Week 4 (with a few pictures)

 January 21 - 

 I was planning on spending the day at home, but my insane desire to put the books on my cross-stitch book shelf persuaded me to pop into Wal-Mart to grab the needed colors and some chicken broth, as there was none on the shelves when I went shopping on Saturday.

 I finished Outliers and I would recommend it to anyone who would like to look deeper into statistics and how they can be used to explain data, but once you look closer at the input you can really see the stories of how people end up being successful. It was quite fascinating. I started The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell. It’s a thicker book so it’ll take me a bit longer to get through. Since I’m doing it as an audiobook it’ll give me time to work on my puzzles. Hopefully I can power through it and devote some time to the book club book for this month because I haven’t even started it! Oh, and I also have a couple of physical books from the library that I need to read, too.

 While the little one watched Bluey for a while tonight I really focused on doing some work on my puzzle. I have about a week left in January and I need to get this puzzle done! Tomorrow is Monday (and another snow day), so the boys and I should be able to play some games together, too. While I’m loving the puzzle time, especially since it’s been a few years since I’ve done puzzles, I’m starting to look forward to February and decluttering. While I’m only 21 days into this month and the focus on one area of interest, I think this plan of focusing on different things each month will be great for me to complete so many things this year. I’ve tried to vary the topics so I’m not doing things that are super similar each month and it adds some variety to the tasks I complete. I’m not sure how I’ll track the decluttering, because I’m kind of ashamed of how bad some parts of the house have gotten. However, once I run the vacuum in the living room, I don’t think I’d be too terribly embarrassed if a friend randomly showed up to visit, which is a HUGE difference from a year ago.



January 22 - 

 Well, another snow day, another day to work on a puzzle. LOL! I finished a couple of the colors, but tapped out before finishing it today. Perhaps tomorrow or Wednesday I’ll finish it. We shall see. 

 I did finish The Night She Disappeared today. I had an idea of some of the things that happened in it before they happened, but didn’t guess them all. I guess once you read a few Agatha Christie novels, nothing else compares. Now I need to start (and finish) the book for book club this weekend. 

 I also played a card game with the boys tonight. It was kind of fun, but I think when I do my decluttering next month it will be one to go. There are other games we enjoy more and I need to let it bring someone else joy. In addition to the puzzle, the book, and playing a game, I managed to vacuum the living room, sweep the kitchen, and cook a good dinner (with no leftovers)! I have some meat in the fridge to thaw for dinner tomorrow and an idea of what we shall have. Now, off to my room to start another book before bed. I may have a problem…..



January 23 - 

 Back at work! Once home I worked on the puzzle again and I’m kind of at a stalemate position. The colors are all kinda looking the same (similar to The Pillars of Creation), which is becoming a problem. At least it’s a different set of color than in The Pillars of Creation, so that bodes well for me. It may also be that my eyes (and brain) are kind of fatigued when I sit down to work on it. I had high hopes I’d finish it tonight, but I didn’t. Maybe another night.

 I started a new book last night. The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. So far it’s pretty good, but I’m only like 15 pages in to the 400+ page book, so things could totally turn to trash. Today I started the audiobook for Book Club. It is listed as a 9 hour audiobook, but due to my reading/listening speed I whittled it down to 7ish hours. Tonight I kicked out half of the book. Yippee!!! I’m hoping to finish it before we meet on Sunday and with no plans to leave the house on Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday, I don’t think finishing it will be a problem. I may read tonight, or I may just go to bed. I ate too much for dinner and I’m kinda sleepy now.


January 24 - 

 I tried to work on the puzzle some. It’s extremely frustrating at this point. I’m ready for it to be done. I’m at a point where I’ve organized all the pieces by shape and I’m trying all the pieces that look like they’d fit in any spot they might fit in. 

 I listened to my audiobook for Book Club quite a bit tonight. I’m almost done. Tomorrow will likely be the last day with the book. I timed it almost perfectly!



January 25 - 

 Due to other obligations, I was not able to work on the puzzle tonight. I think I’ll finish it on Friday. 

 I finished the book for Book Club. It was not in my normal genre and it was a pretty dang good book. I’m glad I took the time to listen to it. 


January 26 - 

 Today felt like the longest day ever. I didn’t work on the puzzle again tonight. I was so exhausted after work I went to my room and stayed in bed for a few hours while my oldest cooked dinner. After dinner, we watched Tommy Boy together. I also started The Paris Wife as my next book. 


January 27 - 

 I finished!!!! Along with doing chores around the house I wanted to do today, I finally finished the puzzle! I feel so accomplished today.

 I am almost finished with The Paris Wife. Having an audiobook to listen to while doing housework is a great motivator to keep working for me. I also love listening while working on puzzles. I’m kinda sad that the last puzzle of the month is done, but I’m also looking forward to the decluttering that will be happening in February. A few games to play with the boys in the next few days and I think I can write this month down as a success.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 6

Image
  February 4 -   I didn’t go to sleep until around 4 am. I really shouldn’t have had a soda so late in the day on Saturday, especially since I’ve been cutting back so much. Lesson learned!   I was looking forward to spending some quality time with the book I’m reading, but life got in the way and I was needed in other places. Oh well. I did get to read a little and I think that the reason life keeps pulling me away from the book is because once I really get into it, I won’t want to put it down.  No decluttering done today, unless you count getting the three pies out of the house and to the pie auction! LOL! February 5 -   Back to work. I’m still a little tired from the weekend, so no decluttering today. I really need to find some focus to get this task completed.  I think I’ll go to bed and read some tonight and see if I can fall asleep earlier than usual. February 6 -   Today is my oldest son’s birthday. He is now considered a man,...
Read more

Week 20 - The last week

Image
May 12 -  The boys and my sister treated me to a wonderful day today. I am so thankful for all 3 of them! Due to the nature of the “holiday” I didn’t do any work around the house. However, I’ve noticed some things I can do outside tomorrow, weather permitting. May 13 -  As my lawn guy hasn’t been by to mow, I took it upon myself to charge up the battery for my weed eater and start hacking away at the front yard. With all the rain the past few weeks, I understand that those working in lawn care are behind schedule, however, the city I live in has these stupid, arbitrary rules about the length of grass and how citizens in this fine town will be penalized when their lawn doesn’t fit within those certain parameters. I despise those kinds of rules, so I will be plotting ways to make my yard either invisible to those in “power” OR to plant a BUNCH of flowers (hopefully mostly native) so they can grow freely and the rules won’t apply.  I’ve seen more than one house in this town ...
Read more

Week 19 - Oh look, even more lasts

Image
May 5th -  Well, the rain had plans for us this week. Key Club was supposed to do sidewalk chalk for Teacher Appreciation Week, but due to the rain (at least it wasn’t during prom) the students made posters instead. While students made posters, I took down photo booth decorations and listened to them talk about prom. It seems like everyone had a good time. After hours of that I returned home to veg out. So, no home improvement projects today. May 6th -  The first full day of Teacher Appreciation Week. There’s a lot to organize this week, so I don’t foresee much happening at home. Between planning for the week and doing a final check (or two) on the senior video, I’m pretty tired just thinking about it; and it's only Monday.  May 7th -  Today members of Key Club had a catered meal provided for the teachers. The students cleared plates, filled glasses with drinks, and did the bulk of setup and clean up. Talk about a gift! The meal was a huge success and the students we...
Read more