Rainy Day Ramblings

The Sunday Post: 292nd Edition

Another week in the books. Summer is coming to an end. We have three full weeks left to enjoy the sun and get in some fun. 

The kids finished up their first session of swimming lessons, another to go. It keeps them busy. We are also in the middle of a big clean up and reorganization project. They are turning 11 and 9 in September, and they’ve decided that they want more mature rooms. That means we are going through all their toys, donating some, passing some to younger cousins and putting away the rest in bins. This weekend we will be getting new desks and bookshelves. It is nice to get this done, but it has been a big job. It is also a little sad because I feel like we are packing away a bit more of childhood. Sigh... where has all that time gone?

I am busy trying to blog ahead and get caught up on things too, as I go back to school this year with the kids. After volunteering for three years, I took a job at the school as an instructional assistant. I will continue to tutor kids in reading and math, but now I will get paid. That means though that I will be working full time, so I have to get as much blogging done ahead to make it easier. I may take breaks more and cut back here and there, but I hope to keep the blog up and running. It is work, but I would miss it.

Finally, I am truly sad over all the sad news that has inundated us this week from the shootings to all the ugliness. It is disheartening. We can’t let it get us down. We have to pull together, be strong and be kind. Love will always overcome hate. Do something kind!

Alright here is what happened on the blog last week:

Monday: Audiobook Review: The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Genres That Disappoint

Wednesday: Review: The Summer of ‘69 by Elin Hilderbrand

 

Thursday: Review: The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

Received for review:

 

Here is what is coming up next week:

Monday: Audiobook Review: Spin the Dawn by Rebecca Lim

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: What mistakes have you learned to stop repeating when it comes to reading and blogging?

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: Protect the Prince by Jennifer Estep

 

Thursday: Audiobook Review: The Girl in Red by April Henry

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

That’s it for the week. Sending love and kindness to you all. 

The Sunday Post 291st Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

How can it be August already? I feel like it should still be June! I am not even sure when the last time I wrote up a Sunday Post was?? I am sure it’s been about six weeks or so? 

Anyway, this week was all about getting back into the saddle. After a month of vacation and company, we settled back into a little routine. The kids started swimming lessons this week, which will take us through most of August. We also got some stuff done around the house and caught up on a few things. 

I spent a great deal of time trying to catch up on the blog. I was weeks behind. I wrote ten book reviews and prepped another seven or eight posts in hopes of creating a bit more of a cushion. I still have some work to do over the next week, but I am gradually getting things back on track! Whew! Blogging is a lot of work and it takes a lot of time, don’t let anyone tell you any different. 

 

Onto other stuff..... This past week, I was saddened to learn that the blogosphere lost a lovely, kind voice. Grace@Rebel Mommy Book Blog, sadly lost her battle with cancer. I didn’t know Grace well, but I know she had a kind heart, and that she fought with all she had. I am sick for her family, as she is leaving behind three small children. Sending out lots of love and good thoughts to Grace. May your light continue to burn brightly though you have gone on. 

Let’s all try and be kind this week, and do something nice in memory of Grace. 

 

Now let’s move on and talk blogging stuff. 

 

This past week I featured on the blog:

 

Monday: Review: Cowboy Rebel by Carolyn Brown

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Blogging Buddies

Wednesday: Book Review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

 

Thursday: Audiobook Review: Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune by Rosalie Lim

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

Received for Review:

 

Next on deck:

Monday: Audiobook Review: The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Genres That Disappoint

Wednesday: Review: The Summer of ‘69 by Elin Hilderbrand 

 

Thursday: Review: The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

That’s it from Oregon. Go enjoy the sunshine and spread some love in the world! 

The Sunday Post 289th Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

It's the weekend and I could sure use a relaxing one. Last weekend turned into a disaster when I discovered my son had head lice on Friday afternoon. He had been complaining for a week or so that his head itched, and that was the first thing that I thought. Both my husband and I checked his head repeatedly and I couldn't see anything. My mom instincts were tingling and I just knew something wasn't right. I called my sister who went through it last summer and she told me what to look for. Sure enough, we I combed his hair it was there. After I went manic and turned the house upside down, I learned a few things. I wrote it all down to hopefully help all of you. The lice post goes up on Monday. I guarantee if you have kids, you will likely deal with it at some point. I found lots of helpful information to prevent you all from stressing in, so stop by on Monday and check it out. 

We are luckily at the end of it. Haven't seen any for the last five days, so hopefully if we make it seven days we are in the clear, but you can bet your butt I will be checking!

Next week is also the last week of school for us... sniff sniff.... I get so sad at the end of another year, am I the only one? I spend a great deal of time every year volunteering in the classroom. I love getting to know the kids and being able to see them grow and progress over the year. It's always sad for me to say goodbye. They have lots of fun stuff planned next week, then summer will be in full swing. Our summer is going to start out with a bang. We have two trips planned and lots to due until the fourth week of July. The last few weeks will be quiet, so hopefully I can keep up with all the craziness. 

Hope your summers are off to a good start as well....

Here is what happened on the blog last week:

Monday: Audiobook Review: Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Favorite Audiobook Narrators

Wednesday: Review: The Beyond by Chloe Neill

Thursday: Audiobook Review: Polaris Rising (Consortium Rebellion #1) by Jessie Mihalik 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday: Friday Forecast 

Received for review: 

Next Week: 

Monday: Lice! What To Do!

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Summer Picks for 2019

Wednesday: Review:  HBO Miniseries Chernobyl

Thursday: Audiobook Review: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Friday: Friday Forecast

An unconventional week, but it's been crazy around here! 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Favorite Audiobook Narrators

Wednesday: Review: The Beyond by Chloe Neill

Thursday: Audiobook Review: Polaris Rising (Consortium Rebellion #1) by Jessie Mihalik 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday: Friday Forecast 

Received for review: 

Next Week: 

Monday: Lice! What To Do!

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Summer Picks for 2019

Wednesday: Review:  HBO Miniseries Chernobyl

Thursday: Audiobook Review: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Friday: Friday Forecast

An unconventional week, but it's been crazy around here! 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Favorite Audiobook Narrators

Wednesday: Review: The Beyond by Chloe Neill

Thursday: Audiobook Review: Polaris Rising (Consortium Rebellion #1) by Jessie Mihalik 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday: Friday Forecast 

Received for review: 

Next Week: 

Monday: Lice! What To Do!

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Summer Picks for 2019

Wednesday: Review:  HBO Miniseries Chernobyl

Thursday: Audiobook Review: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Friday: Friday Forecast

An unconventional week, but it's been crazy around here! 

The Sunday Post 287th Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

Another week is in the books. I can’t believe we are nearing the end of May. Yikes! The kids are super busy in school, preparing for the end of the school year. This time of year is such a roller coaster. Buckle up and hold on! Then the craziness of summer begins. 

This week started out strong and I was productive and then my husband had a couple of days off at the end of the week so we had fun exploring Portland. There are so many places to eat here. We have lived her for almost twelve years and we are still finding new places all the time. 

There is always plenty to do in this city. 

This past week, Portland returned to the typical rainy weather we usually experience this time of year. It was kind of a relief after a couple of hot, dry weeks. The sunshine was nice, but then a wildfire broke out in Eastern Oregon. It is way to early for fires, so I am glad that the rain has returned for a bit. The sun will be back soon enough. 

Alright, let‘ see what happened on the blog this past week. 

Monday: Review: The Summer Cottage by Viola Shipman

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Do you prefer action-driven books or quiet books? (Courtesy of Roberta@Offbeat Ya)

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Thursday: Review: Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Friday: Friday Forecast 

Received for review:

Next week:

Monday: Audiobook Review: Little Darlings by Melanie Golding

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Are most of your review books for publishers or are you reviewing books of your choice?

Wednesday: Review: The Trial of Lizzie Borden by Cara Robertson

 

Thursday: Review: The Perfect Dress by Carolyn Brown

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

That’s the report from Oregon. Go have a wonderful weekend!

GO TRAILBLAZERS!!!

The Sunday Post 286th Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

A big happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! Today is a hundred foot grief wave day for me as three years ago, I was in Idaho celebrating what would be the last Mother's Day with my beautiful mom. A few short weeks later, she left us after a very brief but courageous battle with cancer. I still miss her every day, and though the grief is easier, on holidays it is always tough. For all of you who still are lucky enough to have your mothers in your lives, pick up the phone and call them, visit them let them know you love them. Even if your relationship isn't the best, reach out and let her know you are thinking of her. One day, you won't be able to call her, and it is so hard. I will spend today with my sweet little family celebrating the joy of being a mom and remembering my sweet mother. I hope you all have a lovely day!

It was a busy week here in Oregon. We had lots of hot, sunny weather record temps in fact for May. We had upper eighty degree temps and touched ninety. It felt more like July than May. 

The kids are busy in school, both had music programs this week. I can't believe we are on the tail end of another school year. Next year will be Risa's last year in elementary school before she heads to middle school. I don't think I am ready for that!!! Let's hope next year goes slowly. 

Alright, let's talk blog stuff. Here is what happened on the blog last week:

 

Monday: Review: Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Why I Like to read Book Reviews

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

 

Thursday: Review: Something Like Family by Heather Burch

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

Received for review:

Next week on the blog:

Monday: Review: The Summer Cottage by Viola Shipman

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Do you prefer action-driven books or quiet books? (Courtesy of Roberta@Offbeat Ya)

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Thursday: Review: Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Friday: Friday Forecast 

That's it! Have a lovely weekend!

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

A big happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! Today is a hundred foot grief wave day for me as three years ago, I was in Idaho celebrating what would be the last Mother's Day with my beautiful mom. A few short weeks later, she left us after a very brief but courageous battle with cancer. I still miss her every day, and though the grief is easier, on holidays it is always tough. For all of you who still are lucky enough to have your mothers in your lives, pick up the phone and call them, visit them let them know you love them. Even if your relationship isn't the best, reach out and let her know you are thinking of her. One day, you won't be able to call her, and it is so hard. I will spend today with my sweet little family celebrating the joy of being a mom and remembering my sweet mother. I hope you all have a lovely day!

It was a busy week here in Oregon. We had lots of hot, sunny weather record temps in fact for May. We had upper eighty degree temps and touched ninety. It felt more like July than May. 

The kids are busy in school, both had music programs this week. I can't believe we are on the tail end of another school year. Next year will be Risa's last year in elementary school before she heads to middle school. I don't think I am ready for that!!! Let's hope next year goes slowly. 

Alright, let's talk blog stuff. Here is what happened on the blog last week:

 

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

A big happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! Today is a hundred foot grief wave day for me as three years ago, I was in Idaho celebrating what would be the last Mother's Day with my beautiful mom. A few short weeks later, she left us after a very brief but courageous battle with cancer. I still miss her every day, and though the grief is easier, on holidays it is always tough. For all of you who still are lucky enough to have your mothers in your lives, pick up the phone and call them, visit them let them know you love them. Even if your relationship isn't the best, reach out and let her know you are thinking of her. One day, you won't be able to call her, and it is so hard. I will spend today with my sweet little family celebrating the joy of being a mom and remembering my sweet mother. I hope you all have a lovely day!

It was a busy week here in Oregon. We had lots of hot, sunny weather record temps in fact for May. We had upper eighty degree temps and touched ninety. It felt more like July than May. 

The kids are busy in school, both had music programs this week. I can't believe we are on the tail end of another school year. Next year will be Risa's last year in elementary school before she heads to middle school. I don't think I am ready for that!!! Let's hope next year goes slowly. 

Alright, let's talk blog stuff. Here is what happened on the blog last week:

 

The Sunday Post 285th Edition

 

 

 

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

It’s the weekend, and not just any weekend. It is Cinco De Mayo! An excuse to eat great Mexican food and perhaps partake a few margaritas. The weather is supposed to be fantastic here all weekend in Portland. Sunshine and seventy degree temps. I will take it. Perfect for outside grilling. In fact, the weather has been pretty darn spectacular all week. Plenty of just right temps. Upper sixties, low seventies and lots of sun. It is so nice after winter to feel the warm sunshine again. 

I have solved the Blogger commenting problem, for now. I downloaded Google Chrome so I can visit and comment on the Blogger blogs. What a hassle. I am so over Google and all their products. I don’t even bother to try Google stuff anymore because they have a long history of abandoning their stuff. They just recently got rid of Google+. Why do they constantly stop supporting their products? Okay, rant over...... I have dealt with it for the time being until they do something else to throw everything into a spiral. 

I have stitched a lot this week. I am getting further and further on my big project. Here is a picture of Phoenix. 

I hope you all had a wonderful week. 

 

Let’s see what happened on the blog last week:

Monday: Audiobook Review: Lovely War by Julie Berry

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Waiting on Wednesday: Do you participate? Do you read the books you highlight?

Wednesday: Review: Girls on the Verge by Sharon Biggs Waller

Thursday: Audiobook Review: Grave Witch by Kalayna Price

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

Received for review:

 

Next week:

Monday: Review: Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Why I Like to read Book Reviews

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

 

Thursday: Review: Something Like Family by Heather Burch

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

That’s it for the week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

 

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

The Sunday Post 284th Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

 

I am still having trouble commenting on blogger blogs. I haven’t had time to dig into the matter further. I have done everything on my end to try and fix it. It is driving me nuts! I have been leaving comments for all of you who have blogger blogs on Bloglovin, so hopefully you are finding my comments. So frustrating!!!

 

Another week slipped by. I am loving the warmer weather and more sunshine, but this time of year is always hectic. My kids are on the countdown to summer. They have six weeks or so. I can’t believe that summer is around the corner. Yikes! Time to get organized. 

We had a busy couple of weeks. Last week was field trips, and this week we had warm weather and lots of outdoor time. Of course, Saturday is supposed to be the one rainy day, but that’s okay because more sunshine is in the forecast. 

I am falling behind on my reviews because I haven’t been getting in as much reading time. Basketball playoffs and hanging out outside is chomping into my reading time. Hopefully I can catch up. 

Is it sunny this weekend where you are? I hope so!

This is what happened on the blog last week:

Monday: Review: Swimming for Sunlight by Allie Larkin

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Do you like getting unsolicited books in the mail?

Wednesday: Review: The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Thursday: Audiobook Review: Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

Friday: Friday Forecast

 

Received for review:

 

Next up:

Monday: Audiobook Review: Lovely War by Julie Berry

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Waiting on Wednesday: Do you participate? Do you read the books you highlight? 

Wednesday: Review: Girls on the Verge by Sharon Biggs Waller

Thursday: Audiobook Review: Grave Witch by Kalayna Price

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

So that’s it from Portland. Enjoy your weekend!

 

The Sunday Post 283rd Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

 

First, I have had the worst time trying to comment on Blogger blogs this week. I have tried to comment almost every day this week, and thanks to the latest Apple update to all my software on my devices, I can't comment on Blogger blogs. It has only the option to comment with Google account or add your URL. I have logged into my Google accounts, but it doesn't log me into the blogs, when I try to use my name and URL, the comments disappear. This has happened several times before and it usually gets resolved but it is so frustrating. I have visited your blogs and tried to comment! Argh!

Happy Easter! I hope you all are having a lovely Easter weekend. We had a quiet one here. Just the four of us. The kids are ten and eight now so we skipped the egg hunts. I did do a series of clues that led them to one big Easter egg filled with candy. That was so much easier and fun. Sadly, we are beyond the age of the Easter bunny and Santa Claus, which isn't so bad because it was getting harder and harder. My kids take after me when I asked them what they wanted for Easter they said books and some spending money. Easy enough. I am always down with the books! Hopefully the Easter bunny left you all some books!

We still had quite a bit of rain this past week, but we did manage to get a couple of dry sunny days, which was much needed after almost two straight weeks of rain. This weekend is supposed to be warm and sunny before rain returns on Monday. Enjoy it while it's here!

Here is rundown of last week's posts:

Monday: Review: A  Few Pecans Short of a Pie by Molly Harper

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Where Do You Get Your Review Books?

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: Meet Cute Anthology

 

Thursday: Review: The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

Received for review:

Nothing!

Next up:

Monday: Review: Swimming for Sunlight by Allie Larkin

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Do you like getting unsolicited books in the mail? 

Wednesday: Review: The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Thursday: Audiobook Review: Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

Friday: Friday Forecast

That's it! Go enjoy your Easter weekend. Save me some chocolate, you can keep the Peeps!

 

The Sunday Post 282nd Edition

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

 

It has been a rainy, wet, sloppy week here in Oregon. Over the last week, it has rained inches. So much so, that many parts of the state are dealing with flooding. It isn’t stopping anytime soon, more rain is on tap for the next few days. It doesn’t feel like spring at all. The skies are gray, it’s pouring rain and it is cold again. It honestly feels like January or February. We need sunshine and spring weather. This week, I have found it hard to stay motivated. I think the weather is a big factor. I did get back into my exercise routine, so that is a something. Everything else, requires motivation, which I am lacking. Anyone else have that problem? 

 

Let’s hope that sunshine will return soon. We need it to dry up all the rain. Plus, my kids have field trips next week, and I don’t want to have to go in the rain. Someone please send me some sunshine!

 

Alright, let’s talk blog stuff, here is what posted last week:

Monday: Audiobook Review: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: What are some of your favorite series you would like to see revisited or a spin off?

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton

 

Thursday: Review: Gimme Some Sugar by Molly Harper

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

Received for review:

 

On deck:

Monday: Review: A  Few Pecans Short of a Pie by Molly Harper

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Where Do You Get Your Review Books?

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: Meet Cute Anthology

 

Thursday: Review: The Devouring Gray by 

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

Since this past Thursday was National Pet Day, I thought I would share pics of my pets:

                                Smokey
 
                            Niko and Akira

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Sunday Post 281st Edition

 

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

Spring Break 2019 is in the books. The kids went back to school this week, they dragged their feet, but I think they were happy to be back into their routine and happy to see their friends and catch up. As I mentioned last week, spring break was rather boring since we were home bound because Risa was under the weather. She is back to normal and all is good. 

I got a lot done this week having them back in school. Caught up on blogging, got my errands run and some house cleaning. 

The weather this week has been on and off rainy, with heavy rain storms expected all weekend. At least it is warmer. Temps are in the fifties and sixties which makes a world of difference. Spring is definitely in the air. The trees are leafing out and the flowers are blooming. Always a lovely sight. 

How was your week? I hope productive!

Here is what happened on the blog last week:

Monday: Review: An American Princess by Stephanie Thornton

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: How do you feel about author’s throwing big, obscure words into their books?

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: Beartown by Frederic Bachman

 

Thursday: Audiobook Review: Us Against Them by Frederic Bachman

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

Received for review:

 

Next week:

Monday: Audiobook Review: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: What are some of your favorite series you would like to see revisited or a spin off?

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton

 

Thursday: Review: Gimme Some Sugar by Molly Harper

 

Friday: Friday Forecast

That's the report from Oregon. Now get out and enjoy your weekend!