Month: October 2011

Old posts and Bon Jovi *with giveaway

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Is anyone else surprised at the old posts that get hits day after day?  I don’t know exactly how the search engine searches work, but I get at least 25 hits a day on my Italy posts from 2008, with generic searches like Rome, Venice, and parking.  The posts are just photos.  Feel free to check them out. Rome, Venice, Parking in Rome.  I think it’s interesting that after all these years and all the views no one has ever left a comment.

In 2009 I read Second Son by Charles Sailor because a friend put the book in my hand and told me I had to read it.  I did and posted my review here.  I didn’t realize at the time how little is written about the book and its author and the dedicated and loyal fan base it has.  You can see that comments have been left on the post as current this month.  And I receive emails with questions from people about book every few months.  I can never answer them because my sum total of knowledge was in that review and in the comments.  But I did receive an email from Sydney, Sailor’s daughter, telling me you can now get Second Son on Amazon and that there would finally be a second book coming out in October or November, The Man Who Rode the Tiger.  And there is a page on Facebook that Sydney has started to keep all fans updated.

As for the post that gets the most hits for whatever reason, that would be my 5000 piece puzzle of Florence I posted about in 2008.  The post is here.  I swear that post gets at least  few hits a day-today it’s had 6!  I don’t know how long it will be before I have the time for another puzzle.

The post announcing my pregnancy has been the one with the most comments.  I was overwhelmed by all of the good wishes.

So, do you have old posts that continue to generate interest or comments?

Giveaway

In honor of all of the Italy hits I get I am offering one new copy of Four Season in Rome by Anthony Doerr, a memoir.  I loved this book (my review here) and if you love Italy or great writing you will too.  Here’s the B&N link.

Just leave me a comment telling me you’d like to win.  I’ll draw a winner October 19.

Birthday Photo

Let me start by saying that I am not a stalker.  I wasn’t even a huge Bon Jovi fan when one of my best friend’s dad got us VIP & backstage passes to the Slippery When Wet tour in 1987.  Not a stalker you say?  Isn’t that me draping myself on an unhappy Jon?  Yes, yes that’s me and I have no excuse. 

He was sick that day so in all of the pictures taken he didn’t look all that happy in any of them (and no, I don’t think it was me!). 

This photo is so embarrassing, but I’m putting it out here for you.  I used to have about 20 different shots of this 10 minutes in time, but I kept giving them away to friends and this is the only one I have left!

I also got to meet the group Cinderella and have a much more flattering photo, but that’s no fun.  I know know the photo is a little dark, I’ll see if Jason can fix it later.

Favorite Authors *with giveaway

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I love lists so thought I’d try a few this week.  I have to admit that there are a few there by default. It’s fairly easy to be my favorite X author when I’ve only read one!  My favorite current authors from A-Z.

A Sarah Addison Allen

B Elizabeth Berg

C Harlan Coben

D Jeffery Deaver

E Janet Evanovich (although I’m taking an extended break from Stephanie Plum)

F  Fannie Flagg

G Diana Gabaldon

H Carl Hiaasen

I Greg Iles

J Brenda Joyse

K Dean Koontz

L  Elizabeth Lowell

M Judith McNaught

N  Carla Neggers

O  Yoko Ogawa

P Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Q  Amanda Quick

R Les Roberts

S Anita Shreve

T Anne Tyler

U Lisa Unger

V John Verdon

W Kate White

X   Xinran

Y  Karen Young

Z Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Giveaway

I read this one and loved it (reviewed it here) so I picked up a hardback for one lucky reader.  If you like thrillers or mysteries I think you’ll love this one.

To enter just tell me you want it. I’ll draw a winner on October 19.

Birthday Photo

I grew up about 5 minutes from my grandparents (a proximity my parents still share with my grandmother) so when I went to prom my sophomore year they came over for the big night.  My grandma would often come over to stay with me when I was home from school, sick and my grandfather was the night janitor for my school system (sometimes my school) until he retired.

I went to prom with my friend, Dan and had fun.  I remember loving this dress.  I was so skinny then. (sigh) 

40 Quiz – guessing closed

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I mentioned a few famous folks who turn 40 with me this year, let’s see of you can figure out these actors turning 40. A hint?  All of these actors are currently on TV.  10 points each.

Please play along with us.  For everyone who plays an extra $ goes to the winner and the everyone is entered for a special prize.  Just leave a comment with your guesses and don’t google the answers.

Rules & Leaderboard here.  Last week’s Head Shot quiz here.

1. I remember him from Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, but I much prefer him in his current role as mystery writer/detective.  You can give me his real name or character name.  Nathan Fillion/Richard Castle (3-37-71)

2. As a new mom I’m loving her new show about life with a new baby, but she’s probably best known for playing a ditzy blonde on Married with Children.  I’ll accept her name or the name of her new show.  Christina Applegate/Up All Night (11-25-71)

3. This serial killer of bad people has been a staple on Showtime  for years and he’s already beaten cancer by the age of 40.  I’ll take his real name or his character name.  Michael C. Hall/Dexter (2-1-71)

4. This Cleveland native plays Kristina Braverman on one of my favorite ensemble dramas.  I’ll take her real name or the name of the show.  Monica Potter/Parenthood (6-30-71)

5. He’s Don Draper to millions but when I see him now I can only think of the opening scene from Bridesmaids.  Jon Hamm (3-10-71)

6. I remember him from Dead Poet’s Society but he’s on a hit show that started with public infidelity.  I’ll take his real name or the name of the show.  Josh Charles/The Good Wife (9-15-71)

7. He first came on my radar when I saw How Stella Got Her Groove Back and now he’s on Private Practice. Taye Diggs (1-2-71)

8. I loved him in Band of Brothers and the two seasons of Life, and now he’s got a new series on Showtime playing an Iraq vet.  I can’t wait. Damien Lewis (2-11-71)

9. He was a long-running character on the long-running series ER, but this summer he was trying to survive an alien invasion on TNT.  Noah Wyle (6-4-71)

10. He plays my favorite gay dad on tv and won an Emmy for it.  I’ll give you half points for the name of the show.  Eric Stonestreet/Modern Family (9-9-71)

Giveaway

I’ll be randomly selecting one lucky guesser to win 2 Godiva chocolate bars, one dark, one milk.

Get your guesses in by Saturday at noon.

Birthday Photo

This should have been yesterday’s picture, but I looked all day for it and finally gave up.  Woke up this morning and found in Gage’s room. 

Is there anything that doesn’t scream 70’s in this photo?  That’s my mom and dad, making me laugh when I look at it now.  I know I’ve mentioned quite a few times that I’m an only kid, so I share a close relationship with my parents, who are 42 years married.

Aren’t the leaves great?  It was taken at Dawes Arboretum, a park I spent a lot of time in growing up.

I think I was in second grade here.  I hated that short haircut and thought I looked like a boy.

Challenges *with giveaway

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When I join a challenge I plan to finish it.  Last week I mentioned that my dad had a stubborn streak and I think that plays a part for me.  I have 5 books left over from a 2010 challenge, plus a few other challenges to finish this year and I’m determined to do it.  I need your help with two challenges.

I signed up to read, review and give away 12 books this year and I’m offering up the 3 books I have left to finish the challenge.  Skinny Legs & All by Tom Robbins (trade paperback), Emma by Jane Austen (trade paperback), Emerald Dreams by Carolyn Bourne (hardcover)and they have all been read one time by me.

I also need your help to finish the States challenge.  This is the 3rd year I’ve tried this one and I’d like to check it off this year.

Please recommend a book from the blank states for me and the shorter the better 🙂  Here’s the challenge page for the 21 states I have left.

Giveaway

Tell me which book or books you’d like to win.  I’ll give you an extra entry for every book you recommend in the States challenge above. 

I’ll choose winners on October 19th.

 

 

 

Birthday Photo

I grew up surrounded by family and we spent a lot of time together.  My cousin Amy and I put on lots of “shows” that I’m sure everyone just loved 😉  That’s me on the left and my cousin Sarah between us.  Amy was actually a good dancer.  I took two years of something called acro and remained terrible. 

Amy and I did not go to the same school but we were roommates at Ohio State and maid/matron of honor at each other’s weddings

Maybe I was in 5th grade or so here?  I really don’t know.

 

 

 

 

Win a B&N gift card here.

Win a journal and chocolate here.

 

 

Sundays with Gage- Motherhood *with giveaway

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Motherhood has not been what I thought it would be.  I didn’t even have that many expectations, so that’s surprising.  In honor of my 40 years here are the 40 Best & Worst things about being a mom.

The Best

1. That first smile greeting me in the morning is my favorite one.

2. But the rest of them are pretty good too.

3. Baby toes are the best.

4. Little fingers gripping mine.

5. Seeing myself and Jason in him.

6. Grandparent visits.

7. Naps!

8. Watching Gage chase Max.  Poor Max.

9. Bedtime kisses.

10. Clean bill of health doctor visits.

11. Knowing that after 28+ hours of labor I can pretty much do anything.

12. Hearing Gage say mama (even though he has yet to actually say it to me).

13. Watching Gage learn new things.

14. Dancing with my little man.

15. Hearing Gage laugh with Jason.

16. When he falls asleep in the car seat.

17. Watching Gage brighten people’s day when he chats them up as we’re out running errands.

18. Seeing that Gage loves books and reading to him when he takes the book out of his mouth long enough.

19. Having a closer relationship with my mom.

20. I’m not nearly so concerned with my own crap anymore.

21. Sleeping all night with no interruptions.  This does happen sometimes.

22. Saturday mornings when Jason takes over and I get to sleep in.

23. As a genealogy nut it’s nice to see another branch added to the family tree.

24. The pressure of having a perfect body has melted away (as the pounds have packed on).

25. Being able to stay at home with Gage is a blessing (but I still need mom mental health days)

26. Gage hugs.

27. Showing him new things.

28. Listening to his nonsense babble.

29. Having the best baby-rearing partner in Jason.  He’s an awesome dad.

30. Knowing that the 1st year is hardest and it will get easier (if I am wrong on this, please don’t tell me!)

31. Buying baby clothes, even for boys, is more fun that I thought it would be.

32. Taking Gage to My Gym and library storytimes are fun for both of us.

33. Finally!  Someone who likes my singing.

34. The love.

The Worst

35. A baby really cuts into reading time, LOL!

36. The constant need to change my clothes and his.

37. The knowledge that most of what’s happening is really out of your control.

38.  There are no sick days for mom.

39. Those cute teeth are sharp and he’s not afraid to use them! (He’s up to 8 teeth :))

40. Feeling like a big failure at least once a day.

The Giveaway

Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win this beautiful journal and Godiva truffle bar.  It really is a beautful lined journal-I have one myself.

I’ll draw a winner on October 19th.

Birthday Photo

I’m 5 1/2 here and have the 1970’s hair flip (think Charlie’s Angels) and denim outfit going on. 

Sprinkle with Murder, by Jenn McKinlay

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Sprinkle with Murder (Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series #1)Finished 10-22-11, rating 3.5/5, mystery, 222 pages, pub. 2010

Book 1 Cupcake Bakery Mystery series

Melanie Cooper, Angie DeLaura and Tate Harper have been best friends forever and now they are in business together with Fairy Tale Cupcakes.  When Tate’s fiance is murdered by a killer cupcake the police are very interested in Mel’s relationship with Tate and the ingredients of her cupcakes.

I liked that the characters were fun and the relationships interesting.  Mel was a strong woman who followed her dreams and was comfortable in her own skin.  She still had her insecurities with men, which only made her more appealing.

I liked that it was a fast and easy read and a great set-up for the series.  This was a perfect first book for the read-a-thon.  Not my normal type of mystery, this was more of a cozy, but it was solid.  I chose it because I can now say I’ve been to Arizona in the States challenge.

I didn’t like Mel’s ridiculous cavalier attitude at the end.  She seemed to think that she could be a detective and put herself in dangerous situations.  I know lots of mysteries are this way, but nothing that Mel did made me think she was smart enough to stay alive.

I didn’t like that all I wanted to do after reading this was go buy a gourmet cupcake!

I checked this book out of the library.

Take a minute to vote for the scariest characters in literature.

40’s not so bad, right? *with giveaway

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So, what do I have in common with Mariah Carey, Taye Diggs, Winonah Ryder, Ewan McGregor, Mark Walberg, Sandra Oh, Lance Armstrong, Amy Poehler?  We all turn the big 4-0 this year.  I know it’s just a number but it has caused me some reflection in the past few weeks and you all have to pay for it!

This month I celebrate my 40th birthday, Jason and I celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary, and Gage turns 1!  That’s a full month of celebrating and I want to do some partying here too!

I plan on doing a self-indulgent post with giveaway and a bonus picture of me (that’s the self-indulgent part) everyday until my birthday. You won’t know when my birthday is until I post it so you’ll have to come back every day to see what goodies I’m offering and to see the this-is-Stacy’s life photo.  Just so you know I did finally find the very embarrassing photo of me hanging all over Jon Bon Jovi and I’m going to post it.

Giveaway

To start the month off right I’m offering a $20 B&N gift card to one lucky reader.  Just leave a comment telling me one good thing about turning 40 and you’ll be entered.  

I want to have lots of people stop by and help me celebrate this month so if you tweet about it you’ll receive an extra entry, just let me know who you are on Twitter.  Open until October 19th (Gage’s Birthday!)

Photo

This is how it all began 40 years ago.  I am somewhere around 4 months here.  Gage obviously has my hairline 🙂