I Started Reading Again..

One thing that I had found that I just could not do was quiet my mind and focus on reading - until this past 6 weeks or so. Since then I have read 4 books and started on another. When I found I could actually just low down and read I logged back into my NetGalley account and requested to become an active reviewer once more.

One the first books on my shelf is The Ex's Revenge by Jo Jakeman. What started off as me reading for about an hour before I went to bed ended up becoming a read until 3 am session.  This book was an amazing read that had me saying just gonna finish this chapter, to I cant go to sleep yet - not after that

The Ex's Revenge is a wonderful read with suspense, very few predictable moments and a lot of wait did that just happen?? I enjoyed the journey Jo took me on while I followed Imogen, Naomi and Ruth through the past individual hopes and dreams and acceptance of what was instead of what should have been.

The Ex's Revenge is a tale of domestic abuse with several plot twists and a dramatic ending well deserved for all parties involved.  It is not exactly poolside reading but it is turn off the phone Friday night well into early Saturday morning read.



**I did receive this is the novel from NetGalley for my review - however, the opinions are all mine** 

Life Lately ..

I've been staring at a blank blogger page for days now.  Every time I started to blog I got called away for other things..

Its been a busy few weeks.  My job was reorganized when a key team member decided to relocate south. So I am getting a handle on the new things.

A few weeks ago I was adopted by this lil guy, meet Griffin - my long haired Maine Coon baby..

I forgot how much fun and how active kittens are.  These were taken his first day home - I think he settled in just fine.  Now days he's waking me up anywhere between 1 and 4 am for lovins.  He's so lucky he's so cute..  He's also hanging out with me in the bathroom in the morning while I am getting ready for work.

I cut more of my hair off and the pink is gone. At times I do miss the longer pink hair but this is a TON easier to deal with.

I've been going through my closets and ditching all of my clothes that are to big, no use hanging on to them plus I need closet space!! Said EVERY WOMAN .

I hit these miles stones this week:

And this is at the 10 mile mark of the 2nd part of the Alice Adventures race.. This medal is a rabbit. Looking so forward to part 3 - the Cheshire Cat!!

For the first time in a long while I read over the weekend - finished 3 books. I wasn't really on social media much. Now I am searching for my next read... whats good??? 

 What have you been up to lately? 

March Goals

Generally first on the list would be Spring cleaning and decluttering, but since we just moved that is done ... silver linings y'all!

I am working on unplugging - seems to me that I am to plugged into Facebook these days.  I'm not ditching it all together, but I do think that I may remove it from my phone thus cutting my constant checking of it.

I seem to remember a time when I only checked Facebook every few days when I got on the computer. My time used to be spent reading, working on projects and connecting with people on a 3D basis. The internet is nice to keep in touch with people who no longer live near you but it shouldn't be a substitute for ALL interactions.

My goal is to reconnect with people in real time in real life and not just on the internet. I want to read and craft. I want to get back to working out. I need to refocus on my career, sharpen my skills, develop new ones.  Be a better employee, be a better boss.

I want to work on my organization. Both at work and at home. Not having to search for things leads to more time to do other things. Besides, mentally you feel better when you have all of your shit together.  Stress levels are down when you know where things are and don't have a last minute panic when you need a particular item.

As cliche' as it is you only have one life to live people, are you living it or are you living to die??

 

Mainlining Caffeine Monday

Today is brought to you by vast amounts of Starbucks.. For some strange reason my brain decided to turn on about 1:30 am this morning and run a fucking triathlon. So I am "functioning" on 4 hours of sleep and its Monday - SHOOT ME NOW. It also happens to be the Monday when we do a huge meeting with a review of the last few weeks projects and determine if they are complete, close to completion. Usually takes a few hours and can get intense. Not something to attempt on not much sleep BUT.....

This weekend was a pretty good mix of chill and getting a few things accomplished.   Saturday night we hit up the late night showing of Gone Girl and all I can say is WOW. I had not read the book so I had no ideas going into the movie.

It is long I will tell you that. Its a little over 2 and a half hours long. We didn't get out of the theater until after 1:30 am. It is also VERY worth both the length and the cost of seeing it on the "big screen". Now I need to go get the book and read it. I have been told however, that the movie doesn't vary off the book by much at all. Stands to reason the author also wrote the screen play. In my opinion that is the best way to take a book to the screen.

The next movie I can't wait to see is Mockingjay... November will be here befor you know it!

Sunday I finished up our taxes to be mailed off - yes I know what month it is.. I filed an extension. All I can say is that 6 months FLEW by. - I also caught up on my DVR recordings - well some of them - and lounged around. Sometimes Sunday's are just for staying in sweats and holding a remote.

The next two days it is supposed to do nothing but rain, which has me wishing they were days off, in sweats cuddled in a blanket with the remote and my kindle. Gray and cold are not my favorite days and I hate having to go out when its like this out.

Whats a G-I-R-A-F-F-E

Yep this just happened, I am sitting at my desk finishing lunch when my cell phone rings - it is my mother, who is getting up there in age, she is 71, so there is no telling what the conversation will be about when I pick up the phone.

Deep breath, "hello" - "whats a G-I-R-A-F-F-E," yes she spelled it. "Uh Mom, what? Repeat that."  She proceeds to spell giraffe again. I'm thinking great, she's lost her mind and I say "uh Mom its a giraffe - you know a long legged animal you see in Africa or at a zoo."

She comes back with "Yes, I know that - but how does it relate to drugs?" "Mom how on earth am I supposed to know that and what the hell are you up to?" Apparently she's reading a new mystery book and in one chapter there is a drug deal going on and there's a giraffe mentioned.

Her theory on how I would know, and seriously you can't make this shit up - I am an executive and work in a corporation. Say WHAT?? I did say to her, yes I am and yes I do but we don't deal with drugs, I work in computers...

I then tell her I will Google the answer for her and she goes silent and stays that way for a minute - I get the idea shes waiting for me to Google it so I inform her there's no way I am Goggling that AT WORK.

Although I totally could and probably will this afternoon!

What to read after 50 Shades... and other stuff

I just finished both Seduction & Snacks and book 2 Futures & Frosting By Tara Sivec LOVED them both. Some parts of them had me laughing so hard my sides are aching. Shes got a sailors mouth as do I and when stressed says whatever comes to mind. Gavin (the 4 year old son in the book) seriously cracks me up, he says all the inappropriate things in 4 year old speak and will take on Drew (his father's best friend) in all seriousness, I do adore the fact that Drew talks to him just as he would a peer who pulls the same stuff.

Check the books out   Seduction & Snack and book 2 Futures & Frosting

Now I have to find something else to read. That is the issue with really good books, you want them to last and last and when you hit the end you feel sorta of bummed and it takes a while to find something that holds your interest.

What have y'all been reading out there that you enjoy?

Tomorrow is my Ortho appt so I can see whats going on with the knee - I am hoping to be allowed to go back to working out. I have been a titch restless (hmm who'd have ever thought that would happen) and getting stressed a lot easier without having an outlet. I need to be cleared to do something - even if its just ab work on a mat.

Friday the Hubs and I had a date night at an Italian place where everything is homemade - I do believe I ate  my weight in pasta and tirmesu  which I could happily eat and entire pan of on a daily basis and call it a day.

Saturday I puttered around the house and watched lil man and the Hubs went to my sister in law's and chilled.  Sunday was errand day and I found a new outfit at Kohl's. Tonight I am headed to the nail salon then the couch to relax and see whats on the TV.

I invite you to just drive

Over the past few weeks on my morning commute to work I have seen all of the various things listed below.. A women putting on full face makeup, a guy shaving, someone reading a novel (yes the book was splayed out on the steering wheel) a women eating a bowl of cereal and as always someone texting.

All of which have made me afraid to be driving in the lane next to them, behind them, or the scariest of all in front of them.  I understand running late - we all do so on occasion. I don't understand putting everyone else around you at risk.  Sure you have mad multitasking skills, sure your committed to being both on time and looking fab, I implore you however, to either call in late or show up less than groomed - take 2 minutes when you get to your destination and spruce up.  I'd much rather show up alive and less than perfect than a dead body that  is unrecognizable because of your distracted driving.  Texting while driving has proven to be deadly, please don't kill me because you can't stand to not text your friend back "gurl he was fine, & the jeans he wore made my tongue itch. L8ters" !  Eating while driving has been done for years, however pick something more portable - a bowl of cereal??  Lady a breakfast burrito will do more for you protein wise AND is much easier to hold and drive.  


Honestly if this is the norm for your morning commute, then take a time management course and go to bed earlier so you can wake up earlier and accomplish what you need to in the morning BEFORE setting out. Frankly you don't have the right to put everyone else on the road at risk. Put some thought into prepping before you get in a car and turn the key. You really are operating heavy machinery and should proceed with caution.