It was a decent weekend. I had a nice Mother’s Day, including a lovely breakfast with Youngest and his wife. They then came by the house so Youngest could look at the spot where I want him to build a deck. He’s going to try to do it this year which makes me so happy. Oh and they brought me a stunning purple orchid plant I’m terrified of killing   I shall research spells to keep it alive and thriving!

Also youngest daughter in law talked about a (inexpensive) girls trip. We talk about this often but don’t do it — that needs to change! Life is too short to not do it.

The downside of the weekend, Wizard is sick with a cold that’s been going through our family. Two grandkids really help spread viruses, LOL. Who knows if I’ll get it, right now I’m way more focused on Wizard — three colds in six months tells me his immune system is rundown. I seem to be doing fine, so even if I get the cold, it’ll pass in the normal fashion.

How was your weekend and Mother’s Day?

So I finished the Nikki Haley book. I did learn some things about the way the UN works. Otherwise, the book didn’t excite me much, but it was worth a read since I am interested in geopolitics.

This week, I started a book I’m loving. It’s an older young adult dystopian novel, and I’m hooked. The title is THE GIVER by Lois Lowry. I wouldn’t have found this book if I hadn’t seen it on a display table when I was waiting for my sister at Barnes and Nobles. I meant to pick it up and buy it when I left (after we had coffee there), but for various reasons that include laziness, I didn’t. I did however remember the title, and bought in on my Kindle later that night. Technology has its advantages. And we do buy a fair amount of books from B&N too, so I don’t feel too bad about that.

What are you reading?

Despite dreary, drizzling weather, we had a good weekend!

Friday, we went to play with CeeGee. Can you believe she’ll be 8 months old in four days? Time is flying! She’s at such a cute age, and we had a blast playing with her until she fell asleep on me. Both CeeGee and her parents are getting over colds, but nothing dims CeeGee’s bright happy spirit.  And aside comment here: Middle son, his wife and CeeGee are the ones we’re “camping” with in July — by camping, I’m mean they’re glamping in their amazing trailer, and we’re staying in an Inn connected to the campgrounds. That’s going to be fun to spend a bit more time with middle son doing something he really loves.

Saturday, we did a quick vacuuming of floors and headed off to Turbo’s baseball game. Turbo did great, and wow the teams defense skills are really building now. They might not get the runner out, but they’re making the correct play and that’s the whole point. At bat, Turbo ducked one pitch and his bat actually hit the ball. It was the craziest play I’ve seen, LOL. But he still got to first. I think he got one hit, and another time he walked for getting hit in the shoulder ( he was fine). While we were enjoying the game, Maggie made several friends, including one of her favorite types of people — a little girl about three years old. The new friend that cracked me up with a big tough guy who sat next to us, and pet Maggie for quite a while. She’s normally a bit more cautious with men, but clearly they had a connection.

Sunday, Wizard’s race was rained out, but he stayed home. I met Oldest son at his house. As I predicted, his wife and Turbo were still sleeping We went to breakfast. Also for the record, his wife told me at the game they’d probably stay home so I could have one on one with Oldest. I thought that was really sweet. I would have been just as happy either way, but I love her thoughtfulness. When Oldest and I returned, Turbo was up. First I watched him play a Hot Wheels Racing video game, then he wanted to show me his RC trucks, so we went outside for a while to drive those. That’s always fun! After that, I went inside to chat with Special K — and we are both obsessed with her kitchen remodel plans. Finally I left so Oldest could get a bit of work done.

All told, I must have clocked well over 300 miles of driving or riding in the passenger seat this weekend! But it was fun, and worth it.

Today, I’m meeting Biker Witch for coffee because I haven’t seen her in a while.

How was your weekend?

It really frustrates me that I read so much less than I used to read. I’m pretty sure streaming videos and podcasts are my reason, plus the reduced attention span that comes with cell phones and short videos, and possibly even age. The age part has to do with not having time for things I consider annoying or dumb anymore

What’s so stupid is there’s a lot of books I want to read, and I generally have some discipline. But somehow, reading has just fallen off my priority list. For instance, I got half way through the Nikki Haley book then just stopped for a week. Some of that was life-interruptions and those happen. But seriously, I can focus better than that!

But clearly I’m not.

I think I’m going to have to set some goals for myself. Well first I need to start a list of books I want to read, then arrange them in categories and then set goals to read X number of non-fiction and fiction books a month. Right now, I’m reading one or two books a months.

But will I do it? Maybe…I mean I really like the idea, but my follow through is a little slim when it comes to reading lately! But I do have a notebook I could use so that’s a start! (yeah, I know, a notebook is old school but that’s how I roll.)

So how’s reading going for you all?

Saturday, the electric shade was installed, and…it rained We haven’t had a chance to test it with the sunshine, but so far, we’re very happy. It started to rain half way through the installation, but they toughed it out and finished. We should have some nicer weather this week for the final review.

Talking about weather, it’s been so pretty, with interesting cloudscapes over the hills. The views are beautiful!

Saturday night we went to Youngest’s house. They made steak, cilantro rice and green beans — so good! They had some cookies for dessert and Wizard loved it all. The boys had beers, while I brought some wine for my daughter-in-law and me We had a good time. While there, youngest had a good idea for the one strip of dirt we haven’t done anything with at the very edge of our yard. I’m excited by the unique idea, and hope he’ll do it! Well I’m sure he’ll do it, but it’s a matter of when he has time to do it.

Sunday, we didn’t go to Turbo’s because he was had a playdate at a bounce house. Instead, I baked cookies for youngest because they gave me empty containers form the last time I gave them cookies and suggested I refill them. But haven’t told him yet because I haven’t felt like taking them over to him, LOL. I may get around to it on Sunday after I write this blog…or maybe I’ll drop them off today.

So how was your weekend?

I’m slowly reading Nikki R Haley’s biography, “WITH ALL DUE RESPECT.” I’m a hair under half way through.  My next biography that I plan to read sometime this year is on the other side of the aisle because I read widely depending on what catches my interest. I don’t have to agree with people to learn about them and how they think. It’s interesting to see how people’s opinions are formed, and how flexible and adaptable they are in their thinking and decision making. I especially like seeing how women navigate some of the areas like politics where men traditionally dominated.

I have set aside the book I was listening to on Gulags. It’s not bad, it’s just dry and requires a level of focus that I don’t usually give audiobooks. I really wish I’d bought it in a hardcopy. Next up on my audio listening lineup is “THE GUILTY ONE” by Kiersten Modglin. I don’t think I’ve ever read this author, so we’ll see. I listen to so many podcasts now, it’s seriously cutting into my audiobook time!

What are you reading or listening to?

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

We had a grandkids weekend!

Saturday, Turbo and his mom came out. We had a great time! We went to lunch, Wizard began teaching Turbo to drive RC racecars (it’s different than his RC truck). After that we went to the park to play baseball and soccer, and Maggie was thrilled to go too. Everyone but Turbo was worn out after that, LOL! Still charged up, Turbo was examining Wizards Lego Ship he’s building and discovered the solution to a problem Wizard was having. Turbo is something of a Lego’s expert, and also, he has younger eyes that could distinguish between red and orange on the directions We really appreciated Special K bringing Turbo out, and we loved spending the day with her too! I love that she will go out of her way to support our bond with Turbo.

We also got regular updates from Turbo’s Dad and Uncle Youngest — they are having a blast on their trip. I’m quite sure they are decompressing after surviving another tax season. Although, Oldest did send out an alert that the hotel is charging $25.00 per person to use their gym (all my son are obsessed about committed to working out.)

Sunday, we didn’t do a big thing celebrating Easter. Instead, we went out in the morning to visit CeeGee (granddaughter) and her parents.  She was wearing her very first Easter outfit her other Grandma got her and she looked so cute.  CeeGee is just getting more and more fun now. She sits, plays, smiles and chats. She also loves to bounce and is getting super busy– that’ll girl is going to be on the go soon! Wizard and I were playing with her on the floor in her room, and I knew the second her dad came in behind me. CeeGee’s entire face lights up and she gets super happy when she see him. It’s so sweet to see as Middle’s mom. The only bummer is my daughter in law is battling a cold, which they had told us beforehand. Although even while sick, my daughter in law found an Inn for us to hopefully stay at over the 4th of July at a much better price than anything my two days of searching hotels could find! I just need to verify we can get a downstairs room for Wizard and I’ll book it!  Then we beat the worst of the traffic. By the time we got home, the other side of the freeway and the road out of our city were gridlock. That also gave us the rest of the day to relax a little.

How was your weekend and Easter?