Another Get Well Gift, This Time From Darwin!

It's been over a month since my surgery at Greenslopes Private Hospital, however my friends on Bookcrossing have been wonderfully supportive and are still sending me gifts and cards.

Yesterday, I was out and about busily doing things when I popped into the post office and picked up the mail.  While there, I also found a parcel pick-up card in my mail, so did so while I was there.  
On arriving home, I opened this wonderful little polka-dotted parcel to find J4shaw had sent me 'Drowning Ruth' by Christina Schwarz and a little sachet of loose leaf white tea!  How lovely is that?  Thank you so much for this wonderful gift to read!  I do look forward to getting in and reading it this year; and if not over Christmas, in the new year (as I have a few books on the go at the moment).  Thank you again, Jfshaw for thinking of me while I'm recovering from my surgery.

A Get Well Gift From Calgary!

Yes, I've been a little under the weather lately; but not horribly sick.  I've been in Greenslopes Hospital for day surgery and I'm getting better as each day passes.

I told some friends on Bookcrossing and had well-wishes coming from near and far.  One of my friends sent me a lovely card from Melbourne with a couple of bookmarks for next year's Bookcrossing Convention - and invited Mum and me to go to it; so we could all meet up there.  What a great adventure that would be!  I'd love to go to Melbourne again.

Then, last week sometime, while I was away at Brighton at my brother's house, a parcel arrived at the post office from Calgary.  This week, I picked it up and I opened it to find one of my wonderful friends from there send me a little box filled to the brim with wonderful things to help me feel better!  This includes a half-pound Reeces Peanut Butter Cup!!!  It was amazing to see one of these; even my Dad was astounded as he picked it up and felt it.  It will be nibbled at little by little.  I must thank Herchelle for sending me this wonderful box of lovely things.  I do love everything you've thoughtfully sent me; especially the cds - I played them yesterday and do love them a lot!  Great music comes from Canada and nobody gives it a chance.

Secret Santa Time!

Every year, I take part in a Secret Santa on Bookcrossing.  This year, did it on Facebook and got a large parcel about 2 weeks ago just before my little bird died.  So, I pulled the pressies out of the parcel pack from the Northern Territory and put them under the tree.
However, over the last few days, I thought it would be good if I treated myself to them.  So, I opened them both and found some wonderful paranormal romance novels, a Christmas pen with bells on it and a Kathy Reichs and a werewolf book too.  Oh!  How wonderful is that?  Thank you so much scrapaholic for sending me these wonderful things for Christmas!  You have really cheered me up.

A Winning Title

A few months ago, I won a book, titled 'Weak Flesh' from The Romance Bandits.  However, it only came in e-reader format, but Jo Robinson - the author - told me that the book may be coming out in print format in the near future.  So I said if it does, to let me know.

Well, about two weeks ago, she e-mailed me and told me that 'Weak Flesh' had come out in print and wanted to know what my address was so she could post off a copy to me.  How cool is that?  And yesterday, the book arrived!  I look forward to reading this wonderful book over the next year and letting you all know what it's like.  Thank you Jo Robinson for sending this book off to me; no matter how long it took to arrive. 

Chocolate and Reading - Great Combo!

Today, I was off to do my grocery shopping.  So, I took my time - seeing the last few days have been hectic for me with my health and with the Melbourne Cup yesterday.  I left the house at an early time and found myself at the post office at around 9:10am to find only one parcel waiting for me slotted into my PO box.  

It was from New Zealand!  Cool!  I love that place.  Eagerly, I ripped open the plastic wrapping with my house key and found a Pineapples Chunks chocolate bar.  I'm not much of a fan of pineapples (got food poisoning from one when I was really young and haven't been able to stomach them since; not even the smell... but hey, you weren't to know, so don't worry).  Along with the chocolate bar was a book 'Malcolm and Juliet: Sex, Lies and Science' by Bernard Beckett.  I read the back of the book at the bus stop and it looks like a good, funny read!  Thank you so much LeahJett!  I'm looking forward to reading this one - maybe over Christmas as a light read when it all settles down. 

Ornament Exchange Arrives!

As I said below, I received a full PO Box.  In with the postcards from Lithuania was my Ornament Exchange from my buddy.  So, I opened it and have found it just lovely!  There's the hand-made garland of trees and stars.  Then, there's a bookmark made with cardboard and buttons with a little saying on it; so cute!  And then, I found a retro book too!  It's been registered too.  It's a book of a Christmas story about a puppy who tries to find a family for Christmas; but fails as he gets into more and more trouble.  Poor little pup!  Anyway, it's a good book.  I'd like to thank Lightlybenthalo for sending me my Ornament Exchange this year!  I love it how it's hand-made and very retro.  Thank you so much!

My First HGG of the Season!

First I must apologise if I miss a few letters.  My hands are sore as hell with arthritis; and I might miss a few keys or mis-spell something because they are so sore today (and I thought yesterday was bad!).  

Today, I had to post off 3 parcels.  Two were interstate and one was over to New Zealand.  So, I thought to do all of that today to get it all out of the way.  While I was at the post office, I picked up my mail and found a parcel pick-up card; and what do you know? It was a a HGG from the UK!  How cool is that?
'The God Delusion' by Richard Dawkins was found the little parcel along with some Bookcrossing labels, a home made bookmark and a cool little coin purse!  I love it all.  Thank you so much footymadgill for your wonderful and thoughtful HGG!  I'll send you one back before too long.    

The Flame and the Shadow Prize

I've won another book off Romance Bandits; however it's not just a book.  It's the first book of a four-book series.  This is so cool!  I won it last week, and now today, it arrived in the mail.
I can't wait to read this one.  Now, it's another book to add onto my Christmas Reading List over the NYE period.  Along with the book, there was the first chapter of the next book, a bookmark, a couple of business cards and an advertising card or two of other books.  Very cool.  I'll be looking for the other three books of this series soon so I can review them as a set next year.

Birthday Presents

Today is my 39th Birthday.  I love birthdays... they're so much fun!  You get gifts from family and friends and cards and it's a time for celebration of another year on this here little blue planet. 
Well, I firstly received an sms from my Dad.  He had written out the whole song of 'Happy Birthday' through sms... that would have hurt his fingers!  But he did it.  Then, he phoned me and sang it in a funny voice making me laugh.
I opened my presents I bought myself and they were all 8 seasons of 'That 70's Show' and a copy of 'Crossing Paths' by Debbie Robson; which I ordered in from MacLeans Booksellers in Newcastle.  When I jumped on Facebook, I had many friends wish me a Happy Birthday... how cool is that?  Then, Mum called me and sang to me... she hasn't been well, so this means a lot!
There's still other things to unwrap and pick up for this day; but they are at my house in Logan - and I'm currently not there at the moment - so I'll have to leave this post with just these two gifts so far reported as received.

Steeling Kisses of a Different Kind!

Wow! This week has been one of parcels arriving, book rings showing up and other great things just popping up in my PO Box!  I've only had one day where there was nothing in the little PO box but the next day I found something else - which ended up being a bill, but it was something! 
Today, I was out in the beautiful sunshine of Logan City and when I checked my mail, there was yet another parcel waiting for me at the post office.  This one was a prize I had won on the Romance Bandits site - YAY! - and this looks great!  I just love the cover of this book... doesn't it look fantastic?  Just the title - 'Kiss of Steel' by Bec McMaster - makes you want to jump right into it and read it!  I have always loved steampunk movies, however I've never read steampunk books before; so this will be a first for me.  Thank you so much Bec McMaster for choosing me as the winner of this one!  It arrived today and I'm looking forward to reading it soon!

A Bookring Arrives From France

I've had parcels arriving throughout the week; and it's wonderful when something like that happens, isn't it?  
Well, today's parcel was from France and is part of a Bookring.  For all of you who aren't Bookcrossers, I'll let you into this great idea.  A bookring is where you want to share a book with a group of people because you love it.  So, you register it on Bookcrossing.com and ask on their Bookring/Bookbox Forum if anyone would care to read your chosen book as a bookring.  After a few people take an interest in it, you sort out in which order and where in the world it will travel and send it on its merry way.  After around 2 years - give or take, depending on how many people you have on your list - you book will come back to you in a very well-read condition.  
The Bookring I've taken part in is 'The Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers' by Xiaolu Guo.  I have yet to begin reading it, but the premise on the back looks good. 

Birthday Orders Arrived

It's the time of year again - my Birthday - and I have been ordering things over the phone to get exactly what I want for my birthday.  And yesterday, my first present arrived!  It was a copy of 'Crossing Paths' by Debbie Robson.  I had ordered it from MacLean's Booksellers in Newcastle and once I got it home, I went and wrapped it up for next week; seeing that's when my birthday is. 
Tomorrow, I'll be picking up my next present... well, okay, paying it off.  Early on in the year, I ordered in all 8 seasons of 'That 70's Show' on dvd and have been paying it off bit by bit since about February.  Now, I have $30 left on it, I'll pay off that last bit of money tomorrow so I can wrap it up and take it with me to where I'll be celebrating my birthday.  It's always nice to have pressies you have bought yourself for your birthday... then you're disappointed when you open them on the day. 

Golden Writings from Sweden

I've had a horrible week; truly, I have.  With my computer broken being lent this laptop by my Mum and having only limited internet, I'm not having all that much fun on the net as I normally do.  I can't look up the amount of sites I usually do and I feel as though I'm missing out on a great many things.

However, I felt very much in the loop the other day when I checked the PO Box and found a parcel pick-up card.  I thought a prize from America had arrived (as I had won a book on another site).  But it was a surprise from Sweden of a much-sought-after book I had been hunting down for years.  I must thank Deepswamp for sending this wonderful book to me in memory of Oppem, a wonderful Bookcrosser who recently passed away suddenly.  This book had been on her Wish List - as well as mine - and he sent this book for the 'Oppem RABCK'.  I didn't know this was on, otherwise I would have taken part.  I hope it's not too late by the time I get another computer.  Until then, thank you again, Deepswamp for 'The Golden Notebook' by Doris Lessing.  I do look forward to reading this great masterpiece by a brilliant writer.

Romance Prize From Across the Miles

It's been over a month since I received a prize from anyone; and I'm happy to say that I when I opened the PO Box today, I found a parcel pick-up card and not a bill (unlike yesterday).  

A few weeks ago, I won a book on the Romance Bandits and it was a copy of 'The King's Mistress' by Sandy Blair.  Today, it arrived and I'd been looking forward to it.  Actually, I was going to e-mail her to see if there had been a problem with the postage if it hadn't arrived today or tomorrow as it had been a long time since I had won.

And isn't it a lovely book?  I saw the large parcel and wondered what else was included inside it - besides the book that is - and found it was just a large envelope that's all (probably the only one her post office sold at the time).  Thank you so much for picking me a the prize-winner, Sandy.  I do look forward to reading your debut book and reviewing it as well!

A Romance With the Devil

Yesterday, I didn't check the mail; but today, I did.  I found only on item in my PO Box and that was a blue pick-up card.  So, I grabbed it, closed the door and went inside.  I was given a small parcel from the UK and wondered who it was from; as I'm expecting a parcel, however I'm not really sure which part of the world it was coming from.  

On opening it there at the post office, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had received a gorgeous romance novel 'The Devil and Miss Jones' by Kate Walker, a bookmark, postcard and a pen from Kate Walker.  What a wonderful prize pack!  Thank you so much!  I've put the book with the others on my Mt TBR and do look forward to getting my nose into it soon!  Thank again Kate!

Death, Taxes and a French Manicure!

Today, I received my first parcel in over a month!  It's been a long time since anything except bills came through my PO Box.  But then, I haven't sent anything out lately as I'm saving up to fix up my garden; so I guess we have to sacrifice something in saving for other things.

Besides, I'm still entering competitions; and this lovely prize arriving was just what I needed to get me reading again, as I've been in a really big reading slump!  So, thank you so much Diane Kelly for picking me out of the commenters on the Romance Bandits.  I'll read this as soon as I can and review it on my book review blog - My Reading List - and keep you posted about it.  Thank you again!

A Hot Read for Winter Shows Up In the Mail.

Just before Christmas, I won a 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' by Addison Fox on The Romance Bandits' site.  After a few weeks, I received an e-mail asking if I had received it and I said I hadn't.  She had forgotten to send it; so she quickly did after Christmas and after I told her I had been published with Bibliotastic.com.  

Today, I received the book in the mail and it was a lovely surprise to open my PO Box and find just the one single item of the blue pick-up card there waiting for me.  This is my fourth book I've received over the last year from this site; and I've yet to read, so I've got all four of them on my reading pile for this year.  Along with this book came a bookmark - marketing the book - and a note from Addison.  The book is also signed by the author!  How brilliant is that?  Thank you Addison for sending it all this way.  I look forward to reading it! 

A Second Secret Santa Gift

Today, an Express Post Parcel arrived in my PO Box from Romy86.  She sent me another one because of the confusion with the fire that consumed the Australia Post truck a few weeks ago; and both of us not knowing if my parcel was in amongst the ones lost.  So, she sent me another  one.

I think that's the nicest and most generous thing I've ever had somebody do.  Inside it was two books and a handful of wrapped lollies.  Very nice.  Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, Romy86; I'll get in and scoff into the lollies and read the books over the next year... if I get through the massive huge tomes I've set myself this year.

From Romania!

Today, there was only one item in the PO Box of a blue pick-up card.  And the parcel came from Romania.  I opened it in the Post Office and found a lovely little book titled 'The Passport' by Herta Muller with two gorgeous postcards and a bookmark inside it!  This was from Oedde.

Thank you so much for sending me these lovely things from your country.  I love them!  I'll get into reading this lovely little book over the Christmas/NYE break and I'll write a review on it on My Reading List.  

Two Romance Bandits Prizes Arrivals

Today, I had a parcel show up in the mail; and I am expecting a few things as the season of Christmas approaches.  However, today, it was a prize I had won on the Romance Bandits site about a month ago of what I thought was one book; but when I opened it, it turned out that I won two books!  How good's that?  

Isn't it wonderful when you find that you think you've got one thing and it ends up being double?  I love it.  So, I'd like to personally thank Cheryl Ann Smith for sending these great romance novels to me with two bookmarks as well.  And these books are signed as well!  What a bonus!  Thank you again, Cheryl.