by Sarah | Apr 3, 2019 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Book Reviews, I'm A Reader, Redefining Perfect
March was a little up and down. I ended strong, though…so, I could be fooling myself thinking it was a good reading month. (spoiler alert: when composing the actual post it turns out I was correct…I was fooling myself. It was not a good reading month)
Anyhoozles…here’s my list for March.
Some may interest you, some may not. I hope it gives you at least a few ideas!!
Onto the post:
What I Read
Okay, this one is a long one…although book 5 is even more crazy long.
Though I’ve read & listened to them all multiple many times. In the long run, this is not the best book. It’s a lot of nothing going on leading up to one very big something.
Still, this one will always have a special place in my heart because it was this book’s movie that introduced the hubby and I into the world of Hogwarts, Harry Potter, and all things He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Plus, I’m not about to skip a book just because it’s not the BEST in the series. It’s still a GREAT series and deserves to be read in order.
I started reading this series a couple of years ago. I got through 1-3 and could not tell you why I stopped. They’re written by Joe Hill (son of that famous author and all…but awesome in his own right). They’re kind of creepy, super awesome, and have much fun and different magic.
4-6 let us dive more into the backstory and find a great conclusion to the series that wrapped things up nicely, yet still left me wanting more in that special way caused by a great story.
Luckily, there were two more little side books to grab up with little stories, but no less fun.
Set in times before the adult restriction created during WW2, the adults get to really take part in the fun here which lends a special different aspect to the whole thing.
All in all, this whole series is a great, fun read. Even though in some ways you ight consider it as leaning toward horror…it’s light enough that it’s easy to read, which is saying something coming from this not-a-horror-fan chick.
What I’m Reading Now
Yes, yes…I KNOW. Another month with it on the list?
REALLY?
Really.
This time, though…I’ve made progress.
For reals.
Maybe next month it’ll be on the read side, finally…or I’ll just remove it and we’ll pretend this never happened. K?
Another graphic novel series. I JUST started it.
Honestly, based on the premise I’m not holding my breath on it….for multiple reasons.
Every man on earth dies, but this dude…
Glorified way for a dude to get his rocks off writing both only-man-on-earth and lesbian scenes? Degrading to women somehow despite the world being full of only them? Who knows. We’ll learn as we go, I guess…
Full report coming in May.
Man, I keep putting books back on this list. I really did NOT have a good month of reading in March.
Still, I’m eager to get some reading in. Going out of town next week for a few days will help with that, I hope.
This one is top of the list(ish) behind the library books.
Really.
For sure this time.
I mean it?
This one has been on my radar for a hot minute.
Decided to dive in when I finished the last HP book while I wait for the next one that’s on hold (along with several others).
So far, I’m barely a chapter in so I have no feedback.
I do like that it has multiple actors. I prefer when a story is conveyed through multiple readers. It brings it to life even more.
P.S. Audiobooks at the library can have REALLY long wait times. I have one that I’m waiting on for probably a year. Not sure why they only have one copy of that crazy popular book…but they do.
*~*
What are you reading these days? I’m always looking for suggestions!
Stick around…more updates coming soon!
by Sarah | Apr 2, 2019 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
Continuing our countdown of my dream family vacations, we have reached #1…
Florida
Not only is this another WHOLE STATE…you can also tell I started this list before we made our plans to move, right? And with this you can probably picture me dreaming of living there being just one big vacation for me…trust me, I don’t. I’m gonna be working FT, as is hubby, and kids will have school…BUT I totally AM looking forward to all the different things we’ll be able to do when we have time off. Trust me, I’ve been saving up ideas. Ideas that go beyond the obvious of the theme parks (which we will visit with regularity, but oh, there’s so much more I want to see).
Because just like there’s supposedly more than corn in Indiana…
There’s more than theme parks in Florida.
From wildlife preserves and nature parks scattered throughout the state with hiking trails galore, and photo opportunities everywhere. To the Buddhist temple with a farmer’s market every week full of all sorts of foods I can’t wait to try.
To the beaches everywhere – so many I can’t even count, and I want to check them all out (Siesta Key is at the top of the list right now).
To Key West, which I’ve never seen and can’t wait to drive my girls over that bridge to see (Erik won’t join us…he’s got that phobia of bridges).
I keep finding all sorts of “hidden gems” that I need to uncover in Florida. It’s good we’re moving there because it would take a lifetime of vacations to uncover all there is in Florida to see and do.
Have you ever been to Florida? What was your favorite part? Do you like the theme parks? Have you gone beyond them?
by Sarah | Mar 31, 2019 | 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 –
Everything old being new again.
Feeling useful.
26 books complete.
One more section to go.
The new Deadwood movie (it’s about time).
Laughter around my house.
Nice weather for walks.
Zendo.
Teens that tell me things.
4 months smoke free!!
New projects.
Spark.
New understanding.
Clean heart & arteries.
Chance meetings.
Rediscovering memories.
Reconnecting.
New branches of conversation.
Good friends.
Bartering.
Being a safe place.
Having a safe place.
Spring.
Normal elbows.
The handiness of working with doctors.
New friends.
Interesting challenges.
Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur.
Bad jokes.
Feed readers.
by Sarah | Mar 26, 2019 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
Continuing our countdown of my dream family vacations, we hit #2 on the list…
Mackinac Island
No cars. No chain hotels. Transportation by horse & buggy or bike or your own two feet only.
Beautiful scenery.
Simple quiet.
Good restaurants and nightlife.
Honestly, what isn’t there to like about this quiet little island on Lake Huron?
I first heard about it in high school and though I’ve only seen mention here and there since, it stuck with me through moves to other states and back to where Mackinac Island is close enough to drive to (not literally, have to take a boat there, but you know what I mean).
It seems like the idea place to head for a simple, fun-filled vacation.
Have you ever been to Mackinac Island? What was your favorite part?
by Sarah | Mar 25, 2019 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Oola, Pagan Me Happy, Redefining Perfect
Along with my monthly spirit animal, I’ve decided to start researching different Goddesses every month, and to be fair I may throw in a random God or two as the spirit moves me. Back in December when I was doing my 21 Day Ceremony challenge, the Goddess Morrighan made a very distinct visit to me during one of the ceremonies. Thus, I’ve decided that my first monthly study would be on this complicated Goddess.
Morrighan, sometimes called Morrigan, Morrigu, or Macha is a Celtic Goddess.
Often symbolized by a raven, and a shapeshifter, she has appeared in many forms. As a woman with a bird head, a raven, or as a woman either with a raven, or a murder of crows. In some stories she’s also appeared as a cow and a wolf.
In my research I’ve found so many conflicting reports about her history, that I dare not dive too deep into it because I don’t want to get it wrong. So instead I’ll give my impressions of what I’ve learned.
First off, despite my husbands initial reactions when I mentioned her in December, Morrighan is not Morgan le Fay (some studies say she is, but it is not a fact and my instinct says no…so I’m leaning that way).
I was never off-put or disturbed by the call of Morrighan to study her and work her into my practice in some way. Though I’ve read that people fear such a call, because she is so often linked to war and battle, I viewed her more as I’ve been urged to look at Kali. For though she is representative of war and battle, she also symbolizes sovereignty and rightful kingship.
I’ve spent the past week studying on Morrighan’s messages and what they mean to me, specifically in the now. Here’s how I’m taking in her message this month:
- Step into your power. Do not be afraid of what battles you may face, whether internal or external.
- You are the rightful heir to your true self. Own it.
- Adaptability may be necessary to achieve your goals, and that’s okay. There can be power in shapeshifting when it’s for the right purpose.
- Sometimes things have to die in order for you to make it where you’re meant to be. Mourn the dead, but do not let them drag you down with them.
- Morrighan is clearly in command without being threatening. You can be in your power without being angry.
I am happy to honor Morrighan and her teachings. I feel like she’s going to be with me for a long time as I’m working out redefining myself. I will learn from and honor others, but I think Morrighan is more than my goddess of the month. I think she’s here for the long haul, and I am happy to embrace and honor her as well as I’m able.
by Sarah | Mar 23, 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).
We all have those projects.
You know the ones….
They take forever.
You love them.
You hate them.
You wish they’d be done already.
Well, shit, you completely messed up and have to start all the way over again…
This one cardigan is mine.
It’s an exceedingly complex circle sweater that I’m knitting.
To make matters more special, it’s got tons of teeny, tiny cable stitches throughout the whole thing…and the whole thing is pretty much reversible so…
It’s insanely difficult. It was even more so when I first started it as a noob knitter.
I started this sucker YEARS ago. Like 2013.
I worked the entire sleeve and started on the body only to realize I was making the WRONG SIZE.
I’m pretty sure I cried as I started again two years ago…from scratch. I worked the new sleeve directly from the old sleeve, literally using the same yarn as I pulled it free of the sleeve to stitch the new one. I did that two years ago.
I worked on it steadily for a few months until I’d hit the exact same point I’d been at when I’d REstarted it months before.
Then dropped it. Went onto other projects. Easier projects. Crochet projects. Anything but this.
Relegated to a drawer it sat there for a long time.
Then a couple of months ago, I sold everything. Okay, not EVERYTHING, but about 95% of my yarn, even if they had projects attached to them. In bulk.
All gone.
That left me with precisely 3 projects to work on. 2 knitting, 1 crochet.
So, this sweater has been getting attention.
A lot of it.
Which has led to this.
<—
I’m not quite halfway done with it. Probably 40%…but it’s made a huge leap forward. I’ve got about 180 rows until I can start doing the insanely long rows of the back. I’m kind of surprised at how fast it’s been going now that I’ve really dedicated to just a couple of projects.
It’s still not as fast as many yarn weavers…but I’m still very pleased at how it’s coming along. There’s been a few gaffs along the way, but they lend to the character of the outfit. Who knows, I may finish this before my kids graduate high school at this point. I wasn’t sure that would ever happen. It has already been six years, after all. 😉
March was a little up and down. I ended strong, though…so, I could be fooling myself thinking it was a good reading month. (spoiler alert: when composing the actual post it turns out I was correct…I was fooling myself. It was not a good reading month)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (audio)
Locke & Key series 4-6 + 2 stand alone’s
Luckily, there were two more little side books to grab up with little stories, but no less fun.
Conspiracy of Ravens
Y: The Last Man
The Wedding Guest
Don’t You Cry (audio)
