I woke up in a good mood and I'm not letting anybody ruin it. Today's going to be a good day.
Not sure what we're doing this weekend - maybe nothing - the next few weekends look jam packed.
I finished planning our Asheville Thanksgiving trip - I'm super excited, never been to that part of the country and I've always wanted to see the smokies - mountains are the best.
Finished Emma Chase's first Royal book - totally love the historical aspects merged with modern. The gal faded a little by the end, wanted a little more of the sass back but good though!
Almost finished Julia Quinn's Hyacinth's Bridgerton book - could totally see me in this gal. The (my) last and it'll make me sad to finish a great series.
So the new neighbors moved in - Jamie briefly met him, and I briefly met her, at different times.
Neither seemed very friendly.
We wrote a welcome note with our contact info and left it on their door since we figured they wouldn't appreciate us just stopping by...
*crickets*
Not that I'm expecting to be best friends or anything but seriously...it's a little colorless....meaning boring and a little rude to not bother to acknowledge (which seems more and more the case lately for people around our age) Bummer.
I cut my hair last week -like 7 inches - I don't miss it in that it was dry and I feel like I lost 6 pounds - I definitely feel a little un-sexy now though. Why is that I wonder?
Watched the Revenant - didn't do much for me.... Acting - great. The scenery - beautiful (I told Jamie Alberta was beautiful!). Couldn't hear much (of what little they said) because of the music.
West World - a little iffy but I'm intrigued! we'll see.
Lastly - speaking of rude - (and not to be a debbie downer 'cause I love Dallas)
...in an effort to force myself to leave my work bubble for lunch lately, I decided to sit somewhere on "restaurant row" for lunch today.
It's a little crazy how rude "business" people have gotten during the lunch hour.
They look so well put together, with their ties and heels and cell phones....
Does it make them feel better to be rude? if yes, it really makes me wonder about their personal lives...
I think I'm gonna go out and observe more. Maybe even talk to some! Just to see!
If nothing else, it's good people watching. ...
Really though, more and more I'm wanting to move out of this big city. There's something really wrong when it feels like the majority of people are losing their basic decency.
Finished:
JQuinn's Colin's Bridgerton story - all that time wasted....( I think I only have the youngest two left to read? of this series) and the first Bevelstoke - this gal cut a little close to the clingy that I don't like. Still not bad.
Smith by Olivia Chase - totally skimmed this one. Didn't do much at all for me.
Maybe Not - Colleen Hoover - way fast...I almost feel like I should've disliked the leads? but I didn't, so kudos to the author. I'll scope out a full length and see.
It's gorgeous outside - Fair season.
Crossing fingers things are settling down. I'm gonna stop saying that this has been a shit year, 'cause maybe I'm bringing it on myself.
although...the debate and ensuing commentary this whole week - oy - all i can do is shake my head. November's almost here...I'm seriously exhausted. I read somewhere that 7% of people polled have lost friendships over this election...I'm surprised it's not more really....I've come to realize that a lot of people are lacking the skill to voice their opinion AND listen to a differing opinion respectfully. Another reason why I like to read - you're forced to see a different point a view. So many people are stuck in their own heads...
Anyway, onward and upward!!! Positive thinking....
Think we might go see Micky and the Motorcars tomorrow - music therapy.
Speaking of - heard a new guy, Charley Crockett (on the radio no less - KXT) local Texas/NOLA guy - two of my most favorite places!.... not my Texas country typical, but Texas Music-ish and I think good music is making a come back... I'm A -ok with that!
Finished JQuinn's #3 (Anthony the oldest) and #5 Bridgerton - Phillip and Eloise - she talks too much, he doesn't talk enough and they figure it out. Relatable-ness. So fun to read a series with the high probability I won't be disappointed.
I guess I forgot catholic funerals, kind of a whirlwind with in-between times of boring and catching up.
I'm not even all that sure why he had a catholic funeral...he wasn't all that religious? Apparently a few of my aunts wouldn't let it go.
I don't understand the purpose of doing the rosary. Seriously, who's idea was that?
The open casket makes no sense to me - people were upset because it didn't look like him but what's the point in paying someone to make a dead person look like they did when they were alive?
He's dead.
Even if it did look like him - that's even more unnatural.
And lastly ... priest/pastor who are you to tell me what God says and wants?
Show me proof, and not with a book written by other mere mortal men. that tells me how you know exactly what God says and wants.
.....It hit a nerve...or maybe chalk it up to everyone pontificating on politics lately... It drives me crazy.
Anyway, back to the funeral, what was the most moving is allowing people who knew him to speak/remember
and, since he was a veteran, see how the military honor his service.
The bugle...oy - just simple and...right.
Saw a lot of family I hadn't seen in lots of years. Talked to cousins I'd never really talked to before. Wonder if we'll ever get together like that again...I'm doubtful.
And through all this - again I don't understand how things aren't discussed ahead of time. Everyone's going to die...I'd imagine one of the greatest gifts a parent can leave their children is to not have them figure out what to do (and how to pay for) when you die.
Finished
4th "Duke" Sophie Jordan book - why'd it take him so long to see her...ugh
Mary Balogh - one night for love - last minute marry, he thought she was dead about to re-marry etc. i know I've read her before, liked the premise. interested enough to finish but kinda mostly slow nothing amazing. First Life - Gena Showalters - YA - glimmers of why I like her were there but read disjointed...again (I think I've used this term with other GS's books) liked enough to finish.
Julia Quinn's "Wicked" Bridgerton- I know I've read 1 or two? I'll have to check - she did well with this one! I'd never read one where you get to know a little of her first love first. I'm gonna try to read more.
So the RT convention (apparently a mega convention for romance authors/readers) is here in Dallas in May.
I'm debating going...I did drive 45 minutes to see Kresley Cole when she came into town a while back. She was promoting Lothaire and the cover model was there. They were both really nice.
I love that she's decided (not anytime soon I hope) to end the IAD series with Nix's story. She said that's going to be really hard since Nix is so messed up.
What I liked most though was being able to talk to the people in line about her books and them actually know what I'm talking about! It boggles my mind how hard it is to find people that like to read! Ugh ok I guess I talked myself into it. I'd regret it if I didn't go to the convention where a lot of my favorite authors will be.
Also, read The Duke and I, it read a little disjointed veering toward the manipulative at the end.
There was one scene where I was like "what?! that's just wrong" but overall I liked the instant/easy chemistry between Daphne and Simon.
I'll likely finish this series eventually.
Lastly, saw Mockingjay #1. I think it could've been made into one movie. My sister thinks that they're not setting Gale up to follow through in his major role for how it ends in the book.
I hope they don't change it. That was an epic ending.
