Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts

1. I just reread this post about being socially-isolated for three months that I wrote last June and I laughed so hard at the "really toxic auras" comment. Oh, Christine of June 2020, it got worse. Ha! The whole post made me really, really thankful for what life is like right now. 

2. I am GOING ON A TRIP next month! Sawyer and I are going to Lake Tahoe for several (yes, SEVERAL) days and I couldn't be more excited. I don't want to fly with him until he is vaccinated, nor do I want to drive a million hours in the car, so Tahoe was a great choice. Probably 8-9 hours with stops, I can see my mom on the way, and it will be WAY cooler there than it is where I live. Plus green nature, as opposed to the dry brown vegetation I'm currently surrounded by. I am so, so, so thankful. Also, I need a break from my dog. 

3. I've been a reading machine in June- I think I've finished six books so far and will probably get another three or so done by the end of the month. Sawyer is in summer school in the mornings, so that has given me some uninterrupted time. Next month will be a lot busier but I'm still making a huge dent in my yearly goal.

4. I am continuously disappointed with Prime Day, year after year. 

5. So, I bought myself a reading couch for the master bedroom instead (in my defense, the chair I have is basically the opposite of ergonomically designed). It's being delivered in late July and I can't wait!

6. We had friends over for lunch and swimming yesterday and it was the best. Our kids are finally old enough to (mostly) just play so we can catch up. I have loved my son at all the various stages so far, but I love this delightful mix of "I can entertain myself" and "I still love my mom and want to snuggle with her on the couch" that seven brings (and hopefully eight and nine as well). 

7. I'm reading Louise Erdrich's newly-crowned Pulitzer Prize winner The Night Watchman and it's so good. We have our English Department monthly book club for it next week and I think it will be a good one to discuss. 

8. I was super excited to finally realize that my Down Dog Yoga app also includes their sister apps for Barre and Meditation in my monthly membership. I would like to attempt to meditate occasionally, just because I think we can all benefit from slowing down and taking a breath, but mostly I'm thrilled with the Barre component. I did a ten minute ab focused session today and I can tell this will definitely be a part of my fitness routine. 

9. I feel so bad for Britney Spears. 

10. I know I've mentioned this before, but my two sisters are both getting married and my brother's wife is expecting- I love seeing everyone's excitement and prep! 2021 has been (knock on wood) SO good to my household and many family members- there's just so much joy. I'm just so thankful.

11. My dog is making it her mission to befriend everyone on our walks over the age of fifty. She has so many old-people friends.

12. I recently had to go on the IRS website to change some information regarding the new Child Tax Credit, and MY GOD the process for getting an account for the website is a lot! You have to send in pictures of your driver's license, provide your SSN, authenticate your email, wait for a two-factor code, and swear on your mother's grave. It had to be done so we don't get dinged at tax time next year, so it was a necessary evil, but sheesh (now I just have to get my husband to do it, haha). The whole time I was worried that I was going to get rejected and have to prove myself to one of the scariest governmental entities.