Protein Pancakes, no rest, & BACON? {Weekly Check in}

Some Highlights of the week: 

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW
Our front porch is just the perfect viewing place for rainbows.  Its how the sun sets right behind our house giving the front view primo seating.  This one lasted so long.  My mom said she saw it from her hospital room which is a little bit away. Glad she saw it.

We always yell "HI" to all our dogs when we see it - all those that crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  We said ever since Harvey left, we've seen so many! Truly, we have -we said he wants us to know he misses us as much as we miss him..... & now I'm crying again.

WATCHING - TV GASP
Anyone watching The Handmaid's Tale - this final season? This show usually fires me up - all the freaking RAGE! -  but the last few episodes - & especially Ep 9 .... I was literally standing up cheering & at the end, sat on the edge of my chair with my head in my heads trying not to scream & cry out loud.  One more episode to go for the end. Trying to mentally prepare.  I need to find the perfect time to watch it because I expect - & hope - the last episode is satisfying..

(EDIT: I finished the last episode this morning at 5am.... it left me so freaking emotional. ..... I feel like I need to read the actual books now. I know they're different but I know its still going to invoke the rage that encompasses the Handmaids.  Bring it on!)

LISTENING
Speaking of this show - Catching up on the podcast called "Eyes on Gilead" where some Australian ladies  recap the show. Its so fun to listen to them & their thoughts & l love their accents.    I'll be sad to not have this podcast after the end of the show. Maybe they'll still continue with the spin off show to come The Testaments - which is another book Margaret Atwood created.... let the terror on women continue!

GO TO BREAKFAST
I have such a go-to breakfast lately. I have been using Kodiak Protein Pancake mix & using it in the microwave. I used to buy some of their little cups that you add water, put in the microwave & YUMMY - but the box, I never thought to just make it yourself. The full box is at Sam's Club for like $9.99 - with 3 bags of pancake mix.  The little cups are like $2.99 a piece - so BIG difference.

I take 1/3 cup of pancake mix in a microwave safe dish - add in 1/3 cup of water - sometimes a dash of more water - mix it up to where its not so thin - but not too thick - that middle ground. Put in the microwave & put on for 1:45 - simple -& its SO HOT & fluffy.  

I usually put milk chocolate chips on top when I take it out of the microwave when its really hot - they melt on top of it & YUMMMM.... I love having strawberries on it too. Chocolate & strawberries - yes please.  & then I drizzle honey on top.

Ya know - it has protein - it has chocolate - it has FRUIT - so its officially healthy! HEHE
More so - its simple & there are worst things to eat - especially for breakfast.  The protein in it keeps me full for awhile too.  

I've seen other recipes with this same pancake mix that people put eggs & protein powder & milk for even more protein - & still put it in the microwave. I dont get that involved.  I want quick & simple.... I may try it one weekend just to see how it tastes.

BEREAL OF THE WEEK
Kind of a hot mess of me - but this was the day I stayed at home & was relaxed & read the day away.  Rusty totally into story time too.  Not really - a ball was under the table & he's willing me with his mind for me to THROW SOMETHING. His brother Ozzie taught him well.

ALWAYS WATCHING
Believe me - I play with my dogs ALL day long. We have a morning play time - we have a mid day play time- we have an AFTERNOON play time- we have a evening play time & another play time 30 minutes before dinner. These dogs are treated like ROYALTY in my house & I am just here to serve & obey their every needs.... so when I get to sit down & enjoy a book - THIS is the look I get. 

No rest for me....

I'm ok with that.

IS THIS FOR REAL?
When we went out to Five Guys on Monday for lunch - we saw everyone in front of us getting milkshakes. Ricky is the milkshake guy in our home & he said he never even realized they had them there & the ones going out the door looks pretty good.  We were looking at the menu & I was like, IS THAT SERIOUS? Bacon! Bacon? HUH? ... in a milkshake? Do people DO that? I cant even imagine.... all the others - sure! totally  makes sense. but BACON? I need someone to explain this to me.

INSTAGRAM QUOTE OF THE WEEK
This one just puts things in perspective

How's your week going?

Do you see a lot of rainbows?

Have you watched The Handmaids Tale?

Do you get BACON in your milkshake????

The weekend I was going back & forth

 So anyone besides me going to be confused what day it is all day today? All week? ... the struggle we have to endure for a day off work - totally worth it though.

Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day!  Much thanks for all in uniform & heartfelt gratitude for all who lost their lives in service.

Jennifer Vallez Artist

My weekend was a bunch of going back & forth checking in on mom.... let's break down the long weekend.

Friday
Love my work from home day on Friday.  I really needed that extra hour of sleep after the busy week with mom being in the hospital.  

It was a beautiful day - but really cool. Much cooler than we had had lately - it felt very Fall like - all weekend really.

Finished up work & we went to feed the horses & take care of mom's cats.  Paid her bills that came in the mail for the week.  & then headed out to go check out her new digs.  She finally got moved from the hospital to a rehab center that is going to work on her strength & also on trying to get her word connection better.

She has been in this place probably more than a half dozen times - but they have changed the name - new management - so I was curious to see if anything changed.  They put her in a new wing that she hadnt been in before - but she's at the end of a hall which is very quite.  She's right across from the nurse station too so they've got a good eye on her.  Her room is really nice & spacious too & I think she's very comfortable there.

View from her room

Ricky went with me & had dropped me off while he went to check out some things & he came & picked me up & we left to go get some dinner.  Of course, Friday night, every place was crowded so we just picked up some salads to take home & eat while we finished watching the finale of Survivor.

I thoroughly enjoyed this season & sad that it's over.... & cant wait for the announcement of the 50th anniversary group - even though we still have to watch the 49th season.  Its one of those shows that really is interesting because people's personalities & thinking is so different - it plays out so differently each season.  Love watching the challenges too.  I know I would do OK in MAYBEEEEEEE 1 of them. LOL - & that's on a good day & if the wind is blowing just right.  

SATURDAY

I was up at 6:30am.... so much for rest.  I spent most of the morning reading.  I was determined to get this book done sometime today.  Shield of Sparrows.... I kept seeing it everywhere on Bookstagram & it is on Kindle Unlimited... I dove right in. I didn't realize its nearly 700 pages! But it was sooo good & I just ate it up! 

Click HERE to see the summary of the book

It was another cool beautiful day but had to put the book down a few times to get some things done around the house - laundry - cleaning - dog frisbee tossing. The important things.

I then headed back to sit with mom for awhile. I stopped at the store to pick her up some essentials.  Got her new socks, some Diet Coke bottles - because she says the cans dont taste the same -  some candy, & some new slip on shoes that she could easily put on when she goes to Physical Therapy or just for walks.  

Of course, I needed some boost in my day too & grabbed me a little snacky snack....

Mom was so happy for the Diet Cokes.  Where she's at - they have a little snack tray for the patients to grab whatever they want - so she was so happy to have some Diet Coke to wash down her snacks with.  They said she was in therapy 3 times Saturday & was doing really well.  I think she still has some confusion going on - which I personally think is from a bladder infection they were treating her for.... but that's just experience speaking - no medical training at all.  

We found a Price is Right channel on her TV & watched a few episodes together - always a fun way to pass time....Its always fun to see what year the episode is from & see the differences in prices. WHOOO BOY... the differences.

Then I headed home to pick up dinner.  It was late - & THANK GOD its light out now. When I'm leaving after 7:30 - I'm so thankful the sky is still light!  I absolutely LOATHE driving in the dark - especially when it gets back up to my town that has windy, small roads - with no street lights.  Its just the worst. I'm glad I can venture out later & have no issues driving.

I stopped by the car wash too on my way home. My car was so dirty & it has been driving me nuts. I didn't stop to vacuum it out - which it sorely needs - but at least I got some of the dust off.  Then off to just pick up Taco Bell.  I dont think we've had Taco Bell in months.   No cooking - works for me.

Got home & finished my book - SO GOOD! & then had to watch the new RuPaul's All Star episode.

SUNDAY

What a drab, gloomy, hazy day.  

Mom told me to stay home & get a break & I decided to take her up on that.  The day felt like it was telling me to stay in too. The morning started out OK - sun was coming out - but it was SO CHILLY! I was sitting outside - starting a new book - & I was only outside like 30 minutes & I was like NOPE - going inside. 

I had to put on a sweater... & it was gray & cloudy by 9am... & it stayed that way all day long.  It eventually rained too.... it truly felt like fall!  So much so that I went ahead & put in my Scentsy a good fall scent.  

I read about 75% of my book in one day.... just cozied up. My body & mind just enjoyed the relaxing day.

I finished up the night by watching the 5 episodes that made up SIRENS on Netflix.... not sure what to think about it.  Sometimes,  I thought it was a comedy - sometimes, a mystery? - at the end, I was like WHAT JUST HAPPENED?   Anyone else watch it yet...I need to discuss.

MONDAY

Excited to have a day off but my body was like, NOPE - we're on a schedule. So I was up by 5:30am

I went ahead & got up & finished reading my book since I knew I'd blow right through it.  

Ricky & I went out for lunch - stopped at Five Guys.... got my favorite. A Grilled Cheese with tomato on it. DELISH!  & their fries... it really is in the top 5 of fries.

& then I went back up to sit with mom for most of the day. 

She was in physical therapy when I got there.  The nurse walked me down to find her & man, that place was thumping! There were like 5 PT's & they had people on machines moving & grooving.  Mom had herself a 1 lb weight & was trying to lift it.  I had to laugh because that woman will carry 3 things of 6 pack bottles of Diet Coke... she has the strength there.  They just need to paint those weights as a Diet Coke Bottle & watch her PUMP IT UP!

Left there to go get some cat food & go sit with her little girl... mom is so worried she's lonely.  You can tell her cat does miss mom. When you open the door, she comes running & MEOWS so loudly.  But my brother & I have been sitting with her & making sure she's getting attention.  So thankful cats are basically self sufficient though. 

Got home & time to get everything ready for another week ahead.....weekend done.  So glad for that extra day. Really makes me wish ALL weekends were 3 days long... alas.

Did you do anything special for Memorial Day?

Where are your favorite french fries from?

Do you watch Survivor or have you watched Sirens?

Top Five / Bottom Five : Smells

 I've been searching for new blogs since I've been back & have found some pretty nice ones... but I found The Optimistic Views of a Pessimist & that name alone... but she does a fun little post & this month was the the best & words smells. Each month is a different Top 5... but this one - what a funny topic. At first, I'm like - EW - but then instantly had ideas... so let's do this!

TOP 5

1. Leaves Burning.... my all time favorite smell. You'll smell it more during the fall & truly, this scent has to be in Heaven for me.

2. Men's Cologne.... yes, I love women's perfume but a man walking by with a good smelling cologne on. Yes sir! Thanks for making the world a better smelling place.

3. Soap ... just that fresh smell after a shower.  Getting ready for bed & your skin smells good.  Makes me sleepy thinking of it.

4. Coffee ... I love smelling fresh roasted coffee. 

5. Baking ... just all the things. Baking cookies - pies - cakes - that smell of sweets wifting through the air. I especially love when its apple or cinnamon smells during the fall - totally my favorite

BONUS: Because I can

The smell of books... anyone ever smell their books? or am I the only one? The smell of bookstores too! Happiness in a smell

BOTTOM 5

1. The Cereal aisle. .... gag. I literally cant handle the smell of the C-word - it just gags me.  Working in youth ministry made every overnight or camp thing an issue for me. I'd hide away in the mornings with that being kids/teens fav food. No thank you.

2. Dirty Water / mildew .... any type of dirty water.  That smell in basements where water sits - or river fronts - nasty lakes. So gross

3. Hospital..... In the words of Mary Cosby from RHOSLC.  That smell of just cleaning supplies on top of sickness. I feel like that smell gets in my nose & I cant get rid of it

4. Infection .... having Bruno & Zoe who fought skin infections (Bruno) or growth infections (Zoe) - oh man... that was a tough smell.  They couldnt help it - & we'd clean them & there was just no getting that smell off of them - out of the air - when the infection was rearing its ugly gross head

5. Old Broccoli .... I love broccoli - but man. Let it get tossed in a drawer or back of the fridge that you forget about or cant see... you'll notice it REALLLL quick.

Give me your favs & worse smells!

Storms, eagles & Sploot! {Weekly Check In}

 

STORMS
Man, Kentucky is just getting hit so hard with the floods not too long ago & now tornados.  I believe 19 people died in this last round this past Friday.  

In my town, we got really lucky - the storms went up north of us & then below up - we squeezed right through that, but it makes you feel horrible for what people who were in line of it all had to endure.  The news every day this week is showing devastation & you just cant wrap your mind around having to start over with EVERYTHING. No home, no clothes, no belongings.  What do you do? .... count your blessings, that's for sure.

GOOD GOOD BOWL
There is a new place that opened near us & we checked it out this weekend. Hubby is not one to try new places so I was surprised he was the one to suggest checking it out.  Its one of those places that you can get salads - or grain bowls.  Pick your own toppings or have one that they have the menu.

Did we like it? Hubby liked it more than me. I think maybe I was turned off by what I got. I got a warm bowl with quinoa & sweet potatoes .... that was OK. But had brussel spouts on it that just had a lot of chewy bits on it. & then got Broccoli & no. Just no. It was so covered in garlic. I'm not a big fan of garlic. It just ruined it for me.  I had added blue cheese on it too for some tang & that was a no too.  If I had another combo, it may have been better. At least I got veggies in for the day - find the positive!

SPLOOT
I talked last week about how funny this dog sits.... his laying is just as funny. I call it his Superman Pose.  He has short legs for an Aussie & they just have to stretch out when he lays... & I LOVE IT! 

FLOWERS
I finally went & got some flowers for our front porch.  Good timing too because a lot of them were on sale - bargain! I ended up getting 5 pots of flowers & a hanging plant that I now need a hook installed to hang it (thank you honeyyyyy for handling that) ....now I have to set my daily reminder on Alexa to WATER THE FLOWERS.  

THIRD GILMORE GIRL

I heard a lot of people talking about this book & did this one on audio & just enjoyed it thoroughly. I love biographies so much on audio - especially when they're read by the authors - someone telling their life story.  If you loved Gilmore Girls - you'll appreciate this book - but it was just interesting to know more about this actress & her growing up & her history in her career & broadway & her love of dance.  & that voice - its unmistakable. 

Click HERE for book link

GRADUATES
Its that time - prom season is ending & all the cap & gown pics are popping up. What makes my heart just smile is seeing the last group of kiddos I taught in youth ministry - they're all graduating college this year - some did last semester (You go over achievers!) but its been 5 years now since I've left youth ministry - wow - where does time go? .... & the last group of "kids" are now officially adults - venturing into the world doing real adult things.  I see some are engaged now too .... all that to say, I am old. Very old. LOL - but congrats to ALL the graduates out there.  Spread those wings & soar - make the world a better place!  Not only for you but for others!

I WAS INFLUENCED
I kept seeing an ad come across my Instagram about an app that scans your food. I thought - I'll give it a try. Its called Bitepal.  I have actually been enjoying it.  You take a pic of your food & you can add food items if it misses it - or take things off .... now, its not totally accurate so I wouldnt go with it if you're on some sort of diet where your calories are VERY specific. But I'm enjoying it because of the nudges of healthier ideas  - & seeing what your score is for healthy eating at the end of the day. That's what its about - healthy eating & fun tracking- not specific calorie tracking & hard core data. I like it gives a macro breakdown too..... I wish it had a place where you could track activity done in the day too or you can adjust portion sizes.

Its 3 day free trial & then like $32.00 for the year. I've paid more for apps sure - I'll play along. 

Here's a snip of my Chocolate chip muffin I took a pic of.... 

That muffin was worth every calorie too!!!!

It gives more info on the bottom about the nutrition score & if foods are healthy or if tips on making healthier decisions next time. ... to me, its just fun & also interesting.

I keep seeing more ads popping up & people having codes for 60% off for the year - so if you're interested, maybe check out the #bitepal hashtag & see if you can find a discount.

& lets be honest - I love little games on my phone - & this is such a game of keeping your little animal alive by feeding it - THATS what I'm here for more than anything. My Rocky the Raccoon.... lets see how long I'll keep him going.

ALONE TIME
Ozzie Grayson is all about playing. 24/7! LEGIT 24/7!!! ... I've talked about this before when Harvey passed away that Harvey was the one who played with Ozzie the most & Ozzie just doesnt really care to have a playmate.  Just throw - retrieve - repeat.  So now we have a young pup that is keeping up with Ozzie & you can tell it ticks him off sometimes. He wants that alone time.  Needless to say - I take him outside in our front yard - because he wont leave your side in the front yard.... & we have some one on one time so he still gets his happy play.  All alone - just him & the ball & the wind in his hair! LOL

JUST THROW IT ALREADY!!!!!

ALMOST TIME TO FLY
Anyone else been on Eagle watch this year?  My brother told me about the eggs & I turned it on to watch them first hatch.  & when that 3rd baby hatched, all the joy! & then the snow storm that came through & one of the babies passed away.... my heart cant take it. But I've checked in regularly on YouTube - & learned SO MUCH about Eagles in the process (Fun Fact- their head turns white in 5 year).

  Its just been so fascinating to see nature at work. The care of Jackie & Shadow to their babies.  To see these little eaglets grow up to be SO BIG .... & that they're getting ready to fly off.... it really chokes me up. I have zero - ZERO doubt I will tear up when they leave.

I hope they have the best flight on that leap out of the nest & there's lots of years ahead for them & more baby eaglets to come

BEREAL
Well - this isnt a fun BeReal at all! My mom is back in the hospital.  She's actually in a new wing this time - time to learn more nurses. Just when you think you've met them all.  

Whats been the best part of your week?

Do you have a graduate this year?

Do you like to try new places to eat?

Have you been watching the eagles grow?

7 years... I wonder

 I miss you more every day Dad

Cant believe its been 7 years.

So much changes year by year & I always think what you would think about things.  If you would laugh at situations or be taken back of the differences.  

Wonder what you would have done with Baby & so sad you didnt get time with her to train her & love her like I know you would..... how you would have loved to use that new knee to get back on top of Cochese.  No one has ridden him since you dad.  I'm sure he doesnt mind. He misses you.

I wonder what you would think of the twins graduating high school - becoming adults themselves.  How proud you would be of Julie of having her own lab in Vanderbilt. I know you would you bragging.  I wonder what you would think of all the great grandkids & how many horse things you could find for them in case they were up for a visit.

I wonder how much fun you would have had to watch our dogs learn fun things & do agility & training.  How much you would have loved we finally got a Red Aussie. How you would have worked to convince us to name him Red in honor of you.   I remember one of your last visits was when Ernie was just a puppy & you said, "That is one weird looking dog".... You never minced words.  

I wonder what you would have made. All the things you would create for fun.  Something in the barn, I'm sure. Planting flowers & having every cowboy yard decoration displayed proudly.  Always making new desserts.  I havent had a Hershey Pie since you left.  I think you brought me one just one week before you left us when I was recovering from surgery.  Man, I miss that pie.  Pies made of love just taste better, ya know. 

You just got the hang of Facebook & I know you would have laughed your head off at TikTok on the daily.   I can imagine all the 3am messages to watch videos of funny things.  I can hear your laugh right now.  Ricky & I try to imitate it all the time - & sometimes, we do pretty good. You'd get a kick out of it.

I wonder about all the holidays & especially Christmas. You sure did love it - probably more than anyone in our family.  Even up to the last one, you still would smile like a kid getting their first gift.  Big ole smile - you always just got a kick out of opening things - & watching others open gifts too.  

& speaking of holidays - what would you have done with Cochese on the 4th of July.  I wonder if you would have eventually had fireworks shooting off of his back at some point LOL

  

I wonder how you would have coped when your younger brother passed away. I will say, that is one thing I am thankful you missed & didn't have to suffer through.  I know you would have been devastated.  I wonder if you ever imagined that the two of you would leave this world within 6 weeks of each other.  Could you even imagine?  We sure couldn't.

I wonder what you would have done with a global pandemic.  I wonder what you would think of the world today.  

I wonder how many road trips you would have gone on - where you would have ventured. How many people you would have found that you crossed paths with somewhere in the past - or that knew your grandfather when he was a Pastor.   You always loved finding connections with any person you met. Stranger? What is that word? I wonder how many people would have needed that human connection you always provided. 

I wonder about the missed phone calls & messages that I got every single day from you.  What shows you would want me to turn over & watch - what advice you would give - what things we would laugh over together.  Just the check ins to see what the day held.

I wonder how many times we would have pointed out 444 to each other when it popped up - & dad, it still pops up. I always wonder if you're behind it each & every time.  Regardless, we always say "HI DAD" when we see it. 

I wonder about your last day - your last few hours.... I wonder what it would have been like to have a goodbye with you - to get to hug you & tell you I love you. To hear you say it back to me one last time too.  I wonder if it would have been just too much & God knew this was the way it needed to be.

I hope you felt us next to you holding your hand.  I wonder if you could hear us.  I hope you could sense all the family that came by & sat next to you & sent you their love. I wonder if you heard our voice when the time came close to go..... 

I wonder what you saw & what you experienced when you did leave this world behind.  I wonder the first things you experienced.  I wonder if you could see how well you were honored at your good bye service.  How well Cochese did in saying goodbye too - yes! We got him there just like you wanted.  You got your cowboy send off & I wonder if you were laughing.

I wonder if you had any idea how much you're presence being gone left a hole. If you had any idea how many people miss you - how the impact of your life still touches so many with memories.  How everything you instilled in me still matters.  Still moves me to make decisions that would make you proud. 

I just wonder about you every single day.... & my heart misses you more than words can ever say.

I love you. Forever. With each passing year.. I love you.

New Shirts, books & our funny sitting boy {Weekly Check In}

Just some highlights of my week.....

STREET SIGN
Ricky found this sign on Etsy & I had to get it for him.  They had different sizes on this but we got a basic street sign size.  He's got it up in his "man cave garage" & he has an old metal roller skate that he is going to hang under the sign too.  Perfect for him.

HERE is the link on Etsy

FINALLY FOOD TRUCK

There is a local seafood place that has a food truck that comes to our town recently every Monday. The issue was we had Rusty training every Monday & by the time we got home, they were gone. So on the first Monday with no training, we finally got to stop & see what they had. & YUM! Look at this menu. All the fried stuff! Arteries be damned! I could eat Friend Cauliflower & mushroom every single day. With a side of Hushpuppies please.

NEW SHIRT
I ordered this shirt for the warmer days ahead.  I like its flowy & comfy for the heat that will be here before we know it!  I love anything Fall colors - even in summer!

Click HERE for link

NEW POPE!
I am not Catholic - but I do appreciate a person who has respect for the teaching of Jesus & teaches & loves like Jesus ... you know - the CRAZY radical stuff of loving EVERYONE - even the poor, the immigrants, the rejected & people who feel pushed aside. Crazy thinking to some apparently.   I think its amazing its the first one from America too.  Who would have ever thought. The interviews with his family have been so sweet & you see how Pope Leo has been a little Jesus warrior from his little days.  

I love he was a friend to Pope Francis too! I always loved how hands on Francis was with people - & that he loved animals so much. You'll always win me over with that!

May Pope Leo have a long reign of being an example of how Jesus loved!

THIS DOG
It cracks me UP! The way this dog sits on these cushions.  We got these floor pillows for Harvey Dent when he was having issues getting up on things.  You'll more than likely find Ricky laying on them more than anyone - with a dog of course.  But Rusty, he sits on these like this!  Just backs right on up & takes a seat.  EVERY TIME! .... this is how he also sits on me & Ricky too LOL - just backs right on up & will sit in our lap - or even on our chest if we're laying in bed.  He's a comfy boy!

The funny this is - sometimes he scoots so far back, his back legs just hang off the edge & just swing. LOL 

STRAWBERRY LOVER
Speaking of our funny boy.... I've found out - he LOVES Strawberries. Like chop them up & handfeed them to him every day please. Ozzie & Ernie aren't fans of fruit. Harvey loved it too.... glad to see Rusty enjoys some healthy sweet treats too

TREAT YO SELF
Every time there is a book sale of buy one, get one for 50% off - I fall for it every time! I keep a list of books I've been wanting so when a new book comes out, I can always snag up an older book I've been wanting. I follow a lot of Book podcasts & YouTube channels & keep seeing Red Rising series on it - so yep, looks like I just added another - ANOTHER - series to my list.  No shame. No regrets.

THE GRACE YEAR
I came across this book on a lot of recommendations & saw it was on Kindle Unlimited so sure, why not. Didnt even know what to expect but .... MAN. This was crazy.  Crazy in a good way. The best way I can describe this is Handmaids Tale + Yellowjackets... & if you know both / either of those shows - you know that's A LOT.  & what's nuts to me is this is a YA book - WHAT? HOW? Its violent. It harsh. It involves control over women. ... I mean, teach the girls young I guess on how to stand up for themselves.  ... I actually rated this at 5 stars for the surprises & twists in this.

I actually enjoyed this book though. It has some gasp moments - a few actually. & a few times I had to stop & just stare at the ceiling to compose myself.  

A quote from the book that I'm like.... OH YEAHHHH - I actually have a tee shirt that says something similar to this - it says "I believe in FACTS, SCIENCE, EMPATHY" .... same kinda vibes

THE PARADISE PROBLEM
I must have been on a roll because I finished another book over the weekend. It was big last summer but I forgot all about it & then I just cant read these sorts of things during the cold months! LOL - I'm very picky & particular about my reading.   So glad I finally got this in though because it was just ADORABLE. I totally chuckled a few times in it too.  Some good one liners.  I can totally see this as a Netflix movie!  ....Rate: 4 stars

Click HERE for link

WATCHING
OK Bravo fans.... are you all jumping on this show? Love Hotel .... like a Bachelor type show for 4 of the Real Housewives.  Which I think is crazy because we know out of these 4 ladies - only one is probably really looking for love. (Shannon) The other 3 just seem to love being single & having a good time - I dont see them settling down anytime soon. I mean, come on - Ashley, getting married soon? She just got divorced, is young & loving her single life!  Maybe I'll be surprised & they all find love & we'll have a quad-wedding.  I wont hold my breath - & no matter what - this is just a fun show.  I can see them doing it with more of the ladies because honestly, most "housewives" arent really "wives" anymore. Crazy how that works.

BEREAL OF THE WEEK
I didnt have any great ones this week but who doesnt love a cute Ozzie face

INSTAGRAM POST OF THE WEEK

What's been the highlight of your past week?

What are you currently reading?

Do you buy yourself new clothes for the change in season?

Do you love Food trucks?