Josh watches Prison Break. I sometimes pay attention, but only enough so Josh then has to explain to me the other 75% of what is going on. Prison Break showed it’s final episode of the fall season on Monday night. And then showed trailers for the episodes upcoming in March. Yes, the season doesn’t resume for 3 months. But I’m sure you all already knew that since you probably heard my husband as he jumped madly about the living room, waving his arms and screaming “March. Did they just say March?” and rewinding the DVR several times so I could verify for him. The tv executives should be very afraid.
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Last night I went out to Barnes and Noble and Wal-mart at 10:30p. It was storming. Thunder and lightening. It’s almost December, for the love of Pete. We were under a tornado watch. But I digress. Not many things could induce me to venture out of the house so late at night, but something(s) did.
The first was Forbidden Magic by Cheyenne McCray. For those who have never read her work, Chey writes some smoking hot erotic romance (I’m sure you all know by now that she’s responsible for the existence of my child. Not soley responsible of course, lol, but she bears some responsibility). She has a wonderful voice and is a fabulous storyteller. I’ve been waiting quite anxiously to buy her first mass market release from St. Martin’s. And I was determined to do it in the first week to help boost that bestseller rating 
So out I tromped to Barnes and Noble at 10:30p last night and promptly located it on one of their main displays. I browsed for a few minutes, but beyond noticing that there seemed to be a lot of horror featured on the main new release paperback display, I didn’t see much of interest.
As I made my way to the cash register, I noticed a display for a “Cops & Kids” book drive. So I asked the cashier about it. She looked at me with a little shock and started stuttering out a reply. I was puzzled by this until we got further into our conversation. Basically, they are asking people to purchase a book to go in donation basket and the local police will then distribute the books to children in need. The cashier showed me some of the classic children’s books they had in hardcover behind the counter (Treasure Island, Black Beauty, etc) and pointed out their bargain price of $5. So I told her to add Treasure Island to my total.
She was stunned speechless for a few seconds. And then she says to me “But I didn’t even have to ask you if you wanted to donate. You asked me about the program. I didn’t even get a chance to tell you about it first. You asked. YOU asked. And you bought a book. Just like that. I have been talking to people about this all day, these people, buying hundreds of dollars of books and dripping with diamonds and they can’t be bothered. This is so sweet. I can’t believe how you just did that.” Poor woman. It seems she had been incredibly demoralized throughout the day at the lack of interest from people in donating a book to “a child who might not otherwise get one” and I was ending her day on a good note.
I don’t deal well with effusive praise and actually, I was feeling guilty that I only added one book so I didn’t do much but smile and shrug. Now, I’m not telling you this story so you all recognize what a wonderful person I am (I expect, if you read my last blog entry, you’ll know that’s not true) but because I was saddened by how surprised and shocked she was by such a small act. I don’t know about where you all live, but on my local news, they’ve been talking about the hits the local charities have taken because people are burnt out and short on extra cash after donating to Hurricane Katrina disaster relief. I have several boxes of items to donate to my local charity, that I saved because I suspected this would be the case, but I hope they can get what they need to help less fortunate families.
Anyhow, I walked out with Forbidden Magic so I was happy. Go buy. Go go go! Oh, and I have to mention that I did notice what a nice fat book it was for the bargain price of 6.99. Not a skimpy category sized book! And it’s got such a pretty cover 
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But I said I went out for two things. The second was Cherry Cordial Hershey’s Kisses. Oh. My. Gosh. They’re a Hershey Kiss filled with the yummy goodness of cherry cordial cream. Like a chocolate covered cherry but there’s no cherry. They’re fabulous. And they’re limited edition so don’t wait to pick up a bag. If you don’t like them you can send the leftovers to me
While at Wal-mart, I remembered something. 11pm is a nice time for shopping because the store is mostly empty. Mostly. It also seems to be the time the stranger folk choose for shopping (no smart comments from the peanut gallery, please). I couldn’t stand too long in one place pondering any of my choices because there was a gentleman (I use the term loosely) in the store who spotted me during his apparently aimless meanderings through the store and made it his mission to appear, at any location I paused at for longer than 5 seconds, and ask if I was enjoying my shopping trip. Uhh…no. Acquiring a stalker at Wal-mart does not enhance the shopping experience. And that type of behavior rarely nets a guy a date. Just an fyi.
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I have a new hobby. Scrapbooking. Not digital scrapbooking either. Real scrapbooking. I don’t have time (no small exaggeration), I can’t afford it (not if I want to pay my mortgage and buy Christmas gifts) and I have no idea what I’m doing. But I went to a scrapbooking crop on Sunday held by one of the moms from my playgroup. I went because I wanted to drink wine and have adult conversation with someone other than my husband and because women I enjoy spending time with were going to be there. I was there only as a scrapbook spectator. I didn’t do a thing and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. But I got hooked in to the idea of doing an ABC book for Brianna with pictures from her first year. Because, you see, mommy guilt is a powerful thing and I have mommy guilt that Brianna doesn’t have a scrapbook of pictures and memories. What if something (knock on wood) happens to me. I won’t be here to tell her the details. *sigh* So I’m scrapbooking. A very small 6×6 album. One page per letter. Easy, right? Right? hellooo…why are the scrapbookers out there laughing? Darn you, Erin.
I plan to buy Forbidden Magic this weekend. I have a list. Oh yes I do. And gift cards. And coupons. And a romance readers card. I am so coming home with a bag of books on Saturday from Waldenbooks.
Good for you with the scrapbook. I still give my mother shit for not making me a baby book and I’m turning 25 in 3 months. She’s all, “sorry, I was a little busy raising you,” and I’m all, “whatever, you didn’t have a moment’s peace to jot down Baby’s First Tooth?”
ROFL.
Feign displeasure all you want, Angie, but I’m still tickled that I’ve inspired you to scrap (and I suspect that you won’t stop with one piddly little ABC book once you get started! Did I forget to mention the fact that it’s VERY addictive??? OOPS!)… plus, I know that you love me! LOL
–Erin
I digi-scrap because I’m always at the computer… and my little scrapbooking supplies grew feet and wandered away with my kidlet. Trust me… you’ll never stop now that you’ve started.
I second Erin’s opinion that scrapbooking is very addictive
But it will have such rewards when you look back at your creations. And it doesn’t have to be expensive, think coupons, coupons, coupons. It’s one of the only ways I can afford to do it, since if I spend too much that cuts into the book buying budget.
Crystal
My friends introduced me to scrapbooking a few years back. I have done a total of 6 pages. On that note, I have about $300 worth of supplies around the house. Forget actually doing the project, shopping for the stuff is apparently my gift.
CindyS
I found your blog through http://www.wholinkstome.com…thanks for your link in September! I’ve enjoyed your blog as well.
Laughed re: your husband’s reaction to Prison Break’s delayed return. My sister, cousin and I were yelling at the TV as well. I don’t know what they think they’re doing…or what I will do every Monday night until March (although I thought it was May that it comes back).
Hi, Angie! I was googling for the fun of it, and ran across this entry. Thanks so much for mentioning Forbidden Magic and all of your wonderful comments! I hope you enjoyed it.
Hugs,
Chey