Let's talk about books, baby!

I'm currently enamored with Lisa Jackson. It's funny because I've had a couple of her books (Shiver and Fatal Burn) sitting on my bookshelf for months now but in my stubborn "how-do I know-this-author-won't suck" mode, I hadn't given a thought to reading them until last weekend. Silly me. It was sheer boredom and a lack of enthusiasm over rereads that caused me to pick up Shiver and I'm glad I did. Lisa Jackson is a wonderful writer, very engaging and now that I've read three of her books (the two I previously had and one I picked up on Sunday, Almost Dead), I must read more. Check her out. Seriously. She's good.

And then there's Lisa Scottoline, another author who's been haunting my bookshelf (a year or so longer than Lisa Jackson). I started with Dirty Blonde because someone (Christie, I think) gave it to me a few months ago and since I did indeed like it, I pulled out The Vendetta Defense (the one haunting my bookshelf) and ended up enjoying it so much I wanted to kick myself in the ass for waiting so long to read it. Another wonderful writer, engaging AND witty. And, for me, it's her wit that makes her books so enjoyable. You should check her out too. Seriously. She's good.

Denise recently recommended Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series and this one I have actually attempted to read. A few months back I read Guilty Pleasures and while I did enjoy the book as a whole, I have to say I wasn't too crazy about Anita Blake herself. But, since I did enjoy the book and Denise tells me Anita Blake transforms into a rather complexly interesting character as the series goes on, I think I'll pick up Book 2 and give it a go.

And, in a bit under three weeks, J. D. Robb's newest book in the "in Death" series, Strangers in Death, comes out and, of course, I'll be scooping that one up as soon as it hits the shelf of my local Barnes and Noble. I love, love, love her! Absolutely.

Sadly, I have to wait until May for my next Nora Roberts fix. That's when The Hollow (Book 2 in the Sign of Seven Trilogy) comes out. I'm literally counting the months but it'll be a lot easier to pass the time with these new authors I've discovered. Yay.

Well, that's it, a personally unpersonal post by yours truly. Hey, maybe one day soon I'll write a personally personal post but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

Double Duty.

First, I forgot to wish my sweet, Christie, a happy one last Friday. So, Happy (Late) Birthday, beautiful!


You know, I've been contemplatively reflecting lately, and in this period of reflection, I've found it positively amazing how time (and other random things) can change things so completely. Last year, on her birthday, Christie and I were somewhat ambivalent towards each other. We're sisters, so of course there was love, but friendship and compassion and understanding? No, not really. This year, on the other hand, has been an immense growing experience for the both of us and it's brought us closer together than I think either of us ever thought we'd be. How's that for irony? Christie's my sister but more importantly, she's my friend, one of the best I've been blessed with and I love her.

Second, and I really did mean to do this yesterday but it was payroll day and I got sidetracked, I want to wish Evan and Denise a "Happy Anniversary". I know I'm a day late but the feelings behind the sentiment are no different today than they were yesterday. You're a lovely couple and I'm honored to call you my friends. So...



That's all. To the rest of you, "Happy Fricken Friday"!

Christmas 2007

Since a major traffic accident wreaked havoc with my schedule Friday night (Christie's birthday dinner at the Melting Pot), I didn't have time to do much of anything other than change out of my work shirt before grabbing Cameron and running out the door, so there were no pictures taken, at least not by me. But, there is Christmas...

Meme.

1) Total number of films I own on DVD/video:
I have absolutely no idea? Not a little and not a lot, maybe a hundred or so.

2) The last film I bought:
"The Simpsons Movie" for Cameron.

3) The last film I watched:
"Live Free Die Hard" as well as "Rush Hour 3" and "The Bourne Ultimatum"--it was movie marathon night at Christie's this weekend.

4) Five films that I watch a lot or that mean a lot to me:
1. Pump Up The Volume
2. Goonies
3. Pirates of the Caribbean (all of them, all the time)
4. The Simpsons Movie (because Cameron happens to be addicted to it)
5. Superbad (for the same reason as #4 but only Drew not Cameron)

5) Tag 5 people and have them put this in their journal.
I'd really rather not.

Slothfulness.

It's been a bit of a while since I've paid any mind to this space but honestly, I haven't had all that much to say. Life is life. But, that said, I'll do my best to catch you up on the life and times of yours truly.

Christmas was, well, Christmas. While typically my favorite time of the year, it wasn't really so much so this year. What it was, my friends, was stressful with a capital "S". I have to thank the Almighty Dollar for that one. But, stresses aside, it was a lovely time.

The Sunday before Christmas, we headed to Okeechobee and my mom and I baked cookies, not the abundance we usually bake but enough to keep Santa and friends happy. Monday, Christmas Eve, was also spent with my mom, opening our Christmas Eve PJ's and just spending time. The drive two days in a row was a bit of a bitch but since both days were so enjoyable, I shant complain about that (much).

Christmas day itself was, while busy, one of the most relaxing days I've had in a long, long time. I was up past 4:00 AM doing this and that the night before so I was totally dreading the early wake-up call I was sure Cameron was going to give, but the crazy child that is mine got it into his head that he wasn't supposed to wake us up, so we didn't get out of bed until almost 10:00 AM. This, of course, wreaked all kinds of havoc with my schedule but I was feeling too peachy to care. Presents were quickly distributed and opened. Cameron pretty much got every thing he asked for as did I and Drew and everyone else. After present time, we headed off to Christie's for Christmas Brunch. This was the first time we've had Christmas Brunch and though we're thinking of moving it to Christmas Eve next year, it's something we're definitely doing next year! And the eggnog pancakes... YUM! After brunch I headed home to start preparing Christmas dinner. As much as I had going on (homemade potatoes au gratin, baked beans and ham), I was sure I was going to be a basket case but it all went so smoothly I didn't have a chance to even think about fretting. My mom, Christie, Sarah and Jade arrived with the broccoli casserole and pies around 6:00 PM and after my mom helped me set the table, we all sat down and had the loveliest dinner together. It was really just an all around enjoyable day. And since my company was closed until January 2nd, so was the rest of the week and half of the following.

I was off for 11 and a 1/2 days and I'm a bit ashamed to admit I didn't do a damn thing the whole time. There were numerous things I absolutely SHOULD have done, like tackling the nightmare that is Cameron's room and doing something about the obstacle course of clutter that has taken over the master bedroom but sadly, I didn't. The main reason for this shameful laziness of mine was the strep throat I came down with the week before Christmas that took what felt like forever and a day to go away and made a return visit a day or two after I got back to work. It's still here, by the way, but thanfully it's become tolerable. I really need to go to the doctor and get some antibiotics but I just don't want to.

I've been back to work for almost a week now and every thing has basically fallen back in to the same old routine, just a bit busier with all the catch up.

I did take pictures Christmas day, though not nearly as many as I usually do, and as soon as I get the motivation to actually upload them, I'll post a few but it more than likely won't be before Christie's birthday dinner this Friday. Hey, maybe you'll get both.

And that's really all there is at the moment. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday with family and friends and got most if not all they wished for.