Unwinding and Getting Back to the Grind

What is it they say about the best-laid plans of mice and men? Yeah, I intended to blog today. I also intended to get a blog post ready for tomorrow. So, needless to say, I did not participate in It's Monday! What Are You Reading? or Mailbox Monday today. Nor will I have a post ready for Top Ten Tuesday and Tell Me Something Tuesday tomorrow. I might make it for the Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge, but that all depends on how tomorrow goes. 

Hope you enjoyed your Labor Day Weekend. While it didn't turn out the way I had planned (still need to write those overdue reviews), I can say that it was the first time I stood firm and didn't answer work calls when I said I wouldn't. I even put an out-of-office message on my phone. Here's to boundary setting. 

Here are photos from the weekend.

Theo stole a cat toy

My move downstairs gave Travis a 

new napping place

Chef's salad from The Earlee Mug in Granby

Two new children's book arrivals

Spent some time in the kitchen

Walked two days this week

I am preparing two rental listings and reactivating a multi-family listing tomorrow. Then I have a listing consult in the afternoon. I will pay for those two days off, but it was worth it. 

Reviews that I promise are on the way:

The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller - Excellent

Food is Medicine by Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH - Superb information and very academic

The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson - Loved this so much I would go back and read it again if I had time

How to Train Your Mind by Chris Bailey - Excellent resource on meditation

Still reading or to read:

Massawa by Pam Webber

The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles

A Christmas Carol Devotional by Rachel Dodge, which I am loving so much. 

Beginner's Guide to Using an AI Assistant by Hank Quense

Evan's Stormy Voyage by Karen Charles

She Forgot She Was Free by Giselle Mascarenhas

   

I also downloaded an audio version of Staged by Caitlin Rother because I promised her a review in June. When I have books in PDF format, it is harder for me to read them. NetGalley and Kindle files get read first, and printed books are even better since I can take them with me in the tub. I have muddled through the PDF, but to finish, I will listen in the car. 

I shared The Labor Day and Christmas Connection at Christmas Year Round this week. You can find that post here.

Hope to be blogging with all of you on Wednesday. Take care!

I Cry Uncle

Welcome to Monday. You won't see my regular Monday post because...

1. Work is kicking my behind.
2. There is barely any reading going on.
3. I am too exhausted to think.

And my baby is coming home on Tuesday, so that we can move her stuff to her new apartment, so my focus is elsewhere. 

Before I get into my photos, what you should expect here this week is:

• A guest post from Mary Lawlor, author of Fighter Pilot's Daughter.
• An interview with Caitlin Rother about her latest book, Staged.
• A guest post from Anne Shaw Heinrich about pushing characters to their limits as she promotes her new book, House of Teeth. 

You will also find a new post at the Christmas Year Round blog for "Journey through Christmases Past." We take a peek at Christmas 2020. Wasn't that a fun one? Check it out here.

On Wednesday, I went to the doctor for what I thought was a routine allergy test. I've never been tested before. I've lived with allergies forever. Why bother? But I went to the ear, nose, and throat doctor a while back, and he noticed I was congested. So, he suggested two things: surgery on my nose and allergy testing. 

This random set of dots is from the allergy test. I was allergic to the serum they use. After sitting for 15 minutes with my arms growing red and itchy, the technician brought me back into the office and said that it looked like a failed test. She washed my arm, applied Benadryl cream, and then asked, "Do you have sensitive skin?" Because, as she told me, the test often fails in people with sensitive skin. So... I drive home wondering why asking a person if they have sensitive skin isn't done before ordering the test. It is Sunday night, and I still break out in hives occasionally. 

This is me on National Donut Day. I had to order from Dunkin' that day because Dunkin' was founded in Massachusetts. At least I got something to eat in between appointments. 

This was me Friday night, as I packed my car to drive to Weymouth to co-teach my first real estate class. I am working toward my instructor's license. 

And this is me moments ago. I have not stopped for weeks. Haven't had a day off in weeks. Today, I awoke exhausted. I will go to bed exhausted. Then I will have a full day of appointments starting at 8 am. Stick a fork in me. I am done. :)