January 8, 2022 Goodreads Challenge Begins

 I have already begun my 2022 Goodreads Reading Challenge and I have completed two books.

The first book is “Spirits” by Catherine Valentine.  Catherine is a self published author of fiction and poetry.  She looks to have a bright future in writing.  This book is a compilation of three short stories.  Each one is a different object lesson and each one has a positive outcome.  I would say it is written for middle-grade readers and beyond and I think quite suitable for 6th grades and beyond.  I recommend.

The second book I have added to my list is The Garden Girls #8 — Bully in the Burbs by Hope Callaghan.  

I am enjoying these cozy mysteries quite a bit and do recommend them.  I used to read much more involved and  heavier books but am finding that since I read before bed, the cozy mysteries are much more suited to my reading habits.  I do have a problem with getting sucked into book series — it seems everything I read is part of a series and being the sort of person I am, I have to start at the beginning and I can’t stop until I am done which is good and bad at the same time.  So, as you can see, I am already deeply into this one series.  I started #9 last night.

I am doing well keeping up with my new routine and it is going a long way to making me feel productive. I know that sounds ridiculous, you would think at my age my routines would be set in stone, but something happens when your husband retires — suddenly everything just goes out the window!  

We now seem to be in some sort of competition.  My new routine is a bit Flylady-seque .  I start by getting dressed, making the bed, emptying the dishwasher, putting on a load of laundry,  blah blah blah.  Well, he has been watching me and is questioning how I am doing the laundry.  He thinks I am not being efficient.  Well, I think doing the laundry on a daily basis and keeping things from piling up is pretty bloody efficient!  Plus energy saving — MY energy.  Then,  yesterday morning I heard him in the kitchen rattling around and he was unloading the dishwasher BEFORE me!  I sort of chuckled because I didn’t know we were having a contest.  It seems like we are two school children and somehow competing for something but I am not sure what.  However, in the photo below I declared him the winner of that particular round.

I think he needs to go back to work.  Or out to his workshop and do something workshop-y.  Or rebuild his computer — something, anything — and quite rearranging my pantry — he is left handed and puts everything on the wrong side and I can’t find anything!  Who knew getting old was going to be so amusing?

So,  yes, off to find the tea bags for another cuppa.  Have a wonderful Saturday!