The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week, and showcase books and things we have received.
Don’t forget to look at my giveaways on the right sidebar.
Sunday, I got to work on blog visiting in the morning. I got the snake from the neighbor, took apart the ptrap and put the snake out to the end. So I think it was only a 25 foot snake like mine. When I put the ptrap back together, now it leaks. I’ll have to try to fix that but I was frustrated and needed a break. Another try didn’t help. I spent some time setting up some posts. After dinner, I had to wrap some presents.
Monday, another beautiful day around 60F / 16C. My daughter decorated up the tree after I went to bed. It looks awesome as always. There are several ornaments she has made. My daughter got up about noon and we ate brunch together. Then we opened presents. She made me some lovely jewelry in my favorite color. She was thrilled with the tie-dye bandanas and oriental soup spoons and chopsticks she wasn’t expecting as well as a few items she was. After dinner, we watched Home Alone with Lulu asleep between us on the couch.
Tuesday, it’s supposed to rain all day but it’s nice and not raining when I got up at least. I did a lot of reading today and just relaxing. I did walk with Lulu. The rain didn’t start until dinner. We ordered Papa John’s pizza and watched our second Christmas movie Die Hard. So that went poorly. We ordered at 5 for a 6:45 delivery time. No pizza. We were watching the movie and by 8:45 still no pizza. We called and waited on hold and then were both calling trying all the menu options. The only way to get through is to the new order and then that is centralized and not at the store. Finally around 10pm got through to the store and they said it was ready but Door Dash hadn’t picked it up yet. So yes, it had been sitting around for 4 hours. I asked them to cancel the order and refund but I used a gift card for part of it so we may be screwed. We won’t be using them for delivery ever again.
Wednesday, the plumber called to confirm and indicated I was nearer to the beginning of the 12-5pm clients. The charges would be over $600. I’m getting the longer snake tomorrow. So I sent him away. I took my daughter to the chiro and I went to Home Depot I got 4 more of the nut and washer fittings for $14. Home Depot had lettuce plants. I thought they would freeze over winter but people say they are ok. We got food at Alpaca Chicken and shakes at CookOut. I stayed at the computer late to look at the 2000 free romance books. I got a few new ones but most of the authors I love I already had their freebie. I ordered RX to be refilled.
Thursday, I did some financial stuff. I placed a Sam’s Club pickup order for late afternoon. I did all my blog stuff and even managed to walk Lulu before we left. We had our dentist appts with no cavities. We wanted to get takeout at our favorite Chinese place. In fact, I ate there the first night when I moved to North Carolina and went there on my Harley. We were sad to find it permanently closed. So my daughter got some sushi at Harris Teeter. Then we got a few things at Trader Joes and Aldi. Then because it was right there next to TJ and Aldi, I got a veggie pizza at Papa Murphys. We went on to Sam’s Club and picked up our order. We got home about 5:30 and my new 50foot drain snake had arrived. I put the pizza in to bake and unloaded the car. I hadn’t had lunch and was starving.
After eating, I decided I was NOT going to wait until the next day for a fresh start. I ran the 50 foot snake through the drain. I was able to get it all the way out by hand, not even having to use the drill and there were some obstructions. Then I put the pipes all back together using a new nut and washer on the one joint that leaked after the last disassembly. I ran water and it still backed up but didn’t leak. I filled the sink half full to get a stronger flow and let it go. It sat a minute and then went down with some bubbles. Then I ran the water for 10 minutes with no backups or leaks. So then I ran the dishwasher and we watched it, no backups or leaks. It finished running about 11pm. I’m a star with no plumbing experience until this week! And I saved $600+ by doing it myself. Now I own the tool if I have future issues, too.
Friday, I placed a BJs order and did the last little maneuvers for year end. I canceled my Marketplace dental plan because I can’t use it until June for 2024 and I’ll be on Medicare by May. I checked on the RXs I sent for refill. I finished up my Year end savings post for Library Love and wrote a review. I did a quick stop at Food Lion for 2 items and then a pickup at BJ Wholesale. I figured out Sam’s Club shorted me an item yesterday and had to claim that. I rearranged some things in the kitchen and organized them better by how we use them. I have more cleanup, and laundry planned for tomorrow.
Saturday, I got to work on pickup and laundry. I wrote reviews. We were letting Marley out so she went for a walk with us and Lulu. It didn’t feel as cold as I expected. My daughter started logging in and setting up her new SNHU account. I can’t believe we are nearly at the end of the year.
December Reading: I had another good reading month. I managed to read 27 books. Audiobooks continue to help me read more. Some count for more than one challenge.
Audiobooks: 18
Library books: 10
COYER Reads: 17
Books I own: 5
I did manage to read 5 books I own (goal is 3 per month):
- Alien Attraction by Cara Bristol
- 🎧 The Truth by Peter Grainger
- The Butchered Man by Harriet Smart
- In Dark Water by Lynn McEwan
- A Litter of Bones by JD Kirk
Next week I’ll give you my 2023 totals.
Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Reading Reality. These are the exciting ARCs I received this week (If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry):
Many thanks to PRH Audio, and Tantor Audio.
(If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry)
I purchased this one for $1.99. I’m collecting them when they go on sale. I “purchased” Scorpio for free as a Prime First Reads.
I purchased the audio for $1.99 as an Audible Daily Deal. I couldn’t resist the whole Danielle Garrett series for 99¢.
Now the really scary one. This is all the Kindle and Audible freebies I grabbed this past week. You can see why I need to do Thrifty Thursday to be sure I read a few at least one each month.
I really meant to cut back on freebies BUT they are free so I guess that won’t be happening.
I’m not including things like reviews posted or upcoming as they are always in the right sidebar. And, my challenge status is also there.
Anne
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- 🎧 The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren @ChristinaLauren @PattiMurin #JonRoot @SimonAudio#LoveAudiobooks - May 7, 2024
- 🎧 Rich Justice by Robert Bailey @rbaileybooks @joeknezevich #BrillianceAudio #LoveAudiobooks#KindleUnlimited🎧 - May 5, 2024
- Sunday Post –5 May 2024 @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - May 5, 2024
Glad you had a nice holiday! Bummer about the pizza though. How aggravating! Home Alone is fun. 🙂
Bummer too about the chinese place. We just had one by us go out too, and I didn’t even realize it. It was the only really good place by us too, but another Chinese/ sushi place went in so we’ll see how they are. 🙂
Happy New Year to you!!!!
Thank you Greg! No wonder we don’t eat out or do take out very often. Happy New Year.
That sounds like a GREAT reading month and a busy week! Have a Happy New Year! Here’s my SP: https://bonniereadsandwrites.com/2023/12/31/sunday-post-happy-new-years-eve/
Thank you Bonnie. It was a great reading month with lots of things I just wanted to read and getting ahead on 2024. Happy New Year!
Sorry to hear about the ptrap leaking, I’ve had that happen to me before as well that something started leaking after I cleaned it. Glad to hear the longer snake worked and you could fit it and no leaking anymore. And that’s greta you saved so much money by doing it yourself. I might have to look into acquiring a snake as well after our plumbing issues this year, would be nice to be able to solve it ourselves.
Your Christmas tree looks great! I am sorry to hear about favorite Chinese place closing, that’s such a shame :(. Hopefully you can find another place that has good Chinese food. And what a pain about that pizza you were waiting for 4 hours for and then had to cancel. I hope you get your refund.
I got some of the romance freebies as well this week. It’s always nice when there are big sales like that. Happy new year!
Thank you Lola. We know, from crawling under the house in the crawl space, that the kitchen sink is a 1.5″ pipe for about 37 feet before reaching the 4″ main pipe. The kitchen sink is the only thing on that pipe. So a 25″ isn’t long enough which is why I got the 50″. I also got a 4 of those new fittings and replaced one which was the cause of the leaking. The replacement nut and washers are only about $3.50 each so it’s worth it to have a couple available.
It’s no wonder we don’t eat out very often. I didn’t include the pile of romance freebies in this post. Happy New Year.
I am impressed by how handy and resourceful you are Anne! Also Happy New Year already!
Thank you Sophie. I always want to learn the most and be the most competent in well.. everything. I was bound to learn about plumbing at some point. Happy New Year!
There were so many good freebies this week! Did you pick up anything from Stuff Your Kindle Day?
My Sunday Post 🙂
yes I did get some books at the Stuff Your Kindle day and didn’t include them here. It was so many. I may add that to next week’s post. We will see. Happy New Year.
Ooh, Blindsided is soooo good! I love Amy Daws’s books! Sounds like a busy week with a lot of issues with delivery types of services. How frustrating! Ugh! You are so good that you are able to do all that plumbing yourself. I used to rely on my stepdad but now with his health and dementia getting worse, I haven’t been able to bother him. So I’m going to be starting to pay for help I guess. The Catch is one I want to read too. Lulu looking adorable in all those pictures as usual! Happy New Year!
Thank you Lisa. It was a stressful week without a kitchen sink and not knowing if I could figure it out. I’m not able to do everything but this I could try and I learned a lot.
Congrats for becoming a plumber *smile* Nowadays experts are sooo expensive… Lulu looks adorable. Happy New Year
Thank you Vi. I can’t stop learning new skills and figuring things out for myself. Lulu is our best girl.
Yay for fixing the sink all on your own. We should have more confidence in our abilities to figure things out. Happy New Year! I look forward to seeing all your books and posts.
Thank you! My dad could figure out anything. I am lucky to have gotten a smidge of his talent.
You had a great reading month. Not so good with the takeout food, but you made do 🙂 I picked up some of those freebies too. I hope you have a great week and Happy New Year!
Thank you Yvonne. No wonder we mostly eat at home! I didn’t list most of the freebies from the Stuff your Kindle day as it was a lot.
Sounds like you, your daughter, and Lulu had a great Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful new year’s celebration too!
Thank you Jenni.
Well, look at you go Jill the plumber!!! I’m impressed and so glad you got your own plumbing work done. I’ve used the smaller snake, but kudos for being able to hand crank the longer one.
Too bad about the pizza never showing up and they not even offering to do a fresh one free (bad customer service these days).
Wow, you gals got around this week. LOL, I did nothing- flu hit us this week. But, feeling better in time for the new year.
Happy New Year, Anne!
Thank you Sophia. Adventures in Plumbing was not the cozy plan I had for a holiday week. Between that and takeout meals it was stressful. Luckily, we were out for appts so we could pick up food. No wonder we don’t eat out very much though. I’m sorry you were ill and am glad you are feeling better as we go into the new year!
You know what, if the books are free, you should get as many as your heart desires and not feel guilty about not reading them immediately. I’m sure the authors are happy just to know that people are interested in their books. Some of them look really good, and I hope you love them when you get to them! Happy New Year!
Thank you. I totally don’t feel guilty about taking free books. And I do read them and highlight them in my Thrifty Thursday posts. I read 79 freebies in 2023 which is not too shabby.
oops some of those 79 were books I already own. I need to break that out.
79 freebies is not too shabby indeed! Just came from your latest Sunday Post and your stats are amazing!! I love how you kept track of them and how well-organized you are. My tracking system is a mess! Or rather, it’s non-existent. Lol!
Congratulations on getting the plumbing issue tackled! That’s impressive and always fantastic to save money. You got a ton of stuff done this week and Lulu looks super cozy. I hope you have a very Happy New Year’s!
Thank you Katherine. I really enjoy being able to understand and do things myself. I never expected plumbing would be on the list, but I am always trying to have as many skills and learn as much as possible. Lulu loves cozy.
Sounds like a nice Christmas, though always sucks to find out a place you love has closed! I’m always afraid the Chinese restaurant I love will close, but fortunately it always seems busy and like it’s doing well.
You’ve done so much reading, too — hope you enjoyed!
My weekly roundup.
Thank you. I love reading and even the freebies I read this week were excellent. I have gotten more picky in some respects. I dread trying to find a Chinese place we can go to that has gluten free options. This one always seemed busy too.
That is so awesome you fixed your plumbing problem! You rock! I like the Vampire Knitting Club is fun easy listening series. Happy New Year!!
Thank you Victoria. I apparently can’t stand it when I don’t know how to do something. I always want to have more skills. Happy New Year!
Kudos for handling the plumbing by yourself! It’s so satisfying when something like that happens. I hope you have a nice New Year’s day, I’m excited to start fresh with my reading and blogging😁
Thank you Tammy. I want to learn everything especially if it is not too hard and can save money / time. I’m excited for 2024 except politics. Happy New Year!
I’m impressed that you are taking on the plumbing. That’s awesome.
Thanks Jennifer. I had no idea I could do it until I tried. In hindsight it was simple although frustrating during the process with not having a long enough snake and the leaking. But it’s all good and now I know. I want to learn when it can save me time and money.
Sounds like it was a lovely week. Huzzah on fixing the plumbing without spending $600! That’s an achievement all its own. Happy New Year!
Thank you! I’m proud of myself in the end because it was frustrating but I didn’t give up. Happy New Year!
Congrats on the plumbing success! I admire your willingness to learn/try. Too bad about Door Dash. Very bad first impression – I wouldn’t feel led to use them again, either. Your tree is very pretty. 🙂 I found the sheer number of books available on that freebie day to be overwhelming so I just skipped it altogether. Ha. Happy new year, Anne!
Thank you Tanya. Sometimes you just have to do it yourself. It was frustrating but now I’m glad to know how to handle it. There were too many books and my neck hurt after going through all of them. They did have categories which you could just go to your favorite categories. Happy New Year Tanya!
We have a lot of restaurants that are gone now. So sad. You are now a plumbing warrior! Happy New Year!
Thank you Laura. I think COVID took down a lot of restaurants with less business and shortage of workers. Well I like to learn whatever I can to help myself. Happy New Year!
I was biting my nails waiting for the conclusion of the plumbing story and I was NOT disappointed with the ending! Very proud of you for doing it yourself and saving all that money!
Your Christmas tree looks beautiful.
Your Christmas pizza sounds like my Thanksgiving Walmart order where the app kept saying delayed, delayed, delayed and then “returned to store”!!!
Happy New Year!
Thank you Jinjer. I love being able to figure out a problem and saving money doesn’t hurt. The problem with delivery is that if you don’t do it yourself you may not get what you want + it’s more expensive. My daughter does a great job with the tree and makes lots of great homemade ornaments.
Happy New Year. I hope you find a lot of good books this year.
Thank you Mary. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Anne! We had a similar delivery mishap with either Uber or DoorDash, so I refuse to have food delivered unless it’s the actual restaurant doing the delivery.
I’ve been out of touch for most of the holidays. I set up all my posts before I left to my sisters on Dec. 23 and am now trying to catch up. We had a fun time and kept busy. In fact today, Jan 1st, is the first day I’ve really vegged out and relaxed. I only read 2 books, but I did complete all my goals!
yes from your posts you did excellent with your challenges. I will also be watching for whether they have their own delivery people. Happy New Year!
Great job on the plumbing! That’s one thing I’ve never really had to tackle. And bummer about Papa Johns. Talk about aggravation! Grrrr! Happy New Year!
Thank you Carol. I am pretty proud I was able to handle it. We won’t be using delivery service when they don’t have their own drivers. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! It sounds like you had a good month of reading in December. Your tree looks lovely! I am glad you had a nice Christmas. Home Alone is such a fun movie. I never tire of it. I hope you enjoy your new books and current reads. Have a great week, Anne!
Thank you Wendy. It was a bit stressful but still a good week. My daughter always does an excellent job with the tree and makes some great homemade ornaments. I am really happy about my books. I always relax a bit in December but really I did some read ahead so I’m in better shape for January. Happy New Year!
We watched Home Alone twice with the grandkids. I don’t remember it being so sassy. Probably not the greatest movie for an 8 and 5 year old. They’re sassy enough without giving them more ideas, lol! Wow, bravo, Anne on figuring out your plumbing issue and solving it yourself! A $600 savings is wonderful! Sucks about the pizza delivery. By the time you figured it out you must’ve been hungry! Wishing you and your daughter, and Lulu a Happy New Year! 🙂
Thank you Rachel. yes I didn’t remember the sassy either but I did enjoy Home Alone. I was proud of myself for figuring out the plumbing and saving the money. It was a bit stressful but not the end of the world or anything having a clogged kitchen sink. We are not getting delivery unless they have their own people.
Lots of Lulu love💜
I hope you and your family had a lovely holiday, Anne!
Thank you Jonetta. Every week is an adventure. I was glad to be able to give my daughter some gifts which were a surprise which she was thrilled to get.
That’s great about your pipes! I love figuring out how to do stuff on my own. You inspired me to work on my garage door this weekend. Bummer about the pizza!
Jill
http://www.allthebooksihaventread.com/
I like being self-sufficient. Be careful about a garage door, those big springs over the door are very dangerous and for those I recommend a professional.
Nice last month of reading!
yes I read a lot because with the Top 10s I had less reviews to write and could just read whatever I wanted, although I did get ahead on 2024 a bit.
Congratulations for taking care of your own plumbing problems! What a horrible experience with Door Dash. I don’t think I’ve ever used a delivery service but if I ever do, I don’t think it will be them. We watched Die Hard for the first time this Christmas. Well, my first time. My husband thinks he saw it when it first came out. We were trying to decide for ourselves if it was a Christmas movie. I voted yes, he voted no, so the jury is still out. Happy New Year!
Thanks Jen. I like to figure things out. We didn’t even know they were using Door Dash. Papa Johns just made that choice and it never got picked up and delivered. Die Hard is a Christmas movie!