50 Books in 2021 - January

A goal I set for this year is to read 50 books again. I accomplished it a few years back and then I did it again, because why not. 

As an English teacher, I often forget to read books that I enjoy just for fun. And I'm always telling students that most of them dislike reading because they're instructed to read books they don't love. So why wouldn't I follow my own advice and read books that I love. 

I have to admit though, even though I have a degree in English and have spent entire semesters annotating Shakespeare and Victorian writers, my favorite books to read, for me, are trashy thrillers. Gimme all the secrets and kidnappings and lies and murders. I love books that I can't put down because I *need* to figure out what happens, and honestly, that's been the theme of the January books so far.

January Books

 1. The Odyssey (Student Level Version)

2. Child, Fiona Barton

3. Emma in the Night, Wendy Walker

4. Stand off, Sandra Brown

5. Wake, Lisa McMann

6. Girl Missing, Tess Gerritsen

7. You Are Not Alone, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

I would 100% recommend all of these books (and will honestly be passing all but the Odyssey onto my sister!) 

***This version of The Odyssey is the best, easiest version I have ever read.  Written in narrative form, rather than poem and it goes in sequential order rather than having a frame narrative. I bought enough copies for my class (thanks to some amazing people ordering for me when I hit the limit!) and will continue using this version in the coming year.  The rest of the books are perfect for a one or two day read that you just can't put down!

What are your recommendations? What should I read this year?

When the Littles Grow Up

 It's crazy to think I've kept this little corner of the internet world going for 10 years. It started as a space to document my pregnancy which then turned into a safe space for me to vent my frustration with unemployment and then became a place where I shared lots of baby gear items and toys.  The kids loved playing with new things that came in the mail, making recipes for content, and just being a part of it all. So much so that my oldest has asked for her own blog multiple times.  While she's not really looking to write blog posts, she's excited to be an influencer and share her voice in the world.

We settled on an instagram page, where she can share photos and videos of what she loves and it really will teach some important social media safety lessons. We discussed the rules-- 

1. mom has it logged in on her phone too

2. we only follow people we know and celebrities we love, not strangers.

3. We're smart about showing our bodies and our spaces - they're private for us.

4. We don't turn on our location unless mom says it's okay.

5. We only use our voice to be kind.

At almost 10 years old, these conversations will mold her digital identity forever. 

I'll still be here, sharing trips and recipes and toys, but there are SO many mom voices on the internet and I think having a safe, kind tween voice might be just the content some other young girls are look for. 

Be sure to check her out -- this.thatetc.

More 40 in 4 Updates

These two ended up going together...

6. Put my toes into the Pacific Ocean.

39a. Take the kids on a great vacation.

These two go together... we took advantage of California being a low risk state and travelled to see my brother before everything closes up and I won't be able to anymore! I mean, I'm sure eventually... but not any time soon.  I'm so glad we did go because while we were there, California's designation changed and it's now on the advisory list for Massachusetts. We got in at the last possible minute.

From splashing in the Pacific Ocean to eating burgers on outdoor patios to exploring Joshua Tree National Park, it was a truly amazing vacation (complete with masks and a whole bottle of sanitizer!)

1. Run a 5K

2. Have my palm read.
3. Weekend in the Vineyard with my family.
4. Buy a bicycle.
5. Wear a bikini to the beach, no cover up.
6. Put my toes into the Pacific Ocean.
7. Go back to Disney
8. Go to Universal Studio
9. Get a job in Higher Ed
10. See another Broadway play
11. Fit into a size 8.
12. Travel to Europe, ideally London or Rome.
13. Get another tattoo (or two).
14. Be debt free, minus student loans and mortgage.
15. Put away a 4 month emergency amount.
16. Begin working on an administrator's license or a PhD.
17. Take a photography class.
17. a. Got a nose piercing! I've been talking about it for years and finally did it as a gift to myself for my 33rd birthday!
18. Travel somewhere tropical.
19. Go camping.
20. * Get professional head shots for the blog.
20a. Get family photos done with the kids.
21. * Sew Emma a matching dress for her and her dolls
21. b. Buy a NEW new car! I've never owned a brand new vehicle but after having so many issues with our last car, we decided the extra money on a brand new car (under warranty) was smarter than any other option. 
22. * Consider selling the custom shirts I've been making for the kids...
23. Take a cooking or baking class.
24. Take a cake decorating class.
25. Go to Ireland.
26. Find a local church to belong to/Baptize Tyler.
27. Get out of the minivan.
28. Take a calligraphy class.
29. Participate in Restaurant Week in Boston or Providence.
30. Go to Disney Land.
31. Work on our kitchen: backsplash, new desk, new table...
32. Buy a jacuzzi and redo the back deck.
33. Fence in our yard.
34. Landscape.
33-34a. clean up the back yard of our new place.
35. Finish the basement.
36. Attending the NYC Thanksgiving Day Parade
37. Create a real vegetable garden for an entire season/year.
38. Spend the day at the spa, getting pampered.
38. Take a day after the quarantine and do my hair, brows, nails, and get a tan!
39. Splurge on our 10 year anniversary.
39a. Take the kids on a great vacation.
40. Save $10 for each accomplished task and spend it on something extravagant.