Category: update

I am ashamed to report that I’ve made little progress on my attempt to read ten blockbusters.  I picked up a Dean Koontz at Costco.  Not the one recommended to me, which was probably a mistake.  It has some medical stuff in it, which kind of gives me the heebie jeebies.  And not in the way Koontz intends.

Maybe this weekend I will finish it off and give my impressions.

I picked up a few other titles at the library to try out and was feeling a little sheepish when the frilly Nora Roberts cover passed under the barcode scanner.  But it’s all part of my mission.

Do you ever feel that the world is conspiring against you?  Sigh.

Over the weekend, I cashed in all my coins at one of those machines in the grocery store.  I felt a sense of accomplishment.  Got a little extra cash for holiday shopping.

Then.

Then I read that the little machines, starting a day or so after my coin cashing, are throwing in an extra $10 when you cash in $40.  Yes, my change totaled just over $40.  ARGH!$@*&!!!!

I was going to write about cashing in coins because I’m curious about what other people do with coins.  I think my ma still rolls them up in those paper sleeves.  Is that right ma?  Do other people try to use their change as they get it?  Save it up for the machine?  Roll it themselves?

Being a Platinum member of Club Nintendo for the year, I got a little downloadable Wii game.  Mom achieved Gold status and received an awesome desk calendar that she kindly donated to me.  Thanks Mom!

These books go unnoticed by a lot of us. At least for me, they blend into the bookcase background. I’m talking about James Patterson, Danielle Steel, Clive Cussler. These names are everywhere, but I guess it’s for a reason. Bestselling authors are bestselling. Top sellers. Popular. So popular that these people write book after book after book and sell millions of each.

So these bestsellers are popular, but they are also considered somewhat low brow. Looked down upon and called names. Which I guess is why I’ve never read any of them. Maybe a John Grisham here and there and at least one Nicholas Sparks, though I don’t remember that one.

A little while ago I began to get curious about what exactly was underneath those familiar covers. I saw them again and again in the airport newsstands. They must be there for a reason. They must be popular for a reason. So I’m gonna try them out. Give them a go. I won’t judge these books by the cover, or reputation, any longer.

I was pretty much able to compile a list of these mega-authors just by letting the names creep into my head. The bit of research I did only confirmed that these ten authors were spot on.  In no particular order except the order in which I conjured up their names, here they are.  Wish me luck.

• Nora Roberts
• Danielle Steel
• James Patterson
• Dean Koontz
• Patricia Cornwell
• Debbie Macomber
• Clive Cussler
• Louis L’Amour
• Robert Ludlum
• Tom Clancy

Anybody have any favorites they’d like to suggest?

Okay, the beach (Kailua, Hawaii) was on an island in the middle of the Pacific, about 5,000 miles away from home.  But boy was it a great trip to the beach.

These folks only had to travel from Seattle.  We had one last birthday hurrah for Mom/Grandma Linda.

This little guy was a lot of fun.

Although he was really liking Katie this trip.

The pool was nice.

The beach was beautiful.

There’s not much more to say.  It was everything a Hawaiian vacation should be.  More pictures from the Cains, the birthday girl and yours truly.

What day is it?  Jet lagged from Hawaii, with the time change, I’ve got no clue what’s going on.  I do know that today marks the start of blog posting month once again and I am a sucker for trying to post each and every day in November.

My first attempt was easy as I spent the whole month talking about my impending aunthood.

The second attempt was fairly smooth as well.  I worked up some ideas before the month began and stuck with themes like holiday baking and, of course, Oliver.

This time around, I’ve got no such list worked up, but Oliver is still around for an easy cute photo post and at least I’ll have some vacation pics for the next day or two.  Here’s a taste.

My happy harvest Mom Care Package arrived just in time.  It was soooo nice to put on these cushy socks after having wet feet all day from a morning monsoon. The flannel pj’s were just icing on the cake.

Thanks for the October loungewear Mom!

Joined up!  The Costco, that is.  I am once again a member at the wholesale warehouse club extraordinaire.  So, it’s been awhile since I’ve had a Costco card.  First of all, the pictures are as truly hideous as I remembered.  Second of all, I’m not up on the latest and greatest Costco deals.

The first cart full of goods included toilet paper, Kleenex and fresh pineapple (thanks for that reco, Laura!).  I think they have veggie sausage patties, but I forgot to get them.  My next trip I’ll be sure to grab those.

What else do I need to include?  What are your favorite Costco buys?

Not all the new shows have aired yet, but I just want to express a little disappointment.  I was looking forward to Glee and Community, but just found them to be so-so.  Accidentally on Purpose was just as I thought it would be, which was mildly enjoyable.  Jay Leno was gosh awful.

I still hold out a little hope for Modern Family and maybe even Flash Forward.

Is it because I only like what I know?  Is it because shows need time to blossom?  Whatever the case may be, I was pleased to watch a new episode of the Office and I look forward to 30 Rock and Dexter coming back.  Heck, I am even looking forward to the return of Lost even though I hate every episode and yet cannot stop watching.

Any thoughts?

After a bit of a choppy ride aboard the fast ferry (okay, I was the only one who felt a little green), our first stop was the public library.  The outside wasn’t much to look at but they have a half scale boat right inside!

After an action packed day filled with eating delicious things, enjoying crazy good people watching and marveling at how many dogs were vacationing on the Cape, we head back to the ferry.