Life of the Party

    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...

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.   

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.   

      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

      I've lived here my entire life, but sometimes it still takes by breath away. I get why so many people drives for hours just to visit, but keep in mind that it's your "vacation," but it's our home. The tourists come in droves each season and sometimes it just gets overwhelming.      I tried four times this afternoon to pull out on the main highway, but terrified I'd be run over by the sports cars. The winding country road is posted at 45 mph. These cars had to be doing over 60 and pulling out in a blind curve is intimidating. I was passed on double yellow lines twice before making it to the dump. I know you guys come here to have fun and "race," but please slow it down. Some of us would just like to throw away our trash without being in a major crash.      I'm hoping the new highway being build in our area will deter them from racing. 

      Sometimes, you just have to let things slow down and take a different perspective.  Sometimes that breather will allow you to fully understand the whole situation. I've been dealing with the stress of not having health coverage for my child for days now.      It is what it is. I'll add her back as soon as possible. Until then, I will be making payments on any and all medical things that she needs. It's not the end of the world. Debt cannot eat me alive, and there is always money to be made. This next seven months may end up, bankrupting me, but it also may not. I will continue to take her to her regular appointments. In the event, she needs to see the specialist before I get coverage again I will just make payments.      This minor annoyance is something I will get past.

   My field has some new neighbors that have moved in. It's a small herd of does that are absolutely gorgeous. I think the biggest one is the Momma of all the smaller females.  Guess what? They ALL seem to be super pregnant and ready to deliver their fawns.  I spent my afternoon watching them graze along side my goats. I let the goats out to free range and the deers just joined in. I should have taken some pictures of that as well. I didn't know they would coexist that well.  I might decide to name them just for fun. I keep my distance and observe them. When they followed the goats back inside the fence line I made noises so they would leave.  Spending time outside has really helped me today. It's a moment of silence that I truly needed to really stop stressing about everything. 

      I'm still here trudging through this mess. Stress is eating away at me and I'm so lost at the moment that I cannot seem to get anything right. I got to dreaded call today... we in fact do not qualify for any assistance for Taylor. Speechless, breathless, hopelessness has taken over.      My husband said, "God will provide." I wasn't raised in a religious setting, but I did attend church with my grandma. I hope Josh is right. 

      Have you ever made a decision or quickly signed a paper in haste only to realize years later that honestly you were an idiot? Let me back the story up a bit. I took Taylor to her an annual visit to her pediatrician only to discover that her medical insurance had been canceled. I spent several hours on the phone, emailed multiple people, and finally discovered today what had happened.     I'm so thankful that we have office staff who answer emails promptly. Back in 2024 we had an open enrollment day. I remember the day clearly because the only time slot I could go down was half of my planning. Because of how late open enrollment day started and my planning period coincided with that time. I was in a rush. Taylor was 18 months old so I was still only getting around 3 to 4 hours of sleep or not and working 40+ hours a week. Being exhausted was an understatement. I didn't even get to talk to the representative because I was trying to rush through before my stu...