Big Goal: Even though I am tempted to make a goal around food, I am tired of disappointing myself, so I am going to pick a different one. I think my big goal this month is to figure out some plans to go visit D. [...]]]>

Here’s to the official beginning of Summer! I really would like June and July to go very very slowly. Once we hit August, we have to actively worry about several big milestones we have this year and I don’t want to wrap my head around any of that yet. Pretty please.

Big Goal: Even though I am tempted to make a goal around food, I am tired of disappointing myself, so I am going to pick a different one. I think my big goal this month is to figure out some plans to go visit D. This involves a bunch of planning and I keep putting it off but I think it will make me sadder not to go. Either way I’d like to have made a decision and plans so I can stop thinking and start doing.

• Progress on the big five:
  • Y: Decorate under the pergola, fix the fence lights, maybe clean the side yard & buy plants.
  • G: Do donations, move ikea unit, buy a few things and a rug maybe.
  • S: Laser appointment three. Follow up on replacement.
  • Sa: not sure I want to do anything on this one.
  • D: maybe if i am brave, go to berkeley and oakland to renew library cards.
• Three Medium goals:
  • more workflow stuff, get the quests going.
  • practice visual notetaking, do the book I bought, create my own library.
  • restart the art mbsr book possibly, or some other deeper dive plan.
  • decorate my office.

• Start: regular visual notetaking practice.
• Stop: replying fast.
• Continue: to find pockets to take time off.
• Brave: trips, seeing them, and driving and my brave this month.

Here’s to another month. Paying attention. Loving my people. Savoring and living in awe. And taking steps to move onward.

What an incredible joy it was to read this novel of three generations of women, each dealing with loss in their own way, thrown together in a tiny apartment and coming to terms with each other and their own journeys. There’s so much heart in this novel that it’s not possible for you not to love it. Even though I felt like Grace (the mom) was explored the least compared to Graziella (the grandmother) and Ella (the granddaughter), I loved all three [...]]]>
The Three Graces of Pearl Street by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an incredible joy it was to read this novel of three generations of women, each dealing with loss in their own way, thrown together in a tiny apartment and coming to terms with each other and their own journeys. There’s so much heart in this novel that it’s not possible for you not to love it. Even though I felt like Grace (the mom) was explored the least compared to Graziella (the grandmother) and Ella (the granddaughter), I loved all three of them and I loved reading their journeys. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

with gratitude to netgalley and Atria books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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This was an unusual mystery unlike books I’ve read by Pekkanen before. I liked that it drew attention to history of psychological experiments at Duke and it read as a combination of historical fiction and mystery. It wasn’t full of twists and turns and unreliable narrators and all the tricks that appear to be very common. It was interesting and engaging in a different way. I enjoyed it a lot. It was excellent on audio as well!!

with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for [...]]]>
The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an unusual mystery unlike books I’ve read by Pekkanen before. I liked that it drew attention to history of psychological experiments at Duke and it read as a combination of historical fiction and mystery. It wasn’t full of twists and turns and unreliable narrators and all the tricks that appear to be very common. It was interesting and engaging in a different way. I enjoyed it a lot. It was excellent on audio as well!!

with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Big Goal: I did eat more fruits and vegetables this month. I also ordered out more than ever before and I [...]]]>

Made it to the end of May. This month went by in a blur. It’s annoying that the darker months forever and the brighter months go by fast. I would like the summer to go by very slowly so I can savor every moment. I’d say May was mostly a wash for most things. Even though it started okay, the last two weeks were so so hard that I just need to give myself grace. Alas.

Big Goal: I did eat more fruits and vegetables this month. I also ordered out more than ever before and I really don’t like to do that. I did paint and journal regularly. Did a bit more exercise than before. But it was mostly baby steps.

• Progress on the big five:
  • Y: I bought a bunch of things and I love how my yard feels. I didn’t go through the side because it didn’t seem super needed.
  • G: I did the trash pickup and donating this week. I think I will buy some things this week likely.
  • S: Did appointment two, also emailed for replacement, onward.
  • Sa: I made a plan but didn’t start it. However I did find her a new sitter.
  • D: commuting like a champ and drove A to old school at night. we’re calling it a win.
• Three Medium goals:
  • Did a lot of workflows and classes, I am proud of myself.
  • Researched a bunch of ideas for backyard and garage and my office!
  • I made the list of ideas/thoughts/belief to reclaim. I think this one needs more work.

• Start: Supporting D still. One step at a time.
• Stop: I’ve been sleeping really early. proud of myself.
• Continue: I met with lots of people this month. I’d say 1-2 social engagements a week which is a lot for me.
• Brave: I haven’t planned my trip yet. This will have to be in July.

Even with disappointing myself, I did a lot this month. Proud of myself. Here’s to another month. Paying attention. Loving my people. Savoring and living in awe. And taking steps to move onward.

ok this book’s cover is VERY misleading. This book was VERY VERY depressing. It was not dark humor. It was depressing. Once I got over how depressing it would be, I loved it but do NOT be fooled by the cover. It’s not cute and light, it’s heavy and depressing.

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This novel delivered what it promised. It was big hearted and for fans of Kevin Wilson. A family that’s struggling through good news and bad news as the balance of power changes and fame and potential fortune wreak havoc. I loved it.

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also interesting. her books are compulsively readable for me. her endings always seem to fall short.

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interesting and twisty but i somehow kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. and it never did. kept me reading, though.

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4.5 stars.

I loved this story about two women in alternating timelines. Jo van Gogh working hard to preserve the legacy of her husband’s brother and make him to be the famous and recognizable artist he never was in his lifetime with the helps of an old friend of her husband’s. Emma, a struggling artist, who cleans the home of Stella Swanson, the widow to an art empire who can’t get a penny to her name thanks to the kids of her new deceased husband. The [...]]]>
The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars.

I loved this story about two women in alternating timelines. Jo van Gogh working hard to preserve the legacy of her husband’s brother and make him to be the famous and recognizable artist he never was in his lifetime with the helps of an old friend of her husband’s. Emma, a struggling artist, who cleans the home of Stella Swanson, the widow to an art empire who can’t get a penny to her name thanks to the kids of her new deceased husband. The storylines alternate until they inevitably intersect.

As with all Piazza novels, this story is about strong women doing hard things. Being underestimated and overcoming odds. I love art so this was an extra special one for me. I loved every minute I spent with it.

with gratitude to netgalley and Dutton for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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what a beautiful beautiful story. I have always been a fan of Somerset Maugham and this book made me get (albeit a tiny) glimpse into him. I loved the writing and the story. Loved it.

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