Thebookdiva's Book Nook 2014 (pg.2)

Hi, my name is Abigail, and this is my first time joining the 75ers group. I will be turning 18 in a month and am really looking forward to being a part of this group. I don't really have a reading plan, I usually just read whatever catches my eye. I do love reading YA, paranormal, graphic novels, fantasy, historical fiction, and poetry. I will probably only review those books which I think are special or that I love. Although this is a book group, I take an immense interest in talking about the artwork of books and how the books compare to the movies and tv shows.

I read 170 books in 2013. I read a lot of graphic novels, and I reread a lot of books in 2013. I did discover several new authors last year as well. This year I hope to broaden my horizons even more. My top 10 reads (in order) from 2013 are:

1. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
2. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
3. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
5. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
6. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
7. Hyrule Historia by Shigeru Miyamoto
8. The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson
9. Blue Bloods GN by Melissa de la Cruz
10. The Fruits Basket GN series by Natsuki Takaya

Here are my top 10 planned reads of 2014:

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
2. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
3. Mistbourne by Brandon Sanderson
4. Cress by Marissa Meyer
5. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
6. Cleopatra, A Life by Stacy Schiff
7. Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
8. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
9. The Pelican Brief by John Grisham
10. World War Z by Max Brooks

Currently Reading:

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Aimless Love by Billy Collins
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (One of my favorite books of all time)
The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason
Inuyasha Vol. 17 GN
The Mind Thieves by Lore Brighton
The Dream Songs by John Berryman
White Coat, Purple Coat by Dannie Abse
Harry Potter Film Wizardry by Brian Sibley
Harry Potter Page To Screen the Complete Filmmaking Journey by Bob MicCabe

Read this month:

Library Wars vol.8 by Kiiro Yumi GN
Library Wars vol.9 by Kiiro Yumi GN
Library Wars vol.10 by Kiiro Yumi GN
A Bride's Story vol. 5 by Kaoru Mori GN
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
The Mind Readers by Lore Brighton
Avalon High by Meg Cabot
W.I.T.C.H. vol.8 by Hyperion GN
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Locke and Key Vol. 1 by Joe Hill GN
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs GN

Books Bought this Year:

The Mind Readers by Lore Brighton
The Mind Thieves by Lore Brighton
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children GN

Ah, greedy one, aren't you. I think perhaps some other Avid Reader has set a model for you to have all sorts of interesting things at the beginning of each thread. Ah? OK. That's good.

Good luck with good reading, and I'll be lurking about to see what comes along.

Congratulations.

Welcome to 75, Ms. Diva. I'll look forward to seeing your complete decorations. I wish you happy reading, good conversation, and lots of new writers to explore!

Happy new thread, Abby! Can't wait to see which photo you will choose to use as a thread topper!

Karen - Yes, they have set the model for me. Thank you.

Peggy - Thank you! I hope I don't disappoint with all of those things.

Mom - Thank you, had a little trouble getting it up there.

It looks great!! You did fine.

Hi Abby- Congrats on Page 2! You are rolling right along, my friend! You read 170 books last year? Wow! That is quite impressive. You are a machine!
Have a great Saturday!

Thanks Mom, I learned everything from you!

Mark - Hello! Thank you so much for the compliment, I love to read so I do it all the time. I hope your Saturday goes well too, especially now that you're on vacation!

Is that sunrise or sunset up there? Lovely soft colors either way. :)

And I wanted to say that I liked (and related to) that Calvin cartoon you posted near the end of the last thread. Although somehow I managed not to be sent to the principal's office.

Abby congratulations on your first ever new thread!
I like the pastel shaded skylines you have painted with your camera up top.

Have a lovely weekend.

Wonderful to see you here! That is a sunset pic I took awhile back. I love seeing the sunset down here because it always looks completely different. Sometimes it is dark and sinister, at other times it is light and awing.

I love Calvin and Hobbes. I'm really glad that you like them too. I once got really nervous because I was sent to the principal's office as soon as I walked through the classroom door. The walk seemed to take forever as I was rapidly searching my mind for what I could have possibly done wrong. When I entered the office I found out that I wasn't in trouble, in fact they wanted me to give the morning announcements over the speaker system. I was so relieved I sighed loudly and the principle laughed. I wish my teacher had told me what was going on, it could have saved me some major anxiety!

Paul - You slipped in while I was posting! Thank you so much, I'm so astonished that I even have enough posts to start a new thread. It's thanks to all you lovely kind people.

Congrats on the new thread, Abby! Wonderful, and not surprising, how fast you've become one of the gang. Nice photo at the top.

Can't wait for Cress to come out! Not long now. I look forward to your reaction to The Dream Songs. There's nothing like them.

Thanks Joe! I can't wait for Cress either. I'll be sure to let you know my thoughts of the Dream Songs, I look forward to talking about them with you.

Bill Watterson graduated from Kenyon College (where I used to be on faculty, although not while he was a student!), and he apparently painted one of the first C&H comics on his dorm room wall. My absolute favorite C&H strip:

http://bbsimg.ngfiles.com/10/13028000/ngbbs467ecfd95826c.gif

Another beautiful photo up top, Abby!

Happ New Thread!

Amber - that is so cool, I never thought of putting one on the wall. I do love your favorite. My favorite is the one where Calvin imitates his Dad.

Pawz - thank you so much!

Melissa - thank you!

Compliments on your nice new thread!

Another Calvin & Hobbes aficionado! >20 scaifea: Great one, Amber!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

*bwaahaaaaahaaaaaaaahaaaaaa*

Mary - thank you, hope you have a great weekend too.

Richard - YES!!! That is it! *smooch*

When I went to college, I drew Calvin and Hobbes in their arms-around-each-other pose on the wall in watersoluble crayons, and then surrounded it with various Calvin faces. Everyone really loved it. The rest of the hall residents had taken inspiration from me and decorated the public hallway with various drawings, which as it turned out, management didn't like very much. So we had to spend a day washing the walls - it turns out watersoluble is not the same thing as "easy to remove." :)

Congratulations on your 2nd thread, Abby. I see you are a fan of Melissa Meyer's. I am finally getting around to starting The Lunar Chronicles next month with Cinder. I am looking forward to this one.

Happy new thread, Abby! Hope your Sunday is good.

>20 scaifea: That one made me laugh. My favorite C&H's are the snowman one's though.

>31 Morphidae: Especially at this time of year! So appropos.

>28 ursula: LOL (And boo, hiss for the dorm management. No sense of fun. They should have to live in a boring dorm for a year. Grrrr.)

Beautiful sunset photo, Abby. Congratulations on your second thread of 2014!

Happy new thread, ABBY!!!

Ursula - That would have been awesome if they had let you keep it up. I bet that took a long time to scrub off, sorry you had to do it.

Judy - Thank you! I can't wait to see what you make of Cinder, I loved that book! The second one, in my opinion, is even better.

Diana - Thank you so much, my Sunday was very good. I did art and watched the probowl game.

Morphy - Hello! I love the snowman comics too.

Mary - I agree completely.

Julia - thank you so much, all of you are much too sweet.

Katie - You are wonderful, thank you.

Here's one just for you Morphy:

Ok, I have just finished season 1 of Doctor Who. It was AMAZING! I am totally in love. I watched the first episode on a whim and finished the season about 4 days later. I cannot wait to watch the second season!

YAY DOCTOR WHO!

I take it your a fan. I can't believe I didn't watch it sooner! I was missing so much.

Hi Abby- Just checking in. Love the Snowman House of Horror. I have NEVER seen an episode of Dr. Who. Does this make me a horrible person? LOL.
Glad you loved the 1st season. 20 more to go!

Doesn't make you a horrible person, Mark. Just one woefully lacking in geekdom. :)

Mark - Of course not! Glad to see you here. I need to post some reviews but I am too lazy at the moment. Plus, there are all those unwatched episodes of Doctor Who you mentioned.

Jim - haha, geekdom indeed. I'm more of a geek than I like to admit.

Jim- It looks like I have some work to do!

Ahhh Rose Tyler...I miss her.

Go Dr. Who! I've watched a lot of episodes separately (way until you get to David Tennant as the Doctor), but never a season straight through. Sounds like fun.

Richard - WHAAAAAT???!! Don't tell me she doesn't stay!!! I've only seen the first season, don't tell me anything.

Joe - I loved the first season. I was shocked that the doctor doesn't stay the same. I have watched the pilot of the second season though and think that the second doctor is extremely amusing. I can't wait to get further into the season.

We are just in the middle of season 2. David Tennant took some getting used to after Christopher Eccleston. But Barty Crouch makes a good Doctor. He stays around for more than a season

From what I understand they had some contract issues with Eccleston and he wanted out.

They are so much campy good fun.

Jeff - I am really liking David Tennant. At first I was nearly horrified upon finding out that the doctor didn't stay the same, but I am liking the second doctor quite a bit. I am glad that I was right about him being Barty Crouch Jr, I thought that was him.

Don't know how far you've got, but look for Barty Crouch Sr somewhere in Season 2. :)

Will do!

Oh David Tennant. I love him. LOVE HIM.

*ahem*
*attempts to compose herself*

One thing about Doctor Who: Everything changes, except nothing changes.

Amber - haha, I'm liking him more than the first doctor myself.

RD - strangely that makes complete sense, I will be sure to kept that in mind as I watch. I'm sure I will like new characters just as well as the old.

I think the deal with Christopher Eccleston was that he'd signed for just the one season.

Amber is collecting sweethearts this month; now we have David Tennant to add to the list!

Abby I am so pleased that you have discovered Doctor Who - I remember it from the 1970s of course but the new series' are pretty splendid too.

I have been slaughtering the english language with my limericks again writing a short series dedicated to the group rookies in thanks for your contribution to the group towards the end of your first month. Here is yours:

Abby is here, daughter of Mamie
Her very own girl and not at all samey
Introducing new blood
Is much to the good
So I hope that mother or daughter won't blame me.

The others are together on my thread.

Just chiming in -- Eccleston's departure had more to do with friction with higher-ups and the treatment of people working on set than anything else. Recently, his NDA (or whatever they're calling it) expired (I understand it extends beyond your time on the show if the show is still running, or something), and he did a number of interviews here in North America on promotion for Thor 2 where he finally opened up about what happened! If I can find a clip I'll post it. There are many Doctor Who fans around here so someone else might beat me to it!

Stephanie - That would make sense, a lot of actors do that.

Paul - That's wonderful! It brought a huge smile to my face; I am honored to be the subject of another poem. I will have to write this one down beside the last one in my poem book.

Jim - That is really interesting, I hope you find it. I would like to read it. It seems like that happens more than one would think, actors not getting along with higher-ups.

It's wednesday, the week is half over. Seeing as everything else is closed down due to the weather, my mom very graciously let us kids have the day off of school! Such a wonderful person! So we are all about the house reading, playing video games, and doing other activities of a fun nature. We are also happily counting down the days until the Super Bowl. I will be supporting the Broncos this Sunday as we watch the game. I believe that snacks are one of the best things about the Super Bowl. One of the items that will be present at our snack table is tortilla chips and bean dip. I love tortilla chips and bean dip, and will heartily partake of them.

Other than staying out of the crazy traffic and awaiting the Super Bowl, we are marveling at the light snow that has fallen here and are aghast at the condition of Atlanta. I feel sorry for anyone stuck in that traffic. I hope that everyone gets home safely and that the mini crisis that the weather condition has brought upon the city quickly passes.

OK, Paul got my wheels turning.

There is a wonderful girl name of Abby
Who never seems to feel crabby
She loves Calvin and Hobbes
Of books she reads gobs
We LTers are glad she's so gabby

At my house that would probably be worth at least a couple of groans, and maybe an arm punch or two.

I agree that snacks are the most important part of the Super Bowl experience. We always have artichoke dip, cheese and salsa dip, lots of chips, and lemon cookies, and guests tend to bring a Mexican casserole with tortilla chips, and cookies and cake. Plus there's beer for the likes of me, of course.

Okay, I love the limericks! I think Joe's scans better.

Joe - That is so sweet! I wouldn't groan, I would give you a hug. Ooooh artichoke dip, nothing beats that. All of my siblings think I'm crazy for liking it.

Morphy - I love the limericks too, aren't they both so sweet?

I love the C&H comics in your threads Abby! :) I don't think we have them in Holland , but I kind of like their humor!

Joe - Touche! I don't see any Berryman peeping around the corner of those affectionate phrases.

Abby - The subject of poetic phrasing from two gentlemen of a certain age within 24 hours; please don't tell your mom or she'll be barring us the house. xx

Morning, Abby!
When I woke up this morning, one of my first thoughts, out of the blue, was, "Oh! Abby is watching Dr. Who - it'll be so great when she gets to the Ginormous Library episode!" Ha! The episode is called "Silence in the Library" and you'll love it, for obvious reasons, I think, if you haven't already watched it.

I hope that doesn't seem to stalker-like - the 75ers are just never very far from my thoughts...

Marjolein - Thank you, all my siblings and I love to read them. they were originally comics in the newspaper, but now they publish them in small books. I never thought about different parts of the world having different comics. Now that you mention it, it seems glaringly obvious that there would be different ones.

Paul - haha, I won't! I must admit that I had never had poetry written about me until I joined LT. You guys are so nice to do so!

Amber - Good Morning! OOOOOOOOOH, there's a library episode?!!!! I can't wait to get to that one. And no, it's definitely not stalker like. I wake up most mornings and my first thought is LT too. In fact, having slept in today, I only got up 5 min ago.

Abby - Just a fly by wish for a happy weekend for you and all at the Paradisio.

Hope you feel better soon, Abby! (Also hope the kitty gets rescued)

I'm so sorry you and everyone at the Pecan Paradisio is feeling crummy right now. I wanted to swing by and wish you an early "happy birthday" in case you are too busy celebrating and watching the Super Bowl tomorrow to swing by LT. I hope your day is wonderful!

I've heard you are feeling under the weather, Abby, but I sure hope you are well enough to enjoy your birthday tomorrow, along with the big game. Many happy returns of the day, I have a feeling this upcming year could be a landmark one.

I quite prefer Tennant over Dr. W #3. I've kind of bogged down right now - I think that it's something about #3's companion that's done that to me. Not nuts about her. I don't know about anyone else, but I think those - well, perhaps I should not say anything about them here and at this time, but there are some creatures in particular in Dr. Who that really creep me out.

Poor Abby! Dead of a cold a whole DAY short of her birthday. Pity, that. I'd planned such a nice array of gifts...a car, a personal visit from Watterson, unlimited credit at Amazon...sadly, her passing renders it all moot.

Jeez RD not funny. At least not until I see her back on line it isn't! Abby blow your nose and take up that unlimited credit so kindly offered by Mr. Derus.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Happy birthday Abigail! I hope you'll have a wonderful day! You're officially an adult now, welcome to our world lol! Oh and you are so pretty! :)

Happy birthday, Abby! I hope you and your family feel better today.

Happy Birthday, Abby! I hope it's the best one yet!!

(Hm, I wonder what's in that gold package... Ha!)

Abby - Love the photos put up by your Mom. She's rightly proud of you.
Have a lovely day and congratulations for getting that little bit closer in age to some of us "Oldies" (for a little while at least). xx

Abby - I haven't found your thread before but I hear you're feeling poorly on your birthday. Hope you get better soon!

I hope you have a great birthday in spite of being sick!

Happy Birthday Abby!

Happy birthday!! Hope you feel better soon, although if that second photo was taken today, you look far too beautiful to be sick!!

Happy birthday Abby!! And get well soon.

Abby, if good wishes could make you better you'd be dancing on top of the world right now! I hope it's not too long before you're doing exactly that! Happy 18th birthday!

>73 Crazymamie: Great pics from your ma, Abby. Happy Birthday!

Let us know if you got any books. You know how we are about those. :-)

Happy birthday!

Oh no! My post was prophetic! Happy Birthday In Memoriam, dear departed Abby.

Happy birthday Abby! Looking forward to your quick recovery.

Happy Birthday Abby

Coming by to wish you good health and Happy Happy Birthday. :)

Happy Birthday Wishes, Abby!

Happy Birthday :)

Happy 'belated' Birthday wishes, Abby!

Happy (slightly belated) birthday, Abby! Hope you are feeling better.

Well, you all have certainly been busy! Thank you for keeping my thread warm while I was gone. With being sick and trying to coax the cat out I have been pretty busy. I am still sick and my knees hurt from being in the crawlspace for so long so often, but I hope to get caught back up on my thread and all of yours! I will also be posting some cat picks later. The kitty is super cute and gorgeous, I am already in love with it.

Well I am mightily relieved that RD's obit was misconceived. xx

Well, time to get to the individual posts:

Starting way back up there at post 66 - Paul - Thank you for the weekend wishes, it wasn't great but pretty good as I got a kitty for my birthday.

Reba - Thank you for the well wishes, and the kitty has been safely rescued!

Julia - That is so sweet, thank you very much. I felt like crap, but on the bright side I got a kitty, I had doughnuts and cheesecake, and I got an awesome necklace that says: "I love Mr. Darcy". I will have to post a pic of it later.

Judy - Thank you, I have a feeling that this year will be great! Luckily my mom let me have my big gift (a light pad) a few days before my birthday, so I got to use it before I really felt under the weather. The game was a bit disappointing for us Broncos fans, but those Seahawks were amazing last night.

Pawz - I had heard that everyone had their favorite doctor. I am liking Tennant more then first at the moment, but that might change as I get further into the season.

RD - Thanks for the vote of confidence. Unlimited credit at Amazon eh? I don't think you quite know what you would have gotten yourself into there. Sadly I missed it huh? I don't plan on 'passing' for quite awhile yet though.

Paul - haha, well I am back online, is it funny now? I would love unlimited credit, but I think things like that only happen in dreams. *sigh*

Mom - Thank you! What would I do without such a loving mom? *smooch*

Marjolein - Thank you so much! haha, thank you, that pic is from last year. My hair is a few inches longer now. I am thrilled to be 18, I was looking forward to partying it out, but that didn't quite happen. We are saving most of the birthday stuff until I am better and can properly appreciate it.

Diana - Thank you, most of us felt better yesterday, only 2 of us are still really under the weather.

Amber - You are too sweet. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst either. And I got mostly books last year, so that golden package probably contains a few!

Morphy - That is so cute!

Paul - Aww, thanks. All of you are making me feel very happy right now!

Rhian - Thank you, I bet I will be feeling better tomorrow.

Ursula - Thanks for dropping by, the birthday was just fine.

Roberta - Thank you!

Reba - haha thanks. That photo was from last year's birthday, I stayed in pjs most of yesterday, and I bet my hair looked as if a bird was nesting in it.

Connie - Thank you, I will.

Julia - You are too kind. All of the well wishes are making me feel a bit better. When I'm dancing again I will be sure to throw in an extra twirl just for you!

Joe - Thank you, we haven't really done presents yet. We are waiting till I'm better so that I can properly enjoy them. My voice is like gravel right now, so I'm not really talking. When I can talk and squeal again, I will get my gifts and let you know!

Jim - Thanks, the best part of the day was when I got to hold the kitten. It is too cute.

RD - Oh Richard, how disappointed you must be to realize that you aren't prophetic. Sorry dear, though as you were prophesying my death, i'm probably not that sorry.

Pawz - Thank you, it was pretty good all things considered! I'm looking forward to a quick recovery too.

Stephanie - Thank you so much.

Tamara - Thank you. All of you on LT are so nice to come and wish me a happy birthday, I really appreciate it.

Cee - Thank you! Love the writing on that cake.

Melissa - thanks.

Lori - Thank you so much.

Mary - thank you. Not feeling better yet, but hopefully I will tomorrow. How could I not with all these well wishes?

I missed you there Paul - I am glad he was wrong too. Sorry I was gone for so long, I just got a bit caught up with trying to get the kitten and being sick. Next time I will at least pop in to say that I'm still breathing.

Hope you had a great time yesterday, Abby! Hugs from the frigid Midwest. Any gift books?

Mark - Thank you for the Birthday wishes! I have no idea if I will receive any books, I do hope so. I will let everyone know whenever we do the gifts. Hope you are staying warm.

haha! Wonderful! Thank you, that put a huge smile on my face.

happy belated birthday, Abby!

Sorry you haven't been feeling well...but since it means your birthday celebration has been extended, I don't feel so bad about being a day late with my wishes: HAPPY 18! You'll never be this young again! (OK, those of us who have trouble remembering back as far as our 18th birthdays can go a bit overboard with the jokes.) And YAY! for a kitty for a present. Nothing beats "Fuzz therapy". Hope there will be lots of pictures.

Rather late to the party, but happy belated birthday, Abby!!! Hope it was a wonderful one!

And on another note, frnjlawwiueh;sdjnc;kjsdfgw4ieah;aiWhat?! You hadn't watched Doctor Who before?? Oh, you have so many hours of wonderful magical television in front of you!! I always get excited when I hear people discovering Doctor Who! It's become something of a mild obsession for me... lol

Nora - thank you!

Linda - hahaha, my mom said that we will just make this my birthday week. It will be epic. I am feeling a little better now that the day is further in. We got the kitten all checked out and she is fine! That means we can keep her. Her name is Mercy (Mercedes Thompson) and yes, there will definitely be lots of pictures!

David - Thank you for the birthday wishes. I am absolutely loving Doctor Who. My other siblings do not get my fascination with it unfortunately. Of course that just means that I will have to talk about it constantly on LT. I am thinking I might draw some of the characters...I really want to do Rose in the Charles Dickens time period. I think that's episode 3? I have become quickly obsessed as well. The two episodes with the gas masks freaked me out, but those have been the only ones. I find the second doctor to be very funny. I am only a few episodes into the second season, but I am already in love with the show. I am going to have to read one of the books.

Happy Birthday Week, ABBY!!!!

Happy belated birthday, dearest Abby!!!! So sorry you felt crummy on the day of, but in my family we believe in "moveable" birthdays! So once y'all are recovered, you can celebrate properly!

And I saw the picture of Mercy on your Kim's thread. She's just gorgeous! Lucky kitty girl to have picked your crawl space! :)

Yes, yes and yes the day has arrived!

So glad to hear you're feeling better, Abby. I like the idea of having a birthday week to make up for being sick on the actual day. :-)

Here is my dear, dear kitten Mercy:



We let her out and played with her today. She was adorable. At first she was a bit nervous and ran from spot to spot, but as time went on she got more comfortable. She chased a ball, pounced on a stuffed tiger, and jumped in and out of our coffee table. Last night she fell asleep in my lap, and it was probably the cutest thing I have ever seen. I am in love with this kitten! (sorry RD)

Mercy is adorable, Abby, and it's pretty hard not to fall in love with a little kitty. I am almost as excited as you are to be starting that series with Cinder. I should get to it in a few days.

Katie - Thank you, feeling better today so birthday week is looking up!

Tina - thanks, I am liking the moveable birthday. I cannot stop myself from smiling every single time I see that kitten. I am so happy that she chose to stop at our house!

Roberta - We actually got our copy late Monday! We were so thrilled. My mom is letting me read it first, and I will be starting it later today.

Julia - Thank you. I am so thankful to my mom for giving me a birthday week. Now I can enjoy it.

Judy - Thank you! Oh, I loved Cinder, and I loved Scarlet even more! I have very high hopes for Cress.

Here's another one to show her size and coloring properly:

I love the black smug on her nose - very cute!

Mercy is such a cute little bundle of fur! I love how intently she is watching the stuffed toy in your hand.

Jim - I know! I find it adorable myself.

Lori - Thanks, she couldn't take her eyes off of the toy when Dan was playing with her. I wish I had video footage, she would jump in the coffee table and then leap out at the toy and then back into the coffee table. It was hysterical.

Looks like Mercy is adapting quite well. She really is very pretty. I'm amazed she looks so healthy and fine given her history. Fun times.

Our friends (and we) claim a "birthday season" (of varying lengths) for any "significant" birthday. Eighteen certainly qualifies as a "significant" one so stake your claim to a nice long birthday season :)

Happy Wednesday, Abby!

Hope you're feeling improved, Abby. Looks like Mercy is settling in just fine.

Mercy is ADORABLE!

And the gas mask Doctor Who episodes were creepy! 10 is my Doctor. I know that there will be other Doctor's that are fantastic (I'm REALLY looking forward to Capaldi's 12), but 10 is always going to have a special place in my heart(s).

Abby, I love the picture of you and Mercy on your mom's latest thread. She looks like she was waiting her whole life for you to come along.

Hi Abby- It looks like you are enjoying Mercy! She isn't keeping you from your books, is she? I just requested Cress. I like these on audio.

I can't get over how adorable that kitten is! What a birthday present!

Mercy is definitely a keeper. Black and white kitties are officially my favorite since Molly adopted us last fall. Here's a link to a picture of Molly from my 2013 thread, so I don't clutter up your thread with it, or steal Mercy's thunder.

Reba - We were surprised by how well she looked too. It's so interesting to learn about everyone else's birthday traditions! You never really think about other people doing it differently until they tell you.

Richard - Thanks, it was a pretty good one.

Joe - I am feeling quite a bit better. The sore throat is gone so that is a huge improvement.

David - Thank you! Are we talking the old and the new Doctor Who tv show, or just the new? I haven't seen the older show, but I did know that everyone has their favorite doctor. It makes sense; it's just like everyone has their favorite James Bond. As for me, I love Daniel Craig in the role.

Julia - Thank you so much, I am already completely in love with her. That is so sweet.

Mark - She has been keeping me from everything. I can't get enough of her. I haven't been reading very much, watching movies very much, or doing art (which is the biggest sign that I love her) hardly at all. I have finished a total of 9 books this month so far, but I hope that when things settle down I can get more done.

Stephanie - I keep catching myself smiling at her all the time. Last night she fell asleep stretched out in my arms while Dan and I watched Seinfeld. It was the cutest thing. She is a magnificent gift!

Linda - Oh, your fine, Molly looks like she is having a deep conversation with you. Her eyes are very expressive. How did Molly adopt you?

By the way, if you really want to have some fun with Mercy, get a laser pointer. Seriously, cats love that little red spot... :)

I love Mercy! she is so cute!

Jim - ha, I will keep that in mind. Right now her favorite toy is a small blue ball.

Connie - Thank you, we are all suckers for her here. It's funny because although all of us can tell that my dad likes her, he doesn't want to admit it. He keeps saying he can't believe we own a cat, but we keep catching him petting her.

Yippee, it's Friday! Mercy is already up and playing with one of my siblings. Who knew that a kitten could be the greatest alarm clock? Last night we all had Steak'n'Shake and watched Thor the Dark World for dinner. It was great. The burgers were good, the movie was excellent, and I had ice cream after my burger. Tonight I am deeply looking forward to watching the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. The winter Olympics are always my favorite. I absolutely love ice skating & ice dancing. I also like to see the skiers and the snowboarders. What are other people's favorite events? Plus, do you like the Summer Olympics or the Winter Olympics more?

Just be sure to get a pet safe laser pointer. They can be found in pet stores. Others can harm cat's eyes.

Cress is waiting for pick up at the library!

ETA: Stake'n'Shake?

I didn't know that about laser pointers! Thanks for telling me. I am so excited about Cress. It's great that there are a lot of us reading it here on LT, because then we can all discuss it!

Steak'n'Shake is a restaurant that serves stake burgers, fries, and shakes. It's one of my favorites because it has the best fries ever. I'll see if I can find a pic.

*opps, didn't realize the typo, I've been reading too many vampire books*

I love Steak 'n' Shake too, Abby. The fries seriously are the best ever. I remember as a kid being completely fascinated by the takeout counter sign — Takhomasak. I used to imagine that it was some long-lost American Indian tribe (that apparently specialized in burgers, fries, and shakes? Who knows. I was a weird kid.)

>128 Thebookdiva: Yes, Molly was saying "Turn off stoopy computer and play with your kitty!" My brother and his family live on a farm and there are always lots of kittens in the barn. He encouraged us to meet this one, as he said she was meant to be a house cat. Followed people around, trying to climb their legs, very affectionate when picked up, etc. So, we made her acquaintance, and then of course, we were helpless to resist.

Julia - haha, that is so cute! I think that all kids imagine themselves different places all the times. I know that my siblings and I liked to pretend that we were spys.

Linda - That is so sweet, and I love animals with attitude. We are some of those crazy pet owners who sometimes talk for our animals. Sometimes you just know what they're saying though, their faces are so expressive.

Abby, I am definitely a Winter Olympic fan over the summer. I like all the various events but hope to particularly watch the Figure Skating. I will be watching the Opening Ceremony tonight as well my favorite part of that is watching the all the athletes come into the stadium.

I'm also a fan of Steak 'n' Shake and of the Olympics. I prefer the winter games over the summer ones, and my favorite events are alpine skiing, hockey, and speed skating.

We don't have Steak n Shake in Malaysia or, as far as I know, in the UK. Sounds like buying out the franchise for Malaysia would be a winner!

Have a great weekend, Abby.

I love both the Olympics. For the winter games my favorit subjects are speed skating, skiing and snowboarden.

Oh my lordy lou, Morphy - you've never had Steak n' Shake?! You're missing out on a little piece of heaven!

I'm happy for (read: extremely jealous of) you, Abby, that you had Steak n' Shake burgers and fries. I miss that place sorely since we moved from Ohio to the Cold Horribleness, uh, I mean Wisconsin. They don't seem to have them here...

No Steak 'n' Shake in Wisconsin? How terrible. I'm glad that we do have them here in Iowa, though they certainly are not as ubiquitous as Mickey D's.

Oooh Steak n Shake! Yummmm

Happy weekend!

I've seen Steak n Shake on trips east but never eaten at one. Must try one this summer.

Olympics -- I guess I have a slight preference for winter. Favorite events are: figure skating, skiing and snow-boarding, gymnastics, and diving. Basically I prefer individual sports that show the amazing things a well-trained human body can do to team or speed sports.

I'm more of Summer Olympics fan, but I'm glad they're adding some more interesting events in the Winter games, like snowboarding.

I'm just an Olympics fan, myself. I guess I lean a little toward the winter games, although I watched a lot more beach volleyball than I thought I would be able to stand during the last summer games. I like figure skating and short-track speed skating in particular. I watched the new slopestyle snowboarding event, and the men's competition was okay. The women's was pretty boring. I'm hoping to catch some of the freestyle skiing on the half pipe - that looks pretty interesting!

>144 rosalita: Julia: !! Is there a S n' S in Iowa City?! I'll be right over...

#149> There is indeed! Come on down!

Nope, no Steak and Shakes. However, I do think we recently got one of those hamburger joints that are famous out in California.

Nope, double checked. No In n Out burgers either.

>128 Thebookdiva: - I was talking New Who. In the shows mythology (for lack of a better word), Chris Eccleston (the first doctor of the new series) is actually the Ninth Doctor (or 9), David Tennant is 10, Matt Smith is 11, and Peter Capaldi will be 12.

Hi Abby- Big waves from the winter wasteland. Thanks to your wonderful, wonderful mother, I now have a copy of Cress, which I hope to get to soon. FF has been crazy. Have you started the Iron Druids books?

Greetings from Mark's buddy, too, Abby. Hope your health is back to 100%. What are you reading now?

Hi Abby. Sending hugs!

Hello everyone, so sorry that I have been absent. I am still sick and tired of being so. Mercy has also captured the majority of my time lately. I will answer individual posts in a bit, but for now here is what I have finished this month:

1) Dance in the Vampire Bund vol. 1 by Nozomu Tamaki GN
2) Dance in the Vampire Bund vol. 2 by Nozomu Tamaki GN
3) Dance in the Vampire Bund vol. 3 by Nozomu Tamaki GN
4) Dance in the Vampire Bund vol. 4 by Nozomu Tamaki GN
5) Teen titans vol. 1 by Geoff Johns GN
6) Teen titans vol. 2 by Geoff Johns GN
7) Teen titans vol. 3 by Geoff Johns GN
8) Teen titans vol. 4 by Geoff Johns GN
9) Teen titans vol. 5 by Geoff Johns GN
10) Teen titans vol. 6 by Geoff Johns GN
11) Teen titans vol. 7 by Geoff Johns GN
12) Teen titans vol. 8 by Geoff Johns GN
13) The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare GN
14) Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind vol. 1 by Hayao Miyazaki GN
15) Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind vol. 2 by Hayao Miyazaki GN
16) Inuyasha vol. 17 by RUmiko Takahashi GN
17) Howl's Moving Castle vol. 1 by Diana Wynne Jones & Hayao Miyazaki GN
18) Howl's Moving Castle vol. 2 by Diana Wynne Jones & Hayao Miyazaki GN
19) Howl's Moving Castle vol. 3 by Diana Wynne Jones & Hayao Miyazaki GN
20) Howl's Moving Castle vol. 4 by Diana Wynne Jones & Hayao Miyazaki GN
21) The Hedge Knight (A Game of Thrones Prequel GN) by George RR Martin
22) Infinite Crisis by Geoff Johns GN
23) Witch and Wizard vol. 1 by James Patterson GN
24) Witch and Wizard vol. 2 by James Patterson GN
25) Artemis Fowl 1 by Eoin Colfer GN
26) The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Top Reads:

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind vol. 1 by Hayao Miyazaki GN 5 Stars
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind vol. 2 by Hayao Miyazaki GN 4.9 Stars
The Hedge Knight (A Game of Thrones Prequel GN) by George RR Martin 4.7 Stars

Judy - I absolutely love the figure skating. It seemed strange to me that they held the team event before the individual events though. I love watching the athletes enter the stadium as well.

Katie - Wonderful! I'm glad I have fellow winter fans here.

Paul - Oh, Steak n Shake is one of my favorites. Hope you had a great weekend as well.

Connie - I am also a fan of those events, especially the snowboarding! I can't wait to see Shaun White!

Amber - totally agree about a little piece of heaven. Aww, I am so sorry that you don't have one where you live now.

Julia - Mickey D's?

RD - yumm indeed! Hope you had a happy weekend too.

Reba - You simply must try Steak n Shake, you won't regret it! I am a fan of the gymnastics in the summer olympics myself. I like to watch the swimming events with my mom. It's funny because she holds her breadth whenever the swimmers are underwater. By the time they are done, she's out of breadth too! We all find it vastly amusing here.

Joe - I like the new winter events that they have added in. The snowboarding events with the pipes and 3 jumps was really cool to watch. Can't remember what it's called at the moment…

Ursula - Slope style, that's what it's called. I agree about the women's being pretty tame compared to the men. The half pipe is one of my favorite events! I will by supporting Shaun White. I don't know how those speed skaters do it, truly impressive.

Morphy - Oh man, what is up with that?

David - Got it. That makes total sense now.

Mark - Hello! I hope you like Cress and that the weather gets warmer there soon. I have not started the Iron Druids books. Being sick I have fallen back on my GN favorites. I am trying to get through some new books though. I've been sleeping like crazy lately, so hopefully when that passes I can get more done.

Joe - Still sick, I can't seem to get rid of it. My mom is still sick too, but everyone else is feeling 100% again. I am currently reading:

The Night Circus
Howl's Moving Castle
Harry Potter Film Wizardry
The Clockwork Scarab
Harry Potter Page To Screen the Complete Filmmaking Journey
The Merchant's Daughter

RD - haha, thanks!

#157> Mickey D's is what we call McDonald's around here. :-)

Oh! I thought it might be, I didn't want to assume though in case I was wrong. Thanks for clarifying.

ABBY --- Mercy is sooooo precious!! I just smile like a dumb bunny every time I visit and see another picture of her! She makes me a goofy nut! I'm one of those crazy cat ladies, I suppose!

I'm so happy for you all!

I sure hope you can all kick this stuff to the curb FOR GOOD and soon! Feel better, dear!

No Steak & Shake around here. We have Five Guys...kind of like eating in the storage room, but the burgers are good. I think some of them are more diner-like than ours, and that would be OK with me. I need to keep my beef and milkshake consumption to a minimum, so a virtual visit to a Steak & Shake might be in my future!

Tina - haha, thank you. She has all of us wrapped around her paw already. Thanks for the well wishes - I am sure I will feel better soon!

Linda - haha, that's how we will all stay fit - virtual eating. I only like burgers every so often, but I am a huge milkshake fan.

Dear Abby, Lovely to see you back but less nice to find that you remain under the weather so to speak.

Presently I am reading Chicago Poems by Carl Sandburg and there is a poem in the collection called Mamie which starts thus:

Mamie beat her head against the bars of a little Indiana town and dreamed of romance and big things off somewhere the way the railroad trains all ran.

Dunno why but it brought to mind someone we both know; you more than I.

I'll try S & S this summer when I'm in NY. As to Five Guys, we got them a year or so ago. Hubby and I went right away and I thought they were just terrible. My fav fast food burger here is The Habit. The have wonderful sweet potato fries, very good burgers and nice salads if you want to be healthier. Second choice is In and Out -- very limited menu but great at what they do.

^ Reba, I don't think there are Steak 'n' Shakes in NY. At least there weren't when I was growing up because it was always a big deal when we would road trip to visit my Granny in Minnesota and there were SnS along the route.

The only good Five Guys I have been to is the original (or one of the earliest) in Arlington, VA. Once they franchised, they weren't so great.

Mooyah is a favorite of ours down here, but I don't know how widespread they are... But nothing compares to Whataburger which is limited, I believe, to Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

And now I realize I know waaaay too much about burger places. And I'm hungry.

Paul - glad to be back. That line does bring to mind a certain someone, thanks for sharing. I have not read much poetry lately. It has been mostly GNs and fun fantasy reads.

Reba - Wonderful! I hope you like it. I am learning about several different fast food places lately, it's interesting to see what everyone's favorite is. I have always wanted to try sweet potato fries myself, but have never had the opportunity.

Katie - We saw a Whataburger when we were on vacation in Florida. Dan was dying to try it, but we decided to go to applebees instead.

I forgot there are a few Whataburgers in the FL panhandle. You totally missed out!

Eating out on the road with our family is tricky, as Abby would admit, because Rae really likes to stick with something familiar so she knows what to order, and Birdy hates almost all food out - she likes to eat at home, silly girl!

Ah, that makes sense!

But the next time I see one of those, Dan and I are totally eating there, and everyone else can do what they want!!

That's the spirit! Or just come to Texas for a visit. I'll take WaB anywhere, but I swear the food tastes better in its home state :)

Now you're talking! I have never been to Texas - I'll just tell Craig that we need to pop over to Texas to get a burger and to visit with Katie!

Abby I'm glad you are feeling better. I think I'm catching something and I am dreading it!

You read lots of GNs while you were feeling sick. I read Cress and it was amazing!

Katie - did I? I guess the next time I see one I will have to stop in for a bite. I'm sure that Dan would be more than willing to go with me.

Mom - too true. I would like to come if you and Dan are going. ooh, Texas…I bet I could get some awesome pics.

Roberta - Oh no! You can't get sick, here's a get well *whammy*! I tend to read quite a bit of GNs whenever I am feeling ill. I don't know what it is about them. I have to get on Cress, I am dying to read it!

The only things worth doing or seeing in Texas are (1) Whataburger; (2) me; and (3) Roberta :-)

Maybe we can get Tina to swing over if The Pecan Paradiso crew are coming. She can pretend that she is visiting her brother here in Houston but she will really be coming to have a party with all of us!

Road trip from Georgia to Texas!

Abby thanks for the whammies! I bought some Tazo spicy ginger tea and some citrus fruit cough drops. My cousin Joe is going to make me a huge pot of chicken vegetable soup tomorrow. When I get home from work I'll eat some with some Mexican rice, lime and corn tortillas. Heaven! I think I might survive. I have to work this weekend so I'm trying to load up on all the good stuff.

With all those driving-age children plus Mamie and Craig, they could knock the drive out in a day. Just sayin'....

Great idea Katie! Plus I'm sure there is a way Mamie can incorporate some of the things along the way into the kids lesson plans so the trip can be "educational".

Get on it Mamie!

Road trip from Georgia to Texas!! I am loving the idea of that! How much fun would that be?!

I miss WhataBurger :-)
I have a friend who insists on hitting In 'n' Out whenever he's in the area. Last time he was in San Francisco, we got to meet for dinner. He took the train to about halfway between us so he could get his fix.
I pretty much don't eat fast food any more but there is a local burger place a few blocks away that I will stop in and get a bacon double cheeseburger wit' fries every once in a while.

Katie, I think there's a S&S in Erie, PA which is quite close to where we go in NY and, actually, right on the way. I may have to get off the highway at that exit on my way east this year :)

Katie - well wonderful, all of those things sound amazing!

Roberta - that would be fun. Hope you loved the meal, sounds tasty. Sorry, you have to work this weekend.

Katie - I don't know…Texas is pretty far to drive to in a day. We could make it work though.

mom - Supremely fun, let's be sure to grab Tina.

Stephanie - That is some serious dedication on his part. I love bacon on a burger; Dan loves bacon on anything.

Hey Abby! Sorry you are still under the weather, but apparently even sick you are still a reading maniac!

A local burger joint, for me, is always the best. Unfortunately almost all of the LBJs are gone now, replaced by franchise restaurants. Hate eating in them. There is one local LBJ that I can think of off the top of my head (located two towns away), but all the other good ones with the real onion rings and the normal sized cheeseburgers are a thing of the past, I guess.

Oooooooooh Whataburger! Oooohhhhhhh best fast-food burger ever! Double bacon double cheese double meat burger no lettuce extra mayo and mustard tomato pickle onion and jalapeno with a huge fries please and give the nasty fizzy drink to a homeless person.

But Richard, the question is, on a regular bun or Texas toast?

I'll join Roberta in nudging you to take a peek into Cress, Abby. You're going to love it.

Texas toast, please, do you even need to ask this I swaNEE these northren gals.

I was just checking your Texas bonafides ;-) Any burger is better on Texas toast, but I do love that you get a choice at WaB.

All this talk of it has given me quite a craving, but I've been good and resisted. I drive by every day on my way home from work and last night it was particularly hard not to stop in. But I was coming from the gym and couldn't see following that up with a burger and fries. But I'm thinking sometime this weekend I may have to indulge...

Joe - I just finished the book I was reading and am starting Cress today as a happy Valentines.

RD - Texas toast is the only way to go.

Katie - I find indulgence very satisfying myself.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thank you! *smooch*

Abby, every time I come to your thread I get hungry all over again! I'm going to have to start visiting only after meals. ;-)

haha, I always get hungry whenever I visit Joe's thread.

Happy Valentine's Day, Abby!

Happy valentine's day Abby! ♥

Joe - Thank you! That's so sweet! *smooch* Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday.

Marjolein - Oh my gosh, how did you do that heart?! That is super cute, Thank you so much!

Happy Valentine's Day, Abby. I brought you a Kitty Cat Valentine in honor of Mercy:

Thank you! I love vintage valentines.

We have a Five Brothers here in Minnesota, too. But with all I've heard here, I think I'll stick with a local family restaurant that serves good burgers. I usually get a Swiss Mushroom burger that is mighty fine.

I've seen the movies for Nausicaa and Howl's Moving Castle. Both which I enjoyed thoroughly. However, I did not like the book for Howl's Moving Castle at all. I've never tried the graphic novels. Are they based on the movies?

I have not seen the movie for Nausicaa, so I cannot give a comparison there. However, I have seen the movie version of Howl's Moving Castle. The GN is an adaptation of the movie with the same artwork, scenes, and dialogue. They come in 4 small paperback novellas & are completely in color. Since I do not have easy access to the movie Howl's Moving Castle, the GNs are a great way to get the same experience as the movie would give.

For those that are not acquainted with both the book and the movie, they are completely different in storyline. For me, I loved the book and rate it higher than the movie, but if you want a glimpse into the world to see if you might be interested I would suggest watching the movie. The characters are likable and funny, and both story lines are interesting. The book gives more of an insight into the characters and magic of the world, especially to the character of Howl. The movie focuses more on the relationships between the characters and how inner strength is realized. I found that both formats brought something new to the story and taught different lessons. I would highly recommend both the movie and the book Howl's Moving Castle.

As a side note, this is what the animation of the movie looks like:

Happy Sunday, Abby! Have you read Eleanor & Park? It is my current audio and it's very good. It reminds me a little of Perks, which is one of my favorite YA's.
I will also be starting Daughter of smoke & Bone. Have you read this one?

Dear Abby - Some lovely Valentine graphics here. The only one with a picture on I sent to my boss via Belle at the appointed time and won me a rare smile.
Glad to see all at the Paradisio are slowly recovering and that your posting energy levels are returning with buttons on.

Mark - I have not read Eleanor & Park, but I have heard very good things about it! I have read Daughter of Smoke & Bone. It's a fantastic book, I absolutely loved it. It has in depth characters, an imaginative world, and a great story line. I hope you really like it.

Paul - Excellent! that was a smart plan on your part. I hope the recovering continues, I missed having the energy to be on LT. All of you are so great and fun to talk to!

TEXAS ROAD TRIP!!! :)

I'm in!!! As soon as my vacation kicks in (that'll be 2014, so that stinks).

That would be one swinging meet up!!!

I think my friend Tina partook some of my cough syrup. It is 2014 silly! Do you mean later in the year or do you mean 2015?

Tina - Wouldn't it? I'm dying to meet ya'll!

Roberta - hee, I like your way of putting that.

How did it get to be 2014? It was 1995 about ten minutes ago. And it's almost March! *shiver*

I'm a Miyazaki fan, Abby, and I have the small GNs of Howl's Moving Castle, too. The same publisher (I believe it's the same one) puts them out for his other movies, including My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. It's wonderful to see the animation in still pictures, with all the detail.

Oh dear, Richard is losing it. Just come over here dear, that's right. Let's just sit down and read quietly for a bit, OK? I'll get you a blanket.

Joe - Hayao Miyazaki is my art IDOL. I love him. For my b-day my mom bought me the box set of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, which was amazing. I have not had the pleasure of watching My Neighbor Totoro. I cannot find it anywhere, not even at the library. I think that I will probably have to buy it if I want to see it. I recently watched Princess Mononoke & The Secret World of Arriety. Both of those are fabulous. I have seen spirited away about 8 times along with Castle in the Sky. One of my favorites is Kiki's Delivery Service, but I can't get my hands on that DVD down here either. I was over the moon when Netflix got Howl's Moving Castle, but then they took it back off again. What is up with that? Do you have a favorite work?

Our kids generally think I'm nuts, Abby, and my love of Miyazaki fits with that. They liked Spirited Away all right when they were young, but the one they thought was great was My Neighbor Totoro. Those two are my favorites, although I like the others you mention a lot. They're so different, I couldn't pick between them, although Totoro is a pretty irresistible character. I love this scene in the movie, which you'll understand when you see it:

My daughter absolutely loved Kiki's Delivery Service when she was young. I took both of them to see Spirited Away in the theater, and they loved that, too. I don't know how many of the rest of Miyazaki's movies they've seen, but I've seen a good number of them.

Another Studio Ghibli movie (not directed by Miyazaki) that we watched was Grave of the Fireflies, which is ... grim. But good.

I love My Neighbor Totoro!

Ursula - I've seen Grave of Fireflies. I felt the same way about it. It was desperately sad, but I thought that it had some amazing thoughts on life and people. My favorite movie has to either be Kiki's Delivery Service or Princess Mononoke.

Stephanie - I will have to watch it then.

Chiming in as another big Miyazaki fan. Spirited Away is my favorite so far, but Charlie won't watch it yet - he's a bit scared of No Face...

Happy Tuesday Everyone! Today I woke up and immediately went for the fridge. As I type this I am eating an absolutely fabulous piece of cheesecake for breakfast. I love cheesecake (not being a regular cake person) and always choose it for my birthday cake. We did the cake and candles last night and even Mercy got a small bite. I will be back later to say what my last book gift was.

This is the cheesecake that I chose, New York with Strawberry topping from the cheesecake factory (the frozen kind from the store), though mine had a graham cracker crust and whipped cream on it:

That cheesecake looks delicious, Abby. What a perfect breakfast choice!

Julia - thank you, it was very good.

Glad I just ate breakfast or I would be drooling all over my new computer!! Sounds like you had a great birthday.

>211 Thebookdiva: I think Disney has gotten a hold of the Studio Ghibli and is putting them out in rotation like they do with their own animated movies. *grumbles*

Thankfully I've purchased a few. I have Nausicaa, Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.

Reba - ha, ha, sorry. It was a great birthday, my family really went all out.

Morphy - Ugh! Disney always irritates me when it does that. I am having some serious movie envy right now. I will have to see if my local library has Nausicaa, and I think i'm just going to buy Kiki's Delivery Service.

Ok! The new thread is up, come on over!