Sunday, December 29, 2019

The Sunday Post [35]

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly at the Caffeinated Reviewer! It's an opportunity to share news, post a recap for the previous week, showcase books, and highlight what's planned for the week ahead.

News: 

Today has been bananas, friends. We started the morning with a stray dog in our yard, and several missing shoes. My neighbor texted me a picture of one such shoe and asked if the dog was ours (since he'd been over there too). I replied that while the shoe was in fact one of ours, the dog wasn't. We spent the next several hours trying to locate the dog's owner, and discovered it was recently adopted and discarded (people suck). The issue has been resolved (for now), but I'm worried about this sweet puppy. Fingers crossed everything works out for him! He was really friendly and desperately wanted to be let inside the house (my dogs were not okay with this option, so we had to deny him entry). 

After all of that hooey, we went to my parents house for lunch and presents! It was the first day we could all get together over the holidays (work schedules). My mom has been really great about making vegan-friendly meals, or at least vegan-versions of what they're having. It's not always perfect, but I love that she tries. We eat whatever she makes regardless, because she works hard to make sure everyone is happy. (I think she gets confused with the dairy, because she'll be really proud of her potatoes having soy milk, but then she'll use a ton of regular butter, haha. It's the thought that counts!) My in-laws do the same thing. 😁

I was a little worried about presents, because my mom usually asks me what the kiddos want, and this year she didn't. I had no idea what we'd be enduring in the coming weeks. It was surprisingly mild, which I am eternally grateful for. The girls received little vanity tables, and while the assembly was frustrating, it was mostly manageable. Stickers for days... It went with the make-up and the other sparkly gifts they were given. Our son was gifted a scooter, some sort of racetrack, and something else that was LEGO-like. I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I'm too stuffed to think clearly, and I spent hours assembling various toys. Oh! A tunnel thing that the kids can crawl through. It popped open on its own, so the parent involvement was minimal. 

I am exhausted! I feel like we've been doing more now that my son's on break, when we should be doing less. I want to sleep in, relax, READ. Nope. I can't remember the last time I slept past 7 AM. #momlife

Previous week on the blog:

Tuesday: Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn (★★★★☆)
Thursday: NA
Friday: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson (★★★⋆☆)

What I'm currently reading: 

Wolf Gone Wild (Stay A Spell, #1) by Juliette Cross
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Nameless Queen by Rebecca McLaughlin

What I plan on reading next: 

Lucky Caller by Emma Mills
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
Jane Anonymous by Laurie Faria Stolarz

What I'm watching: 

Jacob and I binge-watched the first season of Making It with Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman (it expires Wednesday on Hulu, so watch it sooner rather than later πŸ˜‰), and loved it! We really enjoyed watching people create unique works of art, and thought the Makers themselves were some of the nicest people. The judges... ugh. I've already ranted about them on Twitter, so I won't subject you to another one on here. We started the second season last night, and I'm sure we'll finish it soon! Yay! Crafty people!

Challenge updates:

Audiobook Challenge: πŸ—Ή
Beat the Backlist Challenge: πŸ—Ή
Discussion Challenge: 5 / 11-20 πŸ—·
Goodreads Challenge: 467 / 500 πŸ—·

33 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful if exhausting Christmas!

    Wishing you a great reading week and a Happy New Year

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    1. We're actually living near family this year, so everyone wanted to do something! We celebrated on the winter solstice, with my in-laws on Christmas, two days later with another set of grandparents, and then yesterday with my parents. The kids were thrilled to get presents on more than one day. I think it was nice having them spaced out, too. I hope your holiday was merry and bright! ;)

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  2. I loved Making It! OMG, I forgot the second season was starting! I'll have to pick it up on demand.

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    1. YES! I am LOVING the second season! I've read the captions for all of the episodes, and I cannot wait to see what they make! It's such a wholesome show, and I love it. We'll have to discuss the second season once we've both watched it. :)

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  3. I'm so sad for that poor puppy---it's hard to understand how someone can just abandon an animal. Sorry your holidays have been exhausting. I hope you get some actual rest soon!! I'm glad that you enjoyed your time with family, though!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. Puppy update: The owner still hasn't picked up his dog. It keeps alternating between my house and the neighbor's (she's been feeding it), and the shelter is aware of what's been going on (the dog was recently adopted from there). The man said his father-in-law was in the hospital, so he would "worry about the dog later". I get that there can be other pressing concerns, but surely he could have someone else take the dog back to his house? It's been freezing the last few nights, and he would be starving if it wasn't for the neighbor. His excuses are fickle at best.

      They've been exhausting in the best possible way! I do want to sleep in at least one day this week, haha. We'll see if it works out. <3

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  4. What a start to the day! Nice that your mom accommodates your eating preferences. And you’ve gotta love toys that put themselves together (the tunnel). :) Hope you’re enjoying your current reads!

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    1. She tries! The tunnel was a wonderful distraction for the kids while we assembled their other toys. I hope you had a lovely holiday! <3

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  5. Thank goodness for the self-popping-open tunnel LOL.

    I hope that poor dog will find a proper accommodation! Yes, people suck. It's a dog, not a frigging toy. What did they expect?

    I'm a little confused about the several missing shoes...how did they get lost in the first place?

    Your SPs are always entertaining! All the family adventures! πŸ˜‚ I hope they'll keep coming in 2020 as well!

    Speaking of which...we'll probably get to talk on Twitter before the new year kicks in...but just in case
    HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🧨

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    1. The tunnel distracted the kids while we put their other toys together! Haha! I just had to tie a few ties, and voila! Done! They've been using it ALL day, too.

      The dog's owner is incredibly frustrating. The neighbors found him on Facebook through the Animal Shelter. Apparently, he adopted the dog recently and is very irresponsible. He told my neighbors that his father-in-law was sick, and that he knew where the dog was. Uh, if you know... COME GET HIM. It's been freezing the last few nights, and I'm sure he's starving. It's been a whole THING. If I see this guy when he comes to get his dog, we're going to have words. MANY WORDS. I'm sorry someone is sick, but he could call a friend and have someone else take the dog to his house. Ignoring it is wrong. It has needs.

      The shoes were lost because the dog carried them off and/or chewed on them. My neighbor found one at her house. ;)

      Thanks! My family's shenanigans are just memories in the making. <3

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  6. There's a really awful place in the universe for people who toss pets out like they are not actual living things. 'Nuff said. OMG! Little vanities. How cute! I finished Tweet Cute yesterday, and I absolutely loved it. Ditto for Lucky Caller, so if they end up on your DNF&Y I promise, I will cry.

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    1. Right?? The dog needs shelter, food, love -- grrr. It makes me so mad! If I'm around when the guy finally decides to get his dog, we're going to have words. This pup is super sweet and deserves better. He was adopted and discarded within a week. Short version: Neighbors found the owner on Facebook and got in contact with him. He said he had a relative that was sick, but he knows where the dog is. Fantastic! He still hasn't shown up for his dog. My neighbor has been feeding it, and they contacted the Animal Shelter to tell them what's been going on. There's no excuse for it. 1) The dog got out somehow. 2) There was no identification or tags on the dog. 3) The owner hasn't come to get the dog, or asked someone to do it for him.

      Little vanities! They're obsessed. We've definitely started a girly phase! Yay! I'm so happy to hear Tweet Cute was enjoyable! I cannot wait to start it. <3 I'm still waiting on my review copy for Lucky Caller, but my stop on the blog tour is coming up. Fingers crossed it gets here this week. :)

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  7. Sounds like a great holiday and it's so sweet how hard our mom tries. Sounds like the gifts were a hit but that's a lot of assembly. We've been watching The Witcher and I binged all of Virgin River while I've been off. I hope the poor puppy has a safe home now and yes, people do suck!

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    1. She does! I told her that if something happened to me and my husband, she would get the kids, so she needs to learn how to make vegan-friendly foods. ;) They really loved their gifts this year! Their smiles are worth the assembly! <3 How are those two shows? I haven't watched either! The puppy is still wandering around, so not as resolved as I originally thought. When my neighbors said they'd gotten in contact with the owner, I assumed he would be by today to get the dog. He never showed up.

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  8. Your week sounds like it was busy and delightful! I hope the puppy is ok. Have a Happy New Year my friend!

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    1. It was both busy and delightful! I really need to do housework now, but feel very blah. Like I need to sleep for a few days! ;) The puppy is being taken care of, but not by his owner. Have a Happy New Year!! <3

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  9. Holidays can be so fun and exhausting at the same time, right?!? Sounds like you had a nice Christmas though.

    Hope the doggie has a happy ending and finds a good home. And that's nice that your parents (and in- laws) try w/ the vegan food. I don't even bother with that because yeah that wouldn't be happening lol. :)

    Have a happy New Year!

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    1. We should invent a word for that! Fun + exhausting = Fausting. Exhaustun? ;) We've celebrated and then celebrated some more. I need a break from this break, haha. Too many expectations and engagements.

      The Dog Story is a sad one. My neighbors found the owner on Facebook and discovered the dog was recently adopted through the local Animal Shelter. He said his father-in-law was sick, but that he knows where the dog is. This dog has been hanging around for two days now! We've had some freezing nights, and I'm sure it's hungry and wants to go home (my neighbor has been feeding it now that she knows it does have a person and a home). Dude needs to get his dog, or have someone else pick it up and take it to his house. Jerk. He's an irresponsible pet owner and doesn't deserve its love.

      They TRY and I love them for it. :)

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  10. Poor dog. It was nice of you to help it. I also spent my Christmas eating food and putting toys together. Have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. I try to take strays to the shelter when they have room, or hold them until a spot becomes available, but I can't keep them inside with my dogs and kiddos. I don't know their temperaments. However, with this dog, my neighbor has been feeding it after getting in touch with its owner (an irresponsible jerk), and we're just waiting for him to finally come and get his dog. He says he has a sick relative, but that's not an excuse. He could ask someone else to get it for him.

      Putting together toys! It's so much fun... ;)

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  11. I am so worried about the poor puppy! I'm glad it has been fun for your holiday but hope you get a break this week. I had a busier week last week and am trying to dial it back this week. I'll try to remember to tweet you the Curran tomorrow.

    Happy New Year!

    Anne - Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post   

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    1. Me too! I put a few blankets and some water on our porch, since he's still bouncing back and forth. My plan was to do nothing tomorrow, and then my mom called and said she wanted to spend the day together. A "last hurrah" before we move. How could I say no?? Yes! I still need to see this Curran you have, so I can decide how to best steal it from you. ;) <3

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  12. Oh, I hope that puppy got a home! People do suck! Sounds like you had a fun, even though exhausting, Christmas. It is really sweet that your parent and your in-laws try to be accommodating with vegan options. Moms never do get to sleep in, right? Hang in there, Lindsi, you will (eventually, lol) get a little more personal time as the kids get older.

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    1. It technically has a home, just a very irresponsible owner. I think the shelter is going to pick it up tomorrow and deal with the guy on their end, since it's not okay he's basically abandoned his dog for multiple days. Who does that?? I get you might have stuff going on, but spare a moment to take your dog home! He's cold and hungry, scared and lonely. Grrr. Moms never get to sleep in, unless the Dads decide to do something sweet and take over for a few hours. ;) I'm really enjoying the ages they are now, but that also means I have to nap with them occasionally, haha! <3

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  13. Poor pupper :-(

    Exhaustion seems to be the theme this season. We've been up with Fonzi for almost a week & sleeping on the couch.

    Happy New Year and here's to more sleep! lol

    Karen @ For What It's worth

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    1. His owner FINALLY picked him up late last night, which is good, considering all the fireworks and shenanigans going on. The poor thing was terrified. I'm so sorry about Fonzi, but glad his surgery went well. Fingers crossed his recovery is equally successful!

      To more sleep! I'll drink to that. ;)

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  14. That poor dog! I hope he finds a good home. It sucks that he was abandoned. My brother and I recently took our puppy on a walk, and we met a large (very friendly) dog that had escaped his home and was sniffing a neighbor's yard. Fortunately, his owner came out and found him. But we did enjoy having that dog follow us on our walk for the short time we had him.

    My mom has been wonderful about looking up vegan recipes for me and cooking them. (I taught and now go to school in the area, so I live with my parents - and my mom's taking over cooking duties, which makes the commute worth it.)

    I've heard great things about Where the Crawdads Sing, and I'm interested in Nameless Queen. I look forward to reading your thoughts on them!

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    1. ...and I hit publish by reflex before wishing you a Happy New Year. I hope that you get plenty of rest and more reading time soon! I know how families tend to want to go out and do something over the holidays, which makes them a tad bit less restful than other times.

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    2. His owner finally picked him up, although I question the guy's ability to truly care for the dog. At least he has a home and is (hopefully) safe and loved again. It's so great that your parents are letting you live at home while you go to school, AND cooking delicious vegan meals for you. <3 True love, right?? ;) I really hope both Where the Crawdads Sing and Nameless Queen live up to the hype!

      Happy New Year to you as well! We stayed home yesterday and did stuff around the house. I started a woodworking project with my husband, and the kids did sparklers and smoke bombs until it got dark. Then we all did some fireworks and went to bed! :)

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  15. I feel ya. I am currently the guardian of a lil kitten that was dumped in the middle of the desert. I was hoping she'd have people looking for her, but over a month later the vet pretty much told me that she was dumped and that I needed to come up with a game plan. It's horrifying to think that there are people out there that would dump an animal in the middle of the desert and find nothing wrong with it. I hope everything works out for the local pup.

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    1. Right?? People can be so cruel and careless. Have you seen those videos of people throwing their dogs out of vehicles and then driving away? They're laughing, but their dog is likely having an anxiety attack. It makes me sick.

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  16. Poor pup, but hope everyone got the right shoes back, intact! LOL Glad your holidays were happy. I enjoyed Crawdads, especially the end :) Hope you like it too!

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    1. I really, really loved Where the Crawdads Sing! It was such a refreshing and enjoyable experience. :)

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“Stuff and nonsense. Nonsense and stuff and much of a muchness and nonsense all over again. We are all mad here, don't you know?”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless