Good-bye Summer

This will shock most who know me . . . but I'm ready for summer to fade away and Autumn to arrive!  Cooler weather, less yard work, Dewey's Readathon, and the beginning of the holiday season . . . (That doesn't mean I don't have a plan to celebrate the "last summer holiday" - Labor Day . . . and I will blog about that later.)

 Recently I decided I wanted to bring back the old fun in the book club I share with my sister, Tami.  She agreed and we plan to spend the next Sister Weekend reading!  If you are familiar with Dewey's Readathon you will know that it's 24 hours of reading mixed with hourly challenges and the chance to win prizes for entering.   It's the best part of October every year!

But I am feeling nostalgic and want to bring back some other things that were fun a few years back.  2012 was a great year for me.  I also got into blogging then and had a lot of fun with it.  That reminded me of the fun I used to have with Trish's Pin-It Do-It Challenges.  Find things on Pinterest that you would like to try and then blog about your results!  Sure hope Trish does an Autumn Challenge 2015! 

As I write this short blog post - I'm watching an episode of Extreme Weight Loss which once again puts it right there in my face - the need to take off extra pounds for a healthier lifestyle.  I am nostalgic about that also as I was able to have successful loss of 30 pounds a few years back and since then have gained back some.    Time for some walks in the countryside and tours around on my bicycle!  Maybe even a hike or two this fall.

It's soon a new season yes - and I welcome the change.  It was not my best summer by far.  How will you be spending your Autumn days?  What do you like best about this time of year?   Do you decorate your home for Fall? 

I'd love to hear!

Let's do the MASH . . . the retirement MASH . . .

Day #3 of Bout of Books Readathon.  I plan to READ tonight!  I also took the challenge to do the MASH game by Sarah at  Rocky Top Real Talk.  My sister and fellow blogger from Just One More Thing suggested we change it up with our choices for retirement!

So here is how my Retirement Mash turned out:

I shall retire in a MANSION on MYRTLE BEACH and will love having our 12 grandchildren visit, (which is twice the number that we currently have btw)  . . . and I will drive around in my CHEVROLET TRAVERSE because I guess I will have enough money to finally buy one?    My hobby will be HOMEMAKING, which is just great with me although I did think it would be fun to host random Vacation Bible Schools for small groups of kids . . . AND lastly I will read 5 books a week!

That was a fun challenge - can't wait to see what tomorrow's challenge finds us doing!

Happy Reading!

A huntin' we will go . . .

For books that is! 

The second challenge in the weekly Bout of Books readathon is from The Book Monsters! 

Book Scavenger Hunt:

1. A Book that begins with “B”  (for Bout of Books!)

2. A book you’re planning to read/currently reading for Bout of Books

3. Blue Book(s)

4. Books from your favorite genre!

5. A book on your TBR shelf, or your full TBR shelves

I had a great time running up and down stairs to look through my books.  When we moved in 2012 I left a huge supply of books at our small town local library - so my one book shelf plus one children's book shelf is all I have left.  Then there are books tucked in a crock upstairs that are my TBRC (to be read crock) and a few stacked on my dining room table.  Here is what I came up with:

Book that begins with B - Well since I have a small personal library - I had to move over to my kids's bookcase and look for B books - I quickly found some of their favs.   Benji, Fastest Dog in the West; Big Bird's Red Book; Baby Mickey's Toys; and Baby's First Book.  Now I can read these myself but I decided to use technology - so I asked my daughter if I can Facetime with my granddaughter some time this week and I will read her a book - - - she's 3 months old - so I'm not sure how it will go!

A book I'm planning to read for Bout of Books - The one I am presently reading is An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor.

A Blue Book - This was hard again also.  I found an old book of James J. Metcalfe's Poem Portraits.  I love this book as it was my Grandma Wheat's.      
Inside is an inscription dated Dec. 17, 1952.    My grandma's birthday.  The book was given to her from her dear friend Mamie.  Mamie was a dear part of my childhood, also. 

Books from my favorite genre - Pioneer Women

I have always loved to read Pioneer stories and Janette Oke was my first introduction to that.  The Calling of Emily Evans has been my best read to date.  Although. . . I reread it earlier last year and it didn't intrigue me in the same way.  Why does that happen?

And a book on my TBR shelf or crock -

A book that is waiting just for me is by Joyce Meyer.  Secrets to Exceptional Living.  I have been talking about a final beginning again of living a great life.  I have been thinking of my goals for 2016.  Tami, my sister and I have been planning a weekend to read and brain storm about our plans for a new year.   This book promises to help - Transforming your Life Through the Fruits of the Spirit.  I am excited to begin!

This was a fun challenge!  

Grab a book . . . let's read.

Just a quick post to say that I am excited not only for the ReReadathon that I have talked about in September, but to discover a week long readathon beginning today:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 17th and runs through Sunday, August 23rd in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 14 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog.

          

Has anyone read these?  What did you think?

An Irish County Doctor by Patrick Taylor

The Girls of August by Anne Rivers Siddons

Until the End of Time by Danielle Steel

The bout of books readathon also includes daily challenges - the first one is called the Fictional World Travel Challenge:  I must say I flunked . . . however, An Irish Country Doctor - as you can guess takes place in the emerald hills and glens of Northern Ireland.  I can't exactly join the challenge to tell about 3-6 books - but I am enjoying learning a little bit about the Irish in my first read!  

Thank you ladies for the chance to join in!

“Tomorrow when I awaken, the slate will be clean, and a new day will stretch before me. God's mercies are new every morning.” ― Lori Hatcher

God's mercies are new every morning, great is our faithfulness O Lord, great is our faithfulness.

I have written about starting over, and New Years Resolutions, and focuses, and goals many times in my blogging life.  Seems I am always "starting over" - and as Oprah used to say - it gives us a chance to get it right. 

I have only had a small bit of success when starting over.  My favorite time was when I started on Nutrisystem in 2012 and for the next year I basically did it right.  I followed the plan and lost weight, exercised, and felt great.    Even if I had a bad day and even when I was off of the plan for part of that time, I still felt like I was doing things right.  It was a good time in my life.

Alas, I don't think life is always meant to be just that "right" all of the time.  I have more than a blessed life that I give thanks for each day.  However, I am restless with the way I am using my time, the relationships I have, the way I handle myself at times, and yes, about my weight/health.  

Recently I have gone through a very rough period of doubt and fear.  The valleys are not fun, but certainly can be educational.   So, it's not a new year, or a new month, or my birthday, or any special date.  I still plan to end tonight in prayer and Bible reading, and look ahead to God's mercies tomorrow morning.    Once again if you will humor me, I will begin a do-over.  Please check back to see the lessons learned from a summer of unrest . . . maybe they will help you when you are faced with the same.  

Sister Weekend #2

Welcome to my lonely blog spot!  I won't dwell on why there have been no posts . . . whether I have had writer's block . . . been too grumpy to write . . . or too busy with new granddaughter . . . all are true . . . but not a reason.  So . . . moving forward.

In January of 2015 my sister Tami and I started something new - Sister Weekends.  We had the first one at her house in southeastern Nebraska.  It was a huge success . . . healthy eating . . . great conversations . . . nice guest room . . . and much fun with sewing, painting and crafting!

The 2nd Sister Weekend is scheduled for August 29 - 30.  I came up with the idea that we needed to use this chance to be together to ramp up another fun idea that we started many many years ago!  Our sister-shared book club.

Tami quickly found the ReReadathon sponsored by Bex at Armchair by the Sea and we decided to join in!    It runs from September 7 - 20, 2015.  Rules are to read or re-read a favorite and post about it!  Sounds perfect for Tami and I.  We both are signing up today!

Now that I'm back to writing - blogging - - - stay tuned for me to catch up with what has been going on in my life in 2015.  And join us for a readathon of fun in September!  I know Tami and I are planning to talk books, share books, and read books on our Sister Weekend #2!