Wednesday Reads and My Reading Statistics

Ahhh, my last post for 2015. Nice to end on a reading day, too.

It appears that my total books read this year is 92. I do not expect to finish the book I’m currently reading, mainly because I’m binge-watching “Gotham.” If it weren’t for that, I could easily add another book. Here’s what I read this week:

Dec 23: “Blood Kiss” by J.R. Ward, first book in the Black Dagger Legacy series, a paranormal romance at 397 pages. Blurb from book: Paradise, blooded daughter of the king’s First Advisor, is ready to break free from the restrictive life of an aristocratic female. Her strategy? Join the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training center program and learn to fight for herself, think for herself…be herself. It’s a good plan, until everything goes wrong. The schooling is unfathomable difficult, the other recruits feel more like enemies than allies, and it’s very clear that the Brother in charge, Butch O’Neal, aka the Dhestroyer, is having serious problems in his own life. And that’s before Paradise falls in love with a fellow classmate. Craeg, a common civilian, is nothing her father would ever want for her, but everything she could ask for in a male. As an act of violence threatens to tear apart the entire program, and the erotic pull between them grows irresistible, Paradise is tested in ways she never anticipated—and left wondering whether she’s strong enough to claim her own power…on the field and off.  Oh wow! As soon as I started reading this, I got sucked back into this world and had a hard time putting the book down. I loved it. This is a spin-off of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It features a brand new couple (Paradise and Craeg) and revisits Butch and Marissa. Simply wonderful. I can’t wait to read more in this series.

I love statistics and comparing reading from year to year. Goodreads helps me do that (one of the reasons I like it so much). According to Goodreads, the average length of book I read this year was 313 pages (those novellas didn’t really diminish that number so much, now did they?). And while reading 92 books in a year is a goodly number for me (I only read 88 last year, missing my goal of 90), it’s not the most. That would be in 2013 when I read 93 (which was why I thought I could reach 90 in 2014!). The 26,620 pages I read this year aren’t the most, either. That would be in 2012 when I read 30,966 (from only 87 books—bet I didn’t read many novellas THAT year!).

I started keeping track of my reading in 2010. Would you believe I only read 39 books that year? Then again, I did have a day job. The following year I began taking the reading challenge (my goal was 50 and I read 59). 2012 was the only year I adjusted my goal (from 50 to 80) and that was because I had lost my job and knew I’d be reading more (I did; I read 87).

So… Do you like setting reading challenges low (knowing you’ll blow right over that number), realistic (because you’ve done it in the past), or high (just to see if you can do it)? I still haven’t decided what I want my goal to be next year. I don’t think I’ll go low, but I really don’t want to fail another challenge (and I refuse to adjust the number lower). I hate losing. Especially to myself!

I will most likely post something on Friday. If I can figure out what I want my goals to be, I’ll list them. Of course, it would help if I actually thought about what goals I want to achieve next year, huh?

Happy Reading and have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve!

Stacy

Christmas, My Laptop, A Movie, and Big Sales

Ho ho ho! If you celebrated Christmas, I hope it was a good one for you. I was able to spend it with my kids and friends, which made it a good one. The presents were just a bonus! J

Hubby got me the watch I wanted (it has the Pittsburgh Penguins logo on the face). I had been wearing his huge Steelers watch since my old watch crapped out on me. It’s nice to have a smaller watch on again. And it’s really great to see the Penguins logo!

I mentioned earlier that my laptop was due to be delivered on Dec 31. Well, it arrived on the 24th. So guess what I did all weekend?

I really hate setting up a new computer. I sure hope I don’t have to do this again. I’m doing my best to like Windows 10, but they make it hard. At least I found out how to use Internet Explorer instead of Edge. I really do not like Edge. I can’t see my favorites like I can on IE. Plus, the right column of blogspot blogs jiggles on Edge. That pretty much sealed Edge’s fate right there, since it wasn’t happening on IE. The jiggling was driving my eyes nuts!

But I do like my new computer. The keyboard lights up and is more responsive when I type, plus now I can use my printer without having to turn the sucker off and on (it kept going off line on my old computer, as little as 5 minutes after I used it, too!). And the monitor is sharper, too. So sharp, the images and print on my AOL software is teeny tiny. I’ve tried messing with several settings to make it bigger, but it ruins everything else, so I’ll just have to get used to it (or use a magnifying glass). Maybe I’ll get lucky and AOL will upgrade soon for newer computers/monitors! I can only hope.

Best news, though… Word and Excel 2003 work on Windows 10! You don’t know how relieved I am that I don’t have to go looking for new software to write with. Okay, maybe you do. I’m sure you’re glad I’m not ranting about that, huh? Whew!

On Saturday I went and saw the new Star Wars movie. I could easily watch it again (and again and again). Great movie. I haven’t enjoyed one this much in quite awhile. I really am shocked that I haven’t read any spoilers about it, and super glad, too. Now I just have to watch what I say!

Last week I received my royalty statement from Kensington and just about fainted in shock. The statement covered the time My Sunny Vampire was offered for free for 30 days. Approximately 30,000 people downloaded it! Sure, I didn’t get any money for that, but then a little over 1,000 people bought it after the sale. Those sales made it possible for me to move from Provisional PAN (in RWA) to General PAN, which means I can be a voting member now. I really didn’t think it would happen this soon. Heck, I wasn’t sure it would ever happen with that book. Whoo hoo! Yeah, I was doing some happy dancing last week.

Now, if those 31,000 people would buy my other books… Gee, wouldn’t THAT be something!

I gave my daughter A Vampire Wedding to read, so I guess you can say I’m done with it for now. That means I can watch last season’s Gotham (daughter got it from the library and it’s due back on the 2nd) without any guilt. I’ll be glad to get caught up to this season.

So… Did you get the present you wanted this year? What was it?

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and Merry Christmas

I did it! I reached my goal (and then some). Whoo hoo! Here’s what I read this week:

Dec 16: “The Best Revenge” by Anne R. Allen, # 3 in the Camilla Randall Mystery series, a novel at 257 pages. Blurb from Goodreads: In this prequel to Anne R. Allen's Camilla Randall mysteries, a young debutante loses everything: fortune, love, and eventually even her freedom when a TV star's murder is mistakenly laid at her feet. Through it all, Camilla perseveres, however, and comes to learn that she is made of sterner stuff than anyone might have imagined, herself included. In typical Anne R. Allen fashion, the plot twists and turns from one breathless misadventure to another, leading to a finish sure to catch the reader by surprise. I follow Anne’s blog and never read any of her work before, so when this one came on sale, I decided to give it a try. Not sure what genre it falls under, but it was an enjoyable read and hard to put down. However, I will not read the rest of the series. I see that they’re written in first person (this one was in third) and she’s divorced—not my HEA after all (not that this was a romance, but still, disappointing to discover). I did like this book, though and I’m glad I read it, even if I don’t know what genre it falls under (because this isn’t your typical mystery since Camilla isn’t trying to solve anything—only survive her naiveté).

Dec 20: “Sudden Death” by Allison Brennan, #1 of the FBI Trilogy, a romantic suspense at 424 pages. Blurb from book: When a homeless veteran is found dead in a squalid Sacramento alley, FBI special agent Megan Elliott vows to find the murdered hero’s killer. Her investigation gets complicated fast, for the victim, a former Delta Force soldier, is just one link in a nationwide spree of torture and murder. Straight off a job rescuing medical missionaries, solder-for-hire Jack Kincaid returns to his home base in the Texas border town of Hidalgo only to receive the news that one of his closest colleagues—also ex-military—has been brutally murdered. Faced with an inept local police force, Jack takes matters into his own hands. Now, as part of a national task force to stop the sadistic killings, by-the-book Megan and burn-the-book Jack form a tense alliance, sparked with conflict and temptation. But they struggle against more than passion, for a vicious pair of killers has only just begun a rampage of evil…and the primary target is much closer than Megan suspects. Whooo! Quite a page turner. I loved getting to know Jack better since I only knew him as a minor character in the Lucy Kincaid series (he’s her older brother). I’m such an addict for this type of book. Give me more!

I will not post anything on Friday, so let me wish you a Merry Christmas now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I’ll be back here Monday (and I’ll let you know how the new Star Wars movie was—I’ve already got the tickets for Saturday!!).

FYI – Last night we watched “Love, Actually.” “Die Hard” has been selected as the Christmas Eve movie. Guess that leaves “While You Were Sleeping” or “White Christmas” for tonight. Hmmm… Hard to decide. Maybe we can watch both!

So… What do you normally do on Christmas Eve? Watch movies? Play games? Open presents? When the kids were small, I used to give them a gift to open on Christmas Eve (something fun or goofy). It was a good bribe to get them to go to bed early. Don’t need to bribe them anymore. They don’t live here! Haha!

Happy Reading and Merry Christmas! Hope you get LOTS and LOTS of books!

Stacy

I Bought a New Laptop—Again

Yeah, I bought a new laptop this time last year, but getting it was a huge mistake on my part. Impulse buy, anyone?

I hate the keyboard on this. I hate that the wifi keeps cutting out on me. I hate that it’s still slower than molasses. I just hate this HP ProBook!

Still, it told me what I DON’T want in a computer and what I DO want, so I started looking and found one. And since it was currently on sale and Hubby said to buy it…I did!

I won’t get my Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series until the 31st, though (I ordered it through the manufacturer and that’s the date they gave me). I didn’t get a touch screen (don’t want one), and I got it in red (nifty!), but it comes with Windows 10, so I’ll find out soon enough if Word 2003 will work on it (I sure hope it does). I did check out the Mac computers, but you know what? They don’t have a backspace key!! I need a backspace key. So that pretty much decided it for me. I’ll just have to tolerate Windows 10, I guess, and whatever word processor I will have to get if Word 2003 doesn’t work. I don’t want the newer version. The menu section takes up too much of the screen. I prefer the smaller icons and drop-down menus, thank you.

*******

This is the week that I’ll probably start pulling out the Christmas movies to watch. Here are some I hope to see:

• “While You Were Sleeping”
• “Love, Actually”
• “White Christmas” (Daughter has not seen this and I must rectify that!)
• “Die Hard”

We have way more than that, but those are the ones I’m most interested in and the ones I’m pretty sure Hubby will watch with me (he doesn’t like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and I don’t feel like watching it alone). We’ve already watched “Donovan’s Reef.” Did you know that movie has spanking in it? So did “McClintock!” (the movie we watched next—Hubby was on a John Wayne kick Saturday night). Who knew John Wayne could be so kinky?

Too bad it wasn’t considered kinky back then, though (both movies were released in 1963). It kind of irks me that men felt they had that right. So glad it’s not that way now (at least, not that I know of!).

So… What Christmas movie(s) do you hope to watch this year?

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

Physical Therapy and My Novella

Today I’m going to my first physical therapy appointment. Seems kind of silly now, since I’m not feeling any pain (yay!), but who knows what I’ll end up doing to myself later on! I’m hoping they’ll be able to tell me what my limits are (or should be). I need more cardio in my exercise program and I don’t necessarily want to use the pool (those aren’t my favorite things). I believe if I’m going to stick with a program, it has to be somewhat fun and easy for me. If it isn’t, I won’t do it. I know myself too well.

^^^^

I’m so darn close to finishing the revision (in other words, adding meat) to A Vampire Wedding (that title is starting to grow on me). I’m working on the second to last chapter (which is kind of an important chapter since the next chapter jumps ahead several months) and it’s just about done. I think I’ve filled all my holes. At least I HOPE so!

I came up with a tag line to go with my title:

What’s said in Vegas won’t necessarily stay in Vegas.

What do you think? Too corny?

So…Hubby is on vacation starting today (he’s using use-or-lose vacation), so I’ve got him until the 28th. Think I’ll get any writing done? I sure hope I do.

Have a great weekend!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads

Okay, maybe I cheated a little. I read a couple of novellas to boost my quota so I’d reach my goal (and I only have to finish one more to do that!). I still read more pages than last year. That should count for something, shouldn’t it? Plus, I still have weeks left to read more (like at least finish that 90th book!). Maybe next year I’ll lower my goal so I don’t go all crazy at the end of the year. Yeah, right. Who am I kidding? I'll go crazy regardless. Here’s what I read this week:

Dec 9: “Wolf Tales VIII” by Kate Douglas, #8 in the Wolf Tales series (duh!), a paranormal erotica at 265 pages. Blurb from book: In the shadows they transform into beasts and possessed of boundless sexual energy, with the strength and stamina to indulge every primal urge. Now, six new Chanku have appeared—bold, brash, and very much in need of their elders’ wisdom. It is decided to split the young pack: three will travel to Montana to learn from Anton Cheval, and three to Colorado to be mentored by Ulrich Mason and his mate, Millie… Having weathered a series of vicious attacks, the Montana pack welcomes the distraction of breaking in the novices. But everything changes with the arrival of a mysterious stranger whose connection to Millie will bring the she-wolf, her partner, and their protégés—including Matt, the sensitive alpha Millie has brought to his sexual peak—to Montana. The time has come for Millie to confront her past, even as the young Chanku prepare for a future of power, pride, and pure pleasure… This one didn’t hold my attention like previous books in the series. I wasn’t really sure what the book was about. And the ending left me wondering even more. I own the rest of the series, so I will continue reading it. Plus, I like a lot of the characters, so there is that.

Dec 10: “Treasure on Moon Lake” by Amy Gamet, #1 in the Love on the Lake series, a contemporary romance at 118 pages. Blurb from Goodreads: Jewelry designer Tori Henderson’s first year in business was far more expensive than she could have imagined. Faced with closing the doors of Tori’s Treasures, she sinks her last dollar into one final promotion—a widely publicized treasure hunt for a chest of fine, handmade jewelry that could drum up enough business to get her back in the black... or kill her shop once and for all. The last thing she needs is her mother's announcement that she's preparing to marry Edward Trainor, the father of Tori’s long ago summer crush, Gabe - a man who regularly makes his way into Tori's dreams some ten years later. Corporate tycoon Jed Trainor has no intention of attending his estranged father’s wedding, and he certainly doesn’t need to see his half-brother Gabe after the other man put the moves on Jed's one-time fiancée. But with business problems looming, Jed needs time to think, and the small town of Moon Lake seems like the perfect place to hide away while he figures out how to save his empire. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a beautiful woman who thinks she’s in love with his idiot half-brother. Tori is determined to win Gabe’s heart, but Jed has other plans. When they learn Gabe is bringing a date to the wedding, Jed offers to bring Tori himself, knowing any woman on his arm is sure to be on Gabe’s radar. But his ploy for her attention just may blow up in his face. Can Jed prove to Tori he’s the Trainor brother she really belongs with? All I can say is that I’m not the audience for this book, but I gave it a try.

Dec 12: “Ready to Were” by Robyn Peterman, #1 in the Shift Happens series, a comedic paranormal/urban fantasy at 108 pages. Blurb from Goodreads: I never planned on going back to Hung Island, Georgia. Ever. I was a top notch Were agent for the secret paranormal Council and happily living in Chicago where I had everything I needed – a gym membership, season tickets to the Cubs and Dwayne – my gay, Vampyre best friend. Going back now would mean facing the reason I’d left and I’d rather chew my own paw off than deal with Hank. Hank the Tank Wilson was the six foot three, obnoxious, egotistical, perfect-assed, best-sex-of-my-life, Werewolf who cheated on me and broke my heart. At the time, I did what any rational woman would do. I left in the middle of the night with a suitcase, big plans and enough money for a one-way bus ticket to freedom. I vowed to never return. But here I am, trying to wrap my head around what has happened to some missing Weres without wrapping my body around Hank. I hope I don’t have to eat my words and my paw. This was a cute and funny story (with a steamy sex scene) and ended a lot better than I expected (no cliffhangers—yay!). Some people might call this a romance, and in a way it is, but it’s in first person so I never know what Hank is thinking and I need that for it to be a good romance for me. Still, I enjoyed the story very much and I’ll check out the next one in the series.

So…It’s nine days until Christmas. How ready are you? I’m just about done with the shopping. Next is the wrapping. Ugh. I bet I wait until the last minute to wrap. I usually do. Haha!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Pictures From the Madrigal Dinner

I don’t have much to say today, so I’ll just post pictures from Saturday night’s Madrigal Dinner (not that I have a lot of them).

Clockwise from left: Daughter, Son, Son's Girlfriend, and Girlfriend's Daughter (who I think is sticking her tongue out at me--haha!)

Wright State University Carol Singers

Two of the performers

The musicians (not that you can see much of them!)

Daughter and Son dancing a skit (it was quite humorous)

 

So… Are any of you planning on seeing the new Star Wars movie this week? I might wait until the day after Christmas. I know I’ll get tickets as soon as they go on sale (once I determine just how many of us are going--should know tonight).

Happy Monday!

Stacy

I Did It, My Afghan, and Pills

Well… I did it. I entered Blind Temptation in the Judge a Book By Its Cover contest (in the paranormal category). We’ll see how it does. Once I’m informed that it’s up for the online voting portion (it has two: online and judges), I’ll post the link here. You know, in case you WANT to vote for little ol’ me. The judged portion is completely separate from the online portion, but I wouldn’t mind winning either. Okay, I do mind. I want to win the judged portion so my cover will show up in the ad in the RWR (Romance Writers Report—the magazine RWA sends out to their members). Why else enter, right?

Of those that commented on Monday’s post, no one knew what design is on the afghan that shows up in my tree picture. Here’s a better picture of it (should be able to enlarge it by clicking on it). Do you see the kitty cats?

 

I had made this afghan for my mother-in-law (many, many years ago). When she passed (in 2001), I made sure to get it back (since her stuff was being given away). I love that thing. Hopefully she did too.

I saw my physician assistant (PA) yesterday and got that referral for physical therapy. He also suggested I take glucosamine chondroitin, to help with the cartilage (or lack thereof) in my knee. I have a feeling one of these days I’m going to be taking just as many pills as my hubby does. Except mine will all be supplements.

Have I ever mentioned I hate swallowing pills? Ugh.

I’m already taking iron, calcium, and vitamin D. I was taking magnesium, but I think that was the cause of my stomach problems (they have since ended since I stopped taking the pill—a pretty good indicator if you ask me). I know I wouldn’t have to take all those pills if I ate right, and maybe one day I will, but until that day…I’ll stick with the supplements.

Tomorrow night hubby and I will be taking my son’s girlfriend and her daughter to the Madrigal Dinner (held each year at Wright State University). Why aren’t we taking my son? Well… He and daughter are performing as dancers (son used to be part of the choir when he attended the college and before that he was one of the trumpet players). It’s a nice Christmas party. Lots of music, singing, and dancing (performance, not participatory). All the participants are dressed in madrigal style (1500s?) garments, and the food’s not so bad, either. We’ve been going since 2000 (man, that’s a long time!). Sure, it’s the same food and usually the same skits, but it’s a fun time, plus I like seeing my kids in action.

So… What are you up to this weekend? Shopping? Parties? Whatever, have a great one!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and My Decorated Tree

I only finished reading one book last week and I still have four more books to read to reach my goal. Man, I hope I make it. I’m beginning to have my doubts (I must have some short ones around here somewhere). Here’s the book I read:

Dec 3: “No Good Deed” by Allison Brennan, #10 in the Lucy Kincaid series, a suspense/thriller at 461 pages. Blurb from book: Lucy Kincaid understands the dangers of corruption. As an FBI agent, she has witnessed some very bad deeds committed by seemingly good people. That’s why she’s glad to see corrupt DEA Agent Nicole Rollins behind bars for murder, conspiracy, and gunrunning. But when Rollins makes a daring escape—jeopardizing a busload of children and killing five officers—Lucy become the key to the biggest manhunt in Texas history…and the target of a brilliant killer. Some believe Rollins has fled the country. But Lucy suspects her plan is far more sinister—a taunting game of cat and mouse that hits much closer to home. First, an FBI agent with a connection to Texas is killed in Washington. Then, Kane Rogan disappears on a mission. When Rollins ups the ante again, Lucy is determined to save the people she loves—before her enemy strikes again. Time is running out. The body count is rising. Rollins wants more than revenge—she wants to destroy everything Lucy holds dear… Whoo boy! What a ride. Ups, downs, twists, turns, and some really sick characters. What’s not to love? This is still one of my favorite series (even though I would have loved to smack Sean upside the head in this book—if he were a real person, that is).

I promised an updated picture of my decorated tree, so here it is…

Hey, can you tell what design is on
the black/white/grey afghan (shown on the
lower left)? I made that!

After I decorated the tree on Monday, I then addressed and signed 79 Christmas cards. By hand (I prefer the personal touch, you know?). Doing all that took all afternoon. Whew! You wouldn’t think that would be exhausting, but it was. I’ll have to plan better next year. That’s if I end up sending out that many again. But I won’t print out labels. Or buy pre-signed cards. Nope. Not me. Some of my recipients may get a form Christmas letter, but not a Christmas card. I’ll only resort to that when I can no longer hold a pen.

Even though I sent out 79 Christmas cards, only 27 of them got my form Christmas letter. See… I don’t torture EVERYONE! Only my closest relatives and friends. I mean, isn’t that what friends and family is all about? Torture?

So… Do you send out Christmas cards? What kind and how many? Share, share, share! How else am I going to get comments? J

Happy Reading!

Stacy

It Didn’t Look That Big in the Store

On Friday, Hubby and I went to Lowe’s to buy a new Christmas tree. I wanted the narrow one. He didn’t like it. And to be honest, the narrow one would have looked better if it didn’t look GREY. Or if it had colored lights. Found a wider, greener one with colored lights. But the Lowe’s in our town didn’t have any stock (yet they still had the display up—why??) and told us the one in Troy had five. Didn’t feel like driving up to Troy, so we drove over to Meijer’s to check out their tree selection.

Again, they had a display we were interested in (actually, they had two of the one we wanted up on display), but no boxes. You’d think they’d put a note up or something indicating they were out of stock, but no. They wouldn’t sell us one of the displays, either. Not until next week, even though they weren’t expecting another shipment in. I didn’t want to wait for next week, so we drove up to Troy.

Good thing we didn’t have anything else planned for the day.

Yesterday I finally pulled the tree out of the box, by sections, of course. Man, the middle and bottom sections were heavy! Heavier than our older tree. Turns out to be a LOT larger than our older tree. Don’t believe me? Here’s a comparison.

This was last year's tree.
Only 1/2 the lights worked.

This is our new tree.
There's no room for the topper!

Oh well… So much for wanting a narrower tree. Or even a smaller tree. I’ve got a monster now. At least the lights work. And it was easier to put together. Sort of. It’s a lot taller than the other tree, too. I can’t reach the top portion without standing on a chair. I’ll post a picture once I get the ornaments on it.

I really enjoyed hearing Tess Gerritsen speak at the Centerville Library on Friday (and I remembered the picture!!). Thank goodness I already owned her latest book and brought it for her to sign. She was at another event the night before and sold out of her books. Good for her. Not so good for the people at the library hoping to buy a book.

I hope one of these days I can experience selling out of books! Haha! J

Saturday’s football game was a thriller. Unfortunately we didn’t come out of it victorious. I really hate the private schools. They should have their own division. Public schools RARELY win because it’s hard to compete against schools that can recruit (where as public schools can’t). Still, we came sooooooo close. After being down by 17 points in the 4th quarter, we came back and were up by 4 points with 3 minutes left in the game. If we could only have held them (they ended up winning 45-35). Wasn’t meant to be, though. L

Finally, I need to shout out HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister, Karen! She's now only one year younger than me instead of two. J

 

So… Have you ever bought something that didn’t seem that big until you got it home?

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

Cooking, a Library Event, and a Christmas Tree

I cooked last night! Okay, I sort of cooked last night. I only heated the ham in the microwave, but the boxed cheesy scalloped potatoes had to be prepared and put in the oven. That’s cooking, right? Hee hee J

We also cut into our last Kringle (which do freeze well, by the way). I’ll be sorry to see it go. Those suckers are GOOD!

Today the hubby and I are going down to the Centerville library to see Tess Gerritsen. I gotta remember to take her book. And hopefully I remember to get my picture taken with her.

I forgot to do that when I had dinner with Meg Gardiner in Austin. D’oh!!

I’ve decided to shop for a new Christmas tree. Maybe I’ll do it today, after the library event. Our current pre-lit tree only half-lights and trying to find the culprits for the dead strings is pretty fruitless—maybe if just one light went out instead of the whole string… But nooooo!

I see that Lowe’s has a slim 7-1/2’ tall tree. With 800 lights! I’m thinking that’s the one I want. It’ll just barely clear the ceiling. Not sure if I’ll be able to put a topper on it, but if it’s narrow, then I don’t care. I just want something narrow. And pre-lit. Can’t forget that important feature!

 

Saturday is the big football game. I'll be at the OSU Horseshoe rooting for our Wayne Warriors to win. I really feel like this is their year. Can't wait for the game. It's supposed to be sunny. No rain!! Yay!

So… Have you put up your tree yet? How big is it? If it weren’t for all the dated ornaments, I’d get a really small tree, but I’ve been collecting dated ornaments since we got married (meaning #37 is going up this year) and I’m not quitting!

 

Have a great weekend and Go Wayne!!! J

Stacy

No Wednesday Reads?

That’s right. I was a slow reader this past week. Blame it on Thanksgiving and Black Friday and Cyber Monday and…whatever.

All of those kept me from writing, too. I’m good at making excuses, huh? I should get a medal.

Yesterday I was supposed to see the physician’s assistant (PA) about my knee, but he had some kind of medical emergency and my appointment was rescheduled for Dec 10th. At least my knee isn’t bothering me so much now. I walked for 40 minutes on Monday and Tuesday and so far I’ve only got a twinge of pain. I’ll blame that on the fact I haven’t exercised in awhile. Starting over really sucks.

Ahhh… But at least I’m starting! Now I have to keep my fingers crossed I don’t injure myself again. Or get sick again. Or just get lazy again. Any of those could possibly happen. Good thing snow isn’t forecasted, or that lazy thing might kick in. J

Maybe my new Fitbit will keep me motivated. I got it in the mail yesterday. Haven’t had a chance to really use it yet, but I’ll put it to work today. I’m really hoping all that crawling walking is getting my heart rate up (and the Fitbit will tell me that). And if it’s not up? Then I’ll have to wait until I see the PA. I will NOT injure my knee again.

At least I hope I don’t.

One thing about walking for 40 minutes on the treadmill: I get to read for 40 minutes. Hopefully I’ll have two books to report next week!

So… What is something that you seem to continuously make up have excuses to keep you from doing? You know, like: I’d go on a diet, except I have to eat. J

I’m so bad today, aren’t I?

Happy Reading!

Stacy