Life of the Party

      Yes, this is the obligatory post that everyone feels the need to share, so be prepared.     Today, I'm thankful for those who keep me in their life. A simple text means the world to me and goes a LONG way. Due to work obligations we didn't go all out and cook a big meal. I hate that work always gets a slice of our holidays. Our dinner was small and we didn't include any outside family. I guess in a way I'm thankful for that too. Sometimes it's just nice to just have us. We're somewhat in a bubble. When I got married I stopped going out, hanging out, or even planning trips beyond my spouse. If we couldn't go as a couple, then I didn't go. This made me lose several friends, but I wanted to give my marriage my very best effort.      I'm thankful for our warm home, working water, and smiling faces. We've been having so many water issues this past few days that having a day without any issues is a blessing in itself. My toddler is still sick...

      A dear friend of mine wrote this book and anything written about hurricane Helene and Western North Carolina is significant to me. Her writing only provides a small glimpse of what people in my area had to face. Thankfully, my home and residence was up in the mountains. A little over an hour away was total devastation.      Her book is a small collection of short stories and vignette of what happened to people in our area. I highly suggest if you do decide to read her book that you do so with a box of tissues beside you. If you are a mama be prepared to be absolutely heartbroken. These are true stories and this did happen to people. After reading about Millie, I had to put the book down and weep inside my classroom until the bell rang for lunch. I could not imagine being trapped in a car while flood waters were rising with my child.  What must've been going through that mother's mind is unintelligible. My heart goes out to her family.  ...

        Not your average traffic jam in a large city, but do tend to stop our local tourist which does result into a traffic jam. This little guy out here made my commute 30 more minutes than what was necessary. He had about 20 cars, fully caulking at him and taking pictures as I was trying to make my way home this afternoon.        He was majestic and beautiful, and I sat in the same spot around 15 minutes and took a picture out of my sunroof since I couldn't move anyway. I don't get the fascination with the elk.      The idiot behind me decided to beep his horn multiple times, and this big bull elk ended up running straight into the beautiful BMW, parked in front of me. I wonder if the guy behind me will be held accountable for the damage that was caused by his beeping horn. His profanities did not help much either.     I saw myself getting home early today and finishing all farm chores along with cooking supper. What I ...

      It's supposed to be extremely cold and we've already had snow. If you were to tell me, we went from having snow less than a week ago to having nearly 70° weather I would call you crazy. I cannot believe the drastic shift in the temperatures. Our little form off is also affected from the weather shifting back-and-forth from extreme low temperatures to mid 70s. It throws us off our game as well as the animals. I have 15 dose who I am currently waiting for kidding season to begin. I honestly believe that the weather shift has caused them to drop their milk sack early in order for the babies to be born before the next freeze comes through.     I had previously started the deep litter method in my chicken coops, but now I will have to thoroughly clean the coops due to rising temperatures. I don't want my chickens to be in a coop in this warm weather with that much bedding has also seem to really affect my geese and the fact that they have now started overly pro...

      Our winter egg production always declines. Shorter days and colder weather really seems to zap out our hen's ability to lay eggs. I took some advice from a dear friend, whom has raised chickens her entire life. She is currently 87 and is still actively raising chickens. She said, " sometimes they need more protein in their diets, so add some cat food along the way. You should also consider setting up some additional lighting."      We have done this for three years now and let me tell you... It works to some extent. I was getting around fifteen eggs daily, but we are currently gathering around 9-10 eggs. It's a drop, but at least they are still  producing. Normally, by the first snow we don't have eggs for the remainder of winter. Success can come in small packages. I'll take my blessings where I can get them!     My favorite hen is currently broody again!!! I might just slip a few fertilized eggs under her in hopes to get new hens. Wit...

      I got home and Faith is still acting normal, but her eye lid color still has not changed from yesterday. I gave her a healthy does of selenium along with some jump start to see it that helps. She seems fine, but I'm still worried about her worm count. Don't come at me with any negative comments/emails. Our nearest vest that we can take her to is over two hours away. I don't think Faith would do well in that stressful ride.     I have ordered some red cell as well to give her red blood cells a boost as well. I will be requesting that my husband give her a dose of that as well tomorrow. She just wanted love and pets this afternoon as I was trying to feed and put out hay. I had a little over twenty minutes of day light once I got home. I hate the winter months. It gets so dark so quickly. I need more time to spend outside to get things done. 

      My goat's eye lids are still a pale white, which indicates that she has anemia and possibly a heavy worm load. I am baffled by this because I have wormed her three separate times with three separate different wormers.      I will be buying more wormer again this afternoon to give my goats. I love Faith, but man she is beyond needy. I have no idea why she keeps getting such a high worm count? I feed them in raised troughs and their hay is placed in hey racks above the ground. I have owned goats for years now, and she has been beyond what I would consider a pampered goat. I purchased her from a young lady who had her as a 4-H project around four years ago. Being a bottle, baby girl made her extremely friendly to the point she is somewhat of an annoyance.      Bottle baby goats are terrible mothers. I have learned that through the years as well. I would not recommend you having a bottle, baby goat as part of your her plan. More than likely...

 Just wow, I could not really put into words how incredible this book was/is. I was completely swept away with how the stories intermingled to make an overall plot. With the Cherokee language mixed in with the story, I was completely captivated by how much culture was actually displayed in one book. I was beyond thankful that our school's Native book club chose this for our November read. I did decide to listen to this book via Audible and I was pleasantly surprised with the narration. It was an easy listen along with having an incredible narrator really makes this one of my top 10 favorite books.         I feel like the book could continue with Ama's character. There is still so much left to the unknown that the author could potentially have a sequel. This book was classified as a horror book, but I found it more of a young adult novel with the potential for it to be filed in the mystery section. I would write this book a five out of five stars and I do highly ...

    Talk about a Hallmark movie in the makings! Everyone loves a good romance story intertwined with some mystery. This book was straight out of a Hallmark film and I wouldn't be surprised if it was actually turned into a movie in the near future.      This book has everything to offer from betrayal of friends to blackmail. This was just what I needed to get into the Christmas spirit! Having a change in genres really has lightened my mood.      I love love LOVE the main character. She brought back class and recognition for the older generation of women. There is love beyond your thirties!     This book receives a 5 out star rating due to the fact, the book was both humble, well paced, and holiday spirited!  

     With this drastic change in temperatures comes sickness. The flu has officially hit my household. We all have body-aches, runny noses, heavy congestion. My toddler is pitiful and all I want to do is cuddle up with her and watch TV. Beside me in bed, napping.         There is nothing more pitiful than watching your child struggle through a cold. You just want to make everything better but at the same time you helpless we are struggling to keep her under control. If her fever proceeds to run over 102 for another 45 minutes to an hour, I will be taking her to the ER.   

      The news called for 5-12 inches of snow, and honestly I'm here for it! We winter prepped everything for this cold Arctic blast, but nothing really resulted from our efforts. The temperature did and has dropped below 30, but at the  same time the snow was no call no show.         We were beyond blessed this year with our goat's winter coat coming in so early. We were a little hesitant when the forecast came out, but with some extra bedding and building maintenance everything has been fine. We got around 1/2 inch in snow. I wouldn't even call it snow to be honest.      The weather shift has also brought a new mood swing for my mom. She's loosing her marbles one rampage at a time. I pretty sure she should just go ahead and get checked for early onset dementia. She is driving me bananas. Raising a toddler and managing her constant shifts in mood/ demeanor is tiring. Suggestions? I cannot seem to please her in any way or ...

     I'm unsure what the goal was with writing this book. I was as if the story was written by a schizophrenic narrator who was grasping at straws to keep with a continual plot. I understand it was a collection of diary, entries voice messages, and psychiatric notes, but there had to be a better way to put all those things together to produce a story. Honestly, this book was a waste of time if I had to listen to it again I think I would probably just delete it off my phone. I would write this book a one out of five due to the fact that the story was just so out of touch even with itself.     You could tell that the author really wanted this to be a successful book. And in different circumstances, it possibly could've been one maybe if this was made into a movie and a visual went along with the story it would be a better fit.     

      Can we just go ahead and make this into a movie? Denzil's work could possibly even be turned into a mini series. There was so much mystery in one book that I could not put the book down. I was overly thrilled to be "hooked" and I look forward to reading more materials written by Denzil.      Finding family bonds, hidden pathways, and deep secrets this book has it all. Mrs. Huxley's stiff overbearing character turns out to prove a mother's love. She has to help in order to keep her autistic son in a  group home.  Will money bury the details and the killing continue or will this family finally fall.      I would rate this book a 4.9 out of 5. The beginning of the book was so slow that I almost stopped reading it several times. By chapter four I was completely in the story. The ending was even better! The struggle to find what is hidden and the demanding moment to confront the attackers is everything.  Father and son serial ...

      Childhood memories always hide the truth and we get way too caught up in a murder that was hidden by time. Don't dig up the past and expect not to find out real truths. Parents will face pure hell to protect their children.      A father went to prison to hide the murder his five year old daughter committed as a child. Will we really find out all that has been swept under the rug?      While listening to this book I was somewhat annoyed with the main character's personality. Katherine's character was so oblivious to what her father gave up for her. As a parent I thought the whole time that he was protecting/ hiding something. This was a somewhat predictable tale of horror.      I would love to read this book in the perspective of the father who went to prison. I think that side of the story would be more entertaining. Secrecy keeps so many things hidden from sight. I would rate this book a 3 out of 5 due to the plot. I'm ...

 Just, Wow! The title should have been "Secret Sisters," because Fahey soon finds out she not only has a twin, but a baby sister as well. The jealousy between siblings has always been a hot topic, but unknown siblings lurking in the background was an amazing plot twist! Denzil knows how to keep her audience's attention!      Early onset dementia is something I have a personal fear of and reading a book where the narrator is also grappling with this was actually  therapeutic. Everything shouldn't always be feared and the author left us with a possible second book with the cliff hanger at the end of this one.      My only regret in reading this book was that it ended too soon. I wanted to see Fahey reconnect with her own step son. She will always blame him for the death of her baby, but I wanted to read that she had found some sort of closure with his character.      Overall, I would rate this book a 5 out of 5. I don't usually give a...

      Am I happy that the holidays are approaching?  Absolutely!!! Count me in. To see the excitement of the holiday spirit in the eyes of a child is like reliving your childhood again. I wish my parents would have went all out for me. Christmas was usually a depressing time in our home due to lack of funds. My dad always went into a depressive episode the entire months of November and December. I didn't get to really have that movie magic moment as a child.     I plan to really make the best of it for my own child. I want to experience the magic of Christmas and all of its glory. No, my tree isn't up just yet. The down side of having a grouchy parent live with you is that you cannot do everything exactly like you would want to. She'll complain if decorations go up too early. I have decided to decorate our addition in holiday attire! So, yes before you ask.... I did buy an extra tree that was on clearance. Two trees are better than one!     I...

      So many people have differing opinions on SNAP benefits and who should/ shouldn't receive them. We had to attend a family event over the weekend, and it came up in the discussion multiple times. I'm not supposed to have an opinion and express it publicly, but I will say that people need that to survive.      As a child my family hit a "hard" moment in life where we had to use government assistance until my parents could get back on their feet. It was there to provide us a cushion and to help bridge the gap of poverty. It served its purpose and got us  through. Mom was beyond embarrassed to sign up and immediately ended it when they were both able to find additional employment. I have no idea what would have happened if my mom wouldn't have reached out for help. Local food pantries can only help so much. This is just my POV... Feel free to post yours...

      I have to revise my winter reading list because I already finished my old list.  1. Man Made Monsters by Andrea Rogers 2. The Stranger in Our House by Sarah Denzil  3. The Woman in Coach D by Sarah Denzil 4. We Play Games by Sarah Denzil 5. The Housemaid  by Sarah Denzil 6. Behind a Locked Door  by Sarah Denzil 7. Secret Sister by Sarah Denzil 8. The Girl Who Left by Jenny Blackhurst 9. Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann 10. Wait for You Collection by Jennifer Armentrout      I know adding books will only add more excitement. Please feel free to read/ listen along. I would love to have a full dialogue with anyone else who loves to read or listen to books. I would also love suggestions  to add to my list as well. 

     The Hiking Trip  was a page turner from beginning to end. I couldn't predict any of the next movements in the plot. Mazi's character had be baffled the entire time. Just when I thought I had everything figured out an additional twist would jump in and change everything. Loving the way the author moved us in two different times periods also kept me fully locked in for the full story.       Blackhurst is true to her craft. A true thriller novelist who keeps you on the edge of your seat. I would love to see this novel move into the format of a movie. I would pay good money to see this in theaters along with any of her additional books.      I would rate this book a 5 out of 5! I will never think about hiking the same. Strangers in passing could potentially be my ending. I have always thought hiking as a relaxing adventure, but never again.      The narrator also deserves an honorable mention. Audible's ability to ge...