Well now, this has been a week. I first heard about the "Panini Generation" while listening to Lian Dolan's "Chaos Chronicles" a few years, that generation which finds itself squeezed between caring for their children and taking care of ailing parents. This past couple of weeks, The Big Guy and I have found ourselves squarely in that press. The saving grace for us is that our children are largely independent. Still, it's not an easy place to find yourself - it's hard to see someone you love failing.
Here's What I'm:
Listening To: Hallelujah Radio on Pandora while I'm reading in bed; it's lovely, relaxing music to end my day. Hallelujah as in every version of the Leonard Cohen classic ever done plus songs by Jack Johnson, Sarah Lachlan, Elton John, Ben Harper, some new-to-me artists (including Trace Bundy and Eva Cassidy) and Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole. His version of "Somewhere Over The Radio" is one of my all-time favorite songs.
Watching: Nothing. Seriously. The television has been on but I have not been tuned into it at all this week.
Reading: I finished "reading" The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamont on audio but this past week was mostly about balancing two readalongs and A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash (which I will be reviewing this week for TLC Book Tours). I'll start listening to David R. Gillham's City of Women (thanks, JoAnn!) this week and start reading Cathy Marie Buchanan's The Painted Girls. Oh yeah, I'll also continue to read Persuasion and Les Miserable (I may never catch up enough to join the Twitter Tuesday chats but now that I've started, I'm hell bent to finish this sucker). What are you reading this week?
Making: I'm starting scrapbooks for my mother-in-law this week. She'll be moving soon to a much smaller place and I want to get her pictures and mementos into albums so she can take all of them with her. It's something I'll be doing at home but also along with her. I'm looking forward to the stories doing the albums with her will inspire.
Planning: On spending the day getting my house back in order today. Between overtime and trips out of town, I haven't been home much and it shows.
Grateful for: Do I say this every Sunday? Family. I am blessed to have wonderful in-laws I love and to have families which blend so well and are so supportive of each other.
Loving: Crooked Still which I just discovered, literally, as I was writing this post. Thanks Facebook and Jennie Shortridge for introducing me to new music!
Looking forward to: This afternoon. I know it's not looking forward very far but I've got the afternoon to myself and I'm really looking forward to a quiet house, quiet being a relative term. Given the chance to have the t.v. off and the music I want to hear on, I'm liable to have the music cranked. Always inspires me to get moving and get something done. My only question - CD's, Pandora, or iPod?
Oh, yeah, and the Winter's Respite Readathon this week hosted by Michelle of The True Book Addict!
I saw that you signed up for #winditup2013! Yay! So glad you can join us.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what's going on over there but I'm sorry for the failing comment - life can be challenging at times. Just to let us know that while we are grateful for family, love, joy... obstacles are necessary for appreciation. Isn't this what we are supposed to tell ourselves? Some days are tough though... hugs.
ReplyDeleteWhen is book club? I need to get a copy of the book and start reading it (on ipad).
I'm on my last week with my Dad... it's come with it's share of one side of the panini... that's all I'm going to say about that!
Have a great week.
That Pandora station sounds great - thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading! and scrapbooking - sounds like the process will be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteFamily is awesome! Love the picture. Hope your afternoon was amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you had success with getting your house in order. Mom and I were able to get all the fiction books shelved this weekend in my room. Woot! Now all we lack are the non-fiction, Christmas and my writing books.
ReplyDeleteHope you're still able to join me for the read-a-thon. When you start reading be sure to link up to the starting line post here: http://seasonsreading.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-winters-respite-read-thon-starting.html
Have a great week!
I really need to learn the words to Somewhere Over the Rainbow. i try to sing it to Elle but end up making up half the words. ;) I'm going to need to check out Hallelujah radio, though! Lately I've been LOVING The Lumineers album.
ReplyDeleteScrapbooks?! Fun (and overwhelming). :)
Glad you had that time to relax over the weekend as I'm sure you are back into the
ReplyDeletebusyness of life this working week. I hope you get the albums done for your mother-in-law and her move goes well. I'm imagining all sorts of things about that situation which sounds difficult, but since family is so important know you will want to be available and enjoy the family history stories the albums inspire. I'm enjoying my reading at the moment simply because I've chosen books that don't tire my brain too much but do inform and reinforce my interests.
Pandora is what I turn to for music. I need to get Marc's Senior stuff around and get his scrapbook completed too!!
ReplyDelete