Kick off your shoes and stay a while

I've lost my reading groove. Have you seen it? Howa 'bout you? No? Well, I lost it when my sister came to visit in July. I had just two Chronicles of Narnia books left to read, had already started one of them, but just one day of her being here and I haven't picked it up since. It's not that they weren't good, they are in a '50's innocent, crisply-written, child's novel, I just haven't gotten back in the habit.

And the collection I've collected since then. I've since gotten three books from Amazon and four books from my BIL girlfriend.

Then I stopped at Waldenbooks Friday night. I should not be allowed near a bookstore. Especially when I already have a to-read list. More especially when I really don't have the spare money for one, er, two, um three books.

Huh? what was I doing there?

Well, I needed to go on a last-ditch birthday gift hunt. And, since my husband enjoys himself a book or two as well, I figured the book store was a good stop. Especially after I wondered through the tools aisle and got a headache trying to figure out what he had, what he didn't, what he considered too-modern for his backwoods, let's return-to-the-olden-days wood-type-preferred tools, and what could a guy possibly do with half that crap?

Anyhow, I found myself meandering through the mall in the direction of the bookstore and spotted a book right out front. For myself. Complete with a  40% off sticker for members.

Dang!

Which only concluded in my checking out the back of the shelf for other top-sellers. Oooooh, Buy One, Get One Half Off.

Damnit!

I finally worked my way to the History section and found myself staring at nothing.

Crap! I now had three books for myself and nothing for my husband. After asking and receiving absolutely no help at all (seriously, I could have gotten all that info without your help, thank you very much), I checked out the books featured near the check out, books on Pennsylvania. The history of Pennsylvania, even.
Oooh, lookie, a book on the history of the Allegheny National Forest, with pictures. A book that costs as much as my three.

Godda ... you get the point.

I figured I'd better check out, since I had just spent our satellite bill money in less than half an hour, and that's with all the discounts and a coupon.

So, now I have three more books to read:

Stupid History: Tales of Stupidity, Strangeness, and Mythconceptions Throughout the Ages by Leland Gregory. Because I'm a dork and I love little fact books like this. Is it sad that after reading not even 50 pages, I knew a bunch of the facts? Please tell me it's okay.

The Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality by Jerome R. Corsi. I asked for a similar book on McCain, because I like to keep such reading balanced, but one doesn't exist. I said I wanted to start reading more than just chic lit, guess this applies.

The Long Walk Home by Will North because I liked the cover. What? I think it's about an affair, but I'm not sure.

Today is my Husband's birthday and just like every one of his birthday's the last few years, I'm planning a cook out this Saturday. And, just like every cook-out I've planned this year, I believe it's supposed to rain.
GAH!

I have an indoor grill for on top my stove, but that's beside the point.

I've still called people and I'm still planning on burgers, hot dogs, and other cook-out type foods and I can only cross my fingers that we're all not stuck compiling in my little living room talking above kids who are wrestling while demanding cartoons and an window air conditioner that will undoubtedly need to be on to chill down the radiating body heat, and me attempting to give the food an outdoor taste while it sizzles on my stove and other women offer to help while we inevitable spend the entire food-preparations bumping arses.

But that's for tomorrow night.

His birthday is tonight and despite his birthday request of watching me with another woman *rolling eyes*, I'm planning on making meatballs - which will cook in the crock-pot while I'm at work - spaghetti and apple pie for desert, his favorites.
Before coming home, I'll just pop in a book store and see if I can find a good historical book of some kind, you know, since I didn't get a proper gift idea.

He knows all about the cook-out, since I do it every year; but, he doesn't know about dinner, so I still get to surprise him, which I love to do.

Here's to a good weekend!