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Alicia

Alicia

has 99 followers and is following 91 people

I am fairly certain that given a cape & a nice tiara, I could save the world.

If you don't leave a note, I can't return your call!

Lifelong bookworm, retired teacher who's given up the classroom for puttering in the gardens, traveling with hubby, and reading as much as possible. My tastes can be described as eclectic, with... more »
  • NC, USA
  • member since March 6, 2007

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Public Notes

  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Just checking in on you...did you have your mri?

    Also, I don't think Pinterest likes me...I created an acct but it won't let me change my profile picture:( I'm stuck with an egg! lol

    posted 3 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Saw and answered your note in the dungeon. I'm really sorry. *hugs*

    I got your invite...Thanks:) I don't have a Twitter or Facebook account - I'm surprised they require it. I'll have to create an account for one or the other because I really want to play at Pinterest. Twitter will probably the easiest to create an account where I don't have to put in too much personal info...

    posted 6 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Hi,

    OMG. Is the hearing loss caused by the sinus problem? Or, unrelated? Or, do they not know yet? I'm sorry...you have been through so much and it really, well, sucks that this is happening. *big hugs*

    Well, it's sort of between bags...too big for the mini laptop bag meant for netbooks and too small for the laptop bag meant for 15 inch notebooks. Over the weekend, I found two Vera bags that might work...my favorite pattern is rather pricey on one bag and not offered in the other. I have two Vera purses...one small, one medium. I have an eyeglass case and two freebies (a change purse that is perfect to hold my MP3 player and a mirror that I gave to my mom) that I got at the stores when I bought the bags. There are two shops within 20 miles that sell Vera...lucky me:)

    Yes, invite me! Please: ! :) I hadn't heard of it but I just spent an hour looking at Pinterest! I could spend days on this site! LOL

    I didn't like Thread Words very much. Jigsaw Words, on the other hand, is fun...and horribly addicting! There are two volumes so far. If you check the Kindle Store on Amazon each day, they have a list of the best-sellling Kindle e-books...there is a list of the free books, too. Games, too. I keep downloading free books though I haven't had the chance to read them all yet. You gotta grab them before the price goes back up.

    Yeah! My copy of The Night Circus arrived. Can't wait to start. I'm reading Someone Knows My Name right now. Borrowed from my sister - told you I was going to commit to reading all the stuff I borrowed from her...in baby steps!

    I rented the first season of Downtown Abbey and liked it a lot except for Elizabeth McGovern. She is horrible in that first season. I think she needs to go back to acting school. I watched Cranford right after it and I just loved it. So good. The remake of Upstairs, Downstairs...not so much.

    I would probably have to re-read the first Rothfuss - I can't remember a thing about it. I remember liking it but it being very long. Will have to look up Delaney. I'm finding y/a lit to be much more entertaining than adult lit lately. I wasted a lot of time reading that DeMille only to be left hanging...900 and some pages and no resolution. Grr.

    Speaking of constructive, I should get back to work:)

    Talk to you soon!

    posted 6 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Hi!
    Oh, yes, I'm very impressed! LOL I do a lot of what I want to lately. Don't care much about what I'm supposed to be doing!!

    I did make a typo: it's a 13 inch not a 14 inch laptop...no number pad so I have to carefully hit the little number keys at the top of the little keyboard! It's tiny...not as small as a netbook but still pretty small. I tried getting a Vera Bradley laptop case for it but they were too big:( Vera is one of my new obsessions! Doesn't take long to spend A LOT of money there...:)

    Sorry to hear the sinus hell remains...stupid insurance companies.

    I love being able to download sample chapters. It's helped me eliminate several books from my wish list. I like that some free samples are 30 or so pages - more than enough time to tell if a book is worth it or not.

    I will definitely look into Those Across the River. I've always been into books set in WWII and have recently started to read more books set in WWI. WWII has always intrigued me but I find myself becoming more and more interested in WWI. History nerd here, all time periods welcome:)

    I love the Kindle games! You must try: http://www.amazon.com/Jigsaw-Words/dp/B005IQHS7E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327529654&sr=1-1

    I might eventually get the Fire but I'm no in rush. I've looked at several tablets lately but just can't decide if I really need one...I want one but do I need it? I like the Toshiba Thrive but do I need it?! I do love my Kindle. It's so light and fast and yes - very fast and convenient for shopping! I'm going to go broke! LOL

    Gosh, I hope I can get out of my funk. The Lion's Game is a really good book...long as heck but good. Though, I have to say it's hard to read at times. It was written before 9/11 and the Towers are mentioned constantly. I feel sad at every mention. DeMille is a good writer. I like his smartmouthed main character...I can relate. I really want to get The Night Circus. Have you heard of that yet? I read a few chapters of it and it grabbed my attention immediately. Rothfuss...wow, I remembered liking the first one but that's all I remember. It took so long for the second book to come out. I never did read the sequel to The Warded Man. Whoops! The massive TBR pile! I will never finish all those books:)

    I should go...time to make dinner. Sure wish I had a frozen pizza I could toss into oven. Dang it. I actually have to do something constructive! LOL

    Take care:)

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Hi!

    Disclaimer: Please forgive any typos...I bought a new laptop (a 14 inch one) and I'm typing on it for the first time...the small keyboard and my clumsy hands are not getting along! It's cute, though:)

    How are you feeling? Still battling the sinus problem from hell? I hate problems that linger...is it waiting for a written invitation to flipping leave?! Grr.

    Yeah, the last 3-4 Hoffman books didn't have that same magic that started me reading her in the first place. I hadn't read anything about her lately but I can see a definite shift in her writing. It's sad...we read her for escapism and to lose that then well, what is the point of reading her? I think that's why I love The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane so much. It was a great escape...took me back to my college days when I was (er, still am) a history nerd and researched my heart out. Though, I lacked the evil dude and the hot guy!

    Hmm, Those Across the River sounds up my street. I've had a slow start this year...all three weeks of it. I really hoped the funk would go with New Year but so far, still blah. Though I just starting reading The Lion's Game by Nelson DeMille and it's keeping my attention. I have a ton of books I borrowed my sister and my goal is to actually read them instead of piling them up beside my bed. I'm sure she'd like them back in this decade!

    I have the cheapo Kindle with the special offers...the one without the keyboard. I wanted the keyboard version but when the one with special offers vanished from amazon, I decided to get the basic model. So far, no problems. I don't mind the special offers. Oh, you have to download Jigsaw Words...it's addicting! I spent days playing both versions of it. You mom didn't like it? I had already used my sister's so I didn't have any trouble jumping right it. It did take a few tries to get it to talk to my wifi. That was operator error and not the Kindle's fault!

    My aunt's doing okay, hanging in there. My mom's good...just had a birthday two days ago. How's everything with you and yours?

    I hear you...most nights I'm in bed by 10pm...but, then again, I get up before 6am pretty much every morning so I tend to run out of steam by evening. I'm glad you're done with radiation but it sure stinks that as soon as that is over, you get this sinus infection. Hopefully, it will clear up soon.

    I have some daffodils poking their green heads out of the ground. I haven't been able to go out and look around too much - some jerks are hunting in the woods next to my house. If they shoot me, I will come back and haunt their arses!

    I've not heard of The Maze Runner...will check it out.

    I read Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side on my Kindle. It was pretty cute, one of the better Twilight-inspired tales. It was free a few weeks ago but now it's back to around $6. Maybe it will be free again soon. Too bad it's one I can "loan" you, I'd send it your way. Maybe if I actually bought a book for my Kindle, then I would have some that can be shared...so far, I've only downloaded free stuff! LOL

    Okay, I should go and work. Talk to you soon:)

    posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Hi:)

    It's amazing how time can get away from you...I can't believe both Christmas and New Year's have come and gone. It's insane but I'm verra glad 2011 is behind us. It was a bad year for so many people.

    How are you feeling? Do you still have a sinus infection? Sounds nasty. I've never had one but I do have some minor sinus issues from time to time and they are rather unpleasant so I can imagine how horrible an infection is.

    How was your Christmas and New Years? Both were good for me. My family's good, kitties got lots of presents for Christmas...some they actually played with for once! It's a Christmas miracle:) Spent New Year's Eve at my aunt's - we wanted to bring the party to her and give her a day without thinking about her health. She was in good spirits...the booze helped!

    I've noticed the last few books by Alice Hoffman have lost some of her magic. I don't know if she's going through a dry spell or what. I've not enjoyed them like I used to enjoy her work. Then again, I'm still having the worst time getting interested in anything. I even picked up New Moon (the horror!)...Bella is the worst role model for girls EVER. I just started Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. So far, I'm really liking it. An fascinating look into another culture. I have to say the footbinding scenes were almost too much for me, though!

    I finally gave in and bought a Kindle. I love it. The text looks just like a book. It's pretty amazing. It's very light so it makes reading a giant book much easier. I've only downloaded free stuff for now...some classics and some other free modern books. The games are a blast...I've played more games on it than I've read books...LOL.

    The slogan is very me...it gets so bad because I am so disorganized...and very forgetful lately. I think a brain like mine can only hold so much info before it starts deleting it!

    Talk to you soon!

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Hi!
    I know this is a few days late but Merry Christmas!

    I have a new slogan (taken from a decorative trivet that used to be in my grandmother's kitchen and is now in mine): "The Hurrier I Go, the Behinder I Get." The story of my life lately!

    How have you been? Everything okay? Talk to you soon!

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Laura

    Laura says

    Hello, I can across your profile and just had to say it made me smile! It's a shame that more people don't realize what can be done with a cape and a nice tiara.
    Hope you're having a great day.
    Blessings
    ~*~

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    I missed you girls like crazy. Sadly, with all that’s been going on, I just didn’t have the time (or energy) to log on. I’m glad I finally made myself come back – I need some b*tch therapy!

    I’m sorry about the effects of the radiation treatments…I’ve known two other people who have undergone it and they, too, had horrible blisters and scorched skin. Only a few more sessions left…*hugs*

    Sable-Satan. LOL. Well, they usually pin me to the couch so I can’t move! Selfish little animals! They do that to me in bed as well. It’s all about them…as it should be. I know what you mean. I spend a lot of time and energy on making sure the cats are comfy and happy. I don’t know whether it’s sad or sweet…LOL

    Stress sucks big time. The year started off with money worries (which, like everyone else, haven’t gone away) then came all the health issues. It’s just a lot to deal with – as you know all too well. I bought all these books that sounded great but have resorted to almost all junk. I have to say my concentration level is almost at zero. I almost bought a Kindle this year (my sister gave me an Amazon g.c.) but I decided to hold off mainly because I knew I would buy book after book in the hopes of getting something to keep my attention. My credit card bill would be enormous after all that! It’s bad enough now…!

    I’m interested to see if his follow-up to Peregrine is just as good (there has to be a sequel, right?!). Speaking of originality, I tried reading the second book in The Warded Man series for the second time…I just can’t get past the prologue. It’s just bad. *sigh* Back to the pile.

    I’ve picked up the second Women’s Murder Club book…dang, they are hard to put down…I so hate to admit I like these books! I think my IQ dropped even more than yours…Dan Brown and James Patterson! Where’s rob…she’s probably fainting at our reading…hope she doesn’t see Eat Pray Love on my reading shelf! Now, that is one I don’t think I will ever finish…ick.

    *hugs*

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Hi,
    Thanks for the birthdays wishes. Well, I’ve been better. We had some bad news about a family member so it’s been hard to feel anything but down lately. I’ll save the details for the dungeon.

    How are you feeling? I’m sorry that second surgery was so awful. Do they think you will need more or was that the last one? How are you handling the radiation? Do you have a session each day…M-F? I’m sure the dogs love to nap with their mama. I wrap up with a blanket when I watch television and the cats get very excited…all three will try to fit their big buts on the blanket with me…not easy but they manage it. Where there is a cat, there is a way…

    The pictures were my favorite part of Miss Peregrine but, then again, I’m a history nerd. I liked the book mainly because it was original. So much of what I’ve read lately is just unimaginative junk. I’ve read a lot of…well, I can’t even call it brain candy…more like brain junk. I’m embarrassed to admit that I read a James Patterson and liked it! The horror.

    The cats are good…fat and rotten. I’ve been in the funk all year and now it’s just gotten worse with family news. I will be happy to say goodbye to 2011. It has sucked out loud.

    I’m happy for hubby! That’s such great news for you guys.

    I’ve not read anything outstanding…they’ve been okay or poo. The exception: the first book in Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club was surprisingly good. It’s written in a very clipped style so it never stops moving…it was actually hard to put down. Gasp. More embarrassment, I went back and read the Da Crappy Code. I saw the movie so I decided to try the book again – I had only ever read about 50 pages. Honestly, it isn’t horrible but it needed a much better editor because it runs on and on…and his constant use of lengthy flashbacks is SO annoying. Not only that but where he places them. They are in the middle of a dangerous situation and a character will go off into memoryland and have a three page flashback. Stupid. Worse, I read Angels and Demons by DB – started off with a lot of tension then sort of fizzled. My mom loaned me DB’s The Lost Symbol with a try it, you might like it attitude. Er…!

    *hugs* Talk to you soon.

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Doppelgänger

    Doppelgänger says

    Hello! I "followed" you from Dragonfly's profile after raiding her shelf! Your shelf is awesome and diverse. I've seen several intriguing books on your shelf that will soon be added to my wish list! LOL

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Hi! Sorry it's taken me so long to reply...things are crazy...I have no idea where my head is lately. Yes, hurricane season...I'm glued to The Weather Channel to see where this b*tch Irene is heading...last time we got hit hard in VA was by an "I" hurricane...Isabel was the storm.

    Did you have your surgery on Thurs? How did it go? That's good that it's outpatient surgery. I hate hospitals and the thought of having to stay in one overnight...*shudders* I'm very, very happy to hear that those areas showed no signs of cancer. *joins in on the happy dance*

    You're welcome:) We've "talked" for so long on shelfari that I definitely feel like I know you:)

    The Far Pavilions...it was within the first few pages...the main character (as a young boy) had a pet and the other young boy (I can't remember, was he royalty or just a rich brat? I can't bring myself to find the book and look it up!). The rich boy horribly tortures the little pet...she writes it in such vivid detail that it actually made me ill. I'm sure it's a great book - I just can't look at it again:(

    Tamora Pierce has been on my radar but I haven't read anything by her yet...I'll have to move her up a few places!

    I finished the first Plum...it was okay...a little bit grating on my nerves...I have an omnibus with three books in it so I'll finish those and see if I want to continue...I'm thinking no...;) LOL

    I saw Trowel and Error on your recent activity...I lurve that title! That shop sounds so awesome. Sounds like a place to spend a lot of $...something I'm good at. Baby powder...interesting...they ate a lot of my zinnias this year...until I put a wire fence around the plants. Might have to try the baby powder. I love cute, little shops. We have a lot of fun shops in this area...about a month ago, my mom and I spent a day doing a shop crawl...lots of stuff came home with me...including some fudge! :) Can't wait to do it again!

    Take care:)

    posted 6 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Hi,
    I'm glad you were able to have a normal week. Have you had those tests/appts yet? Any word on the surgery?

    I agree about EPL...that's why it went back to the marinating stack when I finished the Italy section! I can handle her in small doses only...

    I probably would have gained 20 lbs...in each leg! LOL

    That's my rule #1 - don't kill or harm an animal. That's the fastest way to cause me to stop reading a book. That's why I have never read more than a dozen or so pages of The Far Pavilions...there's a horrible, unnecessarily cruel scene in the beginning. It left me feeling ill.

    I hear you about the weeds...half my plants have keeled over but the weeds are thriving. What gives? Even though our temps have dropped up here, the humidity is horrible. It's been a nasty summer. Lucky me, after the extreme heat, I have hurricanes to look forward to...joy! They should start popping out like rabbits soon.

    I'm almost finished with the first Stephanie Plum book. It's okay but I'm getting fed up with the Ramirez situation...it's seems over the top but that might just be my current mood. For the most part, I've had a blah reading year...only a few books have really excited me. I hope you enjoy Miss Peregrine once you get a copy of it. It's a neat little book. I just loved all the vintage photos...it's the nerd in me!

    Avoid Tiger Hills....noted. :)

    Take care and keep me posted. *hugs*

    posted 6 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Marisa H

    Marisa H says

    Hi Alicia! I hope you don't mind me stalking you here, but I've been gleaning lots of great titles from other BB&D members and enjoy chatting with you all! :) Plus it's great to be in touch with other Sookie fans!

    posted 6 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Oh, The Vanished Child! LOL That was so hard to get into...but it's not just that book. I read another book by Smith, Chasing Shakespeares, and it was horrible. I really wanted to like The Vanished Child, though...great premise but so boring.

    Not melted but not exactly comfortable! Is it Fall yet?

    How are you doing? Have they scheduled your surgery yet?

    posted 6 months ago. ( send a note )
  • sweetafton

    sweetafton says

    Heya! I am halfway through All Together Dead: the vampire summit. Boy, Sophie sure is something, eh? These books are great, just what I need right now. Quinn is, um, interesting. Bald heads? No, thank you, but well... some of his other, er, attributes, well. (clears throat) Yep, uh-huh. I do miss Eric in this one. He must turn up more later, but there's not been enough of him so far. Speaking of whom... good GOD, I made the mistake of watching True Blood last night. Boy have they completely defanged him during his amnesia! He's like a lost kitten that's been run over by a big-rig, but somehow horny as hell. That show is beyond ridiculous... they even killed off Claudine (maybe that happens later in the books, but the way it happened in the show? Stupid!! The books? They are a hoot. Thank YOU! I've got four books in your pile right now. Have you read One Day? If not, it will be number five as soon as I finish it up.

    The summer is going nicely, but it will be coming to an end all too soon!! (wails and gnashes teeth prematurely) I logged on to the uni email this morning to clear it out so I won't be swamped in a couple weeks. Holy mother! The vast majority of them were needy requests, demands to know when I would be in the office, petitions for my signature on something, that sort of thing. I had one sweet message from a former student about Amy Winehouse. The rest? Quickly dispatched. And I won't be logging on again until I am in the office, hiding from students...lol
    But, back to summer. I have spent many hours reading, flopping about lazily, gabbing on the phone, doing all those things that adolescent me used to do and with less appreciation for the time to do them. Ahhhhh........

    I've been crocheting here and there, too. Finished one blanket and nearly done with a second. They're for friends in London who have one daughter and another wee blondie on the way. Once that's done, it'll be time to pick up the knitting needles. My stash needs some busting!! Has yours grown unmanageable? How do you keep it under control?

    How are you? Is it hotter than hot down there? My god, it looks like the rest of the country is in a convection oven. It's downright nipply here, but we're going to pay for it in September. Not looking forward to that one tiny bit. By the way, been meaning to ask, do you like chocolate chip cookies? I've cracked a recipe that is pretty damn good. Made some for my friend and her husband... took them about a dozen. Her husband? He got two. LOL!!!

    posted 7 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    it made me fix my post because I had a bad word...a*s...really? maybe I was telling you all about the donkey I bought...:)

    posted 7 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Dragonfly

    Dragonfly says

    Hi,
    The heat! OMG! I tried to work outside yesterday morning and, after about 45 minutes, I was so wet and miserable that I had to crawl back inside. I had to peel my undies off because they were soaked and plastered to me. I felt like running around naked in the air conditioning! I didn't...but was tempted:) The power bill...I'm a bit worried about that but I decided comfort over cost. Hot flashes in the midst of all this heat. That's horrible. Yes, I think I'd rather have a hot med student, too. Would definitely be a big help.

    I finished the Italy section of E, P, L and put it aside. I barely got through that part so I decided to take a break and come back later. What bugs me is what she's whining about. She was around my age when she had her "breakdown" or whatever it was and went on this journey but here she is in beautiful Italy and she keeps going on and on about her boy trouble. Then the dropping of names of her friends and witty things they said...I don't know why that bugs me but it does. On the other hand, almost every page has something LOL funny on it. I think maybe what irritates me the most is: she is very intelligent and funny but her "issues" make her sound immature and pathetic. She keeps writing all these thoughtful things but then slips back into her whiny self and I just want to smack the crap out of her. I thought it was funny, though, that she gained over 20 lbs in her short time in Italy...sounds like something I'd do!

    I finished The Hunger Games and liked it a lot...I didn't lurve it, though. Sorry! I kept getting hung up on them being children...fighting to the death. I understand what she's doing but that bothered me. That said, I will probably read the other two books. It was a good story with a good pace...and her characters are great.

    I did lurve Miss Peregrine, though. It was just a neat book...sometimes he was stretching things with all the photos but it was just a good story and a cool experience. Gimmicks gone good...instead of bad like Foer. The Winter Sea...this one has potential but it's a slow read...a lot of history involved which unfortunately is being told to us not shown so that's making the pace drag. I just ordered Snow Flower and the Secret Fan...never read any of See's books but decided to go her a go. I have three Buy One, Get One Free certificates from Doubleday Bookclub, Quality Paperback BC and SciFi BC so I'm trying out a lot of new things. I'm thinking about buying some Janet Evanovich...ever read her? My aunt says her Stephanie Plum books are a lot of fun. The SciFi/fantasy pickings are slim so it's good all the bookclub inventories are linked so I can order any genre from any club...not since Incarceron have I read a really good Scifi/fantasy book. Did I gush over that one to you? It's dark...got that steampunk thing going on. It's kind of weird but also kind of good!

    I know...I'd like a Texas Ranger, too! *sigh*

    How long before you can have another biopsy? I hate insurance companies! You shouldn't have to wait for something like that. Let me know when you have the biopsy and when your surgery is scheduled. *hugs*

    My gardens...they are having the vapors like their little gardener...I actually have purple coneflower turning brown...petunias wilting...but my weeds are thriving! LOL My first-ever Begonia looks fab, though, as does my first-ever Millet so I know what I'll be stocking up on next year...

    My grandmother is good...at her last appt, her doctor said "I don't know what you're doing but keep doing it." Pretty darn amazing for an 89 year old.

    Yea hubby! I'm so happy to hear that. That's a lot of time away...though I'm glad to hear they will let him start after your surgery.

    That would be so awesome to meet at Biltmore:) My mom wants to go, too...in the spring to see the gardens in bloom. The only way I could ever take a long trip is to either rent a huge arse motorhome so the cats could come or bribe a family member to come and live with my cats while I'm away. They don't like to be alone and I don't really like to leave them alone for too long. Things tend to get broken when they are on their own...! I keep going to the botanical gardens in the big city...talk about a great gift shop! I support them very nicely, if you get my drift. It's a long haul to get there but it's a beautiful place...it's a little paradise in the middle of the city. I love nerdy stuff. Luckily I live in a state where there is something nerdy every few miles!

    Take care and keep me posted. *big bear hug*

    posted 7 months ago. ( send a note )
  • rob

    rob says

    I miss you too...how's things?

    posted 7 months ago. ( send a note )
  • booklady

    booklady says

    HI!!

    We're in Connecticut, having fun. I'll send you a PN soon.

    posted 7 months ago. ( send a note )

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