What's Up Wednesday!

 

It's the last Wednesday of May...

 

...I cannot believe summer is here!!

 

 

~*~ What we're eating this week ~*~

Monday ~ toasted ravs & salad

Tuesday ~ salad or quesadillas or grilled cheese

Wednesday ~ Chinese chicken with rice

Thursday ~leftovers or what we didn't pick Tuesday

Friday ~ out for date night

Saturday ~ steak and veggies

Sunday ~ pizza

 

~*~ What I'm reminiscing about ~*~

all our past summer vacations

 

~*~ What I'm loving ~*~

that a group of my friends have started a fb group to keep us motivated for our workout goals.  Carpe Diem is the name of the group.  I love that so many people that I actually know want to be a part of it.

 

~*~ What we've been up to ~*~

This past Saturday we went with Dad, my sister and brother in law down to Echo Bluff State Park in Shannon County, MO.  This is one of our favorite day trips and I was super excited that it was warm enough (yes in May) to finally get into the wonderful river water:

The sun, the running river and a good book ~ I was in heaven!  We then drove to a spot where we got to see the wild horses:

These horses are a huge part of history and it was great to finally see them in person instead of just in pictures.

 

~*~ What I'm dreading ~*~

Quite honestly, its all the applying I need to do to find a job.  Its sad that I may not be in education anymore but fingers crossed that I am.

 

~*~ What I'm working on ~*~

Cleaning out the cold weather clothes from my closet and replacing them with summer clothes.  Its quite the task, I still need to have like one bedroom that's just a closet.

 

~*~ What I'm excited about ~*~

We leave to go on vacation in one week!!

 

~*~ What I'm watching/reading ~*~

Well I finished all my books for the library and need to pick up another pile for our trip.  Watching wise its been just about everything on Bravo, ABC released a new Dirty Dancing and I'm trying hard to get into Rachel's season of the Bachelorette but it just hasn't happened yet.

 

~*~ What I'm listening to ~*~

The Stanley cup playoffs are in the background.  The Blues got eliminated, I don't have to pay that close attention anymore.

 

~*~ What I'm wearing ~*~

usually workout clothes or capris

 

~*~ What I'm doing this weekend ~*~

Friday night is date night.  Saturday we are supposed to have a girls craft day then that night I'd like to go to this outdoor venue for a free concert but we will see.  I will work Sunday morning most likely then will need to start packing packing packing!

 

~*~ What I'm looking forward to next month ~*~

We go on vacation, yay!  The Muny starts its season and I'll be teaching VBS again.

 

~*~ What else is new ~*~

Not much, ha!

 

What's up with you on this wonderful Wednesday?

 

First day of break...and things that make me go hmmm

• First day of summer break - yay!
• At the moment I am still working the hotel over the summer.  This could change (and will change) if a FT job suddenly appears.  Fingers crossed!
• We leave on vacation 2 weeks from yesterday.  Everything is booked except the rental car, which will get done this weekend.  Now I got to start packing and grabbing the little stuff that I said we needed last summer for vacation (ie swim shoes, new suit etc).
• Last summer was spent unpacking our new house as much as I could before school started.  This summer I can actually organize more, which is my main plan now that everything is going the way it needs to go.  On Mothers day my MIL decided we needed to take more stuff so its just piled up and needs to be gone!
• Can't forget scrapbooking either - I will have 2015 and 2016 done before fall - that's the goal anyway!
• I mentioned using groovebook not too long ago.  My cousin swears by it but not going to lie, not to happy with the quality of pictures.  I think I'm going to nix using it anymore and just stick to when I see deals on Amazon or Sams prints.  The quality is much much nicer.
• I have a lot of books on my radar to read as well.  I'm not going to feel guilty when I sit out on my porch and just read an entire book, no matter what hubby says.  Its break time!

Have a great Thursday!

Today is the last day of school - hooray! (in a way)

I don't know if this is my last time in a school for good or not.  I know it will be for subbing unless they decide to make me a very sweet deal then I'll return as a sub.  So the future is unknown at the moment and I will only sub if nothing else comes up.

I'm happy to have a break because even though I didn't have my own classroom, I worked every day with long terms and whatnot and that gets exhausting.

The school I'm at does field day in the morning, lunch, then a parade around the neighborhoods to cheer on the kiddos leaping up to the next grade then popsicles before you can sign your kiddo out early.  Let's see how many go, one year I only had 1 kid to put on the bus.

Have a great Wednesday!

"The Things We Keep" book review

This week I'm reading:



Goodreads says:
Anna Forster, in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease at only thirty-eight years old, knows that her family is doing what they believe to be best when they take her to Rosalind House, an assisted living facility. She also knows there's just one other resident her age, Luke. What she does not expect is the love that blossoms between her and Luke even as she resists her new life at Rosalind House. As her disease steals more and more of her memory, Anna fights to hold on to what she knows, including her relationship with Luke.

When Eve Bennett is suddenly thrust into the role of single mother she finds herself putting her culinary training to use at Rosalind house. When she meets Anna and Luke she is moved by the bond the pair has forged. But when a tragic incident leads Anna's and Luke's families to separate them, Eve finds herself questioning what she is willing to risk to help them.

I say:
This was a very interesting book.  You only usually hear about illnesses like this happening to older people so to see it from a young person's perspective was a change of pace.  It shows that love prevails no matter what and in reality that's all that a lot of people want in the end.  Friendships shine in this book and it shows that loyalty is a big factor.

I gave it 4 stars on my Goodreads list.

What are you reading this week?

A mimosa bridal shower

My cousin Jennifer is tying the knot to her significant other John on Aug 11 and her bridal shower was this past weekend.  They are opting out of having a bridal party so the mother of the bride, my cousin Susan, hosted a bunch of ladies for a mimosa shower:

She got a lot of gifts, some personalized and some she didn't register for that she was like "oh I didn't think of this!"  Those are the best moments in my opinion.  The weather was gorgeous, my cousin got her pool up and running for that day which  made for a great picture background.  We made sure to grab a cousin picture before we all headed out:

Congrats Jennifer!

"Wife In Law" book review

This week I'm reviewing:



Goodreads says:
Neighbors Betsy Callison and Kat Ellis were oil and water when they met thirty-five years ago.  Betsy was a prim, neat freak, Republican wife, and Kat was a wild, irreverent, hippie Democrat. But they soon discover common ground that creates a bond that lasts for decades. Until Betsy's husband leaves her for his secretary, then comes sniffing back around two years later and convinces newly widowed Kat to marry him! Not that Betsy wants him back, but it’s hard to move on when the newlyweds are flaunting their love right across the street. But there’s trouble brewing in Paradise, and no one knows philandering Greg better than his ex-wife Betsy. Can Betsy get involved in her best friend's marriage--even if it means helping her wife-in-law figure out the same man she shared a bed with for thirty years?

I say:
This was a good read.  There are a lot of details that may make you stray a bit but overall it was very good.  It shows how opposites attract in many different ways, shapes and forms.  The ending will shock you, yet it won't.  Just read it! ;)

I gave it 3 stars on my Goodreads list.

What are you reading this week?

Homeowners insurance is important...and things that make me go hmm

~*~ I had a random day off yesterday so I used it to get caught up around the house big time.  I then get a call about our mortgage company messing up big time on our 1 year mark.  I turned b$%^h Julie mode on and had to make calls to figure out what they did wrong.  Fingers crossed its all figured out by Monday (and its at no fault of ours)!

~*~ If only companies would do the job they are supposed to!

~*~ I've started looking more seriously outside of teaching for jobs.  Unfortunately its time because I just don't see it happening.  Its sad but its something I have to do in order to move on with the next stage of our life.  So if anyone knows of anything in the STL area, hit me up please!

~*~ All the rain we got last week washed all our grass seedling away so I had to reapply all that last weekend.  Let's hope we start seeing grass soon!

~*~ Keith is so very lucky he married a girl who grew up helping around the outside of the house (heck and the inside).  For a man, he's very clueless on a lot of stuff that doesn't involve technology or hockey.  I will say, I draw the line at gutter cleaning - now I'm not afraid of heights BUT I am afraid I'd fall off the roof if I'm walking on it so I'm good ;)

~*~ I think I'm allergic to grass.  No joke, I sneeze like crazy but I make do when I cut the grass.  I will tell you, if I ever see a snake I'm out!

Have a great Thursday!

Vacation all I ever wanted!

In 10 days, school is out for summer:


and in 1 month Keith and I head out on our first vacation of the summer:


As of now we have 2 solid trips planned this summer.  One that's just us and then one that is a family wide where everyone is going to go.  I would like to add one or 2 little weekend getaways but my gut tells me that isn't going to happen because we are busy busy already.

I really just can't believe summer is almost here!!!

Perfect Match Cover Reveal by Lyssa Layne

I am happy to announce that I will be part of Paige Tyler's Dallas Fire & Rescue Kindle World! My book, Perfect Match, will debut May 11 with some amazing authors that are contributing to the Kindle World, too. If you love firefighters, and I know you do, then you'll love this Kindle World. Not to mention some of your favorite firefighters from Love is a Fire and Burst Into Flame *might* make an appearance... 

Lyssa Layne is happy to announce that her latest firefighter story, Perfect Match, will be part of Paige Tyler’s DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE Kindle World.

Synopsis

Perfect Match

Romantic Suspense

Part of Paige Tyler’s DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE KINDLE WORLD

Releasing May 11

New to FDNY Engine 58, proby Paul Jefferson has no idea the expectations that the firefighters before him have set. He walks into his new job with an arrogance that’s sure to land him proby duty for the rest of his days but he has the professional skills to back his attitude. Loving every minute of his time with fire, Paul struggles to find his place in the FDNY brotherhood. Outside of the station, a true playboy at heart, he has no issues making connections, but there’s only one girl that holds his heart.

            Paramedic Mariana Barbosa is new to the big city. Luckily, her path crosses with Paul Jefferson shortly after accepting her new position. The two instantly connect and become the best of roommates... or something like that. Behind closed doors, the two are the perfect couple without crossing any lines because Mariana is too afraid to risk their living situation to pursue what her heart is telling her she feels.

            When Mariana feels betrayed by Paul, she jumps on the opportunity to date the handsome, good guy from work. Paul isn’t a fan of Mariana’s new boyfriend and starts to slack with Engine 58. Things don’t go as expected with Mariana’s new boyfriend and after she uses Paul to cover her issues, she pushes him further away until it may be too late for either of them to admit their true feelings.

Sign up for Lyssa’s newsletter for the latest news on this release!

Cover Designer

Amanda Walker

About the Author

Lyssa Layne is first, and foremost, the proud momma to her precious daughter, AR. In addition to working full-time and being a mommy to AR, she is also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, a runner, blogger, and an infertility survivor.

Having watched one too many medical dramas and being inspired by author Rachelle Ayala, who introduced her to the world of indie writing, Lyssa decided to try her hand at writing a romance story. Her attempt turned into the Burning Lovesick series. You can find Lyssa’s own interests throughout her stories although all stories are fictional.

Contact Lyssa

Website:     http://www.lyssalayne.com/

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bq2JQn

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lyssalayne

Twitter:       https://twitter.com/layne_lyssa

Pinterest:    http://www.pinterest.com/authorlyssalayn/

Amazon:     http://www.amazon.com/Lyssa-Layne/e/B00KP1Y5BY

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8280977.Lyssa_Layne

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/lyssa-layne

Paige Tyler’s DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE KINDLE WORLD

Paige Tyler’s DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE is part of Amazon’s Kindle Worlds, which means some of your favorite authors are now adding their characters and stories to her World.

DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE is an amazing world filled with the action and suspense of fighting fires and the drama of saving lives, combined with the intimacy of those moments when the heroes and heroines are brought together amid the danger. From battling huge blazes all across the city to saving accident victims to working with all forms of law-enforcement, DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE explores every facet of heroic action and romantic adventure. With heroic firefighters and life-saving paramedics, the possibilities for stories are limitless!

Check out all the books in the DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE KINDLE WORLD!

Kindle World Books can only be purchased on Amazon, but you don’t need a Kindle to read them. You can download and read them on any device with the Kindle app. Kindle World Books are only available on Amazon US, but that doesn’t mean Non-US Residents can’t purchase them. For instructions click here.

Be sure to check out the DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE Kindle World Facebook Reader Group, DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE Kindle World Pinterest Board, and the DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE Kindle World on Twitter #DFRKW.

Check out Paige Tyler’s DALLAS FIRE & RESCUE Series here!