BetyBee

Update on my book club experience with my neighbor who doesn't like me - I attended and made a point of not even looking in her direction and just enjoying the other women in the group and honestly, the woman seemed happier that I wasn't paying any attention to her. 🤷‍♀️ I don't know why, but I was happier too, so I guess that's my go to going forward. It was our Christmas Book Swap. I bought a new best seller paperback and wrapped it carefully. It was the first one chosen and the only book that was stolen by another member! I've given duds before, so I was really happy. Also the one who stole it is one of my favorite people from BC, who raved about the author, Jesmyn Ward.

I hope your sister can find a more committed book club. The wine drinking and not bothering to read the book is common from what I hear. Ours is sponsored by a wonderful small book store. They order the books for us (we try to stick to paperbacks), which keeps our bookstore afloat in these Amazon times! We are all serious readers, especially the member who doesn't care for me! Mostly retired ladies, though we have a couple of guys who come sometimes.

We will try the fishing line method. Thank you, @Absolom and @Notabug! He is a 16 lb chonk, so hopefully he won't decide to climb the tree! We had a much smaller cat who used to do that!

That's a very interesting take. I joined book club before she joined the board, but she may have become more disturbed by my presence when our worlds further collided - when we were no longer just neighbors and bc members. That actually makes sense. I never talk about our HOA with her, but she may be fearful that that could happen. I think not interacting much with her besides politeness, may help. At least it may help my peace of mind!

I've been in a local book club for about 5 years. I really love most of the group and in fact, two of my good friends have joined. I'm sometimes slow to pick up on things, but I've come to realize that a long term member, who has been in the club since its inception is contemptuous of me. Looking back, I realize that she took an instant dislike to me. She is also on the board of my HOA and is a neighbor. There are no problems there. We've never missed a payment or asked for anything special. The neighbor ladies used to meet for lunch once a month until Covid when that stopped. When we moved here 5 years ago and I had been to lunch a few times, I attended my first BC meeting and told her she looked familiar - did I know her from somewhere? She reacted as if I was crazy and said no. The next time we ladies did lunch, I said "Oh! This is where I know you from!" She responded with a terse, "Yes, I know!" I've always been polite and friendly to her, but in return, she's cold and seems angry. I wonder if I remind her of someone she disliked in the past? Anyway, if anyone has advice, I'm open to it. I've decided to mostly ignore her going forward. I don't want to quit to make her happy! I will continue to be polite, but indifferent to her feelings about me. She's an odd duck, but a true book lover. Well, so am I and I have a right to be there!

We woke up to find our tree lying on the floor this morning. So now we know that our new to us kitty is not to be trusted around the tree. Only one ornament broke and it can be glued. Interesting that we didn't hear the crash! If it happens again, I'm going to insist that we take it down and put it away.....for the next 15 years!

My MIL used to call thrown together leftovers a "pick up dinner". Since she was putting together a meal from previous tasteful meals, it made for a pretty good dinner. Jill's recipe, on the other hand, looks absolutely disgusting!

This. If Jana Duggar really had her eye on Chad back in the day, she's probably thanking Jeebus that she dodged that bullet. She has a husband with a JOB, had a nice wedding without a visit from and cake for Bill G and likely won't have 6 children!

I've been feeling that way too.

They are following Carlin's parents' "Godly" parenting style. Layla doesn't need a real education in order to marry young and reproduce. Not sure what Z's future looks like at this point.

My sweet orange kitty is being stand-offish since I returned from several days at my daughter's house. He's usually a lapcat. He's 5 yo, but fairly new to us, so we don't know yet if he's a Christmas tree botherer! We brought in the boxes of Christmas stuff, but haven't put the tree up yet.

I wonder if mentioning that gets them a free sandwich at CFA? 😉

Jill could explain Black Friday by telling her girls that it's like when they fight each other over Jill's clothing rejects.

My shoulder is feeling MUCH better! I'm seeing the ortho doc today for a check up and to set up a PT schedule.

I wonder if Jill will treat her "fans" to a pictorial of this year's Thanksgiving fare?

I wonder if Snuggles is still on this side of the rainbow bridge. 😢 He's certainly off of Jill's radar.

Today I'm going to an afternoon tea party at a cute tea shop with 4 of my good friends. We're celebrating a birthday (not mine) and haven't been all together for a while. ☺️

He's more likely to promise the woman he'll pay and then not paying!

Further proof that Jill is willfully ignorant!

I might be imagining Nathan holding the glue stick as a warning to Janessa, to leave his kids alone!* *a girl can dream!

I'm so sorry you fell, @Ancaster and that there was a lot of blood. I fell last month and fractured my clavicle. I only had a bit of blood where my sunglasses smashed into my eyebrow. I'm improving and don't need surgery. I hope you heal well and I hope you do not wind up with a divot!

I think it was Frank Luntz who began the habit of saying Democrat every time, because it includes RAT and he felt that was a good way to denigrate the party. I NEVER say it that way! ETA: I heard John Fugelsang say this election was an example of Christianity triumphing over Christ.

So true! I'm old enough to remember when the supporters of St. Ronnie claimed Jesus for their side. As a lifelong Christian, I was appalled. Subsequently, there was Hatriot radio and Fox News pouring hate for liberals and Democrats into their viewers and listeners all the live long day. Now sources have expanded to Newsmax and even main stream media. All the while they whine that the media is left leaning. It absolutely is NOT. I'm tired of the hate and the hypocritical so called Christians who would run Jesus out of town on a rail if He tried to preach the Sermon on the Mount today. They are more interested in the Old Testament. They don't care about women bleeding out in parking lots due to Trump abortion bans or people dying from a lack of health care or hungry children or separating immigrant children from their parents forever. They claim to support the troops but cut their benefits every chance they get. We are living in very difficult times and it will be worse come January.

Horrible outcome. I've made some changes today. I deleted my FB account. I don't really follow any MAGAs anymore, but I have been wanting to delete it forever and only kept it going because my Mom loved FB. She passed away last year. I just don't feel safe there and it's boring! I have unfollowed all of the fundie "influencers" everywhere, even on snark sites. It's not fun to see them gloating over their orange god's success. I needed a new hobby anyway, lol. I love to read, so reading books should keep me busy. Also talking to friends and my husband. I listen to a lot of political podcasts, but it's too soon to get back to that. I guess I'll up my streaming of shows. My heart breaks for the people of Ukraine and Eastern Europe (Putin wants their countries) and I fear for the Palestinian people - for the whole world actually. 😭

Yes! It's best to avoid falling, because a fall can change everything in an instant. I'm healing well. I'm kind of glad I didn't see it coming (I was on a walk in my neighborhood) because if I had, I'd have probably broken my wrist, trying to catch myself.