by Sarah | Jan 8, 2020 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Book Reviews, I'm A Reader, Redefining Perfect
Somehow in all of the chaos I managed to read 50 books in 2019. Still not sure how, and though I set the same goal for this year, I’m not sure I’ll manage to make it again what with school and work and kids and hubby and Disney and all of that good stuff.
Still, I’m making an effort, and working to keep a record again somewhere other than Goodreads.
Onto the post:
What I Read
Yes, yes…AGAIN.
Like I said on Twitter recently…I will ALWAYS go home to Hogwarts.
Though I enjoy reading the books myself, there is something fun and magical about listening to the audiobook version that makes me happy and makes driving in this atrocious traffic less of a bother.
(Yes, I know about the controversy and I do not condone or agree with Rowling’s actions…and will never purchase another book first-hand. However, I will borrow the series and read my well-worn copies because the stories go beyond her narrow views.)
I own this and the first in the series in hardcover (GORGEOUS books, mind you)…but the narrator of the audiobooks is such a delight that it makes listening to them fun and engaging.
The second in the series began a little slow, but had its own sort of impact. After the events of Hunting Jack the Ripper, our heroine Audrey Rose is suffering a bit of PTSD. One of my delights in this book is that Maniscalco does not shy away from this fact, or the fact that she should be suffering PTSD in the first place. What was suffered in the first book begets such a thing.
The way she struggles adds an extra haunting note to the story, and the location of Bran castle only increases that feeling. After such trauma it takes AR some time to get her ‘sea legs’ so to speak. Despite the bumbling attempts of the frustrating adorable and obtuse Thomas Cresswell, her struggles remain. When she first picks up a scalpel again we begin to see hints of the AR we know and love. A little less innocent, sure, but still smart and cunning, and almost too daring.
On a personal side note: I totally want to create the tea Thomas mentioned creating…Audrey Rosehips. It sounded delicious.
Yup, another audio, and one out of my normal wheelhouse of books. I used to read a lot of mysteries some years ago…but dropped them in favor of YA and romance and fantasy, etc. Recently, I’ve begun to try to expand what I read again, and this fit the bill.
The story was intriguing, and the result truly had me by surprise. The twist on format, going backwards in time, was done well enough.
The characters were not always likable, and the ending a little sketchy on morality, but I really enjoyed it and was completely satisfied with how things turn out.
It’s not often a mystery/thriller takes me by surprise and this one managed it.
I put these two together, but separate because they are part of a series of standalones, each set in both the near and far future.
ARK was an enjoyable, quick read for me. About a group of scientists gathering every bit of data they can about life on earth (as in plant life) before the big asteroid hits. On their last day before boaring the third and final Ark to depart the earth, the MC stumbles on something amazing. It was touching, heart-breaking, and beautiful all at once.
Summer Frost was good, just not my cup of tea. I found myself having to push my way through it. I enjoy Blake Crouch’s writing, I just didn’t really connect with the story after a certain point. I wanted to, but after the first few scenes it just lost all appeal. Going forward with the collection, though…It’s a fun way to get a glimpse of different authors I’ve never read.
What I’m Reading Now
I finished the first and the second came right along to ease my loneliness.
While COS is not my favorite Potter read, I don’t like skipping books…besides, there’s some lovely details in this one that help.
Plus, where would we be without kitty Hermione?
Plus, as I said above, the narration is always pleasing and it’s a nice way to pass the time in the crazy trafficness that is Florida.
(Book releasing 2/8/20)
I have, admittedly, been “currently reading” this one for a while now. Mostly because I want it to get my full attention and I so rarely have that for book time. I’m a major multi-tasker and this book deserves more.
I really like it, and the way the theory and practices are presented. The author has an easy voice to read, and everything clicks in my head when I read it. I’d like more time to put everything together and into practice.
*This is a book I received via netgalley. All opinions are my own*
I was intrigued by the book when the blurb mentioned the MC is gender fluid. I’d never read a book with such a main character, and the premise of the story (a competition to the death!) while familiar, appeared to have a new spin on it.
It’s a good, quick read when I remember it’s waiting for me (I’m currently trying to find where my Kindle is…I seem to have misplaced it and I don’t like reading longer stories on my phone)…my biggest issue is just what drew me in. Sal is gender-fluid. It’s mentioned in the blurb…but I feel like the first 1/3 of the book is kind of bashing you over the head with it a little. I DO like how those around Sal approach their fluidity, both with and without grace, to identify how to address them.
As for the meat of the story, so far it’s a tangled web of intrigue and action. From essential street-urchin into a death battle with highly trained adversaries isn’t easy…and this book isn’t making Sal a miracle expert at everything. They struggle to survive and fight, and the whole thing is rather intriguing.
I hope to get back to this ASAP…if I could only figure out what I did with that Kindle…
*This is a book I received via netgalley. All opinions are my own*
*~*
What are you reading these days? I’m always looking for suggestions!
Stick around…more updates coming soon!
by Sarah | Jan 6, 2020 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Pagan Me Happy, Personal, Redefining Perfect
Once a month I’ll be posting a new Spirit Animal*. This is both for me to study and learn, but also to help inspire each month.
This month the animal made itself known to me within moments of moving into our new home, because they are everywhere around it.
The Hawk.
The very first animal guide that ever came to me to grant me lessons several years ago was the hawk. At the time it helped me to see that I needed to dive deeper into my spiritual side. I took the lesson and did so, and it helped me immensely. This past 6 months has tested everything, including that very spiritual side.
In the past few weeks, the Hawk has returned again. Sure, hawks are everywhere in Florida — but there are times when they are more than just present. Like when it flies right in front of my face before perching on a light. Or flies alongside my car for a couple of miles to perch in a tree above my house. I’m telling you, sometimes these creatures are beyond insistent.
So it’s time to listen again, to the lessons of the Hawk.
What does the Hawk tell you?
He urges you to look at things from a higher perspective, see the big picture instead of the smaller details.
Study your divination tools and rely on your readings of them. Rapid spiritual development and awareness are often the message he brings.
Use your powers of observation. Focus on the task at hand. Step back and use that higher perspective to see what’s holding you back.
Most importantly, you have a clear vision. Use it.
The hawk’s sharp eye is your guide when he visits. Use how you need it most. To gain a higher perspective, to open your spiritual awareness, the gift of sight from that higher viewpoint. The perspective you need to see everything clearly.
Considering how muddled I’ve felt lately. I’m going to once again dive deeper into my spiritual life, and look at the things that have been holding me back and/or down, and see the big picture. I’ve been so focused on the small details that I’ve lost my perspective.
What animal is speaking to you this month? Do they have lessons for you?
*Disclaimer: I use the term Spirit Animal with deepest respect to the Indigenous people. I have been studying under an amazing, powerful indigenous woman and I respect their beliefs in the highest. I use the term with much honor, and not as a joke or meme. I truly believe these animals come as messengers for me, and try to learn under them. Miigwetch.
by Sarah | Jan 5, 2020 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Gratitude, Redefining Perfect
As part of my Oola journey, I’m making an effort to be more grateful. My daily planner has a place specifically labeled for Gratitude. I’d like to spread some of that love here, too.
I am grateful for –
Surprise visits.
Holiday magic.
Full time hours again.
Lazy days.
Hawk visitors.
Hope.
Seventy degree days in January.
Words.
Instant Pot.
Audiobooks.
4 days until nursing school.
New opportunities.
Re-reading Oola.
Evening walks.
Sunsets.
Sunrises.
School break.
Cuddly cat.
Freshly bathed dog.
Hugging teens.
Community.
Board games.
Christmas movies.
Creative outlets.
by Sarah | Jan 1, 2020 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect
I only started choosing a word for the year in 2018. “Momentum” followed by “Redefining”. They both really impacted my year.
2019 was amazing…and terrible…all at once and separately. So much happened that was so very good, but much happened that beat me up a little, or a lot.
My faith got bruised.
I got a little beat up (figuratively).
I’ve been on shaky ground and feeling very un-oola.
This new year will have me facing new challenges, just as hard or harder than the last.
I’m starting nursing school.
I’m desperately seeking a new job to replace the one that’s mistreated me so badly.
For the past month I’ve been struggling to find a word to take me through 2020, the start of a new decade and a new life.
I went through several, feeling them out for what might work. “Home”, or “Reconnect”, or even “Persevere”. Nothing felt right. I settled on Reconnect as ‘good enough’, but it felt off.
Then…
This appeared in my feed—>
TRUST.
As soon as I saw it it resonated deep inside.
I’ve lost my trust that everything would work out.
I’ve lost my trust in people.
I’ve lost my trust in myself.
It’s time to find it again.
To LIVE it again.
To quote that famous musical…”It’s time to trust my instincts, and leap.”
So hello, 2020.
Hello, trust.
by Sarah | Oct 20, 2019 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Photography, Redefining Perfect, Weekly Winners
Over the past few years, I’ve found myself apart from my camera more than with. I missed the old days of the Weekly Winners with Lotus. I recently tweeted this fact, and she brought it back, twitter style…so I’m hoping that gets me back friendly with my good old Canon. For now I’ve committed myself to once a month, but hope that one day it will become far more frequent.
This week, I’m taking you to Epcot.
But I’m not talking rides and countries and the big ball…I wanted to get into the details of Epcot. I wanted to get beyond the tourist and into the awesomeness that is Disney in the details. All of these were taken with my Samsung Galaxy S8.
And just because…one obligatory “see the ball from across the pond” picture. It was a nice day, sometimes you have to do it anyway. 😉
by Sarah | Oct 8, 2019 | All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Pour Your Heart Out, Redefining Perfect
Raising kids today is hard.
Not saying that raising us was any easier. Every generation had their own woes, I suppose…but I am digressing.
Raising kids today is hard.
They have so much to deal with that we didn’t. I mean, sure they’ve got opportunities and things that we never did, but they have a lot to deal with…including a big scary world that isn’t as understanding of all of the changes in the world and people around us.
You see it everywhere these days. Not to get political, but the climate is HOSTILE. I can get panic attacks just going on Facebook some days.
My biggest thing in raising my kids is I want to be their safe place to land.
I want them to be happy.
If they want to tell me they decided they don’t want to go to college, okay fine. Or they do want to go to college. Great.
My big thing has always been – I want them happy. They can chase that dream wherever they want to let it take them.
I’ve expressed this to them over and over.
But as they get older the situations get more complex.
More grown up.
Less, “Okay, if you don’t like Clawdeen any longer, that’s fine. She’s still my favorite character.”
More, “I don’t care what your sexual orientation or gender, I will love and support you.”
It’s been a weird switch for me, as my ‘talk’ was a very uncomfortable and embarrassing affair. I don’t want to repeat that with my kids.
So, when one of them came to me and said, “Hey mom, Kendra* said she’s pansexual. She’s kind of afraid to tell her parents.” I didn’t even have to school my reaction, but I did have to ask, “Do you know what that means?”
Which led to a big discussion over Pan/Trans/Bi/etc. A discussion that I didn’t mind having, and had actually very recently had at work because we had a non-binary patient and the nurse “didn’t get it.”
My girls and I had a long talk that day, very casual and comfortable about all of the terms, what they meant, what they comfortably understood. I had to tell my girls that I totally understood why Kendra didn’t want to tell her parents yet – I knew them and I knew it would be a struggle for them to understand and accept. That she could let her know she was always welcome at our home, and that I knew who in her family would also be accepting in the worst case scenario.
Out of all of it I hope that they understood that I truly only want them to be happy, comfortable, and safe.
I hope that they know I will always be a safe place to land. That I never want them to have to feel the need to keep anything like that from me.
We’re working on having an open, comfortable communication on the subject. They’re still teenagers, they still have their pushback…but in the end, as long as they know we’re good no matter what the challenge, then I feel better.
Raising kids is hard.
Raising smart, intelligent, kind adults is the right thing to do. That’s my goal here. To see them happy, and comfortable in this ever changing world.
*Name changed to protect the child, who has still not come out to her parents. It’s a big step and I wish her the best.
Somehow in all of the chaos I managed to read 50 books in 2019. Still not sure how, and though I set the same goal for this year, I’m not sure I’ll manage to make it again what with school and work and kids and hubby and Disney and all of that good stuff.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (audio)
Hunting Prince Dracula (audiobook)
All the Missing Girls (Audio)
ARK by Veronica Roth &
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (audio)
Psychic Witch
Mask of Shadows
