WEEKLY UPDATES: HAPPY HOLIDAY WEEKEND!

On By Laurel-Rain SnowIn weekly updates

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon, The Sunday Post and Stacking the Shelves, for weekly updates.

**Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

 

Happy holidays to those who celebrate Memorial Day.  It is plenty hot here, and I’m loving the functioning AC, which one can never really take for granted.

My week has been busy, with four books read and reviewed.  Two were review books, and two were purchased, bringing my totals for the Read the Books You Buy Challenge to 45.

All week I’ve been fighting my hair dye reaction, and at this point, all is almost back to normal.  I am seriously rethinking hair dye, though.  The reaction was painful…and let’s just say I don’t want to go through it again.

I shopped for a new flat screen TV for my office, but the one I picked out was too big for the space, which I didn’t realize until the delivery guy arrived.  There were unexpected “legs” on it.  Back to the drawing board!

I have been watching Season 3 of Bloodline, and how depressing are those folks!  Their problems are huge, and I cannot see any good ending for any of them.

I have watched through Episode 7 of The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu.  Loving it!

I’m sipping iced tea and contemplating the week ahead…but first let’s look at last week.

 

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:

Sunday Potpourri:  Curling up on My Comfy Couch

Tuesday Sparks: “Miss You”

Meet the Domestic Diva:  An Excerpt from “Interior Designs “

Keeping Track:  An Update

Tuesday Potpourri:  A Day of Anticipation…and Some Relief

Hump Day Sparks:  Engaging Reads…

Thoughts on a Thursday…

Bookish Friday:  “It’s Always the Husband”

Friday Potpourri:  My Thursday, An Unexpected Day, with Twists…

Review:  Secrets in Summer, by Nancy Thayer (Amazon Vine)Review:  Into the Water (e-book), by Paula HawkinsReview:  #GIRLBOSS (e-book), by Sophia AmorusoReview:  The Wildling Sisters, by Eve Chase (Amazon Vine)

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INCOMING BOOKS:  (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)

One book I purchased came in my mailbox…and I received an e-ARC from NetGalley.

The Other Girl (e-book), by Erica Spindler – (NetGalley – 8/22/17)

 

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Purchased:

The Comfort of Others, by Kay Langdale

 

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WHAT’S NEXT?

Currently Reading:  How It All Began (e-book), by Penelope Lively

 

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I hope to start reading some of my June 20-27 NetGalley reads, like these:

 

The Breakdown (e-book), by B. A. Paris (6/20)

 

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Beach House for Rent (e-book), by Mary Alice Monroe (6/20)

 

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?

On Thursday, I had a day outside the box and enjoyed Happy Hour with these goodies:

 

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74 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: HAPPY HOLIDAY WEEKEND!”

  2. fuonlyknew

    Sorry about the hair dye reaction. I had my hair turn green once from chlorine in the pool. Had to keep washing it with vinegar until it was gone. Smelled funny for a while. LOL
    My sister just bought a new flat screen and had a problem with legs too!
    Enjoy the holiday weekend and all of those great looking books:)

    My Sunday Post

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Laura, and who knew that, after many years of coloring, my body would react? Maybe it’s a reminder that I am too vain. LOL.

      I can’t believe what’s out there in TVs these days! So many HUGE ones, and I just want one small enough for my little office. They hint that I’m not trending…Ha. If they only knew!

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  3. Greg Hill

    Happy Memorial Day weekend! Had to turn on the air here too today it got hot. Good luck with the flat screen search.

    Man Bloodline has gone dark hasn’t it? I can’t believe what’s going on with John and Kevin, and even Sally. And Meg has disappeared out of the blue. I never thought I’d feel sorry for eric O’ Bannon lol.

    The Other Girl and The Break Down both look good. And yum!

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    1. Oh, I know! I was thinking Poor Eric!

      I’ve never liked Kevin…I think he is a disgusting pretense of a human…LOL. But John? I thought he had a moral compass. Meg is pretty messed up, too, and Sally is really out there.

      I think I’m glad this is the last season…but I’ll finish Season 3 today.

      Thanks for visiting, Greg, and I am excited about my books…and want more of those potato skins.

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      1. Greg Hill

        Kevin is just straight up not likable at this point. In previous seasons I just felt sorry for him because he was kind of hapless, but now… ugh. And John! I felt the same. He has gone way down the rabbit hole this season, I actually don’t like any of them at this point?? And poor Chelsea getting harassed by the police… it used to be they said good people that did a bad thing, now I’m if they’re all just bad people who did a LOT of bad things lol.

        I have two episodes yet…

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  4. I’ve never heard of anyone reacting to hair dye before! Did you use bleach? Sometimes if it’s left on for too long it can cause reaction like symptoms. If not you could try a different brand of dye. I’m glad that you were able to read four books this week! 🙂

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    1. My daughter styles my hair, and used the same kind she always has (for years), but I think she used a darker shade for the low lights, and someone I know suggested that might be the problem. I’m thinking of going silver!

      Thanks for visiting, Anna, and I enjoyed the variety in my reading this week.

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  5. priyankaswonderland

    Ohh sorry for the hair dye reaction! I can’t sleep without AC and can’t function w/o Iced Tea here in India. It’s so hot! Lovely haul!
    Here’s my STS

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    1. I always have a big container of iced tea in the fridge during the summers here; we get triple digits early on that last for months.

      I am sick of the whole hair dye fiasco…and I’m thinking of letting my hair go natural…LOL. Thanks for visiting, Anna.

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  6. Good to hear the dye reaction is clearing up, hair dye can be tricky. I have two nieces who had to give up hair dressing work because of how their bodies absorbed the chemicals from the dye and they had reactions. Enjoy that hot weather!

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    1. Oh, no, my daughter would be devastated if that happened to her!

      And just when I thought the rash was clearing up, there is a sign of more coming back today. What’s up with that?

      Thanks for visiting, Kathryn, and I’m grateful for AC. I think I’ll stay in all day today.

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    1. Thanks, Megan, the rash seems to come and go. I thought it was gone, but found more today. And, of course, it’s a holiday weekend, but I’ll be on the phone with a nurse within a couple of days.

      Hope you love The Handmaid’s Tale. Glad you could visit today.

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  12. Tempting me with yummy food again! Instead, I’ll reach for a book because it’s still morning here 🙂
    I read The Breakdown and it had an intense plot– you might enjoy it. And you reminded me of Erica Spindler– haven’t read her in years, but like her books!

    I stopped coloring my hair earlier this year and never looked back. I just make my eyebrows a bit darker when I wear makeup with a bit of bright lipcolor, and then I don’t look washed out. I have thinning hair and any dye I used irritated my skin badly. I don’t have the money to color my hair professionally, so I just stopped. I mean, my husband has gray hair… why can’t women embrace their looks when older, too?

    Enjoy your books this week!

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Rita, and my daughter was moving toward the “going gray” phase with me, I think, since she highlighted me with silver.

      I think I was worried because my gray roots were so ugly…but once they’re all out, showing themselves properly, it should be a release…kind of. Almost like my hippie days when I went natural with straight hair. LOL.

      I know that I’m sick of this reaction, which I’ve had twice…and I thought it was over, but more rash came out today!

      I loved Behind Closed Doors, by B. A. Paris, so I’m looking forward to The Breakdown.

      That Happy Hour food was such a rare treat…I usually do lunches out.

      I love Erica Spindler, too, and still have a book of hers, Copycat…plus the movie with Sigourney Weaver.

      Enjoy your week!

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  13. So sorry about the hair dye reaction – I’m off to the hairdresser’s on Thursday as I’m due to dye my hair purple in a few weeks to celebration a Big Birthday:). My hairdresser wasn’t prepared to go through with it unless I nipped in and they did a skin test – I’m now very glad she’s suggested it! You have had a really amazing reading and blogging week and I hope your coming week is as awesome:). My Sunday Post – https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2017/05/28/sunday-post-28th-may-2017/

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    1. Thanks, Sarah, and yes, testing the skin would have been a good idea…and since my daughter has been coloring my hair for years with no problems, I guess she didn’t think it was necessary. Now she does, of course.

      She is off to Prague, Amsterdam, etc., for her honeymoon in a week…and when she comes back, we’ll assess the situation. Meanwhile, I should have some gray roots by then. LOL.

      I love the idea of purple hair! Don’t even get me started on all the colors I could try.

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  14. So sorry to hear about the dye reaction, but glad you’re feeling better now. We had our AC break down once in FL – on a summer visit – and that taught me to never take it for granted! lol! Your books all look good, but this holiday weekend has put me in the mood for something beachy. Hope you have a great week.

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    1. Thanks, JoAnn, and I’ve only had mine here break down once in ten years, and then it was fixed quickly. The only problem would be on a weekend, when there is no maintenance staff. (Staff is another reason I ended up renting after I sold my house, and I’ve never been sorry. The staff is excellent). When I owned my house, my grown kids helped maintain it…but they’ve all moved away…hmm, maybe there is a message there! LOL.

      I have several beachy reads…hoping to settle in to read all weekend…since my new TV won’t be arriving until Thursday of this week…sent the first one back.

      Enjoy your week!

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  16. It’s warm here, but not like where you are. I’m looking forward to starting the new season of Bloodline. I probably won’t watch for a few weeks yet, but those people are always depressing. LOL I haven’t read an Erica Spindler book in a long time, but she’s always good and this looks like a good one too. Hope you have a great week!

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  17. Hair dye can be tricky. My scalp itches a lot when I do mine, but I’ve heard of much severe reactions. I hope yours wasn’t too bad.

    You’ve had a busy reading week! Lately I only get one read a week. Oh well.

    Hope you have great week ahead! ~Aleen

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  18. I have been hearing more and more people having negative reactions to hair dye! It makes me wonder if the companies have been putting in different ingredients or something. Hopefully it is all better soon!
    have a good week!

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    1. Thanks, Cleo, and I don’t know why I haven’t ever read Lively, but I will read more from her.

      While my allergic reaction seems to be improving, I’m still fighting an itch, especially when I try to sleep. GRRR.

      Hope you have a great week!

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  21. Four books a week is awesome, Laurel. I don’t hair dye either. I can’t stand the reaction. Wow, you are a very productive blogger. Fantastic. I can never do what you do. I hope you enjoy these books. Have a wonderful week. 😊

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  22. Hope your skin is beginning to heal from the hair dye reaction. Hopefully, you will find a brand that doesn’t cause it again. Every time I think I am going to let my hair go silver, I chicken out and cover it with color. Looking forward to the Erica Spindler book, it has been awhile since I’ve read one.

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    1. Thanks, Nise, and yes, it is hard to stop using hair dye, but I definitely have to find something less toxic. My skin is better, but still gives me problems when I’m trying to sleep (itching).

      I love Erica Spindler’s books, so I’m eager to read this one…although it won’t be released until August, so it will be a while.

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  23. I like to look of all your books! I’m looking at hair dye products that are less toxic, especially now that I have more grays. They can be found at any store that sells natural products and they work well. Have a great reading week!

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  25. The Breakdown and Beach House for Rent are on my wish list – didn’t get review galleys. Hope you enjoy them and the week ahead. We’re still going back and forth between spring and summer temps (50s one day, 80s the next). It’s all good.

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Mary, and I’m eager to read both of those books. Today it’s supposed to be in the 90s…but as long as the AC works, I’m good. Not wanting the triple digits yet, but they’re coming.

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  29. Kathy Martin

    Sorry about the hair dye reaction. I hope things are back to normal now. I’m shopping for a new TV too or, rather, my brother is. I have a feeling that I’ll be getting more TV than I think I need. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Kathy, and I’m better, but I still have a bit of a rash. Sigh.

      TV shopping blows my mind these days! So many huge Smart TVs…and I just wanted a little flat screen for my office. I think I found one, to be delivered later this week.

      Enjoy your week!

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  30. Oof, hope you’re feeling better after the hair dye reaction. I’ve notice that I’m becoming more sensitive to certain things as time goes on. I ended up having a reaction last week to something I ate, but I didn’t eat anything new to me! Not fun at all…

    Have a great reading week!

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    1. I hate that these things start happening, and the hair dye thing really stunned me. It is better now, but not completely well. A bit of a rash and itchiness remain. Sigh.

      Thanks for stopping by, Katherine, and enjoy your week.

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  32. Sorry to hear about your dye reaction. I have kept my hair short since the Chemo a few years back. It is so easy to care for and no more coloring now.
    Lots of good reading for you. Enjoy your new books too. Yummy looking happy hour.
    Happy Reading!

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  35. The Cue Card

    I missed your post last week as I was traveling to a wedding but making up for it now. That Bloodline got so dreary in Season 2 that we stopped watching it — b/c the characters all seem pretty bad eh? We liked Season 1. We are making our way thru Handmaid’s Tale but I think are on episode 5 or 6 now. Dark but hard to turn away from!

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    1. Yes, by Season 3 of Bloodline, I hated all the characters…and I wasn’t sad to be done with them.

      I am loving The Handmaid’s Tale, too. Thanks for stopping by, Susan, and enjoy the new week.

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