Title: Courageous Joy: Celebrating God's Goodness in Every Season
Author: (in)courage
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Bible Study/Devotional
Synopsis:
Discover how to delight in the Lord through every season
"Rejoice in the Lord always."
This
familiar Bible verse is a command and an invitation, but we don't
always see it that way. Often this encouragement to rejoice--to be
joyful always--becomes just one more thing on our "be a good Christian"
checklist. But what if it's actually a gift from God?
Title: Hope Between the Pages
Author: Pepper Basham
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication date: April 1, 2021
Synopsis:
Uncover the Story Behind a One-Hundred-Year-Old Love Letter
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.
Clara Blackwell helps her mother manage a struggling one-hundred-year
old family bookshop in Asheville, North Carolina, but the discovery of a
forgotten letter opens a mystery of a long-lost romance and
undiscovered inheritance which could save its future. Forced to step
outside of her predictable world, Clara embarks on an adventure with
only the name Oliver as a hint of the man’s identity in her
great-great-grandmother’s letter. From the nearby grand estate of the
Vanderbilts, to a hamlet in Derbyshire, England, Clara seeks to uncover
truth about family and love that may lead to her own unexpected romance.
My Review:
Literary genius. Highly romantic. Engaging. Heart-wrenching. Sweet.
This is only the second book that I have read by Pepper Basham and it is a completely different genre from the first one I have read, but it makes me want to grab a copy of all her books, lock myself away, and not come out until I have finished reading them all.
This book is incredible. I was drawn into the story from the first line, "Any story that begins with a library is bound to be an excellent tale," and captivated until the last line (not sharing, no spoilers, read it to find out!). There is so much depth to this story. It is a dual time slip, with Sadie's story beginning in 1915, and Clara's story is present day.
Sadie is a book maid at the Biltmore House and works for the Vanderbilts. She took over this position when her mother passed away. Sadie loves books and loves her job. She has no intention to ever leave her job or fall in love. She meets Oliver, a man above her station, who lives an ocean away. Is there any hope that these two bookish fans will find their happily ever after?
Clara helps care for her mother and works at their family bookshop, Blackwell's. But her vengeful uncle threatens everything they have known and loved. This sends Clara across the ocean in search of answers and truth. She meets Max as she searches through the Camden house for answers. Another man, another ocean, another couple with a love of books. What in the world? Will the distance be insurmountable or will love conquer all?!
There are many quotable lines in this novel and references to other books and shows. One quote I particularly loved was, "Books breathed to me." I also loved the reference to Anne of Green Gables and Gilbert!
Hope Between the Pages has a bit of everything and I loved every part of it. It is extremely well written, engaging, with likable characters. It has bookish characters, a bit of mystery, an understated tender romance, picturesque scenes, several twists and turns, and an undeniable element of faith. I simply cannot say enough good things about this book. It is definitely one of my new all-time favorites!
This was indeed an "excellent tale." I loved everything about it. I read this in eBook format but I want to own a copy of this book. I am not one to highlight in fiction, or reread books, but I want to read this one again (even though I just finished it!) and highlight all those amazing quotes ("God allows us the gift of memories to tide us over to eternity.")! I would recommend this literary excellence to anyone who loves books!!! It is not to be missed. I would also recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction and deeply poignant romance novels.
Thank you to Net Galley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review but am more than happy to do so. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Title: Unknown Threat
Author: Lynn H. Blackburn
Series: Defend and Protect #1
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Synopsis:
US Secret Service
Special Agent Luke Powell is lucky to be alive. Three of his fellow
agents have died in unusual circumstances in the past ten weeks. Luke is
devastated by the loss of his friends and colleagues, and his inability
to locate the killer feels like a personal failure. He's an expert at
shielding others, but now the protectors are in need of protection.
FBI
Special Agent Faith Malone is driven to succeed and confident in her
ability to solve every case she's assigned. She's been put in charge of
the investigation into the unprecedented attacks, and with Luke's life
in danger, the stakes have never been higher. But it's hard to know how
to fight back when you don't know who the enemy is.
As more
agents are targeted, Luke and Faith will have to work together to bring a
killer to justice and prevent any more names from joining their fallen
brothers and sisters on the Secret Service Wall of Honor.
My Thoughts:
This is the first book that I have read by Lynn Blackburn but it felt familiar. I had to go back and look at what she has written to be sure that I had not read her before. The reason her writing is so familiar is that she writes like several of my favorite suspense authors.
Unknown Threat is the first book in her newest series, Defend and Protect. This novel grabbed my attention from the first scene where we meet Luke and his buddy Zane. Luke and Zane are with Secret services and have unknowingly walked into a trap. Luke is an all-around good guy, hard-working, protective of his friends, and hates the FBI. He holds hurts from his childhood, yet tries to stay objective in the case that he has to work with FBI agent Faith Malone.
Faith is close to her sister Hope but has trouble getting close to anyone else. She also holds onto hurts that happened in her childhood and it makes it hard for her to trust in other people. Faith comes across as strong, driven, level-headed, always in charge of her cases and her emotions. While Faith seems to get along with everyone, her co-worker Janice seems to have a vendetta against her. It does not help when Faith is assigned the lead on the case with the Secret Service agents.
Unknown Threat is a real page-turner. I was annoyed when I had to put the book down to get stuff done. It is a quick read. The characters are well developed and relatable. None of them are perfect and the friendship and care that they show toward each other is touching. This book is high on mystery and low on romance. It was impossible to figure out who the "unknown" threat was and kept me guessing until the end. There is humor sprinkled throughout the book that helps to dissolve some of the intensity. There is also an element of faith, not in a preachy way, but subtle.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. It has a nice mixture of so many elements. This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good suspense novel! I cannot wait for the next in the series. Fans of Terri Blackstock, Colleen Coble, Lynette Eason, Cara Putnam, and Patricia Bradley will not want to miss this one! Lynn Blackburn joins my list of favorite suspense authors.
Thank you to Revell for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review but am excited to be able to. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Title: The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism
Author: Dr. Jen Gunter
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Nonfiction/Health
Publication date: May 25, 2021
Synopsis:
The internationally renowned,
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of
The Vagina Bible, Dr. Jen Gunter has been called the world's most famous--and
outspoken--gynecologist (The Guardian), the Internet's OB/GYN, and one
of the fiercest advocates for women's health. Now, in
The Menopause Manifesto,
Dr. Jen Gunter brings you empowerment through knowledge by
countering stubborn myths and misunderstandings about menopause with
hard facts, real science, fascinating historical perspective, and expert
advice.
The only thing predictable about menopause is its
unpredictability. Factor in widespread misinformation, a lack of
research, and the culture of shame around women's bodies, and it's no
wonder women are unsure what to expect during the menopause transition
and beyond.
Menopause is not a disease--it's a planned change,
like puberty. And just like puberty, we should be educated on what's to
come years in advance, rather than the current practice of leaving
people on their own with bothersome symptoms and too much conflicting
information. Knowing what is happening, why, and what to do about it is
both empowering and reassuring.
Frank and funny, Dr. Jen debunks misogynistic attitudes and challenges the
over-mystification of menopause to reveal everything you really need to know about:
- Perimenopause
- Hot flashes
- Sleep disruption
- Sex and libido
- Depression and mood changes
- Skin and hair issues
- Outdated therapies
- Breast health
- Weight and muscle mass
- Health maintenance screening
- And much more!
Filled
with practical, reassuring information, this essential guide will
revolutionize how women experience menopause--including how their lives
can be even better for it!
My Thoughts:
Menopause is a conversation stopper. If you do not believe me, bring it up in conversation and see how fast the subject gets changed or the person suddenly has something else to do. This includes talking to your female friends, very few people want to talk about it. Enter Dr. Jen Gunter. She has written a book that is specifically about menopause, called The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism.
"The only thing that is truly predictable about the menopause transition is that it's unpredictable."
Before I read this book I knew what age the ladies in my family go through menopause (42), and that some symptoms are hot flashes and your period gets irregular. That's about it. What do you know about menopause? Hopefully more than me, but even if you do, I imagine it is not enough. If you think that this book does not apply to you because you are in your twenties, thirties, or even your forties, think again! Did you know that decisions you are making RIGHT now can affect you when you enter menopause? No? Neither did I. Did you know that some things that look like menopause could actually be something else? No? Neither did I, but now I do, and hopefully you will as well.
"Women want more information about menopause and that knowledge can reduce suffering."
Dr. Gunter caught my attention in the introduction when she said, "This establishment has temperature control issues. Drenching heat followed by terrible chills. Defies the laws of thermodynamics. Would not recommend." I literally laughed out loud. The doses of humor and the anecdotes that Dr. Gunter uses throughout the book, make what could be a dry subject (no pun intended) an easier read.
"Menopause is puberty in reverse."
Not only does Dr. Gunter cover every symptom of menopause in detail, but she also takes the time to explain where the term came from, and the stigma behind it. She explains, "The culture of silence about menopause in our patriarchal society is something to behold." Dr. Gunter is willing and able to break that silence by explaining what is common with menopause and what needs to be further checked out. She gives clear information on when menopause typically happens, how your body should respond, and if you are earlier or later than the "normal" range of how the body is affected.
"One woman dies every minute from cardiovascular disease."
A few of the things that I learned is that the age of the mother and sisters (if you have any) affect when you will go through menopause. Genetics also plays a role. Menopause also can affect your heart; you start losing muscle mass quicker, and it affects your bone health. Dr. Gunter covers these topics and more in-depth. I was fascinated by all that I did not know and what I could do now to start helping myself. She also talks about different therapy options and so much more.
I would highly recommend this book to any woman who has not gone through menopause yet. Whether you are in the beginning stages or you are far from it, this is a great book to pick up and have on hand for quick reference. It is the most thorough and highly researched book on the subject that I have come across. Even if you are not ready to break the silence about menopause, you can still read this book and become educated on your health.
Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Press for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review but am more than happy to. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Title: Facing the Dawn
Author: Cynthia Ruchti
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Christian Fiction/Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis:
While her humanitarian husband Liam has been digging wells in Africa,
Mara Jacobs has been struggling. She knows she's supposed to feel a warm
glow that her husband is nine time zones away, caring for widows and
orphans. But the reality is that she is exhausted, working a demanding
yet unrewarding job, trying to manage their three detention-prone kids,
failing at her to-repair list, and fading like a garment left too long
in the sun.
Then Liam's three-year absence turns into something
more, changing everything and plunging her into a sunless grief. As Mara
struggles to find her footing, she discovers that even when hope is
tenuous, faith is fragile, and the future is unknown, we can be sure we
are not forgotten . . . or unloved.
My thoughts:
Facing the Dawn by Cynthia Ruchti is the first book I have read by this author but it will not be my last. Her books have received recognition from RT Reviewers’ Choice Book of the Year, PW Starred Reviews, Selah Awards, and Novel of the Year, The Carol Award, two Christy finalists, and more.
While Facing the Dawn is a fiction novel, it does not read like one. It is so much more than a fictional novel, it is rich and profound. I was immediately drawn into the story from the opening scene. I had heard quite a bit about the book before I read it, mostly to have the tissues ready. I would advise that as well, although I did not cry, but so many things resonated in this book for me.
Mara means bitter but it also means something else. At the beginning of the novel, Mara is essentially a single mom who is bitter with the way her life is going, relying heavily on sarcasm to keep herself afloat. Her husband, Liam, is digging wells in Uganda and has been gone for three years. When unimaginable tragedy strikes Mara's world is flipped upside down, with so many things coming to a head as once, Mara doesn't know if she is coming or going, and neither does the reader.
Mara is blessed with two great friendships in this book. An old friend, Ashley, and a new friend Sol. Ashley is dealing with some struggles and grief and Sol is a homeless enigma. They both help Mara in different ways and set about to teach her that Mara is more than bitter. I loved the friendship between these three, it is real and beautiful.
Facing the Dawn is a journey from dark to light, from death to resurrection, from fear to love, from scared to sacred. This story is told with attention to detail, an excellent balance of dialogue and narration. Faith is intrinsically woven throughout the story, not preachy, just flowing naturally. The character development is excellent and the characters are relatable. While I have not experienced the issues that Mara did, I found so many deep, thought-provoking comments in this story. The first thought that resonated with me was in the narration about Mara. It said, "But once someone reaches the point marked 'Overwhelmed,' even basic upkeep bows to the kids' needs, and every loose hinge or carpet stain threatens to unhinge a person like Mara, the responsible one. The one who spent a lifetime convincing people she could manage fine." That is something that most of us do. I was also struck with "Mara's someday list" and allowing "herself to dream." While this book is not intended to give lessons, it gave me one, and if you read it, it might teach you something as well. When the pandemic hit we all had to cancel our plans, more than a year later, and reading this book, I realized that I am not allowing myself to dream. I, like Mara, have been stuck in "overwhelmed" and not dreaming or planning. That is not where we are intended to stay. We need to process and move forward, which is eventually what Mara does.
I cannot stress enough how well-written Facing the Dawn is. While it is about grief and tragedy, there is sarcasm and humor sprinkled in as well, helping to balance the story. The writing is conversational and engaging. The storyline is phenomenal. It was absolutely life-changing and thought-provoking. I would highly recommend this story for anyone who likes contemporary stories, especially ones that lean toward inspirational.
Thank you to Revell for the opportunity to read this amazing book. I was not required to give a positive review but I am more than happy to do so. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Title: Miriam's Song
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Publisher: Revell
Genre: Biblical Fiction/Historical Fiction
Synopsis:
Lots of things inspire me. The Bible inspires me to draw closer to God. God inspires me to enter into a relationship with Him. Neat and orderly spaces inspire me to rest and relax. Messy and disorganized spaces inspire me to frustration and anxiety. People inspire me to be better. Music inspires me to worship and promotes a better attitude. Love inspires me to love more.
This weekend I had the opportunity to be home alone for about 31 hours and it was AMAZING! I was
able to reorganize the pantry, reorganize our coffee mug/coffee area, I was able to clean off the kitchen counter, I was able to straighten the area where I keep my cookbooks and meal planning calendar, I was able to catch up on all my cleaning, clean the weeds out of the front flower beds, blow off the back yard (rocks that were loose that Junior kept trying to eat), and weed eat the backyard, blowing it off again, able to catch up on blog posts and start about 6ish more that I know I want to write, catch up on my reviews that needed to be done, and finished two books. I had forgotten how many things I could get down with uninterrupted time, to say it felt great would be a huge understatement! I was/am so very thankful for all that I was able to catch up on because I had been in a place of serious overwhelmment (sure, that's a word!). So, since I had gotten caught up on so many things, I was able to spend a little time on Facebook in one of my favorite groups: Avid Christian Fiction Readers. I love this group for so many reasons, but mostly because I get a lot of great suggestions for books to read. I am constantly learning about new authors. Anyway, last night someone had asked about what people did with their books they have bought that they have not read, do they set some kind of goal to get those read, like maybe you have to read a couple of the books you have before you can read anymore, or you have to read so many before you can borrow some from the library. The point is how you take care of all the books that you have not read.
We were made to be in a community with others. While I do not know this lady, or a lot of the ones that I am in groups with, or even some of the ones I follow on Instagram, I follow people who INSPIRE me, mostly other Christian ladies, because I want to follow others who post good and encouraging stuff. Garbage in, garbage out, good stuff in, good stuff out...So, I ask again, what inspires you? Or who inspires you? If you don't have a good answer to this question then I challenge you to figure it out! We need more people to inspire us to grow and be better than we are!! Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this!! 😊
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
So, true confessions, I modified this recipe a lot, so it is Paleo and not that similar to the original! It has cauliflower in it, which I have grown to like (never plain!), and BOTH my kids ate it, and Kayla even requests it. If you know how picky my kids are you know this is a HUGE win!!! I will give my version of the recipe, followed by a modified college kid-friendly version for Kayla, followed by the link to the original recipe, which I am sure is great, I just can't have the eggs, cheese, pepper, or pizza sauce!
Paleo friendly Pizza Casserole, my version:
1 bag of riced cauliflower cooked to package directions
1 pound of ground chicken cooked with 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
16 slices of uncured pepperoni cut into smaller pieces
(Sometimes I mix in Pineapple)
Feel free to mix whatever ingredients you like
Directions:
Drain the water out of the cauliflower.
Mix the ingredients together and dump into an 8 x 8 baking dish.
Cook @450 degrees for 20-25 minutes until slightly brown.
SUPER SIMPLE and so good!!! For Kayla and Elijah to eat it we mix in Colby and Monterey shredded cheese after it is cooked, and microwave between 15-30 seconds for the cheese to melt. Kayla will even eat this for leftovers and she has never been one to eat ANYTHING leftover, with the exception of Chinese food!
College-friendly version for Kayla:
1 bag of riced cauliflower microwaved to package directions (find in the frozen vegetable section)
1 bag of cooked sausage (near lunch meat and bacon at Wal-mart)
1-2 tsp Italian seasoning
Maybe some salt and pepper to season
16 slices of pepperoni cut (or torn) into smaller pieces (more or less depending on your desire)
You can even get a small can or jar of pizza sauce and add it in for more flavor
Colby and Monterey shredded cheese
Directions:
Drain the water out of the cauliflower.
Microwave sausage to package directions.
Mix the ingredients together in a big bowl (not the cheese)
Scoop the amount you want to eat, mix it with cheese and microwave 15-30 seconds, or until cheese is good and melted.
Store the rest of the mix in smaller containers, adding the cheese in before you reheat.
Enjoy 😀
Link to the original recipe here.
Have you made something similar? Have you made this? Thoughts, comments? What would you do to make it better? I would love to hear from you! Also, if you are following a Paleo lifestyle, what are your favorite recipes?
After four Mondays in a row I am so very thankful that today is Friday!! It has been a busy/hectic week with lots of ups and downs. Here are just a few of the things that I am is making this a Fabulous Friday:
Book mail
Time alone
Catching up on housework
Getting the pantry organized
Quiet time
New Bible Study
Books to read
Kayla doing well
Sunny nice weather
Good food to eat
Coffee
Beautiful sunsets
Catching up on reviews
Catching up on the blog
Headache medicine
Taking care of random things that have needed to be done
How about you? What is making this Friday or your week fabulous? Any plans for the weekend? I plan to do a few more small things around the house but mostly focus on catching up on my reading and reviews this weekend! Have a great weekend, friends!
Author: Rachel J. Good
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Christian Romance/Amish
Synopsis:
Sometimes love is
found in the most unexpected places--as three blessed men will discover
in Rachel J. Good's heartwarming Amish romance series, set in a bustling
Pennsylvania community...
When an organic farm causes rents
to skyrocket at the Valley Green Farmer's Market, Fern Blauch's family
baked goods stand is driven to the edge of eviction...Until a mysterious
temporary reprieve. Fern is confused when she discovers the benefactor
is barbecued chicken stand owner--and her longtime crush--Gideon
Hartzler. She's grateful, but pridefully tells him she intends to pay
him back. If only she can find a new place to sell her wares...
To
stay competitive, and help as many others as he can, Gideon expands his
stand to provide full meals--including dessert. That's where Fern comes
in. As the two work long hours, side-by-side, business booms--and so
does their attraction. Still, the demands of caring for aging parents
and struggling relatives cause them to hide any feelings beyond
friendship. But as new challenges emerge and Gideon and Fern turn more
deeply to their faith, and to each other, will love find a place at
their table?
My thoughts:
An Unexpected Amish Proposal is the first book in the new series Surprised by Love by Rachel J. Good. I have read other books by Rachel and enjoy her writing style.
Fern loves selling her baked goods at the Valley Green Farmer's Market. She is upset when her rent is increased and she can no longer stay in her booth. She is apprehensive when she decides to switch to organic baked goods to sell at Gideon's stand. Fern is a really sweet character with a heart of gold. She shows wisdom and grace in all her interactions and has a good head on her shoulders. While most people love her, she still manages to get on some people's nerves.
Gideon is running his family's organic BBQ stand at Valley Green Farmer's Market and is drowning in responsibility. That does not stop him from lending a hand to those in need, without thinking through the consequences, adding even more responsibility to his already full plate. Gideon is a somewhat gruff character, with the best of intentions behind his actions. He feels guilt for his brother's death and tries to alleviate that guilt by helping anyone who needs it. While his actions are a bit misguided, his intent is good.
An Unexpected Amish Proposal has quite the motley crew of characters. While there are a lot of characters they are introduced slowly so you get to know them and understand their role in the story. It is very well done. The story is steady, with several surprises mixed in with suspense, making it a quick read. There is a thread of forgiveness woven throughout this story, along with redemption.
I enjoyed this story, from the character development to the well-written plot, everything flowed smoothly. I loved that the Amish worked with Englishers and were even friends with them, which is not something you see in a lot of Amish stories. Usually, there is more separation between them. I could not help but fall in love with several characters and appreciated that they were not all the same age! There is such a wide variety of characters in this story, but each person is unique in their own way. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys light romance written with some Amish and English characters. I would also recommend this to anyone who just wants a good, lighthearted read!
Thank you to Kensington Publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review but was happy to do so. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
You all know we got a new puppy in January (hard to believe that we've had him almost 2 months, although some days it seems like we've had him FOREVER 😂). We have been watching a lot of Zak George's training videos and he recommends getting Bark Boxes or Super Chewer boxes or something for your dogs! At first we were like "yeah, whatever, what a gimmick." However, after watching video after video we really wanted to try something like that for Junior, but we didn't feel like we could afford it. Then we started adding up the cost of the toys that we were buying, and the treats, and we were like, "Hmm, maybe not such a bad deal after all." We got our first box last week, and ya'll, can I just tell you how much I loved it. It was SOOOOOO cute!!! Don't take my word for it though, look at the pictures. So, when I ordered I requested an extra toy as well, since Junior currently chews EVERYTHING. So, we got 3 new toys, 2 packs of treats, and 1 pack of edible chews. Junior has liked all of it, but my favorite by far is the Chips bag, it has literally occupied him for hours!!! We put treats in there, different toys, just whatever we can think of, it is so much fun 😂
This day has the feel of Monday! Anyone else start out there day feeling this way? I knew I was going to have a busy morning when I needed to pick up groceries at 8, and have Junior to the vet at 9:30, both are 15 minutes from my house, in opposite directions. I got out the door a few minutes later than I had intended to go pick up groceries, because I was waiting on Elijah to come hang out with Junior. I had already received the text that my groceries were ready. Once I got to Wal-mart I had to wait about 10 minutes before they brought groceries to my car. I had just received a notification that they had already delivered my groceries and I was like, "Oh no!" Two weeks ago they gave my groceries to someone else and I had to come back later in the day to get them. So, the lady starts loading groceries into my car, and I said "Davis" and she was like "Uh-huh" and I said, "Cindy Davis" and she said "yeah." So, I was looking and I am thinking that it wasn't enough groceries and then she puts something I didn't order in my van. I was like, "Those are not my groceries." She's like, "Huh?" I said, "those are not my groceries, I didn't order that." So, another lady comes up and she has a bunch of stuff and she's like "Cindy Davis" and I am like, "yes!" Thankfully they had not given my groceries to someone else, but they almost did. Apparently me and another person with the last name of Davis are on the same grocery cycle!!😩 I was talking to my friend Lynette and she told me I needed to change my name. I was like, "Yeah, I am going to change it to Cindy Cindy and then maybe I will get my groceries!" She then reminded me it wouldn't match the name on my debit card 😂 Anyway, once I got home I hurried through getting the groceries into the house. Once all the groceries were in I picked up the milk to put in the refrigerator and another bag fell on the floor...with the salsa shattering into pieces that flew in three different directions, getting 3 different rooms!!! I looked at the clock and I was like, I don't have time for this. I started trying to clean it up and Elijah went over to calm Junior down. I did the best I could and Elijah vacuumed, trying to get any glass that I hadn't swept up, after I left with Junior. I got to the vet right on time, frazzled, having gulped down a cup of coffee on the way. Once they were finished with him, they handed him back to me, then wanted me to pay and set up Junior's next appointment. It is hard to get your phone and debit card out when you have a dog in your hands. So, I set him on the counter and fished out my phone. A dog on one side of us decided he was too anxious to wait anymore and started barking and howling, which set off Junior, who immediately started barking, and then another dog joined them! I am still fighting my massive headache from yesterday, which was a migraine by 6 last night. Thankfully it is better, not migraine level, but still at barely functioning level. I finally got Junior's appointment set and got back in the van, it was 9:55 am. I seriously felt like the day should be over!!! I can't remember the last time I had a Friday start this rough. Plus, with Junior's shots he is a clingy mess, so we haven't gotten anything done today. Regardless, there are things I am thankful for today:
The sun is out
My headache is not as bad as it was yesterday
I got almost 10 hours of sleep (I don't think that has ever happened!)
Elijah helped clean up the mess I made this morning
Elijah helped get the groceries in
Elijah has been a rockstar with Junior today
Junior is taking a nap!!
Uninterrupted devotional time this morning
Junior is making progress on training
Junior got his rabies shot today so can now be around other dogs
Phone call with Lynette
Kayla is doing pretty good
Leftovers for lunch
Coffee
Thankful to be able to sit on the couch a few minutes
Got groceries
James 1:17-Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
What are you thankful for this week? What has gone right?
"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17
I have read fifty books so far in 2021. Don't ask me how I have done it because I honestly don't know. I do not feel like I have read that much 😂 I wonder how many I could read if I did feel like I was reading a lot?! Anyway, true confessions, several of them are children's books that I have done for reviews 😀(and several are in progress). So maybe that is how I have done it. So, I want to take a quick minute to give my top reads of this year so far. I am just going to do the title, if you want the full review of the book you can click over to my Goodreads account. What have you read that is really good recently?! I would love to hear from you!!
