The Best Thing About Today... Showing 12,601-12,650 of 12,968

[Josh]

I don't know if it's the best thing about today, but I was thinking this morning of how trusting little Spenser is. How willing to learn and love. Unlike Marlowe, he's never known anything but kindness and care.

I'm so glad there are organizations like Halfway to Home that step in to save these animals and take care of them until they can be adopted. And, while the first couple of weeks were rough, I'm so glad I pushed this. He's adorable and we're figuring out a new normal that I think will eventually be even better than the old normal (though the SO and Marlowe are not completely convinced yet). :-D

You can't save everything and everyone, but at least you can do what you can do.

[Jordan]

Josh wrote: "I don't know if it's the best thing about today, but I was thinking this morning of how trusting little Spenser is. How willing to learn and love. Unlike Marlowe, he's never known anything but kind..."

This is great! Everything about this is great! I'm sure the SO and Marlowe will come around eventually. It just takes time and patience.

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "Josh wrote: "I don't know if it's the best thing about today, but I was thinking this morning of how trusting little Spenser is. How willing to learn and love. Unlike Marlowe, he's never known anyt..."

True words.

[Alison]

Snow day! There's a huge snowstorm going on and it's just been decided that the library is not opening today, so I get to have a snow day at home! Woo hoo! Over a foot has fallen this morning at my house so far and it's meant to snow hard all day.

[Jordan]

Alison wrote: "Snow day! There's a huge snowstorm going on and it's just been decided that the library is not opening today, so I get to have a snow day at home! Woo hoo! Over a foot has fallen this morning at my..."

Wow, enjoy your day off with a good book in front of a fireplace, if you have one. :-)

[Jordan]

At least for now, I don't have to deal with the public today. I'm ordering the patron requests in the office all day. :-) And Overdrive has simplified their ordering process by moving the self-pubbed titles back in with the regular titles so I don't have to check two places for everything. Woot!

Also, it's supposed to be 49 degrees here. So, no snow for us. I think we're supposed to get some next week though.

[Alison]

Jordan wrote: "Wow, enjoy your day off with a good book in front of a fireplace, if you have one. :-)"

Thank you! It's bit of a battle I'm having with myself right now--at what point do I give up trying to do useful things and just make a fire and lounge on the couch and read? Let's see if I can make it to lunchtime before I give in. :)

[Alison]

Jordan wrote: "At least for now, I don't have to deal with the public today. I'm ordering the patron requests in the office all day. :-) And Overdrive has simplified their ordering process by moving the self-pubb..."

Enjoy your quiet day! Woot!

It was 50F here yesterday and today it's 20F. It was kind of disconcerting that it was raining and 50F in January, so I'm pleased to get a proper winter storm. It's meant to be cold and snowy all week!

[Jordan]

Alison wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Wow, enjoy your day off with a good book in front of a fireplace, if you have one. :-)"

Thank you! It's bit of a battle I'm having with myself right now--at what point do I give up ..."

Yeah, I suppose it's always good to get a few chores done. I sometimes have days where this battle is lost... like last Friday... and now I'm having to make up for it in what little free time I have during the work week. lol. Oops.

[Jordan]

Alison wrote: "Jordan wrote: "At least for now, I don't have to deal with the public today. I'm ordering the patron requests in the office all day. :-) And Overdrive has simplified their ordering process by movin..."

Thanks! As much as I detest the cold, that does sound rather nice and I do love a good snow day. Our previous mayor, thankfully not the current one, said that during a bad snow storm we would close the schools, but that the libraries had to stay open because where would the kids go if they couldn't go to school? Like WTF?!?! So, yeah, I've gone to work in a blizzard before and sat alone, or nearly alone, in a building watching the snow fall.

[Antonella]

The ultrasound of my belly didn't show anything sinister ;-).

I was a bit worried after having had for some weeks a light belly ache late in the evening or in the morning. I still have to do another exam though.

[Alison]

Good news, Antonella! I'm so glad to hear it. What a relief. :)

[Antonella]

Alison wrote: "Good news, Antonella! I'm so glad to hear it. What a relief. :)"

Yes, it is a relief. Thank you, Alison!

[Johanna]

Antonella wrote: "The ultrasound of my belly didn't show anything sinister ;-).

I was a bit worried after having had for some weeks a light belly ache late in the evening or in the morning. I still have to do anot..."

That’s great news, dear!

[Jordan]

Phew! So good to hear that, Antonella!

[Jordan]

It’s Friday and I have two days off after a long seven-day work week. Woot!

[Johanna]

Jordan wrote: "It’s Friday and I have two days off after a long seven-day work week. Woot!"

Enjoy!

[Jordan]

Thanks!

[Alison]

This is kind of boring, but, as of this morning, we're going ahead officially with refinancing our mortgage because the rates are so low right now. We got a good deal sorted out last night and while it's a paperwork headache, it's going to save us a fortune in mortgage payments and interest, so I am super excited. It's less than a year since we bought our house, so it's kind of amazing that the rate is now almost 1.5% lower. Yay!

[Antonella]

Alison wrote: "This is kind of boring, but, as of this morning, we're going ahead officially with refinancing our mortgage because the rates are so low right now..."

This is brilliant, not boring. Congratulations!

You'll have more money to invest for yourselves and for the stuff you like without having to work more for it!

[Jordan]

Yay! That’s great news!

[Johanna]

Alison wrote: "This is kind of boring, but, as of this morning, we're going ahead officially with refinancing our mortgage because the rates are so low right now. We got a good deal sorted out last night and whil..."

Yay, indeed! :-)

[Jordan]

Phew! Glad she didn’t have any flooding!

I love staying home during storms where it’s warm and cozy. There’s just something about it that I love.

[Alison]

Mymymble wrote: "Storm Ciara
60mph gusts and 15 foot sea swell atm round here.
Though I'm not looking forward to checking for damage later, it's so cosy snuggled up at home with the new heating boiler working and S..."

Hang in there, Mymymble. I hope you and your family keep safe in the wild weather. Enjoy snuggling up.

[Johanna]

Mymymble wrote: "Storm Ciara
60mph gusts and 15 foot sea swell atm round here.
Though I'm not looking forward to checking for damage later, it's so cosy snuggled up at home with the new heating boiler working and S..."

I'm sending warm thoughts!

[Josh]

Alison wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Wow, enjoy your day off with a good book in front of a fireplace, if you have one. :-)"

Thank you! It's bit of a battle I'm having with myself right now--at what point do I give up ..."

Lunchtime is always a great goal. ;-D

[Josh]

Alison wrote: "This is kind of boring, but, as of this morning, we're going ahead officially with refinancing our mortgage because the rates are so low right now. We got a good deal sorted out last night and whil..."

We truly need to do this, but the idea of all the paperwork is enough to make me cling to our 4%

[Alison]

Josh wrote: "Alison wrote: "This is kind of boring, but, as of this morning, we're going ahead officially with refinancing our mortgage because the rates are so low right now. We got a good deal sorted out last...

We truly need to do this, but the idea of all the paperwork is enough to make me cling to our 4% "

4% isn't a bad rate. We were at 4.625, which is high in these days of sub-4% rates. Now we're at 3.25%. But, having just done all the paperwork, it's really not that bad. It's all online and we signed online and did a Google Drive thing to upload w-2s and bank statements and all that stuff. We haven't even met our new broker in person, there's just been a lot of phone calls. It seemed a little overwhelming at first, but it really wasn't so bad. Sounds like people who know expect the rates to stay low this year, so you probably have some time to think about it.

[Josh]

Alison wrote: "Josh wrote: "Alison wrote: "This is kind of boring, but, as of this morning, we're going ahead officially with refinancing our mortgage because the rates are so low right now. We got a good deal so..."

It's funny you say that because after I read your post, I clicked on the FIND OUT MORE button at BofA and when I saw the line about uploading documents, I just...my heart sank.

The challenges of buying a house when self-employed were truly discouraging. The hoops we had to go through. Ugh. And that was at my highest earning point!

[Loretta]

I woke up, which is always a plus :)
It is a sunny, semi-warm day with none of the horrible winds we had over the weekend.

[Jordan]

Loretta wrote: "I woke up, which is always a plus :)
It is a sunny, semi-warm day with none of the horrible winds we had over the weekend."

Yay, that sounds great!

[Jordan]

The weather here is really warm today and it was just nice and sunny. Very spring-like. :-)

[Josh]

That after today I still have one day for catch up before I begin Secret at Skull House.

(Also that we've been swimming for a week--it's been that warm!)

[Jordan]

Today that would be my Tai Chi class. It made me feel tons better after my long day at work. Another student called out a move I was doing and wondered what it was, so the instructor had me show him, and then he broke it down for everyone else. Because I’m following the DVD at home, I get extra stuff that we don’t always cover in class, and it’s super helpful. Two other students bought the DVD based on my recommendation, and they said it’s been very helpful for them too! :-)

I’m also reading a TMNT graphic novel that is also working to improve my mood. Lol.

[Karen]

Josh wrote: "That after today I still have one day for catch up before I begin Secret at Skull House.

(Also that we've been swimming for a week--it's been that warm!)"

Eagerly awaited. :)

[Josh]

Making some hard decisions about deadlines and future publishing releases. There's something really freeing about being willing to walk away from 6,000 existing preorders. I don't WANT to, obviously, but I'm very clear in my priorities right now.

[Antonella]

Josh wrote: "Making some hard decisions about deadlines and future publishing releases. There's something really freeing about being willing to walk away from 6,000 existing preorders. I don't WANT to, obviousl..."

Great! Do what's better for yourself!

[Jordan]

What Antonella said! Though now you have me curious as to which book you’re putting on hold...

[Alison]

Josh wrote: "Making some hard decisions about deadlines and future publishing releases. There's something really freeing about being willing to walk away from 6,000 existing preorders. I don't WANT to, obviousl..."

You gotta do what you gotta do. Good on you for looking after yourself. Hopefully people don't get too angry, given the current circumstances.

[KC]

Josh wrote: "Making some hard decisions about deadlines and future publishing releases. There's something really freeing about being willing to walk away from 6,000 existing preorders. I don't WANT to, obviousl..."

Taking care of yourself and your family is the most important thing. Lots of hugs <3

[Alison]

The beautiful snowfall. Giant, fluffy snowflakes. They're enormous! I'm going outside. :)

[Antonella]

Alison wrote: "The beautiful snowfall. Giant, fluffy snowflakes. They're enormous! I'm going outside. :)"

When you wrote this I wanted to comment that this was a bit unusual for end of March. Then I went for a walk and found ice formations ;-). Here as well it has been much colder than before lately.

[Alison]

Antonella wrote: "Alison wrote: "The beautiful snowfall. Giant, fluffy snowflakes. They're enormous! I'm going outside. :)"

When you wrote this I wanted to comment that this was a bit unusual for end of March. Then..."

Stay warm, my dear. Here it is quite normal to have snow in March and we usually get a fair bit. It's melts pretty quickly, though. It is normal to get a day or two of snow in April as well. The weather is beautiful and spring-ey and sunny and warming up, but we do still get snowy days. It is not unusual for it to snow in early May. It doesn't happen every year, but it happens. My mother does not plant flowers until May, no matter how warm and sunny it is, in case of snow. Last year people were still skiing in July.

[Jordan]

I remember a freak blizzard in April many years ago. It snowed for several days and we lost power for about a week. Craziness!

It's warm out today, almost 60! But it's going to get cold again. It's been mostly cold, but with no snow all winter. But earlier this week it did snow for a couple of hours. Then turned to rain and all the snow went away.

I'd like spring to actually show up though. If I have to be stuck indoors, I'd like to be able to open my windows for some fresh air! :-)

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "What Antonella said! Though now you have me curious as to which book you’re putting on hold..."

I've pushed Bell, Book and Scandal back to October. Not officially yet, but that's the book Amazon will cancel preorders on, which is a drag, but whatever. I don't know why they are so dumb about that because as irritated as readers are by delays, that is NOTHING to how annoyed they are by having their orders cancelled.

Secret of Skull House will come out at the end of April and I'm planning to do Haunted Heart in May or June. So not tremendous delays on those two.

[Josh]

That I am starting to adjust to being locked down? That I am regaining my focus and energy? I think there was an initial period of shock, where it just seemed like... DON'T MOVE, SOMETHING BAD MIGHT HAPPEN. But now I'm starting to plan again.

[Jordan]

I’m a cancerian introvert, so working from home is easy and kind of fun. Well, it helps that I’m often working at home outside of work, when I’m writing, so sitting at the same desk for hours doesn’t seem too out of the ordinary. Or maybe after two weeks I’ve gotten used to it?

[Jordan]

I think I often confuse my therapist with my blasé attitude about so many things. Everything just felt weird for a bit, but not any more and I find I can’t be worried. My apt building management put up signs to use a covered hand or your elbow on elevator buttons. But there is no guidance on opening and closing the front door. And there are too many times you do something on autopilot because that’s what you’re used to doing. I try to be careful, of course, but I can’t worry. This too, shall pass, as they say.

[Jordan]

Ooohh, and thanks for the schedule update! We need to pick a new BOM for April!

[Jordan]

Mymymble wrote: "Many dog shelters have had to close - some even handing out dogs to foster homes in their car parks. My daughter homed a five month old bull terrrier/Jack Russell cross. They've already applied to ..."

Awww. I'm glad they could help out.

The Greyhound race tracks were set to close later this year for good, after the laws changed. But now because of the virus they've had to close months early and have a few thousand dogs to find places for. So Greyhound rescues will be extra busy.

I've also been following a Galgo rescue group in Spain on Instagram (Galgos del Sol). Galgos are Spanish Greyhounds. They're used for hunting October - January and then they are abandoned and have horrible things happen to them at the start of February when the hunters no longer want them. So this rescue group goes out and every day they set traps and catch the dogs so they can rehabilitate them and find them loving homes. It's hard to watch, and it's crazy because they find so many dogs, at least one every day, it seems. Though now with the virus they've had to stop a lot of that, unless they know there are a lot of dogs in one area they might be able to get permission to go in and get them.

What's also hard here, is that the rescue group where I got Adrien turned out not to be a reputable group. They were shut down for many reasons, though they've gotten themselves back up and running and got a new permit earlier this year. I'm not sure I trust them any more, once I saw the evidence against them and finally understood what was actually going on.