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31 December 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wow - I can't believe it's been months since I've posted - how time flies!!!!

I can't believe it's New Years Eve again. This year has flown by!

I AM going to write more next year - one of my goals. I'll post more tomorrow. I'm trying desperately to stay awake as I'm going to work as soon as I've seen in the New Year with my family. I've already 'had' my New Year's Eve. For years Mum and I have been spending the new year together. She's in England so the New Year there happens five hours ahead. Round about 6.50pm (EST) we get on the phone and chat and both listen to Big Ben striking in the New Year. It's always good to be able to say 'See you later this year' as the new year begins and I have a visit to look forward to.

This year Mum almost missed it. She hadn't rung by about 6.55pm so I rang her - and WOKE HER UP! She'd fallen asleep - it's the first year that's happened.

Well, I'll post more tomorrow (after work). I have goal plans for the coming year. I really need motivation too so writing down and keeping up with goals will (hopefully) help with that. For all of you adventurous revellers out there - have a safe and good night!

05 November 2010

GRRRR....

All I have to say today is GRRRRR Teenagers!!!! It's like living with toddlers all over again but they have more attitude.

02 November 2010

Pictures - A Taste of Autumn











WOW....

It's been a long time and sad to say not a lot has happened! How bad is that?

The summer is over and we're in the midst of Autumn. It's my favourite time of year - at least the part before it gets very cold. They actually mentioned the S word (snow) on the weather forecast for this week.

I'm going to update with a few images and then my goal is to keep posting. I've picked out a couple holiday pieces to stitch so hopefully I'll be able to post and keep plodding along.

TTFN

26 August 2010

A FINISH!!!

Yes, I really am yelling this! It has been SO long since I've had a finish. I liked this piece when I started out but by the end I'd just had enough. It was the lettering more than anything. The larger pieces I've worked on are just stitching, no backstitching and no lettering. It's DONE!!






This is a freebie design by VEE AND CO. Check out the website at http://www.veeandco.com/

17 August 2010

Beach Trip!

I had a lot of fun taking the pics the other weekend so we made a plan to take a trip to Lake Michigan after I'd finished with work on Sunday. The lake is about an hour away but I finish work about noon (start at 3.30am). Of course there was a DOWNPOUR right when I was getting ready to leave work. We took a chance as the weather looked to be bright - good decision!


It was warm and hot and sunny. We took a nice walk along the beach, the pier to the Lighthouse and up into the town where there are a few small shops. I was brave (for me) as I don't like being above water. I can swim well, but I hate going on bridges or boats that are over water. My reoccuring nightmare is of being on a beach with the tide coming in around me until there is nothing but me surrounded by water. I have a fear of drowning - perhaps in another life I drowned. I can't watch disaster boat movies either - nope, never watched Titanic - and if my hubby ever takes me on a cruise I know he's trying to kill me!


Here are some pics of South Haven








08 August 2010

Sunday Post....

We went to the Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire yesterday. It was a good day out. The mosquitos were out in force and we all have the bites to prove it.

It was the last weekend of the Faire. We picked this one as one of my favourite performers/groups were on - Bocca Musica. Check out their website!

http://www.boccamusica.com/

I got some GREAT pics! The weather was great and the performances were fun.







The above guys are The Knights of Mayhem.







The above two pics are of Thomas Wood. He's a juggler extraordinaire and fire eater. Great performance and hilariously funny!



Bocca Musica. Love their drinking songs. Missed the 'Adult' show this year but all their shows are great!





The Rogues. Their music was hauntingly beautiful. It reminded me of the greenary of England. They played Celtic Music and it was spellbinding!




Rogue Blades. Another hilariously funny show.

Bitch and Vent (first post)

Okay - just a quick rant and then something a little more fun...

Tracfone - GRRRRRRR!!!!

Just spent 1 hour, 15 minutes on the phone with them. Problem still not fixed. No figuring out how long I would have been on the phone with them had my home phone, landline, not died. Same old problem over and over again - time to cancel I think and look elsewhere. We don't use our phones enough for this hassle.

07 August 2010

Beer can pics

My DH's birthday was middle last month and I picked up some quirky beers from the store I work at. Of course I had to take pics.




Been a while...

Wow it's been a while since I wrote. I've been feeling a little down in the dumps. Several things all piling up. I haven't talked to my Mum in a while (have wrote emails) but I miss her and miss talking to her. Her sister has been over from Australia to visit and I haven't called as I don't know what they are up to and with the time difference (Mum is in England) it isn't always easy to figure things out.

Work is okay but I've had enough of some things. Customers have just seemed to be rude and impatient lately. I work as an Office Specialist (fancy title for a bookkeeper) in a grocery store. Not only do I have my own job to do but I double, triple, quadruple as a bagger, cashier, service manager all with cut-down help. One of my back-ups just left so I have one back-up who can do my job on my days off and that person wants three weekends off next month - guess where that leaves me? I'm thinking of quitting or looking for another job but then I feel selfish as there are lots of people without jobs. Sigh.

On top of all that I have PMT this week and feel like bursting into tears at the littlest thing. I have to talk to my boss and don't want to do it while I feel like this - nothing worse than bursting into tears at work.

Enough bitching - I have some pics to read which I'll post next.

If anyone is out there in cyberland reading - thanks - just writing helps!

19 July 2010

Had to share...




My son found this energy drink. I couldn't help but laugh at the can.



17 July 2010

Addicted to....

I am officially addicted to Planet Green's The Fabulous Beekman Boys. If you haven't managed to catch it on TLC or Planet Green you should. It is hilariously funny!

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/the-fabulous-beekman-boys/the-fabulous-beekman-boys.html


Check out the website!

HOT! HOT! HOT!

Phew, I've had enough of heat! Is it going to cool down anytime soon? It doesn't look like it.



The hubby and kids had fun at the concert - said it was a GREAT show! I enjoyed the movie - a must watch if you love a good mystery. I would never have guessed the ending!



This morning we got up early and went to the local farmers' market. We haven't been this year - there always seems to be some excuse. It was very hot and very busy. We picked up some locally made jerky (for hubby and the boys), some lovely new/small potatoes and some Cheddar & Onion breadsticks. There are lots of veggies I might go back and get next weekend. I want to look up some recipes and work on some menus before I buy. I admit to not being prepared.


I did buy one more thing - a lovely bunch of flowers.







16 July 2010

Yeh-hah!

A night alone! Hubby took all 3 kids (well, they are not really kids - 20, 18 & 16) to a music festival up in Lansing to see Alice Cooper. It's a really hot day here so I made sure they took sunscreen with them - don't want to hear no grumbling about sunburn - especially as I remember how it felt when my feet burnt recently.

So what did I do for the night?

Well I have to admit it was kind of weird. I complain (sometimes) about wanting the house completely to myself, but it was really quiet. At our house there is always someone home and usually someone awake. The two older 'kids' are in Uni and are on summer break (one is taking a class and they both work) but usually one of them is awake when I get up before the butt-crack of dawn. There is always someone awake and there is always noise. Not tonight.

I felt lost for a while. Both the dog and cat are camped out as close to the one window air conditioner that we do have. The cat has taken up a permanent place except for eating and doing his business, in front of the air conditioner and he doesn't seem the least bothered that the dog isn't far behind him. Usually they can't stand one another. Ben, the black lab, is afraid of the teeny-tiny cat (well, he's not really that little but he is a LOT smaller than Ben).

I ended up listening to one of my favourite radio shows - Chris Moyles on radio one and surfing the web for thrifty websites (I'm going to need to be extra-thrifty after the amount of money spent on the concert). There are some really neat ones out there, especially crafty ones. I might list a few tomorrow.

I'm now blogging in between watching A PLACE OF EXECUTION based on a Val McDermid book. Love her writing and her mysteries - have to say that Wire in the Blood is a fav of mine.

Back to watching the show....

14 July 2010

Sigh ...

When I was a child I loved to read. I think I got my love of books from my Mum as she loves to read too. I remember we had a bookcase in the hallway upstairs loaded with books. One of my favourites was a book of poems by Robert Louis Stevenson - A Child's Garden of Verses. There were several poems I loved but one of my favourites was called bed in summer. It's 8.07pm now and almost my bedtime as I get up at 2.45am to go to work. The sun is still shining and I don't feel like going to bed and I'm reminded of that poem again.

Bed in Summer - Robert Louis Stevenson

In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candlelight.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?

12 July 2010

More Stitching...

Found up a couple more pieces that I stitched a while ago. Both pieces are designed by Jamie over at Whitewillowstitching.com. One is based on a Kerri Crau design and is called Black Tear and the other is a White Willow Stitching original called Goddess Glory. Both patterns are available over on Jamie's website and you can see my pics over there too as she used my finished projects on her website! I usually use my nickname Shari so check out the pics!






This one is GODDESS GLORY




BLACK TEAR


11 July 2010

Not so witty Sunday....

It's been a while...

Whenever I think about writing in my blog (usually before the crack of dawn when I'm all alone at work) I come up with some rather witty entries - if I do say so myself. The only problem is by the time I get home and my computer is beneath my fingertips every witty word I thought of has disappeared. I call it a brain fart. I tend to have them a lot. I like to write stories too and I always seem to have the best ideas at the most inopportune time.

WORLD CUP - I have been addicted. No, I'm not ashamed to say it. I have watched almost every match and tivo'd those I couldn't watch. How sad is that? I was disappointed when England got kicked out so early, but kept watching. Today was the final. Paul, the Octopus, predicted Spain would win and they did. The game was sadly lacking excitement. There were a LOT of yellow cards (fouls) and a Dutch player got sent off as he ended up with 2 yellow cards. I had been hoping for some drama, some near misses, maybe lots of goals. Nope. It's all over for another 4 years. :(

STITCHING - sad to say I haven't been doing too much of that either. I'm still working on a little freebie I found online. I'll post a picture soon.

READING - have been doing a LOT of that. I've been on a paranormal kick, but am trying to clear out some books so have been reading a few of the mysteries I have. The last two I read were Dipped, Stripped and Dead and French Polished Murder both by Elise Hyatt. They feature a newly-divorced Mum, Dyce Dare and her fledgling business Daring Finds. There are a whole bunch of hilarious characters and the mystery is fun. They are well worth a read! Fun to read out in the garden on a sunny, not-too-hot afternoon.

24 June 2010

OLDER STITCHING...
















I was looking through some older photos yesterday and found up some pictures of pieces I've stitched and given away. I thought I'd share (at least post if no-one's out there in cyber-land reading).

I wish I had something witty to write, but life here in Michigan is pretty routine and mundane. When I'm at work and alert I think of stories I'd like to share - some of goofy customers or people that just make you say HUH? but by the time I get home it's all gone poof!

I dropped my daughter off today. She's going to a friend's house for the weekend so she'll be gone again. This friend used to live next door to us but when her mum and dad got divorced (rather messily) the mum and daughter moved away to a town about an hour away. Rach and C don't get to see one another much anymore but although it's been a few years since they moved (probably 7 or 8) they keep in touch. Last summer I don't think they got together at all as Rach was cheerleading and it took up a lot of time and when she had free time C was busy.

I hope they have a good weekend. They are both teenagers now, not little children and hopefully they haven't changed enough that they can't be friends. They had such great times when they were little.

23 June 2010

YES!

If I was able to do cartwheels I'd be doing them around my living room. We passed the audit!!! I did well on my parts. I received a 94% on one part and on the other 96%. I get marked for Cash Controls and Bookkeeping. I'm happy. No re-audit.

:)

22 June 2010

PHEW - what a day!!

After a bad couple days at work I thought today would have to be better. It had to be right? It couldn't be worse. Wrong. Things were going along quite nicely when DA-DA the auditor walks in. Sigh. I am a bookkeeper (I have a fancier title, but it doesn't mean a lot) for a grocery store. It was once a small family owned chain of a few stores, but was taken over by a corporation. Now we have audits. At least once a year all the stores get audited. If you do well you usually only have one a year, if you fail (less than 90% overall) you have to have a re-audit.

Last year we did really well - the third highest in our area, something like 96%. Not so sure this year. The auditor checks EVERYTHING and I mean everything. The majority of the audit consists of cash controls and bookkeeping (my area). As my boss always says, if you pass the cash office you usually pass the rest. Sigh. What pressure. A lot of what the auditor looks at is from the previous month - I was on vacation for 1/2 of it.

There are a lot of nit-picky things that are looked at - I have xs and os depending on whether cashiers are over/short a certain amount, colour co-ordination if they are over/short on lottery, stamps, bottle returns, money orders, coupons etc. Apparently there is a method to this madness. Just when I think I have it figured out they change things - usually without telling you.

ON A GOOD NOTE - today is the only day I've been left alone at work since I got back from my hols. There is nothing like the auditor to make people stay away from you. I don't see the managers for dust when she's around. I suddenly become a leper.

Tomorrow I'll find out how well I did. The things she looked at while I was there seemed okay - she took all lane tracking, cashier audits, customer refunds, bottle slips away with her to look at.

21 June 2010

Happy Summer Solstice!

One of my daily dilemmas (outside of work) is what's for dinner. After about 2pm it's the question my family seems to want to know the answer to. During the week it's my turn to cook. My hubby and I split up the cooking duties - he's gets Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I get the other days. When I went to work full time it was one of the conditions - heck, if I'm outside working as many hours as he is I'm not going to be doing everything at home too.

I like to cook. I used to do a lot of it when I was a SAHM. The thing I hate is trying to figure out what to cook. We're all tired of eating the same old thing over and over again.

NEW CHALLENGE - cook at least one new thing a week. I'm hoping to do more than one, but one is manageable. My DD Rach has volunteered to help me out. Today we cooked Fiesta Taco Bake (we got the recipe from BetterCrocker.com) and it turned out to be a WINNER!!! All 3 kids and hubby liked it. We're adding it to THE cookbook.

WATCHING :- True Blood. I have to DVR it as it's after my bedtime. I get up at 2.50am for my job so I have to be in bed early :) GREAT SHOW!! I'm addicted. Loved the books (started reading them way back when) and LOVE the show!

20 June 2010

Father's Day

Happy Father's day to all the Dads (including my DH and FIL).

My Father isn't in my life - hasn't been since I was eleven and he walked out on our family never to be heard from again. For a long time it hurt and shaped my actions for a time when I was a teen. It's been years since I put all the hurt behind me and have moved on. At this point in my life I'm at peace with his absence.

We're not big into gift giving but DH did receive a video game, cake and some instant lottery tickets. He's planning on cooking steaks and baked potatoes. He's the King of the Grill. I have no idea how to get the thing started and being a vegetarian I'm not too big on cooking raw meat.

WHAT WE WATCHED - DH got us hooked on Netflix and I'm the one with the most DVDs in queue. I've had MANOR HOUSE for a couple days and settled down to watch yesterday. DS (18) happened to be in the room. We watched DVD 1 & 2. OMGosh! We laughed so hard. It's not a comedy but the people on there made us laugh. If you don't know what the show is about it's a reality show (aired on PBS - it's set in England) where volunteers become part of a large manor house in the early 1900s. There is a family who becomes THE family - Lord and Lady and several people who become servants down below. The man who becomes the Lord loves it - basically he gets to do lots of nothing except lord over everyone (which he is very good at - arrogant man). The poor servants aren't so happy (they get no time off and work as much as 18 hours hard work a day). One Scullery maid lasts 2 days, the next doesn't last much longer. DS and I thought they's be there weeks with the first one - she was bawling her eyes out - and turned out to be 2 days lol.

I'm not saying I'd do much better. As my DS said there is a reason things changed. I complain about work and the pay, but compared to days gone past I have it pretty good.

19 June 2010

Mourning times past...

I spent too much time yesterday searching for new blogs to read. A lot of them were filled with stories of kids and the long summer ahead and my heart clenched a little bit. Once upon a time that was me. I was the SAHM half looking forward to the long summer and half dreading it. We were no longer on a schedule, rushing around trying to get ready for school, volunteering at school, attending conferences and such. On the other hand we had a whole long summer to fill.

My 'kids' are now 20, 18 and 16 - my oldest will turn 21 in August! The two older ones are at uni and still live at home but they are venturing out of the nest and exploring on their own. My DD is the only one who still wants to spend any time at all with me (and it's not a lot!).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. Just the fact that they are all learning to fly means I've done my job and done it fairly well. I stumbled and tripped along the way and it was definitely a financial struggle for my DH and I but a little part of me mourns the days we spent together, when things were new and bright and shiny and the long summers seem to stretch forever ahead of us.

18 June 2010

Some older Stitching






Well....

Had an 'extra' day off work today so I thought I'd get a few things done around the house that I've been putting off.

* I cleaned off the front porch (or got a good start on it). It is actually worse than it sounds. It seems the front porch is a catch-all for junk and old shoes. We rarely use the front door so nobody goes on the porch. The front door can't actually open from the outside (don't ask me why - has never worked since we bough the house) so we always use the back. There is a bunch of stuff to be donated to the thrift shop, some stuff to be thrown away on pick-up day (monthly 'extra' trash pick up day in our city)and some stuff to keep. There is actually a dresser on the front porch (nope, not a hillbilly) which needs to go upstairs to my boys' room. Tomorrow we'll be taking care of the stuff out there and the porch will be free to be re-screened.

* Did a really good vacuuming of the living room, pulling out chairs and getting underneath everything. YIKES! That's all I'm going to say. I do vacuum at least every other day but we have a cat, a dog, two teens, two adult men and me.

* Washed the sheets and quilt off our bed. Poor quilt has just about had it. I don't know whether to wrap it up and put it away to save or use it until it falls apart. I know my MIL put a lot of love in it so I'm tempted to put it up.

* Started sorting through some stitching supplies. I came across some pieces I stitched a while ago so I'm going to post them. I also kitted up some 'freebies' and hope to get going on one.

I spent too much time watching the football - SAD that England only got a draw. How bad is that????

14 June 2010

There is a blog on the web...

...called Pagan Blog Prompts (check out the link on the side). I'm thinking that I should visit more often and follow some of their ideas. Going home always renews me and fills me with a new sense of finding myself and being my true self. It doesn't seem to work for long most years but I'm hoping this one will be different. I turned 40 and my gift to myself should be honesty about who I am and what I believe. I think if most people who knew me really KNEW me they would be shocked or dismayed. I shouldn't care what people think of me. I'm not an impressionable kid or a young adult who needs acceptance. I should be comfortable in my own skin.

Things that make me smile...

THE ABBEY at BURY ST. EDMUNDS - this has to be one of the most peaceful places I've ever been. I feel such a sense of calm when I am there. It's a beautiful, beautiful place filled with history. I try to always go there when I am home. It relaxes me and helps me centre myself again.















BEAUTIFUL SUNSET - the view from my Mum's back window





PADDLING IN THE SEA



CHRISTCHURCH MANSION in Ipswich

11 June 2010

Been a while...

Been away for a while.

Well my 40th birthday has come and gone and I can't say I feel any differently. I had a good day got prezzies - chocolate, True Blood Season 2 DVD, smellies and bookshop Gc and other goodies. Nice day in all. Maybe...just maybe I'll post a pic of me and my cake. Have I mentioned that I hate having my picture taken?

I'm changing the name of my blog - I have to think up a proper one, but I'm no longer chasing 40 as I've already hit it.

TODAY I AM...

watching the WORLD CUP (GO ENGLAND!). I know technically England isn't playing until tomorrow but I enjoy watching football especially the international matches.

08 May 2010

Here's another one....

Borrowed from http://talesofawanderingwitch.blogspot.com/
Fun Little Survey

From: Bell, Book, Candle, & Cats

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was a stay at home mum raising three young kids. Back then mine were 10, 8 and 6. Seems like a lifetime ago :)

Five snacks that you enjoy in a perfect, non weight-gaining world:
Chocolate
Pizza
Cheese
Crisps
Ice Cream


Five things you would do if you were a billionaire:
Travel
Have one house in England and one in US so I wouldn't feel torn in two
Open a bookstore
Give my Mum enough money to live comfortably
Make sure I had enough time to enjoy life

Three of your habits:
Chocolate
Drink too much diet coke
On the computer too much

Five jobs that you've had:
T-shirt printer at the beach
Worked in Superdrug
Newspaper delivery when I was a kid
Mum
Bookkeeper

Five places that you've lived:
Ipswich, England
Woodbridge, England
Shotley, England
Clovis, New Mexico
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Five things that you did yesterday:
Work
Read
Ebay
Went to Art Show to see some of my daughter's work
Picked up daughter and her 2 friends from High School

Five people you would want to get to know more about:
Not sure about this one. I guess maybe I'd chose 5 people from different lifestyles and different countries

Do you think the world would fail with a female president?
No. I think a woman would bring different qualities than a man

Do you believe in the death penalty?
I think so - in some cases.

Do you wish marijuana would be legalized already?
Yes.

Are you for or against premarital sex?
I don't see anything wrong with it. I'm not a Christian so religion isn't an issue for me.

Do you think same sex marriage should be legalized?
Yes. See above

Should the alcohol age be lowered to eighteen?
I want to say yes as I grew up in England where the age is 18 but I remember what I got up to as a teen (even before I hit the legal age) and I have 3 teenagers.

Should the war in Iraq be called off?
I didn't agree with it in the first place.

Assisted suicide is illegal: do you agree?No. The right to die should be a personal choice especially in the case of terminal illness. I believe in the right to die with dignity.

Do you believe in spanking your children?

No

Do you worry that others will judge you from reading some of your answers?

Sometimes I worry too much what people will think. I'm trying to learn to let go. I'm old enough now that it shouldn't matter what people think of me. I would hope that the people who know me, the ones that matter in my life, would accept my opinions even if they are different from their own. This has been something I've been struggling with in my religious views. I am pretty sure there are some people who would hate me or belittle me if they knew my beliefs.

Things that make me happy....

I saw this on another blog and decided to give it a try as I have no new update for stitching. Life's been busy and I haven't been stitching much. I have been reading more. Can't believe it's already almost middle of May - 11 more days and I'll be 40. Wow that went quick. It just seems like yesterday I started this blog. Just seems like yesterday that it was Christmas.

10 things that make me happy...

1. My family
2. Sunny Days
3. Spring Time
4. A good book
5. Stitching
6. The smell of the sea
7. The beach beneath my toes
8. Good Chocolate
9. The smell of vanilla
10. A good nights' sleep

19 April 2010

Happy Monday...

...another one of THOSE days. I don't like Mondays, I don't like Mondays... etc, etc.

I was just thinking about how many days until my birthday. I'll have to think about the title of my blog then :) I'm looking forward to my birthday - I'll be England visiting my Mum, definitely something to look forward to.

Now to my mail reason for posting - check out the new update! I finished another page, not a big one, but a page none-the-less.

15 April 2010

Beautiful day...

...here in Michigan. WOW! The windows are open and a gentle breeze is flowing in. Can't believe how lovely it is outside.

Well I'm done with the page I was planning on finishing this week - YAHOO! One step closer. Check out the picture by the side. I'm going to get started on another page while watching Ghosthunters that I recorded on DVR.

11 April 2010

How Time Flies...

...when you're not having fun :)

Yikes - it's been a while since I posted. My uneventful life has been particularly uneventful. Been working, reading, stitching and back to the beginning.

Spring has sprung here in Michigan. The trees are beginning to bud and the grass is long enough that DH had to do a patch mowing job. I'm going to try to get out and take some pics this week.

I've been doing really well walking. I'm definitely losing weight. So happy. This past week I actually went outside and walked instead of just on the treadmill. I live in a neighbourhood with two big hills which are really good (and not easy) to walk up.

I've posted an update to Garden Child - still working on her wing. The page is almost finished. My goal for the week is to get the page finished so hopefully another update towards the end of the week.

31 March 2010

Had to Rush out...

...and buy the new Patricia Briggs MERCY THOMPSON novel. I couldn't wait. I had it on hold at my local B&N yesterday but it wasn't ready until after DH was already home and I was feeling too icky to go get it. Last night my sinus' started acting up - felt as though I'd inhaled water. You know the feeling...burning...caused a headache = yuck.

Anyway went to get it this morning (day off). I picked up another couple books that I'll post about later. The new Mercy Thompson was my real reason for going to the bookstore. SILVER BORNE. Read it all in one sitting. LOVED IT! I haven't picked up one of these books that I didn't like. The only thing I wasn't too sure about was the Samuel resolution (no spoilers here) but it seemed a bit quick and hurried.

The rest of the book was a delight. I loved the plot, the interaction between Mercy and Adam and the rest of the pack. I also loved the storyline about Samuel (at least until the ending).

Mercy is a coyote. Adam is alpha of the local pack of Werewolves. She seems to get in lots of trouble. In this one she is called concerning a missing friend. The Fae seem to be involved. This is a GREAT paranormal/urban fantasy read. I would recommend reading the other books first before reading this one.

That's it for now.

30 March 2010

Happy Tuesday...

...well, it's really not been a bad day so I can't complain. Whenever I think about writing this I feel I should be writing something witty and interesting. Can't really say my life is interesting (see title of this blog).

Work was uneventful. Lots of impatient people - as always. I work as a bookkeeper in a store (I do have a fancy title but it's of little importance). Basically I go in before the butt-crack of dawn (3.30am) get all the tills ready before the store opens at 6am. I watch the service desk until 7am when the person who works there comes in and then I go do my balancing, paperwork (a LOT of it) and am basically on call for all kinds of problems and stuff until a manager comes in. I deal with too many impatient people, get paid a pittance (literally) and come away tired and grumpy. But, hey, a job is a job and here in Michigan where we have one of the highest - if not highest - unemployment rate in the country I'm not going to complain. Especially as I get paid holidays, insurance isn't too much and I am one of only 3 people in our store who can do my job. The others are part-timers who are my back-ups and can do the basics. I am replacable and I know it - so not boasting here.

I got my DVD in the post today from Netflix. Coronation Street - a celebration of 40 years. For those of you who aren't English Coronation Street is a soap that I grew up with. There were lots of familiar characters and a good laugh in general. Sadly my kids who grew up here in the States didn't know what I was laughing at. Even now on my yearly trip home to England I always watch Coronation Street and Eastenders (another favourite).

29 March 2010

Spring Break...

Well it's Spring Break for DD who is in High School. I took an extra day off so I don't feel like such a terrible Mum. Glad I did now - still feeling icky. It doesn't help that there are lots of Easter Lillies around in the shops. I'm allergic to them - give me a terrible headache, stuffy nose and watery eyes - on top of the cold I already have it's like a double whammy.

I'm posting a new pic for GARDEN CHILD (stitching). I have done a little more, but it's the latest picture I have. Also read another book or two.

27 March 2010

SPRING IS HERE...

....and with it the requisite spring cold. I've been feeling icky the last few days. Of course this was bound to happen as a) I had two days in a row off work and b) I had plans. The weather outside is gorgeous, a little cold, but it's nice to see the sun. I wish that I wasn't feeling as stuffy and ache-y (is that a word??) as I do.

I've been reading a lot - buying way too many books - some I've added to the read list. I really should keep up on that better so I can remind myself how many books I've read and how many I still have to read. Maybe I should make a to-read list as well. I've been listening to some audio books while at work. I ordered some from paperbackswap.com. I've listened to a couple of Janet Evanovich at work - at least they make me LOL.

I do have an update on the stitching. Hopefully I'll upload it tomorrow. I haven't been working much on it. I did finish another page. I just feel kinda icky and not in the mood to stitch.

On a good note - I booked my trip home to England. Can't wait to leave (mid-May) and really, really need a holiday.

Right now I'm watching New Moon - not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I ordered it from Netflix. So far it's okay. I'm not a big fan of the whole Twilight thing. Not really my thing - perhaps a little tame....

14 March 2010

Time Change? Can I afford to miss an hour of sleep????

I HATE the Spring forward time change. I hate giving up that extra hour of sleep. I had to work this morning so I got up before the time change as I have to be at work by 3.30am. The teenagers were still up - they had 'forgotten' about the time change. Grrrrr..... So in the blink of an eye I lost an hour. Now that I'm home from work don't have a lot of energy left. Had to go shopping today after work (just what I wanted to do) but it's out of the way and I won't have to go tomorrow after work.

Update on the stitching - I've almost finished another page. Okay, so it wasn't a very big page, but it's almost done which means I'm closer to be finished.

Update on reading - still reading SKINWALKER by Faith Hunter. It's my read-at-work book right now.

Other stuff - going to book my trip home this week. It's Mothering Sunday in England today so missing Mum and really looking forward to seeing her soon. The book purging on Ebay is going well so the spending fund is looking quite healthy.

12 March 2010

Been a while...

I haven't checked in for a while. I can't believe it's March already! All that snow in my pictures is all gone. Even the ploughed snow-pile up at the store is melting. It's been in the fifties the last couple days. We all seem to want to strip off down to shorts and tees (well not quite!) but it certainly seems a lot warmer than it has been. The only bad thing is that it has been dull and somewhat rainy. Still the winter seems to be drifting behind us - don't think it's quite done yet - but I can see the beginning of the Spring.

Been reading more than I've been stitching lately. I just seem to go through stages - reading, writing, stitching - wish I had more time to do all. I read a lot of urban fantasy/paranormal romance/mysteries. I got dragged to Barnes and Noble today (wasn't really all that reluctant) but picked up another book - Confessions of a Demon by S.L Wright and while we're on confessions I have another - I have some books on the way from Barnes and Nobles online. I was hoping they would arrive by today but apparently not until Monday.

I should make a list of what's in my to-read pile but I'm a little afraid. I admit to being a book-a-holic, I can't resist buying them. I do have to purge once in a while and am listing some on Ebay.

25 February 2010

Grumpy...

I'm in a grumpy mood tonight and not really sure why. Work wasn't too bad - same old, same old. It was one of those days when I really thought about quitting. I wasn't really too grumpy when I got home but the grumpiness seems to have grown on me. Probably has something to do with the fact that I have to get up in the morning and DH has three days off, as does DD (tomorrow is mid-winter break at HS) and the boys are on Spring Break from Uni. I'm really tired for some reason.

I didn't do any stitching today or any reading. I looked at the growing piles of books and groan. I love to read and to buy books, but I have waaayyy too many. I can't seem to give any up either. I feel like I'm turning into a hoarder or something. I would really, really like a clean, minimal space but all I seem to have is pile of stuff!

I REALLY need a vacation. I'm just waiting for the plane ticket to come close to the price I want and then I'm booking it. I just want to get away....

23 February 2010

Yup it snowed...


It was the wet, heavy kind. It looks really pretty on the trees and bushes, but it's a pain to shovel/snowblow and walk/drive through. I'd like it a lot more if I didn't have to go out in it. I wouldn't mind sitting in front of a warm fire (if I had a fireplace) looking through the windows at the snow falling outside. Unfortunately I had to go to work in the morning. We live on a hill and it's really difficult to get up the street when the road is snow covered. I ended up walking even though I go to work really, really early.


I can't wait for Spring. It's getting closer. It's one of my favourite times of the year. Everything is new and fresh - a time of rebirth and renewal. Our whole area suddenly bursts with colour after being dull and dirty and grey. Grey. That's exactly how I'd describe Michigan towards the end of winter. Snow begins to melt, getting mixed with dirt, the sun doesn't shine and everything just looks dull. When Spring finally emerges it brings with it a whole new burst of energy. There is nothing like the colour of the first spring grasses.

21 February 2010

Updated - GARDEN CHILD



YES! I completed my goal for the weekend - to finish the wing parts I was working on. I'm really pleased with how it's coming along.

I actually had two days off in a row which explains why I reached my goal. Usually I'm too busy running around on my day off to sit and stitch. I took Friday off and enjoyed the day for myself. I read, caught up on some DVR shows and stitched.

It's always hard to go back to work after a couple days off. It was busy today. The weather people said the S word (SNOW!) and everyone came running. Let's see how much we actually get....

14 February 2010

Phew!

I finally did it! The calendar I was talking about finishing for my Mum is finished and in the post. I am SO embarrassed that it's taken so long, but I'm glad it's finished and on its way to her. I guess it's better late than never. I haven't told her that it's on the way - hopefully it will be a pleasant surprise. It just seemed like one thing after another went wrong with it this time. Hopefully it will make it to her. One year it got 'lost' and I had to make another one. The original made it back to me a couple months later.

Watching a show on Animal Planet and going to get some stitching done. Already been to work and come home and trying to stay awake. The show is Werewolves: The Dark Survivors. It's a really interesting faux documentary. I like the idea of Werewolves - probably why I read too much paranormal/urban fantasy genre fiction.

12 February 2010

YIKES!

Forty is getting closer and I'm beginning to feel old.

I was listening to the BBC World News in the morning on the radio (I go to work so darn early I get to listen to it for about an hour and a half!)and one of the main stories was that yesterday was the twenty year anniversary since Nelson Mandela had been freed from prison. I remember him being in prison and the stories in England about his plight. I remember the song Free Nelson Mandela. Yikes.

Today I'm listening to the radio on the way to the shops and it's the retro hour - and I RECOGNISE NEARLY EVERY DARN SONG!!!! Yikes! The Eighties are retro hour! It seems like just yesterday the sixties and seventies were considered retro and I was laughing at DH for knowing them.

I would say that soon I'll be getting stuff from the AARP - but I already have! Pretty soon the year I was born - 1970 - will be included on those ads where they say 'If you were born after...".

I think it's just one of those days and I'll feel younger tomorrow....Hopefully...

10 February 2010

Pictures....

SNOW DAY today - at least for HS daughter. The university was open. It was my day off work so I didn't have to get up and go out into the yucky white stuff. I like snow - if I can sit in my house and look out of my window at it. I don't like it when I have to go out in it and I definitely don't like to drive in it. Call me a wimp but I feel really nervous about driving in it. I think I've said before that I learned to drive later in life so maybe that has something to do with it. I get REALLY nervous when my kids are driving in it - seems to bother me more than them. My mum tells me I have to relax and let them go...doesn't make it any easier.

Today I was looking through pictures I've taken in the past. I got a new camera for Christmas and I still haven't learned to use it properly. I enjoy taking pictures. I really do.


Today I'm going to post pictures that make me feel calm.