WOW! Update time!!

Howdy there! 
I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted anything.  I have been busy and new things and people are in my life... Not only is my job new, I feel like a new person.

To start, with my new job, I also cut my hair off.  I went from lovely ponytails to spiky hair in one cut. It has been an adjustment!  Side note: I am now growing out my hair as I just miss it too much.

I grew braver and I put myself out there.  I started dating again.  I went on a few dates that I thought were great... some that were okay and some that were "just get me out of here".  I have met a few men that I enjoyed time that I spent with, and a couple have become friends.  One has caught my attention long term, and I am now spending a lot of time with him and his adorable children.

Having children, age 17, 13 and 8 in your life is interesting.  The 17 year old is now living in a different province, and he is missed.  The 13 year old and I have have a few things in common and one is cooking.  He wants to be an Italian Chef and enjoys Italian food outings with me. I always tease him that once he is done becoming a red seal chef, that he and I are going to run off to Italy together to eat food, drink great wine and grow fat! I think he sees the humor in it all.  Little Missy is 8 and loves to swim.  We go swimming at least 3 out of 4 weekends! She is a princess and sure knows how to act like one! :)  Just when you think and resign yourself to not being a parent, life throws you a new plan.  I enjoy spending time together as a 'family".  We aren't quite there yet, however, we are making our way there.

You will all be interested in the guy.  He's an amazing man.  He gives his heart and all he has to his children.  He has included me into his busy and hectic life, making time for us to be alone together as well as with his kids.  He is 5 yrs older than me, is mature for his age, and yet can have fun. He is cute: taller than me (which isn't hard but I appreciate it), dirty blond hair, a goatee which I love, and is built.  Like a brick house. His hugs send me to the moon and I experience pure joy at his kiss.  I have never experienced such a balanced relationship in my life, a true give and take. A true love affair.

How's the new job? It's going great! I have had a lot of extra responsibility added to me over the past 5 or 6 months, which is fine with me.  I am hosting my first learning opportunity for my co-workers, as the billing expert.  I have grown so much in this area... learning tricks of the trade and all.  I have made some very valuable connections that I appreciate every day.  I love having clinic days, days when we  (my cardiologist and I) see patients all day.  I love being with my patients, using my skills and feeling useful.  I am learning to love the reception duties, however, I just hate making the mistakes that cause everyone so much trouble.

Book reviews.... They are coming, as I am constantly reading.  My new guy reads with me, and there is nothing like cuddling together while lost in our own books.  He does read what I suggest, which is a nice turn.

Well, that's part of the new me in a nutshell.  Time to run off and be a "step mom in training".

Life is what you make it.. get out there and just do it!

The End of an Era

It is the end of an era in my life.  The longest job that I have ever had, is no more.  I resigned from my job at the homeless shelter yesterday morning.  Seven years of caring for clients and fellow staff members is coming to a close in a few short days.

I have accepted a new position at a new company.  I will be working in my medical field, however, not in the mental health speciality like everyone (including me) would have thought.  I will be working in cardiology, ECGs, along with billing clerk duties.

I am sad to be leaving behind the ones that will be.  I have come to love my new team.  I have always loved my clients.  I nearly cried tonight as I had coffee for what may be the last time with the old team out at the offsite location.  I was glad to be working out there, and sad to think that it may be the last time that I was ever in that building.

I am scared.  I hope that I can live up to everyone's expectations! I hope that I can remember everything, after not using it for 5, almost 6 months.  What if leaving is the right thing to do afterall?

I am excited.  From the staff members that I have met who I will be working with, everyone is so welcoming/friendl/great.  I am excited to learn new things.  I am excited to meet new people.  I am excited to go shopping for business wear clothing!

I know that this job was given to me by my higher power. This is what He had planned for me from the begining.  This is why He wanted me to be patient- the perfect job was out there!

Mixed emotions is what I am feeling, is what I expect to feel.  I am alive because I feel.

Hang in there, things do get better!

For all who are awaiting book reviews, they are coming!  I have been working, reading for book clubs, been ill and am in the middle of a big change.

I am reading, always reading. 

Another Honour- I'm "In The Spotlight"

Today, I had another honour set upon me.
A fellow blogger, Kat from Forever Book Lover, has interviewed me and posted the interview on her blog.
You can find it here.
Thanks Kat for this honour.  Your words are very kind.

I am on the mend- almost better.  It was a heck of an infection- one that has been making it rounds around my work, with both staff and clients.  I am back reading, and soon will have a new review to post.

Enjoy your day!

I've been ill...

Howdy!
I noticed that it has been a while since I last posted anything.  I worked my 4 nights, and came home ill.
I had lost the battle and the germs won over for like 6 days!
I am on the mend... I've got my antibiotics (after my homeopathic remedies were used) and my wonderful tea to get me totally better.
I shall be back, feeling 100% pretty soon.

How did my J know I was sick?  I never picked up a book! :)

See you when I am 100%!!

Book Review: French Romance Cooking Class by Beth Mathison

Short Story Review:

French Romance Cooking Class:

A Young at Heart Story

By Beth Mathison

Untreed Reads

This short story is a quick read that is well written.  You feel like you are a part of the cooking class as an observer.

There are three couples in the story, a newlywed couple,  a couple in their twilight years and our main characters, Frannie and David, who are in the middle.  The story takes place at a French Cooking Class, where the Chef teaches how to cook a three course meal while teaching about love.  I love who the author threads insight from the newlyweds and from the older couple, teaching Frannie and David about love throughout the class. 

Throughout the class, our main couple struggles through the class: no wanting to touch or eat oysters, getting behind in the soup and duck courses and floundering through the potatoes; however, they do it together and with each other’s help.  This is a couple that does everything together and loves it all.

This is a cute and quick read, at 14 pages.  It can be read quickly in a commuter ride and leave you feeling good.  I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys chick lit, as it is a romance without all the details of a sex life.  It would be safe for preteens to read as well.

Well written, well enjoyed!  I can only wish that this was longer as I enjoyed it so much!

5 stars!

Book Review: True Medical Detective Stories by Clifton K. Meador, M.D.

I was excited to receive this book for review.  I am trained to be a RN and I love medical stories.

This well written book tells the stories of 18 different medical detective stories that Dr. Meador has either been involved in or has researched and learned about.  At the end of the book, he has the proof to back up all the stories, which I appreciate.

What I love about this book is that it doesn’t dumb anything down.  Dr. Meador uses medical terminology to label what the body part is, the bruising and other common medical words to help describe the story.  He uses the terminology so freely and unpretentiously, that it aids in his story telling.  This is a book that can easily be read by a non-medical person.

Another thing that I like is that in his story telling, the doctor gives nurses the credit that they deserve! For example, in one story, the nurse recognized the wound, treated it and was able to teach the doctor.  As a nurse, I loved that this story was included in the book.  Yes, it was a medical detective story, and the detective this time was a nurse.

Dr. Meador is a master story teller and this shows in his work.  In a few pages, he can tell you the story, the medical background and the medical findings.  I enjoyed that he wrapped up his stories with a teaching moment, what studies have shown or to describe in more detail the medical examination.  I appreciated this in his story of a school teacher and her class who collapse and it turns out to be a mass psychogenic illness.  He adds up to date information, including a recent long term study in Upper NY.

I only wish that this book was longer, as I enjoyed it so much.

This is a necessary read for anyone who likes to watch reality medical television shows, as each chapter is its own story, which is alike to what is seen in one of those shows. It can be a fast read, as I read it under three hours.  Perfect for rainy day read or an evening by the fire.

Well written, well enjoyed!

5 stars!

Book Review: Girl in the Glass by Zoe Brooks

Book Review: Girl in the Glass By Zoe Brooks

Published by White Fox Book

Found on Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, Goodreads

This intellectual work of fiction is about Anya and her Shadow, Eve.  It is a tale of survival against all odds in an unforgiving, unloving desert.

The reader first meets Anya, already orphaned by her parents, living with her paternal Aunt and Uncle.  We learn that Anya is an unwelcomed part of the household, often taking blame and punishment for acts that she has not done.  It is one of these acts that boost her goal of getting out of the household, which she does, thanks to her Shadow.  Eve and Anya travel alongside of the main road, however, not on the road, in fear of being detected.  With help of “Frank”, the girls make it to the big Northern City, and change their names to make survival easier.  Life there is not easy, and taking jobs that each of them don’t like leads them to the “King” who woes Rosa (Anya) and makes her his.  Through this destructive relationship, Rosa’s strength and determination are beaten down until she escapes again.  It is not until our heroine meets Alma and through knowledge and learning, Rosa grows and gains herself back.

I am glad to learn that this is only book one of a saga, as when I was done reading it, I wanted more! This is a coming of age story that is so much more.   I fell in love with Anya and was cheering for her happiness throughout the book.  I was happy when she fell in love with a boy at her work; I was saddened by her abusive relationships, shocked at her treatment by her own family.   I loved that this story was based in the desert, something that I knew very little about and learned more about as I read the story.  I love to read fiction and learn at the same time.  This book was well thought out, well researched as evidenced by the knowledge that is shared with the reader in regards to the healing plants of the desert and customs related to the people who live there. 

This is a great book for someone who is looking to escape reality, and be taken away.  I feel that people who are looking for a strong heroine should read this book, as throughout the story, whatever our heroine is doing or is being done to her, she is enduring it.  It is a book about a relationship that is never taken for granted with Anya and Eve- how two people can connect and prosper together. 

Recommended for a good weekend read.

4 stars!