Weekly Reads

Trashy romance novel. An on-going love affair with a series about a bunch of witches.

It's been a week (or two) of good reading.

Her Russian Billionaire by Theodora Taylor
Let's be honest, with a cover like that, how could one not want to read this one?!

I think I finished this one in a day. Not a terribly interesting read. Tedious at times, and for a romance novel it was pretty 'eh'. I get the trend right now is for the male characters to be strong, brooding, alpha males but it's getting a little old. And the dynamics between the female lead and her family----talk about dysfunctional. Must so many books have a storyline about the heroine having a terrible relationship with their parents?

A Nomadic Witch by Debora Geary

I really love this series. 

Like the other books in this series, Debora Geary does a fantastic job of putting together a story that really draws you in--this whole series revolves around a cast of characters I'd love to call friends.

Each of the books focuses on one character and this book focuses on Marcus, the resident grump of the "witch community". I spent most of the time, reading his story in tears--both happy and sad. I think of all the books in the series, this was my favorite as it seemed to be the most honest and one I could (on a very personal level) relate to. 

Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Fanny Merkin
Oh Fifty.....

This title showed up in the "recommendations" section of Goodreads and based on some of the reviews, I just had to check it out.

This book doesn't just poke fun at the Fifty Shades series by E.L. James, but also the world of sparkly vampires. There were many times I found myself laughing out loud during this read. Merkin does a brilliant job of capturing the absurdity of the story of Ana (Bella) and Christian  (Edward) in her telling of Anna and Earl: the Room of Doom, the fact that Anna made it through four years of college without a laptop (or computer) and email address, Earl's stalking tendencies.

This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who had read Fifty Shades and found it to be even the slightest bit over-the-top and ridiculous. 

                                                         

Music Monday: Andrew Bird

I don't even know if she remembers this, but a few years ago my friend Vickie posted on Facebook, "There needs to be more music that includes more whistling!"

Enter Andrew Bird.....


You're welcome. 

WO·MAN·I·FES·TO

WO·MAN·I·FES·TO 

 NOUN \ˌWO-MA-NƏ-ˈFES-(ˌ)TŌ\ 

 A written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, and views of its female author. May include themes of empowerment, independence, self love, consciousness, affirmation, and individual acceptance; your positive beliefs about yourself. Created to give self-described definition in regards to the innate beauty inside of every woman. Yes, even you. 

Definition and inspiration for today's post courtesy of Jes, The Militant Baker

\\//

I am Meg.
I am kind, funny, warm and giving.
I am quiet, shy, introverted and thoughtful.
I am funny, smart, sarcastic and intelligent.

I am woman. Full, soft and round.
I am emotional and caring.
I am simply me.

I am quiet and loud, I scream in whispers.

I am opinionated, full of hope and promise.
I am scared and terrified, yet willing and brave.

I am my own person; independent and free.

I am creative.
A thinker.
A writer.
A philosopher.

I give myself permission to cry at the drop of a hat.
To laugh at the most inappropriate of times.
Speak my mind with the softest of voices.

I give myself freedom to be myself.
To love myself.
To not feel guilty for eliminating those from my life who do not support me. Love me. Stand with me.

I am myself.
Beautiful and full of life.

This Week In Photos

Sunday: Working on a new bit of creative writing //Monday: View of the garden //Tuesday: Classic Truck //Wednesday: Sharona (striped monkey) came back from NYC and hung out at work with me and Shakira (pink monkey)! //Thursday: Sassy Red Shoes V2.0 //Friday: Every colored sprinkle in the rainbow! //Saturday: Who said nature doesn't have a sense of humor?!

Running with the Devil

Today marks what should have been my 5k run.

It didn't happen.

And I'm oddly o.k. with it.

When I woke up the morning, it literally took me an HOUR to drag my ass out of bed. All I could think about was how I had failed. I failed to finish the running program. I had failed to complete the 5k I signed up for (even before it started). I had failed everyone who told me I could do it and who supported me. But more importantly I had failed myself.

This is the kind of thinking that has killed all my previous attempts at running. I set goals. I work at trying to achieve them, but when I don't quite make it.......I quit. I throw in the towel and say "Well, that was that. At least I can say I tried!" Then it takes me a few months or longer to talk myself back into doing it again, rinse and repeat.

But I don't just want to be a trier. I don't just want to be someone that tries and tries and tries but doesn't  reach the end game or someone who quits when things don't go as planned. Sure, it's good to say that I'll never quit giving it another try, but I don't want to have to "give it another try". I just want to do it! And it's frustrating when it doesn't happen and especially frustrating when I know it's not happening because I am the one not making it happen.

Shoving all of that frustration aside, I did go out for my run this morning and even drove by the site of todays 5k race. It was a little bittersweet, but also a reminder that even though I'm not there today, I will be there next year. And it was also a reminder that I need to focus on how a far I've come and not how far I still have to go.

Over the last 10 weeks I've made some great progress. I'm actually able to run, without feeling like I'm going to collapse and all without walking. I feel absolutely amazing--my self esteem has never been this good, ever. And I feel strong. And for me, those are the things that matter most.

Yes, my bucket list is packed full of running goals, and I do hope to someday achieve them, but it will be in my own time. At my own pace. And that's o.k. Because I'm doing it and that's what is the most important thing for me. I'm actually doing it.