I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz where participants 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. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.
How was your week? What have you been up to?
The summer marching band and color guard camp wrapped up this past week. Just in time for the triple digit heat weather to come to town. This past Monday was registration day for freshmen and so Mouse and I picked up her class list (we had to wait until Friday night for the actual schedule), computer, and books. She did not get the art class she was hoping for, but she got her second choice class, Theatre Arts. The school invited all the freshman to school Friday to introduce them to the campus. Mouse said it was mostly ice breakers and touring the school ("It was okay, Mom."). That evening, Mouse attended the Freshman Dance, and enjoyed hanging out with her friends. Mouse also managed to fit a dentist appointment in during the week--and I went in for a mammogram.
My left leg has been giving me some trouble as of late, making it annoyingly painful to go upstairs or lift my leg at the knee to a certain point. I haven't had too much trouble walking (unless my leg is protesting after the stairs). And because I have been overcompensating with my right leg, that knee, which is my bad knee, has been acting up. I have been icing both off and on, and that seems to help some. I am managing, but it is a bit frustrating.
We have had a relatively quiet weekend. One of our last free weekends for awhile! Mouse and a friend have plans to get together tomorrow, and I am looking forward to my book club. School officially starts Monday for all the district students. She and her friends have been comparing class schedules and seeing if they share a lunch period--you know, all the important stuff. My work has already picked up as the school districts in the county are returning to school. Where did the summer go?!
I feel like an underachiever after last week's Weekly Mewings post. To be fair, last week I was wrapping up two months of reading in one post. Unfortunately, I did not get much reading done this week. I wish I could put all the blame on being busy, but I was too easily distracted when I did have down time to devote to reading.
I was able to listen to and finish The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, narrated Aaliya Warbus and Jordan Waunch, this past week for the upcoming book club discussion tomorrow. I imagine we will have a lot to talk about. I did like it and will be curious to hear what others thought about it.
This weekend I am starting two of my upcoming book club reads, one for the diverse romance book club and the other for the science fiction/fantasy one. I am fairly confident I will be able to finish The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers in time, especially since I will be listening to the audiobook, narrated by Kitty Parker. I am less certain I will be able to fit in Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado in its entirety, but I will make my best effort!
What are you reading right now?
Thank you to everyone who voted in this month's TBR List Poll! I am eager to read all three of the August contenders, having enjoyed the earlier books in each of the series. And while I may not get to them all this month, I now have a place to start thanks to you.
My husband was disappointed that the book he was rooting for, The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose, came in last with only four (4) votes. It was a tie between the next two up until near the end. Coming in second with six (6) votes was India Holton's The Geographer's Map to Romance. And in first place, was Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn with eight (8) votes (my daughter was hoping this one would win, so she's happy). I look forward to starting Kills Well With Others soon!
Thank you for voting!
Following in the footsteps of Deb of Readerbuzz, who shares three good things in her Sunday Salon posts, I thought I would try to do the same. With all the worries and stressors in life, I want to highlight some of the good, even the seemingly small stuff.
1. Mouse and I hit the mall together and stopped in at Barnes and Noble for a mother/daughter afternoon this past week. I love that she will still reach for my hand and hold it while we are walking.
2. I had a nice visit with my mom the other evening. I stopped by to drop off paperwork so she can complete the volunteer process for the school. She is doing well.
3. I showed up to my mammogram early and they took me right away! I was out before my original appointment was even set to start.
What have you been up to this past week?
I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!
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Sorry to hear about the dodgey knee - I've got one that grumbles away, but I'm away when it really complains, that also sets off the other one. I hope your knee recovers soon, Wendy. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteSarah - Thank you. I am getting around much better this week, fortunately. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteHey, welcome back from your break. I'm headed to SoCal on Tuesday and it sounds really hot, luckily I'll be at the beach area and it should be a smidgeon cooler. I read Berry Pickers and it is a bit thought-provoking being raised by other parents. It's a little crazy but a quick read.
ReplyDeleteSusan - From the sounds of it, you are enjoying cooler weather than I've had out closer to the desert. My book club had a good discussion about Berry Pickers. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteMy hubby has a bad right knee too and he thinks rest will make it better! I hope so. In the meantime, he's trying out all sorts of knee braces to find the right one. Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteHarvee - Rest and ice seems to be helping mine. I have also been doing some of the old PT exercises I used to do when I first hurt my knee when I am able, and that seems to be helping too. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteHope everything goes well with back to school time!
ReplyDeleteBree - Thank you!
DeleteI hope Mouse has a wonderful Freshman year! Looking back with my own kids, I remember how stressful and exciting high school was. Actually, I kind of long for those days, believe it or not, everything was much simpler. Have a wonderful week, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteTammy - I think Mouse's first week went fairly well--a little better than she expected in some ways even. You might have heard my big sigh of relief yesterday. :-) Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI hope your leg won't give you too much trouble this week! And Mouse having theater class is still exciting!
ReplyDeleteSophie - Thank you--it wasn't as bad this week, fortunately. I think Mouse had forgotten how much she enjoyed theater since she'd been away from it for a while. She's so excited about her theater class. It's still early days, but it's her favorite class so far this year. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteAh it seems so early but all the schools seem to be starting. I would swear we started more like August 20 when I was young. Wendy, I'm in PT now because I was getting twinges in my left hip which had lots of pain about 4 years ago (but was resolved completely in PT) . I need to have some strength training all the time or I just slack off and have weak muscles.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Anne - It really does feel like schools start earlier and earlier each year. When I was growing up, we always started the day after Labor Day. I have been trying to do some of the old PT exercises I was given a couple or so years ago to see if that helps. I wish I hadn't stopped doing them. Then I might not be in this mess. I really think that's part of why I'm having problems now-I need to have the strength training and keep up with it. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteMy knee has been doing that too! I try to make sure I am mindful of the ways I am moving it, not to aggravate it more. I hope your daughter has a great first week back to school.
ReplyDeleteCindy - I am sorry to hear you've been dealing with knee trouble too. I realized the other day that it probably wasn't helping that I like to sit with one of my legs tucked under me. And that's partly why that leg is giving me trouble now. Mouse's first week went well overall, I think. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteHaving had a blood clot in my left leg in the past, I would urge you to get it checked out if it goes on too much longer.
ReplyDeleteBonnie - Thank you and that really is good advice. While it turned out that wasn't the problem this time, I do think I am having some other issues I should bring up to the doctor--even if only for reassurance it isn't something more serious. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI'm glad you were able to get your mammogram done easily. School is starting on Monday here for my grandson. 7th grade for the kid. Oh how time flys.
ReplyDeleteMary - I am glad I was able to get in and out so fast too. That doesn't happen often when it comes to doctor's visits. I hope your grandson has a good school year! Seventh grade already! Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteGetting in and out for a medical appointment is a rare treat. I hope you have a great week and I can't believe Mouse is starting HS. Time flies!
ReplyDeleteVictoria - Time really does fly! Thank you for visiting!
DeleteThe Berry Pickers did generate a pretty good discussion, if my memory is still in tack. Here is my review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2024/08/review-berry-pickers.html . It wasn't a favorite book but left us a lot to think about.
ReplyDeleteAnne - I'm with you. The Berry Pickers won't make my top ten list of the year, although I did like it and feel like it did stimulate a good book club discussion. Thank you for sharing your review with me. And thank you for stopping by!
DeleteLove reading your Pawsitive Thoughts. Praying your leg and knee feel better soon. Good luck to Mouse as she starts high school. I agree, the summer went too quickly.
ReplyDeletehttps://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2025/08/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-mailbox.html
Cheryl - Thank you for the prayers and well wishes. Thank you too for visiting!
DeleteSchool is starting here tomorrow. I am not ready
ReplyDeleteBlodeuedd - I am right there with you! I hope the school year got off to a good start! Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI hope that your knee is okay! I have occasional moments of knee soreness. It's a bit of a pain really.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Marg - I know what you mean. My knee pain comes and goes and usually isn't too bad. I'm hoping this was just a bad patch since I was struggling with my other leg, which wasn't usual. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteThe start of school when you are raising kids is always so hectic. I hope all goes smoothly for your daughter. It's so sweet that she still reaches for your hand sometimes!
ReplyDeleteDeb - It was a whirlwind of a week! Hopefully now we can start to settle into our new routine. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI loved The Berry Pickers! I cried through so much of it. I love that your Mouse still holds your hand. That is so sweet!!
ReplyDeleteErin - I cried a lot as I was reading it too. It was an emotional read. I am glad you liked The Berry Pickers too. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI for one am ready to say goodbye to summer.
ReplyDeleteRyan - Summer does have it's drawbacks. Is it the season itself or just this particular summer you will be happy to say goodbye to? I don't like the heat and the fire season, but I do like the somewhat lighter workload at work. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteIt's the heat. I hate it more and more every year.
DeleteSorry about the knee issues, Wendy. I'm dealing with a bad shoulder and just got a cortisone shot on Monday. I hope I get an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon soon. I want to read the Berry Pickers soon, or listen to it if I can get my hands on the audiobook. "It was okay mom", I love it. You will get more of those responses as she gets older. Last week I volunteered at Vacation Bible School at my church and although a great week, these old bones were exhausted. I think my favourite book over the last week was Opal by Patricia Wolf. Best of luck to Mouse for her freshman year.
ReplyDeleteCarla - Thank you. I am sorry to hear about your shoulder problems and hope you are able to get in to see the orthopedic surgeon soon. I was able to find the audio of The Berry Pickers at my library. I really liked the narrators. Either way you take it in, I hope you like it. I am glad you had a good week at Vacation Bible School. I remember going as a child. And why does the memory of the boy who kept eating paste come to mind first? LOL Thank you for the well wishes and for visiting!
DeleteI hope Mouse has a wonderful start to the school year - and a great school year ahead! I'm so sorry about your leg and it's always amazing what else and injury can screw up with the overcompensating. Enjoy the Deanna Raybourn. It's up on my list and I'm really looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Thank you. I'm looking forward to the Deanna Raybourn book. I hope to start it this weekend. I hope we both enjoy it! Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteHope you enjoy Kills Well With Others. I thought it was a fun read.
ReplyDeleteLark - Thank you! I am looking forward to starting it soon. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI have noticed that mammogram appointments always run early or on time. What a good thing. Hope the results are good (and good for you for doing your annual duty). I hope the start of high school goes smoothly!
ReplyDeleteHelen - Now that you mention it, my past mammograms have always been on time. It's a nice change to having to wait for most all other appointments. I should know the results in four weeks they said. Mouse had a good first week overall. Only a couple of rough spots. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI've been having a lot of issues with my feet and legs. Getting old sucks. I'll talk with my doctor about it next month. I know part of it is that I've gained weight, so I need to do better and try to lose a little bit. I have my mammogram tomorrow early.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I thought I commented, but maybe I didn't click the publish button. I read Small Island back in 2006. Looking at my review, I see that it took me over 200 pages before I really got engrossed. That's a long time to wait for things to get good. Today, I'd probably quit after 80 pages, but it was for an online book group, and I was the one who nominated the book, so I stuck with it. Wound up giving it an 8/10 rating. (Review here)
ReplyDeleteI hope your knee is doing a little better. Mine give me trouble every so often, so I'm super careful with what type of exercise I do. No more running, and sadly, no more pickleball. I hope you can avoid any surgery!