Life of the Party

      Somedays I wish life would just go back to normal. A time where all I had to worry about was going to work and feeding my dogs. Now there are so many extra chores, worries, and overall stress. I spend days just trying to get through.      I've started to resent living on a small hobby farm. The constant battle with neighboring rogue dogs has become quite the hassle. As it turns out, sometimes you just have to put them down. It was just Taylor and me yesterday when all heck broke out. I was surrounded by a pack of dogs with my toddler. One got into the pen with my goats, five whom are heavily pregnant. I didn't have anywhere safe to put Taylor so I had to make the split decision to shoot the dog to save my goats. If I would have been in there by myself I probably could have caught it and tried to figure out whose dog it was. With no collar I assumed it was a stray. Poor thing was emaciated and it looked pitiful.  I must have only grazed it, becaus...

      Right here is the most loyal man I know. He is one of two dachshunds in my household. Mr. Buck has been my right hand man from day one. He is around 15 years old and still a spring chicken when someone knocks on the door.      Today, has been really rough on Mr. Buck. His seizures have returned and he is currently stable, but due to his advanced age it will take him more time to recover. He has them several times a year. We had him on medication to prevent them, but it caused other issues that were worse.      He has been my cuddle buddy for so long I don't know what I'd do without him. He is my little guard dog who always protects me. Even with his low stature and all 13 lbs of him, he still manages to bite whoever is horsing around.  I'm hoping he will recover to 100% in the next few days. 

      Book 5.5 in this series was wild. It didn't even have anything to do with the main set of books. These are characters aren't in the main series. This could have served as a stand alone book.      I would have loved for this to be book one for a separate series. Carrie was a strong female lead and diving deeper into the breed world  fascinates me to no end. Once gain, let me reiterate: this should be a solo stand alone book!     I would happily rate this book a 3.9 out of a 5 for sheer annoyance of deviating from the original series it's supposed to be a part of. I also feel like I over paid for this VERY short piece of literature. I just had higher expectations. I would love to learn more about Geminis and their powers. I think randomly throwing this into the mix loses the appeal of the main books. 

      I finally took a picture of my new babies. These are the three that I decided to keep. I have been handling them daily and feeding them out of my hand. I"m going to have these juveniles well trained before the fully feather out.      My toddler absolutely loves to go down and play with them too! Now I need some cute names. There are two females and one male. Any suggestions? 

      There's exhaustion and then there is teacher exhaustion. It usually takes me around two weeks to fully adjust back into "teacher mode." I have around 124ish names along with a million passwords that I have to know by heart by the end of the week. Those first day jitters you get as a student, well teachers have those too. We want everything to be a smooth transition into our grade band.      Up by 5 and on the go until sometime after 10. Yeah, I'm going to have to adjust to that as well. We get lazy over the summer and our routines are altered. So for the next two weeks I'm going to be fighting sleep and adjusting.     My students were and are the absolute sweetest! This year is going to be fantastic! One student even left me a small sticky note telling me thank you for posting her birthday on the wall. 

      Where do I see myself being at in the next ten years? This question was presented to me on the radio this morning via station 99.9. I'm not so sure what my future holds in the years to come. Hopefully, I will still have the same career and my child will be 12. I plan to live in the same area and expand my fencing.      I can see myself possibly going back to school yet again, but I'm not sure what additional degree I would want or need. I can also see where that might be a waste of money if I don't have a set plan. Maybe I will have more of a functional farm by then? Who knows?      It was a great way to advertise a lasting roof. I did sit and actually think about what the announcer said and how the choices we make today have a lasting impact on our next ten years. 

      Asheville Outlets had a "Back to School Bash" today, and honestly I wish I would have known prior to making the two hour drive. It's not often that I get to make the rather long journey to Asheville, so I feel somewhat annoyed with a wasted trip.     The outlet was beyond packed. In the Croc's store alone I must have bumped into thirty people. Trying to shop with a toddler in tow is  ridiculous, even with a husband there to help; I felt overly boxed in. People just let their kids run wild and didn't even seem to care if they were making messes and being rude. I ended up only going into three stores in total, which is a shame. I had several coupons clipped and ready to use. Too many people and too many unsupervised youth makes for a disastrous trip.      There were small booths and family games set up throughout the loop in the outlets. Small children were running here and there. The restrooms were nasty. By the way, the outlets are...

      In my own community, I see so many children with tablets/phones stuck in their faces when I go out and  about. Even in the grocery store they are handed a tablet to appease the child instead of the parent actually dealing with their behaviors. Soon the child learns if they pitch a fit you will simply hand over the tablet. With that being said, I'm completely against children having such technology at a young age. It is my belief that it ruins their attention span. You do you, though. In my house we read, practice, go outside, and do crafts.      I want my child to transition into school flawlessly. I'm not sure how it will go, but I'm determined to work with my child. We read several books everyday along with using flash cards. I have purchased workbooks to work on Taylor's fine motor skills (tracing). She gets to use scissors weekly to hone in on that skill. It's my job to help prepare her. I spend an average of 2-3 hours daily working on school...

      I had to take a break from Ms. Dark. My current favorite  series isn't cheap to continue to buy and our local library doesn't have a copy. This book by Nick Jones was free in the Audible Plus catalog.      I didn't even realize I was entering yet another series, but this book took me by surprise. The life of an unexpected time traveler trying to save his sister who was abducted 20  years prior. I think this book really makes it evident of the mental load that the families have to endure when their children are taken. We usually read stories in the girl's perspectives, but this book is in the brother's point of view. My heart cried out for our main character on and off again. His emotional state of reliving moments made me sit and day dream of what I would do with this power. What would you really do, if you could travel back in time? The possibilities are endless.      Slow pacing made this book very boring for the first five ...

      You just cannot beat a veteran teacher's resourcefulness and how they use that to make their classroom flourish. I think a veteran teacher is defined by teaching experience, so 15 years plus. That will be something I will proudly be that teacher at my school one day.      Today, I just couldn't figure out how to write in bubble letters, and my fellow teacher took time out to show me how they did it the "old school way." She can freehand cut lettering to look like something you purchased from the store. No  templates, no prepunching tool, just pure creativity. Practice makes perfect and I will be spending time this weekend finishing up my letters for my last bulletin board. 

       Oh, girl! This is your next must read/listen. I have really enjoyed this book and the recent developments of characters. The intwined love story of Logan and Silver is phenomenal! I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book. All male characters that care for Silver are exactly what I want in a man. Where are the overprotective men?      All joking aside, this book is a 4.9 out of a 5. The ending didn't seem to fit the overall storyline. I like that the author leaves you guessing at what will happen next with this dynamic duo.      I don't want to be a book  spoiler, but Justice and the  healer are overall steamy with their on and off again fling. I would love to just read a series about him! Maybe a spinoff? 

      Today has been absolutely peaceful. We had an open house event that was beyond smooth, where I got to meet more than half of the student's parents. I love meet the teacher nights! I hope this tradition continues until my child gets the chance to go to school.      I had a very tranquil drive home as well. I spent the hour listening to Audible and planning ahead mentally. The time passed by so quickly. Peace also came from knowing my child was safe at home with my mom. I didn't have to worry about her as I was gladly meeting parents, siblings, and catching up with my old students. My babies are having their own babies. It's such a blessing to get to be there for that. Seeing their excited faces as they show off their new bundles of joy. I have finally come full circle. This was the year and moment I have anticipated for. It is also a blessing to see how my old students have turned out and to hear where they are now in life.  FYI: I finally got som...

       I was walking out from lunch today and took this photo. Perseverance at its best. When everything is completely against you, you only have you to rely on. Hope is everything in moments like this. You have to have grit to make it through to the light at the end of the tunnel. No one can do it for you.     This small maple tree is growing even against the odds. It has planted itself in a grove that will grow in time as the roots expand. Personifying this tree seems overly strange, but if would did you would know that it had hope. Hope to grow,  flourish, expand, and go through the cycle of photosynthesis.      Today I had hope. The inspiration may have come from an odd plant, but it's there and I'm happy with it. I hope for a better future for my family. We have come so far in the past few years. We are like the maple sapling. Growing against all odds. I have hope that one day we will succeed in meeting our goals. 

      It has been an absolute pleasure to not have all the tourist traffic to deal with. I just couldn't believe how many people actually use the parkway. I was able to make my commute in less that an hour for the first time in forever. I didn't even get stuck in the road construction out my way.  I know it might be harming local businesses in that area. I shouldn't be enjoying the lack of people. The tourist is what stimulates that economy on both sides of the parkway.      I will have to go the long way to Pigeon Forge if the road closure continues. Both routes are stunning and relaxing to drive, so there will be zero complaint from me. 

       Impulse was a please to listen to via Audible. The narration was on point and while I decorated my classroom, I listened to this book. I couldn't get my hands on a digital copy nor a paper version, so Audible was beyond convenient. Silver's character spends the entire book getting into trouble and being weak, but this time she discovers that her cheetah has her back. I absolutely love this series and cannot wait to see what happens next.      All the male characters in this series are heartthrobs. I would go crazy over a movie made from this series. The rating is obviously going to be high in my opinion, so with that being said... I would rate this book a 5 out of 5. This world of breed is captivating in itself and the more I learn about Dark's world the more I hope series like these continue and overlap with her other pieces of literature.       Do yourself a favor and give Dark's various series a chance. I love to both list...

      Sometimes we just need time to be real, time to relax, and time to breathe. I need all three of these things at the moment. I feel as if everything is moving too fast to even really put first things first. I got home tonight and barely had enough time to get all my outside chores done with Taylor in tow.      Time is a thief and it is currently taking all of my precious time with my child. It was so hard leaving her this morning to go to work. She spent the day with her dad, and I felt guilty for not being there. Does this get easier with time?

      This upcoming week will be our first full week back, and I don't know how to feel. I have had a very difficult summer with my toddler and at the same time I'm going to miss her like crazy. I miss work, but I also have this great need to be home. I'm nervous as to what this year holds. I'm also worried about dealing with traffic in the morning and after school. Will I be able to pick Taylor up in time? Oh the stress. I guess everyone goes through this at some point. Now I have to worry about getting new tires as well. I didn't even stop to think about checking them until tonight. Uh!!!! How infuriating!      List:  1. Packed my book bag. 2. Made lunch/ packed it. 3. Packed Taylor's bag with all of her stuff, so her dad doesn't have to panic when he has to leave for work.  4. I spent time answering all my emails from Friday afternoon. 5. Spent around 30 minutes printed materials that I need to finish my bulletin board.     

      Can I say more? No, because Dark's spell binding storyline has taken me away, again! I'm in absolute love with Logan's cheetah character and cannon get enough. In this book, we learn that our main character Silver is in trouble again. She has been captured and in a plot twist has added an additional "family" member, Finn.      She seems to be surrounded by men who will risk their lives to protect hers. Who will she choose; her guardian, friend, or lover? One word.... Cheetah.      With our doubt, I would rate this book a 5 out of 5. I love the characters, storyline, dialogue, and overall message. I would highly recommend this series if you are in need of a heart throbbing tell of disaster and duty as these characters are trying to find their way. 

     I ended my first day back at school with a load of hay. Let me tell you something. It's humid and miserable. Loading hay sucks and it's so time consuming. I don't know if I will be able to move tomorrow morning or not. My arms are already sore!        This is a chore out of love because my goats will need this in the coming months. We will have to go and get at least two more loads to get through the winter months. We buy hay ahead of time to beat the price gouging that happens during the Fall season. I would kill to have a hay barn or simply a building for food storage only. We have several sheds in different locations that we store our food in.      I would always suggest to buy more than you think you'll need. It's alway good to have extra than to run out completely. Kidding season is fast approaching, and I will need this hay for that as well.   

  Our new friend is a very loving calm deer who has completely caught my toddler’s attention. She is a welcomed member to our herd. I’m joking. She thinks she is a goat and willingly hangs out with my girls.  She has been jumping over our fence for a few weeks now. I finally remembered to grab my phone and take a decent photo. She grazes and sleeps with the herd. I have seen her come up to the hay feeders and eat the grain we put out also. I have approached her to encourage her to leave, but she has zero fear of me.  I don’t know if this is normal or not? I do however think she knows she is safe. We have been calling her Little Mama. She has a super fat fawn that has recently lost its spots. She must have gave birth to it in the lower field. We have been leaving the gates open in hopes that her baby will follow her.  

      This is my second day of waking up at 5ish and I'm dog tired. This happens every year and yet I'm still surprised at how hard it is to adjust back to a set schedule. Yesterday, I spent most of my day arranging my classroom and putting away last year's items.      Today is full of potential! I might even come close to finishing my last online class, or maybe even start planning out my first week of school. I probably should also make a flyer for open house. The possibilities are endless. Who knows; I might even rearrange my classroom once again.      I do miss waking up to hear my toddler greet me. Leaving before day break really is for the birds. lol 

      I think list have always brought me comfort, so here is may goal reading list for this Fall! It is somewhat lengthy, but I hope to finish most of them. This is eight books in total to devour before Christmas. This list will also have a few more books added when our CEU book club meets and gets our new updated list.  1. The Mageri Series Books 3-5.75 by Dannika Dark 2. The Change by Kirsten Miller  3. The Final Wife by Jenny Blackhurst  4. The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult  5. And Then She Vanished by Nick Jones      

     Well, don't come at me for reading the series in the wrong order. The Seven series was supposed to come second after this one, but guess what? I'm going to read them out of order. Darks first book of the series, "Sterling" is a wonderful dive into the world unknown by humans. She has fully hooked me into yet another series. The main character Zoe is a human that was forced to change into a Mage in a brutal attack by a stranger. From there she is taken in my a string of men who would and will fight to the death for a girl who hasn't even given herself to them.      Zoe is renamed Silver and she must quickly learn the world of her magic to survive the coming battle. Her human friend vows to fight for her freedom and consequently becomes a Mage as well. We get to also see her love for Justus her "guardian" grow throughout the book. I would rate this book 3.9 out of a five due to the nature of every man instantly willing to lay down their life for Silve...

      This book just adds to his "There, There" book and I'm here for it. I was so caught up in Orange's story because it seems so real. I know for many people, this is their reality. I think books like this are necessary and really help the authors get their stories out there. I loved the fact that this books starts off with a mini history lesson. Modern history books are whitewashed and do not really tell EVERYTHING that happened or it is written in a way that makes the US the hero in all matters.      Tommy Orange has an engaging way of switching perspectives between a cast of characters. This is a powerful, especially the story of Starr a survivor to the Sand Creek Massacre. I think the public needs to see why Natives have generational trauma. This book brings light to that aspect and what they are currently facing as a result. Once again my reading group from school has picked an amazing piece of literature to read. I was also glad that this story pick...

      July has come and gone so fast that I didn't even get his name. Time passes by so quickly when you're having fun! My raised garden beds have been bountiful, not to mention beautiful as well. July has brought ripe watermelons and vines filled with cucumbers. July has also left behind scorched tomato plants and fast growing squash.      My only wish is for the flys to leave with July as well. I'll miss these days with my toddler  even though they have been overwhelming at times. July marks the last month before our kidding season starts again. So bring on the new goat babies, school, routine, early mornings, and long drives. I await the sunrises that will greet me each morning until the time shifts again.      

      I should be spending my last few days establishing a routine. I have been waking up each morning around eight and that needs to be shifted to five. I need to start going to bed at a decent time again too. I know Thursday is going to be super hard on me, personally. The time adjustment is going to kill me the first few days.      Adjusting Taylor's routine is going to be difficult as well. She will have to make changes as well. I have kept her bedtime to 8:00 pm all summer, so that will at least be a "norm" for her, but her waking hours will shift. I know the first few days will be tiring and she WILL be extremely cranky.      The farm animal's feeding schedule will change as well. I will feed each day when I get home instead of in the mornings. I'm not feeding before I leave from work. It will be in the dark, and I prefer not to experience that. Hopefully the husband will pick up some of the slack and help me out on afternoons when it's...

      I simply told my husband this morning that I needed some personal time to regroup for school. He hesitated at first to let me go and have a few hours to myself, but I didn't really give him a choice. He and Taylor spent the morning feeding animals, riding the ATV, and checking trail cameras.      I however got up at 6 AM and made the hour long trip to get my feet done. It truly is a waste of money, but I don't go get them done all the time. I might get them done 3-4 times a fiscal year, and I deserve it. I also got to enjoy a trip into Walmart without my mini me. I was able to grab coffee, shop, and just relax for a few hours. Moms need this! I know it may sound extremely petty, but sometimes you just need "you" time. I returned home around 10:45 and started lunch.      I don't feel guilty for not being here this morning, for not helping with chores, and for not being the solo parent dealing with potty training. I do feel guilty of spen...

       Man, look at those angry clouds coming our way. The storm is brewing and I know it's going to be a rough one. I cannot wait for this weather to break. The heat makes outside chores unbearable, and I even try to get things done early. I just cannot seem to beat the heat.      Each  storm brings the much needed rain, so I shouldn't be complaining too much. We need the rain. I know my crops will be more than thankful for the rain. 

      Reality hits this Thursday as teachers start their inservice days. I'm somewhat excited to start a new school year with new kiddos, but I'm going to miss time at home with my toddler. Although she drives me  crazy, she's only two once.      This week I will be finishing up my college  courses, mending fences, storing hay, and starting new lesson plans for the upcoming year. Teachers get the "first day of school" nerves as much as the students do. I'm anxious to meet my new team mates and visit with my old teacher friends. This summer has afforded me much needed time to redo think my classroom mindset on data, as well as, recreate/edit my curriculum calendar to include some of the items I've been learning about in class. This new information seems like a good fit for my subject area!     My goats are very sneaky and have found new ways to test our fences. We are currently looking for goat panels to replace the woven fence we current...

 With a heat wave comes storms. Just look at that sky on my way to pick up my classroom items from Staples. This storm brought massive downpours of rain followed by humid miserable waves of heat. I'm so over this weather. Bring on Fall! I'm more than aware I have over a month to wait, but a girl can wish!      My car states that it is 98 degrees outside and trust me, I believe it! My air went out in my car so with the windows down, I'm still melting at 65 mph.      I will have to make multiple trips down to check on the animals. The chicken really go though the water on hot days like this. I even ended up hanging an additional waterer up for them to drink from. My dogs have made the decision to lay in the branch in the cool water. I might join them when I return home. I don't remember it being hot like this when I was a child. I spent most of my time outside playing all summer.   

      Pete is doing well. He is up moving and acting normal, as well as, eating like a bottomless pit. Tank however, isn't doing as well. He is up stumbling around and seems to have lost his hearing and sight. This has made him extremely hateful and unpredictable. I'm doing my best to ensure that he knows it's me that is handling him. Once get catches my scent, he seems to calm down and wags his tail. He is still drooling profusely. Both dogs have stopped their diarrhea episodes and seem to be on the mend!  We are still not out of the woods yet with Tank, but I'm happy with the progress he has made.      I'm still super upset about this entire ordeal and I will not let my husband live it down. He almost killed them and it could have all been avoided he would have just listened to me. A heartbreaking lesson learned. 

      I ordered a pair of short-alls from Jambats, and it was a massive disappointment. I got them during their summer seconds sale. The shipping was $28 and that was just way over priced, but they were shipped from United Kingdom! The fabric is absolutely precious but their measurements are way off. I would highly suggest you order a size larger. I wear an XL in  everything, and I checked their sizing as well.      They should have fit. The XL is more of a medium. I had mom try them on because she loved them. They fit her perfectly. She usually wears a medium to large in clothing. If I order from them again, I will make sure to get a 2 or 3 XL. My blue lamb pair are now a gift for mom I guess. 

      It has come to my attention that I'm a single married parent or  otherwise known as the default parent. It's expected that I do everything and still work a full time job. It's expected that I provide 50% of the bill money. I'm so excited that school is starting back, so I can at least have the ride to work in silence.      This summer has been a tiring cycle of child care, college classes, work, and trying to keep my sanity. My husband only had to worry about work. While he is at work I'm at home doing a three in one job. Even when he is home I'm still having to do  everything. I'm so tired.      Default parenting means that you're the one packing the bags, giving baths, potty training, and looking into every little detail. None of the other stuff gets done unless you do it. When things fall apart, you're the one who gets blamed. "Why don't you like to go out with me anymore." Because I'm the one who has do do everything. Ther...

      This is the first installment of the Shift Chronicles and I'm somewhat impressed with this young adult novel. The main character Alexandra is having to learn the world of being a shifter. She had recently lost her dad and now she has to face a world she know nothing about. She is strong female lead, so I was instantly hooked on this series.      I was however annoyed with most of the dialogue between characters. There could be so much more done in that area. I would happily rate this book a solid 3 out of 5. I did listen to this on Audible and the narration was flawless! Vanessa Johansson is  fabulous and talented.      The story is very predictable, which kills the overall vibe of the werewolf world. There wasn't really a climatic moment in this first book and that was bothersome as well. I finished this book in the early hours of a Saturday morning. My toddler was restless with a fever or otherwise I would have been more int...

      Ummmm. I hate virtual voice for many reasons. I hate having to rewind chapters constantly due to not getting all the  information or not being able to understand the virtual voice rushed monotoned mess. I like Audible because I can imagine what is going on with the narrators. The narrators are literally what makes this service amazing, why discredit them by using some dumb tech.      1. It reads the text as a robot.     2. No tonal  differneces.     3. No expression/ bland     4. It doesn't pause at periods     I understand that it is probably cheaper to use virtual voice to record books on to Audible, but honestly it is lowering their quality of services. If they move to ALL virtual voice I will cancel the subscription and discontinue use. My mom asked if I wanted an additional year of service for my up coming birthday. I don't know if I will if this is where they are heading. 

      As it turns out my husband overdosed my dogs, and they did make it. We are not out of the wood just yet, but they are improving. Both my boys are up walking and barking. Tank specifically is having drooling issues and some loose stool, but he is back to himself. At the worst moments yesterday, I thought he was blind. Today, however he is doing 85% better. He just wanted some pets this morning and some extra food.      I just couldn't believe how much weight they lost in a 9 hour period. Reign, my husband's dog is completely normal now. She is passing a lot of worms in her stool, but other than that you cannot tell that she was battling for her life a few days ago.      Pete is still weak, but he is eating and drinking, which is a good sign. I have given him power punch twice a day. This seems to improve his weakness. He can now get up and walk around. His pee looks like it no longer has blood in it.      I'm just glad the...

      It comes with a heavy heart that I announce that today was terrible, horrific, and miserable. My husband wormed my big dogs yesterday using a type that he "has always used with HIS hunting dogs." It isn't meant for dogs, but rather livestock. Let me repeat that. IT'S NOT FOR DOGS!!!     The vet said the worm load was either too high or their digestive systems instantly became inflamed from the wormer. I paid dearly for that phone call. She said there is nothing that can be done; to give them anti inflammatory medications, along with rubbing syrup on their gums, and offering constant liquid to keep them hydrated. All three of my dogs are in the same shape. They are lethargic, weak, and thin from diarrhea.   She said we can do everything at home like she would in the office. Each dog would be over $1500 to stay the night under her care with probably the same outcome. They might not make it.      My heart hurts and I really mean hurts...

My school's book club had a small summer reading list as well. Our facilitator picked two books by Orange. I was pleasantly surprised with how this story progressed. The sadness is what people experience and I know that might be a major turn off for some readers, but it's LIFE.  I had moments where I had to put the book down, because I feared for the young girl's life. Opal's story specifically had me in tears. I related to her story the most.  You get four perspectives of what life is like for Native Americans. You also gain some insight into what they have to deal with on a daily basis. Opal's character specifically really stood out to me for her bravery. She has endured so much in her life. She took in family and raised her great nephews and raised them as her own grandchildren. I see this all the time. So many grandparents end up raising their grandchildren. They do it out of love, not bravery. She was also brave as a young orphaned child who defended her sleepi...

      I have still not completed all of my course work for my summer classes. I don't know why I cannot find the motivation to just FINISH IT. I can only work on it for about a two hour session at a time. I have finally progressed into module five, and let me tell you... I miss face to face learning. Online classes are not for the weak.     Being face to face has just been my go to. I stay motivated when I have to be present and do not have all these extra distractions surrounding me. I hate to admit this but, I miss notes, books, and lectures. Sounds crazy right? I was the only person in my undergrad classes who took notes via paper. Everyone else had out a computer. I've always been old school. My favorite professor actually asked me why I preferred that method. Simply put: I like to doodle images that go along with my notes. I like having them color coded and I SWEAR that I remember more of the lecture this way.      I wish this Data class...

      Today has just been one of those days where napping has a self care purpose. As my child took her usual two hour nap, I took it upon myself to read, but that didn't last too long. I fell fast asleep along side my toddler. With no one to wake us up three hours passed by like nothing.      That nap was life saving. I woke up to having some energy and willingness to get some of my chores completed. This heat makes everything tiring and not to mention sweltering. My husband is usually here to help out, but he is working the morning shift, so I will have to do the majority of everything by myself. My nap brought great peace to me too. My fussy toddler had my nerves on edge, so the sleep allowed her an attitude adjustment, as well as, me to have a small adjustment too! 

Wow, what a way to end a series! Jennifer Armentrout is truly talented with the ability to keep her audience's attention. Honestly, I thought the book would have ended differently. The character Archer was just destined to be the fall guy, so I was overjoyed when he ended up being one of the "good guys." Daemons character did not disappoint either! I wish the female lead would have been somewhat strong, but she ended the story being overly weak as was expected.      I would rate this book a 5 out of 5. I only wish the series would have  continued. It just seems so weird that the series doesn't have additional books. I always hate when a decent series ends. I was also happy that the book ended on a high note!   

       We had a little adventure today. I would highly recommend it if you have a AWD or 4WD rig and are looking for some slight off roading. It wasn't bad at all and honestly I think a basic 2WD could make the entire trip. Cades Cove has an alternate route that you can drive to leave the park, which leads you to the Dragon. I wasn't impressed with most of the road because my driveway is as rough as it is.      All joking aside, it's a nice little secluded drive that is a ONE WAY. We never slipped a wheel and stayed in 2WD the entire way. Sometimes, you just need time to drive a random road and clear your mind. I would suggest that you have a reliable car because this road is seldom used and there are multiple signs that indicate that you are "on your own." My personal favorite sign was, "Enter At Your Own RISK." I wish we would have stopped so I could get a picture of it.  

 The sheer skill of Jennifer Armentrout is evident in this book. The series has completely redeemed itself and now I'm hooked. Daemon's character is such a knight in shining armor! Let's talk about leaving us on the edge! We find out that Beth is pregnant and they (aliens) have appeared and no one is responding. Daemon and his brother have shifted to their true form and are not responding to their partners.   I'm left with so many questions at the moment. Are these light forms friendly? Deadly? I would rate this book a 5 out of a 5. The pacing was perfect, as well as, the story. As always, Armentrout has outdone herself.   

      The actual season of Summer isn't over, but as school starts back it marks an end to lazy days of swimming and enjoying relaxing days with my toddler. The reality is that Summers seem to get shorter and shorter each year. It is as if I blinked and nearly two months passed me by.      This is the last week and a half of not waking up to an alarm clock. I did really strive to finish my reading list and classes. I was surprised that the classes passed by fast; now let's put this information into practice! My Summer reading list is currently lacking three books. Can I fit them in? Probably not, but one can always hope.      Kidding season is just a month away and the whole cycle starts again. I'm a few days shy of harvest time too.  End of Summer List: 1. Paint the lower barn/shed. 2. Finish the Summer reading list 3. Freeze all the veggies (my raised garden beds did an amazing job)  4. Build a shelter for the new goslings 5....

      Wow, is all I've got to say! The food was amazing and so was the staff. I loved there barn like design of the decor. Our teaching crew all decided to meet up and grab dinner. I drove 1.5 hours to this destination to celebrate one of our older crew members. I would highly recommend the drive and time to eat here. Be prepared to pay higher prices though.      I ordered: Chicken quesadilla with mushrooms (my go to dish when eating out). I ordered Taylor a cheese quesadilla with fries. She ate half of her meal and seemed very pleased with the food. I didn't want to leave my husband out so I ordered him a to go meal: Pulled pork sandwich, greens, and potato salad.  Our meal along with a $10 tip was around $50.00.      Side note: They get very busy at night, so it gets extremely loud. My toddler enjoyed every minute of the all the attention she received from the staff. 

I will start off with my rating and explain why this book deserves this score. The book is a 5 out of 5. Non-teachers just wouldn't get it and would probably rank it lower. It just hit home with me on a personal level from personal experiences as a child to my chosen profession. This book is heavy, truthful, and blunt.  You never know what our students are going through. Sometimes, being present and taking notice of the "hard" students in a positive light changes everything. They might not really be your favorite, but you are there's! I had several moments of tears as I was reading over what this 7th graders was having to live/ deal with.      I was like Randy and in constant fight or flight mode. I was always sassy and very forthcoming with my opinion. I was beyond outspoken and it was a way to hide my home life. I tried my best to stay out of the spotlight. Like Randy, I was very difficult to deal with if you were a teacher who didn't give me a chance. Thank God...

      My child has battled two ear infections this week, and let me tell you.... it's not for the weak. Each night she has been up and down screaming. Even with the medicines they sent her home with, she's miserable. Against the ER's advice I did call her pediatrician and schedule an appointment. The ER wanted me to wait 10 days, but here we are on day five and she cannot function.      I kept a constant timer for her medicine dispersal. She hasn't missed a dose or lapsed with her pain medications. I just hate seeing her in pain. She doesn't understand what is going on. Today, after waking up from her nap she wanted to play in the pool, but she's not allowed to do that, so we opted to blow bubbles on the porch. I checked her temperature when we returned inside for a late lunch and she was 102.7, again. Each time the medicine goes to wear off she begins to run a fever. It's been a cycle the last few days. Her doctor wasn't in office today, so we have a VE...

      Credit scores decides so much for us in a world where you always seem to have some sort of debt. From purchasing a car or home to applying for a new credit card. My medical debt is going to destroy my current score and I don't know if I will ever be able to recover from it.      The medical debt was sent to a debt collector agency who has hounded, threaten, and hassled me to death.   I requested a payment plan to be made at a decent set price not the $580, $432, and $518 payments they are requesting on the three different bills. The gentleman that called this morning said my payment of $285 for this month wasn't enough. Honestly, I think they should take any payment made and be happy. It's still paying toward the overall debt.      He threatened to put it on my credit report. This really upset me and honestly I have worked so hard to get my score where it is. I thought they couldn't do that unless you haven't paid an...

I have a very mixed review of this book. It's a powerful work of art that tells a riveting story of three Indigenous females (Lakota) in various different time periods and their attachments to their "dolls."      Part one brought me to my knees. I cried multiple times while reading this section. I felt so despondent for the main character as she had a difficult relationship with her mother. One that was both abusive and loving at the same time. I'm no expert, but her mother needed some mental health help. I almost stopped reading the book entirely over what this young lady had to endure. This part alone gets a 5 out of 5 rating from me. I want to know more about what happened to this child after what happened to her mother.      Part two would receive a 4.5 rating for me. I couldn't get a mental picture as I was reading. I'm referring to a setting. The story is horrific and boarding schools tore families apart. I just needed more details in this sectio...

Dolly's Imagination Library is such a wonderful program. This was this month's book and let me tell you.... I would gladly rate this a 5 out of 5. Taylor has had me read it to her multiple times and act out each request and wish that Jonah made. The illustrations are also comical! We just overall love this book!     If you have small children, I would highly recommend signing up for Dolly Parton's reading program. You will receive a free book each month! My child enjoys this little treat and I honestly have no complaints!   

   I would like to start off by saying that I LOVE the fact that my lilies bloom at different intervals through out the summer months. These precious babies opened up sometime yesterday. The darker pink ones must have cross pollinated with my white lilies and produced the light pink ones.  It's a shame that none of my red lilies have decided to bloom yet. I forgot to take a picture of my blue bell lilies a few weeks ago. They were stunning! 

Ah, this book has redeemed The Lux series! The sheer craft in the writing has been a pleasure to read. I was overly excited to finally see Katie be more than a doormat character that was beyond weak. Maybe she will own her power as a hybrid in the next book and see how powerful she could/can be. I do wish she would get over her "fairytale" world that surrounds her and Daemon. Daemon's character has really grown on me as well.  I'm excited to see what happens between these characters. The sexual tension in this book would lead me to believe that they shouldn't be a "young adult" book. I'm on the fence about my niece finishing this series. The PG world went to an almost R rating really fast. I would rate this book a 4.5 out of a 5.  Leaving your audience with a cliff hanger is a way to get them to come for more information. I knew Blake's character wasn't trustworthy and now we will have to read another book to find out if Katie survives being ...

      After a long day of playing in the pool, Taylor ended up running a fever. I gave her medication and waited close to an hour. Upon checking it again, I discovered she was at 102.9 and I gave her additional medication. So around 7:00 the fever was still consistent, so I decided we were going to the ER.     She became super lethargic. We live about an hour away from the ER, so her fever had spiked again. They checked it and it was 103.1. Anytime she isn't feeling well I automatically panic. She is my only child and after loosing one I have become so over protective. They gave her the exact same medication that I had given her, but at a higher dosage. Her fever is under control now.      The doctor stated that she has two massive ear infections, which causes the fever. She is on antibiotics for the next ten days.      We just made it home and she is well medicated and fast  asleep. I hope tomorrow brings her comfort and heali...

      Reflection is always key to healing, or at least that is what I'm always told. I looked back in my personal journals and discovered that the amount of stress I was under during covid was crazy. From teaching from my car to finding essentials for our home. I didn't have internet at home, so I spent whole days using my hotspot off my phone to do the active teaching and answering emails.      I didn't realize just how much of an impact it had on my mental health. I was terrified of the unknown and kept making day to day list of things that needed to be done just "in case." In case of what? I didn't add that part of why I made these endless lists.      I spent a lot of time outside doing hobbies that were nurturing. I picked up  gardening and trout fishing. I read through about four separate journals and discovered that I wasn't really living. I was just surviving. My mom and I learned how to properly can food, preserve meat, and ...

      I need some inspiration sent my way and soon. I have decided to engage in an Apple Watch competition with my husband, who might I add is currently kicking my tail. I need to add in some additional steps and  movement or he is going to really embarrass me. He has a natural need to be competitive and he is always itching to win at something.      Any ideas to add additional steps, movement, or simply  encouragement?      I'm still trapped at home completing  online PD sessions and college classes. I also have a toddler always in tow, so any and all advice is greatly appreciated!  PS the close encounter yesterday really made the movement bar rise. My heart was running away with me. 

         My husband is always trading and brining in new animals. I went down to feed today and discovered that we now have to baby geese. I'm not amused or happy. They have no purpose here. I do not plan to eat them or keep them as pets. Hopefully he will move them to a new home soon. I'll post pictures if I remember to take my phone with me.       

In the mail today, Taylor received her gift from her aunt. The Tonie box goes everywhere with us and anytime she gets a new Tonie she becomes super excited. The "Horton Hears a Who" is a must have for her collection. I have officially heard the entire play list at lease 6 times today.  Her collection has slowly grew in the past six months. The price is just too high for each Tonie figurine. When she does receive a new one, it's because her family purchases them. I have only bought about five of them. I wonder if they have sales or discounts?      Shout out to the best AUNT EVER!  I always like to include a rating for each addition or book section. I would rate this Tonie a 4 out of 5. This rating is only a four due to the playlist being so short. I assure you if Taylor was rating this she would give it a 5 out of 5 star rating. She loves this!   

This book has so much potential and I'm glad that I have stuck with finishing this series. Catt's character is slowly growing on me, so I will be moving on to the next book soon. Catt is now a hybrid human/alien and I'm curious to see what happens as the plot thickens. Will Daemon and her stand the test of time? His character is so much like Seth from a different series that Armentrout wrote. Even the banter between the characters seems too close for comfort. I would rate this book a 3 out of a 5 based upon repetition of conversations in previous novel sets. The narration is on point though!   

      I cannot sleep. I think all the excitement today has really just put me on edge. My husband is going to look for the hog as soon as it's day light outside. He is curious to see how big he is and the markings I mentioned. He is afraid that it is one someone let loose. It happens from time to time.      I have relived  that moment for hours. I don't think I will get any sleep tonight. The question is.... What would I have done if my toddler would have been down there with me?  List:  1. Trail cameras will be put up. 2. Call local wildlife to tell them about the hog 3. Check all fenced in areas to see if he had tried to push in.  4. Carry a bigger caliber gun 5. Pay attention to the dogs ( They had warned me and I didn't heed that warning) 6. Do NOT leave out move food than any of our live stock can eat in a 10 minute window. (This doesn't include hay) 7. Move all the hens into the metal coops  8. BE more Aware!!!

    Not to brag or anything, but I live a somewhat eventful life here on my small farm. Today was an experience that I never want to have again in any form. While Taylor laid down to take her usual nap I took the baby monitor down with me to feed the goats. Nothing was out of the ordinary and I went about my business.      I was setting out some fresh hay when I got a nose full of something NASTY! It was wild, raw, and wet. I looked around in the smaller fenced in area and there was no gaps in the siding. This is a very small area 60ft by 84ft where we keep our babies as they are being weened or need special attention. I got to the gate and looked up into the tree line and there it was glaring.      Its ridge along its back was standing straight up and I could tell that he wasn't afraid of me. Wild animals usually run when they see us, so he must have some experiences with a feed pile and human contact. Today, I was glad I had my pistol in my...

Wow, this was a quick entertaining listen to on Audible. I kept it playing as I was doing all my chores. This book's performance on Audible was above and beyond the normal items in the Plus Catalog. From the beginning to the end of the book I was caught up in the story, however I did not see the end coming, nor did I appreciate it. It was such a bizarre twist that I'm not sure how the narrator ended up being the guilty party. A fate determined by a delusional mental nut case. I would rate this book a 4.9 out of a 5, because the ending is so beyond my scope of thought. I'm still sitting here reeling from how it all ended. Audible out did itself with the caste and crew! This is a must addition to anyone's summer reading list.       FYI: I had a follower message me about how I ended so many book quickly. I literally read to my child all the time along with listening to most books on Audible. We do not have TV so sometimes I keep the books playing while we are doing chor...