Sunday Tidbits 28

Dear Fuzzballs, et al:

I’m getting a slow start today.

I sliced the top of my thumb yesterday using a mandolin. It was a total accident, since I’m very careful around those things. Then I hit that same bandaged thumb with a hammer later that day. Later, I got my hand caught in a retracting mechanism. Yes, you guessed it – my thumb was pinched. My poor thumb still hurts. It could have been worse. I could have inflicted all three injuries to different fingers. Today, I’m being very careful – even with the spacebar.

Yesterday, I had to go out to the garage, dump all the recycling out and start looking for one important envelope. This is not the first time this has happened. I get about fifty catalogs a week – not exaggerating – and I get so impatient that I sometimes throw everything into the bin without opening everything. I sometimes think all my mailman delivers is junk mail. Do you get oodles of catalogs too? I really must take my time in the future, however.

Also yesterday, I went shopping for something. That was a big mistake. I normally buy just about everything online (even my car). But I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something by not doing the personal shopping routine. Number 1. I’m not missing anything. Number 2. Did you know that there were still some salesmen out there who harken back to the dinosaur age? Two of them actually asked me if my husband would be along shortly – or words to that effect. Number 3. I really should stick to online shopping, because shopping in person is exhausting. Do you like to shop?

One thing I re-discovered yesterday: the quiet of reading. Nothing else focuses me or helps me center more than the physical act of reading. Holding a book or an ereader and becoming immersed in another world is simply a blessing. Don’t you think so?

Are you having trouble with the comments on WordPress? Several people have written and told me they are. I’ll try setting the comments back to allowing anonymous posters, and see if that helps.

Next week, I’m having a drawing for a copy of A Scandalous Scot for those who’ve signed up to the A Scandalous Scot Facebook page, so do “Like” that page if you want to participate.

I’ll be announcing the winner of the Facebook drawing for a physical copy of The Lust Wager, too.

Have a wonderful – and safe – Sunday!

Sunday Stuff 2

I had the best fun cleaning yesterday. No sarcasm intended. For some strange reason, I enjoyed doing the laundry, scrubbing floors, and vacuuming.

I even played four sessions of Sheep, brushed the dog, did some dog training, changed the sheets, dusted the house, and did some mailing of books that I’ll take to the post office on Monday.

I keep checking my forehead for a fever, but it was still 95.0 (I have thyroid issues, so I’m always 95.0).

You know what, though? I was really, really tired at 7:45. So, Flash and I crashed and burned and woke up at 4:00 AM.

This morning it was about 70 degrees outside, which is a huge change. We just sat out in the dark for about an hour, listening to the birds, and watching the sky lighten toward the east. It was unbelievably peaceful and thoroughly enjoyable.

Now, I’ve done my daily pirate hunting, and I’m still in a good mood. I always like it when I’ve killed me some pirate varmints. (To coin a phrase.)

I haven’t the slightest idea what I’ll do for the rest of the day. I could work, clean some more (I could start on the garage – shudder), or just chill.

Whatever you do today, have fun doing it!

Sunday Stuff – Safe Zones, Reading, & Yum Reply

Have you ever noticed that websites have a “flavor”? It has nothing to do with the cosmetic look of the site as much as those who frequent it. Change the masthead, the layout, and nothing really changes unless the people change. Which brings me to a thought on Safe Zones.

I don’t visit some sites unless I’m really up for the comments. I’m very conscious that a positive attitude is difficult when you’re surrounded by negative people, whether it’s in person, your reading matter, or your virtual life.

Sometimes, I have to work on projecting a positive persona. If something’s happened that’s annoyed me, or made me angry, it’s really easy to slide into grumbling, griping, or just plain ol’ bitching. That’s why I give you a Snark Alert. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, I’m very conscious that my temporary bad mood is no reason to put YOU in a bad mood.

On some days, I’m more sensitive than normal. There are times when I can handle a bad review, and others, when I get my widdle feelings hurt. When I know I’m having one of “those days”, I’m even more cautious about staying within my Safe Zone.

How about you? Do you have a Safe Zone?

A June, 2010 Rasmussen Reports finds:

• 58% of adults (down from 69% in 2006) say they’ve read a book for pleasure within the last month.
• 10% say they have used an electronic reading device.
• 88% of adults say they’ve never used an electronic reading device.
• Adults ages 30 to 49 are more likely to have read a book within the past month than those in other age groups.
• Women tend to read more than men.
• Married adults or adults with children have managed to read a book within the last month more than unmarried adults or adults without children.
• Those who earn $75,000 or more per year are far more likely to have used an electronic reading device than those who make less.

This is the “Most Likely to be Eaten” winner of the Design Your DC Cupcake challenge for amateur cake decorators. Yep, this is a cupcake. Pretty spectacular, hmm?

Happy relaxing Sunday!