Life of the Party

  Ohh how they have changed colors! I posted a few weeks ago, but that didn't do my flowers justice. Have a look at them now! Mom suggested that I lay some banana peelings at the base of each plant and that seems to have made them blossom even more! I'm in absolute love! It's one plant but it's both blue and purple at the same time! 

 I was somewhat disappointed in installment of the series. Jericho's character was something that I found very predictable and so was the story. I was somewhat bored with this book. I didn't read this book and that might of caused some disconnect with the story line. I did like the narrator via Audible! Lizzy's character seemed to be a weak person and had a damsel in distress vibe. I do NOT like main characters that exhibit this trait! I would rate this book a 2.5 out of a five. This book seemed rushed and the formation of character was not as appealing last with the first two books.      I don't usually give up on series, so I will be moving on to the next book. I hope it does in fact get better!   

      Life with livestock comes with flies. I hate these pesky creatures with a passion. This year has been especially annoying and nothing seems to slow them down. I've tried sprays for the goats to hanging fly bags around the chicken coops. These flies bite and it hurts. Even the OFF sprayed on my arms hasn't deterred them from eating me alive.      The hanging fly bags are overly full with them. I have already ordered more to see if they can slow them down. I know they are disposable, but I always buy extra bait to keep using them for the full summer before retiring them.      Does anyone else have any  suggestions? The gentleman at Tractor Supply suggested that I used horse fly spray. I put the first coat on the goats today. I cannot wait to see if it works. Wish me luck! 

      I watched the news today. This was the first time I've seen live TV in about a month because I avoid all the negative. Rarely is anything positive covered and during COVID the news only made my anxiety skyrocket. I didn't even know about the riots and what was going on. Bubble life seems so bizarre now. I could have missed a whole history changing moment. Disconnected is how I would currently describe myself. We don't have a TV service and I avoid social media for the most part. I cannot believe what evil is going on at the moment in my country and it's on BOTH sides!!!  Keep the US in your thoughts and send some good vibes our way. 

Ummm, what? This series has really sparked my interest in reading again. I have been so caught up in her line up of characters. This book is written in the perspective of April and it still references the other characters as their lives continue and intertwine in this world of shifters. I love the possessiveness of the male pack members. Reno has been my favorite wolf thus far. I listened and read this book. The narration on Audible was fantastic, but reading it for myself was a special treat. Our local library did have a copy and checking it out was a MUST! I would rate this book a 5 out of 5. I hope the next book in the series is also in April's perspective. My summer reading list is HOT!!!           

      I have discovered that I do in fact need to change up some teaching strategies that I use on a weekly basis. This class thus far has been a game changer for me. I can see that my teaching practices and ideas are somewhat out dated and I need to adapt to a new learning  paradigm.      I'm in the middle of module four and the learning curve is still kicking my  tail. It has been so long since I was a student that I'm having to readapt to excessive typing and technology enhanced learning via an online format. Personally, I think all teachers should have to step out of their comfort zone and take classes beyond regular PD session offered. I really puts things in perspective.  

 Here is a list of activities by child has had a blast doing thus far! 1. Visit a zoo. Small children love them and it allows you a full day of fun. 2. Playing with the water hose and/or sprinklers.  3. Helping "plant" (She doesn't really help, but she seems to really enjoy being out there with me) 4. Splash pad  5. Feeding the chickens (she is finally old enough to hold her own scooper filled with feed) 6. Nature walks 7. Picnics  8. Catching bugs 9. Playing in the small stream that runs down below our house (its ankle deep) 10. Bubbles  11. Riding in the wagon  12. Local lake (fake beach area) 13. Cheap pool from the Dollar General  14. Water guns      I have learned through experience that you don't have to spend an arm and leg for your young one to have a rememberable summer. They just want to be with you. Our spring water doesn't really ever run out, so playing with the water hose is always on our agenda! 

I have officially started my summer reading list. Wow, I'm completely taken in by Dark's character list! Austin is steamy and so his his broody demeanor. Reading Dark's work came at the right time. Summer boredom has already set in. This author knows how to catch their reader's attention. This first book took nearly no time to complete exploring the world of "shifters."  If you're in to super natural stories, this is for you! I overlooked the sexual scenes and skipped several pages, but the story is still swoon worthy. We all need our own Austin!      I would rate this book a 5 out of 5! I was also excited to discover there is more than three books in this series. Count me in!  I will be reading the entire series before August gets here. I just home the series stays in Lexi's point of view. I have no idea how this series was not on my radar. I know it's an older book, but it more than worth its time to read.   

      Every summer I start the count down... I hate it too. I keep a running count of how many days I have left of break before school starts. I wonder if that is even normal? Do other professionals have the same issue? It's more dreadful now that I have a child. Only seeing her for four hours a day when school is in session takes a toll on me. Every parent that works probably experiences the same frustrations.      This summer I decided not to work an extra job, so I could spend some extra time with Taylor. It just seems to be passing by so fast. I'm still somewhat nervous about taking her places alone. The anxiety of dealing strangers and my toddler really puts a damper on my summer plans. I feel like that is abnormal too! I think of all the ways something can go wrong and talk myself right out of "fun" opportunities for family time. I just want her to be a little bit bigger before we take her to the  lake. She is only two and she doesn't listen to a...