Just Another Manic Monday

Actually, it's not too bad for a Monday. It is snowing. And I did oversleep, but I made it to work close to on time. And for being the start of a new quarter at work, things are fairly quiet. Which pleases me to no end.

The Man has class tonight, which means I have an evening mostly to myself. I'll tape our shows (Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men) to watch when he comes home. This also means I can watch what I want, eat what I want, do what I want. At least until 9:00pm when The Man comes home.

So, while I'm working on our April budget, I'm going to watch some more of season two of Gilmore Girls. Because lucky me received the entire series on DVD for my birthday! I loved this series when it was on the air. Okay, for the most part. And it's sort of nice to have it on DVD so I can watch my favorite episodes whenever I feel like it. Not something I would have bought for myself, but thank you, and you know who you are, for thinking of me and being so generous!

I watched season one last week and remembered how much I loved the episode where the girls went to the Bangles concert. Ah, good times. Last night, it was Rory's coming out party. I'm so glad my family wasn't rich enough or prestigious enough to require a coming out for me. I'm so not that girl. LOL!

And how nice is it that for once, my Monday isn't manic? I could get used to this. *g*

From April's Blog

89%DRUNKARD

Honestly, I don't drink a lot. But I do know a lot about different drinks. One year The Man gave me a book on mixed drinks. I love reading about them. I don't like drinking them. How strange am I? Please don't answer that, lol.

Good Reads - March

March was a huge reading month for me. I'm not sure why. I think it's the stress. I tend to avoid everything and read more when I'm really stressed. Here's hoping April is a lighter month. *grin*

1. Nicholas by Elizabeth Amber -- This book is not for the faint of heart. It's an erotic historical layered with Greek/Roman mythology. Strange. Very strange.
   
2. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts -- This is the first book of NR's new Circle of 7 trilogy and this is my second time reading it. Fantastic! I can't wait for May and the second book.
   
3. The Liar's Diary by Patry Francis -- A debut novel by a wonderful author.
   
4. Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell -- This book made me want to go tour historical points of interest linked to some of our dead presidents. LOL!
   
5. Master of the Night by Angela Knight -- An intriguing blend of vamps, shape shifting and Authorian legends. I'll keep reading the series.
6. Jacob and Gideon by Jacqueline Frank -- These are the first two books in JF's Nightwalker series. They were okay. Not sure if I'll keep up with the series.
7. Passion by Marilyn Pappano -- This out-if-print treasure was a treat to read. Great locations. Great hero. Interesting mistaken identity. Definitely worth the wait!
   
8. Almost Dead by Lisa Jackson -- This was a good serial killer/suspense novel. Not her best suspense novels, but a good read nonetheless.
9. Visions of Heat, Caressed by Ice and Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh -- I am now caught up on NS's Psy-Changeling series and it's getting better and better with each book!
   
10. No Good Deeds by Laura Lippman -- I love Laura Lippman's books and her Tess Monaghan series in particular. This story had a great twist and the series remains fresh.
    
11. Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan -- A great book with a high body count and gripping characters. It's a great start to her Evil series. All three books are out now.
    
12. Hunting the Hunter by Shiloh Walker -- I have the opportunity to meet Shiloh in September so I thought I should read some of her books. She started in ebooks and if this mass market is any indication, I'm going to enjoy her stories!
    
13. Your Saving Grace by J.L. Wilson -- A great mystery. It's my first JLW and I am so going to read more of her. And you should, too!
    
14. Unmanned by Lois Greiman -- Book four in the Christina McMullen series. As hilarious as Stephanie Plum with a hot cop hero and a smart, slightly klutzy and definitely funny heroine. Keepers, all of them.
    
15. The Paper Marriage by Susan Kay Law -- In a word, AMAZING! I have loved every book by SKL and this one put me through the wringer and was incredibly satisfying. I've bought copies for friends, it's that good!
    
16. Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs -- I've been a fan of KR's books long before Bones made it to the Fox network. I'm getting a little tired of Temperance and Ryan's on-again-off-again romance, but the murders and investigation and the character development reminded me why I love this series. And the fact that Bones is coming back with new episodes on April 14th doesn't hurt either. *grin*
17. Sleeping Beauty and The Baby Chronicles by Judy Baer -- These were fun, quick reads by one of my favorite inspirational chick-lit authors. I'm glad I had them in my TBR and they ended the month of March out nicely.
    

That's what I can remember reading in March. There are some great reads coming up in April

*edited to add a book I forgot I read!*

I almost forgot! I love Nancy Martin and I read her latest Blackbird Sisters mystery last week. *smacks forehead* Murder Melts In Your Mouth was a great romp of a story. A light read, with compelling characters and Nora finally figured out why she's on again/off again with her bad boy beau. I can't wait for the next story but alas, it's not likely to be out until next year. Good think I don't mind rereading. *grin*

Your results:
You are Wonder Woman
You are a beautiful princess with great strength of character.

Wonder Woman 79% Supergirl 64% Superman 60% Robin 54% Green Lantern 50% The Flash 50% Batman 50% Spider-Man 45% Hulk 40% Catwoman 35% Iron Man 15%

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

From April's blog...

Your results:
You are Wonder Woman

You are a beautiful princess
with great strength of character.

Wonder Woman 79% Supergirl 64% Superman 60% Robin 54% Green Lantern 50% The Flash 50% Batman 50% Spider-Man 45% Hulk 40% Catwoman 35% Iron Man 15%

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

Things To Do When You Turn 37

My birthday was on the 14th. I turned 37. Most of my friends stay 35 forever. Not me. I embrace getting older.

Of course, I don't feel older. As evidenced by my choice of birthday movie. Every year the Man takes me out to dinner and a movie. This year we're trying to cut back on spending so we skipped dinner out and saw a movie instead. There are a lot of good movies out this time of year. And I could have picked any number of moving or comedic movies to see. What did I pick?

Horton Hears a Who.

This was my favorite Dr. Seuss book growing up. I loved Horton and his heroic journey to save the Whos of Whoville who happen to live on a speck that's landed on a clover. I loved the Sour Kangaroo, the Whos in Whoville. I even loved the Wishersham Brothers. So, when I found out that Fox was making a movie and that it was opening on my birthday, well I had to be there.

And I'm so glad I was. It was wonderful fun. Great animation. Wonderful music. Great nostalgic fun. And after the movie, I went to www.hortonmovie.com and adopted a Who. It was the best birthday ever.

I hope, when you turn 37, or whatever age your turning on your next birthday, you grab yourself some whimsy and see a movie full of childish enthusiasm and wonder. It's totally worth it.

Good Reads - February 2008

February was a good reading month for me. I read several new-to-me authors and wasn't disappointed with a single book.

Time For Love - Kelly Kirch (ebook)
Kelly's debut novel was a treat, blending time travel and love. See my review here.

Strangers in Death - JD Robb
Love me some Roarke! This was another great installment to the In Death series.

Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
Poignant, funny, and devastating all at the same time. There's a reason it's been compared to Beaches.

Strong & Sexy - Jill Shalvis
Another fun book filled with hot men, amazing women and lots of lovin'. *g*

Really Something - Shirley Jump
I like SJ, and I really liked this book, until I realized how young the hero/heroine were supposed to be. That totally distracted me. Then I made them older in my mind and all was well. LOL

The Haunting - Hope Tarr
Reincarnation, karma (to a degree) and ghosts are the foundation of this romance. The end left something to be desired, but the story was creative and well developed.

Blue Smoke - Nora Roberts
A re-read for me of a book that will always remain on my keeper shelf. So much better than the Lifetime movie version of the story, lol.

Slave to Sensation - Nalini Singh
I give Nalini total props for world building and story telling. She brings us into a unique version of Earth and life in the not-so-distant future. I really enjoyed it and will check out more of her Psy-Changeling series.

Megan's Mate - Lora Leigh
Great storytelling skills. I was in the world Lora created. But there was something that bothered me about the story. I'm not sure what. May require a re-read. Good enough that I'll get the next book of her Breed series from the library.