Monday, December 28, 2009

Comfort & Joy: A Novel by Kristin Hannah

Comfort & Joy: A Novel Comfort & Joy: A Novel by Kristin Hannah


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I read this book in one sitting and found it pretty enjoyable, but a bit more fantastical and magical than I thought it would be. After reading "Firefly Lane", I was thinking this book would be more of a realistic chick novel. Peeps who don't like fantasy/mystery will not dig this read. I liked it. 3 stars.

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2009 wrap-up

Year-end wrap-up survey!

1) Where did you begin 2009?
@ Jason’s apt – he was sick. :(

2) What did you do for Valentine's Day?
Jason took me to Martini’s + IMAX @ Fernbank the Friday before and then cooked dinner @ my house on the actual day.

3) Were you in school anytime this year?
Nope

4) How did you earn your money?
The same way I earned it last year - toiling for the Cheese!

5) Did you have to go to the hospital or doctor?
No to the hospital, yes to doctor visits.

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
Other than saying “thank you” to the ones who direct traffic at Philips, no.

7) Would you relive 2009 over and over again?
No, I’m looking forward to 2010.

8) What did you purchase that was over $1000?
Nothing!

9) Did you know anybody who got married?
Lisa + Sosh

10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
Some friends’ family members.

11) Did you know anyone who had a baby?
NoTorious

12) Did you move anywhere?
Yeppers

13) What concerts/shows did you go to?
Hall + Oates, Pete Yorn, Blondie/Pat Benatar, Metallica

14) What new restaurants did you visit?
I knew writing down almost everything I do in a calendar would come in handy for something! 15 South Enoteca (Sarasota), American Roadhouse, Capozzi’s, CRAFT, Dolce, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill (Longboat Key), Horseradish Grill, Houston’s, Las Brasas, Riverfront Pizza (Ft. Lauderdale), Verde, The Vortex, Woodfire Grill

15) Do you still have the same job as you did in 2008?
Sho do

16) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2009?
@ the theatre: “Taken”, “A Perfect Getaway” (both good and suspenseful), “17 Again” was surprisingly enjoyable. on video: “Youngblood”, “Terminator 2”

17) Where do you live now?
Atl

18) Describe your birthday.
Saturday - Met some friends for dinner @ Neighbor’s and then went to Metalsome. Sunday – birthday lunch with mom and dad @ Red Lobster.

19) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2009?
Join a gym!

20) What has been your favorite moment?
Too many good ones to list!

21) What's something you learned about yourself?
I have a real knack for naming fictitious sandwiches.

22) Any new additions to your family?
Nope

23) What was your best month?
April was fantastic!

24) Were you in a relationship this year?
Sho was!

25) What music will you remember 2009 by?
Ha! Probably Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me”. I don’t listen to much current music, but I love me some T-Swift! Also, Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” and “Poker Face” were very groovy. Oh and this mash up of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” and The Four Tops’ “Same Old Song” I heard on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on CBS. Awesome.

26) Favorite new website you discovered this year?
Friends’ blogs and paperbackswap.com (thanks to Maggie)

27) New friend?
I think I've made a couple =o)

28) Favorite Night out?
Several – the night we met Maggie and Allen out at Moe’s n’ Joe’s and then went to Metalsome back in April was so much fun, dinner/Cirque du Soliel Kooza w/ everyone back in February, the night me, Jason and mom snuck onto the CW property to check out our new apts (LOL), and basically any evening of bowling, ice skating, the Village Theatre, a hockey game or a fun dinner!

29) How many books did you read this year and which was your favorite/least favorite?
24. I was sure it would be more, but apparently I took 4 months off from reading! What a slack ass.

Fave(s):
Eye Contact by Cammie McGovern
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
The Longest Trip Home: A Memoir by John Grogan
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Least Fave(s):
I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley. This book of essays was one malodorous whine-festival. I couldn’t even finish it.

30) Do you think 2010 will be better or worse?
Better – let the fun begin in 2010!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

QOTD 12/22/09

Quote of the day:

“I assure you, sir, the Deputy Commissioner is not familiar with the licensing requirements for mobile tilapia carts.”

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Thanks, mom!

Thank you to my talented mom for the blog redesign! I absolutely love it! The perks of having a web designer for a mother are endless. :-)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Firefly Lane Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The pal that loaned me this was all "eh" about it but strongly believed that I'd like it since she and I have opposing taste in books (other than "The Shadow of the Wind", of course!). Humorously enough, she was right - I LOVED THIS S.O.B.! I could hardly put it down and I could not wait to see what would happen next. I was obviously sadened by the ending and shed actual tears, but it was overall a scrumptious gal pal read. I was beyond delighted to see that this author has bunches of other novels out n' about and already ordered "Comfort and Joy" from a fellow member @ Paperbackswap.com. Yay! Thank you to my opposite-taste-in-books bud for locating my new favorite author. :)

View all my reviews >>

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Not Cool...



Day 2 of no sun. Sonofa...

We're driving to Naples, wish us lucky weather.

LBK sunset

Sunset on Longboat Key, Tuesday, December 8th


Let's Say Thanks

Xerox's Let's Say Thanks program allows you to select a card design and enter a personal greeting. When you hit "Send", Xerox prints and mails your card to a U.S. serviceman. Please take the time to show your support for their service!

Click here: Let's Say Thanks

Thursday, December 3, 2009

piggyback



Why is it called a "piggyback ride" when pigs don't even carry other pigs on their backs? I also haven't seen too many folks riding pigs (as of late), so I really don't get this phrase! Calling it a "horseback ride" sure would make more since. Just pondering.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Totally Awesome Elvis Pillows

I love our IT people!

From: Steve
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 10:36 AM
To: Kristen
Subject: RE: Mandatory password reset today at 2:00PM

Sorry. Even AWESOME passwords have to change. You’ll just have to think of something TOTALLY AWESOME.

________________________________________
From: Kristen
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 10:34 AM
To: Steve
Subject: RE: Mandatory password reset today at 2:00PM

Gosh, Steve! And I just changed mine to something AWESOME. Now I have to think of something else. Sigh. ;-)

KH


My favorite verbal exchange today at work: My phone rings, it's my pal Bobby.

Me: Hello Robert!
Bobby: Hey! Have you even been here today? I haven't seen you at all.
Me: I've been all up in my chair! Raise up off me!
Bobby: Come let me in so I can show you my Elvis pillow!
Me: Okay!

He actually HAD one. I love this place (usually)!