Reviews:
Not a single one this week! Isn't that weird? It's weird to me.
Read:
A Wilder Rose by Susan Wittig Albert
Murder on the First Day of Christmas by Billie Thomas
The Dark Path by David Schickler
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
Currently Reading:
I think I'll finish this one up this morning. It's good. Thanks to Allison for sending it my way!
The Unknowns by Gabriel Roth
Upcoming:
Here are a few of the books that I'm eager to get to:
Quiet Dell by Jayne Anne Phillips
Writers Between the Covers by Shannon McKenna Schmidt & Joni Rendon
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
Other Business:
I haven't been blogging. I haven't been visiting other blogs. Since those are two of my favorite things to do you have to know that something crazy is going on right?
I quit smoking 16 days ago.
I'm trying to shake up my usual ways and blogging has taken a direct hit. I'm trying to change my routines so that I'm not tempted to fall back into bad habits. As you can see, I haven't found a way to make it work quite yet. But I will. I will!
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| The applause light is on. Thank you for your support! |
Did you guys have a wonderful week? I truly hope so! What's up in your neck of the woods?
APPLAUSE!! good for you on quitting smoking! That's awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks Naida :D
DeleteAPPLAUSE! Congrats Jen, keep it up!! That is a VERY good reason for not blogging for a while (I'm impressed you're still reading so much).
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Shannon!
DeleteWhoa...congratulations, lady. Now you truly do rock! (Yes, you rocked a little less before, in my estimation, but now you COMPLETELY rock! ;) ) In my neck of the woods? Reading, reading and more reading.
ReplyDeleteReading, reading and more reading! Woot :D
DeleteThanks Bryan :)
Good for you--what a positive step to take. I'm proud of you!! Hope you find a new rhythm that works for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you! I'm finding all sorts of new ways to navigate throughout the days :D
DeleteWoohoo! So proud of you. That's definitely a worthy cause to give up some blogging and blog visits to for awhile. You'll work it and came back better than ever!
ReplyDeleteJoy's Book Blog
It's amazing how ingrained our routines can be. I've really had to make an effort to change everything about how I run my days! Thanks Joy :D
DeleteI just figured you were busy homeschooling and with the kiddos in general. I quit smoking the day I found out I was pregnant with Elle and it was HARD. Hub is still at it and You're absolutely right about routine and falling into those habits. You can do it! And if you need someone to vent to, you know where to find me.
ReplyDeleteIt's so stupid and so hard, ack. Sometimes it's a moment by moment thing! My kids have been great about distracting me with a game of Yahtzee or something if they see me looking weak, lol. Thanks so much Trish!
DeleteWell done for not smoking for more than a fortnight already! It must be hard. Are you quiting cold-turkey or do you use nicotine patches or something like that (acupuncture, hypnotherapy, excessive candy eating, knitting?)
ReplyDeleteIn any case, I applaud you!
Kind regards,
I started out by taking Chantix for a bit which helped me cut way down. Now I'm not on anything but the Chantix gave me a great start :D Excessive candy eating, lol! That too!
DeleteThanks so much :D
Congratulations!!! Keep it up- you can do it. Take your time- you will slowly work your routines back in. You are doing a great job. When I quit over ten years ago, i had to switch up everything-where I sat, what I did, where I went. It will get a little bit easier everyday
ReplyDeleteYes!! That's exactly what I've been having to do. I never smoked in my house but I had such a routine you know? Sit down at the computer in the morning with my coffee. Type for a bit, work on my blog, go take a smoke break...you know what I mean I'm sure.
DeleteI was hoping everything was okay over there! I saw you were still reading like a madwoman, so I knew it couldn't be too bad :) SO awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shannon :D It felt weird to be out of the loop! I think I've got a handle on it now, whew!
DeleteCongrats! Keep up the good work! Glad to see reading hasn't been affected! Lol. What did you think of The Husband's Secret?
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennine!
DeleteI really liked it. I thought all of the characters were fun to get to know. There were some chuckle out loud moments too, even though the book itself would be considered kind of heavy.
Congrats on quitting! Thats awesome. You can do it!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Greg!! :D You guys are all being so supportive which really helps!
DeleteWoohoo, 16 days and counting, go you!
ReplyDeleteI've missed ya around the blogosphere. :)
I think I'm back for good now ;) It was so freaking hard that first week, argh! ;)
DeleteJenn, that's awesome! I'm sure you can stick with it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Thank you! I've got this!
DeleteI've had quite a few weeks like that - no blog posts at all. But yeah, I'm not used to seeing you not show up. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty chatty and consistent for the most part, lol. This was a weird couple of weeks ;)
DeleteI tend to not read when I'm stressed. You are doing a great job in these first 2 weeks after quitting. Wow. I'm impressed. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Heidi! I'm finding that reading is really helping me out. As it usually does :D
DeleteWhat a major piece of news to slip in at the end there! Congratulations! That's great! Good idea to shake up your usual routines. Very smart!
ReplyDeleteLol, sneaky aren't I? Thanks Laurie ;) Yup, I keep trying to do different things at all times. For one, I was in a rut. Two, I don't want to be reminded of my smoke break times!
DeleteThat's awesome! Congrats, Jen and keep up the great work!! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristin! I almost didn't mention it but I'm so glad I did. You guys are awesome :D
Delete*CLAPS LOUDLY* Applause, indeed! Quitting smoking is a great reason for not blogging, and I hope that you stick with it! We're cheering you on!
ReplyDeleteAlso, Writers Between the Covers looks super interesting! Can't wait to see what you think of it.
Thank you Sarah!! I really appreciate all the support you guys are showing me. :*)
DeleteOooh, doesn't that sound interesting?? I can't wait to dig in!
Fantastic! Don't give up on your fight against tobacco. Don't worry about the blogging--you and your family come first. I know September is busy with the kids starting school and all the other extracurricular activities that drive us insane by the time the school year is up.
ReplyDeleteThe Paris Architect sounds so good.
Thank you so much Laura, I really appreciate it. Sept. is a bit nuts isn't it? Since all of our schedules are changing anyway I think this might have been the perfect time for me to quit.
DeleteI'm really looking forward to reading The Paris Architect. Soon, I hope!
You're amazing! We'll wait for you and your amazing reviews.
ReplyDeleteAwww, you're making me blush ;) Thanks lady!! Miss you btw!
DeleteI have missed your reviews! Enjoy your reading week. Quiet Dell's cover is really pretty.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on quitting smoking. I did that too, I stopped cold turkey. Don't miss it for one second. Not even tempted to have one, you'll get there!
Thanks so much Melinda, and good for you too! Cold turkey, ouch. I don't think I could have done that, lol.
DeleteCongrats on quitting!! I quit smoking about 8 years ago now. I used the gum for three months, then had to quit the gum, but that was easier. I also had to switch from coffee to tea, because I always wanted to a smoke to go with my coffee. And I didn't go to the bars either. It was one of the hardest things I have done, but I don't even miss it now. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI noticed you were AWOL, but if anyone deserves a break from the blog world, it is you. :)
One of the great things about quitting now is that there is no smoking in bars in Wisconsin now, lol. I don't go out to bars much anymore but when I do that will make it 100x easier :D
DeleteThanks Erin!
Standing ovation! I had a terrible blogging week too, and I didn't even do anything awesome like quit smoking. I'm glad you are back, though. :)
ReplyDeleteRock on, Jennifer!
LOL, thanks Lindsey ;)
DeleteAPPLAUSE!!!! But yeah, I can imagine some routine changes would help the process. Much like me and FOOD. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of food...omg. All I want to do now is EAT EAT EAT. Not good! ;)
DeleteYay for quitting smoking! Have you read The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg? It may help you with breaking bad habits and making good ones. What did you think of The Dark Path? I couldn't finish it. Have a very good week. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks :D I haven't read the Duhigg. Isn't it strange that I didn't even think to find a book about the subject? Huh. I liked The Dark Path quite a bit. :) You didn't I take it? lol
DeleteI'm always shocked when I find out someone I know smokes. GOOD FOR YOU for quitting. I'm sure it is tough.
ReplyDeleteAs for the books and blog....um, ditto. Life is different lately - in some pretty good ways - but it has definitely affected my reading.
I understand what you mean. I felt like the only smoker at the party, if you catch my drift.
DeleteI hope things are good for you! I miss seeing you around more often lady!
"I quit smoking 16 days ago." So awesome! Congratulations!! :D
ReplyDeleteHooray!! Thanks Jen!! :D
DeleteGet you, clearing your shelves and quitting smoking! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm making all sorts of a good choices huh?? ;)
DeleteExcept for grammar choices...those are all messed up. lol
DeleteI totally missed you, but understand completely how challenging life can be while giving up an addiction. But congrats - 16 days is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brooke :D I've been bouncing around like crazy, trying to find a new (healthy) routine!
DeleteThat is awesome, and if the blog is a little quiet for a while, I think that's a small price to pay for taking such a positive step! Go you!
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch Charleen! You guys are being so supportive, it's awesome!
DeleteHIGH FIVE! snap on the no-smoking. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteand yes, a bit weird to have no books to review? What up? :D
Vasilly's comment reminds me of a friend in college who had a mantra of "I will set GOOD habits and become their slave." over and over and over again. I have no idea what she was trying to quit or the good habits she was setting but that mantra, I will NEVER forget. I think it was Og Mandino.
Thanks!! Ah hell, I have a dozen books to review. What I didn't have was the mojo to actually REVIEW THEM, ha!
DeleteLOVE that mantra! Effective!
Nicely done on the two+ weeks.
ReplyDeleteI need to read The Husband's Secret. I've had it for weeks, but it has never appealed. I look forward to you review (where maybe you'll tell me it's amazing and urge me to pick it up and follow through on my commitment). Anyway.
Thanks darlin'!
DeleteI liked The Husband's Secret more than I thought I would! Lots of great characters. There's a heaviness to the tale but the humor helps break it up.
Congratulations on making such a positive change!!
ReplyDeleteIt seems so many bloggers are in either a blogging or reading slump - don't worry about it! Read and blog for you - no one else.
Thanks Kelly :)
DeleteI've noticed that as well. Something is in the air I think!
Great job on not buying books/getting library books! I haven't gotten a library card for my new city yet, but I've still been bad and bought a few books in the last month.
ReplyDeleteSome great-looking books on your list! Writers Between the Covers and The Paris Architect sound fantastic.
Uh oh lady, you'd better get a library card STAT! ;)
DeleteI'm itching to get to both of the books you mentioned. Can't wait, can't wait!! :D
YAY on quitting smoking!! I've always thought it was one of the worst habits a person could have so good on you for having the determination, will power and support to quit!
ReplyDeleteIt IS one of the worst habits EVER. I'm so glad to be done with it! :D Thanks!
Delete