It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books,
and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
It was my first full week at the office in a while but it's being capped off by a three-day weekend. Nice!
My niece turned 15 this week (how is that even possible?!) and we had a little get together at my house Friday evening. We bought her all new bedding for the bed her parents got her. She has a thing for satin sheets which makes me laugh. If I had asked for satin sheets as a kid my mother would have told me to be happy I had sheets (and if I didn't like what I had I could do without). But I love spoiling her in little ways. She is such a sweet girl.
The Husband and I volunteered with Wreaths Across America Saturday morning to pick up wreaths from the local National Cemetery. They lay out wreaths on each marker in December and while they get plenty of volunteers to put them out, there aren't nearly so many when it's time to pick them up. Even though it ended up being the coldest day we've had in quite a while, we all bundled up and got the job done. There was a small group from my company there and the pic below shows the CEO (my boss) on the left, I'm in the pink hat, and The Husband is just behind me. It was bitterly cold but a rewarding and humbling experience.
My home team, the Jaguars, won the AFC South championship last week (go Jags!) and are now in the playoffs. The game starts in about an hour (it's Saturday evening as I write this) and I'm excited to cheer them on. From the warmth of my own home, that is. Those attending the game downtown are going to freeze! Hopefully we will beat the Chargers tonight!
Update: The Jaguars overcome a 27 point deficit and pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history! Final score: Chargers: 30 - Jagaurs:31. Go Jags!!
The death of Lisa Marie Presley this week really struck a nerve. I always found her to be so interesting - and down to earth, despite her famous father. We were also the same age, born just months apart. Instead of the usual 80's tune, I'm sharing one of Lisa Marie's songs, Lights Out.
ON THE BLOG
Tuesday, January 10
Wednesday, January 11
WHAT I READ
Kindle: Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh - 4.25★
CURRENTLY READING
Kindle: Tempting the Cowboy by Kennedy Fox
Audio: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
NEW ADDITIONS
Trade paperback: Tru Blue by Melissa Foster
A couple weeks ago I left a comment on a blogger friend's review of a book by Melissa Foster. I mentioned that I'd yet to read anything by Foster because I found her backlist and all the various series a bit daunting. Last week I received an email from Melissa Foster's publicist. She said that Melissa saw my comment and wanted to send me a copy of Tru Blue (a book that's been on my radar for ages). She went on to give me a breakdown of all Melissa's series and their themes and tropes to help guide me. Color me impressed! The book arrived this week and I'm so excited to read it.
TOTALLY RANDOM
HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?
I laughed, about the sheets, and then remembering having some satin sheets back in the 80s. That email from the publicist - very impressive. I admire the hustle of the smaller/indy authors. I saw that the Jags won. Exciting! I think the Giants are still in it. I guess you can tell I am not a big football (sports) fan. Awesome job collecting those wreathes. So, how cold was it?
ReplyDeleteSam - Okay, prepare to laugh. When we met up for the wreath pick-up thing, it was in the 30's. And yes, we all considered that bitterly cold and were totally freezing. lol
DeleteWow what a great email from the publicist!! Enjoy your reads!
ReplyDeleteErin - Thanks, I was pretty excited to hear from her!
DeleteWow go Jags indeed!! And pink suits you Tanya! You look lovely in that jacket and hat.
ReplyDeleteSophie - Well thank you! I love pink. :)
DeleteThat is one seriously close game for the Jags! And I was saddened by the death of Lisa Marie as well. I had no idea she was ill.
ReplyDeleteSam - The Jaguars pulled off the impossible! The whole city is so fired up for their game this Saturday night. :)
DeleteI love spoiling my niece, too! Happy birthday to her and I hope she enjoys all her new bedding! I don't think I've slept on satin sheets.
ReplyDeleteAngela - Nieces are so fun to spoil. But at 15 her tastes are a lot more expensive than when she was 8. LOL
DeleteI also have a three day weekend, mostly just how my boss scheduled my days off. Lately he has been doing a three day weekend every other week but then the next week I only have Sunday off, honestly I don't mind that much lol
ReplyDeleteWOW that is just awesome that Melissa Foster did that for you. That is amazing. I love her work, I think you will really enjoy her and Tru Blue is adorbs! Basically its a mr mom type of story.
Renee - I could get used to those three day weekends, but only having Sunday off... ugh. That makes for a long work week. I was super surprised to hear from Melissa's PR persona nd so happy to receive the book! I can't wait to read it as it's been on my radar for ages.
DeleteWhat a wonderful thing to do to go and collect the wreaths. It does look cold there. We watched the Jags game and WOW, it sure was a good one!! My husband was ready to turn it off after the first quarter, but we're so glad we watched it to the end. Our team isn't in the playoffs (Rams) so we rooted for the Jags last night.
ReplyDeleteWendy - Yes, the Jags game was plenty exciting! They have done such a 180 this season with the new coach. My boss was at the game and they were considering leaving at halftime. Thank goodness they didn't! The whole city is so fired up for this Saturday's game. :)
DeleteYour posts always make me smile. And that chaptstick thing is hilarious. I love three day weekends, too. And how cool that Melissa Foster's people reached out and sent you a free book. It looks like a good one, too. :D
ReplyDeleteLark - What a nice thing to say! Thank you for that. :) It was so generous of Melissa Foster to send the book. I hope to read it very soon.
DeleteI am very impressed by the fact that Melissa Foster's publicist reached out to you. That's awesome! I was very sad to hear about Lisa Marie. My parents loved Elvis and I remember visiting Graceland as a child. She was a bit younger than my husband and definitely too young to be gone. I hope that you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCarole - I was pretty surprised to hear from her, especially since she got my info from just a random comment I left. I'm excited to read the book she sent.
DeleteJags! Woo hoo!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreg - Yes! That was the comeback of the year! :)
DeleteCongrats to your Jaguars! And wow for the publicist reaching out to you! That is so cool! It was sad about Lisa Marie, my mom says she didn't name me "after" her, but I like to pretend she did. She was only 4 years older than me, so it's really sad to think about. That Wreaths Across America is a wonderful idea. I would definitely look into doing something like that myself. Hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteLisa Loves Literature
Thanks Lisa - That Jags win was the comeback of the year! :) The whole city is fired up for this Saturday's game against your Chiefs. I'm a little nervous (I mean, it's Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs) but the Jags have proven all season that they can't be counted out. I'll be glued to the TV Saturday night!
DeleteWow. I haven't read any Melissa Foster but I have a bunch of freebies I'll get to read at some point. I'm curious what your idea of bitterly cold is? For me it's -45F and then wind chill on top of that when I was skiing in Wyoming. I had to buy warmer mittens, leather with down, which served me well for about 40 years until I wore them on tow ropes with Brownie Scouts and had to get a new pair. Anyway, you are out there with people and no mask. I just can't do that yet. Enjoy your holiday day!
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Anne - Yeah, our ideas of bitterly cold are very different. LOL It was in the 30's when we showed up for the Wreaths Across America event. That's bitterly cold (to be outside) for this Floridian. :) I was unmasked for the time it took for the photo but otherwise, no, I am not typically around people in public without a mask. Especially not with Covid numbers on the rise again.
DeleteThat's one on-the-ball publicist! And who knows where a comment we leave might make an impression - to the author, to the blogger, etc. Gathering wreaths is such a meaningful service project - and in the freezing cold! At least it wasn't raining. Have a terrific week.
ReplyDeleteTerrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
Terrie - I agree! That was a publicist really doing her job and marketing her author. It was an honor to be at the national cemetery to be of service (but I was very glad it wasn't raining!).
DeleteThat's funny about your niece and her sheets - I feel like when I was that age I would have gotten stuck on something like that because I felt like it made me more grown up (and all the grown ups in my life would have teased me and said be happy with what I had lol). I'm glad you were able to spoil her a bit. We're only 15 once!
ReplyDeletewow about the publicist, that's amazing. and I find myself really needing to find time to do service projects - I used to do so much and since Dante my life is so consumed in him and just keeping our family cared for. It's so meaningful and rewarding though - I'm glad you were able to do it.
Have a great week!
Berls - I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. The satin sheets make her feel "grown up." :)
DeleteAs important as they are, it can be difficult to fit volunteer/service projects into a busy schedule.
Sounds like a really busy and good week for you. Nice job on your helping with the removal of the wreaths.
ReplyDeleteWell done by Melissa Foster's publicist. That is rare but doing the job right. That looks like it would be a good read.
Have a good week and Happy Reading!
Martha - I was certainly surprised my the email from Foster's publicist. She really went above and beyond. And that will make me remember Foster and her books, so mission accomplished. :) Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteJealous for your long weekend! I suppose, after the first full working week of the year you need the weekend to recover. Time passes so fast with kids, I can't believe my step sister's eldest is now in secondary school! It's nice you can treat your niece to some things she wants.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that publicist reached out to you! I think it's great when things like that happen it helps you figure out a starting point but also shows an author cares. Hopefully you enjoy. Hope you have a good week.
Becky - I'm always happy to get that 3 day weekend so soon after the holidays. It's a nice way to ease back into the regular schedule. :)
DeleteI so agree. The author certainly did not have to acknowledge my comment or offer up a free book! The fact that she had her publicist take the time to do that was pretty impressive.
Lol about the satin sheets! Never slept on them and not sure I'd find them comfortable, but if that's all it takes to brighten a beloved niece's day, then yes!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your home team winning. That's exciting. What a nice thing to do (picking up the wreaths) on such a cold day. Hope you enjoy the Foster book, super nice for them to reach out. I can totally relate to the chapstick random! I need chapstick in every purse and room.
Rachel - Satin sheets just sound like they would be cold all the time so I've never tried them. But if that what she wants, Aunt Tanya will make it happen. :)
DeleteI was pleasantly surprised to get the email from Foster's publicist and I'm excited to read the book.
I have way too many nieces and nephews to be able to spoil them like I'd love to. There are 20 of them, and some of them already have kids of their own adding to that total.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that she had her publicist reach out to you!
Alison - I have just one niece and two nephews, so spoiling them is easy. I'm sure that wouldn't happen if I had 20! lol
DeleteYou niece and my daughter are a little over a month apart in age. How fun! Mine might want a satin pillowcase, but only because she has curly hair. I've never slept on them before.
ReplyDeleteI was also sad about the Lisa Marie death. I feel like we keep hearing about people who are not exactly old passing away unexpectedly lately. It scares and saddens me.
Deanna - I've heard that silk or satin pillowcase are good for curly hair. Since I straighten my hair, I've never had need to test it out. :) Yes! There have been so many deaths already this year... and several from people who were gone way too young.
DeleteHappy birthday to your niece! It's great that you volunteered to pick up the wreaths. When my job needs volunteers, we get lots of them for the "fun" stuff, but nobody wants to clean. :)
ReplyDeleteAj - That's exactly why my company chose to participate in the wreath pick-up. The laying out of the wreaths gets a lot of press and participation. But like you said, no one wants to come back for the clean up.
DeleteI had satin sheets when I was a kid after begging for ages. Then I got a sun burn and felt like I was being ripped open on them and never wanted them again lol
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
Karen - Ouch! Satin sheets + sunburn sounds like a baaaad combination.
DeleteI'm glad your team won! My Bengals won too. Happy belated birthday to your niece! I have a new duvet cover - need to get a duvet. LOL
ReplyDeleteLauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net
Thanks Lauren! It was an exciting game (in the second half, anyway!). Hooray for your Bengals!
DeleteI had to laugh at the story about the sheets. I always think of silk sheets being a romance novel thing. LOL! That message you got from the publicist is amazing. Now that's some personalized service. :-)
ReplyDelete