All The Latest: Good News/Bad News 17

Time for a new thread!

GN: (heads up family) It looks like I might be getting Christmas eve off this year!
BN: even if I do I still can't drive to mom and dads until Christmas eve morning
GN: Because my boss is throwing us a holiday party in our new office!
SomewhatGN: If I don't get the whole day off then I'll at least be able to leave by 1pm and Don is taking off that day so you'll still get the three of us by 5pm no matter what!

(Here's hoping I get the day off so we can be there in the morning!)

good news: it snowed today
bad news: I fell on my butt on my way out the door
good news: snow broke my fall
bad news: guess who is soaking wet?

BN: It's very cold outside.

GN: I have tonight off!

BN: I'm going to be spending the majority of tonight writing a 7-9 page paper about the increase of divorce and its effects on society.

Good news: I get to do a mini-floorset at work soon, and, because they're testing my leadership and since my boss has never been in charge of one, I get to run it!

GN: I now have 3 days off in a row! Whoop!
BN: Erm....can't think of any!

GN> I shawdowed the cook at work today and learned where things are and my duties. next week sometime is the food order and when that comes in I will be able to watch how she does the paperwork. It was fun!

BN> I have to get used to standing on tile most of the day again

BN: I heard some distressing news today about how one of our judges conducts her courtroom.

GN: I made another judge squeal like a little girl. (It was just because I brought him a document he was waiting for - no comments, MrA.)

Good News: Barnes & Noble shopping trip to spend my gift card!

Bad News: I only bought one thing, because I got overwhelmed and confused and had less than an hour to make my purchase before I had to pick up my daughter from dance class. Does that happen to anyone else?

Constantly. I get frustrated anymore shopping in crowds.

#8 Does that mean I can say something?

I find that I dislike bookshopping as much when the stores are busy, too. If I can't find what I'm looking for, I get too impatient to wait for help. Of course, the last wait was twenty minutes. It all turned out to be because my mother who I'd wandered from was just chatting with the staff. It happens all the time. ;)

*whispers* Next time hold your mom's hand.

GN: I get a three-day weekend!
BN: I need to spend at least some of it cleaning the house.

Warning - those who are feint of heart should not select the link, it is graphic and scary...

A couple of weeks ago a 3-4 metre white pointer was caught in the shark nets at the beach next to the one we swim at. A report was distributed soon after with images courtesy of Google maps which shows that we are always swimming with sharks :(

http://www.australiancoastalwatch.com.au/news/bnshark14432tx.article.html

Ms Donna...... That was not nice of you (or for you).

Did you click on the link? I decided to put myself in the catergory to not look. Sharks freak me out.

A work colleague who swims there every morning sent it to me and asked me to open it because it didn't open on their comp. People came running because we both in unison screamed very loudly.

PS. A warning was posted. At least it isn't a LOL fish.

Saw the warning but curiosity got the better of me so of course I did click on the link.

I'm having second thoughts about moving back to the coast now.

Edited because I couldn't spell curiosity. (It still looks peculiar to me.)

It's the multiplicity of the i.

That gave me a heartattack, I dropped my laptop. Thanks for the early morning scare MsD lol :)

I knew something like that was going to happen, but I clicked on the link anyway *stupid!stupid!stupid!*

Yeah, I knew I shouldn't do it at work, but I couldn't help myself. I'll be fine as soon as my heart makes it's way back to my chest.

LOL I didn't have the audio on, so it didn't scare me...

I had music on my laptop but it still scared me. My cat (who was peacefully sleeping on my lap) jumped up and looked at me with an evil glare.....

GN: I got my braces off!!!!!
BN: I have to wear retainers...it sucks!
BN: I got my swine flu shot yesterday and my arm is honestly incapacitated!
GN: At least there's no school today!
BN: I have a cold. :o(

#11 No! You neither!

MsD, you gave me a heart attack! Good one ;-)

hmmm maybe that would have been scarier with the sound on...

Aw gee, I thought it was gonna be scary.

I think I'll enjoy my blissful ignorance. Thanks for the warning MsD! I, of course...

...GAH! I can't stand it! The curiosity is overwhelming!!!!

....

I'm OK now. Thanks for the warning to turn off the sound!

that scared the crap out of me! I was just expecting to just see how many sharks there were or something and then a shark pops out of no where.

GN: I started and finished my 7 page AP Lit paper today. Yes. 7 pages. I wrote it in about 3 hours probably. I think I did alright too.

GN: It's the weekend.

GN: I have the majority of my calculus project done, I just need to make it look neat and make a fake can out of poster board.

BN: Work tonight. Boo.

GN: Today was the last Friday of this semester at school =D

that just scared me so bad...I bit my lip and know it is bleeding :( bad news...

i'm sorry kel. You had best stay away from the screen for a while, blood attracts... SHARKS!

>#30: What, no spoiler alert?

GN: I graduate tomorrow
BN: I still have finals next week

BN: I have no life.
GN: At least the bathroom is clean.

Great News: I got accepted to Purdue!!!
**Note: Missy, that means I will probably be invading your house and making fudge with you all the time =D

congrats mindy!

Yay, Mindy! (Do you want me to knit you some mittens? It's cold there.)

RE # 15 (shark link)
I am so very curious now, but I won't click the link! You can't make me!

#32 MrA RE #30:
Bwaha.

#33 Rissa:
You should have told us sooner! Congratulations!! :)

#34 foggi:
*hugs*

#35 mindy:
Congratulations! That's awesome news!

Bad news:
I'm afraid I lost a new black cardigan wrap that I love to wear at work. I will be so sad if that's true.

Good news:
My District Manager is very impressed with me.

Bad news:
The cost of it is our gift exchange. See the gift exchange thread for details.

Mindy, thats wonderful! Congrats!

CONGRATULATIONS MINDY!!!!!!

32: thank you for your concern :)

Bad news: RE #38:
It's definity lost. I checked the car so this means it fell out of it when I got dropped off at work. They're not sold anymore. :(

Rissa: Congratulations! That's so exciting!!!

Mindy: Your's is exciting too!!! Congratulations!

Happy day!

K: Sorry about your cardigan wrap, and you not being able to be at the chat next week. But exciting that your DM is happy with you!

foggi: I have no life either, and both of my bathrooms are clean too. Hmmm.... Coincidence? I think not.

I have no life, and my bathrooms have not yet been cleaned. You have just reminded me that that was on my list of things to do today. Thanks!

#35: Congrats mindy, you must be so excited!!

#38: That's great news about your work, K!

GN: The christmas tree and the christmas lights are up...now I am just drumming my fingers till my mom starts decorating the tree so I can help her...
GN: My closest friend's boyfriend is going to the states on Monday for a whole week, but my friend is staying here (she got her american visa denied) and he's bringing me my christmas gift from there :D...
Awesome news: He just called me and told me to think of things I would like to get (I imagine that's besides the christmas gift)...Any ideas anyone?

Gosh Ron, I don;t know, I'll have a think...

GN: Tree is up! Whoop! It has EVERY decoration we own on it, but looks FABULOUS!!!! I don't think there's an inch of space or a colour in the rainbow that goes unrepresented. I love it!!!

I love a multicolored tree! I'm sure a purist would look at my tree and shudder but I like the combination of cheap, expensive, homemade and gift Ornaments on it.

Me too!! Hurrah!!!

#46: I would love to see a picture of your Christmas tree, LadyN!

#37 If you want to knit me gloves LG your more than welcome too! I love knitted things =D

MrsD: I was leaning in real close to my screen to see all the sharks and about jumped out of my skin! lol

Rissa: Congrats!

Mindy: Congrats!

GN: Had a better day today than yesterday -- while I did spend most of the afternoon cleaning the kitchen, I went to a Christmas party in the evening, which was just enough social interaction for me.

BN: Did not yet get any of the baking done that I meant to do today.

#43 & #45:
Thanks, Kirby and Ron.

kirby and foggi,
I could lend each of you one of my sisters, and still have one left to make my own bathroom a mess. What do you say? ;)

#45 Ron:
Are there any books you would like? I know you always love getting books from the US when your friends travel.

Good news: Aloft has decided I do exist, and that she does love me, after ignoring me for a full week to nap in another part of the house.
Bad news: She's asleep and covering part of my keyboard. ;)

#49 - Ron, I'll see what I can do, but I do have awful trouble getting photos up... :-/

Bring on the monkey pictures. If you can't upload them, I'll find some of MrAndrew to tide us over.

Ha ha ha!!! Ok, I'll have another go...RIGHT NOW!!!

BN: It's cold and there's only about a quarter of a tank of heating oil left.
GN: I'm still plotting my escape south, though probably not until the end of January. Still plenty of cold and gray to escape then.

Bad news: Slinky's outside missing somewhere. We can't find her when we go out. One of the dogs pushed the door open yesterday and my grandparents closed her out without knowing. They kept telling she she was just hiding inside but now we know she's not. It's dark, been pouring, and tonight will be her second night out so we're upset about it.

Good news: Me,too hasn't been around since she's been gone so maybe at least she is not alone.

K, I am sure slinky and Me,too are out having an adventure! They will be back home looking for mommy soon! Sending all my go home thoughts out to your kitties!

Yah for Christmas decorations! We don't have any up yet do to the huge mess in our house because of the leak. We've torn up part of the floors, and replaced all but the tile (that's supposed to be in today). Also had to replace part of a wall, and paint. The paint looks really good. We also have to replace the back of one of our large cabinets because of the mold that the leak caused. Anywho... all of our furniture and stuff from the Kitchen and Family room is in the Living Room and in boxes in the master bedroom. No room for decorations.

#53 K: I think I'll pass this year. We do have a huge mess in the rest of the house, hence no Christmas decorations.
#58 K: Hopefully they will return soon. I know you're worried, but like Bella said perhaps they are having an adventure.

GN: I have successfully cleared off the Library Table in the Living Room. I'm going to put a small tree on it so we have a little Christmas Cheer in our house.
GN: Five, count them, five more days of school before winter break!

BN: It's Monday, and I somehow need to make it through the week...

GN: Next week is x-mass and I will be home for the first time for the holiday since 2005!

GN: I got my bloodwork back and for the most part I'm healthy.

BN: My cholesterol and triglycerides levels are a little high. Doctor says I need to cut back on Carbs...what am I going to eat now?

BN: I just found out that a good friend of mine from college was killed by a drunk driver Saturday night. The last couple of months his Facebook updates made it clear that he had fallen in love. He was happier than I had ever seen him. His girlfriend was with him when the accident occurred. Her spine is fractured in several places but she's alive. John was one of my first friends in school, he was at my wedding and when my marriage broke up, I stayed with him for a few days. My last year of college we lived across the street from each other. We've had ups and downs in our friendship, but we were always there when it mattered. My heart is broken.

I love you, big sis! {{{{{{BIG TIGHT HUG}}}}}}

#58: Sending positive vibes and that Slinky returns safely and soon to your house, K!

#63: I am really sorry bib, {{hugs}}

BN: My friend couldn't go to the states...the airline sold more seats than it had...
GN: He will leave on Wednesday (hopefully)

How horribly sad, bib. Increasing the {{{hugs}}}

Oh bib! More {hugs} sent your way. I am so sorry.

63: wow, I am really sorry for your loss...

#63 -- So sorry to hear it. More (((hugs)))

Oh Bib! I am so sorry! ((((hugs))))

One of the Charlotte news stations picked up the story, it's posted on the internet (http://www.wsoctv.com/news/21965506/detail.html - not that I'd expect anyone else to be all that interested) It's so weird to watch something like that about someone you know, it's so clinical. Thanks for the hugs everyone, they're much appreciated.

#59 Bella, 60 Kirby, & 65 Ron:
Thank you. Me,too turned up today. If he's still around tomorrow I may take him with me on a kitty leash on part of tomorrow's search for Slinky. He would let me.

Bib,
I am very, very sorry. We love you! I'm sending you the biggest hug across the US.

I'm sorry bib. Please accept this ::AIR HUG::

Slinky's back!! My mom and grandparents had been so negative about us seeing her again we're all a bit teary. After being fed and pampered she showed her happiness by doing her funny rolls ( - she's a bit handicapped - ) on the carpet while talking to us.

I'm sorry bib ((hugs))

K, Congrats! I am so happy she is home!

BN: It is 3 in the morning and I am wide awake. Tomorrow is going to be horrible. Though at least I got some sleep tonight.

Other BN: My boss still hasn't mae up her mind on where I am going to be. I have been in the infant room for a week, but she hasn't given us a definate answer yet and she still hasn't said a word about it to me. She has talked about it to everyone else in the darn center but it's me who might be moving rooms and not a word!

I'm so sorry Bib ((hugs)).

GN: I've been working on an art project for a couple hours and I'm in love with it. I'll post pictures later =)

GN: Finals tomorrow.
BN: Finals tomorrow.

GN: I think I did really well on my calculus project. I really understood it so I was able to help other people. Since it was worth the same amount as a test, my teacher wasn't allowed to help us on the project. So i became the "teacher" for a little bit. Good practice I suppose =)

BIb, I'm so so sorry. All my thoughts are with you. xx

It's SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If it continues through the night, as is forecast, then I may not be able to get to work tomorrow :-)

London transport cannot cope with...well, weather really. As we learned in February this year, we come to a grinding halt if it snows. YAY!!!

Yay for snow!

We've made the hallway into the Polar Express!

bib, so sorry for your loss.

I've got nothin', just seeing how y'all are doing.

I'm so sorry, bib! *hugs*

Yay for slinky coming back!

80- Cool! We might get a bit of snow on Saturday night, but it's not likely. Go and play in the snow for me, okay? ;)

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! It's a blizzard here, and settling where I live! Odds on fora snow day at home tomorrow!! Unless London transport lets me down and has actually prepared for the weather we've been expecting for a week... Nah, they wouldn't have...

GN: All good news here today :)
GN: There is no bad news (relatively).

LadyN, enjoy the snow! I hope you wake up to find that there isn't any work on Friday.

Good news: I've officially finished the semester! Also, tonight my 24-year-old sister and I are going to go see our youngest sister's first high school choir concert.

I love choral singing, Kerian. Let us know what they sang.

Will do, Thrin! :)

We are supposed to get snow friday night so we shall see

BN: I fell on ice and hurt my arm
GN: I had my last two finals today and I get to move home tomorrow.

Ouch, poor you rissa. :-(

GN: It is still snowing.
BN: It hasn't snowed enough to stop me getting to work :-(
BBN: If it doesn't stop, I may not be able to get home again... I don;t wanna sleep in the office!

BN: We are supposed to get snow tonight into tomorrow and then into Sunday. (This is bad news because I still need to do all of my christmas shopping as I had to wait for this check to do it.)

GN: Hopefully that will mean I won't have work, or at least there won't be very many kids at work on Monday.

The weather report I saw is calling for the snow to start early tomorrow morning, not tonight. Which channel do you watch Bella?

GN: Today is my 4th Wedding Anniversary!!

GreatN: Hubby comes home today after being gone for 15 days!!! He is on his plane somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean and will be home when I get home from work today!!!!! BEST PRESENT EVER!!!

Happy Anniversary! How exciting that he's coming home today. :D

Congratulations Mandy. Hope you and hubby have a lovely time.

GN: HUBBY HAS LANDED!!!

Congrats Mandy!

BN: One of my friend's fiance's recently left him for no legitimate reason and he's upset about it. I don't know what to do for him...

98 - That's very sad. All you can do is be there for him. That's all he'll want of you.

Oops, almost forgot:

BN: Borders has gone into liquidation. (Is this the same globally, or just in the UK?) The branch near my work will be gone in 5 days.
GN: They are having an everything-must-go liquidation sale.... 4 new books today!

The Good Thief
The Lady Elizabeth
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
and The Conjuror's Bird

I don't know which one to start with, since I've intended to read 3 of them for a while. But since I have an enormous TBR pile and am nowhere near finished Shadow of the Wind yet, it's not something I have to worry about just now.

Me again.

BN: The casual worker for tonight has called in sick. Which means I am on my own in the office until 10pm. For the second time this week.

GN: Today we have had a "drop in for Christmas wine and nibbles" day for all the London box office staff. Not many people came, so there is LOADS of food and wine left over :-)

Must be just there. I'm sure if it were going out here it would be big news.

I thought as much. Very sad. :-(

#94: Congrats on your anniversary Mandy, and it's awesome your husband could be with you today!

#102: Nope I checked on the internet after I read LadyN's status and it just said that they are closing like 200 hundred stores but 130 (including the big ones) will remain open...
P.S. I checked because I couldn't believe Borders would close before I get to visit one in the states :(

GN: I am officially on vacations...
BN: Somehow I have lots of things to do...
GN: I enjoy most of the things I have to do...

>100 LadyN:

Nai, I can enthusiastically recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, as I just read it for last month's book club. Loved it. Wonderful characters, wonderful concept. wonderful ending!

Also will recommend January's book club selection, The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. Don't know what's happening with my book club these days, picking books I enjoy! This one is set in Jackson, Mississippi, in the early 1960s and concerns the relationships between black maids and the white women they work for. Fascinating story and another group of interesting characters.

Bib I watch 6 abc... apparently it changed againw while I was at work, m aunt informed me they are calling for 11 inches. which is strangely blizzard like.

congrats mandy!

We're also supposed to be getting 20-30 mph winds, which is very blizzard like. I do NBC 10 for my forecasts, I trust Hurricane Schwartz.

lol, bib

on the borders colsings there are going to be many in the US too. Ron found a dandy little list of closings that he posted in a comment on LadyN's posting on facebook... I will try to repost it here so you can see if there are any near you!

http://media.bordersstores.com/content/mediarelations/BSRClosinglist.pdf

I feel like such a vulture clicking on that link . . . but the Waldenbooks nearest me is on the list of stores being closed. Sad.

GN: It's snowing! Sophie loves snow! It's the best thing ever!

(Snow is also good news because I don't think I will have to go out in in tomorrow -- otherwise I might be tempted to grumble a little.)

For Thrin. The following few paragraphs can be skipped over unless you want to read about my kid sister's high school winter concert and the songs they sung and played.

The event was opened with "Celebration" sung by both levels of choir singing together. Then my sister's choir, the beginning class, sang "Calypso Lullaby" (West Indies Carol), Dave and Jean Perry's "Hanukkah Night," and Bob Marley's "One Love."

I was surprised when I looked in the program to see my sister was given a solo in "One Love." It's usual for her to be chosen but she hadn't mentioned it. It was a great surprise. If anyone wants to sign into the HE photo account, my flickr account is marked as friends with it, and you may select it to view a clip of her singing that song. My great regret is that I was unprepared for her solo or I would have made enough space free in my camera to be able to record a video of the entire song.

Next, the advanced band played "O Come, Come, Emmanuel" (a 15th century French melody), "A Sailor's Odyssey" (based on "The Drunken Sailor"), "Silent Night," "Canciones Mexicana," and "Jingle Bells." The intermission followed this. Afterward some advanced choir members danced to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas," which we detested as it was the song my sister chose her solo on last winter and did so marvelously on. A clarinet and trumpet player played an unscheduled song together proceeded by another unscheduled song sung, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by one advanced choir member.

Last, the advanced choir sung and did a bit of dancing to Mitchell Parish's "Sleigh Ride," David Foster and Linda Jenner's "Grown-Up Christmas List," Beethoven's "Joyful, Joyful," and Johnny Marks' "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." I was really impressed with how well they did when the music stopped during one of their songs. They never so much as paused but went on, humming the tune to make up for the great silence that should have been filled with music at times.

Lastly, I would just like to say how sad the whole thing was because I was reminded just how harshly funds have been cut back. There were at least three choirs and three bands when I left that school seven-in-a-half years ago. My kid sister won't get the same opportunities with choir as she would have back then. Choir is for her what my books are to me.

. . . . . . .

#90 rissa:
Ouch. I hope your arm's better soon.

#94 Mandy:
Happy anniversary!

#98 mindy:
I'm trying to help a friend at work go through the same thing. I know just how hard it is to try to get a smile. Know your efforts aren't lost. I was warmed by the sound of my friend's laughter just two days ago.

#100 LadyN:
It's horrifying. I hope you at least get good finds and prices for it.

RE #108:
The Walden bookstore in the city that my college is in is being closed. There's one in a city I once lived in, about an hour-and-a-half away, that's being closed, too.

Good news: My sweet boss gave each of us in management a Christmas gift today. We each got a large photo of a flower set in a black wooden frame. I still have to learn the name of mine but it's purple, and very pretty.

More good news: My mother gets this weekend off work. I have to work quite a lot of it but am happy I'll get to see more than fifteen minutes of her.

Nothing closing in Delaware, though the Waldenbooks I worked at in college is closing. Also the Border's outlet in Lancaster is closing, so I may have to plan a trip up that way...

GN: It's snowing!
BN: I can't get to my parents', which was the plan for today.

GN: Nice big snowflakes are coming down and we don't have to be anywhere. Curves is closed, no reason to risk life and car to get out to exercise.

BN: Bib can't make it today. Cookie baking is not a good reason to risk coming out, either. Perhaps tomorrow.

>111 Kerian: Kerian

Thanks for telling me (us) about the concert which you described very nicely. I could just imagine the whole thing, and what a lovely surprise for you to hear your sister's unanticipated solo.

It's a terrible thing when schools have to cut back on their music programmes. It's an unbalanced life without music (and books).

>114 Thrin: Thrin, pssst, it's K's sister who sang in the concert. But totally agree it's terrible when music programs get cut.

GN: We seem to have mysteriously escaped the storm that has the rest of the east coast snowed in. The sky is its usual soul-sucking leaden gray, but no new snowfall at all.
BN: It's kinda freaking me out.

>115 ejj1955: ejj1955 Thanks - edited accordingly. I really shouldn't post before breakfast.

GN: SYTYCD Canada show yesterday was incredible!!!!! I had so much fun!
GN: Yesterday was also the last day of school. It somehow hasn't really sunk in yet...
BN: My family and I still don't know where we're going for Christmas, or if we're even going anywhere at all.
GN: My school's Christmas concert went well, we played Star Wars beautifully (this is also surprising news considering we really sucked when we gave the school a "mini preview" of the concert earlier that week and we absolutely sucked at that one.)

BN: The roads are horrible, horrible, horrible here. (That's right...one horrible just wouldn't do.)
GN: I finished all of my christmas shopping today and made it home safely :)
I had to go 10 miles per hour (literally) down the road to do so, but it is done.
Great News: I am now home and don't plan on going anywhere until monday when I might have to go to work if they open,
BN: They will probably open.

GN: Gift exchange is in less than one hour.
BN: Will still be missing Kerian. (Cool story about your sister, k.)
GN: Gift exchange in one hour!!!!

GN: Last Thursday's book club meeting at the library was really good! And the next book we are discussing is Fire, which I've been wanting to read for a while!

GN: The gift exchange was chaotically great!

GN: I was working at the library today, and the librarians surprised me with a gift card for Barnes & Noble!

120 Cool!

Great News: So my friend from work is awesome. He asked if I wanted anything for Christmas so I just mentioned I didn't have New Moon because I wanted to reread it. He asked if I had any of the others and I said I only had Eclipse. He literally bought the box set of all four books.

#114 - 116 Thrin and ejj,
I'm curious now. What did it say? ;)

For everyone suffering snow storms in the East, stay safe!

#119 LG:
Thank you. I love hearing her sing.

#120 cat:
Oooh! I loved Fire. I'm glad your book group has chosen it. :) That was really nice of the librarians!

#122 mindy:
Wow. Agreed. That is pretty awesome.

Good news: As a lot of you know my DM wanted me in for an extra long shift today. I had the second most important time to run and no one properly gave me a high-five. (We always do that. ;) It went fantastically! I can't wait until she hears about it.

More good news: I've heard from my grandmother who has cancer. She wrote me a letter and says she is feeling better.

Bad news: I've just realized what it means to live with four cats right before the holidays when you're trying to use ribbon. We use safe stuff, I simply mean that I have unwanted helpers. Four of them. That's sixteen paws!!

#123 what good kitties

BN: We can't get out of our apartment building as there is too much snow in front of the door, we could probably push our way out if we had to but it just isn't worth the effort right now lol.
GN: The snow is tapering off, we now just have flurries!
BN: we got somewhere around a foot of snow! Living on the ground floor it is about half point up my windows.
GN: I don't have to go out today!

Final snowfall totals for my city: 17 inches, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

GN: By some miracle, we got exactly 0 inches of snow. I live in upstate NY, so this is truly noteworthy.

GN: HE gift exchange party yesterday was fun and chaotic. Best holiday party of the season! (Well, I'm not attending a lot of parties this year.)

BN: Niece has developed pneumonia. She was already in the hospital and on antibiotics, so this is not good at all. I'm very worried about her.

#127: Sending healing vibes her way, Ejj...I hope your niece gets well soon...

GN: I had a blast with some friends yesterday playing Wii and PS3...
BN: I have to take my mom to buy the last christmas presents (I hate the malls and the crowds at this time of year not the taking my mom part)
GN: I am on vacations!
Awesome news: I finished my 40-book challenge for this year!! I don't think I will be doing a challenge for 2010 but I will keep track of the books I read.

GN: Schools are delayed two hours so I won't open Curves until 10 am. I don't have to get up at 5 am!! Wahoo!!

#124 Donna:
Good and asleep right now. Bwahaha. ;)

#127 ejj:
I'm sending healthy vibes to your niece to get better.

#128 Ron:
Congratulations on completing your reading challenge!

Good news:
So long as my mom's boss approves it, one of my mom's co-workers volunteered to take my mom's shift on Christmas Eve.

More good news:
My grandmother heard talk of me and my sisters trying to visit our mother at the hospital in their cafeteria for dinner on Christmas day. She says we're going to have Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve instead if my mom gets it off.

Bad news:
Customers are so awful right now that I'm having bad dreams about trying to escape from work with my co-workers but that people are trying to kill us. One of my friends there meanwhile is having bad dreams about that extra bag scenario.

Thanks, K. Turns out she doesn't have pneumonia after all but the overall outlook is still very bad.

More BN: my sister's mother-in-law fell (again) and this time shattered her hip. She really should not have been living alone but is stubborn so was. The real problem beyond her health is that she can't go back to that apartment, which means my sister and her husband will have to find her a nursing home and close down her apartment . . . which will be tough to do if they want to leave for Florida as planned on December 28th. My poor sister :-(

GN: My problems don't seem so bad by comparison. Also, got taken out to dinner last night, very nice and fun for me.

Oh EJJ I am so sorry to hear about yout niece and sister's mother in law. That's so hard. I hope that their health improves and that your sister finds a good place for her mother in law that is a hard decision.

Congratulations Ron!

K, I hope it gets better soon or the customers get better. I am glad you get Christmas Eve with your family.

BN I got home from my family and someone hit my car and did not leave a note of course. It is not that bad but it is a really big dent but the gas cap fortunately still opens. It is more the bad human behavior that makes me sad.

BN I forgot my work keys today and had to go all the way home and get them.

BN There was a mouse in the office and I was trying to figure out how to get him outside but a helpful maintenance worker killed him with a broom so I felt bad that the little mouse died.

GN Rom is home so I am very happy.

GN I got to open my secret santa presents!

GN I have time off to enjoy with Rom and the kitties

#131 ejj:
You're welcome. I really do hope she is better soon, and am sorry about your sister's mother-in-law and the challenges your sister is facing.

#132 Maren:
Thank you. There are just three days more. We exchanged bad dreams at our meeting today. ;) I am very glad for getting Christmas Eve with family, too!
I'm very sorry whoever that person was hit your car, and worse, that it's possibly someone who by the good neighbor rules of etiquette, should be watching out for its safety. *Hugs* for that, your keys, and the mouse.

Good News! New range! Now I have a cooktop, oven and broiler! yay!

GN: finished all my Christmas shopping today, except for father in law
BN: my husband was kind of a grinch about how much I spent. I spent considerably less than we did last year, and only splurged on the grandbaby.

BN: My dad had an ingrown toenail for the last month and on Saturday he got a mini "surgery" to remove it. It was hurting a lot but now apparently he feels way better.
GN: The doctor said it'd be alright for him to drive on Wednesday so we'll be able to leave for Montreal!!!!
GN: We're going to go to the town I lived in before and I'll get to see some friends!!!
GN: I got a date for our New Year's Formal at school! :o)
BN: I've officially had my third consecutive, non productive day.... :o(

Bad News: I was having a pretty crappy day today with people ignoring me and not telling me anything but then...
Great News: My friend got engaged!!! I am super excited for her and I really hope the two of them work out. They are a great couple (and several years older than me haha).
Good News: She asked me to be a bridesmaid! :D

GN: it's almost christmas!
BN: we're still unpacking and have lots of christmas shopping and all the wrapping left.
GN: my mom is taking Adara and I christmas shopping to get Jason his present tomorrow.

GN: Only have one more thing to get for a stocking stuffer, and it isn't for Bib or Mandy2, incase they were wondering. Not for Mutomb either.

VVVVGN: I got a piano for Christmas! My husband brought it home today!

#134 polly:
That must be so nice! We're running on one burner on the stove and need it replaced. I can understand your excitement. :)

#137 Chelsea:
Congratulations to your friend.

#138 rissa:
Glad we could see you on LT! I hope you guys have a wonderful Christmas. :)

#140 PollyAnna:
PIANO! ;) Wow! Do you know how to play? Are you going to be learning how? We have one but I've forgotten what little I learned.

Bad news: It was an awful day today in that some co-workers were horribly nasty to me and got me really upset. It sucks when you have to cry in your store because you're the only one there to be in charge. I hadn't gotten upset at work in ages so I was mad, too.
Good news: It showed me all the more who my friends are there. They were super and really sweet.
More good news: It didn't routine my day because I still rocked and then some on the times I was in charge, with our DM just happening to be visiting us then to see it.

#140 - OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!! A PIANO!!!!!!

#141 - I'm sorry K. At least you also have good friends there to offer comfort and support. Hugs xx

GN: Today is my last day at work before going home to my parents for Christmas. I've not seen my family since September, so will be able to show them all my photos from my trip and tell them all about it properly, in between mince pies and turkey!

GN: Today and tomorrow left for work then three day weekend! Next week is also a 4 day week! Love it! And I cna't wait to see everyone opening their presents!

BN: Tomorrow and Christmas is going to be hectic...

GN>Last day for work before Christmas and I don't have to go in till noon!

kindaBN> I have to spend the morning doing last minute stuff

#140 -- PIANO! CONGRATULATIONS!

GN: Last day of work before Christmas!

BN: It's going to be a really long day.

#131: Sorry about your sister's mother-in-law and hope she can fix living arrangements before she leaves Florida, ejj.

#132: Sorry about your car getting hit, Maren

#140: PIANOOOOOO!!! congrats Polly!

#141: Ohh K, You shouldn't let those co-workers get to you!

GN: My friend got safe and sound from the states...
GN: I get to see him and help him and my other friend to gift wrap all the things he bought over there.
GN: No bad news at the moment

#140 How nice of him!

#141 I'm sorry about the mean coworkers. *hugs* But it's good to know you have true friends at work.

#142-145 Yay for getting off work! :)

GN: Christmas Break is going lovely. I've successfully spent the past several days reading, sewing, and doing whatever I wished (unless I had to work).

GN: I see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of unpacking.
BN: Adara didn't sleep last night, and is crying no matter what this morning.

Aww Riss, I feel your pain. I have learned from being in the infant room that babies just sometimes need to cry, I'm not sure why though, wish they could tell me :)

GN: Tomorrow is the last day of work before Christmas! Then I get a three day weekend!
BN: I have to work tomorrow and tom is off :(

#141, K, yes I play a little, I took private lessons for a year.
sorry about the nasty co-workers, glad you rocked inspite of them!

#149, Unpacking is the worst part of moving, in my opinion! poor Adara, hope her restlessness ceases soon! Unconsolable babies are not fun!

GN, Merry Christmas everyone!

VBN: The 3-year-old son of friends of multiple friends of ours passed away this afternoon after life-long struggles with several medical problems, which had culminated in two heart surgeries in the past two weeks. Please keep the Clifford family in your thoughts and prayers.

#142 LadyN:
Thank you. I hope you have a lovely time sharing your trip with your family over the holiday! :)

#146 Ron:
I know. Emotions are stupid. ;) I'm glad your friend's made it home okay.

#147 Chelsea:
Thanks, Chlesea. *hugs*

#150 Bella:
That's kind of how tomorrow is for me with everyone else off. I hope you get to be off work early tomorrow!

#151 PollyAnna:
Thank you.

#!52 grmwk:
I am so sorry. I will keep his family and family friends in my thoughts. *hugs*

Good news:
Tomorrow is my family's Christmas and though I have to work, I get off around noon.
More good news:
A friend at work gave me Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters for Christmas!

152> very sad, but he is at peace now. I will pray for the family

GN: IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!!!!!!
BN: we still have shopping to do.

#152: Grmwk, that is very sad news! I will keep them in my thoughts!

BN: My sister in law and her kids haven't been here 24 hours yet, and they have already caused me to reach my maximum stress level (something that is quite hard to do).
GN: they are only staying a few days

#140 PollyAnna: Yeah! A PIANO!!! That's so exciting. My parents surprised me with one 9 years ago for Christmas. It was completely unexpected.

#141 K: Sorry about your day. Glad that you did have some friends and you DM saw how good of a job you were doing.

#152 grkmwk: How sad. I will keep the family in my thoughts as well.

#156 PollyAnna: Hang in there!

GN: It's snowing! It hasn't snowed on Christmas in about 7 years.

BN: I am deeply frustrated--finally had a thought for a gift for the friends I'm spending Christmas with, so bought a CD case and some blank CDs to make them some CDs. None of the new CDs work. They are the same brand as the ones I've been using but just don't work. They show the tracks on them but just don't play. Argh.

GN: Found one old one to use and it works. So that's something--just not as much as I wanted.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GN: Merry Christmas!

VBN: Just heard about this -- please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. They are friends of friends of ours, so though I didn't know this man personally, I know many people who are sad about this today.

That's horrible foggi! Mom said she was talking to my cousin this morning about it, who lives in Little Rock.

#157 kirby:
Thank you. They surely helped me get back to one piece on an already stressful day. . . . Snow, on Christmas! It sounds like such a beautiful thing! I'm glad you could enjoy it after so long without it on Christmas. :)

#158 ejj:
*Hugs*

#160 foggi:
I am so sorry for everything his family and the friends of your friends are going through. Like kirby's family my own was discussing it today. :(

Good news: For the most part my family had Christmas Thursday evening and night. Having it early made today an easier day. Today was my aunt's family's Christmas and they are over now.
Bad news: One cousin was asked to stay away for Christmas. I hadn't said, but on Thanksgiving we found out his little boy is allergic to dogs, and my aunt was not willing to travel without hers just to see her only grandchild. . . Sad.

#160, Very sad news indeed Foggi, my heat goes out to the family

GN: Christmas went better then expected
BN: It snowed today so my sister-in-law is still here
VVVVVBN: I have no idea when she is leavin me now!uugghhh

#160: That's sad foggi! I really hope that family can overcome the sadness, my heart goes out to them.

GN: Went shopping, got lots of new clothes!!!
GN: I'm seeing some friends I haven't seen in 1 1/2 year tomorrow, if there's no freezing rain.
BN: There's freezing rain. :o(

gn: My aunt bought me a sony e-reader!
BN: For some reason the e-library won't install.

GN? BN? A cat is trying to adopt us. He's a solid gray tom, not very big but not a kitten. He's the friendliest cat I've met in a long time -- twines around my legs, lets me scratch his ears, even let me pick him up (and purred). I keep thinking that maybe he lives somewhere around here and is just visiting, but he's very persistent. He sits on the back step when I go in the house and waits for me to come out again. I have not fed him (because he would really think he was ours if I did that) but it's tempting. . . .

I'll wait a few more days and see if he goes somewhere else.

#166: I'm sorry to tell you this, foggi, but that's exactly how we ended up with Romeo. That cat owns you.

#167 -- Sophie protests: she has a prior claim.

#167: He can't own us until Sarah's stuff is all out of the house. She's incredibly allergic, and I wouldn't want her to think I was trying to kill her.

How sweet foggie! You've been adopted!

Lol Foggi you have been adopted! Sophie will get used to the new claim. Whatcha gonna name him? :)

News Update: I have decided we are going to take the e-reader back. I am more happy with the less technical paper books and will be getting a gift card to go buy some instead :)

BN: I have a horrible confession to make, where else but here? I've been re-reading the Harry Potter books. I have searched and searched for my copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as I was sure I had them all. Couldn't find it. Got it from library. Well, I'm 105 pages into it, and I'm beginning to believe I never read it before.

I'm shocked, shocked, I tell you.

GN: I get to read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for the first time!!

172> OMG how could you have missed it? Thats just too funny! Well hope you enjoy it!

Foggi, the cat now owns you...best cat we ever had was hanging around the house for days. For days I told the kids, "Don't feed that black cat; don't pet that black cat; we're not keeping that black cat" One day I opened the kitchen door, and she followed me in. So I said, "I guess I've got myself a black cat." We named her B.C. (Black Cat), and had her for almost 15 years until she had to be put down a few years back. I cried buckets. I firmly believe most cats choose their servants. :)

Yay, kitty has a new Foggi and Espy.

that cat pwns foggi.

ej, that is hilarious that you never read HBP. Weren't you confused when you started DH?

hugs to all who need it. The holidays can be so stressful, even when bad things don't happen, but especially when they do.

#172: LOL...I hope you enjoy it ejj :P I know that's a great book...

Oh, I did enjoy it! But believe me, I was surprised (shocked) when I realized this glaring omission in my HP reading. This explains why, when the ads for the movie came out, I couldn't remember who Slughorn was.

Guess what book I'm starting now ;-) It should make a lot more sense this time around.

Lucky you ej. It's almost like discovering that a new book was written.

#172 ejj, how did you not read HBP? I hope you enjoy it though! Happy reading =)

#172 onwards - Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!! that's very funny, ejj!

GN: I have officially accepted Purdue's offer.
BN: To say "Hey, I'm coming to Purdue" I had to give them $200. I wish I could charge people $200 for their response.

Next time someone says to you "So, where are you going?", you just respond "I'll tell you, but it will cost you $200".

Or you could charge 200 people $1 each. How many do you think might ask you?

umm, my $1 is on the way.

*turns out pockets* Sorry, I don't have any money on me right now. You can put it on MrA's tab.

>177 littlegeek: Foggi, I'm guessing that when I first read DH, it had been three years or so since the OotP, so I may have been puzzled but figured I'd forgotten some stuff. My only explanation for how this happened is that 2005, when HBP came out, was a very very bad no good year, and among other things, I packed and moved then.

It certainly is a different experience reading the books back to back without the several years of waiting in between!

>183 mindylou182: I'm sure you know that the $200 is just the first little nibble--there will be many, many more nibbles, bites, and gulps coming up. But congrats--umm, you do like winter, right?

#166 foggi:
Our male porch cats have always been that way in the beginning. Good luck, missie. :)

#172 ejj:
Never so shocked as us. ;) Or goodness, who is to say who is more shocked? It could very well be you. Either way, though, there shock! A lot of shock! ;)

#174 exiledlibrarian:
I believe the same. We never pick our cats. They pick us. *Hugs* for your lost cat. Our loved and lost ones will never be forgotten.

Good news: One of my closest friends from high school came in my store today. She was hugging me before I even saw who it was. It was wonderful to get to see her again and hear that she is well and happy.

This is a benefit to living in a small city. Er, when it's someone you don't dread running into. I had to hide from someone last week.

Other good news: I get to build my brand new bookshelf tomorrow! You can't tell but I will absolutely be bouncing off the walls about it. It's 71" high, 30" wide, and the shelves are 11.5" deep. :)

#166 Good luck with the kitty! :)

#172 Wow! But it's cool you can experience a new HP book.

Good news: I'm still on break til January 6!
Bad News: I have homework. And kinda a lot... :(
Good News: I get to go to the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
Bad News: I'm working, going to be selling food and drinks.
Good News: The money goes to the Chicago trip our band is taking during spring break.
Good News: I'm getting 2, maybe 3 dwarf hamsters (most likely all female). The 3-week-old ones look like little fluff balls. Adorable!
Bad News: My friend now has 18 (we think) hamsters! We need to get homes for all the babies. I can see their house being overrun in the future...

Chelsea's friend's house:

Hamsters don't purr, tho.

They squeal pretty well though. At least, the one I used to have did. We probably made a mistake calling her Wookie.

JP's squealing hamster:

Wow. Makes me really really glad I never let my kids get hamsters. Or rodents of any kind.

Hey, no kidding. She was a scary, unsociable hamster who would roll on her back and bare her teeth if you tried to touch her. Just when she started mellowing in her old age, she passed away.

We just had guinea pigs and a rabbit. They were pretty cute. I'll never forget their sequels. Or the day my mother was supposed to leave for her honeymoon! We found three baby guinea pigs in one of the cages that morning.

#195 -- "I'll never forget their sequels."

So, was this a case of a sequel being better than the original? ;-)

Um. Why, certainly. The mother guinea pig always picked on my rabbit. She tried to pull his tail out while the little ones did not. Then there's the matter that the, um, sequel of guinea pigs had more of a squeal.

OOOH! Sequeals! I get it now! LOL!

GN: I just finished my ER book Truly, Madly and it was very enjoyable.

Foggi: Yay for the new kitty!
ejj: That's too funny!
Kerian: Yay for old friends!
Chelsea: Yay for hamsters and the Rose Bowl, Boo for homework!

GN: my house is mine again, sans relatives! yay!
GN: Getting another tattoo
BN: having trouble picking one I like

I want a tattoo but Hubby says I couldn't stand the pain!
I'm no pain wimp. What stops me is I don't know where to go and who to trust. How did you choose who to do it?

Polly, the least painful place to get a tattoo seems to be on the back of the shoulder according to my tattoist. But if you want one the best thing to do is go around to the local shops and check everyones work out, they shouldn't mind if you ask questions but *most* shops are very good and only hire qualified and trained professionals.

BN: Work, i really haven't been up to going this week, I dunno why.
GN: After tomorrow I have another three day weekend.

BN: my sewing machine is not working properly. I have to take it in for cleaning/repair, about $80.00.
I was really in the mood to sew. :(

Polly, my son got a tattoo on his shoulder blade and said it didn't hurt. As for me, not enough alcohol in this world to get me to do that. Did visit a tattoo parlor once, after a little imbibing, and watched someone else get one. That's as close as I'll ever get to one. Besides, I change my mind too much to want the permanance of a tattoo. Not to mention it's just not my style. And I'm a weenie.

#198 jp:
I'm careless with my spell checker. Sorry for the confusion. ;)

#200 PollyAnna:
Having your home to yourself again must feel wonderful. Careful where you get your tattoo. One of my friends just got one behind her ear. She got permission from her work first but now is told she must keep her hair over it because they weren't aware of a company policy.

I'm never going to get a tattoo myself. If I'm going to be stabbed by a needle, it's going to be for a flu shot.

Good news: I get to hang out with one of my old friends today who I only saw last month for the first time in a couple of years.
Bad news: My bookshelf has to wait. ;)

A friend of mine who has more tattoos and piercings than actual skin area told me that the worst places to get tattoos are right over bones.

GN: I passed the Pokémon Professor test, so I am now officially a Professor of Pokémon.
BN: That means that I have to keep up on the card game and be involved in local stuff. Another drain on my wallet and schedule.

GN: Some friends are visiting from out of town.
BN: They're leaving tomorrow which is a day earlier than I thought they were leaving.

#204 re 198: ??? I thought you did it on purpose! Twice! Now I'm confused. :oP

One friend of ours described getting his tattoo as getting yourself stuck in a sewing machine. That was all I needed to know. He also said it hurts more over bones. He now sports several tattoos, so I guess he thinks the pain is worth it.

#206 jp:
*whispers* In #195, I meant to say 'squeals.' Don't tell anyone. ;)

Good news: My friend that I met with today taught me how to use some Facebook settings.
Bad news: I need a helper when I build my bookcase so it has to wait longer still. I may not get to build it until Saturday.
Good news: At least my mother's tools have been found!

GN: I'm caught up (for now) on all the threads.
GN: 4 more days of winter break.
BN: I haven't done any school related work since I've been on break. I really need to get some stuff done.

BN: Monday night we were eating in a new restaurant (well, new location. we've eaten in the other places around NW Arkansas). As we were finishing our meal I started to smell smoke. I mentioned it to my parents, who didn't really notice. Then the smell changed. Something was burning and I could see faint smokiness in the air. I look up to see 5 employees rush to the back and then separate to begin looking in places. Then someone says call 911 and we evacuated. The outside sign had caught the roof on fire. Good thing is that everyone got out and there wasn't really much damage. Bad thing was that we had to stand outside for an hour and a half. One of the fire trucks had us blocked in so there was no chance of us leaving. The last 30 minutes, however, was quite comical. Here we are waiting on the fire truck to move, and the firemen are unrolling and rolling back up hoses. Ones they hadn't even used!

I'm glad your safe kirby!

GN: I finished another book today. Shark Life. The funny coincidence is that out of all the books I've read in 2009, the first book I finished was also by Peter Benchley. The last book I will probably read in 2009 is also by Peter Benchley. I promise I didn't plan it that way.

GN: I have officially accepted Purdue's offer. I will be going there in Fall 2010 and living with lefty =D

Kirby, I am likewise very happy you and your family are okay!

Mindy, that's so cool, and very sweet of lefty and your brother-in-law. Congratulations again! :)

#189 Hahaha compski!

#193 But they're so cute! :)

#194 Aww that's too bad.

#196 LOL!

#209 Congrats! And that's awesome you get to stay with lefty.

Good News: I'm going to a sorta kinda(?) party today. I think it will be fun. :)
Bad News: Everyone gets kicked out at midnight. Our friends are also working at the Rose Bowl tomorrow and we have to be there by 8am. :/

GN: My best friend just moved back to the US from The Netherlands, and I spent the past two days with her!
BN: She came in the day after we returned home from traveling over the holidays, so I only now feel like I'm catching my breath post-Christmas.
GN: My husband, son and I will have a quiet NYE at home with a good meal, good wine, good chocolate, and the start of the annual holiday season LOTR marathon viewing!!

PS: Thanks for the thoughts, prayers, and kind words over the recent loss I previously posted about.

BN> I have a sinus infection again.
GN> I have been to the doc and got my meds! I should feel better soon.

BN: I decided I needed to keep close track of my finances to make sure I spent my money wisely before/after Europe and also to ensure I have money for the future. I hate growing up sometimes.

Polly,
I currently have 6 tattoos and all of them are in places that are completely covered by clothing, except the one on my ankle. I would have to say the ankle one hurt the most. If you choose an area with nice fat deposits they seem to hurt less. Ms. Bella gave some good advice shop around first and ask questions, even ask people you meet with tattoos where they had theirs done. I happen to personally know several tattoo artists, so all but one was done by a friend.
Hope you feel better soon!
Kirby,
How scary and exciting! Glad to hear everone is okay!

Mindy,
Yay for Purdue! Congrats! We stop in West Lafeyette at the White Castle every time we make the drive to Kentucky! Europe! How exciting!

GN: I finally watched Sweeny Todd! I'd been wanting to watch it ever since it came out.
BN: I'm kinda freaked out by it now...
BN: School again on Monday :o(
GN: At least I'm home and had good holidays!

Pico, that is one of my favs! It is gruesome, but awesome! I love Helena Bonham Carter! and of course Alan Rickman!

Good news: After hunting all over for some new work shoes that won't get water in them when it rains, I found some boots. They weren't even from a shoe store so I was lucky, and when I went to pay for them? I was luckier. They were half off.

I had been so down just before going in that store because my ankles make it really hard to find shoes that fit.

#218 I have a hard time finding shoes too. It always nice to find a good pair.

Good News: The Rose Bowl went great and I think we made a lot of money. Yay, beer sales!
Bad News: It was very tiring, I had to wake up at 6:00am and arrive there at 8:00 except we were a little late, and we didn't leave until 7:00pm. I'm glad we didn't have to turn in the money cause they didn't get to leave until 9:40!
Good News: The drunk people were funny to watch, although sometimes creepy. And generous! My friend and I made $31.50 in tips! So we each got $15.75. :) And I thought the Ohio people seemed nicer, just saying...

Thanks!

GN: My sister burnt me a copy of the Glee soundtrack =D
BN: School tomorrow. Ew.

Scary News: First night of our show in Leicester Square is on Friday.
BN: People aren't booking in advance, so we have no idea of how many people are (or aren't) coming. Which means we don't know if we'll break even or not. WE NEED PEOPLE TO BOOK IN ADVANCE!!!

Ok, I'm calm again now...

#220 :)

#221 I got the Glee CD for Christmas. I love it!

#222 *hugs*

New thread...good news/bad news 18: http://www.librarything.com/topic/81053