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Determined to Finish... (Part 2)

Since I've already posted what I'd like to get read in June, here are my lists for July & August. I've left room for review books that may (probably will) arrive in the mail in the meantime...

MIZBOOKS' NOTE: I've joined Amanda's Summer Reading Challenge, so I'll be trying even *harder* to get these books read!

JULY ~ "To Be Read" (TBR) List:

• HIS WICKED KISS ~ Gaelen Foley


• A HEARTH IN CANDLEWOOD ~ Delia Parr (A.R.C.)


• EXPECT THE SUNRISE ~ Susan May Warren


• _______________________ ~ _________________


• _______________________ ~ _________________

AUGUST ~ TBR List:

• GERMLINE ~ Nelson Erlick


• SIX MONTHS TO LIVE ~ Lurlene McDaniel (reread)


• ____________________ ~ _______________


• ______________________ ~ __________________

Hopefully this will get my (reading) butt in gear! ;o)

Determined to Finish...

I am getting super-frustrated with myself for not having finished more books, so far, this year. Sure, I've finished 2 in the last week, but that's only because they've had a deadline...

But, aha! Maybe that's the key! Maybe I need to set some fake "deadlines" to get my butt in gear! LOL

So, here are a few of the books I'd like to get read in the next month, and I'm giving myself a "deadline" of June 29th...

• A SHORT HISTORY OF PROGRESS by Ronald Wright


• EVERYTHING'S COMING UP JOSEY by Susan May Warren


• THE LONGING SEASON by Christine Schaub


• THE BONE VAULT by Linda Fairstein

I figure 4 books is plenty for one month. I don't normally read more than that when I'm in my regular swing of things. :-)

I'll post here and let you know how I do with my "goal". ;o)

MIZBOOKS' NOTE: I just realized that I've inadvertantly added myself to Amanda's Summer Reading Challenge! So, now I *must* finish these books! LOL

Bye, Squeaky

Today the Wildlife Rescue people came to get our baby squirrel, Squeaky. :*-(

I'd written out a list of pros & cons about keeping him, and unfortunately the "cons" outweighed the "pros" (he was smelly - and our house is too small to find a different place to keep him, we can't afford the bigger cage he'll need, he had fleas, and he was very time-consuming)... And, so he's gone.

I'm trying to stay positive, thinking about the *good* things of him having gone to the WR people... Like, now he'll have other squirrels to grow up with so that he'll learn to act like the animal he is. He's not a pet, after all, so he shouldn't grow up like one. And, they have the bigger cage for him that we couldn't afford to build.

He really *is* in better hands ... and I really didn't have the time or energy to keep caring for him (though, I would've done it anyway, had I had nowhere to send him). I just pray that he stays healthy, and that they can release him back out into the wild. :-?

I already miss him, though. A lot. Much as I know I did a good thing, it still hurts. I keep thinking that it's time to feed him, or that I should go and play with him, but when I look, he's not there. :-(

I'll be okay, eventually. It'll be hard for the first few days, though. :-(

Bye-bye, Squeaky. :*-(

My new pet...

Well, our baby squirrel, Squeaks, arrived yesterday. And, he's certainly "fiesty"! He goes 'round and 'round and 'round the hamster cage, almost pleading with us to let him out. :-?

He's completely worn me out today ... I've let him out a few times to romp around the house (figured he could use the exercise). He runs up and down me, and all over the furniture. But, his favorite trick is running for the kitchen. When he gets there, he searches and searches for a way up onto the counters (luckily there's no way he can get up there!).

I'm starting to second-guess my decision to take him on, though. I don't know that I have the patience to keep 'babysitting' this little guy. He eats every 2-3 hours, and he's been biting a bit harder today. He's also lunged for my face a few times, and that scares me.

I don't want to give him to the Wildlife people (i've heard nasty stories), but I might have to. I've got enough stresses in my life right now, and I don't need more. :-?

I love the little guy, and it's neat to have him here -- he'd only need to stay here for another 5 weeks, or so, before he's old enough to be released back out in the wild -- but I just don't know. :-(

Fave Foods / Finish These (Memes)

Two more Memes borrowed from twiga92. :o)

FAVORITE FOODS - Meme

Fave coffee: "French Vanilla" by Maxwell House Café
Fave tea: Red Rose
Fave jam: raspberry
Fave Peanut Butter: Kraft Smooth
Fave sandwich: Egg Salad on a Croissant
Fave fast food item: Whopper or Big Mac (tie)
Fave appetizer: breaded mushrooms
Fave summertime drink: iced tea
Fave fruit: raspberries
Fave vegetable: cucumber
Fave indulgence: Reese Peanut Butter Cups and a can of Coke! ;-D

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FINISH THESE SENTENCES.... (Meme)

1. I am the happiest when ... I have time to read.
2. 3 of my most fave things to do are ... reading, playing with my kids, dancing
3. I feel sad and alone when ... I'm ignored.
4. When I do this _dance/listen to music_ I feel happier/better.
5. I wish I could fix this ... legalized abortion.
6. My fave summer pasttime is ... Sitting in the backyard, hanging out with the family.
7. One of my most fave things to wear is ... denim.
8. If I could give an obscene amount of money to one worthy cause, that cause would be ... Helping abused women.
9. My fave all time movie I have seen is ... "Save the Last Dance".
10. I admire honesty in ... Church sermons.

I Meme...

Found this on my friend's blog. :o)

I AM: overwhelmed
I WANT: a vacation
I WISH: life weren't so full of "trials"
I HATE: conflict
I MISS: my sister
I FEAR: never reaching my goals
I HEAR: the T.V. - Saturday morning cartoons ;o)
I WONDER: why the last 10 pounds are always hardest to lose!
I REGRET: not seeing past my insecurities
I AM NOT: coordinated
I DANCE: because it's freeing
I SING: when I'm alone
I CRY: when I'm disappointed
I AM NOT ALWAYS: pleasant ;-P
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: fabric-covered photo albums
I WRITE: in my journal, on my blog
I CONFUSE: my husband ;-P
I NEED: more time
I SHOULD: get back to eating better
I START: lots of clubs
I FINISH: books ;-D
I TAG: whomever

PS...

I forgot! There is one little *good* thing up-and-coming ... we're getting a new pet!

My sister-in-law recently found a black baby squirrel in her yard. The wildlife people can't take him, though (not enough room), and she can't keep him 'cause she has to work. So, she's bringing him to us this weekend, and we're going to take care of him until he's old enough to be released back into the wild! Yay!

His name is currently "Squeaks", and my SiL says he's very "fiesty". I think my kids will be thrilled! Heck! I'm thrilled!

When our little baby squirrel, Hickory, died last year, I was completely devastated. :*-( I still miss the little guy. :-?

But, we'll be sure to take really good care of "Squeaks". :o) Maybe I'll even get to post a picture, eventually! :o)

Depressed

Lately I've not felt like reading. This year, I've only - so far - read 11 books. For me, this is baaad news! I should be at around 20-something!

I'm overwhelmed, stressed out, and I think I'm depressed. Wanna know what's eating me?

* dh is having health issues
* son is struggling in school (grades dropping), and needs to have 4 teeth pulled (an over-$500 expense!!!)
* daughter is really pushing with the defiance
* family issues
* I'm trying to start up a weight-loss support group
* I'm trying to find a job for the Fall (side note: found a great, possible work-from-home job, yet DH says it's probably not a good fit for us)
* I'm trying to live a little better (eating / exercise), yet that's failing 'cause of all the *other* stresses
* I'm waaaay behind on my book-reviewing because of all the other stresses
* I'm out 3-4 nights a week, trying to either better myself, or do something "for me" (Spanish class, Bible study, weight-loss group...)

.... so, can you see why I'm overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed, and depressed?! I really, really, REALLY need a vacation! :-(

A job?

A friend was visiting today, and she told me of a possible job opportunity. It's a receptionist position in a medical lab in my town. It's part-time, and the pay's not awful. It'd not be a lot, but it might be just enough for now! I'm going to look into it! Cross your fingers for me! ;o)

TW Support Group - UPDATE!

Well, my first TW support group meeting went very well. Two ladies showed up, and we went over the basics, and I gave them their "homework" -- to find their "0" (or, in other words, to wait until their stomachs are EMPTY before eating anything!). :o)

We've decided to meet every Monday night at 7:30pm.

I'm so excited! :-D

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On another note, I got an MP3 Player in the mail today! Doubleday Book Club had one in their catalog ... it's just 128mb, but still ... it only will cost my $33! Whoohoo!

WWW... (05/05)

What are you reading now?

Currently reading THE BONE VAULT by Linda Fairstein.

What did you just finish reading?

RACHEL'S PRAYER by Leisha Kelly. Rated it an "C" -- average.

What will you be reading next?

Probably "STOLEN LIVES" by Brian Reaves. It will be my second review book for Romantic Times BOOK Club. :o)

TW Support Group

For a while, now, I've wanted to have someone to do the Thin Within program (a Christian weight-loss program) with me. I have my online support group -- and they're wonderful, supportive, encouraging ladies! -- but it's just not the same as having someone face-to-face to share the joys and struggles with.

Not too long ago I got the idea to start up a support group, face-to-face. I made up brochures and handed them out to the ladies at church. And my Introductory / Information Night is this coming Monday (May 8th). :o)

I've been busy planning, making up charts and writing out a plan of attack (so-to-speak). I had originally just intended for it to be a support group, but then someone asked if I was teaching a class, and when I thought about it, I realized that I *am* going to be teaching these ladies! So, it's both. It's a class, but it's also a support group. :o)

Right now there are about 3 ladies who've stated their interest in coming out to the Monday night meeting. And, I'm quite okay with it if only 1 decides to continue on, or if more show up! Either way, at least I'll have someone to do this with ... a sort of "accountability partner". :-)

I'll let you know how the info. night goes! ;o)