I published this on Monday but I was in the mountains and apparently it didn't work, so...random Saturday post!! I'm leaving it as TGIM regardless of the day, because I was happy that it was Monday at the time!
The high of the last week was: Hanging out with Tobia! We had a great time getting to know each other better, wandering around looking for dwarves (there was even a Nicole themed one!) and exploring a new city (for me)! As always, another blogger meetup success!
The low of the last week was: I think I crammed too much into one week and I was feeling a bit behind, but I started a hike anyway! However, I did not feel ready or prepared and was sure I was going to miss something important. I don't like that feeling! PS I'm on the hike now and haven't found anything crucial missing yet.
Something I marked off my to-do list was: I am still wrapping up some stuff with a house sale and there are just a few little things left to do. However, I got the insurance canceled and the check mailed, and also have a refund coming from.the sewer/water company. It's nice to have those behind me.
The book I am reading is: I just finished The Favorites and I enjoyed it. If you like Carrie Soto is Back you will probably enjoy it, as it is about elite ice dancers and of course there is drama. I like that part of it is told in interview style, and although there were some characters I did not like, I enjoyed the storytelling.
The best thing I spent money on was: A room for tonight. I am hiking and have been camping in a tent but I needed to charge my electronics, so for about $40, I get dinner, a shower, a bed and breakfast! Woohoo.
Plans for this week include: More hiking and then maybe some lake beach time if it's warm and I can find a good place! I just arrived in a new county last week and it was 40°C/over 100°F! Ack, as Cathy would say.
My favorite photo from the last week is: I can't really choose a favorite, but here are a couple recent ones!
What good book have you read lately?
TGIM is an oft-repeated acronym in our house, too. We are almost always ready to get back to routines after a weekend. I imagine that will change when the boys are at easier ages.
ReplyDeleteI did not like The Favorites as much as you did. It felt so dang long. And a bit too angsty for me? It should have worked but I was just ready to be done at the end.
I really liked Jordan Chiles memoir. It’s not high quality writing but her story is fascinating. There are photos at the end. You should see how ripped she was at like age 8!!
The Favorites was angsty! I didn't enjoy that part and I really didn't like the main character that much but I was hiking and it was entertaining, so I was happy with it. It's funny how my own mood can often decide my rating. I thought the Chiles memoir was pretty good but read it as an audiobook so I didn't get to see the photos. I just finished Sipsworth per your rec and found it very cute.
DeleteI am very honored to be mentioned in your high of the week. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLoved every minute of it but I also feel like that week was a bit crammed as I had a lot to catch up on for work and other personal stuff going on. Long days, short nights.
I did miss that dwarf by the way. Shoot.
The hiking photos are so gorgeous. Mountains are great. Not sure I prefer them over water. Wait a lake in the mountains is the best I guess.
Currently reading a book on living in wilderness and observing wild life. I think it's not been published in English. Also old folk tales about sailors. The favorites is on my TBR.
It's hard to decide when it comes to mountains vs ocean but I would choose mountains and I totally agree that mountains with a lake is the best of both worlds! One day when you come back to the US, I can show you my favorite mountain lakes there!
DeleteThat would be amazing.
DeleteI'm so glad you were able to hang out with Tobia! Fun!
ReplyDeleteI've read some great books in July. Stay tuned...my book reviews are dropping on the blog next Wednesday <3
And those views are GORGEOUS!
Can't wait to hear your reviews! I also finished Alive, which I think I may have read before GR (so like, maybe it didn't happen?) but I enjoyed the story so much that I finished it (again?) and this time rated it! Five stars. Have you read the Heart of the Sea, about the whale ship Essex? Similar story and I also enjoyed that one a lot.
DeleteI'm happy to see a post from you anytime, but the Monday SNAFU means that I got to read this from Nicole's deck overlooking the mountains.
ReplyDeleteI'm a roll with books. I finished One Good Thing, and I'm almost done with The Unwedding (basically The Wedding People with a murder mystery instead of an attempted suicide).
Yay, so glad you are having good times (and weather) with Nicole! Have a glass of wine for me! I also read One Good Thing and enjoyed it but I'll have to check out (literally ha) the Unwedding! Have fun in Vancouver!
DeleteI can't tell if I like Yoga Gnome or if he creeps me out. His smile is just weird.
ReplyDeleteThis was the week I crossed lots of stuff off my own To Do List. We had some shitful weather, and I took the time to get busy and clean out cabinets and reorganize. I'm so glad that's done.
The yoga dwarf is very happy! I like him. Getting stuff crossed off your list is so satisfying! I am glad that you got it done, even though it meant that the weather was bad in order to make that happen. Sometimes we need an inside day forced on us in order to buckle down and get it done though.
DeleteYoga gnome! How fun is that!
ReplyDeleteI had a couple of mediocre books in a row, so I pivoted and did a reread of Standard Deviation, which I LOVE.
Ug, I hate mediocre books in a row! I actually have had some good ones lately, but before that I had several that I just could not get into! I think I had three DNFs in a row, and it was probably not the book's fault, but I was just not in the mood. I am glad that SD turned it around for you! Now you are back on track!
DeleteI LOVE the yoga gnome! Nance is right, his smile is weird, but I think he just looks stoned.
ReplyDeleteYay for blog meetups! And meeting Tobia? EXCELLENT - #goals
I prefer the ocean to the mountains but just barely, they are both amazing. I don’t think a lake is the same as the ocean though. Your pictures are great, and I hope you enjoyed your hotel stay.
I do love the ocean, but there are only so many walks on the beach or staring at the sea that I can do. I want to get out and walk and to me, walking in the woods/mountains is more enjoyable if you are doing it over and over. So this is why I pick the mountains. Also I love swimming, but I actually don't love salty water that much; I will swim in it, but I prefer a cold and clear lake or river on a hot day. My "hotel stay" was a bunk in the mountains, but it was five stars (I mean really it was quite primitive, but better than a tent!)
DeleteYour blogger meet up sounds so great. I hope you have everything you need for your hike - knowing how resourceful you are - even if you find that you've forgotten something, you'll figure it out/make do.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Remarkable creatures or whatever - about an octopus. It's good but I'm sort of ready for the various characters who are bound to cross paths to just DO the path crossing already. I'm looking forward to reading Be Lucky When the Luck Happens for book club in the next few months. I'm expecting to really love that one.
I finished the hike and I survived, so yay! I did have what I needed, although there are some items that I am using that should probably be replaced soon. I feel like everything is going to pot at the same time! I enjoyed Remarkable Creatures, and I also enjoyed Ina's book, and I hope that you do too. It was fun hearing about her "real life" and learning more about her. That will be a good one for discussion too! I will be interested in hearing how/if you like it!
DeleteI'm so happy you got to meet Tobia. She seems like such a lovely human. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved The Favorites! So much drama! It was everything I could have wanted in a book like that. I just finished Dead Money by Jakob Kerr - you might like it? It's all about wealthy people behaving badly, start-up culture, etc. I thought it was pretty interesting!
The Favorites was a lot of drama. For me, it was a little too much at times, but it was entertaining most of the time! I have not read Dead Money; I will check it out. Have you read Careless People? Speaking of rich people behaving badly + startup culture!
DeleteWhere are you now? The photos look amazing! I just finished reading The Museum of Modern Love. It was not my usual read, but I found it enjoyable and thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are from The Peaks of the Balkans! You should check it out; it is hard but you can stay in guesthouses each night if you want to. I have not read the book you mentioned, but it seems interesting. I am not sure if it is my kind of book or not.
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