Ambassador of Books ~ Book Club Madam ~ Blogger Gal

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

I'm back! Well, sort of ...

Hello blogging friends ... have you missed me? I've sure missed you! I've been keeping up with some of your posts, doing the best I could, but I know I've missed a lot.

I'm trying to get back to posting semi-regularly but I think my blog will be quite different than it was before.  More on that in the coming weeks, as I try to work out a new routine.

For now I wanted to give you a few updates on what's been going on around here. I also want some input from you, so check out the very end of this post to see what I'm asking.


On the work situation

My husband and I are currently trying to see if we can live on just his salary since I got laid off.  Things are tight but they are good.  We've got some pretty exciting plans (I'm not ready to post them on the internet just yet) in the works though, and I'm really happy about the way things could be going for us.


On Kiddo's health

Over the past few months Kiddo has been doing a trial of bison meat (the only other meat that is safe so far is shellfish, and of that he only likes crab and scallop).  His last endoscopy showed that the bison caused no ill effects - wahoo!!! That means he can continue eating bison burgers, steaks, roasts, and whatever else we want to make from the very delicious buffalo.  Because of the good test results his doctors now have him doing a trial of beef (which is supposed to be chemically very similar to bison).  Kiddo had shown a skin reaction to beef years ago, and it showed up in his blood allergy test as well, but the doctors are hoping that maybe those were false positives.  Needless to say we are are super excited about adding beef in - it makes shopping for food so much easier and less expensive.  We realize that the next test may show that beef needs to go out of his diet again but we're just going to enjoy the next few months regardless.

(For previous post on Kiddo's health check out these links: article, ulcer, surgery, and allergy testing.)


Books? You mean I'm supposed to be blogging about books?

Since I lost my job I have been in an enormous reading slump.  All the books on my shelves that I've wanted to read just don't appeal to me at all.  For a long while I didn't even listen to audio books - oh the horror!  I'm getting back into things now but I've found that I really need to read some lighthearted, fun, and even funny books (which are SO not my norm). 

Here's a list of what I've read and listened to (but haven't reviewed) since November:

Read
  • Towers of Midnight
  • The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow
  • New York Regional Mormon Singles Dance
  • The Blessings of the Animals
  •  Mennonite in a Little Black Dress

Listened to
  • Twelve Angry Men
  • The Botany of Desire
  • Les Miserables
  • Dancing in the Streets
  • The Postmistress
  • Matched
  • The Tiger
  • Tom Sawyer
  • The Tortilla Curtain
  • Robinson Crusoe

I'd like to do some mini reviews of these books because there's no way I'll go back and do full reviews on all of them. 

My question to you is: Which book(s) are you most interested in hearing about?  Let me know in the comments and I'll start with those reviews first.

I know that I won't be blogging every day like I used to but I do hope to have new posts up several times a week.  We'll see how that pans out, but in the meantime I look forward to hearing from all of you.

23 comments:

Helen's Book Blog said...

So good to "hear" your voice again online. Good luck with the beef, that certainly would make life easier!

I'd love to hear what you thought of the Postmistress, Tortilla Curtain, and the Mennonite in a Little Black Dress

bermudaonion said...

I hope everything works out for you and your family! I'd like to hear about New York Regional Mormon Singles Dance.

Amanda said...

Heather, it's great to hear from you! I am so sorry you lost your job but it looks like things are going well for you all! I totally understand. I'm in a bit of a weird blogging mode myself. Hang in there! Just remember to have fun :)

Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) said...

Welcome back, sort-of-ish! I was excited to see a comment from you on my blog today.

Of the books you mentioned, I'd be curious to hear about The Postmistress, Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, and Robinson Crusoe. I did my senior English paper about RC, so it holds a special, if very strange, place in my heart.

Kayris said...

Sorry about your job! As you know, I was laid off in January, but after the initial shock wore off, I've been enjoying the time at home with the kiddos while I look for something new. Silver linings..


That's also exciting about the bison! Balto County has a bison farm that we have visited. Pricier than beef, but I really liked being able to see where the food came from.

Erika Robuck said...

I'm so glad to see you blogging again! I love all kinds of book reviews.

Best wishes with Kiddo and your future plans!

Photogrl said...

Welcome back!

I've been kinda MIA myself, and am trying to return to the blogging world.

I'm so happy to hear that kiddo is doing well and able to at least try some new foods!

Can't wait to hear about your plans when you can tell...

Amanda said...

Adjusting to a single salary can be very difficult. We did that about 6 years ago and it was hard but it's gotten easier over the years (particularly as that salary grows). I only worry about what might happen if that salary disappears!

Glad to see you back. :)

Teacher/Learner said...

Welcome back :) I wish you all the best in adjusting to a single-income household. I lived in one all my life & it was amazing how much I gained from it rather than constantly dwelling/moping on the little I lost out on. As for your reading activity, I'd be interested in knowing your opinions on 12 Angry Men and Tom Sawyer.

Alyce said...

It's so good to have you back! I really look forward to seeing your posts again. I'd like to get your take on The Postmistress and The Tiger.

I'm so glad your son has more food options - that must be wonderful for all of you!

Amy said...

Best wishes with your plans! Also, good to hear from you :)

Kath said...

Welcome back!! It's good to know you'll be back to posting regularly and that there are fun and exciting plans in the mix.

I'd be interested in hearing about New York Regional Mormon Singles Dance and The Postmistress :)

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

THANKS EVERYONE! You have no idea what a treat it was to see all your comments - I've really missed all of you!

I'll get working on the mini reviews you requested. Hopefully I'll have one or two up by Monday.

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

Welcome back! We've been doing the one income thing for a while now...it is a struggle. So glad to hear the good news about Kiddo!

Mini-reviews are great when you get behind. I wouldn't mind hearing about The Postmistress, Les Mis and Robinson Crusoe.

Have you been watching Big Love? It's really coming to a head, isn't it?!

Kailana said...

Welcome back! We have been doing basically a single income lately and it actually worked out, but now hopefully it can go back to two in the next couple months.

Hope things continue to progress in a positive way for you!

Anna said...

Welcome back! Glad to hear things are going well for you. I'd love to hear your thoughts on The Postmistress.

Gina said...

NIce to see you again. So sorry to hear about the lay off though... {hugs} I'm sure things will work out. Glad to hear the kiddo is making some progress...will keep fingers crossed for the beef test to work out. Quite a list of books read/listened to....definitely understand the need for something lighter and certainly don't blame you. As for which I'd like to hear about...hmm...be curious to see your take on The Postmistress. Reactions tend to go both ways on it (mine included)...
Wishing you the best (..and when you can, happy reading)! ^_^

Ryan said...

I'm so glad that things are going good for you and Kiddo....I'll keep my fingers crossed for him.

I would love to hear your thoughts on Towers of Midnight and Robinson Crusoe

Meghan said...

Glad to see you back, Heather, even if in a reduced capacity! I always go straight for light books when I'm stressed, and it sounds like they're just what you need right now, so don't feel too bad about it! I'm so glad to hear Kiddo can start eating more meat. I hope beef works out!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Towers of Midnight. I'm just starting a WoT reread, so it will be a while (months) before I get to it but I'd still love to know your opinion.

Dreamybee said...

Good to hear from you again! I hope the beef works out for kiddo. I might have asked you this before-if so, I apologize, but is it possible that he had an allergic reaction to antibiotics in the beef and not to the actual beef itself? Seems like I've heard about that being an issue for some people.

Looking forward to hearing about whatever you want to post about. :)

Bybee said...

Sorry to hear about your job, but good news about Kiddo. Coincidentally, I was just rhapsodizing about buffalo burgers the other day.

Beth F said...

Welcome back. Hope your good news about Kiddo just keeps getting better and better.

Rebecca Reid said...

sorry things have been rough and you've been in a reading slump on top of everything else! I do hope things settle down for you. As for which books: I particularly loved Robinson Crusoe, but that may have been tough going on audio. I'd love to hear what you thought of it!

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