by Sarah | Feb 6, 2019 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Book Reviews, I'm A Reader, Redefining Perfect
I didn’t read as much as I’d expected this month, but I did get some finished and some new books started.
Some may interest you, some may not. I hope it gives you at least a few ideas!!
Onto the post:
What I Read
[easyazon_link identifier=”0778324338″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Poison Study[/easyazon_link]
This was a re-read for me. I initially read it in 2012, and have seen the entire series come up in my feed a fair number of times during the past year, so I thought I’d give it a re-read to see if I wanted to dive into the rest of the series (finally).
My biggest concern is that I’d remember what happened and drop the book as quick as I’d started. Lucky for me, the 7 year span apparently did wonders for me forgetting what happened…and I was able to enjoy the book as if it was the first time all over again…although I’m not sure I enjoyed it AS much this time…my first review was sickeningly glowing.
I do enjoy the depth of the characters and the surprises the author managed to throw in along the way. I do plan to read the rest of the series, if I can find the time.
Llewellyn’s Netgalley Reads
*I received a copies of these books via netgalley. All opinions are my own*
Llewellyn is a publisher I request probably 95% of their books and so far have always been approved. I’ve got quite a few on my Kindle that I’ve neglected so I went on a mad dash to read through as many as I could in recent weeks. Some of them were, unfortunately, unreadable beyond standard acceptable ARC issues ~womp-womp~ I have contacted them to let them know, but I did manage to find 3 that I could read.
[easyazon_link identifier=”073875997X” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Llewellyn’s Little Book of Tarot[/easyazon_link] continues their ‘little book’ theme…although “little” could be subjective. According to Goodreads the hardcover of this book spans 248 pages…sooo…anyhoo. I liked this take on tarot for the most part. Each card had an image of the tarot card – and there was a wide variety of tarot decks represented so you could get a feel for many different decks and maybe even find one that spoke to you. The “quick read” description was a handy tool. For me, I wish it had been set up differently, with the journal challenges and such separate from each card, but overall it was a good tool.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B07HKZWF54″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Your Tarot Court[/easyazon_link] by Ethony Dawn is for people like me who struggle with the meaning of the court cards. Packed with information that can be, at times, overwhelming, this is a book I’m going to have to read a few times to get the full depth of. However, Ethony’s voice is easy to read and I did learn a lot just on my first read through. The individual tasks set to help you learn really are handy and if you learn better by doing, are a godsend.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0738757896″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]The Hearth Witch’s Kitchen Herbal[/easyazon_link]is one of those that I’ve been holding onto for a while and now I wish I hadn’t. This would be a lovely reference piece to keep in the kitchen. I really like that it focuses on common herbs that we are likely to already have on hand or gather easily and inexpensively. Where I live there aren’t a lot of exotic spice stores on hand to gather unusual ingredients. I feel like this book gave me easy to follow recipes using every day ingredients. I felt like the history of the herbs was a little drawn out for my taste, but I understand why it’s all in there. I just wish that part had been separated from the recipes instead of having it all combined.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B07M5PZJF4″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Bleed Like Me[/easyazon_link]
I got this via netgalley, all opinions are, as always, my own.
Eh. I felt like this came from a super-emo middle school me.
Oddly enough, I didn’t connect with it at all.
The concept intrigued me enough that I eagerly grabbed for it. I like a dark story, a dark poem, a dark anything…I’m pretty dark and twisty when I want to be myself…but this was just…like I said. It came off more emo than dark and twisty. Like they were throwing in blood and dark themes gratuitously. No real emotions were brought up for me reading it. Disappointed.
*~*
Honestly, there were a couple more I read from Netgalley and other sources, but I don’t feel they warrant mention. Okay but not great.
*~*
What I’m Reading Now
[easyazon_link identifier=”052561849X” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]The Wedding Guest[/easyazon_link]
It has been a LONG time since I’ve read an Alex Delaware Novel, honestly. My husband and I used to read these a lot, and they were always super easy reads, but then we got off of the kick or moved on or got in non-reading modes and forgot about them.
When I saw this on Netgalley, even though I haven’t read one of these in ages I thought “Why not? They were always quick reads.”
Well, we’ll see if that still holds true.
We’ll also see if I missed anything by not reading the last 10-20 of them….
The Wendy
I never really saw myself as a Peter Pan story reader…but I have two of these on my list as next to read, and I read one back in 2017 that I really enjoyed.
This one looks interesting enough with Wendy in the lead role and a bit of a kick ass character if the cover holds true.
Here’s hoping. 😉
[easyazon_link identifier=”1250005914″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Second Grave on the Left[/easyazon_link]
Yuppers. I enjoyed book 1 so much, I’m ready to dive into book 2. I can’t wait to see what sort of trouble Charley gets herself into this time.
Also, more Reyes?
Um…YES.
Oh, to have more time to read all the time.
(Yup, still on here. I’m actually 90 pages in…but not done so it doesn’t go on the finished side yet, unfortunately)
[easyazon_link identifier=”B07C96XW1D” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Smoke & Summons[/easyazon_link]
You know those “must read” authors you find? The ones that…you don’t even read the blurb…you see the book and buy it?
Well, that’s Charlie Holmberg for me. Her Paper Magician series captivated me, so when this came up as a January Kindle First Read, I grabbed it without another thought.
So it’s a new add…but one I must read for sure.
Along with the rest of her books that I’ve stashed away to read.
(Yup, still on here. Haven’t even cracked it open yet…soon. Soon.)
Second Star
Another Peter Pan retelling.
Once again focusing on Wendy.
This time literally set in the stars.
We’ll see if Spaceship Peter Pan is worth the read!
*~*
I’m so glad I’m on a reading kick again. I have a LOT to catch up on. So stick around…more updates coming soon!
by Sarah | Feb 5, 2019 | All About Family, All of Us, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
Continuing our countdown of Dream Family Vacations, we hit #9 on my list.
New York City
Oh, New York…it’s been a favorite of mine for a while.
Honestly, growing up I had no desire to ever go. I’d heard horrible things about the crime and homeless and living in Western New York it was just “eh” to me. Never mind that I loved musicals and dance and all things theater…just eh.
Then we lived in Maryland for a couple of years and I took a road trip to NYC to see Cats on Broadway.
And I was never the same again.
I loved every minute of every little road trip I took to NYC (and there were quite a few). Even the time I locked my keys in the trunk and had to pay almost $300 for a middle of the night weekend call and they pretty much destroyed the lock, so then I had to have it replaced. (It was an expensive weekend).
Surprisingly, for all my trips there, I’ve not done a lot of the touristy stuff. I did see the Smithsonian, FAO Schwartz, Central Park and Times Square. No Empire State Building, no Statue of Liberty – and this was pre-9/11 so no memorial, clearly. I pretty much saw Broadway, a few shows (Cats many times) and a handful of restaurants.
I’d really like to go back again, take my girls and really dive into the city that never sleeps. Take them to a show, see the Statue, the memorial…all of the touristy things I’ve never seen…and some of the non-touristy stuff I’ve been curious about. There is just so much there…I want to see more of it.
What’s your favorite part of NYC? Have you been? Did you see a show? Did you go touristy? What’s your biggest city secret?
by Sarah | Feb 4, 2019 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Home, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All About Ripley, All of Us, Blogging Life, Disney, Disney Mom, Florida Dreaming, Oola, Redefining Perfect, Universal, Universal Studios Mom
*disclaimer* I am writing this over a week before publication. All information is subject to change. I’ll try to update if that happens, but I’m working a LOT, so it’s not 100%
We decided on this move in June of last year.
For over six months I have been applying at hospitals all over the area we’re looking at moving to (central Florida – i.e. Orlando area where our son lives).
I have managed to garner an interview and a half in probably 50-100 applications over the past six+ months. It’s been rough with all of the no’s stacking up, knowing a good deal of them likely come because I am here in Indiana.
It’s not easy being entry level and trying to move. They keep touting they want “a quick turnaround” and none of my assurances that I can be down in two weeks, three tops seems to make a difference in their eyes. Although what company doesn’t want you to be conscientious and put in a two week notice?
Frustration is lacing into every second of this for me. It’s tarnishing the excitement and making me doubt it happening.
Then, after six+ months of doing nothing on his job hunt…
My husband finally jumps into the fray. He works in a pretty specific industry with 20 years experience there, but again…pretty darn specific.
He has sent out THREE resumes. Three. About two weeks ago.
In less than a week, he got a call on a potential job.
Four days later, a phone interview.
The job? Not ideal…but if they match his current income…we are GONE.
So fingers crossed.
We could make this a reality.
Our target date: July 2019
Current status: One positive interview for husband, still plugging away for me. Savings is on target. Would feel more confident if I knew tax refunds were coming.
We’re heading toward our dream #Oolalife…we are getting there. Every day another inch closer.
*~*
Edited for update: I have also had a promising pre-interview this past week. No set date for a real interview yet, but hoping to have one soon.
by Sarah | Feb 2, 2019 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Crafty Me, Oola, Redefining Perfect, Yarnspiration
I may have mentioned once or twice before that I have some crafting ADHD. In the past year, my yarn-bending has come out full force (along with my pendant making, but that’s another post).
To keep tabs on myself because I’ve had several projects that are YEARS old now (seriously, like 7 years).
My big project this year, was also my big challenge for the year. I’d never taken on a project like this, and I wanted to go for it. I dove in, ordered the yarn and got myself started on the Hooked on Squares Crochet-Along.
Over the course of about six months I worked on 35 granny squares, bound them together and added on the suggested border.
It was very challenging. I had to redo a few squares because the sizing wasn’t working out to match the other squares.
I had to watch videos to understand stitches.
But I finished it, and I’m super proud.
But here’s the thing…it matches nothing in my house. I bought the colors to sort of go with the suggested colors…and because I thought they were pretty. I’d planned it all along as a challenge for myself, but now, I have to sell it. Well, I don’t HAVE to, but I am.
So, since I’m selling…I’m going to show off some pretty pictures here for you of the construction and finished process.
Enjoy!
by Sarah | Jan 31, 2019 | All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Disney, Disney Mom, DisneyTips, Florida Dreaming, Make-A-Wish, Redefining Perfect, Universal, Universal Studios Mom
So many times people think Molly and Kennedy are ACTUAL twins instead of Irish twins.
Oftentimes they (and I) have found it rather annoying…
Then…then…then…
You go on a trip to Disney/Universal for the youngest’s Wish.
Because Kennedy is SO in love with the Harry Potter books/movies/everything your very first stop on your very first day is none other than Ollivander’s so you can beat the crowds you’d heard were so crazy and have a chance at your little one getting the most awesome treat of being picked by Ollivander to get her very own wand.
It truly was our first day so we had no idea the true meaning of the magic of our Make-A-Wish badges and buttons…but within the walls of Ollivander’s Wand shop we learned quickly.
We also learned that it can be a good thing that people think Molly and Kennedy are actual twins…
Because when Ollivander selected those that would get their wands –
He picked Kennedy AND Molly.
(Here is where I would insert the video if it was not such a colossal mess of flipping sideways and darkness and not being able to hear everything. Sorry. The tale alone will have to do.)
First, he learned their names, then the wand selection began.
First, he handed Kennedy a wand made of Willow with a unicorn hair as its core. She waved with a “Wingardium Leviosa” and…well…the shelves went crashing down.
Then, he handed Molly a wand of hazel with a unicorn hair as its core. He instructed her to light it…and much to our surprise, she said in a very strong voice despite the crowd “Lumos!” Lightning flashed through the building, loud claps of thunder.
Ollivander used a quick spell to disperse the storm, and turned to my girls, tutting that they were indeed very difficult…
Then, the moment of brilliance.
He picked up the wands before each of the girls, making a statement to their twin cores…before crossing his arms so that each girl got the opposite wand to their first attempt, Molly with the willow and Kennedy with the Hazel…and then…
The moment of perfection, light and wind brushed across them as they found their perfect wands…or the wands found them.
Of course, we happily paid for the wands because they were chosen by Ollivander himself and brought them home with us. They had a prominent place until we began packing up to move. Soon enough, they’ll be on display again…and put to good use within the park itself.
It is true magic to see the wands choosing its wizard…and pure joy that both our girls got to experience the magic…together.
I didn’t read as much as I’d expected this month, but I did get some finished and some new books started.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0778324338″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Poison Study[/easyazon_link]
Llewellyn’s Netgalley Reads
[easyazon_link identifier=”B07M5PZJF4″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Bleed Like Me[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_link identifier=”052561849X” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]The Wedding Guest[/easyazon_link]
The Wendy
[easyazon_link identifier=”1250005914″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Second Grave on the Left[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B07C96XW1D” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Smoke & Summons[/easyazon_link]
Second Star
