My computer has died. Well, at least it has decided to hibernate and Mini-him hasn't been around long enough lately to try to wake it back up. I'm borrowing my husband's work computer just now but my time on the computer will be limited until I solve the problem with my computer. I must admit that I was getting a little twitchy today being unable to get on a computer. I have been pondering trying to unplug for a week. The past couple of days probably either mean that I really need to or maybe just that I shouldn't even attempt it.
Like most of you, I spent a lot of time this past week watching the coverage of Sandy and the aftermath. Four years ago, I would have been concerned about my aunt and uncle in Rhode Island but otherwise I didn't know much of anyone that would be effected by such a storm. Since I've started blogging, though, I count so many of you on the East Coast as friends. I watched the coverage in an entirely different light. How were Joann's daughter and Teri faring in NYC? Was Care's boat going to end up on a street two block inland? Were Mari and Jo having any trouble with falling trees in New Jersey? For a worry wart like me, I was grateful that everyone, even those without power, were able to at least get on Twitter and keep us updated.
Here's what I'm:
Listening to: Punch Brothers and The Civil Wars which I just discovered last night on Austin City Limits. Punch Brothers play what they call "aggressive bluegrass" and The Civil Wars do a cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." Yes, a folk version. It's fabulous.
Cooking: Yesterday I made a crock pot of chicken thighs which I'll pull the meat off of today to freeze in meal-sized portions. I would love to have an entire shelf of my freezer devoted to pre-cooked meats; it's so nice to have that much of dinner ready any time.
Making: If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I've spent quite a lot of time this past week making a cape. Mini-me was Robin (of Batman and Robin) for Halloween and went to a number of parties without the cape. But this weekend was NebCon, which even those in attendance might call "NerdCon," and the full costume was essential, apparently. I have never sewn anything lined, have never sewn with satiny material and have never attached a hood to anything. It was quite a learning experience. It looks pretty impressive...if you don't look too closely at all of the seams. Mini-him was very happy with it and here is where I'm supposed to say that makes it all worth it. It doesn't, not entirely; seriously, that cape took more than ten hours!
Grateful for: That extra hour of sleep! I guess I could have gotten up an hour earlier and used that hour productively. Show of hands...anyone do that?
Happy about: My parents coming into Omaha today. We'll celebrate my birthday and Mama Shepp's mama's birthday which was also last week.
Looking forward to: Another quiet week ahead at Casa Shepp which I don't mind at all. I know some of you are still looking forward to getting power back this week - fingers crossed that you all have lights, heat and warm water again soon!
This week I'm really kicking off my Fall Feasting reading. I've been working it around R.I.P. challenge in October but November is really going to focus on reading and reviewing books that have food as a central theme. This week I'll finally finish Peaches for Father Francis by Joanne Harris. After that, I don't know what I'll pull out of my pile next.
What are you reading this week?
I got up an hour early! I wasn't productive tho. And it wasn't by choice.
ReplyDeleteHope u r enjoying Peaches for Father Francis.. I liked reading it.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Stonehenge: The Novel by Bernard Cornwell and haven't decided what's next.
ReplyDeleteWe use my phone as an alarm clock and it changes time on it's own. It wasn't until about 10 this morning that I remembered the time change -- oh, so that's why we woke up before the alarm!
Thanks for thinking of all of us, Lisa. It's been tough, but we're grateful to have come through alive and with property intact. I'm reading The Night Circus.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, there was no sleeping in for me as my body decided to get up at its regularly scheduled time. It rather sucked but I was able to get in an additional hour of reading today.
ReplyDeleteI was the same with Hurricane Sandy. Blogging has definitely changed my opinion about disasters that do not directly impact me since I am now worried about my friends all over the world.
Have a great week!
Hi I just stumbled across your blog and I see that we have similar reading tastes, so I am now your newest follower. I would love for you to stop by my blog and check it out. I really hope to see you there and happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKimberlee
http://girllostinabook.blogspot.com
Sorry to hear about your computer. =O( Hope you have a solution soon.
ReplyDeleteYes, I worried about blogging friends as well. I don't have any relatives that were affected either.
Boat survived! It was pulled out of the water just in time and though the water did rise over the bank and onto the land, it didn't get high enough to move the boat off the risers. Whew! We lost power for only a few hours so we fared quite well. Thanks for thinking of us. and now we concentrate on cheering on the clean up NJ/NY & power/gas/water restoration for those who got hit so hard.
ReplyDeleteI say you DO need an internet break! But then, when it is planned, it usually goes better than a surprise interruption. :)
Did you ever see that tweet that I thought of you during Book Fest when a panel member said she likes to rewrite fairy tales? I thought of you. :)
I'm so glad to hear that the boat survived! I didn't see that tweet-I'm amazed by people who can rewrite fairy tales. I wish I had that kind of imagination.
DeleteI can so relate to the "don't look too closely at the seams" - my only sewing adventures are always at Halloween. So fun & the costumes always work out great, but they would never pass muster if anyone saw the underside :D.
ReplyDeleteI am worried about a lot of people too, and keep checking the blogs to make sure that everyone is all right. It's horrible to see those pictures, and realize that our FRIENDS may be out there, stranded in that mess!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I cook-up meat ahead of time to use in stuff but I find that whatever I use it in doesn't have that much flavor. It's like you need to have cooked it in the dish for it to get all of the flavor.
ReplyDeleteYayyy! I've been listening to The Civil Wars on YouTube but I hadn't yet run across the Billie Jean cover. I absolutely love it -- and them! Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteI was on fall break last week, and spent much of my time catching up on sleeping and reading. I get up at 5:00 every school day, and by late October I feel as though I am deeply, permanently sleep-deprived. I loved recharging, and yes, I slept in on Sunday!
ReplyDeleteYou've had a great week, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am a fan of the slow cooker, and pre-cooked/pre-made (homemade) meals that I can take out of the freezer. It's "just" a matter of getting organized; someday I'll get there! :)
Hope you have had some good birthday celebrations! I was hoping to get back into the swing of things after the half-term holiday (women's groups, book group meeting etc.), but we have had our grand daughter off school ill and with us during the day. The good thing is that I've been able to get some reading done and finished another of the earlier books in the Susan Hill crime mystery series - The Risk of Darkness.
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