Stuff & Things: Currently...

So I totally stole this from Kristin's post on Tuesday.  I haven't been writing much.  I actually have some ideas on a list, but I haven't really been inspired.  I thought it would be a good time to let you all know that I'm still alive and well and to hook up with Kristin and Joey for Stuff & Things!

Reading... All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr; I am also looking for a nonfiction novel to incorporate into my reading curriculum next year, so I am reading Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D. Houston.

Loving... pilates!  I signed up for the #30DayPilatesBody Challenge with Robin from The Balanced Life  I also joined the Balanced Life Sisterhood, and while the challenge doesn't start until March, I've gone through her beginner videos, and plan to do some others to get ready for the challenge.  If you'd like to join the challenge, click here!

Buying... Nothing at this exact moment, but DoTerra is having a BOGO sale this week.  I'm keeping an eye on the daily deals to possible stock up or try some new oils.   (I'm also LOVING these, by the way.)

Appreciating.... My students.  They are working in groups to finish activities for the book Hatchet.  I love listening to them work.  :)

Wondering... What to make for dinner tonight.  #storyofmylife

Eating... better.  I was really off track of healthier choices for a couple of weeks.  I just wasn't "feeling" it.  I wanted to eat what I wanted to eat.  So I did.  

Drinking... Water, as usual.  At school, I have a Brita bottle that filters my water, but at home, I have a glass water bottle and I've been adding DoTerra Lemon essential oil.  Yummy!  

I got this Ello glass water bottle on Amazon.  It's awesome!

Watching... Parenthood on Netflix.  So apparently, when I finished Season 5 on Netflix, I was under the impression that it was over.  BUT as it turns out, Season 6 was the final season and was recently released on Netflix.  I started season 1 while I was on the treadmill yesterday.  

Feeling... content.  For the moment.  I'm also excited.  While I was writing about what I'm watching, I also remember that Fuller House will be released on Netflix TOMORROW (Feb. 26th)!  It's freaking ridiculous how excited I am.  

Failing... at blogging.  As I've already said, I haven't been around much lately.

Succeeding... at starting to get and stay organized at home.  Scott and I had our house appraised last week.  Prior to the appraisal, I had a LOT of work to do to get the house cleaned and somewhat organized before allowing a stranger into our home.  Now that it's clean, I'm working to keep it that way.  I started following @cleanmama on Instagram.  She posts one cleaning task each day.  I'm off to a good start.

Keeping... up with work at work.  I'm ahead on my lesson plans and I'm done with a lot of other things.  Hence, the writing of this post.  I am about to have numerous tests and papers to grade over the rest of the week.  So I'm enjoying the breather while it lasts.

Planning... some time to get together with friends over the next month.

What's *currently* going on with you?

January Books

So I'm off to a great start for my 2016 Goodreads Book Challenge.  I have already read 4 books in January, and I'm 2 books ahead of schedule.  My goal this year is to read 40 books since I read 36 last year!

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved this book! I listened to Landline on Audible. The narrator was the same as my first Rainbow Rowell book, FanGirl. At first, I had a little trouble adjusting to her as Georgie and not Cath, but I quickly got over that!

I really enjoyed how the story moved between Georgie's past and present. When she first used the landline to call her husband, I was so confused. I actually rewound the book because I was sure that I had missed something. I was annoyed at first, but then I kind of liked that I was just as confused as Georgie was.

This book had me hooked and kept me wanting to know what would happen and how things would work out! So glad I gave it a listen!


Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I don't even think I can say how much I am loving this series. Drums of Autumn has so many ups and downs in the lives of Jamie, Claire, and now adding more focus on Brianna and Roger. I cannot wait to continue reading more!



The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I read this book very quickly. I don't know that it lived up to all of the hype that it received, but I definitely enjoyed the book!

I liked that the story was told from three points of view: Rachel, Megan, and Anna. Even though the story definitely focused on Rachel, I believe that the other two women are essential to developing the story. I had a lot of sympathy for Rachel and her broken heart and struggle with alcohol addiction. It struck me how she had difficulty with her credibility due to her drinking and blackouts.

I can truly say that I didn't find this story predictable, and as the end unfolded, I was actually coming to realizations right along with Rachel.

Definitely a good read!


The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I have been obsessed with the Tudor court since I read "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. Since then, I've not only devoured ALL of her other books on the subject but also those on the Cousins' War.

With that being said, I am always looking for more historical fiction on this topic and am willing to give any author a chance! "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" did not disappoint. I love making connections between other speculation I've read about this time period. The story shares Anne's thoughts from a perspective that I haven't experienced before, and I enjoyed the connections it made with Queen Elizabeth I during her reign.

I wasn't thrilled with the voice of the narrator on this Audible listen or I might have given this 5 stars.



View all my reviews