HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE! I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend and were still able to keep up with some of your usual traditions (despite everything), or maybe even make new ones? I’d love to hear about it!!
P.S. ALSO STILL ON ➔➔➔ TWO FREE MONTHS KINDLE UNLIMITED DEAL!!! <— If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s your chance. 😲👏👏👏
Three things:
1.) I totally crashed yesterday. I usually make this list on Sunday nights, but I just wanted to read last night (I didn’t have the energy for much – and reading felt cozy), so here I am, starting the list now, early in the morning. However the list is officially late, ’cause I usually have it posted AND complete by now. *sigh*
2.) I had a pretty good weekend in regards to life in general – despite the current state of the world. Though to be honest, I moped hard. This was my strongest moping session yet. I didn’t watch anything good (didn’t even try), I didn’t post fun blog posts, I barely interacted with the online world in general. BUT I did read, and I DID cook because…
3.) I finally went grocery shopping at 8am (when they opened) on Saturday. I hadn’t been in 4 or 5 weeks!! But I was officially out of some stuff I truly wanted and it was time to venture out. I was hoping to get there before anyone else, but while it wasn’t crazy, it was still pretty busy and full. I did get everything I wanted including eggs, and CHEESE!!! 😀
LOOK WHAT JUST WENT LIVE !!!
- The Rogue by J.R. Ward <— RE-RELEASE BY J.R. WARD!! “…Madeline’s been burned enough in the past to know better, but Spike is the only man that has caught her eye time and time again. For some reason, he’s determined to avoid her, but when she desperately needs help to ward off her scheming family, Spike is the one at her side. And even though he says they can only be friends, his actions tell a very different story…”
- Born of Mist and Legend (Highland Legends Book 3) by Kat Bastion
- Prison Princess: Paranormal Prison by CoraLee June and Rebecca Royce
- Conspiracy To Murder (The Finnegan Connection Book 2) by Heather Graham
- The Experiment by Megan Hart <— MEGAN HART ALERT!! “…A thousand dollars is a lot of money, so Melissa and Matt agree to a special Psych Department experiment. What begins with handholding is meant to lead them toward more, but can science prove love? Or is it the other way around?”
- The Beast (Wicked Villains Book 4) by Katee Robert <— DARK ROMANCE ALERT!! “…Once upon a time, I fell in love with two men. Their feelings for me were matched only by their hatred for each other. Gaeton, with his brash charm and casual cruelty. Beast, his lust equal to his penchant for violence. Being with them was sinful and perfect in different ways. In the end, I couldn’t choose, and I lost them both…”
- Easy Rumba: A Boudreaux Universe Novel Part of: Easy Reunion: by Anna Edwards <— SINGLE MOM & NOW HE’S HER PARTNER ON A DANCE SHOW… “…Elise Landry is friends with Gabrielle Boudreaux, they bonded over their single parent status. She’s a divorced actress forced out of Hollywood when she split from her more famous husband. But when she’s given the chance to resurrect her career on a famous dance show, she does so on one proviso, she’s partnered with the man who she grew up with and hasn’t seen in fourteen years...”
- Sexy Dirty Cowboy by Elle Thorpe
- THEODORE: A Maverick’s Hollow Novel (Eagle Ridge Cowboys Book 1) by Crimson Syn
- Nowhere to Hide by Lisa Jackson and Rachel Lee
- One Last Time: Andino + Haven – A Companion by Bethany-Kris <— Note: One Last Time is a 16k novella companion to the Andino + Haven duet. It is not and should not be read as a standalone.
- Coop: A Reed Security Romance by Giulia Lagomarsino
- Defuse (Infernal Council Book 2) by Maya Nicole
- Long Tall Texans: Rodrigo (Long, Tall Texans) by Diana Palmer
- Dark Kings: A Paranormal Romance (Feathers and Fate Book 1) by Sadie Moss <— REVERSE HAREM!!
- An Unsuitable Lady for a Lord by Cathleen Ross
- Catch My Heart (Stanislaskis) by Nora Roberts
- BOUND: A Dark, Mafia, Enemies-to-Lovers, MF Romance by Serena Akeroyd <— THE COP & THE LEADER OF A STREET GANG ALERT!! “…Apart? They’re a nightmare waiting to happen. Together? The world will burn. It’s in everyone’s best interest that the undercover cop turned rogue and the leader of Los Lobos, a notorious street gang in NYC, don’t fall for each other, but that’s love for you—it hits right where you least expect it…”
- Mr. McCall’s Contract: A Dark Romance Novella by Nova Edwins
- Corrupt Kingdom: A Standalone Enemies-to-Lovers Romance by Ava Harrison
PREORDERS (going live soon!!! 😀 )
- Madam Temptress (The Magnolia Duet Book 2) by Meghan March – April 14th 2020
- Sunrise on Half Moon Bay Robyn Carr – April 14th 2020
- Dante’s Circle Reborn by Carrie Ann Ryan – April 14th 2020
- Finding Forever: A Treading Water Novel by Marie Force – April 14th 2020
- Southern Comfort (The Southern Series Book 2) by Natasha Madison – April 14th 2020
- The Unwanted Challenge (Empath Found Book 2) by Colette Rhodes – April 15th 2020
- Glass Hearts (Awaken My Heart: Corinne and Vance, Book One) by Danica Raimz – April 16th 2020
- Do Me a Favor: A sizzling, second chance rom com! (Mile High Matched Book 4) by Christina Hovland – April 17th 2020
- Kodiak Lumberjack (An Odds-Are-Good Standalone Romance Book 5) by Katy Regnery – April 20th 2020
- Wild for You (Hot Jocks Book 6) by Kendall Ryan – April 20th 2020
➔➔➔ Get Maryse’s Book Blog updates delivered by email (you’ll get one daily email that will have each post from that day consolidated on it).
Morning! My household is still quiet, but should be bustling soon. I had an ok weekend. I did a big, spur of the moment thing that’s taking me waves of getting used to. I’m ridiculously tense and can’t seem to just relax, I’ll get there though. I can’t say what it is yet, till I feel like myself again, also I’m superstitious and don’t wanna jinx anything. Soon, hopefully.
1. Easter was meh. I loved not rushing off anywhere or getting anyone ready, but kids were in a mood, I was in a mood.
2. The strawberry pasta salad was a hit! Recipe: 1lb bow tie pasta, cook and cool, slice 1 lb strawberries and put in a big bowl, along with 1 cup feta cheese, 2-3 cups arugula, salt, 1/4cup of Balsamic glaze and 1/4 cup olive oil. Add pasta, stir it all up and voila!
3. Back to routine today. Straightening up some things and getting back on track. Last week was SO lax, it was the best week yet. I pray this new normal is gentler on me than before.
I totally know how you feel. This was a weekend where I DID NOT feel like myself at all. It was a good weekend, but I wasn’t motivated, or that creative (though I DID clear out my whole pet-stuff area). Dogs and Birdy sure have a ton of stuff and it was getting chaotic.
I’m tired of being creative and doing projects and things. I want to not think about them, but at the same time, I feel like I’m slacking and guilty for not doing anything. And it’s happier all around when we do do stuff, lol. No win situation.
I was hoping I’d feel creative today, but I’m still in slow motion. Though I am cooking and that is something. I want to start planting seeds and truly prepare my garden (I bought everything for it) but it’s like… I can’t muster up enough energy to set it up once and for all.
It will happen though. So I’m not too discouraged. I’m just going with my flow right now which is half-level creativity/productivity compared to what I usually am.
And come to think of it, here’s my issue.
I’m productive and I’m creative when I’m… happy. And it’s not that I’m unhappy, because so far so good in my life and you guys, and my mom and loved ones. We’re okay. We have what we need. And we’re not alone, even for those of us that are isolated alone right now… we have ALL of us together (and my mom on the side for me 😉 via Facetime). How lucky I am, right? YES.
So honestly, I’m happy. But there’s something not so freeing right now about my mental state, where I feel like I’m mostly… hunkered down, and doing what HAS to be done, but not doing anything more elating than that.
So I’m happy, but I’m not THAT “I’m free and full of energy, and can’t decide what to start next because I want to do it all” happy… you know?
I always tell everyone, when I’m working on projects (example, gardening, or crafts), or when I’m organizing and cleaning up a storm, or when I’m here making lists, and blogging my heart out?
I’m SO FREAKING HAPPY. That’s how you know.
For now I’m “just” happy… 😉
I know exactly what you mean. This is normal for me. I never leave my house anyway and when I do, I do curbside. My husband also works from home so nothing’s really changed. BUT something about not having a choice makes it feel “less” and “just” like you said. I haven’t been able to write and even reading’s been a struggle. Honestly the only thing my mind can focus on is solitaire on my computer. I should probably uninstall it!
But if it’s soothing you… then what’s the harm? My mom plays it at night too, after work (she works in an IGA so you can imagine how much “nothing time” she needs).
For me, my crutch right now is reading non stop everything I can find ON this virus, and shopping for strange stuff like your husband is doing. There’s something so soothing in finding a new “need” and fulfilling it. I just received a ton of gardening books (and container gardening) to keep my heart content!
I’m reading alright. But it’s a whole new kind of reading. LOL!!!
It’s definitely soothing *while* I’m doing it but then the lack of productivity gives me anxiety. I need to find a happy medium.
This is something giving me anxiety too right now. The whole ordering and where from.
I needed something and went to Amazon…..but just couldn’t. I am still doing digital content but couldn’t do physical and so went to Target.
Dont get me wrong if it is something I need right now I’d give up those anxieties and order it probably.
But it took up hours going back and forth with this. Beyond Amazons practices right now that I question I then think maybe I should support smaller businesses through ordering, but I dont know.
And my retirement already took a hit. I’m not too worried about that when the economy comes back it should too, but still. 🤪
I truly believe your retirement will fix itself and WAY more in the future. We have so much time for that still… it will come back. Patience on that, for now.
Just don’t look at it for now. Stay the course. Slow and steady.
It’s the lack of choice, usually I can hermit with the best of them. Like to just go for a walk on a beautiful spring day and get a coffee and muffin….heaven right now.
And our routines have changed so much. Maybe for the good. Maybe (likely!!) in our slow-down, we’ll learn new things, or change our priorities, discover ourselves. But it’s still all pretty new, and everything has changed significantly so it’s like… we’re in limbo. And our regular comfort is not there like it was.
In some way, we’re learning all over again.
As much as I love living in a city, I’m very happy to be out in the country right now. I can’t imagine what it would be like to go through this in a condo without outdoor space.
Your strawberry salad is EXACTLY my style!!!!
So simple and yummy!
Our Easter was a bust (except for the appreciating it for what it truly is). Hubs picked up an extra shift at work, and I ate a cheese sandwich. As soon as we can do a good grocery run (and by “we,” I mean son #1), I’m going to make my normal Easter spread. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks.
Tasha–I love that strawberry salad recipe! I had it at a restaurant one time and it was SO good! I love anything that has balsamic on it, especially balsamic glaze. Too bad it stinks up the house when I make it. And if I want to have it my favorite way–on roasted brussels sprouts–I have to wait until no one’s going to be here or I never hear the end of it about the smells.
I’ve not noticed a smell, must be the sprouts? I’m not making them again for a while either bc lord was there a stink last time I made them. The smell, the look, the taste. 😂🙄
Tasha–it’s just the general strong vinegar smell from when you’re reducing the balsamic. (I have a picky family.) But if I want it badly enough, I’ll darn sure make it!
Oh, I bought it in a bottle. I didn’t know u could reduce balsamic…..
I’m such a cooking newbie sometimes! The recipe online linked one to Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Roland-Foods-Balsamic-Glaze-Ounce/dp/B008L0X0SA/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2IBAR09VZ5EKT&dchild=1&keywords=balsamic+glaze&qid=1586808319&sprefix=Balsamic+gla%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-6 so I got it there after googling if glaze and vinegar were different (if I absolutely needed a glaze) and turns out they are for what I wanted it to taste like, so I thought, either my store won’t carry it or I’ll spend forever trying to find it and just ordered it.
Nay!!
I’m with you. As soon as this frees us again, I am totally making corned beef and cabbage and drinking a few green beers with my boyfriend. We totally missed that, this year, and I’m counting the days. St. Patricks is simply “late” for me. 😉
That salad sounds fantastic! We can get the best strawberries right now from our farmer’s market and I found a recipe for pork with a strawberry sauce I plan to try next week. https://bit.ly/2V5xr8j
Oh my, this recipe sounds like something I’d like! I have most everything too…wish it was an oven recipe where I could just plop it in whole and do the sauce however or crockpot. I don’t do a lot of stovetop cooking with meats unless I’m browning, making burgers or sausages. Any ideas how to modify?
Just roast a whole tenderloin. Get pork tenderloin (the long skinny one) though and not pork loin which isn’t *as* forgiving if you overcook it. I suggest browning it first in a skillet then sticking it in the oven whole. I cook mine to about 145 and let rest (about 20 minutes in the oven for a 1 pound tenderloin). I want a little pink in the middle. For well done, I’d probably cook to 155. And sometimes if I cut into it and it’s too pink for me, we’ll just toss slices back in that same skillet for a minute, but it’s rare that that happens. I tend to accidentally overcook mine more often than not.
FYI, pork tenderloin is fantastic with bottled raspberry chipotle sauce from the grocery store too!
And then add the sauce after or cook it with?
I would do the sauce separately, then add it to the browning pan (if you brown the pork) after you strain it but before you add the cornstarch. If you don’t brown it, I’d just make the sauce separately and set aside until the pork is done.
Ok, I’m gonna try it and let you know! Thanks.
Thank you for including your recipe for the strawberry pasta salad…it’s sound fantastic!!
Good morning and happy Monday!
Maryse–wanted to mention, in case you haven’t seen it, that Audible is having a $5 sale until the 16th at 11:59 pm.**
https://www.audible.com/ep/transporting-listens-sale?ref=a_ep_transp_c4_tab1&pf_rd_p=b0832686-247c-40b3-82cf-d873fc73b980&pf_rd_r=BA3SBW6Z3WYW89KH34SW
There are are about 320 titles (18 are Spanish), and I’m seeing some good ones, like My Oxford Year (great audio book!), The Hating Game, The Orphan’s Tale, Far from the Madding Crowd, The Kingmaker’s Daughter, Wolfsong, Joyland, The Secrets She Keeps, Dear Wife, The Butterfly Garden, Keep Her Safe, Rhapsodic, Lying Next to Me (I love all of Gregg Olsen’s audios), and so many others. There aren’t many romance, but almost 100 of them are mystery/thrillers and there are also some great fantasy titles.
**If you have KU, just make sure to check that you can’t get the audio book for 1.99 or even free. I’m already seeing several that I’ve gotten for free with KU in the past.
Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!
Thanks Nay!! I’ll have to check this out!
OMG THANK YOU NAY!!!!!! I’m going through the list as we speak. This makes me so happy!! 😀
I’m planning to buy any that I can’t get through the library. And, sorry! I didn’t realize you have to be a member of audible to participate, but I reckon that if you look through them and see a bunch you want, it might be worth it to join for a month, or if you haven’t used the free trial, now could be a good time!
My books came!! Beach Read, I’m coming for you….even if I have to take a drive to do it.
Oh that one looks really good, Tasha!
I can’t wait for Beach Read but Julia Whelan is narrating the audio so I’m waiting. I swear she makes every book she reads better!
I do love her!! Especially as a writer!! 😀
I’ll read anything she writes!
Happy Monday!
1. I dropped my phone in the hot tub last night but my husband saved it with the rice I’m supposed to make for dinner. Then he saved the rice. I don’t know how I feel about hot tub phone rice. I suppose I could wash it! 😬😂
2. Assuming I save the rice, we’re having chicken katsu for dinner. I got hooked on it when we lived in Hawaii and every once in a while I crave it.
3. Our dog groomers are all closed right now and Alice is a mess. I’m going to google options but I’m wondering if I can condition her to try to comb her out? She had long hair before our trip and now it’s really long and beginning to mat.
OH NO TO THE PHONE!! Here’s hoping. And I like that the rice can be washed and saved. 😉
Speaking of Hawaii… I AM ADDICTED to Spam!! HOLY MOLY. I have never had that before until earlier this week when all I had was two eggs left, and no bacon and I was dying for a nice traditional breakfast.
But I DID have bacon-flavored Spam, so I sliced off a few pieces, fried it all together with over-easy eggs and OMG DELICIOUS!!!!!
So bad for me though… so I will not open another can until emergency. 😉
I never tried it when we were there. I did get hooked on Portuguese sausage though. And guava juice. And eating rice with every meal!
Around here, there are a bunch of mobile groomers. You may want to check that out.
I will. We were just talking about that being a possibility!
R, don’t laugh but I’ve become quite handy with the dog clippers. I’ve groomed one of my girls and have one more to groom next weekend. Obviously, their groomer does a much better job than me…but it will tide them over until the “world” reopens. Even funnier will be what happens when the clippers arrive for my husband and sons later this weeke….I’m not trimming their hair….no way but my husband wanted me to order clippers for them. They’ll have to do it themselves. I’m scared to death of messing it up! The dogs …no worries…husband and sons….not in a million years!!
My husband did my root 4 weeks ago…did a great job. Yesterday, I asked him to trim the back bottom half…not so good…looks like mushroom cut. As I write this, he’s looking at youtube videos to know how to fix it. I feel like I’m in a John Cleese skit… 🙂
Oh no!!! I’m used to going ages without a cut/color but my husband’s having a fit. I’m trying to get him to use headbands Shawn Mendes style. He’s not having it though! 😂 Granted, he’s 60!
Tell him to lean into the new look. Own it.
😂 😂 😂
LOL!!! But it’s nice he tried. 😉 And trying to fix it. *giggle* 😛
What kind of dog clippers do you use? I may try this! I’d prefer not to have anyone at the house if I can avoid it.
After his walks, husband gives me the low down on how people are looking…kinda unusual but he talks about the bad hair cuts & hair colour…sometimes even he is stunned. Sort of like a bad art gallery…
😂
Good morning, everyone.
I’m with you all. I’m in a funk too. This social distancing thing sucks. I made a big traditional spread yesterday. Sort of. We didn’t have potatoes. *blink, blink* Then took all the kids to my mom’s house to deliver her a plate on her porch. It sucks…it’s the first time my mom has seen my kids in a month, she is missing them hard core, she hasn’t gone more than a weekend without seeing them since they were born, (except when we’ve been on vacation…) so this has been horrible. But she’s medically fragile, so we did a visit from the opposite side of her yard. So depressing.
I’ve actually been reading a fair amount and cleaning more than ever…throwing tons of crap away. That’s my best coping mechanism at the moment. LOL.
What is everyone else reading this week…or today even? I’ve been averaging a book a day or every other day…
I am not necessarily unhappy now, but I’m not “happy” either. I’m unsettled, out of sorts, and generally discontent. I am a natural social distancer and introvert, and I have been training for this all my life…until it’s become a mandated reality. If I got shoved out of my house right now and into the world, I’d probably stand there blinking, not knowing what I’d want to do anyway, but I guess I like having the choice. Can’t focus on reading. It’s taken me 3 weeks to finish a book. Ridiculous!! All I wanted when life was different was to have more time to read. Now that I have it – well, apparently the grass is always greener and all those other trite sayings!!! I think it’s mostly the unknowns that have me so on edge. I am lucky and ever so grateful that I have a job I can do from home, that I even still have a job, that I have what I need and mostly what I want when I want it. I haven’t been really inconvenienced. I am blessed beyond belief, but I also know it could be taken away at any moment. What if I lose my job? What if I can’t pay my bills? What if this goes on for months and months? What if I lose my home or suddenly I’m unable to buy food? So selfish of me, when there are already so many out there that are experiencing this as their new reality. I’m just so anxious to get to the other side, as is everyone else. I have nothing I can truly complain about, yet all I want to do is stand outside and scream some days. I’m learning that my biggest anxieties in life center around fear of the unknown and tendency to slide down the rabbit hole of negative thinking and expecting the worst outcome. I always thought I was Miss Susie Brightside, who chose to be happy even when shown a thousand reasons not to be, and I’m learning some important things about myself…so I guess there’s that, LOL
And Lisa… that is NORMAL. You are absolutely normal (and me too, so I get you. I’m usually more positive in my life, and thoughts, and perceptions).
Don’t beat yourself up over feeling the way you do. We are WIRED (our brains) to alert when a danger is at our door. And here it is. BIG TIME. My own mom has friends that have just been diagnosed as we speak. She just found out.
We are on alert and that is taking up the most of our thought processes, so we feel guilty for not doing what we always wished we’d do at a time like this.
Though it was never really a “time like this” we were meaning, right? Our reading and creative dreams were always amongst thoughts of freedom and peace and retirement or a huge financial windfall… but that’s not what’s happening right now.
But we’re doing good considering the situation. I too am taking way too long to read books. I can’t even properly get into Netflix series. I’m in “study mode” right now, and that is how I feel like I might have some sense of control over my situation.
And yes… if studying ourselves means we learn new things that way too… this is a positive thing for sure.
P.S. I hadn’t been to a grocery store in weeks (a month at least) so when I went in this Saturday… I was like a deer in the headlights. I was afraid to touch anything to look at the ingredients (carbs) because I didn’t want anyone to freak out that I was touching stuff.
And every step I took I wondered what I was breathing. And when I’m driving…oh shit. Did I just rub my nose? Did I disinfect first? Of course I did! Did I??
Was it enough? Did I just give myself the virus? They say you’re safe if you don’t touch your face. Why are my eyes so itchy???
Ugh.
Last time I went I felt myself holding my breath when people got too close. But that is mostly how you catch it, so let’s all just stop breathing in public.
I keep reading things too, but I need to take a break. I can not do the conspiracy theories and junk science right now.
This whole new thing of it being made in a lab because of different strains or destroying phone towers because of 5G makes me ……..Grrr.
The whole thing is scary enough let’s not put fake horror on top of it. There is a reason scientists are scientists.
OMG with the conspiracy theories. I can’t even.
Right?! My eyes have never been so itchy!
Allergies?? Our pollen is horrible here right now…just saying…
Not feeling creative at all. I love to paint (watercolor, acrylic) and have not gotten in the “mood”. Cooking is not fun. I am doing it, but not being creative. Haven’t decorated or redecorated. I am just obsessed with the news, and I know it’s the worst thing I can do, but I can’t get away from it.
I did finally start Kristen Hannah’s “The Great Alone”, on loan from library. It was on my list of TBRs. So I am accomplishing something at least.
I’m lucky that I am stuck in a huge house, in a great neighborhood, in a town that has restaurants delivering and new grocery stores. I just can’t help thinking about the millions who are not so lucky. Lots of guilt there.
Me too MichelleS.
I’m in one of those wonderful neighborhoods, Publix only a mile away from me. I’m not out of anything, and neither are they. They even had toilet paper!!!
My house is my happiness and here I am… in it. I’m snuggled with my dogs right now, and they are so happy. My bird is singing his heart out. I feel healthy. My mom too.
So yes, I get the guilt.
Yes, when I complain I sometimes feel like a spoiled brat, lol.
We are all being traumatized together.
At least we’re together. <3
Random thoughts…
Corny I know, but I wish I could blow a kiss, do a Rosie the Riveter arm pump and say Stay Strong to all of you.
It helps me a lot to hear from others.
I realized that I was privileged & my first instinct was to protect family. Last week I realized it was “me-think”…so donations to food banks, shelters. Not much but helps. Thinking N.A. relatively well off…Africa? Syria? Red Cross, I think.
Sunday Easter whatsapp dinner a bust – son needed to finish uni research paper. All 3 fam groups had already defrosted steaks…bad timing. Sad.
I am going in circles in the house (Also literally for exercise.) No focus or purpose except food, reading and fam talk. I’m starting to talk to the ant trail in the kitchen.
Last time I was talking to friends – standup, 12 ft. apart on front lawn – I realized I sounded strange.
Yea, hard to focus on a book – don’t take a good book match for granted these days.
Last, the books all of you recommend have been tremendously helpful. Very grateful and also to you Maryse for everything.
*safe virtual hugs to you, Mony*
😀
Hmmm, I did sense something…must be that presence thing from before…thanks!
I’m a negative Nancy the majority of the time. I overthink and stress and analyze and have a tendency to go to some dark places when overwhelmed and hormones play a part as well. My challenge is keeping afloat and stabilized mood wise, so that I don’t drown in my crazy. The kids keep me so freakin busy most of the time that I have no time to dwell too hard. I do well in a state of denial or ignorant bliss.
I miss shopping. Simple errands cuz that was my “me time”. I don’t really miss extracurriculars, bc I hate running too much and being busy during meal time. My kids are unreal when it comes to slow eating. But, also, that was a time to wear them out and give me SPACE. That’s what I miss the most. I was prepared for summer even, with swim team and tball. We were cutting out some things to be too busy, but giving activities and important life skills as well (learning to swim). Not homeschooling on top of housework, cooking and playing, and providing extra projects. Oh, and referee, disciplinarian. That’s huge. Gimme teenagers any day. My gawd, these toddlers. 😱
So, I’ve always crafted and done my big projects and organizing to get away, accomplish something and give me space. I’ve got some done, but gearing most to the kids and I don’t wanna see projects again. But then, that’s when it’s the most peaceful.
So Tasha you know the teenage brain looks alot like a toddler brain, right, lol.
How about some 25 year olds? Like you can just chill together, swap books and stuff.
I’ve seen teens, they’re lazy, they sleep a lot, they’re selfish, emotional, all leave me alone it’s my life, and they leave a lot. This is my picture. I’d prefer to be the one doing the waking them up, bouncing on them, annoying the living daylights out of them so they can’t have personal space……. I also want kids that are work oriented and kind, that want to care for others in some aspect and want to be around family. But I know it’ll be quieter more often than it is now.
I currently imagine myself as a tree, reaching to put my head high in the clouds, craving still in the quiet, yet there are locusts surrounding me, fluttering and buzzing about, flutter blutter, flutter blutter, zzz, zzz, zzzzzzzzzzz!! If only my branches could shoo them away, for just a couple hours. 😂
Can you tell I desperately need a recharge? April 2020 is the longest month of my life.
Egotistical, temper tantrums, and they do it themselves and dont need you. It always cracks me up when someone hears a toddler yell at someone to go away or leave me alone and they looked shocked and say they sound like their 16.
Toddlers are so hard but so fun.
Mine don’t do it themselves and don’t NOT need me though. 😂😂 And they never tell me to go away or leave me alone. (Except once every couple months when Gma decides to take 2 out of 3 on and they tell me I can leave) I have ducklings. Whiney, needy, screaming ducklings. J will be 2 in May and we’re still at the part where we can’t leave the room without a hanger on more times than not. They live to get on my nerves by getting into things and not actually playing with anything. It’s like they intentionally stir up trouble for a rise. This is their idea of fun. Right next to me, all the time. Tv doesn’t even work long. Activities save me and hate me all at the same time. I swear to you, J seals his mouth shut for teeth brushing EVERY single night just because while I threaten everything before flicking water at him so he laughs and allows me entrance. Same with eating, EVERY meal, and he’s done that since birth. Though I didn’t use water till Cat came along. It’s all a game to him now. I’m sure it was before too, it’s just draining and unpleasant all the time. If I don’t for an entire day, I swear he won’t eat. Cuz on vaca., I put 0 effort in all week and he ate very, very little. Family are in awe that every single one of my kids were/are such difficult eaters, but J takes the cake. Never in my life have I….These are basics, the rest of the day is even more intense. With him and the middle.
Now, when the cousins come, 1 will go peacefully play for a couple hours. That is all. Or, currently, cuz this is the most I’ve seen my hubs at a time in 8 years, he’ll take 1 or 2 outside when it’s nice *raises fists* outside, but there’s always chaos of some sort with 1 inside.
When they’re teens, I will bask in the glory of them wanting left alone. At least for a little while.
And at 25, I hope their children or future children are just. like. them.
I couldn’t find a recipe but the consensus is to add about 5 minutes cooking time. It probably won’t have a crust browning would provide unless you broil it at the end.
I’m still working so my routine has pretty much remained the same. The people on my new route are really nice – a few have left hand sanitizer for me and thank you notes and also some treats. It took me a while but I’m finally at the point where I can listen to audiobooks again during the day while I’m doing my route, I really missed it but it takes a while to get comfortable enough to do it on a different route (I had to actually think about what I was doing!). Also, I had a couple days in there where I was training new people – while trying to socially distance ourselves. Trying.
I read the new book ‘One Moment Please’ by Amy Daws and I absolutely loved it! It was one of those reads that satisfies that need of ‘I’m looking for a book…’ It was funny, heartwarming, sexy, and I teared up a bit. It had an unexpected pregnancy, a jerk face, and great side characters. Highly recommend!
I listened to ‘You Deserve Each Other’ by Sarah Hogle and it was really really good! (I loved this one too!) It’s about this couple that are trying to get the other one to end their engagement so they don’t have to pay for non refundable wedding bill. It was really witty, funny and had the best banter! It made me laugh and smile a lot.
I’m still working too so weekdays have not changed for me. But there’s a certain super-stress right now that infects my work days and my free time… and my nights. Going to work on 3-4hrs sleep is getting to me, so I took today off.
It’s good you took today off! When I’m stressed I don’t sleep and then I’m even more stressed from lack of sleep….ugh. The stressful part about this for me so far has *luckily* only been the continuous changes at work – which I’ve just been trying to roll with. Clean your vehicle (I already do that! 😀), use hand sanitizer (oh, I keep that and hand wipes in my bag), your start time has changed so there aren’t as many people at the time clock at one time (well, now I can take my time getting ready). I’m very grateful that this is the only way I’ve been personally effected so far.
P.S. Thank you so much for your recommendations!! 🙂
That’s so funny Ashley…I also just read those two books – back to back. Ditto on all your comments! They put me in a good place – just what I needed to read these days.
I may re-read You Deserve Each Other. There were complexities during their “war” that I want to understand better (don’t want to give anything away). A great novel for a new author – the first chapters seemed a bit rough but then as the story unfolded, I found the writing became beautiful, and some parts even masterful.
That is funny! I also wanted to reread (or rather relisten) to You Deserve Each Other! Soon. There were things that I think I’ll catch or enjoy even more the second time around. And I agree, in the very beginning it was a little rough – but then when Naomi started doing and saying whatever she wanted it became unbelievably fun! Then the story evolved in the best way possible. I really did love it – and thinking about it makes me like it even more.
🙂