Thankfulness

So sorry to interrupt your broadcast of ridiculously early Christmas carols, (what's up with that anyway?) but this is in fact Thanksgiving week. What better time for a blog post on being thankful?

Sure, we should count our blessings every day, but Thanksgiving is a time when we are shaken from our hectic lives and reminded to slow down for a day (After cooking enough food for an arm, and before the stress of Christmas shopping for things we can't afford for people who don't need anything, of course.) and be mindful of the abundance in our lives.

So, I thought I would share with you all some of the things I am thankful for:

“When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching -- they are your family. ” 

― Jim Butcher

~Our family, of course. Most of them are bitchy, crazy, sarcastic, mixed-up, and quite dysfunctional, (except for the new babies, but it's inevitable...) but I love each and every person. Oh, and by the way, only I can say that about them. 

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.”― Albert Einstein

~My creativity. Whether I'm writing, drawing, crafting, or whatever--it's all mine. I only wish I had more time to enjoy it and share it.

“Home is the nicest word there is.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder

~Our warm safe home. So many people have lost their homes in the recent hurricane and I thank God every day we are so fortunate.

“You're going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it's always their actions you should judge them by. It's actions, not words, that matter.” ― Nicholas Sparks, The Rescue

~My friends. Whether they are the online friends I've never met personally, or the ones I've shared laughter, tears, day trips to NYC, or margaritas (salted rim, please) with, they are all so supportive, inspiring, and comforting.

“There's no luck in business. There's only drive, determination, and more drive.” ― Sophie Kinsella, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

~Our business. After 16 years of hard work, we still have a thriving business. Sure, we've had our ups and downs, and some days are harder than others when the cash doesn't flow as smoothly as I need, but we are grateful for our customers and the ability to survive and offer a service to our community. 

“Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.” ― Napoleon Bonaparte

~YOU! Yes, you keep me posting on this blog. Just knowing that someone has taken the time to read my thoughts is the ultimate compliment. Thank you!

I wish you the happiest Thanksgiving, and I hope you get a chance to surround yourself with the people you love. Don't eat too much. And remember, I'll be thinking of you. 

Before you go back to listening to that ridiculously early Christmas music, why not share something you are thankful for?

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Holiday Sampler

Books make terrific holiday gifts, but finding perfect books for friends and family is always a challenge. If only we could flip through a few sample pages on our own schedules. If only the bookstore could come to us. Well guess what readers? We’re doing just that!

Twelve amazing authors have come together to offer you an amazing opportunity to sample their latest novels just in time for the holidays—12 awesome samples and quirky holiday-themed interviews in one FREE downloadable PDF.

Whether you like to read mysteries, romance, young adult, women's fiction, or suspense—this group has a book for you.

First Snow – Christine Cunningham
After The Fog - -Kathleen Shoop
A Charming Crime -  Tonya Kappes
Come Back To Me – Melissa Foster
Read Me Dead – Emerald Barnes
The Halo Effect – MJ Rose
Dancing Naked In Dixie – Lauren Clark
The Last Supper Catering Company – Michaelene McElroy
The Hurricane Lover – Joni Rodgers
The Hounding – Sandra de Helen
Milkshake – Joanna Weiss
The Ninth Step – Barbara Taylor Sissel

Each excerpt is prefaced by information about the book and its author. Concluding each excerpt is an order page with clickable links to several online retailers.

You can download the PDF “Holiday Sampler” here http://bit.ly/eBookSamples, and share it with friends by sending them this link: http://bit.ly/eBookSamples.

So go ahead and sample these fantastic novels from amazing writers! And don’t forget to help spread the word!

Happy holidays and happy reading!

Fun Facts about November

I know, you were all wondering, "Where is this month's Fun Facts?" Please forgive me for being a slacker this month. Here it is:

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November is the 11th month of the year and one of four months with a length of 30 days. November starts on the same day of the week as March and ends on the same day of the week as August.

Those born during the first half of the month are under the Zodiac sign of Scorpio, and those born in the latter part of the month are Sagittarians. The birth flower is the chrystanthemum, and the birthstones are topoz and citrine.

Events:

1st--First day of Winter in Ireland.
2nd--Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico.
        National Deviled Egg Day
3rd--Sandwich Day
5th--Guy Fawkes Night in Britain and New Zealand.
7th--Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
10th--National Heroes Day in Indonesia.
          The birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
          Vanilla Cupcake Day
11th--Saint Maartens Day (Dutch version of Halloween) in the Netherlands. Songs are sung for candy.
          Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth of Nations and various European countries.
          Veterans Day in the US.
12th--National Pizza With The Works (Except Anchovies) Day
13th--Indian Pudding Day
14th--Children's Day in India.
17th--The Leonids Meteor Shower reaches its peak.
19th--Christopher Columbus discovers Puerto Rico in 1493.
          International Men's Day
21st--National Adoption Day
22nd--Thanksgiving is observed in the US and Puerto Rico.
23rd--National Parfait Day
          National Cashew Day

The first Tuesday of the month, Australia holds the Melbourne Cup horse race.
The first Tuesday after the first Monday is election day in the US.
November 11-17th is Geography Awareness Week.
The third Thursday of the month is The Great American Smokeout sponsored by the American Cancer Society and also International Philosophy Day.
The day after Thanksgiving is known as 'Black Friday' in the US.
The Monday immediately following Thanksgiving is known as 'Cyber Monday' in the US.

Famous Author's Birthdays

November 7, 1913--Albert Camus
November 8, 1847--Bram Stoker
November 8, 1900--Margaret Mitchell
November 9, 1818--Ivan Turgenev
November 11, 1821--Fedor Dostoevsky
November 11, 1922--Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
November 13, 1850--Robert L. Stevenson
November 18, 1939--Margaret Atwood
November 22, 1819--George Eliot
November 22, 1869--Andre Gide
November 26, 1905--Emlyn Williams
November 26, 1922--Charles Schultz
November 29, 1832--Louisa May Alcott
November 29,1898--C.S. Lewis
November 30, 1667--Jonathan Swift
November 30, 1835--Mark Twain

November is the National Month for:

National Novel Writing Month
Aviation
Epilepsy
Diabetes Awareness
Stamp Collecting
Toilet Tank Repair
Peanut Butter Lovers
American Indian Heritage Month
Hunger Awareness
Raisin Bread
Pepper

Bizarre Holidays:

November 4th--Waiting For The Barbarians Day
November 6th--Marooned Without a Compass Day
November 9th--Chaos Never Dies Day
November 10th--Forget-Me-Not Day
November 11th--Air Day
November 20th--Absurdity Day
November 21st--False Confessions Day
November 22nd--Start Your Own Country Day
November 28th--Make Your Own Head Day (???)


Well, people, Fun Facts about the 'Months' posts have come full circle.
In December, I'll have to switch gears. I'm thinking of doing 'Holidays.' What do you think?

Trick-or-Treating, Costume Parties, and RSVPs

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Since we live in the country, we don't get many trick-or-treaters. As a matter of fact, we haven't had one child ring our doorbell in the past 5 years. Since the town's Halloween Parade runs right down the center of Main Street, the residents in that area get hit the hardest. Our local A&P actually accepts candy bag donations for the homes there. Then, parents will drive to a development with a big cluster of homes and tire out their children in one area. I find it disappointing. I love to see children in costume. I guess I'll have to wait until the grandkids show up for their treats.

We recently attended my girlfriend's amazing 50th birthday bash. Costumes were mandatory. While most people moan and groan at those three little words, I was ecstatic. I love dressing up in costume!

If you didn't know, I'm a huge fan of Johnny Depp, but a real FanGirl when it comes to him in the Captain Jack Sparrow role. I got the idea that John could dress up as Capt. Jack, and I would dress as Angelica, from On Stranger Tides.

I figured that since the movie came out in 2011, the pirate fad was over and there wouldn't be too many of the same costumes. I was wrong. I think there were about 10 different pirates at the party. It felt like we were in Penzance.

I promised I'd post a photo of our costumes.

Johnny and Penelope? Definitely not.

Now, since nobody RSVPd to my Costume Party Post, no one won the prize of 31 More Nights of Halloween. Oh well, maybe next year. 

I hope Sandy didn't ruin your fun. 

Did you go trick-or-treating this year? Did you wear a costume?