Life of the Party

      My toddler is still not potty trained. Don't come at me with your advice. I have tried just about everything, and nothing has worked thus far. My child is feral I guess. Today, at the playground she pulled down her diaper and peed in the grass. I was so embarrassed that I tripped over my own feet.      The meltdowns are real at this age and  so are the tantrums. What do you mean... you can't eat cake right before bed time? That was our latest incident where my child pitched a fit for over an hour. What else do I do? Her new pediatrician stated that he is not going to rule out  autism, but at this time we are not going to label her. I don't know if I want a label, but man some pointers would be nice.      Working with some peers that don't have children absolutely drives me bananas. We don't get to go home and "turn off" the teacher mode. If anything we switch it on to the "mom" role and keep going. You got perfect attendance? ...

      Let's be blunt and honest all at the same time. Feelings hurt? Now is not the time to dwell with those endless thoughts about anxiety of social situations.      I'm currently battling life. Everyone has their own fights and things to worry about, but currently it seems relentless for us. My husband is waiting on his oncology report from his rather long stay in the hospital. That alone has me on pins and needles. Now, I just found out my child has lost most of her hearing in both ears. She has OT, ENT, and speech therapy appointments in her near future. I don't know if I can handle much more on my plate.      I caught a KID messing around with our animals last night. So now that is yet another issue we are having. I cannot even go to sleep  without some sort of stressing smacking me in the face.  The stress list:  1. Will work eventually become angry for me missing all these days? 2. My husband's oncology report (He alread...

Well, didn't this book just wonder into my life at just the right moment. It is a lengthy read, but so worth your time. I hate when an author leaves their audience on a cliff hanger, but we all know there is a new book being written. I'm just smitten with this whole series. This is just what I need to escape my hectic day to day stress. I get lost in the world of dragons and love.      Violet is still one of my all time favorite characters, but sometimes I wish she would think with her head and not her heart. Will Xadin ever change? I don't know the answer and I'm sure Yarros will tell is more as the next book gets here. I will buy the novella that gets released here in a few days. I do long to read about Liam and explore this world further. Will she bring dead characters back to life?      -Can I have my own wing leader? Just asking for a friend... Read the book if you do not get my reference.      5 out of 5 stars is my rating and I do...

      Oh, yes things can change in an instant here at the farm. One minute I'm just worried about work and the next... I'm single parenting for the remainder of the week. Can I juggle it all or will it topple over any minute?      My husband is currently in the hospital yet  again... here I am having to manage it all again as per the usual. He cannot help the circumstances he has been handed. I understand that, but man the timing is way off and it's already hectic here. Without the aid of my mother I wouldn't make it most days. I'm unsure how to navigate this week. Currently, I'm waiting on a call to see when he will go into surgery. 2.5 hours away and I can't do anything to help. I cannot go to him either because of our  comments here.  Stress List 1. Work (lack of planning) 2. Childcare this week 3. After school meetings that I will probably have to miss 4. Friendly "reminder" emails that are annoying me to death.  5. All farm chores w...

      I always have a secret laugh every time I read over the title of my blog. The party has been out of my life for a very long time. Motherhood and late thirties have taken their pound of flesh. These days my life consists of surviving.      Who can really get ahead in our current economy? I know that I work well over 40 hours per week and we barely break even. My husband works 40 hours and takes on extra just to be able to have breathing room. It shouldn't be like this.      The life of my party is my sassy outspoken three  year old who couldn't be quiet if her life depended upon it. The late nights and early morning snuggles is as close to a party as I can get. ABCs in the car and marshmallow fights fill my afternoons with nonstop noise. It all goes by so fast.  For those of you who still like to party.... Grow up, get a job, and do something with your life. 

    Well, honestly this is one of the best books I've had the pleasure of reading in a while. It had everything from a coming of age, war, love, loss, and family strains combined to make one heck of book. It took me a little over a month to read it, but it was well worth my time. The main character Jason French was phenomenal and the loyalty of brotherhood knows no bounds.      This was my first Hart book and I hope to read more by this author. I usually loath books about war vets because they usually romanize them. This book truly captured the heartlessness of what our men and  women to have to go through. I would love to just read a book about X and his life. Hopefully, that is what Hart's other books are about.      With no doubt.... this is a 5 out of 5 star book! I highly recommend that you take the time and check this book out. 

      I think I should update you all on my current life... I'm working, but it's only to pay bills. Living paycheck to paycheck is tiring and I haven't even saved up for this year's land taxes. Just when I think I might break even something else comes along and wipes it all away.      Life is hard, but so is all choices that we make. I drive an older paid off vehicle that I'm slowly waiting for it to die. I have used the same iPhone for the last seven years and there isn't an upgrade in sight. Currently, I'm budgeting on the basics like food and necessities. My medicine has to come second if other things need the money first. It shouldn't be like that though. I work 40 plus hours a week and I'm barely treading water. 

      Our cultural book club through my school system started back up this month with the above book. This is the first book that was chosen for our club that I absolutely did not like. I think the author forgot her main plot midway through the book and ramble on into other areas. When Emerson did seem to follow her plot line, the book was amazing.  Positives: - I loved the grandmother character, because she reminded me so much of my own grandmother.  - Her carefree best friend was super amazing too - The whole idea that she could see dead people      Overall, I can say I was not impressed with the style of writing or the character development. I did like the insight into Navajo culture. I had never heard about photographs, stealing the souls of people. Something is just missing from the book. I cannot put my finger on it. The book club meet tomorrow night and has their discussion. I fear that my opinion of the book will not be respected, so I wil...

      This August has been one for the books, literally. I've been so busy that it has all been a blur and to say I'm going to miss it would be a bald faced lie. One down, eight to go. I can get through this year. Juggling home life, work, and farm life has run me ragged.      It's currently, 7:42 and I've still got around an hour's worth of work to complete for tomorrow. I'm giving it my best and can honestly say... around 92%. The other 8% is lost in thought and translated as moments to myself. The guilt of working full time and being is mom is real. The world wants you to act and work like you're single with not other obligations, but in reality you have a family. Working outside of hours is impossible for me. I try to carve out an hour here and there to just get through the day.      Without my audiobooks my drive to work would be filled with stress and anticipation for the day. I'm thankful enough that I was gifted a membership. Mom knew...

          Warning... this may end up as a rant post. I'm exhausted and most of the time I just want silence and a good book to sooth the hectic workweek out of my memory. The constant input from surrounding family concerning my child is tiring as well. Lord, just give me a break and keep your comments to yourself. Yes, I know I look tired as heck, but bringing it up constantly is also tiring.      Let me rest on my days off. I wish to goodness my husband would understand this as well. Give me a solid 45 minutes of uninterrupted silence on Saturday and I'd be a happy camper. I cannot even go to the restroom without someone barging in. I'm snappy because I cannot sleep. No one else gets up with our toddler throughout the night. I love her, but man I wish she would just sleep. On average I get 4 to 4.5 hours per night and it just isn't enough while working full time.      The burn out is currently real and alive. I tried to sit down tw...

           Sometimes I wish I could roll back time and make different decisions. Redoing everything that led me up to this point in life. There are somedays that I just need a reset button. Today was strange and honestly I wish I could go back four years and change.      Change the decision I helped my husband support. Change how I saw the world in that very miserable moment in life. To simply think beyond myself and think about unintended intentions. Sometimes, I think about not marrying my husband and what life would have been like. I would never change having Taylor, but I do wish he still had his own son in his life. I see it in his eyes when someone asks about him and he simply has nothing to comment on.      My husband deserves better and maybe if I wasn't in the picture he would get to see his other kid. Maybe it was me all along? Sometimes, I wish I could see what the alternate future would have been like if I would hav...

 Uh... Sigh...     It's been a Monday all around. My husband is currently sick and cannot really help with any of the chores, so everything has to fall on me to pick up the slack. My afternoon was busy to say the least. Feeding and watering takes time. I was able to finish all my rings on my Apple Watch though, so that's a positive in itself.      I didn't have a planning period this morning, so I winged most of my lessons today. I'm so glad we prepped lesson plans all last school year, because it comes in handy when  you're in a time crunch. I lost my keys several times today as well. Guess where they were? Around my neck. I didn't get much sleep because Josh was up and down all night. Each time he left the bed I awoke.  I'm running on fumes at the moment. Wish me good luck tomorrow as we do this all again. 

    And what have I been reading in my spare time? Sarah J. Maas's Court of ... series. I just finished the last that has been currently published and let me tell you it has been a wild ride since Mother's Day. My husband bought me the entire series and I have slowly been reading a few chapters each day. I need this escape from my busy life and Maas has provided that and more.      The fact  that this last book is written somewhat in Nesta's perspective has been even better. I think every woman wants a mating bond like the one she has with Cassian. I'm thankful for this author and cannot wait unit October! Bring on the next book! 5 out of 5 stars.   

            It was so weird not going to work on a Friday. I'm glad I was able to go to my appointment though, and I was somewhat thankful to have a break.  Stats: Weight: 221.5 A1C: 6.5      He seemed over all pleased with me today. I was however beyond exhausted and disappointed that I didn't have a lower A1C. My goal next time is to have a 6.4 or lower. I can do this! 

      Well, as always the first few weeks are an adjustment  period. This year is no exception to that rule, but this teacher is tired and can barely hold her eyes open. This week... -Planned and implemented lessons each day -Called 14 parents -Checked/ answered 102 emails -Hand wrote notes for parents (4) -Gave my first silent lunch -Got 6 gifts from previous students -Had 19 previous students stop in to say hi -Learned 128 names (yes I know all my students first names now) -Picked up an extra Cherokee word  -Graded 205 papers (did not enter them in the computer yet) -Walked on average 11,230 steps per day -Average sleep 4.8 hours (according to my smart watch) -Wore blisters on my foot again -Wormed 22 goats solo -Shot at one coyote  -Killed one snake -Harvested cantaloupe 

      This book had so much potential to be fantastic, but the rambling of the narrator completely ruined my whole experience with it. My very long drive to work really does give me time to think and listen to a few books along the way. I was not impressed with pacing of this novel. I also needed some additional character development in order to connect with the story. Why have someone read an Asian character that has a Southern accent? Weird?      The beginning of this book was amazing and I was totally into it, but then the main character's energy was abruptly absurd and nothing was really revealed to show any insight to why the plot existed in the first place. I only finished the book after the author decided it was important for the audience to actually see some of the "reasons" as to why she was in her friend's cabin to take a break. This short story missed the mark of excellence.      I would rate this book a 2.5 out of 5 stars. I would...

     Well, this book was very odd. I’m not so sure if I liked the book or not due to the fact that I felt like a lot of the narration seemed as if it was battling. Did she get her ultimate revenge and humiliate her attacker? The man who abused her as a child ends up, dying at the end of the book by the hands of his wife. This said wife actually admit to knowing what her husband had done the whole time. To me that makes her just as guilty, even though she killed him in the end.        I feel like this is an overused plot outline, and it was just poorly planned.  But it may have just been the narration that done it for me. I might have had a different opinion that I read the book myself and instead of listening to it on my way to and from work. I would give this book a five out of five star rating. I would not recommend that you waste your time listening to it unless you’re really just into revenge that ends in death.  I think he needed to suff...

      One week down.... I forgot how many more to go. Honestly, I'm dead tired and cannot moved. My feet are sore and swelled to pop. My poor bladder has to retrain itself to go during class changes, and I did not make progress on that this week. Are next week's plans in place? No, and I don' t think they will be until Sunday night.      The first week back with students is always an adjustment. I have fully grasped about 82 names out of the 125 or more that circulate through my room. I kept up with all the stats.  -Past students who visited (91) -Daily average step count 10,312 steps -Daily stand: 16 hours  -Emails  answered: 210 -School texts answered 314 -Phone calls home 2 -Student check ins (4)     My forever goal is to always have every student's name memorized by the end of week two. I have yet to fail at meeting this. Wish me luck!

       I may have to stop posting so often. I keep having difficulties uploading images. The error code says it's something about cookies, but I have fixed that multiple times and it still doesn't work. I look forward to my small blooger moments in the late afternoons. It sure would be a shame to simply stop. Hopefully Google will work out their kinks soon!

      There is nothing like teacher tired. The first few days really takes its toll and our recovery time is short lived. 5 AM mornings followed by 8 plus hour workdays. Most teachers are also parents, so we have double duty. Add in my farm life and it makes for an exhausting first week back.      Today was the kid's first day, and I'm dragging tail. Currently, I'm stationed on the couch finishing grading our first pretest to see where my students fall. I came home fed, cooked supper, and then baked cookies with my little one. I don't know if I'm going to be able to make this adjustment. Send good vibes my way! 

      2026 book challenge was well worth the effort. This is my 66 book of this fiscal year and it was beyond what I had anticipated. Yarros has created a world that I never want to leave. We all strive for an unbreakable protective love that Xaden portrays! The adventures and love story of Violet and Xanden is timeless, perfection, and passionate.              The love of a mother really rings true in this second book. I will NOT be a book spoiler, but nothing is never as it seems. I have always enjoyed a book that keeps me guessing until the end. My heart was shattered the last few chapters. Hopefully, Yarros redeems herself in the third book. There are not many books that I have actually cried with. A mother's love knows no bounds! I threw the book across the room followed by frantically finding it to finish the book.      I would have never imagined that a book could be so spell binding and magical at the sam...

      Unfortunately, I had to go back to work. That was a phrase that I would commonly use in the past as summer wrapped up and school began. This year is  different. I have a new classroom, new admin, and mostly new team. This is going to be my year I just know it. I already have this positive vibe that we are going to be a massive difference this year.      I have missed Taylor these past few days, but it's so good to get back to my routine. I need an outlet and my job fulfills that need. I have got over my goal in steps each day, which has then a real confidence booster to start the school you're off with. My new classroom is brand new, new paint, new desk, new everything. The plus side of being in a brand new building is getting to start from scratch. The downside of being in a brand new building is that we cannot put any decorations on the wall yet. I feel like my classroom, lacks personality, but I plan to figure out how to overcome tha...

       Living on the border, Tennessee makes it completely easy to go over a state just to benefit from their tax free weekend. Tax free weekend is for school supplies. Each item has to be less than $100. I would like to go on the Friday that it starts due to the fact that most supplies are bought out mid Saturday before the source can restock.     This year was just a little bit different though. As I walked into Walmart in Maryville, I noticed that their school supply aisles were not fully stocked to begin with. By the way, I got there really early this morning too. I think they have hardly stocked so they wouldn't sell all their stuff over this weekend. The exact same thing can be said about the Target in Maryville.  Did I save enough from not paying taxes to make the trip worth my time? Why yes I did.  I bought supplies for my classroom, my personal wardrobe, my child's back to school clothes, along with various things in my household that I n...

      Where should I begin? This book is divided into two perspectives, one is Colby and the other is Beverly. Honestly, Colby's perspective is more like Nicholas Sparks original books. Fall in love with the ocean and come back to North Carolina, have some sort of tragic event that occurs, and then they made in the end for a happy ending.  But this book was different.     I love when an author takes the time to really do his research when covering mental illnesses. Having a book that really puts that on display is worthwhile. I am a massive Nicholas Sparks fan. I did however get a little annoyed at the pacing. I am also not a book spoiler, so I will try my best not to give everything away. Beverly's story was so disjointed, manic, and random that when it would get to her sections, I literally just wanted to put the book down. But I'm glad he wrapped everything up in the end. If you read the book you will understand why Beverly's character is so haphazard. E...

      Farmers have to defend their livestock and sometimes that doesn't always look pretty. Stray dogs, coyotes, raccoons, feral hogs, and sometimes things you would never expect. This hog has been running my goats along the fence lines for days, but not again tomorrow. There is a small herd of feral hogs that like the help themselves to our animals, neighbor's smalls dogs/ cats, and whatever else they can muster up to eat. My neighbor has been missing her small cat for a few days now. I'm 95% sure one of these took her out. I missed my chance to shoot it the other day. I only had my pistol with me and that was certainly a rifle range.      Feral hogs are dangerous and can become aggressive when startled. I have had my fair share of run ins with them. Once, when I was 15 I had one chase me all the way up to the truck and continued to ram dad's Dodge in hopes that I would fall off. In my youth, my father and grandfather would hunt them using hounds. The...

                     At work, this is all the rage with the older women who are in my reading circle (LUNCH BUNCH). Oh, and this reading circle is a separate one than the book a month crew that I'm a part of through the school year. These books would not align with the type of material that we read in order to gain CEU credits. I joined a reading group that met during my lunch time. Hearing their conversation, absolutely sparked my interest. Honestly, I was afraid that it was going to be too bland. Now, I think otherwise and I have completely different ideas about the older women that I work with. These grandmas knew exactly the type of book I needed to download and read on my Kindle. Some scenes might even make you blush. My next goal in life is to become the grandmother that sits and reads books like this.       This was so much more than what I ever expected. The excitement, action, romance, and spicy sce...

      Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC has got to be one of the most depressing places to be. It sucked the entire week of visiting my husband. As it turns out, his GI bleed was not fixed and he is STILL passing blood to the point that he will more than likely end up back on his same hospital floor. Why would you release him with the amount of blood he is still passing (bright RED)? "We will do a follow up with an outpatient  procedure at a later date." Yeah, why not go ahead and do both surgeries while you had him under the first time? Clearly, you didn't fix the problem with your little metal clips.      I hate this hospital... my twins didn't both get to see the NICU and even walking in that place gives me flashbacks. Taylor spent weeks in the NICU and I more or less stayed at the hospital, ate in that cafeteria, and wondered back and forth from the dreaded parking deck. I didn't come home during her entire stay, so I got to really experience what ...

         Sometimes you just have to read one of your student's recommendations. This heart felt story of Chinese to American adoption will simply make your day. I was actually enthusiastic the entire short book. I think this would be appropriate for a fifth grader, but I would consider it a high interest low level Lexile book. Our main character is adopted and desperately seeks a family for her best friend while in America. It progresses through her adventure of finding a family, assimilating to American culture, school, English, and self identity. I would rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

  Well, this is going to be a very mixed review. The sheer craziness of this book really took me for a roll coaster ride. I honestly didn't see the end coming, and I ALWAYS enjoy books that can do this. JD Kirk has done an exceptional job at keeping his audience on the edge of their seat.      Negatives: I was so confused for most of the book due to the ramblings of the main character. I almost stopped listening to the book via Audible twice. I don't want a point A to point B book, but I would like there to be some sort of rolling plot to guide me.            Positives: I LOVED the ending and honestly I didn't even expect the outcome. The narrator's accent almost threw me for a loop. I think his accent overall gave the book more genuine quality. Kirk has the amazing ability to really set the scene. It was like I was in the story as it was unfolding.     I would write this book a 3.5. I know that rating seems kind of low an...

      I'll be in and out for the next few days. My husband has taken ill and is currently in the hospital, so there probably will not be many updates. It's always challenging when your spouse is hospitalized. You don't realize how much you rely on their companionship until they are not around.      One surgery down and possibly one more to go! I've got all the farm chores on me, plus driving 2.5 hours each way to visit him. I've got this! 

      So, yes... Here were are months later, still trying to potty train my child. We started when she was 18 months old, she is currently 3. I'm at my wits end and don't know where to go from here. Any suggestions?  We've tried:     1. Positive  reinforcement (lots and lots of praise)     2. Rewards (stickers)      3. Cloth "big girl" undies      4. A toddler potty and one that you place over the regular one      5. 30min check ins (I escort her to the restroom to "try" to use the potty)     6. Watching cartoons about going to the potty          Have I mentioned that she can hold it all night, but chooses to use it on herself during the day? I think I need some fresh ideas. I'm trying to tackle this before school starts and I'm failing miserably. 

 I'm a sucker for a Nicholas Sparks book and this is by no means an exception. I was taken away in a story of Colin and Maria. The unlikely pair end up having a thriller relationship. Calling with his anger issues in Maria with her stalkers from her past/ current job as a lawyer. There was moments in this book. I was absolutely on the edge of my seat. Most of his books are just epic love stories, but this one holds a true note of something more. I would love to see this book become a movie, but the characters in my head could never be fabricated into a movie. I highly recommend if you are a Nicholas Sparks fan to pick up this book and read it. I enjoyed it this time on my Kindle as always. I look forward to reading more books by the author. This review comes with the obvious five out of five star rating for me.  I think this is just the perfect mix of romance, mystery, thriller, and overall well written material.  

      It has been a solid month since we've had any really major flare ups with any of our neighbors. My hot headed husband doesn't really help matters much. I really wish things could settle down for a while and back the heck off. We spent a majority of our Sunday moving a rather large tree. No, we did NOT ask for help. I have to be able to get in and out.      On top of dealing with my child (no medical insurance issues), we now have issues once again with the driveway. I don't care. It's passable and I don't have money to waste on gravel. My medicine alone is nearly $345 a month. I cannot cough up any more cash at the moment. We move the trees and I'm happy with that.  Dear goodness, I drive a low Kia Soul and it makes it up the driveway just fine. Go slow and you will not drag.      I hate confrontation in any form. Just when I think I'm getting out of debt, here comes people left and right with their hands out. Can I ignore it long ...

      We've all been  there... Life kicks us in the butt right in the moment when everything else is falling apart. Girt is what gets you through moments like that, and grit is what sustains a leveled mindset. Life happens for a reason. Every decision you make comes with a consequence. It can either be a good or negative impact. Choose wisely!      Life happens...     Today, started like any other ordinary day until it wasn't. Sometimes we do the best we can possibly imagine and still fail. I will elaborate in the days to come. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

    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...

      Sometimes, I really hate living on a farm. Farm life isn't always like the movies portray it to be and with new birth comes death. Today was  terrible and heart breaking at the same time. Things happen and lessons were and are learned.      I pleaded with my husband multiple times not to introduce my new goat to the herd. I bought her at the sale and have been working with her for over a month to gain weight and trust. Her previous owners must have had her hobbled. I had to help where the ropes had shredded her legs right where the hoofs were. Who does that? Her previous owners were absolutely ridiculous. I would never do an animal like that.  She was so thin when she first came to the house. She was mellow and sweet. I spent weeks gaining her trust only to burry her early this morning. My heart is broken. She would finally come when I called. My other goats out weigh her by 50lbs or more. I think they rough housed her too much.   ...

      Time sure does fly when you have a toddler. It seems like yesterday I was swaddling my small NICU baby and praying that she gains weight. Tomorrow, my baby turns the big 3 and I don't know how to feel about it. I've cried several times tonight already. She had such a rough start to life that I just don't think I'll ever get over it. PPD about took me out while also dealing with the death of Taylor's twin.      Stats: NICU 8 days      6 days of life support      Birth Weight: 6.5lbs     Length: 22in      I gave birth to twins and her sister didn't make it.      She had a head of blackish/brown hair and dark brown eyes. They transitioned to a light blue and bright blonde hair with in the first eight months of her life. We've battled two cancer scares, scans, treatment, seizures, and sleepless nights. She hasn't slept through the night EVER! She had stitches before she could even walk ...

    This week has held so many issues that I cannot possibly think straight. Starting a week with a massive field trip was not a good idea. I got over 15 thousand steps in that day alone. We worked a 12.45 hour day followed by an 1.5 hour drive home. I'm exhausted.      We also have up and coming EOGs as well. I think sometimes I just take on more than I can actually do in a single day. With all the chores at home, I don't think I can keep treading water... drowning in tasks is taking over my mental health. I cannot be in all these places at once.        Why am I up? I'm so stressed out that I cannot sleep and I'm done fighting it. At least this way I'm not sitting there in the dark.      Two more weeks...

      The last month of work before summer break is always hectic. I just have summer vibes coming my way and I am beyond excited to plant my garden. I already have beans, squash, and corn coming up. I am roughly 11 days away from the official start of summer break.  If you have teacher friends reach out to them and saying good vibes their way. That last month is always tough. 

      Well... It's a lengthly read, but well worth your time. Honestly, I thought her teen daughter, Preeya was the one behind most of the mishaps at home, but boy I was wrong! It will get you fully entertained and the imagery used is just enough to keep you going.      Would I read it again? I like to be fully transparent and not lie. I probably would not pick this book up a second time if it was my choice. It is a read and done kind of book. Although I did enjoy it, it could've been so much more. I actually watched the Hallmark movie that was similar to this plot and a lot of it I was able to predict what was happening next. I was wrong about her daughter though.      I would still get this book a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. Anderson sure does know how to keep you hooked into the book. If it wasn't a Hallmark movie, I think it might've been a Lifetime movie. It just seems so surreal that I had already seen a movie with the same storyline ...

      Oh, it has been a Monday. Truly, I've had a disastrous day, and nothing has went right. I locked myself out of the building at work three separate times. I lost my keys to may car to leave work this afternoon. When I arrived home... three of my goats were out running around having the time of their lives.      I'm one tired MAMA too. I had promised to bake homemade cookies and my toddler didn't forget that promise. Farm chores  plus cooking cookies and supper has about kicked my butt for the day.  Can I have a redo? I think I could have managed my time better if I knew what was inshore for me.      All joking aside. I hate Mondays, especially when I feel rushed to get things finished. 

      Girl, we don't have mean girl energy as adults. That's high school drama that needs to stay in the past. Unfortunately, this doesn't apply to every adult woman that I have to deal with on a daily basis.   Snarky comments don't really get you far with me. Carful... your inner demons are showing!     "Take the high road" is something my mom has always said. I try to live by that. I'm in no way perfect and make mistakes everyday. Have your social cliques, but remember karma is always around the corner. I took a deep breath as I sat in my car to leave only to realize I handled that situation with as much grace as I could. Maybe I'll do better in the near future. There is always room for improvement. 

      This was a VERY long book, but well worth my time. I listened to it on Audible and read some chapters on my tablet. Denzil has completely redeemed herself as an author in my book. I was hooked from the very beginning and maintained even interest throughout the total book.      I'm a sucker for a mystery thriller that fully engages its audience. There was not a dull moment. I finished this book in a little over four days. I would listen and read it again. It was that good! Max's character is so layered that I would love a sequel to just cover her psychopathic ways. I just wanted to know so much more about her childhood and what had happened. It kind of makes you worry as a parent to who your kids are friends with.     Of course, with the Raven review that I have provided this book I will also rate it at five out of five stars. I would also like to make the comment that have any book that you can visualize every scene because the imagery is do...

      Oh the twisted games we play with our loved ones. Everyone is always captivated by their significant other and sometimes I do think couples play "games." I was mentally taken in by the plot and wanted to know how everything ended.      I have read and listen to multiple books that this author has produced through the years and honestly, I think this is one of our best works. Maybe one day this will actually even become some form of movie. I did listen to it on audible and the switching of the characters perspectives was seamless and perfection. I love when an author can intertwine two characters perspectives to carry on the full plot while keeping the interest of the audience.     With all the praise said above of course I would rate this book of five out of five stars. I didn't understand why the good website didn't have a five out of five star rating. To me is the perfect crime/ mystery book. I would highly recommend if you were looki...

      Well... all I have to say is... it's a book. Man, this bit started off strong. The amount of imagery that the author put into each chapter was beyond comparison to anything else I've ever read. I'd say the first half of the book is definitely five star quality in my opinion. As the story progress, though we switch between multiple point of views, that seems almost random.      The book really has no point. And the plot is so sporadic that honestly, I lost interest and almost quit reading it multiple times. It had so much potential the first half of the book that the second half was a complete letdown. I was not impressed with any part of the second half of the book. I wonder if the author himself was high while  writing it. Maybe he was schizophrenic? Since nothing was really connected and everything was disjointed. It was like reading the writings of a crazy person and trying to piece together a story of their four different personalities. I wou...

      Let's be very open and honest at this moment... the last couple of weeks in April is so hectic for most teachers as you were transitioning into May. May brings about EOG testing, stress for end-of-the-year celebrations, and just things winding down. I've had to go back-and-forth to eye doctor, along with having eye injections, and still dealing with field trip stuff.     I'm not complaining by no means. But this lady is stressed. I still cannot see out of my right eye in my peripheral vision. That in itself is a massive problem and if the issue persists over the weekend, I have to call to make an additional appointment for more injections on Monday. Yay me. Can you hear the sarcasm in my voice as you read this?

      It's beautiful... well, what I could see of it. It was a massive disappointment for me, honestly due to the fact that the cave was not illuminated to the point where I felt safe. At no point in the introduction did they mention that you needed to bring your own flashlight. Safety hazard! I ended up smacking into the ceiling, which was about a foot below my height. I didn't even see it coming.     At one point during your tour, they turned the lights off in the cavern so you can experience total darkness. My toddler decided that was the time to scratch my eyeball out, literally. I ended up going to fast pace healthcare while in Sweetwater Tennessee. Once we arrived home three hours later, I ended up in our local ER. I have orbital scratches on my eyes from my child. It has been absolutely painful. All the occurred on Sunday and I'm still dealing with the repercussions of our adventure.   This one will go down in the books as an epic failure.   ...

       This book wasn't too shabby! It was a delightful read/listen to and from work, but I feel like I have heard this particular plot before. The ending was similar, and very expected. I will not be a book spoiler, so do not worry. I had a fear of befriending anyone during my own pregnancy for this very reason. You'll have to read it for yourself to find out more!      I would rate this book a 4.1 out of 5 stars.  -Would I read/ listen to this book again? Honestly, no. Everything played out exactly as I expected it to. There must be a movie adaptation to this book somewhere. As I was listening to this book, I actually envisioned whole scenes so I am pretty sure this was made into a movie at one point.      Spring Break thus far.... I'm so nervous about work that I cannot keep my thoughts from it. Even now I'm sitting here stressing out about next week instead of enjoying myself. Some break I'm having.... shhhhhh