Friday Reads

I'm not sure where to begin it's been so long!  And let me explain that just because I haven't been writing doesn't mean I haven't been reading.  I'm always reading something, even if it's in between the lines.

Cute cover, right?

So, my last book of summer, Ten Girls to Watch, was purchased on a whim last night at Target... of course.  As usual, the cover drew me in and the story line made me throw it in the cart.  I know we're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but we do, and sometimes it works out beautifully, and other times, not so much.  This is still undecided, but I've got a good feeling, and I can't wait to read.

Our book club just finished reading The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons.  While the book was beautifully written, I'm not sure a sweeping romance (should I say epic?) is my thing.  The first half was amazing, and I couldn't put it down.  By the time I got to page 600ish, I was kinda threw with it and started skimming a bit.  It's not that I didn't want to find out what happened, but one can only read so much drama in one book.   I mean, enough already!  I would recommend it, but make sure you enjoy a little drama in your fictional life.

Have a great weekend and happy reading!

So long, Summer

Can you see me smiling?

I know many of you are heartbroken that summer is over.  Sad to see the kids go back to school, forced into waking up at an ungodly hour, and get the family out the door.

I am not one of those people... and I'm okay with that.

Still, I hate to move forward carrying negative baggage (that's so last season), so I thought I'd do a Top Ten of What Was Good this Summer to lay it to rest peacefully.  After all, remembering the bad things is what we're trying to forget.

1. Kimi is home!
2. "Inappropriateness... It's not just for Thursdays anymore."
3. Spinning with the Peeps.
4. Batman.
5. Book Club Books.
6. Watching the Olympics!
7. Beach birthdays
8. Being done with Van Camp, and getting through it with the best co-workers and coaches ever.
9. Evan working at the rink.  Blake living in Elevation.
10. Being lucky enough to be surrounded by love... even though sometimes I didn't even know it.

Tomorrow will be my last "summer" work day, and for that I say Amen.  Then I get a beautiful 3 days off, and I can regroup before we kick into Fall.  I know I've gotten off track over the past few months, but luckily I have people in my life that know how to get me back on track.  

They know one simple text will guilt me into writing, not because I want to do it for them, but they know that I need to do it for me.  It's not always easy, but the best things in life aren't.  

I'll happily go through tomorrow at work, knowing we made it through and survived. 

I wish you all a wonderful holiday weekend... 

Inspiration, part 78

This might be my favorite subject of all times.

One never knows when they are going to be inspired and determined to rid themselves of the nasty feelings inside for more lighter and brighter ones. It literally can happen at any given moment. Usually, there is a reason (a person, place or thing) for the feeling of "Okay, I can do this" to capture your heart. And sometimes, its just that feeling of being sick of the stupid voices in your head that will push you into a positive momentum.

This is a combination of both.

Plus, Evan goes back to school tomorrow, which means that Blake goes back the following week, and everyone knows that structure and I go waaaay back. Structure is my BFF. I don't think I'm alone in this, although everyone I talk to says 'it's too soon to go back to school' or 'I'm not ready for summer to be over.'


I want to hit these people.

Am I ready to start fighting with Evan over grades, no, but at least it's not about who gets the xBox next and for how long. I know that Fall isn't going to bring that world peace feeling I'm longing for, but at least I won't be battling the guilt of leaving my kids at home while I work all summer. So at least I have that going for me.

Tonight, I finally picked up Anna Quindlen's Lot's of Candles, Plenty of Cake probably because I was internally seeking some inspiration, and clearly, she doesn't disappoint. After the first two pages, I literally thought to myself, why am I not writing about all this crazy stuff in my head. Surely there is someone who can relate with me?

Anyone?

But it really doesn't matter if no one replies, because I know you're out there. And even if it's not about summer ending, there's something else going on in your life, and it's just nice to know that we're all going through some sort of challenge.

We need to stick together at times like this.

And we definitely need our inspiration.

Weekend Reads

I'll just be honest here;  I hate this summer.

Anyone who has spent any time around me lately already knows this.  The heat, the work, the vacation-less weekends have seriously gotten to me... and not in a good way.  I've been borderline depressed, and it really depends on the day as to which side of that line I am standing.

So, it will surprise no one that while at Schulers on Friday night, I picked up a book that intrigued me.  Yes, it was considered a "self-help" (of course it was, you're thinking), but this book is unlike any self-help book I have ever read, and quite frankly it's a train wreck and I can't look away.

This is How by Augusten Burroughs is nothing short of brilliant, and sad, and funny, and open-your-eyes honest.  You will see things a different way, and most likely throw away every other self-help book you have ever read.

"If you spend twenty years trying to get something and you still don't have it, is it admirable to keep trying?  Or did you pass admirable several miles back and it's getting close to straightjacket time?"

This is his take on the losing weight mindset.

He covers every subject imaginable, and even some you don't ever imagine.
But you sit and read about it anyways.  Because you can't stop reading once you start.  It has more common sense than a book should have, and is absolutely a book that will put things in perspective.

It's not for everyone.  But if you've ever had a bad day, a life trauma, a question about life, you might just find what you're looking for here.

His honesty is a breath of fresh air... even in the middle of the hottest summer in Michigan's history.

6-Word Wednesday

My mid-summer funk has gone to new depths this year, and it has a new name.

The Giant Mid-Summer Freaking Funk

Thankfully, like a bike hill, Mid-Summer is only for a short amount of time, and before you know it, the resistance goes down and we're flying downhill.

At least that's what I'm hoping for.

So, when I got up this morning and flipped through Twitter to see what I missed, I found this bit of inspiration that seems to capture the exact feeling I have when I'm driving home from Spin Class.

Leave it to Nike.

I can feel the resistance being turned down already, and know in my heart that everything will be okay.  It's not the easy times that make us who we are, it the difficult ones, and sometimes we just need to ride the wave long enough to see the calmer waters.

It sucks, but there really is no other way.

My  6-Word battle cry for the day is this:

Life is tough.  Find your greatness.

thanks, Nike.

I hope you have an amazing day...

6-Word Wednesday!

My mom's hero...

Have I mentioned that I heart 6-Word Wednesday?

I really heart it a lot.

But today is bittersweet, because, sadly today is also the anniversary of my mom's death, and I hate this day.  So how does one remember without being sad?  Over the years I've learned to deal with it, and it's true when they say that time does ease the pain - but it never really goes away.  It feels only appropriate that there should be rain today... that's a good thing.  In fact, there really are a lot of good things.

But life will go on, always.


When there's memories, make them happy.


Laughter is key to all happiness.


Surround yourself with people you love <3


'This too shall pass,' she said.


Is there anything better than shopping?  (of course, she'd say...lets do lunch!)


I hope you have a wonderful 6-word day!

Monday Pinday!

Monday Pinday is officially becoming Monday Funday.  Although, I must admit trying to find Pins this morning proved to be quite the challenge.  You know when you're scrolling and looking for something, and nothing hits you as interesting?

Luckily for you I'm tenacious.

Shall we begin?

After just finishing 11/22/63 by Stephen King, I couldn't not pin Jackie.... and in pink to boot!

Who wouldn't want to come up with a meal planning system?  Sigh...

A line from The Vow, a movie Channing could be proud of (as opposed to his latest work)

Not sure why, but this is funny to me.

I want this hair.  And someone to style it like this every morning.

According to this, I really am a writer.

I may just print this for my mirror so I can see it every day.

Nemo fans will understand.

I love this prayer.

See?  There was really no rhyme or reason for anything I pinned today, but as usual, I was able to be inspired.... or is it Pinspired?   Hmmmm.

Have a fabulous day!