Monthly Life Goals September 2016

August’s Goals:

• Figure out Arthur childcare for October — Fail. Oh man. This is not going well.
• Read 3000 pages — Success! I read 3443 pages this past month.
• Update all calendars and plan activities for August and September — Success! I think I've gotten everything updated until the baby arrives.
• Clean out the playroom — Success! One bag to GW and half a bag of trash.
• Meal plan for August and September; include a few freezer meals for October — 50% success. I have a plan, but I need to actually make the freezer meals.
• Plan out TBR for Sept-Dec — Success! I have an idea of what I want to read for the end of the year.

September's Goals:

• Figure out Arthur childcare for October - Yeah this is going to be difficult. Hopefully after setting a surgery date, I can find something.
• Read 3000 pages - This is turning into a reoccuring thing...
• Finish prepping freezer meals - I have a few weeks left and I want to fill most of the freezer so we can alleviate some stress after the baby comes.
• Finish organizing the baby supplies - Most of the stuff is organized, but I need to do another pass.
• Pull off Arthur's 3rd birthday party - We've bought the decor and supplies, I just need to get the food, decorate, and pull this thing off!
• Prep cards for September, October, November, and December - I fear these cards won't get sent if I don't prep now.

August 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

August's TBR Pile (12/15):

1. Book Club Selection: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng √
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: An Innocent, A Broad by Ann Leary √
3. Series Pick: Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriger √
4. Nonfiction Pick: Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin
5. Jar Pick: Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick √
6. Jar Pick: Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger √
7. Series in August: Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
8. Carry-over: Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke √
9. Carry-over: High Rise by J.G. Ballard (waiting on J to finish...)
10. Added: Rat Queens Vol. 1 √
11. Added: Rat Queens Vol. 2 √
12. Added: What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Cheated by Tevi Troy √
13. Added: Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade √
14. Added: More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh √
15. Added: No Man's Mistress by Mary Balogh √

Picture Book Roundup: Somehow I totally forgot to record any new books read with Arthur.

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3443 pages Pages Remaining: 743,368 pages

Current Read - The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh

Books I Gave Up On (1) - First Bite by Bee Wilson. I was interested in the premise of the book, but it seemed super preachy and was pretty boring.

Challenges Completed  - Nonfiction Books. I finished at least 20 nonfiction books. Love me some good nonfiction!

Books bought/received 

2016 Total Spent: $15.27

Comments - Decent reading this month. Keeping my reading momentum leading up to the baby coming.

September's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio
2. Series Pick: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
3. Nonfiction Pick: The Residence by Kate Anderson Brower
4. Carry-over: High Rise by J.G. Ballard
5. Carry-over: Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
6. Jar Pick: Where the Girls Are by Susan Douglas

Music Monday -- Phantogram "Run Run Blood"

Loving this new one. 

Bout of Books 17 Finish Line

Books Read: 1/3

Books Read Total: 2 2/3

Pages Read: 164 (No Man's Mistress) + 63 (The Secret Mistress)

Pages Read Total: 930

Comments: So I didn't reach all my goals, but I'd say I made some decent progress given all my regular duties.

Goals:

• Read 3 books
• Review all books read √
• Read at least 750 pages √
• Participate in at least one challenge
• Focus on my TBR pile, no deviations √

TBR:

• Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
• A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
• Where the Girls Are by Sara Douglas
• Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
• Rat Queens Vol. 3
• More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh
• No Man’s Mistress by Mary Balogh
• The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh (in progress)

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 22nd and runs through Sunday, August 28th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 17 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

No Man's Mistress by Mary Balogh

Title: No Man's Mistress (Dudley #2)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell 20001

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 381

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books

The dark, devastating stranger rode into the village fair and wagered twenty pounds at the throwing booth — for a chance to win the daisies in Viola Thornhill’s hair. The Gypsy fortune teller had warned: “Beware of a tall, dark, handsome stranger. He can destroy you — if you do not first snare his heart."

Another fun fluffy romance to occupy my reading time. I think this one was marginally better than the first in the series. Most of that relies on the likability of Ferdinand. Definitely a more likable character than his brother. And Viola was a good foil to his intentions. My only issue with the book was again the ending. I'm sensing a pattern of abrupt endings. I like a bit more drawn out and explained, but oh well. I still enjoyed reading it. On to the last book in the series.,.

Mistress (Dudley)

• #1 More Than a Mistress
• #2 No Man’s Mistress
• #3 The Secret Mistress

Bout of Books 17 Update #3

Books Read: 1/3

Books Read Total: 1 2/3

Pages Read: 132 (No Man's Mistress)

Pages Read Total: 703

Comments: I read a decent chunk of No Man's Mistress yesterday between crafting and taking care of a cranky toddler

TBR:

• Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
• A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
• Where the Girls Are by Sara Douglas
• Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
• Rat Queens Vol. 3
• More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh
• No Man’s Mistress by Mary Balogh (in progress)
• The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 22nd and runs through Sunday, August 28th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 17 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

It's Almost Blog-Tember Time!

I successfully completed all the posts last year, maybe I can do it again this year. I love that this challenge gets me out of the box a bit. So, I'm resolved to attempt to complete one blog post a day following the prompts given. Do you want to join in the fun? Click on the pick to get all the details. And watch for my posts starting September 1st.

Bout of Books 17 Update #2

Books Read: 1/4 + 1/4

Books Read Total: 1 1/2

Pages Read: 57 + 85 (No Man's Mistress)

Pages Read Total: 571

Comments: Last night before heading to bed, I finished More Than a Mistress. Wednesday started with a new book. I moved on to the second book in Mary Balogh's Mistress series today. Liking it so far.

TBR:

• Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
• A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
• Where the Girls Are by Sara Douglas
• Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
• Rat Queens Vol. 3
• More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh
• No Man’s Mistress by Mary Balogh (in progress)
• The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 22nd and runs through Sunday, August 28th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 17 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh

Title: More Than a Mistress (Dudley #1)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell 2000

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages:403

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Women Authors

She races onto the green, desperate to stop a duel. In the melée, Jocelyn Dudley, Duke of Tresham, is shot. To his astonishment, Tresham finds himself hiring the servant as his nurse. Jane Ingleby is far too bold for her own good. Her blue eyes are the sort a man could drown in—were it not for her impudence. She questions his every move, breaches his secrets, touches his soul. When he offers to set her up in his London town house, love is the last thing on his mind.

Jane tries to pretend it’s strictly business, an arrangement she’s been forced to accept in order to conceal a dangerous secret. Surely there is nothing more perilous than being the lover of such a man. Yet as she gets past his devilish façade and sees the noble heart within, she knows the greatest jeopardy of all, a passion that drives her to risk everything on one perfect month with the improper gentleman who thinks that love is for fools.

Time to dive back into some fluffy romance. I picked up this book because I have all three books sitting in my TBR pile. I almost always read romance series books back-to-back. So on to the book itself. I was a bit turned off by the Duke at the beginning of the story, but he definitely grew on me. The best parts were the conversations between the Duke and Jane in the den. I loved those moments. The only thing I really didn't like was the ending. I hate super abrupt endings and this book has one of those. Oh well, I can ignore the last three pages. I enjoyed the rest of the book. On to the second in the series...

Mistress (Dudley)

• #1 More Than a Mistress
• #2 No Man's Mistress
• #3 The Secret Mistress

Bout of Books 17 Update #1

Books Read: 1/3 + 3/4 (More Than a Mistress)

Books Read Total: 1/3 + 3/4

Pages Read: 83 + 346

Pages Read Total: 429

Comments: So I completely forgot that I needed to finish Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates before starting in on my TBR pile. So I did that on Monday afternoon. And I dove into my next read More than a Mistress with gusto.

TBR:

• Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
• A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
• Where the Girls Are by Sara Douglas
• Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
• Rat Queens Vol. 3
• More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh (in progress)
• No Man’s Mistress by Mary Balogh
• The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 22nd and runs through Sunday, August 28th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 17 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

Top Ten Tuesday -- Forgotten Books

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join.  If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!

Today's topic is all those books still on your TBR pile or shelf since before you start blogging... Oh man. I'm ashamed to admit that I have a few I can list here. I started blogging in November 2010. Coming up on 6 years this fall. Holy cow! I should really get to reading these. Without further ado, here are my shamefully forgotten books still on my shelf...

1. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
2. The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
3. The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto
4. The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl
5. A History of the Wife by Marilyn Yalom
6. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
7. Hand of Isis by Jo Graham
8. Contact by Carl Sagan
9. The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
10. The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton

Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade

Title: Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War that Changed American History

Author: Brian Kilmeade

Publisher: Sentinel 2015

Genre: Nonfiction - U.S. History

Pages: 238

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction; 52 Books - W34

This is the little-known story of how a newly indepen­dent nation was challenged by four Muslim powers and what happened when America’s third president decided to stand up to intimidation.

When Thomas Jefferson became president in 1801, America faced a crisis. The new nation was deeply in debt and needed its economy to grow quickly, but its merchant ships were under attack. Pirates from North Africa’s Barbary coast routinely captured American sailors and held them as slaves, demanding ransom and tribute payments far beyond what the new coun­try could afford.

Definitely a good follow-up to George Washington's Secret Six. I have a passing knowledge of the Barbary War, but even I can classify it as the forgotten war. I learned so much about the intricacies, people involved, and battles of the war. Stories like that of the USS Philadelphia sparked a memory for me, but it was nice to get the full story in these pages. A good random pick-up from the library shelves.

Music Monday - iPod Shuffle

O.A.R. "Hey Girl" 

Of Monsters and Men "Silhouettes"

Broken Bells "October"

Bout of Books Goals Post

I have a few goals for this upcoming readathon, but want to keep everything low-key. I love the no pressure attitude of this readathon.

Goals:

• Read 3 books
• Review all books read
• Read at least 750 pages
• Participate in at least one challenge
• Focus on my TBR pile, no deviations

TBR:

• Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
• A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
• Where the Girls Are by Sara Douglas
• Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
• Rat Queens Vol. 3
• More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh
• No Man's Mistress by Mary Balogh
• The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 22nd and runs through Sunday, August 28th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 17 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Life Right Now #27

Right now I am: Getting ready to head down to Mountain View for my baby sprinkle. So excited!

Thinking and pondering: What should Arthur and I do while J is gone for three weeks? Hoping to take Arthur to some fun activities before the baby comes in early October.

On my bedside table: Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger; Rat Queens Vol. 3

On my tv this week: I've been watching a ton of A Chef's Life and finishing the Great British Baking Show on PBS.

Listening to: Hamilton forever and always

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Texas Cheese Fries
• Tuesday - Balsamic Pork Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Veggie, Rolls
• Wednesday - Chicken n Noodles
• Thursday - Chili
• Friday - Leftovers
• Saturday - Pasta with Sardines
• Sunday - ??? (no idea, but maybe nachos)

On my to do list: I'm sure I have a list of things to do, and yet nothing is coming to mind right this second.

Happening this week: We're officially down to one car and J needs it most of the week. So I see lots of home days and maybe a visit to the pool this coming week.

• Monday - ???
• Tuesday - ???
• Wednesday - Park Playdate
• Thursday - ???
• Friday - ???
• Saturday - Crop day
• Sunday - Dropping J off at the airport; Book Club

What I am creating: Getting started on September's SSINK cards.

My simple pleasures: Grapefruit cups from Costco (so yummy and easy), iced tea (so refreshing), and baby kicks.

Looking around the house: Ugh. I really need to vacuum and do a big wipe down the of the kitchen and bathrooms.

From the camera: Apparently I didn't take a single photo this week. We've been crazy busy an Arthur's been sick. Oh well. Next week...

Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger

Title: Waistcoats and Weaponry(The Finishing School #3)

Author: Gail Carriger

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company 2014

Genre: YA Paranormal

Pages: 317

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books

Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style--with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey hijack a suspiciously empty train to return their chum Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. But when Sophronia discovers they are being trailed by a dirigible of Picklemen and flywaymen, she unearths a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos. With her friends in mortal danger, Sophronia must sacrifice what she holds most dear--her freedom.

Loved this volume in the series! But oh man, that ending nearly killed me. Way to tear at the heartstrings Carriger. Usually I'm not a fan of constant action in a book, but this one just seemed like a rollicking good time. We get so much good action but also some great character development scenes. I especially loved the scenes featuring both Soap and Felix. So much fun! Plu

The Finishing School

• #1 Etiquette and Espionage
• #2 Curtsies and Conspiracies
• #3 Waistcoats and Weaponry
• #4 Manners and Mutiny

Videos Everywhere!

Loving The Roots! 

They are adorable!

Yep

So incredibly excited about this series! Loved the book. (And great music choice)

Interesting video.

Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick

Title: Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution

Author: Nathaniel Philbrick

Publisher: Viking 2013

Genre: Nonfiction - U.S. History

Pages: 398

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction; 52 Books - W33; Perpetual (NonAd)

Boston in 1775 is an island city occupied by British troops after a series of incendiary incidents by patriots who range from sober citizens to thuggish vigilantes. After the Boston Tea Party, British and American soldiers and Massachusetts residentshave warily maneuvered around each other until April 19, when violence finally erupts at Lexington and Concord.  In June, however, with the city cut off from supplies by a British blockade and Patriot militia poised in siege, skirmishes give way to outright war in the Battle of Bunker Hill. It would be the bloodiest battle of the Revolution to come, and the point of no return for the rebellious colonists.

Been meaning to pick this one up for awhile now. And I enjoyed every page of this volume. Such a great exploration of the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence focusing on the Boston area. I loved following each of the players through the few years detailed. Philbrick scores again with a great narrative history. Even with my background knowledge of the Revolution, I still learned a lot about the details of the time period. Fascinating!

Music Monday -- The Chainsmokers "Don't Let Me Down"

A favorite on BPM lately. 

Life Right Now #26

Right now I am: Prepping to leave for a morning of crafting with a friend and some other crafty people. Looking forward to a pastry, some coffee, and crafting time without the toddler.

On my bedside table: Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade; Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger

On my tv this week: J and I finally got to watch Childhood's End and I must say it was not good... We also watched Braindead, Another Period, Last Week Tonight, and Lisztomania (crazy crazy movie).

Listening to: Arthur requested the Gorillaz Pandora channel the other day. Good taste little man!

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Black Bean Soup
• Tuesday - Leftovers
• Wednesday - Skinny Texas Cheese Fries
• Thursday - Bacon, Gouda, and Peach Paninis
• Friday - Salisbury Steak Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes
• Saturday - Brats on the grill
• Sunday - Italian Beef Sandwiches

On my to do list: Prep for board meeting; Double check garage sale items; Order gift for a friend; Finish stamp club projects

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home day
• Tuesday - Grocery store and other errands; Board Meeting
• Wednesday - Park day?
• Thursday - Prenatal appointment; Stamp Club
• Friday - Home day
• Saturday - Craft Garage Sale
• Sunday - My Sprinkle; Friend's Going Away Party

What I am creating: I got on a weird kick the other day and decided to make photo books for Christmas gifts. I spent three hours researching different companies and then assembling a book highlighting Arthur's first and second years of life. Hope to start his volume two and order a sample book this coming week.

My simple pleasures: Hazelnut and French Vanilla coffee (so good); Excellent history books; Snuggly toddler

Looking around the house: We're in decent shape around here, but I feel the weird nesting phase coming on. I just want to declutter everything in this house!

From the camera: Yes we did bubbles in the house this week. We couldn't play in the backyard while the workers were painting the house. So indoor bubbles it is.