Two weeks down and we’ve had our first snows of 2024!
Sunday woke up to most of the snow melted from the day before. I went to the library to record an online video interview for a school district I keep trying to get a job in. There was a Chiefs game, but since they can’t improve their own playoff spot at this point, the usual starter players didn’t really play.
Monday I had taken off the second half of the day for a doctor appointment. It had started raining by the time I left, 10:45 am. I went home and hung out with the dogs for a bit before the appointment, and there was some snow mixed in with the rain at that point. When I finally left the doctor, it was snowing. Came home and made chili and watched it keep snowing. Got the call that school was cancelled for Tuesday at 7 pm, so stayed up a bit late watching the first episode of Outlander season 7 again. Here’s a picture from when I took the dogs outside around the time I would normally have been getting up on Tuesday morning to go to school.
Tuesday was lots of snow! I’m guessing I got about 5-6 inches of snow. And it was wet heavy snow. Of course my dogs still wanted out about every hour while I was home, even though I had to carry them out and shovel a spot for them. I had to shovel every time because there was more snow every time. It sure was pretty though with all the snow! Also had one branch fall off my dead tree in the backyard. About 7 pm they called off school again for Wednesday because I guess a lot of people in the district area were still without power.
Wednesday was another lovely sleeping in morning. No more snow, but it was cold. I got a few shelves cleaned out to move things around. Since I’m not doing much writing anymore I am getting rid of a bunch of notebooks. I moved most of my coloring books onto that shelf along with my colored pencils and pens that I use to color with. I’ve been playing my Story of Seasons – Pioneers of Olive Town a little bit lately. I want to get the game to the spring season because I’m at a high enough level I should be able to get garlic seeds and finally make a bunch of recipes. Plus my character had a baby. It’s funny because when I went to look online about why I couldn’t do anything with the baby, it is just laying on the bed, this is what I found (I have a male spouse in the game since I am female):
Thursday was back to school. It was cold, but not horrible like it is supposed to be on the weekend, and there was no precipitation. Unfortunately the forecast in the morning made it sound like we wouldn’t get Friday off, and I’d hoped we would because two people in the main office are going to be gone so they’re pulling my clerk and giving me the sub, so let’s hope I can get something for the sub to do since they won’t be able to do the laptop stuff. I also finally got the Mini-Brands Books balls I’d finally got to order once they were in stock. You can see what I got below!
Friday morning I woke up and took the dogs out and nothing was really happening outside. When I turned on the morning news however, there were accidents all over the place due to black ice on the road, and a lot of schools, including the districts where I live and surround where I live, were all closing. I tried to stall getting ready to give my district time to close, but eventually I knew I had to go ahead and get going so I could try to take my time and be safe on the drive. However, about 5 minutes into my drive, right after I got on the highway and saw flashing lights on the opposite side of the road, as well as two cars on my side of the road in accidents, my school district where I work finally decided to have the AMI/remote learning day. Fortunately I could take the next exit to turn around and go back home. Where I took my contacts out and went back to bed for two more hours. The temperature dropped throughout the day with a dusting of snow, but mostly that’s all it was.
Saturday morning was more dropping temps and some scattered light snow. The trash company posted they wouldn’t get the rest of Friday’s trash stops picked up till our next day, which will actually be next Saturday since MLK day is Monday. So now I have to move my trash can back into my garage till then I guess. At least it is still cold I don’t have to worry about any food I’d cleaned out of the fridge smelling.
Books Finished
First was an e-galley by a favorite author of mine, first one in a while, posted my review on Wednesday. Second was the audiobook I’m listening to for the for the read along discussion on Friday with Books of My Heart. Third was for a blog tour that was posted on Friday. Fourth is an ARC I got from the publisher, review was posted on Friday.
New Additions to My Library
ARCs:
First was a box from Sourcebooks Fire. I had started to wonder if I was going to get any from them this year since it had been a while. One of them is a January pub, so not sure if I’ll be able to fit it in t his month, so we will see! The second picture is also from the publisher, Simon & Schuster, and my contact had reached out to see if I wanted to read it, and it sounds good!
Audiobooks:
I went ahead and bought this one from Audible. It was on sale for less than the price of a regular credit, so figured I’d get it to be ready to start it when I finish my current audiobook.
Bookish Stuff:
Love seeing this box on my front porch when I get home! And here’s a close up shot of my bracelet from the Pickle Patreon, the newest charm is the heart.
Each ball had 3 books and a small bookshelf in it. The shelves can fit together if you get more than one as you can see in the second picture. I also got a MadLibs mini-book which had a magnifying glass with it. I’m very excited about the Colleen Hoover book and the Howliday Inn book. The others are cool as well. I mean I could care less about the MadLibs, but it was cool to get the magnifying glass with it. I don’t know that I’ll order more, but it would be fun to fill up the shelves! But since I have to have $35 dollars to ship them, I wish they’d just have them at the store!
E-galleys:
The publisher kept reaching out to me about the first one, and it does sound good, and I should have time to fit it in during April, so I went ahead and downloaded it from Edelweiss. The second one is for a blog tour on Thursday I think. Third is also for a blog tour, again on Thursday.
Free E-books:
Saw the first one last Sunday on another blog as a freebie, so I went and grabbed it on Amazon! Second one was also free on Amazon. Third I saw an ad for on Facebook Saturday night, and it was also free on Amazon.
Physical books:
Here’s the inside of my Picklegram box. Juicy Pickle was done as a serial type on the Patreon, but I don’t have time to read like that, and knew I would want the actual books, so got the box this month. It came with the charm you see above, a fun pin that says “I Love J.J. Knight’s Pickleverse” and a pickle flavored lollipop which I’m pretty sure I WON’T be trying, lol.
What I’m Watching
Still working on rewatching seasons 6 and 7 of Outlander, and so ready for the new seasons to start again after the Superbowl of several shows I like!
Saturday night I stayed up past my bedtime to watch my KC Chiefs play in the below zero temps and win their first playoff game. My dog Argyle is not a fan of me watching the games and I tried so hard to be calmer, but it didn’t matter, he gave me the stink-eye as you can see in the picture, before leaving and going to the bed I have for them in the other room.
Coming Up Next Week On My Blog
The first three are e-galleys, first and second are for blog tours on Thursday I think, and the third one for a review post on Saturday. Last is the audiobook I finished listening to and it is for the read along discussion on Friday with Books of My Heart.
I’ve also got a blog tour promo post on Wednesday.
Now I just got this ARC this past week as you can see from the picture up in my Addition to My Library section, but I guess it comes out this week? So if I have time I’ll fit it in for a review this week. But I have a feeling that won’t happen. Depends if I get the first two e-galleys done ahead of time. Which I guess if I have a bunch of days stuck at home with this weather it might happen!
Final Thoughts
How is January/2024 going for you so far? I am loving the winter weather, even though it ruined my plans to visit my mom’s cabin this weekend.
Here’s a pretty picture of my backyard on Tuesday! Before the tree branch fell.
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I love the snow. We got some in MN as well. There’s some comradry in telling your apartment neighbor to drive carefully every time it comes. I love the bracelet too, and have often had charm bracelets as a kid.
True! I do say stuff like that to my neighbors at times when I see them in this cold weather, which isn’t as much when you live in houses compared to an apartment I’m sure! I think I have a charm bracelet with state charms from when I was a kid, but it never really got kept up, so it doesn’t have very many on it. Not sure if this bracelet will fit me either, lol.
I hate the snow, so I’m really glad we haven’t had more than one day of flurries that didn’t settle because it was too warm. Glad your school saw sense and finally shut down on the Friday – so many folks don’t know how to drive in those conditions which makes it really dangerous. I hope you have a good week, Lisa.
Yeah, there were already so many accidents I couldn’t believe they waited so long to call it that day. Thanks for visiting!
I really didn’t think your area got that much snow. It’s nice you could stay home those days but I suppose they have to be made up later? The Read-along post is Friday. The chat though is Sunday and that’s when the FB discussion messenger opens as well. I’m excited because most people have enjoyed the book. I enjoyed it.
LOL, you keep saying that about Kansas City, but believe me, we do get lots of snow certain times of the year! Not always every year, but I do usually get at least one or two snow days each school year. I really enjoyed the book! Hoping to be part of the chat too on FB.
Sometimes I miss having dogs, but then I remember having to shovel paths for them to pee on. 🙂 I hope you’re having a great week!
True! I love my dogs, but am kind of thinking once these two leave me, which should be awhile still, but when they do, I may not get another and move into an apartment where everything is taken care of and no yard to deal with.
I hope you stay warm! I don’t mind the snow if I don’t have to drive in it. I like that cover of The House of Ash and Shadow.
Here’s my SP: https://bonniereadsandwrites.com/2024/01/14/sunday-post-fuzzy-socks-are-the-best/
Same! I always say since I’m an educator, I’m not supposed to drive in the snow, lol.
I’m so jealous you got snow! We got over an inch of rain . It’s been miserable here-so much mud. Every time the dogs come back in it is a whole production to get them semi clean and dry. Have a great week!
That’s crazy to get that much rain right now! Mine are pretty good about doing their business quickly at least in this cold weather.
Oh nice! Yay for all the snow days! Those are always fun! And yay for the Mini Books! I did not know they came with shelves! So weird as I did not have any in my order. Just the ball capsule and tons of mini bags! Lol. The shelf is a good idea though to display them. Wonder why there wasn’t one with my sets? Oh well! Yeah from the orders I placed I am now stock full with protein bars…then about 2 weeks ago they went on sale with a BOGO 50% off which I thought was too good to pass on! I think I checked on these and they were out of stock again so I double up on bars! Lol.
Nice new reads all around! All are totally new to me ones but I hope you enjoy them all!
Thanks for visiting my StS!
How many books were in each of the balls you got? I only had 3 books and the shelves and I thought there was supposed to be 5 books in each one? So that was maybe why?
I got 4 books and the little bookmark in each ball. I guess the shelves were a bonus piece like the magnifying glass. I did catch that in the little booklet but I didn’t catch anything about shelves! Still pretty cool. Tempted to try ordering again now! Lol!
That’s probably true! I’m tempted to get more, but I’m not going to let myself, lol.
Do you usually get that much snow where you live? We got about as much as you, but that’s typical for us this time of year so no snow days. We rarely have snow days. Sad. 🙁
We get this much snow every couple of years. Usually we don’t get this much at a time though. So it’s a crazy winter! It’s not always good with getting roads cleaned, so I think that’s why we get the snow days here. Plus the really dangerously cold temps right now. But two of the three days we had off last week were the remote learning ones, so for classroom teachers they had to have “office” hours and put assignments up for students to do.
Ohh, those snowy pictures are lovely. And the mini books! Omg. I’m a sucker for that kind of thing, I must admit.
Hope you enjoy all the new books!
I keep wanting to try to order more of the mini-books, but I’m going to keep myself from doing it. Even though I’d like to have the Bunnicula one.
The snow pix are beautiful! Our snow melted and we don’t have any coming, but I guess that’s OK. I love those mini books, I saw them on Instagram and thought they were cute. Enjoy the snow and have a good week!
The mini-books are fun and if I could go grab them at Target I’d get more, but since I have to order and have $35 in the order, I can’t afford to do that anymore, lol. The snow is still here and I think we’re getting a little more today! And it’s still sooooooo cold!
I enjoy the snow when I don’t have to go anywhere and your yard looks lovely. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
Same, I don’t like to get out in it. At least not until the roads are all cleared!
Oh wow look at the snow! We had a branch come down too- a huge one- from the neighbors tree. I’ll have to cut it up it’s humongous. Unless he hopefully comes and gets it lol. Sounds like you’ve had a snowy messy week though!
That’s funny about the game! The baby thing is hilarious!
White trash Zombie- I’ve always thought that series looked fun 🙂
Hopefully the branch didn’t come down on anything! It’s still lots of snow here, will be a while before it melts I’m sure! I’d always wanted to start that series so I’m glad I signed up to the read-along because it’s really good!
Oooh I’m excited to see your thoughts on the White Trash Zombie books. I haven’t read them before, but I’m hoping to participate in the readalong and review them as well.
My Sunday Post
I really liked it! I hope you enjoy it when you start it as well!
I really enjoyed WTZ and look forward to the next one. Unfortunately, I’m going to miss the online discussion. Our weather was so wild last week. Sunday we got a foot of snow, then Tuesday night we got over 2″ of rain. Most of the snow was gone and we had unprecedented flooding. Then we had another huge rainstorm and more flooding on Saturday. Then yesterday (Sunday) a huge snow squall tore threw. So crazy.
All that rain and flooding is crazy for January! WE are still in the freezer here, and getting a little more snow today I think. As far as I know I’ll be going back to work on Tuesday.
Lots of winter weather here too. In fact, another storm is rolling in tonight, and they already called a delayed start here. I’m glad you got home safe from that aborted trip to school!
The school I taught in before I became a librarian we had just started having the delayed starts on those kind of days. I think that is a good idea because you can still get the day in and be at school, but miss the bad roads usually. Now that remote learning is a thing after the pandemic, it seems so many schools do that. Fortunately I’m home today because of the freezing temps and I guess the roads were horrible according to the news this morning because of snow we got overnight I guess. Tomorrow should be back to school for real! lol
Congrats to your Chiefs. Our Steelers lost yesterday (well, I am a Steeler fan by marriage, I myself have always loved the Bengals until they lost the Super Bowl and I associate that with Cass, my Bengal striped boxer needing to see them win before he passed and they didn’t. Now I’m mad at them. Hot mess anyone?) I do want to see the Lions do well so they will be one of the teams I am following. I saw the oldest Kelce brother is retiring. I really like him a lot.
We got snow last night and this morning. I can handle snow but hate negative degree wind chills. Today I braided my hair and put on a beenie for all day because I am in and out so much with Zekey. Once I warm up, he wants out again. Your snow sure is pretty though. Hope you have a great week and I’m super interested in House of Ash and Shadow so I hope you get to it soon.
We kind of hoped the Steelers would win too! Lol. Just because now we have to play the Bills again and that means, well a lot of us thinks, that the Chiefs will lose the next game and be out. We’ll see. But I’ve seen some things that make me root for the Lions too! I saw about Kelce’s brother too! I wonder how long till Travis retires. I mean if things go good with Taylor he might be ready to settle down, lol.
We got some snow here this week, but it turned icy and not as pretty quickly. Thanks for sharing those pictures of the snow, it looks so pretty! That black ice is creepy and I am glad you got to turn back home as your school closed. I hope you’ll enjoy your new books!
Normally our snow doesn’t last as long as this has, but with the frozen temps we got right after, it had no where to go!