Gigi's Company discussion

I'm sorry I haven't been on earlier, folks. I had a migraine that lasted 2 days last week, went down to a dull throb, only to come down with a really nasty cold that had me sitting at the ER yesterday for over 4 hours. I'm now on antibiotics (ear infections) and codeine for the pain. My throat is raw from coughing, my nose is running like a faucet, my head feels like it's not attached to my shoulders. I'm walking around with a pack of kleenex in one pocket and a small bottle of hand sanitizer in the other. Ugh. I hate being sick.

that sux Gina I hate head colds just drink a lot of juice sleep and tel mark to take care of the kids and let u die in peace.

Gina wrote: "I'm sorry I haven't been on earlier, folks. I had a migraine that lasted 2 days last week, went down to a dull throb, only to come down with a really nasty cold that had me sitting at the ER yester..."

Sorry to hear about your ill health. Hope you are fully recovered soon.

Thank you, ladies. Turns out, the kids are back. They'd had enough of the cottage, and I think the in-laws had enough of them, LOL! There was a comment made that next time, they're taking one at a time. LMAO, that is hilarious! Ha! Not that it's helping my cold any, but it's funny just the same.

Hello everyone... Hope all of you have had a great weekend!!

Completed two books . . . was a good weekend for me.

LOL, I've got one on you, Kathleen! I finished two on Saturday and another on Sunday. BTW, Sunday's book was Saving Grace! OMG, thank you so much for recommending that book to me! It was terrific!

I loved all of Garwood's medievals and you started me on Eve Dallas . . . so, one good turn deserves another.

LOL! They're addictive, aren't they?

I cheered this morning. I opened my email, and what did I see? An email from Goodreads. Turns out, I finally - finally! - won a book on Goodreads! Now, I've been a member since March of 2008, and I contantly look at the giveaways, about every 2 to 3 weeks. Two years later, I finally win one, LMAO! Woohoo! I won A Spy in the House (The Agency, #1) by Y.S. Lee. I was giddy this morning, LOL! Hubby thought I was nuts! Ha!

Congratulations!!

Way to go Gina! Enjoy your new book when it arrives.

Congratulations Gina! =D

Thank you! LOL, I just can't believe that it took two years to win something, LOL!

Our male kitty came into the house bloody with wounds under his head and leg tonight. We don't know if his wounds were caused by another animal or if he was trapped and was trying to escape from something. Gil and Zack have whisked him off to veterinarian emergency services.



When, when, when are you wrapping mine? - from Xmas 2009

Kathleen, I hope everything is alright. What happened at the vet's?

Good news!! Our kitty needed stitches, will receive a daily antibiotic, and has to stay indoors for two weeks until his stitches are removed, but will be okay. We were all concerned about the amount of blood loss. His fur was covered as well as blood all over our back patio. He is still very lethargic, but eating--a good sign. Thanks for your concern.

Kathleen, were you able to figure out what happened to your kitty? That had to have been scary! I'm so glad he'll be better in no time!

No idea. We check our yard and nothing has blood on it. We live extremely very close to broad band of land left somewhat natural and somewhat landscaped with a paved walking path that runs through it. So, it could have been a critter or perhaps a fence or another type of enclosure. Don't think that we will ever know.

Oh, poor thing. Wonder if he got into a scrap with another neighborhood cat, LOL! I'm glad he's doing okay. Give him a hug for me!

Since he has about 30 stitches, hugging would be painful for him. We have been gently petting. He is a pretty miserable kitty right now, but is gradually getting better. The stitches come out on Friday.

Yeah, no doubt he's miserable. Heck, even an adult would be miserable with that many stitches. Poor guy... okay, a gentle pat from me, then.

And here it is, 12:30am, so technically it's Wednesday, and I looked out the window. It's snowing. Snowing. Yes, I said snowing. You know, I love my hometown, but it's times like these I wish I was in the Bahamas. Ugh!

Hi Gina. Here in Manila, the weather temperature has reached 36.8 degree Celsius yesterday. I'm just lucky that I've got to spend my weekdays in the office since we have a fully air-conditioned room. But, during weekends, I've got to take a bath at least three to four times a day!

LOL, oh, you lucky duck! Actually, it's rare that we hit that high a temperature. 30 Celsius floats around for a couple of days in the height of the summer, but rarely above, unless you count the humidity.

I shouldn't complain, though... the snow we were getting is actually quite normal for this region. It's just that we'd been, uh, spoiled I guess you could say, LOL! We had warm temps and no snow left, and that's unusual for this region at this time of year. Still, though, watching it come down and pile up, it was rather depressing, LOL!

I've got an announcement, ladies and gents!

I was offered a couple of copies of 2 different books to put on my blog to offer up a contest/giveaway. Both books, The Council of Dads: My Daughters, My Illness, and the Men Who Could Be Me and Getting the Pretty Back: Friendship, Family, and Finding the Perfect Lipstick look like great books! And I have two of each to give away! Check out my contests & giveaways page on my blog!

http://bookaholicsreview.wordpress.co...

This is such good news I had to post it on more than one thread:

My public library (and maybe yours -- go check) now has ebooks for checkout!!! They stay on your desktop for two weeks and then automatically disappear. Each book can be checked out three times. These books can be downloaded to some ereaders. No late fees and no waiting lists. Woo Hoo

"The times they are a changin'!!!!"

I noticed mine did that a couple of weeks ago. I can't remember why I was searching the library online, I don't use their services. I thought it was funny - how they even have a waiting list for eBooks too. I mean, being computerized, how to they keep track of how long someone has it? It's an eBook, not a paperback.

But's way cool! I can't believe how much technology is advancing enough for even libraries to get into it, too!

Gina wrote: " . . . they even have a waiting list for eBooks too..."

I only way that I can see a waiting list for an eBook is in case it hasn't been released yet. If you are already on the waiting list, the copy could download as soon as it is released without further action on your part.

Gina wrote: " . . . being computerized, how to they keep track of how long someone has it?

After I signed up for the eBook service from my library, the software to support it downloaded an icon to my desktop. When I click on that icon I get a list of my electronic checkouts. Then I can click on anything on that list to reader. After two weeks, unless I take action to renew the ebook, it disappears from my list. My son said a program to make it disappear in this manner would be very easy to write and is already part of the software I downloaded when I set up the electronic library account. That is the reason there are no late fees.

This announcement is appearing on various author web sites, blogs, and romance readers' forums, but in the event you haven't seen it elsewhere:

The Romance Writers of America Conference is no longer taking place in Nashville, TN. Due to the extreme amount of damage to the city from flooding, the conference has been moved to Orlando, FL.

I am not sure where this announcement should be placed so I am placing on two different threads:

This site was recommended by my local library, but may be of interest to some of you:

http://www.dearreader.com/

It is my understand that there are libraries in both the U.S. and Canada supporting the book clubs sponsored by Dear Reader. After clicking "Join (fill in name of specific book club)" you will need to enter either your U.S. zip code or Canadian postal code to determine whether your library participates.

Kathleen wrote: "Gina wrote: " . . . they even have a waiting list for eBooks too..."

I only way that I can see a waiting list for an eBook is in case it hasn't been released yet. If you are already on the wait..."

And that's what I figured. Why would there be a waiting lists on eBooks through the library. But, apparently, there is one here. How they work that, I don't know. Then again, I haven't used their services in decades. But you already knew that, LOL!

Kathleen wrote: "This announcement is appearing on various author web sites, blogs, and romance readers' forums, but in the event you haven't seen it elsewhere:

The Romance Writers of America Conference is no lo..."

I'm so hoping, sometime in the future, to be able to attend one, at least once.

Gina wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "Gina wrote: " . . . they even have a waiting list for eBooks too..."

I only way that I can see a waiting list for an eBook is in case it hasn't been released yet. If you are al..."

A few nights ago I ran into a book on the ebooks list from my library with a waiting list and it is a published novel. I thought about it a bit and then it clicked for me. If libraries let an umlimited number of people download the novel instantly that would seriously affect the book's sales. Many people buy a book because they do not want to wait until the book becomes available through their library. I am sure there is some sort of spreadsheet of prices for the software for libraries that says if you want to download to 40 people at once the price is so-and-so and if you want to download to 100 people at once the price is such-and-such. Either way if the book is by a Stephen King or Nora Roberts, etc., there could still be a waiting list. So, it probably comes down to what package your library can afford to buy. The same factor creates waiting lists for paper copies of the same book. Will your library be able to buy one, several, multiple, or dozens of copies of that book in which you are interested?

Well, now that does make sense. I never thought of it that way, but that would work. As for how many copies, I'm not sure - I haven't used my library's services in almost 2 decades. I would imagine that they have, perhaps six, copies? *shrug*

My son, Zack, took the oath of office to join the U.S. Air Force yesterday. We are proud of him.

Its official--I AM A GRANDMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IZAK ROBERT MCNULTY BORN JUNE 23 AT 10:16
WEIGHED 7 LBS AND IS COMPLETELY ADORABLE.

THAT IS 10:16 PM KEPT US ALL WAITING. mOM AND BABY AT HOME AND DOING FINE.

Karen,


To Grandmother, Mom, and Baby!!!

Kathleen wrote: "My son, Zack, took the oath of office to join the U.S. Air Force yesterday. We are proud of him.

"

Best wishes to Zack! He makes us all proud!

Karen wrote: "Its official--I AM A GRANDMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IZAK ROBERT MCNULTY BORN JUNE 23 AT 10:16
WEIGHED 7 LBS AND IS COMPLETELY ADORABLE."

Congratulations, Karen, on the new bundle of joy!!! Glad mom and baby are doing great!

Well, I'm not a happy camper. Our 10th anniversary is this Thursday - Canada Day.

The last three years, our anniversary was spent at my in-laws cottage. Now, don't get me wrong, I like my in-laws, I get along with them well.

When Marc told me Monday of last week that we were going to the cottage this weekend, I wasn't thrilled. I wanted to spend our anniversary, him and me. If we could send the kids off somewhere, fine. But at least it would just be the four of us. He told me that his parents wouldn't be there. Now, this morning, he informs me that his parents will be there this weekend. Well, isn't that just lovely. So, this makes four years in a row that we celebrate our anniversary with is parents. I was so mad this morning, I left, slamming the door behind me. When I made noise this morning that I was less than impressed, he calmly informed me that he'd go to the cottage without me if I didn't want to go. Well, gee, darling, I freaking love you too.

Why is it he can't understand how important it is for me? I've been balling my head off throughout the day. Our friends, Gilles and Holly, are borrowing a friend's cottage, so they'll be there with their kids. I thought I'd get to spend time with Holly - something I rarely get the chance to do. Gilles had been our best man. Now I'm feeling obligated, cause with my in-laws there, I'll have to spend time with my mother-in-law, which means I will not have any time for myself this weekend, cause it'll be spent either with my in-laws or our friends.

And he doesn't understand why I'm upset? I'm so freaking mad, I could scream!

For a great video on social networking, or the social media revolution, for which Goodreads and Gigi's Company certainly qualify, see http://socialnomics.net/2010/05/05/so...

Kathleen, I watched both: the link you posted and the link that Erik Qualman posted by Marta Kagan. Both are super interesting, and when you think about it, so very true. Thank you for posting this!

Intriguing article in the Huffington Post entitled, "Move Over Gutenberg: Will E-Books Spell the End of Paper And Ink?" The author presents a plausible argument that eReaders will stimulate reading in the younger generation.

In Memory:

Definitely.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian Friends!

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all our Canadian members!

Happy belated Thanksgiving to all our Canadian members. Sorry I didn't get to say so earlier. Between my parents redecorating that went way beyond just painting walls, company from out of town, and one of the nastiest colds I've ever caught, my lack of energy and sleep has now hit a high note. If anyone has any suggestions as to what I can take at night to help me sleep, I'm open to anything. I've tried Benalyn All-in-One Night tablets, Advil and Tylenol Cold & Sinus, and Buckley's. None of them are working. Any suggestions?

I want to apologize for not having been on lately, folks. The past couple of months have been hectic and bizarre. What I want is a vacation, cause I can seriously use one. Alas, that isn't going to happen at least until May. Ack.

I do have news, though... for the last couple of weeks, I'd noticed a sign in the store (Coles) that said they were hiring seasonal employees - from October 1st to January 16th. Did think much about it, until I saw it again just over a week ago. I thought about it for a whole week and last Friday, while I was there, inquired. Had to go on Monster.ca, something I've never done, cause I have a day job (still work with my parents, 9:30 to 3 everyday) and forward my resume (also something I haven't done in ... 18 years!) On Monday, I got a call from the manager, Orianna, whom I've known since I was a kid. My mother used to babysit her son, and she worked at the bank across from our shop. She opened my first account there, and was my supervisor when I did my co-op there. I got an interview on Monday afternoon and ... I got the job! How cool is that?! She's calling me later this week with my schedule. She told me what the dress code is (which I'm going to have to shop for on Friday night) and I'm starting next week. Evenings and weekends. Now, while the contract is up to January 16th, it's very likely that I may be there even longer, if I can prove myself. One of the employees is leaving soon - got a job closer to home. And another is leaving in May to go to school. I'm really psyched!