You know what I forgot? How impatient I am while waiting for others to do their jobs so I can make decisions This is zero reflection on the person I’m waiting for, but a 100% a reflection on me — yep, still impatient!!! Another example, after discussing my choice with a few people including my tech savvy (she worked in the industry) I realized I need to slow down and do a bit more research…and maybe grow up, LOL????

Okay, now onto reading. For myself, I’m slow-reading THE BETWEEN OCEANS by M. L. Stedman. So I read the first few pages and right off didn’t care for the narrator. I set the book down for a week, then I picked it back up one evening when I was bored and started enjoying it. The narrator grew on me in an unexpected way. I don’t feel a need to consume the book, if anything, it has a lyrical flow that I feel should be experienced in slower bites.

That’s all I’m really reading at the moment, how about you?

Happy Reading Wednesday!

It seemed like a busy weekend…

Friday, we looked at laptops, and I think I know what I want (we will both use it). We happened to get lucky, and talk to a really knowledgeable guy who really outlined pros and cons and spent as much time as we needed even though we made it clear we were not buying at that moment. I love good customer service. We will make a decision this week or next week. We also stopped by my hair saloon so I could make another hair appt for the end of the month.

Saturday I took Youngest his brownie cookies. When I pulled up to his house, he was in the garage working on the frames for our new deck. I was surprised he was already working on it! At this pace, it’ll be done in a few weeks. Later, we were in his backyard, and I saw him getting antsy. I told him to go work, I’m hanging out and talking to his wife and mom in law. He happily returned to his man cave AKA garage. Then I stayed like another hour and half chatting with them while he worked on my deck. That sounds fair right? LOL! We appreciate all he’s doing, and he really enjoys doing it.

That afternoon, he brought the frame over to our house. Maggie was thrilled to see him! We got the frame safely stored, and talked for a while.

Sunday, Wizard and I went to breakfast, then we (mostly me) moved a bunch of rock to begin prepping the dirt area where the frame will go, then Wizard went with Youngest and Wife to watch some local car racing. Now…Wizard’s thinking about racing the Shelby. It looks like a fun thing, not a dangerous one, so I’m okay with it. But I kind of doubt he will, I mean the Shelby isn’t allowed out of the garage if the weather isn’t perfect. Even light fog or a stray could keeps the car grounded where the elements can’t touch it. So, yeah, I doubt he’ll race it!

The rest of the day was normal stuff and gathering info to ask my web guru for a quote. I’m also trying to learn about 10 new things, and suffering from trying to do too many things at once. So all is normal here. I’ll learn in time.

Oh and I haven’t murdered any plants this week! That’s always a win.

How was your weekend?

We are having a pretty decent thunder storm as I write this on Tuesday evening. Unfortunately, I took Maggie to boarding for the night as Wizard’s having a minor procedure this morning. She’s terrified of thunder and I hope she’s okay. I’m such a dog mom, LOL, and really fretting about her. Hopefully she’s okay.

You know what I’m not doing? Reading many books right now. I’m mainly reading research stuff online, mostly. However I did finish Rebecca Yarrow’s THE LAST LETTER. Wowzer, she had a twist at the end that I did not see coming. Serious warning: If anyone is thinking about reading this book and is looking for a traditional romance only, don’t read this book. This book has a romance, but it’s also a heartbreaker and the sad stays with you. I loved it, and have been thinking about it this week. But it’s not for every romance reader.

I also have been listening to the nonfiction book, THE POWER OF REGRET by Daniel H Pink. I heard him on a podcast and he caught my interest, which  is how I impulse buy of books these days :-). I mainly listen to that when I’m cleaning, otherwise I’m listening to podcasts.

What are you reading or listening to? Is anything new or different catching your interest?

Happy Wednesday!!

Happy first Monday of June!! Now let’s talk about the weekend.

I can’t remember Friday, LOL! Oh wait, I found the memory! I worked out, cleaned and played around with my blog ideas. And with that, I really thought about what my regrets are, the time I took off once I stopped writing to find my joys outside of writing and my family, and I really concentrated on forming a clearer picture of what my goals are now. So yep, that was Friday and the pondering continued through the weekend and beyond…so that’s a work in progress I also had fun with using AI as a tool for feedback. I love the logic of it. AI is not where I look for emotion for the heart of my story or ideas, nor where I go for writing. But it’s a fun and useful tool.

Saturday was a good day. Youngest and his wife came over. Youngest measured and estimated the cost of the deck in the back he’s going to build for us. Once we revived Wizard after his heart stopped — he agreed. Nah, just kidding. Wizard had already mentally estimated the costs, and just played the outraged dad for fun. We all chatted, then youngest just had to drive the Mustang with Wizard and that, somehow, turned into a trip to the hobby store. They were gone awhile, and that gave my daughter in law and I a chance to talk. I loved have that hour and a half with her!  Later that day, Youngest sent me a picture of the wood he’d brought. I’m not sure of the timeline, but I’m guessing soon!

Saturday evening, we drove out to CeeGee’s to celebrate Middle’s birthday. CeeGee woke up for a nap right after we got there, and guys, you’ll be so proud of me — I didn’t run in to get her! I let Wizard do it since he hasn’t seen her in a while. See, I can be a good wife sometimes! Wizard brought her out, and she was still half asleep. But then she saw me and her face lit up with a big grin. I loved it! She also had a ton of fun with Grandpa, but that moment when she saw me was one of those fleeting special moments that I tried to mentally capture and cherish.

We all went out for Italian food, where in Wizard got his second shock at the bill.  Bwhahaha!  There is only so much a retired account’s heart can take! The dinner was good, I tried wild boar in a wine reduction sauce with gluten free noodles. I liked it as something different, and am willing to try other versions of wild boar. All the other had lasagna and loved it. Daughter in Law brought a truly lovely bottle of wine too. We also shared some chocolate mousse dessert as well.

Sunday Wizard raced, I did stuff. The day was quiet and peaceful.

How was your weekend?

TGIF!! Friday is here and it’s time to share five random things about our week. Let’s get started!

1. This has been a nice week for me — calm. I’ve been mostly home, just running around in town doing normal things. I love the weeks when I feel like I can catch my breath.
2. Turbo’s last day of school was yesterday. He’s done with first grade and on his way to second. Time sure moves faster when we’re grandparents! Turbo is also going to Canada on a family vacation soon — the boy travels more than I ever have! What cracked me up is when I was talking to Oldest about his trip, he was most excited about unlimited time to play with his son. I approve of his priorities.
3. So I’ve been kicking around an idea — that’s not writing a book Today I did a little research and also snagged a domain name. But will I follow through…that’s unclear Right now, it’s a fun project to think about, and that has it’s own value.
4. I need to reach out to some friends. Procrastination Jen is, well, procrastinating. You know, I keep waiting for life to give me the updated schedule with some stuff, and that’s just dumb. I think it’s better to make plans with friends and force life to go around us!
5. Yesterday was Middle Son’s birthday. He’s such a joy to us and I’m so proud of him! Saturday, we are going out there, and taking him, his wife and CeeGee to dinner to celebrate. I’m really looking forward to spending time with them, and then again on a mini vacation on July 4th.

That’s my five, now it’s your turn to share!!!  I hope you guys all have an amazing weekend!

So Wizard gave our daughter-in-law (CeeGee’s mom) a book, and now she blames him for igniting her love of reading Before this, she was an  occassion reader, but now she’s hooked. Which is awesome for me, because she loaned me a couple of hers that she loved. And we get to talk about books!

Right now I’m reading THE LAST LETTER  by Rebecca Yarrow and loving it! It’s fully of tragedy and hope, and involves a sick child (I mention that as a caution for those who don’t want that story line in their reading entertainment). I think it’s a cross between romance and women’s fiction. I’m about 3/4’s of the through it and look forward to reading it when I can.

On Audio, I have BUTCHER & BLACKBIRD by Brynne Weaver. It’s about two serial killers who fall in love. So…different and a little funny for the who can occassionally be a little dark and twisted like me. However I’m not so engaged that I’m rushing through it. In fact, at times, I get tired of it and switch to podcasts.

What are you reading or listening to?

I want to take a moment to remember all those who have served our county. Today many of us have BBQs and parties to celebrate life. But I think it’s important to take a second and remember those who paid the ultimate price so that we can live and celebrate. So to all those who have served, those who were wounded or lost their lives, and to all their families: THANK YOU. It matters to me, it always has and it always will.

Now for the weekend — all went well.

Friday, while I cleaned, Wizard took Maggie to get a bath and picked up something I needed from the grocery store. He really pitched in so that I could have a little time to repot a plant I’ve had for a week now

Saturday, I made apple pie. Biker Witch and Hubby came later in the afternoon and it was great to see them. We had Balsamic Flank Steak, Lemon Greek Chicken, Cilantro Lime Rice, fresh fruit that Biker Witch brought and pie with ice cream. The best part was just getting to talk and hang out. I nixxed the idea of inviting others so that we could just have some time together. When my kids or Biker Witch’s kids show up, it’s a blast but hard to relax and just visit. Next time, I’ll invite others.

Sunday, Wizard went racing, I worked out, then took my shoes back to the mall, and came home with two more pairs of shoes and two pairs of shorts. A 40% sale motivated me, LOL. Hopefully everything fits, or I’ll be making the trek back. In shoes, I’m focusing on casual, comfortable, and affordable sandals. Other than my walking shoes (which are very pricy but worth it) I live in sandals for 6 to 8 months of the year. I try to find some support to protect my feet as best I can. Walking so much–often 2 or more miles a day–can take a toll over time.

Today, I’m not sure what we’re doing. But since we had our fun Saturday, I’d be fine staying home and doing regular stuff.

How was your weekend?