Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Depression
Wow I didn't realize it had been so long since I had blogged...almost two whole weeks.
I admit it I have been somewhat depressed the past couple of months. You know how sometimes it seems in life you just get hit with one thing after another. That's been my life for the last little while. Seems like I just can't get a break these days and it really got me down big time.
God always makes me see that there are others out there that have it much worse than me though and that's what he's done the past couple of weeks. Whenever I give myself too much of a pity party there's that little voice that says well at least you have your health and points out to me some that don't. You have a place to live and some people don't. ...saw many Katrina victims in the past couple of weeks who still are living without so much.
A lady I work with has had some bad luck of her own too. She had to have gallbladder surgery this past Friday and if that wasn't bad enough her mom passed away on Thursday. Was very sudden but not totally unexpected as she was up in years and had been in failing health so my friend looked at it as somewhat of a blessing in one sense but on the other hand it's never easy to lose your mom.
Then the 5th anniversery of 911 made me even more sad because of all the loss of life.....but I try and look on that day to the positive things that happened to...for me one of the formost things was the courage of the people on Flight 93 in fighting back and previnting the plane from getting to whatever the target was supposed to be. I see the hand of God in that too as it is a true miracle that they landed in a field as opposed to some more populated area.
The real root of my depression I think though is that on September 14, 1997 my best friend died. His birthday was July 22 and I always have gotten rather meloncoly between then and the day of his death since the first year. Strange thing is that I found he was sick on 9-11 of that year and three days later he was gone. Shows you how fleeting life is. I suppose I will always have these feelings every year. Funny though people tell you it will get easier as time passes but it hasn't in this situation.
Boy am I rambeling today....lol. I have found though that reading is a great comfort in these sad depressing times. I can get lost in a book for a few hours and forget the sadness that my life is in reality and get lost in the story I am reading. One of the greatest gifts my mom ever gave me was her love for reading. This activity has helped me some really tough times and continues to do so.
So how do you make it through the tough times? What helps you see brighter days ahead?
I admit it I have been somewhat depressed the past couple of months. You know how sometimes it seems in life you just get hit with one thing after another. That's been my life for the last little while. Seems like I just can't get a break these days and it really got me down big time.
God always makes me see that there are others out there that have it much worse than me though and that's what he's done the past couple of weeks. Whenever I give myself too much of a pity party there's that little voice that says well at least you have your health and points out to me some that don't. You have a place to live and some people don't. ...saw many Katrina victims in the past couple of weeks who still are living without so much.
A lady I work with has had some bad luck of her own too. She had to have gallbladder surgery this past Friday and if that wasn't bad enough her mom passed away on Thursday. Was very sudden but not totally unexpected as she was up in years and had been in failing health so my friend looked at it as somewhat of a blessing in one sense but on the other hand it's never easy to lose your mom.
Then the 5th anniversery of 911 made me even more sad because of all the loss of life.....but I try and look on that day to the positive things that happened to...for me one of the formost things was the courage of the people on Flight 93 in fighting back and previnting the plane from getting to whatever the target was supposed to be. I see the hand of God in that too as it is a true miracle that they landed in a field as opposed to some more populated area.
The real root of my depression I think though is that on September 14, 1997 my best friend died. His birthday was July 22 and I always have gotten rather meloncoly between then and the day of his death since the first year. Strange thing is that I found he was sick on 9-11 of that year and three days later he was gone. Shows you how fleeting life is. I suppose I will always have these feelings every year. Funny though people tell you it will get easier as time passes but it hasn't in this situation.
Boy am I rambeling today....lol. I have found though that reading is a great comfort in these sad depressing times. I can get lost in a book for a few hours and forget the sadness that my life is in reality and get lost in the story I am reading. One of the greatest gifts my mom ever gave me was her love for reading. This activity has helped me some really tough times and continues to do so.
So how do you make it through the tough times? What helps you see brighter days ahead?
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Well....duh
Yes I posted this recipe yesterday but it did not post for some reason. Checked again this morning and still not posted so I assumed that it didn't post. Came to the blog and still not posted. So I type it in again and say publish post and what happend? It posts twice...from yesterday and today......hmmmm
Chesse Spread Anyone
Saw this recipe on the Town House Cracker box and thought is sounded YUMMY!
PECAN CRANBERRY SPREAD
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/8 cup of orange juice concentrate
1 box Town House crackers
Using an electric mixer, beat at medium speed and cream the cream cheese until soft and fluffy. Transfer into a small bowl, add remaining ingrediants and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors blend, at least 30 minutes. Serve cold with Town House crackers.
I am a sucker for cheese dips/spreads. I think this one sounds really unique and plan to make it for the next office carry in. So do you have a favorite way to use cheese in a recipe? If so share it here.
PECAN CRANBERRY SPREAD
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/8 cup of orange juice concentrate
1 box Town House crackers
Using an electric mixer, beat at medium speed and cream the cream cheese until soft and fluffy. Transfer into a small bowl, add remaining ingrediants and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors blend, at least 30 minutes. Serve cold with Town House crackers.
I am a sucker for cheese dips/spreads. I think this one sounds really unique and plan to make it for the next office carry in. So do you have a favorite way to use cheese in a recipe? If so share it here.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
A recipe
Pecan Cranberry Spread
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/8 cup orange juice concentrate
1 box town house crackers
Using electric mixer, beat at medium speed and cream the cream cheese until soft and fluffy. Transfer to a small bowl, add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refridgerate until flavors blend, at least 30 minutes. Serve cold with town house crackers.
I admit it I LOVE any kind of cheese. Saw this recipe on the back of the cracker box and I think it sounds great. Will have to make it for the next office carry in.
Do you have a favorite recipe using cheese?
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/8 cup orange juice concentrate
1 box town house crackers
Using electric mixer, beat at medium speed and cream the cream cheese until soft and fluffy. Transfer to a small bowl, add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refridgerate until flavors blend, at least 30 minutes. Serve cold with town house crackers.
I admit it I LOVE any kind of cheese. Saw this recipe on the back of the cracker box and I think it sounds great. Will have to make it for the next office carry in.
Do you have a favorite recipe using cheese?
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Saw some movies on the weekend
I did go to see Snakes On A Plane and was very pleasently surprised by it. When I first heard about this movie I thought there was no way I would go see it but the more I heard about it the more intrigued by it I became.
If you are afraid of snakes you really don't have much to worry about. When they are slithering around on the floor of the plane they book real but when they are biting folks I thought they looked really fake. The movie was worth the cost of the ticket to hear SLJ say the famous line. Overall an enjoyable movie.
I also saw The Devil Wears Prada and have to say that I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would too. The fashon in the movie is AWESOME. Both Meryl Streep and Anne Heathaway (I think that's the younger girls name) played their parts to perfection and I was glad I saw this one too.
Are there any moview you are anxious to see?
If you are afraid of snakes you really don't have much to worry about. When they are slithering around on the floor of the plane they book real but when they are biting folks I thought they looked really fake. The movie was worth the cost of the ticket to hear SLJ say the famous line. Overall an enjoyable movie.
I also saw The Devil Wears Prada and have to say that I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would too. The fashon in the movie is AWESOME. Both Meryl Streep and Anne Heathaway (I think that's the younger girls name) played their parts to perfection and I was glad I saw this one too.
Are there any moview you are anxious to see?
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Finally something new....
Well not really!!!
When I am setting at home I come up with lots of stuff to blog about but when I come to the screen it all seems to be gone.
I did pick up Into The Storm the new release by Suzanne Brockmann on Tuesday. It is going to be my weekend read.
Right now I am reading The Matchmake by Jamie Denton. It is a Brava coming out in November and it's fabulous. Very different from Jamie's usual work. Will tell more about it later after I have finished it.
For those who don't know Jamie Denton is the Harlequin Temptation and Brava author who was sidelined with cancer last year. It's been a long hard road but I believe she is now cancer free and really excited to be having a new release come out. Last I spoke to her she said she still gets tired easily but that's to be expected.
Let's see what else.....On the movie front I saw World Trade Center last weekend and was very impressed with the movie. I thought it was very well done...and although it tells of the tragic events of that day what the movie is really about is the survival and eventual rescue of the 18th and 19th people pulled from the ruble of the buildings. Two port authority police officers. I do think this movie will be much better if seen at the theater so if you are thinking about going to see it please see it in the theater....I think it will lose some of it's impact on video. For instance the sound was awesome and done in such a way you could feel what was going on to the characters. I know that might sound a bit morbid but it's really hard to describe....anyway I thought it was great and well worth seeing.
This weekend it's Snakes On A Plane. I know I know another one that people have very negative feelings about. I must admit when I first heard about it I thought it sounded really hokey and I had no plans to see it but the more I hear about it the more intrigued I am with it so I am definatly going to see it.
Oh and I suspect you have heard the news that Silhouette will stop publication of the BOMBSHELL line in January 2007. This is sad news for me as I really liked this line of books. I should be used to this now though as they have stopped so many lines in the last few years.
The other big news of the day is that they have arrested the person who killed JonBent (sp) Ramsey. From what I have heard he sounds like a really strange one. I hope her family can find some closure and peace. I am sure it's been a long 10 years for them.
Hope everyone is doing well. I haven't gotten to blog hop much this week so I will have to catch up in the next few days.
I think I have rambled enough for now. More later....and thanks for reading especially if you made it to the end.
When I am setting at home I come up with lots of stuff to blog about but when I come to the screen it all seems to be gone.
I did pick up Into The Storm the new release by Suzanne Brockmann on Tuesday. It is going to be my weekend read.
Right now I am reading The Matchmake by Jamie Denton. It is a Brava coming out in November and it's fabulous. Very different from Jamie's usual work. Will tell more about it later after I have finished it.
For those who don't know Jamie Denton is the Harlequin Temptation and Brava author who was sidelined with cancer last year. It's been a long hard road but I believe she is now cancer free and really excited to be having a new release come out. Last I spoke to her she said she still gets tired easily but that's to be expected.
Let's see what else.....On the movie front I saw World Trade Center last weekend and was very impressed with the movie. I thought it was very well done...and although it tells of the tragic events of that day what the movie is really about is the survival and eventual rescue of the 18th and 19th people pulled from the ruble of the buildings. Two port authority police officers. I do think this movie will be much better if seen at the theater so if you are thinking about going to see it please see it in the theater....I think it will lose some of it's impact on video. For instance the sound was awesome and done in such a way you could feel what was going on to the characters. I know that might sound a bit morbid but it's really hard to describe....anyway I thought it was great and well worth seeing.
This weekend it's Snakes On A Plane. I know I know another one that people have very negative feelings about. I must admit when I first heard about it I thought it sounded really hokey and I had no plans to see it but the more I hear about it the more intrigued I am with it so I am definatly going to see it.
Oh and I suspect you have heard the news that Silhouette will stop publication of the BOMBSHELL line in January 2007. This is sad news for me as I really liked this line of books. I should be used to this now though as they have stopped so many lines in the last few years.
The other big news of the day is that they have arrested the person who killed JonBent (sp) Ramsey. From what I have heard he sounds like a really strange one. I hope her family can find some closure and peace. I am sure it's been a long 10 years for them.
Hope everyone is doing well. I haven't gotten to blog hop much this week so I will have to catch up in the next few days.
I think I have rambled enough for now. More later....and thanks for reading especially if you made it to the end.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Nocture--New Series Line From Silhouette Coming in October
One of my favorite reading genres is Paranormal. Silhouette is coming out with a new line of books for the paranormal fan. I haven't heard much about these books but here is a description about what you can expect from the line from the eharlequin web site.
Nocturne
Length: 70,000 - 75,000 wordsEditorial Director: Tara GavinAssociate Senior Editor: Ann Leslie TuttleEditorial Assistant: Sean MackiewiczLaunch: October 2006 (2 books/month)
Nocturne is looking for stories that deliver a dark, very sexy read that will entertain readers and take them from everyday life to an atmospheric, complex, paranormal world filled with characters struggling with life and death issues. These stories will be fast-paced, action-packed and mission-oriented, with a strong level of sensuality. The hero is a key figure - powerful, mysterious and totally attractive to the heroine. In fact, both main characters are very powerful, and their conflict is based on this element. The author must be able to set up a unique existence for the characters, with its own set of rules and mythologies. We are looking for stories of vampires, shape-shifters, werewolves, psychic powers, etc. set in contemporary times. The plots and characters of Nocturne:
Fast-paced, action-oriented. There are life/death issues at stake.
The books are contemporary, but can go back into history, depending on the needs of the story.
Strong sexual/sensual overlay.
The main characters are very powerful - and the conflict is based on this element. The hero is an alpha male.
Characters do not live by predictable rules; instead they respond to the needs of the paranormal world that the author has set up for them.
There is a "mythology" created to explain the characters existence, and their actions must not run contrary to this setup. The mythology must remain consistent and support the action of the book.
Miniseries are welcomed.
The books can be set anywhere throughout the world.
Books that are good reference points for Nocturne include: stories by Maggie Shayne, Christine Feehan and Sherrilyn Kenyon. Lindsay McKenna's Heart of the Jaguar and the subsequent books in her Jaguar series are also good reference points.
The following is a list of Nocture titles also taken from the eharlequin site:
October: UNFORGIVEN - Lindsey McKenna (Shapeshifers) DANGEROUS TEMPTATION - Kathleen Korbel (faeries)
November: FROM THE DARK - Michele Hauf (Vampire) ETERNALLY - Maureen Child (immortal demon hunter)
December: DEATH CALLS - Caridad Pineiro (Vampire) HAUNTED - Lisa Childs (witch)
January: CRY OF THE WOLF - Karen Whiddon (werewolf) BLOOD SON - Erica Orloff - (vampire)
Feb: DEVOTION CALLS - Caridad Pineiro (vamp) PERSECUTED - Lisa Childs (2nd in witch series) March: BLOOD SECRETS - Vivi Anna (vamp)
I have read an excerpt from the Lindsay McKenna book Unforgiven
This link hopefully will take you there:
Unforgiven by Lindsay McKenna
http://www.lindsaymckenna.com/unforgiven_chapt1.html
So anyhow all you paranormal fans out there be on the lookout for this new line of books.
Nocturne
Length: 70,000 - 75,000 wordsEditorial Director: Tara GavinAssociate Senior Editor: Ann Leslie TuttleEditorial Assistant: Sean MackiewiczLaunch: October 2006 (2 books/month)
Nocturne is looking for stories that deliver a dark, very sexy read that will entertain readers and take them from everyday life to an atmospheric, complex, paranormal world filled with characters struggling with life and death issues. These stories will be fast-paced, action-packed and mission-oriented, with a strong level of sensuality. The hero is a key figure - powerful, mysterious and totally attractive to the heroine. In fact, both main characters are very powerful, and their conflict is based on this element. The author must be able to set up a unique existence for the characters, with its own set of rules and mythologies. We are looking for stories of vampires, shape-shifters, werewolves, psychic powers, etc. set in contemporary times. The plots and characters of Nocturne:
Fast-paced, action-oriented. There are life/death issues at stake.
The books are contemporary, but can go back into history, depending on the needs of the story.
Strong sexual/sensual overlay.
The main characters are very powerful - and the conflict is based on this element. The hero is an alpha male.
Characters do not live by predictable rules; instead they respond to the needs of the paranormal world that the author has set up for them.
There is a "mythology" created to explain the characters existence, and their actions must not run contrary to this setup. The mythology must remain consistent and support the action of the book.
Miniseries are welcomed.
The books can be set anywhere throughout the world.
Books that are good reference points for Nocturne include: stories by Maggie Shayne, Christine Feehan and Sherrilyn Kenyon. Lindsay McKenna's Heart of the Jaguar and the subsequent books in her Jaguar series are also good reference points.
The following is a list of Nocture titles also taken from the eharlequin site:
October: UNFORGIVEN - Lindsey McKenna (Shapeshifers) DANGEROUS TEMPTATION - Kathleen Korbel (faeries)
November: FROM THE DARK - Michele Hauf (Vampire) ETERNALLY - Maureen Child (immortal demon hunter)
December: DEATH CALLS - Caridad Pineiro (Vampire) HAUNTED - Lisa Childs (witch)
January: CRY OF THE WOLF - Karen Whiddon (werewolf) BLOOD SON - Erica Orloff - (vampire)
Feb: DEVOTION CALLS - Caridad Pineiro (vamp) PERSECUTED - Lisa Childs (2nd in witch series) March: BLOOD SECRETS - Vivi Anna (vamp)
I have read an excerpt from the Lindsay McKenna book Unforgiven
This link hopefully will take you there:
Unforgiven by Lindsay McKenna
http://www.lindsaymckenna.com/unforgiven_chapt1.html
So anyhow all you paranormal fans out there be on the lookout for this new line of books.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Standing In Line
So which author’s new releases do you find yourselves standing in line to buy and rearranging you TBR pile to read?
For me the list is short:
Suzanne Brockmann---yea Into The Storm is supposed to come out next Tuesday…can’t wait as I need a Brockmann fix.
J. D. Robb---LOVE LOVE LOVE Eve and Roarke’s adventures
Janet Evanovich but only her Stephanie Plum titles—Stephanie, Ranger and Joe are classic characters as well and I never tire of reading their new adventures.
These are about the only people I usually buy in hard cover too.
Now recently I added Sherrilyn Kenyon to this list as I preordered her last Dark Hunter book and it was delivered the day it was released----That was a bit of a surprise that they were so fast.
There are many other author’s that I usually buy the week they come out but I may or may not read them right away. The ones listed above are an addiction though and I must have them ASAP and I generally start reading them within a day or two of purchase.
So what about you who are you standing in line to buy?
For me the list is short:
Suzanne Brockmann---yea Into The Storm is supposed to come out next Tuesday…can’t wait as I need a Brockmann fix.
J. D. Robb---LOVE LOVE LOVE Eve and Roarke’s adventures
Janet Evanovich but only her Stephanie Plum titles—Stephanie, Ranger and Joe are classic characters as well and I never tire of reading their new adventures.
These are about the only people I usually buy in hard cover too.
Now recently I added Sherrilyn Kenyon to this list as I preordered her last Dark Hunter book and it was delivered the day it was released----That was a bit of a surprise that they were so fast.
There are many other author’s that I usually buy the week they come out but I may or may not read them right away. The ones listed above are an addiction though and I must have them ASAP and I generally start reading them within a day or two of purchase.
So what about you who are you standing in line to buy?
