Hello, sweet friends!
I am participating in a new series hosted by my friend Sheila at Making the Most of Every Day. “Read, Watch, Listen and Follow” is something like the “Currently” posts I have shared but with a little narrower focus. Let’s get right to it.
Read: You might recall this post I shared recently with the books I am reading. You might also recall that I am a slow reader. So guess what? I am still reading but have almost finished Gone in a Heartbeat by Neil Spector, M.D. Less than 50 pages to go.
I am also reading on Giddy Up, Eunice by Sophie Hudson, an inspirational and encouraging book about friendship among women and Eleanor’s Story by Eleanor Ramrath Garner, children’s fiction about an American family in Germany during World War II. And there’s that short stack (mmm, pancakes!) of books on how to write children’s books that I am hoping to begin reading next week. And applying toward writing my own book.
And this postcard came in the mail yesterday.
Such a beautiful message from my daughter Brennyn. I think this is something I will be rereading for sometime to come.
Watch: Our TV is on at night but I don’t watch it much. It serves as background noise more than anything. When I am home, I go almost all day without turning the TV on. But my PC loves TV and movies. Right now we are “watching” the Denver Colts-Carolina Panthers football game on NBC.
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I have two fantasy football teams. Los Chicharones and the Pale Pink Porkbellies. Will be watching football all fall. Missing my man Peyton this year. He was always my first round draft pick.
This Tuesday I finished up “Bachelor in Paradise”. And this coming Monday I will start watching “Dances with the Wolves”. Oh my, did I really type that there. Pardon me, that’s what we call it in the privacy of our own home. I meant to say “Dancing with the Stars”.
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And best of all, this weekend I will be watching this little girl.
Lucia, Lauren and Francisco are coming down from Albuquerque for the weekend. I. Can’t. Wait.
Listen: I am listening to The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkes in an audio book…so much easier for me than reading-reading.
I am aware I am that last woman on earth to read this book. That and What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty, which I also have on audio book but haven’t begun yet.
In preparation for the kids’ visit, I am, of course, cleaning house. Which means I am listening to my records. You read that right. Records. Vinyl. The original format for listening to music. About ten years ago, Lauren gave me a record player for my birthday. I love to listen to my oldies but goodies when I clean.
One of my all-time favs is John Denver’s “Back Home Again”.
There’s a great song called “Grandma’s Feather Bed” on this album. Reminds me of nights when my girls and my dogs and my kitties would all pile in bed with me.
Follow: This prompt was tricky for me. What or whom do I follow? Hmm. I follow a number of bloggers including all of The Blended Blog gals (Deena, Shaunacey, Katie, Lana, Carrie, Whitney, Lisa, Alison, Andrea, Sarah, Abbie, Christy, Nicole, Sheila), individually and collectively.
I follow the word of God through my devotion. Right now I am completing Mary Clewley’s workbook Victorious Living: 101 Prayers and Praises.
It is perfect for a beginner at this devotion business like I am. We are asked to read three verses from the Bible, reflect on them in our own lives and write a prayer for each day’s theme. I have no experience writing or even speaking prayers…mine are always silent and private. The prayer-writing is a wonderful exercise.
I follow Fox News. And our local K-FOX. I follow a number of family and friends on Facebook. Family, friends and strangers alike on Instagram and Pinterest.
Most of all, though, I listen to my guy, not guy – GUT, gut instincts. I think about things as logically as an illogical kinda gal can. But when all is said and done…
It has misled me a time or two but all in all, I usually come out ok.
What are you reading, watching, listening to and following? Please share in a comment below.
Have a restful weekend, dear ones. Come back again, soon!
Hugs and kisses,
Sharon
What a sweet daughter Bren is. That card was from the heart and it’s all true! You are the best Mom/Mimi/Friend! Enjoy that precious baby this weekend. I will not expect an email! 😊 I don’t know how you get so many books read but when I go on my next trip I plan to start another book. I havent read The Girl on the Train but it’s on my list. Have a wonderful weekend dear friend! XO
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I have such sweet girls. That postcard just made my day. And then Buff was so sweet this weekend. I am one very blessed mommy. Got such good loves from Lucia and she warmed right up to me again. I don’t read that many books, I just start them and read them very, very slowly!! Girl on the Train is a great one to listen to maybe for your next trip. XO
Deena
Love the card from your daughter, super thoughtful! HOpe you enjoy What Alice Forgot!!! Happy Weekending
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you. I have the best daughters. I am one lucky mommy. I am really enjoying listening to The Girl on the Train and sailing through it, relatively speaking – in comparison to the speed at which it would take me to read it.
christy
I also plan to watch dancing with the stars! I hate to admit I’m a tv junkie but it is what I love to do after the kids are tucked into bed…
Leslie Roberts Clingan
We have the TV on so much you would think we were TV junkies, too!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
I haven’t read What Alice Forgot. I have Giddy Up, Eunice on my next to read after I finish Station Eleven. Your daughter is such a sweetie to send you that card! I should do something like that for my mom, what a great idea!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Would love to invite you to review your books with us the first part of October. You don’t have to talk about a book you’ve read but you can share what you are currently reading or even what you hope to find time to read. I honestly don’t know how you read anything as much as is going on in your life. Let me know if you are interested. We would love to have you!
Brennyn is so good to send postcards to everyone. Not sure how it works but I should look into it myself. She often sends them as thank you notes to my mom.
Sheila DelCharco
That Postagram is so cool! I’ll need to remember that! I liked and hated Girl on the Train. I look forward to your review. You are always so thorough with them! The fact that you have TWO fantasy football teams made me laugh! Que linda that little chubby cheeked baby! Have SO much fun watching THAT! I REMEMBER GRANDMA’S FEATHER BED!!! My dad played a lot of country including John Denver. So many good songs! I *always* sing “Leaving on a Jet Plane” in my head when I’m flying. “Rocky Mountain High” makes me cry. I don’t know why. And “Country Roads” just reminds me of my dad. I think I’ll go find a playlist and play a little JD today. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane! And thanks for linking up! xoxo
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, so glad you have good memories of John Denver’s music. We spend a number of summers in the Rocky Mountains when I was a child and his music always spoke to me. So far, I am really enjoying Girl on the Train. I imagine there are going to be some unexpected twists and turns coming up and have a theory about what’s going on but we’ll see.
Andrea Nine
There is no doubt in my mind that your daughter is the beautiful person and mother she is because of you my dear! A shining example of a job well done raising a beautiful daughter inside and out! I had to smile because sometimes I still go over to my moms and pull out the old record jackets and play the old vinyl, we have that exact same John Denver one! This post made my heart so happy and I am over the moon that you get to hold that little princess this weekend Mimi, have the best time making the best memories!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for this dear message. I have had such a love-filled weekend. Lucia was super snuggly and I took full advantage. I am so blessed to have such darling daughters. Not sure how much anything I did can be credited for making them such darlings but thank you so much for saying that. I was a single mom for a long time and not always the most patient. I was pretty tough at times but I don’t think they ever doubted I loved them.
Isn’t it a wonderful trip down memory lane to listen to the old records. My brother mentioned on FB this week how music can take us back to other days and time. It is so true. I have songs that remind me of different periods and people in my life. Thank you, Andrea, for this very dear message.
Karla Cook
Great list! I haven’t read Girl on the Train or What Alice Forgot yet, either, but I keep hearing about them. You’ll have to let me know if they are worth the read.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Would love to have you link up with us for book reviews the first part of October. I am glad to know that I am not the only one still hoping to read Girl on the Train and What Alice Forgot. I just know I will want to see the movies and hate to see them before I read the books.