TBR 2024

6. I Know What I Love You Means (Love series Book 1) by Staci Stallings contemporary Christian romance. Glad I waited to read Book 1 until I had Book 2 so I could read one after the other.

7. Moving Mountains (Love series Book 2) by Staci Stallings contemporary Christian romance. I gained so many insights into my own life, the past and the understanding I need to change to move forward. I need to better cling to God and more diligently seek His guidance. I've wanted to move the mountains in front of me but didn't believe I really could. God can.

8. Parenting with PTSD by Joyelle Brandt and Dawn Daum nonfiction. I would not recommend this book for everyone. The essays recount abuse some consider too difficult to read. I skipped some. I did read the journal writing prompt at the end of each, though some of those I also ended up skipping because they did not apply to me. I've never had children. The authors suggest reading "The Body Keeps Score," but I will not as I know it includes experiments done on animals. No. Just no. 

9. To Bring You Back (Rhythms of Redemption series Book 1) by Emily Conrad Inspirational contemporary romance. I read it last August but skimmed it again in preparation to read book 2. Redemption and learning to live again are the main themes. 

10.  To Belong Together (Rhythms of Redemption series Book 2) by Emily Conrad Inspirational contemporary romance. Trusting God and His plan, believing one's value is in Him alone, is the central theme and one I needed.

REAL Jan 22-27

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

I came down with a cold, this week. Not having the pressure of needing to go for walks and do PT helped more than I anticipated. I did do PT, every day. I also endeavored to make healthier eating choices and let myself sleep as much as needed. I focused more on drinking herbal teas and water and fruit juice for vitamin C. It's been a light cold, compared to others I've had in the past. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Blessed rain. God watered the plants

~ Yummy chocolate cake

~ Found an inexpensive and cute bunny with a lamp at Walmart

~ Time to heal

~ God's grace

Tomorrow is Chocolate Cake Day

Celebrate with a story, Chocolate Cake for Two

The second novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Freed, after being wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, Henry Weaver needs a fresh start. The "Help Wanted" sign in the cupcake shop window couldn't possibly be the answer to his prayer.

Holiday Sweets, a specialty cupcake shop, is Annie Sweet's heritage. Everything would be perfect if only she could find competent help. An ultimatum demands Annie make a painful decision.

Choosing God is rarely the easy way, and sometimes the way to Happily Ever After appears impossible...

http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Cake-Two-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HYLK0P8/ref=sr_1_1

 

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2014

All four novellas published in 2014 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2014-1/dp/150773459X/ref=sr_1_6

Chocolate Cake Day is Coming

 

REAL Jan 15-20

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

I'm taking more walks and doing more PT. I'm also trying to improve my sleeping and eating, and I am doing better. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ A few days of pleasantly warm

~ Opening the front door during the afternoon

~ Time with friends

~ Delicious food

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

Frozen windmills and snow covered solar panels do not produce energy. Nope, nope, nope. Anyone who doesn't consider nuclear lacks believability when they scream for clean energy. Germany has given up on that ridiculousness and is going all in with nuclear. Should prove interesting. 

REAL Jan 8-13

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

I actually did more walking. Funny how not having to keep track of the time took pressure off and made walking more enjoyable. It also makes it easier to stop and chat with people when I'm not worrying about subtracting the time I spent chatting from actual walking time. Yes, I worry about those things. The hazard of perfectionism. I'm working to let it go. I'm also doing more physical therapy reps. I need to improve on going to bed earlier. Otherwise, so far so good.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Blessed rain

~ Midweek study at church

~ Favorite authors

~ Heaters working against winter's chill

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

Does free speech mean you're allowed to say whatever you want? Yes and no. If you say whatever you want, expect to be held accountable. Free agency/free will does not make you free from consequences. If you jump off a building, the consequences including falling, unless you have some sort of harness or other apparatus that prevents the pull of gravity. Free speech means hearing things you don't want to hear. It means hearing hateful, hurtful things. It means hearing lies. Responsibility means learn the truth so lies are recognized, which is why the adversary pedals abandoning responsibility. 

TBR 2024

1. The Healing Code by Alexander Loyd PhD ND and Ben Johnson MD DO ND nonfiction. Fascinating.

2. Angel For Hire by Justine Davis paranormal suspense romance. I confess I sometimes wish for an angel like Michael, but then I'm no Alexandra. Some bedroom scenes. I love watching the characters grow. 

3. Wild Hawk (The Hawk Trilogy Book 1) by Justine Davis paranormal romance. If you don't like bedroom scenes, this series is not for you. You can skip those scenes and not miss the story.

4. Heart of the Hawk (The Hawk Trilogy Book 2) by Justine Davis paranormal romance. I enjoy the Old West setting. Horses make every story better. 

5.  Fire Hawk (The Hawk Trilogy Book 3) by Justine Davis paranormal romance. This one is a bit more difficult because of the abuse described. However, it's also a story of redemption. 

REAL

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

I needed a change in this. Keeping track of the little details has been both helpful and restrictive. I'm able to see what I'm doing, but I'm less likely to push a little more, because I'm done for the day when I meet the predetermined goal. I want to try pushing a little more. I've also allowed sleep to become a lower priority. What I've learned the last few months: Going to bed when I'm tired, instead of eating to stay awake, I feel better and I lose weight. I eat healthier. I know it's important to be accountable, so I'm going to try and make Monday a general review of how the previous week went. If it works, great. If it doesn't, I'll try something else.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Thanks God for watering the plants

~ Electric fireplace, beauty and warmth

~ Midweek study at church

~ Visiting with friends

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

I saw this on my weather app: 2023 is the hottest year in 125,000 years. Wait...what? We've been keeping official record of the weather since 1895. Nothing says SCIENCE like making false or at least unverifiable claims. Just stop. Enough drama is real in this world without making it up. 

REAL Dec 25-30

 REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Mon: Walks 15 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Tue: Walk 35 min PT 1-lb x2 UB x2 FL x5

Wed: Walk 10/10/10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Thu: Walk 35/10 min PT 1-lb x2 UB x2 FL x5

Fri: Walk 10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Sat: Walk 45/15/15/10 min PT 1-lb x2 UB x2 FL x5