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?

Wow, so I haven’t had so much fun reading a book in a long time. We all know humor is subjective, but for me, STORY OF MY LIFE by Lucy Score, was a just what I needed. Fun, sexy and it played a bit with tropes in romance since the heroine is a romance author. This book is written in first person so that will be a nonstarter for some readers. For myself, first person is an “It usually depends on the author’s skill” for me.

Right now, I’m hesitating starting another book to let that hangover feeling subside. But next, I’ll probably read the nonfiction, politically-adjacent books Wizard just finished. It involves first hand experience with the UN, and that’s something I’m happy to learn more about from someone who is has been on the ground there.

So what are you reading?

Yep the weekend happened

Saturday we went to Turbo’s game, where he got two hits and scored two runs. He also scooped up a ground ball and threw it to first. His aim was slightly off, but I was proud of the play! After that, we went to his house and where I gave him his Easter basket, then he and Wizard played with his RC truck while I had fun looking at kitchen makeover plans with Special K. My son emerged from the dungeon CPA’s live in this time of year, and told me that his clients have shared with him that they like giving their kids their inheritance while the parents were still there to watch the kids enjoy the money. I laughed and told him nice try trying trying to soak his elderly, retired parents for the kitchen renovation. Then I went right back to finding way to make my daughter in law’s new kitchen as expensive as possible.

Going back to the baseball game, I was the blazing idiot who forgot to put sunscreen on my arms before I went to the game and burned my arms burned. I’m so irritated at myself over this. I’ve been trying hard to protect my skin, and this was just dumb. Also not fun. On the upside I had a great sunscreen on my face and neck that I wear daily so I guess it could have been worse.

Just for fun, CeeGee’s mom sent me a pic of CeeGee  wearing the outfit I got her. She’s with her dad, my middle son, in this pic.  Personally, I think she pulls off that outfit fabulously, but I could be a tad biased

Sunday, I was so tired. That is also my fault because I was reading and forgot to go to sleep It’s been a long time since I lost track of time while reading, so I didn’t mind that. Anyhow, I stayed home Sunday to avoid the sun until the burn calms down. Well I did run to Target to get some aloe vera gel, which does help. Otherwise, I spent the day cleaning my pantry and searching for possible pet friendly hotels if we go on a 4th of July trip with Middle son. I’m annoyed, but not surprised, already by the prices. We’ll see what we decide to do.

That’s my weekend, how was yours?

I needed something light and funny, and this fits the bill for me: STORY OF MY LIFE by Lucy Score. Humor is so very subjective. Stuff one person finds funny another can find stupid, insulting, annoying or plain boring. But I find this book funny in this moment where I’ve been listening and reading way too serious stuff lately.

And a Wizard update, he went to Barnes and Noble alone and bought three books. I mean…weird. But I love it for him! And this slew of books looks interesting to me so it’s also a win for me But I will wait until he’s done. He bought the books so he gets first dibs on reading them.

Still…if you’d asked me years ago if Wizard would turn into a “real reader” I’d have said no — not like me. And then, like a good husband, he proved me wrong!

So what are you reading or listening to?