brenzi's Impossible Dream - The Euphoric Eighth

This is the seventh thread for 2010 for me, as unbelievable as that seems (to me anyway).

My first thread can be found here.

My second thread can be found here.

My third thread can be found here.

My fourth thread can be foundhere.

My fifth thread can be found here.

My sixth thread can be found here.

The seventh thread can be here.

My 10/10 Challenge is here http://www.librarything.com/topic/79324

"It would be a good thing to buy books if one could also buy the time to read them; but one usually confuses the purchase of books with the acquisition of their contents." Arthur Schopenhauer, 'On Books and Writing' (1851) in A Book Addict's Treasury. (stolen borrowed from bonniebooks' thread)







My Take It or Leave It Challenge for January:

Still Life by Louise Penny
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Take It or Leave It Challenge for February:

The Liars' Club by Mary Karr
Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd
American Salvage by Bonnie Jo Campbell

Take It or Leave It Challenge for April

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin
The Lotus Eaters by Tatiana Soli

Take It or Leave It Challenge for May

Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurierre
The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian
Too Close to the Falls by Catherine Gilinder
Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod

Take It or Leave It Challenge for June

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
Troubles by J.G. Farrell

Take It Or Leave It Challenge for July

The Lizard Cage by Karen Connelly
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Fault Lines by Nancy Huston
Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Take It Or Leave It Challenge for August

Burmese Lessons by Karen Connelly
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
The Long Song by Andrea Levy
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan

Take It Or Leave It Challenge for September

Old School by Tobias Wolff
The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson
The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
Packing for Mars by Mary Roach

Take It Or Leave It Challenge for October

Trespass by Rose Tremain
All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The Siege by Helen Dunmore

Take It or Leave It Challenge for November

The Lost City of Z by David Grann
Middlemarch by George Eliot

Books Read This Year:

56. Middlemarch by George Eliot - 5 stars
55. The Lost City of Z by David Grann - 4 stars
54. The Siege by Helen Dunmore - Russia - 4.5 stars
53. Dracula by Bram Stoker - UK/Transylvania - 4 stars
52. All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren - 4.5 stars
51. Trespass by Rose Tremain - France/UK - 4 stars
50. Packing for Mars by Mary Roach - 4 stars
49. The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas - Australia - 2 stars
48. The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson - 4.5 stars
47. Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny - Canada - 5 stars
46. Old School - Tobias Wolff - 4 stars
45. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny - Canada - 4.5 stars
44. A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan - 4 stars
43. The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan - 4.5 stars
42. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - UK - 4.5 stars
41. The Long Song by Andrea Levy - Jamaica - 3.5 stars
40. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny - Canada - 4 stars
39. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell - UK, US, Belgium 5 stars
38. Burmese Lessons by Karen Connelly - Burma - 3.5 stars
37. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - UK - 4 stars
36. Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels - Poland/Greece/Canada-4stars
35. Fault Lines by Nancy Huston - Germany - 4 stars
34. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters - UK - 4.5 stars
33. Mr. Peanut by Adam Ross - 4 stars
32. The Lizard Cage by Karen Connelly - Burma - 4.5 stars
31. Troubles by J.G. Farrell - Ireland - 5 stars
30. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett - UK - 4 stars
29. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro - UK - 3.5 stars
28. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell - Italy - 3.5 stars
27. The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman - Italy - 4.5 stars
26. No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod - Canada - 5 stars
25. Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda - India - 3 stars
24. Too Close to the Falls by Catherine Gilinder - 4 stars
23. The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian - 4 stars
22. Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier - UK - 4.5 stars
21. Chess Story by Stefan Zweig - at sea - 4 stars
20. The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli - Viet Nam - 4 stars
19. Tinkers by Paul Harding - 4 stars
18. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny - Canada - 4 stars
17. The Plague by Albert Camus - Africa - 4.5 stars
16. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin-Pakistan-4st.
15. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson-Sweden-5 st.
14. The Spare Room by Helen Garner - Australia - 4 stars
13. Dead Cold by Louise Penny - Canada - 4 stars
12. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie - India - 2 stars
11. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Sloot - 4.5 stars
10. American Salvage by Bonnie Jo Campbell - 4.5 stars
9. Even the Dogs by Jon McGregor - UK - .5 stars
8. Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd - UK - 4 stars
7. The Liars' Club by Mary Karr - 4 stars
6. Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom - 4 stars
5. Blame by Michelle Huneven - 3.5 stars
4. Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh - India - 4.5 stars
3. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie -Nigeria - 4 stars
2. Still Life by Louise Penny Canada 4 stars
1. Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann - 5 stars

I don't think I've ever been first before!

Congrats on Number 8!!

Shall we all sing as Bonnie drifts off to sleep?

http://nottotallyrad.blogspot.com/2009/11/waking-up-is-hard-to-do.html

Whoopee... made it on a euphoric cloud onto your new thread, Bonnie.

*whammys Bonnie's surgeons with grace and skill mojos*

Hope you're getting a good night's rest while we all pile onto your new thread.

Sending lots of prayers your way for successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Please keep us posted re. how you are. Stasia mentioned that she volunteered to be the go between, but that you felt you would be able to log into your computer and keep us posted.

Hugs to you my friend!

Good luck tomorrow, Bonnie!

Best wishes Bonnie!! I stole your video and sent it out to all my family and friends. I thought it was a hoot. See you after we both visit the singing anesthetist!! ; )

You are in my thoughts today....

Stopping by to say Hi!!! Sending good thoughts and prayers!!

Looking forward to your return, Bonnie. Thinking of you today...

Good luck Bonnie, hope the surgery is a big success.

Good luck, Bonnie. I'll be thinking of you!

Prayers wafting heavenward for you today. I hope your surgery is a successful one!

Thinking of you today, Bonnie. Best wishes and prayers for a successful op and a speedy recovery!

happy thoughts sent to you via florida :)

yet another new thread!!! to celebrate the post-surgical flurry of reading, I suppose...

Hope all goes well; a copy of "The Betrayal" will be winging its way to you tomorrow, I think.

Thinking of you today, Bonnie...

Bonnie's daughter left me a message a few hours ago that Bonnie's out of surgery and doing well. Yay!

Good news!! Thanks for letting us know Bonnie.

Thanks for the update, Bonnie. Glad to hear she's doing well.

That is very good news. Let the recovery begin!

whew! good news.. now the recovery begins...

So glad that Bonnie is doing well!

Amen!

Good news! Thanks for passing it along, Bonnie!

Yaay.... *sending healing vibes* for a speedy recovery, Bonnie.

* more vibes *
Hope you are doing well, Bonnie!

Yeah Bonnie!! Speedy recovery wishes. My turn tomorrow. : )

Glad to hear the good news! I hope your recovery is a swift one!

*whammying Bonnie with major healing mojo*

Great news!

Wishing you a speedy recovery! Hugs and prayers...

Wishing you a speedy and complete recover, Bonnie. Glad to see you are now on the mend.

Thanks for the update Bonnie. That's great news!

Morning hugs sent your way Bonnie!

Many speedy (and complete) recovery wishes, Bonnie!

Just stopping by. Hope your recovery is going well, Bonnie.

I'm late to the thread, but I really want to wish you a quick and total recovery, Bonnie!

I want to add my well-wishes to the pile! I hope you are doing well!

Here's a few more exclamation points, because everyone knows they have healing properties: !!!!!

Still thinking of you . . .

Good news! Heard from her daugther that Bonnie's home and doing well. Yay! Pass it on! :-)



Just came back with some flowers for you, Bonnie!

good news!!!

Take care Bonnie...

Holy Moley, look at the crowd in here. Thank, thank you, thank you to everyone who wished me well. I woke up Tuesday after surgery w/o the intense grinding shoulder pain for the first time in over a year. Yay! Of course, at that time my entire arm was numb because they used a nerve block but still. I was fortunate to have a wonderful doctor and excellent care and came home yesterday. Tomorrow I will start PT and hopefully get myself back to normal.

I have not gotten much reading in; too tired for that right now but I think each day the fatigue will be less and I’ll get back on track. Cheers everyone. And thank you again :)

So wonderful to hear that you're doing well, and on the road to recovery! Take good care.....hugs!

Glad you're doing okay!

Glad it is over and that you are on the road to recovery.. :)

Hi Bonnie. How neat to see you posting 2 days after surgery. Glad everything went so well and gook luck with the physical therapy. Hope you're able to use your "time off" for some good reading soon.

Bonnie- It's great to hear from you! I'm also glad you are on that road to recovery!

Woohoo... you're home ... and without shoulder pain. That's great. Rest up, Bonnie and soon you'll be back to doing the shoulder hussle.

Bonnie, try not to hate your physical therapist. Remember, she's on your side, however it may seem. So glad the pain is gone.

So glad you're home and pain free, Bonnie. Boy, they sure don't give you much time off, do they? Good luck with the PT! It was so good to hear from you after a few day's absence. We've missed you!

So glad to hear you are doing well, Bonnie! Good luck with your PT.

*huge sigh of relief*

Woot, Bonnie's in the house! Great news.

Amen! So glad your surgery was successful. Take it easy. PT is painful and necessary...and tiring.

It is so good to hear from you. I've been thinking about you a lot today!

Soft, gentle hugs to you.

Lol! Perfect dance, Caroline! I bet that would have made you shiver just last week, huh Bonnie? But the way you're going, you'll be doing the "shoulder shuffle" in no time. Glad to have you back, Sis!

Glad to hear you're home. As my doctor once said, you don't want to be in the hospital any longer than you have to - there are sick people in there!

Wishing you easy but effective physical therapy, and a pain free future!

Good morning, Bonnie. Here's hoping that your PT orders you to do lots of page turning as part of your 'homework' for this week end. Sounds like good therapeutic exercise to me!

Thanks everyone. I'm not sure how PT will go this afternoon. I have very little energy thanks to the pain meds (both a blessing and a curse).

Joyce, I'm wondering if you are a physical therapist?

As far as time spent in the hospital, the nurse said, "I knew you would be one to go home fast when I offered you the bed pan and you said you'd rather go to the bathroom, even though it meant unhooking a million wires and tubes." Yes, no desire to stick around there with all those sick people :)

Thanks for the love.

Hi Bonnie!! Glad to hear everything went well and you are home!! PT isn't too fun, but it's necessary. Don't get discouraged, we'll be here to cheer you on!!

Ditto!

Checking in, glad all is going as it should. P.T. is really at the heart of recovery. The ankle I broke is now the one that works the best, all from the brilliance of my PT person.

Do *exactly* what the PT says and this will be a dim, unpleasant memory in no time. From someone who has done it both the easy and the hard ways!

Glad to see things are going well, Bonnie.

Just stopping by to see how you're doing, Bonnie. Hope the PT appointment goes well and you get a good night's sleep.

OK PT not quite as bad as I anticipated so I will persevere over the weekend with my home exercises. Hubby apparently has to set up a pully system for me to use. That'll be something to fill his hours:)

>65 richardderus: Do *exactly* what the PT says and this will be a dim, unpleasant memory in no time. From someone who has done it both the easy and the hard ways!

Yes Richard I will take that advice. I saw what happened when my sister rushed through PT to get back to her job and her knee is not anywhere near what it should be. I, on the other hand, am in no hurry at all :)

Take your time Bonnie! I hope each day brings less pain for you.

It is great that your husband can set up a pully system and is handy in that way.

I fear in my house Will would set up something where Simon the Sheltie ran along a track with some type of rope affixed to the body part in need of PT.

Bonnie, I'm not a PT, I was a nurse. Same idea, in order to have optimum health we have to do things that might not feel good in the short run but lead to long term benifits - you know the old diet and exercise yada yada yada we all wish weren't true.

Good news, Bonnie!

pain free is good. pain free without painkillers is even better, so here's hoping you reach that stage soon and permanently!!

Can the PT mechanism be rigged up so that you can read while you exercise?? Just wondering...

Hi Bonnie - Glad to hear that the PT wasn't as bad as you expected. Sometimes it's better to anticipate the worst. Hope you recover quickly and get to spend your down time with some great books!

Just checking in, Bonnie. Glad to hear PT went well. I hope your husband has fun setting up the pulley system for you. Have him rig up a book stand for you too :)

I'm glad you're recovering nicely, Bonnie. Take care!

just checking to to say hi.. and wish you well...

I'm glad PT wasn't a torture. Lifting a glass of pineapple juice to toast progress!

Ooo pineapple juice! Think I'll join you in the toast, ffortsa! *clink*

Bonnie, I'm glad to hear that your surgery was successful and that your post-op recuperation is going well.

Best wishes for a full and pain-free recovery, Bonnie!

Just stopping by to see if they're any updates and say Hi. Good luck with the pulley-system!

You sound like you're doing great, Bonnie, but don't feel like you can't complain when you're having a bad day. The following might give you some ideas if you need some help writing your excuse for missing school: "Our Thoughts are With You."

Dear Mrs. Matthews,

I am writing to express my deepest sympathies. I shared your last note with Caleb's classmates and they made a card (which I have enclosed). Ten funerals in three weeks is a lot to ask of any child, let alone a child like Caleb, who already suffered so many family deaths this month. At first, as humiliating as it is to admit, I thought your son had forged the notes. But denial quickly gave way to grief. I understand he has another funeral to attend on Wednesday and that it will last until Friday. Please let him know that he can take as much time off as he needs. I would volunteer to drop off Caleb's homework myself, but I understand that your house recently exploded. Of all the tragedies that have befallen your family, this one saddened me the most. For a house to explode without warning, destroying a child's backpack and books, is very upsetting, particularly in the midst of your High Voodoo Holidays.

I was also deeply saddened to learn that your son had suffered brain damage and could no longer complete his social studies assignments. To be hit with such a misfortune, on top of Tourette's, is a blow to any child's self-esteem...

Incidentally, I understand that Caleb has recently taken on some serious community service projects. I totally understand. Caleb's devotion to the blind, particularly in light of his own blindness. But I'm worried that his extracurricular activities might interfere with his schoolwork, especially on top of the pressures of his upcoming Voodoo Bar Mitzvah. Of course, it's your decision.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your son's recent achievement! To be named an FBI super-spy at such a young age is an amazing accomplishment, particularly for a child who suffers from so many varied forms of brain damage. He hasn't told me much about his mission, but from what I gather it sounds like an incredible opportunity. I'm going to miss his presence in the classroom next year, but it would be selfish of me to stand in his way. Caleb's country needs him more than I do. He belongs in Russia.

Rest assured: I haven't told anyone about Caleb's mission, not even the principal. I am honored that Caleb felt he could trust me with top secret information, and I would never betray that trust.

Godspeed,
Mr. Marks

From Ant Farm by Simon Rich. I'll zap this after you've read it, Bonnie. Thinking about you and wishing you the best!

I seemed to have lost your thread a while back and have only just caught up. So glad to hear that your surgery was successful.

That is pretty funny.... Claudia and I were discussing school excuses last night..
:) something in the wind?

>81 bonniebooks: ROTFL Bonnie. I think I may know this child though:) I haven't read Ant Farm but I picked up Free Range Chickens at borders for .$99 a couple of weeks ago.

Well I'm just plugging away. So far I only have two PT exercises to do so that's not taking up too much time. So my day is pretty much read, do exercises, snooze, read, do exercises, read, snooze......it sounds like I'm getting a lot of reading done but, unfortunately, I can't seem to concentrate. So I seem to be just staring at the page. **sigh**

Thanks to everyone for visiting and wishing me well. I really appreciate it.

>81 bonniebooks: LOL! As I was reading that, I knew I had seen it before but forgot it was from Ant Farm. The entire book is a riot - thanks for the reminder, Bonnie!

#84: I hope the concentration comes back soon, Bonnie. I know that must be frustrating for you!

I am having the concentration problem too.. and I don't have any excuse.
:P Hope it clears up soon...and you can read! Maybe you can read to me since I can't seem to read for myself?? lol

Hope you are up to snuff super pronto - shoulder wise and concentration wise. Boy, it seems as if everybody on LT is falling apart these days.

Hope you can get some prolonged reading in soon, Bonnie!

Just checking in, Sis! I had to buy another copy of Ant Farm, because my first one got stolen by my son. And now I'm thinking, "Just where is my copy of Free-Range Chickens anyway?" Hmmm...

Glad to hear your surgery went well, Bonnie! I remember telling my physical therapist that she was the devil, and she said "Good! That means I'm doing my job!" It really does help!

I remember telling my physical therapist that she was the devil, and she said "Good! That means I'm doing my job!" It just feels good to say that sort of thing.

A couple of times in my life I've taken medicine that made it difficult to concentrate. For someone who likes to read, it's a real bummer. I hope your concentration increases daily.

Who can I write an excuse to? That is the unanticipated problem with not going to school or having a proper job anymore.

I had to buy another copy of Ant Farm, because my first one got stolen by my son.

That happens around here, too! I "stole" back my copy of The Sparrow when I was in Dallas in September!

As far as concentration goes, it will come back. But I know it's frustrating right now. Just choose the lightest book you have to read...or maybe short stories would work for you. Remember, baby steps!

Short stories sound perfect! Hope you're having a good day, Bonnie.

It was probably my choice of reading material that didn't help much. I'm trying to read Middlemarch but I dropped that for awhile and picked up The Lost City of Z and finally yesterday I seemed to return to normal (whatever that is). Anyway, I now have two books going and if I could even begin to explain to you how foreign a concept this is for me I would. I never do this. Ever. I like order. And knowing exactly where I am in a book. And anxiously returning to the book I left. I don't know how this is going to turn out....

Don't feel alone. It seems to me that many of the people who Reading have another book going at the same time. I know what you mean though. I don't like diluting stories by reading more than one at a time, however I do have one to listen to in the car with a different one to read.

I always have several on the go -- but then, I probably devote more hours than is completely rational to reading, so... Then, when one has grabbed me and won't let me go, I steamroll my way to the end. Right now, none of them is quite doing that for me...

I usually have only one going.. I get edgy if I have to try to keep track of too many..

Hi Bonnie- I hope you enjoying The Lost City of Z. I loved it and it was one of my top reads of last year.
BTW- Thanks to you, I got my nice softcover of The Siege today! Now, where to squeeze it in.

I actually had 4 books going at once over the past week which is absolutely insane for me. I think the only way it worked is b/c they have nothing in common. 1 was an audio non-fiction (time management book), 2 was a book club re-read (Glass Castle), 3 was a non-fiction library resource that interested me, 4 was my "personal choice" fiction (The Colony of Unrequited Dreams). I finished 2 of the 4, but I'd much rather read one book at a time!

Hey Bonnie, maybe reading two books at a time is a bonus from your surgery! Who knows what wires in our unconscious mind get crossed when we're sedated?

I'll have Middlemarch on the back burner for the next six weeks -- reading enough to keep up with the group -- and have another one for my primary book. Since I'll be taking notes on MM it shouldn't be a problem. I can also do well reading a fiction and NF concurrently. Enjoy The Lost City of Z. I've already read it so I won't be "shadowing" you on this one!

I agree with someone up there(??!!)- short stories, poetry or easy reads are a great way to get through an "I cant concentrate on reading" phase. It'll pass and you'll be back in the thick of it in no time.

In the meantime, imagining you doing your exercises rigged up so that you can read while you exercise is making me laugh anyway! If only it were that easy!! Keep recuperating

Yes, keep on getting better! I'll read different things at the same time: history,novel, poetry, but not two of the same thing. I have a short attention span, so unless I'm hooked, it's better that way.

Just dropped by to say hello, and I am glad to hear that your surgery went well. Best wishes for continued recovery.

Hello everybody. Well so far it's going pretty good having a couple of books going at the same time. And I'm really enjoying The Lost City of Z. I know I'm likely to be the last person on earth to read it.

Well time for bed. That's actually a misnomer since I am relegated to sleep in a recliner for the forseeable future. Gah,It's not easy to get used to; wasn't aware that this was going to be part of it. Nite, nite.

Hope you get a good night's sleep, Bonnie! I still have not read The Lost City of Z so looking forward to your comments. Will be interested to see if you continue reading more than one book in the future.

Jeesh! I lose you for a day or so, and there are twenty posts. You'd think people liked you or something. Good thing I know better.

Hi, Bonnio! Can't believe you're trying to read Middlemarch right now--no skimming possible with that book. Talk about long, convoluted sentences--wow! When I was recuperating from surgery, I could only read magazines and chick lit. You need something like David Sedaris. Do your have any memoirs in that tbr pile of yours, Sis? ;-)

P.S. My mom doesn't have a second bedroom, so I sleep in a recliner when I visit. I actually rather like it--once I got past the idea that I shouldn't be sleeping in a chair--but don't have a sore shoulder to worry about (shuddering, just thinking about it). You take take, Bonnie

Glad to hear you are enjoying The Lost City of Z, Bonnie!

Take care of yourself.

So glad to a hear that you are feling better! Sorry about the recliner, but by all mean be nice to your PT and do what h/she says! I loved City of Z, although i was not expecting to. Still currently not reading myself. the pain meds just make my eyes close...here's to pain free sooN!

Best wishes. Xxoxo

Bonnie

Just a post to say I'm thinking of you. Like Berly and you, I find it difficult to concentrate when taking pain meds. So often I start to read and my eyes close, then I suddenly awake, try to go back to reading only to have the eyes close again. Finally, I give up and sleep.

I'm adding Ant Farm to the tbr pile. That note (message #81) is hilarious.

All good wishes for a speedy recovery.

Yes,but i am glad someone later on explained that it was a student excuse note! Then I was rofl, except not literally, which would have hurt far too much. : )

I had some surgery once and slept in the recliner for 2 or 3 weeks. I didn't really have a problem with it at the time, but I can't imagine doing it again.
Amazing the things a person can get used to. Pleasant dreams from my time zone, probably just about good morning in yours.

Sleep in a recliner?!?!?!? Terrible! It sounds like torture to me. I love my bed.

Hi Bonnie! Hope your recliner days pass quickly! I slept in a recliner for many days during the end of my pregnancy with my 2nd. The heartburn would have killed me otherwise!

Hope your shoulder is healing well!

Recliners work well for naps so, why not, for a full night's sleep? I'm sure there won't be rolling around and messing up your new shoulder with that approach. I may have to offer that as an alternative for Thanksgiving. Eight additional people with four queen-size beds and one crib for Haley. I think Griffin (the 2-year-old) is going to end up on an air mattress on the floor! DH and I are not giving up our king-size bed!

Bonnie, I'm glad you have the concentration powers for Middlemarch. As west-coast Bonnie says: there is no skimming with that one! Keep on with your healing and reading programs!

Lol! I said "You take take" when I meant "Take care!" but now I think that "take take" may be my new advice to both you and Kim. You need to let yourself take because definitely people want to "give, give!"

*waves* at Bonnie so she'll have to raise her shoulder to wave back

Good Morning Bonnie

I'm simply stopping by to see how you are feeling today.

>119 richardderus: **waves back weakly at Richard**

>120 Whisper1: Linda, you are so sweet to be concerned about me when you have your own problems. I'm fine but I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever finish a book again. And write a review?? Hahahahah. Not happening any time soon.

OK all you who think sleeping in a recliner is easy let me just say.........it's not. At least not for me. I'm a side sleeper which, I'm not sure that you realize this but it's not possible to do that in a recliner. Besides which, for whatever reason, I am waking up at around 4:30 a.m. with a sore neck and a roaring headache. So every night I'm trying something to eliminate the problem: pillow/no pillow; recliner all the way back/recliner only part way back; rolled up towel behind my head/or not. **sigh**

I'm about out of ideas.

Bonnie, is the end in sight? How long do you have to continue to "sleep" on the recliner? I know what you mean about being a side sleeper. Sorry I don't have any helpful suggestions.

I am so sorry...

Terrible to not be able to sleep on top of it all :(

What's your pet situation? Do you have a little something to pet and cuddle. I know that helps me. Warm milk? Hot toddy?

Sending you my best wishes and strengthening thoughts.

That's a bummer, Bonnie. I've never tried an entire night in a recliner. I'm a "flopper" so that wouldn't work well for me, either. Although those stolen cat naps are mighty nice.

I'm a side sleeper ....hmmmm. Do you suppose that's why you have to sleep in a recliner? I would think sleeping on your new shoulder would be a "no no." I think Joyce's advice about the hot toddy might be the way to go.

I wish I had a helpful suggestion to make too, Bonnie, but never having been in the position to have to sleep in a recliner, I am afraid I am of no use.

I hope you can get out of the recliner soon so you can dodge the sore neck and headaches.

I was going to suggest a neck pillow, Bonnie, but I see you tried a rolled towel and that didn't help.

Hope tonight brings a better night's sleep!

Hi Bonnie- I hope you got some rest last night! I'm a side-sleeper too! I'm not a "flopper", like Donna.

>129 msf59:: HaHa, Mark. Flopper is perhaps not my best choice of word, but it is pretty descriptive of one who gently and repeatedly turns from side-to-side looking for that perfect position of rest.

Bonnie, I hope that you found that perfect position last night and got a good night's sleep. Can you take sleeping pills? I know that would be a last resort for me, but you gotta rest girl!

#130: Gently and repeatedly turning from side-to-side is flopping? I hate to think what my sleeping is called since generally when I get up the bedclothes look as if someone has been running a marathon in them.

Stopping to say Hi! Wish I had a solution for the sleeping problem. Hang in there! Things will get better!!

Could you sleep your opposite side? Away from the sore shoulder? I'm a side sleeper and I wouldn't be able to sleep on a recliner either, until I got used to it that is...

Oh darling, I'm so sorry you've been confined to recliner-hell. My father has had three shoulder surgeries so far, and I know it was no picnic for him. I hope you find a more comfortable solution for future nights.

Sorry sleep is so elusive at the moment, Bonnie. :(

I have no helpful suggestions, but I'm sending lots of sympathy and I hope it's better soon.

Ugh -- yes, I don't think I could do that. I have been known to doze off on my back on my sofa, but when I do that in bed, I always wind up with pinched nerves and weird dreams. I sleep mostly on my stomach; sometimes on my side. Usually with cats pinning me in place and limiting my tossing around. I would be happy to lend you Tigger?

Hello. Just to say I really sympathize with the "not enough concentration to read" problem. I've been home from the hospital for 3 weeks and have managed to read on fewer than half of the days, and then primarily light stuff. It's just so hard having to wait for things to get better, isn't it?

OK, Bonnie, this is going to sound really weird, but I'm willing to expose myself to guffaws if it can help you. I can't sleep on my back either. It just feels so weird, like I'm a corspe or something--can't relax at all. Or maybe it's that I unconsciously feel too exposed, too vulnerable, so I can't relax. So what do I do when I sleep in a chair when I'm at my mom's? I cover my head with a knitted throw and I can sleep just fine. OK, everyone can laugh now. Hope you're feeling better, Sis!

>138 bonniebooks:, I wont laugh at you! Anything that gets you through the night is OK, and all the nicer that you opened yourself up for guffaws to help someone else :=)

>137 JanetinLondon: Recovery is a long road, impatience to get reading (amongst other things) must be so hard!

OK you know what, that will be the last complaining from me. I am ecstatic with the results of this surgery. For the first time in over a year I have no pain in that shoulder and the doctor showed me the two x-rays (before and after surgery) yesterday and what a picture. The ball part was completely flattened and now I have a nice round ball with lots of space so that nothing is rubbing against anything. Heaven! And PT is not really that bad. I can deal with the few drawbacks until I get beyond this point.

Once again thank you everyone for your concern and helpful suggestions and guess what? I FINALLY FINISHED A BOOK!

I'm going to try to put together a short review of The Lost City of Z. Excellent read.

YAY!! That's a lot of good news, Bonnie!

Yeah! What a difference a couple of days can make. (I was getting worried about you because I hadn't seen any recent posts from you but glad to see all is well.)

Fantastic news! But please, feel free to complain when things get tough - just blowing off that steam will make you feel better and will renew your strength to actually face the difficulties like PT and insomnia.

Yay!! Glad your feeling better!! and you finished a book!!

55.



The Lost City of Z by David Grann 4 stars

From my review:

This book is non-fiction but you’d never guess it. To say it reads like fiction isn’t exactly right either. It’s an adventure story on steroids and it’s all true. It’s mainly the story of British explorer Percy Fawcett and his exploration of the Amazon jungle in the early 1900s. Told through Fawcett’s letters and journals, as well as those of his companions on his missions, the author does a terrific job putting you right there in the jungle with Fawcett, being eaten alive by deadly mosquitoes, watching as maggots drill into your skin, seeing your emaciated companions and realizing that you’re all slowly starving to death in the beastly heat, all while you look out for Indians bearing deadly arrows that may be coming your way.

Read more here.

Bonnie, I'm so glad you posted. I was worried about you stuck in your recliner. Kind of like a turtle on it's back...you can visualize that, can't you? I think you've done very little complaining. Hey, if you can't sleep, that's something to complain about.

I'm glad your surgery is such a success. And you read a book! That is great news. Throw a blanket over your head now and get some sleep!!!

Great review, Bonnie.

I am also glad to hear from you. I am glad that the absence just meant you were reading and not that you were ailing.

Great review, Bonnie, and a thumb from me. I've seen this book in all the bookstores but have never actually brought it home. It's officially on my wishlist now, however.

OK, Bonnie, you've pushed me into starting this one on my Kindle...
I'd imagine that flesh-devouring moquitos, nasty diseases and hostile locals would make any surgical feel life-enhancing in comparison!

Bonnie, feel free to complain all you like. Complaining is fun - even if what caused it isn't.

Now as for The Lost City of Z being eaten alive by deadly mosquitoes, watching as maggots drill into your skin, seeing your emaciated companions and realizing that you’re all slowly starving to death in the beastly heat, all while you look out for Indians bearing deadly arrows that may be coming your way.

I think I have a vague idea why you can't sleep (and may the dreamcatcher keep those maggots out of my dreams.)

YAY- another book under the belt. The before/after x-rays can really show you the progress even if you cant feel it. They are very black and white- literally and figuratively!

I remember once going to an osteopath for advice about my hip, but once he saw my x-ray, all he could do was marvel at my ability to even walk let alone be able to treat me; crazily enough, even though he couldn't help me, it made me feel quite good! I'm pain free now too, and isnt life great because of it!

Stopping by to say I hope you are sleeping.

>145 brenzi: Very inviting review! Thumbs-upped it.

Bonnie, I'm so glad to hear you are feeling better! And that book is certainly intriguing ...

Morning Bonnie- Excellent review of Lost City It was one of my top reads last year! Hope you are getting some rest and having a good weekend!

I'm really glad to hear the results of the surgery are so good! Hope you manage to get some proper sleep soon.

Bonnie, I didn't finish The Lost City of Z, because I had to take it back to the library, but not sure whether I would continue reading it if I still had it in my possession in part because of something you alluded to in your review. I can't help myself, I analyze Fawett's behavior in terms of modern understanding of behavior and I think, "Did this guy have Aspergers? He is so obsessed, and to the detriment of his wife and family." And the author too. I don't admire explorer types as much as I used to, because I start thinking about how their obsessions impact those around them.

#157 Bonnie, your comment made me think of Tracy Kidder's book, Mountains Beyond Mountains, about Dr. Paul Farmer and his work in Haiti. He was totally obsessed by his work (and did alot of wonderful things) but toward the end of the book they mentioned he had a daughter and I thought when did that happen--he never saw his wife??!!

I was glad to see a post from you... I am glad you are mending. I liked Z, too :)

>146 Donna828: Haha Donna, you have no idea the procedure here when I get ready for "bed." First, my hubby has to help me get into my sling and mobilizer (which I only have to wear when I leave the house and when I sleep). Then I get into the recliner but since I have only one good arm I can't really get the recliner to go back so he gets behind the recliner and pulls it into place. My daughter found this quite hilarious when DH explained the routine to her. Me, not so much.

>147 alcottacre: Yes Stasia I finally seem to be able to concentrate.

>148 phebj: It's quite a ride Pat.

>149 Chatterbox: I'd imagine that flesh-devouring moquitos, nasty diseases and hostile locals would make any surgical feel life-enhancing in comparison!

LOL Suzanne, but yes, you're right.

I guess you're living in those interesting times we all wish we could/didn't have to experience.

>150 Citizenjoyce: I think I have a vague idea why you can't sleep (and may the dreamcatcher keep those maggots out of my dreams.)

LOL at that. I actually fall asleep right away; it's the waking up at 4:00 with headache/neckache that is driving me crazy but I want to have a good outlook and be thankful that the surgery was so successful.

>151 LovingLit: Hi there Megan,


I remember once going to an osteopath for advice about my hip, but once he saw my x-ray, all he could do was marvel at my ability to even walk let alone be able to treat me; crazily enough, even though he couldn't help me, it made me feel quite good! I'm pain free now too, and isnt life great because of it!

Life is great because of it :)

>152 Whisper1: Hi Linda, I'm probably sleeping better than you. Take care my friend.

>153 richardderus: Thanks Richard.

>154 lauralkeet: Hi Laura, thanks fo your good wishes. Intriguing, yes very much so.

>155 msf59: Thank you Mark.

>156 Eat_Read_Knit: Thanks Caty; very much appreciated.

>157 bonniebooks: Hi Bonnie, Ohhh I didn't think of Asperger's but you may be on to something; nothing got in the way of his obsession. Also, I don't think anyone was laughing at your blanket over the head idea; any ideas that might produce results are welcome.

Am catching up, and really glad to hear you are feeling better! (And I'll be skipping The Lost City of Z - maggots and mosquitoes are not my thing...call me a wuss.)(New Zealand speak for, um, um..... coward.)

Am off to sleep now - on my side. I can't sleep on my back either!

>158 phebj: Sounds like a good comparison Pat.

>159 mckait: Hi Kath, yes, Z was a good read.

>161 Citizenjoyce: Hi Joyce,


I guess you're living in those interesting times we all wish we could/didn't have to experience.

Hah yes I guess. But when I consider that not that many years ago people had to just live with that incredible pain for 20-30 years, it's pretty darn amazing.

>164 cushlareads: Thanks so much Cushla. I think a wuss is a coward here too.

Glad you are pain-free--makes the surgery worth it. Loved hearing about the getting into the recliner for the night routine. But it reminds me of when I broke my arm--don't you need his help to get dressed as well? I certainly did!

>167 ronincats: Surprisingly I can get dressed pretty much on my own Roni as long as I wear button down shirts and sweats that I can pull up with one hand. Of course I can't wear a bra yet. Even if I didn't have the incision right where a bra strap goes, I could never get my arm around to put one on. It's actually pretty freeing right now;-)

B--Glad you are feeling relief from the pain. I still have my moments when I just freeze and cry. But I am one up on you on the bed sitch. I had to sleep like you in the recliner position in the hospital and when I first got home, but I actually managed to sleep on my side last night. HEAVEN!! Still not even close to sleeping on my stomach, but remember, we are on that patient road together. It will get better!

I enjoyed The Lost City of Z and I quite agree with Bonnie--I think being married to an adventurer would be awful and lonely. Better to be an adventurer with them, but then that would mean no kids in my book and I love them too much to miss out on that.

Bonnie--I'm so glad to hear that your operation was a success. I hope you get to sleep in your bed again pretty soon.

170- Hear hear! :)

I'm glad to hear that your surgery was successful, Bonnie!

>169 Berly: Hey there Kim, I'm officially jealous that you're sleeping in a bed. I never thought I'd say this, but I long to sleep in a bed. It sounds like I'm one up on you on the pain front though. I hope you get over that hurdle soon:)

>170 arubabookwoman: Thanks Deborah. Yeah me too:)

>171 BookAngel_a: Thanks Angela!

>172 kidzdoc: Thanks so much Darryl.

I will just be glad when every one of the recent spate of surgical patients is feeling back like their old selves! (minus the pain, of course)

Absolutely Stasia. Interesting that so many went down at once.

I remarked upon it to my husband and he said "Your group is falling apart!" Sad, but true.

No, just tell him we are just culling the herd! hee hee!

#177: I do not think I like the sounds of that!

ewww mark!

#176 Just some running repairs here and there, surely?

>177 msf59: No, just tell him we are just culling the herd! hee hee!

Hey I resemble resent that remark;-)

Mark--Not sure if I want to be in your herd anymore. Mwaaaaa!

Sorry, the MBG got carried away! My bad! I love you guys! Gentle hugs!

Ha ha, someone always has to go too far! Lucky they reined you in quick smart Mark :-)

>168 brenzi: Bonnie- hope the freeing feeling continues!

Good Morning Bonnie

Sounds like your hubby is a great guy! I cannot say enough good things about my partner Will. I cannot do even simple things like running the vacumn, doing the wash, carrying anything in excess of a quart of milk is prohibited. We were quite a pair this weekend when we went grocery shopping.

His asthma is kicking in and since our driveway is on a slope he was breathing heavily by the time he got each bag to the door. If they were watching, the neighbors must have thought we were nuts. I told him I could carry the bag with the tissues and the papertowels, but he had to carry the bags of dog food and canned goods. I'm holding bags saying "ouch, ouch, ouch" while he is carrying the heavy stuff and sounding like darth vader.

I hope each day brings continued healing to you and to Berly.

Mark...I'll be in your herd if you are as gentle as my shetland sheep dog. He is quite a character. Whenever we take him for a walk, we find that about five minutes into the journey, we are in a tight compacted ball with him on the outside roping us inward.

Linda, you'd laugh your head off if you saw that on TV. You tell a good story. How nice it will be when your life is a little less humorous.

checking in .. hoping for things to move along...quickly! take care...

Mark you're lucky everyone loves you and you're everyone's favorite or we could get really snarky.

>184 LovingLit: Thanks Megan!

>185 Whisper1: Yes Linda he is a great guy and mine for the last 39 years. I do have one good arm so I can do most things now as long as they don't require two arms. Changing sheets is really about the biggest thing I can't do yet.

I hope you're continuing your recovery also.

>186 Citizenjoyce: Hi Joyce!

>187 mckait: Hi Kath! Thanks.

ANNOUNCEMENT

I have finally been released from Recliner Hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight I will sleep in my bed. Oh Happy Day!! Keep your fingers crossed that the headaches/neck pain diminish and the actual sleep increases. Actually, I don't mean to brag, but I'm setting some kind of rehab record. What the therapist said was something like, "You're in the 95th percentile of patients rehabbing a total shoulder replacement." Of course he said this as I was wincing my way through some kind of medieval stretching torture, but hey, what the heck, I'm ahead of schedule!!!

Bonnie, that's fantastic news! Sweet dreams!

Whoohoo!!!!!!! I think McKait's Gif says it all!! LOL. Best wishes for tonight and give us the full report in the morning. : )

I'm shaking my piggie booty along with Mckait. Bed, glorious bed. Sometimes it pays to be an overachiever.

Hurrah! Hurrah! Bed, sweet home bed tonight! Sweet dreams and uninterrupted sleep!

Maybe tonight's dreams won't be so impossible! Enjoy your bed!

You go, girl! No, I really mean it, you go to bed, girl!

Happy slumbers... Dream of dolphins and chocolate paridiso

Add my 'Congratulations' to everyone else's. You rock, Bonnie!

>197 bonniebooks: lol

Well done - the simple pleasures are great once you've been been deprived them!

Excellent news! Well done on the recovery. I hope you had a good night's sleep at last.

Bonnie- Hope you had a great night's sleep! and yes, I'm very lucky! :-}

Hiya Bonnie, Hope all is well in your world today. It sounds as if you are making great progress!

Wonderful news, Bonnie!!

Yay for sleeping in your own bed! :)

Ooooh, Bonnie, getting caught up with you at last . . .

I hope you had a great night's sleep! So glad that the surgery was a success, and that you are sprung from having to sleep in the recliner!

Lost City of Z just appeared at our library -- donated by someone, I think. I was looking at it and wondering, should I read that? Still wondering . . . sounds exciting but the maggots and things would probably gross me out.

Once again I'll say thank you to everyone for your well-wishes. It was great being back in my own bed but the headaches continue. At this point, I can only assume this is coming from maybe muscles in spasm in my neck on the side of the surgery causing headaches primarily on that side. I'm not a doctor (and I don't even play one on TV) but I will be running this by a real doctor to find out what's going on.

Also, I am more than half-way through Middlemarch which is making so much more sense now that I can concentrate and I am absolutely loving it. This may be my book of the year.

Checking anxiously for updates on your night in bed.....

I mean.. well you know..

I hope those pesky headaches go away...and soon. I'll bet it felt good to sleep in your bed last night.

I'm liking Middlemarch, too, Bonnie. I'm with the slow group. Not much reading time for me lately, and I still have the last Louise Penny book calling to me. Not the greatest timing for a group read, although I enjoy everyone's comments.

Hey, Bonnie, even us "able bodied" folks struggle with bedding. Just took me half an hour and six tries to get the duvet in the duvet case. My arms are aching from shoving that thing every which way!

Sleep well...

Glad to hear that you are progressing so well despite the headaches.
Your comments on the obsessive explorer/adventurer types reminded me of Rachel King's novel The Sound of Butterflies which focuses on the marriage between an amateur butterfly collector just returned, a changed man, from a perilous journey to the Amazon and his young wife.

Hope things keep getting better and better!!! Another one who likes Middlemarch. Hmm, I'm starting to wonder what I'm just not getting. It's ok and I'm about a 1/4 of the way through. I will finish,but it won't be one of my favorites.

Boo for headaches, but huzzah for a real bed!

Hope you had a good nights sleep :)
And have a happy, pain free day ahead!

What Kath said!

Ditto Kath and Stasia!

Awake in the middle of the night (3 am here) and I thought I'd say: Hope your bed is treating you right!!

Ah yes the headaches are getting better every day. I find if I stay up later at least I'm not waking up in the middle of the night:)

Rehab continues to go very well except that I got a letter from the insurance company yesterday saying I was limited to 8(!) visits between Nov. 2 until the end of the year. I had visit #5 today. When i mentioned it to the therapist he said, "Oh don't worry about that. We'll just submit a request for another 8. It'll be fine."

Somehow I don't really trust that advice because ....well...it's an insurance company!

Hi Bonnie. Glad to hear the headaches are better and that rehab is going well. Overall, it sounds like you're doing pretty good. I know what you mean though about trusting insurance companies.

Oh, the dread "Don't worry, it'll be fine." On the positive side though, the therapist must deal with these insurance companies all the time.

Hallelujah on the headaches, and welcome to the world of night owls. It's a lovely, quiet, cold place.

>210 Chatterbox: Hi Pat, yep doing pretty darn good. Can I tell you how much I'm loving Middlemarch?? I'm on Book VII so nearing the end..

>211 avatiakh: welcome to the world of night owls. It's a lovely, quiet, cold place.

I'm hoping it's a temporary stopping point Joyce LOL.

Bonnie, I'm almost done with Book III of Middlemarch but am also loving it. In fact, much more than I thought I would not having been a fan of Victorian literature up to this point. At this rate, I'll probably finish it mid to late December and then will be very sad to see it end. I almost feel like I'm reading it in serialized form the way it was originally published.

I'm planning on reading 6 of Jane Austen's novels with Stasia next year so at least I'll stay within the genre. I'm glad to finally be reading these books. Every once and while I'll be around people who have all read them and I feel like such a dunce not knowing what they're talking about. Better late than never!

Yes I read Pride and Prejudice a few months ago and loved it. I have Persuasion and Emma on my shelf now so I can read those two next year but I'm not sure I'll get to any other Austens. I also have North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell that I want to get to next year.

And what is wrong with being a night owl? :)

Glad to hear that the headaches are clearing for you, Bonnie!

Bonnie, I really loved Middlemarch when I finally sat down to really immerse myself in the story--it is not a book to be skimmed--but I'm still astounded that you picked that book following your surgery. You're amazing!

Hi Bonnie! Good luck with your rehab and I trust your insurance will see the reason for it and PAY!! Overdid it today, so I am headed to bed soon--not a night owl tonight.
I like the sound of the Austen novels for next year. I haven't read them in quite a while. Stasia count me in!

#226: OK, you are in!

: )

Yay to sleeping in your own bed!! .

I will cheerfully watch y'all read Austen next year. I enjoy her, but cannot do a group thing. oh and Good morning Bonnie!

There are so many classics I've missed... :(

>224 alcottacre: Well Stasia, you see, well, no, I'm sure, oh well..........I'm just not a night owl although it seems to work really well for you :)

>225 bonniebooks: Uh no, not amazing Bonnie, just unaware that concentration would be a problem. I should probably go back and reread Book I but that woun't happen.

>226 Berly: Overdid it? Oh no, that's no good; hope you're feeling better by now Kim.

>229 cushlareads: Thanks Cushla!

>230 mckait: Well good afternoon Kath.

>231 Copperskye: Me too Joanne, but this year I've read Pride and Prejudice, Rebecca, All the King's Men, Dracula, The Plague and now Middlemarch.

That's an impressive list Bonnie!

I have read Rebecca and Dracula but many years ago. Both are ones that I want to reread.

Gah I am so excited because some old friends just left and the brought me not only some Napoleans for us to devour (French pastry that is to die for for the uninitiated) and a couple bottles of wine and my very favorite sponge candy but they mined my Amazon wishlist!! Thanks to my daughter for all the great ideas she gave them.

The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson
Stiff by Mary Roach
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
A Happy Marriage by Rafael Yglesias

I've gotten other things since I've been home including a couple of Edible Arrangements, a B&N gift card, all kinds of flowers, a book from our own sweet Linda. Hmmm I could get used to this:)

"I could get used to this."

Wow! Nice friends! Hmmm... How's your other shoulder doing, Bonnie? ;-)

Very nice friends!

Yum, Edible Arrangements. Have a nice chocolate dipped bite for me. Hope you sleep well tonight.

" It was great being back in my own bed but the headaches continue. At this point, I can only assume this is coming from maybe muscles in spasm in my neck on the side of the surgery causing headaches primarily on that side. I'm not a doctor (and I don't even play one on TV) but I will be running this by a real doctor to find out what's going on."

Bonnie, I have the same problem. If I lie on the side of my neck where the incision was made for the surgery, I get an immediate terrible headache. Golly, how I wish we were pain free.

Thinking of you in admiration for your strength and fortitude.

Hugs!

Thinking of both of you in admiration for your strength and fortitude and wishing you had reason to stop needing so much of either.

>234 brenzi:: Pastries, wine, candy, and books? Holy cow, Bonnie, you've made life seem beautiful again. I'm basking in the glow of your friends' generosity and your good fortune for having such good friends!

>239 Citizenjoyce:: Well said, Joyce. I'm with you on that thought, and let's be sure to include Kim in that new group...The Three LT Musketeers.

#234: Wow! Nice haul, Bonnie. Would you consider having surgery on your other shoulder now?

#239: Amen to that.

Good friend! I hope that the morning finds you rested and with less pain :)
The better to eat, drink, read and be merry :)

Just checking in, hope you have a fine Sunday. Glad you are getting better.

>235 bonniebooks: Now that you mention it......

>236 phebj: Yes Pat and believe it or not we were college roommates for four years and all happened to live in this vicinity so we've remained friends over the last (OMG!) 40 years. We go out to dinner once a month and even in between. There are five of us but one has retired and moved to Florida, so we don't get to see her as often :(

>237 Citizenjoyce: I'll see you that chocoalte covered strawberry and raise you some chocolate covered pineapple Joyce :)

>238 Whisper1: Thinking of you in admiration for your strength and fortitude.

Please Linda, I have to say that about you. You have much more on your plate than I do.

>239 Citizenjoyce: Very much appreciated Joyce.

>240 Donna828: Excuse me a minute Donna while I stuff down another piece of sponge candy:) See #236 above about my good friends.

>241 alcottacre: Stasia, that's not as far fetched as it may sound.

>242 mckait: and 243 Thanks so very much.

Slowly but surely the headaches and neck pain are diminishing. This morning I managed to sleep until 6:30 which, believe it or not, is a pretty significant AND very little neck and head pain. YAY!

Bonnie- Hooray for a good night sleep! I'm also glad your pain is beginning to subside! Have a nice Sunday!

Glad to hear the good news on the pain front!

I'm envious of your long-lasting circle of friends. It takes both luck and persistence to achieve that.

That's great! There are few things so wonderful as a satisfying night of sleep! And the ebbing of headache pain!

Congrats on the sleep and the diminishing pain. Whoohoo!! Still weaning off the pain meds myself and my diet is expanding, but I still couldn't eat the popcorn at our in-house movie night last night. Sigh. It smelled so good too! We saw Harry Potter 6 in preparation for seeing the new one.

Bonnie...oh dear...you were 84 posts behind on my thread, I was 85 behind on yours...HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?!? I know the 75ers are a chatty bunch but are we doomed then to wander about, Flying Dutchpersons in our own happy hutch, grabbing a line here, and a quip there?

*sigh*

I add my happy dance to the others re: sleep and less pain. Auntie's letting me sleep as late as 7am these days, and that's just ducky with me. I'm still in the catch-up phase of adjustment. I can't write for more than ~20min at a time, so I'm never going to make 50,000 words in NaNoWriMo for this year. I am enjoying my book, though..."The Harps of Venus"...an all-male moon colony witnesses the Apophis-the-asteroid destruction of the Earth and sets about restoring human life.

And now, having unburdened myself, I feel my Thread Police split personality coming on...time for a...you know what!

I'm glad to hear you're in less pain and getting more sleep, Bonnie. :)

Sending gentle hugs to you in the hope that you will have a restful, headache and pain free evening.

Hi Bonnie, Just finally catching up with you. I am so glad you are on the mend. And incredibly impressed that you tackled Middlemarch when you were first recovering!

Good news then, Bonnie! I hope tonight is as comfortable and pain free.

Glad to hear that you are getting more rest and less pain these days! I hope that trend continues.

Hi Bonnie. Just popping in to say a quick hello, and glad that your recovery is going so well.

Hi Bonnie!! Just checking in to see how you're doing!

Hope you're having a good morning, Bonnie.

Have you felt well enough yet to enjoy you time off, even a little?

Just chiming in to say I think that you will get the physical therapy you need. My insurance co. tried to scare me like that when I broke my ankle. But my physical therapist ended up winning. If he said I needed more visits, I got them.

Hope it works out for you. :) Take care.

Glad to hear of progress: more sleep, less pain, very good news!

Bonnie, just saw your 5 star review of Middlemarch on my home page and gave it a huge thumbs up. I was wondering where you were and I guess it was polishing off this tome. I'm just starting Book IV so I have a ways to go but am so happy I was lured into reading this by the LT group read. I don't think I would have ever ventured into it otherwise.

I know I keep saying this to all you wonderful friends, but once again thank you for your warm wishes. Things are humming along slowly but surely. I feel a little better each day and can do more with this arm as each day goes by.

Now how about joining me on the NEW THREAD! to talk about books!

>263 phebj: Thanks Pat. Yes it was so good it kept me from taking the time to do any posting. LOL