Saturday, August 27, 2016

Sunday Post: New Books, Soccer & Busy Times


The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. 

The weather has been wonderful this weekend. It almost feels like fall is on its way; although, I suppose that will change quickly as another heat wave is on its way. Summer never gives up easily. And it's too soon for wishful thinking.

How have you all been? I hadn't meant to be away last week, but life has been crazy. It will probably be like that for awhile until our family settles into our new routine. Changes are afoot at work too, which means getting used to new routines there as well.

What are you reading this weekend? Have you watched anything you would recommend?

Here's what I've been up to:

New to My Shelves:

Fractured by Catherine McKenzie
(from the publisher for tour review)

and 


Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border
(purchased for my daughter)


What I Am Reading: I am behind in my reading. I still haven't started my August TBR book. And I'm slowly making way through Love Anthony by Lisa Genova for my postal mail group. It isn't that I am not enjoying it. It just touches on two topics I do not like to read about (infidelity and the death of a child). Not to mention I have been very busy as of late. Work has picked up considerably now that school is in session and with the start of school and the soccer season for Mouse . . . well, you get the picture.


What I Am Listening To: My cat purring.



What I Am Watching: A couple weeks ago I got the rare opportunity to catch a movie by myself in the theater. The Suicide Squad fit into my available time slot just perfectly, and I had been wanting to see it. I am not too familiar with comic villains, but I do love a good superhero movie. I thought it was entertaining and action-packed, even if violent and very dark.

Mouse and I have been watching the first season of Once Upon a Time (my second time around). She's quite fond of Henry's character and has added Emma and Henry characters to her imaginary play when she's playing with her princess toys (except in her world, the two are married--not mother and son).

I got the chance to see the latest episode of Fear of the Walking Dead now that the second season has resumed. The episode focused on Nick, and was quite good, I thought, portraying the suffering and desperation he was going through as he struggled to survive.

What's Going On Off the Blog: Mouse had her first soccer game Saturday. At this age, the teams don't keep score. It is obvious some of the girls have more experience than others. And even despite my daughter's own experience, she isn't the most competitive or aggressive. Of course, it's all about having fun at this age and just learning to keep the ball going in the right direction.

 Before Game Huddle

It didn't help that Mouse was not feeling her best. Her allergies got the better of her and her swim lesson on Friday didn't help. She ended up with an ear infection. She's now on antibiotics and is feeling much better.

Mouse and I attended the meet and greet with her teacher Friday, and we got to meet some of Mouse's new classmates. There was a scavenger hunt so the kids would be familiar with the layout of the classroom. When we left the school that afternoon, Mouse couldn't stop talking about how she was looking forward to starting school on Monday.

Mixed in with all that was a stressful week at work and some bad news on the home front. I was feeling emotionally exhausted going into this weekend, and am so glad it is finally here.

Around the Blogosphere:

Book Blogger Hop

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Can you say this sentence describes you? READING IS MY PASSION. (submitted by Elizabeth

According to Merriam Webster's simple definition, passion means
: a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something  
: a strong feeling (such as anger) that causes you to act in a dangerous way 
Considering I have walked into a wall or two while entranced by a book that has me gripped in its thrall, I guess you could say my strong feelings for reading have caused me to act in a dangerous way. I also am able to tune everything out around me, which is risky when someone you love is trying to talk to you. Mostly though, my passion for reading falls under the "feeling of enthusiasm or excitement" category. I suffer withdrawals if I go without reading for long, my mind aching to read the written word. I like to always carry a book with me, wherever I go, even when I know I will not be able to read. I feel lost when I don't have a book with me. I cannot imagine my life without books. So, yes, reading is my passion. At least one of them, anyway. 

Is reading one of your passions?

I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!


© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

52 comments:

  1. I like it when the weather cools a bit but it's still nice. Seems like it's always too hot or too cool and rarely do we get those perfect, sunny, no humidity days lol. Hope your good weather holds.

    Glad to hear that Suicide Squad was good. I want to see it. And Fear the Walking dead- I missed it. Did they explain why he just went off by himself? I know he was mad at the end of the season break but in the previews it looked like he was shambling w/a zombie horde- I thought why is he doing that?? Hopefully that makes sense. It seems like they split everyone off and that can't be good. :)

    Interesting question this week on the Hop. Reading is definitely a passion- when I was a kid and we went somewhere I always had my nose in a book. It's a wonder I know how to get anywhere. :)

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    1. Greg - It's was such a beautiful weekend this past weekend. I wish I had been feeling better to enjoy it more. It's warming up again this week, but hopefully nothing too bad.

      I hope you get a chance to see The Suicide Squad. I went in with low expectations because I'd heard it wasn't well liked by critics. As for Fear of the Walking Dead, were you able to catch up? I got the impression that Nick is upset with his mother and blames her for what happened at the hacienda. I think he bought into what that woman (whose name escapes me at the moment) was saying about about the walking dead's purpose. I haven't yet seen this last episode. Hopefully later this week. My interest is still waning right now. I keep hoping it will grab me the way the original series has.

      Delete
  2. Everyone keeps saying how it feels like fall, but it sure doesn't feel that way here lol. And it seems like everyone has been busy/tired/something this past week, so don't fret it.

    What a cute picture of the soccer team. Sorry Mouse hasn't been feeling well though :-/

    Lol to the walking into a wall comment. Who knew reading could be so dangerous? ;-)

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    1. Kristen - I hope your weather starts to cool off some!

      Mouse seems to be doing better, although her allergies plague her now and then. I am really hoping she doesn't re-catch the cold/flu she gave me now that I have it.

      I've gotten pretty good at avoiding walking into walls, but I've learned the hard way that I shouldn't read while walking down stairs.

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  3. It takes a while to really cool down here along the Gulf Coast of Texas. Like after Halloween!

    It does sound like you've had some busy weeks. Let's hope things slow down a bit for you this week!

    Here's my Sunday Salon!

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    1. Deb - I can imagine so. Texas gets pretty warm during the summer, I imagine. That's usually how it is where I live too.

      I'm still waiting for things to slow down. Haha

      Delete
  4. Mouse looks so cute in her uniform. I hope she is having a blast. I miss a post now and then, especially when I know I won't be able to reciprocate the comments.
    sherry @ fundinmental My Sunday Memes

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    1. Sherry - Thank you. :-) I think she liked wearing her uniform.

      I've been unable to reciprocate lately. It happens sometimes though, unfortunately.

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  5. I hope everything goes well tomorrow for Mouse and she enjoys school!

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  6. Great post.

    Love your answer to the Blog Hop. Reading definitely can be dangerous at times, but the danger is worth the passion. :)

    ENJOY your day and week.

    Happy Hopping!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Blog Hop Answer

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    1. Elizabeth - Thank you. :-) I agree with you 100%. The danger of reading is well worth the passion. I hope you are enjoying your week!

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  7. I'm not surprised you're feeling a tad wrung out - it's always a busy, slightly fraught time when the niblets are settling into a new routine. And let's face it, the summer holidays are always busy with small children around... Hope this coming week is a lot more relaxing and that Mouse fully recovers soon. This is my Sunday Post
    https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/sunday-post-28th-august/

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    1. Sarah - Hopefully things will settle down soon. You are right, it is exhausting adjusting to a change in routine. I think my daughter is feeling it too. :-S

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  8. Its still miserably hot and humid here. No taste of fall yet!
    I hope Mouse is feeling 100% soon! Glad she is excited for school!
    Have a great week!

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    1. Samantha - I feel for you. I hope it starts cooling off for you soon.

      Mouse is doing lots better, thank you. :-)

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  9. Peanut Butter & Cupcake looks adorable!

    I know Mouse is going to rock school! It sounds like she's got a creative teacher.

    I hope the bad news works out well.

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    1. Kathy - I really like Peanut Butter and Cupcake. We have another of the Cupcake books, but this one is definitely my favorite.

      Thank you for your kind words of support.

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  10. The weather seems to be awesome in the early AM but get yucky by the afternoon. I can't wait for cooler temps. Fall is my favorite.

    LOVE Once Upon a Time, I wanted my daughter to watch it with me but she said one day lol I still enjoy it and want to watch all the seasons over again to see if I missed anything

    I hope Mouse enjoys her first day of school!

    Have a great week, Wendy! Happy Reading!

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    1. Michelle - We've had cooler mornings and evenings, which has been nice. I hope it is here to stay for awhile! Hopefully fall weather will set in where you are soon.

      We are enjoying Once Upon a Time. We're still early in the first season. I stopped watching the show about mid-way through season three, I think. I just had too much going on at the time.

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  11. It's crazy hot here too. I'm just about done with it! I don't want it to be cold but I'd take temps in the 70s and 80s! Poor Mouse and poor you! Sounds like it's been quite a week. Hopefully the ear infection will clear up and you're getting some downtime to decompress. I love the cover for Peanut Butter and Cupcake! I'll have to look for that one! It looks like one the Tornado would enjoy. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - I hope your weather starts to cool down soon. I think we are all ready to be done with this heat.

      I hope Tornado likes Peanut Butter and Cupcake if you do decide to read it to him. It's a good story.

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  12. I want to try Ruth Ware's book, I recently read Woman in Cabin 10 and still need to review it. I don't remember infidelity in Love Anthony, it is hard to read books with some topics.

    Your daughters team doesn't keep score, hmmm, interesting.

    I think reading is one of my passions. I get excited and if really great, hard not to think about it while at work.

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    1. Marce - I am looking forward to reading Woman in Cabin 10. I've heard it's even better than In a Dark, Dark Wood. Yeah, in Love Anthony, one of the main character's husband had an affair and she's trying to decide whether to take him back or not over the course of the novel.

      It isn't so much a team rule as the league rule that the score isn't kept in games played in the under (age) 6 division. It makes sense to me, really, given how young the kids are and how many of them are just learning the sport. It is more competitive starting at the next age level.

      Delete
  13. Love the pic of the pre-game huddle! I have the new season of Fear of the Walking Dead on my "to watch" list. :)

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    1. Jenclair - I'm still not completely sold on Fear of the Walking Dead. And yet I still watch . . .

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  14. Oh, Wendy, I SO missed this post last week! But I figured you were busy. Hey, it happens! And since you have a child, things can get even more hectic! So glad to see you're back! YAY!!!!

    "Fractured" and "Love Anthony" are new to me, so I'll have to go check them out. "Peanut Butter and Cupcake" looks SO adorable! I only wish I had a little one to buy it for....

    I LOVE the picture of your cat!! What a BEAUTIFUL animal!! What's his or her name? I'm not a cat (or dog) person, but I have to say that s/he looks so impressive and regal. And yes, listening to a cat purr is nice, I must admit. It's probably very soothing.

    You know, I never did get to watch "Once Upon A Time" when it was being broadcast in my area. I was always somehow busy at the time the show came on. So, now that the DVDs are available, I can catch up, because I was always curious about it!

    That picture of the soccer huddle is SO cute! Those girls are really paying attention to their coach. And I LOVE those hair ribbons! :)

    It's too bad that Mouse's allergies flared up, and she got an ear infection. Poor little thing....but I'm glad she's so much better, thanks to the meds!

    I'll have to check out a couple of those posts from other blogs. They look GREAT!

    As for your answer to the Book Blogger Hop question, I LOVE it!! I especially like that you say you get "withdrawals" when you are unable to read. The very same thing happens to me!! Lol. And, like you, I also carry a book with me everywhere i go, even if I know I won't be able to read it. It's just SO comforting to have a book with me at all times! I guess it's my "security blanket", lol.

    Thanks for sharing all your book and life news!! Hope you're having an AWESOME Sunday with Mouse and hubby, and will have a GREAT week!! <3 :)

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    1. Maria - I am not making as fast progress in Fractured as I had hoped. I need some good sit-down-and-read time, I think. The Peanut Butter and Cupcake book is really cute--and it's got a good message.

      The cat in the photo is my Gracie. She's about three years old. Very playful and cuddly. She likes to lay on my chest, right under my chin.

      The team mom made the hair ribbons for each of the girls. We weren't sure how to fit it on Mouse's hair since she has short hair, but we thought we'd try a headband. It's not ideal, but it works. :-)

      I feel "off" if I don't have a book with me when I'm out. Yes, like a security blanket, as you said. :-)

      Thanks for your wonderful comment, Maria!

      Delete
  15. P.S. Infidelity and the death of a child are topics I hate, as well. I remember struggling to finish "Anna Karenina" because I just couldn't relate to the adulterous couple...I never did get through the book! As for reading about the death of a child, I never have, and NEVER will!

    BTW, I'm crossing my fingers that we'll get some COLD weather her in Miami this so-called "winter". Lol.

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    1. Maria - Infidelity and the death of a child are both difficult topics. I read both now and then, but I really have to be in the right mindset.

      Delete
  16. I love the in-between weather: not too hot, not too cold. Perfect for Goldilocks. LOL.

    I can't wait to get a copy of Fractured. I haven't tried to find it on NetGalley (don't even know if it's there), but I want an actual print book for my library.

    Lisa Genova's books are all hard to read, with such sad topics. But worth the struggle.

    It's great when kids play soccer for the fun of it. Enjoy the week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I love the in-between weather too. It's perfect. :-)

      I hope you are able to get your hands on a copy of Fractured! I enjoyed the last book I read by McKenzie.

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  17. One more P.S., lol: When I posted my previous comments, I had not yet seen yours on my BBH post, so I want to thank you for that! And I LOVED reading it!! <3 :)

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  18. Awe, kitty looks so happy. We haven't had a cat in about ten years and I am suddenly hankering for one. We shall see. Our weather was gorgeous for 2 weeks but today..ugh. Hot and Sticky!! Hope this week is lovely!

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    1. Kim - I love my cats. I miss having a dog around the house sometimes, but I know my husband isn't eager to get another one. And we really aren't home enough. :-( I am sorry the hot weather came back. Hopefully fall will be here soon!

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  19. I love when young children are excited to start school! I know Mouse will have a fantastic year - and Mom will adjust in due time :)

    I watched Once Upon a Time the first season, but then for some reason, never returned to it. Perhaps I will enjoy a fall binge watching session.

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    1. Molly - I hope it will be a great year too. Mouse already has her list of complaints about kindergarten. LOL It really is a huge adjustment for all of us.

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  20. It is hot here. I saw this morning we might get a slight bit of showers this week, but I doubt it from the pattern. At least Mouse is a good sport about things. Ear infections suck as a kid and an adult, so I feel for her there. Hopefully by her next game she's up to snuff. I hope things on the homefront get resolved and you get some rest.

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    1. Charlie - I hope you get some cooler weather soon. Yes, Mouse generally is a good sport. :-)

      I had hoped this past weekend would be a refreshing one, but not so much. I'm tired of being sick. I really hope my husband doesn't catch it too.

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  21. I liked Lisa Genova's first book Still Alice so I would be interested in her book you are currently reading. Sounds like you've had a busy, busy week. Hope you can catch up over Labor Day. My Sunday Slon post

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    1. Anne - Still Alice was such a good book. I enjoyed Love Anthony, but I think Still Alice was better.

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  22. I like that game huddle pic; looks cute!

    I'm sure Mouse will enjoy kindergarten. It sounds like she'd a fun time already with the scavenger hunt and that she's looking forward to school. That's a good start! :)

    Hope you've a great week ahead, Wendy!

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    1. Melody - They had a fun time.

      I think she will enjoy kindergarten too. :-)

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  23. Ahhh I don't like reading about infidelity as well - it's a topic for me that isn't negotiable, no matter how well a writer writes or depicts it.
    I'm glad Mouse is so excited to start school! I don't think most kids look forward to starting school, much less be excited about it.
    I hope you have a good week as well Wendy! <3

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    1. Nina - It's hardest when I'm supposed to empathize with the person who is committing adultery. I tend to automatically not like the character and it takes a lot change my opinion.

      Mouse wasn't so excited about having to go back to school today, poor girl. "We only get to play two times!" Ho hum.

      Delete
  24. Oh those cupcake books are strange! They're well done, but the photos of the food characters kind of creep me out LOL....

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  25. First week back to school? I don't miss those days.

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  26. Poor Mouse having to deal with an ear infection but thank goodness for medicine that's doing it's job! Hope she feels much better now. I'm sorry to hear about the not so good stuff on the home front. Hope that with all the busy-ness of the weekend you were still able to find some time to relax. I had such a long week at work last week too and I feel like I'm now starting to catch up. Crazy.

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    1. Iliana - Mouse was very happy to take her last dose of antibiotics this past weekend. I hope you have been able to catch up after that busy week at work. Taking two days off has put me behind. :-(

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