I’m connecting once again with Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer.
Sunday was another beautiful day outside. Perfect for having mother’s day dinner at my brother’s for my mom, sister-in-law, and her mother as well. I spent the morning doing some blogging. Dora is doing well enough that I was able to let her kind of pick a place to sit either on the couch or on the floor in the sun while I did stuff on the computer. Still kind of sad when we go outside though that Argyle goes to the fence looking for his friends. But I did let him kind of enjoy extra time outside today to try to make up for that. I ran out to have lunch, and then decided to get a pedicure because I needed one and I can usually sit and read for a bit with no interruptions that way, and I was needing to finish the book I was reading. Back home for a while before going to my brother’s for dinner. I got my mom, sister-in-law, and stepmom these wax flower bouquets, they smelled really good and hey, they won’t die! Here is a picture of my mom’s.
Monday was another warm and sunny day. School was busy. Both tech guys were gone. One because he got a new job and his last day was last Friday. The other is on vacation this week because he had a family wedding to go to at Disneyworld! I came home right after school to make a meal in the crockpot and hang out with the dogs. Also had a Zoom get-together with my state library organization. Finally finished the book I’d been reading so I could post the review on Tuesday. I heard some noise outside and looked out to see my former neighbor’s truck in their back yard and I guess he was getting his work bench he’d built out of their shed since they had to be out by next week. I went and talked to him a bit, and also suggested if he or his wife wanted to grab some of the peonies off the bush like they always did, they were welcome to take some for their new house. Here are pics of the bush on the outside of the fence, and then what it looks like on my side of the fence. When I first moved in the bush was only on the outside and since then it came under and through the fence to make the bush on the inside.
Tuesday was a little quieter in the library, although I had some cataloging things I was working on. Forgot I had a Zoom meeting for a school committee at 3:30, so raced home to do that. Then I had another Zoom meeting for my AASL member engagement committee at 6 pm. So I reserved a study room at the public library so I could participate without worrying about Dora. I booked a little extra time before and after the meeting to do some blogging. I got a phone call from the other job I’d interviewed about. Unfortunately they were looking to hire someone for about $5K less than I make this year, which would probably be close to $8-10K less than what I’ll make next year with my raise. I told them I didn’t think I could do that right now. I’m finally working to get my finances in better order, and even at the risk of my mental health, I don’t think cutting my income would help even with a better job. And who knows if it would actually be any better? Oh well. It’s so hard to make decisions like that, but with no one to count on financially except myself, I had to choose this way. Plus that new job wouldn’t have paid into my state retirement since it is a private school, and really I think I might be ready for the 2 and a half years to retirement, and then just getting a desk job somewhere, or even just getting out of education and going to a public library.
Wednesday, another busy day in the library at school, and hot again, up in the 80s, with feel like temps in the low 90s. I wrote up a list of the things I’m doing at work when it looks like I’m just “sitting at my desk” according to what people say to the AP who evaluates me. I emailed it to her, after running the email through ChatGPT to make sure it was professional and contained none of my irritation or snarkiness. Went to dinner with my mom and helped move the large succulent planter my brother got her for mother’s day from the garage to her back deck. Then I came home and did a tiny bit of blogging before watching my tv shows. About midnight I was woken up to Dora yelping in her cage. By the time I got out of bed and went in there, she wasn’t yelping anymore, but I could see she was a bit shaken and very quiet. I took her outside and she just stood there. All I can do is keep with the strict crate rest. She was in her crate when it happened during the night. So I’m wondering if she tried to turn around or something and hurt herself. She’s off the prednisone and just taking the muscle relaxer now.
Thursday was a bit cooler with more of a breeze even as it was still pretty warm spring day. A busy day at school, I had a teacher come down two hours for some research lessons. I was stressed all day because of the incident with Dora the night before. Although by morning she was kind of back to how she had seemed to be doing better. I was still stressed. I know it’s not going to be all smooth sailing for her to be completely healed, but it is just a little much to handle right now. A local education foundation had some books they’d gotten and they donated them to me. Several of them had more than one copy, so I brought a couple home. Was going to just stay home all night, but my mom texted about doing dinner, and as it is around the year anniversary of when my stepdad passed away, I’m trying to make sure to be available for her any time. I did get a couple pictures of Argyle and Dora by the peony bush too.
Friday was a crazy busy day at school with the seniors having graduation dress rehearsal since it is on Sunday. And then I had to be at the tech table when they went to pick up their tickets in case they needed to turn in chargers or laptops, etc. Of course the whole tech system is messed up and so there’s no way we got them all in. But the way it is a mess I tried not to let it stress me. I had to eat lunch at my desk later on as I was in the gym for that for a couple hours, and it went past when I normally eat. Plus the minute I got back to the library I was constantly needed by others. It was another sunny and hot day. I came home and did some blogging, as well as just hanging out with the dogs for the evening. Oh, I got the GLSEN book set that I was lucky enough to get for free from them delivered to my school library today. A few of the books I already have, so I’ll send them to the other high school in the district since I saw she did not have them in her collection.
Saturday was cooler, and windy still. I had a lovely sleep in with the dogs. I’m still having them sleep in their crates at first, and then when I wake up around 3 am, which is time for the next dose of Dora’s medication, I take them out, feed them, then am letting them come sleep in the bed with me. Got up and did a few lazy things around the house before going to have a late Mother’s Day brunch with my stepmom, instead of the coffee we usually do on Saturdays. We tried a place called Homesteader’s, and the food was pretty good! Afterwards I came home and mowed in the sunny, windy day. But when I was switching out the string on my weed trimmer, I twisted weird while holding it, and kind of hurt my back a little, so that sucked. I was kind of sore afterwards so just did some blogging and hung out with the dogs. My niece had a fundraiser that was ordering these pizza kits from Little Caesar’s that I ordered one kit earlier in the week and it arrived in a box with ice packs shortly after I mowed. Will have to make that soon! Spent the rest of the day relaxing on the couch with the dogs.
Books Finished
The first was an e-galley I started last week and took me a little longer to get through. The second was an ARC. I started another book this week that was a finished copy I’d gotten from the publisher, but ended up DNFing it. The book I started after that I’m having a bit of issue getting into, I might be having a reading slump. Not sure if it is the books or just my emotional state at the moment.
I also had an author interview post as part of a blog tour this week.
New Additions to My Library
ARCs:
This arrived Saturday. I don’t remember a request by me or by the publisher. It does sound good. It comes out the week I’m on my cruise in July, so if I can get it read before, then I’ll post the review to publish while I’m on the cruise. Or maybe I’ll take it with me on the cruise and read it and post a review after. We shall see how the summer goes!
Audiobooks:
I forgot to share that I got the first one in Libby from the public library. I read the first book to this duology last year for the reader award and decided to go ahead and fit it in on audio. Second I saw an ad for this new novella from Cara Bastone and I always enjoy them, so I got with my Audible subscription.
Bookish Stuff:
Got my May Picklegram from author J.J. Knight this week. It came with a bit of a craft to finish, the little tissue paper flower, folded in the first photo, and then I followed the instructions and it made the pretty flower in the second photo!
E-galleys:
The first two are for author review teams, the first one next week and the second one in June. The third one was one of my most anticipated at the end of last year, and the author said it was available on Netgalley on Friday, so I went and got it.
Free e-books:
Both of these were free on Amazon.
Physical books:
I got this finished copy from the publisher that I plan to read for next week. It came in the huge box you see in the second picture, and even in that box with all the padding and stuff, you can see the back part of the dust jacket was torn. I will use my librarian skills to fix it up before I add it to my school library though. This was the book I unfortunately ended up DNFing for myself though.
These are the two I got from the charity organization. The first one I haven’t read, but is a memoir/bio of an actor from Outlander, and the other I’ve listened to the audio, but love having a copy on my shelf!
What I’m Watching
No more new episodes of Ghosts for this season. The season finale of The Amazing Race was this week, so regular night Wednesday and then Thursday the finale. I was happy with who won, although sad about who didn’t make the final 3, because one of the groups that made the final 3, the husband was just such an ass to his wife. Also watched Survivor, should have its finale next week. I will say I don’t know that I’m happy about who they voted out this past week, I’d really gotten to like him, kinda mad Joe let the other people fool him. I’m on the second half of season 7 of Outlander rewatch right now, which means it isn’t just on in the background because I’ve only seen it once all the way through I think. So I have to actually watch it, although I’ll on the last episode, so need to try to make myself find a new series I’ve been wanting to try.
I did try to start a new series, Sweetpea, on Starz, and while it was keeping my interest, with the anniversary of my stepdad’s death coming up this week, and the fact that her dad dies on the very first episode, I just wasn’t able to keep going. I think I’m going to have to pick a streaming service to start up for the summer. I also need to maybe finish catching up on Resident Alien before my Peacock subscription ends at the end of this month since I cancelled it after that. So I started season 2, which I think I’ve already watched a few episodes of already, but couldn’t completely remember them, so I just started it again.
What’s Coming Up Next Week
First is an ARC I won on Goodreads, but it doesn’t come out till June, so might not be for another week, not to mention I didn’t get into it right away. Second is an e-galley for the author’s review team, review when it comes out on Friday.
Final Thoughts
So we are over halfway through May. I have one more week left with students, and then 5 more days to work in my school before my summer officially starts. How has May been for you?
This week will also be hard since it is the year anniversary of when we lost my stepdad. While I’m excited for my family trip to Branson this next weekend, I’ll leave on Friday and be there all weekend, come home on Monday, I have a feeling it will be bittersweet without my stepdad.
What are you looking forward to this week?
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Sorry to hear about the rough week. I can totally understand passing on a job that just doesn’t pay enough. When I do get my own place, I’ll still be on my own financially so making the right amount of money is definitely a necessity. Was this the job you did two rounds of interviews for or another one? Keeping my fingers crossed that the right one comes to you! Mental health is definitely a necessity too, my last job was seriously wrecking mine and have been so grateful to get out of that toxic environment.
Nice new reads! Lots of new to me ones too! A shame that the cover for the one book got so ruined. It had to have been like that before they mailed it but it’s still surprising that the put the book in such a big box!
I hope you enjoy all of your lovely new reads!
Here’s my StS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
It was the 2 round of interview job. And honestly, I’m okay with how it went, because I like that they were honest with me that it had to do with the salary. In education all that is so not talked about, and I never hear why I don’t get a job. But this also makes me more sure it is probably part of the reason, like I thought, that I don’t get hired in other districts too. Yeah, it was from the publisher, so it’s too bad it was like that. But I can fix it up for my students before I put it on the shelf, and I’ll have the clear plastic cover over it too.
Well it’s nice to be offered the job even though it isn’t going to work out. Could you do something like that after you retire from the public school system? Sumer is coming! I think it will be good for you to have some time to rest and recharge. And you have Branson and the cruise to enjoy.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
I mean, they didn’t technically offer me the job, just said before we went on to the next more intense stage of interviews they wanted to see if I was still interested. And yes, that is exactly the type of thing I hope to do once I retire from the public school education system and am getting my retirement. I can be more picky about jobs since I’ll have that money. I am definitely looking forward to a summer without working summer school. Even though I will probably miss the money!
Sounds like a lovely week. I lol’ed at you having to run your email through ChatGPT to make sure it was sans snark..
I too am struggling with finding time to read.. things have been to busy over here.
It was a busy week! ChatGPT is my friend in those email situations, lol. I’m having some trouble with the usual amount of time to read being less, as well as having a few books that weren’t working for me.
The wax flowers are so pretty. And I love your peonies too. It’s hard to believe May is ending and summer is right around the corner. I hope you have fun in Branson, even if memories of your step-dad might make it a little tough.
I think Branson will be fun, and even with some sadness, the memories will be nice as well since we didn’t go last year.
It’s a hard choice, lower pay vs better job, especially when you aren’t guaranteed it will be better. I say stick with the money. lol
Those wax flowers are pretty and the two doggies are very cute by the peonies!!!
Yeah, I’m just trying to get my mind set that I will finish out my teaching/education career where I am and then retire and find a job that doesn’t stress me so much.
I’m thinking of you and your family during this difficult week. I hope that your upcoming vacation and trip to Branson will help you through.
Thanks! I’m trying to make sure to be there for my mom as much as possible this week as I know how hard this one year anniversary is going to be. And hoping that the vacation, while bittersweet, will also have some nice memories.
Your peonies are gorgeous! Sorry to hear Dora is in pain. Bummer about the other job. I agree, it might not even be and improvement from your current job and less money. I’d pass, too. Yay for summer vacation coming up! Hope you enjoy your family time in Branson even though it’ll be bittersweet.
It’s just too much to worry about with less money, and also not being towards my retirement if it wasn’t that much better of a job. So I’m sticking with the enemy I know for now, and more money I guess! Definitely looking forward to Branson!
Poor Dora and hugs for you. I hope she continues to heal. The public schools around here are in school until mid-June, with graduation the first weekend in June, usually. Both of my kids are in college now, so they got home last week. I haven’t been reading much now that they are home. I need to spend some reading time to keep up with my schedule. I hope you have a great final week and enjoy your summer!!
We start in August, and I actually start back end of July, so I’m soooooo glad we finish up when we do. Lots of things to do with your kids home! I’m hoping more time to read this summer, but I have a feeling I’ll be spending time with my mom too.
Those wax bouquets sound interesting and nice they don’t die this way. That sounds like a tough decision to make with that job you got offered, but for less money. That is a big difference and indeed you won’t actually know if the job is better. What a pain you have to explain yourself about you’re doing when you’re sitting at your desk, but hopefully explaining it will help. And that sounds helpful you can sue ChatGPT to help check the email. I hope Dora is doing better, that sounds stressful with that incident in the night. That paper flower craft from the Picklegram looks fun. And that’s good news you only have two more weeks of work till summer starts for you.
Dora seems to be doing better, I just have to stick as close to keeping her strict crate rest as possible I think though until the vet gives the all clear. I’m ready for a real summer break, the first two month one in a few years!
Sorry about Dora’s injury. It is so stressful sometimes making sure the pups are okay. Both of mine were under the weather over the weekend. Apollo was having allergy issues Saturday and not acting himself. Honestly, we had horrible storms forecast Friday night and I was stressed out about them all day (I have a bit of storm phobia) and I think he picked up on that. He was better by Sunday. Then Zekey had an upset stomach on Sunday, also from allergies I believe but a few doses of Pepto and he was good as new that evening. I’ve tried watching Sweetpea but didn’t get very far. Wanted to read the book first anyway.
Sorry about the job but sounds like you are making sound decisions based on what you want and need. Hope something comes along for you soon. Have a great week!
Ah, poor boys! It’s hard when their tummies are upset too! Hopefully they’re doing better now. I have a feeling I’ll be stuck at this job for another two years until I can retire, so just have to figure out a way to keep myself sane through that.
Trips without loved ones are always hard. I hope you have fun despite his absence. Our weather has turned cold this week. Lots of rain and temps in the low 50s. Brrr.
We had some cooler temps this week, it warmed up a bit today, but I think this weekend is going to be a cooler one than usually at this time of year.
Love the wax flower bouquet – so cool!!
I thought it was such a cool idea!