The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week, and showcase books and things we have received.
Don’t forget to look at my giveaways on the right sidebar.
Sunday, I slept well last night and managed to get going a bit earlier than the past week. I have so much I want to do but I have to prioritize so I don’t get too tired. Not everything needs to be done today or even can be done today. I used up my last 2 Audible credits and then cancelled my membership to take advantage of a deal I saw. Audible did not let me have that deal but they did offer me one almost as good. So I’m all renewed for the next year and will get 12 credits this week. I tend to switch back and forth between the 12 credit and the 24 credit plans. I got around to visiting and then it was time to walk Lulu. It’s warmer today and nice.
Monday I got up pretty well into a cold day. I accomplished a lot with writing reviews, loading review audios to my phone, and unpacking more kitchen items. I made a yummy clam chowder for dinner, and pumpkin bars. I got a new comforter cover on sale since mine is at least 20 years old.
Tuesday, I had so much to do and too quickly; it was time to go to my daughter’s doc appt. Before the appt, I realized I had access to the presale for Hamilton tickets so I got ours! I probably could have gotten them on Friday, oh well, it was still before the general public. It’s for next May. I also got all the boxes from storage to the kitchen area, now I just need to continue unpacking them. The appt went well. Afterwards, she went to rest and I took Lulu for a longer walk route as we missed yesterday. I had an easy dinner planned as she wanted more help with typing notes. She really wasn’t feeling very well. I tried hard to get together a list of tasks for each day this week. The weather is getting nicer so I have more I want to do.
Wednesday, another nice day with too many things I want to do. I did a bunch of computer work and made some phone calls. I did have a nice walk with Lulu. I helped my daughter finish typing her Geology notes. Her final is next Tuesday afternoon. Tonight is the mock final for her English writing class.
Thursday, it was a gorgeous day so I took the Harley out to ride and get inspected. We had our monthly chiro / massage appointments. I stopped to get just a couple things at Aldi. When we got home, we walked Lulu at dusk and saw a few of the holiday lights along with the sunset. I took photos to show the lazy susan organizers I bought and love. When you use 4 of them together, it goes all the way around the circle. I organize the bins so, for example, one bin has all of one type of spices : cinnamon, cloves, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, etc. so I can pull that one bin when I am making molasses cookies or pumpkin bread.
Friday, another day in the 70s and we are going to the zoo. We didn’t get going as fast as I wanted but we had a nice time at the zoo with great weather. We’ve been meaning to go to our “local” zoo for the whole 5 years we have lived here. We got a membership now and it’s very nice. It is about 1.5 hours drive though. So I had plenty of time to listen to my audiobook. They have primarily North American and African animals. My daughter wants to go every week now. They also have plenty of EV charging stations.
Saturday, I am finally having a full day at home to work on things. I was behind on blog comments, Feedly, writing reviews, month end tallies, challenge linkups, and setting up posts. Of course, there is also garbage, laundry, garden work, leaves to blow or collect for compost, and menu planning. I’ve been trying for 2 days to hook up the new tank to the grill. I took Lulu for a nice walk. I stopped to chat with the neighbors when we got back. So, I asked my neighbor to help me. I showed him everything I was doing and of course, it fired up just fine. We ended up grilling earlyish for dinner. Then I finally got some posts finalized and some of the month end stuff for November. This week is finals for my daughter so she will be stressed out and I’ll need to support her.
Of course I am going to participate in COYER again this year. Each of the 4 Seasons are 3 months long and 2022 start with Winter season of COYER. I will track COYER reads on my blog but there are some reads I don’t review on the blog, so all COYER reads will be on my COYER Goodreads shelf. I track all the years on one shelf but you can tell the current ones with a date sort or by also selecting the year. There are different rules for different seasons, so not all my reads will count for COYER. Still I am going to try for 200 books read for COYER next year. If you want to participate in COYER, one of the seasons or the Community, check it out here.
Things I Learned This Week:
OK if I’m asking for help, I’m also going to share the cool things I learn. You may already know them but hopefully it will help someone.
So I have the Ultimate Book Blogger from Nosegraze and have used it for about 7 years, first at The Book Nympho and now on my own blog. I learned this by accident. I usually access posts through the calendar so I can make sure I have the days lined up. I was doing that and went to click on a post and then it seemed to be gone. I searched for it in All Posts and found it. I realized that I was able to drag and drop posts! I can’t tell you how many times I have gone into a post only to change the date, and doing this, things are updated automatically!
OMG! It also works on Google calendar! I can drag and drop to a different day. Drag and drop is my new friend.
November Reading: I had another good reading month. I managed to read 28 books. Audiobooks continue to help me read more. Some count for more than one challenge. I listened to 14 audiobooks, read 7 library books, 28 COYER reads, 12 HoHoHoRAT reads and 3 books which I already own.
All Library books (including ones not reviewed on the blog) 2021 Library Love Challenge
I did manage to read books I own (goal is 3 per month):
- Silent Blade by Ilona Andrews
- My Fake Christmas Fiancé by Julie Kriss
- Cruel Candy by Mildred Abbott
Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Reading Reality. These are the exciting ARCs I received this week (If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry):
Thank you for the review copies : I already had the eARC but Macmillan Audio offered me the audio as well. I couldn’t resist the Schusterman title from Simon Audio. St. Martin’s Press feeding my K9 addiction. Recorded Books came through with another favorite author.
(If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry)
I had 2 Audible credits to use up on my current plan.
I got this one by Whispersync with the KU ebook.
Then I bought a few books from Penny Reid’s latest releases. Then a 99¢ deal with a pretty cover.
Now the really scary one. This is all the Kindle and Audible freebies I grabbed this past week. You can see why I need to do Thrifty Thursday to be sure I read a few at least one each month.
I really meant to cut back on freebies BUT they are free so I guess that won’t be happening.
I’m not including things like reviews posted or upcoming as they are always in the right sidebar. And, my challenge status is also there.
Anne
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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- 🎧 All The Sinners Bleed by SA Crosby @blacklionking73 @alazarrewhite @MacmillanAudio #LoveAudiobooks #JIAM - June 6, 2023
- Sunday Post –4 June 2023 @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - June 4, 2023
- 🎧 Series review: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson @HoJay92 @BaileyCarrVOICE @LLAudiobooks @PRHAudio #LoveAudiobooks #JIAM #COYER #ReadASeriesinaMonth - June 3, 2023
OMG I almost jumped when I saw the picture of your daughter with the huge Bison! *lol* It took me a moment to realise that it wasn´t real. Glad you had such a good time at the zoo. Love your new comfort cover. The flowers look really beautiful. Happy reading.
Thank you Vi! We learned there are actually two bison varieties which I didn’t know before. We ran out of time so I didn’t figure out which type of giraffes they have. There are 23 varieties in four major groups, but there are only 2 I’ve found in zoos and the Masai is the most common. I have seen the Reticulated though.
Your zoo looks like a nice natural habitat for animals. I’m usually not a big fan of zoos but I would go to that one! Congrats on a great reading month😁
Thanks Tammy! We are huge fans of zoos. We enjoy seeing and learning about them. I realize their natural wild habitats are better but humans are taking over so many areas and zoos are preserving some endangered species.
Oh wow, grilling! me wishing nostalgically I could do just that as I’m sitting in a coffee shop and looking out in the snow. I love the giraffe pic.
Thanks Trin. I used to grill in the snow. We had the grill on our deck. It hardly seems like Christmas here without snow.
I love the zoo photos! It looks like a fun trip.
Thanks AJ. It was so nice just to get away for a day and relax. Also, we had been trying to get there and it just never seemed to work with our timing.
What a clever idea those lazy Susan bins are, I’m going to have to look for them!
Sending good luck vibes for your daughters finals. Mine just got her finals results for first year and aced them all. I’m very proud of her.
Giraffes are my favourite animal.
Wishing you a great reading week
I love the bins. I got them on Amazon. We’re very fond of giraffes. Colorado Springs Zoo has a giraffe breeding program and a large number of them. We went there on one of our zoo trips. We’ve hand fed giraffes, camels and elephants. My daughter has ridden elephants and camels ( when she was young). I read all the nonfiction books by the “Leaky” girls Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and the one I can’t remember who studied orangutans.
Hopefully finals will go well. Glad you got more of your box sorting and putting away done and yay for getting the grill squared away. The trip to the zoo looks fun. We went down to the Toledo Zoo back in May and it had been years for me. Isn’t that drag and drop neat? I accidentally figured out your blog calendar does that when I accidentally dragged one of my reviews to the wrong date and had to move it back. 🙂 Enjoy those books you got for review and from the sale. This time of the year is a book and audio lover’s dream with all the deals and sales.
Have a good week, Anne!
Thank you Sophia! It seems like the putting away in the kitchen has slowed down and in a way it has. Most of what is left is plastics and since they can only go on the top shelf of the dishwasher or hand wash, it is taking some time. I only run the dishwasher with a full load instead of running it several times a day with only the top shelf full. The drag and drop is also handy on the Google calendar as I keep moving things around based on new information or my reading moods.
28 books! Awesome. I hope you enjoy Roxy. I had trouble reading it. I think it was good, just not for me. We had some nice weather here. I haven’t been to the zoo in probably more than 2 years. I’m thinking I need to get a massage. I’ve never had one, but I feel like my shoulders are up by my ears all the time. Hope you have a good week!
I really like the author so I hope I enjoy Roxy. We love going to zoos. You should get a massage. It can be tough sometimes to find a good place. We go at the chiropractor and I quizzed my neighborhood as to who is good. The good ones are booked up a month in advance generally.
I went to the zoo in NC once when we lived there. I was surprised it was the only zoo in the state. Here in Ohio we have like 3 major zoos!
I too love drag and drop! It’s so easy!
yes other than that one there are some aquariums but it is the only zoo. It’s kind of out in the boondocks which is good for making a more natural habitat I suppose. Oh there are more than 3 zoos in Ohio. We did our second Zoo trip there. Off the top of my head, we went to Cincinnati, Columbus, Akron, Dayton, Cleveland, Toledo. ok we also went to the Erie PA Zoo and the Milwaukee WI Zoo on the same trip.
We’ve been having nice weather, too, not that I’ve had time to enjoy it much with working so much, but I did take advantage yesterday. Your trip to the zoo looks like a good time. Funny I think of time spent in the car as an opportunity for reading *listening* too!
Yes I try to use some of the time to talk to my daughter but she wants to read or listen to her own things. I’m glad you got out when it was nice. It’s cloudy today and rather cold without the sun.
Anne, seeing that bison reminds me of our visit to Yellowstone! And as usual you have been so busy!
Yes we saw them in South Dakota on a trip there when my daughter was younger. I didn’t realize there were two types of bison though.
I miss going to the zoo but we don’t have one here in Vegas.
I noticed that when we visited. But there were a few other things like an aquarium and the white tigers we saw.
Zoo’s are great. When we lived in Idaho we were members of the Boise Zoo and it was perfect for my kids, they loved going. But, we don’t live near a zoo anymore.
It’s curious how some states have many and some have only 1 or none. We have seen some great zoos over the years and some which were falling apart.
You are always staying busy. I have to admit that I am trying to figure out where I could use a lazy susan because your bins are cool. Drag and drop is cool but make sure you don’t accidentally drop in a date that has already happened or your post will be published if you have it as scheduled. Have a great week!
I REALLY hope to slow down a bit later this month but only so I can do more projects and reading so that’s not exactly slowing down I suppose.. GREAT point about the drag and drop – I do need to be careful.
I love seeing all the lights going up. And COYER- I miss doing that! I used to do COYER all the time…
That’s awesome for November. Looks like you had an amazing reading month… 🙂
I’m hoping to pick up the pace of my reading in december. Take care!
You could do COYER again! It’s my favorite challenge. I’m going to try to get a bit ahead in December. Don’t fall off your chair laughing. It’s possible.
Ha! 🙂
I have thought about jumping in again…
You can pick and choose. You don’t have to do the whole year or even any of the challenge and just do the community things.
Ahh, darling Lulu💜
I love those lazy Susans you bought! Perfect organizers.
So happy you got to visit the zoo with your daughter. It looks like the animals are in open spaces? That’s so much better for them and visitors. Love that you can drive through.
We’ve got similar book pickups this week, too. But, I need to request that Charlie Donlea book so thanks for the reminder.
Have a wonderful week, Anne💜
Thank you Jonetta! The zoo is closer to you. We will be going a bit more regularly if the weather cooperates. I really hope I am donw with big projects for awhile. I want to get to my neglected quilting and knitting so yes, more projects.
The zoo looks like so much fun! I love your idea with the lazy Susan. Hope you have a great week!
I did a bunch of research to find out what might work with my lazy susan. I’d love to get in another trip to the zoo this week but it’s the final push before holidays to get things finished.
Those lazy susans are such a good idea, especially for smaller spice pots that can get lost at the back of a cupboard. Keeping my fingers crossed for your daughter’s Finals – it’s always a stressful time. And I love the pic of Lulu – such an old fashioned look on her face:)). As ever, you are really busy and the outing to the zoo looked great – what lovely weather you had. Have a great week, Anne.
Thanks Sarah. Other than the zoo, last week was a mad rush. This week looks the same. I really hope to finsh some things so I can relax a bit more like the zoo. With finals over, my daughter will have more time for fun things too. Lulu is our best girl!
Oooo all of your wintry/Christmasy reads look so good! And what a fun trip to the zoo!
Thanks Erin. It was great to just get outside and relax at the zoo. I had to grab those winter / holiday freebies because I only have 100s already. lol
She Dreams of Fire was one of the best books of the year I read it (top 10 list). I really enjoy the series in audio and hope the author pens a third one soon! (or if he already has, I better go find out!). And yea for Hamilton – I saw it a couple years ago and will again in 2023.
My week was good. The highlights include going to our local community Christmas Parade and watching my school win a big football game. Also, I got my covid booster!
You did have some great happenings this last week. Robin reviewed the Gibson books and I couldn’t resist. I love the narrator Xe Sands.
Such great photos from your visit to the zoo. I love giraffes. I had no idea about that drag & drop feature either so thanks for sharing that tip. 🙂
It was just the nicest weather and a good day to go to the zoo. We’ve done lots of zoo visiting over the years and also love giraffes. The Colorado Springs Zoo has the largest number and a special breeding program. There are something like 23 varieties of giraffe but there are only 2 we normally see in zoos. Masai mostly and a few Reticulated.
I MUST share the tips when I learn something new!
Nice on the Audible deal. I need to take a look at my wish list since I think I have 6 or 7 credits saved up. And hooray for the new comforter. I love new bedding. I tend to switch out way more often than needed. I’m so glad you shared the photos of the lazy Susan organizers. I was curious about those when you mentioned them last week. I picked up Big Package, too. Looks like a fun one. 🙂
Thanks Tanya! I feel grateful to find so many great things to organize and to read.