New glasse--whew!

Just over two weeks ago, I got a new pair of glasses. My perscription had changed quite a bit and it was plainly time to get my glasses updated.

So...I trotted off to Lenscrafters and picked out a new pair. The frame shape was quite different to my existing pair, so I expected a few days of adjustment.

That wasn't what I got. It was so much worse! I expected a little disorientation the first day, maybe even a little nausea. Instead, it was constant and coupled with daily headaches, some of which were very severe.

I went back to Lenscrafters. They tried adjusting the fit. I gave it a couple more days. By this point, I couldn't read well out of the left eye. I wondered if it could be simply eye strain, since I'd been spending quite long hours working.

It wasn't :( I started to worry, wondering if my perscription had changed and if an eye problem that made itself known was rearing its head. I tried my perscription sunglasses while I was working, on a lark. Lo and behold, my vision was fine. It was clearly the glasses.

We went back to Lenscrafters and the wonderful manager helped me. They have a great 30 day satisfaction guarantee and without any argument at all, I was in another new pair in only an hour. The adjustment period has been short, the glasses FEEL great and I can finally relax :)

I highlly recommend the folks at Lenscrafters. Instead of putting the lenses in a frame, they completely redid them.

TBR challenge complete!

I'd actually finished this book earlier in the month but had earmarked another book for the TBR challenge and I haven't quite finished it yet, so...

Anyway...

The theme for the May TBR challenge is to read a Military/Police themed book in honor of Memorial Day OR an ebook/book in print that was first an ebook.

Here's my rundown!

Title: Shadow Patriots: A Novel of the Revolution

Author: Lucia St. Clair Robson

Year Published:2005

Blurb:(via Amazon) In July of 1776, the American colonies are ablaze with passion. In the streets, those who would be free boldly read aloud the newly written Declaration of Independence. It is a cry of freedom, but it is also a time of critical confrontation, both on the battlefield and off as the people of a new nation choose between their king and an uncertain future.

It is a choice which is not easily made. As Commander-in-chief George Washington declares a major victory in New York, the rest of the colonies separate into Patriots and Tories. Kate Darby never expected to be swept up in this political storm. The Darbys are Quakers who have pledged their allegiance to God first--but that soon changes. Kate's younger brother, Seth, can no longer deny his soul's cry against tyranny. Fleeing from his Loyalist parents' house to join General Washington's ragtag forces, Seth enters a life he never expected.
With the influx of British soldiers, Philadelphia soon becomes a temporary base camp for the English forces. When the Darbys find themselves forced to take in Major Jonathan Andre, Kate falls quickly for his charm.

Despite her warring affections, Kate finds herself drawn deep into the war. As she attempts to follow her brother, she risks her life and her family's reputation by becoming a spy for the patriot forces, a role which quickly transforms the once-timid Quaker girl. With a world of danger and political upheaval thrown before them, Kate and Seth face incredible danger in the hopes of shaping one of the single most important events in American history: the war for freedom.

Told with historical accuracy and incredible attention to period detail, Shadow Patriots recreates America at its youngest and describes with vivid intensity the men and women who bravely did their part to deliver it from tyranny.

Why did you get this book? I was browsing at the library and the title grabbed me. I guess I was in the mood for a Revolutionary Era novel.

Do you like the cover? Erm...it is very...green

Did you enjoy the book? I did! The author has a fantastic lyrical writing style and her descriptions were very lush. She pulled me right in. I did initially have a problem with the number of characters and feeling a connection with all the characters and the changes in POV, but the author won me over after only about twenty pages.

The war descriptions were real without being excessively gory and the characterization was top notch.

I also loved the idea that a woman was one of the most influential spies in the war.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Yes, the author was new to me. I already have my eye on a couple of her other historical novels.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? It went back to the library

Anything else? I love a HEA and this story, based on a real historical figure, wasn't.

Everyone is a critic!

Boy, I must really be falling down on the blog job if my dear husband has to complain that I'm not updating enough. Apologies! I'll be better!!

Happy Mom's Day!

I hope all the mothers, grandmothers, step-moms, aunts, godmothers and anyone who has loved or mothered a child had a wonderful day!

As a step-mom to grown children, I've never celebrated Mother's Day, but this year I got to speak with my eldest step-son, I got a card and my dear hubby took me out for a special dessert. I feel very spoiled and cherished on this day.

And to top it off, I got to speak with my Mom today, and my aunt.

Mom isn't getting any younger and has had a host of health problems for the last 15 yrs. , including, but not limited to cancer. My Mom and I haven't had an ideal relationship but as we both get older, we try to see the wisdom in each other. We're both aware that time is fleeting and that we need to cherish every moment, and I think our relationship is as strong as it has ever been.

My aunt is like a mother to me. She and her sister raised me, despite the fact that they were in their sixties when I was born (they're the sisters of my *GREAT* grandmother). I owe so much to this woman... There just aren't words. She and her husband were involved at my schools, fed me, clothed me, took care of me when I was sick, and they did all of this when they could have been enjoying their retirement years. Aunt 'Chick' and Uncle 'Gall' and Aunt Emma and Uncle Charlie were my support system growing up and I feel so lucky to have known them.

Of the two couples, only Aunt 'Chick' is still alive. At 94 yrs. old, she is quite frail these days. She had a nasty broken hip earlier this year, and things were touch and go for a while. I've never been more aware that every moment with her is a gift. It was so nice to wish her a Happy Mother's Day today. She never had children of her womb, but she raised, or helped raise, my mother, her sister, her two brothers, me, and my younger cousin. That is some legacy, wouldn't you say?

Poor ignored blog

Gosh, has it been almost two weeks since my last post?? Wow! There isn't any excuse except that life has been busy. My mind has been swimming learning 'control logic' (I hope to be a programmer when I grows up ;), doing other professional obligations, and then, of course, the day job.

And the TBR challenge.

And the fact that my book club picked THREE books to read for our next meeting. We meet this week. How many of the three books do I have read? Um...does a half book count?? Yikes!

I now have TWO married step-kids. Please join me in offering HUGGGE congrats to David and Erin, who tied the knot this last weekend in a Scottish castle (How romantic! Apparently the romance gene SKIPS a generation ;)

We dearly wanted to be there, but things just didn't work out. However, we're hoping to visit them in their home in London before the year is out. We haven't had a vacation since before we were married (not even a honeymoon) so if we can squeeze even 3-4 days away after Mark's huge project is done, it will be such a great break. Unfortunately, it will be all about the project for the next 8 weeks or so .

Really not much is going on here...no news to report beside what I've shared.

Hope May finds you all well!

TBR challenge-would help if I finished the draft ;)

I finished the April TBR challenge that Angie is hosting this weekend, but I never came back to finish my draft.

Here it is!
Title:Warprize

Author:Elizabeth Vaughan

Year published:2005

Why did you get this book? A dear friend told me I HAAAAAD to read it. So I did. Some...five months later?

Do you like the cover? It was merely okay.

Did you enjoy the book?I really enjoyed the book. I've been eager to read some science fiction or futuristic romances and this fed the savage beast. I loved the characterization, I loved the pacing and even though there were a few awkward places, they didn't keep me from enjoying the book.

Xylara is both a member of the royal family and is a master healer. Due to her rank, this position has been hard fought for her. She runs in to Kier who is the leader of an enemy force, some of whom are being held prisoner by her people. Political machinations about and suddely, Xylara finds herself Kier's slave.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?
I picked up the sequel this weekend, but I'd never read this author before.

Are you keeping it or passing it on?
This one is a keeper.

Anything else?