Bits and pieces

10

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 06:00:00 +0000

Now you are five

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 09:46:00 +0000

Dear Keiden,

Today you're a whole five years old 0_o Wow!

Goodness, goose when did this happen? Your foot was smaller than my thumb, and now it's as big as my hand. Really this growing-up business you're doing is going just a bit too far now. You're really not a baby anymore - but you'll always be my baby. Or as you've taking to saying lately, you're a big little. And that's probably the best way to describe you and all the things you do. You're getting bigger every day, but there are still plenty of things that remind me that you're my little.

Your year of four was an...interesting one for us. We have fought a lot, you think ears are ornaments and I get tired of repeating myself. I often describe what's going on as I'm Charlie Brown's teacher...so all you hear is "Whaamp whaamp." And while we've been fighting nearly every day you and daddy are just having the best time. Sometimes you two would have moments, but not anywhere near as many as you and I. It was really bothering mommy, just how much we'd fight - and it felt like you and daddy had all this cool things the two of you would do and we didn't. Yes, we have books and going to the library, but it just didn't seem anywhere near as many things as you and daddy have together.

It turns out I was just having my silly goose moment. You and daddy have games, but we have pop culture. We tend to enjoy the same music, and shows more than you and daddy. So it has helped mommy feel that we also have our special just us stuff to do together. It's something I'm very glad we have. And while there's lots of things we three do together, it's important (and really great) that you have something just you and mommy, and just you and daddy.

The year of you being four is when our family made a new friend -and it's been great for all of us. When not at school you tend to spend most of your time around adults, so it's always a win when we find people who like spending time with you too. And who you like seeing. Mommy was reminded of this when we went out for my birthday supper a few weeks ago - no one was bothered with talking to you about things and you weren't shy with anyone. You being comfortable around our/your people is always great for me to see.

Some of the bigger things that happened this past year was your first time flying somewhere. You and I went with daddy on some of his work trips, and we were super lucky fishes with ah-ma and ah-he arranging for us to go visit them and aunty C, uncle E, and B and N in PE. Your first ever flight was to Johannesburg, and monkey you fly so much better than mommy does. Yay! You enjoyed going on the Guatrain - which you called the cowtrain :) We went on four trips, so that means you had eight flights. You are such a lucky fish. I hope you keep on enjoying going to places and flying well. With each trip we got to see some of our people - always fun. But I think you enjoyed going to PE the most. And while there were some ugh moments during our trips for the most they went well for us. I'm not to sure if there will be many trips this year, but I do know if they are at least we don't need to worry about you having a good time.

Goose, your swimming just keeps on improving. Yay! It's great that you are learning that the more you work at something the better you can get at it. Knowing that things aren't always easy, and sometimes you need to work hard at it is a good life skill to have in your pocket. Your writing of numbers and letters is improving as well - but not as much as your lego and puzzle building. You just enjoy doing those more. While we still read picture books, you've gotten big into chapter books. We started with The Twits, which you really enjoyed and have since read very many. You current favourite series is the tree house books - those have been reread many, many times. Oh, you can read some words too. So while you're not quite reading on your own yet, you are able to pick out some words. I hope that this year you get to reading on your own. There are very few things as good as sinking into a book you enjoy.

While I often tell people you're full of nonsense when they ask me how you are; you have also given me many super proud mommy moments. And then I tell everyone just how amazing you are. My goose, you are such a kind person. You've better understood that there are privileges and not everyone is as lucky a fish as you are, that when I tell you about things happening and that we're going to help by donating somethings you want to give almost everything you have. (And while that great, let's remember not to help so much that we'll need help too.) Monkey nose, you are also at times far more grown-up than most grown-ups I know. You're very good at saving, and delayed gratification...and just knowing when you've had enough. There have been many moments when you're peopled-out or just tired and say we should stay at home. Even now, on your birthday you told us that you want to stay at home today, and go do things on Saturday and Sunday. That my love is amazing. Knowing what you want, what you need, and doing what you can to make it happen is just all kinds of wow.

There is so much more I could say, but this is getting a bit long now. I think five will have all kinds of interesting and fun adventures for you - and us. Just remember to not be too silly.

Love you much. Love you always.

Mommy

Five for Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 08:14:00 +0000

It's the last Friday till my goose is 5! Five, when did this happen? As such I'm mentally planning his now your are 5 letter/post.

I'm working on telling myself I'm not lazy - it's a really hard thing to break. But seriously, how lazy is a person who in three years completed two degrees and a diploma while holding down a steady part-time job, teaching and living a life with her family? So while I'm not great at doing lots of things, it does not mean that I'm lazy.

I've clicked that I really should not be surprised at my getting into Korean pop culture - BTS and dramas - because I've been into Japanese pop culture for years and years now.

Speaking of, BTS and their music is something I give a fairly large degree of credit in helping Keiden and I not fight as much. It's been this thing that we have that is great for end of the day unwinding from people and stuff. Sometimes we watch the music videos, other times it's on in the background and we're doing something else. It's just been great having fewer fights.

And I've done 23 days of yoga in a row. I'm feeling good that I'll make the 30 days of yoga...but the question now is what after. I may just start another one of the 30 days sets. I'll see.

How have you been?

Book Review: Winner Takes All

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:03:00 +0000

Hiya folks, it's one of my support my reading habit posts :p

Winner Takes All (Warriors of the Heart #4)
By Laurie Winter

Storm Thompson wants to be anywhere but Liberty Ridge. Especially since his hometown also contains his childhood nemesis, Colleen Gardner. With a young daughter and mentally ill mother to care for, he struggles to simply make ends meet. Every day, his goal of owning an organic farm slips further out of reach.

Psychiatrist Colleen Gardner has her sights set on starting a retreat to help veterans suffering from PTSD. She's done well but her small town fundraisers just aren't enough.

"The Great American Scavenger Hunt" TV show offers a million-dollar prize, and Colleen and Storm are selected as competitors. Both resolve to do whatever is needed to win, even using the other to get ahead. Storm and Colleen compete to fund their dreams, but their already tattered relationship becomes more strained. Only one will win the money. But will love prove the ultimate prize?

You can find Winner Takes All on Goodreads

You can buy Winner Takes All here:
- Wild Rose Press
- Amazon

Previous books in the series:

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What I thought:

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a tricky one to rate and review. There are parts of it that where great, and different to a lot of the sweet reads I've been reading lately. The setting plays a big part in that - it's very Amazing Race, but as individuals. That was fun.

But I also just really struggled to connect to the characters...which is so strange as both were developed and grew during the course of the book. I suppose it's because a lot of the interactions and motivations each attributed to the other was in miscommunication central. And just the utter blindness to how they real feel about each other -_- I did enjoy the nicely wrapped up ending - it's always nice to see a bit of the happily ever after.

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Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of Winner Takes All. One winner will win a prize package (US Only). The prize package includes: a Tea, Books, Magic mug, a Romance Trope scented soy candle, and a $25 Amazon gift card.

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Music that's making me happy

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 09:31:00 +0000

Currently all the music that's making me happy is from BTS. Fortunately, Keiden has been enjoying it too...in fact it's gone a long way to help us not fight as much recently. We take half an hour or so, and just lay together watching the ones we like, it's been wonderful. We've also turned Jerall's youtube into BTS-tube :0

What music has been on your heavy rotation lately?

This one is Keiden's favourite.

This is the song that started it all for me.

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 06:00:00 +0000

Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash

Here's to a year that'll be less interesting than the one before :p

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 06:00:00 +0000

Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash

From me and mine to you and yours, may this day be just what you need.

How big do you dream?

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 07:36:00 +0000

Photo by Studio Dekorasyon on Unsplash

In a recent chat with Zoe - she of the amazing powers to create plans of action and get to the heart of the matter - we hit upon some uncomfortable points for me, they reminded me of therapy. And then it hit me, this is what life coaching is about. I was having a coaching session with Zoe, and while the experience on the surface of it seems easy, let me tell you it's not.

It starts off easily enough - your friend is moving into the coaching sphere and wants to make sure her process works. You go, yeah I have no idea about anything in my life anymore, let's give this a whirl. You get a short questionnaire, that you're told not to spend longer than five minutes on answering the few questions on. You see the questionnaire and okay it's easy-ish, you can do this....but why do I need to think about these things.Eventually, you answer the questions and send them back...and start the fun time of scheduling your half an hour call - I totally went for the voice call option, video call is not my friend.

And then you have the call...and it gets uncomfortable. Seriously, why is the adage of change is never easy or comfortable true? In the call we were chatting and Zoe made this excellent point (which I totally brought up in therapy) that the things I mentioned were small, they weren't this big dreams. And in not having this big dreams, I was doing myself a disservice, if the goals are small and easily achievable you don't need to push yourself or really change anything...so it is really a dream? It's more like what's holding you back.

So we went into those big it can't really happen, unrealistic dreams - okay, okay, big and unrealistic to me, Zoe was all this could totally happen. And in her it could totally happen she mentioned this small, easy to do, little daily actions that could help me get there. And still I'm all what, no ways, is this even for real. One of the things that came up was just how much I love the work done by this one research foundation and how there's amazing people there...and wouldn't it be great if I could do that. So guess who included a plan for things to do to find out more about that? Yip. And full disclosure, I haven't followed up on that (I'm still working up the nerve, like I can't just send an e-mail to an academic that's all gushy, I just can't yet) but two of the other things have been happening.

There's something to be said about this coaching thing and dreaming big but specifically. So ow I'm wondering just how big do you dream? Do you pull a me and keep things small because of all sorts of they belong in therapy reasons, or do you dream big but then not go for it? Either way you should totally check out Zoe's mad skillz.

Five for Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 09:43:00 +0000

Black Friday is ridiculous...it's the worst thing imported from the US to the rest of the world. At least with it happening today, the ads will end.

I was fiddling with some settings on Twitter, and got my account frozen two or so weeks ago. In order to get my account back I need to send them an image of my ID...so that's not going to happen, and I don't feel like starting a new account so basically no more Twitter for me. And so far it's been a bit odd, but I've not missed it. In terms of keeping up on news and other stuff, it's not been an issue because I've got newsletters. And on the plus side no more mindless scrolling - although I may have replaced that with Goodreads scrolling -_-

This is pretty interesting:

I recently finished reading Hunger by Roxane Gay. It's a contemplative read, that reads really quickly. And has me pondering so much about how I look at my body, and we are constructed into certain views of what makes a body.

And some Keiden news - he is being a goose, that is all :p

Pause for joy

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 07:43:00 +0000

I used to do this thing I called a daily happy...and then someone who was a good friend said something really cruel about it. And you guessed it I stopped doing it. But lately there have been a few things I've come across that reminded me that the daily happy was a good thing for me, and my family. So two days ago we started it again at supper - and with my sharing it with folks via whatsapp. Only this time I've amended it to add talking about something that wasn't so good in your day - we all need to work on our emotional vocab.

It's also helping K get that having a sad moment is okay...he's had a lot of just feeling down moments lately, and taking stock of what's good and what's adding to the down moment is a good thing for him to start learning. He loves the happy part, and will list many things and ask what's all our things.

For some more reasons to add to your pausing for joy/gratitude check out this short Vlogbrothers video

And on the local front Nikki wrote a great post about it too.

Book Blitz: Hex Marks the Spot by Ani Gonzalez

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Ollo folks, it's another in support of my reading habit posts :p This one has a review, and really you need to check out the Banshee Creek books...they're a great mix of paranormal cozy mystery and romance. Which made my involvement with the book blitz/tour for this book a given.

This is my stop during the book blitz for Hex Marks The Spot by Ani Gonzalez. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 29 October till 4 November. See the tour schedule here.

Hex Marks The Spot (Drop Dead Witchy #1)
By Ani Gonzalez
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age category: New Adult, Adult
Release Date: 21 October 2018

Blurb:
Going to Hell is easy. Going back home is a different story.

They say you can never go back. I wish that was the case.

Returning home is complicated when you’re a necromancer and your hometown is the Most Haunted in America. It doesn’t help that your pet hellhound chihuahua thinks the place is a dump, and it gets worse when your high school crush is still there and still dead sexy. Literally, as he’s now a ghost.

Oh, and did I mention that I have to save the world? I tell you, going to Hell is easy.

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Review:

4 Stars of awesome :D

I really enjoyed the Banshee Creek series, and this is a great continuation of that world. And there's some sparks of romantic interest :p

As in Claire's show, Pookie is the star of it all. And while the mystery is interesting enough, the real enjoyment of this read for me came with all the little details of folks meet in other stories being given more depth. I'm certainly looking at the PRoVE folks a lot differently thanks to this read. All in all this read hits a sweet spot of blending the familiar with new so that anyone new to the Banshee Creek world won't feel like they're missing any needed details.

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You can find Hex Marks The Spot on Goodreads

You can buy Hex Marks The Spot here on Amazon

About the Author:
I'm a USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romantic comedy and cozy mystery (whew, that's a mouthful!) set in Banshee Creek, Virginia, The Most Haunted Town in the USA. My books feature feisty, irrepressible heroines dealing with a host of paranormal critters (ghosts, cryptids, pagan gods...the sky's the limit) and mysteries. They find love and laughter (and sometimes corpses) along the way, and readers get to follow them every step of the way.

I love quirky towns with spooky stories, and, thanks to my books, I get to "live" in one year-around. In real life I live in a Virginia suburb (which is sadly lacking in ghosts) with my husband, three children, two cats, and one adorable dog.

You can find and contact Ani Gonzalez here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Bookbub

Book Blitz: The Second Chance by Catherine Mann

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Ollo folks, this is one of those posts of things I do to support my reading habit :p

This one is a book blitz for The Second Chance by Catherine Mann. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 29 October till 11 November. See the tour schedule here.

The Second Chance (Alaskan Oil Barons #5)
By Catherine Mann
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: November 1, 2018

Blurb:
She can’t remember the last five years…

Or the man who says he’s her husband.

Chuck Mikkelson knows Shana doesn’t remember him…or that she wanted a divorce. But now she’s back in his home, and he vows to save their union at all costs. This may be the only second chance he has to win back his wife. Will their rekindled passion be enough to convince her to stay when her memory returns?

You can find The Second Chance on Goodreads

You can buy The Second Chance here:
- Amazon
- Barnes &Noble
- Kobo

About the Author:
USA Today bestseller Catherine Mann writes contemporary romance for Harlequin, Tule, Sourcebooks and Berkley. With over seventy-five books released in more than twenty countries, she has won a RITA Award, the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Award, and the Bookseller’s Best Award. She’s also celebrated six RITA finals, an RT Reviewer’s Award finalist, three Maggie Award of Excellence finals and a Bookseller’s Best win. After years moving around the country bringing up four children, Catherine has settled in her home state of South Carolina. The nest didn’t stay empty long though as she is active in animal rescue. Catherine enjoys hearing from her readers and can be found online frequently on Facebook. She can also be reached via mail at: P.O. Box 291023, Columbia, SC 29229. (For a free bookmark, send a self addressed stamped envelope.)

You can find and contact Catherine Mann here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Instagram
- Pinterest

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of The Second Chance. Five winners win an ebook of their choice of either the first or second book in the Alaskan Oil Barons series – The Baby Claim or The Double Deal by Catherine Mann. US Only.

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Start the Alaskan Oil Barons series with the first two books!

The Baby Claim (Alaskan Oil Barons #1)

From a family feud...to a one-night stand ending in heartbreak.
Now will these rivals get a second chance at love?

Links:

- Goodreads

- Amazon

- Barnes & Noble

- Kobo

The Double Deal (Alaskan Oil Barons #2)

Snowbound with a sexy stranger…will sharing his bed destroy her plans or lead to forever?

Links:

- Goodreads

- Amazon

- Barnes &Noble

- Kobo

Five for Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 09:13:00 +0000

Hi there folks, *awkwardly waves*

Mostly this is a post before some book related stuff pops up again. It's something I need to do for me to not feel that this is my space to just drop my reading habit support book things :p

Emma Approved is back :D
My kid is just amazing - he's wanted to donate all his things for those from the Khayelitsha fires. I'm just having all the proud parent feelings about it.
Jerall is submitting his MA thesis next week.
I'm having moments of ugh, I don't have a plan for next year yet. It is a very strange place to occupy.
And when I've gotten a turn and some free moments this game has been for me. The review video below is pretty good...especially the last few minutes :p

You will be found

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 08:06:00 +0000

A reminder that you are so much stronger than you think you are. You are not alone.

Hi There

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Fri, 25 May 2018 07:39:00 +0000

Hiya folks,

Lately it seems that my posts tend towards the catch-up variety...and it's okay. Here we are life keeps on ticking away, and we're nearly half way though 2018 0_0

Part of the reason why I've not been blogging as much as I would have liked to is pretty simply because I over extended myself this semester. Yip, I look at the year in terms of the first and second semester - the first one started about end Jan and is going on till the start of July when exams end. With teaching classes ending a week ago it feels like I can finally breathe. I'm definitely doing less next semester. Over extension is a real problem - I hope you don't end up doing the same to yourself. At it's worst I was having crying jags because I went to go sleep instead of keeping on pushing. Yip, not exactly the best thing. But it's better now, so that's something.

Onto the lighter things we go.

Keiden is being a busy, silly goose as ever :p He is making massive strides at swimming, and swimming on his own - with the pool noodle under his arms. He also went on his first flight, train ride and hotel stay in April. We went with Jerall on a Jhb work trip - bubble baths and showers were had :D Keiden was such a champ, the flight was just the right length for him. Bonus in that he is a much better flier than I am; I need meds and he doesn't. He still very excitedly talks about it, and is looking forward to our visit to PE to see his grandparents.

We've recently made the connection that Keiden is highly empathetic. A few things about him now makes a lot more sense to me. Now the trick is to work with it and use it to better understand and do what's best for him. Right now it means being more aware when watching shows with him, and less having him watching his lego shows without us.

Jerall is carrying on as his usual self, but has also taken on some more things. We're still figuring out that juggle as well as we can, but it should be more fixed in the next few weeks. This grown-up business is tough, and I'm so glad to have him to deal with it with me.

I'm going to end this post with asking how are you, and sharing some music videos that have just been on constant loop for me.

Ps. Janelle Monae is BOSS!

35

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Wed, 02 May 2018 05:30:00 +0000

Happy birthday my love. Bestest is you <3 p="">

9

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 06:00:00 +0000

Book Blitz: The Nerdy Necromancer

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 20:24:00 +0000

Hiya folks,

It's one of those posts I do to support my reading habit :p Not to forget that I do have this book in my TBR pile, plus I'm on a bit of a paranormal romance kick right now. So take a look, and enter the tour giveaway if that's your thing :)

The Nerdy Necromancer is only 99cents! Today Only!
You can get your copy of The Nerdy Necromancer for only 99 cents today only! Get your copy here.

The Nerdy Necromancer (The Deadicated Matchmaker #1)
By S.E. Babin

Helen Reaper has a weird relationship with the dead. As in she can bring anyone or anything back to life, so she’s constantly bombarded by people begging her to restore their loved ones, their pet fish, that cute girl who fell off a building while taking a selfie. Super. Annoying. So Helen becomes a necessary introvert and a homebody, choosing to absorb herself in books instead of real life.

The Deadication Dating Agency comes to her this time in the form of a mysterious letter and a cute little puppy.

They know someone who’s already dead who won’t mind her talent one little bit. Can a woman who raises the dead find a love that stays alive?

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of The Nerdy Necromancer. One winner will win a $25 Amazon Gift card.

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: After All by Laurie Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 06:00:00 +0000

After All (Warriors of the Heart #3)
by Laurie Winter
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: April 18, 2018

Two years after lifesaving surgery left her infertile, Molly Hernandez is running full steam toward her goal of becoming a DEA Special Agent. She won’t be distracted by falling in love with an Army veteran who’s focused on settling down and making babies.

Drew Atwater delayed marriage and family until his Army career ended. Now, he has a one-year plan to find the woman of his dreams. Unfortunately, the only woman he wants is a spirited cop determined to leave their peaceful town.

While working with troubled teens, Molly and Drew discover they make a powerful team, but their opposing goals threaten to pull them miles apart. Can the power of unselfish love prove their future together will surpass any dream they could accomplish alone?

What I thought

This was a mostly interesting read, but it's not quite a 4 star read for me.

The usual "they just don't understand why the other doesn't get it" trope was given a variation on it by neither fully opening up, and being equally stubborn. It did though annoy me that Drew just wouldn't get a clue and leave Molly be. Well actually, Drew annoyed me he just wouldn't let Molly be, and he even drew in other woman when it was clear as day that he needed time to process the situation.

I do think that Molly's infertility was handled well, especially her interactions with her friends. Her desire to be supportive of her friends and respectful of her feelings, was well done. I must admit I thought things would go a certain way, when she was helping the teen. And it was great that it didn't.

*I'm a lucky fish and got an ARC of this read*

Book Review: The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Crave by Deborah Wilde

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 05:30:00 +0000

The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: Crave by Deborah Wilde

What doesn’t kill you ...

seriously messes with your love life.

Nava is happily settling into her new relationship and life is all giddy joy and stolen kisses.

Except when it’s assassins. Talk about a mood killer.

She and Rohan are tracking the unlikely partnership between the Brotherhood and a witch who can bind demons, but every new piece of the puzzle is leaving them with more questions than answers.

And someone doesn’t appreciate them getting close to the truth.

Go figure.

On top of that, a demon known only as Candyman has unleashed a drug that’s harming users in extremely disturbing ways.

Nava vows to take this demon down. But will life as she knows it survive this mission, or will this be the one time she should have looked before she leapt?

Happily-ever-after? Barring death, she’s got a real shot at it.

========================================

What I thought

Nava and Ro *sigh*

Leo and Drio *double sigh*

Ari and Kane *triple sigh*

So here's the thing about a series, the character become your friends...you want things to go well for them, and when it doesn't...

There were so many times, I just wanted to reach into the book and slap them all upside the head :-/ Aside from the emotional turmoil caused by Nava and Ro, this read was all kinds of good. I mean it starts with Nava and Ro kissing - we've been waiting a long time for that - having a night off, and then jumps into snark and action.

The Candyman case, along with the ongoing investigation into the purple magic leads into some interesting moments. The least of which is what's up with Nava's magic - which is all kinds of "oooooh". We meet some new folks, Nava and her mom have a moment, Nava and Ro have moments...and then there's the interesting things we learn about them thanks to the interactions with the oshka.

I'm all in with the series. But now I need the next book like in my hands right now. So many things to clear up, and get answers too...and maybe some more Ro too :p

*I'm a lucky fish and on the authors ARC team.*

Currently - well more like it's been awhile

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 14:39:00 +0000

Well, hi there folks it's been awhile. It's a catch-up/currently post because I have some book related posts coming soon. I figured let's not just have a bunch of reviews.

Hmmmm since I last wrote there's been a few things. I finally got my mark for my MA. It's so much more than I was expecting, I got my degree cum laude aka a distinction :D The picture below is of Jerall and I post the graduation ceremony.

I got into my big dream university for my PhD. But funding is an issue...also that whole it's in an entirely different country. So while there are aspects of doing my PhD elsewhere, and the impact thereof on my career...career does not trump family. So I'm working on sorting it out to do my PhD at Stellenbosch. Writing it here, it's a short thing...but gosh did this whole thing stress me out. It's quite ridiculous how long it took and how it played out -_-

Keiden is happy at school. There were a few rough moments with him getting a new teacher, and some silly things with his friends. But overall he is happy and having fun, so that's a win. He's making great strides at swimming, and is swimming more and more by himself. Life skills ftw! On the not so great side, his paediatrician based on some recent bouts of sickness - and allergies - has given Keiden an asthma diagnosis. My kid is a rock star and so so good at the twice daily pump.

Jerall is being ever himself, so that's good. His thesis is a work in progress, but come September he should be submitting. So I've told him he has to start his PhD next year too :p

I may have sightly over extended myself, but busy is better than not. Am tutoring 2 third year modules and 1 first year module this semester. May tutor less next semester - need to try and get an article or two out of my M.

Overall, I think things are going generally well and on the positive side of contentment for my little family. And that's all good.

How have you been?

Lunar New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 05:30:00 +0000

14

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 06:00:00 +0000

Five for Friday: Shinning my light

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 07:51:00 +0000

Photo by Marcus Dall Col on Unsplash

This post is inspired by a chat with some of my peoples. We were talking about how there's a thing that women need to be all humble, humble, humble. And really we should shine the light on our accomplishments. So here are five I'm shining a light on.

I finished my MA in a year - that is freaking huge, especially in a department where most take three years. No more downplaying it for me, and saying I did stuff on it the year before when I was doing the diploma. I registered for my MA Jan 2017, and submitted end October 2017 - so actually less than a year, but hey I'm still waiting for my mark.

I have finally completed a 30 days of yoga challenge. Folks I've been trying to do it for three years, and this year it happened. Also I'm at 31 days of it now...and am going to ride the wave as far as I can. It's become so ingrained that both J and K tend to ask when I'm going to do it when we get home in the evenings.

I got accepted into a PhD programme at a UK university. Funding is an issue, but you know what...my proposal for my research was so good, they want me. Totally got to remember that.

I have an 81 day streak on Duolingo, that means I've set aside time 81 days in a row to learn a language or three. I'm taking action to make things happen.

A soppy one. Tomorrow Jerall and I will have been a couple for 14 years - that's an accomplishment. The work and love that goes into a relationship is astounding. And I'm proud to be half of a pair that's getting it right.

Want to share some of yours?

Now you are four

noreply@blogger.com (Cassey) — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 16:45:00 +0000

Dear Keiden,

Today you turned four, and as you keep on telling us it means you're big boy now. Sometimes I'm not to sure about that, but I do know that you're most definitely not the little monkey we brought home from the hospital. Instead, now you're a fully blown silly goose. Well also a kiddie-binki, a silly, mommy's love, kiddio, goosey-loosey, sweetie pie, silly nanana and always mommy's baby.

Your year of three has been an interesting one. You started swimming lessons - you took some time to get into it, but now it's one of your favourite things. You go to lessons on Friday afternoons, then we have lunch at daddy's office, after which you and I go to the library and gardens. Sometimes, we both have silly moments, but mostly mommy really enjoys spending that time with you. We both agree that books are awesome :D

It's also been the year that Lego became a big thing for you. You decided that duplo was for babies, and as you're a big boy it'll only be Lego proper for you. Fortunately when you decided this, there was friend having a birthday who got to enjoy getting lots of blocks. You have spent hours and hours "reading" the instruction books, paging through the Lego catalogue, watching lego videos on youtube and building ALL THE THINGS. You often build something, and tell me to take a picture. Something you and daddy do often is see a cool toy - like your friend's marble maze, and then go home and build it from lego. You make up some great adventures and stories for your mini figs...all while asking me if mine can play too (it's still a no on that goose).

Given how much lego has been a big thing for you, it's not surprising that your first movie at the cinema was Lego Batman. And while you liked Batman, he still doesn't top your love for Captain America and Star Wars. Speaking of Star Wars, the Last Jedi was your second ever movie at the cinema. I'm still disturbed though by you being a big fan of Darth Vader and Kylo Ren...it just doesn't mesh with how much you like Luke, Asoka, Ezra and Rei. You really enjoyed your advent calendar, and very generously gave mommy the builds and mini figs you weren't that keen on :p

Although goose, its not surprising that you happily share. Your kindness is something I'm in awe of, also it's something school mentions in your reports, along with your dance moves (dance moves that are something all you, mommy and daddy don't have any). Your kindness, gentleness and caring heart are something that explains just why you seem to have many friends at school. Although, I'd appreciate if you'd remember that P is your friend that is a girl, not girlfriend.

You've settled in more at school, something I'm glad happened. It seems Keiden, that while you're slow to warm to people, once you've decided that someone is your friend they're your friend for always. This also means you want to see your friends all the time. So school holidays were tough for you, you missed seeing your people. E is one of your people not from school, and goodness do you love seeing him. It's a good thing that his parents and yours are friends too. He and his mom are often people we ask to come with on our exploring.

Our exploring has carried on, but sometimes you just want to stay at home and not do much. Well other than build, read some stories and play "cooking game" with daddy. Playing in your kitchen, or playing cooking games with daddy on his computer are such fun for you. But not as much fun as when you and daddy cook or bake together. Your year of three had you making sandwiches, stirring all the pots, and making cheese sauce and pancakes. I hope that cooking stays something you enjoy.

Three was the year when you moved away from baby and toddler things to big boy life. And while it's been great to see, it's also been hard. Your stubbornness has been something epic, not to mention this habit of back chat. Best you sort that out this year :p

My Keiden, there is no one and there will never be anyone like you EVER.

Love you lots and lots,

mommy