Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Checking In 4/15

Part of what keeps me from blogging sometimes is just not knowing what to blog about...I feel like blogging, but my brain has been on burn out mode lately. I read, but don't really feel like putting together an actual review and I'm learning that that's ok. So I'm going back to the basics. Blogging how I started blogging even before book blogging. A personal journal and if you want to join me for the ride, please do! I've always liked doing these type of "checking in" posts, where you write about what you're feeling, reading, watching, cooking, etc. So I think I might do these more regularly and make up my own format. Anyways, here's my first "Checking in".

What I'm feeling - This is something I've avoided writing about for the last couple of weeks because it's the hardest thing I've been through in awhile. But lately I've been feeling a big mix of emotions. I had to give up Burch, my puppy. It's a long story, but in the end, having him here at my apartment by myself wasn't fair to him. I work about 45 minutes from my apartment and have a private practice too outside of work so he was home by himself for a minimum of 10 hours a day and when I'd get home, I'd only get to spend 2 or 3 hours with him before I had to go to bed. That was no kind of life for him and it was causing huge amounts of anxiety for me worrying about him. My sister has a friend that he went to who lives right down the street from my mom so we'll still get to see him whenever we want. She's home all day with him and she has another dog that he's already made friends with AND he has a yard now. So he ended up in the best place possible. But damn it was hard :( I had grown so attached to that little guy so quickly, and the apartment has felt really lonely without him now that he's gone. I had so much guilt moving his home again but in the end I know that he's happy now and that that guilt had more to do with my own sadness of not having him in my life that I was putting on him. I'm getting to see him again this Sunday though!! I know it's going to be hard to say goodbye again but I need my Burch fix.

What I'm reading - My reading was nonexistent for awhile. During the weeks that I had Burch I literally read nothing and then for a few days after he left I didn't read either just from being down. But my reading has finally picked up! I listened to the audio of I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson and holy shit that's one AMAZING book! I can so see why it won the Printz. Has anyone else read this book? It's about twins who have a bond that creates a world of it's own and the hardships they face navigating that world as it's shook to it's core when tragedy strikes their family. I don't want to say much more about the plot. But damn I loved Jude and Noah and the humanity and uniqueness of this book. Definitely a favorite of the year! Right now I'm reading We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves which has been incredible from page one and I just read Volume 8 of Morning Glories last night which continues to be as fucked up as possible. I bought the next two issues of it on Comixology and I'm all caught up with the series now and there's still no sign of figuring anything out 44 issues in :p On audio, I'm listening to Something Like Spring by Jay Bell, his fourth book in the Seasons of Love series which has become a favorite.

What I'm listening to - Music...I could write a whole post about music and I've actually been thinking about blogging more about music. It's something that I've thought never fits into this blog, but that's sort of what I was talking about in that first paragraph. I want to stop worrying about what fits into this blog and just write about whatever I want. Anyway...music. Purity Ring's new album! It's called Another Eternity and damn it's good. Here's their website and it has a link where you can stream the album on a platform of your choosing! Their first album was one that grew on me with time and eventually became a favorite. This one, I just instantly loved. If you like electro-synth pop (that's not as specific as it sounds...) you will love this. Great beats, catchy as hell and Megan James' vocals are sweet as candy yet haunting at times. You can't help but feel good when you're listening to their music. My most anticipated album of the year right now is Grimes' new one. I REALLY hope she can put out new music this year. I've loved the song she put out with Bleachers for HBO's Girls, Entropy. If it's a sign of things to come, we're in for a treat! In other music news, I got tickets to see Smashing Pumpkins and Marilyn Manson together in July! Hello 1996 :p I've seen them both multiple times and cannot wait for that show. I may pull my old zero shirt out of storage for it that I got from my first Pumpkins show in 95 :p

What I'm growing - I FINALLY planted my vegetables for the year today!! In an old whiskey barrel! I think they'll do ok in there. It's deep and pretty wide so they should have enough room I hope. I'm going pretty small this year because my patio is getting pretty crowded. Just four plants, but it's just me, so that should be plenty...a tomato, a bell pepper, a jalapeƱo and an eggplant :) And I planted some mint because you can never have enough mint! My blueberries are already starting to ripen on the bush! I LOVE fresh blueberries right off the bush. And my roses are starting to bloom too! Should have plenty of pictures of the garden coming up  in the next few weeks :) I apologize in advance :p


What I'm watching - I've been binging on House of Cards season 3 and should be finished that today and then I'm going to start Daredevil on Netflix! Memory seemed to like it so I have high hopes on that one ;) As for regular tv....it's sort of a lull right now, huh? I think I'm one of the few people who still watches Revenge, though that's about to end and lets face it, it's time that show comes to a close. Still watching Grey's Anatomy though that show has been less than stellar this season too. I just want The Walking Dead back!!! At least we have the spinoff starting this summer!!! What should I be watching guys?? My DVR is lonely right now!

What I'm cooking - I haven't been cooking much either lately! But I'm fixing that today!! I'm making a batch of my favorite scones in the world...Debi's recipe! That I don't know if it's ok to share or not. I'll ask her and if it is, I'll update the post! I'm making them with cranberries and white chocolate though you can substitute that with anything. Seriously guys these are AMAZING. Ok...you know what...I think I have to hit publish and go make those now :p

6 comments:

Beth F said...

I can't imagine how hard it was to make the decision to give Burch a new home, but so glad you'll still be able to visit with him.

We haven't been loving House of Cards this season and still have a few episodes to go. I'm not sure what the problem is because we were hooked on the first two seasons.

Unknown said...

I know exactly how you feel about Burch! We just went through the same thing with a boxer puppy named Chance. But we gave him to a home that had another boxer puppy and a big yard. Hopefully he's doing well, he was just too big for our house and we are also gone 10 hours a day and that just wasn't fair. So I know how hard that was for you! I love looking at all the veggie pics you post on Instagram =) I try to plant veggies and herbs all the time (love basil!), I just wish that I could get something to sprout!

Bookfool said...

Don't feel bad about having to pass Burch on. It sounds like you made the right choice for him. Good for you. I know it's hard, though. We had a couple kittens that we had to give back before we adopted Miss Spooky - first, one that we adopted while living in student housing without realizing that pets were verboten, then one that made eldest son puff up like a tomato from allergies. I thought I'd never end up with cats and was pretty shocked when Miss Spooky didn't cause the trouble as the Siamese kitty that eldest reacted to.

I'm in the same spot you are with reading. I'm not having a great reading year and honestly don't feel much like writing about books. I'll have spurts -- days that I just feel like writing about them -- but they're rare. And, that's okay. If I don't feel like writing, I'm not going to force it. But, it does feel kind of yucky. I liked it when I had that urge to write about everything I was reading and I miss it.

Kristen M. said...

::lots of hugs::

I like the idea of changing to an anything blog. I have to admit that those are the ones I enjoy reading more these days. Maybe it's time for me to change things up? I don't know. It's hard to do something that takes an effort when you were already having trouble making an effort! ;)

Unknown said...

Sorry, you weren't able to make things work with Burch :( As for your blog, I've always subscribed to the rule that you should do whatever you want with your own blog, and I've always enjoyed your music posts!

Michelle said...

Oh no! I missed the news about Burch! That makes my heart ache for you. It does sound like he is at a much better home, but that doesn't stop the pain and sense of loss you feel. I hope you can spend lots of time visiting him in the weeks to come!