You know, I love bag-less vacuums, but cleaning the filter is horrible! Good thing I only use the real vacuum to do the rugs. The rest is all hardwood and I use the Swiffer Vac because it is just so much easier!
So, today was a good day. The new Sarah Addison Allen book is on the way in the mail. I pre-ordered it and it is actually coming. Amazon is a bit slack on my pre-orders...
I am getting a Review copy of Ariana Franklin's newest novel. I am so excited!!
Guy Gavriel Kay reads my blog and requested that a review copy of his new book be sent to me!
The sun is shining AGAIN! Yay for spring! I also started The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan and I am enjoying it so far.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
March 15, 2010
Yesterday was such a great day. I think spring is on the way! Now, if you know anything about my neck of the woods you will know that we have two seasons: winter and two months of poor sledding. There's another saying that implies lots of road construction, but I couldn't get the wording right and the cc told me that one. We just don't seem to get spring anymore. It snows and then it is summer. There is no season in-between. We are actually getting spring weather! We had a VERY mild winter, so I am all around excited. I like snow, but we had a couple really bad winters in a row. It is always nice to have a break. Yes, it could still snow, but let's not think about that, shall we? The point is yesterday was spring-like and I went to a provincial park with the cc for a walk. It was really nice! I even went on the swings. I used to love to swing when I was a kid and growing up we had a swing-set in the backyard. So, I still do when I have the chance.
I also had homemade bread yesterday... I am considering whether I have the skills to make it. I royally messed-up pizza, so I am sort of fearful of attempting the task.
Today I went to the library and to the bookstore. I pre-ordered Carrie Ryan's new book, but it didn't arrive. I got annoyed and canceled it. I bought it today. I am both really excited and really nervous about reading it because I liked her other book so much. I also made really good spaghetti sauce today.
I also had homemade bread yesterday... I am considering whether I have the skills to make it. I royally messed-up pizza, so I am sort of fearful of attempting the task.
Today I went to the library and to the bookstore. I pre-ordered Carrie Ryan's new book, but it didn't arrive. I got annoyed and canceled it. I bought it today. I am both really excited and really nervous about reading it because I liked her other book so much. I also made really good spaghetti sauce today.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
March 7, 2010
Michael Chabon, how I love you! Why did it take me so long to read Michael Chabon? I have like three of his novels on my TBR pile and it took his new essay collection released last year to get me to FINALLY read him! So, now, I really must read his novels. I am on his second essay collection, which is actually his first, and then that's it for non-fiction. I am both excited and nervous to attempt his fiction. Just because I love his non-fiction does not mean I will love his fiction... Look at Nick Hornby. I love his non-fiction, but all of his fiction I have tried I have not finished. I started this second collection of essays to catch-up because I am going to be buddy reviewing it, but it has ended up being my go-to book. This is bad because I am supposed to be reading like 5 other books at the moment... It's still going slowly, but my reading mojo is coming back. I can feel it! Reading FABLES helped...
Speaking of Fables... I really really wish they would hurry up and release books! It seems it is November before there is another Fables, but you can't pre-order it yet. There is one out next year, though, and you can pre-order it... Not sure what that is all about! The only thing out soon is a new Jack of Fables and that is still like June. Then, there is a spin-off with Cinderella out in August. But, still, so much waiting! I liked it better when I was behind in the series, but I bought the last two Jack of Fables with my Christmas gift cards and then had pre-ordered the new Fables, so I have them all read now... It's sad because the people that got me reading the series in the first place are behind me now in a lot of cases! I read too much last year... And spent too much money if you are sitting there doing the math... Believe me, I did the math. I just hope that other people around me have not done the math because when I tell someone that he spends too much money on tools he will point out that I spend too much money on books.
Also, I bought books today...
Okay, I have 20 mins to read more Chabon before I have to cook supper. The very glamorous chicken burgers! I can't be a gourmet chef all the time! (Who am I kidding? I am NEVER a gourmet chef! ha ha!)
Speaking of Fables... I really really wish they would hurry up and release books! It seems it is November before there is another Fables, but you can't pre-order it yet. There is one out next year, though, and you can pre-order it... Not sure what that is all about! The only thing out soon is a new Jack of Fables and that is still like June. Then, there is a spin-off with Cinderella out in August. But, still, so much waiting! I liked it better when I was behind in the series, but I bought the last two Jack of Fables with my Christmas gift cards and then had pre-ordered the new Fables, so I have them all read now... It's sad because the people that got me reading the series in the first place are behind me now in a lot of cases! I read too much last year... And spent too much money if you are sitting there doing the math... Believe me, I did the math. I just hope that other people around me have not done the math because when I tell someone that he spends too much money on tools he will point out that I spend too much money on books.
Also, I bought books today...
Okay, I have 20 mins to read more Chabon before I have to cook supper. The very glamorous chicken burgers! I can't be a gourmet chef all the time! (Who am I kidding? I am NEVER a gourmet chef! ha ha!)
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Happy Purple Monkeys
I was out and about the other day and my friends husband said 'I miss Purple Monkey Dishwashers'. Apparently, folks, that's a kind of drink that the bar I used to frequent (and sort of met the cc at) makes. I don't think I have ever actually had one before, but that seems the logical place for me to pick up the name I considered for my blog. Mystery solved. I wonder if they still make them because now I am curious about them...
Moving on. I am in a bit of a lull after the Olympics. I know it is silly, and normally doesn't happen, but that seems to be where I am at. I think it is just because the Olympics were in Canada this year and there was a lot going on. Now, there doesn't seem to be anything going on! It was a lot of fun, though. There was random singing in the street, and after the hockey game the other night there were crowds of people nationwide out celebrating that we won gold. Sidney Crosby, the winning-goal scorer, lives about an hour from here and they kept showing people up that way during the course of the game. Then, later that night, we ended up near there and there were people walking down the street screaming and waving a Canadian flag. You would watch the news and there would be random crowds singing the national anthem... And, not that random half English/half French that they do for major events now. Do they not know that kids are going to start learning that and not be able to sing the song in one language?
I didn't get to watch the Closing Ceremonies on the actual night, but I did watch them on the television a couple days ago finally. I actually liked it better. It was OnDemand, or whatever that is called, and it meant that I could fast forward through the boring parts. This would be the several different national anthems and the guy that did his speech entirely in France french. The guy before him who speaks about as great French as I do was funny attempting to speak French, but the other guy I couldn't understand anyways!
I am left wondering what the Olympics will be like 2014. I will watch them, of course, but I don't think it will be as fun as it was this time around. Russia is freaking out because Canada beat them in hockey for the first time in 50 years and I guess their leader did some freaking out in general about the pathetic showing they had at the Olympics this year. He thinks it, I think just GOING to the Olympics is worthwhile! But, anyways... There is just something about the Olympics being in your own country that makes it extra-special. I had promised myself I would go this year, but it wasn't in the cards. I am determined that the next time the Olympics are in Canada I will be there for sure!
Okay, so, hopefully I can maybe write about something else now!
Moving on. I am in a bit of a lull after the Olympics. I know it is silly, and normally doesn't happen, but that seems to be where I am at. I think it is just because the Olympics were in Canada this year and there was a lot going on. Now, there doesn't seem to be anything going on! It was a lot of fun, though. There was random singing in the street, and after the hockey game the other night there were crowds of people nationwide out celebrating that we won gold. Sidney Crosby, the winning-goal scorer, lives about an hour from here and they kept showing people up that way during the course of the game. Then, later that night, we ended up near there and there were people walking down the street screaming and waving a Canadian flag. You would watch the news and there would be random crowds singing the national anthem... And, not that random half English/half French that they do for major events now. Do they not know that kids are going to start learning that and not be able to sing the song in one language?
I didn't get to watch the Closing Ceremonies on the actual night, but I did watch them on the television a couple days ago finally. I actually liked it better. It was OnDemand, or whatever that is called, and it meant that I could fast forward through the boring parts. This would be the several different national anthems and the guy that did his speech entirely in France french. The guy before him who speaks about as great French as I do was funny attempting to speak French, but the other guy I couldn't understand anyways!
I am left wondering what the Olympics will be like 2014. I will watch them, of course, but I don't think it will be as fun as it was this time around. Russia is freaking out because Canada beat them in hockey for the first time in 50 years and I guess their leader did some freaking out in general about the pathetic showing they had at the Olympics this year. He thinks it, I think just GOING to the Olympics is worthwhile! But, anyways... There is just something about the Olympics being in your own country that makes it extra-special. I had promised myself I would go this year, but it wasn't in the cards. I am determined that the next time the Olympics are in Canada I will be there for sure!
Okay, so, hopefully I can maybe write about something else now!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
March 3, 2010
Part of the reason that I have been so quiet in blogging and reading lately is because I was pretty sure I needed new glasses. I think it had been a problem for a while, but it had just got to a point where it was giving me headaches. So, I am happy to now have new glasses. It made a big difference! They are bothering me, though. I had my others for like two years and I really liked them. I think these ones need to be adjusted a bit. Also, my other ones were just a basic colour, but these are a bit more noticeable. But, if I get them adjusted I think I can handle them.
Because of a favour for a friend I have a karaoke player and a pile of CDs at the moment. It's kinda fun, actually. The cc sings karaoke all the time, but I am a sing in my own house type of person. It's been fun using it while I have it. The cc still does most of the singing, but that's okay. I really need to educate myself on music. I have only heard about 10 percent of the songs I have here.
Okay, off to read!
Because of a favour for a friend I have a karaoke player and a pile of CDs at the moment. It's kinda fun, actually. The cc sings karaoke all the time, but I am a sing in my own house type of person. It's been fun using it while I have it. The cc still does most of the singing, but that's okay. I really need to educate myself on music. I have only heard about 10 percent of the songs I have here.
Okay, off to read!
Monday, March 1, 2010
I Have Returned!
*waves* Hi! Remember me? Believe it or not, I am a blogger! Unfortunately, I have not been much of one lately. Yesterday marked the closing of the Winter Olympics, though, so here I am! Yes, I was obsessed with the Olympics. This is nothing new. It only happens with the winter ones, so it is only 17 days every four years. I do not feel guilty! I actually feel pretty excited. We won 26 medals; with 14 of them being gold. The record for gold at the Winter Olympics was 13, so we beat the record!
And, AND, WE WON GOLD IN HOCKEY!!!!!!!!! I was so excited! First the women and then the men. The men beat Russia for the first time in 50 years, so that game was awesome, but then to play the US for the second-time after a round-about road and WIN! It was the most exciting hockey I have seen in a while.
I was excited for the Olympics for weeks (er, months) beforehand, so the cc was prepared that I was going to be off in another world for a couple weeks, but he venomously stated that he was NOT going to watch with me. He is one of those guys that does not watch sports at all. The first few days we fought over the TV. Then, one day I was not home and my cellphone rang. It was the cc telling me that someone just won a gold medal and then going on with the details. He didn't necessarily care, but he knew that I was missing it and would want to know. We watched the Olympics together from there on out. If one of us wasn't home and something exciting happened we called the other one. When the cc had to work during one of the hockey games, we called each other back and forth so I could tell him the score and then we watched the last few minutes together. It was really fun. I am so happy that he changed his mind and watched them with me. He claims he wouldn't have watched any of it if not for me.
So, I didn't read or blog or lots of other things that I should have been doing. And, yes, I really missed everyone, but I wouldn't trade the last couple weeks for anything. Canada came together as a country and I have lots of great memories to carry with me. So, I am back!
And, AND, WE WON GOLD IN HOCKEY!!!!!!!!! I was so excited! First the women and then the men. The men beat Russia for the first time in 50 years, so that game was awesome, but then to play the US for the second-time after a round-about road and WIN! It was the most exciting hockey I have seen in a while.
I was excited for the Olympics for weeks (er, months) beforehand, so the cc was prepared that I was going to be off in another world for a couple weeks, but he venomously stated that he was NOT going to watch with me. He is one of those guys that does not watch sports at all. The first few days we fought over the TV. Then, one day I was not home and my cellphone rang. It was the cc telling me that someone just won a gold medal and then going on with the details. He didn't necessarily care, but he knew that I was missing it and would want to know. We watched the Olympics together from there on out. If one of us wasn't home and something exciting happened we called the other one. When the cc had to work during one of the hockey games, we called each other back and forth so I could tell him the score and then we watched the last few minutes together. It was really fun. I am so happy that he changed his mind and watched them with me. He claims he wouldn't have watched any of it if not for me.
So, I didn't read or blog or lots of other things that I should have been doing. And, yes, I really missed everyone, but I wouldn't trade the last couple weeks for anything. Canada came together as a country and I have lots of great memories to carry with me. So, I am back!
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