For a four-day work week and a quiet house, it has been quite the exciting week. For one thing, I confirmed on Friday that someone has been stealing packages off of my front porch. I had suspected something when I stopped receiving books around the first of the month. Then, I ordered some clothes from Old Navy and was tracking the package. I was a bit confused when the tracking said that the package was delivered on Wednesday but I still had not received anything. I talked to my mail carrier on Friday morning and found out that she had delivered two packages on Wednesday and two on Thursday. I did not receive any of them. Grrr. So, I filed a report with the police and have made arrangements that the only time my mail carrier is to deliver packages is if we are at home. It isn’t ideal, as the post office isn’t necessarily close, but at least I can guarantee that I am getting them all. If I ever find out who was doing this, there is going to be hell to pay!
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| Not happy and still drugged. |
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| The day after…and much more alert. |
As if that wasn’t enough, after a 60-minute wait and a 30-minute appointment with the vet, it was determined that the lump we thought was a cyst on Gretchen’s back may actually be something worse and that it needed to be removed immediately. So, on Friday, when my blood was still boiling at the just-discovered thefts, I dropped Gretchen off for surgery. She came through with flying colors, so I was able to pick her up Friday night. It will be another seven to ten days before we receive the pathology reports. She will be eight years old later this year and cancer is extremely common in her breed, so all we can do is keep our fingers crossed that it was that fatty cyst we thought it was.
Yes, the family is still gone but they will be beginning their journey back north later today. When I come home from work tomorrow, my family will be whole again. The peace and quiet has been wonderful, but I do miss that sense of contentment knowing that all my loved ones are safe and sound under one roof. I’m glad they could get away, as Jim was about ready to go insane from stress thanks to work. We have all been able to take a step back, reflect and relax. It was necessary, but I can’t wait to hug and kiss my babies again!
On the blogging front, did you see that the sign-up form for Armchair BEA is now live. For those who will not be able to head to NYC at the end of May but still want to network, get the latest and greatest information about the publishing industry and enter some amazing giveaways, go add your name to the rapidly-growing list!
This week, I was able to post reviews of the following:
- Try Me by Parker Blue
- The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
- Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell
- Fang Me by Parker Blue
I also continued my popular Trends in Blogging series with my comments discussion, and I was even able to get Connor’s thoughts on The Tomorrow Code.
With the kids gone and thanks to a three-day weekend, I was finally able to accomplish some major reading. I finished Blake Butler’s There Is No Year, The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure, My New American Life by Francine Prose, Devotion by Dani Shapiro, and Veronica Roth’s Divergent. Today, since the weather is still gloomy and rainy, I hope to finish Doc by Mary Doria Russell. It’s been a great weekend.
Speaking of which, I need to wash the sheets for my family’s return and dive back into Doc. It’s a fascinating historical novel on Doc Holliday, immensely readable and oh-so enjoyable. Have a great Sunday. Happy Easter to those who celebrate it. Happy reading!
Yes, if the post office were just a bit closer, this would not be such a bad situation for peace of mind. Still, I don't mind the inconvenience because it means I actually am getting my mail! So sad that I have to think like that.
Gretchen is doing well! It will be another week or so before she gets out her staples but we'll have our silly doggie back again!
Thanks, Jodie! I actually do think it is a neighbor or a neighborhood kid. The police even said that 80 percent of these types of thefts are from someone just walking up and down the street, like a kid on his way home from school, perhaps. I doubt we'll ever know for sure, but I'm not taking any chances anymore. Just this week, I've received 6 packages, all of which were waiting for me at the post office. Insane.
Yes, you do! I need someone else with whom to discuss them!
Thanks, Stacy! She's definitely looking and acting better than she was a few days ago.
Awww Gretchen looks so much better in the second photo – odd, but she is a dog who really suits those crazy plastic collars!
I hope you catch the theif btw. You don't think it's one of your neighbours do you?
Okay, okay, I'm reading DOC next! I also need to get to MY NEW AMERICAN LIFE, interested to see what you think of that.
That really sucks about that blasted THIEF! I hate people who steal. We moved out of our house, but were (and are) still moving stuff out periodically and some a**hole stole our riding lawnmower. Not that we were going to need it in an apartment, but we could have sold it. UGH! Anyway, back to the packages. I'm kind of glad we are in the apartment now because we have our own locked mailboxes and packages are left in locked boxes at the end if they're too big for the regular box. He just pops the key into the box. Love it!
I'm glad Gretchen came through her surgery okay. I'm keeping her…and you all…in my thoughts. I hope her path report comes back with positive news.
Have a great week!
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Keeping fingers crossed for you and Gretchen!
Thanks, Florinda! She is on the mend and will continue to be spoiled no matter what happens.
Thanks, Patty! It wasn't too bad. The dog needed peace and quiet, so I used it an opportunity to just sit. It was probably the first time the entire time they were gone. LOL!
Thankfully, it was mostly packages from publishers. I will definitely be keeping an eye out though. Thanks for your concern, Ceri!
There are some pluses to having the house to yourself – glad it was a good reading week, and hope your doggie makes a good and speedy recovery!
We had a few packages stolen off our front porch at our old apartment. It really sucks.
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Wow…you have had an eventful week…not conducive to relaxing…I am so sorry…but things will always get better and at least you were able to lose yourself in some really great reading.
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