No Friday Post - Traveling

Happy Friday! 

Due to my D-I-L having to have surgery again, our family plans switched from Matt and family coming to me to me traveling to them. I am happy to have the company of another granddaughter on the trip. However, I have to travel Friday in the very cold temps after the storm. I allowed extra time to deal with possible road delays  so we did a very short leg of the trip tonight (Thursday). I have limited internet access and my computer mouse is packed.

It is likely I won't get any reviews posted for the week and maybe not even my Sunday Post.

If that is the case, I wish everyone a safe and joyous Holiday weekend!

Friday Pick Post Delayed 9/2/2022

I am suffering through another week without internet at home. UGH.

Limited time at office as we made the move back to renovated office this week so couple days without phones and internet. We are fully online again but have boxes everywhere.
(This image is for my office - not for my blog.)

I am a good three weeks behind on legal work. Yikes!

I'll post (hopefully) over the weekend from the office. 

Thanks for understanding.

Have a GREAT FRIDAY!!

No Friday Pick This Week and Status Update

Hello all -

Just a quick [it expanded as I wrote] update on my home front. My hubby is back in hospital with continuing issues. As of a month ago he had under 30% lung capacity then his last X-ray showed that part all blocked too. They treated him for pneumonia but there will be no restoration of the rest of the lung damage. (The result of chemical damage from his work years ago.)  His condition is aggravated by heart concerns as he had open heart surgery a few years ago and has a pacemaker. He is also being treated for type 2 diabetes. Both of these contribute to the fluid retention.

The medications left his legs and arms swollen which is uncomfortable and painful. Because I am at work, no one is home with him and he was struggling just to get from bedroom to bathroom. The walker I got for him helped but he still has little strength to pull himself up and now he fears falling. No way could he go downstairs to the kitchen so I was going home at lunch to make sure he would eat something. He is frustrated and feeling like a burden on top of having to struggle to get his breath and move around. :-(  I have more empathy now for caregivers.

They put him back in hospital to try to get the excess fluids out of his body. The treating physicians have agreed he will get some therapy to keep him mobile and he will likely be discharged next week to rehab instead of coming straight home. If rehab is not helpful, we will move on to home health (Hospice) care. He is 79 (birthday 7/4/42) and part of him is ready to go be with Jesus. The other part doesn't want to leave me alone. He has been working hard the last year to pay off our mortgage and build up a nest egg as I will lose half of our household income when he dies. These are all usual end of life dilemmas.

Between caring for him and taking him to doctor's offices I am falling more behind on office work. Add to that our internet service at home stopped working a week ago so the blogging I do at night can't be done.That makes me sad and frustrated... more stressers. :-)

Sooo -- please pray for my hubby, me and our family. And please be patient regarding blog items. I'll get here when I can fit time in. 

 Meanwhile I hope everyone is enjoying spring (or autumn if applicable) and some good books!

Sharing Beyond Books Post Delay

Our internet is out at home so I won't be able to post Sharing Beyond on Saturday Night.
I will try to post it early next week.

Notice of Delay for Friday Pick

I should have noted this last week but I will post Friday Pick and Winners Saturday 12/26 rather than Christmas morning.  Merry Christmas Everyone! 

A Friday Pick Delay Announcement - Just One Day

Hello all - I apologize that I am delaying my Friday Pick post.

I had to wear my old 30-day type contact lenses this week while waiting for the daily lenses to come in. I didn't realize there would be such a difference but there is even after just three days. My eyes are burning so I am going to go to bed.

I picked up my new supply of daily lenses today so tomorrow should be better. I plan to post the Friday Pick either Friday night or Saturday morning.
Thanks for understanding... See you soon!

No Friday Pick July 3, 2020

No Friday Pick today. We arrived in Illinois (with no trouble during the travels) but I was tired last night. Today I have been feeding, swimming, and sharing reading time with our grandchildren. So I decided not to post a Friday Pick today.  I'll have one ready for next week. Thanks for understanding.

Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July to those celebrating America's Independence. 
We also celebrate my husband's birthday although he insists he is still 39, he is double that this year.

Delay in Friday Pick 1/11/19

Friday Pick will be delayed today.
I spent four hours yesterday afternoon clearing books, boxes and furniture at my office so they can tear out carpet as they begin working on repairs.
I did over 10,000 steps - which is more than double my usual. I headed home and forgot to got by my temporary office to pick up my computer. The home computer isn't working so I borrowed hubby's to post this.
I will put the post up later Friday. Meanwhile, have a good day; stay warm and safe through the storms.

I Am Well But With Very Limited Power and Internet

Hi to all my blogger friends.
I have been hoping to get on internet to let you know that my family and I are all fine after Hurricane Michael tore through last Wednesday 10/10. We had three trees fall on our house putting small holes in the roof. Only one caused ceiling damage in a guest bedroom. There are ceiling water stains in three other rooms.

Our son-in-law's car was crushed by a tree across the midsection. It is totaled. My car was hit by one tree knocking out the rear windshield and another smashing the roof, front windshield and passenger front fender. The insurance adjuster has indicated it will be declared totaled. :-( We are waiting to learn how much they value it at so we can then look for a new used car for me. My husband's jeep also took damage with a busted out rear passenger window. That is repairable and fortunately left us a vehicle to drive.

Our yard looked like a war zone after the winds either blew over, tore from the ground or broke about 90% of the trees in the yard and surrounding woods. Our son-in-law, two of his brothers and a friend were able to remove the trees from our roof and clear out our driveways within three days. It took two days for neighbors to clear our private community road so we could get out to a main road and others could get in. Out of 17 homes in our community only three did not have roof damage. Some had trees through portions of their houses and one had a tree down the center of the home!

My office building was also damaged with brick falling from a fake second story facade and a couple of small windows broken. Water damaged has caused about six ceiling panels to fall in the front room. All equipment had been moved to an interior room so it was untouched. I have been trying to get someone up on the roof to access the condition and cover it with a tarp if needed. I will try again tomorrow. Two offices to the east of mine took terrible damage, more severe than mine.

Our town was hit very hard with trees and powerlines down throughout the county. The responders and volunteers have worked hard getting streets cleared and the main traffic lights operating. We are still on curfew from 7pm to 7am and they are saying that some of us may not have power for 30 days.

Our RV was under a large metal garage cover and it suffered no damage so, unlike most people, we have had generator power and water since the storm. My husband's water treatment center for the house was in a shed that was crushed. Fortunately he was able to re-route the water lines and get water back to the house within two days. We have a generator which my husband had connected to run the refrigerators, the TV and the corner light where I work on my computer. We were running short of propane and gas fuel for the generators but were able to get out on Monday 10/16 to refill the fuel so we should be good for another week.

Our duaghter's home and second office are located in Panama City Beach. They were on the west side of the hurricane and suffered NO damage - just power outage for a week. Heather was able to get back to work on Thursday. I drove 63 miles west to another agent's office to work on a closing on Tuesday. I did not have time to get online then.

Although our modem shows as "connected" we still do not have internet service. I learned today how to tether my phone internet to the computer.  It is extremely slow but at least got me to the blog so I could post this update. It may still be several weeks before I can get back on for normal posting. I am reading on Kindle and listening to Audible on the phone. I will post some pictures when I have better internet capability.

All in all we feel blessed! God protected our lives which is the most important thing. I am hoping to do some work each day as we wait for power to return to the office and home.

Out of Touch for a Few Days

Hi friends-

I got "buried" by a project Saturday and never left my office until 7:15am Sunday morning. We were traveling to Biloxi this weekend and my DH wanted me to get this work completed before we left.  I slept a little on the drive this morning but am still rather tired and planning on going to bed soon. I think I may be too old to bounce back quickly from an all-nighter.
So no review for Saturday, no Sharing Beyond Books on Saturday, no Sunday Words of Encouragement, and no Sunday Post tonight. I will try to get Sharing Beyond Books up mid-week but we are with family until Tuesday night. If we get back in time we hope to attend our Band of Brother's appreciation dinner to see more of the pictures from Haiti.

So - no worries. I am fine but out of touch for a few days.
I hope everyone has a good beginning to another week. :-)


[Image found at www.memecenter.com]

Delay in Friday Pick Post

Hi all and Happy Friday.
I am away with family (son this time) and the internet is super slow. I didn't set up my hotspot since it will only be three days.
Plus my time on computer has been limited by granddaughter sleep time and DH wanting to go ride the monorail instead of sit at computer.
So I am postponing the Friday Pick today. I hope to post it later this afternoon after we have been monorail hopping.
Enjoy your Friday everyone!

Delay in Posting MBS Friday Pick for June 5, 2015

There will be a delay in posting Friday Pick this week. I did not have internet connection Thursday night and am busy at work this morning. I will probably not get to the post until late Friday afternoon.
Thanks for being patient!

Notice: Delay for Sharing Beyond Books

There will be a delay in posting SBB this week. We are set up in our camp site for this week but having some electric breaker issues. We took a family vacation (to Orlando, Disney World) with all the kids to join us soon! I will post this as soon as I can.

Delays in Postings

Hi blog friends. I'm just hopping on quickly to say all posts are currently delayed until committed Tour Review on Thursday.
I had a really rough weekend that kept me home on Monday too. No computer at all Saturday or Sunday and on Monday only half an hour checking work emails.

I am doing better tonight but heading to bed early as I have early court hearing tomorrow.
Thanks for patience and continued prayer and well wishes support.

Delay in Posting Friday Pick February 7, 2014

I had round two of Chemo treatment today (Thursday) and slept most of the afternoon. It is 8:30pm now and I am going back to bed.  I can't do Random.org until after 10pm so I plan to make the selections and upload the post early Friday morning. :-) Thanks for understanding.

Attention Shana Galen Fans! A Pre-Order Gift Offer and A Giveaway from SOURCEBOOKS!

I am pleased to share this Pre-Order offer from our friends at Sourcebooks and after reading this wonderful, delicious sounding offer check below for a Book Giveaway opportunity too!

Sapphires are an Earl’s Best Friend Pre-Order Gift!

Send proof of your pre-order of Sapphires are an Earl’s Best Friend by Shana Galen (PUBLICATION DATE: March 4, 2014) and we’ll send you a Jewels of the Ton-themed package of tea and candy!

[HURRY BEFORE SUPPLIES RUN OUT!]  We’ll send this special tea to anyone who shows us their pre-order receipt until February 28, or supplies run out. Just email your receipt to casablanca@sourcebooks.com.

Additionally, everyone who sends us their proof of pre-order will receive an exclusive SECRET epilogue NOT FOUND IN THE BOOK! Once Sapphires are an Earl’s Best Friend hits stores on March 4, Shana Galen will send out an epilogue to the fans that pre-ordered the book.

That’s not all: everyone who sends us their proof of pre-order will also be entered in a random drawing for a Jewels of the Ton themed spa gift basket!

Be sure to follow Shana Galen on Facebook, Twitter, and her Website for more details leading up to the release of Sapphires are an Earl’s Best Friend, including more giveaways, more exclusives, and MUCH MORE of her fabulous regency romances!

The winner of the Jewels of the Ton themed gift basket will be announced on Shana Galen’s Facebook page on Monday, March 24, 2013.

Sourcebooks has generously allowed me to offer one winner a copy of the first book in the Jewels of the tons series:   When You Give a Duke a Diamond.
1 copy from the Publisher, US and Canada only.

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Feel free to share a 'thank you' comment to Sourcebooks but 
Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries tell me if you have read another book by this author that you enjoyed or why you would like to read one this book?

* This contest is open to U.S. or Canada address Only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on January 18, 2014.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED in MONDAY WHAT ARE YOU READING POST January 20, 2014.
Winner will have 72 hours to respond by the winners form linked in the announcement.

Delay in Posting for Sharing Beyond Books

There will be a delay in posting SBB this week. My old faithful laptop has been begging to be retired. I have a new computer but haven't made the change over. Tonight old laptop plug connection decided to stop working and the battery died. Fortunately I am backed-up through Monday and there hasn't been too much more this week. My new computer and back-up drive however are in the office. So I'll pick them up tomorrow to get to my SBB spreadsheet etc. and can work on something other than a tablet/travel laptop.
Besides - for some reason I am very tired tonight and ready to head up to the bed.  So please watch tomorrow or Monday for the last SBB of 2013. :-)

Delayed Posting for Friday Pick 12/13/13

I had to be up REALLY early Thursday and I crashed before 9:30pm. I couldn't do Random.org until after 10pm. (Besides which the computer screen was freezing up so I couldn't get images or previews up.)
I'll do it early Friday morning. :-) Thanks for understanding.

Sourcebooks Wants to See Your Wedding Dress - Chance to Win New Release!

I'm sharing this announcement from the great people at Sourcebooks:

Jade Lee’s anticipated release, What the Bride Wore, a PW Top Ten Romance Pick for Fall 2013, will be released on August 6^th! And we want to know…WHAT DID YOU WEAR? We want to see your wedding dress! We want to see the good, the bad and the questionable… J

On Tuesday August 6^th, please tweet a picture of your wedding dress using the hash tag #WhatTheBrideWore

We will be picking winners every hour and giving away lots of prizes throughout the day! We will also be re-tweeting some of the best ones from the @SourcebooksCasa Twitter account!

This hot new series is set in a daring, high-energy Regency world where deep longings, secret scandals, and the competition for social stature are all set against the glittering weddings of the season. Grant Benton, Earl of Crowle, finally has the funds he always pretended to have, and what he wants now is a woman. That woman is Lady Irene Knopp, who spends her days helping debutantes plan their weddings. A recent widow, Irene longs for love again, but she’s afraid to risk her heart, especially to the notorious Earl.

Sourcebooks and Grace Burrowes eReaders and More Giveaways in August!

I'm sharing this news in from Sourcebooks:

 

All month long, Sourcebooks and Grace Burrowes are going a little crazy with giveaways in honor of her latest Scottish Victorian Romance: ONCE UPON A TARTAN. It officially hits stores next Tuesday, but we’re getting things started August 1, which will start a full month of all things tartan and chances to win some great prizes.

Additionally—this week, The Bridegroom Wore Plaid is FREE in the iBookstore, as Apple’s Book of the Week. This price is also being matched at other online retailers (this is for the eBook only), and will only last until August 5. The Bridegroom Wore Plaid was a PW Best Book of 2012 in the romance category, and is the first book in Grace’s MacGregor Series.

 

THE ONCE UPON A TARTAN eREADER EXTRAVAGANZA!

For the first two weeks of August, Grace Burrowes is giving away one brand new eReader per day! That’s 10 eReaders, 10 Blogs, a different giveaway each day during the work week, August 5-9 and 12-16! Grace is giving away:

·         Four Kindle Paperwhite 3Gs

·         Four Nook HDs

·         One Nook Color

·         One iPad

Check the full schedule below to find out where you can enter to win your very own eReader (Open to US and Canada only)!

THE MACGREGOR SERIES PRINT BOOK GIVEAWAYS

Digital Reading not your thing? For the entire MONTH of August, each day (during the work week) a different blog will host a giveaway of print copies of The Bridegroom Wore Plaid and Once Upon a Tartan! This is a great opportunity for a chance to start the series from the beginning, and win two books (open to US and Canada only). The full schedule is below!

We are so looking forward to celebrating the release of this New York Times and USA Today bestselling author’s new book—we hope to see you along the way!

The Once Upon a Tartan eReader Extravaganza Schedule

8/5 RTBookReviews.com: Kindle Paperwhite

8/6 All About Romance: Nook HD

8/7 Delighted Reader: Kindle Paperwhite

8/8 Night Owl Reviews: Nook HD

8/9 Book Lovers Inc.: Kindle Paperwhite

Weekend

8/12 Discover a New Love: Nook Color

8/13 Book Savvy Babe: Nook HD

8/14 Jaunty Quills: Kindle Paperwhite

8/15 Fresh Fiction: Nook HD

8/16 Her Grace Notes: iPad

The MacGregor Series Print Book Giveaway Schedule

8/1 Book Hounds

8/2 RomFan Reviews     

weekend                             

8/5 In the Hammock

8/6 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

8/7 Manga Maniac Café

8/8 What's on the Bookshelf

8/9 The Royal Reviews  

weekend                             

8/12 Joan Swan's Blog

8/13 Cocktails and Books

8/14 Romancing the Book

8/15 Ramblings from this Chick

8/16 Books-n-Kisses

weekend                             

8/19 Anna's Book Blog

8/20 The Book Girl

8/21 The Reading Café

8/22 Seductive Musings

8/23 Peeking Between the Pages

weekend                             

8/26 Love Romance Passion

8/27 So Many Precious Books, So Little Time      

8/28 Thoughts in Progress

8/29 Debbie's Book Bag

8/30 Linus' Blanket

ONCE UPON A TARTAN BY GRACE BURROWES – IN STORES AUGUST 2013

Honor or happiness—he can’t have both.

Tiberius Flynn may be every inch an English lord, but smart, headstrong beauty Hester Daniels has no use for his high-handed ways--no matter how handsome, charming, or beguiling he is. They only see eye to eye in caring about the feisty little girl who is under their protection.

Tiberius's haughty insistence that his wealthy estate in England is a better place for the child than her beloved, rundown Scotland home sparks Hester's fierce protectiveness, and the battle lines are drawn.

Praise for Once Upon a Tartan:

“Burrowes creates a powerful story replete with heartfelt emotion and rich characterization... An instant keeper.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ stars, Top Pick of the Month

“Expert prose, likeable characters, realistic relationships, and believable complications create a pleasant and satisfying keeper.” —Publishers Weekly

“Warmth, sensuality, and humor infuse Burrowes’ writing, and fans of Suzanne Enoch and Sarah MacLean should enjoy this series.” —Booklist

“Grace Burrowes weaves her magic with words... a memorable love story—excellent and exquisite.” — A Long and Short Reviews Best Book

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes is the author of the acclaimed Windham Family Series, The MacGregor Trilogy and The Lonely Lords Series. Her debut novel, The Heir (2010), as well as The Bridegroom Wore Plaid (2012) were both included as Publishers Weekly Best Books of their respective years, in the romance category. A practicing attorney specializing in family law, Grace lives in rural Maryland, where she is working on the final book in the Windham series, Lady Jenny’s Christmas Portrait (October 2013) and third MacGregor story, The MacGregor’s Lady (February 2014), and many more books. Visit her website at www.graceburrowes.com for more information about all of her books, exclusive extras and her lively blog.