There will be 2 postings today.  I will be posting a book review later today.  I have a lot to post about so need 2, maybe 3, installments.

My morning routine.  Boot up the laptop, grab my mug of coffee and read my newsletters/emails.  Sign into my blog, read my google reader and start commenting on sites that posted something that caught my attention.  Today, however, I woke with an unclear mind and dread as I am still trying to process all that was said at yesterday’s orthopedic consult (more on that later).  And sorry to repeat but it is so true….my mantra that I live by is that “everything happens for a reason….and we don’t ask why…just know it is to be”.  Vicki over at Reading At The Beach (readingatthebeach.com) signed up for a 2010 challenge “365 Photo Project” where she posts a different picture every day.  The pictures that she is posting are phenomenal and I have been commenting almost every day because they are so beautiful.  Which is what I was going to do this morning.  So I head on over for a visit and before I got to her photo, I found another posting that FLOORED ME.  She has presented me with another award…and so fitting due to my mental state this morning.  She has been such a friend and mentor to me and then to receive another award is overwhelming.  The awad is the “HAPPY 101”.  There is criteria that I will be posting on next.  But first….THANK YOU VICKI !!!!!  You are too kind !!!!!!
                                        
This is a two part award.
First I list ten things that make me happy and then pass this along to 10 blogs that make me happy.
What makes me happy:
1. My hubby
2. My 2 fantastic sons and their girlfriends, “my daughters”.
3. All other members of our family
4. My friends
5. A great mystery
6. A large Friendly’s 5 scoop sundae
7. The start of Spring and warm weather
8. Sitting by the pool and having “bonding reading time” with hubby
9. Vacations (which we are due)Cruise or Aruba
10.Book blogging and meeting so many awesome “new friends”. 
So what blogs make me happy: (in no particular order)
1. J. Kayes Book Blog
2. Bookin’ With Bingo
3. Xmas Dolly
4. Rundpinne
5. Bermudaonion
6. Book Reviews by Bobbie
7. My Cozy Booknook
8. Find Your Next Book Here
9. Bibliophile By The Sea
10. Lori’s Reading Corner
I pass this on to you.  And thank you for having great blogs !!!!  I could only pick 10 but there are so many other blogs that make me happy.
I just decided…….today I am going to enjoy this award and make this my “Happy 101 Award” day and post about “My Medical Jouney” on a later post, which is probably better as there is so much to process.  My mantra, has done right by me again.  Thank you VICKI !!!!

http://btt2.wordpress.com
Today’s question:
1. Do YOU like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings?
     My favorite genre is mystery/suspense so I love unexpected endings!!!  What I don’t like are plots that are complicated and/or detailed espionage.  I lose interest with that type of book.
2. What book with a surprise ending is your favorite? Or your least favorite?
     I was given a book to read by my “Book Buddy” Jess, my son’s gf because I had said that I had never read anything by Jodi Picoult.  She gave me My Sister’s Keeper.  I have to say that this book, with its ending, I never saw coming.  This was definitely my favorite “surprise ending” read.  Highly recommend.

Should Be Reading http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com
 *What are you currently reading?
     Among Thieves by David Hosp

 *What did you recently finish reading?
     Original Sin by Allison Brennan
 *What do you think you’ll read next?
     Doors Open by Ian Rankin

Hosted by Bermudanonion’s Weblog http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com
   I just finished Original Sin by Allison Brennan.  There were 2 words that I wasn’t familiar with.  But when I went to look them up there were no definitions for these words.  Am thinking that they were just part of the story and the reader was to interpret, which I will do now.
  Conoscenza–Book of spells
  arca–human container of demons…..sacrifice

  I just read one of morning subscribed newsletter from Rundpinne Blog (http://www.rundpinne.com/) and she posted a picture of many, many books of hers.  I gasped when I saw the piles (lol).  So my question is… and hopefully experienced bloggers will share with me their knowledge and tricks of the trade.  I recently added my name to accept requests for reviews.  I am enjoying every facet of this world of book blogging.  However, I am a little behind in reading and getting a little anxious as I have 7 books waiting to be read and reviewed.  How do you catch up when activities of daily living still need to be done, do authors/publishers have a time limit, do you post about books before you read them (ex: give the bookjacket synopsis when you receive each book or do you post about the book  when done reading/reviewing.?  Any comments, suggestions, tips would be appreciated.
MY JOURNEY
Well…today is here and I am having a lot of anxiety.  Not knowing is so very hard.  Hopefully I will get some answers today but then if I do, I will have to make some very big decisions and only I can do that.  And to make matters even harder, hubby isn’t going with me.  He is so torn about today but he has a very high level meeting that he could not get out of.  I am lucky to be blessed with a very good friend.  When I told her the situation she got out her appointment book, she is a nail technician, crossed off the day and then called her part-time job and asked to be taken off the schedule.  The saying goes that God gives us angels and they are called friends.  Since we are driving to another state for this appoinment we are planning to make it a “girl’s day”.  And she will have pen and steno pad in hand to let hubby know everything that happens.  Sorry to those that are reading this because I am rambling which I tend to do, especially when “nervous”.  To my BFF..Thank You

Should Be Reading http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com
 *What are you currently reading?
     Among Thieves by David Hosp

 *What did you recently finish reading?
     Original Sin by Allison Brennan
 *What do you think you’ll read next?
     Doors Open by Ian Rankin

Hosted by Bermudanonion’s Weblog http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com
   I just finished Original Sin by Allison Brennan.  There were 2 words that I wasn’t familiar with.  But when I went to look them up there were no definitions for these words.  Am thinking that they were just part of the story and the reader was to interpret, which I will do now.
  Conoscenza–Book of spells
  arca–human container of demons…..sacrifice

  I just read one of morning subscribed newsletter from Rundpinne Blog (http://www.rundpinne.com/) and she posted a picture of many, many books of hers.  I gasped when I saw the piles (lol).  So my question is… and hopefully experienced bloggers will share with me their knowledge and tricks of the trade.  I recently added my name to accept requests for reviews.  I am enjoying every facet of this world of book blogging.  However, I am a little behind in reading and getting a little anxious as I have 7 books waiting to be read and reviewed.  How do you catch up when activities of daily living still need to be done, do authors/publishers have a time limit, do you post about books before you read them (ex: give the bookjacket synopsis when you receive each book or do you post about the book  when done reading/reviewing.?  Any comments, suggestions, tips would be appreciated.
MY JOURNEY
Well…today is here and I am having a lot of anxiety.  Not knowing is so very hard.  Hopefully I will get some answers today but then if I do, I will have to make some very big decisions and only I can do that.  And to make matters even harder, hubby isn’t going with me.  He is so torn about today but he has a very high level meeting that he could not get out of.  I am lucky to be blessed with a very good friend.  When I told her the situation she got out her appointment book, she is a nail technician, crossed off the day and then called her part-time job and asked to be taken off the schedule.  The saying goes that God gives us angels and they are called friends.  Since we are driving to another state for this appoinment we are planning to make it a “girl’s day”.  And she will have pen and steno pad in hand to let hubby know everything that happens.  Sorry to those that are reading this because I am rambling which I tend to do, especially when “nervous”.  To my BFF..Thank You

Hosted by Should Be Reading http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
 *Grab your current read
 *Open to a random page
 *Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
 *BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
 *Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR  Lists if they like your teasers!
 My Teaser:
  “Well, I can tell you that you’re not possessed and you’re not under a spell.  If you were cursed, we’d know it here, in this room.”
          Original Sin by Allison Brennana    page 235
I enjoy the daily memes…it’s a great way to meet other book bloggers….. and am always looking for more.  Molly at My Cozy Book Nook (http://mycozybooknook.blogspot.com/) introduced me to this next meme which sounds like fun.  This will be my first posting for It’s Tuesday, Where Are You?

Hosted By An Adventure In Reading http://raidergirl3-anadventureinreading.blogspot.com/
  Today I am in Santa Louisa, California helping Moira locate her mother, a witch of black magic.
MY JOURNEY
  Tomorrow is the day that I have the consult with the orthopedic surgeon who supposedly takes on patients with complex issues.  According to his web site, it states “that he evaluates patients from all over the U.S”.  I have to say that I am very ambivilent regarding this appointment and anxiety is starting to kick in.   Out of 3 options that were given to me, this is the one that I didn’t want to be the solution of my problem.  Depending if he can help me, I will have to make a huge decision that is terrifying to me.  Another fusion (#4), which another doctor told me would be risky and complicated or continue living with this pain and not being able to have a good quality of life?  Do I take the chance of another fusion with so much scar tissue built up since last fusion?  We shall see…..

Hosted by Should Be Reading http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
 *Grab your current read
 *Open to a random page
 *Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
 *BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
 *Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR  Lists if they like your teasers!
 My Teaser:
  “Well, I can tell you that you’re not possessed and you’re not under a spell.  If you were cursed, we’d know it here, in this room.”
          Original Sin by Allison Brennana    page 235
I enjoy the daily memes…it’s a great way to meet other book bloggers….. and am always looking for more.  Molly at My Cozy Book Nook (http://mycozybooknook.blogspot.com/) introduced me to this next meme which sounds like fun.  This will be my first posting for It’s Tuesday, Where Are You?

Hosted By An Adventure In Reading http://raidergirl3-anadventureinreading.blogspot.com/
  Today I am in Santa Louisa, California helping Moira locate her mother, a witch of black magic.
MY JOURNEY
  Tomorrow is the day that I have the consult with the orthopedic surgeon who supposedly takes on patients with complex issues.  According to his web site, it states “that he evaluates patients from all over the U.S”.  I have to say that I am very ambivilent regarding this appointment and anxiety is starting to kick in.   Out of 3 options that were given to me, this is the one that I didn’t want to be the solution of my problem.  Depending if he can help me, I will have to make a huge decision that is terrifying to me.  Another fusion (#4), which another doctor told me would be risky and complicated or continue living with this pain and not being able to have a good quality of life?  Do I take the chance of another fusion with so much scar tissue built up since last fusion?  We shall see…..

Hosted by Just One More Page http://rebeccavoy.blogspot.com/
Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about borrowed books.
Where do you keep any books borrowed from friends or the library? Do they live with your own collection, or do you keep them separate? Do you monitor them in anyway.
Books I have borrowed are put in my bookcase along with all my other TBR books, however I put a sticky post on the cover so I know who belongs with what.  And the ones I request and check out from the library gets  downloaded to my ereader.

Hosted by J.Kaye’s Book Blog http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com
*Books Completed Last Week:
     Invisible Boy by Cornelia Read
*Books I Gave Up On:
     None
*Books I Am Currently Reading/Listening To:
     None
*Books I Need To Write Reviews On:
     Caught Up
*Up Next:
     Doors Open by Ian Rankin
     Among Thieves by David Hosp
     Death of a Valentine by M. C Beaton

Hosted by The Printed Page http://printedpage.us/
   *False Convictions by Tim Green (requested review Hachette Book Group)  

   *Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan (requested review Mr. Frank Daniels)
   *Venom by Joan Brady (gift from Simon & Schuster via Book Chick City Blog Site for challenge)

Hosted by Just One More Page http://rebeccavoy.blogspot.com/
Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about borrowed books.
Where do you keep any books borrowed from friends or the library? Do they live with your own collection, or do you keep them separate? Do you monitor them in anyway.
Books I have borrowed are put in my bookcase along with all my other TBR books, however I put a sticky post on the cover so I know who belongs with what.  And the ones I request and check out from the library gets  downloaded to my ereader.

Hosted by J.Kaye’s Book Blog http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com
*Books Completed Last Week:
     Invisible Boy by Cornelia Read
*Books I Gave Up On:
     None
*Books I Am Currently Reading/Listening To:
     None
*Books I Need To Write Reviews On:
     Caught Up
*Up Next:
     Doors Open by Ian Rankin
     Among Thieves by David Hosp
     Death of a Valentine by M. C Beaton

Hosted by The Printed Page http://printedpage.us/
   *False Convictions by Tim Green (requested review Hachette Book Group)  

   *Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan (requested review Mr. Frank Daniels)
   *Venom by Joan Brady (gift from Simon & Schuster via Book Chick City Blog Site for challenge)

  First, I would like to formally Welcome the newest members of this blog
                                  
On Friday while I was catching up with my Google Reader I saw that Midday Escapades Blog was hosting a meme, Friday Follow.  It’s a “blog hop” where you visit other sites that have also signed up and become followers of each other’s blog.  I was introduced to many different blogs of all varities that I probably would never have known about.  Due to the variety, I feel that I am now a “well rounded blogger.  So to those who took the time to stop by…Thank You.
  Yesterday was very productive….I accomplished more than I thought I would.  I made some  changes to my blog…a smaller button instead of the larger one I had.  So for those kind and thoughtful bloggers who had grabbed the big one…this is for you.  And if anyone else decides to grab the new button…thank you.  I have been thinking about creating an email subscription for a while.  My routine in the morning is to boot up, grab my coffe mug and read all my newsletters which I look forward to and know that this way I won’t miss anything.  When I started following blogs I would send off an email and ask if I could be put on the “mailing list” (thats how little I knew about blogging.  I would be honored and delighted if you would like to subscribe to my blog.  I also wrote some posting drafts for this week (learned that trick with reading posts of those who joined in for the Bloggiesta Weekend).  Hubby was on his laptop, working from home,  so it was quiet and I read for hours.  It definitely was a Relax and Read Saturday !!!!!
  How has your weekend been?  How was your Saturday?  Any plans for today?  This morning we are taking my mother-in-law out for a bday brunch (she would strangle me if she knew I posted about her bday).  Hoping there is a football game on later this afternoon (can you tell I am not a sports fan) because if there is,  Yippppeeeee, hubby and son will be watching and I will get to read peacefully.  Have a relaxing Sunday……and Happy Reading !
                                    
01/24