News:
We said goodbye to one of our dogs this week. 💔 Ella was a really sweet, loving dog that has been in our family for over a decade. We're not sure how old she was when we adopted her from the shelter, but she had already been through a lot. Her health started to decline this year, and we got to spend one last Christmas together before saying goodbye. She wasn't the brightest dog, but she loved being loved on and really enjoyed walks. She would make a huge fuss if she thought we were going on one without her. She was loved fiercely and she will be missed.
On a more positive note, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I've really enjoyed this time with my family, and I'm not ready for my husband to go back to work. I wish we could stay like this for another week or two. Alas, that's not how the world works. The kids and I will still be off from school, but it won't be the same without him around 24/7.
We also started a family D&D campaign and are having so much fun with it! My son tried creating/writing his own, but we decided to let my husband be the Dungeon Master for our first campaign. My son has been playing at school, and I've heard some interesting stories about what they get up up in their games.
Personally, I'm really looking forward to learning more about the game and how it works. I have a vague idea and understanding, but you definitely learn more by actually playing and going through the process. Creating a character for myself took a really long time (everything had to be perfect), and I even asked ChatGPT for some help creating an image for my character.
Meet Lyrielle Morthis! She's a half-elf, half-human Bard.
This is the AI generated image of my character in a field with my husband's character, and I based it off an actual picture of the two of us together. One of the earlier attempts had his character wearing glasses and I thought the resemblance was definitely there. Not so much with this one, but still a lot of fun.
Previous Posts on the Blog:
- His Face Is the Sun (Throne of Khetara, #1) by Michelle Jabès Corpora, 🎧 Suehyla El-Attar *review
- Past Due Reviews [9]
- Top Ten Tuesday [14]
- Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang, 🎧 Moira Quirk *review
- The Sunday Post [76]
What I'm Currently Reading:
What I Plan on Reading Next:
Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez
🎧 Heartless Hunter (The Crimson Moth, #1) by Kristen Ciccarelli
What I'm Watching:
This week I've been catching up on Haikyu!! with my husband. ❤️
Challenge Updates:
- Audiobook Challenge: 27 / 30
- Goodreads Challenge: 35 / 100
- Physical TBR: 5 / 50
- NetGalley: 19 / 50
I am so sorry for you loss. It is never easy losing a fur baby. You gave her the best life!
ReplyDeleteThank you. She will definitely be missed.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your dog, Lindsi! She looks like a sweetheart. I understand what you mean about wanting to spend more time with family; my husband had to work this Christmas, and it was the first year we weren't living with and/or right next door to at least one of our families, so it's felt like a weird holiday. I'm glad you got to soak up some quality time, though!
ReplyDeleteShe was the sweetest. ❤️ She always slept at the foot of someone's bed (usually one of the girls) and never met a dog she didn't like. She was friendly to a fault.
DeleteI'm sorry your husband had to work on Christmas. It's hard not having your significant other at home on special days. I hope you were able to enjoy the time he was home. We're a military family, so we haven't lived next to extended family in years. That changes this summer! We're moving back home and will hopefully stay in the same place until the kids are finished with school.
I'm so sorry to hear of your fur baby! It's always a hard decision to make too. Glad to hear you had a nice holiday though! I've never played D&D myself. I've seen it played on TV and such and never really understood it even then! Hope you have fun!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week ahead too!
Here's my StS
Have a GREAT day!
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I still feel guilty for making the decision, but know it's what was best for her. Adjusting to the loss has been hard, because I expect to see in her in certain places, or hear her bark, and right now there's an emptiness I'm not used to.
DeleteI'm not overly familiar with all things D&D, but I think it's a fun concept that allows for a lot of creativity and imagination while playing. There are definitely rules, but no two campaigns will ever be the same.
So sorry to hear about your pup, but a decade is a long time with a pet to build memories. Those pictures are fun (my anti-AI kid would kill me for saying that - HA!) Hope you and your continue to enjoy your break and have a wonderful New Year!
ReplyDeleteShe was with us before the girls were born, so it definitely feels like a long time. We made so many memories with her, but it's always hard to say goodbye. One minute she's there and forcing her head under your hand for pets, and the next she's gone. It's so hard to wrap my head around.
DeleteI'm usually anti-AI also, but our school has been pushing it this year. They want us to use it to help create prompts, come of with stories, etc., and I've dug my heels in wanting to do it myself. However, using AI to make images is super fun. 😁
Happy New Year, Sam!
Gah, I can't believe schools would be pushing AI. That's as counterintuitive as it gets.
DeleteWe have one called "Magic School" that's for teachers, but I've never used it.
DeleteI’m sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to learn more about D&D you must watch some Critical Role on YouTube - start with one or two of their one-shots (their campaigns are excellent but hundreds of hours long). https://www.youtube.com/show/VLPL1tiwbzkOjQyUR1nbxZGETYMZRCcfV6yL?sbp=KgtFamltYWJCdlpnd0AB
Wishing you a wonderful reading week, and a very happy New Year
I've seen snippets on Instagram! They always make me laugh. I didn't know they were on YouTube though. Thanks so much for sharing!
DeleteWhat a sad thing, to lose a beloved pet just after Christmas. At least you had some quality time with your family!
ReplyDeleteWe didn't want to do it before Christmas and make everyone sad for the holiday, so waiting until after was the best option. However, it was still difficult. 💔
DeleteI'm so sorry about your dog.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary.
DeleteSorry to hear about the loss of your dog! A family DnD campaign sounds so fun.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Losing a pet is always hard even knowing it's their time.
DeleteWe're having a lot of fun with the campaign. I don't think my husband was prepared for some of the questions I asked. 😅
I'm so sorry about Ella. You were lucky to have the family all together one week. In the corporate world, we didn't get enough time for all the days we couldn't get child care so we had to split our days off and just get the 6 major holidays so 1 day at Christmas and 1 day New Year's. Glad to see you are getting in some good reading. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
I'm sorry you couldn't get more time off together. I'm a teacher so we're on break for two weeks, and the kids obviously have off as well, but my husband had to take personal days to stay home with us for a few days. He got Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the weekend, but had to use PD days for the rest. I wish the world encouraged more time at home and less working hours.
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. I know how difficult it is.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It will take us a while to adjust to her absence.
DeleteSo sorry about your dog. It is hard to lose a pet any time of year, but around the holidays is especially difficult. My heart goes out to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteHow nice that you area all working on a family project. Very creative! Hope you enjoy it and all your books this week.
Thank you, Cheryl. We were already anticipating it being a possibility, so at least we weren't caught off guard and could mentally and emotionally prepare for it. It was still hard on everyone though.
DeleteHave you played D&D before? My husband came up with the campaign for this one and we all created our own characters. It's been a lot of fun so far!
So sorry you lost a beloved pet, Lindsi! That's always tough on pet owners.
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying the rest of the Christmas and New Year season.
Thank you. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Rissi. Happy New Year!
DeleteI'm so so sorry for your family's loss, saying a prayer and sending warm thoughts and love <3
ReplyDeleteOh man, I played D&D as a teen with my older brother it feels so long ago now and how people play it has even changed that I don't know I could get into it again but I'm so glad y'all are having fun with it!! The art of y'all is amazing!!
Thank you so much. ❤️
DeleteWe actually finished our campaign last night and successfully recovered the treasure. The kids had a blast and are already looking forward to the next one. Hopefully my husband can keep up. ;)
I am sorry I missed this post about the loss of your dog. He was lucky to be in such a loving home. We have only had our new cat five months and he is adjusting to us and us to him. It is an interesting experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We definitely miss her and are still adjusting to her absence. ❤️
DeleteNew pets are always such a joy! It takes time for you to learn their personality and for them to get comfortable with you. I hope they are with you for a very long time.
I'm so sorry to hear about Ella. 💔
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful you are playing D&D with your family! Our public library now has a group that meets monthly. My son meets with a group weekly. They used to play D&D, but now they are playing Pathfinder. 🎲
Thank you. It was her time, but it was still a hard decision to make.
DeleteWe actually finished our campaign this week! The lost treasure was found and no one died (although it was pretty touch and go there for awhile). Our library also hosts D&D once or twice a month, but it's only for 18+ and my son really wants to play. He stays after school once a week with a group that he likes playing with. However, from the stories I've heard, I'm not sure they're playing correctly and use the time to be preteen boys (asking to do the most ridiculous things in the campaigns).
yes please on staying home longer!
ReplyDeleteSo sad to hear about Ella. Hugs
Thank you. ❤️
Delete