Happy Turkey Day to all my US pals!

 

2nd Listen: You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms

Author: Kelly Harms 

Narrator: Lauren Fortgang

Title: You Can Thank Me Later

Genre: Short Story, Novella, Fiction, Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published:  October 31st 2019

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: When the Dickenson clan sits down for Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, it is the last holiday when their tight-knit family will ever be the same. Oldest brother Pete and his wife are expecting their first child. Youngest sibling Sophie is too busy running her restaurant, The Little Plum, to bother with any kind of social life. And middle child Charlie's happy, uncomplicated life as a Midwestern science professor is upended when his wife Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Knowing this will be her last Thanksgiving, Annette asks Sophie to look after Charlie after she's gone. Which would be a lot easier if Charlie didn't show up with an insufferable new girlfriend at the next holiday meal.

Review:

Just like pie...I had a hankering and decided to treat myself and relisten to this! I loved it last year!

The story follows Sophie and her clan. Sophie is a professional chef and she loves to feed her large family. Pete and Charlie are her older brothers. Pete is expecting his first baby. Charlie is married to Annette who was Sophie's friend first. Things happen and we find out Annette is diagnosed with cancer. This Thanksgiving will be her last. When Annette passes, Sophie is left to look after Charlie and help him through the grieving process. A couple of years pass and it is Thanksgiving time again and Charlie surprises everyone by bringing a date.

Again I was a hot mess. I cried a couple of times like I did before. I can relate to Sophie a lot and I hope that if I pass my sister-"in-law" (BF and I are not married) would miss me just as much since I was her friend first before BF and I started dating. But like Annette...I want them all to move on and be happy. However........I can see how Sophie had such a hard time. Ugh! SO sad!

Don't worry it is not all doom and gloom and buckets of tears. This is FUNNY. Especially when Sophie is wielding a wine bottle! Ooo! So funny. 

I am so glad I re-listened to it. I think a part of me liked it even more than last year (even though I gave it a 5 then too)! 

The narrator is funny and fantasic. 

I still want moreeeee from this family and Sophie!

Overall...5 stars...duh ;) 100% recommend!!

Challenge(s):
- #46 for Audiobook Challenge

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Blog All About It: Truth (Thanksgiving Edition)

This month the prompt is "TRUTH".

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the USA. We celebrate this every year with our family as a way to remember how thankful we are for our family, food, and this country. In the spirit of being thankful, I will provide some "truths" of mine. 

I'll list some of my favorite things that are on the dinner table. Nom!: 


- Turkey (love this over ham ANY day)
- Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream (only during this time of year though)
- Stuffing (*drools*)
- Mashed potatoes with gravy (*double drool*)
- Green beans (fresher the better)


Here are some things that gross me out:

- Lemon meringue pie
- Beets 
- Cranberries (I love drinking them...but not eating them)
- Butter (bleh...I like my biscuits butter-less)
- Turkey innards ie the heart or kidneys or liver or whatever (*gags*)
- Brussel sprouts (a rare one but I do see them....gross)


Ugh....I regret this post because now I'm starving.

Happy Thanksgiving...Be Thankful Always

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Yes, I love this day not only because of the food and having some days off (yayy for 4 days off *throws confetti*). I love hanging out with my family (and sometimes the occasional friend who joins us). I also love taking a moment to remember to be thankful for all I have and everything I have obtained. Everyone should be thankful always, but sometimes life gets in the way and makes us forget all the good things we have. 

The most recent thing is buying a house with my love. It took lots of hours at work and lots of penny-pinching, but it has been worth it.  Made you this is a picture before it become ours, so it looks WAY sunnier and warmer than it truly is today. LOL Too cold to go out and get a new photo ;)

WHAT are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Black Friday of Death - Avoid or Approach with Caution

Happy  Pre-Thanksgiving to Americans and other countries that celebrate their own version of this holiday.

I want to bring up a serious issue that has been bugging me for years…Black Friday.

That cursed day that I had to deal with when I was working Food Service not so long ago. I personally have never experienced this day as a consumer. I refuse to. Yes, yes, there are good deals those who love day will appeal. I totally understand wanting to get a good deal (I’m a frugal girl myself) and it is an excellent Marketing day and it helps boost the economy. However, they need to ban this day.

First, people have been hurt AND killed over this “holiday” event. It is rather morbid, but there is a website completely dedicated to counting how many people in the United States and some in International countries have perished or been injured to the point they needed to go to the hospital since 2006. 7 people have been killed and 98 have been seriously hurt. The one that really made me avoid this day was a worker at Wal-Mart was killed after opening the doors in a stampede in 2006. The consumers rushed in once the doors were opened and trampled him to death. Horrible, horrible. There are a few “honorable mentions” that were not part of the count since it can only be assumed Black Friday was the cause: 3 murders, 1 suicide, and 1 severe injury (blackfridaydeathcount.com).

Second, in the United States this event occurs RIGHT after Thanksgiving. Morally this event goes against Thanksgiving. “Giving thanks to what we have.” Contributing in the madness and selfishness is anti-Thanksgiving. Many people will say, “Oh it is not for me – it is for Christmas gifts.” I will grant this. However, why does there need to be a sale to get a gift for someone you love or care about? When I see something I buy it I don’t risk waiting for this particular event to happen and risk it being sold out.

Third, this encourages overspending. It seems counter-productive: lots of sales…buy more then you planned too…spend the same or more? Impulse buying at its finest. Also, many people do not read the sign properly or have researched or read reviews. In the end, the deal may have seemed like a deal, but it really wasn’t.


Fourth, why in the world is it a good idea to get up at 3 AM to get to the store to get in line before it opens? Is that turkey fryer or TV or that video game worth getting up that early and standing in the cold (for those areas that get cold)? It is pure lunacy. Many people get this day off…ENJOY it. Being up that early, being in the cold, being around all those people can cause an increased chance of getting sick which may result in calling off sick at work and losing more money. Was that stupid product worth it?

And lastly….Cyber Monday exists. Half of the time the deals are better and you don’t have to get injured, die, get sick, and the chances of impulse buying is a little lower.

Yes. Do not support this horrible day. I know I will not. I volunteered to go into work since I have no ambition to even be part of society on this day. Unlike many, I will be EARNING money rather than spending money.

What are your thoughts?

References:
http://blackfridaydeathcount.com/

http://www.businessinsurance.org/10-reasons-black-friday-is-awful-and-needs-to-go-away/

Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! This is the time of year - which it should be done everyday - where one should really take a good look at their lives and be grateful for what they have. 

For me...I have to be grateful for for. I have hit many speed bumps in this life of mine, but I have been blessed with many good things and people. Thank you everyone!

Happy (Early) Thanksgivings!!!

First of all.....HAPPY early THANKSGIVING to all who celebrate and even for those that do not.....thank you guys for being awesome and following my blog! *throws confetti* I know I haven't been too active for the last couple of weeks. School, work, nanowrimo, my friends, my family and a general lack of time has kept me away from the internet. At least you guys understand *hugs*

Well, I hope you all have a fantastic day and rest of your week! I promise I'll be more active once this months is over.

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<3CaroleRae

Happy Thanksgiving

We just got home from my grandma's house and I'm so full that I have a food baby. Haha. I would have had this posted this morning, but I couldn't wake up until right before we headed out. Last night Elyse and I closed Tim Hortons for Thanksgiving. I didn't get home until 2:30 am, but it was worth it to turn off all the lights and to lock the doors. ^.^

ANYWAYS, how was your Thanksgiving this year? Mine was pretty laid back and solemn, even though the Detroit Lions made us a little angry. Oh well. In honor of this day, I'm going to share a quick list of things I'm thankful for:

~My large and lovable family 

~My beloved friends

~My new car

~Baker College for helping me make something of myself

~My work and work friends.

~This blog and all my lovely followers

~All the good and bad things in my life. Without the bad, I wouldn't appreciate all the good things. 

Again....happy Thanksgiving and I hope you all have a great rest of your day!

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<3CaroleRae