Reading. Finished A Head Full of Ghosts, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Nearly Gone. DNF Imagine Me Gone. Started Nearly Found. Requested a book from NetGalley and picked up nothing from the library.

Watching. Nothing, really. Got all up to date on Schitt’s Creek (I *might* have done a celebratory jig when I found that channel airing the current season) and other than that, haven’t turned the TV on. Except to watch 45’s address to Congress. I’ve always wanted to see how a tyrannical, misogynistic, xenophobic garbage human with terrible ideas would talk to legislators so I’m glad I can cross that off my list.

Worrying. About Barkley. He’s almost 13 and is definitely starting to show his age. He inexplicably hurt yet another one of his legs and if this keeps up, we’re going to need to carry him around everywhere. Which sucks because he loves his walks and his independence and gets cranky when he can’t do what he wants. And I won’t be around this weekend to spend every second watching him. I can 100% assure you I’ll be checking in 47 times a day.

Ranting. I’m not even sure this qualifies under a rant but I don’t know what other word to use. I could spend time talking about Jeff Sessions and Betsy DeVos’s inappropriate comments but I’d rather focus on something that’s hitting way too close to home for me. The rise of anti-Semitic incidents around the country. First of all, I cannot, with every fiber of my being, understand the level of deep-seated hatred that would cause people to shoot at a Jewish preschool or call in bomb threats to a Jewish community center or destroy a Jewish cemetery or vandalize a park with antiSemitic graffiti. Second of all, WHERE IS IT COMING FROM? I truly don’t get it. I mean, I get that anti-Semitism has been on the rise since November, and it’s been around forever and will mostly likely never cease, at least not in my lifetime, and that the president has made hate cool, but what the actual fuck is going on? WHY NOW? Did something happen and I missed it? If anyone knows, please clue me in because this is wholly and on every level unacceptable. And for those who don’t know, I am Jewish. My mom works in a temple, in their preschool. I should not have to panic every day my mother goes to work, or my sister, who works at a JCC. Just like the parents who send their kids there shouldn’t have to panic. This is bullshit fucking nonsense and it needs to fucking stop. (At least there’s some people in government willing to do the right thing. And please do not say anything to me that the president or representatives don’t have an obligation  or responsibility to condemn these acts or put measures in place to stop them or that he did make a half-hearted comment on Tuesday night. I’m not having that discussion).  See also: all the other hate that increasing in this country.

Wondering. Or maybe we can call this rant #2. So the child has another cheer competition this weekend. Fine. It’s a competition to earn a bid to Disney World. Also fine. But you know what’s not fine by me? The fact that it’s only been in the last week we’ve been told the cost for the competition and, should they get a bid, we have roughly 6 weeks to pay for the entire trip including our flights (I’m not driving to Orlando from Delaware. Not ever. I drove from Delaware to Florida one time only, in college, and that was enough). Now, for some people, coming up with roughly $2500 in six weeks or less isn’t an issue. For us, it’s a huge a bit of a challenge. Now, I knew this comp was the goal so I’m not complaining about going or even having to pay. But seriously, a couple of extra month’s notice would have been nice. Just sayin’…

Laughing.

 

Have a great weekend! I’ll be coming to you live from Richmond, VA where I’ll be suffering through supporting my daughter at a cheer competition. See you back on Tuesday with a topic I haven’t decided on!

 

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Reading. Finished Thirteen Reasons Why and All the Ugly and Wonderful Things. Started A Head Full of Ghosts and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (TJR’s new book. It’s on NetGalley. Highlight of my week, getting that book). Still haven’t picked up anything from the library. Full rundown of the library diet next week.

Watching. Schitt’s Creek. I have no idea what compelled me to start this show but it’s so damn hysterical I can’t stop watching. I adore Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara together and everyone is funny, too. Even Chris Elliott, who I generally cannot stand. The show has a dry, sarcastic humor so really, perfect for me. It’s on Netflix and Amazon for those who are interested in checking it out.

Eating. Almond flour chocolate chip muffins. I think next time I’ll replace the chocolate with blueberries and possibly make it as bread but in their current condition, they’re my new favorite breakfast food. One of those with coffee and almond milk has become my go-to weekday breakfast (oh, and yes. I made a whole batch. Occasionally, I’ll do a weekly meal prep).

Listening. True crime podcasts, all day, every day except for when I listen to Show Us Your Books. I’m currently working through The Accused, which is about a murder in Oxford, Ohio in 1978. Fascinating stuff because the main suspect was acquitted both criminally and civilly and it still remains unsolved.

Ranting. I don’t even know where to start this week. The fact that, once again, we care where kids go to the bathroom? Or the fact that a Jewish cemetery was destroyed? Or the people who think the president doesn’t need to speak up or out about how fucking horrid it is? Or the new immigration policy that’s not really all that different from the one that was ruled against? Or oil being more important than land and clean drinking water? The level of hatred, and the need to continually institutionalize that hatred, towards anyone and everyone different is beyond what I can handle anymore. But at least that shitfuck of a human Milo Yiannopolis had his book deal revoked (because being a racist, misogynist pig wasn’t enough for Simon and Schuster to not give him the deal in the first place) and no longer works at Breitbart. You know you’re bad when you can’t work there anymore. It’s nice watching you go down in flames, motherfucker.

Celebrating. My daughter was inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society. I have strong opinions on the fact that this is a thing but regardless of those, I’m so proud of her. She works ridiculously hard at school and to be honored in this way is amazing. I never put expectations on her for her grades other than she try her hardest and she definitely does. The best part is that she’s proud of herself and is never, ever ashamed of being smart. I’m pretty sure that means I’m doing something right.

No big plans for the weekend other than driving to the beach to check out a new (to us) sushi restaurant while the child is at a sleepover. I’ll be back on Tuesday with my bookish recommendations to link up with Lauren and Bre for Add It to My List.

 

 

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I do not understand why this bronchitis will not go away. Yes, it’s better than last week but the lingering effects are making me insane. I’m tired of coughing, I’m tired of medicine, I’m tired of being tired. I just want to feel better.

Also, I’m avoiding politics this week. I need a week off. I’m still outraged and horrified and disgusted that we’re now at a point that party lines mean more than public good, welfare, and safety but I need to leave it alone this week.

Reading. Finished All the Ugly and Wonderful Things. Started Head Full of Ghosts. Still plugging away at Imagine Me Gone. Picked up Nearly Found which was on the list pre-library diet. Got one book from NetGalley (my sole diet infraction!). Thanks again to everyone who participated in Show Us Your Books and set your calendars for the next one on March 14.

Watching. Documentaries. Many. But the one that I’d recommend is Beware the Slenderman (HBO). Mother of hell, this one is disturbing. As if I wasn’t already paranoid about my daughter, knowing these girls were only 2 years older than she is now when they committed the crime freaks me the fuck out.

Eating. Girl Scout cookies. The child’s BFF is a girl scout so OF COURSE we had to buy 5 boxes from her. Strangely, all the boxes are still in the house. If you have the opportunity to buy the s’mores ones, I highly recommend them. And, parenting win of the week: when we putting the cookies away, the child picked up the Thin Mints and walked them right over to the freezer without being told. GUYS. SHE KNOWS.

DIY-ing. Now, it is a well-known fact that I am not crafty. I actively avoid crafts. But I’ve been wanting to free up some space in my bathroom linen closet as well as come up with a better, easier way to access my nail polish so I dug out this old spice rack from our garage, cleaned it up, considered painting it, nixed that idea, and hung it up in the bathroom. Once the great nail polish purge of 2017 is over, I’ll post pictures on IG.

Meditating. It’s also a well-known fact that I have depression and anxiety. I refuse to take meds (please note, if you need meds, there is NO SHAME in taking them. I did for a long, long time) anymore and do whatever I can to maintain it naturally. I’ve heard all the benefits of meditating, especially for anxiety, so I download the Headspace app to my phone. I quite enjoy it, am considering paying for a year subscription, and would recommend it. However. Every time I use it, I fall asleep. And not just for 10 minutes. For like an hour. I can’t imagine that’s supposed to happen. For those of you who meditate, any suggestions?

Listening. This is my favorite song of the week. I’ve been trying to use my phone less which means I’ve been listening to the radio rather than streaming from Spotify when I’m in the car. It’s working out well. I like new music.

No big plans this weekend which is really nice. I need a weekend off from all the stuff. Hope your weekend is as relaxing! See you on Tuesday!

 

 

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This week’s recap comes to you from my feverish body and brain so please excuse any errors.

Reading. Started Imagine Me Gone. DNF Lilac Girls (will explain on Tuesday for Show Us Your Books). Picked up Nearly Found and another NetGalley book. Former was on hold before the library diet started, latter was an impulse because I can’t help myself sometimes.

Watching. Santa Clarita Diet. I generally avoid all things with Drew Barrymore because she makes me crazy but Timothy Olyphant–RAYLAN FUCKING GIVENS–is in this as well and I love him so I gave it a shot. You know, I don’t hate Drew in this. She’s pretty funny as is the whole show, even if I did gag at times. Literally. Almost threw up on my couch.

Using. Wet and Wild’s 1 step gel nail polish. With no UV light necessary. And it’s cruelty free! I combined it with a gel top coat and my normal base coat and 3 days in, no chips. I say that’s a success! And it was like $4 for a bottle which is nice, too.

Raging. I didn’t want to touch on this because my brain can’t handle this anymore but OH MY FUCKING GOD WHY CAN’T THIS SHIT EVER STOP?! Betsy DeVos, Jeff Sessions, the pipeline, 45 tweeting about his daughter’s fucking clothes in the middle of a damn intelligence briefing and oh, yeah. Attempting to shut up Elizabeth Warren. You know how Steph feels about RBG? That’s how I feel about Elizabeth Warren.  I love. LOVE that she stood outside and read the letter anyway and how about that new rallying cry we all have? As an anxious introvert, it’s been hard for me to figure out my level of activism and I thank God for women like her, who are comfortable using their voices no matter what and continue to do so despite every roadblock being thrown at them. But the one bright spot? Neil Gorsuch, 45’s pick for the Supreme Court, criticizing him and calling his tweets about the judiciary disheartening and demoralizing. Of course, 45 is trying to spin it but it’s out there. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next.

Eating. A steady diet of prescription meds, cough drops, Robitussin, and NyQuil because bronchitis sucks.

Listening. Amnesia by Red Sun Rising. Favorite lyric:

And I’m not sick like you
I’m not burdened by the truth

The video is fun, too.

That’s it. This weekend is another cheer competition and buying a new bed for the child. Good times.

See you on Tuesday for Show Us Your Books!

 

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Me, every time I look at the news:

HOW DOES IT NEVER STOP?!

Because, in addition to the trash fire of my government, we had a little prison riot here in Delaware that resulted in the death of a corrections officer. Oh, and the prison? A mere 10 minutes from my house. And since it’s a small state, OF COURSE we knew people who were in there when it started.

At least I had the news of Viola Davis playing Ruth in the movie adaptation of Small Great Things as a distraction.

Other than that, let’s see what happened:

Reading. Finished Idaho. Restarted The Lilac Girls and The Best of Adam Sharp (ARC from NetGalley). Picked Up Thirteen Reasons Why and All the Ugly and Wonderful Things.

Watching. Did I even turn on the TV this week? I don’t think I did. So nothing to report here.

Listening. No new podcasts that I listened to but I am ridiculously excited for the new one from the Serial producers. It’s called S-Town, it’s a true crime podcast about a small town in rural Alabama, and it releases in March. So put that on your radar.

Quitting. My 40 by 40. I actually quit is about a year ago but I’m now announcing it formally and officially. I’ll explain why I quit in another post.

Planning. Speaking of my 40th birthday, I have no idea what I want to do for it. I know I want to travel. I was hoping to be able to fulfill to-do list item #1, a trip to Australia, but I’m not quite sure how to logistically make it work. I mean, I understand the idea of getting on a plane and flying there but it’s so much bigger than that. So I’ll have to settle for another place that’s logistically easier but I don’t know where that is.

Laughing. Have a great weekend! I’ll be in Baltimore for another two day cheer comp and hopefully be home in time to watch the puppy bowl. See you on Tuesday for Judging Covers!

 

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