Wednesday, February 28, 2018

February 2018 in Review

Usually February is the longest month of the year for me. I am not sure why--I mean, it is actually the shortest month. This year though it seemed to go by at a fairly clip pace. I think a lot of that had to do with just how busy I was. With mandatory training at work and still being short staffed on top of it being the busiest time of year work volume wise, pressures are still high. Girl Scout Cookie sales are still very much under way. Girl Scout meetings, karate, and dance kept us running around.

It was a month of good news and bad news for Mouse. She learned her Girl Scout troop will be disbanding at the end of the season. With a couple families moving away and another couple whose families are growing, there aren't enough girls staying to make it possible for us to stay together.  Mouse is heartbroken as she really loves her troop. That news is tempered, however, by the fact that she may be able to join the troop of a friend she's known since infancy. It is in the next town over, so not exactly ideal, but it is the most viable option for us. Having to work around my work schedule can be an obstacle in and of itself.

Also in Mouse news, Mouse auditioned for The Wizard of Oz this past Saturday. The cast list came out Tuesday, and Mouse is beyond excited (and I am hoping my hair doesn't turn completely gray in the next few months). Our dance class schedule will be full from now until the summer production. Unfortunately, Mouse will have to discontinue karate for the time being as a result. Mouse will be playing both a munchkin and a flying monkey. She was not too sure about the monkey given it's a bad gal role, but I think we've worked through her concerns.


For those of you following my mother's exploits, she spent a week in Greece earlier this month and had a marvelous time. I do not think she wanted to come back. It was a much needed break for her. Her visit with the oncologist and more tests this past week did not bring good news, however. She and her doctors had hoped to start the radiation treatment this next month, but that isn't a possibility at this time due to the new findings. My mom remains optimistic, but I think we are all feeling frustrated as well. Both of my grandmothers and at least two of my great grandmothers suffered from breast cancer too. Not only am I worried about my mom, but, I cannot help but how much higher my own chances are of developing it.

Blogging wise, it was a rather lax month here at Musings of a Bookish Kitty. I have not had much time to devote to the computer, which translates into not being able to polish and prep posts. And frankly, when I did have a moment to blog, I often decided I would rather read instead. When the reading mood strikes, it's best not to ignore it. Besides, it helps calm my brain, which has been working overtime as of late.

As for my reading, February seemed to the series continuation month. The majority of my reading was picking back up with beloved series. Thanks to all of you who voted in my February TBR List Poll, I finally dived into Anne Bishop's Marked in Flesh, which I loved. I could not help but also read the two other books up for vote in the poll though, and followed Bishop's book up with both of those. It turned out that it was another great reading month for me over all. Not a dud in the bunch! The downside is that my reading has fallen off a bit since I finished Weiss's book. Part of it is not having a lot of time to devote to reading with all the craziness that is going on right now. Hopefully it will not last.

Here is what I finished reading in February:

Solely For Me:
  • Sweep in Peace (Innkeeper Chronicles, #2) by Ilona Andrews
  • One Fell Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles, #3) by Ilona Andrews
  • The Prime Minister's Secret Agent (Maggie Hope, #4) by Susan Elia MacNeal
  • The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
  • Marked in Flesh (The Others, #4) by Anne Bishop
  • The Lost Plot (Invisible Library, #4) by Genevieve Cogman
  • Pressed to Death (Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum, #2) by Kirsten Weiss

Some of the Books I Read With My Daughter (Guess which ones we read over and over again.): 
  • The Princess and the Pizza by Mary Jane Auch and Herm Auch
  • You! by Sandra Magsamen
  • The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton
  • A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker and Kady MacDonald Denton
  • In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey
  • The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas and Helen Oxenbury
  • Max the Brave by Ed Vere

Non-Book Review Posts in Feburary:

Challenge & Read-Along Updates:

#COYER Winter Switch ~

The Strict:
The List
  • Sunday Sugar by Q. Gibson
  • Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
  • Vanished (Black Hat Series, #4) by Karen E. Olson
  • Clean Sweep Chronicles, #1) by Ilona Andrews
  • Sweep in Peace (Innkeeper Chronicles, #2) by Ilona Andrews
  • One Fell Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles, #3) by Ilona Andrews
  • The Prime Minister's Secret Agent (Maggie Hope, #4) by Susan Elia MacNeal
The One With a Twist (so far):
  • Marked in Flesh (The Others, #4) by Anne Bishop
  • The Lost Plot (Invisible Library, #4) by Genevieve Cogman
  • Pressed to Death (Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum, #2) by Kirsten Weiss
I am doing about as well as I hoped with the COYER Winter Switch, thankfully. I did better on the list portion than I anticipated. The final phase, The One With a Twist, will be ending on March 9 so I have a little more time to fit something else in.

What's In A Name Reading Challenge ~ No new progress to report.

The Grand World of Books Reviews Bingo ~ No new progress to report.

Unruly Reader Bingo ~ No new progress to report.

2018 Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge ~ I have read three books so far to go towards this challenge.
  • Clean Sweep Chronicles, #1) by Ilona Andrews
  • Sweep in Peace (Innkeeper Chronicles, #2) by Ilona Andrews
  • One Fell Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles, #3) by Ilona Andrews
2018 Discussion Post Challenge ~ I did not manage a discussion post this month.

2018 Blog All About It Challenge ~ It was all about "red" in February, and I posted a list of some of favorite things that come to mind when I think of the color red. (Blog All About It: Red)

Les Misérables Read-Along ~  I started off the month ahead and slipped behind before catch up again. I am back to being all caught up now. I find I prefer to read this one right before bed when I can swing it. I find it very calming and engaging.

War and Peace Read-Along ~ If only this was as easy to read as Les Misérables. I am a little behind, but not too far.

Throwback Thursday Photo of Mouse and our cat Parker


How was your February overall? How did your February shape up reading wise? What was your favorite book you read in February? What have you been up to?



I am linking up to Nicole of Feed Your Addiction's Monthly Wrap-Up Post, where any book bloggers who write monthly wrap-up posts can link up and visit other bloggers to see what they have been reading. (The event picture will take you directly to Nicole's wrap up sign-up for February.) 

© 2018, 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.

39 comments:

  1. Congrats on Mouse being both a munchkin and a flying monkey! I hope she has lots of fun!

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  2. Sorry to hear about Mouse's troop - I hope things work out for her. Congratulations to her for being cast in the Wizard of Oz, though!

    Your mom's trip sounds like loads of fun - I've heard Greece is fabulous.

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    1. Kathy - Thanks. It was sad news about the troop, but hopefully it will work out with the new troop. We are all excited about The Wizard of Oz. It should be fun. :-)

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  3. Wendy, so glad to hear about what's going on in your world. Mouse has been busy and sounds like she will be busier. How fun to be a Munchkin and also a monkey. She'll love it, I'm sure. The Girl Scout Troop will work out I'm sure. We did GS until 5th grade maybe and then moved on to other things. Big, big hugs about your Mom. Sigh. Take care of yourself, girlfriend. Worry is rough and I think that if reading is a comfort, just do that. The blog is a whatever thing. Glad Greece was a good trip for your mother.

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    1. Kay - Thank you. Mouse keeps us all busy. :-) I think she's going to enjoy being a part of the show too. They had their first rehearsal this past weekend, and she enjoyed herself. Part of me wouldn't have minded if we did not continue with Girl Scouts, but Mouse loves it. She's all about being with her friends and the socialization aspect of it. Thank you for your kind thoughts about my mom. Reading does seem to help keep my mind off things. I know I shouldn't worry so much about what I have no control over, but it's hard. Especially when it concerns a loved one. I know you understand.

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  4. That picture of the Mouse and Parker is amazing. So much sweetness. I'm glad your mom's trip was so much fun though I'm sorry to hear about the news she came home too. I hope the news becomes more positive soon. Sounds like Mouse has had a busy month! That's awesome about the Wizard of Oz! Can't wait to hear more about it. That's too bad about the troop but it sounds like it might work out for the best. Hope March is wonderful!

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    1. Katherine - It's a good memory. :-) Mouse talks about Parker all the time still. Mouse is keeping me very busy. LOL She's very excited about being in the musical. Here's to a great March!

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  5. What a delightful experience for Mouse! Glad to hear that your mother's trip was a good one--attitude counts a lot and her sounds great.

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    1. Jenclair - I think it will be a great experience for her. And I'll try not to pull all my heart out along the way. Haha.

      My mom does have a great attitude about this all. She's a trooper.

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  6. It sounds like you and Mouse have been busy. I hope the treatment goes well for your mom. Have a great March!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. A.J. - Thank you. I am not sure which direction she will go now, treatment wise, but we should find out soon. I hope you have a great March too!

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  7. That throwback picture with Mouse and Parker is absolutely adorable!! It makes me miss my cats and my second cousins (they're turning four already this year!). I'm impressed with your commitment to read War and Peace! I think it's one of those books that everyone feels like they should (and maybe want) to read but it's so intimidating; I know that's how I feel about it :) I hope you have a lovely March, Wendy, and I wish Mouse best of luck in The Wizard of Oz!

    Laura @BlueEyeBooks

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    1. Laura - I love that photo. :-) It's been almost six months since we lost Parker, and we still miss him so much.

      War and Peace is one of those books that I probably should give up on but I've declared war and I will finish it. Someday. LOL

      Thank you for the good luck wishes for Mouse. She is over the moon about being in the show. I think it will be a lot of fun for her. :-)

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  8. Wendy I'm so sorry your mom didn't get better news but I really admire her optimism and I hope she'll receive better news soon! I think it's fabulous she went on her vacation and had such a good time. She definitely deserved that! As for you, you have your hands full so if you need to spend more time on books than on the blog then I don't blame you. Sometimes that happens. Congrats to Mouse and I cannot wait to see what she's going to look like in costume. She's going to be an adorable munchkin & flying monkey! Wishing you a great March!

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    1. Iliana - Thank you for your kind thoughts in regards to my mom. I admire her optimism too. I keep hoping it will rub off more on me. Mouse is keeping me so busy as is work. Reading at least gets me to slow down a little from time to time. :-)

      Mouse keeps asking me what her costumes will look like. She's so afraid she's going to be a boy munchkin. LOL I hope you have a great March too!

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  9. Such a sweet photo of Mouse and Parker. Congrats to her on her roles in the play. I am so sorry your mom got more bad news, she is in my prayers. XO

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    1. Ellen - Thank you. I love that photo. Thank you too for your kind thoughts for my mom and Mouse. A definite mix of good and bad news there. I appreciate the prayers for my mom.

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  10. Love that picture of Mouse and Parker. :) February is always my least favourite month of the year, but it didn't seem so bad this year. I think it is because our winter was kind of mild.

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    1. Kelly - It's adorable, isn't it? Thank you. Our winter has been kind of mild too, although right now it's been so cold at night (30's and 40's) that one has to wonder if Winter is making her final stand before spring--at least here. She's been pretty relentless in other parts of the world, I know.

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  11. I'm glad your mom enjoyed her trip, although I am sad to hear the news wasn't better. I will keep you two in my thoughts. I hope Mouse does join her friend's troop! And how much fun she will have being a munchkin and flying monkey!! So cool. I go through bouts where I just want to read, too.

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    1. Charlie - Thank you for your kind thoughts. It means a lot. We are hoping to give Mouse's friend's troop a try this week, but a lot depends on how Mouse is feeling. She's got a fever and cough at the moment. It is sounding more and more like it will work out though, and Mouse is happy about that. We're all excited for Mouse being in the Wizard of Oz. I will try not to stress as much as I did this past fall with the winter showcase. Haha

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  12. I love that throwback pic of Mouse and Parker - so sweet. Glad your mom had a great time in Greece and wishing her the best with her treatments. My SIL had 2 mastectomies (30) years apart. Her mom had beast cancer as well in her 40s and lived to 97! There is hope!

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    1. Diane - Thank you! It's one of my favorite pictures of the two of them. And thank you for the well wishes for my mom. I appreciate the kind words of hope as well. It does make me feel better. :-)

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  13. Great wrap-up! I also didn't have much time for blogging this month, but I didn't want to force it either. I'm also a bit behind in my reading, but I'm hoping to catch up soon :) Happy March!

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    1. Erica - Thank you! I hope you are able to catch up with your reading in March. I decided a break was in order from blogging for the next week or so--too much going on and it will take some of the pressure off. I hope you have a happy March as well.

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  14. I'll keep your mom in my thoughts. Great that she had such a good time in Greece. I'd imagine that it is much needed with all that stress. Mouse sounds like such a busy little thing!

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    1. Annemieke - Thank you for your kind thoughts for my mom. I would love to visit Greece someday. I'm so glad she got the opportunity to do so! Mouse is very busy--which means I am too. She seems to love it though and so I just go with it. For now. Haha

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  15. Aw, that's too bad about the Girl Scouts! I hope she can join the other group though. Sorry about the news about your mother though :(
    I'm glad it was a good reading month! It was for me as well. And hey - it's in quality, not in quantity, right? So I'm glad you read some really good ones.

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    1. Evelina - I think she will be able to join the other group. It does make the bad news of her old troop disbanding go down a little easier, I think. Thank you for your kind thoughts for my mom. She's a strong woman, and we're hopeful she will get through this too. Here's to a great reading month in March!

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  16. Sounds like a busy month and I'm glad your mom had a wonderful time in Greece, Wendy.

    So excited for Mouse and I'm sure she'll do great for her role as a munchkin and a flying monkey. :)

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    1. Melody - It was a full month. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. Congrats to your daughter! I am sure that she will have a great experience in being in the play. Flying monkeys rule! Breast cancer is horrible and scary. My mom has had it 3 times and she had 2 different types of breast cancer so it was not a reoccurance. She did the genetic testing so that me and my sister could also be tested but her test came back negative. The geneticist said that she has a gene but they don't know about it to test for it. I hope you get some good news very soon.

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    1. Carole - Thank you! She's so excited about being in the musical. Thank you too for your kind thoughts for my mom. I am sorry your mom had to go through it too. My mom's doing the genetic testing as well and we should know soon whether the test comes back positive or negative. Thanks for visiting!

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  18. Wendy, LOVing the photo of Mouse and Parker :) I was having a hard time getting past the news about your Mom, your obvious, expected concerns, including about your own health :(

    Many years ago, when I first started taking Mannatech products (and thought I could help people by selling them, but that ended VERY quickly), there were many testimonials of people reversing cancer. I don't sell it, but I'm mentioning it just in case. It's expensive especially since you need to take so much of it to help something like cancer. I think now you're able to buy products and don't have to do it through a rep. It's called "Advanced Ambrotose" and it's at www.mannatech.com

    Meanwhile, you may already realize that toxins, in general are the problem. Since you likely have a "cancer-susceptible" gene, what you do with toxins (avoidance and elimination) and also what you ingest (the purer the better) are critical.

    I hope and pray things go well with all of you! ((Big Hugs))

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    1. Donna Marie - It's one of my favorite photos and a happy memory of the two of them. :-)

      Thank you so much for your kind thoughts about my mom. I appreciate it. I will let her know about the Mannatech products.

      Thank you for visiting and for your support!

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    2. Thoughts and prayers, my dear. They don't mean anything to some people, but they do mean something to me. (Hopefully, you, too.)

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  19. I used to love reading to my kids when they were young. I have fond memories of sitting outside in the shade reading the entire Harry Potter series to them one summer. I was "cookie" mom for 3 years so my living room used to be piled deep with cases of cookies for booth sales and individual preorders.

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    1. Danielle - I enjoy reading to my daughter, although she's become less interested in reading as of late. I hope it's just a phase. I don't think I could be cookie mom, but I admire those who are able to! It's a lot of work! Just being in charge of one girl with all her cookies is enough for me. :-)

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