AlcottAcre's Only 2014 Thread

I have to admit, I thought long and hard about whether or not to even have a thread for 2014. After 3 years of checking every thread every day, spending virtually no time in the group over the past 2 years has been difficult for me. I am an "all-or-nothing" kind of gal, and since I cannot do now what I did for the first three years of the group's existence, it has been very difficult for me to scale back to just checking in every now and again. I hope you all understand that it has nothing to do with the members here, many of whom I have had the privilege of meeting in real life, but it has everything to do with me.

That being said, I discussed with a couple of members whose opinion I respect on whether I should have a thread for 2014 and was told unreservedly "Yes." So, here it is. I am not promising that I will keep up with the group in any way, shape or form, but I will do my best to at least check in weekly. I cannot do without the encouragement this group has given me in my decision to finally get my college degree. For that reason alone I am beholden to you - and there are many other reasons as well.

I managed to finish 150 books in 2013 (helped in large part with a re-read of the entire In Death series), finishing my last read for the year on Christmas Day. I did not count text books in my 150. Here were my top reads of the year:

1. A Trip to the Stars by Nicholas Christopher
2. The Journal of a Disappointed Man by W.N.P. Barbellion
3. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
4. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
5. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
6. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
7. Our Hidden Lives by Simon Garfield
8. Halsey's Typhoon by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin

#1: The Union Image by Mark E. Neely and Harold Holzer - nonfiction; this book documents the development and use of lithographic prints by the North during the Civil War - "From the first emblematic prints focused on the American flag to the images of Richmond in flames and Lee's surrender at Appomattox, the Currier and Ives era of the Civil War battle images, featuring prints that were produced near the time of the actions portrayed, exploited their news value but never lost sight of the flag."; Recommended (4 stars) - Library Book

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I was jolly worried Stasia that you might have forgotten all about your fanclub here. Have a wonderful 2014. Mine just got that little bit better.

Stasia, it's lovely to see you back! I hope 2014 goes well for you and I'm sure you'll continue achieving great marks in your studies. 150 books is amazing considering you had your academic work to do too!

#3: Thank you, Paul!

#4: Thanks, Susan. I am happy to be back. I am hoping to be able to check in a little more often this year than I did last :)

Hi, Stasia! All the best to you this year and good luck with whatever courses you're taking (not that you need it)!

Stasia, I'm so glad you've decided to open a thread again! xx

I'm glad you're here!

Stasia, I'm glad you decided to have a thread this year. LT would not be the same without your presence even on a limited basis. Best of luck with your classes this year. Remember, if you get discouraged, you can always remind yourself that you are done with Statistics!

Yay, you're back!

I was so pleased to see that you have a thread this year. Of course it is impossible to keep up - the group has grown so much and is very chatty. But just knowing that you will pop in now and then makes it feel like the 75ers I joined all those years ago - it wouldn't be the same without you:)

I, for one, am glad to see you around, however infrequently.

Stasia, no matter how frequently/infrequently you pop in, your presence alone in the group would be missed dearly. Thank you for staying with us!! ((great big hugs!!))

Thank you, Amber, Diana, Zoe, Donna, Jim, calm, Luxx, and David for the welcomes back!

Hi there, Stasia! *Hugs* It's been a long time since I've posted here, but I'm glad you are still with the group, as I consider you a very important part of it, regardless of how active you can be on other people's threads. :)

Welcome back Stasia! I'm glad you're still checking in periodically. I know between school and other real life committments you can't be here often, but I still consider you a part of the group.

It's good to see you here, whenever you get the chance!

Stasia, nice to see you back here, whenever you get the chance.

Welcome back, Stasia!

Hi, Stasia - great to see you here!

Welcome back Stasia!

Stasia, I'm so glad you decided to join us again. As others have said, it would not be the same without you, and it's just good to see you here when you can find time amid your studies. Good wishes for those and for finding a bit of time for reading as well in the coming year!

Hi Stasia.

So nice to see you posting, Stasia!

Thanks, Stephen, Ardene, foggi, Linda, Darryl, Liz, Susie, Genny, Brenda, and Joanne!

For those who do not know, I am taking 2 classes this session, one on US History Post-Civil War and the other on World Religions. For the latter class I watched this video last night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhHJ4DRZNZM

I thought about this group of people, the boundaries that we cross socially, economically, etc and you know what? I think the world could learn a lot from us!

Oh, I'd be interested in that history course; I know close to nothing about post-civil war history.

I think you're right Stasia, this is a rather peaceful place.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Good to see you back on LT, Stasia. Sure sounds like you have more interesting classes lined up this semester (i.e., no Stats!) Hope you have a great weekend.

P.S. I liked the Karen Armstrong youtube video. I read her book on Buddha way back when.

Happy to see you, Stasia! I understand how demanding real life commitments can be. We're all so proud of you for pursuing your college degree & so happy to see you when you do stick your head in!

Stasia...Stasia...I seem to remember a cybernetic 17-eyed reader who went by that name being a 75er at one time...

*smooch* so happy to have your thread up at last! (There was, of course, no question whatsoever that it would happen. We would've sent a posse to your house and forced you to make one if you'd waited much longer.)

Stasia, I found you! Starred!

Stasia! Here you are! So glad you've decided to join in again, the 75er's just wouldn't be the same without you, that and my wishlist needs an intravenous dose of your BB's!

Back in the day Stasia you set the standard for frenetic thread activity and voluminous reading. Last year you had the lowest proportion of posts on your own thread by anyone having a thread over 100 posts.

Tells me what a loved individual you are here my dear.

Have a lovely weekend.

Hi Stasia. So glad you decided to create a 2014 thread!

Oh, Stasia, I'm so glad you're here! Many of us would not be here without your warm and dedicated welcome, and while I absolutely know you cannot sustain anything like that kind of involvement on LT, I am still very, very grateful to you. I'm so thrilled you're still pursuing your degree. Happy, happy new year to you!

Hi Stasia!

I need to echo what everyone has already said. Your presence in this group would be greatly missed. I am glad that you decided to join again. Best of luck with your classes this semester!

I am glad to have found your thread. I haven't been around much myself in the past two years, but in coming back I specifically looked for a few people that I remembered. Your thread was a welcome find. Glad to see that you will be checking in every so often. I look forward to updates whenever you manage to squeeze in the time.

Welcome back, Stasia. I love to listen to Karen Armstrong speak. Her 2008 TED speech is a favorite of mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJMm4RAwVLo

I've also got most of her books.

So glad you are here with us once again!

Lovely to see you have decided to set up a thread, Stasia! Your classes sound interesting. For me, it is the world religion course you are taking that caught my eye.

Hi Stasia-
Great to see you have a thread we can drop by to and visit.
Happy reading again in 2014- I worry it'll get too big for you to keep it to only one for the year. I'm sure you will need more than that. :)

Hi Stasia, glad to see you!

Happy New Year, Stasia! I am glad you decided to continue a thread. We've been old-time LT pals and I want that to last. Hugs!

SO very thrilled that you decided to have a thread this year. We'll take whatever we can get of you and be thankful for it!

Happy weekend, Stasia!

Hi Stasia! I found and starred you, and will be happy to see you whenever you can manage. :)

Echoing everyone else in being very glad you decided to have a thread this year.

Thanks for dropping by Amber, Diana, Joe, Marcia, RD, Kriti, Lynda, Paul (I have no idea what you said, but hopefully it was nice!), Pat, Anne, Ren, Dana (good to see you back with us!), Roni (I knew you were a Karen Armstrong fan!), Lori, Megan, Rebecca, Mark, Mamie, RD (again!), Kathy, and Judy! Lovely to see so many friends on the Acre.

Book #2 for the year: Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter - I think I first saw this recommended on Mark's thread, although to be honest, I do not remember for sure, but I am glad I finally got it read; I enjoyed this book, told in a series of vignettes, just snippets of time, until everything is pulled together at the last; my biggest frustration with the book was in losing track of some of the characters at times - my fault, not the book's, just because I had to spread out the reading time of it so much; Recommended (4 stars) Library Book

Hi Borgie! Good yo see your name :)

Happy Sunday, Stasia, Woo Hoo, I own Beautiful Ruins! I adore the cover and have it lined up for sometime soon. *skips away singing "no book bullet heeere, no book bullet heeere*

Good to see you, Stasia!

Welcome back, Stasia! Sounds like two great classes this semester...better than statistics, anyway. :-)

Stasia, I'm so happy to see you back. I knew you were back because I saw you posting on other threads, but I've finally located your thread! We've missed you, but we understand. We treasure whatever time you can give us.

Just a quick wave, my friend! *waves*

TLo, HMLTJA

So glad to see you! So happy you're working hard on that degree. You should probably have at least one honorary with all the reading you've done. :)

Hi, Stasia. So glad I discovered your thread. I've missed you but I'm so impressed that you've gone back to school. Happy reading and studying!

Hey, Brenda, Lynda, Katie, Kerri, Lori, Terri (YIARFJAT), Jenn, and Jan! Thank you for stopping by the Acre.

Book #3 is read and it was a dandy: Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink - nonfiction; a terrific example of investigative reporting at its best, this is a look at what happened at Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans at the height of Hurricane Katrina; I found the book absolutely riveting and once I picked it up, could not put it down; Highly Recommended (5 Stars) Library Book

56> When that one becomes available at my library, it looks like I'm in for a treat.

#56: Oh, yeah, but be prepared - a lot of it is not easy (in the emotional sense) to read.

Stasia, I'll be interested in hearing about your World Religions class. For the 2014 category challenge, I have a religion category so I'll be curious to see what books you read for it.

Hi Stasia! I have Five Days at Memorial on my Kindle, just waiting for me to read it. Sounds like I need to get to it soon!

YIPPEEEE! WE WIN!!! STASIA'S BACK!!!!!
I'm awfully glad to find the thread and slap my star on it even if I'm a little late to the party!

#59: Linda, most of my reading will be centered around my textbook, I am sure, but any outside reading I will post here.

#60: Yes, do get to it, Amy!

#61: Well, seeing as to how I am late to everyone's party, Peggy, I am not too worried about you :)

OK, as I mentioned before I am not counting textbooks as far as my reads go, but I am counting everything else if I read it for a course. My next book is a juvenile book, but I am counting it!

Book Number 4: The Tipitaka and Buddhism by Anita Ganeri - juvenile nonfiction; since I know next to nothing about Eastern religions, I started with the kids' stuff and in this book, I thought Ganeri did a very good job of explaining (without going into a ton of detail) the basic beliefs of Buddhism and the various sacred texts that Buddhists hold dear; I am not going to rate this book but if you have an interest in the subject and do not know where to start, this is not a bad place Library Book

#62 I often find that books aimed at a younger audience give clear, interesting and entertaining introductions. It's a pity that such books weren't around when I was young; or maybe they were and I didn't know about them.

Hello Stasia - glad you made it back! We will take any little posts you care to make and feel damn happy to hear from you!

#63: I agree, Tony. Books aimed at younger audiences do not assume that you know anything - quite the contrary.

#64: Hey, Prue! Thanks. Unfortunately school is now in high gear (unlike last week when it was just starting up), so the posts are going to be infrequent yet again.

Hello smoochling! Sending good-school-whammys and scroodles of hugs.

Stasia - I re-checked my earlier thread and it is a bit jargon-laden isn't it? I'll be more straightforward this time in wishing you a lovely Friday and a tremendous weekend.

Stasia, So glad to see you decided to continue to share your reading enjoyments with us. I have loved your recommendations in the past as you can see from my latest post on my thread. :)

I too loved Beautiful Ruins and am adding Five Days at Memorial based on your recommendation.

Stopping in to wish you a weekend full of fabulous, Stasia!

Ah, I've found you! Best wishes to you, however often (or not) that you get to check in here. I'm not keeping up with the group either. It's just impossible.

Stasia--I am very glad that you have decided to have a thread, even if you can visit less often than you wish to. I am feeling the same RL crunch now that I am working, but I can't give up LT either. We will just come as often as we can. : ) Big Hugs!!

Hello Soul Mate

To say I'm glad you decided to be with us is an understatement.

Oh, look. Visitors! I love visitors, even if I am not here to enjoy them!

I finished another book:

#5: Among Others by Jo Walton - this is a book I had high hopes for but, when I tried to read it last year, could not get past the first 40 pages or so; I tried it again this year and got to the end, but for all that, found the book disappointing - I am not sure what I was expecting, but the entire book I was disconcerted. We get everything from Mori's perspective, nobody else's, so I was not sure if I was supposed to accept what she was saying about fairies and her mother being a witch as gospel or if I was supposed to doubt her or what; anyhow, I found it a decent read but nothing earth shattering, although I must say I loved all the books she read and really need to make a list of them all (in my spare time!); Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

On a completely different topic: I am writing a paper for my Religions of the World class on answers to existential questions from the perspective of Orthodox Judaism and Theravada Buddhism. Anyone want to give me some input?

I'm glad I checked the thread book and found that you ARE here this year, Stasia. It would seem quite peculiar if you were not! I hope you find time to enjoy reading in 2014, whatever your academic requirements may be.

Sorry that Among Others didn't work for you, Stasia. I have not read that one. Hoping that your next read is better. Happy Sunday to you, dear!

Hi Stasia. Wish I could help with your paper topic but I'm clueless.

No help writing the paper, but I'd be interested in reading it. :)

I'm with Jenn on the paper, Stasia. Sounds like you're about to wade into your own esoteric swamp.
I'm also sorry that you didn't like *Others* more. I just sort of went with the flow and enjoyed it a little more than you, I think.

#74: Thanks, Linda. I hope I can get some enjoyment out of reading this year too.

#75: Thanks, Mamie. Have a wonderful week!

#76: Thanks for the offer anyway, Pat!

#77: I would never let anyone read anything I wrote! Too insecure.

#78: An esoteric swamp indeed, Peggy. It will be interesting though!

Found you, Stasia. I'm glad you're back. You've started the year with some good reading. I would like to read both Beautiful Ruins and Five Days at Memorial soon.

I had the same reaction to Among Others, Stasia. I kept thinking that perhaps I missed something that other people picked up on, but I finally decided that it is just one of those books that hits people differently.

#80: I hope you get to both of them soon, Beth!

#81: I am glad to know it is not just me, Judy.

I finished yet another book. This is one I started last year and have been taking my own sweet time about finishing:

#6: Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum - nonfiction; I love true life adventure stories and Slocum's book does not disappoint - he sailed around the world on the sloop Spray in 1895 and the journey took 3 years and he traveled an estimated 46,000 miles!; I found Slocum's book to be well-written and enjoyed it overall very much although (in keeping with the times) there is mild racism present in some of the narrative; Recommended (4.25 stars) Mine - Nook

Ah phooey Stasia. I'm no critic. The subject matter sounds really interesting. You've read so many books, I can't believe your writing would be awful. Nope. I'm a pretty good editor too... and bonus! I'm in New Zealand, so you could send it to me, I could read/edit over night and you'd have it back the next morning. Cool, right? *grin*

#83: Trust me on this, Jenn, you would not want to read any of my papers! Wishful thinking on your part though that you could read my paper and get it back to me the next morning - Texas is a bit far from New Zealand :)

On a completely different topic: I am writing a paper for my Religions of the World class on answers to existential questions from the perspective of Orthodox Judaism and Theravada Buddhism. Anyone want to give me some input?



glitter-graphics.com

I got nothing. Lots of luck with that one, stasia!

What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula is a good resource for Theravada Buddhism, and has stood the test of time with a lot of readers. What a paper that's going to be! If you can share any of what you come up with, I'd be interested.

#82 I like the sound of Sailing Alone Around the World and have just bought it (77p illustrated version on Kindle). I listened to another journal from a more modern round the world sailor Islands, Oceans, and Dreams: The True Story of a Sailor's Seven Year Solo Voyage Around the World by Michael Salvaneschi, which I really enjoyed.

#85: Love that graphic, Lynda!

#86: Thanks for the recommendation, Joe. I checked and my local library does not have a copy of that book though. Unfortunately, I do not think I have time to get it shipped to me and read before I have to turn in my paper.

#87: *sigh* I am not having good luck tonight with my library carrying books recommended to me. Unfortunately it does not have the Salvaneschi book either. Thanks for the recommendation, Tony. I will have just have to search further afield.

LOL Stasia. I was thinking you would be able to e-mail it??? Is it going to be an epic paper? Even if I don't get to read it, I'll be checking in to see if you mention any of the things you come up with. :)

I like the idea of Sailing Alone Around the World. I'll have to see if I can find it. After months of living in fairly tight quarters with my family, I might just sail off though.

Stasia, didn't realize you had started a thread. Glad to see you around! *waves*

Stasia - I hope that your nose to the student grindstone is raised sufficiently to enjoy your weekend at least a little bit my dear. xx

Finally found your thread. I am glad to see that you decided to put one up my dear.. :)

Stasia - I hope February finds you in fine fettle.

Happy February, Stasia!

Thanks, guys! I am getting swamped with schoolwork these days unfortunately. I did finish another book though - a kid's book, but a book nevertheless!

#7: The Box of Delights by John Masefield - Juvenile; I had never before read this children's classic and I am sorry I did not discover it as a child; for those not familiar with the book, it is a fantasy novel about Kay Harker who gets inadvertently drawn into a battle over the Box of Delights, which allows its owner to shrink, to go swiftly, and to go into the past; I had a good time reading this one!; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

I think a "box of delights" would have been a box of chocolates for me when I was a child.

I have The Box of Delights on the shelves, Stasia and will hope to get to it soon.
Trust that coursework won't intrude to the extent of spoiling your weekend.

Just reading through your thread, Stasia; it's good to know you're doing some reading outside the texts.

Here's to hoping the schoolwork is as rewarding as reading for pleasure...a top-rank grade will be yours!

It's Sunday, so here I am at the Acre to say hi and hope all is going well!

Hello Stasia...I'm so glad you decided to start a thread. Proud of you, I support your need to spend time with course preparations and necessities, and with family.

Love you to pieces!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I will also follow RD with heaping Valentine's greetings upon you Stasia - don't work so hard all the time~ come and see us all occasionally on the acre. xx

Have a lovely weekend, Stasia!

Day off today, surely...it's Presidents' Day! Hope you're resting and recuperating.

Hope all is going well, Stasia.

Hey, everyone! Thanks for stopping by. I am sorry that time has once again gotten away from me and that I have not been posting as I had hoped.

Richard, I wish I had some days off, but no such luck. I am in week 7 of 8 for my courses. I immediately start my next session the day after I finish this one.

The books that I have been dipping into for my Religion paper, Existential Questions Answered by Judaism and Buddhism, include the following (only one of which I actually completely read):

I And Thou by Martin Buber
We Jews by Efraim M. Rosenzweig
Eastern Definitions by Edward Rice
Buddhism edited by Richard A. Gard
Entering the Stream edited by Samuel Bercholz and Sherab Kohn
Emptiness by Frederick J. Streng
Essential Judaism by George Robinson
A History of Christian Thought by Paul Tillich

and the book I did finish, which becomes my book #8: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen - nonfiction; a good introduction to Zen Buddhism

#9: The Next Always by Nora Roberts - fluff, but I enjoy Roberts' fluff and reading it now keeps my mind off titles like "What is Life's Purpose?" and "Existentialism's Meaning for Judaism" :(

A Stasia sighting! How very lovely! I remember reading Buber and Tillich in my college days...I found them fairly tough going, as I recall. Courage, sister, we've got your back here.

Sounds like fascinating reading, and great to see you!

#108: Thank you, Linda - I appreciate everyone having my back!

#109: Thanks, Rebecca! Honestly, I have found some of the reading very interesting, if a bit obtuse (? I think that is the word I am searching for)

So, my final report for my Religion class is turned in. I have yet to turn in the one for my History course, but I have until Sunday to do that.

I do not have a final exam in my History course, but I do in my Religion course, but that is next week. Whew.

Good luck with the end of classes and the start of new ones!

Hi Stasia! Just checking in. Hope school and life are going well. Miss you! Hugs!

Stasia! Just realised on a perusal of the group site that I missed starring you at the beginning of the year. Starred now :)

Though I'm afraid I'm no use on religion either!

Fascinating reading, Stasia, and hoping that it will continue to be fascinating. *smooch*

#111: Thanks, Jenn!

#112: Hey, Mark! Miss you too.

#113: No worries about the religion class, Bekka. I learned enough for the two of us :)

#114: ((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx back at you, RD!

I finished up another book for the year, another BC book:

#10: The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts - the second book in the Inn Boonsboro trilogy - only 1 more to go!

Stasia - A brief fly past hello. Nice to see you posting. xx

Great to see you on the threads tonight, Stasia!

Nice to see you here, Stasia! xx

Good to see you around Stasia. Hope the studies are going well.

Just sending you good vibes for finishing your History paper, Stasia. And you start a new term right after this one ends? That sounds grueling. I always needed a little time to decompress. At least it means you will be done that much faster, I reckon, so it's not all bad.

Last-week-of-class *smooch*

Hi Stasia! That's some heavy reading you've been doing for your religion class. Nora Roberts seems like a perfect balance for the heavy stuff! Best wishes for your end-of-term finals and papers.

Hi Stasia, this is Sunday and I always think of you on that day. I hope all is well and I suspect you are studying for your exam, Good luck with that next week.

Thank you, Paul, Roni, Diana, calm, Julia, Richard, Carrie, and Judy! It is so nice to have visitors although I am so often absent.

I am currently reading the newest "In Death" book, another good antidote for Finals week. I will be spending a lot of this week with my nose in my textbook trying to mush all the information in my brain before I have to take the exams. I am also anxiously awaiting the results on my Final papers.

Good luck with wrapping up the term, Stasia!

Please add my good luck wishes on the rest of the term, Stasia.

I'm still catching up on the In Death series, and just got Indulgence in Death, the one after the very good Fantasy in Death. I'm torn between not wanting to catch up, and enjoying them so much. So I'm trying to space them out a bit.

HI Stasia

You are missed. Heck, my tbr pile isn't growing as much as it did previously.

Good luck on the rest of your term, as well as the start of the next one, Stasia.

#125: Thanks, Terri!

#126: I understand where you are coming from completely, Joe. Every time I get to the end of the series I feel, for lack of a better word, a loss. Even though the last book was somewhat of a disappointment to me, I still am looking forward to the next one!

#127: Well, if that is your TBR pile, lovey, you do not need any more help from me!

#128: Thanks, Linda!

Which brings me to book #11: Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb - Everyone should know by now that this is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, book series, but I admit that I was a little disappointed in this book - Robb seems to be moving away from the core figures of the older books (especially Feeney, who I love) and I am not sure at this point how much I approve (as if she needs my approval!), but I think longterm fans such as myself will be understandably disappointed; still, it is a decent book (by my standards anyway), so I would definitely recommend it to those who have read the other books in the series; Guardedly recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

It wouldn't be LT without you Stasia and it wouldn't be Stasia without a few In Death books every now and then.

Have a lovely weekend.

I know the finals week went well, and you can breathe a sigh of relief before digging into the next term. Unfortunately, that's about all they allow you time for!

#130: Thanks, Paul! I am trying to get some reading in that is not "In Death" books though :)

#131: Yes, I can relax for today, but tomorrow I start my next term. I will have my final grades for this term late on Tuesday. I still do not have the grade on my final paper for my Religion class and the lack of knowing my grade is causing me anxiety! I am hoping to pull out As in both classes.

Speaking of reading other books, here are the latest reads:

#12: The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts - more BC fluff Mine

#13: Farthest North by Todd Balf - nonfiction; while I enjoyed this book about Elisha Kent Kane, I highly recommend reading his accounts of the expeditions to find Sir John Franklin rather than reading secondhand retellings of it; still, this will do as a good overview of the true life story and - bonus! - it is short; Guardedly Recommended (3.5 stars) Mine - Nook

Happy Sunday, Stasia! Sorry you don't get more than a day off before starting your new term, but I hope today is a wonderful and relaxing day for you all the same.

I'm sure you did fine, Stasia!

#134: Thanks, Mary!

#135: I appreciate the vote of confidence, Lori!

Well, I received the final grade on my Religion paper: 200/200. I can certainly live with that! I do not think there is a way that I can get less than an A in that class. The jury is still out on my History class. I will have final grades for both classes on Tuesday, so we shall see what happens.

200/200 - I'm not surprised. Congrats on your good work!

Happy March, Stasia! Isn't this your Birthday month? I know your final grades will be awesome! You always make us proud :0)

Congratulations (but not a surprise) on the paper! And I'm sure you'll do fine in history too.

Way to go on the Religion class, Stasia! Not even a misstep here or a whoops there.

Sending good thoughts your way that your final grades are as good as you deserve!

You got a 200/200 on a religion paper? That's an impressive score!
I'm sure you did splendidly in both of your classes!

Fingers crossed for the history paper, Stasia.
Have a lovely weekend in the meanwhile.

Congratulations on your perfect mark, Stasia. I expect you will do very well in the history too, and your final grades will be stellar!

Hello Stasia, how are you and how's student life? Congrats on the Religion paper! I'd have no worries about the History paper - you have done great in this one as well, I'm sure. I keep my fingers crossed anyway. Have a great Sunday!

You did it again!!!! I am ever so proud...and, not surprised at all your accomplishments.

OK, so I got my final grades Tuesday: 96.62% for Religion, 94.20% for History. I can live with those grades :)

I finished another book (in my whole 42 minutes off between sessions):

#14: The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz - juvenile; this book was recommended by Mary (storeetllr) a couple of years ago and while I do not think I enjoyed it quite as much as she did, I still thought that this story of Flory, the night fairy who decides to transform herself into a day fairy after an accident robs her of her wings, a very good one; Recommended for kids of all ages (4 stars) Library Book

Thanks to everyone for dropping by. The negligent landlord of this property appreciates the visitors!

Congratulations on your grades Stasia - you are doing really well, pleased to hear that you managed to sneak in a bit of pleasure reading.

Thanks, calm!

>147 alcottacre: 96.62% for Religion, 94.20% for History. I can live with those grades :)

I think I would have a celebration for those grades! :- D

Congrats on another great semester's work, Stasia.

Great job, Stasia!

>147 alcottacre: Excellent, excellent work, and a handsome reward in the grading for it. You are, as always, a model of excellence.

#150: Thanks, Terri. I appreciate it. I had a celebratory pizza for the grades :)

#151: Thanks, Lori!

#152: Thank you, RD. ((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx for dropping by!

Congratulations with your excellent results, Stasia! xx

Congratulations from me too! Of course, I am not surprised that your hard work is recognized!

Congrats!

Congratulations on your excellent grades!

Thanks, Diana, Rebecca, Jim and Yoona!

Hi Stasia! I am so glad you are keeping us updated here. You are our Star Student! It sounds like the religion class set better with you than statistics. What's up next school-wise? I' also glad that you are fitting some personal books in here and there. Gotta have some pleasure reading to keep your brain happy!

I'm glad to see all your hard work rewarded with stellar grades. Congratulations, Stasia. Yay for Pizza too!

Happy Birthday, Stasia! Hope you are having a good one despite the sinuses.f

Jeez, lots of good stuff going on, Stasia. Congrats on the stellar grades, and Happy Birthday! Celebratory pizza sounds just right to me. What kind of birthday cake? Or do you have something else? I've celebrated a number of times with key lime pie. My other go-to is carrot cake.

Happy Birthday! (Is there any cake left?) Today would have been my Grandmother's birthday too. She'd be 111..

Happy Birthday from me too! Today is (Inter?)National Pi(e) day, so a pizza celebration would be just the thing!

#159: Thanks, Donna. This session I am taking Introduction to Humanities (which will finally teach me something about art, I hope!) and Introduction to Criminal Justice. Both of these classes are better suited to me than Statistics was. Actually, anything would be better suited to me than Statistics was!

#160: Thanks, Linda!

#161: I did have a good day, sinuses notwithstanding. Spending time with Kerry and Beth is always good in my book!

#162: No birthday cake for me, Joe. I am really not a fan. When I was younger my mother used to bake a blueberry pie for me every year, but since I cannot make pie worth anything, I just do without.

#163: Wow, I am honored to share your grandmother's birthday, Linda. No cake left since I did not have one. . .

#164: Thanks, Peggy. I ended up with Veggie Sukiyaki rather than pizza for my birthday. It was very good though!

Nothing major to report here. I am starting work on my final projects (yes, already!) for both my classes. I will probably post the books I am using for sources here at some point should anyone be interested in what I am digging into. My Criminal Justice paper is going to be on the fallibility of eyewitness testimony. I am not sure yet about my Humanities paper.

Awesome results on the Religion paper! Good work. :)

Happy belated Birthday!!

Happy belated wishes, follow March baby!
May your final projects go smoothly. CJ topic sounds interesting. Have fun with it and the Humanities paper as well.

Statistics couldn't have been that horrible... was it?

Happy birthday from me too!

#166: Thanks, Jenn!

#167: I sure would feel better about my Humanities paper if I knew anything at all about art!

#168: Yes, Yoona, it was!

#169: Thanks, Rhian!

Belated birthday greetings, Stasia!

Good luck with your paper Stasia. Medea is an interesting topic, and of course rendered at the hands of the Pre raphaelites, she comes to glory:



Niece of Circe, vengeful woman who turns men into animals....



Happy Wednesday to you dear friend!

Here is a rendition of Meda by J.W. Waterhouse:

aaargh I missed your birthday. Very belated greetings Stasia and if the cake is not yet stale..........
Have a lovely weekend basking in the glow of your scholarly accomplishments and looking forward to more future ones.

*Happy weekend wave*

Are we still posting here? Sorry. I have been out of the loop. Hope you are enjoying the current set of classes. : )

Earth to Stasia...come in Stasia! We miss ya.

Stasia, Did that black hole swallow you plus all those books on your TBR list?

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, Stasia!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, Stasia!

Happy Easter, Stasia!

Happy Easter, Stasia! Hope you are able to have a study-free day and spend it relaxing with family.

Happy hippity-hop day, Stasia, and here's to hoping you're getting excellent grades!

I am still alive - barely. I did not think I was going to make it through the last two papers I had to write! Luckily this session I only have to write one paper, although my final exam for the other class is all essay questions.

Thanks for the Easter wishes! Sorry I have not been around more. . .

Welcome back to your thread! Glad to see you are still around. And congratulations on the wonderful grades. How many more semesters/sessions do you have?

Hi Stasia! Just wanted to come by and say Hi to you even though I know you aren't checking in regularly. Thank you for being such a big part of way I loved this group. :) Hope RL is treating you well and you are still finding time to read lots of great books!

Glad to see you around, Stasia!

#187: I still have 3 YEARS to go - I have no idea how many sessions that is - and I am afraid to find out!

#188: Thanks, Valerie! I hope everything is OK with you too. Not much reading going on here (other than textbooks) though :(

#189: Thanks, Rebecca!

I hope your semeste has been going a lot better than mine has been so far..but it seems like you are doing great..!

Kudos Stasia for keeping up with the slog of study. It is more than enough to get your occasional updates so long as you are following something you believe in and are aiming towards a worthwhile goal.

Have a lovely weekend, dear lady.

Dear One:

I remain ever so proud of you and your accomplishments. You are missed, but, certainly we understand your priorities are solidly based in a wonderful goal of a college degree.

Hugs!

We're all just hanging around 'til you can spend a little time here again. Remember breaks are important!

Glad to see you surface!

How can you still have 3 YEARS? Are you getting a law degree?

Good gravy, school just runs on forever, doesn't it? Your perseverance is admirable, as are your grades.

It's nice to see your posts now and again. We'll hang in there if you will.

Happy Sunday, Stasia! Thinking of you and hoping your current session is going well.

Hope you had a lovely Mother's Day, Stasia, and were able to take a break from the books for awhile.

200 posts belatedly up for you dear Stasia. Hope that you can fill us in on your academic progress when you get the chance to draw breath.

Stasia, I noticed that today is your 8 year Thingaversary! Many happy returns of the day. :)

Happy Thingaversary, Stasia! School books do NOT count toward your allotment; go buy some fun stuff!

Happy Thingaversary, Stasia! Hope the midterms are going well.

Happy thingaversary Stasia! Treat yourself to something extra special after the busyness of exams are over. :)

Getting across the threads a little early this weekend.....I am well into Friday here, to wish one of the group's veterans and one of my favourite bundles of energy a relaxing weekend and I do hoope that schooling chores are not weighing too heavily. x

Just waving hello. xx

Waving hello from Chicago, Stasia. Hope school is going well.

Checking for signs of life....a month is a long time to leave us. You don't know WHAT we might be doing in here on your thread!

LOL! Hope your husband is feeling better, Stasia. Is he any good at taking care of himself when he's sick?

Hi there Stasia. Longtime no see....I thought it was my fault, but you are more MIA than me!! Hope life is treating you well. Miss ya.

Man, I missed my own Thingaversary! I should be shot, or beaten with books, or something.

Sorry I am missing so much in these parts, folks. Believe me when I say I would much rather be cuddling up here with threads than with my current reading material - Artistotle and Nietzsche.

Happy Thingaversary, Stasia! I haven't visited in awhile but you are never far from my thoughts. We miss you. Hope all is well.

>211 alcottacre: Well, let's have some discussion of Aristotle and Nietzsche...haven't seen them featured much on the threads!

Belated happy Thingaversary Stasia! We miss you, but please don't feel you need to apologise for not keeping up with the group. We know you have a lot on your plate.

#212: Thanks, Mark. I miss you all too!

#213: Linda, I am writing a paper for my final one in my Philosophy class this week on Aristotle's morality vs. Nietzsche's amorality. Thoughts on the subject? You probably have more than I do at this point!

#214: Thanks, Heather.

I'm afraid I'm extremely weak in Philosophy, Stasia. I was hoping to learn something from you!

Belated happy Thingaversary. I admire that you can read Aristotle and Nietzsche (and probably understand them a lot better than I can)!

Belated Happy Thingaversary, Stasia! Good luck with your paper. When I took philosophy in college, I was not on the same wavelength as the professor at all -- had a horrible time. But I have a nephew who majored in it. Go figure.

I finished a book! I finished a book! It has only been 4 weeks and 4 days since I have done so. School is completely wrecking my reading. Why did I decide at age 50 it was a good idea to go back?!

#29: (Yes I know I did not list a bunch here, but I am too lazy to go back and do them at this point) The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - Peggy recommended this book to me and I very much enjoyed this story of a man looking for the "perfect" wife and unexpectedly finding the one who was perfect for him; Recommended (3.75 stars) Library Book

I have 4 more weeks off school. Maybe I can manage to get another book read in that time?

Hi, Stasia! I liked The Rosie Project, too.

Hi Stasia

missing you!

I was very excited to see your thread high up on my feed this morning, Stasia! And I'm glad you managed to finish a book for pleasure. You'll remember why you decided to go back to school when it's behind you, I'm sure. Meanwhile, keep pluggin'!

YAY!!!

A Stasia sighting! I enjoyed The Rosie Project too; it was nice, light reading. Enjoy your weeks off from school!

Nice to see you, if only briefly! Enjoy your time off.

After these four weeks, how much more school will you need to take?

I got a kick out of The Rosie Project, too, Stasia. That party where he was a waiter/bartender was a highlight for me. Very clever.

Stasia!! You read a BOOK? OH, you mean one for pleasure. ; ) So nice to see you here. You picked a good one.

I am glad to see that I am not the only one who enjoyed The Rosie Project!

Thanks everyone for dropping by. Roni, I still have a long time left of schooling. I do not graduate until 2017. Since I changed to both a 4-year school and a dual major, I just added to my misery, err I mean degree plans.

Hi Stasia! Good to see you and congrats on finishing a book. The Rosie Project was a delight, wasn't it?

#230: Yes, it was, Mark!

Some quotes from a book I am reading, A Reader's Guide Book by May Lamberton Becker, that I thought I would share:

"With books I slip out of my life and am with the choicest company."

"One book leads to another, the right book makes you hungry for more. . .To read like that is one of the high delights of being a human being, and like all high delights, there must be a certain noble recklessness about it."

Yay on both finishing a book and seeing you posting again!

Nice to see you posting again Stasia.

I have also not been an ever-present recently so missed your long awaited return.

Have a great weekend.

#232: Thanks, Heather.

#233: I hope you have a great weekend too, Paul!

I have finished two more books. I am not doing a lot of reading while I am on vacation (only 20 days left!), but rather spending a lot of time on other projects and spending time with the family. Still, I am doing more reading than I typically do when I am in school :)

#30: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt - juvenile; I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for any child, say ages 10 and up; I think reading it as an adult, I can get more out of the quandary that the Tucks are in more than a child can, but the moralizing is not really prominent in the book itself; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

#31: The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon - Having read several of Chabon's books and enjoyed them, I was looking forward to reading this one, his first book, but I was disappointed in it; I just could not relate or gain any sympathy for the main character and I think that is the reason I did not enjoy the book more; the writing was OK, nothing outstanding although glimpses of future writing of Chabon do come through; Not recommended (3 stars) Library Book

I am now reading a book on Irish folklore and I picked up a couple of books that May Lamberton Becker recommended in her book, which I am also still reading. I know that books will be "old fashioned," considering their ages, but I look forward to giving them a try: Trilby and The Cloister and the Hearth.

Nice to "see" you, Stasia, and glad you are enjoying your all-too-brief vacation.

Nice to see you are enjoying your time off. And we are all here cheering you on!!

Stasia, How right you are that reading a juvenile or ya book as an adult, you see things differently. Boo, hiss to those who look down on these genres.

Glad you were able to get in a bit of non-school reading, Stasia. I remember liking The Mysteries of Pittsburgh when it came out, but he was a brand new writer back then. Compared to what he's done since, it might not stand up as well.

>235 alcottacre: I remember reading Tuck Everlasting back when I took a YA class in the early 1990s. Nice to see it's still around and being enjoyed.

#236: Thanks, Rebecca!

#237: I appreciate the cheers. I need all the help I can get!

#238: You are right, lovey. Those who look down on young adult books do not know what they are missing. There is some good stuff out there!

#239: I do not think it stands up well, Joe, but others might disagree. I certainly think he has grown as a writer since then.

#240: I am not sure why it took me so long to get to Tuck, Lori, especially since I know at least one of my daughters read it several years ago. I am glad I finally got to it.

Lovely to see you posting here, Stasia. I am assuming that you are on a summer break and before we know it you will be back with your nose to the grindstone!

Hope you are enjoying your break, Stasia!

I hope you are enjoying your break!

Hi Stasia! I'm reading The Rosie Project right now. I'm glad to see that you enjoyed it and that you are getting some non-school reading done!

Hi Stasia! Hope you are enjoying your vacation!

Hiya girlfriend! Glad to see you doing some "light" reading while on VK. Enjoy!

Too much quietude here...how are ya, lady?

Just stopping by to say you are deeply missed.

Hi Stasia! My first visit here since March! Where has the year gone?!
Looks like all is well in your corner of the world, albeit busy. Hope and I know, you'll have an outstanding school year.

Hope all is going well, Stasia.

Hi Stasia - haven't seen you around for a while, hope all is well.

Woot! I have a week off school before my next session starts up. I am hoping to spend some time hanging around LT on my break!

Be back later! (That could be either a promise or a threat, depending on how you look at it, lol)

Stasia is here! Stasia is here! Yahoo! You have been missed!

>253 alcottacre: We're looking forward to seeing Stasia around. How much longer do you have in your program? We're going into Stasia withdrawal syndrome.

Hi, Stasia! A week off is a good thing, especially if it means we get to see a bit of you here.

Welcome back!

We will hold you to the promise - it would never be a threat. I hope you will be able to get some relaxation in during your week off and that just might be some reading.

>253 alcottacre: Welcome back! :-)

Thank goodness for a week off and passing your Security course!

I am hoping to spend some time hanging around LT on my break! I join your Woot!, Stasia!

Thanks for the welcome back, folks! With the new system in place, I will actually get a week off between classes rather than just 45 minutes :) Hopefully this means I can touch base a little more often than once in a blue moon!

Hi Stasia, welcome back!! A whole week off between classes...woo hoo.

Hey, Linda!

So, to update my very behind list:

#32: The Ashes of Waco by Dick J. Reavis - nonfiction; an investigative book looking into the fiasco in Waco, Texas between the ATF and the Branch Davidians; Recommended Library Book

#33: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein - juvenile; if you have a child who likes either books or board games, this is the book for them! It was great fun!; Highly recommended for kids and kids-at-heart Library Book

#34: Ripper by Stefan Petrucha - young adult; yes, the set up is contrived - the main protagonist turns out to be Jack the Ripper's son - but I thought that the author did a good job, all in all, setting up the story and capturing the time period as well as emphasizing the relationships between the young people; Recommended Library Book

#35: Dark Blood by Christine Feehan - a BC book, enough said Mine

#36: An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo - young adult; This is the first book by Morpurgo that I have read and hopefully it will not be the last - I really liked it!; Highly Recommended Library Book

#37: Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman - nonfiction; I love this book of essays, which I try and read annually; I encourage you, if you have not read it, do so immediately! It is a must read for book lovers; Highly, highly recommended Mine

#38: The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo - nonfiction; I really wanted to like this book much more than I did, but the author seemed to want to talk a little about everything and that scattered the focus of the book; Guardedly Recommended Library Book

OK, that catches me up for a bit!

Waving back at you, Stasia! Nice to see you out and around the threads. I hope school is still going well for you. :)

It's so, so good to see you here, Stasia!!

Good to see you back! How is school treating you?

Great to see you posting, Stasia! And it is great to see a reading list. Smiles...

Welcome back, Stasia!

One of these days I'll get to Ex Libris. Thanks for the reminder!

More love for Ex Libris from me. It was probably you, Stasia, who encouraged me to read it way back when (along with NarratorLady and mirrordrum), and it's an all-timer as far as I'm concerned.

Lovely to see you, Stasia, and great that you have a break. And add me to the Ex Libris lovers list -- I keep extra copies around to give to book lovers!

I have given numerous copies of Ex Libris away over the years, Rebecca, so I am right there with you!

Stasia, it was such a treat to check my thread after being absent with the flu and find that you had passed through. Enjoy your time off, and again, it's great to see your posts on LT. :)

Seemed like old times seeing your name around the threads, Stasia! Good to see you. Hope all is well!

Thanks, Judy! I do hope you are feeling much improved!

Thanks, Joanne!

So, tonight I did something I have not done in forever: I went into my library and as a book caught my eye, I pulled it down to read over the next few days - or at least, start to read it :) I am currently reading a book I need to finish up before I start on something else though as I am finding that while I am in school, having multiple books going at the same time is a thing of the past. I pulled off the shelves: The Moving Toyshop, which I have read before, Sputnik Sweetheart - all the Murakami talk amongst the threads has made me want to read more of his books!, Flights of Fancy, and Testaments of Time. I doubt seriously I will get more than one of them read, but at least reading is showing itself to be interesting to me again - for this week anyway. School starts again Monday. *sigh*

Yay, Stasia's arround! Hope school's been going well for you. I love Ex Libris too - I don't reread it quite annually, but it's a fantastic comfort read and a great choice when I want to read something but just seem to be in a picky mood. "Marrying Libraries" still makes me smile.

I agree with you about "Marrying Libraries," Mary. Unfortunately, my husband did not own one, lol!

Hello, my friend! How's it looking for Joplin this year?

Joplin cannot come soon enough for me, Terri! I am beyond ready!

How wonderful to see a message on your thread!!!!

Thanks, Linda!

Happy Friday, Stasia! It was really nice having you around this week. Wish we could have more of it...

Nice of you to say so, Mark! Give me another 8 weeks and I will be off school again.

Hi Dear Friend!

Hey, lovey! Thank you for dropping by!

Hi Stasia! Good luck on your next 8 weeks!!

Thanks, Amy!

Lots to catch up on, but I just thought I'd stop by and say, "Hiya!" :)

Nice to see you here this week. Alas, it is almost over but you know what they say - keep you eyes on the prize! It will be worth it. See you in 8 weeks! Happy reading.

Hey, ladies, thanks for dropping by!

I finally finished a book this week - unfortunately, it is the one I have been reading for the past two weeks and not one of the ones I was hoping to get read this week.

#39: Empires in the Dust by Robert Silverberg - nonfiction; the subtitle of this book is "Ancient Civlizations Brought to Light" and that is basically what Silverberg does in this book - he gives general histories of several ancient civilizations: Egyptians, Hittites, Indus, Phoenicians, Etruscans, and Incas. While by no means in depth, Silverberg does give a good job of stating what was known about the civilization at the time the book was written (1963) and shedding some light about archaeological discoveries surrounding said civilizations; the book is dated, but I think what is there is worth reading, at least as a starting place for anyone with an interest in the subject; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

Hello Stasia,
just found your thread and starred it. I am amazed that with all what you have going on in your life - degree and family matters - you still found the time to read 39 books. "Hat off" as we say in Germany. I wish you a remaining lovely Sunday and will carry on following your life on fb :)

Happy Sunday, Stasia, glad to see you finished a book though it wasn't one of the ones you'd hoped to get to. It looks like an interesting topic!

#292: Thanks, Bianca! It is back into the salt mines for me. I have already started.

#293: Happy Sunday to you too, Mary! Thanks for stopping by.

Sorry your break is over, but keep looking ahead to Joplin! And then the holidays...

Good luck back to school, Stasia! Loved having you around.

Good luck for the next 8 weeks of school! (I'll probably need that more than you do!)

Hi Stasia! It was lovely to have you back for a bit. Best wishes on your current classes!

Dang! I missed your break already?! It was great to see you about on the threads as I play catch up here. Good luck on the next term and I miss you. : )

Thanks for coming by my thread! It looks like you won't be around for long, but it's good to have you for as long as you are here between classes! :)

As many of you know due to my Facebook posts, my mother-in-law was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with stage 3 multiple myeloma. She is refusing to take her chemo medicine and had to be checked back into the hospital today with fluid around her heart. They drained off about a liter. Please pray for her. This is really tough for the family, especially my husband, Kerry. He is planning on making another trip to Louisiana - his third in as many weeks - this weekend. Thanks.

>301 alcottacre: Praying.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Stasia and of course your MIL and with Kerry. Parents' illness is extremely taxing as I have found out over the years with my mum and her dodgy lungs. Distance makes things worse still and your husband will be physically as well as emotionally drained. xxx

Keeping you and yours in my thoughts and my heart, Stasia.

Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, Stasia. I am also keeping you and yours in my thoughts.

>301 alcottacre: I am so sorry, Stasia! Of course we'll hope for the best. Hugs!

So sorry to hear about your MIL, Stasia, and keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you all! LT friends are absolutely the best!

Stasia--Sending best wishes to your MIL and your family. Man! Hang in there.

Thanks, Kim!

To those who may have missed it or are interested in going, the annual Joplin meet up thread is up: http://www.librarything.com/topic/182436

I hope to see many of you there!

I finished another book:

#40: Flights of Fancy by Peter Tate - nonfiction; this book is all about folklore centered around birds (Who knew that Siberians took their swans so seriously? Don't you dare point at one in Siberia!); Richard did a full review of the book several years ago (https://www.librarything.com/work/5367459/reviews/63945423) and I echo his - it is a very good book; Recommended (4 stars) Mine

Sorry to read the news about your MIL, Stasia. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Thank you, Lori!

Hi Stasia,
Just dropping by to see how the mega-thread is coming along :)
Nice to see you getting through some books lately!!

I too am sorry about your mother-in-law. So difficult for your husband to not be closer too.

Very sorry to hear about your MIL, Stasia. Please keep us posted.

Just a quick update about Tee, my mother-in-law: She was released from the hospital yesterday. She is continuing to refuse to take the oral chemo treatments because when she took them when first diagnosed, they made her extremely ill and fatigued. She has agreed to having hospice workers come by and help her at set times throughout the day.

She received 2 blood transfusions Saturday, which helped with her potassium levels. Kerry told me Saturday when I spoke with him that she was extremely pale. However, by yesterday she had regained her normal color.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and good wishes!

so sorry regarding your mother in law. Prayers and sent!

I'll pray for your mother-in-law as well!

Also keeping you in my thoughts my dear this weekend. xx

>318 alcottacre: Also keeping you and your family in my thoughts Stasia. However, good that your mom is having hospice care as they are pretty good at what they are doing. I don't know how old your mom is, but maybe you have to accept her wishes in regards to the chemo pills.

Flights of Fancy sounds like something I would enjoy as well. WL :)

Stopping by to say hi, Stasia. Sorry to hear about your MIL. Hugs.

Thank you everyone for the prayers and good thoughts for Tee. Kerry spoke to her today and she is feeling all right, but she is not eating well at all. Continued prayers for her are much appreciated!

Thanks for the update, Stasia! Hugs!

I too will keep you and your family in my thoughts at this difficult and stressful time, Stasia. Seems like your MIL is taking control of the situation her way and she sounds like a tough cookie. Hugs!

I'm sorry about your mother-in-law's illness and the tough circumstances it brings, Stasia. I'll be thinking about you and your family.

Thank you, Mark, Lynda, and Linda!

On another front: I am job hunting. Things at my current place of employment have gone from bad to worse, and I really need to get out of there. I am looking for an entry level position within the Security field. If you know anyone in the North Texas area who might be willing to hire a slightly-used, semi-intelligent person, please advise! I am hoping at some point to get into the cybersecurity field, but I am willing to work my way there! I really need to get out of my current job while the getting is good. Just one more thing on my plate. . .

No good Texas connections, so sending good juju instead. Hang in there!!

No joke "one more thing on my plate." My best wishes regarding your mother-in-law. And I hope you're able to find the exact job you're looking for. Take care! :)

#329: Thanks, Kim!

#330: Thank you, Sara!

Sorry to hear of your mother-in-law's illness, and your job woes. Prayers are lifted up on your behalf!

Thanks, Terri!

How's it going Stasia? Thinking of you and your MIL.

Kim, my mother-in-law was rehospitalized this week. They are hoping she will be released today. I appreciate the thoughts!

Sorry, to hear the news about your MIL, Stasia. Keep us updated.

>335 alcottacre: I hope she's released today, too. :) Many hugs your way!

My mother-in-law was released from the hospital today. Thank you all for your continued thoughts, good wishes and prayers.

On another note, only 1 more week until the Joplin meet up! Woot!!

Just got caught up. Sending out prayers for your family and your MIL. Also hoping good job opportunities come your way. xx

>338 alcottacre: I'm so glad she was released! :) Just in time for Thanksgiving, too.

Thanks, Jenn! Thanks, Sara!

Glad to hear your MIL got released, Stasia. Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving, and a great meet up.

Happy Thanksgiving, Stasia! Good news about the MIL!

Happy Thanksgiving, Stasia!

Have a great Thanksgiving, Stasia!

Happy Thanksgiving, Stasia! I'm glad that your MIL was released from the hospital on Monday.

Happy Thanksgiving Stasia!

I wish you all the best with your job hunting and hope that everything will go smoothly with the hospice care for your MIL.

Happy Thanksgiving to you too Stasia from a non-celebtrator! With the timely release of your MIL your family has plenty to be thankful for this year. xx

Happy Thanksgiving, Stasia!

Thank you all for the Thanksgiving wishes! They are much appreciated.

I'm glad your mother in law was released in time for Thanksgiving! I imagine you are very excited about Joplin. Next year, I hope to be well, healed and ready to join you all.

I am leaving for Joplin at 5am. I cannot wait to get on the road. In the meantime, I have to work on schoolwork. *sigh*

Linda, I am holding you to your promise to make Joplin in 2015 :)

After the recovery from January's surgery, I anticipate three-four months of in-house healing. I know all will go well and I'll be ready to go to Joplin next year. I know you will have a lovely time Stasia. I also know how much you look forward to this meet up.

Yep, this meet up is the highlight of my year!

Hi Stasia - Have a great meet up. Good luck with the job hunting.

Thanks, Beth!

Hi Stasia!
I noticed that you counted A Trip to the Stars as one of your favourites of the year. It was one of my favourites of last year as well! What an unknown little gem of a book. :)

That is cool, Valerie! Glad to know you liked it as well. Peggy introduced me to the book, so she is due the credit :)

How was Joplin? Who was there?

Linda, we had 9 people there: Mike, Brenda, Sandra (BJ), Sandy, Nancy, Terri, Julia, Donna, and myself. We had a great time! You really need to come down from Chicago one of these years.

I hope we have TWO Lindas at next year's Joplin meetup! It was fun getting caught up with you yesterday, Stasia. I thought your picture turned out great! Lol.

Yeah, any picture that I am NOT in is sure to turn out great, Donna :)

Happy Saturday, Stasia!

Thanks, Darryl!

Hi, Stasia! Hope you have a peaceful, restful Sunday.

Hi, Stasia!
It was wonderful to see you in Joplin. Wishing you all the best with school.

Thanks, Linda!

Thanks, BJ! It was great to see you again. Here's hoping you can make it again next year :)

Potential job interview this week. Please keep your fingers crossed!!

Good luck on the interview, Stasia! All crossables crossed...ouch!

Good luck, Stasia!

Best wishes for the interview, Stasia! :)

Good luck with the interview, you'll knock them dead if they see even half what you have brought to this group.

Fingers are crossed for your interview!

Job interview this afternoon at 4pm CT. I will keep you posted!

Stasia, good luck for this afternoon!

Good luck!

>368 alcottacre: Good luck!

How did it go? Can I uncross everything now?

Yes, you can uncross everything, Roni. I felt like the interview went well, but it is not a job I will be accepting if it is offered. That being said, it was nice to get the first job interview that I have had in a while over with!

Thanks for all the good luck wishes, everyone!

I'm glad the interview went well (those are always nerve-wracking). I'm sorry it's not one you'd want to accept, however. Good job! :)

Thanks, Sara!

This is my last week of school for this session. I am off from December 23-January 8. Woot!

Sounds like a great block of holiday for you! Hope you thoroughly enjoy it.

>381 alcottacre: You're welcome. :) And what lunacat said: sounds like a great long holiday break! Enjoy it! :)

Glad you're getting a break from the studies, Stasia. I'm sure you're looking forward to it. Almost there!

Have a wonderful vacation from school. You deserve it!

Happy school vacation, Stasia!

Thanks everyone. As of tonight, I have just 2 "evaluation" discussions in which to participate. Everything else is done, so I am pretty much done until my next classes begin January 5th :)

Hooray, for Stasia! I hope you can now settle and get some R & R in for the next couple weeks. Hugs to my pal!

ETA- You might even find time to start a new thread. LOL.

Good for you, Stasia. Enjoy!

All the best of the season, Stasia. Enjoy your break from your studies and enjoy the holidays.

Thanks, Mark, Joe, and Judy!

Mark, why do I need to start another thread? This one has done well so far :)

Enjoy your winter break, Stasia! I see game playing and perhaps a few non-required reading books in the near future!

"why do I need to start another thread? This one has done well so far."

^Great point, Stasia! LOL. Have a great weekend and crack a book or 2.

#392: I have actually started a couple of books that I am hopeful of finishing before my break is over: The Terrible Secret by Walter Laquer and In an Ancient Land by Amitav Ghosh.

#393: Working on cracking books, Mark! See above :)

Enjoy your break, Stasia! You deserve it.

I read a book by Walter Laqueur decades ago and have In an Antique Land on the TBR.

Stasia, best wishes to you and your husband, Catie and Beth! It's Chrismas Eve's eve, and so I am starting the rounds of wishing my 75er friends the merriest of Christmases or whatever the solstice celebration of their choice is.

Stasia, have a great Christmas and New Year!

Wow, you really made it through the year with just the one thread. :)
Enjoy your break, Stasia, and I wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year 2015!

Doing the rounds with a festive Connie to wish you a very Merry Christmas full of joy, love and books.

Happiest of Christmases to you and yours, Stasia!

Merry Christmas, Stasia! Enjoy your time off. You deserve it. Hugs!

From our family to yours!

Thank you all for the Christmas wishes!

Merry Christmas, Stasia, and a joyful Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays Stasia!

Merry Christmas Stasia!

Stasia, best wishes to you for a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and God's Blessings to you and your family, Stasia! Keep up the good work in your studies.

Merry Christmas Stasia, I hope you are enjoying your winter break from the studies

Dear Stasia,
Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2015

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Stasia. May we meet again in 2015.

Merry Christmas, Stasia!

Thank you all for the Christmas greetings! I hope you all had a wonderful day.

Julia, I look forward to it. We can break out SOS Titanic again if you like :)

Wishing you a restful festive season, Stasia. xx

Thanks, Paul. I had a wonderful time with my family.

Please pray for my mother-in-law. She was rehospitalized Sunday. Kerry is going to try and make a another trip to Louisiana for New Years. He could not spend Christmas with her because of his job, so it is very important that he visit her soon. Thank you for all your prayers and good thoughts!

Belated Christmas wishes and a Happy New Year, Stasia.

>418 alcottacre: Sorry to hear about your MIL - I will be praying.

I'll say a prayer now for your mother-in-law, Stasia.

Your MIL is in my thoughts and prayers, Stasia.

Safe travels for Kerry and prayers for your MIL, Stasia!

Thank you, Roni, Lori, Darryl, and Heather. Your prayers are much appreciated!

Take care Stasia. I'm thinking of you and your family!

Wishing your family strength, health and peace in the New Year, Stasia.

Stasia,



Happy New Year from your friend in Kuala Lumpur. Wishing your MIL a speedy recovery

Happy New Year, Stasia!

Stasia--Happy New Year woman!! Enjoy your break. Best wishes for a fun, happy, healthy, scholarly 2015. : )

Thanks everyone for the New Year's wishes and the prayers for my mother-in-law. She was out of the hospital for only one day before being hospitalized again, so please continue to keep her in your prayers.

You guys are the best!

Dang it! So sorry Stasia. More prayers headed her/your way.

Will absolutely remember her in our prayers.

Sending best wishes for your mother-in-law.

Thank you, Kim, Jim, and Rhian!

I found you! Except I can't find your 2015 thread. Hopefully you'll put an update on this thread when you make your 2015 one so I can follow your board gaming. :)

I will probably make my 2015 thread tonight, Rachel, and post where it is here :)

We have already played Elder Sign and The Palaces of Carrara thus far this year and Shadowrun: Crossfire is on the table to play tonight!