Posts

Back To School?

      Every year I have this same debate. Why post and start back to school shopping so early? It's still three weeks away and I'm already getting back to school news from work as well. I still need these three weeks. Every hour, minute, and second.  I'm not exaggerating this one bit.     I'm just now getting where I can sleep in past 6:30 AM. My body had adjusted to getting up before five every day that getting to sleep in is a rare occurrence for me. I am also being able to fully enjoy myself and read a few books this summer. I don't know if I'm ready to go back and hit the grind 100%. Sometimes I think the mental break of summer really does benefit me.       What am I going to miss most about summer? I'm gonna miss my kid. I only get 4 to 5 hours with her every afternoon if I'm lucky on an average school day. Every adult has to work so I know everyone has to go through this. I'm just so overwhelmed with the thought that I won't get to see ...

Caffeine and Chaos Waynesville, NC

      Ummmm. Yes, please. This was the perfect place for my toddler to play while I sipped coffee. There were kind of slow today, so I didn't have to be right with her as she worked her way through the maze. You can see straight through the netting. At no time was she unsupervised (before you judge). There was only one other child in the playground.      It isn't a big place, but the air conditioning was amazing in this 90 degree temperature. We haven't been going to our local playground due to the humidity in high temperatures. Once it gets above 82 I'm done with having playgrounds out in the direct heat.      Coffee?     Yes, coffee! I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of refreshers, coffee, snack, bake goods, and ice cream that they had to offer. My cold brew as well worth the $4.95. I would pay it again and probably will if we are up that way again. 

Before Us by Jane James

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    Where do I begin with this book? Hummmm, well, it's a completely captivating book cover to cover. The reader is left with questions as to what will happen next. James could totally write an additional book on the main characters to see if the "killer" plot happens again with an additional wife.      I loved every second of this novel and look forward to more books written by Jane James. She truly has a knack for writing thriller mysteries that will keep you on your toes. Will Adie kill this wife too? I hope we will get a second book to find out.      Obviously, I will be rating this book a 5 out of 5 stars. The plot, characters, theme, and pacing was superb. I'm glad I gave this book a chance and ignored Goodreads advise. What were those readers talking about?  Honest Moment: I might have been more intrigued in this book due to the fact that I'm not my spouse's first wife  either. There are things we will never know, but f...

Supper

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    Have I ever told you how much I love to garden? It's literally my jam! There is nothing better than raising your own vegetables for consumption. It's a feeling of fulfillment and gratitude. This is my first yellow squash of the season. I pan fried them with a little bit of cornmeal covering. We had a thick slice of ham and some stewed green beans. 

July 2026

      Well, now that summer is officially half way over for teachers, let's talk about this school year's goals.  1. I plan to leave work at work for the most part. (No brining home endless papers to grade) 2. Be optimistic about moving buildings. 3. Improve my step count, weekly.  4. Transition my child into a toddler bed. 5. Continue to work on potty training. Yes, we are still attempting this.  6. Self Care 7. Establish a monthly budget. 

Some Girls Are. by Courtney Summers

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      Have you ever picked up a book and high school is a giant flashback again? Well, this is that book for me. I wanted regina, the protagonist, to get some sort of revenge on the mean girls club that she was kicked out of. Regina, our main character, was once one of the main girls who absolutely tortured Liz. She is by no means perfect and she admits all of her faults. It takes one fatal move and suddenly you're kicked out of your social group.     I hate to be a book spoiler, but our main character almost gets raped in the first five chapters so be careful while you're reading this book.  As it turns out the young man, he tried to do it ends up being one of the mean girls current boyfriend. Will they believe Regina story? You will have to read to find out.     Every high school I have ever heard about has these friends who won't let anyone in. They get away with everything, and they're the mean girls club. I do not like how this book ends. It'...

The Road to Bittersweet by Donna Everhart

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    This will be a heartfelt review. It is rare that I find a book that completely captivates me cover to cover. While reading Everhart's book I cried, laughed, threw the book across the room, and even sat and contemplated life. Within the first few chapters I was swept way, no pun intended, in the story of this horrendous blood. Everhart's book takes place in Western North Carolina and is centered around a massive flood that occurred in the 40s.      It has not been that long ago since Helene went through our area. Although we did not suffer as much as people out toward Asheville and Bat Cave, the effects can still be seen in my own community. The story of sheer survival, displacement, and coming at age of a young woman was so wonderfully written that if it was made into a movie, it would be an epic fail. This is my first book by Donna Everhart, and I hope to read many more.       These communities in Western North Carolina are very close-kn...

The Summer Oath by Maya Hawke & KJ APA

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This is the perfect short story to listen to during summer break! Sometimes you just need a break from real serious books, and this one was a delight to listen to on Audible. I usually prefer to read books, but listening to a book is just as good. To be honest, long drives are always better with a good book. I would highly recommend this! 5 out of 5 stars.   

Comanche Bride: Walks With Him by Elle Marlow

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Reading books has really been my outlet these past few weeks of summer break. I'm not completely sold on this story, but it was a decent book. Overall, I feel like roles of women in this book is maddening. I would rate this book a 2.4 out of 5 stars and wouldn't recommend that you waste your time.  Women have more roles that just being a wife.   

Progress Update (Mid JUNE)

      Well, I didn't exactly stop pursuing weight loss, however, I did stop wearing my Apple Watch everyday. My current weight is 222.5. I'm not proud of this nor am I bashing myself. It is what it is.      Progress: Walking as much as possible/ more water intake/ movement