Category: Slapdash Sunday

Slapdash Sunday Topic: Your thoughts?

SUNDAY
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Hosted by Kayla from The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!
I received this email the other day and thought it was quite interesting.  I thought I would share it with all of you and see what your thoughts are on some of the issues.  So…lets get the discussion, Slapdash Discussion, started !!

CHANGES ARE COMING —- Whether these changes are good or bad depends in part on how we adapt to them. But, ready or not, here they come!

1. The Post Office. Get ready to imagine a world without the post office. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex, and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive. Most of your mail every day is junk mail and bills.

2. The Check. Britain is already laying the groundwork to do away with checks by 2018. It costs the financial system billions of dollars a year to process checks. Plastic cards and online transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the check. This plays right into the death of the post office. If you never paid your bills by mail and never received them by mail, the post office would absolutely go out of business.

3. The Newspaper. The younger generation simply doesn’t read the newspaper. They certainly don’t subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman and the laundry man. As for reading the paper online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile Internet devices and e-readers has caused all the newspaper and magazine publishers to form an alliance. They have met with Apple, Amazon, and the major cell phone companies to develop a model for paid subscription services.

4. The Book. You say you will never give up the physical book that you hold in your hand and turn the literal pages. I said the same thing about downloading music fromiTunes. I wanted my hard copy CD. But I quickly changed my mind when I discovered that I could get albums for half the price without ever leaving home to get the latest music. The same thing will happen with books. You can browse a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter before you buy. And the price is less than half that of a real book. And think of the convenience! Once you start flicking your fingers on the screen instead of the book, you find that you are lost in the story, can’t wait to see what happens next, and you forget that you’re holding a gadget instead of a book.

5. The Land Line Telephone. Unless you have a large family and make a lot of local calls, you don’t need it anymore. Most people keep it simply because they’ve always had it. But you are paying double charges for that extra service. All the cell phone companies will let you call customers using the same cell provider for no charge against your minutes

6. Music. This is one of the saddest parts of the change story. The music industry is dying a slow death. Not just because of illegal downloading. It’s the lack of innovative new music being given a chance to get to the people who would like to hear it. Greed and corruption is the problem. The record labels and the radio conglomerates are simply self-destructing. Over 40% of the music purchased today is “catalog items,” meaning traditional music that the public is familiar with. Older established artists. This is also true on the live concert circuit. To explore this fascinating and disturbing topic further, check out the book, “Appetite for Self-Destruction” by Steve Knopper, and the video documentary, “Before the Music Dies.”

7. Television. Revenues to the networks are down dramatically. Not just because of the economy. People are watching TV and movies streamed from their computers. And they’re playing games and doing lots of other things that take up the time that used to be spent watching TV. Prime time shows have degenerated down to lower than the lowest common denominator. Cable rates are skyrocketing and commercials run about every 4 minutes and 30 seconds. I say good riddance to most of it. It’s time for the cable companies to be put out of our misery. Let the people choose what they want to watch online and through Netflix.

8. The “Things” That You Own. Many of the very possessions that we used to own are still in our lives, but we may not actually own them in the future. They may simply reside in “the cloud.” Today your computer has a hard drive and you store your pictures, music, movies, and documents. Your software is on a CD or DVD, and you can always re-install it if need be. But all of that is changing. Apple, Microsoft, and Google are all finishing up their latest “cloud services.” That means that when you turn on a computer, the Internet will be built into the operating system. So, Windows, Google, and the Mac OS will be tied straight into the Internet. If you click an icon, it will open something in the Internet cloud. If you save something, it will be saved to the cloud. And you may pay a monthly subscription fee to the cloud provider. In this virtual world, you can access your music or your books, or your whatever from any laptop or handheld device. That’s the good news. But, will you actually own any of this “stuff” or will it all be able to disappear at any moment in a big “Poof?” Will most of the things in our lives be disposable and whimsical? It makes you want to run to the closet and pull out that photo album, grab a book from the shelf, or open up a CD case and pull out the insert.

9. Privacy. If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy. That’s gone. It’s been gone for a long time anyway. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings, and even built into your computer and cell phone. But you can be sure that 24/7, “They” know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS coordinates, and the Google Street View. If you buy something, your habit is put into a zillion profiles, and your ads will change to reflect those habits. And “They” will try to get you to buy something else. Again and again.
All we will have that can’t be changed are Memories.
Do you agree with any of the above?  Have you already made any of the changes?  Have any of the above affected your lives?  Would love to hear what you think!!!

Slapdash Sunday Topic: Your thoughts?

SUNDAY
Photobucket
Hosted by Kayla from The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!
I received this email the other day and thought it was quite interesting.  I thought I would share it with all of you and see what your thoughts are on some of the issues.  So…lets get the discussion, Slapdash Discussion, started !!

CHANGES ARE COMING —- Whether these changes are good or bad depends in part on how we adapt to them. But, ready or not, here they come!

1. The Post Office. Get ready to imagine a world without the post office. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex, and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive. Most of your mail every day is junk mail and bills.

2. The Check. Britain is already laying the groundwork to do away with checks by 2018. It costs the financial system billions of dollars a year to process checks. Plastic cards and online transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the check. This plays right into the death of the post office. If you never paid your bills by mail and never received them by mail, the post office would absolutely go out of business.

3. The Newspaper. The younger generation simply doesn’t read the newspaper. They certainly don’t subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman and the laundry man. As for reading the paper online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile Internet devices and e-readers has caused all the newspaper and magazine publishers to form an alliance. They have met with Apple, Amazon, and the major cell phone companies to develop a model for paid subscription services.

4. The Book. You say you will never give up the physical book that you hold in your hand and turn the literal pages. I said the same thing about downloading music fromiTunes. I wanted my hard copy CD. But I quickly changed my mind when I discovered that I could get albums for half the price without ever leaving home to get the latest music. The same thing will happen with books. You can browse a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter before you buy. And the price is less than half that of a real book. And think of the convenience! Once you start flicking your fingers on the screen instead of the book, you find that you are lost in the story, can’t wait to see what happens next, and you forget that you’re holding a gadget instead of a book.

5. The Land Line Telephone. Unless you have a large family and make a lot of local calls, you don’t need it anymore. Most people keep it simply because they’ve always had it. But you are paying double charges for that extra service. All the cell phone companies will let you call customers using the same cell provider for no charge against your minutes

6. Music. This is one of the saddest parts of the change story. The music industry is dying a slow death. Not just because of illegal downloading. It’s the lack of innovative new music being given a chance to get to the people who would like to hear it. Greed and corruption is the problem. The record labels and the radio conglomerates are simply self-destructing. Over 40% of the music purchased today is “catalog items,” meaning traditional music that the public is familiar with. Older established artists. This is also true on the live concert circuit. To explore this fascinating and disturbing topic further, check out the book, “Appetite for Self-Destruction” by Steve Knopper, and the video documentary, “Before the Music Dies.”

7. Television. Revenues to the networks are down dramatically. Not just because of the economy. People are watching TV and movies streamed from their computers. And they’re playing games and doing lots of other things that take up the time that used to be spent watching TV. Prime time shows have degenerated down to lower than the lowest common denominator. Cable rates are skyrocketing and commercials run about every 4 minutes and 30 seconds. I say good riddance to most of it. It’s time for the cable companies to be put out of our misery. Let the people choose what they want to watch online and through Netflix.

8. The “Things” That You Own. Many of the very possessions that we used to own are still in our lives, but we may not actually own them in the future. They may simply reside in “the cloud.” Today your computer has a hard drive and you store your pictures, music, movies, and documents. Your software is on a CD or DVD, and you can always re-install it if need be. But all of that is changing. Apple, Microsoft, and Google are all finishing up their latest “cloud services.” That means that when you turn on a computer, the Internet will be built into the operating system. So, Windows, Google, and the Mac OS will be tied straight into the Internet. If you click an icon, it will open something in the Internet cloud. If you save something, it will be saved to the cloud. And you may pay a monthly subscription fee to the cloud provider. In this virtual world, you can access your music or your books, or your whatever from any laptop or handheld device. That’s the good news. But, will you actually own any of this “stuff” or will it all be able to disappear at any moment in a big “Poof?” Will most of the things in our lives be disposable and whimsical? It makes you want to run to the closet and pull out that photo album, grab a book from the shelf, or open up a CD case and pull out the insert.

9. Privacy. If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy. That’s gone. It’s been gone for a long time anyway. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings, and even built into your computer and cell phone. But you can be sure that 24/7, “They” know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS coordinates, and the Google Street View. If you buy something, your habit is put into a zillion profiles, and your ads will change to reflect those habits. And “They” will try to get you to buy something else. Again and again.
All we will have that can’t be changed are Memories.
Do you agree with any of the above?  Have you already made any of the changes?  Have any of the above affected your lives?  Would love to hear what you think!!!

Slapdash Sunday Topic: Time

SUNDAY

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Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

TODAY’S TOPIC:  ALLOCATING TIME
It has been a busy past 2 days and have not been on the computer much nor have I read, which means I am, once again, behind.  It started Friday when hubby and I drove the 1+ hour drive to see the doctor for my post op visit (got very little bit  reading done because hubby was in a talkative mood), x-rays then waited 2 hours (got a bit of reading done then) to see the surgeon.
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The doc has revoked his mandates.  I am now able to drive short distances and to attempt minor household chores (wish this restriction had stayed in place lol).  I admit that I got spoiled by not having to do housework and could spend the majority of my time blogging and reading.
And yesterday, hubby and I spent the whole day moving and settling my mom and sister into a new assisted living facility.   I am the latter part of the baby booming era and the sole person responsible for them both.
Which takes me to today’s topic.  I know how much time it takes to keep up my blog,  check my google reader for all current news and events, visit other blogs and read from my tbr requests pile .  Today I will try to catch up with my blog to-dos, drafting posts and giveaways, hopefully posting another one and try to get some reading in.  I also feel that I might have missed out on things since I haven’t even checked my google reader in the past couple of days. 
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I am wondering….how do you allocate your time to do everything?  Do you have a routine as to how much time goes into blogging, reading, chores?   Do you do find that there is a “good time” to be on the computer for not missing out on “specials” or “giveaways” when the call goes out for reviews?  Do you blog in between doing chores?  What is your schedule or do you even have one?
So……..let’s have a Slapdash Share…..how do you do it all?  Am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this topic!!!




Slapdash Sunday Topic: Time

SUNDAY

Photobucket

Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

TODAY’S TOPIC:  ALLOCATING TIME
It has been a busy past 2 days and have not been on the computer much nor have I read, which means I am, once again, behind.  It started Friday when hubby and I drove the 1+ hour drive to see the doctor for my post op visit (got very little bit  reading done because hubby was in a talkative mood), x-rays then waited 2 hours (got a bit of reading done then) to see the surgeon.
Photobucket
The doc has revoked his mandates.  I am now able to drive short distances and to attempt minor household chores (wish this restriction had stayed in place lol).  I admit that I got spoiled by not having to do housework and could spend the majority of my time blogging and reading.
And yesterday, hubby and I spent the whole day moving and settling my mom and sister into a new assisted living facility.   I am the latter part of the baby booming era and the sole person responsible for them both.
Which takes me to today’s topic.  I know how much time it takes to keep up my blog,  check my google reader for all current news and events, visit other blogs and read from my tbr requests pile .  Today I will try to catch up with my blog to-dos, drafting posts and giveaways, hopefully posting another one and try to get some reading in.  I also feel that I might have missed out on things since I haven’t even checked my google reader in the past couple of days. 
Photobucket

I am wondering….how do you allocate your time to do everything?  Do you have a routine as to how much time goes into blogging, reading, chores?   Do you do find that there is a “good time” to be on the computer for not missing out on “specials” or “giveaways” when the call goes out for reviews?  Do you blog in between doing chores?  What is your schedule or do you even have one?
So……..let’s have a Slapdash Share…..how do you do it all?  Am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this topic!!!




Slapdash Sunday Topic: 2011 Challenges and An Announcement

SUNDAY
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Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

Today’s Topic:  2011 Challenges
I was so excited the other day when I saw, in my google reader, the perfect challenge for me.  I was lucky that I even caught it!!!!!  For a few days before that, I had been trying to catch up with all my blog/computer to-dos after our little road trip to see our son, that I didn’t even have the time to check out my google reader.  So, the low wattage bulb  (lol)  went on and thought that this would be a good topic for today!!  A day to share!!! ………

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………Have I missed some?  Has someone posted that a certain challenge will be in place for 2011 but linky list is not up yet and I missed that too?  Are you in the same position as me, that you are preparing and/or trying to prepare for your 2011 Challenges?    Have you joined any challenges for 2011?  Which ones?  If you did, could you also provide the blog’s site link?  Do you know or have you seen any others that you would like to share?  
So instead of a discussion, I thought we could have a Slapdash Share !!!!


So far, I signed up for the following:
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Hosted by Yvonne from Socrates Book Reviews
September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2011

Off The Shelf!
October 30, 2010 to November 30, 2011
Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Hosted by The Book Vixen
Jan 1, 2011 to Dec 31, 2011

And I just found two more, one I have already signed up for and the other sign up will be posted for sign up on Dec. 1st:

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Hosted by Jamie at Nitty Gritty
January 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2011
EBook Challenge
Sign up 12/01
OK…your turn……Are you participating in any of these?  Are there others you have signed up for or know about? 
 
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I have something else to share with all of you…….and I give my full permission for you to laugh at me……..
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I have mentioned that things have been a bit chaotic here with some real life issues.  And that I have been trying to catch up with blog to-dos, from not taking my laptop out of the trunk when the hubby and I took our road trip to PA, like drafting and posting a lot of giveaways and Guest Author posts.  Plus the fact that I suffer from 2 conditions known as:
However my realization could not have come at a more perfect time, especially with the Follower-Gratitude Giveaway.  I thought my blogaversary was in December, WRONG, it was the beginning of November!!!  I can’t believe it has been one year since stumbling upon a book blog!!  I have made so many special friends and each and every one of you have taught me so much.  I never imagined that a year ago, when I created a “page” to keep track of the books I read, that it would turn out to be the blog that it is today.  And it’s because of you!!!!! I have loved every minute and look forward to another year.  A huge THANK YOU to each and every follower.  OK..time to blow out the candle, grab a coffee/tea, cut the cake and enjoy a slice.  BTW…I baked one with 0 calories lol.
Again, a BIG THANK YOU…I look forward to continuing old friendships and making new.  This blog is because of you, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you!!
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Slapdash Sunday Topic: 2011 Challenges and An Announcement

SUNDAY
Photobucket
Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

Today’s Topic:  2011 Challenges
I was so excited the other day when I saw, in my google reader, the perfect challenge for me.  I was lucky that I even caught it!!!!!  For a few days before that, I had been trying to catch up with all my blog/computer to-dos after our little road trip to see our son, that I didn’t even have the time to check out my google reader.  So, the low wattage bulb  (lol)  went on and thought that this would be a good topic for today!!  A day to share!!! ………

Photobucket

………Have I missed some?  Has someone posted that a certain challenge will be in place for 2011 but linky list is not up yet and I missed that too?  Are you in the same position as me, that you are preparing and/or trying to prepare for your 2011 Challenges?    Have you joined any challenges for 2011?  Which ones?  If you did, could you also provide the blog’s site link?  Do you know or have you seen any others that you would like to share?  
So instead of a discussion, I thought we could have a Slapdash Share !!!!


So far, I signed up for the following:
Photobucket
Hosted by Yvonne from Socrates Book Reviews
September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2011

Off The Shelf!
October 30, 2010 to November 30, 2011
Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Hosted by The Book Vixen
Jan 1, 2011 to Dec 31, 2011

And I just found two more, one I have already signed up for and the other sign up will be posted for sign up on Dec. 1st:

Photobucket
Hosted by Jamie at Nitty Gritty
January 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2011
EBook Challenge
Sign up 12/01
OK…your turn……Are you participating in any of these?  Are there others you have signed up for or know about? 
 
Photobucket
I have something else to share with all of you…….and I give my full permission for you to laugh at me……..
Photobucket
I have mentioned that things have been a bit chaotic here with some real life issues.  And that I have been trying to catch up with blog to-dos, from not taking my laptop out of the trunk when the hubby and I took our road trip to PA, like drafting and posting a lot of giveaways and Guest Author posts.  Plus the fact that I suffer from 2 conditions known as:
However my realization could not have come at a more perfect time, especially with the Follower-Gratitude Giveaway.  I thought my blogaversary was in December, WRONG, it was the beginning of November!!!  I can’t believe it has been one year since stumbling upon a book blog!!  I have made so many special friends and each and every one of you have taught me so much.  I never imagined that a year ago, when I created a “page” to keep track of the books I read, that it would turn out to be the blog that it is today.  And it’s because of you!!!!! I have loved every minute and look forward to another year.  A huge THANK YOU to each and every follower.  OK..time to blow out the candle, grab a coffee/tea, cut the cake and enjoy a slice.  BTW…I baked one with 0 calories lol.
Again, a BIG THANK YOU…I look forward to continuing old friendships and making new.  This blog is because of you, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you!!
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Slapdash Sunday Topic: I’m Back….What’s New?

SUNDAY

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Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

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  Hi Everyone!!!!  Not sure if anyone noticed I was gone for a few days, but if you did, I’m back  lol.
  Hubby and I took a road trip to PA to visit our youngest son, Mark and his gf, Jess.  Mark knows that hubby loves Pink Floyd and there was a sold out concert for all 3 performances, but, he managed to get tickets at a decent price, so we drove down on Thursday.  It was our 1st time to visit him since he moved there, couldn’t go sooner because of my surgeries, so we were excited to go.  The 5 hour drive was a bit rough on my back but I passed the time reading and finished a book (now need to write the review).  I thought that I would, at least, check my emails and blog, but we didn’t even take our laptops out of the trunk. That’s not to say that I didn’t have blog withdrawals lol.
  Thursday night the kids picked us up at the hotel and we went to supper.  Jess dropped off the boys at the concert (Jess and I aren’t fans of Pink Floyd) and then dropped me back at the hotel.  I, was unable to do much else that day because of the discomfort, and we knew that Friday was going to be a long day.
  Friday we drove to where Mark and Jess live, and loved it!!!!  The complex is huge and its like a resort with everything they have access to.  An indoor pool, gym, restaurant, daily activities, huge outdoor pool, etc., etc.  They then took us on a tour of Philly, to see many of the historical sites.  And of course, we had to see the stairs at the Museum, where Rocky Balboa ran to the top.  Hubby said that he was going to run those stairs with no problem, UNTIL he saw them.  So instead Mark took a picture of him in front of the statue.  Friday night we went to dinner at another historical restaurant that was built around 1850.  It was quaint, had a small seating capacity, the fireplace was lit, and the food was delicious.  Jess’ mom made the arrangements and the 6 of us, the kids and Jess’ parents had a wonderful evening. 
  And yesterday, back on the road to come home. 
  So since I never even took out the laptop, and have so much to catch up on, and it is Slapdash Sunday,  My question and topic today is:

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How are you?  What did I miss while away?  What is new with you?  Did I miss out on some great reviews of books that you read?  Which ones?  What is happening in book bloggy land that you think I might be interested in?
  I missed everyone!!…and now its time to play catch up…. so will get to work, and TTYS!!!!

Slapdash Sunday Topic: I’m Back….What’s New?

SUNDAY

Photobucket

Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

Photobucket

  Hi Everyone!!!!  Not sure if anyone noticed I was gone for a few days, but if you did, I’m back  lol.
  Hubby and I took a road trip to PA to visit our youngest son, Mark and his gf, Jess.  Mark knows that hubby loves Pink Floyd and there was a sold out concert for all 3 performances, but, he managed to get tickets at a decent price, so we drove down on Thursday.  It was our 1st time to visit him since he moved there, couldn’t go sooner because of my surgeries, so we were excited to go.  The 5 hour drive was a bit rough on my back but I passed the time reading and finished a book (now need to write the review).  I thought that I would, at least, check my emails and blog, but we didn’t even take our laptops out of the trunk. That’s not to say that I didn’t have blog withdrawals lol.
  Thursday night the kids picked us up at the hotel and we went to supper.  Jess dropped off the boys at the concert (Jess and I aren’t fans of Pink Floyd) and then dropped me back at the hotel.  I, was unable to do much else that day because of the discomfort, and we knew that Friday was going to be a long day.
  Friday we drove to where Mark and Jess live, and loved it!!!!  The complex is huge and its like a resort with everything they have access to.  An indoor pool, gym, restaurant, daily activities, huge outdoor pool, etc., etc.  They then took us on a tour of Philly, to see many of the historical sites.  And of course, we had to see the stairs at the Museum, where Rocky Balboa ran to the top.  Hubby said that he was going to run those stairs with no problem, UNTIL he saw them.  So instead Mark took a picture of him in front of the statue.  Friday night we went to dinner at another historical restaurant that was built around 1850.  It was quaint, had a small seating capacity, the fireplace was lit, and the food was delicious.  Jess’ mom made the arrangements and the 6 of us, the kids and Jess’ parents had a wonderful evening. 
  And yesterday, back on the road to come home. 
  So since I never even took out the laptop, and have so much to catch up on, and it is Slapdash Sunday,  My question and topic today is:

Photobucket
How are you?  What did I miss while away?  What is new with you?  Did I miss out on some great reviews of books that you read?  Which ones?  What is happening in book bloggy land that you think I might be interested in?
  I missed everyone!!…and now its time to play catch up…. so will get to work, and TTYS!!!!