Carol's Notebook – Page 209

Saturday Snapshot

May 26, 2018 by Carol6 Comments

We went garage sale-ing today and picked up a few things. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed that our played are all Blue Willow. I picked up four bowl, plate, cup sets. Amber got this nice easel for $5. It just needs cleaned up a little. And this is a birdfeeder. I need to get a cork. I'm hoping it works like it's supposed to. Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda westmetromommyreads.com. ...

Artemis by Andy Weir

May 25, 2018 by Carol3 Comments

Artemis is at heart a caper story with a sci-fi backdrop. Jazz is a small time criminal who is offered the chance to make big money doing a job she is capable of, because she's brilliant, but is outside of her usual parameters. The job of course goes awry - as they so often do. But, it turns out the job just a part of the larger plan, a plan affecting all of Artemis. So, as she sees it, in order to save her city, she pull together the standard motley crew of misfits, including her dad (who I really liked), her ex-boyfriend's current boyfriend, a Ukrainian scientist, and others to pull off a near-impossible crime. Set on earth, this would be a fun enough crime novel. Jazz is a good character, smart as all get out, but under-motivated. She's sarcastic and lonely. I didn't always love her sense of humor, especially when she's speaking directly to the reader, it feels...

First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros

May 22, 2018May 22, 2018 by Carol3 Comments

—Every Tuesday Vicki at I'd Rather Be At the Beach hosts First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros, where we share the first paragraph or two of a book we are reading or thinking about reading soon. Mine comes from Head On by John Scalzi. THE DEATH OF DUANE CHAPMAN The journeyman Hilketa athlete was looking to make an impression in his final game. But then he did something unexpected. He died. By Cary Wise Special to the HILKETA NEWS . By the time Duane Chapman died on the Hilketa field, his head had already been torn off twice. Having it torn off for the third time was unusual, even for Hilketa, in which the point of the game is to rip the head off a selected opponent and then toss or carry it through a goal at the end of the field. The computer operated by the officials in the game operations room—improvised for this exhibition game between the Boston Bays and the Toronto Snowbirds in an appropriated stadium...

Saturday Snapshot

May 19, 2018 by Carol5 Comments

The flowers in the photo above were from my boss on my last day of work last week. I started a new job this past Wednesday and think I'm going to enjoy it. It doesn't hurt that the money and hours are better too. I've got a few random other pictures from this week. This is Amber's latest painting. It's based on The Titan's Goblet by Thomas Cole. She was practicing using oils which is not her favorite medium. A couple of my azaleas are blooming. Aren't they pretty? David's softball season started and Scrappy got to go with us yesterday. Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda at West Metro Mommy Reads....

Reminder: Take Some Me Time

May 18, 2018May 17, 2018 by Carol5 Comments

Reclaiming Control of Your Life It probably didn’t happen overnight, but is something that overtook your serenity like ivy overtakes any structure it can attach to. You may not have even noticed the slow loss of control you were experiencing as family life, work and other obligations began consuming all of your personal time. Then one day you realize you can’t remember the last time you had a block of “me time” to enjoy a nap, a book or a long, peaceful walk. It’s important to your physical, mental and emotional health that you reclaim some personal time to relax, recharge and simply enjoy being solely in the company of self. Starting Off A day that starts off hectic often continues in that same manner. Preparing for the morning prior to going to bed can eliminate morning chaos. Getting and staying organized can help make mornings and entire days less hectic and frustrating. Doing everything possible to simplify daily tasks such as meal...

Bout of Books 22

May 14, 2018May 21, 2018 by Carol3 Comments

Bout of Books 22 starts today! And it just so happens that I have today and tomorrow off between ending my last job and starting my new one, so plenty of time to read. Here's the info: The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 14th and runs through Sunday, May 20th 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 20 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog (http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/). - From the Bout of Books team I'm starting today in the middle of Artemis by Andy Weir on audio and The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware on my Kindle. Today's challenge: Introduce Yourself #insixwords https://twitter.com/carolsnotebook/status/996062978473590784 Monday's Progress: Artemis: 4 hrs 2 mins The Death of Mrs. Westaway: 12 pages Tuesday's Progress: Finished Artemis and started...