Friday night my parents arrived (with dogs and parrot in tow, of course!) (yes, I generously allow their parrot to reside in my home (IN ITS CAGE, of course) every time they come to visit. You can't accuse me of not being a team player!). We kicked things off with an abundance of Mexican food consumption. See? It's genetic. Not my fault. As we're en route to the Mexican place my mom's like 'oh, have yall already eaten here a lot this week? Are you not feeling Mexican food tonight?' and it's like 'oh, maybe
On Saturday morning when I rolled out of bed, I couldn't find my mom. I knew she'd been up because the coffee was made, but she (and her pets) were nowhere to be found. Luckily I'm a detective and it didn't take me long to crack this case-- she was out in the flower beds catching up on all the weed-pulling I haven't done this summer. Score one for Mom!! I was like 'please, come every weekend.' I can roll out of bed, the coffee is made, and you're doing the boring part of yard work? NEVER LEAVE ME, MOMMY!! Soon my dad and Matt joined her and as I sat on my tush in a lawn chair, enjoying the relatively cool breeze, I watched as everyone else weeded, re-shaped hedges, and trimmed trees! It was pretty fantastic. My yard looks ten times better now and I can take absolutely no credit for it, but I'm totally fine with that. I mean, someone had to watch after the dogs. So...yeah.
My parents stayed until after dinner on Saturday. We spent the rest of the afternoon/evening doing important things like taking naps, grilling steaks, and doing our best to take a scientific approach towards sampling the Blue Moon Autumn Sampler case. After they left, I started PACKING! The good news is that my (one checked) suitcase is completely full. The bad news is that I have yet to pack any shoes, makeup/toiletries, or accessories. Therefore I spent some time carefully constructing my case for each pair of shoes that I'm going to have to convince Matt to pack in his suitcase. Wish me luck, and also let me know if you have any compelling arguments in favor of (really large, heavy) platform sandals. I feel like my defense is weakest in that area.
I've also been downloading books like a madman (Current Kindle library count: 120. Sufficient? I'm not sure.). Last night I just couldn't help myself and went ahead and read one. Good thing, too, because IT SUCKED and I wouldn't have wanted to taint my vacation with that nonsense. Tainting a Sunday night at home is fine. Wasting hours in a beach chair on subpar literature? No bueno. This brings me to my next question. Alright, so it was a free Kindle download book, which greatly lessens my anger at having wasted time reading it. At least I didn't also waste money. But apparently (from reading other reviews) it's not always free. It looks like it is normally in the .99-1.99 range. So here's where I'm in an ethical dilemma: should I post a truthful review of the book? I mean, I really hate leaving negative reviews. I'm firmly in the camp of 'if you can't say something nice, don't say anything.' BUT. I'm also a huge fan of non-biased reviews on books, and this one seems to be lacking, as the vast majority are glowing reviews from probably friends and family of the author...with only a few brave people like myself who actually READ IT and felt the same way I do? I don't know. But I can only imagine that as a just-starting-out author who probably stalks her Amazon reviews like crazy (I mean, there were only 50 or 60 reviews total, but the 'average' rating was like 4.75 or something)...negative reviews are probably really awful. But what if they're not mean (none of the negative reviews there are mean, they're just...truthful) but really objective facts that could possibly help the author improve her future books? I dunno. Thoughts?
Because the author REALLY REALLY needs to know this: Homesteading farmers/miners living in the Kansas Territory during the 1850s did not say 'hell to the no.' I WASN'T THERE, BUT I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT THEY NEVER SAID THAT. And neither does anyone today. So just NO, PLEASE NO. Never use that phrase in a book again EVER. Thanks. That certainly wasn't the biggest issue in the book...it is merely a symptom of a greater problem.
SO! Onto a few short (okay, regular-length) days of work, and then vacation!! Today I'm 'test driving' an outfit that might be my travel day outfit. It's super comfy, but I'm faced with the dilemma that confronts me every time I wear long skirts: do I look like a Duggar? I have very long hair (normally pulled up/back since it's too hot for that hair-down nonsense)...when I wear a long skirt, I start wondering if people think I'm part of that long-skirt-long-hair conservative denomination? Maybe there aren't lots of people like that in other regions, but it's fairly normal 'round here...so, I just wonder.
Over and out, people. (Yep. Still need to learn more walkie talkie language. Add it to my to-do list!)
Glad you had a good weekend with the 'rents! Also, the "playa" disclaimer reminded me of a semi-pet peeve I have developed (and hopefully it isn't something you have done and I'm just forgetting, ha!)... when people are talking about their vacation and they want to abbreviate it, they spell it "vaca" instead of "vacay" - so my Spanish brain always reads it as COW. Like, "Woo hoo, I'm going on vaca (ie: COW) today!" Just doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteif you look like a duggar, then there is no hope for the rest of us. once you perm your bangs (i remember a post about your bangs, but let's not get off topic) and wear your hair frizzy curly with a jean skirt, then we'll talk. until then, let your long luscious tresses flow in the breeze.
ReplyDelete^Happy now I spell vacay right or my Spanish brained friends would I thought I was on a cow! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteI say gracefully review the book. Your writing skills are top notch, so I'm confident you can write a fair statement of review.
Sneak the heavy sandals in when Matt's not looking ;-)
As long as your skirt isn't light blue denim then you're good :) Have fun on your trip!
ReplyDeleteI agree that you can and should write a graceful review. And no one would ever mistake you for a Duggar. You are way too stylish for that, no matter what kind of skirt you wear.
ReplyDeleteHappy vacation week!!! I agree with the comment two above me, as long as it's not denim you're good :)
ReplyDeletehahaha I just think it's funny that thought would even cross your mind. You must have a lot of that religion where you are from? I've hardly ever seen them in my life!
ReplyDeleteI think you should wear some chunky jewellery with your outfit. I also really want to read some posts about your airport experience. You know I find airports fascinating. What other people choose to wear at the airport especially! I saw a girl in a black sequin mini dress last time. I really wanted to take a picture to share with all of you !
No way would someone mistake you for a Duggar. I'm sure you will have all of the right jewelry and shoes which would make it way too stylish to be mistaken for that.
ReplyDeleteYou seriously have to comment on that Amazon freebie. I always look at the reviews for those free or nearly free books and wonder if they're legit. I wish people knew that you don't have to like a book because it was free. Perhaps you could teach them.
ReplyDeleteA correction, though. 19th century miners said "hell to the no" constantly. They also coined the phrase "fo shizzle" meaning, "of course, my friend!" I hated the universally beloved Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett) for the very same reason. I just don't need my medieval masons and friars to use 21st century slang.
Ha! "Do I look like a Duggar?" Hilarious, my friend. Ohhh you deserve this vacay! Have a blast!
ReplyDeleteIf you're worried about looking like a Duggar in your long skirt, try pulling your hair into a top knot. I like them for traveling because you don't get a hair lump when you lean back against your seat.
ReplyDeleteYou're still here! I had it in my head that you guys were leaving yesterday--what a pleasant surprise to hear from you today! :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like the Duggar dilemma has already been addressed...but to be fair, I'd be far more concerned with the fact that you were wearing a denim maxi skirt than the thought that you might look like a Duggar. I haven't seen a denim maxi worn fashionably (I use that term loosely) in over 10 years. True story. Granted, I'm like the least fashionable person I know, so maybe denim skirts are coming back? Is it cool to be conservative now?? If so, I think Miley Cyrus missed the memo...and every other teenager I cross paths with these days.
Augh! So jealous of all my lovely friends taking vacation! Hope you have an amazing time!
ReplyDeleteI think there's always a case for (ONE) pair of super fab platform sandals.
"hell to the no" - hahaha. I would totally leave an honest review. Not rude, just honest, and I would maybe try to say one positive thing I saw in the book as well. So that's my view. . . go for it!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous of your upcoming vacation!!!!!
Playa, please. Love it. You should totally be honest on that book review. I am of the mindset of saying nice things or nothing at all, but you can be honest and nice at the same time!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I wear long skirts every single week and I have longish hair (well, getting longer). I have never thought about looking like a Duggar, but I sure hope I don't!
You could never look like a Duggar! Wear your maxi skirt on the plane with the big platform sandals so you don't have to pack them in your (or Matt's) luggage. Bonus: Matt will have to carry your bags because obviously you can't be expected to wear fabulous shoes and still keep up while toting luggage. This is how I win at travelling! Have fun at the playa!!!
ReplyDeleteI just "test flew" a long Maxi dress and I highly recommend the long skirt option as comfy and practical flying attire.
ReplyDeleteAnd No even with your long hair, I do not think you will like a Dugger.
Yes, I def think there's a way to do a tactful- but still honest- book review! But be warned, she might respond with, "Oh hell to the no you didn't!"
ReplyDeleteAlso, to expound upon Allison's comment, it would be really confusing if someone said they were going on a "playa vaca." Beach cow? Beach vacation? Player cow? Player vacation?
yay for vacation being so close! hope you enjoy yourself! (Oh wait! I know you will so just be sure to take some pretty pictures so those of us left behind can dream. Sound good? I thought so :)
ReplyDeleteUmm....that phrase was used in the book you read? I don't think I could have finished it. HA! Props to you...and yes, now I say you review it. Because constructive cristicism, which is what you're going for - negative but not mean - is needed sometimes. And man, if that phrase was used, I'm gonna guess this person really needs some legit constructive criticism. Just my humble opinion :)
You should leave your review. I can tell you that a negative review is very hard to read, especially when it's personal. However, when a review is written kindly, but points out a flaw in the novel, it's helpful. When I wrote Elly in Love, I had some of the more helpful criticisms in my mind, and I think it made for a better book. I would absolutely leave the feedback.
ReplyDeleteMoms are the best.
ReplyDeleteExcited for your trip, wondering what book that was now... I'm one to sugar coat harsh reviews, never want to say anything to awful either, but hell to the no? That's pretty hilarious.
As far as the Duggers comment... is it a long JEAN skirt?! If so you have a problem on your hands...
yes to the amazon review - the world needs people who tell the truth! you won't make it personal to teh author, but you will give an honest review!
ReplyDeleteyes to teh long skirt for travel - they are so comfortable, act like a blanket, and keep your legs from getting scratched by the itchy (dirty) plane seats. I always travel in them or a maxi dress. I usually have to get a pat down because I wear such flowly clothes on the plane, but its worth it. Just wear some fun makeup or jewlery and no one will think you are amish!!!!
I say leave the review with the phrase "hell to the no" in it. I about died when I read that.
ReplyDelete