Sundays with Sam is a combination of Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews.
My Week in Review
Happy Sunday! I may have worked less last week, but I sure was busy. Tuesday is what I am calling "O" doctor day. I visited the ophthalmologist and the orthopedist.
I had to tell the eye doctor that unless it's life or death, I cannot afford all these medications he is suggesting. He decided to plug my tear ducts. I am not sure if it's making a difference yet, but I am keeping an open mind. The orthopedist is treating me for neuropathy with an oral medication. I was told it would take time for the medication to work, but again, trying to keep an open mind.
Friday, I flew into Chicago. My daughter and I got dinner at bb.q Chicken. It's a chain, but there is not one near me, and I had read an article that ranked it number one for fried chicken. It was excellent. Then, I went to watch her showcase. Her piece was beautiful, and one of her dancers was sick, so I got to see her perform an extra piece.
Yesterday, we went to Ann Sather for breakfast. My daughter had two shows, and I didn't want to get in her way, so I read and blogged. Today, we are going for Turkish Breakfast. My daughter loved it so much when she visited Turkey. I am game for trying something new. I think we are going to the Disney pop-up, too. On Monday, I head home. I hope there is no plane drama like my last trip from here.
On the Blog
Let's Discuss
- The Orangutan Librarian wonders why there is an obsession with rehabilitating villains
- Krysta talks the Libby Awards and missed opportunities
- Heather doesn't want to read about being a veterinarian and this is why
Stacking the Shelves
I was so excited to get the invite to Kate Robb's new book. I LOVED This Spells Love and actually had a pending request on Netgalley. I am hoping Prime Time Romance is just as amazing. Perfect Fit looks cute, too. My daughter was happy to hear we got the new Ali Hazelwood. I am looking forward to it as well.
Netgalley/Edelweiss
- Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
Invites
- Recipe for Confidence by Samantha Picaro
- Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore
- Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb
- Speculations in Sin by Jennifer Ashley
- Together in a Broken World by Paul Michael Winters
- When I Think of You by Myah Ariel
Purchased
- The Lake Season by Hannah McKinnon
Read Last Week
I had to alter my TBR because of all the time spent with doctors visits, traveling, and visiting with my daughter. I got most of the books read though, and the top book was After Annie. This is another example of book I knew I would like, but it really exceeded my expectations. I loved the way the author explored and work through this family's pain, grief, and healing. Very thoughtful and well done.
Find all my reviews on Goodreads
Books
- Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce - ★★★★ 1/2
- After Annie by Anna Quindlen - ★★★★★
- Love & Chickens by Kasey Morris - ★★★★
- Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman - ★★★★ 1/2
- With Any Luck by Ashley Poston - ★★★★
Audiobooks
- Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano - ★★★★ 1/2
Currently Reading
It's great to be back in the XOXO world. The life of a K-Pop idol is a little crazy, but I am rooting for these two. I am listening to The Lovely and the Lost for a reading challenge. I don't tend to read thrillers, but I do enjoy Barnes' books, so it seemed like a good choice.
- ASAP by Axie Oh
- The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (audiobook)
To Be Read
- Welcome Home, Caroline Kline by Courtney Preiss
- The Guests on South Battery by Karen White
- Secrets of Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson
- Effie Olsen's Special Summer by Rochelle Bilow
Let us know in the comments!
Good luck with all the medications and treatment. Often doctors push a lot more medications than needed. Sounds like you had a wonderful time in Chicago with your daughter. What kind of dance does she do? I just finished reading Hello Beautiful. How did you like Dear Edward?
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has been dancing for over 25 years. She did it all in her youth, but mostly contemporary, lyrical, and jazz these days. I liked Dear Edward. It's such an incredible concept and Napolitano did a great job with it.
DeleteSounds like a wonderful trip, I hope you have fun at your activities and safe travel!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Greg. We are having a good time. Got to get out a bit today.
DeleteI hope that all the treatments the O doctors give you will work Sam! Also I see that you had a great time with your daughter with some good food!
ReplyDeleteI try not to get my hopes up then I am not as disappointed when it doesn't work.
DeleteLove that you get to spend some time with your daughter! My youngest brother and his girlfriend are coming to visit this week to go to the rodeo. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good time. I always a treat to spend time with loved ones. Hope you have a great visit!
DeleteI hope the O Drs will help eventually. Speculations in Sin by Jennifer Ashley is a different sort of book for you. Did you get the offer this last week, too? I'm still wondering if I should grab it up being that it's book 7 in the series. Sounds like you've been having a nice time in Chicago! I hope you have a safe and pleasant flight home tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteYes. I got an email for Speculations. From the bunch, I probably will only download Perfect Fit and Prime Time Romance. I get a lot of invites that are for books in genres I don't really read, but hey, it may interest one of my readers out there.
DeleteThat does sound like a busy week! I'm glad you got to go watch your daughter and do all those fun things with her.
ReplyDeleteI am sad to leave but it was a nice visit
DeleteI hope that you are able to make some progress. Doctors do seem to love to spend our money. I have told them no to expensive tests that I didn't feel were needed more than a couple of times. I am so glad that you are getting to visit your daughter. I haven't been able to see my daughter's apartment but I did get her a plane ticket to come home next month which should be exciting.
ReplyDeleteThe tests are usually covered, it's the treatments. I have a $2,000 out of pocket which isn't terrible, but if it's not life or death, I would prefer to stay within the covered treatment options. It's always such a treat to see our kids. I hope you have an amazing visit.
DeleteI hope the treatments work and you got home without plane problems! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThanks, AJ!
DeleteI hope the plug will work...same for the pill. Who knows, maybe the medications you had to draw a line at were just the fancy version of some other stuff that you wouldn't have had to pay for...
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to see the kid dance and had a good time. And I do hope you didn't experience/aren't experiencing any plane drama. You get enough of it with your commutes!
The ride here went fine (other than the rain). Fingers crossed my return flight is smooth as well. My eyes feel odd. I think they are less dry, but I feel pressure near the ducts. Maybe it's in my head? I don't know
DeleteI'm glad you had a great trip and that you're getting home today without any problems! We are going to the Chicago area later this year.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have lots of fun stuff planned for your trip
DeleteI saw the Ann Slather pics and that looked YUM!! I hope you post about the Turkish breakfast because I've been eyeing a few recipes.
ReplyDeleteUgh medications and $$$. the whole thing is such a mess right now isn't it??
Ann Sather is great! It's all about the cinnamon buns. I put a photo of the breakfast on IG. It was really good, though my daughter said the ones she had in Turkey were bigger. My plan does cover some pricey medications. Restatis is not covered for a lot of people and it's like $1500 a month. I get it for free. Some of the medications this guy is suggesting are really new. I am willing to try medications that are covered, and if the doctor can make the case, it can be reviewed, but he has to try all the covered ones first.
DeleteSo happy to hear you've had a nice trip with your daughter! Hope you trip home is pleasant and that the meds the Dr. gave you work out!
ReplyDeleteWeather was rough. Very windy in Newark. We clapped when we landed which I cannot say is always the case when I fly
DeleteHow did plugging the tear ducts make your eye feel? Can you feel it? I take Gabapentin for Neuropathy and it only helps a little bit. I started using over the counter extra strength Aspercream with Lidocaine and rubbing that in my foot which seems to help a little as well.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure, honestly. I swear I can feel some pressure in my lower lid, but I also suffer from foreign object sensation, so not sure. I did try topicals, but the burning, I get no relief.
DeleteHow wonderful that you had such a great time with your daughter. I'll bet you were so proud of her when you saw her dance. I hope the new treatments work for you Sam, it is tough when you are in that "waiting" period to see if it works. Enjoy your week and your books.
ReplyDeleteIt's always a treat to see my daughter dance. I am amazed she is still dancing after all these years. I don't set my expectations too high with doctors, so maybe they will exceed them this week.
DeleteSounds like you had a wonderful visit with your daughter. I hope the new treatments from your doctors work out.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to see the kid. You know the thing about absence and hearts - totally true
Delete