Notes from My Bookshelf: September

NOTE: To be perfectly frank, I wrote most of this blog post at the beginning of September. But the last four days of the month have changed everything. The community where I live in upper East Tennessee was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Roads washed away (including portions of I-26 and I-40 between here and Asheville, NC), houses completely gone, electricity and water cut off - in some areas it will be weeks before it comes back, people have lost everything, and the final total of casualties has yet to be determined. While we, personally, had very little direct impact (a tree down, lost water for a day), our community and the surrounding areas, are hurting, and therefore, so are we. We're doing what we can to help - cutting up trees, volunteering at our local Park and Rec to receive, organize, and hand out donations, but it the weight of this event is still being felt, and it will be years before this beautiful mountain area I am blessed to call "home" recovers. Please pray for us, for East TN and Western NC, and upstate SC. 

WRITTEN PRIOR TO 9/27 ↓

I got a new mug for this fall season that reads, "The -ber months are finally here" and nothing could sum up my feelings about autumn any better than that. The occasional morning crispness, the evening chill that takes us from summer heat to the hint that cooler seasons will not abandon us forever. The smell of bonfires, the crunch of autumn apples (dipped in caramel), and the pumpkins. Of course the pumpkins. Forever a pumpkin girl. The self-seeding pumpkin patch in my backyard is all ablaze with yellow flowers and growing enough pumpkins to satisfy even my desires. And every November, when we toss them back into the corner, it's a bit like saying, "Goodbye dear friend. We'll see you again next year, when winter has brought rot and spring has turned you to seeds. When summer is finally over and your green stems will poke out again and remind me, as surely as you always do, that you will be back, just in time for autumn." 

Photo by alex geerts on Unsplash

Knowing that I had already met my goal of 48 books for the year didn't stop me from attempting to stick to my sub-goal of reading four books a month. What did stop me was a hectic family schedule and a large proofreading job the last week of the month. Life happens. EDIT: I still had hopes when I updated this on 9/25 that I would finish at least one more book, possibly two, but after Hurricane Helene unloaded on us on 9/27, all thoughts of reading were gone.

However, it also didn't deter me from getting into some more comfortable territory, with mystery being a top contender for my attention this month (I have two more going in my Kindle app at the moment). Now that the "race" to complete the larger goal is over, I'm still focusing on the books that have been sitting on my shelves (virtual or physical) for months, even years, awaiting their turn on my nightstand. Here's what I read through this month:

1. Swiss Family Robinson by Yohann David Wyss - ★★★★ It took me almost a year to get through this book with my youngest (she was 11 when we started, she's 12 now), but it was more a matter of life interruptions than disinterest in the story. After showing her the old Disney film, I insisted that we read the book together so she could hear the original. It was our regular read-aloud on her night each week (until life intervened), but we finally finished it this month and she was glued to the story. Our biggest complaints (and the reason it's probably more like a 3.5 star than a true 4 star) was just that there were a LOT of animals and names to keep straight, and we both found that a bit difficult, in addition to the boys names being similar. However, while I don't plan on reading it again, it is a definite "should read at least once" book. Just make sure you get the unabridged version! Three-and-a-half-stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
2. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - ★★★★★ Oh my goodness, I had minimally high hopes for this one, and for once I wasn't disappointed! I've been so sick of three star books, so this was a delightful discovery. The way I've been describing it to people (and I know I'm a bit late to the party, but still...) is like every cozy BBC mystery show meets Jessica Fletcher and her friends. Nursing home friends with plenty of kick left in them, solving crimes using a lifetime of skills and connections. No questionable language (THANK YOU MR. OSMAN!), no unnecessary sexual encounters, and an ending I can totally live with. Two thumbs way up. I got this on Kindle last October, and now I'm thinking it's time to use some Barnes & Noble gift cards I've been hoarding to buy the others! Five stars. {Amazon Associates Link}

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. Wherever you're reading from, I hope you and your family are safe and well, and that you're enjoying whatever signs of fall are showing themselves in your area. Make time to read and do the things you love, with the people you love, because we're not guaranteed tomorrow. 

Simple Goal Check-In (September)

In January I wrote a post outlining the 24 #simplegoals I had selected to work towards in 2024, and I gave a longer update in June about how things were going at the half-way point. As we're entering the final quarter of the year (mind boggling!) I thought now would be a good time to check in on those and let you know where things stand. 

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

24 Simple Goals in 2024

1. Buy no new books. Two, maybe three books. Calling this a success! 
2. Read 48 books from my own shelves. DONE!
3. Use the treadmill. Walking six days a week since June 1st.
4. Put the phone down. TERRIBLE, but a work in progress.
5. Clean out and pare down. Some, but not as much as I was hoping to.
6. Save for a rainy day. Did well, had low income months, had to use it for bills.
7. Use cash for certain expenditures. Off and on.
8. Burn the candles. Two thumbs up! But...I also bought more. {Facepalm}
9. Create a repertoire of simple meals. Meh.
10. More fresh foods, less processed, sugary, high-carb stuff. Definitely working on this!
11. Avoid Amazon on bad days and late nights. Better, but room for improvement.
12. Say "yes" to something new at work. I just did, in fact!
13. Say "no" to things that don't add value. Much better at this!
14. Eat the food we already have. Working on this, but still room to improve.
15. Participate in teaching my newest driver how to drive. There's been a "pause" on that.
16. Save for a school trip in the '24/'25 school year. See "bills due, low cash months."
17. Host more meals with friends and acquaintances. There are seasons for this - yes and no.
18. Listen more. Talk less. I feel like I've improved in this area, but still room to grow.
19. Spend time with my parents. Time is fleeting. Been mindful about stopping by.
20. Give quality gifts, not quantity (next Christmas). Fewer gifts, for sure. Progress.
21. Build relationships with family. I think there have been some positive steps.
22. Write more. Shockingly, I've been faithful to write at least once-a-month on the blog!
23. Don't stress about what "might" be. I have been learning to let go faster.
24. Count my blessings. Work in progress.

Under the heading of each of these goals, I also set some sub-goals that give me baby-step achievements along the way. Something to celebrate and help with motivation. For example, when I set the goal of reading 48 books this year, I broke that down to reading at least four books a month. Obviously, there were months when I read more than that (and achieved my goal for the year sooner than expected), but setting that smaller monthly goal helped keep me on track and motivated to keep going. 

I did the same thing with using the treadmill, but I didn't figure out the sub-goals for that until the middle of the year. I had started out strong on the walking in the beginning (like most people when they set their New Year Resolutions), but then faded off after getting sick and having some calendar challenges. But in May, when I was fed up with my lack of self-discipline, I decided to set a goal for the month of June: Walk Every Day in June. About 10 days into it, after talking to a couple of my accountability partners, I decided to take Sundays off. So six days a week, I was downstairs, walking between 5-30 minutes a day. I gave myself a wide target to hit...making it easier to achieve my goal. I don't feel like walking...it's just 5 minutes. And usually, after 5 minutes, I would tell myself, "It's just 5 more, keep going." Which is how, most days, I ended up walking at least 20 minutes a day. 

In July I decided to change the target: Walk Six Days a Week, at Least 1 Mile. And I did it. In August, I decided to work on increasing my speed from a 20-minute mile, to less than 20 minutes. Didn't matter how much less, just that it was. By the end of the month I was regularly walking in the 16:50/mile range. Just by setting a smaller sub-goal to challenge myself, I was not only hitting my #simplegoals for the year, but getting a renewed sense of accomplishment each month as I checked off another goal. This month I decided I would take the first step to work my way up in mileage, by walking 1.25 miles every day, under 20 minutes. Not only is it good for my mental health, but I am noticing more stamina, less shortness of breath, and definitely better calf muscles. That's a win-win-win for simple goals!

How are you doing with your goals for the year?

Do you do a regular check-in to see how things are going?

It's not too late to set smaller goals for the remainder of the year!

August Bookshelf Review (2024 Reading Goal COMPLETE!)

August. The month also known as "Autumn Eve" and in which we celebrate the return of the #PSL (that's Pumpkin Spice Latte for the uninitiated). Yes, it's technically summer, but fall decor has been in Hobby Lobby since July. Possibly June. Maybe even May. For me, fall is so close I can taste it, even though it won't officially arrive until September 22. This is immaterial. August is close enough for me to begin dreaming of cooler weather, watching fall reels on IG, and grabbing the first bags of autumn-themed candy at the grocery store (I learned the hard way last year that if you don't buy it when it first arrives on the shelves in July, it won't be there when you go for it in September!). But what does all of this have to do with reading? August also ushers in the last of the hot, summer months, when the idea of curling up with a good book is less appealing than just trying to make it through another scorcher. 

August means we're on the cusp of coziness, shorter days, pots of hot tea, and preparations for the season of hibernation. The time when it is socially acceptable to stay inside and read because one cannot be expected to go outdoors, unless it's associated with a pumpkin patch, a hay ride, or some type of apple-related festivity. The leaves on my cherry tree are turning color and dropping. In other words, my friends, the season of reading is almost here. Get your TBR piles ready! 

Photo by Elora Allen on Unsplash

Despite the fact that we have not yet officially made it through summer, I still managed to knock out one of my #simplegoals for the year of reading 48 books! I considered increasing my goal, but I think I'll just keep reading and save the higher number for a 2025 goal. In the meantime, here are the six books that rounded off my 48 for the year, and were knocked off my TBR list. Number five almost doesn't feel like it should count, but since it was still a book I had never read before...I am totally counting it! 

1. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz - ★★★★★ This was totally unexpected. I assumed that there would be questionable language and morals in this book (there is a homosexual couple as part of the story, and one of the main characters has a boyfriend who sleeps over, nothing graphic, just mentioned in passing), but in general, I could have been reading an Agatha Christie, or watching some kind of cozy BBC mystery show. Also unexpected (for me) was the mystery within a mystery - which you'll understand if you read it. From the 1950's to modern times and back again - this was altogether a pleasant surprise and one which I have few qualms about recommending to anyone who enjoys a "good" murder mystery with plenty of references to Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, and Midsomer Murders. Five stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
2. Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu by Lee Goldberg - ★★★ It was the weekend and I was tired of thinking and I needed something to just veg out on and run through. Enter the Monk books. The television show was better (for one thing, Natalie wasn't such a pill on the show as she is in the book), but these aren't bad for a little break. There are 19 books in the series, and I've read, I think, three of them. I'm giving this one three stars because I actually enjoyed some of the other characters Goldberg incorporated; underdogs who did their jobs and surprised everyone. Monk even gets his badge back, although (no surprise) it's gone again by the end. I wouldn't necessarily say, "Run out and buy it," but library loan or $3 used (as I found them) are probably worth it. Three stars. {Used and New from $0.02 + shipping on Amazon, FYI - Amazon Associates Link}
3. Mama Maggie by Marty Makary and Ellen Santilli Vaughn - ★★★ I started reading this book aloud to the kids probably 2-3 years ago. We got a little bogged down in it and, honestly, I lost interest. While the things that Mama Maggie is doing in the slums and garbage dumps of Cairo are wonderful, for some reason the story fell flat for me. And maybe that's because it lacked the direct view of the book's subject, written by outsiders who were impressed by her work, rather than the woman doing the work. And of course it wasn't written by her, because she's too busy doing the work she feels God has given her to do, caring for the "least of these" with no fanfare. So while I might enjoy having tea with Mama Maggie (even though they way she is described in the book is a little too ethereal and almost saint-like), I'm not really a fan of this book. Three stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
4. Murder in the Museum by Simon Brett - ★★★ Lots of three star books this month. It was just a season of average, I guess. I picked this particular book up at a local library book sale, knowing nothing about it other that what I read on the cover. Written in 2003, it turned out to be your run-of-the-mill "cozy" British mystery, with a fairly easy-to-figure-out plot. I wasn't surprised when the killer was revealed, I wasn't shocked when the middle-aged amateur sleuth was locked into the hidden room, and I also didn't see the need for the bedroom scene that the author apparently felt compelled to included. It added nothing to the story. I wouldn't go seeking out other books by this author, but if I happened to see another one at a library sale, I might be willing to pick it up for $1. If you decide to try it and like it, there are plenty to choose from as this is book 4 of 21 in the series. Three stars. {Amazon Associates Link} 
5. Richard Scarry's Busy Busy World - ★★★ This was not a book I was planning on or expecting to be on my "Read" list this month (nor slide in as book 47 of 48!), but I purchased it for a great nephew's birthday, and decided to read it before I gave it to him, as this wasn't one with which I was familiar. I actually read all 91 pages out loud to the Hubs, and there were times when we were both snorting - mostly because of the cultural aspects. I am really surprised this book hasn't been yanked yet (considering several Dr. Seuss books were "cancelled" a few years back), but I'm glad it hasn't been, because 1) Adults can make their own choices - I'm not for "Big Brother" deciding what we should and shouldn't read, and 2) It gave us an evening of mirth while reading it. Things that were culturally okay in the 1960s...not so much now. And since I would be introducing my 3-year-old great nephew to Richard Scarry, I decided to keep this book for my own amusement and purchased Cars and Trucks and Things That Go for him instead. Safer. ;) Three stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
6. Anybody Can Do Anything by Betty MacDonald - ★★☆ Having already read her first two books (The Egg and I and The Plague and I) earlier this year and giving them two stars and three stars, respectively (reviews found here), my expectations were low for this book. I didn't dislike it as much as The Egg and I, I didn't really like it as much as The Plague and I, so it's really more of a 2.5 star book than a solid three. This time MacDonald covers her employment history during the Depression (and towards the end bounces ahead in life, without much warning, leaving the reader to wonder how we got there), and the trials and tribulations of being a young, divorced mother looking for work (in all fairness, she didn't have it that hard, her mother stepped in and raised her kids while she gadded about, at least, that's the view I got from her book). I already had it (as well as her fourth - and final - book) on my shelf, so I figured I might as well push through before bidding them farewell. Language warning (crude, misuses the Lord's Name). Two-and-a-half stars. {Amazon Associates Link}

How are you doing on your reading goals for the year? 

Was it a good reading month or a slow one?

What book are you reading right now?

The Reading Nook: July 2024

We aren't one of those families who goes to the beach each summer (or at all). And even if we did, and I were to take a stack of books with me on vacation...I would come home with that same stack, mostly unread. As much as I enjoy reading and self-identify as a bookworm, I also know myself. My best seasons of reading involve cooler weather, shorter days, cozy blankets, and cups of tea, not sea, sand, or travel. And maybe that's because when I'm actually elsewhere, I want to be focused on the new, the present, the things I don't normally see. But when I'm home, with the same routine, day-in and day-out, then books are what take me to different places...Zebra Drive in Botswana, a surprisingly murderous Caribbean seaside town, the cooler mountains of North Carolina, or even the past. When traveling doesn't fit in the budget...reading always will.

Photo by Anna Hamilton on Unsplash

Summer has been a season of slow reading. Longer days don't make space for couch snuggles with a book, and hot weather isn't a friend of porch swing reading, at least for me. I did make time on July 4th to float around in our little backyard pool, reading the first book on my list. It was a lazy holiday with no plans, the kids gone to spend time with grandparents, and no work lingering over my head, so I embraced it. But those days are few and far between. So far, in fact, that by the middle of the month I had only completed one book! Life happens. So on these hottest of summer days, here's what I still managed to read in July (my minimum of four books was met, even with the start of the Olympics, which is saying something!)...

1. Code Girls by Liza Mundy - ★★★★★ I am a fan of history, especially little known stories from WWII, like this one. A well-written tale of the unsung heroines of code breaking, both military and civilian. Former school teachers, the "best and brightest" from women's colleges, brilliant mathematicians and linguists who would have remained buried but for the war. I was so impressed by the tenacity of these women, and the ways in which each one quietly and quickly went about their work, rarely being acknowledged for their role and removed just as quickly once the men came back. I appreciated the story about the woman who, decades after the war, was watching a television news segment about code breaking and shocked her family by saying, "Well, I guess now I can talk about what I did during the war!" As the Greatest Generation leaves us, it's so important to remember these stories and pass them on to the next generation so we do not forget the sacrifices that were made by so many. Five stars. {Amazon Associates Link}  
2. Father of the Bride by Edward Streeter - ★★ Much like The Egg and I, I didn't realize that Father of the Bride started out life as a book. And also like The Egg and I...the movie(s) improved the story. Written in 1949 (one year before Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor portrayed father and daughter in the first movie production), the book had its moments of levity. But just as I found while reading The Egg and I earlier this year, the language left much to be desired, and my puritanical views of the 1940s had to be tossed out the window yet again. This was rather a disappointment and I cannot recommend this one. Watch the movie (preferably the Steve Martin/Martin Short version from 1991), skip the book. Two stars. {No Amazon Link} 
3. Murder in the Caribbean by Robert Thorogood - ★★★★ With the first book of the month being a bit heavier, and the second book being a flop, I knew I needed to give myself a reading break and go for a book that I knew wouldn't disappoint. And it didn't! I've been watching Death in Paradise since the first season, and very much enjoy the show. When I discovered that the writer/creator of the show, Robert Thorogood, also wrote four books featuring the stubborn but brilliant British DI Richard Poole, I was all in. The first two books in the (sadly short) series can be purchased for Kindle for just $0.99 each (Book 1 and Book 2), while books 3 and 4 are only available in paperback at this time. As with the show, Thorogood's characters jump off the page and there are twists and turns galore, keeping one guessing as to the ending, right up until the big "whodoneit" reveal. This fourth (and final) book in the series is the perfect summer read and a delightful way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. Four stars. {Amazon Associates Link} 
4. The Address Book by Deirdre Mask - ★★★★ I kept my expectations relatively low for this one, but was pleasantly surprised. Mask does a good job (albeit with some personal bias obvious along the way) of explaining how street addresses affect one's identity, and what they say about race, wealth, and power. Some of my own hidden biases were brought to light while reading this book, and overall, I enjoyed the premise and the writing. We are obviously on opposite ends of the political spectrum, but despite that, I enjoyed seeing some of these topics from a completely different viewpoint, and with her varied and international viewpoint (an African American woman, raised in West Virginia, living in London), I thought she did a good job, overall, of making us think a little more in-depth about the value of an address. It's so much more than just a place to lay your head. Would recommend. Four stars. {Amazon Associates Link}

What was on your reading list in July? Are you like me? Do you read less in the summer, or do you hide from the heat with your head in a book? 

Hit me up in the comments with any "must reads" you found in the last month!

What I Read: June Edition

After the rough reading month of May, I was really hoping for some better, or at least more enjoyable, books in June. Some of the books this month seemed to focus around food and health (some are still in process and didn't make the June list), but I also managed to squeeze in a couple of "just for fun" books, and even considered doing a re-read of an old favorite, because sometimes you just need a comfort book (I didn't do it - still trying to focus on all the books on my shelves that I've never read before). Is there a book that you go back to over and over? A book that feels like a cozy blanket or an old friend? For me, that's the Mitford series by Jan Karon. When this year is over...I fully anticipate reading through that series yet again. It never gets old. 

Photo by Nick Hillier on Unsplash

When I wasn't dealing with school stuff or working through my goals for the month, I found time to enjoy moments of solitude and the following books. 

1. The Secret History of Food by Matt Siegel - ★ I don't remember where I first heard about this book, but the premise of it intrigued me. I'm a sucker for books about food, and the idea of hearing all the "strange but true stories about the origins of everything we eat" totally sucked me in. Unfortunately, the best part about this book was the premise. The author clearly had an agenda, and his writing was too politically tinged for my liking (it's a book about weird food stories, leave politics at the door - that's how I feel anyway!), and full of too many sexual innuendos. While there were several interesting tidbits scattered throughout the book, it wasn't enough to make me recommend it - even if you aligned with his political point of view. One star. {No Amazon Link}
2. The Joy and Light Bus Company by Alexander McCall Smith - ★★★★ A friend recommended The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books to me back in 2005, before we went to work in Botswana for several months. I've been hooked ever since. This addition to the series (from 2021) is equally delightful, like a comforting cup of bush tea on a breezy, covered veranda. After a number of books I had to work my way through to finish, I needed something that was effortless. I read this in a day. Will Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni become a partner in a bus business? Will Mma Ramotswe work out the case of the wrong Bontle? And what's this about slavery in the Pula Pula house? But of course, this is Botswana, and everything comes out right in the end, as it should. One little word of warning ⚠ about the tendency of this author to be a little more "woke" in each book. It's not in your face, but it's there - the characters gently sharing their more "inclusive" opinions. It's not enough to put me off of the series (yet), but it's worth a mention. Four stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
3. Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett - ★★★ I received this in a "Secret Santa" gift exchange we did for work last year. My expectations were low, as I don't tend to like themed mystery series (cooking or knitting or, in this case, bookstores) and I find the plots to be thin, the writing weak, and the characters shallow. That being said, I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would, and I love the idea of a town saved from the brink by turning their downtown into a book-lovers paradise (specialty bookstores, everywhere!). Even though the characters were rather shallow, and the writing wasn't anything to write home about, I still enjoyed it enough that I would try another book from the series, if the opportunity presented itself. What I would call a "murder mystery beach read," level of book. Three stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
4. Paul Harvey's America by Stephen Mansfield & David A. Holland - ★★★★ Hello, America. [...] And now you know...the rest of the story! I grew up with these words ringing out on the radio, so when my parents were mid-move a couple of years ago and cleaning out, I took this book off their shelves and finally got around to reading it. I enjoyed learning a little bit more about the man behind the microphone, his upbringing in Tulsa, his early start in radio, and the woman behind the man. Without Angel, he might very well have stayed in small mid-western radio stations, with the rest of America none the wiser as to what they were missing. Paul Harvey never tried to be anyone but himself, a point which stands out throughout the book. Not a long book, but what I would call a good summertime read. Clean, wholesome, and a little nostalgic for the bygone days. Four stars. {Amazon Associates Link}

If you've been following along, that brings my book total for the year up to 38 towards my goal of 48. With just ten books remaining to meet that goal, and still six months left in the year, I'm expecting to exceed the original plan, but I'm okay with that. What bookworm wouldn't be, right? 

What was on YOUR nightstand this month? 

What's your "go to" book when life is hard and you are looking for a short break from reality? 

Hit me up in the comments and give me your best recommendations...from the last month, the year so far, or all time favorites. 

The June "Simple Goals" Update

You may recall that when this year started, I set twenty-four simple goals for 2024. I've given a few updates along the way, but since I took one of those goals and broke it down into a monthly goal, I thought it was about time to update again on how things are going. As a refresher, these are the simple goals that I set back in January...and how it's going, six months in!

Photo by Ronnie Overgoor on Unsplash

1) Buy no new books. I was doing great until earlier this month. After I read The Worst Hard Time, I quickly added more of the author's books to my "Books to Remember" list. I had no intention of buying any of them before next year, but then I got on to purchase a book as a gift, and saw that several of his books were marked down (NEW) for 63% off...and, in a moment of weakness, I caved. In my defense (no, I know there's no defense here!), I did get some as gifts, but I will also be adding to my shelves, so...not counting it as a total fail (I made it six months!), but...

2) Read 48 books from my own shelves. At the time of publication, I have read 36 books from my own shelves (and a couple that were borrowed from my mother). Suffice to say, I am well on my way to achieving this goal.

3) Use the treadmill. I have had times when I have been faithful about this, and times when I have let it collect dust. In the interest of setting smaller goals, I decided to set a goal for the month of June: walk daily, for 5-30 minutes. If I successfully achieve this goal, I get a drink of my choice from Starbucks as a reward. I downloaded the HabitShare app to help me keep track. So far, I have missed one day when the Hubs convinced me to hang out with him instead, but otherwise, I'm on course to hit my goal.

4) Put the phone down. This has been CHALLENGING, but something I am daily ware of, and working on. I've been tracking my time usage each day and taking a screenshot of it to share with a friend for accountability. 

5) Clean out and pare down. This is a work in progress. But more has been going out than coming in. I think. It does seem, though, that no matter how much I clean out, there is always more. I'm not sure how that works, but I will blame the four kids who still live at home and move on. ;) 

6) Save for a rainy day. I set up several new savings accounts and have been slowly adding to most of them. Some are specific savings for things like our health expenses (so that is a continual adding too and paying from account), and home and auto taxes and insurance. Others are a general savings (for those "shoot, I need a little more in the checking to pay the bill" moments), as well as an actual Rainy Day Fund that I have been adding to (and titled "DO NOT USE"). I've been actively working on paying these accounts first whenever we get income.

7) Use cash for certain expenditures. The short answer to this is yes, on occasion. The longer answer is a little more complicated, so for now, let's just say that when we can use cash, we do, but we're not stressing over it.

8) Burn the candles. I have been very intentional about doing this, and I am loving it. In fact, as I type this, there is a "Peony and Apple" candle burning across the room and making our bedroom smell amazingly cozy. I even picked up a couple of new candles at TJ Maxx, on clearance, with the intention of burning immediately. When I finished the first candle, I turned the glass from it into a planter for a succulent I received for Mother's Day. Win-win.

9) Create a repertoire of simple meals. I'm better about this in the winter (thanks to my Crock-Pot) than I am in the summer, but we've been eating a lot of sandwiches and other convenience foods to help keep the desire to eat out at bay, and it seems to be helping. 

10) More fresh foods, less processed, sugary, high-carb stuff. Definite growth in this area. I've really been trying to stay away from the fake sugars, and have noticed an improvement in my overall health, but specifically my gut health. We've also been doing intermittent fasting for about three months now, and because of that, I find myself craving foods that fill me up for longer periods of time, since we only have a 4-6 hour window to eat. When I eat junk, I get hungry sooner. When I eat whole foods, the cravings are less. 

11) Avoid Amazon on bad days and late nights. It's so easy to hit that little Amazon app and quickly order something you "need" or have been thinking about, but I still see improvement. I think the focus on saving for specific things has helped with this. 

12) Say "yes" to something new at work. Not yet, and one thing I was considering I'm no longer sure I would say "yes" to, but I'm okay with all of that. If the stretch goal happens, great. If not, I'm totally fine.

13) Say "no" to things that don't add value. This is also a work in progress, but I have been learning how to say "no" when it doesn't work (or no longer works) for me or my family. I am working to prioritize certain things and people over other events, but more importantly, I'm learning how to be okay with that and not feel guilty for not being able to say "yes" to everyone and everything. Boundaries are a good thing.

14) Eat the food we already have. We had several months of doing this well, and then a month when I suddenly realized we were eating out 3-4 times a week! Yikes! So this ebbs and flows, but that's also why having a repertoire of simple meals is so important on the days when I'm tempted with takeout. 

15) Participate in teaching my newest driver how to drive. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure this one was going to happen. As a recovering control enthusiast...trying to teach a young and budding control enthusiast was not on the top of my "want to do" list. However, I will say that I have, in fact, gone driving with her, and we didn't kill each other. Yay, us! We still have a long way to go, though.

16) Save for a school trip in the '24/'25 school year. This is part of the savings project, and has its own savings account now, so I'm hopeful that this will happen. If not this year (just due to packed schedules, as well as money), at least next.

17) Host more meals with friends and acquaintances. We have definitely been more intentional this year about opening our home up more, both for meals and overnight guests. It's been good for us, and for our kids, to learn how to be flexible and say "yes" to people who need a space to be themselves and find encouragement. 

18) Listen more. Talk less. Work in progress. I like my words. But I'm trying. 

19) Spend time with my parents. Time is fleeting. This year, in particular, I have realized how true this is. As my father has been in the hospital a couple of times, and my parents are both getting older, I have been trying to make time in the schedule to stop by their house or meet them for lunch or just sit and talk. I know there will come a day when I can no longer do it, and I don't want to have regrets when that day comes. 

20) Give quality gifts, not quantity (next Christmas). I'm a year-round shopper, so I've been trying to keep this in mind as I've found things already this year for Christmas. I also set a lower budget this year, so that I really want to make the gifts count.

21) Build relationships with family. Towards the beginning of the year we took some steps towards this, but then life got busy and we haven't really made the progress in this area that I was hoping when I originally added it to the simple goals list. But I have tried to work on sending texts more often to those who aren't local. Baby steps. 

22) Write more. The very fact that I'm here, in the month of June, and I'm still writing, and, in fact, most months have written two posts, is proof of improvement in this area. The number of blog visitors isn't huge, but I think the difference this time is that I'm writing for me, rather than for the "reach."

23) Don't stress about what "might" be. There have been lots of "what if" situations this year, but I've been actively working to hand those over to God immediately, rather than letting my mind dwell on the things that "might" come about, or the conversations I "might" need to have. This, in turn, has lowered my stress level, and so I would give this a thumbs up (but also recognize I must be ever vigilant, lest I fall back into old habits). 

24) Count my blessings. At my work, they have a daily check-in to share things you're grateful for. This has become my place to share the good, the bad, and the ugly...and also how I am thankful for each of them. It helps me to refocus on what I can find to be grateful for in any situation, and to remind me that there is always a blessing to be found. I recently asked someone to tell me what they could be thankful for that day, and they responded with, "nothing." How sad. The sun was out, they were alive and breathing, they had a job, their bills were paid...and yet, nothing. Count your blessings. They are all around you.

 How are you doing on your goals?

May's Bookshelf was Rough...

By the 6th of the month, I had managed to get all four kids started in new grades (we homeschool year-round), but I hadn't read more than a few pages of a physical book, and only slightly more on my Kindle app. Some months are just like that (which is also why I read so much in the beginning of the year, because I suspected slower reading months would come, in part due to the busier and more chaotic seasons of life). 

Photo by Mari Potter on Unsplash

Some of the reading desert I experienced in May came from my choices in reading material. Most of the books below had been on my shelves for a number of years and it was time to read them or release them. And since I'm not very good at releasing without reading (or at least attempting to read), I powered through them, albeit a bit slowly. The first four star book this month came from my mother, who handed it to me and said I should read it. Kudos, Mom. And the last book...from a desire to wash the ick of the biography off.

Let me also say, preemptively, that I always feel terrible bashing a book in reviews. I've worked with enough authors over the years that I have seen firsthand the way in which authors pour their hearts and souls into their books. But in all honesty...some of them should never make it past the first draft. Sorry, ladies and gentlemen. And with that...I give you the reviews for May.

1. Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel - ★★☆ I gave this three stars on Goodreads and IG, but if I'm being honest, for me, it was a two star book. I feel guilty saying that because once upon a time, many years ago, I used to write a monthly book blog post with the author and another blogging friend, so it almost feels disloyal to give her book two stars. While the content could be helpful for those who are chronic over-thinkers, the reality was that, for me, it seemed a bit oversimplified. Then again, I'm an INTJ, researching and considering all the known (and potential) possibilities is what I do, but making a decision doesn't wear me out. So I gave it three stars elsewhere because I don't really think I was the target audience, and also, because I enjoyed her chapter on not overthinking splurges (I'm Scotch-Irish, I'm cheap, it's in my blood to fret over spending money I might not "need" to spend). Two-and-a-half stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
2. Satchmo by Louis Armstrong - ★★ Not the most well-written book, but Armstrong is known for his gravelly voice and smooth trumpet playing, not for his 5th-grade education writing skills. I have loved the music of Louie Armstrong since I was six years old and my adult brother let me listen to Armstrong's album, What a Wonderful World. I don't recall where I first heard about Armstrong's autobiography, but it's been on my shelf since 2021.  I would have given the first half of the book (and his life until the mid-teenage years) four stars, but the latter half got a little iffy, not only with language but also with lifestyle. If you're at all interested in learning more about the humble beginnings of this jazz legend, I'd still recommend it, keeping the disclaimers above in mind. Two stars. {Amazon Associates Link}
3. What She Ate by Laura Shapiro - ☆ That's right. Not even a full star. I, who never skim read books, found my eyes skipping over pages and paragraphs, looking somewhere, anywhere, for a book about six women and the role food played in their lives. It was about the stories of six women. Sort of. The chapter about Eva Braun was more about Hitler and the Nazi party than it was about her or any foods she did - or didn't - eat, and also happened to be the only chapter that held my attention. The thread of food that allegedly ran through the lives of these women was thin, at best. And most of the book felt like a stretch. A incestuous sister (or not, there's a lot of assumptions being made there), a cook who attempted to press herself into high society as an equal, the aforementioned Eva, Eleanor Roosevelt (who did, actually, have some really odd food menus at the White House), and the list continues. My apologies to the author, who clearly loved the idea of this, but it was a seriously boring book, lacking substance and cohesiveness, and I would not recommend. No stars and no Amazon link. 
4. Being Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn - ★★★★ All four of those stars absolutely belong to the author for taking a mass of information about a woman who has been the object of hero-worship by many (myself included, at times), and turning it into a very fair portrayal of a human being. Vaughn didn't shy away from the hard stuff, the ugly stuff, and the stuff that people who grew up on the stories of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot might not want to hear. Using Elisabeth's own diaries, her letters to friends and family, and interviews with those who knew her best, we gain a new picture of the woman who is most famous for her first season of widowhood. There were a number of stories and facts that shook every idea that I had of her - from her apparent *need* for a man in her life to her emotional and even physical affair with husband #2 before his first wife was dead - and about halfway through the book I was ready to chuck Let Me Be  A Woman out the window. The bottom line on this book should come from Elliot herself, who once said the only thing that belongs on a pedestal is a statue. One star for the subject (*GASP*) and four for the author. This cannot have been an easy book to write. {Amazon Associates Link}
5. News from Thrush Green by Miss Read - ★★★★ After the duds from the beginning of the month and the heaviness of the Elliot biography, I decided I needed to read something light, to leave the month on a high note. It may not be the kind of book that causes me to think deeply about things, but a visit to Thrush Green never fails to make me sigh deeply and relax into coziness. It's not quite Mitford (lacking the Spiritual aspect), but if you're looking for a way to escape to a small British village in the middle of the last century, where a cup of tea and a good dig in the garden can do wonders for problems, both great and small, then you have come to the right place. In this book (#3 in the series), we find ourselves in the midst of the Piggott's domestic squabbles, finding homes for all of Dotty's surprise kittens, and wondering if a confirmed bachelor might have his head turned by the young widow (and newest village resident) across the way. If you're looking for a fun little series to take you away when the world feels heavy, I would heartily recommend giving any of books by Miss Read a try. Four stars. {Amazon Associates Link} 

What have YOU read this month? 

Best book? Worst? Meh?