R.I.P. Brother...

I received the call yesterday while I was at Sunday dinner with some friends that my brother had fallen a few days ago and had refused to go to the hospital. That was the 3rd time (at least) that he has hit his head in the last 2 years that has resulted in brain bleeds. The next morning his son couldn't wake him up and called 911. After the doctors ran their tests and everything they said that if he did come out of the coma, that he would be a vegetable due to all the brain damage that he's received from these numerous falls. Thankfully, my brother had thought ahead (with his poor health it was a very smart thing to do) and had a living will that if this happened he did not want to be kept on life support. So his wishes were granted and within an hour he was gone.
I was not terribly close to my brothers on my Dad's side. They grew up and lived in another state, but I remember how excited I would be when my Dad or step-mom would call and tell me that 1 or all 4 of my brothers would be in town for a visit. I remember how they would sit in the back seat with me and serenade me songs, usually something to do with my name. But then one of the 4 was killed in a car accident and it seemed like the light had gone out of us. I grew older and they had their wives and kids to raise we grew apart. So today, I'm sad because my brother, who used to sing to me has died. I'm sad that we weren't closer. I'm sad that the 2 remaining brothers that I have on my Dads side are MIA. But I'm very thankful that I do have those earlier memories.

I love you Brother.

Sorry I've been absent

This last month has been CrAZy for me! I've been sick, had Britt's prom, preparing for Jim's mom's 80th birthday party, preparing for Britt's graduation, graduation party (filling out and mailing invites for both!) and making sure that all of the paperwork is filled out and turned in for her college scholarships and last but not least Matt leaving for Basic Training June 1st!It's a good thing I'm still unemployeed! NOT!!
Oh, and I started a diet that I'm suceeding at!
Needless to say, I have not had a lot of time to read & blog. Hopefully things will slow down for June!
Here's pictures of Britt & her date!

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Oh Thank Goodness, Spring Break Is OVER!

I'm BACK! Well, I didn't go anywhere, not really. But I did use this week to spring clean my house. It's been forever since I went through drawers and rearranged furniture (so what if I moved almost everything back to the way it was! That just means I had it right the first time!!! LOL!) and well, you know how it is. And I READ.  A. LOT.  So there will be reviews popping up quite a bit! And emails to return. I haven't even checked those this week! (well, I did peek & return a couple, but not many!) So whats new with you? What did you do this week?

Ok, I finally figured it out (with alot of HELP!!! )

I sat down today and created a FACEBOOK Fan Page for My Guilty Pleasures!  All I have to say is this: If you haven't found Katydid & Kid yet, you should definately go take a look-see! She hosts a fantastic meme called Tech Tuesday, which is how I finally did it! The directions are excellant and can be found HERE if you need them! So far I'm the only fan...it sure is lonely over there all by myself! LOL!

Some Random Things That I Love...

Here are somethings that I love:

• Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Shampoo & Conditioner- this stuff rocks on my naturally curly hair!
• Victoria Secrets Drenched in Pink Sweet & Flirty body lotion- this is my 'everyday' lotion. Just smelling it makes me happy :-)! There's just something wonderful about Sugar Berry & Grapefruit that makes me smile...(May I suggest~SPLURGE, get the All Over Body Mist too! It's a happy maker, too!!
• Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Cream Body Wash & Lotion. This I save for those 'special' days that I just need a little something special. You know what I mean...
• Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara- this is the best mascara that I've found and I've tried alot...
• Cover Girl TRUblend Micromineral Foundation- It puts some color on my white, pale face without looking like I'm wearing foundation.
• Cover Girl TRUblend Micromineral Blush- Again, it puts some mahvelous color on my pasty face. As long as I have the foundation, blush, and MK mascara on, I can actually leave the house and not be embarrassed if I run into someone I know...
• My Plan Ahead Mother's Planner. -Nope, I don't use it much to keep track of my kids, I use it to keep track of my reviews, bunco nights with the girls and the ever popular dr.'s appointments. Oh I also keep track of book & movie releases that I want to read and see! I keep it right on my computer desk...

That's not all I love. There's more. Those are some of my favorites though...What is something you can't live without?

Romance Novel Sluts

I just joined a new group that was formed over on Facebook, Romance Novel Sluts (Savy Ladies (and Lords) Unearthing Treasured Stories) and they, I mean we, now have their own RNS site! I was over at the new site and read a post that Slut Sarah (really, that is her username!) had written: I wasn’t always a romance novel slut. And she asked at the end who contributed to my romance novel passion. Here is the comment I left:

My Mom. She started it all. I started sneaking her romance novels when I was 12 or 13.

That comment really didn't do it justice. I didn't just sneak & read her romance novels. I devoured them. It didn't matter to me who wrote it. It didn't matter what genre it was (heck, back then I didn't know what a genre was!). I just grabbed the books that had the sexiest covers. As a matter of fact, I think the majority were either historical or based around Native Americans with the white woman as a slave. All that mattered to me was that it had to be a Happily Ever After. Thats it. It just needed a HEA. And even now, a HEA is necessary for me to enjoy a book. If it doesn't have a HEA, I won't read it again.

Do you know what else I loved to sneak & read?

I loved her True Romance magazines (do they still sell those?)too. I just loved how you got so many short stories that were true in a magazine! It just made my young, young, teen heart go pitter patter! And for the early 80's I think they were a little risque, too!

So. I ask you this. Who contributed to you becoming a Romance Novel Slut?

I was trolling Twitter tonight...

I was trolling Twitter tonight and found Conan O'Brien (personally, I feel as though he was royally screwed by NBC & Jay, I'm just sayin') and so in finding Conan, I followed his twitpic link to 'his' 92 Ford Taurus. While reading the comments that people left, someone left a link for Dirty Car Art and if you haven't seen it, you should visit! What this man does with paint brushes and a dirty car window is AMAZING!! Don't believe me? Look for yourself~

Mona Lisa with Stary Nights in the background! Wow!

View from the back

and its just a regular Pet Fest!

See? Isn't that amazing? I would hate to wash my car if I was lucky enough to have something like this on my car! I think Scott Wade is truly talented! Just awesome!

Oh Things, they are achangin'!

Well the most notable thing that has changed is the look...what do you think? I love the purple! And the girls up there drinking their coffee & having some girl talk? LOVE IT!! I love that it is so simple!! Oh and the navi bar accross the top! I love that too!

What else is changing? Well, when I host a giveaway, now you fill out a form that includes your mailing address so when you win, I already have. Don't worry, I'm not going to sell your info, or anything nefarious like that. You will still be notified by mail, and the winners will still be posted here.

And of course theres Tasty Tuesday. I'm really enjoying searching the web for those easy, inexpensive dinner recipes and when I find one, sharing!

I'm just now getting back into my reading 'groove' it seems. I think I might have been depressed after getting out of the hospital & losing my job. I just wanted to watch tv. Worse-reruns. Of shows that I've already seen and almost know by heart. But like I said I'm getting back into my reading groove, blogging groove, woohoo! Thanks for baring with me through the tough times!

The Susan G Komen 3 Day Walk For The Cure

So, Britt, Matt & I are thinking of taking part in the Susan G Komen 3 Day Walk For The Cure in Chicago. I have to get the OK from my doctor (you know, the heart issues that cropped up when I was in the hospital in November). The dates are August 6-8th, you walk 20 miles (*gasp) a day, sleep in tents they provide. I go back to my cardiologist on February 4th, so I'm going to ask then. I'll let you know what he says and what we decide to do! But we are going to need a team name!!

getting back to the way I wanted it...

When I first started blogging, I wanted to just blog about the things that interested me and if no one ever read it, well that was ok with me. I was going to blog about all the things that I enjoy in life-ie: my guilty pleasures. Somewhere along the blogging road, it turned into a book review & giveaway blog. Don't get me wrong, I love reading! It is one of my favorite past times. But it got to the point that I wasn't enjoying it as much as I should. It became mostly about the giveaways. Well, after being in & out of the hospital, and not blogging for 3 months, I've decided that 2010 is going to be about the way I want to blog, about the things that I want to blog about. I am still going to review the books that I read and host giveaways. But it isn't going to be just books that I review & books that I giveaway. So look for posts concerning the movies that I see, my favorite tv shows, if I find some fantastic product at the store. Whatever I find interesting might just end up in a post!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Today is the day I start blogging again on a regular basis!

I have read a couple of books during December and will post

a review of "Bed of Roses" by Nora Roberts later today!

Wow!

Happy Holidays!

I just have to say that my email is crazy! I have over 3,000 but that includes the emails I receive from bookblogs.com. I am slowly going through them and will resond when I can! I went to the cardiologist last week, and he seems to think that with the medicine that he has me on (and is increasing the dosage) will hopefully strengthen my heart. They don't know if the chemo caused the damage or that really bad virus that put me in the hospital the first time.

I am still not reading much, but we did get our Christmas tree up! It seems that these last couple of months have just been a mess. I was in the hospital for 14 days in October (in a drug induced coma) with a viral pnemonia. The day I was released from the hospital, the owner of the company I worked for CALLED me and told me I was being let go, that my position was no longer needed. He let 2 other employees go the same day, one had worked there for 17 years! Then Brittni turned 18, 10 days after I got out of the hospital. Of course, I was still not feeling well, so I didn't even buy her a gift! Luckily, she loves, loves, loves cold, hard, cash! LOL! Then within another week, I was BACK in the hospital, with pnemonia again! That is when they found that I have a 'leaky heart valve'. My goal for December? NOT to end up back in the hospital. OH! And do you want to know what the fantastic part is? I haven't had insurance in over a year! My first hospital stay was over $75,000, just for the hosptial.

So I am now unemployeed and while I should be reading, blogging and holding all kinds of contests, I can't. Well, I could, but I have no 'gumption' right now. So my goal is to start reading & blogging. And going back to school. I think for respiratory therapy. But that could change. We'll see.

Good morning!

GOOD MORNING!!

I am once more home from the hospital! It has been crazy these past few months! I was "let go" from my job the day I got out of the hospital on 10/16. Been back to the hospital, once again with pnemonia, but this time they found out that I have a leaky heart valve and my heart is weak. Needless to say, I have not been in the mood to do much of anything but sleep. I have been reading the same book now for about 3 weeks.

No Christmas shopping has been done, no decorations have been unpacked. But that will be changing this weekend! Woohoo!

With my various dr's appointments I have coming up and with being so far behind for Christmas, I will be blogging again (on a regular basis) beginning the first of the year. If everything goes well health wise. I have so much catching up to do with the blogs that I follow! I promise I will! Well off to see my cardiologist...

How do YOU plan a vacation?

We do not vacation much, but we've decided since Britt will be graduating in June that we should take one last family vacation and we've decided to hit Arizona. Yep. The Grand Canyon. Now I just have to plan the darn thing. I'm horrible at planning things. I wish I could just get everyone loaded into the car (yep, I think we're driving) and take off. No plans needed. But of course, that is just not possible! We are thinking of taking 9 days since we're driving. But I'm not sure how I should pick hotels and other things.

So, tell me...do you use a travel agent? Do everything online?

I'm not even sure where to start something like this!

New Blogger on MGP!

I am very happy to say that my very best friend in the whole wide world, the one person who I think knows me better than anyone else ever has, Terese will be reviewing books here on MGP! I asked her to join me here, and since she is oh so sweet, she said yes! She is the Mama of 2 1/2 year old Jacob (aka Jake the Beefcake!), so most of her time is spent chasing after him, but when she does find time to read, she will be posting her reviews here! It might be one post a month, it might be every 6 months, but she is now a part of MGP!

just a little background about us:



Terese & I met when I moved in across the street from her family, we were in the 3rd grade and had the same teacher every year until we hit 6th grade. Like all friends (and siblings!) we had rough patches but we have always found our way back to being friends. I spent more holidays with her family than I spent with my own! Oh what a joyous Christmas it was, the year her family got Atari from Santa!

Been Out Sick...

Well, I've been knocked on my rump. I have been sick since the 4th and I'm still feeling out of sorts. Whatever this is (the doc said Acute Bronchitis that has triggered my asthma but has been irritated by my seasonal allergies) is really whipping my as*. I haven't been to work or even picked up a book to read in the last 6 days! I will slowly be catching up with everything, giveaways, reviews, etc.

The ABC's Of Me!

I found this at Kalea's blog EnRoute To Life who found it at Pams blog Mom's Mutterings.

Brittni, Jim, Me (with hair! it was growing backYay!) & Matt

This is one of my favorite places, Cataract Falls.

Age: I will soon be 40 and yes I think I will begin MY midlife crisis anyday now. I'm planning on getting my 1st tattoo, taking a ride in a bi-plane and I don't know what else I might do!
Bed Size: Queen, I wish my bedroom was big enough for a KING but it's not *sigh*
Chore You Hate: DISHES! I can't stand to do the dishes! UGH, it irrates me just thinking about it! LOL!
Dogs or Cats: BOTH! I love 'em all! I have 2 cats, Belle & Lulu and 2 dogs, Jack & Bea Bea. And several fish that I just call Sushi.
Essential Start Your Day Item: COFFEE! I can't get started without coffee.
Favorite Color: Red & yellow I can't pick just one!
Gold or Silver: Silver!
Height: 5'3 (whew! Glad it didn't ask for weight, I would have LIED like a dog!)
Instruments You've Played: Clarinet and I was actually ok with it. I didn't enjoy it enough to continue though.
Job Title: Customer Service, Order Entry ie: peon
Kid(s): I have an almost 18-year-old daughter, Brittni and a son who will be 17 in February, Matt. Britt was offered 8 semesters free to a local private college (yay Britt!) and Matt will be signing up for the Army reserves on his 17th birthday and will go active after he graduates ! I have great kids! :)

Matt, Me & Brittni

This was taken a few years ago.

Loud or Quiet: BOTH! I laugh LOUD (and I snort), I like my music loud but I love quiet first thing when I wake up.
Married? How long: HELL NO! I've been married twice and divorced twice and do not see marrying again anytime in the future.
Nicknames: Mom, Honey, Susie, hey you, I answer to almost anything!
Overnight Hospital Stay: A couple, when I had the kids and when I had sepsis and it almost freaking killed me!
Pet Peeve: Kids who spend so much time playing video games or texting that they can't seem to hold a regular conversation! I mean come on! YOURE the future how will you be able to interview for a freaking job??
Quote From A Movie: "I'd rather argue with you than make love with anyone else."
Right or Left Handed: Right

Siblings: On my mom's side, I have 2 older brother & 3 older sisters~ on my dad's side, I have 3 older brothers living, 1 older brother that passed when I was about 13/14.

Time You Wake Up: 6:30 am on weekdays. On the weekends, whenever.

Underwear: sometimes ;~P

Vegetable you Hate: Brussel Sprouts, those are the nastiest things ever!

Ways You Run Late: I don't run late, if I'm late, it's always someone elses fault, really. I hate to be kept waiting and hate to keep anyone else waiting!

X-Rays You've Had: Well the obvious ones, dental and a few when I was going through chemo & radiation.

Yummy Food You Make: I make an awesome apple pie from scratch and my potato salad kicks ass too!

Zoo Favorite: I love the farm animals: goats, pigs, donkey's. Boring I know, but those are my favorites!

My Fellow Bloggers...

Did you know that you HAVE to add the gadget to allow people to follow with Google Reader? Well, I didn't. I received an email today from Rebecca, wanting to follow using Google Reader but couldn't because I didn't have it on my blog page.

So what did I do? I Googled it. Haha! Anyway, it was very simple, and when she replied back that the gadget I had added was what she needed, she also suggested that I spread the word to other bloggers out there.

So if you haven't already added it, please do! Who knows how many readers we are missing, that want to come back and visit!
The gadget you want to add is: Subscribe To...and it is found on the very first pop up page when you click add a gadget! Good luck!

Where everybody knows your name...

My day so far feels like one of my favorite lines from Cheers...

(Norm walks into the bar)
Everbody yells: NORM!! How's it going?
Norm: It's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing milkbone underwear...

yep, today is my milkbone underwear day!

How my day is going so far...

This is pretty much how I'm feeling today!