Life of the Party

      This transition or merger has driven me absolutely crazy. I hate it and cannot even fathom how everything will work out. As a customer, I'm so annoyed and the lack of answers by actual people is ridiculous. So, I guess it will be only online banking? With school, a toddler, and a small farm I have not had the chance to move everything over to a different bank. It wouldn't matter anyway, because I have a loan through them that will transfer to the Civic bank.      Ahhhh!  Today, our cards stopped working and I was so upset. I had forgot and didn't get money out of the ATM beforehand. They forget that some of us are over 30 minutes away from the nearest town! I guess cash is really KING! I just home all my automatic withdrawals don't mess up along with everything else. I have no idea how older people will get through this phase. Both my mom and grandmother don't even use computers and can barely operate their phones. Both of them have never even us...

      Summer has officially entered my very busy schedule. With farm chores, gardens, and a toddler I plan to take the days one at a time. Our first goal is to get all the doctor's appointments out of the way. I waited the last few months for primary care appointments. I had missed enough days due to surgery and waiting doesn't really matter. I don't really see why I have to go in so often anyway. All my major issues are covered by specialists. Taylor's appointments matter most! I do not wait for them. Two year old shots will be occurring next week. Keep me in your thoughts, because she gets really irritated and irritable.      I marked today as the first day of summer because I finally transplanted my tomato plants  directly into the garden. My squash has come up and is healthy! All this rain hasn't really made a difference  and I'm impressed with the gifted heirloom seeds. Honestly, I didn't think they would come up.      Time wil...

I must have a thing for reading series. Once I start one and discover that there are additional books, I cannot help myself. I haven't even started my summer reading list yet, but here I am listening to Cox's thrilling adventures of detective Alyssa. This book was a pleasure to listen to and the pacing was great. I love the last minute moments of uncertainty that this authors uses to capture the audiences FULL attention.      The narration was also very pleasing to the hear and I was glad that her family wasn't directly targeted in this book. It gets a little unbelievable when every crime is connected to Alyssa's family. I would rate this book a 3.9 out of a 5 due to lack of sensory details provided. I could not get a clear mental picture of what was going on or what the setting was. I love the story line though and would still highly recommend reading this series. I have already moved on to the next book which has completely took me in from the first few pages.  ...

Along with a small impressive garden of vegetables, I have an abundance of lilies. So far this season only the red and bright orange ones have bloomed. Although these are beautiful, my pink ones are to die for. One season, I planted some blue bulbs and they never emerged. I've always assumed that the light violet ones faded and are a product of the blue bulbs that I planted years ago. I should have shared my roses while they were in full bloom. They are impressive too.   

      It's always incredibly sad each year as I pack up my classroom for the summer Today was my last work day to finish our check out list. I took time to read through the various cards my students left me. I always save these for the last workday. Ending the school year on a high note also provides me with good vibes for the upcoming school year.      I stacked my desks and took a few moments to really take in the fact that one of the best groups I've had is going into the 8th grade. Man, this has been an amazing school year filled with projects, papers, and fun learning activities. Here's to another year in the books! 

      Ummmmm... Can I say fantastic? Yes, this book had it all and the story line had me completely  captivated! I was beyond impressed with how the story played out. Holly, the main character's daughter is and will always be on of my favorite characters.      I hope one day this book series becomes a movie. The detective's  ambition really plays out while they are actively searching for the missing girls. How much more trauma can her family take? I would rate this book a 5 out of 5. The narration was smooth and the delivery was amazing. I love Audible and getting to listen to books to and from work. I was on the edge of my seat during most of the chapters. I could not put this book down!

       My child is officially two and it has been a wonderful weekend of birthday fun. We started out with a small family gathering on Sunday and ended up going to the Zoo Knoxville on Monday. The very dreary damp weather made for a "seek shelter" walk through the zoo, but it was worth it. In between rain showers, we discovered that every 100 yards had covered areas for visitors to hide under.      Taylor enjoyed every minute of our visit. I was able to see her excitement while looking at the chimpanzee exhibit. Her high pitched giggles could be heard all over the zoo. The rain had really deterred many visitors, so we didn't really have many people to deal with. The staff was beyond accommodating and offered umbrellas, and rain parkas. I would highly recommend taking your toddler to the zoo along with being there when the door opens.      I don't know how busy they get during the summer months, but yesterday was amazing. I would rat...

      I can hardly even notice that I had surgery two weeks ago. The only difference I can see is the scaring and weird stomach sounds. I cannot believe how some people need more than two weeks for a desk job to return to work. I returned after a week and was fine for the most part.      I had to unload 50lbs sacks of feed today and I completed the task without having to ask for assistance. I think that's success in itself. I will be completely back to normal in no time.  Thank you all for the emails and suggestions! 

     I'm so over it. I'm over planning and inviting people. I'm not good at estimating how much cake and other goodies to buy. She won't even remember it anyway, so why even have a party to begin with? Next year, we will simply take her on an adventure and call it a day.      Feelings were hurt, but not intentionally. I don't like inviting  people because it's graduation season and everyone has places to go. My child's 2nd birthday isn't on their priority list and that is okay.   I just don't want to waste money and no one show up. 

    I will be spending my summer break taking courses for CEU credit, so my summer reading list cannot be too extensive. I hate having to give up that reading time, but I really need to renew my license. Each night after Taylor finally lays down, I will have roughly 1-2 hours of "me" time.       I'm currently considering reading the entire Lux series by Jennifer Armentrout, but I really need to branch out. The Seven Series by Dannika Dark has also caught my attention. I wonder if I can fit in both series in one summer along with growing an impressive garden?      Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina, is also high on this list. Any suggestions?  I really enjoy series, but stand alone books are just as sweet. 

       Does anyone need some chicken? Butchered or alive?  I came home to a coop full of chickens. My husband cannot resist a deal and bought the whole truck load. This image is one of 8 coops full of Golden Comet hens. He buys extra to sale and we eat most of them along the way. Sadly, some do not make it through the transport process and the mostly arrive featherless. I'm a little angry that he brought so many home this time. I guess if the price is right you have to jump on it. They are not tame and will not simply allow you to pick them up. I'm a little upset that some of them have mites and we are having to treat them all. 

      I quickly devoured this last novel in Armentrout's Titan series. I was beyond saddened that the story ends with this book, but at least Seth gets a "happy ending." As always, this author completely takes me in with her plots. I would provide this book with the rating of 5 out of 5. I actually listened to it on Audible. With my hour long commute the book as finished in a little over a week's time.      I know she has stopped writing about these characters, but I wish she had at least one more spin off. I really want to know what ends up happening with Alex and Aiden.      This series would make an awesome movie! I know I would pay to go see it.   

      That last week of school hits different... I mean it's something  weird and the anxiety really hits home. Did you get everything done? Was all your grades in? Are things all together for the filed trip planned?      Did you make their school year rememberable?      The exhaustion is real too. Today, we completed testing and tomorrow will be the final exam. My nerves are on edge because if it could have went wrong today, it did. Computers missing, chargers dying, and I forgot my password. Yes, I  wrote it down, but in the confusion I lost the sticky note. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't find it. I'm a human too and my kiddos helped me look for it. Luckily enough, one student found it stuck to the back of my planner.      Bring on Friday! 

      First off, I want to say that I'm a sucker for a good love story and just couldn't resist finishing this series. I was super excited that the third book was not as graphic as the second. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5. I'm super excited to finish this series and maybe start something new. Any and all suggestions will be considered.      My only regret is that there in one book left. I hope Armentrout has an additional book up her sleeve. I went ahead and downloaded the audiobook from audible for the last installation. It will be bittersweet to end this series, but I'm glad I didn't put the first book down when I was bored.      I saw that Jennifer Armentrout has written other series as well. I might look into reading and/or listening to them. Has anyones else become a die hard fan? 

      Next week my little baby turns two and I'm so not ready for this next phase. Time has absolutely flown by and it just seems like yesterday I was bringing her home. I cannot grasp how fast she has progressed in the two years she has been here.      This year we will be providing her with a small party and I'm taking her to the zoo on her actually birthday. I just don't see why big elaborate parties are done for small children. She will have decorations, cake, and food. I didn't splurge and have professional photos done or anything. 

       Trust is what a relationship should have, but I'm not so sure that is the only aspect it needs. Trust is granted, earned, and lost based on decisions made in haste during moments of weakness. I thought being married for a few years would automatically come with trust, but I was terribly wrong.      I'm not a person that will naturally trust someone once they go against me and I can forgive, but not forget. I don't want to air my dirty laundry out for everyone to see, but I do want my readers to understand that I am a person too. I have feelings and experiences too. I was raised in a world and family where your word was worth your weight in gold. The honesty of a person was worth more than anything.      So how do you trust again when everything is broke? This is the path that I am currently on and I'm struggling to the point that I need to find some peace in my marriage. Some self guidance is going to come my way real fast if I do...

      Ummmm, can you say fast? I have never had internet that functioned at this rate of speed here at the house. The setup was beyond easy and we had everything up and going with in an hour. It's not fiberoptic speeds, but I can live stream for the first time. What have we been missing?      There is a whole world of possibility with this. I was amazed and beyond excited. The $120 a month is going to kill our budget and I'll have to find another source of income to make up for it, but for now I'm thrilled to have it. I might change my mind down the road. My neighbor is so worried that we have it because he thinks, "it's just another way for the government to see into our homes." Conspiracy theories at their finest. Now, if we could just get cell service in this area. Wifi calling isn't really all that great and even with the new internet it's spotty.   

      I like to end each school year with a novel study. This year's chosen book was A Long Walk to Water, and it hasn't disappointed me in any way. My students have been absolutely thrilled and excited to read this book. I would have otherwise chosen to end the year with projects.  I did accompany this novel with one project.     I would rate this book a 4.5 out of a 5 because I wish the beginning of the book moved faster so my students could get engaged in reading a little sooner. I think the slow start to the book really turns off some readers. We spent time looking at maps of Sudan and studying what revolution is and how that looked during the eighties. 

       Well, I got two new goats for Mother's Day on Sunday. I wasn't expecting them to give birth until sometime next month. The rain has been incessant for a few days, so everything is soaked, so please do not judge the photos. My new mama goat, Honey gave birth to a healthy boy sometime this afternoon.       Honey is so feral that I cannot even pet or approach her. She is absolutely wild and it will take some time to transition her into my herd. The lady we bought her from said she wasn't due until sometime in July but her milk sack didn't agree with that assumption. Now to see it I can tame her enough to get her vaccinations done! I'm also dreading when we try to trim her hoofs.      The earthquake on Saturday may have upset her so bad that she had him early. Now we need a name. Any suggestions? I have got to get better so we can move them into the new field. They need more space. We are providing them with plenty of hay, b...

      According to the local news we had a 4.1 earthquake here on the Tennessee boarder. I'm about an hour awake from the epicenter of the quake, so we not only felt it but heard the rumbling. She shaking and rumbling lasted about ten minutes. This was my first experience with a larger earthquake and I was terrified. I froze as I got out of bed still groggy from lack of sleep. I thought it was thunder until I felt the shaking begin.      I know we are near a fault line, so small tremors are constantly happening, but we don't really notice it. This one was different and scary. I'm unsure what we are supposed to do when they are happening. I couldn't pick Taylor up so I sat in the floor and held her. She was panicking and trembling all over. She is terrified of storms and the rumbling mimicked that.      Things have changed so much since I was a child. I cannot bring a single memory of experiencing these as a child. Why is everything happening ...

      I think Armentrout is very likely one of my favorite authors. This book was no different, but graphic details of the semi sex scenes took me off guard. I wasn't expecting it to be so explicit considering this is a young adult novel. The very set of books is in the high school library. I'm an adult, so I'm okay with reading over that kind of  material. This book was a massive transition into an adult novel set.      The Power is a continuation of Seth's story. His character is faced with huger that can on be quenched by feeding from others. He whole dynamic change with  Josie as well. I love his character and I think that is why I would give this book a 4.2. The content changed and became solely focused on sex that I was somewhat disturbed, but I wanted to know what happens to Seth. I hate that the author has chosen this direction.      Recovering from surgery has given me plenty of time to read. I'm unsure if I will finis...

      I have had starter plants inside for a while now, but it's time! It's time to plant veggies directly into the ground. I have a variety of squash and seeds that I saved from last year. This year I plan to have several plants just in case that pesky ground hog decides to eat my harvest.  Current Plans:  1. Yellow squash 2. Zucchini  3. Green Beans (4 varieties)  4. Potatoes  5. Tomatoes  6. Cucumbers  7. Pumpkins (planted late summer) 8. New Asparagus roots  9. Corn (3 types)     There will also be some additional Native seeds planted in the lower  garden provided from the seed bank. My husband requested that seeds months ago and we are still waiting for them to arrive in the mail. I was beyond blessed this year with having starter plants that were super growers. I would kill to have a green house for early Spring planting instead of having the crates sit around in the house. 

     This week has really shown me that I do red help a long the way. There were several people that offered to help out and I really appreciate it. I'm just not the type of person who will openly ask for assistance.           I wasn't cut any slack at home. I will remember this the next time my husband is in pain or has to have a procedure completed. I was expected to to everything as normal. That is what hurts the most. This morning I spent my few hours before day break with Taylor.it was a wonderful reminder that she needs me. She kept pointing at my bandages.         She has been a blessing and has really tried to help me in her own little toddler way. I sat and read through five books with her and sipped coffee. These are precious moments. 

 I know surgery would slow me down lout this is ridiculous. Having a toddler and a farm to care for is absolutely insane. I thought my husband would take off a few days to help me out with Taylor but no! I cannot lift over lobs and she over exceeds that limit. I guess I'm just a little annoyed at my husband. I'm always expected to do my part even when I'm healing.  This was not supposed to be a rant post. I do apologize. I cannot wait to be able to go and do for myself. My list for the next few days... l. Figure out how to care for Taylor without lifting her. 2. Daily animal feeding schedule 3. Heal 4. Don’t complain about pain 5. Grade online assignments 6. Answer emails. 

      Why am I still up? I have no idea, but sleep is not in my forecast. It's surgery day and I'm beyond nervous, but the good news is that Starling is now available in my area. Our current form of internet is beyond slow and we cannot live stream.      Is is worth the money? I will update you all when it arrives. There was a "demand" fee placed on my order which put the total well above $600. I hate wasting money, but I really need internet for work that can at least load a video without buffering for twenty or so minutes.      Installation is supposed to be easy and flawless, so let's see how that all goes. I'm torn between feeling beyond guilty for spending that kind of money and knowing that I need this. I had to debate on the pros and cons of owning it. It would be so nice to have a camera system around the house because we are always having prowlers. The faster Internet would allow me to use a blink system. The current set we have...

      I'm hours out from having this surgery, but I just cannot sleep. The stress and anxiety are keeping me awake. Is this normal?       I had a long list of chores that I needed to do yesterday. Unfortunately, I was wore out before I even got the list finished. How will I be able to do everything with weight limitations? I will struggle just taking care of my toddler.      Has anyone else had this odd  experience? 

Ah, the best has yet to come. I'm excited that Seth's story continues beyond The Covenant series. I was left so heartbroken at the end of the other series. When I discovered that there was a sequel series (The Titan) I had to go search it out.      Seth's needed some major redemption and I wanted to see him find his "love" instead of lusting after Alex. It was so refreshing to see this main character show some compassion. Jozy is also a nice  addition to the character list! I would rate this book a 4.5 out of a 5. I just wish there would have been an update on Alex's character and what was currently going on with her. Armentrout leaves her reader guessing as to what will happen next. I was astonished to find that Seth did have his humanity intact after giving up so much to save Alex.   

      Yep, I took a small adventure into the forest today. I don't usually get that opportunity anymore, so I was extra special.  Getting lost in the heart of my property the forest came to life with animals.       Sometimes, you just need to get away from the screens and really experience being outside. This is my form of grounding and refreshing my state of mind. It was 30 blissful minutes of peace before I had to return to the chaos of toddler life. I had forgotten the serenity! I miss those days where I could simply waste my time doing this. I don't regret having Taylor, but I do miss the solitude. 

    My much anticipated surgery  will be Monday and I have been counting down the days. I will miss some work and I'm really bummed about that. I hate missing work, but this nausea is still kicking my tail. I'm currently living off of zofran just to function. Nausea is the worst symptom. The pain comes and goes, so it's not the biggest issue.      I was told that I couldn't lift over 10lbs for over a week. I don't know how the animals will be fed, but I will find a way. Stressing out over my toddler is yet another issue. I will not be able to lift her, so that poses a problem too.           I had to basically beg my husband to take off to help me. I feel bad about that as well. He keeps missing so many days because of me and the guilt eats at me.  Bring on MONDAY!