Books Read: 3rd Quarter 2026

For the 3rd quarter of 2026 I managed to read 5 books. The is the most number of books I have read in a quarter in a long time.

1) Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck: an interesting look into how to have a more growth oriented mindset. There were a few tips that I was able to take away for myself and the boys. 

2) Be Your Own Bestie: A No-Nonsense Guide to Changing the Way You Treat Yourself by Misha Brown: I have been following Misha on social media for awhile now. When he announced his book I knew I had to read it. It is defiantly in his style of being kind while also not pulling any punches. And he also blends in a bit of humor as well. 

3) What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Mornings - and Life by Laura Vanderkam: the description of a short guide is right on - it was only about 30 pages or so. It was fine since it was such a short read but there was not really any new ground being broken.

4) Solitary: Unbroken by Four Decades in Solitary Confinement by Albert Woodfox: this book will make you angry. The abuse and corruption this man dealt with during his time behind bars is crazy. I would hope that things have changed in the system I have my doubts.

5) The Charity Shop Detective Agency by Peter Boland: this was a fun cozy mystery set in England. I didn't figure it out until closer to the end of the story. I loved the interaction of the 3 main characters and they way their different personalities compliment each other. 

Monday Musings

 As this first full week of October begins these are the things currently on my mind.

1) I was able to schedule an ADHD evaluation for Preston. it is going to be a long process but at least we are able to start.

2) There is a nip is in the air, the leaves are starting to change and we are losing more daylight every day. I do not think I am ready for fall yet.

3) I managed to finish knitting a hat for Preston in only 2 weeks. He loves it but it is a bit big. I am going to make him another one in a smaller size because I am concerned that he may lose it since he has a history of losing things.

Here are the pictures for the week.

It was Breakfast With Your Baby at Clark's school.

Preston and his new hat.

Friday Funnies

I hope that everyone has a terrific first weekend of October.

Three on Thursday

As this first day October winds down these are the things I am currently thankful for.

1) That today is the third day in a row where Preston has finished his work in class and has not had to being it home. 

2)  That we were able to get a new washing machine pretty quickly since our old one died.

3) That we have Breakfast With Your Baby tomorrow at Clark's school.

Monday Musings

As this week begins these are the things currently on my mind.

1) It is October this week. How is that even possible?

2) I took Preston to the doctor today for his yearly checkup and asked about having him evaluated for ADHD. We are a month into the school year and today I received my 4th email from his teacher about his inability to focus and finish his work. I am not thrilled with the idea of medicating him but something needs to change.

3) I am almost finished knitting Preston's hat. I cannot believe how fast it has gone.

Here are the pictures for the week.

I love this notification I got one day last week when Clark and Preston got home from school. 

Friday Funnies

I hope that you all have a great last weekend of September.

Three on Thursday

As the last full week of September comes to an end these are the things I am currently thankful for.

1) Having the ability to send Clark on errands when I do not feel like doing them.

2) That I can sleep in tomorrow because the boys do not have school (I am totally exhausted).

3) That my knitting mojo maybe back in business. In the last few weeks I completed the blanket for my great-niece, a preemie hat and made a pretty good start on a hat for Preston. 

Monday Musings

As this last full week of September begins these are the things I am currently thinking about.

1) We have been dealing with this annoying little fruit flies. I think we finally got them taken care of.

2) Our shower always ends up very moldy because the genius who designed this place put a fan in the 1/2 bath downstairs but not in the main bathroom. After years of trying a million different things I finally found a cleaner that is taking care of the issue even though it stinks to high heaven.

3) Being an adult sucks because finding this solution is the thing I was most excited about this week.

Here are the pictures for the week.

Friday was Bagels With a Buddy.

Preston finally got a haircut.

Friday Funnies

I hope that everyone out there has a terrific weekend.

Three on Thursday

As another week comes to an end here are the things I am currently thankful for.

1) That I was able to finish the blanket for my great-niece and was able to give it to here at the boy's party last weekend.

2) That my dad made it through his cataract surgery today.

3) That Clark has decided to join a club at school finally. 

Monday Musings

As another week begins these are the things currently on my mind.

1) It was 50 degrees this morning when I took Preston to school. I am not ready for this.

2) Preston was a bit bummed that his 2 favorite coaches were not coaching flag football this year.

3) I finished the blanket for my great-niece and was able to give it to her yesterday. Now I need to get working on the hat Preston keeps asking for.

Here are the pictures for the week.

Celebrating his golden birthday.

Starting our 4th flag football season.

Having fun at our birthday party at grandpa's house.

25 Years Later

It did not seem appropriate to post my usual Friday Funnies post on today of all days.  I will never forget sitting in one of the meeting rooms at the medical society where I was working at the time watching it happen on TV. Ironically the medical society building was also deigned by the architect who designed the Twin Towers. Another weird thing is that my sister, niece and I were actually in the observation deck of the towers 15 days before 9/11. We hadn't even received our pictures back yet (this was back in the old film days). I always wonder about the people we saw who worked there and if they were able to get out safely. 

Three on Thursday

As this week comes to an end these are the things I am currently thankful for.

1) Good birthdays this week for both boys.

2) Getting the cake for their party ordered just in time to pick it up on Sunday.

3) That Clark is now 18 and can pick Preston up solo and I get my lunch time back. 

Monday Musings

As this week begins here are the things currently on my mind.

1) I really do not want to go back to work tomorrow. I wish every weekend was 3 days long.

2) I can feel the change of seasons in the air and I am not looking forward to it.

3) Birthday week is underway in our house and so far so good,

Here are the pictures for the week.

18 years went by in a flash.

Friday Funnies

I hope that everyone in the US has a good long weekend. If you're not in the US I hope you have a good regular weekend.

Three on Thursday

As this week comes to an end these are the things I am currently thankful for.

1) That we managed to miss the torrential downpour from the storm that came through today.

2) That our power stayed on.

3) For a 3 day weeked.

Monday Musings

Here we are at the last day of August. These are the things currently on my mind.    

1) It is the 2nd week of school and both boys were home today. Clark is still recovering from his wisdom teeth removal and Preston threw up this morning.

2) We have to pay for a parking pass for Clark and it is $105. Seems pretty ridiculous to me.

3) I am glad that we have a holiday weekend coming up. I can use a day off with nothing to do.

Here are the pictures for the week.

Pressie bear was accidently left in daddy's car when he went to work one day last week. Preston asked me to take their picture when they were reunited the next morning.

Football is back!

Friday Funnies

I hope that everyone enjoys this last weekend of August.