I’m connecting up once again with Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer.
First thing is I am going to try really hard not to complain in long rambling paragraphs about work this week. I’ll just say if work was a good day or not and move on with it.
Let’s start with last Sunday. I started with a cooler morning, but sunny for a change. I noticed the outdoor faucet on my patio was dripping. It looked like maybe they’d used it when they put up the fence. My first thought when I couldn’t get it to stop dripping is that I may need to call a plumber this week in case it drops down below freezing so I don’t have a bigger problem. I went to have coffee with my dad, stepmom, and youngest sister at noon. But I only stayed till about 1:30, halftime of the Chiefs game. My sister doesn’t like football, and my dad and stepmom are okay recording and watching it later. I needed to watch the rest of the game. The ending was whoa, I still can’t believe what happened. Once again I just knew it would be our first loss of the season, and this time it was really dumb luck almost that we won! Can’t say the refs helped with that. Then I went over to my mom’s for dinner, a little early too though because my brother and sister-in-law had a church group thing and dropped my niece and nephew off at my mom’s before. Didn’t get as much time blogging this weekend as I needed/wanted.
Monday was a cool morning, but warmed up into the 60s. Work was okay. There was a great guest speaker in talking to the students that I even found interesting listening to all day. I got my first “testing” assignment from my AP, giving the ACT to one student on Friday I think. Ran by the grocery store after work to pick up stuff to make chili later in the week. Came home and my dad came over to look at my dripping faucet. He thinks it is not that bad. For now I’ll leave it, maybe have him come over one day when it’s during the day instead of early evening and have him replace it. It’s just that to turn the water off you have to go under the house in the crawl space, or use the one at the street that the city would use. Ordered Chipotle for dinner, because I can save half of it for lunch. Then just read and rewatched Outlander.
Tuesday was another chilly morning. Work started out bad because I was trying to label some boxes a teacher had students box textbooks in, and when I went to move one to get to the box underneath, I felt a painful pull in my right hip area. So bad I had to kneel down and sit on the ground for a couple minutes before I was able to stand up and move. Now, I was alone in the library. It was about 20 minutes before anyone else came in. At that point I decided to go to the nurse, so I slowly limped my way there and reported the incident. Of course to make sure it was paid for with workman’s comp I had to go to the district’s clinic. When we called they said I’d probably have to wait an hour or more to be seen. I asked if I could just go in an hour, but they said I needed to just go and wait. I’m glad I did, because actually they got me in right away. Not much can be done for a muscle strain/pull/tear like that. Just rest, no carrying/pulling/pushing anything over 20 lbs for two weeks, and ice and ibuprofen. The doctor said mornings can be really bad from not moving all night, so she gave me muscle relaxers to take one before bed. I went back to work and did as much as I could sitting at my desk. Usual work day while I was there. Decided to skip an evening zoom for a library committee I’m on to have dinner with my mom instead. Honestly these committee meetings have seemed like a waste so far.
Wednesday I woke up and could hardly feel where my hip had hurt so bad on Tuesday. It was a rainy morning, leaks starting in the library ceiling again. I left work at noon because I had a doctor’s appointment at 2:30. I got lunch and then went home to take about a half hour nap before the appointment. I actually saw the nurse practitioner so it was a really quick visit. Then I had a hair appointment. Came home after and watched Survivor. Oh, I did pick up some cookies on the way home too!
Thursday was cold in the morning, but no rain. We did the annual Signs of Suicide day at school. Where students watch some videos and fill out some forms about either how they are feeling or if they are worried about a friend. And then we have counselors in the library to meet with students that they feel need to see someone right away after they look over the survey/forms. After waking up in the middle of the night and stressing and crying over work, I decided to email and try to talk to my AP again, I figured a day where we were talking about mental health would be a good time to talk to her about mine. Especially since she used to be a counselor. She was gone, and when I emailed telling her all these things, she let me know she actually was home because she was so stressed out as well. I told her I was not going to be able to take over the testing and that I was just going to take care of the library, not to worry about getting me a library clerk at this point. I’ve done it before, I’ll just keep doing it. I’ve also already got some teachers wanting to come in and do some lessons next week! Called my mom and we went to have dinner at Panera. Afterwards I ran by her house to get a baby picture for school where we’re going to see if the other teachers can guess who is who. Here is the baby picture I’m sharing, I think I’m like 3 years old.
Friday was cool again in the morning. It was a long day because I was testing one student for ACT and I had to go sit in the library conference room all day and basically I couldn’t really do anything because those are the rules of proctoring. Came home, didn’t feel like cooking even though I have all the ingredients to make chili. So I called for pizza delivery.
Saturday morning I got to sleep in thankfully. I got up, did some laundry, realized where I thought I’d left off in my book when I was falling asleep last night, I hadn’t actually read or remembered some of what I thought I’d read. So I had to go back in the book a bit. I finished that, then went to meet my dad, stepmom, and youngest sister at a new to us coffee shop in the River Market area. Unfortunately they didn’t really have much food, so they all got coffee, I got a hot chocolate, and since it was after noon, we went next door to the little pizzeria restaurant. That was yummy. Then I came home, posted a review, and then went to get my mom and we went to a movie. I wanted to run into the Home Goods store by the theater afterwards since we went to a 5 pm movie. I was looking for some cute dachshund stuff I saw on TikTok that they said they found there. I found the wrapping paper and a blanket. They actually had 3 dachshund blankets. And I won’t let myself go back and buy the other two, lol.
Books Finished
I really thought I was going to finish the first one last week, but with finally not being over-scheduled I was able to relax when reading. Plus I didn’t have a ton of time to read the week before. Second one was the next audiobook I listened to for the Gateway nominees. I wasn’t sure at first, but pretty soon was hooked. I’ll post it’s review as part of my L-L-L Reviews at the end of the month Third was a picture book I remembered I had, it will also be part of the L-L-L REviews. Last is another e-galley I’ve been so ready for the pub date to get here to read it. First and last reviews were posted this past week.
New Additions to My Library
ARCs:
None
Audiobooks:
None
Bookish Stuff:
So I had ordered the latest book from Evie Alexander so I could get this swag, but then she sent me a message on Instagram and told me it was cheaper to order the book on another site and she’d go ahead and send me the swag. So many cute stickers! And then the November Picklegram from J.J. Knight’s Patreon was a magnetic 2025 calendar.
E-galleys:
So I heard in the Facebook group we weren’t getting ARCs for this one, and then I got a copy on Friday I think? So I am going to do my best to get it read and reviewed this week!
Free E-books:
Found this first Amazon freebie when I was on Bookbub this week. I guess it is actually three books together. The rest are also from Amazon found on either Bookbub or Instagram.
Physical Books:
When I saw that there were copies of the Apollycon special edition of Half Blood, I had to go order it. It came in this week!
What I’m Watching
A dumb luck Chiefs’ victory, making them still undefeated. More rewatching of Outlander, so excited for the 22nd and new episodes! Survivor and Ghosts as well. Saturday night my mom and I went to see Heretic. It was good, but pretty weird too!
What’s Coming Up Next Week
We are getting in the mood for holiday reads you can tell! Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon starts this Thursday too! The last two will be read in time for that. I don’t actually have those e-galleys yet, but I’ve signed up for the tours.
Final Thoughts
Don’t forget I added in a monthly wrap-up giveaway again because my read ARC pile was getting big again! It just went up on Friday. And as I’m going through and getting rid of books, I’m finding I will probably continue to do 2 winners as I pull out more ARCs from my shelves that I’m not going to keep.
I didn’t do as great leaving out all the depressing work details, but I feel like I cut it back a bit. Only one more week till Thanksgiving full week break. I think I can, I think I can! Can’t wait to get started on Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon later this week too! Watch for my challenge as part of that too.
Oh, I also reached my Goodreads Goal this week, since I set it lower than normal. I still wanted it to be something to work towards, but didn’t want to be stressing at the end of the year. I’m not going to up it either like I have, I’m going to just be happy!
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Hope you’re feeling better after that pulled muscle. Those can hurt. I remember I did one once somewhere down the line and it was like in the crook of my neck, and it was painful just sitting there (at this time I think I was still working at the grocery store when I was in school) so yeah, definitely not fun. I totally get the need to vent though and I do not mind reading about your work woes. I know I complain constantly about my mail woes! Lol. But since–as you’ll see–I’m going on a month with this post office holding onto my very special edition of a Stephanie Garber book that cannot be replaced if they are on the next print run (which I have not heard one way or another so I really don’t even know where I am at with that factor!). So yes, if you need to vent, I’m here for you. <3
Nice new reads and goodies! I actually really love shopping at Home Goods for decor pieces! Especially at Halloween because omg, they have the coolest stuff! Christmas items are fun too, but all the pieces I like are such glitter bombs and I hate that it sheds, so then I don't really buy those if there's too much glitter. I hope you enjoy all of your goodies and new reads!
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My hip feels mostly better, although yesterday it was a little worse than it had been. I think because I was carrying some things that were probably over 10 pounds which I’m not supposed to be doing. Oops. Yeah, Home Goods and TJ Maxx and Marshall’s and Ross are all places I love shopping for holiday stuff. I hope your book shows up soon, it’s so frustrating because you might not be able to get another copy if it doesn’t come in! I’ve got my fingers crossed it comes in this week!
I’m glad the pulled muscle? wasn’t as bad the next day. I used to get the Penny Reid ARCs but they don’t seem to contact me anymore except for spotlights or cover reveals. I plan to review it the next week after I get it on KU.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
The doctor said probably a pulled or torn muscle as bad as it hurt. But yeah, it’s been better for the most part, other than yesterday when I think my laundry basket weighed more than the 10 pounds I’m supposed to carry. I got the ARC, but I think the book came out already, so I’ll be reading a little late? Or maybe it’s out and goes to KU this week on the day I have planned to post my review.
I’m glad you’re feeling a little more comfortable after your injury Lisa. I loved seeing your younger you photo too! Have a great week!
Thanks! You too!
That muscle you hurt in your hip sounds really painful, glad the doctor could see you so quickly and you got some meds that helped. Those cookies look so cute and yummy! I am sorry to hear your work is still so stressful, sounds like good timing with the mental health focus day to talk about it. Good luck with the readathon! I haven’t read many Christmas themed books yet this year/
I have read more Christmas themed books already this year than I normally do probably in a year! lol. And more to come! It’s an unusual reading year for me.
That baby picture of you is so cuuuuuuuuuuute! So are the cookies and the blanket! I want that pizza right now!!!!
Ah, thanks! It was fun looking through old pictures! The pizza was delicious! I had one piece left and I ate it for lunch today.
Pulled muscles are a pain in the arse. Hope you are feeling better. It sounds like a pretty good week. Now I want a slice of pizza. LOL Enjoy your holiday reads!
LOL, this one was literally a pain in the arse, as it was my hip/butt area. I am feeling better for the most part. Although I’m realizing I need a better desk chair for at home. The pizza was delicious. I’m now good on pizza for a while though.
That picture of you as a child is too cute! I love the pigtails.
I miss pizza so much and that one looks so good. Due to medical issues, I can no longer eat it and it’s my favorite.
Ah, that’s no fun! Sorry you can’t have pizza. 🙁 I hope you’re still able to have some of your favorite foods!
Oh no! I’m so sorry about that injury! And you’re right, there’s not much you can do about those types of injuries. But I’m glad they at least gave you some muscle relaxers. I hope you get better soon! And omg your baby picture is SO cute! You look like the Olsen twins when they were little! Lol.
Hmm, never thought about the Olsen twins. lol Although one of my sisters we did always say reminded us of them with how she looked when she was younger.
Oh a pulled muscle is painful! Hope you are doing okay now. The blanket is super cute! And I’m glad you enjoyed Garden of the Cursed-I started listening to it last week and am enjoying it so far!
I was a little surprised, wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy it at first, but totally got sucked in!
Look at all of those Holiday Romances! Yea!! I just got the Under the Mistletoe collection by Ali Hazelwood, Tessa Bailey, Olivia Dade, Alexandria Bellefleur, Alexis Daria. I love the authors and have enjoyed the first two stories.
I know you want to minimize your work posts; however, if it helps you process your stress and frustration, then keep posting! Or journal?
Yesterday was my husband’s birthday. We went out for pizza then watched a Christmas Rom Com and the Celtics. Fun times!
Ooh, I need to find that collection if it has Ali Hazelwood! And some other great authors it looks like too! It does help to post on here about it. I have started a gratitude type of journal as well. Sounds like a nice day yesterday for you guys!
The photo of you is so cute! And I love the dachshund stuff from Home Goods (my daughter is obsessed with that store!) I think I may need to watch Heretic, it looks really scary. I’m also counting down the days until Thansgiving week😁
I love all those types of stores. I have to stop myself from going all the time or I will buy tons of stuff I don’t need, lol. Heretic had some creepy parts for sure! Only 4 more work days for me till Thanksgiving break!
Ugh. Sorry to hear about the pulled muscle. The world just sucks.. adulting sucks. This is not what we thought it was going to be like was it? Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving.
That Buffy books looks so cute!
Adulting is not fun at all! I want to be a kid again, lol. The Buffy book was a cute kids’ book. I’ve enjoyed all these that I’ve read like this so far.
I am downloading the audiobook for “Merry Kissmas” next! I work as an upholstery cleaner so I love to listening to books while I work. I am so excited for all the Christmas stories haha. Thanks for sharing!!!
Hope you enjoy it! I’m getting ready to write my review to be posted tomorrow.
Glad you didn’t get hurt too badly. Sounds like work is still as taxing as ever huh? I hope to plan my readathon reading today and do my intro post Thursday morning. I am off all next week so hopefully I can get lots done (I say that knowing that typically I read less when I’m off – go figure). I love that blanket and I’m not going to be much help but I think you need to go get the other two. I am a blanket fanatic this time of year so what can I say. I’ve already bought a new Peanuts one. Hope you are having a good week!
I’ve got my challenge post set up for the readathon tomorrow morning, so be sure to check back for that! I have all next week off too so can’t wait to hopefully get lots of reading done. Although I have a ton of stuff to do around the house, like I would like to get my holiday decorations up. And I’m wondering if my mom will want to spend a lot of time doing things too. We’ll see! I’m like you with blankets. I’m extremely tempted to go back and look and see if they still have them, lol. I actually bought another one at Family Dollar today! Not as nice as the other one, but still had dachshunds! At worst case it will end up as a blanket my two can use in their cage.
I hope your pulled muscle feels better now, Lisa! I hope you find a new position without an AP that gaslights and lies. Sorry you have to go through all of that!
I’ve just got to last till May, ugh. Or win the lottery? Lol