I had fully intended to participate in this weekend’s Bloggiesta, because there are definitely things that need to get done around here. I need to make sure I’ve visited everyone participating in my challenge, set up a link page for reviews, and consolidate the info on a tab, I have an opinion post I’ve been meaning to write, and I have 3 reviews that need to get done. And I’m sure there are plenty of other tasks that I could do, like fix the images from when I lost my blog awhile ago, but to be honest, Friday rolled around and I just wasn’t feeling it. My husband got into an accident on Thursday and while he’s perfectly fine, repairs are frustratingly expensive in a month where money is very tight due to his job switch. As in, we have two months to get through on about half of a month’s pay. So, it’s either cut deeply into savings we need, or go back to the credit card we just paid off. It’s so frustrating; if he could have crashed two months from now, we could have shrugged it off fairly easily, that’s how much more he’ll be making, but now we just have to get by somehow. The road wouldn’t have been icy in March anyway. Needless to say, I won’t be getting those books I mentioned in the last post until March, and my birthday on Tuesday is looking a whole lot less exciting. The fact that my job prospects are horrid to say the least has not really been helping.
So, what have I been doing besides fretting? Reading a ton of comfort reads. I’ve read a book a day so far this month, which is downright strange after I declared I wanted to read less. I went straight for the comfort reads and have been completely indulging myself, although I did start A Suitable Boy, my target challenge read for the month, and I’m enjoying it so far. 100 pages a day will get it read in a couple of weeks. It is nice to see my TBR numbers shoot down for once, especially considering I was anticipating a shoot upwards with my birthday and Christmas so close together. Since I haven’t actually received any books – I haven’t even received my Holiday Swap gift – it’s going to go down even further, although I think my parents have some books for me at home, where I’ll be in a couple of weeks.
Those comfort reads have actually got the wheels in my brain turning though. Yesterday I finished an older medieval romance, The Lily and the Leopard by Susan Wiggs, and it really had me thinking how much had changed, and how it’s pretty easy to see why others can disdain romance novels. I really didn’t like it. Too much physical activity and purposeful misunderstandings had me both failing to believe in the romance and wanting to slap the characters. Sure, there are some modern books like this, but the few I’ve read this year have proven far more worthy. It’s set right before and during the Battle of Agincourt and the author’s research is surprisingly decent, but I just have so many things to say about this. When I feel better about life, expect a post!
Anyway, apologies for the depressing nature of this post! I hope to be back to my cheerful nature sometime soon, just wanted to let everyone know what was going on. I’m planning a visit to Massachusetts in 3 weeks to see some of my college friends and I can’t wait. I haven’t seen one of them in over a year because I haven’t been home for long enough and the train is expensive, but I’ve been lucky this time and I’m heading up at a fraction of the cost, albeit only for about a day. As long as the weather doesn’t prevent it, all I have to do is suffer through the flight, since I abhor flying more than anything else, and hopefully when I return to the UK I will have an interview or two to attend. Fingers most definitely crossed.
I hope everyone else is having a much brighter start to their 2010! See you next week!
Oh, that’s terrible about your husband’s accident! Glad he is OK (which, of course, is the most important thing) but the rest is just … ugh. Hope things start looking up for you soon! Hang in there …
.-= Melissa (Betty and Boo’s Mommy)´s last blog ..Bloggiesta Update 2: Numero Dos =-.
Sorry to hear about your husband! Somehow, things like that never happen at good times. (We had to have 2 cars repaired right before Christmas.) I’m so thankful Keith is fine – in the long run, that’s what’s important.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Our Life in France – the train =-.
Yeah, that is the most important, and now I know I’m going to be worrying about that too every time he goes to work until the snow/ice has melted!
Glad to hear everything turned out fine with your husband. Enjoy the trips and good luck on the job front.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon =-.
Sorry to hear about your husbands accident but I’m glad he’s ok. I haven’t participated in bloggiesta as much as I should have either. Like you, I just haven’t been in the mood. Maybe later today.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Book Review: Lessons From a Dead Girl =-.
I’m sending huge virtual hugs to you and your husband Meghan! That’s SO hard, but I’m glad you have March to look forward to. And a visit home! On a better note, are you loving A Suitable Boy?!
.-= Eva´s last blog ..A Photographic Interlude =-.
I am! I’m really getting into it and I think I’m going to have a lot to say when I’m finished!
I’m focusing this year on happiness. It can be hard to do when bad things come around like your husband’s accident. Glad he is not hurt. Also glad you have plenty of comfort reads.
.-= debnance´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: Bloggiesta =-.
It’s a good thing he’s okay, but sucks about the repairs. Hope it all works out quickly. 100 pages of A Suitable Boy… I’ve got that on Mt. TBR somewhere, it’s a chunkster, istn’t it? I had to chuckle about your goal to read less, then reading more… Maybe I should vow to read less? Maybe then I’d be able to polish off one a day
Don’t worry, spring is on the way! 3 months away, but still… it’s coming
.-= The Kool-Aid Mom´s last blog ..Bloggiesta Progress Update #4 =-.
Meghan I am so sorry to hear about your recent woes!! That is so frustrating about the accident as well. I had one last year and I had to spend my Christmas bonus on the repair and had to borrow $$ from my mom!! Then of course, this year, with the economy, I didn’t even GET a bonus! I feel your pain. I am glad that you do have some resources such as books & blogging to help alleviate your stress. Enjoy Mass. but I hope you don’t freeze your butt off! Good luck with the job hunt.. my mom FINALLY found one after over three months of unemployment. (Thanks the Lord!) AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! I wish you happiness and a few extra hugs and smiles!
.-= Marie Burton´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon~~ BRRRR! =-.
Oh, Meghan, I’m so sorry about the recent difficulties. I know it always seems like things happen when they are most destructive. I hope things turn around soon for you. Big hug!
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Bloggiesta Wrap-Up [TSS] =-.
Best wishes in these stressful financial times. I completely understand your struggles. My fiance was without work for almost a year, and the summer months when my pay dropped by about half were just miserable. We made it, though. I’m certain you’ll be fine, so keep indulging in those comfort reads. Your readers are thinking of you!
.-= Andi´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon – Weeding Books =-.
I’m so sorry things have been so rough, Meghan
I know it’s looking bad now, but March will be here soon. Also, I feel horrible about your holiday swap gift. I’ll look into it, but if it doesn’t show up you’ll at least be able to pick something from the donation centre.
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon – GLBTQ Mini-Challenge =-.
It isn’t your fault, Nymeth! I am still crossing my fingers, I know some have received late gifts.
Fingers crossed on everything for you — The added stress of money (or lack thereof) doesn’t help. Enjoy whatever you do for your birthday. Your first one as a married lady!
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Bloggiesta: Wrap-Up =-.
I am so sorry to hear about this bad news. Thank goodness he is okay though, because otherwise…ugh don’t even go there. You guys will make it through. Just do what you must and make do with what you have. I do recommend an ice cream sundae for the birthday though.
Hope this award makes your day a little better
{hugs}
.-= jennygirl´s last blog ..Awards, awards, awards =-.
So sorry to hear about your husband and the financial difficulties. I’m glad you decided to be good to yourself with comfort reads. I hope things improve soon!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – Review of “Like Hidden Fire: The Plot to Bring Down the British Empire” by Peter Hopkirk =-.
Oh, I’m sorry. That seriously sucks! I’m happy your hubby didn’t get hurt–that’s the most important thing.
I’ve noticed that when I’m stressed out is when I read A LOT. Reading is my escape from RL, so when stress is when I need it the most.
Hugs, Meghan! I’m sure you’ll get through the next two months fine and they’ll be little more than a vague memory soon.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Bloggiesta, Dias Dos =-.
Thank you for all the well wishes and hugs everyone! =)
So sorry about the accident, but I’m glad your hubby is fine.
Since your income will be jumping up so much, I wouldn’t fret too much about using the credit card to get necessary things, since you know you’ll be able to pay it off entirely in a couple of months. Frustrating, yes, but try not to let it get you down, hon.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Friday Fun! (Happy 2010!) =-.
Oh my gosh, I’m glad Keith is alright! So terrible, Deborah’s husband was in an accident this week too, I think it was Friday. Luckily he’s okay as well.
I think the solution to your birthday is to have a good, but quiet and cheap birthday now, then do something a little more fun and expensive in a few months and call it your birthday present.
.-= Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..Rene Has Two Last Names – Picture Book Spotlight =-.
So, so sorry to hear that you are having so many troubles right now! I am glad that your husband is ok at least. I am hoping that you will begin to have much better times very soon and that your trip will brighten your spirits considerably. I am glad that you were able to get so much reading done though!
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..The Bone People by Keri Hulme =-.
Aw I hope your birthday was fun anyway, although I know with the extra snow on Wednesday it’s possible you were house bound this week. And again fingers crossed for interviews, so many people I know who came out of uni last year are still looking for jobs so hang in there, it’s an especially tough market at the moment.
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s accident. I am, however, extremely glad to hear that he is alright. Thankfully you have those comfort reads to help a little. I’ll keep sending positive vibes your way in the hopes that the next month and a half goes smoothly and you can jump into the new job with ease.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Book Blogger Con is On! =-.