Life of the Party

      Angeline Boulley is at it again with another installation to her already impressive series. I just couldn't put this book down. She does in incredible job intertwining each of her characters lives. Words cannot describe what this family has been through with the horrors of foster care.      I was thrilled when the book ended on a high note of peace for Adonis and Lucy. I finally got all my questions answered about Jamie as well. I will not be a book spoiler, so there will be NO details provided there.      I think at the book's core it is a story of resilience of the indigenous people and what they face in the contemporary world that we live in. I love the way she intertwines cultural aspects as well. I hope there is an additional book in the near future!     I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 every time. Honestly, I will be rereading this book again in the near future. I was absolutely blown away. 

      After reading and or listening to a very  robust Fall Reading List, I find that my Winter Reading List needs to include some titles that are out of my normal range for reading. I need to branch out as a reader and experience more. Winter Reading List:      1. Pumpkin Spice and Not So Nice- Becky Monson     2. My perfect Daughter- Sarah Denzil     3. Killers of the Flower Moon- David Grann     4. Sisters of the Lost Nation- by Nick Medina      5. The Summer Girl- Jenny Blackhurst      6. Repeat- Kylie Schtt     7. Unforeseen- Nick Pirog     8. The Lost Colony- Irina Shapiro     9. Run Time- Catherine Ryan Howard      Of course I will edit this list as I see fit. If you wish to read along with me, let me know. I would love to have an email conversation about these books or perhaps a chat? 

      I gave Taylor a baking soda bath and it seems to have helped some. She is still uncomfortable and irritable, but at least she isn't running a fever. I think the worse part has hit her. I just hope it goes away fast.      The ER doctor told me that it could last anywhere from 8 to 21 days. We have to follow up with the pediatrician after seven days if we see no sign of change. I would love to see her be the happy little girl that she normally is. It's heartbreaking to watch her be in pain and there's nothing I can do other than give her Tylenol or ibuprofen.      She's tucked in safely beside me and she might go to sleep in the next few minutes. Rest is always the best medicine. 

      My child was diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFM)  yesterday. This morning she woke up covered in itchy red bumps that look very painful between her toes. They prescribed some creams to help with the itchiness, but overall she is miserable and once again didn't sleep well.      Mondays are always hectic and overly tiring, but today takes the cake. On top of my regular schedule, I have to plan ahead for mom's surgery on Wednesday; which means I had to prep some substitute lesson plans. I hate missing work and it really annoys me. Mom needs me, and I will not leave her high and dry without a driver. I think making sub plans is more strenuous than actually teaching the lesson myself. I know the prep work behind the lesson is overwhelming and prepping for a whole week (just in case) has been very stressful. I hope it is a simple in/out procedure like the doctor described in his office a few weeks ago, but not everything goes to pla...

      We took an adventure this weekend and visited some of the toddler friendly places just outside of Pigeon Forge. My child absolutely loves to sit and look at animals, and getting to feed them is even better.      With Hurricane Helene being nearly a year ago, we felt that today should be a day of celebration. The ironic part was that parts of Tennessee had experienced a flash flood the day before and we could still see the aftermath of the torrential rain. The animal pens all had large collections of water at their lowest points.      A year ago today, we were terrified what all the heavy flooding would bring. We didn't have power for a few days due to downed trees. So many families out toward Bat Cave had it so much worse than us. We only had minimal damage and I'm glad we were one of the lucky families.      I can still remember thinking... when is all this rain going to stop? We had to move our animals to higher gr...

      Well, this is a current hot topic amongst my friends at the moment. Is it okay for teachers to have a group chat where they talk about work related issues? My friend has a daughter who was maliciously slandered in a group chat at neighboring school system. The chat was leaked and now all the kids are making fun of her.      My team has a group chat, but nothing unprofessional is ever posted in it. She asked me if we use one and I told her yes, but nothing is ever really posted in it. We use it for updates like: unlock phone pouches at so and so time, or student ______ needs to ride the bus. I couldn't imagine misusing our group chat for suck nonsense.      My opinion is that it can be used if used correctly!!!

    Have you ever been so into a Podcast that you literally cannot put it  down? This was my experience with this. Nikki endured so much just to reclaim her birth right name. All the secrets and hidden stories come to life in this podcast. This is so worth your time. I conquered it in two commutes and honestly if I didn't have so many chores once I got home, I could have finished this in one day.      I was captivated by how society treats people who are adopted. Nikki's struggle to annul her adoption paperwork as an adult should have been a piece of cake. Her adoptive parents should have been ashamed of what they made her live through. Where is Nikki's justice? I wonder what happened to all the adoptees who has similar stories? I hope she gets to finish out her life knowing who she is and where she's from. That since of identity is beyond important to each of us. In essence it defines who we are and how we see ourselves.       I would rate t...

    It's 3:15 AM and I'm up once again. Where would I be if I had made other choices? I have no clue, but I'm here. How would I been surviving without a purpose? The purpose I have now is what drives me each day,      It's 3:16 AM and I've been up for hours rocking, singing, and soothing my baby to sleep. She will not always need me, but today she does. Where are all the other moms right now going through the same thing? When does this cycle end? On to the next phase. Gently rocking she drifts off to sleep, can I move her without her waking?  NO      It's 3:30AM and I'm still awake holding her tightly against me to scare away all the nightmares that haunt her. Is there rest in sight?  4:00AM ---- She's out.   Uh... I have to be back up at 5. 

    It's a full moon isn't it? I have no idea if it is or isn't, but this week has been tough. My goats have been absolutely crazy along with my sassy geese. Today marks the third day in a row that I've had a rogue goat wonder off without the herd. So yeah, I'm ready for Friday!      Students change too when there is a full moon. I'm not sure what is the big shift in change at the moment, but something is brewing. Maybe it's this lovely Fall weather we are currently experiencing?      Tonight I took my daughter to a graduation ceremony and was pleasantly surprised at her behavior. She more of less stayed quiet and attentive. This is really out of character for her, but I was happy to see a change. Now we wait it out to see when she falls asleep. Will it be a two hour process or four? I hope I can make it through tomorrow without falling asleep on the job.      Well, I had to answer my own question...  The moon is currently 29 d...

     Oh honey, buckle up because  True North  by Robin Huber is one wild ride that’s as refreshing as a cold lemonade on a scorching day, but with a few spicy twists. This book knows exactly what it’s doing: dropping truth bombs like confetti and serving up life lessons with a side of sass. Robin’s voice? Sharp, witty, and unapologetically bold—like that friend who tells you the real tea without sugarcoating a thing. The story? It’s not your average “find yourself” cliché. Nope. It’s a sassy, soul-searching adventure where every page practically  smacks  you with reality and then hugs you tight like, “Girl, you got this.” If you’re looking for a motivational pep talk wrapped in charisma and a splash of attitude,  True North  is your new best friend.  So, if you’re tired of boring, safe self-help fluff, pick up this gem. Robin Huber doesn’t just point you north—she drags you there with style, sass, and a seriously fierce heart. I would ha...