Sunday, June 21, 2015

Life: It Goes On - June 21

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there and those who have served as father figures to the children who need them. The Big Guy asked only for the kids to help him with some yard work so they got out early this morning and got that done before it got to hot. We've just finished up his Father's Day "dinner" of BLT sandwiches (with fresh picked tomatoes, although sadly not from my own garden yet), macaroni salad, and strawberry shortcake. Heavy on the carbs but we were all in the mood for summer foods.

We were down one child - Mini-me left very early this morning for the Juniper Writer's Workshop in Amherst, Massachusetts. He'll spend a week there participating in workshops, craft sessions, and readings. I so wish I could be a fly on the wall! I'm so proud of him for being selected and excited for this adventure for him.

Happy Father's Day to my dad!

This Week I'm:

Listening To: More than half way through The Book of Night Women and absolutely loving it. Also catching up on Gretchen Rubin's "Happier" podcast. Every episode has one tip that listeners should try and one of the tips I listened to last week to make yourself happier was to quit reading books that aren't making you happy. Something I'm not good at but I'm going to try to remember that I need to do it to make myself happier.

Watching: We're catching up on "Game of Thrones" - BG and I had only seen the first episode of Season 5 and Mini-him hadn't seen any of them. BG, Miss H and I watched "Gone Girl" last night. BG is still fuming about the ending! I thought it was fairly well done, although I question a couple of the casting choices and I thought the ending was a little flat.

Reading: I finished Misery - grisly, to be sure, but also a terrific mind game. I started Emily St. John's
Station Eleven which I am really liking and will have a hard time not reading at the expense of housework.

Making: See above. Nothing much else exciting. I really have been uninspired in the kitchen of late.

Planning: We've got a couple of weekend trips in the works and I'm wanting to get my office painted so the rest of the decorating can get done. Miss H gave me a couple of jars that will be perfect for the scheme I have planned; they've inspired me to get back to it.

Grateful for: Air-conditioning - it has gotten hot here and this old girl does not tolerate the heat well any more.

TCU Horned Frogs versus Vanderbilt Commodores
Enjoying: Watching the College World Series - on television and in person. We were cheering for the TCU Horned Frogs but they are sadly out of the finale.

Feeling: Tired. I wish I had more to show for it!

Looking forward to: Didn't get to have book club last week so we'll try again this week.

14 comments:

  1. oh, the darn heat! I hate to complain about the weather. So I'll just be inside with a book... (I wish, actually I'm having a hard time reading, too! ugh)
    LOVE the photo collage of you and Dad. Very nice.

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    1. I was stuck with my reading, too, until "Misery" and then lately I've been reading one good book after another. Helps to have a couple weeks where I can pick whatever I want to read.

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  2. Ahhhh, I loved Station Eleven so much. I say go on and ignore the housework...it's a quick read. :)

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    1. Yes, yes - I'm thinking it's maybe my first five-star review of the year. Loved the way she had all of those story threads and tied everything together.

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  3. It sounds like you had a very nice Father's Day, Lisa. I hope your son had a fun time writing workshop. I'd be quite proud of him in your shoes too. :-)

    I am glad you are enjoying Station Eleven. I hope to read that at some point this year.

    I hope you have a great week, Lisa! I am just hoping we all stay healthy at this point.

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    1. Good health would be nice! It's terrible to be sick in the summer - the only saving grace is that you can go sit out in the sun and it always feels so good. If it's not raining!

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  4. Oooh...the Happier podcast sounds good...even though I already listen to too many podcasts! Might have to add that one.

    And I am dying to read Station Eleven! I have heard so many wonderful things about it.

    Just wanted to remind you that it is summer again....and time for another Big Book Summer Challenge! I hope you enjoyed it last year and will consider joining the fun again!

    Sue

    2015 Big Book Summer Challenge

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    1. Oh, yeah, I'm definitely in on the Big Book Summer Challenge! I just caught up with Game of Thrones and I'm thinking it's time to read the books so that would be perfect!

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  5. It's funny how almost everyone had issues with the Gone Girl ending. Both my husband and I wanted a better conclusion for that book. But the rest of the ride was amazing. Hope you have a great week!

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    1. I'm not sure what way it could've ended that would have been better for me - I couldn't really cheer for either of them to come out the "winner."

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  6. I love the Dad photos your shared!!

    Yes. AC is a blessing right now. I swear. It's been so hot and dry and my yard is currently so crispy. If it makes it through the summer with only 20 min or water per week (restrictions) it will be a miracle. I am so sad about it because we have a 1/4 acre and if it dies, it's not going to be easy to put back in again. Lots of trees and shrubs.

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    1. Ack - I so wish someone could figure out how to get some of the water from us (or Texas!) and move it your way!

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  7. It's gotten hot here too and getting hotter yet this week. We'll be kicking on our AC as well or this old girl will wilt away as well. lol.

    Love the pics of you and your dad. I never even thought of posting one of me and my dad. Duh.

    I really enjoyed Station Eleven although it's been a while since I listened to it. I have so many books to write some mini reviews on. I liked Gone Girl, the book better than the movie. The whole movie really fell flat for me. It was good but not great.

    Oh well here goes another week right. Hope yours is great Lisa!

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    1. Book of Gone Girl was definitely better. Some of that is just being able to build things up more, really get the feel for what's going on.

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