Currently

Reading ... in the Bible I'm a bit all over the place. I'm midway through Proverbs while also reading the gospels, and my favorite Psalms.

In other books insert long exhalation this could be a post on its own. 

The library we use is doing a reading challenge that includes mostly classics. I decided to participate since I was hoping to read a lot more classics this year, but it has been rough. My latest from that challenge Grapes of Wrath I had a miserable time reading it. I had several gripes and issues with it almost from the very beginning, but I thoroughly despised the ending so much that I rated it a generous one star. 

Finishing it I thought I really, really need something completely different. Something light and fluffy. A quick read of some kind. 

Someone had shared that one of her all time favorite book series is a YA taking place in Ireland, there was going to be rugby, and high-school. The main characters names are Johnny and Shannon. Armed with only that for information I thought I would give it a go.

The library had all the books in the series so on a whim I decided to take all of them. That way if I like the first one I can immediately continue. If not, no big deal. I can always return them unread.

When I tell you I was unprepared for this series, I mean, I was unprepared! 

It was like nothing else I have ever read.

I've heard tell that some books find you when you need them. Maybe that is the case. I'm fairly certain had I attempted reading them even several months ago I would probably not have made it past the first few chapters in book one, but for some reason even though there were cringe inducing things sprinkled quite liberally in those first handful of chapters there was also something that kept me reading. And so I did.

Book one ended on a huge cliff hanger and I was so glad I had the next book to immediately continue. I could have quit reading at the end of the second book since that was the end of Johnny and Shannon's POV, but book three was waiting and I saw it would be from Shannon's brother Joey's POV who I had really liked in the previous books. He was such a good brother to Shannon and the rest of the Lynch siblings that I had to continue the series.

My heart had already gone through the wringer in books one and two. But reading from Joey's POV took it to a whole other level. It was brutally painful to read, but also so good if that makes any sense. 

Maybe it was because we're only a few weeks from the anniversary of my brother Mahlon passing away, but reading about Joey's battle with addiction was utterly heartbreaking and healing at the same time. I truly think I needed to read these.

These books should not be YA, though. They're so, so heavy. Going in I had been completely unaware of the trigger warnings attached to them and there are plenty.

I have zero regrets that I read them. They were such a hard read, but somehow still so good. I can not stop thinking about these characters. It's been over a week since I read them and I've been unable to pick up any other books. I still wake up at night and they're the first thing I think about.

In the end, even though I'm glad I read these I would be very hesitant to recommend them to anyone, because of all the triggers.

Writing ... other than this blogpost, nothing. After that reading journey my well of creativity and inspiration has dried up. I know it will come back someday, but today is not that day and tomorrow isn't looking too good either.

Listening ... to the neighbor's rooster crowing loudly, the hum of the dehumidifier running in the basement, and the trilling of a bird I can't identify.

Baking ... I made a small batch of cookies yesterday, there are still five left, but I'm assuming those will disappear soon.

Cooking ... for dinner I'll be making a lentil stew and some herbed dinner rolls to enjoy with it. It's been cold lately which has made me crave this stew, so we shall have it tonight.

Feeling ... so very thankful for the life I get to live. I've been blessed beyond measure to have LV for my husband, to have the family we have, and to know our Saviour. It's not a perfect life, but it's a really, really good one. And I'm feeling overwhelmingly thankful for all of it.

Disliking ... drought. After all the rain and flooding at the beginning of the summer we are back to being dry. Timothy and Rosie Mae's well ran dry on Saturday. They're drilling today, but in the meantime they've been coming over to our house for showers, laundry, etc.  As much as I love having them here, I wish it would be for a happier reason.

Loving ... the bouquet of flowers in the living room. They're Rosie Mae's. She brought them along over so that she still gets to enjoy them while they wait on having water in their house.

Playing ... a variety of games. My favorite for right now is called Squirrels. 

Cleaning ... we were planning on deep cleaning the basement on Labor Day but then someone wanted to have an interview so LV went into work instead to conduct it. He was able to work all day, but the prospective hire was a no-show. Not the best first impression if you're hoping to get a job, I must say.

Currently

Reading ... in the Bible I'm making my way through Matthew while still tucking in a few Psalms every day as well.

In other books I finished Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë a few days ago. I've been trying to read more classics this year and this one has been on my want to read list for years already. I ended up really, really disliking it, but somehow managed to read the entire book.

The characters were miserable, unlikable, and in the end had no redeeming qualities. I'm confused how it's viewed as a beloved love story. 

Writing ... a few letters, a smattering of text messages, some journaling, and editing and polishing up a first draft.

Watching ... The Boy in Striped Pajamas. Steven's history curriculum suggested we read the book and when I went to request it from the library and saw there is also a movie based on the book I decided to get both. 

I liked the book better, but the movie was good too. We watched it as a family and it had all of us reaching for tissues.

Listening ... to some instrumental music. I'm finding it a nice background noise as I write and go about my day.

Baking ... I haven't baked anything recently other than sweet potatoes. 

Sharon sent me a recipe today for some filled bread/rolls along with the plea that I make them. 

I'll have to see if I can figure it all out tomorrow. It's in a different language which makes it a bit more challenging.

Cooking ... tonight I made our favorite fried chicken once again. It's been close to a year since the last time I had made it so was a treat for all of us.

Feeling ... sleepy, but at the same time already eager for tomorrow. I love mornings and new days.

Disliking ... distracted drivers. We were driving along with the flow of traffic, which was heavy, when all of a sudden someone who wasn't paying attention to the road drove right into the back of us. 

Thankfully we are all okay. The only lingering thing is the uneasiness I feel when ever another vehicle gets a little too close for comfort.

Loving ... grandchildren. They are a delight and I love it whenever we get to spend time together.

Playing ... most recently a memory game with our grandson. It was the best of times. He was concerned I didn't have as many matching sets as he did. He started splitting his sets every time he made a match so that we can both have a card.

It completely melted my heart. 

Cleaning ... I need to wash a few windows and spray some spider deterrent. I had run out of the spray earlier this year before I got all of the windows done and the windows that didn't receive the treatment have spiders wanting to hang out there. 

It's time to remedy that.

Currently

Reading ...  in the Bible I needed some Psalms to start my day.

In other books, my most recent one was Bridge to Terabithia. It's one that we've had for years, but I had never read.

Yes, it's a children's book, but I was a sobbing mess by the time I got through it. I had gone into it with zero expectations, but it is now one of those books that has left a permanent mark on me. How had I never read it before?

Writing ... lesson plans for our new school year that we're kicking off next week. Text messages. Lists. And that's basically it.

Listening ... to the sound of the dryer as it is drying the third load of laundry of the day. It drowns out most other sounds other than the occasional passing vehicle.

Baking ... I want to bake apple and peach pie later on. I need to get apples first when I go on our grocery run later today.

Cooking ... on the menu, Comfort Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli Salad, Dinner Rolls, and then the aforementioned pie for dessert.

Feeling ... a little bit drained, thanks to still not being quite back to a hundred after reading Bridge to Terabithia.

Disliking ... bugs splattering on the windshield when I drive, 

Loving ... that I have a windshield to protect me from being splatted by those bugs.

Playing ... most recently a Bible Trivia game and UNO No Mercy.

Cleaning ... I really need to tackle the basement. We got it dried out after it flooded, but it's still dirty because of what the floodwaters left behind.

Currently

Reading ... in the Bible, 1 John. So encouraging!

In other books my most recent read was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It's a book I've kept hearing about for years already and I kept thinking I want to read it someday.  That "someday" happened to be this week. 

It wasn't quite what I expected, but I was enjoying it quite a bit. This evening LV and Steven went fishing, Sharon was grabbing some work after classes, and with the house empty and quiet I decided to settle in and read the remaining 25% of the book. I had heard from some of my reader friends how they had to cry when reading this book, but I was starting to think there must be something wrong with me because though I was touched multiple times, nothing was inducing tears ... until it was. I don't remember the last time I cried this much while reading a book.

I still haven't fully recovered. 

Our home library has only books we truly love, and I think I just found the next book I need to add to it.

Writing ... menu plans, lists, and some letters.

Watching ... Steven and I have been watching an episode of Storage Wars after lunch for the past week or so. 

Listening ... to the birds singing. We have quite a variety of birds that hang out in the trees around the house, and they sing most beautifully. I especially like listening to them in the mornings when their songs seem to be at their sweetest.

Baking ... most recently I made a Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake on request for a birthday. It turned out fabulous. There's still a small piece in the refrigerator waiting to be enjoyed. Cheesecake isn't my favorite dessert, and I also never crave peanut butter in desserts, but somehow I still thought this is really good.

Cooking ... Eggplant Parmesan, Meatballs with an Orange Mustard Sauce, and a simple salad.

Feeling ... there's this sense of happy hopefulness. Like there's something good waiting just around the corner of life and I'm just waiting to see what it might be.

Disliking ... mud. I'm very thankful for all the rain we got, but mud is another story. Steven came in completely spattered in mud earlier today so some pre-rinsing of clothes needs to happen before I do the laundry.

Loving ... the beautiful spring weather we're having.

Playing ... today Steven and I played several rounds of Dutch Blitz. I used to dominate that game, but not any longer. I've come to the conclusion that he's better than me at every single game we have that's not strictly luck based.

Cleaning ... today I deep cleaned the refrigerator. I was going to clean one of the lazy susans as well, but oopsies, I finished reading that book instead.

X ~ XLR8

     Words beginning with an "X" are a bit more challenging and I have at various times during previous A-Z challenges simply resorted to using words beginning with ex and placed a heavier emphasis on the x part of it. 
    Today however I decided to turn to a little game Steven used to love playing.
    

    XLR8 was simple enough to play being very light on strategy.
    Most of the time it was only Steven and I playing it, though it can be played with up to six players.
    You start with the little speedometer at zero and five cards in your hand. On your turn you play a card and then draw another. The MPH cards helped you accelerate your speed. You play the card and turn the wheel on your speedometer to indicate your new speed. First one to get to 200 MPH wins.
    Included in the cards were caution cards. When played,  all your opponents had to reduce their speed to 25 MPH. Blow Out cards could be played on another player making them have to return their speed to zero. A Pit Stop card has the player of your choice have to skip a turn. A rare 2x or 3x multiplier card allowed you to double or triple your speed.
    This game appealed to Steven because of speed and racing. 
    I enjoyed it a lot because it was an easy one to pick up and play when ever, and the adding and multiplying was a nice bonus to slip in something educational while having fun.
    This little game won a creative child Game of the Year award back in 2008, I can see why.  
    The only complaint I have with this one is that instead of a game box it comes in ziploc "chip bag" of sorts. It works, but it's not my container of choice.