Random Tuesday

 I'm linking up with Stacy to get random!

I see that Blogger has changed formats again.  They did this previously but let us go back to the regular view, but this time I think it's permanent.  In the new format, before, trying to post was S-L-O-W!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all the bugs were worked out.

Later today I am having a nuclear stress test.  I'm nervous.  I've had a regular stress test before, but not the nuclear kind.  From the Mayo Clinic:

A nuclear stress test uses radioactive dye and an imaging machine to create pictures showing the blood flow to your heart. The test measures blood flow while you are at rest and are exerting yourself, showing areas with poor blood flow or damage in your heart.

It's that radioactive dye injection I'm nervous about, especially if it's through an IV.  There's just something about needles!  I've got two other heart tests scheduled later this week and next as they are trying to confirm or re-diagnose a heart defect I was born with.  It hasn't given me trouble for many years, but lately, it has reared its ugly head.  Prayers are welcome!

Wedding planning has become quite intense!  Floor plans, types of tables and linens, seating plans, set-up, creating a timeline, choosing songs, etc.  My daughter is doing much of it herself - it IS her wedding - but lately she needs lots of help and suggestions.  I won't be glad when the wedding is over, just the planning part! 32 days to go!

Changing the subject... if you have read my blog for a while, you know how I hate porta-potties.  It's my goal to NEVER have to use one, but inevitably, I will likely need to some time in the future.  The reason I mention it is there are architects in Tokyo who have created transparent public potties.  What?  Yes, transparent.  They say that two concerns people have with portables are cleanliness and whether or not someone is in there.  This solves both problems.  But it is also discreet.  They use a film (the same kind my husband had installed in the mission control room at NASA) that turns the glass walls opaque when you enter so you have some privacy.  Interesting!

And now...

And last...

Have a great week!

Thursday Thirteen

I never realized how many songs my daughter has to select for her wedding!  I've suggested keeping the processional simple and classical.  Think "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring," "Ode to Joy," "Canon in D," and so on.  However, they need a song for the recessional, a song for their grand entrance, one for first dance as Mr. and Mrs., dad/daughter, mom/son, cake-cutting, flower toss, garter toss, grand exit.  Whew!  It's so hard to choose, so I made a list of some ideas for my daughter.

1-All you need is love (Beatles)

2-You Make my Dreams Come True (Hall & Oates)

3-Happy Together (The Turtles)

4-This Kiss (Faith Hill)

5-I Melt with You (Modern English)

6-On Top of the World (Imagine Dragons)

7-I Got You Babe (Sonny and Cher)

8-Stand by Me (Ben E King)

9-You are so Beautiful (Joe Cocker)

10-Your Song (Elton John)

11-My Wish (Rascal Flats)

12-You are the Sunshine of My Life (Stevie Wonder)

13-Faithfully (Journey)

And a bonus! (Maybe for the cake-cutting?)

How Sweet it is to be Loved by You (James Taylor)

What song would you suggest?

Link up with Thursday Thirteen!

Photo Wednesday

A beautiful rose from the birthday flowers I received last week.

And a picture of my cat thrown in for good measure.

Find more photos at image-in-ing and Wordless Wednesday.

Random Tuesday

Hello all!  Link up with Stacy for some random fun!

Click any photo to enlarge

This past weekend I got to see my daughter in Dallas, the one who is getting married in less than six weeks, and the one who was here recently to help celebrate my birthday.  There was a "couples shower" given by the groom's aunt who lives up there, and his mom was there from Colorado, too. It was nice, even with masks, shields, and distancing in place.

I had to get a hotel for two nights because I'm not so good at driving long distances.  I didn't want to stay with them as they only have a one bedroom apartment, and I didn't want to interrupt their routines.

It was almost a five hour drive, and the sun sometimes puts me to sleep.  There was no way I could drive up and back in one day.  When I do make that drive, a 5 hour energy drink is my friend, even though it tastes terrible.  It's the only time I ever use the stuff.

We are less than six weeks from the wedding.  And the bridal shower here is in less than two weeks.  Eeeeeek!  I've got things to do!  Luckily, I'm not hosting alone.  There are two bridesmaids and one of their moms helping.

I'm glad to have something to think about other than the bombardment of advertisements to vote, vote, vote!  As if we don't know we need to vote!  And the mud-slinging political ads are tiring.  I can't wait for it to be over!

And now...

Have a great week!

Sunday Synopsis

On My Life by Angela Clarke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The main character of this book is Jenna. She is finally happy. She has a wealthy fiance' and a soon-to-be-stepdaughter, and life is good, even if her future in-laws are a little controlling. One day, Jenna comes home and finds her stepdaughter murdered in their home. Her fiance's blood is found, but he is missing. And the police have found child pornography on her computer.

Jenna will be waiting in jail until her trial. Shortly after her arrival, she is clocked in the nose. She is taken for medical treatment and finds out that she is pregnant. How in the world is she going to be able to prove her innocence from a jail cell. She knows she is innocent, so she's going to have to figure out who the real killer is, and where is her fiance'?

This book was described as fast-paced, mesmerizing, and a smart thriller. I disagree with this. While I thought the book was going to be about how Jenna was able to prove her innocence, it was mostly about surviving in a women's prison. There was less about the mystery and more about the wrongs of the British prison system. That's not what drew me to the book, so I was disappointed about not getting a true mystery or thriller. I was very bored with it.

Most of the book is spent reading about Jenna whining about being in jail, feeling sorry for herself, professing her love for Richard, or continuously saying that she has to protect her child. None of that had to do with her situation and how she would solve the mystery of who killed her stepdaughter. And while there was a twist at the end, it was radically unbelievable.

This was also originally published in the UK. While I usually enjoy reading books from a British point-of-view, the constant reference to certain British slang actually began to bother me. Joggies, trainers, jumper, cuppa, crisps, and kip, to name a few. And the author is very repetitive when focusing on Jenna's alleged crimes.

If you're looking for a story about prison life, this may be the book for you. If, however, like me, you'd rather read a mystery that involves clues and a solution, keep looking for a different book.

View all my reviews