What do you think so far?

And in Less than 30 Minutes......

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:34:21 GMT

season premiere of LOST

!!!!

:D yeah, I'm excited!

Long, Long, Long, Long Day......

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:43:47 GMT

and I am so very glad it is over.

Something to make me smile: I received a package from my friend NeedSun with 2 books, one is an anthology, Demon's Delight, which is a bookring, and the other is All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire, part of Love at the Stake series by Kerrelyn Sparks. I love this series. I am thrilled the book is here.

Now to sleep.... or maybe read :)

SPN is Back! And I'm Reading Again!

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:08:24 GMT

Hmmm...... I will say that last night's SPN episode was creepy. They did a good job on making the girl look... um, I don't know how to explain it, except to say that I am glad I was not in that house and I would so have run out screaming. Yeah, I'm not that brave. Not sure if I like the twist about the father and then the brother. I see what was intended, but I think I still would have liked it to remain about ghosts or any other supernatural being. Apart from that, BOY! did I ever get my Dean fix :D

On a book note, I am now reading Ironside by Holly Black. This is the third book in the series (after Tithe and Valiant) and I am liking! Very, very much. The world Ms. Black has created is just super. Savory :)

A New Year... Let's Start Fresh :)

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:11:01 GMT

A small message to all my friends. I am now trying to get back to lj. The last 1/4 of 2008 was not very good for me and many of the things I love doing were set aside. I have much to catch up on and I am hoping that it will go well now in 2009. It is because of some special people at bookobsessed.com that I was even a little cheery. They kept me sane and I am very thankful.

- Yesterday night I watched the last 4 episodes of SGA. (yeah, I was that far behind)
I hadn't read any spoilers so almost everything was a surprise for me. I almost fell apart when Ronon was stabbed.... the pause button on my remote control was the only thing that saved me. I needed some time to catch my breath and calm down. After the 4 eps, I was so very sad and I didn't want to believe that next week there will not be another.

- I am very much looking forward to tonight's SPN because I need some Dean and happiness.

- BSG is starting this week, too, so I'll have something else to keep me from crying over the end of SGA.

So what have you all been up to?

Reading List of 2008 - Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec.

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:47:19 GMT

It is time for the last segment of my 'list of books read this year':

124. Derik's Bane - MaryJanice Davidson*
123. Tempting - Susan Mallery (Buchanans 4)*
122. Sizzling - Susan Mallery (Buchanans 3)*
121. Irrisistible - Susan Mallery (Buchanans 2)
120. Delicious - Susan Mallery (Buchanans 1)*
119. Grave Sight - Charlaine Harris*
118. Sweep 5: Awakening - Cate Tiernan
117. Sweep 4: Dark Magick - Cate Tiernan
116. Coffee & Kung Fu - Karen Brichoux*
115. Sweep 3: Blood Witch - Cate Tiernan
114. Sweep 2: The Coven - Cate Tiernan
113. Prom Nights From Hell - Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle*
112. An Outlaw for Christmas - Lori Handeland*
111. Good Ghouls Do - Julie Kenner*
110. The Good Ghouls' Guide to Getting Even - Julie Kenner*
109. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Cathy Yardley
108. Emissary - Fiona McIntosh*
107. Rachel Morgan #1: Dead Witch Walking - Kim Harrison
106. Shadowed by Wings - Janine Cross*
105. A Woman Worth Ten Coppers - Morgan Howell*
104. Destiny Kills - Keri Arthur*
103. Heart of the Dragon - Gena Showalter*
102. Sookie Stackhouse #2: Living Dead in Dallas - Charlaine Harris*
101. A Companion to Wolves - Sarah Monette, Elizabeth Bear*
100. Black Dagger Brotherhood #1: Dark Lover - J. R. Ward
99. Life, Love and the Pursuit of Hotties - Katie Maxwell
98. They Wear WHAT Under Their Kilts? - Katie Maxwell
97. Dancing With the Devil - Keri Arthur*
96. Trading in Danger - Elizabeth Moon*
95. X-Rated Bloodsuckers - Mario Acevedo (bookring)
94. The Nymphos of Rocky Flats - Mario Acevedo (bookring)*
93. Noah - Jacquelyn Frank*
92. Damien - Jacquelyn Frank*
91. Invaders From Mars (Doctor Who) - (audiobook)*
90. Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris*
89. The Devouring - Simon Holt*
88. Because Your Vampire Said So - Michele Bardsley*
87. Shakespeare's Trollop - Charlaine Harris*
86. Dead Girls Are Easy - Terri Garey*
85. Sweep 1: Book of Shadows - Cate Tiernan*

All books with 1 * are going to bookobsessors/bookcrossers. All books with 2 * are going to BookMoochers. Bookrings/audiobooks are just that :)

That's the end of 2008. I wanted to read 120 books (10 books a month) and I succeeded, but it was difficult and I think that for 2009 the goal will be 100.