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